30 Weeks and beginnings

Hello loved ones,
This week's theme seems to be "beginnings".

After a jolly time in the UK, and a safe but long return to the states, Dave is preparing head, heart, and classroom for the incoming third graders. It is a new grade level for him which means new texts, new co-workers, and a new room. And incidentally, lots of almost-new stuff too - the teacher he replaces left lots of goodies to help make the classroom feel festive.

Master's degree in hand, Lori begins a new job in religious education tomorrow, leading the fifth-grade-and-under programs of their new parish. Sometimes leaving a place can be as difficult as staying, and while it is good to be moving on, she and Dave leave some wonderful people. We are thankful to not be moving cities as yet, so we can continue to stay connected with our Columbkille parish family.

What exciting times for the Crawfords - and extended family as well. Two other family teachers begin their work this week (one in her first classroom) and a friend of the family is preparing himself for mission work overseas. Lori's sister launched herself into a new mission field on Monday to serve and mentor college students in Ohio, and our brother-in-law is also in a new field, stepping from the traditional workplace into ministry himself. Dave's mom is beginning the last phase of degree work, and his Dad is at the start of a driving leg that will bring him to sunny Florida. For all those out there beginning something new, we send our best wishes to you too!

Exciting as all the goings-on are, we are mindful that we are still a baby factory right now, with full knowledge that our peanut will be considered full-term in just two months. Please keep the health of the family in your prayers, and as well the sanity of those that must deal with raging pregnancy hormones.

Picture from Monday, Aug 13 at 30 weeks -
baby is estimated at 15 inches and 3 pounds

Catching Up

It is Lori's third day back to work after being gone to school over three weeks and catching up is the name of the game. Getting ahead, too, since she'll be wrapping up her last week at work before transitioning to a new job on the 16th. Big changes looming, so enjoy the pics below and stay tuned for more from the ever-growing Crawford family...

Pics from the Florida Culver Reunion in June:

Culver girls having a moment

Pics from last weekend's Louisiana/Alabama vacation (Mom, Lori, and Amy):

28 Weeks (about 6.5 months)

At Cafe du Monde in New Orleans

The other graduate

2 pounds, 14 inches

Mom and Dad are on opposite sides of The Pond now. Dave arrived safely in England and is reconnecting with friends. Lori is in her third week in New Orleans and two days from being done with class. Also about 30 pages short of getting her degree. The time is ripe for a little procrastination.

Digital camera went across with Dave, so words will have to suffice for now. Lori has grown some - a coworker joked of Lori's resemblance to a worm that swallowed a watermelon. She does like her watermelon...

Baby has learned new tricks in recent weeks.
Standing: Night time comes, it's dark and late (and cold for those of you who have heard the meatlocker stories). Mom's ready for a good slumber, and baby slips into a sideways position, feet on the left, head on the right, or vice versa. One end kicks like we're on a trampoline; the other end head-butts. It's like a little party in there!
Hiccups: What once reminded mom of muscle spasms is indeed baby with the hiccupps. Sometimes they are slow and rhythmic, sometimes fast like when your eye twitches (just like you described, Mom Bonnie).

Mom and baby are still feeling good and eating like a horse. Amazing what a few months will do to an appetite.

After a girl's weekend with Lori's mom and sister Amy she returns to two weeks left at work, then the adventure begins; a new position in religious education-land begins August 16th. "Oh the places you'll go" says Seuss. He was right.

Please pray for safe travels home for Dave and Lori, and for Lori's family in the air this weekend. Love to you all!

25 weeks and counting

Can it really be a month later? We are at the end of 25 weeks of baby development, which means baby's over a pound and a foot at this point. He or she is scrunched up in mom's tummy, and our favorite thing is to feel around for elbows, knees and tiny little bottom lying close to the surface. When Lori lays on her back in the evenings, baby seems to be the most active. Pressing around it seems sometimes that the baby kicks us back. We are starting to really see our growing bumpkin as a little person with little fingers and little toes and little eyelids. And with so much movement, we're likely to have a very active child on our hands!
Here are the latest belly shots dated July 2. Doesn't seem to be too much change from before, but we have three months left - plenty of time to grow!

Mom Lori:

Daddy Dave:

Halfway There

Monday was our second of two ultrasounds to make sure baby is developing normally. All checked out. Lori's family got to come see the ultrasound since they were in town, and the tech was so gracious - turned the room into a mini-theatre and spent extra long on showing us the little parts (not all of them!).

The baby is healthy, about 14 oz, heartbeat 142, and kicking and squirming in there like she's getting ready for a swim meet. Lori started feeling the movement in Colorado but did not realize it was baby until we got back home to Florida. It feels a bit like the rumbling of a hungry tummy without the noisy growling. We both love the feeling of little elbows and knees and it is still awesome to us this entire process.

We tried to upload ultrasound pics to this blog, but they would not take, so if you want to see the cutest nose and toes in utero, drop one of us an email and we'll send them.

Here are some belly pictures from Colorado. We were at about 20 weeks at this time.