Decorating the nursery!

This weekend we cleared out little Jack's room, painted the nursery, and put a few decorative decals on the walls. Decorating makes me realize how close we are getting! I love how the room looks so far and I can't wait to get the crib and other furniture in.
We also registered this weekend. That was fun, exciting, tiring, and overwhelming! We started by looking at the bottles and I realized I have no idea what is best or what I really need as far as bottles! But we registered for a box of Avent bottles/nipples and I hope that is what we need. lol We also put a ton of other things on the registry. I knew that babies needed a lot of stuff...I just don't think I realized exactly HOW MUCH stuff. I can't wait for April, I'm starting to get even more excited now!

25.5 weeks picture

This is the newest picture taken today. I'm 25.5 weeks. The belly is definitely getting bigger!

A Newborn's Conversation with God

A Newborn's Conversation with God


A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have
to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you.
And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand
when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words
you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will
teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach
you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach
you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth
could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave
now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

24 week check-up

I had my 24 week check up this morning. Both mommy and baby are doing well! The baby's heartbeat was strong and he was even kicking a little while I was at the doctor's office.
The only downside was that I gained 9 pounds this month. I told the doctor that we had been without a kitchen almost all month and had to eat out a lot, so she was understanding and spared me the lecture, but she did give me a goal of only gaining 2 pounds by next appointment. And I have to be tested for gestational diabetes next month as well. But other than that, everything is fine. Only 15 weeks to go!

6 months!

I can't believe we are at the 6 month mark already! I am feeling little Jack kick a lot more these days. It's my favorite feeling and one thing I enjoy most about the pregnancy! My belly is steadily getting bigger and I love it! Here is a pic at 6 months. :)

New Ultrasound photos

We had another ultrasound today so the doctor could get a good look at the heart. Everything looks normal and baby seems very healthy! He is now 1 pound 4 ounces. He's gained 12 ounces in the past 4 weeks! :) He was extremely active during the ultrasound, which made it difficult for the tech to get her pictures, but Mike and I had an awesome time watching little Jack move on the screen. Such an amazing experience! Here are some pictures.

Half way there! 20 weeks today! :)

I am at the half-way mark! 20 weeks today! I went to the doctor for a check up today and she said everything looks good. Little Jack's heartbeat was in the 140's and my blood pressure, etc. all looked good too. Although the doctor said I need to "slow down" on the weight gain. I guess I gained 5 pounds last month...I don't FEEL like I am eating much more than I used to! I think maybe I just need to exercise more. I will try harder this month to watch what I eat.
The most important thing is that baby is doing well though. :)

Marine Corps Birthday Ball - Nov. 10, 2009

Last night was the 234th Marine Corps Birthday Ball. We had a great time! We spent the evening with great friends celebrating the Marine Corps. It was great to get all dressed up and feel good and to see Michael so handsome in his dress blues. I felt beautiful in the dress I bought...not an easy feat when you are pregnant! haha Dinner was very good and we even danced quite a bit last night. It was a great night!

Thank God for such an amazing husband :)

Mike has been so absolutely incredible during the pregnancy. He has always been amazing of course, but I feel like we have grown even closer in the past few months. He is so supportive and has been to every doctor's appointment. I feel so extremely blessed to have such an amazing man as my husband! He always makes me feel better when the hormones get the best of me. He works so hard to provide and plan for our future. I just feel so loved and I don't know what I would do without him. And I know he is going to be an incredible father, too. I love seeing how excited he is to have a son. I can't wait to see the two of them together! I feel like my words here are not even doing justice for the gratitude and love I feel for him and from him. I am so incredibly blessed. :)

I couldn't help myself...

I couldn't stop myself from going out and buying a little outfit. :) His first onesie and little socks.

19 weeks picture.

