Laughter is the best medicine

Although Madeleine continues to be quite sensitive and shy around others, we really enjoy capturing her goofiness and great personality for others to at least watch, even if they cannot participate. So in the midst of all of the unknowns that currently surround our life, we take immense pleasure in moments like this one.

Baby on board

Here's a small part of our ultrasound. I know it's hard to figure out what you're watching at first but keep your eyes tuned into the right half of the screen and look for his face. The first video is using the 4-D technology and the second is the more traditional version. Enjoy!

And the winner is...

A boy. Yes, we are having a baby boy! So for those of you who guessed boy (like Justin who voted twice), you win the glory of being right. We had an amazing time today with the ultrasound technician who took her time and showed us everything. And she said that our baby is without a doubt a boy, in case you were wondering.

It will take me a little while to get part of the video uploaded so you'll have to wait but it should be worth it.

Communication

For about a month I was worried about Madeleine's inability to really communicate with me. Since then, her language skills have soared. She has every desire to mimic and imitate me whether I'm telling her an animal sound or if I yawn. Here are some of her latest additions.

Cheesecake conquered!

I spent Madeleine's morning nap yesterday making my first cheesecake. I had always been intimidated by cheesecakes. They have this aura about them that made them seem beyond my cooking abilities but thanks to a Good Housekeeping recipe, I tackled and conquered that fear! Here's the proof.

And I didn't eat the part that's missing, I promise! I only had one piece but left the rest with our friends with whom we had dinner last night. Technically the cake was supposed to be in celebration of Cody and Justin's birthdays which were last month but really I was in a baking mood but didn't trust myself with a whole cheesecake sitting around the house. And, by the way, I did make homemade strawberry sauce to go with it! Yum...I think I'll go have some now!

17 weeks and counting

I know I haven't been in the latest videos or pictures for you to see the progress Junior has made. Sorry about that. While we can tell I'm pregnant, I'm still in the "I just look like I've let myself go" stage so not everyone else can tell. But these are to show that yes, my belly has grown and it's doing so much faster than it did with Madeleine.

The disappearing feet shot is always a favorite. And, by the way, I was an "innie" for 27 years but I may be destined to be an "outtie" for the rest of my days thanks to the wonders of pregnancy.

One Week to Vote!!!

This is your last chance to guess the sex of Junior, a.k.a., the noodle. One week until the ultrasound. Hooray!!!

A great day!

Madeleine and I had a great day today. We spent a lot of time outside hiking (I'm trying to get better at identifying local wildflowers and wildlife), then played in the grass in the nearby softball field, walked to get the mail, and finally took Maggie for a family walk. As you can see, Madeleine enjoys sporting her sun-proof attire, which she usually chooses to keep on. She's a funny kid!

Spreading Phlox (on Waterworks Hill)

Male Mountain Bluebird (on Waterworks Hill)

Funny kid (in a stroller on the sidewalk)

Proof!

Here you have it...the proof you've been waiting for!

(This happened this afternoon before we went for our family walk.)

Cline fun

Here are some pictures of the fun we've been having over the last week.

Hiking Waterworks Hill

(Justin skipped a class last Friday to come hiking with us.)

Just us girls out for a hike again on Monday

Checking out our neighbors' spring flowers

She can walk!

Madeleine took her first unassisted steps today! She walked 3 steps all on her own in an attempt to get closer to her daddy. We both witnessed it and practically scared her with our excited reaction. Over the last two weeks or so she's become far more comfortable just holding onto one of our fingers and walking so I suppose this shouldn't be a surprise. I look forward to the freedom (and chaos) this new discovery will bring to our family.

The job situation

Our plans continue to be up in the air regarding where we will be living this summer. As of yet, Justin has not heard anything back on the New Hampshire position. Last we knew his resume was being sent on to the hiring department. We were hoping they'd offer him an interview but enough time has now passed that we're doubtful that will happen.

Nothing else has transpired regarding the position here in Missoula.

If you think of us, please pray that Justin makes the cut and that we'll find out in the next few weeks. We know God will provide for us no matter what but if we could avoid a little anxiety we'd like to do so. I'll keep you updated.

What happens when a baby meets a bookcase?

