skip to...week 12!

Isaiah 44:24-
24God, your Redeemer, who shaped your life in your mother's womb, says:
"I am God. I made all that is. With no help from you I spread out the skies and laid out the earth."

Well, I sorta fibbed last week about "only one week left in our first trimester", because I forgot that today STARTS the last week of the first trimester. Wishfull thinking I guess! Seriously this time, ONE more week until the 'feel-good trimester'!!!
This week, baby t, Josh and I attended the wedding of one of my dearest friends, Lauren LeVecchio (the new Mrs. Torti). This was the baby's second wedding (with two more to come this month!) and s/he especially enjoys the yummy food and fun sounds. While I felt like a giant chocolate elephant as the only preggo bridesmaid, the wedding was beautiful and i was honored to be a part of the festivities.

Today the neatest thing happened--I was able to SEE Nicki's baby kick inside of her womb! I've been able to feel Tristan move before, but seeing it was something else. Then I placed my hand on her belly where he had just kicked and he kicked (or punched!) my fingers! So cool! The above verse really stood out to me this week, because the Lord reminds us that he is in control of everything. From the time we were being knit together in our mother's womb, to before time began for us and the world was created, it was all his doing! Nothing is a surprise to Him, and he provides for our every need. It occured to me this week, just how out of my control this pregnancy is. The baby in my womb is one of God's precious gifts that I have the joy of nurturing, loving, feeding, and caring for, however, this baby (like all of the money and 'toys' that we earn) belongs to God.

I hope this update finds everyone doing well and a pray for safety as you travel to visit family and friends this Christmas!

blessings,
kelly, josh, & baby t

Only 1 week left in our first trimester (seriously this time)!
Our sweet baby's world:

Your baby's hit the 2-inch mark (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. Her face is beginning to look more human. Her eyes, which started out on the sides of her head, have moved closer together on her face, and her ears are near their final positions. Your baby's intestines, which have grown so rapidly that they protruded into the umbilical cord, will start to move into her abdominal cavity about now. Her kidneys are secreting urine into her bladder. Her nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly, and synapses (neurological pathways in the brain) are forming. Your baby may have acquired more reflexes by now, including sucking, and she'll even squirm if you prod your abdomen, though you still won't be able to feel her move for several weeks.

now for some earth shattering news...

We are PREGNANT!!!! This is somewhat silly, since most of you regular readers are privvy to this fact, BUT you haven't seen some of the fun pix!
Our baby will be arriving w/ fireworks on 4th of July weekend 2007! Crazy huh? Well, '07 is right around the corner gals (and a few faithful guys) so get ready for a crazy preggo ride!

(i know it is bearly visible, but that crazy test showed a faint pink line when i was only 4 wks along)

I surprised Josh that Monday night (hours after i took the test at work) by taking him on a picnic at BU's beautiful campus. We sat on a tree swing in front of Waco hall and i let a little gift box (hidding a letter, baby bibs, and my + test) break the news. I was thankful that he was SO excited (as his face shows) and i can't wait to see him in his new role as a daddy!

Here is the first of my weekly e-mails to my fam:

Hello fam (plus my two friends who know already!)!

This list will grow in size (kinda like my belle) after we get into the doc and get everything checked out. Until then, mums the word (no, seriously!)!!!
Nic started this version of a preg blog w/ her pregnancy and I love reading about Tristan's world each week, so I thought I would continue the tradition for y'all!

I can't believe it's been a whole week since we found out the joyous (but a little scarey) news that we are expecting! Keeping it from those we interact w/ on a daily basis has been killer! Everytime we see a friend out and about I always ask Josh "Do you think they know?" He laughs at my paranoia and shakes his head no. On the other hand, it's kinda fun to have this secret, safe and hidden.
My saving grace at work has been my partner in crime Nicki Wilson. Nic has been such a sweet friend, mentor, encourager which has aliviated a lot of stress this past week--i think i would have thrown that test away w/out a second look had she not come to double check. Seriously, it was the lightest, faintest line I'd ever seen in my 6 years here @ the Preg Center!
My body has already begun to change a little (I'll spare the guys some of the gory details) but my crazy emotions & need for sleep have been the two biggest symtoms for me.
Josh and I are thrilled to begin this new chapter in our lives and we covet your prayers for a safe and non-drama filled pregnancy. Join us as we pray daily for this gift of life we have been given to nurture for the next 8 months on the inside!

Love y'all,
kelly & josh

What's happening in our baby's world:
Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm — that will later form his organs and tissues. The cells are forming for his major organs, including his kidneys and liver, and his neural tube is beginning to develop. This neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — develops in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel. His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue. The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

New York Pix

okay already (just kidding!) ! here are a few shots:

all of the 'cousins' who made it to the wedding!

e & i posing w/ the bride
(yes, she was the only one drinking in the pic!)

the four sis's smiling (a rarity in photos!) w/ mema's boquet
(joanie, sandy, diane, pam)

e & the MULITITUDES of cakes!
they were YUM, i took some home on the plane!