Yay for Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving and Christmas are not only significant because of what those days symbolize, but also because of the FOOD!!! Oh, how I love food. Even if my choices are now limited because I'm pregnant, the food spread at Thanksgiving tasted and looked heavenly. We celebrated with John's family and also a friend they invited from church. After I completely gorged myself to the max, and sat in my usual place on the couch, the baby went crazy with delight, squirming and kicking with all the delicious food in my tummy!
Look at the size of that leg bone...
Can you tell Caleb's plate has nothing on it? We gave him a few potatoes and he wouldn't even eat that. He did eat a bit of the inside of the roll, but that was it, no turkey, no jello, nothing. Right after dinner he comes up to me and says "Mommy, I'm so hungry!" Of course you are finicky child, you didn't eat! I hope he grows out of this picky stage quickly...
Terri cooked so much for this dinner and I was no help! John stepped in (due to my lack) and showed off his culinary skills by making a banana cream pie and the gravy. Though we had a few tense moments between chef (myself) and apprentice (John), everything came out spectacular! It was so hard staying on the couch and trying to tell John what to do, when a lot of what we were cooking was based on how things 'look' with consistency and taste. In the end, everything came out great! As did everything Terri prepared: turkey, jello, pumpkin pie, rolls, beans, potatoes, and orange stuffed yams, none of which could be beat!
John's parents Terri & Dave & random shots of Caleb

Thanksgiving Day also was significant because I turned 20 weeks! I am now at the start of my 5th month, can you believe it?! It's time to post new pictures of the growing belly! I thought it would be fun to compare pictures of what I looked like at 20 weeks with Caleb. In comparison, I'm pretty much the exact same measurement at the biggest point of my belly, I'm also the same weight wise, only a 1 pound difference. I'd say these two pregnancies are looking the same so far.
Here I am in both pictures with Caleb at 20 weeks, even though I look smaller in the one to the left, these pictures are taken a few days within each other. Funny what a shirt and having my shoulders back can do in appearance!

And here I am with baby #2 20 weeks!
I think I look bigger in person...
And because it was Thanksgiving, I thought it appropriate to just list a few things I'm grateful for:
1. John's help through all of this, being completely supportive of the need for me to stay down. Not an easy task when this often means he has to do everything! He doesn't complain when he does all the grocery shopping I ask, laundry, cleaning and plays with Caleb every moment he can. He has been my knight in shining armor, how I love him for it! I'm also so thankful he has a stable job to support us, enabling me to stay home with Caleb.
2. John's parents who have sacrificed incredibly to help and assist me with this baby. Terri has taken leave of work, so she can help watch Caleb throughout the day, allowing me to rest. I cannot say enough to express my gratitude and thanks I feel for them. They have been super grandma and grandpa to Caleb, striving to assist in whatever way possible. The brunt of the work has fallen on Terri, she has been my angel! This pregnancy could not have been possible with out their help and John's.
3. For all of my family, who have continued to check up on me, express their concern and willingness to help however they can. For their fasts and prayers in my behalf. I know you would do more if you could!
4. For all of you who continue to pray for my well being, that this pregnancy may defeat the odds and have a happy ending!
5. I'm profoundly grateful for this life within me, a miracle in itself, who has been such a fighter, pushing through when it has seemed like little hope has existed. For those kicks, rolls and punches that say hello, I am here and can't wait to come! How grateful I am for modern technology that has given me the chance to be closely monitored and keep tabs on this high-risk pregnancy.
6. For my beautiful little boy Caleb, how I love his loving and playful spirit. There is not enough room in my being to hold the love I have for him. The other day he said to me out of the blue: "Mommy, I make you so happy!" and it's true, I cannot imagine life without him. He does make me so happy. I think this pregnancy has brought to my attention all the more, how precious life is and how blessed I am to have been given him.
7. I will lump in all those other things most of are grateful, the country in which I live, a nice house, freedom to choose and do as I please, and the Gospel to bless and direct my life. Whew, and that was my Thanksgiving!
Next holiday... Christmas!!! Is everyone getting ready???














