My doctor, being the fabulous one that she is, scheduled another ultrasound for me 2 weeks later instead of the usual 4 weeks. She did this solely to put our minds at ease. During those two weeks it was discovered I would need to take the 3 hour glucose tolerance test. I scheduled it the same day as the ultrasound. It was a LONG day, but amazing. They were able to get my ultrasound in during my test instead of after when it was originally scheduled. It was then that we discovered we have a T-Rex. We saw our little one wave their arm buds like a T-Rex. The nickname has stuck. We find it better than "it" since we obvious do not know the gender yet. The heartbeat was strong at 168. Also, I do not have gestational diabetes! I will need to do another 1 hour test at 28 weeks.
Next step was telling...well everyone.
God's Blessings,
Joshua, Stefani, and T-Rex
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
First Doctor's Visit
We had our first appointment July 18th and determined I was about 7 weeks along with a due date of March 2nd. (I seriously I had no clue due to "cycle issues" I was having.) The heartbeat was strong at 160 and everything looked great. It was pretty much love at first sight during that ultrasound.
Even with the great news, I was still hesitant, because our first child was called to Heaven at 7 and half weeks. After our first appointment, much of my fear and anxiety was slowly being replaced with excitement. It also helped having such great family and close friend support.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
Even with the great news, I was still hesitant, because our first child was called to Heaven at 7 and half weeks. After our first appointment, much of my fear and anxiety was slowly being replaced with excitement. It also helped having such great family and close friend support.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
Surprise! You are pregnant!
The positive pregnancy test completely blindsided us. We had gone to St. Louis for vacation which turned into attending my Grandpa Marrah's funeral. While we were there we planned a lovely "double date" with my best friend, Carolyn, and her husband at Hendel's. The restaurant's special of the evening was half priced bottles of wine. Since, I wasn't entirely sure if I was pregnant, I thought I should take a test before I consumed some wine. Well, lo and behold it was positive. No wine for me!
We kept the news pretty close to the vest considering what happened with our last pregnancy. I'll be honest, I didn't let myself get too excited until I had seen a doctor and saw a healthy baby.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
We kept the news pretty close to the vest considering what happened with our last pregnancy. I'll be honest, I didn't let myself get too excited until I had seen a doctor and saw a healthy baby.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
1+1=3
Crazy math, I know. Turns out 1 Joshua plus 1 Stefani can equal 1 baby.
If you haven't figured it out, we are expecting a baby Team Ketelsen Member at the end of February.
We want to thank everyone who has kept us in their prayers. We selfishly ask that you continue those prayers.
At the insistance of my best friend, Carolyn, I shall be doing weekly updates as well as a post about how we found out and summaries of the first 2 doctor's visits. I will probably post more baby related things here and not on Facebook. So, check back weekly to see what is going on.
We really can't thank people enough for their prayers, encouraging words, shoulders to cry on, and general awesomeness.
God is Good!
Joshua and Stefani
If you haven't figured it out, we are expecting a baby Team Ketelsen Member at the end of February.
We want to thank everyone who has kept us in their prayers. We selfishly ask that you continue those prayers.
At the insistance of my best friend, Carolyn, I shall be doing weekly updates as well as a post about how we found out and summaries of the first 2 doctor's visits. I will probably post more baby related things here and not on Facebook. So, check back weekly to see what is going on.
We really can't thank people enough for their prayers, encouraging words, shoulders to cry on, and general awesomeness.
God is Good!
Joshua and Stefani
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Mother's Day
I follow a great blog called Rage Against the Minivan. On the blog's Facebook page she posted another blogger's suggestion of how Pastors should/could handle Mother's Day during the church service. I know our world can be overly PC at times, but Motherhood, no matter how you slice it, can be a difficult road. Here is an excerpt from the blog. The post in its entirety can be found here.
To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you
To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you
To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.
To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you
To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you
To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you
To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience
To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you
This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you
To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you
To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.
To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you
To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you
To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you
To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience
To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you
This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Stefani Turns 30
Or as I like to call it...The First Anniversary of my 29th Birthday.
The day started out with church since it was Sunday. After church we headed to Wood Winds. And I had this....
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French toast topped with apples and whipped cream. It was a work of art and delicious!
After breakfast we headed home and had a Skype session with my parents. I opened my 30th gift.
I decided to make my birthday dinner. We made crab cakes, garlic Parmesan orzo, and ready made Panera lobster bisque. The crab cakes could use some improvement, but they were pretty good.
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It all seemed so fancy.
For dessert I wanted a Dairy Queen ice cream cake. And Joshua delievered.
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So yummy!
All in all it was a great birthday. Turning 30 hasn't been so bad...
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
The day started out with church since it was Sunday. After church we headed to Wood Winds. And I had this....
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After breakfast we headed home and had a Skype session with my parents. I opened my 30th gift.
