"Layette" What the heck is that?

18 Weeks Pregnant 

Update from BabyCenter.com:
"Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born."

And speaking of spicey bell peppers:
1. This baby boy has got some spice in his life because he is constantly dancin' up a storm in my belly! I can feel him moving to some beat inside of his head. Last night during praise and worship he was going crazy! We got us a little Jesus Lover Baby!
2. I felt the heat today when my school had no power. My classroom was 96. I overheated and threw up three times. I felt dizzy and got an instant lightning headache. They sent me home to rest and eat popsicles. I am feeling better now but BOY was that not fun! Why must I toss my cookies so much?

Next week we get another ultrasound to check on his heart, spine, brain, and other important things. I have faith that God has got it all taken care of and this little boy is A-OKAY!

Houston, we have a penis!

Baby Wojcik is a BOY!

He is just as handsome as ever! I can not tell you how many times I have cried today. (Happy tears!) I think the reality of everything is setting in. I keep getting images of Mike playing ball, leading, teaching him how to ski, and passing on manly wisdom with this little one and the tears start to flow. We were reviewing the photos from today and Mike paused, looked up at me, and said "I love him." I just lost it. He is going to be such a good daddy!

Again with the tears...

So, I had prepared myself to find out if baby was a boy or girl but I had not prepared myself to actually see a baby. I know that sounds a little basic but it never crossed my mind that the little blob inside of me from 8 weeks was not going to be a blob anymore. The appointment started off normal, we listened to his heartbeat (148 bpm today) and then looked at his little feet on the 2-D ultrasound and then the technician switched the ultrasound to 3-D... that is when the magic happened. All the sudden, the gray fuzzyness of the ultrasound became a clear-as-day BABY! We could see his feet, his legs, his cute tummy, his arms, hands, and even a little nose! The place we went to had a huge flat screen TV to show you the ultrasound and I just said "It looks just like a real baby!" And then, the tears started to roll down my face! It was beautiful! I could not believe how big he got! 

 So, once I calmed down from the initial there is a baby inside of me shock... the technician started to politely encourage him to open his legs. (A.k.a. wiggle my tummy around.) Then she asked "are you ready?" I thought to myself, I guess... and then there it was... A PENIS! 

Mike stood up and did what I call the touchdown dance, complete with fist pumps. I had millions of thoughts race through my mind at once and can not really pinpoint one specific thought. I do know that I was filled with joy! This "thing" this "blob" this "it" was a sweet and precious baby boy, who hopefully will turn out exactly like his daddy!

Great! Now not only is it peeing inside of me but it is sweating!

Two amazingly beautiful friends who are also growing babies.

This past weekend I helped to host a way-too-cute baby shower for my dear friend Shelly (right). I loved blessing my sweet friend and the darling baby girl inside of her. We had a wonderful weekend together. I am so glad that God has blessed me with a wonderful community and fantastic friends who are experiencing the same things that I am.

Update from BabyCenter.com:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

As for me, I still hate meat! I love tomatoes, beans, pickles, and fruit!

Here is my din-din! Bean sprouts! Motz, basil (from my garden!), and tomatoes! Yumm!

Anxiously excited for Saturday! I have no clue if this baby is a boy or a girl!

What is your vote?

Is Baby Wojcik a Boy or a Girl?

Take the poll to the left of the screen and lets see who gets it right!
Actual results will be posted on June 12!
Stay tuned!

In the mean time, here is a sneak peak of the bump!

 There is a bump! A real bump!

Can you see that darkish line under my belly button? Crazy! What is that called again?

Baby Wojcik kicked the heartrate monitor!

I am four months pregnant.

Update from BabyCenter.com:
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

This past weekend we went on a Babymoon in the mountains of Shenandoah. We had a beautiful cabin next to a babbling river. It was a perfect weekend. Complete with a drive in movie date, steakhouse dinner, strawberry picking, and a massive watermelon feast!

On Tuesday we went in for our 16 week check up! Baby is doing well. Baby Wojcik's heart rate was 159 and hearing it was the most magnificent symphony I have ever heard. At one point there was a loud "thud" on the monitor and the nurse began to laugh and explained that the baby had just kicked her. I gleamed with excitement. I have felt the baby move before and I loved being confirmed that the baby is dancing around inside of me. I also enjoyed having Mike be a part of the movement because he can not yet feel the movements. It is really moving inside of me!

I am doing alright. I lost more weight. Grunt. I have continued to have crazy dreams. In most of my dreams the baby is a girl. Does that mean its a boy? Oh, we will find out soon enough. I can not wait for that!

JUNE 11th- BABY GENDER APPOINTMENT!

15 weeks pregnant!
Here is what Baby Wojcik is up to from BabyCenter.com:
Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light.  Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl!

This week happens to be our 3rd Wedding Anniversary! It is amazing to think that  three years ago God united us as Husband and Wife. I love knowing that Jesus designed this amazing man to be mine. He is such a good God. I said a prayer this morning for Baby Wojcik. I prayed for (his or her) soul mate. I prayed for the hands of God as He creates the soul mate for our dearest baby. Maybe it is a bit early to be thinking about the union of our unborn child, however, it was on my heart. I pray that our baby will find a love that is as true as our own. Its not perfect, but it is real.

God picked us to be the parents of this baby. I feel so privileged. When Jesus made us in our mothers womb He knew that we would be one, and He knew that this baby would be ours. I feel so humbled that God would see us fit to raise one of His children. Mike is going to be a wonderful father. He is such a great role model and he is an ultra loving man. I can not wait to see him holding our baby in his strong and gentle arms.

Eww! It is peeing inside of me!

Here I am with my sweet Bailey and Cuddly Reed...

14 weeks pregnant!

Well I learned something new! Being pregnant counts as being temporarily disabled. So, I got to be the first person to board the airplane on my trip to FL this past week! I felt very VIP! Jesus showed mercy on me. The weather report called for thunderstorms and winds... but the plane ride was smooth as silk! Thanks to those of you who were praying for my traveling mercies.

These two ladies next to me have touched my life eternally. Kathleen (far left) discipled me through college, continuously pouring into my heart and steering me towards Jesus. Ashley (middle) started praying for my salvation when she met me and invited me to countless bible studies. They cause the angels to smile with their love for Jesus and selfless hearts! Someday we will dance in the streets of heaven together.

The wedding was perfect! Heather was radiant! I enjoyed visiting with my Jacksonville friends.  I also enjoyed spending time with my Nephew Reed and meeting my sweet little Niece Bailey. (Pictures above) Ashley sure knows how to breed some beautiful children! I felt such great comfort being around old friends. I am blessed with such wonderful lasting friendships.

Baby is doing well! Here is the update from BabyCenter.com:
Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.