The next video is the first part of our sonogram at 20 weeks. About 30 seconds into this one you can see Kate move her arms around like she's dancing. In the next two videos, you will also see a clear shot of her four-chambered heart, the two hemispheres of her brain, and her little feet. Enjoy!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
To Marme, Pops, GrandMary, and Papa
This post is especially for the grandparents of Kate. Most of you might think the videos I'm about to post are pretty cool, but you don't want to spend the time watching them in their entirety. That is totally OK with me. These videos are especially for the grandparents. Since they live far away and don't have the opportunity to come with us to an appointment, we have filmed two of Kate's sonograms. The first one is when she was 16 weeks. We had this one only to see if we could determine the sex of the baby. The second two are clips from our appointment this past Friday when she was 20 weeks. It is so neat to see the changes in her growth in just four weeks! She is a cutie pie. She wiggles around so much during the sonograms. I love it! Enough said, here are the videos!
The next video is the first part of our sonogram at 20 weeks. About 30 seconds into this one you can see Kate move her arms around like she's dancing. In the next two videos, you will also see a clear shot of her four-chambered heart, the two hemispheres of her brain, and her little feet. Enjoy!
The next video is the first part of our sonogram at 20 weeks. About 30 seconds into this one you can see Kate move her arms around like she's dancing. In the next two videos, you will also see a clear shot of her four-chambered heart, the two hemispheres of her brain, and her little feet. Enjoy!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Catching Up
Well, I'm sitting in my living room in Canton after being gone for over two weeks. My trip home to Georgia was simply amazing. Family time was much needed and very special. Plus, we were all there together the whole time - dad, mom, Jason, Gretchen, and me. It was very neat to have the Jones 5 together for an extended amount of time. I can sum up our time together with just a few words of description: food, shopping, laughter, movies, rest, dogs. It was simply wonderful.
My trip started off Thursday Dec 17. I am thankful to Gretchen for graduating from college early so I had an excuse to go home extra early. I am so proud of her for all the hard work she put into her college career, and I believe the habits and discipline she's established in life will allow her to achieve great heights for the Kingdom.
Unfortunately, we did have a brief stint of sickness in the house. Dad was the first to come down with this dreaded stomach flu, and two nights later it hit mom and I full force. Thankfully no one else had it the rest of the time I was there, but it did hit Gretchen this past Saturday. It is a nasty booger of a virus that renders you utterly weak and exhausted. Still, it did not conquer our family time. We still had such special time together.
When Trey arrived we had a blast watching my parents' and Jason's dogs (Buzz and Grey) play with our boys, Pete and Dapple. They were all four so hilarious, and they provided plenty of entertainment. Trey and I got to visit the Gazaways one evening, a family of 8 (6 kids) that I babysat beginning in middle school and through college. This family is family to me, so it was special time with them. Trey and I also had breakfast with my old pastor, Frank, and his wife Mary. We enjoyed converstaion with them for about two hours at a Cracker Barrel! Lots of fun.
And of course the most important event for us, telling my family about Kate. I'll upload the video later, as well as pictures. We had a blast celebrating and shopping for my little girl. I even bought some bedding that is incredibly cute and was incredibly cheap. Two big milestones. First, I am showing now (there is no doubt). It was crazy, but it seems like in a week I went from kind of showing to definitely having a baby bump. I was extra hungry that week, so I guess little Kate was going through a growth spurt or something. Second, I have felt her move! I can feel those little bubbly feelings in my tummy almost daily now. It is so neat to feel her in moving around in there.
Another update soon. I'll even post baby bump pics once I can get copies of the great pics Gretchen took. She is a master photographer :). Love to all!
My trip started off Thursday Dec 17. I am thankful to Gretchen for graduating from college early so I had an excuse to go home extra early. I am so proud of her for all the hard work she put into her college career, and I believe the habits and discipline she's established in life will allow her to achieve great heights for the Kingdom.
Unfortunately, we did have a brief stint of sickness in the house. Dad was the first to come down with this dreaded stomach flu, and two nights later it hit mom and I full force. Thankfully no one else had it the rest of the time I was there, but it did hit Gretchen this past Saturday. It is a nasty booger of a virus that renders you utterly weak and exhausted. Still, it did not conquer our family time. We still had such special time together.
