27 Weeks

Here are our unofficial Christmas pictures that we took in our front yard after we realized we all matched for church on Sunday.

Last week we took Josiah to the doctor again. Jacob was very disappointed because they did not do an ultrasound. Everything did check out well, though, and I am growing on track and his heartbeat is great. Now we are on the every 3 week checkup routine and Jacob will get his ultrasound next time.

Meanwhile, Josiah is running laps inside me, I think! Maybe he'll be fast like his dad. Yesterday his uncle and aunt, Jesse and Denise, brought him some hand-me-downs from his cousin Savannah. At this rate, we wont need anything but the basics! Everyone has been so generous.

Many of you already know that with this slow economy I lost my job 2 weeks ago. Since then we have moved back to Gainesville, which we were planning to do next month anyway. I can see where God is being more than generous in the way things are working out despite what seemed to be a bad thing. Pray that things continue to work out for our family's benefit. I now have time to settle in to our home (which is turning out to take more time and be more work than anticipated) and prepare for Josiah's coming, which will be here before we know it. It has been interesting to try to fit our things, my mom's things, and Josiah's things back into a home that just Jacob and I lived in before! What makes it more interesting is that both Jacob and my mom refuse to let me lift anything at all. I'm going to become a wimp, but at least I'm cared for!

Yesterday my mom put money down on a house and will sign the contract for it today. This is a house she has been looking at for about 5 months now, but for many reasons has not been able to move on it until now. It seems to be a very good fit for her and is very close to us. And, thanks to the economy, it is now a great deal! We are all hoping everything goes smoothly and we can get her settled into a place of her own. She has been crammed in our spare room and itching to get out!

Week 23 Doctor's Appointment

So today Jacob and I went to the doctor again. Josiah seems to be perfectly healthy and so am I! I was a little surprised by the scales, though :) My doctor said I made a nice "jump" in weight but that it was ok in my case. I just think Josiah is fat, that's all. My belly measurements have grown more than I realized, too.

We also made our last payment on Josiah's prenatal care and delivery. I almost felt like we paid off a car or something! He'll be worth it, though! I joke with Jacob that we can drive to the hospital when I am in labor, and we'll plan on having the baby in the parking lot so that we can save some money if all goes well, but we'll be nearby in case there is a problem. He timed the drive the other day and was a little worried because it was about 35 minutes. I told him if it went so quickly and smoothly that we didn't make it, then I'd be happy with that. Afterall, who wouldn't want a 35 minute delivery? (Suzanne, I'm already jealous!)

Well, I'm off to eat a great dinner and add to Josiah's waistline!

20 weeks

And here is a real one for those of you asking (you know who you are). It is about two weeks old because Jacob had the camera with him in Brazil, but I will do more later.

In two days we have another doctor's appointment. I have no idea what they are doing at this one since all the most exciting appointments are over.

These days it is unmistakable that little Josiah is moving around. Even Jacob can feel it. I can watch him change positions as the kicks move across my belly. It can be quite entertaining in church (while I listen intently to the sermon!)

Lesson Learned

Today I learned a lesson from my husband, which is funny because he isn’t even in the country right now and I haven’t talked to him yet today. In fact, I have probably haven’t even talked to him for a total of 10 minutes in the last week. He left for the Amazon last week to serve people in need on the river, which has a lot to do with what I learned from him.

So, how did I learn something from him long distance and without communication? Through his reputation. Early this morning we had to euthanize our sweet old dog. Very sad. I was trying to wait until Jacob came home on Thursday so he could see her (and dig the hole!), but she couldn’t wait. Dilly (AKA Dally, Dilly Dally, Vidalia….depending on who you are) was a fairly big dog, weighing in at 60 pounds after a month of weight loss, and I was purely dreading digging a hole big enough and deep enough to keep her safe from scavengers. At 5+ months pregnant, it was looking like an even more daunting task.

Anyway, Jacob always tells me that his friend Terry always offers to help with anything while he is gone and feel free to call him anytime. Well, of course I never want to bother anyone. But this time I called Terry feeling completely pathetic for not digging the hole myself, but he was willing to drop everything and help me at my convenience…that brought much needed peace of mind.

So what does this have to do with learning a lesson?

While I was watching Terry work to dig the hole, I asked him what I could do to thank him. Could I bake him something? He said no, having Jacob as his friend was all he needed. He was thankful that Jacob calls him on Monday mornings just to see how he is doing and that he has been a great friend to him. He said he was just happy he could help somehow and that he knew Jacob would do the same for him. Funny thing is, those of you who know Jacob know that he lives to help people and that he truly cares. Everything he said about him is true, I just never knew people noticed. People have been blessed by him. So what did I learn from Jacob? People truly appreciate when you take the time to love them and care about their lives. Jacob is ALWAYS more than willing to talk with or help anyone. We should never give up an opportunity to serve others. God gives these opportunities to serve and if you say no, He will find someone else to do it and you will miss out on the resulting blessing. You never know what it means to the people you serve. And, if you are lucky, one day they will remember that and help you in your time of need. (Or if you are like me you will benefit by association!) I wish I could be more like Jacob. In fact, I may just try that!

Oh, and my mom was there for this whole conversation, so if she didn’t already think he was the perfect son-in-law who could do no wrong, now she thinks he walks on water, too!

And in remembrance of our always-happy dog, keep a positive Dilly-tude! (I was not the one to make that up!)

Here is a picture my uncle enhanced from an original that is posted below in September. Thought it was good for a laugh!

Announcement!

IT'S A BOY!

Josiah Jacob Amlong

Here is his cute little face and hands.

He was sleepy and the ultrasound tech had difficulty waking him up! See his little beating heart?

