Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you all have a wonderful holiday tomorrow with your loved ones.
In the latest baby news ... we were able to get a sneak peak at our little guy/gal at the doctor's office the other day, and this time we saw him or her in 4D! Even though the baby's face was too close to the placenta to get "incredible" shots, it was really amazing. We were finally able to see the baby's facial features without it looking skeletal. We also got to see the baby yawning, trying to suck his or her thumb, practice breathing, swallowing the amniotic fluid (to mature the lungs), and smacking his/her little lips. The 4D ultrasound was a really cool experience. Here are a few shots:
Disclaimer: When you look at the 4D shots of the face, you will see all kinds of other things in the picture, but don't be alarmed, they're not part of the baby's face (they are placenta, arms & knees, etc.).
The baby's profile in 2D. The curve at the upper left is a knee.
The baby's face in 4D. If you can't make out what you're seeing. Look at the center round blob -- that is the nose. The eyes are closed.
The baby's face in 4D looking slightly to your right. The eyes are closed & you can see the contour of the nose. The darker gray area below the nose is the mouth.
The baby's face in 4D. Again the eyes are closed, and you can make out the nose, lips and cheeks.
We celebrated Danny's impending graduation from seminary yesterday at Beeson Divinity School's Consecration Service. It was a beautiful service for all of the graduates at which they were challenged and prayed over by each of their professors. Thanks to all of our friends who came to the service! It meant so much to us.
With the busyness of the holidays approaching, we decided to get an early start on putting the nursery together. We've had fun the last two months picking out the colors, the fabric, and the furniture. But, as Danny will attest, not so much fun painting, hanging curtain rods & putting the crib together. However, we're happy to report that the crib is up, the bedding is in & my mom came in town the other weekend to sew curtains. It is really coming together. Here are some pics of our progress... Once it is all complete, we'll post more.
Danny came one step closer to being ordained this week. After passing several written exams and an oral examination, he was examined before our Presbytery on Tuesday. And, he passed with flying colors! He is now officially a licensed minister. The only things left to do ... graduate (December), take two more exams (January), pass another round of committee oral exams (January), and go before Presbytery once more for final approval (February 12). Then, comes the big ordination service on March 9! This all means there will be a lot going on at the Giffen house b/n now and next March (not to mention welcoming the newest member of our family).
