Thanksgiving

Bret and I with Jay and Staci at Bret's Dad's House on Thanksgiving.

My Sister Sherri and I at our Mom's over Thanksgiving. She is expecting their 4th child in March (their 1st boy).

Bret and I in front of our 1st full size Christmas Tree.

Christmas will come early this year!!!

We went to a baby appointment on Nov. 19th with Doctor Hendrix who will be the one to deliver Hayden. She started off by saying she wanted to do an amniocentesis at 36 weeks and both Bret and I thought NO! Because it's too invasive and not necessary. They suggested one a long time ago to check if Hayden has Cystic Fibrosis and we said no then for the same reason and whether he has it or not, it won't change the pregnancy. I have known from the beginning that I will be induced, Bret and I figured it would just be a week or two early... Come to find out Dr. Hendrix wants to do the amnio at 36 weeks to confirm Hayden's lungs are mature enough for delivery. WOW is an understatement!!! This was news to us and I will forever be grateful to Bret for being able to come to this appointment with me (I have appointments every other week, and with school and work it makes it hard sometimes for Bret to make it to all the appointments). We agreed to the amnio but still felt dazed and shocked. All of a sudden, Hayden would not only beat New Years but Christmas and my Birthday which is Dec. 26th!!! She went on to describe many aspects of the delivery including an epidural (Hallelujah) and possibly vacuum assistance (not so comforting). We had a week to consider all this information before our next appointment on Nov. 26. I called anyone I could think of for advise and suggestions including a friend who is a nurse in Neonatal, my boss who is a respiratory therapist and my CF doctor as well as my mom. Bret and I offered many prayers for comfort and guidance. Our next appointment was wonderful and just what we needed. It started off with an ultrasound (which we haven't had in about a month). He is growing vary well and weighs about 4lbs 5 oz. Dr. Hendrix came in and we asked her to reiterate and clarify all she had said last week. This time we felt excited and ready. My sister in-law put it well when she said she is jealous that I won't have to push out a bigger baby and struggle through the last month of baby stretching and kicking.
So, to make my long story short...if I get an amniocentesis on the morning of December 17 then the induction will start that afternoon. If the amnio is performed in the afternoon then I will be induced on the 18. I have always loved this time of year but nothing could compare to the joy I feel now, knowing the Lord is blessing us with such a wonderful gift!!!

Well I guess we could update y'all a little...

I was released as University Branch Relief Society President about 2 weeks ago and gratefully passed the mantel onto Annalaura!!!! Stake Conference is this Sunday at which time I will be sustained for my new calling... There is always much the Lord would have us do. However, the last couple weeks of little church responsibility has been very refreshing. Bret is still Elders Quorum President for the next 18 months at which time we will have to move to a family ward so Hayden can go to nursery.
Speaking of Hayden. He is a real mover and shaker!!! I feel him a lot more frequently. Sometimes when Bret and I are watching TV on the couch Bret will get a big smile on his face and then reach for my belly because he just saw Hayden move. I love those precious moments. We already know which parent will be the nice guy and mean mom... So I tell Bret to remind Hayden that he can be Daddy's boy but Mommy loves him too. We had our last ultrasound on October 23 and the doctors all said he is right on track. He weighed 2lb and 14oz which I thought was big but they said that's average. Bret and I are guessing he will be between 7-8lb's when he is born. I really hope he fits through my birth canal...
My health has been good. I have a bit of a sinus thing starting because the weather in Michigan keeps changing but so far so good. I am resting lots and keeping the apartment in order. I finally finished reading all the Twilight books and I look forward to seeing the move with some girlfriends soon.

I had a wonderful baby shower two weeks ago at the Miles home. (They are the family I nanny for) Where Hayden got the most handsome outfits and fun goodies. The shower had a great turn out of people. I loved it and everyone had a good time. Bret really liked going through everything when he got home from work that night. We didn't want to buy anything till after the shower but now we have most everything Hayden will need for his first few months of life. Bret had Wednesday off from work so we went shopping for a dresser for all of Hayden's cloths (We won't need to buy him any till he is 6 months because of all his grandma's and the shower)!!! We think he may have more outfits then Bret and I put together. He will be the cutest baby ever!!! Anyway, we spent all day trying to find a simple non expensive dresser but even a cheep one at Wal-Mart was about $300. Finally, I suggested we try at Art Van Clearance center just to drool. Miracles do happen...we found a fun blue bedroom set (dresser, night stand, wall mirror and twin bed headboard) for $300. Even with taxes the set was cheaper and more sturdy then any single dresser we had looked at all day long. We were exited to say the least, I could hardly contain myself!!! We got it home and into Hayden's room just in time to leave for our baby basics parenting class. It was the funnest class we have been to because I must have gotten Hayden exited about his new bedroom set also...He would not stop moving all night and it wasn't just little twitches...he was jumping, kicking, punching, waving and having a good old time. It's a good thing Bret and I already know how to change diapers because we had a hard time paying attention to the teacher with our little entertainer doing tricks.
We are so happy and truly blessed. Life is full of adventures so treasure all you can.