Thank Heaven For Little Girls!

Here she is - Claire Elise Norton!!!

Claire is about the size of a soda can and weighs between five and seven ounces. She is about five inches long. This week her fingerprints formed.

The name Claire means "clear or bright" (according to some sources, it also means "famous"). The name Elise means "consecrated to God."

I felt her move for the first time during the flight to New York on Monday evening. This was my first clue that she was a girl. She must have known that we were headed to Fifth Avenue in NYC for some great shopping!

We are so excited about our baby girl! Stay tuned for more updates...

NYC and Beyond

This week found us in New York City for the third time this year. I (Steve) am falling more in love with this place every time we have the opportunity to visit. Amy has always loved New York; it just took me a while to come around. Part of the goal of our visit was to, for the first time, see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lit up in person. We achieved our goal, although not at night which would have been perfect; we just ran out of time at night.

While in the 'Center' we popped into St. Patricks Cathedral -- always a favorite destination. The architecture is so awesome. We saw this interesting almost-life-sized nativity display that is missing a certain Hero. Our only guess is that He will be paraded in sometime during the Christmas Eve Service.

Also while in the Cathedral I saw a name plate for a clergy title I'd not heard of before -- HIS EMINENCE. If only I had known this was an option when I was ordained -- His Eminence and Lady Norton -- I can see it now.

Next stop -- FAO Schwarz. Last month Amy and I invited anyone who wanted to hang out with us in New York to come on over. GUESS WHAT -- Aunt Jill, Uncle Ryan and cousins Keegan, Sarah and Katie answered the call. They actually went to New York and had a great time. There will certainly be pictures on their blog before too long. So here we have Ryan and Keegan fulfilling their dream of playing on the 'Big Piano.'

And what's a stop at FAO without a photo shoot with the world famous doorman?

IT SNOWED while we were there, another first for us. We were really hoping this would happen, our dream came true.

I have to say Aunt Jill is an expert at celebrity sightings. While in Trump Tower, nearing the exit, Jill exclaimed that there was a certain somebody behind us. I looked and started reaching for the camera. By the time I got it out it was a little late, as she was on her way down the block. Let's see if you can find her.

Okay I'll make it easier -- Who could it be with such wonderful hair and posture?You guessed it -- Ivanka Trump. Funny thing is, about twenty minutes later, Aunt Jill spotted her again walking past us.

Amy, Sarah and Keegan having fun in the Disney Store.

More architecture from the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church where we took cover when the snow got to be too much.

Tomorrow we have our ultrasound to find out the gender of our little gift from God. We will for sure post the results. Let's just believe for a little 'exposure' if you will.

Tomorrow is day two with my trainer. It took me five days to recover from last week's episode. This could be interesting.

Drumroll please...

WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!

Most of our family and friends are aware of this by now, but many of you may not know what a miracle this little one is. Steve and I have been trying to have a baby for three years. This is our story of how our dream has become a reality.

After we had been married for a year, Steve and I decided to start our family. If you've known us that long or if you've read our blog all along, you'll remember that after one year and twelve days of marriage, Steve moved to Houston; and I remained in Tulsa. We lived apart for six months. So it was no surprise that we didn't get pregnant right away.

Two years ago, after a little more than a year of trying, we sat in church on Mother’s Day. Our pastor’s wife asked all of the mothers to stand so that she could pray over them and bless them. Before she began her prayer, she spoke to those who were seated. She said, “If you’re not standing but you’d like to be, I want you to know that God hasn’t forgotten you.” She went on to quote some scriptures:
Psalm 113:9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children.
Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Deuteronomy 7:13, 14 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb… Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you.
Psalm 84:11 ...no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Then she quoted Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Then she made a statement that has stuck with me ever since. She said, “God is a good God; and He wants to give it to you more than you want it for yourself.”
I knew that was for me. God was not withholding anything from me. He wanted me to have a baby more than I wanted a baby for myself. Babies are His reward; and He wants to bless me.

Steven and I began praying together every night for our children. We thanked God for them and spoke health and blessings over them. We spoke favor over them. We have done this every night since and continue to do so.

Last October, after two years of trying to have a baby, my doctor decided to run some tests. She diagnosed me with PCOS – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It sounds worse than it is, since it really can’t hurt you. But it can prevent you from conceiving a baby. Steven and I believe in healing; and after this diagnosis, we knew exactly how to pray. We began speaking to my body and telling it to come in line with the Word.

