Baby Holli-Dos!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's what we'll be calling the next little Hollister, who is scheduled to make his/her debut on April 13, 2013.  Get ready world...here comes another Hollister.  And sorry folks, it'll be another surprise!!

The vast majority of my moments are spent in sheer bliss and excitement.  I can't wait to carry another baby.  I'm excited to meet my baby for the first time.  I can't wait to hold a sweet little body in my arms.  I can't believe it, but I can't wait to nurse another little one.  And I especially CANNOT wait to watch Kirby as a big brother, teaching his lil' sib everything he knows.  There is so much in store for us, and we have so much love to give.

THEN I have small moments of panic.  WOW.  TWO.  Whoa...God is good.  OK, back to mommy heaven.

I had not been feeling very well so I took a test on 7/31, and it was negative.  I was pretty bummed.  I'd be telling a lie if I didn't admit that I have had baby fever since Kirby was about 6 months.  Crazy, huh?  I just love holding that sweet new baby.  The week went on, and Kirby and I went to St. Louis to visit my friend, Tara and her little girl, Dylan.  She was with me when I ran to the store to grab another test because I knew I wasn't feeling good and I knew just why.  So August 4, 2012, our lives changed yet again.  And for the better.  Another little life.

You know, Kirby was a longer wait for us than we would have liked.  I learned a lot about God's timing vs. my timing/wants during that part of my life-journey.  We were so ready to be parents and so ready to raise a child, but God knows, and apparently we weren't really ready until our Kirby was created, and looking back, I wouldn't have it ANY other way.  Well, this little guy or gal was ready to be here on his/her own time!  God knows though.  He knew when we were ready for our Kirby, and he knows we're ready for this next challenge and blessing to raise another life.  It is hard to imagine though, after wanting our first for so long, how is it possible to have a baby when you just think you're ready for another.  GULP  :)

I had my first doctor's appointment on Tuesday, August 21.  I got to see my next little baby on the screen and hear the heartbeat, but I noticed the heartbeat was awfully slow.  They showed a little concern and wanted me back the next week.  My doctor was very "glass half-full".  I went for another ultra-sound on Thursday, August 30, and holy cow, they tell you a baby changes a lot in the first weeks of development, and of course, I trusted what "THEY" say, but until you see it, until you really see it and experience it in your anxious heart, you truly cannot believe it.  The first ultrasound showed a heartbeat, not visible, of 113 beats per minute, and the little bitty being in my belly looked like a cotton ball (at least to me).  Only 9 days later, I was hearing that super-fast Whooosh Whoooosh at a rate of 158 per minute, and that little being in my belly, you could distinctly see his/her head, arm and leg buds.  It was a long 9 days between appointments full of a lot of prayer, lots of prayer.  I asked the doctor if there was any concern now with this pregnancy, and he said none at all and that we would pretend we didn't even see each other that last week.  He said I would just have to be pregnant for about a week and a half more than I thought.  I can SOOOOOooo handle that!   :)

So Thursday, 9/27, I had my 12-week appointment and all is well.  I heard another fast 157 beats per minute, what a sweet song to my ears.  Praise God!!  A new son/daughter for Keith and me; and a new grandson/granddaughter or niece/nephew and friend for the rest of you.

And for the record, my vote is BOY.