It's a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

40% of you were correct! Peanut Parker is a boy!!!!! We are beyond thrilled, and based on the young Sanjay's antics, are already saving up for a mischief-reduction consultant.

We pray that Peanut has the very best of our features and traits (more Nicole's, I hope) and that we can teach him how to be a simple and God-loving man.

We went to Babies 'R Us to look at the cute baby stuff and to register, and Sam and Sheila Parker bought us the very first Peanut winter outfit ---- a cute white sweater and khakis!!!!

For me (Sanjay) - this is when it starts to take on a new level of real-ness ------ there's going to be a little boy occupying (and dirtying up) that sweater in several months!!!!

Nicole is 22 weeks in this picture (5 and 1/2 months). The journey is on the fast-track now. We can't wait - but will make sure we savor these times.

Newsflash!!!! Peanut is a . . .

Beautiful and healthy and loved BABY!!!!!!

I just wanted to get in a quick word here to praise Nicole for every step, every sacrifice, every conscious decision, and every piece of nutrition she has given to Peanut these past 21 weeks.

Nicole - I know it's been difficult - especially with the nausea and pain - but just seeing how much you've placed the health of Peanut as a priority over anything else you faced is inspiring to me. I know you are nervous today, but know that Peanut is in the safest place in the world to happily grow and develop -- as a healthy, happy, intelligent BOY . . . or GIRL!

I love you Honey!!!

Sanjay

Doing Much Better/Ultrasound

I am feeling much better these days. The nausea is pretty much gone and now I am dealing with heartburn and backache; this is nothing compared to how sick I was. I am not in pain, I am just uncomfortable at times. I can still only eat a few selected items like fruit, eggs, and raisin bran cereal and sometimes french fries, but I try not too eat too many of those. Chicken, fish, and red meat still make be sick. It is so nice not to be sick every hour of every day. I have also been trying to walk every day too. I have gained a couple of pounds and have really popped out the past two weeks.

I went to the library to get some birthing books and videos and I sort of got freaked out by the video. I think Sanjay was a little freaked too. I just hope I can do everything right when labor comes. We signed up for a childbirth class that meets on Tuesday evenings. If anyone else can suggest a great class for us to take please let us know. We are planning to take a breast feeding class too.

Well tomorrow is the big day. We are 21 weeks and we have our ultrasound tomorrow. I am so nervous and excited. I haven't been able to focus on anything else but this ultrasound. I don't know why I am freaking out so much about this. I pray that Peanut is healthy and everything is developing properly. Hopefully, we will be able to determine the gender of Peanut. Yes, Sanjay and I have decided to find out if Peanut is a Girl or a Boy. Here's why:
1. We are going to find out sooner or later, so why not know a little early when we are both in proper mind and are feeling good? It will be a big enough surprise to see what he/she looks like.
2. We feel it will facilitate the bond. Instead of referring to Peanut as an unknown gender we can start saying he/she and be more specific with our prayers.
3. Sanjay doesn't really like surprises and we both feel it would be nice to prepare mentally and physically (as much as we can) for our new arrival.
4. I can't wait to decorate Peanut's room!

Our Wonderful Group

Sanjay and I have been blessed to be a part of a Marriage Group for about a year now. Everyone is so unique and really brings a different element to the group. There are also two other girls (Pari and Melissa) that are preggers too! We have learned a lot from them and are so happy to have met such WONDERFUL people!

19 week Belly

Peanut is really growing!

Here is the 19 week picture. A few more days and we are officially half way there.

Our ultrasound is Friday April 25th.

Birthday Weekend

Even though I was sick the entire weekend, my family and friends still managed to make my birthday special. Sanjay asked me what I wanted for my Birthday. My response was "A maid, a cook, a live in nurse, and a house cleaner." Sanjay was so cute with his quick response "I'll be your maid........I mean BUTLER". He swept all of the floors, did laundry, cooked a grilled cheese for me, and did some other general cleaning tasks around the house. It was so nice. I did feel kinda bad that he took the entire day off just to be a butler.

Friday night my sissy had us over for Lasagna (that my mom made). Sanjay's parents came over and it was nice and relaxing.

Saturday my friends Rosie, Ashley, Lisa and Jessica brought food over and we sat in my kitchen and talked. I felt really bad because I was sleeping when they arrived, but they are such good friends, that they understood. I enjoyed listening and catching up on what they are up to.

Sunday, my Dad, Linda, Grandma, Grandpa Ken, Kayla and Dave (pictured below) came over to celebrate our birthdays (my Dad and mine). They brought everything and I really enjoyed seeing them.

This is actually the most I've done in a long time, and I was beat. I was so sick Sunday afternoon and evening with nausa, runny nose, horrible cough, sore throat, and terrible headache. My doctor gave me an antibiotic which is helping, but really upsets my stomach. I just can't win.

Thanks to everyone for the cards, texts, emails and phone calls wishing me a Happy Birthday! I appreciate it!

My Friends R So Cool

I am not feeling well today (really bad cold) and I didn't make it into work today so I am just sitting here thinking about how special my friends are. They are all so very different, but all so very sweet and talented. I can't possibly list all of my friends and the amazing things they are doing, but I will name a few.

Gretchan Francis started a limo business practically over night which has become extremly sucessful and is now the exclusive limousine sponsor of Fashion Week Cleveland!http://www.fashionweekcleveland.com/. Her crew will be driving Miss America! If you ever need a limo check out http://www.francislimo.com/.

Lisa Crabiel is also an entrepenour. She may have something up her sleeve in the future.

Jessica Dillworth is devoting two years of her life to serve others in the Peace Corps. She currently has all of her paperwork turned in and is just patiently waiting to see where she will be assigned. Jess would really like to be placed in a Latin American country to learn more Spanish. She is open-minded and optimistic to where ever she ends up and is determined to make the best of the two years.

Sara Lanzer is a talented singer/music writer. Her hubby, Kyle is also one of the best singers I have ever heard. Sara wrote a song called "Taking Chances". I will try to upload Sara singing the song. She submitted the song into American Idol's song writing contest. The song chosen by the nation will be performed live on this season’s American Idol finale in front of millions of viewers. But that’s only half the story. The winning songwriter will walk away with a highly-prized publishing deal for their song, and it will also be released by the winner of American Idol! I can't figure out how to link Sara's song to this page. I will try to figure it out soon!

I'm so proud of all of my friends!