So today is New Years Eve and I have been so busy with spending time with my family I have not blogged as much as I was planning on it. I had an amazing Christmas, Ken and I received a digital camera which we really wanted but had no clue we were getting. The best present so far was getting to see my niece again. Tiara was born on the 18th and I was able to see her born but she was taking out of the room right away and was taken to the nicu. She had swallowed a lot of fluid and they were having a hard time clearing it out. Also they found her white blood cell count was really high which lead them to believe she was fighting some type of infection. They kept her there for a whole week on antibiotics and heavily guarded (only 4 people including her parents were allowed to see her). She was released Christmas day at about 1pm and we were all at my dad's house anxiously awaiting her arrival. I saw her the day she was born and my dad was able to see her once while she was in the nicu so there were so many others in my family that wanted to meet her.
Ken is going to make such an amazing daddy. He was so amazed and felt so loved when she wrapped her little finger around his.
I loved watching him with her.
She is so precious.
My dad and Tiara after she woke up.
She is doing so well now. Tara hasn't had any problems and hasn't needed to take her back in at all. I was hoping to get belly pictures of us together while I was up here but unfortunately Tiara had other plans.
In other news, Ken went back home on Monday it was sad having him end his vacation without me and having to say goodbye. But I'm thankful for the understanding relationship we have and the fact we can spend vacations apart and still feel so in love. It's only a week until I go back home so it's not like we haven't been apart longer. Still I miss him.
This past week has been so busy. I flew into Vancouver, WA tuesday to spend 3 weeks with my family during the holidays. My dad, step-mom Angie, sister Bre, and my sister Amanda with my nephew Adam came and picked me up from the airport. As soon as Bre and Amanda saw me they told Adam to run to me, I don't think he quite recognized me because he kind of swerved and I had to jerk a little to the left to pick him up. Once I picked him up though he knew Aunt Shell was there. His eyes opened up so wide and for the first 5 minutes just kept saying "Shell" over and over again. Then he exclaimed "Shell you came out the bushes". Nobody knows how that started but everytime someone would ask him where I was after we moved he would say I was hiding in the bushes. I put him down after about 7 minutes of hugging and snuggling so I could give everyone else hugs and immediately he wanted me to pick him back up, then he asked "Shell go bye bye with me" when I said yes he had the biggest smile on his face. Then he asked me to hold him and would not let go of my hand. That night I stayed at my sister's and at about 3:30 am he woke up and was yelling for me so he went back to sleep with me. Someone missed me.
Wednesday My best friend Stacy kidnapped me and took me to the Bonneville Hot Springs Spa & Resort we have a mineral bath and wrap. Mine was herbal free since some herbs can be bad for pregnancy. It was so relaxing. The water in the tub actually covered over my entire body. It was awesome, especially after 9 hours of flying the day before. Definitely good for the pregnant body and soul. Afterwards we went and had lunch. I went back to my dad's because my sister Tara who was due with her first baby (a girl) was coming over to spend time with me. It was awesome seeing her and the growth she had gone through it was also fun to try to hug each other, our belly's made it almost impossible. I stayed with my dad that night.
Thursday
My best friend since Elementary school and her husband drove up from Idaho for the weekend to attend my baby shower. So when they arrived they came to visit me at my dad's until we had to leave to the airport to pick up Ken. Dad, Adam, my sister Ashley, and myself went to pick up Ken from the airport. My plane ticket was bought about 2 months before his since we didn't know when he would get leave. Luckily it was only a 2 day difference. Adam was very excited to see Uncle Ken. (Who he also exclaimed came out of the bushes). My little sister Bre had a choir concert that night which we went to. Then Adam stayed the night with us at my dad's.
Friday
Ken, Dad, Adam and I went to pick up my little brother from Battle ground. He is 10 months old and my dad and his mom have a split custody arrangement to where my dad gets him from Friday morning to Monday morning. I was so excited to see how big he had grown. Last time I saw him was in June. He is getting so big, and is looking more and more like my dad each day. That night my younger sister Danielle celebrated her 19th birthday at my step-moms work. Shortly before we left the house to go to Angie's work for the party my sister Tara's boyfriend called saying her water had broke and they were on the way to the hospital. Because of swine flu only 2 people were allowed to be with her unless you had your shot. She had designated her mom and her boyfriend James. So on we went to the birthday party. When we got back to my dad's I called the hospital and told them I had received my shot but didn't have proof (the base clinic was closed by then). I also talked to the charge nurse and asked her if there was anyway I could sit with Tara until her mom arrived from Medford, OR. About a 5 hour drive. The charge nurse said that was fine so Ken and I headed to the hospital. When I got there I spoke with the charge nurse and she told me Tara was pushing so if I wanted to go in now was the time to do it. I went in and 5 minutes later my niece Tiara was born. It was amazing to witness such a miracle and to have a preview of what I'm going to go through. I know every birth is different but generally speaking every one ends with a baby being born, which is an amazing miracle to witness.
