Today you went back to Jesus

Kaden Leif Kanooth, you are now in heaven. Daddy and I found out today that you no longer live inside of me. You left for heaven sometime before Christmas to be with your Heavenly Father. We don't know why you didn't make it into this Earth life. But Daddy and I both think it is because you are a very special young man. In fact, you are so special that Jesus wanted you back in his presence. Your mission on this Earth was just to get a body.
I am happy to have felt you live inside of me for a few month. I am happy to have carried you for 5 months. I am happy to have had the opportunity of pre-motherhood for these couple of months. Kaden, know that we loved you and will always remember the short time we had with you. You blessed our lives for these short months, and I am sure you will bless more spirits in heaven. Your parents were both righteous people who love the Lord. We know you love the Lord as well. We can't wait to meet you in heaven.

Your Earthly Parents

You are a BOY!!!!!!

December 2nd was a day I have been anticipating for a long time. December 2nd is the day we get to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. The ultrasound was scheduled for 3:15, and we didn't get called back until 4:00. You can only guess what I was thinking for those long 45 minutes. The ultrasound tech took both Leif and I back to the room as my heart kept pounding with excitement. The first picture to pop up on the screen was you. My how big you have gotten. Last ultrasound your whole body fit onto the screen, now it is just your stomach and head. You looked so big. After the tech played around for a minute or two she then asked if we wanted to find out. "YES," I replied.
She quickly found your rear end and we saw that something was there. You are a BOY!!!! I grabbed Daddy's hand and smiled. "We are having a son", I told him.
We are both so excited that you are a boy. In all honestly, I really wanted a little boy first. I had 2 dreams you were a boy and have always had a deep feeling that you were male. Leif is excited to have a son. And I am very excited to have a little Mamma's Boy.
We are not going to tell our families that we found out until Christmas. We have made a video for both parents where the truth will be revealed at the end. It is hard to keep such a great secret from our parents, but we only have 2 more weeks. so shh....
Oh Boy...... Look what I see!!!!!
What a handsome young man you really are.

I felt you kick today

For Thanksgiving your father and I had an exciting dinner with 3 other families. It was great food and we really enjoyed the company. The following day we drove over to Nauvoo so we could go through the temple and re-visit the sites. After a day of being tourist, your father and I went to a play called, Randavo. It was a play put on by the elderly missionaries telling about times the early saints went through. It was so funny to watch the old men attempt a kick line, and the elderly woman sign with their squeaky voices. You must have liked their voices, for I felt you kick for the first time!! There was a tiny punch in my stomach and at first I had no idea what it was. When I finally realized that you were kicking, I grabbed Leif's hand and placed it on my belly. But by that time your fun was over. I believe you must have liked the voices of the missionaries, because you truly were a kicking.

Daddy & Mommy in front of the temple

I'm 18 weeks and feel very big!

I'm 18 weeks along. Look how BIG my belly is. Daddy likes to kiss my belly at night. He thinks it's fun because the belly button is sticking out.

Meeting the Doctor

On November 4th I meet our doctor for the first time. He name is Dr. Kim Nicholes and she is very nice. I never thought I would go see a female doctor, because of grandpa being male. But I really think that I am going to like her. She is in her mid 40's and very sweet. I was surprised with how short the appointment was. I always thought that doctor appointments for pregnant woman were so important. This thought might have come about because your grandfather is an OB doctor. Anyhow the appointment went as follows.

# 1 Got weighed in (and I lost a pound!).
# 2 Had to pee in a cup (you always do this).
# 3 Had my blood pressure taken 120/60, very normal.
# 4 Waited in the room for 10 minutes or more for the doctor.
# 5 The doctor introduced herself and told me everything looks good.
# 6 I had no questions so we listened to your heart beat.
# 7 Then I was done and made an appointment for 4 weeks down the road.

That's it. Everything is normal and our appointments will continue on like this until I'm farther along. Yet, the exciting part is..... we find out if you are a boy or girl at the next appointment. I have a feeling you are a boy. In fact I have had 3 dreams that you are a boy. But you never know what will happen. We are so excited to find out on December 4th.

Your First Untrasound

On October 14th, 2008 we had your first untrasound. The doctor wanted to do an untrasound to find out a more correct due date. Daddy got to come with me to the untrasound; it was really good to have him there.

The frist image that came up on the screen was your profile, just like below. As the image appeared onto the screen, you were moving your right arm back and forth. It make it look like you were waving to your parents. I said, "Leif, it's waving at us". Daddy laughed.

We were really surprised with how active you were. Your little legs and arms were moving around and your heart was beating so fast. Your activity was the biggest suprised to me. It's weid that I don't feel you in my belly. But the technition told me that you are only the size of my little pinky.

