Baby News...

If you have seen me in the last few weeks you have either thought I was putting on a few or drank my fair share of summer beers. :) Not the case this time around. Tom, Maddie and I are thrilled to share with you that we are expecting a baby early March. I am 13 weeks and feeling extremely pregnant. Which I am not complaining about, (well not to anyone other than Tom poor guy). I have had three ultra sounds, that last one being on Thursday. The doctors couldn't be happier about this pregnancy, everything is looking really good at this point. Maddie and I saw the baby moving all over the place...such a treat.

I am seeing a doctor every other week, between my regular OB and the Maternal Fetal Medicine office where I see a team of doctors. They are simply amazing. That have figured out (or at least have narrowed down) why Maddie was so tiny, why I have had the back to back miscarriages. I have what they call a bicornuate uterus ( heart shaped), which I have known about since age 19 but wasn't aware of the huge issues it can cause until now. I won't bore you with all of the details, but put simply; my uterus is a bit cramped and can sometimes not provide the placenta enough goods for the baby. ;) This time around the placenta is in a GREAT spot and the baby is growing like a champ. WAHOOO!

I have a ultra sound every month or so. So, we will find out the sex of the baby on October 2nd. Just in time for the M.O.P.S sale!! :D I am going to put my guess in writing here. :D I say it's a Boy. Felt it from the get go, so we'll see. :) I'd love to see what everyone else thinks, so I'm gong to put a poll up for kicks.

Hugs to you all and thank you for your continuing support of all of our "baby drama". We have faith and know that God has the ultimate plan. Please keep those prayers come'n!! Someone's listening!!

Love,
Tom, Lauren, Maddie and Baby Hos

Spening time with friends...

This past Monday my dear friend Erinn and I drove to our other dear friend Andrea's home to visit her and family. Andrea and her husband Derek just welcomed their first child Adelyn Gail 5 weeks ago and she is BEAUTIFUL. Just a little doll. On Tuesday we spent the day shopping and just catching up, we had a great time. A huge thank you goes to Derek and Annie for having us and showing us a great time. (not to mention the fabulous FOOD!!)

Thanks so much and you sure do have a little sweetie.

Fun at the cottage

This past weekend we stayed up at the Heth family cottage in Baldwin with Adam, Melissa and Jackson. It was so great just to relax, let the kids play and watch the boys cook. :) The kids of course had a blast as always, and played so well together. So many memories they will share together. Thanks to the Burkholders for having us!!!

Tea With Grandma

Maddie just loves having a tea party, especially with Grandma Fanning. It's a very "Fancy Maddie" thing to do you know. ;) Thank you to Grandma for loving Maddie so much and spending this kind of quality time with her. She will remember this always.

Torch '08 (Woot Woot!!)

We spent the past weekend up at Torch Lake camping with the Vander Walls, Greenlands and the Kellers, and had a BLAST. The weather couldn't have been better. Super sunny days and cool nights for sleeping. If you have never had the pleasure of seeing Torch Lake, you must. These pictures are not messed with, that is really the color of the water. It's is absolutely breath taking. Clear, aqua and not a fish is sight. My kind of lake!! :D

Thanks to Jason(El Capitan) and Johanna for letting us bunk with them and cozy up. ;) Also for setting it all up for everyone. We had a great time and look forward to Torch '09 (Woot Woot!!)

Rebekah Jo

It's just insane to me that my niece Rebekah is going to be a senior in high school. I'm sure it's even crazier for my sister and brother-in-law. Time just flies...

Rebekah and I went downtown Grand Rapids to a area that Rebekah is very familiar with and meant a great deal to her. I think the pictures turned out great! I hope you like them Bekah. :)

Summer Fun

I wanted to post some pictures of our fun summer days. We have spent a lot of time at my parents pool, which has been so nice. Maddie is super confidant while swimming, as long as her swimmies are on. :)

We spent the afternoon down at the park and at a hot dog picnic with Tracy, the girls and Kelly and her kiddos. The kids had a blast playing and the Moms got to catch up. :)

Hope you are all having a great summer!