kicking!

I felt definitely little kicks the last two days in a row and they are amazing! I even think that I saw 2 of them. Pat thinks that he felt one or two, so I'm still looking forward to when he can feel all that I do. It is absolutely remarkable to feel this little baby inside of me. It really makes my faith confirmed.
Also, we spent two days and a few hours in the car to Houston this last weekend and we are now officially registered. We did Target and Babies 'R Us. The only disappointment of registering is that they are discontinuing a large portion of the line that I fell in love with at Babies 'R Us. They have already discontinued and put on clearance the play-yard, swing, bouncer, highchair, and bassinet. BUMMER! But, the good news is that the bedding itself is not as of now. We went ahead and got the 4-piece bedding set (bumpers, sheet, comforter, bed skirt) when we were there because all organic was 20% off-yay! We're just crossing our fingers that all of the little extras (mobile, lampshade, window valances, blankets, bear stuffed animal that matches) will still be there when our loved ones go to buy. SO, big city folks-if you see ANY of the Nature's Purest Hug Me bedding line go on clearance, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE call me ASAP so that we can act accordingly! Thanks!

Next ultrasound/OB appointment is on January 19 at 4 p.m. I'm a little worried because I already registered and bought some girl's clothes...like anyone is surprised at that ;) Have a great New Year!!!

more pictures!

Just thought I'd post some more pictures..finally have some time to get caught up!



Pat & Chance when it snowed.

Michael, Mary, me, & Pat on my birthday at Christmas in the park.

Chance "helping" Pat put up the Christmas tree.

Thanksgiving camping with Pat's family.

Santa visits at MES. (Betcha didn't know my maiden name is Clause?)

Texas Ren Fest back in November

next ultrasound & pictures

I just got a call from the doc...our next ultrasound (to confirm the sex of the baby and check on that low-lying placenta) will be at our next visit on January 19 at 4 p.m. Just thought I'd give everyone the head's up.

Now for some much needed picture updates:

From our ultrasound on 12/19/08

Can you see the baby's little face? Forehead on far right, then eyes to the left, then a little open
mouth

Another one of her face, closed mouth this time. It was really cool to see her open and close her mouth.

Angled from left to right sticking up, you can see her little arm and hand.

Another of the arm and hand.



Now some updated belly pictures:

Week 16
(still looking a bit nauseous)

Week 17
(looking a little better)

Week 18
(getting some energy back)

Week 19
(now that's more like it)

Week 20
(now-FULL of energy and happiness)

drum roll please.....

We just got back from the doctor and it looks like our baby's name will be Georgia Elizabeth Reid! He wouldn't give us the 90% quite yet, but we saw two little butt checks and no turtle in between so we are pretty sure that it's a girl! Everything else was good. We got great shots of the face and arms and hands. We are going to watch because my placenta is lying a little low. He said it should move out of the way as my uterus grows, but we'll do another ultrasound to make sure in a bit...at least that means another chance to check for turtles ;) Have a great Christmas break!

count down to boy/girl

I am getting really really really excited because we only have 4 days until we go for our next ultrasound. Friday at 12:40 we should be finding out whether we are having a baby boy or baby girl! More than anything I'm excited to be able and call the baby by his/her name when I talk to them. One of my kids at school told me that I "gots two babies in there"...I don't know about that, but I suppose we can rule that out after Friday as well.

I'm feeling better finally too! No cold, no headaches, minimal backaches, and minimal tiredness. It feels wonderful to be useful again, at least temporarily. I <3 the 2nd trimester!

In case you were wondering, we have Christmas plans to visit with our "old" college friends the 23rd, see Pat's fam the 24th, and see mine the 25th. Unfortunately it must be short-lived since Pat has to work that Friday. But if any of you teachers want to come see me over the break and help me do some registering that would be fun!

Have a great week....I PROMISE there will be a gender update asap on Friday!

Hormone Dreams

I know that most pregnant women have weird dreams, but seriously? I have had 3 so far. One about Pat dating other people while we were married, one about some weird girl from college stalking me & then it switched to me losing the baby, and one that Pat married someone else instead of me. I have cried with 2 of them. It's silly I know...only dreams, but they are just soooo realistic. Weird indeed.

Several people have asked how they will know if we're having a boy or a girl after my OB appointment on the 19th since it's the last day of school before Christmas...well, keep your eye on the blog. I promise to post that day and tell you!

If you've seen me recently, can you see my belly growing?