I decided to make my birthday dinner. We made crab cakes, garlic Parmesan orzo, and ready made Panera lobster bisque. The crab cakes could use some improvement, but they were pretty good.
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For dessert I wanted a Dairy Queen ice cream cake. And Joshua delievered.
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All in all it was a great birthday. Turning 30 hasn't been so bad...
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
2013 January through April
First, let's stop pretending that one day Joshua will write a blog post. We all know who the blogger is on Team Ketelsen.
January
As you can imagine we looked forward to the New Year. 2012 was not kind to us. We headed to Ohio and rang in the new year with the Ketelsens. We had champagne and toasted to a less stinky year ahead. We were also able to visit with Joshua's family from western New York and San Fransisco who made the trek to Ohio, too.
I hit my very first deer in January. I was driving Joshua to his physical. (He had to fast. Hungry Joshua + driving a long distance = Stefani drives to appointment.) On the way a silly deer ran out and thump he/she went. The car did a 180 and into a frozen marsh. A salt truck stopped and called the police and tow truck for us. The tow truck got us out of the marsh and back on the road. Needless to say, we did not make it to the doctor. We went to breakfast instead.
February
I made a trip to St. Louis. I was able to visit with family and friends. I met my "niece", Emily, for the first time.
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Isn't she adorable? Sleeping beauty!
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Emily and I. Her Aunt Carolyn (my BFF) took this picture.
While I was there I also went to my "niece", Alyssa's 6th birthday party. I am not old enough for her to be this old!
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What a little lady!
February was the beginning of Lent. Which is always busy. This year seemed to go much smoother and Joshua was way less stressed. It was a combination of experience and a well written Lenten series he purchased.
March
Joshua turned 31 this year. I made him a minion cake (from Despicable Me).
On March 9th I began the epic journey to my 30th Birthday. My parents sent me a box with 30 gifts and I was instructed to open one per day until my birthday. I posted every present I received on Instagram (pwsak) and Facebook. It was so much fun and made turning the dreaded 3-0 not so terrible.
Then there was Easter. The Super Bowl of the Church Year. We glided through Holy Week and Easter without too many hitches.
April
On April 1st, Joshua had his wisdom teeth removed. The operation went smoothly and he recovered nicely. For the most part, he is back to eating normally.
During his recovery, I spearheaded the remodeling of his office at church. A fresh coat of paint was put on the walls. I had some Confirmation students help with the painting. The old carpet was removed and new carpet laid down. We had previously purchased new reception room chairs to replace the rocker and metal folding chair. Along with a new lamp. It looks more inviting and professional. Next order of business is a new shelving system for his books. (A pastor with books, what?!)
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New carpet and fresh paint on the walls.
It has been a busy year with no signs of slowing down.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
January
As you can imagine we looked forward to the New Year. 2012 was not kind to us. We headed to Ohio and rang in the new year with the Ketelsens. We had champagne and toasted to a less stinky year ahead. We were also able to visit with Joshua's family from western New York and San Fransisco who made the trek to Ohio, too.
I hit my very first deer in January. I was driving Joshua to his physical. (He had to fast. Hungry Joshua + driving a long distance = Stefani drives to appointment.) On the way a silly deer ran out and thump he/she went. The car did a 180 and into a frozen marsh. A salt truck stopped and called the police and tow truck for us. The tow truck got us out of the marsh and back on the road. Needless to say, we did not make it to the doctor. We went to breakfast instead.
February
I made a trip to St. Louis. I was able to visit with family and friends. I met my "niece", Emily, for the first time.
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While I was there I also went to my "niece", Alyssa's 6th birthday party. I am not old enough for her to be this old!
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February was the beginning of Lent. Which is always busy. This year seemed to go much smoother and Joshua was way less stressed. It was a combination of experience and a well written Lenten series he purchased.
March
Joshua turned 31 this year. I made him a minion cake (from Despicable Me).
On March 9th I began the epic journey to my 30th Birthday. My parents sent me a box with 30 gifts and I was instructed to open one per day until my birthday. I posted every present I received on Instagram (pwsak) and Facebook. It was so much fun and made turning the dreaded 3-0 not so terrible.
Then there was Easter. The Super Bowl of the Church Year. We glided through Holy Week and Easter without too many hitches.
April
On April 1st, Joshua had his wisdom teeth removed. The operation went smoothly and he recovered nicely. For the most part, he is back to eating normally.
During his recovery, I spearheaded the remodeling of his office at church. A fresh coat of paint was put on the walls. I had some Confirmation students help with the painting. The old carpet was removed and new carpet laid down. We had previously purchased new reception room chairs to replace the rocker and metal folding chair. Along with a new lamp. It looks more inviting and professional. Next order of business is a new shelving system for his books. (A pastor with books, what?!)
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It has been a busy year with no signs of slowing down.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
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