The panel of judges (Stacy's husband) has assessed the entries into the recent contest, and a winner has been determined.
Before we announce the winner, I want to thank all of you who participated, and give credit to those who did well.
As you know, we had a girl, our beautiful Audra Joy. The votes were exactly split on this one, so half of the 40 entries guessed this right, including our winner.
She was born on Sunday, February 22. Cutzi, Fletch, Duckygirl and Kimmie all had this right. Guessing only one day off were Lucy, alittlelife, Micah, Quinne, Michelle, Helen and EEEEMommy. We'd like to give thanks to Fletch for making this happen on a Sunday, because in his guess he noted that the 22nd was "a day of rest..."
That mango-munchin' Fletch also guessed that our baby would be born at "10AM (typical time for morning worship)." He was way off, but we did think of him when Stacy and I were standing in the church foyer (the kids remained in the sanctuary) at 10 a.m., trying to figure out if Stacy's water had just broken. It had.
Audra Joy was actually born at 9:05 p.m. Our dear friend Amy, who was with us during the birth (THANK YOU AMY!) guessed the closest. (No wonder she was saying "You can do it!" around 9 p.m.) The next closest was Duckygirl (8:53), followed by Hilary and Camee.
Audra Joy came into this world weighing 8 lbs, 14 oz. Here, the judges want to give a shout out to Beverly, who guessed this exactly right. This was the most impressive single guess in the contest. Angie and Jodi were 1 oz. off. Others who were within 4 oz. were: Hilary, Iowa Birdie, Quinne, Michelle, Angie, Duckygirl, Angela, mom of 3..., Sandi and Charlotte. A majority (70%) of the guesses were too high. We were also surprised at how "little" our bundle of joy is.
So... after tallying your votes using our secret scoring system, we're pleased to announce that the winner, with 26 points, is Duckygirl. Congrats. Well done. To claim your much-deserved prize, please email Stacy about which you'd prefer (Amazon or Starbucks). The second place finisher is Hilary, with 20 pts. No prize for you, Hilary, except for the fact that you live close enough that you will actually get to see and hold our sweet Audra Joy, which is priceless.
Again, thanks to all for participating. Once Stacy gets time and energy, she will post the entire birth story, with pictures.
And on a final note, the judges would like to say what an incredible, unbelievable, superb, astounding job Stacy did in carrying this baby and bringing her into the world. I am in awe; and forever and deeply grateful.
- Mark
Introducing...
...the newest little member of our family:
Audra Joy
I'll fill you in on all the details later, and we'll announce the contest winner soon.
For now, this mama needs some rest. We are just home from the hospital, and we're settling into home life. Our beautiful Audra is sleeping next to me in our bed, and I have promised Mark that I will join her in sleep just as soon as I finish typing this.
Blessings to each of you from this happy mama...
Audra Joy
I'll fill you in on all the details later, and we'll announce the contest winner soon.
For now, this mama needs some rest. We are just home from the hospital, and we're settling into home life. Our beautiful Audra is sleeping next to me in our bed, and I have promised Mark that I will join her in sleep just as soon as I finish typing this.
Blessings to each of you from this happy mama...
Happy Birthday, Adelia!
I hope to post Adelia's birthday letter soon. After I write it, that is. [I'm still finishing up Ella's, and her birthday was nearly three months ago!]
...So for now, just a picture of Adelia enjoying her birthday cupcake.
Due date. And an update.
I know some of you are faithfully checking in to see if I've had this baby yet, so let's go ahead and get that news out of the way first.
I haven't.
Today is my due date, though, so I had a doctor's appointment this morning. I'm only dilated to a "1" (that's usual for me at 40 wks) and nothing is happening. [I mean, other than the fact that this little sweetheart just really likes his or her home God created for this season and is perfectly happy to stay put. And I love that.]
We scheduled an induction for Friday, February 27th-- unless this baby decides to come out sooner than that, and if the childbirth rooms aren't full that particular day.
I'll keep you posted on any further developments.
***
Oh! ...Just a reminder to those of you who have not yet entered the baby contest...
Go here, leave a comment, and consider yourself entered!
I haven't.
