The Last Aggie

My little sister Merrilee is the last Aggie in our family to graduate. Of course, there was really only me and her, so she didn't have a choice but to be the last since I was the first. :)

Here we are after she walked. I'm looking chubby in the tummy here since I wasn't quite showing yet but he was definitely making room.

Ask her someday about the gold thing around her neck. It is a funny story. She doesn't find it funny, but trust me, it is.

Giving the old thumbs up. Gig'em!!

It's a....

BOY!!

We are very excited for our little guy. I had convinced myself that he was a girl, but Shad says he has always known that he is a boy. So I was a little surprised when we got the news. The results are from a blood test, and I will be getting a follow up ultrasound in 2 weeks to confirm the sex. I love getting the ultrasounds. He looks like a real little person floating around in there, and that makes me happy.

All the other genetic tests came back with good results too. So that is more good news. Shad graduates from Basic Training September 18, and we get to spend 2 full days together then. After that, he is off to Georgia, but I know that the next leg of the adventure won't be as rough as the first due to rule changes. He will get to communicate more, get more time off, etc. He also gets around 10 days off for Christmas!!! That is the best news yet. I was afraid we weren't going to have Christmas together, but it looks like we will.

Otherwise, Shad's reports from OK is that it is too hot, the beauracracy is driving him crazy, and that he is ready to move on to the next stage. Keep him in your prayers so that he can finish strong.

Baby Blog Begins...

Well I think most of you know, but for those of you who don't- I am pregnant. That's right, Shad is gone and I'm knocked up and alone. Some call him smart, others lucky. I guess I would have to agree. I've never been so unnecessarily emotional in my life. It is exhausting.

The first ultrasound we had was at 5 or 6 weeks and was nothing more than a blob and a heart beat. Good things, of course, but not all that person-like. Today, I had some tests done at the Center for Medical Genetics (awesome place, by the way!). They did an ultrasound to test for Down Syndrome, but they really took their time and "showed me around" the baby. It was fantastic. I was so excited and amazed but had no one to share it with then. So now I kind of think Shad is really missing out. He would have loved it. The baby kept moving and flipping whenever it was poked or when we were trying to take a good picture. I think that sounds just like something I would have done as a child (yeah, a stubborn one- I guess I deserve it). Here are the pictures:

I (the baby, of course) decided to hang out upside down for a while. I fit perfectly, don't you think? On the right, is my head, with my mouth open. And on the other side, you can see my legs if you look to the left of my tummy. I still like to keep them all tucked in.

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Here is my profile. I'm beautiful. Can you see my forehead and nose there right in the middle of the picture? I'm told that seeing my nasal bone is a good sign, as children's noses with Down's are not often seen at this stage. So far, so good. The lady with the probe thing liked to type letters to my dad on the picture (she loves Army men just like me!).

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Here I am showing my best side- the back side! On the right is my head, and I'm learning how to salute. Can you see my left arm up there? Then as you look left, you can see my full bottom and little feet. My body is still growing, so please don't make fun of my overly large head. :)

So am I a boy or a girl?

You'll have to wait and find out like the rest of the world. My mom should know in a couple of weeks, but she has to tell Dad first. I know I am only 12 weeks old, but technology is great, isn't it?! With the blood they took, we should know soon. But don't worry, she will tell you as soon as she has talked to my dad one of these Sundays.

Shad video 2

Here is another one. It is short too so don't get too comfortable :)

Shad video

Shad got to go to church last Sunday and said it was awesome! There were over a hundred soldiers there, and those are just the ones in training. That doesn't count all of the members who live there. A lot of them weren't even LDS, so the missionaries have their hands full.

The senior missionaries there contacted me yesterday to let me know they had met Shad and that they were there if we needed them. He said that the church tries to have ex-military missionaries at every base, especially where there is training, so that services are always available. They are held in the barracks instead of church. If we ever need to contact them, here is their information:

Elder and Sister Woodbury- Military Relations Missionaries

906 NE Tortoise Dr. Apt 1, Lawton, OK 73507

580-351-9064

They said they can tell you what is really going on up there. They also accept packages for Shad, however it can really only be something he is allowed to take back to the barracks with him or use right then. And please, please don't send him sweets. He has dessert with every meal!! He is eating like a king right now. So I don't really know what he could possibly need, but they are there if we need them.

They can also give more info for family day/graduation. I am thinking they might be a good resource for lodging during that time, so I may contact them for motels, etc.

It is nice to think that the church still functions even on a military base, which is where they may need it the most. Shad was very uplifted after going to church last Sunday. He said it was the boost he needed.

Only 6 more weeks!.....then 12 more after that, but I'm taking baby steps.