When Trey arrived we had a blast watching my parents' and Jason's dogs (Buzz and Grey) play with our boys, Pete and Dapple. They were all four so hilarious, and they provided plenty of entertainment. Trey and I got to visit the Gazaways one evening, a family of 8 (6 kids) that I babysat beginning in middle school and through college. This family is family to me, so it was special time with them. Trey and I also had breakfast with my old pastor, Frank, and his wife Mary. We enjoyed converstaion with them for about two hours at a Cracker Barrel! Lots of fun.
And of course the most important event for us, telling my family about Kate. I'll upload the video later, as well as pictures. We had a blast celebrating and shopping for my little girl. I even bought some bedding that is incredibly cute and was incredibly cheap. Two big milestones. First, I am showing now (there is no doubt). It was crazy, but it seems like in a week I went from kind of showing to definitely having a baby bump. I was extra hungry that week, so I guess little Kate was going through a growth spurt or something. Second, I have felt her move! I can feel those little bubbly feelings in my tummy almost daily now. It is so neat to feel her in moving around in there.
Another update soon. I'll even post baby bump pics once I can get copies of the great pics Gretchen took. She is a master photographer :). Love to all!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
And the Gender is...
BABY GIRL! That's right, next June (or May if she decides to come a few days early) Trey and I will be welcoming sweet little Kathryn Elizabeth Holmes into the world. We will call her Kate.
At our Wednesday appt, we were supposed to only hear the baby's heartbeat and check my weight, blood pressure, etc. We decided to see if Dr. Haddock would let us take a sneak peak to try and find out the gender. I'm 16 weeks at this point, and most doctors like to wait until at least 18 weeks. But it is Christmastime, and we thought we could appeal to this if she needed convincing. Only, no convinving was needed. When Trey asked, Dr. Haddock said "Sure, I have no problem with that. Let me just make sure Jules (the sono tech) has some free time." Easy enough. And sure enough, Jules was busy but so willing to accomodate us. I just love my doctor and her staff.
It was so fun seeing our little one bounce around on the screen. She is one active little baby now. It was difficult getting an accurate heart rate reading because she moved so much. And she looks like a little baby now!! The first three sonograms we saw (weeks 7-9) she was just a little peanut on the screen. Now she has a head, arms, legs, and a belly filled with food from her mommy. It took Jules a little while of shaking my tummy to get our little girl to uncross her legs...she was just a little modest. We didn't mind waiting because it was so neat watching her. I don't know how people really understand those sonograms without help. Sometimes I couldn't tell what was what until Jules explained it, and sometimes I couldn't even tell after she explained it! When Jules said, "This is a little baby...GIRL!" we were both shocked. We are having a girl. Wow.
It all seems so much more real when you know the gender and have a sono picture of the profile of your baby. When we got home from our appointment, I went straight to Wal Mart and walked around the baby section, looking at all the sweet little girl clothes. I laid awake most of that night thinking over and over, "a little baby girl, a little baby girl." I can't believe it. I just knew we were having a boy, for no other reason than I just thought that's what we were having. I am so excited to have a little girl, though. Really, all I want is a healthy baby, and I'd be thrilled to have a boy or a girl. What a blessing that the Lord is giving us a sweet little girl!
Kate is named after her grandmother (Kathryn is my mom's middle name) and her aunt (Elizabeth is my sister's middle name), two godly women who have been instrumental in my life. Her name means "pure" and "consecrated to God." Exactly what we want our little girl to be! I look forward to watching Trey be the daddy to our sweet girl. He is going to be amazing. He is already madly and tenderly in love with her. It is so precious.
Thanks for your prayers and for sharing in our excitement. We love you all!
At our Wednesday appt, we were supposed to only hear the baby's heartbeat and check my weight, blood pressure, etc. We decided to see if Dr. Haddock would let us take a sneak peak to try and find out the gender. I'm 16 weeks at this point, and most doctors like to wait until at least 18 weeks. But it is Christmastime, and we thought we could appeal to this if she needed convincing. Only, no convinving was needed. When Trey asked, Dr. Haddock said "Sure, I have no problem with that. Let me just make sure Jules (the sono tech) has some free time." Easy enough. And sure enough, Jules was busy but so willing to accomodate us. I just love my doctor and her staff.
