What's new lately

The main thing we've been dealing with lately is all of us recently having a stomach bug. NOT FUN! Poor Ally is still battling some serious diaper messes/rashes.

Other than that, Evan & Ally are really, really looking forward to Trick Or Treating on Saturday! Ally is going to be Abby Cadabby and Evan will be a muscular Superman. They got a taste of Trick Or Treating last weekend when we went to Trunk or Treat at the YMCA. Evan now remembers why Halloween is so cool: C-A-N-D-Y!!!!!

I can't believe in one more week Tim & I will be going out of town BY OURSELVES for the first time ever. It's just for the weekend, but as it draws closer, I'm getting more and more nervous about it. I've never given up this much control before, when it comes to my kids. I *pray* that they'll be good for Grandma & Grandpa.

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Well, we *finally* had the 'big ultrasound' today!!!!

I was bawling almost from the moment it began; even before they told us the gender. Every time she told us that some part of the baby looked perfect, I cried harder & harder. I just can't believe how fortunate I feel to have a healthy, beautiful baby again. How amazing. What a miracle!!!

I have to say, I was utterly surprised to NOT see boy parts on there! I truly felt like it was a boy. But then again, I was wrong on my guesses for Evan and Ally as well. So much for Mother's intuition, right? LOL!

They made me a CD of all of the pics, which was really special. I'll post a few of the pics later on.

Right now I'm just riding on a cloud. I'm so incredibly thrilled and blessed!!!

Oh, and we're 99.9% sure we want to name her Emily Ann. We just love the name Emily. And Ann was my Aunt Darlene's middle name. She grew up in the same house as me since I was 5 years old (she had brain damage) & she was such a special part of my life. Sadly, Aunt Darlene passed away quite suddenly from a heart attack 3 years ago. Hopefully she's smiling down from Heaven right now.

Tomorrow at this time...

We'll know how our family will be rounded out. I'm feeling so overjoyed!!! And now that I'm this close to knowing one way or the other, my heart assures me that I truly will be SOOOOOOO grateful no matter what.

I am SO lucky. SO fortunate. SO thankful. This baby is such a gift.

After all the pain that we endured with our prior miscarriages, I can't believe that we're here now. Learning the gender of our LAST child. Our THIRD child!!! I'm in tears just typing this. Thank you, God, for this amazing gift.

If it's a boy or if it's a girl...

IF IT'S A BOY:
I can imagine my littlest man following his big brother around like a puppy dog. I pray that he's not effected by autism in any way. I imagine another little boy that is as simply STUNNING as Evan is.

IF IT'S A GIRL:
I can imagine my littlest girl thinking her big sister might be the coolest girl on Earth. I imagine another girly-girl that loves to dance & sing. I imagine her & her big sister sharing a room with bunk beds when they get older.

EITHER WAY:
I wish this child to be as naturally joyful as Ally & as naturally brilliant as Evan. I wish this child to be loved & protected by it's older brother & sister. I wish this child to be as genuine, good-hearted, kind and selfless as it's Daddy. I wish this child to be healthy.

MOST OF ALL:
I thank God every single day for all of my children, including this precious one I carry inside of me. I can't ever put in to words how blessed I feel to have the life that I do.

My first belly pic

OK, I finally broke down and took a belly pic. BTW: it's not easy to take a pic of your own belly when you're the one holding the camera! LOL! This is 17 weeks 1 day:

One week from today...

...we'll know what the gender of Baby #3 is! I can't believe it!

I still have strong 'boy' feelings. I can't shake it. So that's gonna be my call this time.

Anyone wanna comment on here and wager what you think it'll be???

TEN DAYS LEFT!!!!

YIPPEEEE!!!!

2 WEEKS FROM TODAY!!!!

UNTIL OUR NEWEST LITTLE BUGGER SHOWS HIM/HERSELF!!!! WOO HOOOOO!!!!