Prenatal Testing

The Gent and I have always skipped optional prenatal testing. The 20 week ultrasound anatomy scan is the only test we have done. There are lots of reasons for doing the extra tests and for skipping them, and of course you have to decide what is best for your situation. I chose to skip them because I knew I would not have a definitive test (like amniocentesis) because of the risk of miscarriage associated with them, and the screening tests only give you percentages. A couple of weeks ago I read these articles on the screening tests and was so glad we had decided to skip them!

Prenatal Tests Misleading Parents with False Diagnoses

Have New Prenatal Tests Been Dangerously Oversold?

Sprinkle for Munchkin!

Sweet friends hosted a baby sprinkle for me and Munchkin. I enjoyed a mama's night out and had fun celebrating our newest baby. Munchkin doesn't need much, and received just the right mix of practical gifts and a few special things--just for her--that aren't hand-me-downs from her big sisters.

Munchkin, by this weekend I think I'll have everything done that I "had" to finish before you arrived. How do you feel about coming Monday? It is a holiday and all. ;)

One Thousand Gifts, 131-135

131. Energy and patience from the Lord to accomplish so many little tasks I wanted to complete before baby's arrival.
132. My husband's energy and patience in keeping up with my changing to-do list. :)
133. A chance to help lead worship one more time before Munchkin shows up.
134. Financial resources to pay experts to complete some major house projects.
135. Beauty even in gloomy, Southern winter days, as the thick clouds hang low and the rain falls slowly and steadily.

Sophie: 19 Months

So big!


trying so hard to stand still


why are you making faces at me?


Sophie sure did enjoy this Christmas. Opening presents was lots of fun. Her favorite thing is still her big kid water bottle, ha! She also loves her Care Bear stuffed animals and dolls. This month Sophie moved from the high chair to a booster seat at the table and she is very proud of her new seat. But at times she is still insisting on being treated like a baby. She wants to be carried a lot and often finds her way over to me, stretches out her arms, and says "up!" We'll see how she does when the new baby comes and she has to do more sharing...happy 19 months, sweet girl!

New Year's Christmas with Bebe and Papa Rick

The kids were mostly pictured-out at this point, but I did manage to get a few good ones in (most show JJ's face, so I won't post them here). Bebe and Papa Rick joined us to celebrate New Year's and a belated Christmas and an early birthday for Bebe. We were glad to have them here to celebrate all and sundry!

Also, I am please to report that my children are almost back on schedule after the holiday fun. They enjoyed all the extra attention and sugar and presents but I am glad to have everyone back in routine...at least as much as possible with the house a disaster zone from all the projects (electric work, drywall repair, new playroom carpet, rearranging bedrooms, prepping for baby). Also, each day brings said projects closer to completion. And me closer to labor, eek! I better go clean out a drawer or something!

One Thousand Gifts, 126-130

126. Fun times with the Gent's parents and that they are willing to travel to see us often.
127. Prenatal yoga to keep the pregnancy aches away these last few weeks.
128. Energy to make progress with the house projects.
129. The Gent's forbearance during said projects. :)
130. My parents for being so generous with their time and furniture and spending all afternoon re-arranging our upstairs!

Munchkin Nine Months and the Baby Guessing Game!

Nine months and almost there! I suddenly realized I have about three million small tasks and then several big ones I want to get finished before Munchkin arrives. Thankful for my sweet husband who is putting up with my nesting combined with my annual January deep clean and clean out urge! It is busy around here, for sure. Here's a peek at what's on my big to-do list...

Put away Christmas décor
Clean out house, sort Craigslist postings and charitable donations
Re-do storage as needed (arts and crafts, linens, shoes)
Sort items for consignment sale
Update family scrapbook
Update kids’ Shutterfly books
Order Annie’s invitations
Finish planning/shopping for Annie’s birthday party
Amazon order
Set up nursery
Clean cars; rearrange car seats and install baby seat
Preregister at hospital and type kids’ schedule
Have downstairs electrical work and drywall repair completed
Make 4 more meals and 6-8 loaves bread for freezer
Set up Jacob’s big boy room
Have carpet installed in playroom
Set up play room
Re-bid insurance
Get oil changed and tires rotated
Pack hospital bag, include birth plan and gifts for kids

Then if I have time I'll deep clean the house. Spent 2 1/2 hours on the kitchen yesterday and it is pretty sparkly! :)

Now time for the baby guessing game. If you want to play, leave a comment with your guess on:
- baby's name
- when she will arrive (for reference, I'm due Jan 25; Annie was 4 days late and Sophie 6 days late)
- how much she will weigh and how long she will be