It was so fun seeing our little one bounce around on the screen. She is one active little baby now. It was difficult getting an accurate heart rate reading because she moved so much. And she looks like a little baby now!! The first three sonograms we saw (weeks 7-9) she was just a little peanut on the screen. Now she has a head, arms, legs, and a belly filled with food from her mommy. It took Jules a little while of shaking my tummy to get our little girl to uncross her legs...she was just a little modest. We didn't mind waiting because it was so neat watching her. I don't know how people really understand those sonograms without help. Sometimes I couldn't tell what was what until Jules explained it, and sometimes I couldn't even tell after she explained it! When Jules said, "This is a little baby...GIRL!" we were both shocked. We are having a girl. Wow.
It all seems so much more real when you know the gender and have a sono picture of the profile of your baby. When we got home from our appointment, I went straight to Wal Mart and walked around the baby section, looking at all the sweet little girl clothes. I laid awake most of that night thinking over and over, "a little baby girl, a little baby girl." I can't believe it. I just knew we were having a boy, for no other reason than I just thought that's what we were having. I am so excited to have a little girl, though. Really, all I want is a healthy baby, and I'd be thrilled to have a boy or a girl. What a blessing that the Lord is giving us a sweet little girl!
Kate is named after her grandmother (Kathryn is my mom's middle name) and her aunt (Elizabeth is my sister's middle name), two godly women who have been instrumental in my life. Her name means "pure" and "consecrated to God." Exactly what we want our little girl to be! I look forward to watching Trey be the daddy to our sweet girl. He is going to be amazing. He is already madly and tenderly in love with her. It is so precious.
Thanks for your prayers and for sharing in our excitement. We love you all!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
A Life Lesson from Wesley Adam Mills, Jr.
Last weekend (Saturday after Thanksgiving), Trey and I went to a funeral for our friends' baby who died in the womb. At their 2nd trimester ultrasound, Welsey Adam was diagnosed with a terminal illness called anencephaly. Wesley survived a 31 weeks in his mother's womb, at which time the Lord called him to Heaven.
As we prepared to drive to the funeral (we were in Odessa so had to leave at 5AM to make it on time to the Fort Worth funeral), I prepared myself mentally and spiritually for this service. There would be a tiny casket, and it would hold the body of a stillborn baby. With all the fears I've battled this pregnancy, I did not want this to be another way Satan gets hold in my life and robs me of the joy this pregnancy brings. Even as I prayed, I felt God comforting me.
The service was a beautiful one. While the loss was real and difficult to grasp, there was such a palatable reminder of hope throughout the service. Psalm 139 struck a chord in my spirit as they read and proclaimed its truth. Even before we are formed in the womb, God in all His wisdom and love has our days numbered. This brings me such comfort. What happened to little Wesley Adam wasn't some cosmic accident. His life wasn't a waste. Though brief, his 31 weeks in the womb proved powerful and glorifying to the Lord. People have heard of God's redemptive love because of the Mill's story. And God's grace has sustained them through this difficult time. That little baby boy, loved and cherished by the Lord, was not once alone or forgotten by God. There was no need to fear, ever, for God had everything in His control.
All the fears I've battled before and during this pregnancy do not take this Truth into account. Fears do not recognize God's power, knowledge, and involvement in our lives. Our little baby in my womb is completely in God's control and sustained only by His life-giving power. Nothing can harm our baby without God's foreknowledge. I can rest in that. And I can also rest in the fact that whatever comes our way in the future, whether it pertains to our children, our jobs, our family, whatever comes our way, at that time God's grace will sustain us. Just as He has graciously sustained the Mills family in this terribly difficult time in their journey. Today has enough worries of its own for me to be fretting over what may or may not come tomorrow. I have to trust, I have to faith in God that when those storms in life come, He will be there to sustain us with grace, hope, and peace. He is enough.
As we prepared to drive to the funeral (we were in Odessa so had to leave at 5AM to make it on time to the Fort Worth funeral), I prepared myself mentally and spiritually for this service. There would be a tiny casket, and it would hold the body of a stillborn baby. With all the fears I've battled this pregnancy, I did not want this to be another way Satan gets hold in my life and robs me of the joy this pregnancy brings. Even as I prayed, I felt God comforting me.
