A glimpse of baby #3!

Can I just say that I LOVE ultrasounds?! I wish it was standard to have them every month! On Monday afternoon, Steve and I had our 20 week ultrasound and saw the amazing details of our newest baby's body. It was so fun! It really is just as cool the third time around. After the technician had finished checking everything she was supposed to, she took several good profile shots. At one point, she held the wand in one place and we watched the baby in real time...it was so cool to see the baby move it's hand around, suck and swallow, and even turn it's head toward us.

Anyway, the baby is as healthy as can be, and definitely a boy a girl, though we don't know which:). It was tempting to find out, especially knowing that the ultrasound technician, doctor, and nurse all knew. But the anticipation is so fun, and maybe will give me extra incentive when it comes time to push for who knows how long.

This baby is definitely our most active yet. I've been feeling him/her for several weeks now. It's hard to believe that I'm already halfway done with this pregnancy. I've been having way too many headaches, but other than that I feel great. Here are a couple of pictures...

Daredevil

Steve needed to make a small repair in the attic last night, so he had the ladder out. I was downstairs, but soon I heard Steve calling me to come get Jayna. So I went upstairs, and there's Jayna on the third step of the ladder! Curious as to how she was going to proceed, I watched her...climb all the way to the top! (Don't worry--I was standing right behind her with my hands ready to catch:) She even tried to get on the very top, but I wasn't going to let her go that far. After Steve came down, I had him "spot" her so I could document her amazing feat. 17 months old and no hesitations! (Of course, Travis wanted to have his picture taken on the ladder, too, but got scared after the third step...I do love my cautious boy!)

Halloween-a little late

We were cheap this year and put Travis in the same costume he used last year - a rooster. And Jayna was a little horsie, complete with sounds! We went to a harvest party at a friend's church, then did a bit of trick-or-treating around our neighborhood.

Mixed feelings

The election is finally over, and I'm feeling many things...

Relief. I am soooooooooo happy for an end to political ads, no more signs everywhere you drive, an end to political debates and whining (or at least less of this), no more wondering how it's all going to turn out. Seriously, this had to have been the longest election in American history.

Heavy-hearted. I am not pleased with many elections results, on both the state and national levels. At all.

And yet, I'm still very hopeful. Believe it or not, Barack Obama is no one's savior. All hope for this world lies in Jesus Christ, and He is the one I will continue to trust in.

Convicted--to pray! If you are a believer, you need to be praying, regardless of your place on the political spectrum. I am guilty...I remember to pray for our nation and our nation's leaders at certain times (election, July 4th, whenever the pastor reminds me to, etc.), but I need to be praying for these people on a consistent basis. And for all of you who are unhappy with our new president, you especially should pray! God will hear your prayers, and it will soften your heart, too.

I'm sorry to sound so preachy...after this post I'll get back to "family" stuff. And in the meantime, I get to watch TV political ad-free! Now THAT is something to be excited about!

P.S. Edited to add...the latest song I added to our blog (playing now) is one of my new favorites, and it is a perfect representation of the hope we have in Jesus. Listen to it!