A few of my favorite things

Malachi, 10 months

Ava, 4 months

Elijah, 2.5 weeks

Double Standard

Today I was reading follow-up reports on a gruesome story out of Illinois. A 24-year-old woman killed a 23-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn baby, then killed the woman's three other children. Among other charges, the murderer has been charged with "intentional homicide of an unborn child."
Tell me - what makes this crime a murder, but abortion a "choice?" What is the difference between killing a baby via medical procedures and via an act of violence? I suppose the major difference (most would argue) is that the mother didn't want her baby dead. So then are "wanted" babies human and "unwanted" babies not human?
Our nation holds a ridiculous double standard when it comes to human life. We will call this situation exactly what it is - the murder of an unborn child - but will never own up to the human lives that are lost every single day to abortion. There is no difference. All of it is murder.

Date Change

I just got a call from my doctor. He said everything looked great with the ultrasound. BUT they discovered that I'm actually about a week further along than they had originally thought. I'm actually at 20 weeks instead of 19.
That means my due date has changed to JANUARY 31, 2007. Mark your calendars! :)

Meet Israel

We had our first ultrasound today and IT'S A GIRL!!!
This is Israel (you can just call her "Rae" or "Rael" for short). She is healthy and beautiful. I can't tell you just how thrilled we are - I am crying as I type this. Never in my life could I describe the amazement of watching your unborn child on a TV screen, moving around, sucking her thumb, looking healthy and strong. It was absolutely breathtaking. I can't even begin to imagine the wonder of finally holding her in my arms.
Thank you, Jesus, for our beautiful daughter and for keeping her healthy and protected. We are amazed and so thankful.

P.S. Look - she has JP's nose!!!

First Pictures

Elijah John Peterson


Check out that hair!!!

The champion and the proud father

Grandma and Grandpa

I could stare at that sweet face all day


FYI - Amber and Pete have set up a blog to keep everybody up to date on Elijah: http://petersonposse.blogspot.com

Welcome Elijah

At 10:35 pm on September 7, 2006, we welcomed Elijah John Peterson into the world!
I swear, that was the #1 most amazing and miraculous thing I have ever seen or may ever see in my life.
Amber was amazing. She had to push for 2 hours, which went by quickly for me but I'm sure felt like an eternity to her. She really was a champ.
Sweet Elijah is 7 lbs, 8 oz (big boy - especially to come out of Amber!) and has a full head of dark hair. He is very, very cute - and I don't just say that as a proud Auntie...he really is cute!
Pete also did great. Both of them were running on little sleep since Amber had been up since 5:00 am. Plus Pete had started his day not feeling well. I think he's feeling a whole lot better now. :)
I’m so happy I got to be a part of that experience. It was so great. I didn’t get home until midnight, though, and had to BE AT WORK at 5:30am. I’m going straight home for a nap today.
Check back later for pictures!

Here he comes part 2

11:43 am
The latest is that they had Amber skip her 10:00 am appointment and go to the hospital. Her contractions are not very strong right now. We're praying that things will pick up so that they won't have to induce her later tonight. They typically won't let you deliver any later than 24 hours after your water breaks.
Pray for Pete - he was staying home sick from work today to start out with and, needless to say, is not feeling well at all. Pray that he will feel better so he can enjoy this amazing day!

Here he comes...

7:07 AM
Amber's water broke early this morning - I was the only one awake that early for her to call! We could have a baby as soon as today, so put your prayer caps on! She has a doctor's appointment scheduled at 10:00 am, so we'll find out more then. Right now she is at home with the beginnings of contractions, though they are still few and far between.
I'll keep you posted! :)

Crikey! Crocodile Hunter Dies

This is sad news. The man famously known as "The Crocodile Hunter" has died in a freak accident with an animal NOT usually deadly. Steve Irwin was doing an underwater shoot off the Great Barrier Reef when he swam to close to a sting ray, and it stuck him with a barb in the heart. He was 44 years old.
His wife is now left with an 8-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. She must have been quite a woman to stand by her husband with type of career he had. I can't imagine kissing my husband goodbye every morning, wondering if he'd survive his latest bout with some deadly creature.
You can read more about his life and death here.