A Visit from the Home Health Nurse

I get my very own home health nurse that comes to my house and talks about my fetus every two weeks (compliments of the USAF). Her name is Debrah and I think she is wonderful. Yesterday she brought these little silicone fetus models with her and a really cool video showing a 3D developing fetus (Joe and I watched it last night). The picture below is Debrah holding a 16wk fetus and a 22wk fetus. (I will be 18wks tomorrow.)
I just set an appointment for our 20wk ultrasound this morning for February 12th so that is when the next blog will be to let you know the pressing question on everyone's mind... boy or girl.

This is me holding the 16wk fetus... I think it is sucking it's thumb/hand.

This is what our baby will look like when Joe and I celebrate our 4 year Anniversary on Feb 18th. They grow up so fast!

Potato Baby

I went to another prenatal appointment today and before I left the house I read up a little on our little bundle. The literature said that right now our baby weighs around 5oz and measures 4-5" crown to rump (or the size of my palm). I wanted to get a better idea of how big that really was so I broke out the tape measure and the food scale and searched for a comparable object...

There is the story of the potato baby. I was also compelled to draw a picture of a fetus on it for Joe's viewing pleasure (and he was pleased).

We introduced our new potato baby to our other babies... as you can see Bunker is playing "Nanny Cat". (Above) Pinkerton wasn't quite ready to nest with it like Bunker but she was willing to give it a small kiss on the head. (below)

I figured I would hold the faux baby up to my belly to show the size comparison... black is a VERY slimming color!

Can you believe that my uterus is the size of a Cantaloupe now?!

It's Fetal Heartbeat Time!

Here is a video clip of our baby's heartbeat.

And there you have it folks.

I think it sounds like a little horse galloping toward the end.

Pinky was very curious so I had to include her.

Atlanta Adventures

Joe and I took a quick weekend trip over to Atlanta to partake in some festivities, but before I get into that I have to squeeze in a picture of my adorable cats: Also a few pictures of my new car:

And now for the pictures everyone really wants to see...

Little Kathryn (aka "baby sister") was absolutely precious, I just couldn't help myself. I was kinda ridiculous, I just couldn't bring myself to put her down or stop staring at her. At one point when someone else got to hold her and Joe caught me looking on longingly he whispered, "This is killing you isn't it?" (I knodded) and he said he was proud of me for sharing. Thanks for letting me have so much time with her Megan!

Saturday was Grandma Gerken's 90th birthday party and we were supposed to be a surprise guests but the surprise was accidentally lost when Grandma cleverly figured out that we would be there... she was still very excited to see us and I tried to upload a video of her reaction but it didn't work, but it was cute, just take my word for it.

Here is the picture of Grandma with her family. There are better ones on someone else's camera. This picture was taken last and we were all starting to tire out.

This is a cute picture of Joe and I with Megan, Steve, Kate and Nate.

Joe's cousin, Amanda, has a daugther also named Emma and I absolutely love this picture of little Emma holding Kathryn.

And here is the guest of honor with her surprise package.The next day we went to church and Kathryn was baptized. Joe and I got to stand up as her Godparents. Can you tell how nervous we were from the photo?

Adventures in California

My Dad and I took a road trip over to Ukiah

to see Steph & Hannah. Steph took us on a really

cool hike through the Redwoods and Hannah kept

us entertained the whole time. Here's a clip of

Hannah showing of a firebelly newt she found.

On the way to the Redwoods Hannah tried out my glasses

(the sun was in her eyes).

Steph and Hannah and I had to get a group photo.There were free range sheep wandering along the side of the road.
Then Joe showed up and the real celebration began... My dad showed off his new house...
and his cooking skills:

And no California Christmas would be complete without Grandma Pat.

Mooma and Jobie took us to one of our favorite restaurants, Morning Thunder.

It is small family owned place but the food is HUGE. Wow, I just can't stop thinking about it...

We took a stroll through Bidwell Park after breakfast. While at the park we came across this strange auto...Can you believe it was for sale?Too bad Joe had already bought me a new Ford Fusion, I would've looked good cruisin' this monster.