March Madness: Big Hearts and Big Kicks

We've had some crazy few weeks in the Stanbery household.  March was a big month for us- both up and down.

In our last post you learned that BabyBery is a baby BOY and we are thrilled with the news.  Matt's super excited because I think he may have shut down our gender party if it happened to be a girl.  Now that baby boy Stanbery is on his way into this world in the next few months, Matt's mentioned that having a girl next wouldn't be so bad.  He needs an accomplice, he says... for all the boys that would come by to try and date his future daughter.

We've decided on a name (one that's been decided for quite some time) and we are naming our son, Abishai-- meaning "Gift from the Father".  Abishai was one of King David's mighty men-- a determined warrior and one known in the Bible for slaying 300 men in one battle with his sword to protect King David.  Think the Greek king Leonidus.  Abishai was fierce!  We're hoping for the same strength and might in our son, but hopefully with less of a temper.  :)

The end of March was a hectic time for us.  My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and after 12+ hours of surgery, his very skilled doctors were able to remove all of the cancer from his pancreas.  He is now left with only 25% of his pancreas and he no longer has a spleen, but we thank God every day that he is alive.  God has plans for my dad and we're pretty certain that one of those plans is meeting his grandson this August.   My dad is doing well now, learning each day to deal with diabetes, but recovering quite quickly-- much to the surprise of his doctors.  We all have something to be thankful for and it makes us remember how precious each day of life is.

Although my dad's days in the hospital were not comfortable or fun for any of us, I was very excited to greet my dad on the day of his discharge with the first few kicks from our little boy.  Seeing my dad's smile and hearing him laugh for the first time in a long time as he held his palm to my belly was such a blessing.  Almost like Abishai knew Grandpa Lalo needed a pick-me-up.

Since then, Abishai has been kicking up a storm.  It's so strange to feel him.  I've likened the feeling to him doing the spider-pig on my belly.  I've been told it will only get stronger and possibly uncomfortable.  I'm preparing myself for his soccer player kicks if he's going to follow in his father's footsteps.

Then there's this.  I'm only posting this because I vowed to keep track of my pregnancy brain moments-- this will probably be the closest to comic relief you'll find on the blog.  Enjoy!



Pregnancy Brain Moment (another to add to the list): So as I was lying there during our 20 week ultrasound, watching our tech click through all of the boxes to confirm that our baby boy has all of his organs and limbs.  Legs - check,  arms - check, liver - check, kidneys - check.... 4 chambered heart - check!  It was a great appointment and Matt and I were so excited to hear that the baby was doing well.  We get in the car and this conversation ensues:

Me: Our son has a 4 chambered heart!!
Matt: Yup
Me: Now he only has to grow one more chamber...
Matt: (confused look on face) Uh... no.  He just gets 4.  Are you serious?
Me: (also with a confused look on my face)  Oh.  Really?  Just 4?  I could've sworn there were 5.
Matt: Nope, honey.  He only has 4. You also only have 4.  We only have four. 
Me: Oh...

To make me feel better, Matt has now said that I must've thought there were five chambers and that Jesus goes in the 5th chamber.  Gotta make room for Jesus, right?