...but I hate roller coasters!

                                      
Time to bring everyone up to speed.  It's been a very long 2 1/2 weeks, but a very busy 2 1/2 weeks as well.  Bryce finished up his first year of Travel Baseball with about 6 games, and the kids got signed up for Football and Cheer while Jonas is plugging away at school.
Health-wise, I am pleased that I no longer have to go every week to the OB/GYN as my pregnancy induced high blood pressure is finally regulated with the proper dosage of medication.  I did however, go in for a check-up shortly after I passed my kidney stones and had a chat with my Doctor. Those who know me well know that my concern was not about the kidney stones, but rather what was in store for us as we prepared for our 2nd ultrasound which was going to confirm the initial findings and prepare us for the future of our unborn child and our family.  Whether from this writing or speaking with us (Jon and I) you would know that we had accepted all that was going on and prepared to make the best of this situation and any outcome. 

Throughout the next 2 1/2 weeks, I prayed- Prayers of peace, comfort and healing.  I felt a calmness surround me everyday, from the time I awoke, until I lay my head on the pillow each night.  I received numerous messages via Facebook and phone about prayers and thoughts for us and the baby. We also had someone drop by the house and put a meal in the fridge one night for us to enjoy before a baseball game.  I was continuously touched by His grace, the thoughts and prayers from friends and families and the kindness extended to us during this time. 

2 1/2 weeks passed and it's Monday morning.  Grandma arrived around 8:30 and I woke Jon at 8, 8:10 and finally at 8:25 he got out of bed- but was ready to go at 8:30.  I thought I'd be nervous, scared, sad..anything- but just as the past couple weeks- I was calm, relaxed and comforted.  So much so, that when we were running a little early to our 10am appt, I suggested stopping for a quick bite to eat.  In typical "White" fashion, we arrive 20 mins early and get checked in, only to find out at that time that the Ultrasound techs are already running 20 mins behind.  While I found this to be no big deal, the man sitting next to me what literally sitting on the edge of his seat....chomping at the bit...and constanly pointing out the time and how long we had been waiting and how many people went in ahead of us.  Around 10:30 we venture back into the u/s room and got prepared as the tech was finishing up on another person and they were booked and running behind.  After about 10 mins of waiting, in comes Maureen and off she goes.  And just like the last time, this baby does not cooperate with the techs...kicking, punching, moving, flipping, rolling...you name it.  Soooo...Maureen starts having me lay in all sorts of positions, flat, flat with legs up, left side, right side and even partially on my belly.  I never was annoyed and just kept thinking, this is not for me to see the baby but rather for the Dr's to get a good look at what our future would entail.  Now I should mention that throughout the 30 mins of the u/s, you could hear crickets....nobody said a word.  At this time, I decide to break the ice as the silence was killing me, and I came right out and asked Maureen if she could confirm the cleft lip that was found in our initial u/s 3 weeks prior.  Maureen advised that this was against their policy and honestly, she was not able to say anything, so I explained to her what my OB/GYN had told me, which was that they would tell me what was found and help line up Dr's.  With this information, Maureen advised that she would tell the head of their Dept and see if he could come in and talk to us.  I thanked her and then told her that at our initial u/s we did NOT want to know the sex, however given the situation we were in, could she check the sex of the baby and NOT tell us, but prepared to put it in an envelope if the craniofacial difference was confirmed.  She told us that we should turn away, which we did and that's when this baby decided to cooperate and Maureen said sternly, "don't move" and click, click, click- and she said was thrilled with the photos she took of the baby's face and showed Jon. "All done"!! 

We waited about 10 mins and in walked Maureen and an older gentleman who introduced himself, but quite honestly, I cannot recall his name.  He continued by telling us that he wanted to apologize to the 2 of us for putting us thru what he had over the past few weeks, as after he reviewed the u/s photos from today he can clearly see no crainiofacial abnormalities and this baby looks just fine.  He goes on to explain that maybe it was a bad photo and the upper lip was flipped up--he didn't really know.  WHAT?!?!  I thanked them both several times and headed out...in disbelief, happiness, chills, sadness, thankfulness....the list goes on.  I had a permanent smile from ear to ear for the next hour, while we let our family and friends know of our recent news. 

