My Bags are Packed, I'm ready to go...

And not a moment too soon. I have 2 hours and 35 minutes before I have to check into the hospital. I really didn't start packing until this afternoon. What was I thinking?

The contents:

• Baby girl attire- hats and headbands so she's looking all cute for her first photos! Those hospital hats are just so not cute...
• Cute pajama top for me so I can change out of that ugly hospital gown, asap!
• Socks and slippers
• Shower stuff and toiletries for both Derek and me
•  make-up and straightener (because yes, even though I will be giving birth tomorrow, I have every intention of doing my hair and making myself up because I will also be seeing my hubby for the first time since Christmas).
• Coming home outfits for baby girl and me
• Nursing supplies including tanks and cover- couldn't live without these!
• Present for Jackson from the baby girl (Thomas the Train toy)
• Derek's Valentine's present
• Baby Book
• Quiet activities for Jackson (stickers, colors, notebook, favorite book)
• UNO- to play with Mom while we wait tonight and tomorrow for baby girl
• Electronics: camera, video camera, card reader, cell phone charger
• A duffel bag of Derek's stuff since he is coming straight to the hospital from the airport and is only traveling with a backpack. 
• Lastly, a package of chocolate covered pretzels... for when they actually let me eat again.

And just for fun, here's a photo comparassion of me preggo with Jackson at 38 weeks, and me now at 39 weeks. (I didn't make this far with Jackson-- he was 9 days early).

After seeing this picture, maybe I can understand a little bit why Dad has given me the nickname, "basketball belly."

38 weeks: ONE WEEK LEFT!

Yes, one week from today, we will be welcoming our little baby girl in the world! It is so surreal to even think about. And I've been so preoccupied with getting all of the baby things together that I've hardly even thought about actually getting to see Derek next week too. So, I have a new wave of excitement to keep me going!! 

I'm not sure if I even mentioned on here the details of Derek getting to come home. The plan looks like this: I am scheduled for an induction for next Friday, February 18th. I will go in on Thursday night. Derek plane arrives in KC at 2:30pm and we are hoping he makes it to the hospital around 3:30ish. Our doctor is super on board with doing our best to plan the timing so that I'm ready enough when he arrives to just push her out, but yet not getting too far along that we end up having her before Derek arrives. I think God is laughing at our attempt to plan one of life's biggest unpredictablies. Oh well. It's what we are shooting for, but he is coming home regardless... even if it's a few hours (days) after she's born. Still better than nothing.

*How far along?: 38 weeks

*How big is your baby?: Approx. 6.8 pounds

*Total weight gain?: 13 pounds

*Sex: Girl

*Maternity clothes: I've actually started packing up summer items and other things that I don't plan on wearing in the next week.

*Stretch marks: Unfortunately yes

*Movement: All. of. the. time.

*Sleep: Sleep is good, but between getting up to pee a KAZILLION times a night (at least 3) and dealing with a sick toddler... my sleep is often interrupted. I seriously think the biggest injustice of pregnancy-- you should be able to catch up on sleep before having the baby that will wreck havoc on your sleep for the years to come.

*Best moment this week: Finishing the babies "space" today (see pics below!)

*Food cravings: I just finished an entire box of Cap'n Crunch with Crunch Berries in less than 24 hours. Need I say more. 

*Labor signs: Nope

*Belly button in or out: It's out. It's way weird.

*What I miss: sleeping on my stomach and sleeping through the night

*What I'm looking forward to: seeing Derek and meeting this little girl NEXT WEEK!!!

This is baby girl's home! It's in our master bedroom. I'm glad that even though she doesn't have her own room, that she has a definite "space" to call her own!

This is a word collage that my wonderful friend HanNah made for me. I saw one of these prints when we were out together last October. I had forgotten all about it and then she surprised me with it the other day! I love it!

Check out these before and after shots to see what we began with just a few weeks ago to get ready for this little girl! The drawers were a Christmas gift from Dad and he has been down several times the past month installing them (which included cutting out drywall, reinstalling drywall, sanding, painting, etc..). Isn't he amazing!? I just say it's proof that his little grand-daughter already has him wrapped around his finger. 

