STUBBY

Today, two days before our first prenatal appointment, the baby is 6 weeks along in development.

Rich says he's going to call the baby 'Stubby' this week in honor of its newly forming arm and leg buds. On top of that milestone, the baby has a beating heart (which beats about twice as fast as mine) and a small blob of lung tissue. It also has several small, dark depressions on it's over sized head marking the spots where cute little ears, eyes, and a nose and a mouth are beginning to develop. Wow...

With our approaching appointment Rich and I have delved into a lot of discussion... not so much about the first part of pregnancy, but the last. The labor and delivery. He and I have decided to plan for more of a natural birth. Simply meaning that, as long as there are no complications with the progression of labor or anyone's health, I won't have pain medicine or other drug interventions. I warned Rich that this means he'll have to suck it up and become a lamaze guru with me, but he wasn't phased (though he still hasn't agreed to rub my feet on demand... I can't imagine why).

Of course, we hope the delivery will take place in South Bend at St. Joe's Hospital. For anyone who didn't hear, Rich was required to submit his hospital rankings by 12AM (Eastern Time) on January 23rd for the DO match. He only ranked St. Joe. We are a little nervous about this bold move, but very excited. Please continue your prayers for us; that we will be open and react with wisdom to whatever God determines is best for this season of our lives.

As I said in the last post, although our baby is going through monumental changes and we have many new things to think about, I feel relatively the same. I am learning the hard way that just about every type of food upsets my stomach and I'm coming to terms with eating frequent snacks rather than meals. To my dismay (and Rich's I'm sure) I've noticed I can be just a little cranky too, but Rich has been very understanding. One of the most enjoyable changes we're both experiencing is a change in prayer. Even though we can't see or feel a baby yet, we're expressing our thanks and asking for loads of grace, love, and wisdom. ...How much we have to learn from His agape love.

I look forward to updating the family after our trip to the obstetrician on Thursday (first and foremost by phone, of course). We love you.