The news we received just a few days ago is still mind-boggling to me.  I could chalk it up to a few things....a  bad photo, human error, answered prayers and even a miracle performed by our Creator, the Master Physician, my Savior- Lord, Jesus Christ.  My faith is stronger that it was yesterday and will be stronger tomorrow. God Is Good!!!

Lastly-  Maureen did not tell us the sex and never provided us with an envelope neither-so we still are anxiously awaiting the birth, to find out what sex will be completing this family!!!

                                 Thursday Night Baseball

Thurday's typically find us "prepping" the house for the cleaning lady and getting our plans in order for the weekend, which brings on baseball tournaments.  Yesterday, I found myself completing my tasks a day earlier as we have a night game for Bryce, under the lights, tonight.  This will mark the last regular season game for this 9U Season. 
This weekend will mark the last tournament of our season as well, as we travel to Fenton- Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I am welcoming the wonderful 1 1/2 weeks that we will have to enjoy with no sports practices or games, before we enter- Football and Cheer season!!!

Thanks again for all of the encouragement on the blog--- I am going to try and get a little help from the rest of the family, as I only think that this will help them, too!!

While I have been restless and a bit sleep deprived, I am finally getting a good nights sleep.  I feel the prayers that blanket us and am overwhelmed with love, by those that are reaching out.

Dear Heavenly Father- Thank you for this glorious morning, with birds chirping and the sun shining bright. As I look around each day I remain in awe of all of your creations- seen and unseen.  Lord, please continue to guide us and Lord, fill us with peace and everlasting comfort.  In your precious Sons name we pray- Amen.

"It's your OB"

"Who has time for that?"  I say these words and find myself posting on our New Family Blog.  I have decided to start this blog with the Hope that I will keep many of my family members and friends updated on our family.  I know...some of you are saying, "why now"?  So let me try and update everyone briefly.  Currently, Jon and I have 3 children, Makenzie (11), Bryce (8) and Jonas (3).  Many of you already know that we are expecting #4 in November as well, which means that we recently had our 20 week Fetal Survey Ultrasound , you know- the "so what are we having-ultrasound" or the "no news is good news-ultrasound"??

It's dinner time and I am frying burgers because we're out of propane (boo), and trying to pass the kidney stones that placed me in the ER for 2 days (ouch).  Jon's cell phone rings and he hands me the phone and says, "It's you OB".  Spatula in one hand and phone in the other, I head to the not-so-secret "quiet place" in the house- the laundry room and take the call.  Dr. Theilking keeps it brief and real and tells me that he received the results from our ultrasound just days ago and needed to go over some information the tech had found.  He prepares me by telling me that he has some news that is not great yet not something that cannot be treated, and that I should take a deep breath. Following the docs orders I do just that (take one deep breath) and receive the news- the fetal survey shows that your baby has a cleft lip. Dr. Theilking lets me know that there will be a follow-up Ultrasound to confirm what was initially seen and this will then start our education on this craniofacial difference.

With the phone call ended and another Ultrasound scheduled for Monday, July 23rd in Ypsi- we now wait 2 long weeks to find out the severity of this cleft lip and to take a closer look at the baby overall.  Jon spent the next while, looking to see what exactly this news meant and of course was blown away by the news.  The remainder of the evening and next day was spent calling family and close friends to speak of our news. 

Today, we are both thankful for our Faith and Trust in God. He will sustain us as He has in the past...in good times and in bad.
So there you have it---a load off of my chest and the beginning of this Blog!! It is here that I will do my best to keep everyone updated on all of us.

Dear Heavenly Father-  If my tears well my eyes in the morning, may I pause and pray to you, oh Lord.  Please continue to renew my hope, and quiet my soul with the calm of your peace-In your sons name we pray- Amen.