The service was a beautiful one. While the loss was real and difficult to grasp, there was such a palatable reminder of hope throughout the service. Psalm 139 struck a chord in my spirit as they read and proclaimed its truth. Even before we are formed in the womb, God in all His wisdom and love has our days numbered. This brings me such comfort. What happened to little Wesley Adam wasn't some cosmic accident. His life wasn't a waste. Though brief, his 31 weeks in the womb proved powerful and glorifying to the Lord. People have heard of God's redemptive love because of the Mill's story. And God's grace has sustained them through this difficult time. That little baby boy, loved and cherished by the Lord, was not once alone or forgotten by God. There was no need to fear, ever, for God had everything in His control.
All the fears I've battled before and during this pregnancy do not take this Truth into account. Fears do not recognize God's power, knowledge, and involvement in our lives. Our little baby in my womb is completely in God's control and sustained only by His life-giving power. Nothing can harm our baby without God's foreknowledge. I can rest in that. And I can also rest in the fact that whatever comes our way in the future, whether it pertains to our children, our jobs, our family, whatever comes our way, at that time God's grace will sustain us. Just as He has graciously sustained the Mills family in this terribly difficult time in their journey. Today has enough worries of its own for me to be fretting over what may or may not come tomorrow. I have to trust, I have to faith in God that when those storms in life come, He will be there to sustain us with grace, hope, and peace. He is enough.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Week 13 Survey
Well, it's about time I start these surveys. I guess I've really been waiting to get out of the first trimester before I started them, and today officially marks that day! Praise the Lord, it truly is a day to celebrate. So I will be adding these surveys every now and then, and maybe once I start showing I'll even post some baby pics. At this point, showing is only noticed by me...I definitely notice a difference, especially with certain pairs of pants. But every one else says they don't notice a difference. Anyway, let the survey begin! (I borrowed this survey from my friend Mary Lindsey...thanks ML!!)
How far along? 13 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I lost weight in the 1st trimester (about 4 pounds) and am now at my normal weight, maybe I've gained a pound now?
Maternity clothes? Nope, but I have had to retire some of my work pants that had no "give" room
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: I'm starting to get my energy back after the 1st trimester and not need two naps a day and bedtime at 8:30PM. Now I just need a power nap in the afternoon and can stay up to 10PM and still feel aware of what's happening around me
Best moment this week: Celebrating Thanksgiving with Trey's family and officially entering the second trimester!
Worst moment this week: Still experiencing nausea at different points in the day. It's getting better, as it lasted all morning and into the afternoon most days in my first trimester. Still, I'm thankful for every symptom, even those uncomfortable ones. It means my baby is growing and healthy!
Movement: Not yet
Food cravings: fruit, pizza, yogurt
Gender prediction: I'd say my gut feeling is boy, but I'll take either gender. I just can't wait to hold and care for that precious bundle!
Labor Signs: nope
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Weekly Wisdom: Taking every thought/fear captive to the Lord and trusting HIM to take care of our little one. He is the Giver of Life and can handle growing our bambino!
Milestones: Finishing the first trimester!!!
How far along? 13 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I lost weight in the 1st trimester (about 4 pounds) and am now at my normal weight, maybe I've gained a pound now?
Maternity clothes? Nope, but I have had to retire some of my work pants that had no "give" room
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: I'm starting to get my energy back after the 1st trimester and not need two naps a day and bedtime at 8:30PM. Now I just need a power nap in the afternoon and can stay up to 10PM and still feel aware of what's happening around me
Best moment this week: Celebrating Thanksgiving with Trey's family and officially entering the second trimester!
Worst moment this week: Still experiencing nausea at different points in the day. It's getting better, as it lasted all morning and into the afternoon most days in my first trimester. Still, I'm thankful for every symptom, even those uncomfortable ones. It means my baby is growing and healthy!
Movement: Not yet
Food cravings: fruit, pizza, yogurt
Gender prediction: I'd say my gut feeling is boy, but I'll take either gender. I just can't wait to hold and care for that precious bundle!
Labor Signs: nope
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Weekly Wisdom: Taking every thought/fear captive to the Lord and trusting HIM to take care of our little one. He is the Giver of Life and can handle growing our bambino!
Milestones: Finishing the first trimester!!!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Baby Holmes 12 Week Appt!
