Today we had both sides of our family over for Thanksgiving. It was the first holiday where both sides of our family were able to celebrate a holiday together. This was a big deal for us for many reasons. The biggest reason was that we were planning to share some big news with everyone. We had waited for a month to share news of Lil Chapps with our family. We thought it was a perfect time to share the news...having the whole family together at the same time. We were both anticipating the reveal and we couldn't have been more excited about it. As we were getting ready to sit down for dinner, we handed cards to Stacey (my sister), Alan (my brother-in-law), Sylvia (my aunt), Aunt Gail (my aunt), my mom and dad, Aaron's mom and grandma, and my grandma. Each card was a Thanksgiving card titled with each family member's new "title." Inside each card was a picture of the ultrasound that we had on Wednesday. Aaron was able to capture the moment on video. It was a night filled with excitement, shock, tears, and overwhelming joy for the family's new addition. Aaron led a prayer before dinner, a prayer that our whole family was able to join in, to ask for health and safety for me and the baby and to thank God for such a special gift. It was a very special moment. Enjoy everyone's reaction below.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
We heard your heart beating...
Lil Chapps,
We just got back from our first ultrasound where we got to see you for the first time. Daddy came with me. We got lost on the way to the ultrasound, we entered into the wrong wing at the hospital, we walked around the hospital for a few minutes until realizing we were in the completely wrong building, then we arrived at the office and realized that our appt was really scheduled for 12:00 and not 12:30 like we originally thought. We were about 40 minutes late and I was worried that we would have to reschedule, but the nurse was VERY nice and she made some time for us. She began by looking inside my tummy to make sure my body was healthy. Then she looked around to see if there were two babies, but she found out it was just you! :) After measuring you, she determined that we were a little further along than the doctors originally thought (8 weeks and 3 days). I think you are just going to be a big baby and you are already tall like your mommy and daddy. What do I know? You were measured at about 3/4 of an inch long from head to tail (yes you still have a bit of a tail). Daddy and I cried as soon as we saw you on the screen. We couldn't believe our eyes. There our baby was...right before us. Then the nurse turned the sound on and we got to listen to your heartbeat. It was so loud and rhythmic. The nurse said it sounded excellent. I was crying and she kept telling me to try to be still so that she could get a really good heartbeat measurement from you. I was trying, but the miracle of your life was just overwhelming. Daddy held my hand throughout the whole thing and cried alongside me. Daddy said you are going to be a drummer because you can already keep a good beat ;) I hope you get his musical talent and not mine! We were able to get some cute pictures of you that we are going to be sharing with our family and hanging on to for years to come. WE LOVE YOU and can't wait to see you again in about a month!
We just got back from our first ultrasound where we got to see you for the first time. Daddy came with me. We got lost on the way to the ultrasound, we entered into the wrong wing at the hospital, we walked around the hospital for a few minutes until realizing we were in the completely wrong building, then we arrived at the office and realized that our appt was really scheduled for 12:00 and not 12:30 like we originally thought. We were about 40 minutes late and I was worried that we would have to reschedule, but the nurse was VERY nice and she made some time for us. She began by looking inside my tummy to make sure my body was healthy. Then she looked around to see if there were two babies, but she found out it was just you! :) After measuring you, she determined that we were a little further along than the doctors originally thought (8 weeks and 3 days). I think you are just going to be a big baby and you are already tall like your mommy and daddy. What do I know? You were measured at about 3/4 of an inch long from head to tail (yes you still have a bit of a tail). Daddy and I cried as soon as we saw you on the screen. We couldn't believe our eyes. There our baby was...right before us. Then the nurse turned the sound on and we got to listen to your heartbeat. It was so loud and rhythmic. The nurse said it sounded excellent. I was crying and she kept telling me to try to be still so that she could get a really good heartbeat measurement from you. I was trying, but the miracle of your life was just overwhelming. Daddy held my hand throughout the whole thing and cried alongside me. Daddy said you are going to be a drummer because you can already keep a good beat ;) I hope you get his musical talent and not mine! We were able to get some cute pictures of you that we are going to be sharing with our family and hanging on to for years to come. WE LOVE YOU and can't wait to see you again in about a month!
Message from Daddy
Dear Lil Chapps,
I’m sitting here on my computer at work about to leave for Mommy’s first UltraSound appointment. It’s the first time that I get to see you. I can’t begin to explain how excited I am to finally meet you. It was one month ago today that I found out that I was going to be your father. Growing up my entire life I’d always thought of the days when I’d get to be a daddy. Now those days are finally here, and I’m so grateful that I have the privilege of helping you along through life.
I’ve been talking to you a lot over this past month. I love to rub Mommy’s belly where you’re inside growing. I kiss her belly and talk to you. It’s the way I feel the closest to you. I’ve prayed for you everyday Lil Chapps. I pray for you to grow into a strong and healthy baby, and that down the road you grow into a wonderful man or woman. I’ve been praying that God will keep you and Mommy safe as you grow in her tummy. I think most of all though, I’ve been praying for myself. I’ve prayed that I’ll grow into a good Daddy for you. I already love you so much, and I want to be there for you and help you grow into a wonderful person. I’ve prayed that both Mommy and I can help you get to know the God that’s forming you right now in Mommy’s belly. That you’ll know the God of the universe, and that Mommy and I will do a good job of introducing you to him.
I’m so excited about the exciting days to come Lil Chapps. I can’t even think straight enough to get any work done today because I get to see you for the first time today. I love you more than any words can express, and I haven’t even “met” you yet. You’ve got some incredible times ahead of you Lil Chapps, and I’m so grateful that I get to be a part of them. This is amazing…
Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart…”
Message from Mommy
Dear Lil Chapps,
Today is a big day for your Mommy and Daddy. We get to see you for the first time. We have our first ultrasound scheduled at 12:30 today, the day before Thanksgiving. It was exactly one month ago when your Daddy and I found out that we had created a little angel. We have both been so excited and we love you already. I still feel like I am playing house a little bit, but I think after we see you today, it is going to be very real. You are about the size of a walnut, but you have already formed your heart, brain, eyes, hands, legs, spine, kidneys, etc. You are so tiny, but your heart has already begun beating. Daddy and I are constantly amazed at the miracle of the growth of a child. The way you are forming is a miracle from God that cannot be described. You are growing like crazy, and I am beginning to feel the affects of your growth.
It has been so hard not to share the excitement of you with our family and friends. Tomorrow, on Thanksgiving, we get to tell your family about you! They are going to be so overwhelmed with joy and happiness. We are going to try to videotape the event so that we can show you one day how much you were loved at the very beginning of your life. This is a moment that we all have been waiting for. We are going to give each member of your new family a card with their new “title.” So your grandmas will be getting a grandma Thanksgiving card, etc. I think everyone will be shocked!
We pray for you every night. Daddy lays his head on my tummy every night and rubs you and prays for you and our family. He tells me that is how he is able to feel close to you. You have overwhelmed our thoughts this past month and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It is going to be hard to wait 7 more months to meet you, but we know that God is working on you every day to make you the child He wants you to be.
”For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11
We love you Lil Chapps!
Monday, November 16, 2009
And so our adventures as a family begin...
Welcome to the Chappell Family blog. We will be using this space to update family and friends on what's going on in our lives. We hope you enjoy! Stay tuned...
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