27 Weeks and Counting

We had our 27 week apt yesterday and had to have another ultrasound. She still would not cooperate (yes, she is still a she - good thing because Bruce just painted the room purple over spring break) and they still could not get all the pictures they needed. She looks really cute and cubby already. I was suprised that you could really tell how much bigger she was. She measured small at our last ultrasound, but was right on track this time. She weight 2lbs 4oz so far. I started to do the math with her gaining 1 lbs a week and got a little concerned. Neither Bruce nor I were very big so hopefully she won't weigh like 11 lbs or something :) Everything else looked really good. They did find a light spot on her heart and since she wouldn't turn the correct direction to get a good picture we have to go to a specialist next week for a closer look. I looked up info on the internet for EIF (Echogenic intracardiac focus). From what I have read we really don't have anything to worry about, but it is one of the indicators for downs syndrome, but we don't have any of the other indicators. It still was a little scary to hear and all I wanted to do was call my daddy. (He was always the one would could talk sense into me and help me think rationally). Please pray everything is fine. I have read a lot of stories on this baby site of women who had the same thing and it was nothing and went away by the time they were born. Just keep little Madelynn Ruth in your prayers. I know the Lord is at work and has this all undercontrol. We can't wait to meet her.

Cassidy Shea helping out

Look at those muscles...

Another Chapter has closed...

As you know we had to go down to the trailer at the lake this weekend. It was awful, but we made it through together. I am so thankful that we all got to be there together. I think this is the hardest thing we have had to do. We ended up not spreading the ashes. There was just too much to do that weekend and we were all tired. Plus, Beau is the one that would have had to do most of the work. We are all going to meet sometime this summer.

It was very interesting being at the trailer. I think we all had a bad dream about it before we got there. At first it felt like we were letting Dad down by getting rid of all of this. Then I realized that it was never about the trailer or even the boat; it was about the lessons we learned there. We learned how to be a family, we learned to make sacrifices and that it is about give-and-take, we learned not to go crazy when locked in a 35x8 foot space when it was raining, and most importantly...we learned how to be parents. We learned that you have to work hard in order to play hard, team work gets the job done faster, and we all have strengths and weaknesses. We learned that it is not about the money you spend or the places you go; it is about the memories you make and what you do with your time together. None of us would trade those memories for the world. We had the greatest times being together, and I know we still will. So, I thank my parents for those lessons they taught us down there.

There is a song that we all love (on our Fishing CD) that says, "Pass it on. I will never fish alone, I learned that growing up with my Dad..." That is what it is really all about. As I stood on the last day and watched my wonderful brother-in-law, Beau, back the truck up to my Dad's boat I looked down to see my little blonde-headed niece and nephew with their hand in the air guiding him back. That is exactly what my sisters and I used to do for my Dad. And there it was....We had passed it on. Those lessons are already at work in our lives with our families. I think Dad would have said, "That is what I was trying to teach you, Pass it on..."

Prayer request

As many of you know my parents had a 5th-wheel down at Elephant Butte Lake. It has been down there in the same spot for about 10 years and my parents had made it like a vacation home. My dad built a porch cover this fall and put in turf grass. He was so proud. This trailer was my grandparents and we adopted it when they passed away back in '96. Needless to say there is a ton of "stuff" down there. Well the time has come for us to clean it out, sell it and move on. It looks like it is going to work out for all of us (minus Bruce and Sam) to go down this weekend and go through this process together. I think it is going to be like loosing my grandparents and dad all over again, but it will also be healing. My family is very good at laughing and crying at the same time and make the most of a situation.
So, my prayer request. Please pray for strength for all of us during this time. Emotions will be running high, so please pray that we are all sensitive to each other's needs. There will also be 4 small kids down there, which can be tough when you have a lot to accomplish.
And most important, please pray for the right buyer. We need to sell it as is and we just want to be done with it. God has provided for us before the need even arose through all of this and I know He will again. So please pray that the right person is out there and ready to buy. Also, pray for safe travels. Meghan and mom will drive from Del Rio on Thursday and we will all meet them this weekend.

6 Month update

I know this isn't the greatest picture, but again I tried to take it by myself. I always forget to ask Bruce. But, you get the idea, bump getting bigger...
I had an appointment yesterday and everything went well. The baby's heartbeat was great to hear. I was measuring right at 24 weeks, which is good. She is really starting to move. She seems most active in the middle of the night/early morning. Bruce tries to feel her, but she doesn't always cooperate. I am sure it will happen soon. I have another ultrasound in 4 weeks because they didn't get all the pictures/measurements they needed the last time. I can't wait to see her again and make sure she really is a her. I will try to get Bruce to take a real picture someday and not these cheesy snapshots I attempt on my own.

Kennedy in the blanket I made

This is Miss Kennedy in the blanket Aunt Kelsey made. She is getting so big and I really can't wait to see her in a couple of weeks. She has been giving mom and dad a run for their money the last week, but they love it! She has been throwing up on them some, which in just have to laugh at! She had a rough night last week and called me crying! I guess she needed her Aunt Kelsey.

All in Purple

This is a picture of Mom, Whit and I at Jessica's shower a few weeks a go. We didn't even plan this; I guess great minds just think alike.

Feeling some movement

I finally think I can say, for sure, that I am feeling the baby more and more everyday. I really couldn't tell before, but I probably have too much chub in the way. Last week someone else was in teaching my class so I got to sit for most of the day and that is when I really started to notice it. It is very exciting. Bruce can't wait to feel her and he tried every night, to no avail.
I do have a question for all those moms out there. What kind of carrier do I get? I mean shoulder carrier for me to carry her around. My sister said she was not crazy about her Baby Bejorn (not sure on the spelling there). I saw some something called a "Moby" in Durando that looked like a huge piece of cloth you folded in different ways to hold the baby. I just wanted to know what you guys thought.
Thanks! I am sure this will be the first of many questions.

A new member of the Moore-Lodge Family

Kennedy Treas Lutz was born last night at 6:52pm and weighs 8lbs. Jessica was induced yesterday morning and things went very smooth. Mom and baby are doing great. I can't wait to get there and hold her myself. Grandma Pat says she has reddish/brownish/blondish hair. Can't wait to see how that turns out. She may be Kennedy but we all still call her "Peach"! I can't wait to join the mommy club!