This is me (and the belly!) at 19 weeks. Getting bigger!

little flutters

I have been starting to feel the baby move. It just feels like little flutters with a few strong flutters thrown in! It's an incredible feeling! At first I wasn't sure if it was the baby or my imagination. But I told the doctor what I had been feeling and she said that was the baby.
I just took a nap and ate lunch. After I finished my sandwich, the baby started moving a lot! He is quieting down right now, but I think he was pretty excited about that sandwich. haha I hope Mike is around next time baby starts to move so he can feel it, too. :)

18 week 5 days - ultrasound pictures

baby's profile
It's a boy!
tiny feet :)

It's a.....BOY!! :D

We had our 18 week ultrasound today. (I'm actually 18 weeks 5 days). I didn't realize it would be such a looooong ultrasound, but it was incredible! We looked at all of the anatomy. We saw the spine, kidneys, heart, bowels, bladder, stomach, bones, EVERYTHING! It's incredible the baby is so developed while still so tiny. He weighed in at 8 ounces today and his belly was 13 cm around! haha One of my favorite parts was seeing his little hands and little feet. And yes, IT'S A BOY! (We almost didn't find out because he was sitting with his leg up for a while.) Michael and I are both so excited, I just can't wait to meet him! I'm sure Mike is thinking of all the things he wants to teach his son. I can't wait to go out and buy some little booties or a little outfit. This makes it seem even more real, I'm just so excited! We have decided on the name John Thomas. We will probably call him Jack, like Mike's Dad. :-) Words can't describe this day...

EXCITED!!!

Tomorrow we go for the 18 week ultrasound. We should be able to find out the sex of the baby (as long as baby cooperates). I am so excited! I still don't have a feeling if it's boy or girl....but I can't WAIT to find out. Mike is still saying it's a boy...and so is everyone else, it seems. I guess we will find out tomorrow if everyone is right! :)

SO TIRED!

I miss having energy. As soon as I wake up I want to go back to sleep. Doing anything exhausts me. I need to take frequent breaks it seems. Thank goodness I work at home....I don't think I'd make it at a regular school! *yawn, is it naptime yet?

16 1/2 week photos

I took these today. I'm 16 1/2 weeks. Getting bigger! :)

First purchase for the baby!

We made our first purchase for the baby this weekend. We bought paint for the nursery. It was very exciting to start preparations for the nursery, even if we haven't painted yet! We chose a light mossy green color which will coordinate with the bedding that we like for both genders.
I have been holding off on buying other things until we find out the sex. But I'm sure once we find out the sex I won't be able to stop myself from running out and buying a little outfit! So exciting! I'm sure it will be here before we know it, but I still can't help but feel impatient. ;-)

16 week checkup

We had our 16 week check up today. It was a quick visit (minus the hour we spent in the waiting room!!). The doctor used the dopplar and we heard the heartbeat again! It was very loud this time! It made me so happy to hear it. :-) The heart rate was around 150, so the doctor said everything looks good.
I have gained 9 pounds so far. The doctor said she recommends her patients only gain 20 pounds and that made me feel bad since I have already gained 9 so far. But everything I have ever heard or read says pregnant women should gain 20 - 30 depending on their pre-pregnancy weight. I started as average weight, so I think that as long as I gain only 25 to 30 pounds, I should be okay.
Someone should tell the doctor it's not OK to make a pregnant woman feel bad about how much weight she has gained! :-/

14 week belly

I took this picture last night. I am 14 weeks. :-)

Mod Pod Pop Monkey 4 Piece Crib Bedding Set - Kids Line - Babies

What I like for a boy. :)

Mod Pod Pop Monkey 4 Piece Crib Bedding Set - Kids Line - Babies "R" Us

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Kids Line Lady Bug 6 Piece Crib Bedding Set - Kids Line - Babies

My choice if we have a girl. :)

Kids Line Lady Bug 6 Piece Crib Bedding Set - Kids Line - Babies "R" Us

Shared via AddThis

excited and ready to plan...

I have been shopping around online and I have decided on bedding and theme for both a boy and a girl. We are definitely painting the nursery green and both bedding sets will go well with the green walls. I'm going to put up a couple of posts for you to see. :)

new ultrasound!