Answer the following 5 questions and then tag 5 people.
1. What were you doing 10 years ago. I was in 6th grade, Rocky Mountain Middle School. My best friends were Hope and Jackie. I had a huge crush on a boy named T.J. I hung out more with my little brother than big sister, we would play cars and dinosaurs, since Amanda would no longer play barbies with me.
2. What are 5 things on your to do list.
Finish Laundry and packing since I leave for WA tomorrow.
Mail out Christmas presents and cards.
Set an apt for Ken to get the window in the Kia fixed Tuesday.
Prepare the baby's room
Pay off as much debt as possible before baby comes.
3. What are snacks you enjoy.
Purple Grapes, Carrot chips. Chewy chips a hoy cookies. Mcdonalds apple dippers (without the caramel)
4. What are the places you have lived.
Ft. Riley, KS. Idaho Falls, ID. Rexburg, ID. Vancouver, WA. Virginia Beach, VA.
5. What are the 5 things you would do if you were a billionaire.
Pay off ours and my family's debt.
Buy 2 houses 1 in Idaho and 1 in Washington.
Buy my dad a huge house in the country with a lot of acres so he would have room for all of his landscaping equipment or for whatever he wanted.
Build an apartment complex in Washington. To a) bring in a revenue so I can continue making money and working and b) provide my siblings, cousins, friends with a place to stay whenever they needed it for free.
Set up trust funds for my nephew, niece, son and any future nieces, nephews, or children to help them go to school or get started in their lives. Would also help my siblings go to school as well.
I tag Jackie Nesbit, Hope Nelson, Alese Tveisme, Breanna Blanco, Amanda Woods.
Yesterday Ken and I celebrated our Christmas. I have to work today he works tomorrow, and Tuesday I leave for Vancouver. So yesterday was the perfect day for us to open our presents from each other and have Christmas breakfast. Friday night we opened one present, went to sleep and in the morning opened the other one's. I have a very sweet husband and absolutely loved all of my gifts this year especially the massager for my feet. They tend to be achy these days. After we opened our presents Ken was going to go get some milk for our big breakfast. It seemed like he had been gone a minute when I heard him coming back up stairs. He was not happy with what he found and I didn't really believe him at first because I didn't think it would happen. We live in a gated apartment complex, and there are cameras when you come in, we thought it was a fairly safe place because of these things. There is even a night watchmen that does a nightly patrol around the complex. All of these things were the reason we moved in.
This is what we found. This situation is really sad, however after we surveyed the car the only thing missing was our GPS. Which we are thankful about because since we had gone shopping the night before I had stuck my wallet under the passenger seat. It was still there. The change was still there, Ken's CD's were still there. The GPS was the only thing they were after.
We went and spoke to the apartment management after getting some plastic to get the window taped up. There were about 6 cars hit last night. With each car the only thing stolen was the GPS. One car was in direct view of a camera so hopefully the thief was caught on camera and some sort of justice will be brought down.
We have insurance but our deductible is $500 so we will just basically be paying for the window ourselves which stinks but at the same time we are in a position where we can afford it, if this had happened in the past we would not have been able to take care of it. It does cut into our vacation money but we are all done with our Christmas shopping so we will just have to cancel some of our plans we wanted to do. I'm so thankful it was the drivers side window, not the windshield (would have cost a lot more.) I'm thankful the GPS was all that was stolen, I'm thankful we can afford to get it taken care of. It makes me sad that this happened, I wish things were better for other people to make them not have to resort to things like this. But I am thankful for the many things we have, our health, our baby's health and the so many positives to this situation.
