It's a BOY

We are so excited to announce that we have a SON!  :)  (and, apparently, despite the fact that I have had trouble gaining weight early in the pregnancy, he is growing just great! In fact, the technician said he was a week ahead in size (although, she also said they have growth spurts, so they wouldn't change his due date just because he is measuring big).

Sorry I haven't kept up with the blog as much as I had hoped (as the point of the blog was to keep everyone updated with what is going on - especially when I don't get a chance to see / talk to them regularly).

But - I will leave you with a couple of things:

1. they say the baby now has the ability to HEAR our voices / other noises!!  How cool?
2.  I finally have felt him MOVE! Such a fun feeling when you know it is YOUR child moving!  :)
3. People have asked if I have had any cravings - and, after some careful thought, the answer is YES:  Golden Grahams (and other cereals in general, but mostly Golden Grahams :) ).
4. I am going to share one of my favorite photos from our big ultrasound last week - it happened while Andy, the technician, and I were laughing about something:  he gave us a thumbs up!  I am going to believe that means the baby LOVES to laugh!

Take care this week and thanks for all the prayers!

18 weeks photo

Here is me at 18 weeks.  The baby is now the size of a bell pepper, 5 1/2 inches long and 7 ounces (approximately).  The baby is developing the skills to yawn and hiccup this week!

17 weeks photo

Here is a photo of me at 17 weeks. The baby is the size of an onion!

17 1/2 weeks!!

O.k. - So, even if it takes a couple of weeks to compile a new post - that's ok - it is better than nothing!  

I had my 17 week check-up this past Monday and have finally gained 3 pounds!  I never thought I would be so happy to see the scale tip higher (or, let's be honest, I never thought I would have trouble gaining weight in the first place).

I was sad that Andy was unable to be with me at the appointment, because it was the first appointment that the doctor utilized the doppler device to hear the heartbeat. And, to my dismay, my phone would not cooperate and record the sound for me :(.

However, there are blessings all around us. A beautiful friend of mine, Meghan (& Erik), had prepared a delicious meal for Andy, I, and another couple-friends of ours: Megan and Brian. The main focus on the supper was supposed to be to plan out the gardens we will each be growing this year in order to determine if we could share packets of seeds.   Well......the boys discussed the gardening, while the girls, of course, discussed all things baby. As both Megan and Meghan are parents of one-year olds, and I loved absorbing so much wonderful information from them (as they both are also first-time moms).

Out of the conversation, Megan remembered her AT HOME doppler device that she had lent to Meghan during her pregnancy. And lo and behold, Meghan still had it at her house!  So - sweet & wonderful Megan is letting me borrow it to be able to hear the heartbeat myself ANYTIME I want.  The greatest part about it - was Andy was able to hear the heartbeat for the first time last night.

Such a sweet, lovely sound it is.

We are very much looking forward to Monday morning - as we have our "anatomy / baby" scan with the big ultrasound machine at the hospital.  This is the scan where they will check in on the development of the baby's organs (i.e. heart, brain, etc.) AND.....we will find out if the baby is a BOY OR GIRL.  I am so excited, I can't wait!

Please continue to pray for Andy and I, as we continue to prepare for the little life that we will be welcoming in to the world in just 6 months (wow!) and adjust to all the big decisions that come with it!

I hope to post some developing pictures soon....stay tuned. :)

15 weeks along! The baby is the size of an apple. This week the baby is developing his/her tastebuds.

Blogging....

Turns out - I am not very good at this blogging thing...am I? Over 4 months - and I never really started. Well - it's a new year, and Andy and I are starting a new chapter in our lives - so now is as good as time as any to "knuckle down, buckle down, just do it, do it, do it." (lyrics from Roger Miller's "Can't Roller Skate on a Buffalo Herd"). Andy and I are expecting our first child in June (official due date as of now is June 24, 2014). We are very excited, but definitely overwhelmed (there is so much stuff to process that you "need" for a child!). We are hoping to find out the gender within the next month or so. As for the pregnancy goes - it is a lot harder than I expected it to be. For some reason, I thought I was going to have an easy go of it (no idea where I dreamed up that notion!). As of my latest doctor's appointment - I was still losing weight, which concerned my doctor. I was put on some medicine to help with the nausea / sickness. I still don't think I have gained weight - but I don't think I have lost any more, so that is a good step. I am struggling with keeping enough liquids down (so dehydration is always around the corner) - which adds to the ease in which I get tired/exhausted. Prayers are always welcome. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing though (don't let my previous paragraph confuse you). To be able to see the blob with a beating heart on our first ultrasound turn into a baby-like form in just a few weeks is crazy! As of right now - the baby is the size of an APPLE and is growing tastebuds this weeks. It will be interesting to see what types of food this tiny person will love as he/she grows.