So much to be thankful for...

We are now 26 weeks pregnant. It still feels surreal that in less than 4 months we are going to have a precious baby in our arms! However, my baby bump is getting bigger and reminds me every day that our little lovebug is real, and we are so blessed to have her. Our last appointment went well. We got to hear her heartbeat. It was nice and strong! She is very active kicking and moving all day long. She has to listen to me teach all day, so she doesn’t get much rest in my tummy. Lafo reads and sings to her every night. It’s so amazing… sometimes when he talks to her I feel her flutter. Such a daddy's girl already :) Nights have been a little rough, nothing like what the future holds, but I have already experienced several sleepless nights. I can’t sleep on my back, so my hips (that I have been blessed with) ache. I flip-flop like a pancake all night, but I have a really cool “snoogle” pillow that helps keep me comfortable. During the day I feel great! I’m so excited to be a mommy and I think about my daughter constantly.

Checkout Makayla's 3D/4D sonogram pics. You will notice she has her mommy's big toe and muscles like her daddy...when he WAS slim and trim.

Is this really happening?

On the 4th of July, before the fireworks started booming, we had an even greater BANG of our own! Before heading out to our brother Jeff's house for a family BBQ, Cort broke the news to me that she was PREGNANT! Instead of an expression of joy, "Yay we're having a baby!" I thought, "This is a joke right?" Then of course the tears of joy kicked in. After several pregnancy tests (cough,cough)...FIVE... in a two day span, we realized that this was NOT a joke. Like most potential parents do the day they find out they're expecting, we took caution before announcing the news because we wanted to be sure that this "gift of life" was really happening. To keep it on the "down low", Cort drank her fake alcoholic beverage, and I had MORE than my fair share of booze to get through the most memorable 4th of July.

It was only a matter of time until we told family and friends the news. Cort had a bachelorette party three weeks after we found out, and her dad's 60th birthday in mid August. The reactions from our parents? PRICELESS. I appreciate Grandma Sandi's excitement seen through her emotional tears, Grandpa Lafo's eagerness to adopt our baby, and Grandma Tua's classic joy of laughter. It was Grandpa Ralph's INSTANT tear of joy that made me realize, being a parent, a FATHER is something I am going to cherish and without a doubt HONOR. Our parents have taught us how to love, respect, and support one another.

The support system for our baby is HUGE, and we appreciate each and everyone of you for being with us through this pregnancy. Cort and I will be posting blogs with pictures and videos to keep you updated with our pregnancy. But before leaving, we'd like to thank our heavenly father for keeping us stronger than ever with this gift of life. Having a baby in this day and age is going to be tough! All these tests you have to take and viruses going down, you can only wish to have had a baby in the time when our parents had us – now we know too much! But, this pregnancy is truly a blessing, so thank you Lord! Along with thanking Him, we thank YOU. We keep a piece of each and every one of you who visits this website in our hearts. Because of this, you are helping us grow into GREAT parents. Much love to you all and thanks for visiting!

This is really happening!

The moment of truth...

After 5 LONG months of wondering if this baby is going to be a future hula dancer or a future linebacker, we were thrilled to hear the doctor say... It's a GIRL!!!

She was moving like crazy and wouldn't stay still for the doctor. Uh oh... does this mean we are going to have a stubborn little girl?

Are you sure it's a girl? How sure are you?