This video has the evidence of Josiah's manhood :)

All of his head and body measurements and his heart rate were normal for his gestational age. That was the best news to me. I tend to worry between doctors appointments and dread them for fear they will find something bad.

To celebrate, we went to the mall to buy little Josiah something to wear home from the hospital. That sounds easy, but it was actually difficult. We ended up with more than one thing...go figure.

If you are wondering about the choice of names, read on.

Many of you are familiar with the story of Josiah from the Old Testament. These are our thoughts on the name and why we chose it:

Josiah became king of Judah at the young and impressionable age of 8. What is amazing about him is that after being raised in a world where belief in God was rare and idolatry, child sacrifice, and prostitution were rampant, he went against his entire culture and turned himself and his nation over to God. God must have found a great strength in Josiah’s character and was watching out for him. He saved him from the death and destruction of his the ways of his predecessors. God had revealed himself to Josiah and Josiah listened and followed wholeheartedly even with the pressures of a nation on him. He must have been faithful and trustworthy for God to choose to reveal himself to him and Josiah responded decisively. “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or the left” (2 Kings 22:2). I hope that our son will develop this kind of strength of character that will allow him to follow Christ despite the world around him.

As for the middle name…Jacob…he is well known Bible character, not to mention Josiah’s daddy’s name! I’m so proud of Jacob (my husband), his character, and his love for God, so Josiah Jacob seemed to be a fitting name.

You can read about Josiah in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35.

Tip Of The Day

Sometimes I have such great conversations with clients while we work! Today I vaccinated a bunch of horses for a client who had a baby in early spring last year. I asked her how she managed to have such a flat stomach so soon and she proceded to pick up her shirt to show me all her flaws that remain.

Later she said March was the perfect time to have a baby because the weather is good enough that you dont have to clothe them for at least the first 10 months and, therefore, you have no laundry! I'm not sure I'll go for that, but it is a good money and time saving tip.

Oh! The things people say!

I figured some of you may enjoy hearing what some of my clients have said as they find out I'm pregnant. I haven't really told most of them simply because it doesn't usually come up naturally or in a professional way and I guess I think they'll figure it out soon enough. But, the other day I was treating a horse as the client told me how the horse and her dogs are her kids. She then asked me if I had any kids and I told her no, but that in March I would. She gave me a funny look, looked at my abdomen, looked back at me and says, "So you are adopting, then?" I told her no, that I really was pregnant. She couldn't believe it.

This week after I finished looking at a lame horse for one of our favorite clients (who always buys us goodies and chats with us), I told him I was pregnant. He asked when I was due and when I told him he said, "What are you having? Whatever it is, it sure is small!" Then he made the point that his mare is also due in March and she is much bigger! Later he called me back and said he'd build me "one of those things Jesus was put in" (aka, a manger) and put it in the barn for me. He said he would take care of both me and Cupcake (his mare). I thought that was thoughtful, but kindly declined!

Apparently, despite how I feel, I'm not nearly big enough!

First Concert

Last Thursday "Beanie" (as my mom likes to call our baby) or "Junior" (Jacob's favorite name) went to his first concert. We went to see Brad Paisley with Brian and Julie at the O'Connell center. Granted it is not the type of concert I'd want him/her (will find out soon) to go to for a LOOONG time, but it was fun. His opening acts left something to be desired, but his portion was good. There were times I was wanting to plug the baby's ears to protect from the noise which obviously wasn't feasible (especially since my fingers are still bigger than his whole head)! Regardless, we had a good time. Thanks, Brian and Julie, for the invite.


Only 2 weeks until we find out if it's a boy or girl, and therefore what to call "it". Stay Tuned!

13.5 weeks

JUST 5 WEEKS UNTIL WE FIND OUT

IF IT'S PINK OR BLUE!

We still have 6 months before our baby joins us and we already have a crib, a bassinet, 2 swings, 2 bouncy seats, a bath bed, and a saucer seat! I think we'll have enough for Grandma's house too!

13.5 weeks

We had another doctors appointment today. I have gained about 5 pounds in 4 weeks. Is it supposed to happen so quickly???

I have no new ultrasound pics to show, but we did get to hear our baby's heartbeat. It was about 150 beats per minute (normal). It was good to hear. It may seem strange, but with doctor's appointments being about every 4 weeks, by the 4th week, I tend to wonder if the whole thing is even real! Jacob thinks that my expanding waistline and lack of fitting clothes should be a hint, but I guess I think I should feel different.

Actually, yesterday I had my first moment of feeling different when I blacked out and became drenched in sweat and nauseous at work in front of my boss and technicians...oops. Unfortunately it was at work, but fortunately it wasn't in front of a client. Oh well, I'll take an episode or two any day over morning after morning of sickness (which I'm happy to say I never had).

13 Weeks

9 weeks, 4 days

Today was our first visit with the doctor at 9.5 weeks. Our ultrasound showed a 27.7 mm baby that actually looked somewhat human! A head, torso, and all 4 limbs are visible. With a little bit of coaxing, he (or she) wiggled and appeared annoyed about being disturbed from sleep. Jacob says it is premature paybacks!

5 weeks, 4 days

At our first ultrasound performed at 5.5 weeks we were able to see just a speck of what is to become our baby. While the picture does not depict it well, the quick "blip" of a heatbeat was obvious. This is when it all became reality...

Intro

I am starting this blog in effort to share a new experience with all of our family and friends. Those of you that know me well, know this is not my kind of thing. We are excited about what is to come and I will try to keep all who are interested posted. I hope to hear from lots of you!

Surprise!

A boy or a girl,

we just cant say,

but we're sure excited

about our baby on the way!

Our baby is due on March 18th, 2009!