Okay, maybe me a little bit too. :)

36 Weeks

*How far along?: 36 weeks

*How big is your baby?: almost 6 pounds

*Total weight gain?: I weighed in at -4 pounds from the last time I visited the doctor, so I'm at a total of 9 pounds (I hadn't had a meal for the day at that time)

*Sex: still a girl, I had an ultrasound yesterday and asked the tech to double check for me!

*Maternity clothes: I feel like I wear the exact same thing all of the time

*Stretch marks: Unfortunately yes

*Movement: All. of. the. time.

*Sleep: I finally found a comfortable position earlier this week and have slept better than I have in months!

*Best moment this week: Seeing the baby, pre-registering at the hospital, and Jackson putting himself to bed

*Food cravings: Nothing too crazy. 

*Labor signs: Nothing "for real" but I've started having sporadic labor discomforts

*Belly button in or out: more like a nothing... It's no longer in, but it's not quite out.

*What I miss: standing close to the kitchen counter

*What I'm looking forward to: getting the finishing touches done so we're all ready for her arrival

The doctor yesterday had me go in for a quick sonogram yesterday because she couldn't quite tell if the baby was head down (she is). But after the sonogram confirmed the head-down position, she asked if I'd like to see the baby some more, so she spent a good 10 minutes moving the wand around! How awesome! She looks SO scrunched. I can't believe she's going to get bigger. 

This is a side profile picture. The big oval on the right is her head, her fist is balled up in front of her eyes. Her nose and lips are just further down the oval line. The tech assured me that her head really wasn't this large, that it was the angle distorting how big her head is compared to her face. 

We watched her play with her feet for awhile. It was SO cool to see. She was grabbing at her toes with her tiny fingers! You can actually see the little fingers and toes. I can't wait to kiss on them!

A couple weeks ago, I had some maternity pictures done by my friend Kasey. I love all the pictures and have gotten so many compliments. You can contact her here if you're interested in her doing photos for you. She did our family pictures last year, too! Here are a few of my favorites:

(I would like to mention that these are my pre-pregnancy pants that I can still squeeze into, buttoned!)

We have a name and other baby news

Even though I'm only two weeks further along than when I picked Derek up at the airport, I feel as though as if I am about six weeks closer to being prepared for this little baby girl. My focus had always been on getting Derek home for Christmas and as soon as that happened my mind cleared up and I had time and energy to focus on baby things. Yay!

First and foremost, we have a plan. Well, as much as a plan as you can have regarding having a baby. This alone has been the most complicated, thought-provoking issue. We want Derek home... but we cannot have Derek missing class or a test and falling out of his graduation group. There is a room full of soldiers who fell behind for countless reasons that spend their days looking for the end of the internet day after day just waiting for a spot to open up for them to join a new class and graduate. For some it's just a day or two, a few weeks, others wait around for months. This is NOT an option. Fortunately, the weekend before my due date is a holiday weekend. We have had an induction planned (yes, I would rather the baby girl come on her own... but not more than having the opportunity for her daddy to be there when she comes) for Friday, February 18th. Derek is talking to his COs sometime this week (pending good moods... he'll wait if they are grumpy!) and we should know if he gets approved leave. Please, please pray for it to be approved. And then go ahead and pray for the baby to stay put until that day! We've decided that if she were to come early, we will just have him wait to come home on that weekend as to guarantee that he's not missing out on anything. As of right now, there is no plan B if he isn't granted time to come home. I guess I will just deal with that if it becomes an issue.

We do have a name. Finally. As in, we figured it out on the way to drop Derek off at the airport on Monday. Despite the pleas of everyone around us, we'll keep it to ourselves until she arrives. It's nothing personal. I just know of several people who've regretted telling because they were talked out of a name. I've decided I'd rather have people complain at my decision not to share than to bear people bombarding me with their perfect names as if I have never ever yet heard of them. And to expect me to say, "Oh yes! That's what we'll name her. I will just call my husband right now and let him know because you would know better than us about what to name her!". It's one thing to get a few sentimental suggestions here and there from family, but the other day in the pretzel line at the mall a woman was passionate that I strongly consider Sonya for the name of my child. Seriously.