My doctor referred me to a fertility specialist right away, but I was uncomfortable and didn't make the appointment.

Sometime this past Spring, while sitting in our Sunday School class, our teacher quoted someone else who frequently says, “God is the kindest person I know.” While it seems like a simple statement, it is one of the most profound things I have ever heard. God is the kindest person I know. He really is. And He wants to give me a baby.

In July of this year, nine months after being diagnosed with PCOS, Steve and I met with a fertility specialist. (According to medical science, the only way I was going to conceive was with some help from fertility treatments.) While I really wanted a baby and wanted more than anything to give Steven a child of his own, I HATED the idea of becoming a human pin cushion. I didn't want to be just a body. I'm a person with feelings and emotions, and I was feeling real pain over not being able to do something so simple as get pregnant. However, after much discussion with my husband, I relented and scheduled the appointment. After all, I know that God uses doctors and will give them wisdom in assisting us.

Our meeting consisted of a conversation in a conference room with the top fertility specialist in the country – who just happens to be in Houston. She read over my medical records and asked me a bunch of questions. She was very kind and compassionate; and in a very strange way, she was very encouraging and calming. After hearing my answers to her questions, she looked me straight in the eye and said, “You do not have PCOS. You have been misdiagnosed.” I can’t begin to describe the relief that flooded over me. Even though Steven and I were standing in faith and believing for healing in my body, it’s nice to have someone, the expert in her field, tell you that you don’t have the horrible-sounding syndrome that someone else has pronounced over you. She said that she would like to run some more tests to see what was going on with my body. She asked me to call when my next cycle started so that they could schedule the tests. (They needed to make sure that I wasn’t pregnant when they began the tests.)

In August, I had no cycle. (I attributed this to the stress of the thought of the impending tests.) One Sunday morning, our music minister at church shared her testimony of how she wanted children. Six years ago, after several years of trying, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Ever since, she’s been wanting more children but has been unable to conceive. Through an amazing God-connection, she was able to adopt newborn twins. She sang Great Is Thy Faithfulness as they displayed a slide show of her new babies and her family. As I stood there, singing along with her, I knew that if God would do it for her, He would do it for me. My babies were coming - one way or the other. (What I didn’t know as I stood there singing was that I was already pregnant!)

I quit my job the first of September; and Steven and I began traveling full-time. We started our fall tour in Maine. While in Maine, I woke up every morning either feeling queasy or starving. Either way, food fixed it. (It’s important to know that I am not usually a breakfast eater. In general, I don’t like breakfast foods; and I’m not usually hungry when I wake up.) No cycle in September either. (I attributed this to the change in my schedule with the traveling.)

While returning from New York in October, I was seated in first class. (In coach, you are given cereal, a muffin and some fruit for breakfast. But in first class, you are given a full, hot breakfast.) The lady next to me ordered one of everything they had to offer. Something on her plate – which I think was the herbed eggs – made me sick to my stomach. I spent the entire plane ride popping peppermints and downing ice water to keep from tossing my cookies. The next morning, I woke up and was immediately sick. I spent the next week in the recliner. I felt horrible. I was sick to my stomach and tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. And I did. No cycle in October either. (Again, I figured it had something to do with being ill, traveling, stress or something else.)

On November 3rd (the day before election day), Steve decided that we needed to buy a pregnancy test. At 4:00 a.m. on November 4th, I woke up to go to the bathroom and took one of the tests. I didn’t have my glasses on or contacts in, so I was unsure about what I thought I saw. I woke Steve and made him come look at the results. He was elated! We had a positive pregnancy test!!!

That afternoon I called my doctor to schedule an appointment. After hearing my story, they wanted me to come in immediately since no one knew exactly how far along I was. On Thursday, November 6th, Steve and I went to the doctor and heard our baby’s heartbeat for the first time. Then we had an ultrasound to determine how far along I was – 13 weeks and 6 days. I had been completely unaware during my first trimester. (Yes, I'm one of THOSE people!)

I am now 18 weeks along. God is so good! He is the kindest person I know! He is no respecter of persons. If He did it for someone else, He’ll do it for me; and He did. How did He do it? Why did it take so long? I don’t know. Nor do I care. God is a good God. And He did it. He did it for me. He did it for me and Steven. It doesn’t matter that it didn’t happen as we thought it would. It doesn’t matter that it didn’t happen when we thought it would. What matters is that it happened! We’re having a baby – a miracle baby – a gift from God! This baby was His idea, and He couldn’t wait to give it to us!

