20 Weeks---sex of baby!

Yay--for feeling much better. I am also eating much better, including chicken. I have not been sick in a while. The only thing is that I constantly have a tickle in my throat in the mornings & nights and sometimes throughout the day. If you have been around me lately, you have heard my annoying cough that is driving my mom and John crazy. I also get winded really easily, its kinda sad haha.

I felt the baby move! Last week while watching American Idol I felt something around my lower stomach that caught me off guard. It clearly happened again and it was more like a poke than a flutter like most have told me about. It was the second poke that I decided to verbally announce I felt the baby...and following the pokes I had about 10mins of flutters. I loved the feeling and found myself frozen on the couch in fear of interrupting the baby movements. Ever since then I feel little movements every so often, mainly at night though before bed.

Today I had my 20 week appointment, the appointment when we find out the sex. John was not able to come due to work, but I was glad that my mom and mother-in-law were able to join me! The baby is healthy and looks great. Throughout the ultrasound, the tech keep going to the babies bottom to try to determine the sex but it's legs were crossed along with the umbilical cord being in the way. So in between tries she completed the measurements she needed and pointed out the different parts of the baby like the kidneys, spine, cerebrum, stomach, femur, four chambers of the heart, arms, legs and so on. While waiting to find out the sex we heard the heart beat and was able to see the baby sucking it's thumb---which I posted below. It was too cute not to share! After 20mins of trying we ended the ultrasound and I went to get a coke which I tried to drink super fast. She was going to see me again after talking to the doctor and seeing the nurse, which I gained 3 more lbs making it a total of 5 at this point. During the second ultrasound the legs were crossed, but then finally uncrossed them for us to find out! FINALLY. I would have been so bummed if we left not finding out.

Just because John still does not know...I will add the sex tonight for those who still don't know. I bought two outfits that say something about daddy on them for John to open when he gets home to find out the sex. So I will share more after tonight...but for now here is the video! :) As much as I would like to share the whole 20mins, here is only a minutes worth.....20mins would take way to long to load!

It's a girl! :)

Her hand is under her chin in this picture.


This is a face shot. Not the best view.


My favorite picture, her sucking her thumb!


Here are some of the outfits John opened to find out the sex!

16 weeks---feeling a bit better!

It has been a while since I updated. I have had another appointment since then as well, the nuchal appointment. Everything went good! Other than getting sick as we were walking out the door for the appointment and feeling sick through my whole office visit...including the ultrasound. But I tried my best to suck it up and enjoy our first abdominal ultrasound!

I have been feeling better the past two weeks, getting sick on rare occasions still. I had gone two straight weeks without getting sick and I had thought that was the end of it, but I still do sometimes just not as much. The pollen and allergies are not helping me either. Can we fast forward past the pollen?

We have discussed names a little, but nothing is set in stone yet. I guess we are kinda waiting to find out the sex before moving forward with names or even our first baby purchase. :)

I am starting to show a little bit now, and I have gained almost 2 lbs of what I have lost. I am eating MUCH better, lunch being my best meal so I try to eat a good one. The timing of dinner doesn't always agree with my stomach, but I try to force a little something down. I am loving sunflower seeds, lemon's, and chips & salsa. I still cannot eat chicken though.

My next appointment is on Wednesday. This will be the first one John will not go to, but trying to take it easy on his new work schedule and share the appointments. My mom will be going with me this week. I will update then!

Second Appointment

Since the last update I have been getting better. It has been a week and a half since I last got sick. I still get nauseous and take a Zofran from time to time. The Zofran has been helping, but has started to give me headaches every time I take them. Those of you who know about Zofran or have ever had to take Zofran know the other not so fun side effect of it as well. Although, it has been nice to not have to keep a trashcan by my side 24/7 or scope out the nearest bathroom when entering a store.

My appetite has come back to a certain extent. I am able to eat meals now, which is nice. I am still very picky about what I eat though. Arby's curly fries have been pretty good (with a cup of cheese), chicken pot pies, fruit, and I have been snacking on graham crackers when needed. I feel like I eat junk, but I eat what I can. I have lost a few more pounds.