We've made headway on where the little girl will call home! My Christmas gift from Dad was a cabinet for the empty hole in our bedroom that will serve as her dresser/changing table. I painted it. Dad and Derek started getting it set up... I'm so excited! We've actually got a plan for what her "space" will look like!

This is me at 31 weeks with the new cabinet!! 

(my belly has grown three inches since this picture)

*How far along?: 32 weeks, 5 days

*How big is your baby?: almost 4 pounds, approx. 19 inches

*Total weight gain?: 12 lbs. (only two over the holidays! That's typical for the average non-pregnant American!)

*Sex: Girl

*Maternity clothes: I feel like I wear the exact same thing all of the time 

*Stretch marks: Ugh. Yes. But how can I avoid them when my stomach grows three inches in matter of 14 days!
*Movement: All. of. the. time. 

*Sleep: Sleep was fabulous when Derek was home. I didn't end up sleeping on my back as much and so I didn't wake up being uncomfortable a lot. 

*Best moment this week: Having Derek home!! He got to feel the baby move a lot. We made a plan, got her space a little more ready, and picked out a name.

*Food cravings: Nothing too crazy. I will be purchasing Pizza Goldfish and chocolate ice cream when I go to the store next.
*Labor signs: I've started to get sporadic contractions... talk about annoying!

*Belly button in or out: more like a nothing... It's no longer in, but it's not quite out.

*What I miss: being able to walk up a flight of stairs without feeling as if I just completed a marathon

*What I'm looking forward to: Getting all of the final stuff together for her to come!

26 weeks

I have waited weeks and weeks to post just so I could have a picture to post too. I still don't have one, but it's been eight weeks since I've posted about the pregnancy and I just couldn't wait. I am sure I will get one eventually.

 

*How far along?: 26 weeks

*How big is your baby?:14 inches, head to heel

*Total weight gain?: 9 lbs. (7 of those occured within the last 4 weeks- Holy Cow!)

*Sex: Girl

*Maternity clothes: I have plenty, but I find myself just wearing sweats and Derek's t-shirts a few days a week. 

*Stretch marks: Still none. Hoping it stays that way.
*Movement:She's definitely active. She is low, way low, so I feel her move underneath my belt sometimes. It's just really weird compared to Jackson who was always up near my ribs.

*Sleep: Sleep isn't the greatest, but I am sure I'll sleep wonderfully once Derek comes home for Christmas.

*Best moment this week: It didn't happen this week, but Elizabeth has dropped off several of Chacey's old clothes and they are so much fun to go through!

*Food cravings: Nothing crazy. I just get in a mood for something and eat it for, like, a week before moving onto the next craving. This week it's PB&J.
*Labor signs: Not real ones

*Belly button in or out: Still in, but it looks funny...

*What I miss: Having days when I took less than ten trips to the bathroom in one day.

*What I'm looking forward to: Picking out a name. Maybe over Christmas?!

And since I don't have a picture to show my ever enlarging belly, I'll include a picture of this nifty contraption instead- the Especially for Mom Maternity Support that I had to go out and purchase a few weeks ago! Aren't you like super jealous?! I know you want one. It makes a total difference in how I feel at the end of the day. Even though it can be a hassle, it's a life-saver.

18 (almost 19) weeks

  *How far along?: 18 weeks, 5 days

*How big is your baby?: 5 inches, about the size of a pickle

*Total weight gain?: -2 pounds actually, despite my rapidly growing belly

*Sex:We find out next week!!

*Maternity clothes: I have no choice but to wear maternity tops, but I can still wear a few low-rise jeans.

