A Joy Shared is Doubled

The title for today's blog really comes the joy of sharing the blessings of having children with those around you. Last night we had dinner with Ton and Cynthia, our closest friends here in the peninsula. They are just reaching the end of the first trimester with their baby, and thus far everything has been very good. We continue to pray for them as well as our own baby, but for them this has been a much longer journey. They had difficulty for many years getting pregnant, and after several attempts at infertility treatment, finally have this young baby in their lives. With Mimi and I a few months ahead, it is just awesome to share this experience of becoming parents with them. I'm looking forward to our kids playing together and sharing their lives. How exciting is that.

Mimi is doing well but definitely getting larger. She weighed in at 134.5 lbs, her highest weight as of yet. I wonder how much she'll weigh at the end of the 9 months. Her belly is pretty much out there and in the evenings we try to rub some lotion as to keep the skin tender and not too dry. She is so funny when she wants to scratch that belly. Last night I saw that she took her toothbrush and started scratching her belly. That was the best sight so far. She also has felt increased heart burn, is not able to eat as much as before since the baby is pressing up against her stomach, and will also have difficulty sleeping. I know I can never really appreciate the physical pains that she is going through since I am not carrying the baby, but that all just sounds like a sickness that just won't go away. I'm very thankful for the sacrifice she is making and the physical labor of love that she is showing for our baby girl. What can I saw, this Mimi is a strong cookie. She still works, is moving along as normal, and is going to attempt doing liver transplant rotation next month, during her third trimester. I think that is gutsy. In the same respect, I hope that those who precept her will give her a break and go a little easier on her. My biggest worry is that Mimi works herself so hard that she begins to have preterm labor contractions and we end up a little premature. In the end though, I know God is in control, and if that is how He desires our little girl to join our world then He will make sure everything goes just right and according to His good and perfect will.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this last time, but Christina had her little boy, Jake Edward Giacomin. Evelyn past her due date and should have Thomas any day now. Annie had her little boy Eric early. Eunice had her little girl late. She was a week late and larger than expected. All our pregnant friends are one by one having their children. Our turn will soon come.

In the mean time, we have lots to prepare for this little girl. We've got to get the room ready, start figuring out when my parents will come, and ensuring that we have all that we need to welcome this little girl into our home and lives.

One more thing, we've been praying for Mimi's job. She has gotten some good leads, at CPMC, Kaiser, medical groups in the East Bay, and some other smaller groups. We just can't figure out what is the best option. Unfortunately, on the peninsula there are not that many openings. There were, but they were recently filled.

So that just about sums up where we are today. Till next time...