Christmas Pole

1. What's your favorite Christmas carol? Oh Holy Night

2. Is your tree up AND decorated? YES!

3. Is all of your shopping/creating gifts done? most of it :)

4. What is your most treasured family tradition? making home-made caramels

5. Will you go to a candle light service during this season or Pathway of Light? Midnight Mass for me :)


**Cut and paste and let us all know about YOU this Christmastime.

heartbeat and belly pics!

o we had our OB appointment on Thursday, and we heard that most amazing little sound...our baby's heartbeat! it was so fast and the doctor said that it was very strong. He also reported that everything seems to be going great and healthy! yay! Oh, and I haven't gained any weight in the last month either, so that was good news. Our next appointment is December 19 and we will be having a ultrasound/sonogram (I never know which to call it) in order to try and determine boy or girl...get excited!!!

I had a great pre-natal massage today at the boardwalk spa, and hopefully it will be the first of many during my pregnancy because it really helped me relax. Now on to an afternoon of being lazy!

more belly pics, weeks 11-15










S

the little peach

That's right...the baby is already the size of a peach. How fun! My mom emailed me the other day and said that she had gotten a lime the size of a grapfruit and she asked if the baby was that kind of lime-funny stuff. I really like peach because the girl name that we are thinking of is Georgia Elizabeth, so peach is just perfect. Georgia was Pat's idea and Elizabeth is a family name in my family. We are thinking Jack Patrick for a boy. Jack is after my grandpa and Patrick is after Pat of course. Plus I just love classic, yet now somewhat unusual names.

In case you were wondering, the camping trip was a lot of fun. The first night wasn't too cold or uncomfortable, but by the second night I realized that I absolutely needed an air mattress so we ended up in the car for the last hour of sleep. I did manage to join Heidi, Noah, and Pat for a couple-mile-long hike though, with lots of up hill breaks.

Today is the first day that many people have noticed my growing belly. It kind of makes me happy in a strange way, I guess it just makes everything more real.

Well, I'm off to vote...hopefully the lines won't be ridiculous.

Still looking for good prego books if you have any ideas!

baby's first camping trip...sort of.

I'm getting really excited because this weekend Pat and I are going camping with Heidi and Noah and their small group from church. We are going to Bastrop State Park and staying in tents, so I hope its not too amazingly cold. Cross your fingers for us.

Many of you know that stress has been at an all time high for me lately, but I just wanted you all to rest easy knowing that things are getting better and I know that God's gonna pull us through this. For this too shall pass. I've really had a good couple of days and the count down is on until Thanksgiving break-21 days and then only 15 after that until Christmas break. Speaking of which, who wants to get together over Christmas break? Pat has to work, but I'll be free as a bird for 2 weeks.

Pregnancy advice question: I already read Belly Laughs and The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy...I'm slowly reading What to Expect When You're Expecting, but I need a fun book too about pregnancy, or at least a funny one. Any suggestions?

Our little lime!

Image courtesy of thebump.com

I'm very happy to report that our baby is now approximately the size of a lime. If you know me then you know I love this one! I'm even starting to have a little bit of a belly and everyone keeps telling me that I have a "glow"...whatever that means. I think it's a good thing though and I am definitely okay with looking pregnant. At least I have a more obvious excuse for my strange, exhausted, nauseous, moody behavior now.

In other news, it looks like moving to Dallas/Fort Worth is the plan for sure after the baby is born. I just can't imagine trusting my baby's care into someone who isn't family when he/she is so small. And after visiting friends and family this last weekend, I know that home is the best place to get all of the support that I'm sure we will desperately need.

I will post new belly pictures soon, I'm a little behind on that. Sorry. Next doctor's appointment is November 13, so I'll have even more to share then.

Pregnancy Advice question: How in the heck do you answer the question of "do you want a boy or a girl?" Really?

Ultrasound!

Picture care of Pat's steady hand and the vet clinic's ultrasound machine:
The head is to the right and you can see his/her little arms and legs. He/she even waved to us!

a good monday!

Not a whole lot to update, except I had a great Monday! My kids at school we're on the ball, we had an assembly, and I made it through the day without feeling like a zombie. Woo hoo! It's funny how little things can be such a big deal.

I am starting to get really excited because Monday is my first official OB appointment and I will probably get a sonogram and pics to go along with it! Amanda Carter just got hers and you can definitely see a baby in the pictures at 10 weeks. Yay!!!

In other news, it looks a lot more likely that we may be able to buy a house in the DFW area when we move. Instead of the 25% down that the mortgage company had quoted us we are looking at 10% max, and probably more like 3%! That seems way more do-able. Now I can start daydreaming about nursery painting :).

One advise question: any tips for eating veggies when NOTHING really sounds good? I seem to be able to get some fruit, but veggies are the real challenge. Thanks!

i'm sorry i think i fell asleep again...