*Stretch marks: Still none. Hoping it stays that way.
*Movement: I feel the baby every once in a while; still little flutters

*Sleep: No longer sleeping on my stomach. :(

*Best moment this week: Unpacking the suitcase to pack for our trip to see Derek
*Food cravings: No hardcore cravings yet... but I can't ever seem to get enough Chipotle.
*Labor signs: Definitely not
*Belly button in or out: In

*What I miss: A night of sleep without multiple trips to get up and pee

*What I'm looking forward to: Seeing Derek, celebrating Jackson's 2nd birthday, and finding out the gender of the baby all next Wednesday!

MOPS

I wrote this post yesterday with the intention of posting it last night, but my internet was down so it had to wait until this morning.

It's no secret that I despise practically all things cleaning, so it's completely ironic that my new favorite activity is titled MOPS. It actually stands for Mothers of Preschoolers and it's a community of moms that meet a couple times a month. There are groups all across the country and it wasn't until I had a friend mention MOPS on facebook that it even dawned on me to look and find a place close to me!

There was a meet-and-greet activity on Monday night and our first meeting was this morning. I love making new friends, especially ones who have a similar goals of raising their kids in a Godly home! Plus, there is yummy food. I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know the ladies more and making new friends.

One of Jackson's favorite things to do these days is to jump from the fireplace onto his little couch. This is what he was doing as I was preparing to leave... only he missed and instead of landing on the cushy part, he landed face first onto the plastic armrest. He had a nice goose egg as he walked into his class and the poor guy couldn't really open his eye all the way.

In other non-related news, I went to my 16 week check up yesterday and I actually lost two pounds, which still puts me at negative total weight gain. Interesting.

We have had just a crazy, busy week. I haven't even had the chance to write Derek a letter for three days-- a first since he left almost two months ago! Jackson and I haven't spent a lot of good one-on-one time together, but while we were eating dinner at church tonight, he insisted on having his arm around my back while we both ate for the entire meal. It was a hassle, for sure, but it was the sweetest thing ever. He would pat my back, lean over to give me kisses (without even being asked) and was just full of love. I was in mommy heaven!!

Peanuts

Today, I have two types of peanuts to discuss. First, we'll talk about the actual peanut-- the kind that Jackson is allergic to, the kind that we have avidly avoided his entire life.

Unlike most cases, we fortunate enough to discover Jackson's allergies preemptively, before we ever had any adverse reactions. Derek's allergist is also a pediatric allergist and had urged us to bring Jackson in for a visit due to Derek's abundant allergies. It's been about a year since we took him in and discovered he is allergic to eggs, soy, tree nuts, and peanuts (because peanuts aren't really nuts). His allergies to eggs and soy are mild enough that he can handle when they are included in products, just as long as he's not eating just eggs or just soy. The nature of eggs and soy allergies are also that they will cause puffiness, redness, and discomfort, but their most serious effects are nothing like minimal effects of coming in contact with nuts and peanuts. So, of course, we have taken very strongly to keeping them out of his system.

And it was something we had succeeded quite effortlessly. That is, until Jackson picked up a peanut shell off the ground at the Chiefs game that we were at the other day (this was bad news on several different levels)! It took a minute for me to actually realize what had happened and the whole ordeal was probably over within three to five minutes. But being that it was his first contact with the food he was allergic too, it definitely seemed much longer! I was trying to race through the information the nurses had so adamently made me rehearse in the office so I would be prepared. I knew I had his epi-pen, but it didn't seem like he needed it. Of course, I took the shell out of his mouth and then a few seconds later, he threw up. Fortunately, the friends sitting down the row from us have sons with similar allergies and they reassured us that throwing up is what happens when they eat peanuts. Which, of course, was nice to know because I had no idea. Jackson ended up falling asleep at the game and I came home and gave him some Prednisone after we got home to help combat anything left in his system. After talking to the doctor the next day, I did everything right, though I should have had given him Benydryl too.

Ironically, the nurses had hoped that by Jackson's yearly allergy check up that he would have possibly outgrown the egg and the peanut. We are going to get his blood drawn today and something tells me that his peanut allergy is still going to be there. The only scary part, is that peanuts are what he's least allergic too, which makes me shudder at the thought of him actually ingesting a nut. At least, I can know what to expect and how to deal if (when) we have another encounter with peanuts.

