Baby Talk

What's the significance of 24? The number of hours in a day, a popular TV show, and apparently 24 is the largest number divisible by all numbers less than its square root. It also happens to be how many weeks along I am in my pregnancy.

I've mentioned this exciting news in an earlier post but I realized I have not said much more about it. It isn't because it isn't a focal point of my life (obviously!) but I err on the side of not knowing who wants to know what and how much so then I end up not saying anything. I am ending the silence! It's not really that, either. Simply put, I just haven't gotten to it.

So, I thought I'd just give a quick history regarding what's been happening the last 24 weeks. Okay, so NOW 24 seems like a lot, right? How about just the highlights?

We discovered on a Monday, June 30, that I was pregnant. Just one month after moving here, it was not a surprise in the grand scheme of things, but the reality of it happening and so soon after making a huge change in our lives was, well, one of those moments you won't forget. We were happy. Very happy.


It was also a bittersweet moment, knowing we would be experiencing the joy of this process far from family and close friends, but this was something we knew to expect once we made the decision to move. It didn't make it easier, but it was the way it was. This aside, we have been blessed with friends and a church family here who have been extremely supportive and helpful. Shout out to Ivory's parents, Jason and Lee Ann, who have been a big help in steering us in the direction of a great doctor's office and a pretty great consignment store, among other things!

Speaking of doctors, we've been visiting a practice in Panama City and have been seeing a midwife who is on staff at this particular office. She is wonderful. Barring no unforeseen circumstances, we are praying she will be with us when it is time for Adelaide's arrival. Now, just because we are seeing a midwife does not mean that we'll be having the baby at home or some such thing. We'll still be going to the hospital, etc., etc. We chose Suzie because she was recommended and has been great with us.

Without going into too much detail, pregnancy has had its ups and downs. For those who are parents already you are all too familiar with some of these things, even if all pregnancies are different. I was pretty sick in the beginning, not so much now, but I still have my days. Getting tired easily is an adjustment, as I am accustomed to go, go, going, but pregnant or not, a nap is always welcome. I've been feeling the baby move for a few weeks now, but the last few days she's really ramped up her acrobatics or, at least I can feel them more.

I must say, it's pretty awesome. Not so awesome that I'd want to be pregnant for forever, but for the time being it is very, very cool. It's also humbling. I often think how wild it is that God would design our bodies to be able to do this.

Currently we're in the midst of the planning stages - furniture, clothes, doctors, the works. I've not read so far in the books to read through the birthing process. Right now I've skipped that part and moved on to bringing her home. Yes, yes, I realize something BIG has to happen in order to bring her home - I'm not ignoring it, I'm simply placing it on hold at the moment. But, I am looking forward to lamaze classes starting in January.

She is a she. At 18 weeks we found out, pretty clearly, that we were having a girl. Sabian and I will both tell you we expected boys, it was just a natural thing, but a few weeks before the tell tale ultrasound I started considering that it could be a girl, and I was okay with it. Discovering there was a little girl in there really made me feel more of a connection with her and watching the DVD of the ultrasound made it more and more real. There were arms and hands and little feet moving around in there and that "there" was me.

We've already named her, which seems to have really given her, in my mind, a personality. Adelaide Bell Chaney. Adelaide means "of noble kin." Now, the name itself, not the meaning, was what sealed the deal. We liked it, agreed on it, and that was it. Bell was my maiden name and was a suggestion made by my sister. Again, it was something we liked and agreed on. This does mean her initials will be "ABC," which doesn't thrill me, but her dad likes it, and I'm not willing to change the name just because of the initials. I suppose this just means we'll be able to buy stock monogrammed items when they clearance them out. Ha.

There are more weeks behind us than there are ahead of us and that is a crazy, crazy thought. I get more and more "ready" in my heart and mind as the time passes, and a little nervous, too. I really can't wait to meet her, see what she's like, and see if she has escaped the curse of naturally curly hair. Until then, I realize there is plenty more to experience in this process and I am praying that all continues to go well.

Oh, one more thing. Cravings? For some reason, Pizza Hut always sounds good. Good thing there's one just around the corner from the doctor's office. Seems our appointments always happen to end around lunch time...

I am thankful for a healthy baby and God's protection and provision during this time. I am also thankful for this opportunity. The weight of that is not lost on us.

P.S. - For those of you without Facebook, here are a few more photos:
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=63591&l=e5938&id=615177836