After unsuccessfully being able to identify our noisy neighbor, we took it to the apartment complex management. At first they told me that in order to submit a noise complaint we would need to pinpoint where it was coming from, at which point I replied with all the ways I have tried. Then I suggested putting a notice on the doors of the people in my building (including myself so it wasn't obvious where the complaint was coming from). They said they would see what they could do. Well, the next day we received a notice on our door and saw notices posted on the other apartment doors as well. It basically said that they had received a complaint about music playing and that noise complaints as explained in the lease can result in eviction. It also pointed out where you could find the information in your resident handbook and suggestions on how to keep the noise down. I am more than ecstatic to say since the notices we have not heard base playing. I'm hoping it's because the person responsible decided to stop and just isn't out of town or something lol.
At first when we moved into our apartment complex I was a little worried, we haven't had very good luck with apartment management and it made me weary of renting again. But I'm happy to say I so far love our management and I'm really happy with what they have done for us so far. Not only about the noise complaint but when we moved into our 2 bedroom they came and helped me pull the fridge out to plug it in ( I know an easy fix but I'm pregnant, it was heavy and Ken was working) Then when our hot water wasn't working they came and looked at it, said it would be fixed in 20 minutes. Ken and I went out that night so we didn't realize it wasn't fixed until the next day which was Thanksgiving. I hated calling the maintenance people on Thanksgiving but we really needed hot water. They came out without a single complaint, tried to fix it and when it didn't work he spent the next hour getting us a new hot water heater. Then (I know all these problems make our apartment seem like we moved into what my dad referred to as the lemon unit, but its an older complex) when we tried the stove in our new apartment the outside surface was very hot, almost untouchable, it ran 30 degrees higher then what you set it at and one of the burners didn't work. A few days later we had a brand new stove delivered right out of the box. I love it, the other one was very old, this one brand new, digital everything, an actual window in the door, light, it self cleans, the works!!! If the noise stays ceased like it has the past few days, and they continue doing a really good job at managing I would be more than happy to stay here for quite a while.
Since we moved into our new 2 bedroom apartment to prepare for little man's arrival, we have almost constantly heard music playing, well not necessarily the music. We can't hear the words or the tone all we can hear is the bass and it sounds like the same song, over and over and over . We can only hear it when we are in our apartment, once we step out and close the door it's gone. The other day we went and knocked on the apt door across from us since he seemed like the only one listening to music at the time. He turned his music down and it seemed to stop so we thought "ok problem solved" Well it's back and he is not even listening to music tonight. I first put my ear up to the door before knocking to talk to him, no music. Once he answered no music. So obviously it's not him causing this problem day after day, night after night. The way our apartment is layed out is consisted of one building two entrances, eight units to each entry. Four upstairs, Four downstairs. So tonight I ventured out (once again, since I did this about a week ago as well) Listened to everyones door in our entrance. No one was listening to music but I knocked anyway. 3 out of 4 neighbors downstairs are elderly, only one was a young couple who had guests over, including kids and did not even have their T.V on at the time. They talked to me for about 10 minutes and I was reassured I am not the only one being driven crazy by this beat. She has heard it during the day. My neighbors upstairs are not the culprits either. I have not yet ventured over to the other entry in our building to listen to the other 8 neighbors in our building, but plan on doing so tomorrow. Am I crazy? Is it hormones that is making it impossible for me to get over this noise? Or am I just preparing to join the mommy club? If this noise is going to be waking up my newborn I will have to shoot someone (not really but Ken does have a paintball gun and/or airsoft gun that I know how to use). I want it to stop. Unfortunately I can't get it to until I find our where it is coming from. Wish me luck as I spend my day off tomorrow trying to find the not so "white noise" culprit.
I am 23 weeks today, I love finally being able to celebrate Monday as a good day LOL!! These pictures were taken on Thanksgiving. (22 weeks, 3 days.) I look the same so I just included these instead of taking new ones. I also had a Dr. apt last week, on Tuesday, baby's heartbeat sounded really good. Blood pressure was perfect which is good, being overweight puts me at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. I received the go ahead for my Washington trip which I'm so excited for. My next apt will be when I get back from my Washington trip in January. At that appointment I will get my blood sugar checked and also receive my 1st Rh immune-globulin shot. "Rh immune-globulin acts like a vaccine, preventing the mother's body from producing any potentially dangerous Rh antibodies that can cause serious complications in the newborn or complicate any future pregnancies." Since I am Rh negative and Ken is Rh positive this is important in case our baby boy is Rh positive.
