Peanut

This is not going to be the beautiful post that our baby deserves ...

But I wanted you to know that sweet little Peanut went to be with God on Wednesday.

She measured 7 weeks, 6 days.

Jay and I are in total shock.

There were no signs that I had miscarried.

We are currently processing everything and working on my physical healing after my surgery.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Would Love Your Thoughts

I feel better today.

Today is a better day than Monday.

I was a mess on Monday after our ultrasound.

I remain confused and baffled, but I've gotten some perspective and eager to learn more information.

Here's the deal.

I should be 8-1/2 weeks pregnant, but our baby is only measuring 6-1/2 weeks growth.

Which is pretty much impossible.

And I've had pregnancy symptoms for soooo long.

Anyone out there have any ideas?

Thoughts?

Advice?

Similar story?

Please no bad news okay.

I'm thriving on the good right now.

Our next appointment (the 1st appt with our doctor) is next Wednesday.

Looking forward to more information.

Until then, praying and thinking positive thoughts.

Lake Chelan : Pictures

We had such an amazing time in Lake Chelan with my parents.

We didn't do much besides eat, lay in the sun, read books, and eat amazing food.

Oops.

I said "eat" twice.

Oh, and I watched everyone drink my favorite Chelan wines.

That was a thrill.

I DID smell a lot of wine.

You know - soaking it all in without actually drinking it.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the week ...

I realize there aren't any pictures of people.

I guess that's what happens when you just lay around.

I did read two great books.

Both totally different.

THIS ONE was a wonderful beach book that I read in two days.

THIS ONE is a wonderful, heartbreaking, eye-opening book.

What books are you reading this summer?

Embracing The Truth ...

Alright.

I've decided to come clean about why I haven't been blogging.

We are pregnant again ... and it's pretty much all I can think about.

I didn't want to talk about it publicly since we recently had a miscarriage that was so painful to heal from.

Like NOT talking about it would be less painful if we lost this pregnancy.

I was guarding my heart.

My counselor says it's normal. ;)

But I decided today ...

To NOT tell my story would be to deny myself of the truth.

And to not fully enjoy the moment.

So here you go ...

The first pictures of Baby Stookey (and be sure to check out that strong heartbeat!) ...


We had some disappointing news today when we went to the doctor.

We thought I was 8-1/2 weeks pregnant.

Turns out the baby is measuring 6 weeks and 4 days growth.

So we were off a bit in our calculations.

I cried for 2 hours.

Mainly because I've been so sick with this pregnancy, I felt like a lost (or gained!) two more weeks.

But after a good 2-hour cry (some would say I'm emotionally unstable), I have some perspective.

I am not far along.

But we have a baby with a good, strong heartbeat.

We are hopeful.

And cautiously excited.

And honored to share this journey with you.

Because this blog is like my therapy.

And because you have all been so supportive.

We love you all.

Thanks for the continued prayers.

We continue to rely on our friends, family, and God's plan for our future.

As a side note, the tech told me today ...

• I have an "interesting" shaped uterus
• My uterus is "really" tilted
  
• I have a "really good-looking yolk sack"

Things you never thought you'd hear about yourself.

Lake Chelan

Spending the week with the family in Lake Chelan.

Will be sure to update once we get back.

Until then, I'll continue to soak up the sun, eat too much food (while justifying it by being on vacation), eat shaved ice, devour books, and take naps.

Have a great week!

Fruits & Vegetables

It's been a really difficult year for gardening in Seattle this spring.

We've had nothing but rain and/or gray days with no sun.

Sunny days are far and few between.

My garden has suffered.

We STILL have no tomatoes ... but some hardy fruits and vegetables are starting to ripen!

Look at this adorable baby pumpkin plant! There are eight others around the garden ...

The strawberries are delicious ...

I just ate the first sugar snap pea that was ripe today. It was so sweet & perfect ...

Cooper guarding our crop ....

Always the steadfast guard dog ...
Happy gardening.

Thus concludes the nerdiest post I've ever written.

But the pictures were cool right?

Still playing around with our new camera.

Two Week Catch-Up

Ok, my lack of blogging is lame.

The last two weeks have gone by in a blur.

Here's a recap ...

The first week of summer, Jay & I spent 2 days sitting in a seminar that the state requires all teachers to take.

I DID learn some great stuff.

I also was highly entertained by the speakers.

One of our speakers said "right" 135 times in a 2 hour time frame.

And yah, I tallied it.

Another one said "um" 120 times in an hour and a 1/2.

You see?

Super entertaining!

I spent the next two days finishing my report cards, cleaning my classroom, and frantically driving my reports off to the mailing center before the "absolutely-not-past-this-deadline" deadline.

Once our work was done, we were able to break our new Nikon out of it's box.

It literally sat in it's box for 2 weeks before we opened it.

Such a crime.

Here's my first picture - a pretty flower in our front yard ...

We've been spending some of our summer evenings at my parents house. They live on Lake Washington.

The sunsets are breathtaking, the wildlife is amazing and the view is perfect ...

We took a quick trip to Spokane for Father's Day, Jay's birthday, and Tricia's wedding shower.

It was a really fun weekend and it was so nice to see Jay's family again.

Here's Jay taking Cooper on a walk on our drive to Spokane, rocking his summertime mohawk ...

Jay's sister Tricia and her beautiful daughter Tatum ...

I guess Jay took this when I wasn't aware, but I love this picture.

I also love this swing that Jay's parents have in their backyard.

Cooper is always near is mama ...

A lazy Sunday ... we passed Tatum around for lots of snuggles ...

The best part about summer is that all the neighborhood kids come out to play.

Here we are playing with sidewalk chalk with our neighbor Jadin ...

And then Jadin's daddy said it was time to pick up and go inside for the night ...

I hope you've all had a great few weeks.

More pictures and adventures to come!