Baby Girl!

Thank you to all who have expressed excitement for us and this little miracle that WILL be joining our family next year. We are both beyond thrilled and even more so terrified for this next stage in life!

For those of you who may know any sort of background story of the past 4 years, Kevin's remark that I "finally" let him post the picture hopefully did not surprise any of you. If you don't, you can ready Matthew's story here.

 http://leesaandkevinelkins.blogspot.jp/2011/06/what-difference-year-makes.html#comment-form

It's emotional, it's raw, it's long, and it's messy. But it is also what has got us to this point so I am forever grateful for that little boy and this little girl.

Anyway, back to this little one. On our 3rd anniversary, Kevin had just gotten back from tech school, I had just finished Student Teaching, and we were down in Salt Lake for the weekend before saying our final round of goodbyes and leaving for Japan. He was set on starting a family as soon as we got to Japan. Me, not as ready for that roller coaster again. We were in the Salt Lake Temple and as I'm sitting there, I get the distinct and audible impression of "not yet". It took me awhile to connect the advice to babies. I told Kevin afterward and obviously he was disappointed, but he obliged. Not like he really had much of a say in it at that point anymore.

So we moved 4,500 miles away from anyone and anything we'd ever known. We started working, paying off school, buying nice things, making friends and making a life here. And for several months Kevin sat by patiently until I, after months of constantly praying and asking when was the right time, finally told him that I wasn't getting the "not yet" response anymore so now was as good of time as any. 

End of July: still wasn't pregnant (that we knew of), so we got Molly instead. Well, not instead, but if I had been pregnant, we would have not gotten her. And she is just the cutest thing ever and I'm so glad we have her. 

End of July/beginning of August we found out I was pregnant. Thanks to the magic of Tokyo Disneyland/ Disneysea! Too much? Sorry guys...

Probably around September, Kevin found out that there were 2 different taskings for his shop. One for a 7 month deployment, from late November-late June. The other was for 6 months from early early November-early May. No one knew about the baby yet, but he had to let his supervisors know in hopes of not being sent on one of them. Unfortunately, he was tasked with the 6 month one, but was told they would figure out a way to get a 40 day early release amended to his orders so that he would be here for the birth. 

So it's less than a week before he's supposed to leave, still no orders, still nothing waiting for them when they get there. So they delay it until end of November-June. 

So baby girl will be arriving at least 2 months before daddy will get to meet her unfortunately. It is what it is and I know I'm not the first, nor the last to have a baby without the father present. But it still just pisses me off to say the least. Mostly I'm sad for Kevin though. At least by the time he gets back, he'll have lots of leave, R&R, and paternity leave that he WILL be taking. And I will be taking naps. Lots of naps.

But we knew going into this that it was a very strong possibility to have happen. I just keep telling myself that this baby would not even be on her way if the government wasn't paying for everything anyway :) So maybe they're actually doing some good still...at least for now.

Anyway, dozens of lovenox shots. Check.

More to go? Definitely.

Even more Prenatal pills, Folic Acid supplements (to prevent the chance of spina bifida), and B Vitamin supplements (help curb morning sickness this time around) Check Check Check.

Growth scans at least every 4 weeks? Yep.

But she is measuring exactly on date, yesterday was 24 weeks, 2 days and 1 lb 7 oz. (+/- 3 oz)

Whoo Hoo!

She was only 15 oz 3 weeks ago! Pack on the chub little one!

I on the other hand, thanks to a 3 week trip home, well I'm already up 20 lbs. Awesome. It's worth it though because this little one is healthy as can be, absolutely NOTHING is wrong with any organs, bones, or her size. 

But I refuse to complain about anything to do with pregnancy, at least in a public forum. I think it's tacky and rude, especially when people struggle to 1) get pregnant and/or 2) stay pregnant.

And even more so tacky to complain about it when you are someone that does struggle. Ok, side tangent/rant over. 

Now she just has to stay in there as long as she can to keep cooking. Also, I have absolutely nothing ready for her. So stay put.

Love, Mom <3