Belly Pics!

Here are a few recent belly pics! Laura is growing! I am 28 weeks pregnant now and Laura should be about 2 1/2 pounds and 13 inches long. She's a growing girl and moving more than ever. She is especially active in the evenings. I am really enjoying this season of pregnancy... her wiggles and rolls make me laugh. Thanks so much for praying with us during these months. We appreciate and covet your prayers!

26 1/2 weeks

27 weeks

Hmmmm...... how many weeks do you think? :) My husband is so funny!

Flowers!!!

Last weekend was our first anniversary weekend. Although we already had a little anniversary getaway last month, we still decided to celebrate a bit. Saturday night, the night before our anniversary, David snuck out to the store to buy a BUNCH of flowers. I had no idea. I was sound asleep. I did come out to the hallway at one point when I realized he wasn't in bed, but he quickly re-directed my sleepy, disheveled self right back around to the bedroom. I still had no idea. He was busily trimming and arranging dozens of flowers in vases all over the house. When I woke up on Sunday morning, I saw BEAUTIFUL flowers everywhere! ...the bathroom, our bedroom, the foyer, the kitchen, the living room. How sweet! Here are a few pictures of David's handiwork. He is wonderful!

I love you, David! Thank you for a wonderful year! Can't wait to celebrate many more anniversaries with you, my love!

Drayton and Makenzie

Since many of the recent posts have been about pregnancy, Laura, diapers, and anniversaries, I thought I'd take a moment to post an update on Drayton and Makenzie. Both have had some memorable happenings lately.

Let's start with Dray. Several weeks ago, he jumped off the sliding board and twisted his ankle. It was thought to be a bad sprain initially, but didn't get better over the next few days. We did x-rays and they showed a fractured fibula. Poor guy. He has such a high pain tolerance and isn't a complainer. He never said a word! Now he is in a walking boot, but seems to get along fine, as you can see below. In fact, he was riding his bike the other night! He'll use the walking boot for about 2 1/2 more weeks and should be fully recovered at that point. The fracture, although minor, was through the growth plate of the fibula, so please pray with us that the bone will continue to grow normally over the next few years. We're thankful for Dray and his great attitude! God has given him much grace in the area of long-suffering.

Makenzie has also had a memorable week. A painting she did at school was chosen from among many others to be displayed at the Art Gallery in Salisbury. They chose just a few pieces of artwork from all the schools in the county. As you can see below, she did a beautiful job! The Art Gallery had an opening reception this afternoon for the kids and their families. It was a real treat to be a part of it. Kenzie definitely seems to have an interest and giftings in the arts... she loves fashion, drawing, music, and dancing. We are eager to see how God uses those gifts in the future. David and I benefit from many beautiful gifts of artwork from Makenzie on a regular basis. Enjoy the pics!

If you look closely, you can see that the painting is actually a train of the letters

in Makenzie's name!

Pictured above is Dray with my nephews, Kris and Dana

The Doty Ladies... Me, my mom-in-law (Jane), and Makenzie

Input, please!

I'm getting ready to put together our registry for Laura and I need some help. Do you have any favorite baby items that you would recommend purchasing or registering for before Laura arrives? Also, thank you to those of you who have already voted in the diaper poll. We're considering cloth diapers, but I'd like to hear from those of you who have voted. Can you give me some insight on why you chose cloth or disposable (and the particular brand of cloth diapers you chose)? Thank you so much for your suggestions! Please leave comments for us! :)

He did it!!!!!!

Thank you so much for your prayers. We had the ultrasound yesterday and the placenta is just where it needs to be. God moved it! We are grateful to God for His faithfulness. He DOES form us and fashion us in our mother's womb... Everything seems to be going just fine. No need for another ultrasound at this point. Laura is really active and getting bigger every day. We love her and can't wait to meet her!

Thanks, Mom, for going with me to the ultrasound appointment!

Please Pray...

Hello, friends!
Just wanted to mention a quick prayer request. I have a follow-up ultrasound tomorrow morning to check the placement of the placenta. On our earlier ultrasound, it was quite close to the cervix, which could present problems during delivery. Typically, the placenta moves further upward as pregnancy progresses and it's not an issue. Let's pray that God does just that! I'm not worried or concerned, but would really value your prayers tomorrow. God says that He forms and fashions us in the womb and I believe that He'll place everything just where it needs to be to keep Laura safe and healthy. Thanks for partnering with us!