Week 22

Today I told Andrew that our baby is 22 weeks old and in 22 more weeks I hope she has been out and thriving for at least 2 weeks already!  Crazy!  Time is flying by...

Tonight we went to the RoseBowl for a little activity (as you see in the photos).  Finally the weather cooled down a bit today and it was actually possible to be outside for more then 10 minutes without sweating or becoming dehydrated!  It was a lovely evening and we enjoyed our walk, for me, and Andrew, his run.  

Last week we had a checkup appointment - just the regular 4 week thing - and we got to hear our little ones heart beat again and got the report that all looked good from the ultrasound a few weeks ago.  I had gained another 4 lbs bringing me up to a whopping total of 8 so far!  This week she will reach the 1 lb mark herself and be about the size of a spaghetti squash.

I read an article awhile back in RealSimple and it has been on my mind more often again lately.  The gist of the article was talking about how we, as a society, have been plagued by a difficult economy and so many things seem to be lacking hope or job, etc.  The author referred back to a similar time of fear in our recent history - the Sept 11 attacks - and made connections between how the two situations of being scary and uncertain times for people.  However, she went on to talk about how children and their laughter and simple outlook on life can completely erase those feelings.  Many people, including us, wonder if this is a good time to be bringing a child into the world...what kind of life will they face in several years? will times get better? are there going to be more violent times ahead of us? etc, etc, etc....

Instead, and this author agreed, I think that having a baby right now is completely opposite of all of that and is actually a reminder of God's goodness, mercy, and hope for us all.  Despite the worldly occurrences happening around us, this little girl is a blessing and already such a joy to Andrew and I.  She is a gift from the Lord and a reminder that He is still present and active today.  He is in control.  He is over all of these fears that we live in and provides for us.  In these truths, we find peace.  One of my favorite verses has always been Jeremiah 29:11 and it is a promise that I hold on to even more now for Andrew and I and for this sweet little one...

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

No matter what is happening around us, God is good, God is in control, our hope and joy is in Him.