The Reveal Party

We had our families over to reveal the baby's sex. They were very excited to hear the news. I made cupcakes with a blue filling to announce that he is a boy.

Taking a Bite

Team Blue...the Winners!

Team Pink

I decorated with the sono pictures, some of our childhood books/toys and pictures of us when we were babies. It was a lot of fun. We are very blessed to have such loving families that are truly excited for us.

Week 20

Week 20

Week 20 Stats:

Total Weight gain- 2-3 lbs

Maternity Clothes- Still just tops...I did breakdown and put a rubber band around a pair of pants after lunch once this week.

Symptoms- Had a strange pain in my lower left abdomen for a couple of days and more back pain. Threw up a couple of times in the morning...not sure what this is all about!!

Sleep-Just the usual up and eating/peeing routine.

Best moment- Seeing baby B on the sonogram and finding out he is a BOY! Revealing the big news to our families. Starting to paint the nursery.

Cravings- Still no cravings.

Missing- Missing running like I use to...just doesn't feel the same.

Looking forward to- Starting to get excited about our trip over Spring Break!

Baby Shower for "Pitty-Patty"

I threw a shower for my childhood friend, Cassie this weekend. It chose a farm theme since they are doing a little tractor/vintage farm theme for the nursery. They haven't revealed the little man's name, but his Grandma affectionately calls him "pitty patty".

Week 19

Week 19

Week 19 Stats:

Total Weight gain- 1-2 lbs

Maternity Clothes- Using the maternity tops quite a bit now. Noticing a few pairs of pants are tighter than normal, but no maternity pants/belly band yet.

Symptoms- I've started to dry heave in the morning, but other than that feeling pretty good.

Sleep- Sleep is okay...occasional sleeplessness, and as always midnight snacks.

Best moment- Hearing baby Beisel's heartbeat again, and Valentine's day.

Cravings- Nothing really.

Looking forward to- The sonogram!!! And then starting the planning and prepping!

Week 18

Week 18

Week 18 Stats:

Total Weight gain- Still no change on the scale...although it is hard to believe it looking at this picture. I think I have lost a little muscle.

Maternity Clothes- Still just a few maternity tops.

Symptoms- Headaches continue as well as the fatigue.

Sleep- Sleep is okay...just waking up for a snack every night.

Best moment- Nothing real noteworthy this week.

Cravings- Nothing really.

Looking forward to- Anxious to go back to the Dr. 4 weeks feels like too long to wait to get reassurance that all is well. And of course the sonogram.

Week 17

WEEK 17

It took me a long time to get around to taking weekly belly pictures. With my first pregnancy I started right away, with this one I wanted to wait a little bit. Now I am a little sad that I won't have the whole belly growth progression, but honestly weeks 1-12 didn't bring much change. I meant to start taking pics at week 15...but here is the first...Week 17. I had no trouble hiding the pregnancy until around week 14 or 15 when I started to show a little. As far as symptoms go I had it pretty easy week 1-12. I had some mild nausea and was super tired, but not much else.

Week 17 Stats:

Total Weight gain- 0 lbs...things seemed to be shifting, but wasn't a change on the scale.

Maternity Clothes- I have added a few maternity tops to replace my long sleeve t's that are a little snug.

Symptoms- Since week 15 I have had quite the streak of headaches. I also have some nausea and heartburn after dinner...but since I crash out after "the wheel" it is not too bad.

Sleep- still need lots of it. I go to bed early and then usually get up to eat at some point in the night. The heartburn makes it a little tough to fall asleep.

Best moment- I am starting to feel some slight movements which is very exciting.

Cravings- Nothing really.

Looking forward to- The sonogram, I can't wait to find out what the baby's sex is!!!

Sharing the BIG news

After miscarrying in September Chad and I were very cautious when it came to sharing our news the second time around. We decided to wait until week 12 to tell anyone, and I was lucky enough to be well enough to hide the secret. Week 12 happened to fall on Christmas so we planned a surprise for our families. We wrapped a "baby themed" grocery item for each person in the family and then let them piece it together.

It was much easier to come up with the 4 items needed for Chad's family. It was a little trickier to think of 9 items for my family. We used: sugar babies, sour patch kids, junior mints, baby ruths, sweet baby ray's bbq sauce, baby butter beans, runts, baby carrots and baby goldfish. Unfortunately, we didn't snap a picture with my family.

We waited until week 15 to announce to the rest of the world. I decided to put a sign/candy in the teachers lounge at school. It read: We are overJOYed to announce we are having a BABY. I put out baby ruths and almond joys.

2011

A Year in Review...Looking back at 2011

It is hard to believe that another year has passed. This year brought with it some highs and lows, but when we look back we know that we are truly blessed. Let's review.

My sister got engaged in May and then promptly got married in September. It was a fast and furious, but also beautiful and 100% her. I was excited to be a part of her day.

In July we spent a week in Pigeon Forge, TN with my mom's family for a reunion. We had a blast hiking, sight seeing and hanging out with my family. After the reunion we took a couple of days and drove down to the coast. I wish we could have spent more time in SC.

Sadly, in June we had to say good-bye to my Grandma O. It happened very quickly and was a tough time for my family.

Kona got an ear injury that landed her at the vet. She was sad and annoyed for days while her head was wrapped.

My younger brother Ty also got engaged this year. I am excited to have another sister in June.

Chad studied hard this past year and passed the Air Force Officer Test (AFOPT). Hopefully 2012 will bring a career change for him.

I finished my Masters in Dec. '10 and this year I started taking classes again with the hope of obtaining my LPC soon.

At the beginning of 2011 we went Gluten Free in an attempt to "fix" Chad's digestive issues. The changes in his diet helped tremendously and we continue to eat GF.

In August we were excited to become pregnant, but were devastated to lose baby in September. With the go ahead from the doctor we quickly became pregnant again in November. It was a very eventful few months full of lots of emotions.

There you have it...2011. It was a great year, we are excited to see what 2012 will bring!

Holiday 2011 Recap

Holidays 2011

Here we go again. I am trying to play "blog catch-up" because I haven't been posting...yes, I know this is a pattern. I am working on it. Let's pretend that the date doesn't read Feb., but more like December 30th??

Chad and I were very blessed to share the holiday season with our family and friends. I love the holidays, especially the traditions that come with them. This year we continued some traditions, started some new traditions and with any growing family adjusted some traditions. So...let's recap:

The New:

This year we through my nieces and nephew a Polar Express Party. It was a lot of fun and I hope will be a tradition that I can continue with my own little ones. So here are the details: I gave each of them a "train ticket" invitation the week before the party inviting them to come and to wear their pjs. In our pjs we ate popcorn and watched Polar Express. It was so sweet to be curled up on the couch with my 2 nieces, nephew and husband. After the movie we made cinnamon applesauce ornaments and drank hot cocoa. It was really quite simple, but a memory that I will cherish.

The Old:

- We continued the tradition of getting together to bake. It is fun to take time to try new recipes, make old favorites and share the goodies. This year my mom, sister, grandmother, future sister-in-law and aunt all got together. We also continued the traditions of having a few recipes that flop and making way too much!

- Of course we attend Christmas Eve Mass and spent time with our families. The best traditions of all. There was lots of food, gifts and love!!!

The Adjusted:

- Because of work schedules and juggling in-law schedules we had to adjust the timeline of festivities this year. We spent Christmas Eve with Chad's family, Christmas morning as a couple and the 26th with my family. It was nice to spread it out and really enjoy our time together.

- My family also decided to draw names this year. It was sad not to buy for everyone, but we are getting rather large and drawing names made things a little simpler.

I hope your holidays were as blessed as ours!

Meg