17 Weeks!

Right when we found out we were expecting, we started taking weekly chalkboard pictures.  We emailed them to a few friends and family each week, along with my current favorite foods and the best moment of that week.  I really wanted to find a way to include Isaac and Emma in my weekly pregnancy pictures, so we started talking about the size of the baby each week in relation to produce.  Isaac has especially been interested in this, and he often asks, "How big is the baby now?"  When I gave him the onion tonight, he held it up to me and said, "Wow!  Is it really that big!!"  

We have no idea if we will ever have this experience again, so we want to celebrate our growing baby with our kids each week!

Food Cravings

Coleslaw, cream cheese wontons, corn dogs, and orange juice are still at the top of my list!  My 17 week pregnancy email said, "Your appetite likely resembles that of a truck driver's!"  Dave laughed so hard when I told him that and said, "That explains a lot!"  I was laying in bed last night and told Dave that a corndog sounded absolutely wonderful.  My sweet husband drove to Sonic and bought me one two corndogs and a large tater tot at 10:30 p.m.   (I promise I saved one corndog for lunch today.) 

I don't think I've ever been as hungry as I have in the past few days.  A lot of foods still don't sound good, but I'm crazy about those that do!  I haven't craved sweets once during this pregnancy, and they often still turn my stomach.  I gave up coffee last April, but I missed it (and regretted giving it up) for almost three months.  Now, I can hardly handle the smell!  If you know me well, you know that's crazy.

Best Moments

Of course, hearing our baby's heartbeat (169) at the doctor on Monday was fantastic.  I feel like time stands still while listening to that glorious sound.  Inevitably, I always cry.  (Crying--at least as hard as I do--makes my stomach shake, and the nurse has to find the heartbeat again.)  :)  My doctor was so encouraged that I haven't had any bleeding in four weeks.  We know that this is because an army of you are praying for baby and me, and we continue to trust God to protect our baby.  Because of this, Dr. Bradford is allowing me to be up for an hour or two each day.  It has been so wonderful to sit at the table and eat with my family!   

Emma made us laugh so hard the other night at dinner.  Dave told her to eat another bite of her food, and she said, "My tummy is full.  Really.  There's a baby in it."  :)

Emma is so cautious when she climbs up on my bed or into the recliner to be with me.  She says, "I be careful of your tummy, Mommy.  I be careful." She also loves to find my waterbottle, bring it to me, and shove the straw in my mouth.  "You drink your water, Mommy.  I help you."

Isaac loves to talk to our baby.  He usually says, "Hi baby!  I'm your big brother.  I think you're a boy...or a girl."  Last night he said, "Hi baby!  This is your big brother.  I know you're doing well."  

We praise God for our baby, who is doing so well!  Thank you for all your prayers!