__________________________________________________________

And now for peanut topic number two:

For the past several weeks, I have referred to the little baby inside of me as "peanut" but I clearly need to change the nickname to something that doesn't induce the vomiting reflex in Jackson. I mean, that's not the best way to start the sibling bonding process!

Anyway, I've seen several bloggers do this little survey each week through their pregnancy. I'm am definitely not going to commit to that because that I know I won't keep up, but I am hoping to keep updating periodically throughout the pregnancy.

*How far along?: 15 weeks

*How big is your baby?: approximately the size of an apple: 2 inches & 4 oz.

*Total weight gain?: Nada

*Sex: Too soon to know. Yes we will find out. Most of my friends and family are convinced it's a girl.

*Maternity clothes: A friend gave me tons of super cute clothes last summer, so I have a new (to me) maternity wardrobe.

*Stretch marks: Nada
*Movement: I first felt the baby move at 14 weeks and have felt similar small movements, but nothing quite so big.

*Sleep: It's not the child I'm pregnant with that keeps me up at night. But when I do get the opportunity to sleep through the night, I always have to get up to pee.

*Best moment this week: Feeling the baby move.
*Food cravings: Water actually. I can't get enough. (which is the cause of the above frustration)
*Labor signs: Definitely not
*Belly button in or out: In

*What I miss: Basically just Derek. I haven't really been pregnant long enough to really miss anything

*What I'm looking forward to: finding out if we are having a boy or girl when we go visit Derek in October!

The three of us

After getting very acquainted with the contact paper to laminate Jackson's Daddy Book last week, I decided to make a little card for Derek that he could keep in his wallet. He decided to use it for a bookmark in his Bible and it works perfectly. It's a nice hand-written note on just a notebook piece of paper, but it's nice a durable so it will last a long time.

-----------------------------------

♥ Derek ♥

I love you so very much and words can't 

express how very proud I am also. 

Keep pushing on and remember 

where your strength comes from. 

"For I can do all things through Christ 

who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13" 

I will miss you so much, 

and we (all three of us) will be 

so eager to welcome you home!

Love, Amy

-----------------------------------

Both, Jackson and me

and this little peanut!!

(circled so no one will cry, saying "I just can't see it" like Rachel on Friends)

I apologize to those friends that we didn't get to tell personally before it was heard through the grapevine. It took a few weeks to process the news ourselves and then it was time to get ready to ship Derek off. It just got so overwhelming and got put on the back burner. Things have calmed down, we are starting to get our routine together, and the excitement is finally setting in!

Our baby update

Well, I am now in my 25th week of pregnancy. It is really kind of crazy to think about. We found out about the pregnancy at 4 weeks and I just knew that 12 weeks would never ever come and here I am almost at 6 months! I can really appreciate that working full-time and doing school full-time has kept me so busy and pre-occupied that I have hardly had time to think and be anxious for our baby!

About two weeks ago I had this freak out moment and Derek was just so good. All along I had just planned to think about baby things after school was over and hadn't really thought much about anything really. But then it hit me... oh goodness, we don't have ANYTHING ready and not only that, we haven't even thought about it yet!!! Sure we had the hospital picked out, but it's a big place... where on earth am I supposed to go??? Our nursery is full of boxes that I have yet to unpack! What if we have the baby early??? We don't have anything! And what about a budget!? How much do they cost? How do I plan for that? And the list goes on... I can really appreciate God's design about having a man and wife plan for the baby together, because it is way to much to do it on your own. Those who have, they are really amazing people! And really, it wasn't so much that I didn't have everything planned out yet, it was that we hadn't even thought about planning! Derek listened to all my worries and was reassuring. All is good, though we still have a lot to get ready for!

We are still waiting to find out what the doctor thinks is best in terms of delivery after having broke my pelvis in a car wreck. No matter what the doctor recommends, I really don't care as long as it is best for my baby. I am just so annoyed that my two places of previous medical care cannot communicate with my current doctor to get it figured out. I mean, I supplied all of the information at my 8 week doctor's appointment and have asked about it every time and I really don't think it should take so long. At the last doc appointment, I asked again-- not trying to make a big deal out of anything, but just wanting somebody to pay attention-- and thankfully my doctor showed the same concern to making sure they have the records for my next visit. I sure hope so!!!

