Catching Up on Cuteness

Hi folks! Here are my favorite photos of Katie and Friends that haven't already been posted here in 2009.

January 2009

Note Katie eating a whole burrito for the first time (and actually doing a decent job finishing it), enjoying a pile of stuffed animals on the couch (when my parents are babysitting, she even reads to the animals), and modeling the poodle dress that I just couldn't resist buying for her.

January - February 2009: Cindy's Baby
Our close friends Cindy and Mike had daughter Adah on Feb. 13, 2009. Here Cindy is at her shower in January; on a walk with me on Feb. 11 (they moved into our neighborhood a few months ago -- perfect timing for future walks with our newborns!); and with us, Mike and Adah on Feb. 23 when we brought over a meal.

February 2009
Katie models her winter wear (including a coat she obviously put on herself), "reads" the church bulletin, and tunnels through a big box.

February - March 2009: Playgroup

We are in a weekly playgroup with several of my best friends and their children. The children now obviously love each other as much as the mommies do!

March 13, 2009
My friend Sherry and her son Isaac came to visit from California. Even though she'd never met Isaac before, Katie loved playing with the "baby". Let's hope it's a trend that sticks!

March 2009

Sorry, Katie -- there's no room on Mommy's lap anymore. Hopefully there will be very soon!

Change of "plans"

Many of you know that I was scheduled for a C-section on my due date this coming Friday. I've decided to cancel the C-section and instead see if this baby will come on its own sometime in the next week. It was a tough decision, esp. since a scheduled C-section would mean (1) I had a definite end date in sight, (2) I could schedule childcare for Katie ahead of time, and (3) the baby would come out "the easy way" (meaning I could wimp out and not have to go through labor and pushing).

However, I've decided that I need to trust the Lord to take care of the logistics and the timing and the pain, and choose what I deem to be the healthier option for me and for our son, even if I feel like I'm less "in control" this way. (Not that I really was ever in control, but the illusion was still there.) So I'm praying that I'll go into labor on my own over the next few days (and I'm definitely interested if any of you have advice on home remedies to induce labor). If our son is still not here by next Thursday, 3/26, they'll admit me to the hospital, break my water and see if I go into labor that way. A C-section would then be a last resort rather than a first one.

I'm standing on this verse: "'Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." -- Proverbs 19:21

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers! I'll keep you posted.

It's a Boy!

It took less than a minute for our sonographer to be able to tell us what gender our new baby is!

All measurements and indicators are looking wonderful. And John and I (and most everyone who ventured to guess) were right in our guesses that it's a boy. It's a happy discovery. I know that boys can be a handful. But it also means that our last name will be carried into another generation, and that John has a little boy to teach lacrosse to (although I'm sure Katie will also get lacrosse lessons from Daddy).

I'm even gaining less weight than I'm allowed to gain. If only I felt that way -- I feel huge! My second trimester has definitely been harder than my first. As Baby Boy Biddison gets bigger, he's pushing into my stomach, which means I'm often having stomachaches, especially at bedtime. And worst of all is my back -- it's hard carrying one baby in my arms and one in my tummy! Still, I'm really glad that our baby seems to be healthy -- it makes the rest worth it.

Thanks for your prayers!

Katie Has An Important Announcement!

That's right, we're due March 20th with Baby #2. We hope to find out the gender on November 5. Please keep us in your prayers!