Milestones

This past Thursday we crossed into our third trimester—happy 26 weeks Noah! It’s amazing to think that almost exactly one year ago (January 21, 2008) we were having our second level two ultrasound which confirmed that Ethan did indeed have Trisomy 18. What a different experience that was compared to where we’re at now. We are able to see several positive differences in this pregnancy which is reassuring.

Noah is kicking, moving and stretching like crazy. It’s so cool to feel him and see him moving from the outside. (I can’t imagine what it feels like inside!) Every once in a while when we’re at work I’ll look over at Monica and see her clothes moving over her belly. Noah’s definitely getting stronger, too. Every now and then he gives mama a stiff kick or jab that surprises her. He also keeps her up at night--he thinks 10 p.m. is playtime.

I’ve started reading books to Noah and last night’s was Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, by Mélanie Watt. I know it’s not about me, but I love that book. Pretty much any book with a squirrel is going to be high on my list, but in this one the squirrel is OCD. That puts it at the top. Last night Noah moved and kicked while I read and kept on squirming after I was done. We didn’t have time for another book though, mama needs her sleep.

Where are the portraits?
We haven’t officially done portraits since week 15. Shame on us! With Ethan we did portraits every few weeks, but things have been so busy lately that it constantly gets pushed down the priority list. Between trying to finish up my thesis and Monica doing her Stampin’ Up! stuff, free time is really scarce.

The only way to make sure we’ll do it is by putting it on the calendar, so guess what? We’ve scheduled a shoot this weekend and we’re going to make it happen, I promise. I’ll post an image or two as soon as we’re done.

Here are a few photos to hold you over. Monica had on her baker’s hat the other day and whipped up some tasty cookies and cupcakes!

Baby Registry

As we eagerly anticipate Noah's arrival in 114 days (or somewhere about that time) we have begun to think about the nursery, our registry and, best of all, holding our son. He has been pretty active and awake at 3:30 each morning this week. We have another doctor appointment next week and then another ultrasound on the 12th of February. I am looking forward to see how much Noah is growing—and not just me.

Because I know there are many moms and even dads who read our blog, I wanted to survey each of you to help us as we prepare our registry. Of course there are many guides and checklists to tell us what we should be registering for, but perhaps they have overlooked something. What is the one thing you could not have lived without during the first couple years of your child's life? Was there something you registered for that you never even took out of the box? What item would you recommend splurging on, and what would you advise us not to invest in?

So Long 2008

Is there a better way to celebrate the passing of a year like 2008? We had enough candy for a dozen movies, but we only managed to watch two and, thankfully, we hardly made a dent in the candy bowl. Truthfully, I’m surprised that we were awake when the new year began.

As we ring in 2009, Monica and I have a lot to reflect on and a lot to be thankful for. In the past year we endured some of the most difficult times of our lives. We lost a brother and a son within three weeks of each other. And as many of you know, the weeks and months following were thick with sorrow and questions. Trials, indeed.

Despite our trials, I will still remember 2008 as a good year because through all we endured our faith has been strengthened, our spiritual walk with Christ has matured and our marriage roots have deepened. There is so much to be thankful for, not the least of which are our new jobs working for a Christian publisher.

Over and over we’ve seen how God’s timing is perfect, how he answers prayers and how he uses our struggles for good. Several times we saw what others might mistake as coincidence, but we knew it was the direct hand of God working in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

In Hebrews 11:1 it says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” For humans, faith is one of the most difficult convictions to face because it is full of the unknown. For us, we know now that faith means putting everything in God’s hands because there is no other choice. It means trusting that His plans will be better than ours every time.

Lastly, when reading the Bible and looking for answers to why God allows bad things happen, I came upon 2 Corinthians 1:3-6. It says:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

Monica and I have had several opportunities to minister to others who have faced similarly difficult times. And while 2008 was a very difficult year, I’m honored that we can serve our God in this way for years to come.

Here’s to a healthy and prosperous 2009.

In Him,

Ryan and Monica