First, the ultrasound report. We won't get the official report until next Wednesday's doctor's appointment but everything we saw and measured looked healthy and on track. In fact, the baby is measuring big and from all the measurements, my due date should be February 4th, not February 14th. There were 4 heart chambers, 2 brain lobes, bones and arms and toes and kidneys and everything else right where it should be and developing normally. At least as far as the ultrasound tech let on. And the baby is very active! The ultrasound tech was having a hard time getting some measurements and views because the baby was moving around so much. The baby is also head down - very low and that was prohibiting some good brain shots. The tech got them eventually though. The placenta is in the back and away from the cervix. That's why I could feel the baby kicking so early. And my cervix is long (5cm) and closed. Everything was great! And Gramme was able to come with Kris, Annika and I to see the little guy. The little boy who is not shy with his boy parts. At all. We're having an exhibitionist little boy!!!!! I cried. Gramme cried. And Kris took it in stride since he was pretty convinced we were having a boy anyway. Wow! A boy! I don't know what to do with a boy! Except to keep him covered while I change him! And since 98% of my baby clothes are girly - I get to go shopping! We are so blessed! Two healthy children and one of each gender! I am so lucky!

An update on Denise - the surgery didn't go so well yesterday. The tumor was over twice as large as they expected and they found some lymph nodes that felt hard and looked bad. Denise most likely has stage 3 cancer. She'll know for sure after she gets the pathology report today. She's already been scheduled for a mastectomy this afternoon unless the pathologist says differently. The hospital she's at has a 72% success rate with stage 3 cancer. The odds are good. And Denise is otherwise healthy and strong. They're going to treat her pretty aggressively with radiation and chemo. And we're all going to be there to help her, emotionally and physically. Please keep praying for my aunt. She has a long, tough road ahead of her.

Let's go back to happier things. Saturday night Kris and I were laying around watching season 2 of Veronica Mars. We have to get ready for season 3 to start you know! Anyway, our baby BOY was kicking and punching away so I took Kris's hand and put it on my belly. The baby cooperated and Kris could feel him kicking!

Annika still has a cold. She's still a leaky little faucet. Her sleeping hasn't been too bad except she's been waking up earlier. And she's taking her decongestant medicine just fine. And she's not running a fever and doesn't have a cough. She probably just picked up something from the ECFE or gymnastics kids last week. I'm sure most parents go through this in early September.