With my appetite back, and being less sick.....now if I could get some energy/motivation that would be great. I know all pregnancies are not the same, but really I can't believe my lack of energy. A simple shower exhaust me...and then I begin to feel sick.

On an exciting note, we had our second appointment today. Compared to the first one, it was way more exciting. The first appointment the baby looked like a blob. Today we were able to see the hands and feet. The baby was very active as well. It kept moving it's hands back and forth making it look like it was dancing. Seeing the feet and hands, along with the movement was my first moment of this thing is real. I know my hormones are are all whack right now, but I did drop a tear or two during todays ultrasound. John has been able to go to the first two appointments as well. From todays appointment we got two more pictures and a dvd or the ultrasound. I will see what I can do about posting the video.

The Latest

John and I were recently blessed with the news that we are going to be having a baby the beginning of September. We had out first appointment on the 25th. We were holding out to tell people until we went to our first appointment. I am approx. 9 weeks this week.

I had a lot of questions for the doctor, and he answered them all. I have been pretty sick. It was the day after I took the home pregnancy test that all the symptoms took full affect. It turns out when I took the home test, I was already 6 weeks. I was nauseous everyday after that Sunday. Then Wednesday night I was up pretty much all night--sick. I called the doctor the next day and he called in a prescription to help me keep something down. From then on out, I have been taking them when needed and still getting sick when my stomach disagrees with what I choose to eat which is at least once a day. Smells have been a huge thing, the stuff I can smell now is insane. All of a sudden everything started to stink---which kinda led to use getting new furniture. It actually just came in today and it smells fabulous. Other than smells, at some points in the day I can't stand the thought of some foods, the sight of others, and again smell.

Thus far, I have lost a total of 11 lbs. I am starting to be able to eat bigger meals now, other than popsicles and fruit. I am so hoping that I hit that 3 month point that everyone keeps telling me about---where they their nausea goes away.

My goal is to keep this updated throughout my pregnancy. My next appt. is in 2 more weeks. :)

Another one year post update?

Again, I have waited a year to update. This past year has not been at eventful as the last, but still a great one!

We were able to make a trip to Michigan in March, 2011. It was a nice get away as well. It was out first visit back to Michigan since we got Maizie. My father-in-law got a dog from the same litter and named her Daisy. Below is picture of them as puppies when we got them several years ago, and then most recent pictures of them. As you can see her sister is HUGE compared to Maizie.



We did not make a beach trip in 2011, but I spent the whole summer out by the pool. It looked amazing all summer and I enjoyed it to the max. I was gearing myself up for student teaching which started in August. It was such a blessing to be able to complete my student teaching without having to work. John was so supportive and I was so thankful for that. As much as I hated to leave the community school and my bosses who had been so kind to me, prevented me from overkill. I was so lucky to be placed with Ms.Little. I had an awesome cooperating teacher who supported me along the way, while teaching me so many things. Not to mention, my awesome class(es). I so miss them. I went back to visit with right before their Christmas break and oh how they have already grown!! Speaking of, I am over due for a visit. :)

I tried something new this past year. I applied to work seasonal for Toys R Us. That was interesting and a little fun at the same time. I did work thanksgiving night as well, 8:30-6am & yes I sure did sleep until 4:45pm the next day! Ever since then I had the worst sleeping schedule. I was staying up until 3am and sometimes even later!

December brought some exciting times. I had my graduation on Dec. 16th and I ended up being GGC's 500th graduate, which made it a little more exciting as well. It was the first Education group to graduate from GGC, thanks to Dean Moore. I graduated with my 7 green girls which I miss! We were a family for 2 years that was filled with ups and down, but the ups are much more re-memorable!




As for Christmas, this is the first year that John and I had the majority of our Christmas shopping down a few weeks for Christmas, including rapped and under the year! I also had time to get creative with decorating which I loved, with the help of pinterest. (If you are not on pinterest, you should be---www.pinterest.com) This Christmas sure was a great one, I really took advantage of enjoying every minute with my family and even with the shopping. Even though since Christmas, I have not had any desires to want to shop! :) I was shopped out.



