140 bpm

Well, today I had another Dr. appointment. The visit started off with them taking blood from me to run tests to see if the baby might have some sort of defect. I made it clear that no matter what we found out, it wouldn't change the final outcome...we are having this baby! Well, three pricks in the arm and still no blood and the nurse gave up and had someone else try my hand. That was successful. then we listened to the heartbeat. It was beating away in there...140 beats per minute. I have heard (an old wives tale) that if the baby's heartbeat is consistently under 150, it is a girl and if it is consistently over 150 it is a boy. We will know next month. On Feb. 12th (just before Valentine's day!) whether Lima Bean is a girl or a boy!!! I don't really care, but for whatever reason, I am sort of hoping for a girl. I always wanted a boy first, but maybe because almost all of my friends already have boys, I want a girl. Plus I LOVE the name we have picked. Delia (Deal-ee-uh) Ann Wooten. But of course all I really want is a healthy baby.

So I am sorry I haven't written anything in so long. I have been fighting a sinus cold all week and have had a sore throat! And last week was our first week back to school after the break and I am feeling so much better that I have been teaching up a storm which generates more work for me to grade. Tomorrow is the last day of the quarter and I am hustling to get all of my grades into my grade book and averaged so that I can enjoy my three day weekend! We have Monday off for MLK day. Get excited.

The other big news is that Chris finally found a job! He is doing construction clean up for our new performing arts center. It is all indoor work right now and I am thankful for that because it has been very cold here (high's being in the low 30's). The only bad thing is that he is standing/walking on concrete all day and it is super hard on his feet and back. He needs different shoes and we are looking into getting him a pair of z-coil shoes if we can afford it when he gets his paycheck. I am just so glad that it isn't just my small wage we are having to live on anymore. So that takes a huge amount of stress off me. Just pray for him and his back (he hurt it severely, like couldn't walk and then could only drag one leg...4 or 5 years ago when he worked for BMW). Pray that he stays out of pain and that the Lord would continue to provide for us.

I would just ask that you would pray for me as my entire body hurts. My back is in severe pain and Lima Bean is pushing on my sciatic nerve and for the most part I feel like I got hit by a car. All of this is to be attributed to my body changing and making room for the baby. But pray for me to get good rest. I am already not sleeping well. I can't handle it!

Well, that is all the news here! We are in for a cold night tonight...low of 5 degrees! Brr!!! We will have a fire in the fireplace tonight! The high is only 26 degrees tomorrow. chilly!!!!

Love you all!!! Keep me posted on YOU!