Today is my due date, though, so I had a doctor's appointment this morning. I'm only dilated to a "1" (that's usual for me at 40 wks) and nothing is happening. [I mean, other than the fact that this little sweetheart just really likes his or her home God created for this season and is perfectly happy to stay put. And I love that.]
We scheduled an induction for Friday, February 27th-- unless this baby decides to come out sooner than that, and if the childbirth rooms aren't full that particular day.
I'll keep you posted on any further developments.
***
Oh! ...Just a reminder to those of you who have not yet entered the baby contest...
Go here, leave a comment, and consider yourself entered!
Verse #4
Verse #3: Memorized.
Now I'm on to Verse #4, which is:
As for the Bible reading plan? I'm a few days behind at the moment (and this is not even the first time I've been a few days behind in the past 17 days!), but I'm hanging in there and determined to keep reading and get caught up!
Are any of you still memorizing? How's it going for you?
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8
Now I'm on to Verse #4, which is:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
As for the Bible reading plan? I'm a few days behind at the moment (and this is not even the first time I've been a few days behind in the past 17 days!), but I'm hanging in there and determined to keep reading and get caught up!
Are any of you still memorizing? How's it going for you?
Things I want to remember about this pregnancy
We found out we were pregnant on our anniversary getaway- in Canada.
The pregnancy test I took was confusing: the results it gave us were not pictured on the box or pamphlet: (super dark first line, nonexistent second line).
The news of this pregnancy was a direct answer to prayer. And a miracle. (Like all of our children have been.)
I felt stunned for the first several weeks (months?) Just a happy wonderment of, "Really?"
During that first trimester I went to sleep really early. Like 8pm early.
I've also wondered aloud at times to God, "What were You thinking?" (Especially due to challenges with our child-with-special-needs, and my being already so taxed with that every day, and then Adelia... so little; a baby herself.) But I trust that He knows *exactly* what He's doing. He does all things well.
People audibly gasp (or say stupid things) when they discover this is our fifth child.
We love it that this is our fifth child.
I was sick the first trimester. No throwing up (thank you, Lord!), but I didn't eat much, lost weight, and nothing sounded good. [Even ice cream, which is saying an awful lot.]
I've craved apples nearly every day of this pregnancy. I must have apples in the house. Gala apples.
I've also craved slushy, icy drinks. (Those Arctic Rushes at DQ? The old "Mr. Misty"? Those. And virgin margaritas. Lemonade blended with ice. Anything with blended ice.) During the summer I had several snow cones.
I've also had heartburn or acid reflux during this pregnancy. Never had that before. Taking TUMS every other day or so... eating smaller portions, gaining less weight. And feeling slightly crabby that I haven't gotten to take advantage of the "Eat whatever you want and as much as you want!!! You're eating for two!" mantra that I've so happily embraced during my previous two pregnancies.
I think it's a boy.
Mark thinks it's a girl. (Mark is usually right.)
It was really hard for us to settle on a girls' name this pregnancy. We had decided on one, and then around month 7 we both decided we didn't want that name, so began the search all over again.
Ella officially chose our girls' name.
It was much harder choosing names this pregnancy because all of our kids had an opinion, too.
I feel old this pregnancy.
And uncomfortable- in the evenings, especially. I can't sit comfortably, I feel like I'm constantly short of breath, my back aches... etc. [I don't remember these things in my other pregnancies.]
I feel complain-y in the evenings. Mark assures me that I'm not, but I feel grumbly about my discomfort. And then I immediately feel guilty because I am truly SO thankful.
My heart continues to ache for those who want so much to be pregnant and are not.. yet.
The time has gone by quickly. (Must be the four other little ones running around the house!)
I have been tired throughout this pregnancy. Every trimester.
Adelia has loved bouncing on my stomach.
Isaac, when saying "goodnight" or talking to baby, usually speaks to my boob. Which makes me laugh every single time.
Ella tells me I'm cute a lot. Which I love.
I love buying-- and wearing-- maternity clothes. And I can't remember what clothes I used to wear before switching to these ones.
I have worn the SAME pair of jeans nearly every day of this pregnancy. I have other maternity pants, but... this particular pair of jeans was so comfy that they were always my first choice. It's all about comfort for me.
So far --39 weeks-- no new stretch marks!
My belly button has never poked out before.
