22 Weeks

Kyle and I went for our 22 week OB appointment this morning and had another ultrasound (yippee!).   At our last visit, they were unable to get a good picture of Will's sacrum (bottom of spine) because he was face up and would not cooperate and flip over.  Today, although stubborn, he eventually turned and the tech was able to get a good shot.  I learned that they check the spine very closely for malformations.  Most spinal problems start at the base of the spine.  Little Will's sacrum looked perfect!  Whew!  He was such a cutie during the ultrasound.  He kept putting his hand up to his mouth and then pulling it away--almost like he was blowing kisses to his mommy & daddy!  Melt my heart!  We could also see him swallowing amniotic fluid and were able to watch his mouth and tongue move when he swallowed and see the fluid go into his stomach---what an amazing sight!  At the end, he had both hands up to his mouth with the first finger of one hand and middle finger of the other hand in his mouth--the tech laughed and said that we have a nail biter---I wonder where he gets that---ahem--KYLE!  It was a quick visit and, I guess, the last time we'll see him until he's actually in our arms.  Here are some pictures from today:

I forgot to mention that I asked the ultrasound tech to look, again, and make sure that he was a boy.....he was! :)  This is a view of his little bottom with the arrow pointed and his "manliness." 

A profile of his head on the right and you can really see his spine.

This is also a profile picture of his head on the right, spine on the bottom and he has his little arm and hand up to his mouth with his fingers in his mouth.  The two small black spots on his chest is his heart.  

In other news....

Emily and Paul had a court date in Ethiopia the week before last (they did not have to attend) and everything passed smoothly!  Little Tesute Sophia Hammond is officially their new daughter!  What an answered prayer!    They will travel to Ethiopia the 2nd week of May to pick her up and bring her home to our family!  Please keep their family in your prayers for safe travels and a smooth transition for Tes!

Kyle's parents, Wayne and Vickie also received good news last week!  Their court date has been set for April 16th (?) and they will travel to Russia to bring Nastia home!  They will be leaving in the next week or so and will have to be in Russia for a good amount of time.  Please also pray for their travels and for Nastia as she comes to join our family. 

Happy Easter!  

Baby Update!

Well, it's been 4 weeks since my last post and I'm two weeks late on some pretty big news!  Most of you already know, but for those of you that haven't heard, we are having a BOY!  Kyle and I are both very excited; however, I'll be honest--since the beginning, I was convinced it was a girl.  I don't know why (well, I do but it's a long story) but I just thought that I was going to have a girl.  So, I had been envisioning "girly" things like monogrammed bloomers and tutus and pink nursery ideas!  Well, that quickly came to end at our 18 week appointment when the ultrasound tech said he was a boy.  Frankly, we didn't even need the tech to tell us because it was pretty apparent on the screen.  What do you think?

This is a bottom view of his left leg on the top and right leg on the bottom.  

In between those long legs.....

After a few minutes of having to "re-adjust" all of my thoughts, I was really excited!  God knows exactly what we need and he is giving us a perfect little baby boy!  I think one of the reasons that I'm so excited is thinking about how cute Kyle will be with a little boy out in the yard throwing baseballs and footballs.  He will be Kyle's pride and joy and will always be mommy's little boy!  The ultrasound was very exciting and we were relieved to know that the baby has all 10 fingers and all 10 toes!  Everything about him looked great on the ultrasound!  They said he was growing symmetrically and right where he needed to be for 18 weeks.  We are so blessed!  Here are a few more pictures from the ultrasound:

This is a great profile shot of his head with his little fist up to his mouth!

Another profile shot of his head where you can really see his nose and mouth.

This is a picture of the bottom of his little feet!

With all of that said, we do have a name for him!

William Dean Tomlinson

We are going to call him Will.  William is my grandfather's middle name and someone that I admire, respect and look up to in every possible way.  I'm honored to name my child after him and pray that one day little Will will know what a wonderful, Christian man he was named after and be very proud of his name!  Dean is pretty obvious!  Since my dad couldn't produce a boy to carry on the name, I'll do my part! :)

Many of you have been asking and I've been trying to avoid this for a while now....so, here is a belly shot.  Don't get your hopes up, there isn't too much to see!  Enjoy because it may be the last! This picture was taken at exactly 20 weeks.

Kyle and I are so excited on the arrival of little Will!  We continuously pray for good health for baby Will and a safe and healthy delivery.  We ask you to keep us in your prayers as well!