(That's sparkling grape juice behind me...we got our bubbly on the safe way)
I also received my baby shower invitation in the mail this week. I'm so blessed to have someone to take the time to throw me a baby shower. It's a big mile stone when you're pregnant and I'm so excited to be able have one, which I didn't think I would since living in Virginia makes it hard. But since I will be in Washington in December for 3 weeks my wonderful Mom-A ( one of my adopt-a-moms) will be throwing the shower for me. I'm excited to be doing a mommy and daddy shower. Ken is a huge part of my life and with out him I wouldn't be having this little miracle so it's very important to me for him to be included in the shower as well. Also since my dad has been a huge figure in my life I wanted to make it man friendly so he would feel comfortable attending as well.
Today is the official half way mark in my pregnancy. I can't believe it has gone by this fast. It seems like just yesterday was the 20th of July and I was taking an at home test. I thought I would do a pregnancy survey to feel you in on the in's and out's so far.
Meshelle Nichole Woods
Kenneth Riley Puckett
Together since December 9th 2005, married since July 27th, 2007
We weren't NOT trying lol. Since we were married we had the attitude if it happens it happens and we weren't going to try to prevent it.
When you found out
July 20th, 2009 in the morning
Our new apartment in Virginia Beach, VA
4 weeks exactly (gestational age about 2 weeks)
Shocked because Ken had only been home from bootcamp and training for 4 1/2 weeks, surprised that it happened so fast compared to the 2 years prior that it didn't happen, excited it was finally happening, nervous because we weren't living by our family anymore and would be doing this by ourselves.
After Ken I called my sister Amanda told her the test was positive and then texted my other sister Tara who is due in December and told her I thought she was contagious lol. We waited until it was confirmed by the Dr to tell other family members.
I usually start my cycle in the middle of the night so when that didn't happen (sunday/monday night) I took a test I had left over from like 7 months ago when I had been late previously. After taking it I left it on the counter (it said negative at first) then went on the computer to look up the directions since I had thrown them away a while ago. Went back to throw the test away and it was positive. So I texted Ken and it went like this. M: Babe I'm not feeling very well can you pick me up some soup, crackers, and sprite, oh yeah and a pregnancy test. K: Yeah what kind of soup? Dont you have a test? M: I took it already K: What did it say M: It was positive K: O.k I'll get you another one So he came home and I took two more came out of the bathroom crying, hugged him and said they're positive. ( I had always imagined a more cute and adorable way to tell him when we finally got pregnant but I think I was in shock lol)
"Are you serious? We did it" There's a little one in there"? Touched my belly and hugged me. Then when I went to the Dr. the next day to confirm it, I picked him up for lunch and said.... well its officialy daddy. And he just smiled and started laughing and kissed and hugged me.
All about your pregnancy
March 29th, 2010
I did have some in the beginning I didn't throw up very much at all maybe 4 times but I gagged a lot and didn't want to eat very much.
I had a lot of fears in the beginning. Almost everyone in my family has had drama one way or another with pregnancys. My sister Tara miscarried 3 times before her current pregnancy which she is one month away from completing. My sister Amanda was told she had less than a 25% chance of conceiving and if she did she would not carry full term ( my miracle nephew Adam will be 3 in February.) My sister Kindra conceived but my nephew Carson passed away from SIDS when he was 2 months old. My maternal grandmother had a stillborn (my Aunt Michelle who I'm part way named after). Just so many things and so many fears but I take every day as a miracle and I'm so thankful I have had an easy pregnancy so far. ( Maybe my hard part was the two years it took for it to happen.)
That it's finally happening and things have gone as smoothly as they have. I'm thankful my husband is here, we have insurance for our little one and the finances to support it.
I thought I would have a preference but I really didn't
Ken wanted a girl, but he is so excited about his little man.
Do you know what you're having? We are having a BOY!!
Kevin (after my dad) Riley (Ken's middle name)
My last Dr. Apt I had gained 2 lbs but my first apt I had lost 2 lbs. So total weight gain has been 0... I've been eating more lately so we'll see how much I've gained at my next apt on the 24th.
He moves ALOT... He does summersaults and jumping jacks lol
When you have the baby
I'm going to wing it. I'd like to see what I'm dealing with and if I can handle it if not I will be asking for an epidural.
Not really I'm excited for my little guy to be here.
If I have to get an episiotomy I think that will be the worst part. But I'd rather get one than risk tearing.
