We're Halfway There!

Our first doctor's appointment with Dr. Jensen was on March 3, 2014 - exactly a month after we found out we were expecting! We were just shy of 7 weeks. The first appointments are never that exciting - they took my blood, and we got to chat with the doc. We told Jensen that this was somewhat a surprise, and was not planned, so Dr. asked us if we needed a lesson on how babies were made.... that they did not blow in with the North wind. He's always got jokes!

Almost 11 weeks along was our second appointment on March 31st. We went over blood work, and Jensen confirmed: we were pregnant - officially! :) We weren't sure if we'd be able to hear because it was still soon, but we were able to hear the baby's heart beat! It was 168! We were so excited, because we weren't able to hear Zachary's at our 14 week appointment! Since this was baby #2, Jensen told us that Z 'stretched things out', so he/she was probably sitting higher than Zach did at this point.

We had been talking to Zachary a lot about being a big brother at this point. Sometimes he seemed excited, sometimes unsure, but he was always interested. We wanted him to be able to hear the baby's heartbeat, so we took him to our third appointment on April 28th. We were almost 15 weeks, and Zachary sat on Gabe's lap as the nurse tried to find baby. She found it right away, and Zachary's eyes lit up when he heard the, "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh." The heart rate dropped from 168 to 148 (boy!?). The doctor measured me for the first time, and I measured 17 weeks, although we weren't technically 15 at the time. No shocker there - McKeever babies are massive! ;)

2 Days Shy of 15 Weeks

Our fourth appointment,  and it was already SONO TIME! How could this be!? It was May 28th, 2014, and now exactly 19 weeks. To Gabe's dismay, we are keeping this baby's sex a surprise as well, and did not find out what we were having. The sono tech wasn't as thrilled as Zachary's was, and was kind of annoyed of Gabe & I going back and forth about finding out. At one point during the sono, she told Gabe & I, "not to look," in case we saw something we'd recognize.... with Zachary, Gabe looked away. This time Gabe looked straight ahead, so I had to cover his eyes. He wasn't happy (a few hours later he was over it). ;) Baby's heart rate was down to 145, further adding to Gabe's curiosity of the sex. Although, all clues are pointing to boy. Here's some photos of our (little) peanut, who is measuring in 3 weeks ahead of schedule, and almost twice the size of what he or she is supposed to weigh at 15 ounces!

Praise the Lord, baby #2 is large (typical), but completely healthy according to the sono! Although we are only 19 weeks, Dr. Jensen measured me at 23, so about a month ahead of schedule. Since we were sure we did not get pregnant in January, he's not moving our due date. No shocker here, Zachary always measured big, and at times I measured as if I was having twins! This time around I was a little nervous because both Gabe, and Zachary actually dreamed that we were pregnant with twins. I was relieved that in fact, there was just one new McKeever in my tummy! Here's another belly pic to show how much I grew from 15 to 19 weeks!

Our 23 week appointment was just this week on Wednesday, June 25th. Nannie (Gabe's mother) is in town this week, and I was able to go to the zoo with her and Zachary on Tuesday morning.While we were there, I had a little scare with cramping and spotting. I don't remember having any of that with Zachary, so Wednesday at our fifth appointment, I was sure to tell the nurse, and Dr. Jensen about what happened. They assured me that everything I described was normal. At this appointment baby's heart rate was 140 (the lowest it's been!), and I measured at 28 weeks.... now 5 weeks further along!! Here's a photo:

A day after my 23 week appointment (June 26th), my spotting changed again, so I called the doctor. Jensen sent me to have another sono, just to make sure everything was ok. I reminded Gabe this wasn't another chance to find to look for any 'parts.' ;) The sono was done just a few hours later, and the tech assured us everything looked ok to her. However, since it was late in the day, we didn't get the full report from Dr's nurse until today (June 27th). The sex of baby is still a mystery, but it was confirmed that baby and mommy were perfectly healthy! Thank you Jesus!

Phew.... I feel like I just ran a marathon! I can't believe it's 23 weeks and I'm just 'updating'.... We're (more than) HALFWAY THERE!! This pregnancy overall has been almost identical to Zachary's. I was super tired at the beginning, but unlike last pregnancy... there has been no time to rest! Zachary has us on the go all the time. No naps after work until bedtime like I did with the Z man. ;) Naps in general are almost unheard of! Ha! I was a little nauseous with this baby, just like Zachary, but probably even less so. This has overall been so easy, and I'm so blessed. I craved jalapeno everything with Zachary, but with this baby it has been more cereals and sweets. 

Our next appointment is scheduled for July 23rd, and we'll be right at 27 weeks. It will be our LAST 4 week appointment!! ....I'm still in awe at how fast this is all going. ;) We are due October 22nd, so stay tuned for more updates on how this massive little McKeever is growing!

Hope you were blessed, thanks for reading!

The McKeevers

Ready or Not

REWIND: Fall of 2013

Gabe was officially ready for baby #2. We had moved into our new home, and had gotten somewhat settled. I, on the other hand, was reluctant. As many of you probably know, I want to be stay-at-home mom. And, as you probably all know, I'm stubborn. I wasn't about to let anything happen outside of, "my plan." 