Oh my goodness! Everyone says that you are going to be tired, but this is a whole other level of tired that isn't even discribable in words. I slept from 5-7 and 9-5:30 last night and I still feel like a zombie. Poor, sweet Pat has been doing EVERYTHING at home for us. He's doing the budget, cooking the meals, cleaning, everything. He is so amazing, but I can't help but appologize to him every 5 minutes (when I'm awake at least).

I guess I just need to keep remembering that at the end of all of this is a beautiful baby that I will love more than my heart even knows yet.

Any advice on fighting the fatigue?

new doctor

We had a little scare yesterday and today, but after a visit to the doctor today, all is well. I did however, decide to use my primary care physicians' group instead of the OB I had picked, Dr. Gayle. His office just seems a little too busy and unattentive for me. I think he's got too good of a reputation, good for him, bad for me.

I decided to use Dr. David Damian of Brazos Physicians' Group. He was very attentive and kind. We did an ultrasound today and saw a little circle, the 'sack'. It's amazing how happy I was to see such a tiny little thing. He also told me that I am 8 weeks along and that I am officially due on May 7. My 1st OB appointment with him will be in about 2 weeks.

With love from me, Pat, and our little blueberry circle :)

Pictures!

Belly pictures as promised, weeks 5, 6, &7:

It's been a while since we shared the news with our family, but I love love love these pictures, so I have to share with you.


My parents and their bibs..."i love grandpa" and "grandma's cutie"

Pat's parents.








My grandparents..."you are my sunshine".

tag!

I've been tagged!

Here are the rules:Write 6 strange characteristics about yourself. They interest us all!* Tag 6 other people at the end of your Post.* Visit everyone that you have tagged and leave a comment on their blog to let them know that they have been tagged.

1. I can pop my ankles on command. This is probably not so great since it's probably my ligaments or something breaking down, but interesting none the less.

2. I am a perfectionist. I drive myself nuts with this and I never, ever feel like I can get everything done that I need to. I guess I'm going to have to learn to with the baby coming.

3. If I wasn't a teacher I would be a photographer or a wedding planner. If only I could get my hands on a really good camera and find the time and money to take a photography class.

4. I am really into music. I played clarinet for 10 years and I was the drum major in high school (yes, I'm that much of a nerd). I also have a guitar I like to fiddle around with.

5. The baby was a total surprise. A very very very happy and joyful surprise, but a surprise indeed.

6. I just converted to Catholicism last Easter, but Pat is a cradle Catholic.

I'm tagging Heidi (my sister), Kinsey Johnson (if she has a blog, not sure), Lacy Kelso, Hillary Hathorn, Karen Wilkerson, Sara Newton

blood test

I heard from the doctor today about my second blood test. She said that my hormones are doubling just like they are supposed to be and according to the test I am "3 weeks" pregnant. However, they set my date differently (according to my last period) and I will probably be 5 weeks along officially. I think I'm going to get in contact with Dr. Gayle in College Station for my OBGYN. Lacy Kelso ( a pre-k teacher at my school and a great friend) said he's really good and she knows a bunch of ladies who have used him. He's right next to the hospital too which would be very nice.

So far, still no morning sickness. Knock on wood (no really...you better be knocking for me!). I am just a bit more tired than normal today, but that could still be from the cold. On that front, I'm feeling tons better...what a marvel medication is :).

The farther we get into things, the more it looks like we're probably going to be moving back to the DFW area. We are waiting to talk to region VI and make sure that Pat's teacher certification program can be transfer ed up there, but we are seeing a lot of benefits to moving. My mom is home all day and would love to watch the baby and we just have so much support from friends and family up there. It is going to be really really hard to leave my school and our friends down here though. I never thought I'd be leaving such an amazing school after just 2 years, but I guess it's just like they say...a baby changes EVERYTHING!

Please pray for us as we make many decisions about life.

blah!

I had to stay home today...I have a horrible sore throat and earache that just won't go away. At least it means some extra rest. Between sickness and pregnancy I feel like a walking zombie.

p.s. belly pics to come!

New steps

We'll see who finds this blog before I officially announce it....our life seems as if we've gone in to a wonderful and blissful fast-forward. I'M PREGNANT! I really can't believe that in only 8 months or so we'll have a baby in our arms. It is absolutely crazy! We took a home test and a blood test at the doctor on Wednesday and Thursday morning I got the phone call. It was like I could breath again when the nurse said "You are pregnant". It almost feels like I'm in a dream and can't wake up...but I don't really want to. So far no big sickness or discomfort. I'm a little tired and a constant customer of the restroom. Oh and I feel like I can smell EVERYTHING. But nothing bad so far...hope it stays that way! If you find this before my announcement call me!