Not yet but we will as it gets closer
My husband, possibly sister and my 2nd mom Alese
If I could I would like to but the military hospital we will be delivering doesn't allow it. If I was going to I wouldn't allow any below the belt shots.
Definitely
I think he will cry and be very excited
My dad is very excited to meet his namesake, I can't think of one person who isn't excited for us.
We had an ultrasound on tuesday the 27th!!! And everything looks good. He is developing right on schedule. Yes, we found out it is a boy. Once you look at the pictures you'll see it's a little undeniable. Ken is very excited to be having a little guy. At first he wanted a girl but he is definitely excited about being able to add another Philadelphia Eagles fan to the family lol. I was to the point where I just wanted to know what it was. I saw so many positives in either sex it was hard to have a preference which I thought I would. I thought people that say they don't really have one were full of crap but I can completely relate now. I am definitely excited as well to be having a little boy!!
This is a bottoms up view of our little man, the arrow is pointing to the goods.
This is a frontal picture of our little guy. I think he looks somewhat like a puppy.
This is a side view of our little guy. The ultrasound tech wasn't very nice or patient I kind of wish the side view was a little better, like the first ultrasound pics we have.
So after we found out what it was we went shopping and bought him some clothes. He has 7 bodysuits, 4 pairs of pants, 2 jackets and some socks!! It was so fun to be able to go shopping and know what clothes you can actually buy now!! Definitely won't be the only shopping trip we take.
16TH WEEK Friday I had another OB apt. I was 16 weeks and 5 days. Everything looks good, we were able to listen to the heartbeat which was amazing. Weight gain was 2 pounds since the last apt which means total pregnancy weight gain is 0. The first OB apt I had I had lost two pounds. My nausea is getting so much better. There are some days when I feel amazing, I have energy and I feel like I'm on top of the world other days I just want to lay in bed, not eat anything and curl up and go to sleep. Of course I have to eat and go to work so my day doesn't get better. But these days are happening less and less. We scheduled our big ultrasound where we find out the baby's sex for the 27th of October. I was really excited because I thought I would have to wait until November so when the receptionist said the 27th I was thinking she meant November lol. The pictures are of me in the beginning of my 16th week. My belly is rounding out more which I love!!
PETTING ZOO / PUMPKIN PATCH
Ken and I went to a pumpking patch this weekend ironically we didn't pick out any pumpkins because the ones they had were huge!! And I like smaller pumpkins. But we did have an amazing time. The farm we went to is called Hunt Club Farms in Virginia Beach. It seemed like we were able to enjoy so many things at once. The farm had of course pumpkins, a huge petting zoo, a hay ride, a carnival complete with rides, and a haunted corn maze. The Naval Air Base was about 5-7 miles away from the farm and there was an air show this weekend so we would occasionally look up and see the blue angels and other planes doing all sorts of manuevers. It was such an awesome day. The petting zoo was so cute. They had one of my now favorite animals... Pygmy goats. They were so adorable. Here is Ken with one of the Pygmy Goats...They are so cute
The farm gives you food to feed them in an ice cream cone. They all went crazy for it.
Here I am with the pygmy goat. Aren't they so cute??
This little guy looked and felt just like a Teddy Bear. So cute!!
This one gives a whole new meaning to having a Goat-tee.
Here are some of the few baby items I have so far. Most of these I was given while I was in Idaho in August just wanted to post them (I needed something to do to refrain from online baby shopping lol) these were given by my mom and my grandma Nana, my maternal grandmother.
This is a super cute neutral new born baby outfit, black and white with dogs and elephants. Grandma Nana got this for me.
A close up of the dogs and elephants.
One of my best friends whom I have known since 1st grade, gave me this as my bridesmaid gift. I can't wait to put baby's first bath time picture in this frame and put it in the bathroom.
Nana also gave me these two blankets, she bought both pink and blue since we don't know the sex yet.
All of the items I took pictures of are on my favorite thing so far, the quilt. I was a little conflicted about Winnie the Pooh because its such a cliche and I wanted something more unique but this quilt my mom got me I think has changed my mind. Plus my dad had classic Winnie the Pooh when he was born and if it's a boy we are naming the baby after him so it would fit. Even if it's a girl I will still stay with the Winnie the Pooh... I think... I am just so in love with this quilt.
This is the middle of the quilt, it's classic Winnie the Pooh with Eeyore and Piglet, Pooh is catching butterflies. "Every days a pooh day"
The butterflies are spread through out the quilt, there is a total of 10 I think. They are so adorable, the wings are made of layered fabric so it gives them this 3D look.
