2 Blogs in 2 Weeks?!?

2 blogs in 2 weeks...I think that's a new record! Maybe I'm getting better at this whole thing...for now anyway...

This is going to be a short one, however - there's a lot going on, but not much new news to share...we have another dr's appt tomorrow for an update on Rylie (and hopefully another sonogram)! Our apartment is in transition as we are trying - in the times we are actually home - to get it ready for Rylie's arrival in July. The good news is that I think we are ALMOST done doing the baby registry...maybe. I knew there were a lot of baby products out there, but really had NO IDEA just how many until we began creating our registry! The process has also taught me that although parent reviews are quite helpful, they also exist to make the registering process that much more of a nightmare - can't anyone AGREE on the quality of a product?!? Ahh, the love/hate relationship I have developed with the internet during pregnancy : )

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent...here are a few pics from the Easter production as promised , with Chris sporting the Jesus beard and me (and Rylie) wearing the latest in Biblical garb. Lots of love to all! ~ Chris, Allie, and Rylie

Catching Up on the Past Month (or almost 2...)

I know, I know - it has been way too long since the last post. But I did warn everyone from the beginning, right? You've got to at least give me credit for that : )

Things have pretty much been a blur since the last posting, but I'll try to give a quick update and remember everything that has happened in the past month or so...

One of the most exciting events was that Chris was hired as Director of Student Ministries at our church! We have been working with the youth group for about a year now and had felt that this was the direction God was calling us, so after lots of praying we feel so blessed that the calling has become reality. Plus, being on staff together now means that we actually get to see each other more, which has been great! Though our schedules are a bit more hectic than before, we love the kids that we work with...and we are learning a lot about what we will be facing as parents during the teenage years : )

And speaking of parenting, we finally have a name - Figlette served our purposes for a while (and hopefully hasn't become permanent with too many people!), but we have decided on Rylie Ann. Rylie is a name we have both liked from the beginning, and once we found out that it means courageous and lively, we knew it would be a perfect fit - if the amount of moving she does in the womb is any indication, we are in for one lively little girl! And Ann is my grandmother and mom's middle name, as well as Chris' grandmother's name, (plus, we just like it), so it was an easy choice for a middle name. My grandmother told me after we had decided on the name that my great-grandfather had a younger sister named Ann who died during an epidemic in her childhood, so we'll have yet another family name connection there.

At my last doctor's appointment, everything was still looking great, and now I will be going for appointments every 2 weeks...the time is going by so fast! We look so forward to meeting Rylie, but I have to say that I am going to miss pregnancy - although from what I've heard, I might change my mind on that the closer (and the bigger) I get to my due date. Watching the ever-expanding baby belly move has become one of our favorite nightly events! I will post new belly pictures soon, as well as pictures from our recent Easter production with Chris sporting his Jesus hair and beard : )

Well, I think that's about all for now, but I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter...He is risen!

Blessings and Love,
Chris, Allie, and Rylie

It's a Girl!

See, what did I tell you...I am already falling behind! But better late than never, right? : )

We went on Feb. 24th for our 20 week sonogram and found out that the Figlet is a Figlette! She was a bit modest at first so we almost didn't find out, but she eventually cooperated (thank goodness - we would have had quite a few disappointed people who have been waiting anxiously to find out the Figlet's gender). Everything went wonderfully with the anatomy scan and our little girl is right on track. It is truly amazing what all a sonogram can show...especially when our sono tech zoomed in on the heart and you can see all 4 chambers with bloodflow! We have been so blessed with this pregnancy and are thankful that all is going so well and right on target.

So far we have not decided on a name, but we want to take our time and make sure it is the name she is supposed to have - and there's still plenty of time! We will keep everyone posted : )

I would love to write more, but am off to Wagner to work the evening performance...I will post much sooner next time around!

Much Love,
Chris, Allie, and the Figlette

7 Days Left!

For starters, I'd like to explain the last entry - apparently Chris decided to take on an alter-ego to blog because he neither speaks nor writes as he posted. It was still entertaining, however, so who knows what will come with his next entry!

We had an amazing long weekend...I had off from Wagner on Monday and Tuesday, so Chris and I were able to spend 2 and a half solid days together with no obligations and nothing on the calendar - my ideal vacation! Rather than go away for a long weekend like we first considered, we decided to stay home, sleep in, and go out to eat for meals instead. If you've never had an at-home vacation, I can now highly recommend it!

Aside from eating out, we also thought the time off would be a good time to begin perusing the baby stores for our soon-to-come baby registry...wow, and I thought doing a wedding registry was a challenge! We went to Babies R' Us twice this weekend and didn't get much farther than carseats and strollers with no final decisions yet - there is definitely some more internet research in our futures, but suggestions/recommendations are welcome : ) Needless to say, I think we'll be making quite a few more visits before the Figlet arrives...

And speaking of the Figlet, on Tuesday we should find out boy/girl (hence the countdown title of this entry). We are just praying that the baby cooperates and will give us a decent view so we can finally use a proper pronoun for whomever is inhabiting my belly right now! Tuesday should bring some high-quality sono pics, so we'll be sure to post those then.

My verse for this post is one I love for reminding myself that perfection is unattainable and I WILL make mistakes - fear of failure is something I struggle with often, and it often prevents me from taking a risk and just DOING something rather than THINKING about it!

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." 2 Samuel 22:31-33

Lots of Love!
Chris, Allie, and Figlet

The Unofficial Babymoon Weekend...

Chris here - we had another doctor's appointment. The baby doctor I mean. This appointment took place on Saturday - we didn't have to wait as long this time. Woo Hoo! We sat in the waiting room by the bathroom. Women had to keep crawling over me to get to the john. Yeah. Seriously though, the appt. went well. First Allison pees in a cup. Real important stuff here. Then the nurse weighs Allison and takes her blood pressure. After this the doc comes in and tells her that she looks good...this time we got another sonogram instead of just getting to hear the baby's heart. Well - the little bugger kept puttin' its hands in front of its face like we were shining a light in there. The doc tried real hard to see the private parts...to no avail. All in all good times. Maybe we'll get some sonogram pics scanned for yinz guys. Maybe not.

Peace.

Allison says I have to write more about our weekend because what I have already written doesn't cover all of the Unofficial Babymoon Weekend in all its glory. Basically we are just staying home, and going out to eat at expensive places. That's it.

Peace

Let's Hope I Can Keep This Up...

I have been inspired by my wonderful best friend Stacey to begin blogging, although I am notorious for not being very consistent with this sort of thing. I am determined to keep it up, though, especially with the Figlet on the way!

Speaking of the Figlet, here is the latest Baby Belly pic (18 weeks)...

There's still not much there, but I'm enjoying the fact that I now actually look pregnant! : )

I have another doctor's appointment this weekend, but Chris and I are really looking forward to our 20 week sonogram on Feb. 24th when we find out if the Figlet is a boy or girl! We still haven't made a final decision on names, but I'll be sure to keep everyone posted.

One of my goals for the upcoming year is to memorize more scripture, so I'll close with one of my recent favorite verses:

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24

Lots of love! ~ Chris, Allie, and Figlet