Great Expectations!

For those of you who haven't heard... we're having a baby!

If you remember, I wrote a few weeks back that our church has a special time of prayer on Mother's Day for couples who are trying to have a baby. Jason and I stood for prayer that day, not even knowing that God had already answered our prayer! We found out the next week, and things have been going smoothly ever since...



And now, to answer all of the normal FAQs that follow...

How far along: 9 weeks

When are you due: Mid January

What do you want, boy or girl: Both, so I don't mind what comes next. I really want a daughter someday, but I also really want Gideon to have a little brother, so thankfully, God has to make that decision and not us!

How are you feeling: Disgusting, exhausted, fat, and very blessed :-)

Any cravings so far: Chili, warm hot sauce from Papasita's, and fruit

Any food aversions: Everything else, and sometimes even the above three items as well

Have you told Gideon: Yes, he has a big brother book, and when I asked him if he wants to be a big brother, he said, "Fun!" because the book says it is fun!

Are you sure it's not twins: (this would make more sense if you saw my "bump") Yes! We've seen the little heartbeat, and there is only one! I'm just fat.

Any ideas for names: Not yet. We asked Gideon for help, and he suggested "Cerealmilk." Jason tried yelling it up the stairs... "Cerealmilk Ryan, come down here!" but it just didn't have the ring to it that we're looking for

Will you continue to work: Yep, that's the plan. Assuming that the grandmas are still game for watching the kids on Mondays and Wednesdays...

Will you continue to write: I will never give that up. It may take me three years to write one chapter, which is understandable for this stage of life, but I will always try to get something done!

Are you going to find out what you're having: Yes! The sooner the better. I think we'll be able to find out in late August or early September.

What are your plans for the nursery: We'll redo the current nursery for the baby and move Gideon to a new room sometime this fall

Any rude comments from strangers yet: Yes! The lady at Bed, Bath and Beyond asked me when I was due the other day (on a day when I thought I was looking fairly skinny). Caught off guard, I touched my stomach and said, "Oh, you can tell? Uh, mid January." To which she gestured to my face and said, "Oh, I can tell up there, too!" What does that mean??? Is it a complexion thing? (Because Mary Kay takes good care of me in that area.) Is it the look of shear exhaustion? Is it the green hue? Ugh! Some people!

Any surprise blessings so far: Yes - I found out my wonderful, sweet former roommate, Tamara, is expecting too. This is especially exciting in that she and her husband have been waiting on God for years to bless them with a baby. Praise God!

Any particular prayer requests: YES! Please pray that our baby will be healthy and that the pregnancy will be uneventful. But, don't forget to thank God as well, because He's already blessed us so much and we are extremely grateful!

Those are all of the questions I can think of, but if you think of anything else, add it to the comments and I'll keep the FAQs updated! :-)

And, here is the latest Gideonism before I sign off...

Lately, he's been asking me to read the Bible verses to him that are written on the wall of his room. One is 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." After doing this for several nights, I started pausing in places to see if he could fill in the missing word. He did great on the others, but when we came to this verse, I said, "...in life, in love, in faith, and in --" and he said, "and in tee tee!"