We had an ultrasound with a specialist today. Her equipment is much more high tech than my regular doctor. I can't believe how much the baby has grown in just 4 weeks! He was very active today and was moving around a lot. Several times it looked like he used his legs to push off and jump! :) I'm sure I will be feeling that in just a few short weeks. Michael and I were both in awe just watching him move around.
I actually get to go back on Friday for another ultrasound, too! I guess they are training new nurses on how to use the ultrasound machine and read the results and they need women who are between 8 and 13 weeks to come in and be the "guinea pigs" for the training. I am 12 weeks and 5 days so they asked if I would come back Friday. I said 'HECK YES!" because I love seeing the ultrasound...and they are also throwing in a $50 visa gift card to sweeten the deal. I would go back just for the extra ultrasound experience, but I'll never turn down a free gift card.
Here are some pictures from today's ultrasound.

12 week check up 9/16/2009

We had our 12 week check up. I was a little disappointed because I was expecting to do another ultrasound, but we didn't. We started the appointment as usual, taking weight and blood pressure. The doctor then discussed all of the blood work that was done at the last visit. Everything looks fine. :-) Then the doctor said she was going to try and listen to the baby's heartbeat. My first experience with that jelly on my belly! haha At first all we could hear was MY heartbeat, but after a few seconds, we heard the baby's heartbeat. :) It sounded just like mine, although a lot faster! The heartrate was about 150 which is normal, so the doctor said everything is going well.
We do have another doctor's appointment this Monday with a high-risk specialist. Not because anything is wrong....my regular doctor has all of her patients visit this specialist to get a better ultrasound and take more accurate measurements. So I just can't wait until Monday!

10 week picture

Just posting a new picture. This was me at 10 weeks. This week we go for our 12 week check-up! Hopefully I will have a new ultrasound picture to post. :)

time for the big girl pants...

I broke down and bought maternity pants this week. My jeans were getting just a little too tight for comfort! I couldn't justify spending money to buy a regular pair of pants just one size bigger when I know I wouldn't be able to wear them for much longer anyway. So I went shopping at Target and bought 2 new pairs of maternity pants and a couple of shirts. Who knew that shopping for maternity clothes could be so much fun?? :-) Everything was cute and looked good.
I admit that I get a little freaked out thinking of how much weight I'm going to gain (and have already gained) but I know it is normal. And I eat pretty well (despite a couple sweets here and there) and I have started exercising again...I'm really trying to keep the weight gain at a healthy amount. :-)
Despite the fatigue and morning sickness, I love being pregnant and experiencing all of these amazing changes as we wait for our little one to make his/her appearance. I can't wait to see what my belly will look like in just a few short months! And reading about all of the changes the baby goes through each week really is incredible. It almost doesn't seem possible that a baby can start as two little cells then develop so quickly inside you...I guess that's just all part of the miracle. :-)
It's been a great day so far and I just feel incredibly blessed.

8 week check up :)

We had our 8 week check up today. I was so nervous and excited, I just couldn't wait to see the ultrasound! We had to start the appointment by answering a lot of questions about our health history and checking vital signs and taking my weight. I have gained 1 pound in the last 2 weeks! I think that is a total of 3 to 4 pounds so far! Oh well, I had better just expect that number to rise from here on out...
After all of that, we finally got to go back and see the doctor. She did an internal ultrasound and the baby was immediately very easy to see. Such a difference in just the past two weeks, because we couldn't even see the baby at the last appointment. We saw the little heartbeat on the screen and it was an absolutely amazing experience. Words really can't describe it.
The doctor measured the baby and according to the measurements I am 7 weeks and 4 days, but just counting from my last period, I should be 8 weeks and 2 days. So she is sending me to a specialist who has a better ultrasound machine to get more accurate measurements. Don't worry! That doesn't mean there is anything wrong...she said she sends all of her patients to do the same thing. :-) She also told me that all of my blood work from the last appointment came out normal and the HCG (pregnancy) hormone levels were really high, so everything looked good.
The appointment ended with me having to give at least 8 vials of blood to check for all kinds of things...routine stuff when you are having a baby, I guess. I also got a prescription for more prenatal vitamins and she recommended I start taking B6 supplement to help with morning sickness. We also talked briefly about which hospital we would like to deliver at, but Mike and I decided to visit both choices before making a decision. I'm thinking that whichever one is closest to the house will be the best choice! haha
What an incredible way to start the day! I have been waiting for weeks to see the baby and the heartbeat and there it was. :) It really is a miracle. Can't wait for the next checkup in 4 weeks!

