My Grandpa...

Herman Berry was my step-grandfather. My step-mom and dad married when I was 12 and her family accepted us immediately. Both of my blood grandfathers died when I was young, so for me, he was it. I cannot tell you what it means to me that their family put my name, my siblings' names, and my children's names in his obituary. He truly was exceptional... Herman H. Berry, 84, lived in LaRue. Date: He died Thursday, May 21st, 2009 at 11:50 a.m. at Fairhaven Community in Upper Sandusky. Personal Information: Herman was born December 26th, 1924 in Kentucky to John Everett and Elizabeth (Chapman) Berry. He married Margaret Louise Clay November 28th, 1945. He was a WWII veteran serving in the Army Air Corp. He worked at National Cash Register as a collator operator, and then taught masonry at MCI and Tri-Rivers. He was a member of the Weak Enders Campers Club. He loved fishing, and getting the family together for cook outs. He had an exceptional sense of humor, lived life to the fullest and was a devoted husband and father. Survived By: His wife: Margaret Berry survives him along with three daughters: Loretta Dawson of Marion, Linda Gossett of Clarksville, Luana Mathew of LaRue, seven grandchildren: Cassandra Myers of Marion, Patrick Dawson of Marion, Chandra DeCan of West Manchester, Amy Penman of Columbia, Missouri, Heather Bello of Houston, Texas, Sara Kolax of Springfield, Missouri, Scott Gossett of Waco, Texas, eight great-​grandchildren:​ Bailey Myers, Ashley Phillabaum, Emma Sue DeCan, Brandon DeCan, Aubrey Bello, Blaine Bello, Carson Kolax and Evangeline Penman. His parents: John and Elizabeth Berry preceded him in death along with one grandson: Christopher Foster, three brothers: Kenneth Berry, Carl Berry and William Berry, one sister: Leona Lowman, one step-brother: James Johnson and one step-sister: Mary Purdin.

I'm off to Ohio, with my brother, for the funeral. I'm going to write a tribute to my Grandpa when I feel like I can. He more than deserves it.

We've got a baby with rhythm...

Today was our very last appointment with the Reproductive Endocrinologist.  We've graduated to bigger and better things.  And much like most graduations, it was bittersweet.  I will miss our Tuesday ritual: meeting Dawn, getting Dawn's two littlest ones to Kelly (who has been a lifesaver, by the way), heading up to Dr. Gill's office, being treated extra special by everyone at Dr. Gill's office, and of course, seeing our baby on that beautiful ultrasound.  But, like I said, we're on to bigger and better things.  Dawn is now far enough along (and doing well enough) to be under the care of her regular OB.  That is reason for excitement!  She also gets to stop the medications she has been on for 10 weeks- that's reason for her rear end to be excited :)  It's a big day.  

As for today's ultrasound, everything looks fabulous.  Our baby was dancing away to the beating of Dawn's heart!  It was amazing.  He/she also appeared to wave at one point- truly a magical moment.  I will forever be grateful for these last few weeks.  Here's today's ultrasound picture at 9 weeks 2 days.  This will be the last one until the BIG ultrasound in about 8 weeks!

This Weekend

Yesterday, my first born turned 9!  It really is amazing how quickly time passes.  She is growing up into a beautiful young woman, inside and out.  I am so blessed!  It was a great day.

I added a pregnancy widget to the blog.  To the right you can see the neat little ball that our baby bounces around in.  I looked at adding it just last week, but the baby looked disturbing: tail, weird head, and all.  Once again, I am amazed at the difference a week makes in gestational development.  We will have another (and probably last for a few weeks) ultrasound on Tuesday.  I'll be sure to update then.  Thanks to everyone for all the kind words and encouragement!

Growing...

It's amazing the difference a week, in utero, makes.  Last week our sweet baby was merely a blob with a heartbeat.  This week, we have a discernible head, arm buds, and leg buds.  A strong heartbeat at 163 beats per minute and a wiggly, fun to watch baby!  

Baby Bello 8 weeks 2 days- picture 1 is a length measurement, picture 2 is the heart rate, picture 3 is a full body profile shot with the head to the left and the ball at the feet being the yolk sac:

A Special Treat

Here's a clip from our ultrasound yesterday- baby Bello at 7 weeks 2 days...such a miracle!

Edited to add:  THIS IS A VIDEO :)  Click the play button in the bottom left corner.