This is the side of the quilt, I like how it's not just your average quilt. It has the 3D looking butterflies and the jagged edges that go all the way around. It's just so dang cute the pictures do not do it justice . It's pretty big though. I would say maybe meant for a full size bed so I obviously wouldn't use it for the crib. Ken and I have decided it would look really cute to hang on a wall in the room, maybe behind the crib or whatever wall is the most blank.
For my part of breast cancer awareness I wanted to blog a little bit about my connection with breast cancer, the impact it's had on our lives. I also wanted to write about ways you can raise awareness, donate and how important early detection is. I often wonder if Ken's mom had only detected it months or weeks sooner how much of a difference it would have made.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with our history together (Ken and I) you may not know his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2006. Unfortunately she passed away in February 2007. Three months shy of watching her twin boys (Eric and Ken) graduate high school and 5 months shy of watching Ken and I walk down the aisle and become husband and wife. I think about her all the time but especially in October when it's breast cancer awareness month. And especially now that Ken and I are expecting it's just one more milestone that she is not able to physically be here for.
Ways you can donate : The month of October is amazing when it comes to products that are on store shelves that make is very easy to indirectly donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Dove Chocolate, Yoplait Yogurt, General Mills, Fuze Beverage, Pepperidge Farm, Republic of Tea and Napa Valley Naturals. These are just some food companies that have promotions going on through the month of October and some other months. My husband and I have a rule if we are planning on buying some groceries we always check to see if there is special packaging that will donate to breast cancer. Walgreens has a lot of novelty products they come out with in October including adorable beanie babies you can purchase that all donate a percentage to breast cancer. Avon also has some great products for breast cancer awareness. My Avon reps contact in the Vancouver, WA area is youravon.com/acolton. Of course you can always donate directly. http://ww5.komen.org/donate/donateonline.html for Susan G. Komen for the cure. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/DON/DON_0.asp is the donate link for the American Cancer Society.
If you can not donate, RAISE AWARENESS!!! Join a walk or local charity. Wear a pin or ribbon. The cheapest easiest thing you can do is simple. Take a pink ribbon and a safety pin and wear it. IT'S THAT SIMPLE!! If you have facebook or myspace post an update that's sweet and simple, "I support breast cancer awareness" So many small things can make a huge difference. Talk to the women in your life if they are over 40 or sooner if they have a history of breast cancer in their families, about getting mammograms. And for us girls too young to have mammograms, monthly breast checks are a must!! Ladies listen if you love yourself and love your girls (not your friends but those two girls sitting on your chest) please do monthly self exams and if you come across any thing unfamiliar at anytime let your physician know asap. And when you go in for your yearly physical insist they do a breast check.
Things going on in your area. This should be fun its called "For the love of boobs fashion show. There will be Organic catering, beer and wine, live music, and a silent auction. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. Friday, October 9th, 7-10 pm, Miller Hall at the World Forestry Center at the Portland, Or Zoo.
More events can be found at the Susan G. Komen website and The American Cancer Society's website.
Yesterday I found out my sister Kindra who was about 2 weeks behind me in her pregnancy progress lost her baby on the 24th. This isn't the first time she has been through tragedy this year. She had a son named Carson Lee born on March 24th. He passed away from SIDS on May 30th. She is not married to the babies dad and although I don't believe that constitutes what makes a good mom, it does help to have that supportive partner in not only the baby's life but to be there to support the mom as well. When we found out she was pregnant again, everyone in my family had mixed feelings. We were worried if she was ready emotionally and psychologically so soon after loosing Carson. We also worried if the person who was the dad would be there for her, he does not have a good track record. I believe that things do have an explanation and although we may not know what they are we need to believe and have faith that God makes these decisions for a good cause. I know that Carson will never have to feel pain, sorrow or grief. I know that the baby she lost will never have to go through these things either. I also know they are in a better place and being taken care of by the best people. I also believe that God will bless her with another baby as soon as he believes she is ready emotionally and at a place in her life where she can take really good care of a baby.
The pictures I included are of Carson Lee. One by himself (about 5 weeks) One with me taken at Easter, and one with my sister Kindra and Carson.