dreams

I had a dream last night that we went for an ultrasound and found out we were having a boy. Could this be premonition? I'm not sure. I honestly don't have a strong feeling one way or the other as to what we might have. Of course, the most important thing is to have a healthy baby. :-) I guess we will just have to wait a few more months to find out! I will definitely find out before the baby is born. I'm a very patient person, but when it comes to something like this my patience flies out the window! :)

"morning sickness" needs a new name...

This week I have felt incredibly ill. Up until now I have felt pretty tired and just a little nauseated. Well, Monday was the end to "mild nausea". I have been sick every morning this week and the nausea/tummy ache has lasted just about all day. I feel a little relief when I am eating and right afterward, but that's about it. To make things even more fun, my stomach constantly feels too full and empty all at the same time. How can this be, you might ask? I have no idea! So I have spent the majority of this week in the bathroom, or laying on the couch. I am extremely grateful to have a job that allows me to work at home so I can take breaks whenever I need to. The only true relief comes in the form of a nap. Ah, and tater tots. I felt extremely happy and content eating tater tots today.
Apparently there was a government study that claims women who had morning sickness had babies with high IQs. Who knows? Maybe I am already helping my baby make it to college! haha I AM in my 7th week and this is the week that brain cells are developing at the rate of 100 cells/minute. Maybe my baby is developing 200/minute! haha
I just keep reminding myself that this is all for a great cause and will eventually be worth every minute. :)
But I still think "morning sickness" needs a new name...

First Prenatal Doctor's Visit

We had our first prenatal doctor's visit on Wednesday August 5th. I was super anxious because I just wanted confirmation from the doctor that everything was OK. Very happily for me, Michael was able to take off work for a couple of hours and come with me.
The nurses took blood for testing to check HCG levels and told me I should be about 6 weeks along. When I saw the doctor, she did an internal ultrasound which was incredible. We didn't get to see the baby on the ultrasound at this visit, but we did see the yolk sac. The doctor said that was a great sign because the yolk sac is where the baby gets his/her nutrients and nourishment from. So the doctor helped dispel some of my anxiousness and worries. The ultrasound was almost a surreal experience, something I had only seen on t.v., and there I was in the middle of my own ultrasound! It was incredible even just to see the yolk sac...but I REALLY can't wait to see the baby...hopefully at the next visit! And I feel so thankful that Mike was able to share that experience with me. He had been wondering "when is this really going to hit me?" and he said at that moment, it hit him. :-)
I can't wait for the next appointment!

Wow! It worked!

I kept the suspicion that I might be pregnant to myself because I had had that same feeling once before and was extremely disappointed. I kept telling myself, "nah, it can't be...". I had been hopeful all week and putting off the test, but by Friday night, after Joyce and Dad left for Orlando, I just couldn't wait any longer to find out. I still didn't say anything to Mike because I was expecting a negative result. Still very hopeful for a positive, but expecting a negative.
So Mike and I were watching something on T.V. (can't even remember what it was) and I said, "I'll be right back". I went to the bathroom and took a test and HOLY CRAP IT WAS POSITIVE!! I almost couldn't believe it and I called Mike in there. He later told me he was annoyed I was calling him in there because he thought I wanted him to come kill a palmetto bug. haha But I was coming out of the bathroom to meet him just as he was coming in and when he saw the test in my hand and the look on my face, he just froze for a second. I think we were both in shock for a few minutes...maybe for MORE than a few minutes. We hugged and I cried and we both just stared at the test and that little blue plus sign several times. We both said, "Wow! It actually worked!" and laughed. After a few minutes, Mike said, "Well, what do we do now? Just go back to watching t.v.?"
This really was one of the most extraordinary moments of my life.