Derek's been so good to take off work for every one of my appoitments. He holds my hand when I have to give blood and asks the doctor questions too. I really appreciate that. And while I'm bragging on my husband, I'll go on to say that he has done such a wonderful job of keeping house during my busy schedule! And since I've been drinking Wal-Mart of chocolate milk, sometimes when we're out, he'll just go get my some even when I didn't ask him too. And last night he gave me a back rub because my back was really hurting. He's great! :)

Oh, and Derek finally got to feel the baby move on Saturday and it happened while we were watching The Dark Knight, no less. He was pretty excited! Derek took me on a date the other night and we walked around Baby's R Us (yes, we are that boring!) and there are so many gadgets and things! I told Derek he could pick the nursery stuff and I he picked out a cute one that I like! Very manly, but baby-ish and cute. And I think we have a name pretty much picked out, but we are going to wait just a little bit before we start telling people. I will tell you that it isn't Freddy, but that's all I can say.

Freddy's a Boy!!

This blog will be all about our little baby boy!! Derek (and I) couldn't be more proud!

I had been anticipating June 11th for nearly an entire month!! We went to the doctor last Wednesday and we did get to listen to the heartbeat again, which is just so just "Wow!"amazing! We were very disappointed to hear that the ultrasound tech had gone home for the day. :( Fortunately we were able to go back on Thursday during our lunch breaks to get a peek at our little baby.

Now, I have done so many amazing wonderful things in my life--I've traveled, I've swam in the ocean, climbed a mountain and I have just experienced so many really cool things. But absolutely nothing can compare with getting to see my baby on that screen last week-- his little fists moving around, his spine so developed, and to actually see his heart just pumping away. I really could have stayed there and watched our baby forever if they would have let me. After moving the wand thingy all around so that we could see all around out little guy, she held it still for a moment and we got to watch him move his arms and wiggle around-- a moment I'll never forget.

These two pictures are just basic profiles of baby Creason.

This is a picture of baby Creason looking in our direction

And this is a view of baby Creason's awesome spine!

And this is his little fist!

And his little boy parts

I wish the still pictures turned out as clear as when we were just watching the baby. His little body was so much more defined and we could see so much more detail that what is captured in the still shots. I won't complain. It is amazing that we can even see the baby inside of me!

I was so glad that Derek was there with me! He has been to every doctor's appointment and it's great to have such a supportive husband! I have been trying to keep him as involved and informed as possible about what I'm going through, but I think it was just really special for him to get to see the baby! He's been much more excited since and is more affectionate to my belly. When the sonogram tech announced that we were having a little boy, Derek's face just lit up! He's so proud. I hope our little boy looks like Derek did as a kid-- he was a cutie!

My parents have been in Nicaragua on a mission trip, so I haven't been able to talk with them about their grandson, but I was able to email them the sonogram pics before they headed out into the jungle. I emailed them with "Your grandson" in the subject line and when they replied the subject had been changed to "Your grandon, Freddy" so I guess the name still sticks, well for Dad anyway. Rest assured, we will not be naming out child Fred/Fredrick/Freddy or anything of the sorts.

My tummy first starting to make an appearance around 16 weeks, depending on the shirt I was wearing. Now at 20 weeks, it's sticking out even more and I have separated my clothes into "can't wear anymore" and "can still fit for a little long" piles. I did unpack the maternity clothes I have come across and am now implementing them into my wardrobe a little at a time.

16 weeks

20 weeks

I started feeling the baby move at around 18 weeks, just a little bit. It took me a bit by suprise, "what was that?!" but I was so excited that I called Derek, Mom, and just about anyone who would listen to tell them! I can feel the baby moving quite often these days, not kicking or anything, just movement around in my tummy, especially in the evenings. It really is a pretty special feeling.