To wrap up the year, we went to an awesome concert at the Phillips. We went to see Zac Brown Band, which had some great opening acts. This is the first concert that John and I have been together that has not been at Wild Bills or lawn---it was a nice time!





I think I managed to sum up my year for the most part.I promise myself from here on out I will update more than once a year!

The past year in one update--is it possible?

In February I had the honor to be Michelle's bridesmaid! Her and Chris had a very nice wedding at a beautiful church.







In March we made a trip to Panama with Alex and Johnny's friends/family. John, Alex and I decided to leave the night before everyone else and drive through the night. Not that it was a bad idea, but we kind of set ourselves up. We got pulled over in Alabama. He asked for all the usual papers and documents and then asked John to step out of the car and come speak with him. Apparently my tag lights were out in my Jeep...from there it proceeded to John being patted down. As I am having a panic attack, Alex is trying to calm me down and then pulls up another police office. We were then asked to get out of the car and they used the drug dog to search the car. It was insane and quiet an experience. Other than the trip their, it was a nice get away from work and school!





After Spring semester ended, the wedding plans took full speed! From the Bridesmaids dresses to the painting of the isle runner. Along with the wedding planning I took two summer classes as well. To prepare for the wedding and just do get out, I started walking with Natalie and/or Alex at Tribble Mill several times a week. I loved it! Although it had to end once my fall semester started because I did not have the time.









Before Fall semester began we went to the beach again in July for Matt and Nicole's wedding. The morning we got up to head down their our cars were broken into out in our own drive way! They stole several things including my GPS, CD's, a little cash, John's XM radio, and other little things. But the trip was well worth it and we enjoyed being apart of their wedding on the beach. It was a very warm visit to Panama, but we had an awesome time!


Once we returned we had two weeks until our own wedding. John's sister, Mary, Eddie and Colin came down from Michigan a week before the wedding. What would I have down without them? They helped out soooo much, they do not even know! The wedding was all I wanted it to be. I am so blessed and thankful for all the help, and everyone who shared that day with us! The honeymoon was amazing as well! It was different to be treated like someone special something, haha. All inclusive is the way to go!





It has been a while, and to say a lot has happened is the least. This year has been the most eventful year I have had.


After returning from the honeymoon, my classes started back. It was so nice to see all the girls from my class again. This cohort is the closest cohort I know, and it is so fun to be apart of it.

To add to our event filled year, John got into a hit and run car accident on interstate 85 on October 16th. It was my worst fear of news. Turns out he was fine, but his mom and I had to go pick him up from the ER room. His truck was totaled, and he had some back pain, few bumps and bruises, and a small black eye. SO, thankful he was ok, God was with him that morning. As for the hit and run, we haven't heard anything to this date, the guy left his car and ran by foot.

A few weeks after John's accident Maizie started having seizures. She had her first episode on a week day morning. John took her to the vet and they said to keep an eye on her. Two weeks later she had another seizure and I took her to the vet. On the way to the vet she had another one. All her seizures have been scary, but the first one had me in tears because I did not understand what was going on and I felt helpless. Now that I am aware of them, it is a little easier, but still so sad. I left the vet with some epilepsy medication for her, Phenobarbital, and an injection just in case she ever has one that last longer than normal. I did not give her the medication because I heard several different things about the medication, so I decided to hold off. That lasted till this past Monday, when she had her fourth one. I decided to begin giving her the meds. She has been more lethargic, but I sure hope it helps, time will tell.

So this pretty much updates everything to now. Event filled right? Oh the memories! :)

Ok..I am a step closer..I sent out my "Will you be my Bridesmaid cards." It took me long enough to decide, but it is final. My Maid of Honor- who I knew from the start is Alex. My bridesmaids are Jessica, Christina, Michelle and Lindsey. My Junior Bridesmaid is Angela and Bella is my flower girl. I was excited to get those out, I had been planning to do them for so long. I know I wanted to make them..and I was pleased with how they turned out. I totally forgot to take pictures of them though.

Other than wedding planning, school is still going strong. Finals are coming soon. After Thanksgiving break it is going to be non-stop!

"God has the best plan and the perfect timing."