July 2009 was an incredible month!

Let me begin by saying that Michael and I had been trying for almost a year to conceive. Michael was out of town for work several times during the year, so it was actually closer to 8 months that we had been trying. I had heard and read that it takes most couples up to a year to conceive. Still, when you are warned your whole life that you will get pregnant if you have sex, then you kind of just expect it to happen right away when you begin trying. So when it didn't happen afer a few months, I have to admit that I was getting a little worried. I kept telling myself just to relax and have faith. I knew that when it was the right time, I would get pregnant.
Then the most incredible thing happened...everything seemed to line up. I was sitting at home in the beginning of July, enjoying doing absolutely nothing on my first summer off as a full time teacher. The phone rang and it was Florida Virtual School asking me to come in the next week for an interview. I was extremely excited! I had applied to FLVS when we first moved to Florida, but nothing ever came of it. So I had accepted a job at the school in our neighborhood and had pretty much forgotten about the possibility of FLVS. So when they called it seemed too good to be true. They called on a Thursday and asked me to come in the next Tuesday. There was one potential problem. The interview was in Orlando (4 hours north of us) and we had plane tickets to go to PA on Wednesday. I knew it was going to make for a tight schedule, but I went ahead and booked the interview anyway.
So the next Monday we left for Orlando and stayed with Joyce and Barney. Tuesday afternoon I had the interview and we were going to drive back home to Miami immediately afterwards. I was VERY nervous before the interview because, to be quite honest, I usually stink in interviews! But everything went extremely well, I was pleased with my answers to all of their questions and I loved what they had to say about the job. (The idea of working from home was the most appealing. And I kept thinking....working from home will be ideal whenever we have a baby!) They told me they would let me know within a week and I went home hopeful.
Wednesday morning we were doing some last minute packing for our trip to PA when FLVS called and offered me a position as a Spanish Instructor! HOORAY!! To say I was excited is an understatement. I went to Somerset immediately and gave them my resignation letter, then we headed for the airport.
**A moment of intuition: After I accepted the job, I was still packing and absorbing what had just happened and I had the thought "I'm going to get pregnant this month!".**
After a few delays thanks to bad weather in Atlanta, and 2 smooth (yet still terrifying) flights, we made it to PA. The visit with Michael's family was great. It always feels like going home to me. We went to a local ballgame, had a blast at his 10 year high school reunion, reveled in the cooler weather, and just enjoyed being with family.
After a week we had to head back to FL. The flights were again terrifying to me (I am NOT a good flyer), but we DID get to see something awesome on the flight. We saw the space shuttle as it took off and flew above the clouds. Pretty awesome!
What I should also mention is that while we were in PA, Michael decided he wanted to buy a BMW. We had been talking about getting new cars, but kept putting it off. But now with my new job it was more of a possibility. So Michael began doing internet searches and crunching numbers. When he wants something, he makes it happen, which is such a great trait of his. :-) So we got home on a Wednesday, and on Thursday we went shopping and ended up buying a BMW X3 for me. Wow! What a fun car to drive! And I was thinking "This will be great for when we have a baby", because it was really roomy and had all of the safety features a Mom would want. (BTW, Michael also got his BMW a couple of weeks later)
Friday we took the new car up to Orlando again for Joyce's 30th birthday party and to pick up Jonas. My dad was also in town! We spent the weekend there, then Dad came back to Miami with us. Dad and I had a great couple of days together (going to South Beach and Fishing Hall of Fame Museum). Dad even went scuba diving with Mike! Joyce came down on Wednesday and we all went to Key Largo one day and a Gator Park on a separate day. It was an amazing week and I had a great time.
What was even more amazing about that week was I began to suspect that I might actually be pregnant!