Exciting News :-)

Lorena is going to be a big sister!  I'm currently just over 10 weeks along with Hiesterbaby.  We have been blessed to see baby's heartbeat at 6 weeks gestation, hear it again at 8 weeks, and see baby bouncing around just a few days ago at 10 weeks.  Baby waved at me at our last visit.  Can you believe we have technology to see God's miracle in a mother's womb this early?  Such an amazing sight to see baby waving at me when it is is barely an inch long and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce.  

Hiesterbaby shown at 10 weeks gestation

We are excited and happy but scared knowing my history of miscarriage and pre-term birth.  Some people suggest waiting until after the first trimester to announce a pregnancy.  Supposedly you are good to go after 12 weeks!  I have friends that have suffered miscarriages in first and second trimesters, and our nephew was taken to heaven when he was four.  And after having a preemie of our own, I have realized there really is no "safe zone."  We are just excited and ready to tell our news in hopes that people will pray for the pregnancy. With Lorena being born 12 weeks early, we are taking every precaution possible.  We did plan this pregnancy and visited the same doctor in Omaha who helped us get pregnant with Lorena.  She recommended me to a High Risk Ob/Gyn also in Omaha for my pregnancy. My first appointment with this doctor is in a few weeks

Prayers are welcomed and appreciated for this pregnancy.  A previous preterm birth is one of the biggest risk factors for having another premature baby.  In my case, the doctors didn't really know why I started pre-term labor but assumed it was due to some sort of infection.  Every pregnancy is different so we are hoping that this baby stays in full-term.  I have to admit that having another preemie is one of my biggest fears...and keeps me awake at night.  All I can do is pray and have faith in God that this time around things will be different.  

Meanwhile, things have started to get a bit busier with work.  I have thoroughly enjoyed several afternoon naps because Lorena and Hiesterbaby have been making me very tired.  Here are some pics of Lorena while I was attempting to write this blog.  She is into everything and has started climbing. 

Harvest, Update on Lorena, etc

It's been a slow few weeks in the crop insurance world in Central Kansas...and I am very thankful!  Things will pick up once harvest is complete but for now I have had some days to relax, get the house organized, catch up on book work, and hang out with Lorena.  It's been a good September and October so far.

Harvest is always a busy time for farmers and this year is no different.  We are done with soybean harvest but still have milo and corn to go.  Dan drills the wheat for his family.  We had 2 1/2 inches of rain several weeks ago which slowed down planting progress, but Dan finally finished up Sunday night.  Monday we had more rain which gave the farmers a much needed break.  Lorena and I had been spending lots of time together in the evenings so it was nice to have Dan in the house at 7:30 last night.  He had been out past 9 for weeks so I think he needed some rest too.  Dan enjoys farming so I try not to complain about the hours.  Harvest is only temporary.  But then again, I know I will never have a husband that comes in the house at 5 pm and expects supper by 5:30.  I don't think I would like to have a husband like that anyway.  Dan loves to tinker in the machine shop on rainy days and during the winter and I'm glad he can do it.  I also like my alone time and enjoy watching my tv shows (Dan likes to hog the remote control).  But the time we spend together is extra special when it happens.

Lorena is still growing up so fast and doing well!  She has four bottom teeth and three top teeth.  She has more hair and is getting blonder by the day.  She leaves a path of destruction wherever she goes.  Some of her favorite hobbies include playing in the dishwasher when I'm loading/unloading it, pulling the stuffing out of my couch cushions, chewing on my couch upholstery, pulling clothes out of the dryer, etc.  She is getting ready to walk by herself but still needs to hold onto a table or chair as she goes.  She just started clapping her hands when I say "clap Lorena" and she will wave bye to people when I tell her to wave.  We still are using a bottle.  She doesn't like a sippy cup.  I've tried all the different transition cups and she seems to hate all of them.  She refuses to be fed with a spoon so she self feeds at every meal.  She still loves cheese, crackers, bananas, noodles, graham crackers, and puffers.

Being adventurous

At the pumpkin patch

My pretty girl in purple