All is Well

I just wanted to drop in to say that all is well. We had a bit of a scare last week and wound up spending the night at the hospital. Joni was having early labor signs, and it turned out to be a kidney stone that was causing the labor. She said it actually wasn't all that bad, and only experienced some initial pain. We we're both very relieved to hear that Hannah wasn't arriving that night...although it would have been amazing...we're not quite ready with preparations at home, etc.

My time at Winterfest in Arlington was a blast, and I really enjoyed getting to tell part of my story. Jeff Walling is one of my heroes, and my sister was star-struck just being around him. (You can tell what Church of Christ "Nerds" we are... :) ) I'm excited to be going to Gatlinburg in a few weeks to get to do the same talk...twice this time. There's more in the works as far as me speaking in various places, but I'll fill you in when I get more details.

It's Been a While...

So...I really don't see how people have time to blog everyday. I guess it is a discipline instead of a hobby, but I'm sure I'll be posting more in the next several weeks as things are about to get very exciting for us.

The big news I held back on last time was that Joni and I have opened our own travel agency. Our company is Off to Neverland Travel, and we are very excited about running our own company. Our focus (if you couldn't tell from the title) is Disney travel, but we can also book any other type of vacation travel...so, please let us know if we can help! Our website isn't quite complete yet, but we will have it up and running by the end of this month.

In other news, Hannah Jane is doing very well and according to our doctor, the baby is very active! (Joni can vouch for that, too.) We are going to the doctor every 2 weeks, now, and have birthing classes once a week for the next 5 weeks or so. The nursery has been painted, and after this past Saturday's wonderful baby shower, we have lots to put in there.

This weekend, I have the opportunity to speak alongside Jeff Walling at this year's Arlington, TX Winterfest, which is a very large gathering of youth in the Churches of Christ. I am so thrilled, and have been looking forward to this for some time. I speak Saturday night (as far as I know), and as I understand it, the format will be somewhat of an interview. I will also be traveling to the Gatlinburg, TN version of the same event in February.

All is going well...and life is blazing by...I'm sure it will only get busier, but we are ready for the ride!

It's a Girl!

Hannah Jane is on her way! Our doctor's visit last week revealed all is well, and we have a girl in there! The "Level 2" sonogram was able to show details we have not seen before. From counting fingers to brain size, Hannah is perfect. In the picture to the left, she is scratching her face. She happened to scratch right as the camera was on her, so we got to see that as well. In the picture to the right, she is showing off her long, "Sneed" legs. I know they are from Joni's side (Sneed) because my family is not where the tall genes come from! Her left leg is bent at the knee, and her right leg is stretched out. The doctor said that all is well, and she is a bit ahead of schedule in terms of size. We are so excited, and we've finally got the nursery cleaned out so that we can get to the walls to paint. Joni has chosen "Ladybugs" as the theme, and I know it will be as cute as can be.

We go back in a month or so, and I'll try to update here more often. The past few weeks have been insane, and we have other big news to post...but I won't steal Hannah's thunder.

Back to Real Life

Well, the vacation is truly over. We're back home and trying to catch up to real life. Lots of stress around here from work, but in the midst of the stressful moments, we remember the joy we are going to feel in March!

We got to hear the baby's heart beat again on Wednesday, and the next sonogram should be at the end of the month or beginning of November. We are very excited to find out whether it will be a boy or a girl! No preference...excited either way.

My, How You've Grown

This past Wednesday, we got to see the baby again. It was time for another sonogram and everything is looking great. I think the sonogram has got to be one of the most amazing experiences that technology has to offer. And, I still say that anyone who can look at a sonogram and not see the incredible creativity, power, wonder, etc of God is missing the big picture.

Like I said, the baby is doing great. We laughed when the technician said that it appeared that the baby was ahead of schedule by several days. Joni's family has a history of birthing big babies, so we assumed it was no different with her. Joni is also feeling much better now that she is entering her second trimester.

We leave for Walt Disney World in less than 2 weeks for Disney's EarMarked Conference for Authorized Disney Vacation Planner travel agencies. After the conference, we are spending another week just hanging out and enjoying the parks. We are very excited!

Amazed

Ok, so I've heard people talk about it...seen pictures...but nothing could prepare me for seeing our baby for the first time. At 9 weeks pregnant, both Joni and I had assumed that we really wouldn't be able to see anything on this first sonogram. Wow, were we wrong! I've posted some pictures, but they really don't show the level of detail that you can see on the screen.

It is purely amazing. I can even describe my emotions at the time. I knew we were pregnant, but to actually see the baby...and to hear the heartbeat. The heartbeat...wow...another amazing technology of modern medicine. I think it hit me...that's a LIFE in there. I was speechless throughout the whole process, and feel so fortunate that we live in an age that allows us to see the gift of life in such an early stage.

Joni's next sonogram is in a few weeks, and I'm sure I'll be blown away, again. She is feeling okay, but very tired. We are both still on cloud 9, and can't wait to see our baby, again.

Denver

Sorry it has been awhile since the last entry. We have been very busy, and tired from the crazy pace of life for the past few weeks. I know, I know...it will only get busier with kids. Yikes!

We were able to get away a couple of weeks ago for a short vacation. We chose to go to Denver to see Disney's The Little Mermaid the Musical. It was incredible, and we got to see the Broadway cast during the "preview" run. Tons of fun.

Well, back to life...Joni's first appointment is next Wednesday, so I'm sure we'll have more to report then.