Thank you for visiting my blog! If you are visiting because you have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss, let me say that I am so very sorry. I started this blog shortly after our Baby Grady was stillborn on November 12, 2008. Please visit the sidebar below called "Labels" to find the topic in which you are interested, or just read as your heart desires.

Monday, April 5, 2010

What is a Chicken & Dumpling?

Have you ever heard of chicken & dumplings? It was one of my favorite dishes that my grandmother used to make. Basically, there are pieces of cooked, pulled chicken in homemade chicken stock. The dumplings are little squares of a flour mixture cooked in the stock. They're very tasty, but if you're not careful, they can be terribly bland without the right amount of salt and pepper. I've yet to have them as good as my grandmother made!

But today, I'd like to introduce you to a different kind of chicken & dumpling.

I'm the chicken.



This is the dumpling.



Together we make a "chicken & dumpling".



We are expecting our fourth child, affectionately nicknamed "Dumpling" by big sister Jessica. We refer to baby with more of a southern twang...Dumplin'.

I'm 18 weeks and 5 days into my pregnancy. And, today, Jessica and Emma Grace went with Gib and I to find out that Baby Dumplin' is a boy.

I'm the chicken because I'm scared and anxious about this pregnancy and baby. However, I'm extremely hopeful and prayerful that everything is going to be fine.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart". Proverbs 3:5

This is ALL in God's hands.

More to come about this baby and why I've waited so long to announce it here. Also to come are details and pictures of our Spring Break and Easter.

Love,
Tonya

25 comments:

  1. WOW WOW WOW!!!! AMAZING! So very happy for you Tonya, and what a cute way to tell everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  2. YEAH!!! So happy for you that it is another boy! WHOO~HOO!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW!!! i literally gasped out loud! I am SOOOOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love how you chose to make your big announcement! All of us at the Duke household are very excited to meet this little baby boy. Celebrating with you all!

    ((giant dumplin' hugs))

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my gosh, Tonya! I have chills! CONGRATULATIONS! I will keep you and your precious little dumpling in my prayers.

    HUGS,
    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  6. YEAH TONYA!!! I have been waiting to hear you announce it:) Tonya, can I just say you look just precious and adorable... truly adorable. So So So happy for you all, praising God for this precious gift from Him...


    Praying for you, you aren't chicken by the way... just a loving mommy:) (Trust me, I get it though:)

    I absolutely loved the way you announced. Funny because before Greg's granny went into the nursing home I got together with her to make chicken and dumplin's and mine stink compared to hers:)

    Praising God with you!

    Praying ferverently (sp?) for you and sweet baby boy... wow Tonya a boy... I can imagine all that must bring up for you all...we have to trust fully that God knows the exact precious person to add to your family after adding sweet Grady.

    I loved hearing your voice on my machine... brought tears to my ears... just hearing your voice and your sweet words. All I could think of yesterday was what the party in heaven was like. How it was for our boys celebrating the risen Savior... right there WITH the risen Savior. Oh my... can't wait to join them:)

    I love you Tonya... am so thankful for you in my life... Loved seeing the picture:) I am just smiling:)

    Sorry for the novel...:)I could keep on and on with how happy it made me feel to see that growing baby bump:)
    Sara

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations Tonya! I am so excited for you and your family!!

    Love,
    ashley

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow !! Congratulations. I am so excited for you and can definitely understand why it would take you a while to announce it. After Jeremiah died and I was pregnant with H, I waited until the 20-week ultrasound to announce it to everyone including family and friends because I was so scared. Anyway, congratulations again and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so happy for you Tonya! I knew something was up!!!! Congrats!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Okay... you are so the cutest pregnant momma ever! Is that one of the shirts you picked up on Saturday?

    I am thrilled to hear that it's a boy!!! And I will continue to pray earnestly for you and the dumplin'.

    "He will keep her in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him because she trusts in Him." Is 26:3

    : ) ae

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've wondered if you were pregnant! Your lack of posting at times made me think maybe you were expecting and not feeling well. PRAISE THE LORD that Grady's going to have a brother! I will be praying for you all!

    ReplyDelete
  12. A few weeks ago, you mentioned an "appointment" and I immediately thought that you were pregnant! Yea! Praying for you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hurray! Could you be any more precious?! I'm so excited for you and your family!

    Love,
    Cecilia

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am so excited about your newest little "dumplin". I know Grady is smiling down with all of you and celebrating in your excitement. You are not a CHICKEN at all you are just a cautious momma and that makes you great! Enjoy your week with Gib and friends. Maybe Mexican next week?!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations Tonya! Grady is in heaven watching over you and his little brother. I will be praying for you. I picked a good day to check your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wonderful news! Another little boy!

    ReplyDelete
  17. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so very happy for y'all!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Tonya,
    I am soooo extremely excited for you! You are in my prayers!
    Love,
    Tiffany

    ReplyDelete
  19. A BOY! Grady's sweet little brother. I'm so happy for you guys. I waited all day yesterday... and I'm so glad to see this post!

    praying every night,
    ebe

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulations Tonya! I've been wondering when this announcement would come. I've suspected it for a while!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Praise be to God! I am so happy for you!

    Lamentations 3:22-24

    The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
    they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
    "The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
    "therefore I will hope in him."

    ReplyDelete
  22. So so happy for your family. Another sweet little boy... I pray that you are able to enjoy little kicks and movements. I know for me it has been emotional to feel a little one kicking around in there. As I need to repeat this verse to myself daily - I am praying that you find comfort in it as well. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 Sometimes I imagine watchmen/angels literally guarding my mind from the fears and anxiety. Praying the same for you, and praying that this new chapter will bring great joy into your life. We never leave our sorrows completely behind, but sometimes I think they allow us to feel our joys even deeper. Thinking of you and praying for you and your family.
    Love, Sherri

    ReplyDelete
  23. I can't think of anything more beautiful and joyful I've seen lately! I LOVE the way you announced it and you look wonderful!! God is good!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Tonya,

    Congratulations!! Another BOY! yeah..he can use his big brother's stuff! Praying for you daily! Can't wait to meet the little "dumplin" How cute!

    Love always,
    Miranda

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congratulations Tonya!! So happy for you and your little dumplin!!

    ReplyDelete