Gabe continued to bring it up, and I kept wanting to delay. After lots of praying and soul-searching, my heart was changed. I prayed that God would bless us when He saw fit. Not sooner, not later, just in His time. That was in January, and on February 4th, 2014, we found out we were pregnant! Interestingly enough, I wasn't all that surprised. I think God was waiting for me to get out of my own way. :) 

What a blessing! We were all thrilled, and could not keep the good news to ourselves. Zachary announced our new addition over Mickey Mouse waffles.

After we found out, we have been pulling out Zachary's old baby items. Of course, he's had to try them all out again. We had to put our foot down when he wanted to climb into his old baby-swing! We need everything in one-piece, after all! 

I wanted to share, and remember this important little tug-a-war about McKeever Baby #2.... only because I didn't want to forget what an answer to prayer this little child is. Every baby is a gift from God, but it's a reminder to me of what He can do when we give up our plans, and give into His.

Hope you were blessed, and thank you for reading!

The McKeevers

Time flies when you're having fun...

I'm embarrassed that it has been almost TWO YEARS since I've written on this blog! (Truth be told, I'm pretty upset with myself for waiting this long!) I almost don't recognize the boxy little chunk of a baby that I see in the previous posts! Now we have a tall, 2-1/2 year old who can talk your ear off!

Here's a quick run down of (what I can remember) happened in the last two years or so...

Our little Z turned 1! We celebrated with family, and I'm hoping that I can locate the photos, so I can share some here :) A milestone that came and went quickly. Soon after, he was walking full-time, and talking more and more.

Gabe left Emprise Bank at the end of December of 2012, and began his new career at Sunflower Bank in January of 2013. I have no doubt that God's hand was in this move. Over time it's blessed us again and again. In less than a year he was promoted to his current position, Consumer Business Banker. With this new position he officially worked NO MORE SATURDAYS - ever! We still do not take that extra time with Daddy for granted! :) He's been able to plug into the community, and he's been building great friendships, and business relationships. It's hands-down a great fit for him. Praise the Lord!

Easter 2013 :)

Zach's first 'Vacation' to Oklahoma to see Brandon & Julie

First Wichita River Festival: Touch-A-Truck!

First Time Golfing :)

Just in case he's world-famous some day!

Last summer was lots of fun. Now that Z was mobile, it was always an adventure where ever we went. We spent a lot of the time at the Zoo since we were only about 5-10 minutes away. He loved playing in his water table... and I also found a photo of Z and his Grandpa that I just looooove. (See all below!)

At the doctor.... Mickey in tow :)

Cool Guy

It was a 2-Sucker Kind of Day

First Movie! Gru!

WE LOVE FALL!

Mickey for his 2nd Halloween :)

On our way in to Night of the Living Zoo

Z learned at an early age that Football Season is a Big Deal at the McKeever House!

Checking out a game on the laptop while Daddy had another one playing on the TV :)

Our Sweet Zachary Turned 2 :)

Fall of 2013 began a lot of change for our family! Zachary switched from his daycare he'd been going to early on to Sunrise Christian Academy. Morning drop-offs were heart-wrenching many days, but he learned a lot, and always said, "More School!" when we picked him up. His teachers, Miss Kim, Miss Hida, and Miss Mandy were his favorites.

At around the same time we put a contract on a house in Derby, and in November (a week before Thanksgiving) we closed. It was a wild crazy few weeks, but it was so worth it being in the home that our kids will most-likely grow up in, and where all their memories will begin. The space, and the land had us sold right away. The wooded area and creek remind Gabe of where he grew up, and we're so excited that our kids will be able to share the same experiences!

Thanksgiving in our new home :)

Checking out Black Friday ads with Grandpa

Because of the move, Zachary switched daycares again. I prayed, and prayed, and prayed for God to place the perfect person in our path. After talking to a Facebook friend, she put me in contact with Miss Hannah. She lives less than a mile away from us, and has a little boy Zachary's age, and also a younger little girl. Zach instantly fell in love, and is always excited for, "Hannah Time!" We thank God for Hannah and her family every day! 

 Zachary and Daddy picking out our Christmas Tree for our New Home!

Finishing Touches :)

Zachary loves Christmas Specials as much as Daddy does!

Beginning new Traditions.... Illuminations at Botanica!

 The last 3 years of Santas :)

Santa 2013 was our Favorite!!

First Snow :) Just days before Christmas

Leaving Cookies & Milk for Santa

First of the year brought big change... a BIG BOY BED!

Zachary was ready before Mommy was... it helped that he LOVED it!

First Time Bowling!

In Marysville with Nana & Papa :)

Where we enjoy relaxing after a hard day of work/daycare - when the weather cooperates!

Zachy & Daddy's favorite store.... LOWE'S!

It will be Menards if/when they actually move to Derby :)

Zachy's first trip to the Derby Library.

He loves picking up puzzles, and girls twice his age... that boy!

In February of 2014, we found out that we were expecting McKeever Baby #2 (and the reason for me dusting off this blog). Although it it was not planned, the surprise was so exciting. Hope to tell you more about all this in the next blog post! :)

Zachary's 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Delano :)

Spring 2013/2014

Daddy and Z Planting Flowers for us to Enjoy :)

....This is not at all everything I would like to post, but I hope this at least brings up to speed a bit! New job, new house, new baby on the way, and lots of fun! We are so blessed, and are excited to share more about our growing family!

XOXO
The McKeevers