An Unexpected Gift - Can You Guess?

So, most everyone already knows and I haven't been the sole news announcer on this, so I'm not entirely sure exactly who knows and who doesn't. Any way, for those of you who haven't heard yet, we have some exciting news... betcha can't guess what it is...?

That's right... We're EXPECTING!! According to our calculations our little bundle of joy should should make an entrance into this world around August 6, 2009. We're really excited and as soon as we get past the yucky morning sickness hopefully life will get back to normal... or at least to the point that I can function on a daily basis. Some days aren't so bad and some days, well we just survive.

We hadn't planned on getting pregnant just yet, but I guess we should've known better, especially given AJ's family's past fertility experiences. Although, each of these experiences has resulted in a new little blessing that only makes the family bigger and better. Well, and there seems to be something in the water lately... I've got 3 friends, a cousin, a neice and a sister-in-law who are also expecting right now. They are all at least a month or two ahead of my eight weeks, but it's kinda been fun have someone to talk to that knows what it's like.

Yesterday I came down with the flu and had a really hard time keeping anything down. I finally stopped regurgating everything I ingested around ten last night and spent a good chunk of the night sucking on ice chips. I'm finally being able to keep down some liquids and crackers... my monster headache (i think from being dehydrated...) is finally starting to go away. YAY!

Christmas Day marks eight weeks in this "joyful journey". This whole being pregnant thing is nothing like I ever imagined... I was surprised how early I was feeling the effects of this new little growth inside me, and not just the morning sickness, although that is a good part of it too. I definitely don't have a ginormous belly yet, by any means, but some of the other changes to my body... oh my. It's been something to experience.

And, I've been so blessed to have such a great amazing, supportive husband. Very rarely does he complain that the dishes aren't done, the house is a mess, or we're running out of clean clothes. I feel bad that I don't seem to have the energy to do a whole lot, but AJ is great about helping pick up my slack after he gets off work. He really is a blessing and I'm so grateful he is mine, all mine.

Our baby is finally starting to look a little like a baby and not so much like the manatee it did last week, although it still has manatee-like qualities. The arms and legs are developing and so are fingers and toes. It's about the size of a kidney bean. Last week we had a little blueberry sized baby. It's been a lot of fun to learn how a baby develops week by week. It's absolutely amazing how fast they grow.



We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May you find your lives as blessed and joyous as we find ours. We're so grateful for the many blessings, all the family, and the friendships we have. We're grateful for the blessing of the Gospel in our lives. May your lives be blessed and may you find joy in the little things. We love you!