We're having a... [Gender Reveal]

The anticipation is killing me now that we've decided to find out the gender of our little one. We had our ultrasound over a week ago and got our gender results in a sealed envelope. While I really wanted to tear it open right then, I decided to wait until we could get both of our family's together for the reveal....a whole 10 days later!

Mom cooked and we had a great dinner! A cake revealing the gender for dessert seemed like the obvious option but I decided to do something a little different! I would tell you how this all went down, but watching the video is so much better than reading about it! Enjoy!


It was so much fun to watch as some knew early and others (like me) took all nine circles.

My friend Angela had the honor/duty of knowing the gender and placing our order for these great gender announcement scratch-off cards from Katie of StationMerry! Since Angela already knew the gender, I was so glad she was available to catch this moment on video! And, she has placed the first pieces of clothing in Baby Howard's closet! Willie even brought out a shirt from his closet that matches!

I didn't have a preference, but I had convinced myself that we were having a girl. I think this happened because I knew how badly my mom wanted a granddaughter. I was afraid that I'd be disappointed if it was a boy, but those tears in the video are tears of joy! I'm stoked!

I've cried a few times since the reveal because now that we know, things feel even more real!

Now, we need to start thinking of some names for this baby boy!

And it's time to get started on a nursery! Eeek!!!

Stay tuned...

Half Way There! {20 Week Bumpdate}

Today, I'm officially 20 weeks...half way done with pregnancy. Wow! Time is flying!

Morning Sickness: I haven't been dealing with morning sickness, but week19 has been a week of sickness...cold at the beginning of the week and stomach flu, stomach bug, stomach virus at the end of the week...ugh. Thankfully, my husband has been a saint taking care of me and reaching out to friends.

Food Cravings/Aversions: Nothing in particular...just eating.

Weight Gain: As of today, the number on the scale has increased a total of 7 pounds. My doctor was glad to see some pounds adding on at this last appointment. I have to say that I'm pretty happy! I thought I would have blown up by now...I won't rejoice too much though...I know there's still plenty of time to pack on the pounds.

Clothes: Still just wearing my regular clothes. Some of my pants aren't fitting, but I still haven't invested in any maternity pants...just using the belly belt and belly bands.

Purchases: Hubby had me worried that by the time I was ready to purchase the crib, they would no longer be available, so we went ahead and bought the crib and dresser from Ikea. At this point, they're still boxed up...I can't wait to get them all set up!

Baby Prep: We have decided on a hospital where we'll deliver! And we've made deposits at two day care centers.

Researching: I'm still researching cloth diapering. I attended a Cloth Diapering 101 class at The Nappy Shoppe. I didn't learn much more than I had already researched online. I did enjoy getting to see and touch so many brands since they sell them in store. I also took the advice of the teacher to not buy a stash up front because you don't know what size baby you'll have and which diaper will fit your baby best.

I also got to do a little live-action research when my friend Angela asked me to watch sweet Ryann one day. As her mom says, she's such a great little snuggler!

This was my first time babysitting an infant, first time changing a diaper, first time feeding/burping a baby...a whole lot of firsts. And when Angela returned, I got to experience my first poopie diaper...and I don't know if I'm up for that and cloth diapers. It just seems so much easier to seal it up and throw it away with a disposable diaper.

Best Moment: This past week, we got our second ultrasound done! It was so much fun to see how much Baby Howard has changed from the little gummy bear to a little human. Unfortunately, I don't have any sonogram pictures to post right now. We asked the sonographer to put our gender results in a sealed envelope. Well, he put all of them in the envelope. So, I'll share those once we've opened the envelope...which we plan to do next weekend with our parents.

Looking Forward to: Now that we've decided to find out the gender of Baby Howard, I can't wait for next weekend when we reveal our baby's gender!

I'm also looking forward to feeling Baby Howard move!

I'm his helper...not the other way around!

It has been an exciting week of fasting for me. Each year, my church commits the first full week of January to join together in a solemn assembly.

Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land of the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.  ~Joel 1:14 (ESV)

Want to know more about solemn assembly, head over to this post.

Anyway, I have been diligently in the word of God, praying, and spending devotional time with my husband. We have used the time wisely as we were not distracted by entertainment/media or hovering over a plate of food.

This year, I decided to read a book during my time of solemn assembly and am so glad that I chose Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph.

I have experienced so many convictions while reading this book and have picked up so many tips for getting closer to God and my husband. I've chosen to add new scriptures to memory and to pray some of the prayers offered by Courtney.

One point that just beat me up yesterday is the fact that I was created to be my husband's helper...it's not the other way around.

Then the Lord said "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."  ~Genesis 2:18 (ESV)

Now, I know that as wives, we've probably all heard and read this verse before. But what stood out to me is how many times I just want my husband's help around the house. I think of all the times I've asked him to wash the dishes, fold some clothes, sweep the living room, take out the trash, take care of something on my car just to help me out. I also think of the future and a child being introduced into our home and how I'll probably want him to help more as we manage feedings, diaper changes, and all the other stuff that comes along with a newborn. I think of friends and life group members who just want their husband to help them out a bit in the home and with the kids.

And then Courtney points out Genesis 2:18 and says:

It is hard for women to sit back and simply assist their husbands.  We are tempted to lead them, boss them, and criticize them. Often we expect them to take care of themselves and us, be tidy, and help us. But in actuality they are not our helpers. We are their helpers. God desires that they be servant leaders, but whether they are actually doing that should make no difference as to our attitude of being their helpers.  ~Women Living Well, p. 57-58 

So, as much as I want help from my husband, I am charged with the fact that if I see myself and my marriage in Genesis 2:18, that God made me to be a helper fit for my husband...not the other way around. So, I'm taking Courtney's advice to know my husband (and where he needs/wants help), not comparing my husband to anyone else's husband (or any other man), and not waiting for my husband to "deserve" to be helped.

My prayer is that I will always have an attitude of helpfulness and be looking for ways to meet the needs of my husband. I pray that whether my husband chooses to be the servant leader that God has called him to be or not, that I will choose to be his helper as I seek to glorify God in my marriage.