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.