The best of news came at the end of our appointment. After the technician took measurements on your arms, legs, head, and body she gave us a new due date. From your size and growth, you are now due on APRIL 18th!!! That is one week earlier then expected. Daddy and I are so excited that you are coming earlier. This means Mom gets to get out of teaching early and you will arrive before Dad has to really start studying for the bar.

This is my favorite picture of you. Can you see your little hand waving at your parents. Your legs are also wiggling around. The technician had a hard time getting a measurement of your legs and head because of your activity. I wonder if you means you are going to be an active kiddo?
At the end of the ultrasound, the technician picked out 5 pictures for us to take home. We were so excited to receive these pictures and show all our friends and family.

Our First Doctors Appointment

On October 7th, 2008 we had your first Doctors appointment. The doctor that is going to deliver you is named Dr. Nicholes. We have heard wonderful things about her and know she will take good care of us. Our close friend is a nurse at the hospital and recommend us to her. She is supposed to be a very good doctor who takes great care of her patiences. The hospital you will deliver at will be St. Luck's Hospital on Barry Road. It is about 8 minutes from our house, so Daddy is really excited about that.

Today we were seen by the nurse practitioner, who was a very nice woman. She did a check up on Mommy to make sure I was in good standing health. Most of the appointment was questions and routine drills. But the most exciting part was hearing your little heart beat. She rubbed the wound over my belly in search of the heart. After what felt like forever she found your heart beat on the lower left side of my tummy. What an awesome experience. Hearing your little beat make everything come to life. The beating of your heart was so fast! You are growing so big inside me.

In fact the nurse wants to do an ultrasound as soon as possible. She said my uterus was tight and I might be father along then expected. But as of today I am 11 weeks and 2 day.

About your Mother and Father

Your Father's full name is Leif Paul Kanooth (Paul is really Grandpa Kanooth's first name). Your father has a strong name because he is a really strong man. I fell in love with your father quickly, because of all is good attributes. There are so many things I love about you father but the number one would be his righteousness . He loves the Gospel and is a wonderful home-teacher. It is your father who reminds me to say my morning prayers and read my scriptures at night. Your father also is a wonderful provider. I never have to worry about money (even though I currently make it all and he puts us in dept). He is great with numbers, charts, and people. I know that i will never have to worry about our financial future. He will always take care of me and the family.

Your father is currently studying hard in medical school. He did a great job his first year and got almost all A's. Daddy is a very smart man. He makes goals and does all in his power to accomplish them. I am very impressed with his knowledge. Father also has a calling as first counselor in the Elders Quorum. Last year we co-taught in primary, and I really miss not having him help me.

Your mother is Rachel Ann Kanooth. She was named after Rachel from the Bible, who was patience and kind. Your mother is a very patience person and uses her patience each day as she teaches at Congress Middle School in a Resource Room. She loves teaching special education children, but has many challenging students this year. Therefore she is excited to have you come into the world, so she can stop teaching and become a full time mom. Your mother has always wanted to be a mother and is looking forward to her new calling in life.

Your mother is also a server 3 times a week. She is currently working at and Italian Restaurant where she works with 2 of her really good LDS friends. Mother also teaches nursery on Sundays and loves her small Children of God.

Both parents are very excited for your arrival. They currently live in Riverside, Missouri at the Riverside Town homes. You and Mother have your first appointment this October at the St. Luck's Hospital.

Welcome to our lives

Today is August 20th, 2008 and we just found out that we are pregnant!!!! Leif and I have now been married for 2 1/2 years and we have been waiting for the perfect time to start a family. Together we decided that we wanted a child towards the end of Leif's second year of medical school. We started trying to get pregnant August 1st, and today we found out that we are!!!!

Mommy had missed her period by 2 days and therefore came home with two pregnancy tests. Dad was studying in his den, as I interrupted him by saying it was time to find out. Dad thought it was to early to test, but I knew deep inside that I was already pregnant. We both came into the bathroom where I already had everything laid out on the counter. Dropping two drops of urine has never been more exciting. After the urine was dropped Leif and I waited as the first line slowly appeared. Then faster then expected a second line started to show. Two lines would mean positive, and my heart started to race. "We're pregnant!" I yelled, and I wrapped my arms around my husband.

I then started jumping up and down realizing the impact that 2 pinks line would now have on our lives. Leif was also very excited, he just shows his emotions in a more quite manner. We hugged, kissed, said our congrats, and then Leif headed back to the book. On the other hand I couldn't concentrate as I headed downstairs to make dinner. I don't remember what I made that night, but I remember the joy that was instantaneously brought into my life.

Father and I are both so excited to be pregnant with you. I remind him everyday that we are going to be parents. We know our lives will change and are so excited for the new chapter you will bring into our lives. God has definitely had a hand in your conception. It was not luck that we got pregnent; it was a blessing from heaven.

Welcome to out lives, Little One from God.