Here's your answer:

Madeleine's become even more brave in her attempts to walk. She was showing us "Look mom and dad, no hands!" as she stood in front of the bookcase. Then she fell. Normally she falls backwards onto her soft cushy bottom but not this time. But don't worry, Daddy was right there to pick her up and kiss away the tears. It's not a big boo-boo but it's evidence of her ever-growing independence.

Thoughts...and vote please!

Maternity pants make me feel more pregnant than when I wear my normal pants. I checked out Ross's maternity rack and found a few pairs of jeans that will help hold me over until the weather warms and I can pull out capri pants and gauchos that fit. As I wore the new jeans today in Costco, however, I had the irresistible urge to touch my belly, as if I was 7 or 8 months pregnant! And while I am showing much earlier than I did with Madeleine, I still don't look pregnant yet to the passerby. For now I'll just look like a lady who likes to touch her belly a lot.

Madeleine's in utero nickname was "the peanut." Junior has remained nicknameless up to this point but I think Justin and I are going with "the noodle." It just seems to fit.

Justin had a dream a few nights ago that we had a boy. Last night I had a dream we had a girl. That should help throw you off when you make your guess in our poll.

Oh yeah, in case you hadn't noticed, I posted a poll that you can participate in. On the left-hand side of the page you can vote on whether you think "the noodle" will be a boy or a girl. You have until noon on the 28th. Then hopefully we'll be able to post what the ultrasound shows and you can find out if you're right or wrong. Good luck!

Still kicking

So I made it through the night without any trips to the hospital. Thanks for all of your prayers! I overindulged with a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup which didn't sit so well so I took it easy for dinner with some plain noodles. So far so good.

I did manage to make it outside today for the first 50-degree-plus sunny day we've had in weeks. Maggie, Madeleine and I went for our traditional walk through the cemetery and I was able to watch a red-tailed hawk fly overhead with a stick in it's talons and land in a nearby tree. I'm assuming it's building a nest there. It will be fun to watch it throughout the spring. That's one of the things I love about Montana: wildlife just outside your backdoor!

From bad to worse

I finally started to feel like I was getting over my cold yesterday until...(duhn, duhn, duhn!) I woke up this morning feeling my stomach rumbling. I hoped it would pass but around 8:30 this morning I lost it at both ends. Originally we hoped it would be attributable to morning sickness but after another round of it hit this afternoon, we're thinking I have a bug of some sort. I'm trying my best to keep down some Powerade right now. Unfortunately, if I can't keep the liquids down for another few hours, my midwife asked me to go get an IV at the hospital. Ugh, no thanks! So any prayers sent my way would be much appreciated.

It is an incredible blessing to have Justin as my spouse and Madeleine's dad! He has been a tremendous support allowing me to take a nap and he has been Madeleine's primary caregiver all day. I have no idea how single parents do it! I think Justin just started working on the dishes so I should go help or at least cheer him on.

Goofy girl

Here's Madeleine with her latest attempt to copy us. Hope you enjoy!

The babies' checkups

Madeleine had her 1-year checkup yesterday. She is a whopping 31 inches long (97%), 21lbs. 3oz. (50%), and 43cm head circumference (75%). So she's long and thin (for her size) with a decent sized melon. Dr. Judy said things look great and she remains impressed with Madeleine's ability to sleep 12-13 hours a night. Madeleine did have to get her MMR shot yesterday which surprised her quite a bit. Fortunately she's gotten a lot better at recovering from the "shock and awe" and only cried for a few seconds this time. Her next appointment is in June when she's 15-months old! Here's a picture of our big girl on her Bobbie Doll Car--named after the car Mooch likes to ride in the Mutts comic strip.

As for Junior...

I had my 14 week appointment this morning with Jeanne, our midwife. She's so great! I absolutely love going to The Birth Center and hanging out with the ladies there. I feel more like I'm going to a club I belong to than a doctor's office. Jeanne was gracious and let me take another look at Junior via a sonogram (no video this time...sorry) and said everything looks great. My suspicions were confirmed that my enlarged uterus is to blame for my pants fitting a little differently and not the 3 pounds I've gained. I'm sure you all wanted to know that! Junior's next appointment is in the afternoon on Monday, April 28th. That's when we'll have the "official" ultrasound and hopefully find out the sex of the baby and if you're lucky, we'll let you know too!