Baby Bennett

Hi there, little one!


Today, with a heavy heart, I bring to you sad news.  Your second cousin, Bennett Stephen Vanderham, who was born on July 25th, passed away today.  From his daddy, Zach:


"As soon as Bennett was born he was rushed to NICU for not breathing.  Bennett had seizures and brain trauma.  After a few days we were air lifted to Cook Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.  Over the last couple of days the doctors and nurses tries their best to take care of our little boy.  He incurred severe brain injuries during birth and after reviewing the best options for Bennett we decided that it was in his best interest to take Bennett off life support.  With heavy hearts our son passed away this evening.  He fought long enough for us to sleep with him one night and hold him all day.  He will be forever loved and remembered.  Thank all of you that knew for all your thoughts and prayers."


Baby Bennett's organs will be donated to other children in need, and his purpose in life, as short as it was, is far greater than many of us can hope for in our own.  Although you never had the chance to know him, I pray you can live by his example, taking advantage of every single breath to show love and care to others.  


This whole process has been scary and eye-opening.  I am thankful for your health, Annabelle, and I pray daily that it continue throughout the pregnancy, birth, and well into your life.  


We will forever remember and love this lost family member, and be grateful for his short life.  

3D Sonogram

Hi there, little one!

A lot has happened in the last couple of months.  You have been growing and moving like crazy.  However, I joke that you are going to be shy because everytime you are moving and I put my or your daddy's hand on my belly to feel, you stop!  And somehow you know when we are watching your belly because you stop moving then, too.  That's okay!  We still keep trying, and occasionally your daddy gets lucky enough to see or feel a movement.

Also, we have decided on a name for you: Annabelle Cherie Jackson

I wish I had some really cool story about how we came up with it, but I don't.  We were stuck on your first name for a while before finding a middle name.  We would drive down the road, reading signs and pairing names with Annabelle.  Your daddy accidentally misread a name on a sign, and we liked it!  That was that!

Today we set up an appointment for a 3D sonogram.  We invited your grandparents to come, too.  In attendance with us: Grandmama Kim, Grandpops James, Uncle Nate, Aunt Brittany, Papa Sam, and (to be renamed, possibly) Pocka Pat.  The room was set up with couches and the sonogram was put on a large flat screen, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone there.  I think they all enjoyed it.  Seeing sonogram photos is cool, but this makes it that much more real, and we wanted to share that with them!

You were, as usual, very shy at first.  You kept your face hidden, but over time, we were able to convince you to show most of your face.  And what a beautiful face you have!

With your arm covering your face

You literally covered your face with your hand!

You let us see a little bit of your face!

You even put your foot up to hide your face!

But we were determined, so the paparazzi continued...

And continued...

Until we got about 30 of the same exact picture! 

Now the debate starts... do you look like mommy or daddy?  We have had split reviews so far.  I can't ever tell anyway, but I think you will look like your daddy.  The first one always does!  Only time will tell!

Loves you, baby Annabelle!

Mommy