Baby Estes - 12 Weeks!

We went to Kaiser yesterday for our 12 week appointment to see Baby Estes! It was so exciting to see that it has grown SO much in 4 weeks since the last time we saw it. It defiantly looks like a baby now. We saw its head, arms, legs and torso and butt. We saw the two hemispheres of the brain too. We saw and heard its little heart beating again...strong! The baby is about 3 inches long now and about the size of an apricot, only not completely round. And it weighs about 1 oz.!

It was quite the wiggler which was SO fun to see! Here are some pictures.

Here is the baby's face on the left. Sort of looks like an alien, but it's OUR alien!

Here is the back of the baby's head on the left and its butt is on the lower right.

Here is the back of the baby's head on the left and its butt on the upper right. Sort of like its twisting its torso.

Our next appointment is two weeks before Christmas and won't be an ultrasound. (I'm very sad about this.) We had thought we could find out the gender at that time, but looks like we'll have to wait until the beginning of January instead. Oh well.

I had thought that by knowing if it was a boy or a girl would help me start to bond with the baby more. But since it's not going to happen until later, I'll have to trust that God will help me bond in other ways. I am just thankful that the baby is continuing to grow at a healthy rate and that I have stayed healthy too.

I haven't had any major "morning sickness" which has been SUCH a blessing! My only really bothersome symptom has been exhaustion. For about a good month or two I had to come home from work and get directly in bed for a nap. It was hard to stay awake at work and sometimes I even used my 1/2 hour lunch break for a nap in my car! I am pleased to say that even though I haven't had a nap in a week now, I'm still tired, but not as bad.

I have been struggling as to when to buy my first maternity clothes. I'm down to about two or three pairs of pants that I can still wear. (Sometimes with the button UNdone, but still getting away with it.) I will probably have to bite the bullet and get at least one or two pairs of maternity pants pretty soon. But that is to be expected I guess.

We are constantly amazed and thankful for all the changes happening to my body because of this little one. We are excited for its development and thrilled when we get to see it on screen. Thank you for continuing to pray for us. We'll keep you updated!

!!!NEWS!!!

So, once again I have dropped off the face of the Earth and neglected my blogging. But we have WONDERFUL NEWS...we're expecting!!! I'm 10 weeks along now and Baby Estes is due to arrive in the middle of May 2010!!!
Here is our most recent ultrasound picture at 8 weeks. We have another appointment in about two weeks and hopefully will be able to see a more defined figure of the baby.

It is so amazing to feel the new changes in my body and yes, to even enjoy the spurts of sickness or discomfort knowing that this is something we've prayed for. We would appreciate your prayers as we progress in this pregnancy and await our precious little one! God is good, and we are SO thankful!

News!

Wow, I just realized I haven't blogged in a while! Well, our lives have been so full to joy this summer. We moved into our first home last weekend and I have been blessed with a new job! The Lord is awesome and I am SO enjoying seeing Him work in our lives. I am also excited to report that I have also lost a total of 26 pounds since the begining of April and am looking forward to the next 20 pounds!.

Our 5 Year Anniversary!

Thank you LORD for blessing me with 5 years of marriage to Steven Estes. I have strived to be the Godly wife you have called me to be. To be supporting and encouraging, to pray for him daily (sometimes more,) to protect and honor him and to LOVE him unconditionally! I look forward to what the next 5, 10, even 50 years will bring us!

Steven and I spent our anniversary date at the Clovis Farmer's Market with our good friends, the Alejo's! We had a great time taking part in our town's culture and festivities and best of all, being together!

The Mr. and Mrs.


Steven eating some of Fresno State University's premium ice cream!
(Ray and Alicia Alejo in the back right.)


Logan Alejo (Ray and Alicia's 3-year-old.)

Hats off to the Graduate!

Our second big event for June was the graduation of our cousin Joy from Chino Hills High School!

Joy is one of my favorite cousins and I remember when she was BORN!!! Wow, that's weird to say!

Steven and I were able to make a day-trip to SoCal for her ceremony and some family time on Wednesday. We rode with my parents, brother and grandparents. (Yes - all in the same car!)

We left at 7:30am and didn't get back to our home until about 12:30am that night...but Joy was worth it! I love that girl.

Joy in her Cap and Gown at the house.


Our row of family at the graduation.


All the graduates and confetti.


Joy hugging her hunky friend Connor.


The beautiful Joy Bells!


My brother Daniel and Joy's brother (my cousin) Josiah. I think they're only 6-mo apart and best of friends.


The graduate hugging her Mom (Aunt Kathy) and sister Claire.


The grandparents, my Dad and Uncle Paul waiting at the restaurant.


Joy displaying the Coach-inspired purse we gave her.

Matt and Charlissa's Wedding

Our first of many June committments has come and gone already.

Matt and Charlissa Strong tied the knot on Saturday, June 6th in Paso Robles, CA. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception. Charlissa and I lived together my first (and only) year at Fresno Pacific in 2002-2003. Matt attended FPU as well and time-over-time, they fell out of touch, fell back into touch and then in love!