My heart is full

This weekend has been one for the memory books, for sure. It's been one of the most fun weekends we've had since December 27.

I told Chance right after we found out I was pregnant and after our first ultrasound that my heart was full. It's the best way I could think of to articulate all the emotions I was feeling connected to our multiple blessings. The past few days have fit the description as well.

When we made the news public on Friday night, our phones started blowing up with texts, facebook comments, tweets and phone calls--from our friends, our parents' friends and people who knew us somehow. It was really fun to be able to share in the excitement with so many people.

We got to spend the weekend with my parents to celebrate Mom's birthday (tomorrow, Feb. 20). Mom took me shopping for maternity clothes, and helped get me set with a flexible wardrobe for the coming months. We had a lot of fun while I tried on clothes and the bump pad and spending time together. Chance and Dad got to go to Bass Pro and other "man stores", and Chance got a camo diaper bag for when he has to carry it. :) Chance's family has been really sweet too, giving matching gifts for Cari's and my babies, showing lots of excitement for 2 more grandkids to arrive this summer!

The best part of the weekend was our doctor's visit on Friday afternoon. It was my 3rd ultrasound, and we got to hear Sweet Pea's heartbeat! The machine was acting up just a little bit, so we only got to hear the heartbeat for 3-4 seconds, but Dr. Micus said it was measuring around 160 bpm and was strong. We got a new picture of the baby, including a great profile shot. S/he was crinkling up his/her arms and wiggling so much that it was hard to get a still shot for the heartbeat and the picture. I'm hoping for lots of wiggles and kicks coming soon so I can feel them!

I continue to be amazed and awed at the growth and development in so many short weeks. It's a humbling and phenomenal feeling, to know that I'm responsible for Sweet Pea's health and growth, and yet it's completely out of my hands. God is in total control of each and every cell and is shaping our baby into just who He has planned.

I'll go back for a belly check appointment on March 16, and then we'll schedule the major ultrasound appointment to do gender reveal and all the big development tests. I'm hopeful that by the end of March, we'll know if Sweet Pea is a boy or a girl! Then we can finally nail down a name and start making full-on preparations.

In the meantime, I have another maternity shopping trip planned with Emily to San Marcos, a baby shower for a sweet friend due in May, a girls' weekend for "Spring Break" and much-needed rest break from school. See what I mean about a full heart?