We are headed back to the doctor this coming Thursday (the 18th) for an ultrasound to find out if we're having a boy or a girl. They will also confirm or adjust my due date during this appointment.

Steven and I are so excited about this baby! We know without a shadow of doubt that this baby is a blessing and a miracle from God.

Fun With Snow

Not the Wisest Decision

Now that I am back to coaching about one day a week (although I'm taking the next two weeks off), I find myself around a large demographic of ridiculously fit people. I've subsequently realized that my metabolism is not what it once was and resultantly I'm not as lean. I recently decided I would find a trainer to help me with redefining my body and helping me to understand what I need to do to remain the beacon of health I like to think I am.

One of the trainers at the gym offered me a great deal so I met with her for the first time yesterday. Now remember I spent four years in the USAF, and have worked out inconsistently for the last ten years or so (aside from running which I enjoy and do at least three days a week). So the first thing this lady who claims to be forty-four but looks more like 24 says to me is "What do you do for exercise?" I reply about my running routine, to which she remarks "IS THAT ALL." How rude, I think I'm doing very well do be running three times a week -- although obviously its not exactly achieving the goals I was hoping for.

So we begin -- I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, and am certainly not a quitter, so I politely do everything she asks. Finally she says "Are you feeling ANY burn?" -- well of course I am -- I guess I wasn't showing it, which is a mistake -- don't do that; let them know you feel the pain.

I am seriously as exhausted as I've been ever in my life after about forty-five minutes. At this point not only am I questioning my ability to keep down my delicious lunch of Chicken Enchiladas (with salad of course) -- but I'm not exactly sure I can walk out of the building unassisted. I barely had the strength to turn the steering wheel on the drive home. One down nine more sessions to go. I've decided my goal for next week is to make it through the whole hour (baby steps).

Today the weather in Houston is going to be cool-cold (high of 45) WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SLEET OR SNOW FLURRIES!! -- this is big news for us. I was suppose to have the whole week off of flying, but volunteered to go in today for one trip just to get some ice and snow flying - it may sound crazy, but ask any Houston based pilot; they would likely to do the same.

Tomorrow Amy and I are headed to Phoenix -- while there to visit my Grandparents (who 'winter' in the desert) we are going to tour Gold Field, which is a 'Ghost Town' long abandoned by miners. Should be a fun time -- we will certainly share pictures. And for those of you who are blog hounds, and have connected the dots with my subliminal messages from the 'Christmas Decor Galore' post, along with the random comments that have been left; you can expect a special announcement on Friday!!

We'll chat soon.

Congratulations Are In Order...

for Matt and Randi! Matt proposed yesterday in Central Park in NYC. She said, "Yes!"We are so happy for you both! Welcome to the family, Randi!!!

Christmas Decor Galore!!!

We know everyone has been waiting ever so patiently for the long promised special presentation of the Norton Family Estate.

Now for some added Holiday fun there is one picture that follows with something slightly askew. This is very subtle and to the untrained eye will not immediately pop out at you -- its kind of like a Where's Waldo?

This tree is 22 feet tall, and is really a beacon in the neighborhood. I can see it from the airplane when I am flying at night, but sadly I have yet to achieve my goal of making our house stand out so well from the air that I could actually point it out the the passengers, this will be next years goal.

Yes this tree really does 'snow' on itself. A real delight , and a real mess.

The sign above the alcove says 'Merry Christmas'

This wreath was a gift from Steve's Grandparents -- it smells WONDERFUL!!

Oh yes that is a Pottery Barn star on top of our tree.

The packages are smaller this year, yeah for Amy! -- for a comparison I've posted last years tree just below.

This duck is so symbolic -- of what you ask? -- check back later in the week, and we will share (it's a post of its own).

Yes that is Maggie's stocking with a stuffed dog from Steve's Mom.

Well I hope we didn't disappoint anyone with our much hyped Christmas Decor Galore post. We have had a wonderful time this Fall traveling around and seeing everyone in both of our families. This last week we were in Washington and Oregon, next week we are going to Phoenix which will conclude our nationwide tour. Christmas cards are in the mail, look forward to receiving them soon. We hope everyone has a great weekend, and we will chat soon.

Steve and Amy