Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Surprise, Surprise, Suprise

So, last night we had a BIG surprise ... our first shower! It was so unexpected -- a TOTAL shocker ... and very well-planned. It all started a few weeks ago when a good friend of mine, Sarah Bouma announced at a Leadership Team (LT) meeting that her and her hubby were going to plan a LT dinner at their house and they wanted to know if we could all come with our spouses. I checked that calendar and it was good for us, so Tim and I were in. Little did I know, it was all a big plot to get Tim and me (and Baby Liby, of course) to their house! She even asked me to bring a potato dish ... that girl is good!!

Fast-forward to last night ... Tim is supposed to be home around 5:45 so we can make it to the Bouma home on time. Murphy's Law, of course, states that whenever we have somewhere to be on a weeknight, Tim will get stuck at work. Last night -- no exception. So, when I called him at 6:05, he was still at work. We made a quick adjustment to our plans, I packed his clothes (and the potatoes) and went to meet him at work with the thought that Tim could just shower at the Bouma home. (You see, when we have had small group at their house in the past, Sarah and her husband, Mark, have offered to let Tim use their bathroom to get showered after work. Tim has never had to ... until last night.) Since I couldn't get a hold of Sarah on her phone, I called another friend that I knew would be there, Brent Resh, and he connected me with Sarah. She said that Tim could of course use their shower. I only imagine this made all of our friends who worked so hard at this surprise shower so happy since it became evident that we had no idea that we were going to a shower for us and Baby Liby!!

So, I pick up Tim and one of the first things he says to me is, "I am going to feel so awkward walking in in my work clothes with everyone there." I responded something like, "oh, don't worry about it babe, we're among friends". Little did I know that the "friends" group was MUCH larger than we knew! We pull up to the Bouma's at about 6:45 ... the only strange thing being that there were only two cars out front. "Hmmm," we reasoned ... "must be that we aren't the only ones late." We walk up to the door, perform the courtesy knock and proceed to enter the house ... I don't think the door was even open all of the way and everyone was yelling, "SURPRISE!" I mean, even now, I cannot explain the shock!! Here I am, holding a bag with clothes for Tim, and he is right behind me in his uniform with the potatoes ... it was hilarious! I looked at him and was like, "Did you know about this?" I am pretty sure his answer was just, no but it should have been more like, "if I did, do you think I would have let you talk me into coming here with my work uniform on?!"

It was a beautiful and super fun shower! So many special things were done that I doubt I can list it all ... there were sun balloons, a bottle of Caffeine-free Pepsi for me and Baby, delicious food including a fabulous fruit salad that I love, the most adorable homemade sun-shaped cake, beautiful flowers including two special vases for me to add to my vase collection, encouragement cards, time for the guys in the backyard talking and playing games while the girls were inside playing "shower games" (no lie, the best games I have ever played at a shower!!), a time of prayer over Tim, me and Baby Liby and attendance by some of our dearest and sweetest friends -- even our friend Cari, who lives in Kentucky now, made it (she helped throw the shower, too). I haven't felt that special in a long time!

Really, even today, it feels a bit surreal ... it happened so fast! It was one of those nights that I would relive over and over again ... that is how much fun it was!

Of course, we are so thankful to all of our friends who had a hand in throwing the event ... Cari, Jillian, Kelly, Sarah, Susan, Heather, Angie, Julie ... and their spouses for being good sports. It was such a great night ... Tim and I were greatly blessed -- and Baby Liby was, too! Thank you, all! We love you!

Our friend Mike, took gobs of pictures and he will get them to us soon ... he is a bit tied up at the moment since his wife is in labor at the hospital as we speak! Very soon, we will get to meet Baby Boy Huber and we can't wait!!

Oh yeah, we had a doctor's appointment last week and everything was good. Baby Liby's heartbeat was 154 bpm one minute and then 165 bpm a few minutes later ... it is so funny how a baby's heartbeat can fluctuate so much!

Grampy Fred is sentenced to his cast for at least 10 more days, but he is getting around pretty good even with the blue leg. Please continue to pray for healing to the bones as there is a bit of concern over the slow growth right now, and he has sores on his heal where his heal and the cast meet, so if you could pray for healing with that, it would be appreciated.


We have a new poll up so vote, vote, vote!!

You know, children are a blessing from the Lord ... we were reminded last night that friends and family are a blessing from the Lord as well ... Tim and I are very blessed!!

Love,
Katie

Monday, August 18, 2008

New Tummy Pic

So, here is the most recent tummy picture. It was taken yesterday (31 weeks, 1 day). The beauty is that between last Monday and yesterday, when the picture was taken, I grew soooo much bigger ... it was a total "pop" week. I can't believe it! I also am afraid to think about how much bigger I might get! Baby Liby is moving around like crazy now. Tim and I will even sit on the couch at night, put something on my belly (like a notebook) and watch it move all over ... it is sooo funny!

Good news, we have the master bedroom and the nursery room painted. We still have to get the trim up, and do a bit of cutting in, but that step is almost over. Here are some pics of Tim and our dear friend, Trevor, painting (side note, even though I am not pictured, I did paint -- I have no proof, though, so you don't have to believe me). :)






Grampy Fred is home now, and thrilled to be there. His cast literally goes from the top of his thigh to his toes. It is blue (like the Detroit Lions color) and very inflexible -- he can't even ride in the front seat of a car! He goes to the Doctor's this week to get a better idea of when the cast can be changed to a walking cast, so pray that his bones are healing quickly and smoothly!!

Baby Liby and I have another Doctor's appointment tomorrow, so I will have more to share later, I am sure.

Love,
Katie

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Another Day ... Another Doctor's Appointment

Wow! Going to see Linda every two weeks sure makes the time fly! I just got back from my appointment and things are good. I love, love, love hearing Baby Liby's heartbeat ... truly, I could listen to it all day long! The BPM was 154. Baby is also in the head down position (which, I learned today, should occur at 28 weeks; we are 29 weeks and 4 days, so that is good), so barring no strange flips, Baby should be set.

We finished Lamaze class last night. It was a very informative class, and I truly appreciate the information that was shared. The best aspect of the class, however, was all of the Bible verses that the instructor shared to help guide us through this process. All-in-all, it was a fabulous class and I highly recommend it -- although it did increase my anxiety about delivery. I think that I am too visual of a person to actually watch a delivery occur. I had to keep turning my head because once I see something like that, it just plays over and over again in my mind. After Monday's class, I had dreams all night long about delivering Baby Liby. I haven't had many "baby dreams" but in this one, Baby Liby was a boy. :)

Grampy Fred is sooo excited that he has his minor surgery on Friday. He hopes (and so do we) that he will get to go home afterwards ... it will be wonderful to have him back home!! Given all that has occurred, he is in excellent spirits. That's the thing about Grampy Fred, he is just an amazing person who is not given over to complaining. He has been so brave through this whole process, and Baby Liby is blessed to have him as his/her Grampy (and I am blessed to have him for a dad!!).

Excellent progress has been made on the Mastursery project. In fact, if all goes as planned this week we can start painting the walls this weekend!! How cool is that?! We still have to complete the windows, build out the closets and scrap/paint trim, but over all, we are doing great! I can't WAIT to see it all come together!

Hope you are well ...

Love,
Katie

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Where Are ... My Toes?

Well, it is a funny feeling ... one that started last week. I was getting dressed and I looked down and thought, "hummm, where are my toes?" That's right, I can no longer see my feet. My belly is officially large enough that when I look down, it is about all that I see. Fun, huh?