And the baby is.....

Today we had our first ultrasound, and we were able to clearly see that it is a GIRL! The top photo she's giving you all a "hello" wave. She was very busy in there this morning, and we were able to see her open her mouth, stretch, do a lot of hand and foot motions. She even tried to roll over at one point.

She is measuring right-on (my past 2 babies measured small)...and the due date looks to be about right too. Maybe even a little sooner...like May 18th.

So now we get to start thinking about names, looking thru Ellie's old clothes...and many friends have offered their little girls clothes to borrow and sell too. But I know the Grandma's are anxious to buy! Aren't we all...I've had a Gap coupon burning a whole in my pocket since Christmas!

I'm very excited to tell Ellie when I get her from the sitter this afternoon. She is wanting a sister...and I think she thought I was bringing a baby home today. I don't think the communication of finding out what it is today translated to a 4 yr old & that we still have to wait another couple months for the baby to come home. :)

Welcome!

Many of you are visiting our blogsite for the first time! You received our link in the mail with our Holiday card. We are so happy you have found us! Add us to your Favorites list, so when you remember, you can hop online and check what's new!

The latest news is that we will be having our first ultrasound on Wednesday, Jan 24th. If all goes well, we will be finding out the sex of the baby. Our appointment was supposed to be this past Friday, but it was rescheduled. A person's patience is only so strong....lots of anticipation in the house! Ellie is convinced it's a little sister. I think Billy is pulling for a boy. I honestly don't have a preference either way...but I do want to know. Of course, we all just want 10 toes and 10 fingers and everything okay.

I'll plan to scan a picture in and put all the info on the blog sometime Wednesday or Thursday.

New Blog Site Address

Because I have a new name...and because we'll have a new baby that doesn't carry the Shepherd name...I've changed the blog address. Something that will encompass the whole clan of us! I guess I should have thought of that sooner! Please start bookmarking this new site, as the old one no longer exists!

Wedding Pictures

Here are a few good ones from the big day, which was Friday, Dec 22nd. As you can see Jack was a handful during pictures. The small ones came from another person's camera, and I can't get them bigger. Sorry!

Happy New Year!

Wow! What a whirl wind of a couple of weeks. Take a wedding, a Christmas, and a Honeymoon...what do you have? Me - not sure if I'm coming or going! And in what dress, what town, and if all my bags are packed correctly!

2006 ended splendidly, and completely unexpectedly from how the year started. A single-mom, trying to sell our house than to...moving to Huxley in the Spring...than meeting someone that turned out to be more than I expected at a small-town bar.... and now being wed, planning a new life together, and expecting a baby! So it goes without saying, pray for changes, and God will answer. Sometimes right away...sometimes you have to wait. But answers, He does!

The kids are doing well. Ellie is enjoying preschool 2 days a week. Learning letters and numbers...and all that stuff. She's never interested when at home, but her teacher promises that she's keeping up there. Jack is starting to talk quite a bit. Somethings we understand, others we don't. "Billy" and "Ellie" sound a lot of like. And surprisingly, "thank you" has entered already, which is nice to hear. He's still a skinny squirt...causing quite the "pants" challenge. So we've resulted in wearing mostly bib-overalls.

I'm now 20 weeks pregnant, and due mid-May. We'll have our first ultrasound on the 19th, and are hoping to find out the sex of the baby. A boy would be fabulous, since we are all set in the clothes category there. But really we don't care. This being Billy's first little munchkin, I'm trying to keep him in the loop and be all excited too...but being it my third, it's just another walk in the park for me and I go all "routine" on him.

Pampered Chef continues to be my work. I also clean a few houses for extra cash. Both will be slowing down this year, with baby, and some other interests that I want to spend more time on. Billy works in Story City, and will continue his daily commute from Huxley to the American Packaging Plant. He enjoys the 30 minutes each way of alone time for prayer, reflection, and music. Lord knows, I'd like some of that!

We are looking to remodel our home this winter/spring to make room for baby. My dad and Billy plan to do most all the work. No final plans yet...but better use of space is the goal! We really love Huxley and our neighbors...so God willing, we will be making our forever home here in the Ballard School District.

We hope that 2006 provided blessings, health, and surprises to all of you too! If you are ever in our neck of the woods feel free to swing by. We are smack in the middle of Ames and Ankeny just off Hwy 69. Happy New Year!