The Ever-Growing Nature of Pregnancy

This weekend I had the blessing to go shopping with my wonderful sister Erika for my first set of maternity clothes. While most of the clothes that I bought and tried on had plenty of room to grow, I realized purely by how much more comfortable they are than my normal clothes that I have already started to change shape. My little bump, while still little has made an early appearance. I have heard from many friends and family that most women don't start to show in their first pregnancy until later on, like the 4th or 5th month. Well apparently, Baby McInnis decided that the 3rd would be okay for him/her to start putting on some tummy weight because I have noticed a new tightness in my regular clothes and have been gravitating to looser and more flowing clothing. It was so much fun to try on all these super cutesy, colorful, long tops that I, when not pregnant, can not where because they make me look pregnant. I can also see that while to rest of the world I may just look a little pudgier in the belly, it is going to be so exciting for me when I do become noticeably pregnant. It is amazing the difference in gaining a few pounds normally, and gaining them when you are pregnant!
As I read more and more about what God is growing inside me, I am more and more astonished and amazed at the wonder of it all. Something so intricately and delicately planned is forming a new life right inside my body! And I have the pooch to show for it! It is amazing to see changes outwardly that reflect so many changes that are happening inwardly. And while it may seem strange to me sometimes that I tear up about 20 times a day at something as small as a shampoo commercial on TV, or seeing children play on a playground, it is all a part of something much bigger going on inside me.
I thank the Lord for the opportunity to see His mercy and grace if our lives even more because of this gift. He has been so good to us and provided for us more than we ever thought was possible in the last 3 months. From the job that was offered to me before we even knew we were going to have a baby, or the car we recently were provided just when we needed it without having to take out any sort of loan, and a friend of mine let me borrow many of her maternity clothes so that we would not have to buy as much. I am excited to see how the Lord works in our lives over the next 6 months and know that He will continue to grow our faith in Him for His glory and our good.

Tiny Child, Huge God

Today reality has hit both of us. We had our ultrasound appointment this afternoon and it was truly amazing. Our child is 2.4 centimeters long and has a heartbeat. We know because we saw it! But what is truly amazing is that the Lord already knew all about our child. He has known from the beginning. He doesn't need to see a picture because He is right now carefully and lovingly forming everything about this child from little hands and feet to the sound of her laugh or the way he will cry. We could not ask for a more loving, protecting creator to be watching over our child.

It was so surreal... for a split second while the doctor was looking for the baby we thought she might not find him/her... but she did- and it was incredible. We are so excited and so thankful to the giver of all good gifts! We are also thankful for all the prayers and all the conversations and advice that all of you have offered. Please continue to pray for us and for our child... hopefully this blog will be a great resource to help you keep up with us and to pray.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count hem, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you." Psalm 139:12-18