LiOnS, and TiGeRs, and BeArS- OH MY!

Alright, it was just lions but still pretty cool right? Justin had to go to Vegas for work so Coop and I decided to hitch a ride since we always miss Justin and we needed a break from the snow. While we were there Justin went to somebody's house who worked with the lions at the MGM, he actually got attacked a few weeks ago-yeah, while people were watching! Scary! But anyway, he told us that they feed them at 8pm every night and to go because that's the only time they do anything, otherwise they sleep. So, we took Coop and went. He loved it! The crew throws balls of ground meat at the glass right in front of the kids so the lions lick it off and they get to see them. He thought it was pretty funny. Sticking a meat soaked hand in a lions mouth wouldn't exactly be my dream job but it was pretty cool to watch and no one was attacked while we were there!

This is supposed to be a video of them feeding the lion but I'm not what you would call 'computer savvy' so I guess it will just be a pic (Jackie I will probably be giving you a call!)

We also made a few trips to the park while Justin was working. Not exactly warm, but so nice ot get some sun and be outside! Thanks Todd and Kim for lettin us crash at your house. Don't you love how Coop goes down the slide? He puts the skids on if he gets going too fast! =)

2 year check up

Length: 36" 85th percentile

Weight: 24.4 lbs 10th percentile

Head Circ: 47.2cm 10th percentile

He's still tall and skinny! Where that gene came from nobody knows but hopefully it will stay with him. He got one shot and didn't cry, not one tear! I couldn't believe it! So he got to pick a sucker and I'm pretty sure that erased all the bad feelings about the doctors office. Kids...

Look Who's

TWO!

~Not even 24 hrs old!~

~About 4mos~

~One year~

~Crazy at 2!~

~They grow up so fast!~

We had cake and ice cream at our house for Coop's birthday and it was a blast. He loved all the presents, especially his Cars Laptop, and we had fun with all our family and friends. Thanks everyone! We can't believe he is already 2. I swear he was just born yesterday.

IT'S A...

GIRL!

Our cute little girl's profile

We had our 20wk ultrasound yesterday and found out that we are going to be having a little girl! We are so excited and I do know what we are going to name her but I will let that be a surprise for when she is born.

During the ultrasound we also found out that our precious little girl is going to have some very tough times ahead of her. Hopefully I will be able to write all of this and still see the computer screen! The ultrasound went fine and when she was about finished she asked if there was anything she hadn't looked at that we wanted to see. I couldn't think of anything and was ready to jump up but Justin asked about her arms. It hadn't occured to me that we hadn't yet seen them. I just figured it was because of how she was laying. When she looked around for a little bit she said, "Ok Lindy, let me just explain some of the things I saw" I knew something was wrong. Apparently her arms have not developed normally. She has one arm that goes to her elbow with 2 fingers on it. The other arm is shorter, they are not sure by how much but it looks like about half the size and it was too hard to see whether or not she will have fingers on that arm. She called over to the hospital and got us in with a specialist and a second ultrasound to verify what she had seen. She just said she hoped that she had made a mistake but I knew she hadn't.

The Specialist looked at the second x-ray and then did one of his own and explained again what he saw to us. They don't know what the cause is or why it happened. Justin's brother actually, from what we can see on the ultrasound, has about exactly the same thing. It is very rare and they don't think that it is genetic but Justin and I have a feeling genes might have something to do with it. I know I hadn't taken any medication since being pregnant but I was teriffied it was because I hadn't taken prenatal pills all that great but he assured us that definitley wasn't it. Wee are thankful that everything else looks ok. It's comforting to have Justin's brother in the family because he can do everything so that helps us know that she probably will be able to also.

I don't think all of the tears are necessarily dried, although today has been much easier than yesterday. Thanks to our family and friends who are so supportive and loving. We know that this is Heavenly Father's plan and are just thankful for the opportunity to have this sweet little girl come into our lives. It's hard for me to ask for things but I will ask for your prayers in behalf of our baby. We are ok but we are just praying that she will have the strength of spirit and character to get through all of the struggles we know she will inevitably endure. Again thanks to those who are constantly lifting us up. We love you all