Branson Baby #4

We found out a few weeks ago that we are expecting another little blessing around the end of March! The due date is actually March 29, 2008 which is exactly 30 years from the due date my mom had with me. I was due to be born on March 29, 1978. I came 10 days early so who knows.....maybe I'll have a little birthday buddy right in my own family!

I had a doctor's appointment today and they did a sonogram to double check my dates. Everything looked good...I could see the little beginnings of arms and legs and I could see the heart beating (158 beats per minute). It really makes it seem more real when you see it or hear it's heartbeat separate from your own. It is amazing to think that God has created this little person whom I already love so much even though I don't know much about him/her yet! I know that he/she is an eternal soul, even now when it is not much bigger than a kidney bean! We are looking forward to seeing this gift from God in SEVEN MONTHS and getting to know a new little personality.

Please keep me and the baby in your prayers...I have been feeling sick the last few weeks and I thought it was improving some over the last few days but last night and tonight I have felt horrible after dinner. I have a busy few days ahead of me in getting my house ready for Jana and Mara Kate's visit this coming week as well as more activities since my parents are in town for a couple more days. I took a nap on the couch tonight after I ate since I was feeling so bad (and doing that doesn't help get things done around here!) Michael kept Dresden from climbing all over me and put away the leftovers which I was in no mood to face. Now I am feeling a little better and am headed to bed!

I know it's been awhile...

I know it's been quite awhile since I posted but I have been living life and it has been busy and fun! First of all, we left on August 9 to head to Bristol to visit family and to meet our new niece, Olivia Claire Guinan. After a night in an interesting hotel in Paducah, KY, we arrived in Bristol on Friday afternoon in time for supper with my parents and my sister and her family. Olivia was passed from one set of arms to another all evening! On Saturday, we relaxed and then spent the evening with friends from church. We went to church the next morning for worship and for Olivia's baptism. Tuesday was Alley's birthday and we had my dad's famous BBQ chicken and many of Alley's favorite side dishes. Aunt Heidi made the chocolate/chocolate cake and decorated it! On Wednesday morning, we headed to Atlanta to see Jana and Kane and Mara Kate. On Thursday morning we took Michael to the airport so he could fly home and get back to work. We later went to IKEA where I found several good deals and was motivated once again to streamline my house and wisely use every square inch of space I have!! On Friday evening, Heidi and Jeph and Grant and Olivia joined us in Atlanta so all the cousins were together for the evening. On Saturday, we all headed back to Bristol where we visited for a few more days before heading back to KC-- me, mom and Dresden in our van and Dad and Alley and Liam in Mom and Dad's car.

Last Saturday, we attended the Burton Family Reunion, which was my grandpa and his siblings and as mnay of their kids and grandkids and even some great-grandkids as could come. It was a beautiful day, a nice shelter house and lots of fun to see familiar faces I haven't see in many years. My kids played with the daughters of an another Burton grandchild, my great-uncle's grandson, who we used to play with years ago. It was a fun day all around!