Well, we have reached that milestone - we made it to the 12 week appointment! Dr. Haddock told me yesterday that we are now out of the high risk for miscarriage phase, which brings such a peace and happiness to my heart. We heard little Baby Holmes' heartbeat yesterday at 162 bpm. Our next appointment in 4 weeks will be similar, just checking my weight and the baby's heartbeat, then our appointment in January will be another sonogram and finding out baby's gender. I can't wait!
Trey and I have been busy cleaning out and organizing our two bedroom, one bathroom home. I like to think of us as non-pack rats (thanks mainly to my husband), but still we've accumulated quite a bit of junk! We have sold some of it on Craig's List and eBay, we've donated some, and we've thrown away the rest. Trey and I now share a closet (he was in the guest bedroom closet), and our bathroom has some empty shelves/cabinets ready for the many baby items we will be accumulating over the next several months. The baby room/guest room is another work in and of itself. We've rearranged it some, but it just looks puny and pitiful in my opinion. We'll definitely need to paint (probably a neutral color since this is the church's house and I don't want to repaint when we move!). Also, the church is working on getting us a fence in the backyard so the dogs can have a yard to play in and we can have some privacy. I'm really excited about that.
More updates in the future. Love to all!
Trey and I have been busy cleaning out and organizing our two bedroom, one bathroom home. I like to think of us as non-pack rats (thanks mainly to my husband), but still we've accumulated quite a bit of junk! We have sold some of it on Craig's List and eBay, we've donated some, and we've thrown away the rest. Trey and I now share a closet (he was in the guest bedroom closet), and our bathroom has some empty shelves/cabinets ready for the many baby items we will be accumulating over the next several months. The baby room/guest room is another work in and of itself. We've rearranged it some, but it just looks puny and pitiful in my opinion. We'll definitely need to paint (probably a neutral color since this is the church's house and I don't want to repaint when we move!). Also, the church is working on getting us a fence in the backyard so the dogs can have a yard to play in and we can have some privacy. I'm really excited about that.
More updates in the future. Love to all!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Eating My Words
For those of you who know my love of dogs, you should know that I've always wanted a Great Dane, since the young age of 8 or 9. And yes, I still do want one, only we can't afford to feed one at this time in our lives! You should also know, though, my lifelong dislike of weenie dogs. I've been known to call them "a waste of a dog" and other such mean phrases. And yet here I sit with two little weenie dogs snuggled up on the couch with me. How did I get to this place???
Let me explain. Two Christmases ago, my dad decided it was time the get a dog for him and mom. They ordered a little dachsund and named him Buzz. I flew home for Christmas excited to see a new puppy but leary of the fact that he was weenie. Well, the unexpected happened - I fell in love with little Buzz. That's right, I couldn't help it. He is the cutest little guy with such a fun personality. He is also a mini weenie dog, which I really like. So fastforward two years later, and you find Trey and I finally able to get a dog. We have wanted one for so long but have never lived in a place that we could own one. Now the time has come, and I actually wanted a little dachsund. Then the insanity sets in. We decided to get two. That way they always have someone to play with.
So let me introduce you to the two newest members of our family, Pete and Dapple. They are brothers, 6 months old. We love them. They have such fun personalities!! And they snuggle up with their momma so much, it is the best. Most of the pics are taken when they're sleeping because it is almost impossible to catch them still enough when they're awake!!
Let me explain. Two Christmases ago, my dad decided it was time the get a dog for him and mom. They ordered a little dachsund and named him Buzz. I flew home for Christmas excited to see a new puppy but leary of the fact that he was weenie. Well, the unexpected happened - I fell in love with little Buzz. That's right, I couldn't help it. He is the cutest little guy with such a fun personality. He is also a mini weenie dog, which I really like. So fastforward two years later, and you find Trey and I finally able to get a dog. We have wanted one for so long but have never lived in a place that we could own one. Now the time has come, and I actually wanted a little dachsund. Then the insanity sets in. We decided to get two. That way they always have someone to play with.
So let me introduce you to the two newest members of our family, Pete and Dapple. They are brothers, 6 months old. We love them. They have such fun personalities!! And they snuggle up with their momma so much, it is the best. Most of the pics are taken when they're sleeping because it is almost impossible to catch them still enough when they're awake!!
Burke loves holding the boys. Here he is with Dapple.
Dapple
Pete
Trey LOVES his boys!
Playing "Where's Waldo" puppy style :)
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