It's been a while...

almost 4 months, actually.  And wow has a lot happened since the last post.

In June, we found out that my blood levels were looking like there was a 1 in 111 possibility that the baby had Down syndrome.  So we went in for a 3d ultrasound to check everything out (they measure the leg bones, nasal bone, folds of skin on the back of the neck...and the baby was only about 5 inches long at this point!!  Amazing!) and though they could not be sure without an amniocentesis, the doctor said that our chances were cut in half of the baby having Downs, so that was encouraging.  

It was weird though, because we were a little nervous leading up to the appointment, and then seeing our precious baby up there on the screen, moving around, rubbing her teeny eye, chewing on a bit of amniotic fluid...neither of us could have cared even a little bit about what our child might have, whether Downs or anything else.  This was our BABY, our amazing little gift that God has given us.  We both just wanted to say, "Bring it on!" to whatever came up.

The doctor was also able to tell us that we were having a little girl!!!!  Before we found out the sex, we were planning on doing everything fairly neutral, to be practical for other kids that come along.  But then she said it was a girl, and of course we wanted everything PINK and BOWS and FRILLY.  So exciting!!! :)

So since that appointment, we have decided on our beautiful little girl's name: Grace Amara.  Grace is self-explanatory, and Amara means "precious gift, wished-for child."  Absolutely perfect for our little blessing.  

I first felt her move around on June 12th, and she's come a loooooong way since then!  Yesterday I felt a little foot or something poke into my tummy, and I put my finger on it and gave it a little push. She pushed right back!  It was absolutely amazing.  Her moving around at first was amazing and a true realization that there was something living inside of me...and now, now you can feel her actual body parts...she's a PERSON!  Like a real, live PERSON!!  God is just beyond amazing.  The fact that we can grow mini versions of ourselves, INSIDE OF ourselves...wow.  It's a little overwhelming sometimes.  We have both been just in awe so many times during this pregnancy.

Anyway, we go in for another 3d on the 15th of this month, just to check again about Downs. On the 9th we start childbirth classes...AHHHH!!!  Just another little reminder that this is really really happening.  Crazy!

I will post pictures as soon as I can of "the belly."  It's definitely a-growin'! :)

Ok, it's time to get some work done, being Labor Day and all!  God bless.