For information on SIDS prevention click on the link http://www.sidsprevention.com/ and also http://www.cjsids.org/
We had our first Ultra sound 9-11-09. It was such an amazing day, I was a little worried at first because I had been in Idaho for 2 weeks ( 3 days spent driving back from Idaho to Virginia with my dad) I was mostly worried about the stress I had put my body under the past 2 weeks with the plane ride, the drives. But as soon as the baby came on the screen I could see the heartbeat and I immediately started crying. This was the first time since I found out I was pregnant that we had been able to see the baby so it was such a surreal feeling knowing and seeing that there really is something in there. Ken was able to take the day off which was so nice. Being able to see the baby and look over and see his face and know that he helped me create this miracle growing in my body was amazing. So onto the baby, everything looks good. My due date is the same March 29th. Which I didn't really think it would change because I knew exactly when the first day of my last period was. (The Monday after Ken came home, we don't waste time lol) The baby's growth is right on schedule, the heartbeat was really good. I haven't had any weight gain, which is good I don't have a lot of leeway in that department ( if you're overweight you are supposed to gain less than say an average weight person) I have actually lost 2 lbs since my last Dr apt, but the Dr said it's pretty common in the first trimester, with the nausea and food aversions and everything. It was confirmed that I am RH negative which is scary, Kens blood type is AB+ so if the baby has his blood type and our blood mixes at any time my body can attack the baby thinking its a virus. Or the baby's blood could attack mine. I'll be given a shot at 28 weeks to insure my pregnancy keeps progressing well. So if you have a minute just say a quick prayer for my baby and me, and that everything goes well. You can read more information about being RH negative and pregnant here http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/rhfactor.html
Our next appointment is November 14th and we get to HEAR the baby's heartbeat for the first time!
This was a picture I took yesterday (9-18-09) I'm 12 weeks and 3 days!! I don't think my belly has really changed, I had a belly before I got pregnant but now I have an excuse lol!!!
Where should we begin. Well, lets start with the Nausea, no not the vomiting just the constant feeling of needing to vomit. The kind you get where you wish you would just barf to get that feeling out of your system. Now I know it could be worse, my sister has been throwing up almost her entire pregnancy but she did admit that after wards she felt better. So this entire day feeling of needing to throw up but not being able to... yeah it stinks.
Second, let's discuss the acne. The horrible pimples, that I was lucky enough to occasionally evade while I was a teenager. Yep now I officially have joined the acne club. Now I know I shouldn't be complaining but does anything make you feel uglier than pimples, not only on your face.... NO that would just be too easy. Nope now I not only have acne on my face but under my chin, behind my ears, on my chest. In case my breasts were not going through enough changes, now I have pimples on them... yay!!
Next, and because these next few are all pretty similar. We welcome dizziness, headaches and faintness. Oh yeah those all sound like cute little dwarfs but no unfortunately they are all common pregnancy symptoms that have decided to hit me the past couple of weeks.
Now since I'm not trying to complain (well a little, but mostly trying to share) I thought I would share some symptoms I haven't had yet!!
My breasts although very, very tender have not grown any bigger. Which so far has been a blessing. I do NOT want my breasts to get bigger.... at all. My bras take up enough room in my dresser already (not because of quantity either). They are expensive when I have to buy new ones, not to mention hard to find, size AND comfort are important.
So that's pretty much my symptoms so far. My stomach hasn't grown any, even though starting out with a belly already now I have an excuse. Which is nice, now when one of my kids (from my nanny jobs) asks if there is a baby in my belly I can positively say YES!!! I'm still very very excited to be pregnant and would take any of these symptoms plus more to have this chance!!!
I love to write and after reading a few other people's blogs I have decided to write one as well. It seems like an amazing way to keep people posted about what's going on in our lives. So in the past two months Ken came home from Great Lakes, IL he is in the navy and was gone for boot camp (2 1/2 months )and then 3 months of training. Ken and I have moved across country from Washington (state) to Virginia. Yes we drove and it was so worth the time we were able to spend together especially since he just got home. One week before we celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary we found out we are PREGNANT!!! So we have been quite a busy little family. I'm excited we are starting this new chapter in our lives. Each day has been a new adventure and I'm so thrilled to be going through everything with my best friend (my hubby obviously). My due date is March 29th, 2010. Which of course with a hectic March already ( I could name all the birthdays but that might take up the whole dang page) which includes mine and Ken's birthday, we were not surprised. Currently I'm 8 weeks and 4 days!!
My dad and Tiara after she woke up. 