Mark is a wonderfully indulgent husband: late-night trips to the grocery store, back rubs, foot rubs, happy to let me get an entirely new wardrobe of clothes at Motherhood Maternity, wonderfully attentive and supportive.
I'm genuinely excited about delivery. Bring it on.
I'm so glad we haven't found out the gender. I so look forward to that surprise in the delivery room!
My wedding ring still fits.
This baby is REALLY active. REALLY. Mark says he can see it moving around more than he was able to with our other two.
The pregnancy test I took was confusing: the results it gave us were not pictured on the box or pamphlet: (super dark first line, nonexistent second line).
The news of this pregnancy was a direct answer to prayer. And a miracle. (Like all of our children have been.)
I felt stunned for the first several weeks (months?) Just a happy wonderment of, "Really?"
During that first trimester I went to sleep really early. Like 8pm early.
I've also wondered aloud at times to God, "What were You thinking?" (Especially due to challenges with our child-with-special-needs, and my being already so taxed with that every day, and then Adelia... so little; a baby herself.) But I trust that He knows *exactly* what He's doing. He does all things well.
People audibly gasp (or say stupid things) when they discover this is our fifth child.
We love it that this is our fifth child.
I was sick the first trimester. No throwing up (thank you, Lord!), but I didn't eat much, lost weight, and nothing sounded good. [Even ice cream, which is saying an awful lot.]
I've craved apples nearly every day of this pregnancy. I must have apples in the house. Gala apples.
I've also craved slushy, icy drinks. (Those Arctic Rushes at DQ? The old "Mr. Misty"? Those. And virgin margaritas. Lemonade blended with ice. Anything with blended ice.) During the summer I had several snow cones.
I've also had heartburn or acid reflux during this pregnancy. Never had that before. Taking TUMS every other day or so... eating smaller portions, gaining less weight. And feeling slightly crabby that I haven't gotten to take advantage of the "Eat whatever you want and as much as you want!!! You're eating for two!" mantra that I've so happily embraced during my previous two pregnancies.
I think it's a boy.
Mark thinks it's a girl. (Mark is usually right.)
It was really hard for us to settle on a girls' name this pregnancy. We had decided on one, and then around month 7 we both decided we didn't want that name, so began the search all over again.
Ella officially chose our girls' name.
It was much harder choosing names this pregnancy because all of our kids had an opinion, too.
I feel old this pregnancy.
And uncomfortable- in the evenings, especially. I can't sit comfortably, I feel like I'm constantly short of breath, my back aches... etc. [I don't remember these things in my other pregnancies.]
I feel complain-y in the evenings. Mark assures me that I'm not, but I feel grumbly about my discomfort. And then I immediately feel guilty because I am truly SO thankful.
My heart continues to ache for those who want so much to be pregnant and are not.. yet.
The time has gone by quickly. (Must be the four other little ones running around the house!)
I have been tired throughout this pregnancy. Every trimester.
Adelia has loved bouncing on my stomach.
Isaac, when saying "goodnight" or talking to baby, usually speaks to my boob. Which makes me laugh every single time.
Ella tells me I'm cute a lot. Which I love.
I love buying-- and wearing-- maternity clothes. And I can't remember what clothes I used to wear before switching to these ones.
I have worn the SAME pair of jeans nearly every day of this pregnancy. I have other maternity pants, but... this particular pair of jeans was so comfy that they were always my first choice. It's all about comfort for me.
So far --39 weeks-- no new stretch marks!
My belly button has never poked out before.
Mark is a wonderfully indulgent husband: late-night trips to the grocery store, back rubs, foot rubs, happy to let me get an entirely new wardrobe of clothes at Motherhood Maternity, wonderfully attentive and supportive.
I'm genuinely excited about delivery. Bring it on.
I'm so glad we haven't found out the gender. I so look forward to that surprise in the delivery room!
My wedding ring still fits.
This baby is REALLY active. REALLY. Mark says he can see it moving around more than he was able to with our other two.
Video link
My dear friend Michelle is home from Ethiopia. She posted a video on her blog with photos from their trip.
And the faces and voices of the children? So beautiful your heart will ache. Mine did.
Go see for yourself.
And the faces and voices of the children? So beautiful your heart will ache. Mine did.
Go see for yourself.
