Here is our latest glimpse of our 'little turkey.' When the ultrasound first started, the tiny little image gave a big stretch. The little features are easier to distinguish, and pretty darn cute if we say so ourselves. We also heard the heartbeat, and actually saw the little heart fluttering. The turkey is measuring 4 cm, which is right on track.

I have to say that it is adorable when we hear the heartbeat. Jon's smile could light up the room. He is being such a wonderful daddy as he takes care of a mommy who isn't having the greatest time of things. I've been sick. Not just in the morning. Whenever the mood strikes, I feel ill. I had to receive IV fluids a few weeks ago, and spent the rest of the weekend in bed. Although I do enjoy sleeping, there are many other things I'd like to be doing. I hear this gets better in the second trimester, and I am looking forward to that.

Meanwhile, I get to spend my 35th birthday home from work, trying to hydrate and eat. I never thought those things would be this challenging. I did find out last night that a good friend is also expecting. That makes 3 of us braving this together. It does help to know there are others I can share this experience with. And since they've had kids before, they can answer some of my many, many questions.

Jenni

My (beautiful) garden

In front of our house we have this beautiful garden area that I have put hundreds of hours into since we moved into the house. Right now, well, the ravaging winter has taken it's toll. I have many many hours to go to get this garden into shape, but this is one of the aspects of spring that I look forward to most.

Usually by September or October I have exhausted any desire to pull a weed, trim a branch, or otherwise be outside gardening. Then about February I stare out into the snow covered yard and dream of planting and trimming and being close to nature. Hopefully this spring I will have the energy to take on some of these projects. So far this little turkey that I'm growing has zapped all of my energy.

Why the blog?

Blogging is new to me. I read many blogs, and I am usually inspired in one way or another. My grade school friend Mike has a blog of his life in Hawaii after he sold his possessions and went there with a goal of finding life's true meaning. You can read it at www.cultivate-being.com . Many of the things he is discovering are things that I am also searching for. That is part of the reason I decided to take a hiatus from working for awhile and try to slow down my life and find the things that bring meaning to life. Of course I will only attempt to be as eloquent as he is in his musings.

In my current world, I find that I spend about 90% of each day doing things I don't want to do. I go to a job I don't enjoy, I cook things that aren't what I really want to eat, but for time's sake, that I can make before it's time to watch TV. I am too tired and too filled with day to day tasks that I don't get to live. The next few months for me will be a journey, once my work time ends on May 29 that is. I plan to relax, read, do the things I want to do, and hopefully, discover the things that truly make life, life.
-Jenni

First pic of our firstborn!

I am quite against publicly posting pictures of my insides, but a wise woman once told us that all modesty goes out the window when you are pregnant, so here it is.

The little tiny peanut looking thing is our baby. He or she is now 9 weeks old. Baby Clifton, also affectionately known as the turkey, is due between November 19 and November 25, depending on who you talk to. We are leaning on the side of November 19 for wishful thinking!

Blogging is a new thing for us, but since we have so many people we want to share things with, we thought this would be a good way. Enjoy!