I guess I'll end it here. I know not everyone is as interested in my pregnancy and our baby as I probably imagine them, but here it all is for those who enjoy it! :)

We're having a baby!

We've shared our baby news with many, but I figured I'd put it in writing so it's out there for everyone to read, share, and pass along.

Finding Out

I was at work, working diligently of course, and something just clicked in my mind that added some signs together enough for me to begin thinking, "Hhhm... maybe." Well, then I became just so distracted I wasn't getting any work done, so I drove to the CVS in town to get a pregnancy test. Those tests are so tricky-- is there a second line or not! Since I just couldn't decide, I visited some friends who work at the bank in our building who easily confirmed the second line. So, ok... What do I do now?? Well, I needed to tell Derek.

So, I left work a little early to go shopping for some baby items, specifically an "I love Daddy" outfit. I was paranoid the entire time that I was going to run into a friend, my parents, etc. By the time I bought some things, I didn't have time to cook dinner, so I got our a bucket of fried chicken to take home. Over our candlelight dinner, I gave Derek the box and it took like 2 seconds to put it together and he was very excited. We went out and bought What to Expect When You're Expecting and determined at that time we were 4 weeks along.

Telling Friends and Family

The month of March for us is full of birthdays so we thought it would be fun to share the news with our families through birthday gifts. Forrest's (Derek's dad) was first and Derek had picked out I-Love-You-Grandpa/Grandma bibs and wrapped them up. His first words were along the lines of "What!? Really?! Are you serious!?" His parents were very excited to hear the news are are very excited to be grandparents.


My family was next with Philip's birthday. I managed to convince my family to get together early for his birthday because we just couldn't hold the news much longer! I had made a picture frame each for Uncle Phil, and Aunt Laura and Ashley, purchased a Grandparents picture frame for my mom, and for my dad I bought a tiny pair of KC Chiefs socks. Everyone opened their gifts together. Laura and Ashley screamed, mom cried, dad was grinning ear to ear, and Philip said "I distinctly told you 'No babies or houses until I get married'," but did also offer congratulations.

We waited awhile longer to share the news with others as we were waiting to be further along in the pregnancy before the major news got out. We mailed sonogram pictures to some and with others we simply called to share the good news. At 12 weeks, we began telling people as we ran into them and everyone has just been so excited.

Doctor's Visits

Our first visit was at 8 weeks. The doctor is close to Derek's work, so he is able to take a little time off and come with me. We had a sonogram that day to confirm the age of the baby. It didn't look like much, just a little peanut, but it was so amazing to see!! The sonogram confirmed the November 6th due date.

The next visit was at 12 weeks, which was also my birthday. The doctor used the Doppler to detect the babies heartbeat and again, that moment was just beyond words to describe. It was just such a loud booming noise and it was beating so fast!! It was a fabulous birthday-- to reach the 12 week mark and to hear our baby's heartbeat!!!

Our next scheduled appointment is at the beginning of June.

Other baby type news

My dad is convinced that we are having a boy and has since named our baby, Freddy. He anxiously offered to build the crib and I printed off pictures of the ones I liked. I am excited to have one of a kind furniture for our baby! Laura is convinced that we are having a girl and is dying to flood the baby with pink things and to be the cool aunt. Ashley wants to know if I have decided what sports our child will be participating in and has also compiled a list of acceptable baby names with a friend.

Mom and I have had a ton of fun at garage sales this year. We have found great deals on many baby necessities and even a few luxuries from onesies, outfits, books, toys, high chairs, baby moniters, infant seats, maternity clothes, etc. Linda (Derek's mom) purchased two shoe boxes full of baby books and I have picked out a few books like Clifford and Curious George.

We don't know the sex of the baby yet, but we will find out at either the appointment at the beginning of June or the beginning of July. Derek is hoping for a boy and I am just thrilled to be having a baby and will be delighted either way. According to the latest research about what I was eating before I was pregnant (cereal, bananas, and other high protein foods) I have higher chances of having a boy, but according to the Chinese birth predictability chart I am supposed to have a girl. I guess we'll just have to wait and find out!