30 Week Checkup

Praise the Lord! My sugars are normal! Yeah! I'm still gonna watch what I eat but I am well below the danger zone now. I'm starting to feel weighed down... and looking it too. At 30 weeks along we could have a baby here in as soon as two months (8weeks)! But ya never know, this kid could decide to be late, we'll have to wait and see. Isaac and I are both cracking down on reading books on childbirth and whatnot. At times all this information can be a bit overwhelming. But I really think I'll have a good support system, between Isaac and our doula. It'll be hard but well worth it when we get to hold our beautiful baby in our arms!

We got to enjoy a nice weekend at the lake. The weather was nice enough for us to have a picnic on the boat Friday afternoon but was chilly and rainy the rest of the weekend, so we just relaxed and beat Mom and Dad in cards... alot. Its nice to be able to get away from everything for awhile and just chill. We got back into town just in time for our doctor's appointment today, we couldn't bring ourselves to leave yesterday.

More Senior Pix

Feeling the baby move alot! This little guy/girl is getting pretty strong, its getting to where I can actually see some of the kicks. Its so amazing, I can't get over the fact that a person is growing inside of me! We've started our childbirth classes. But we've been reading up on the subject for awhile now so there hasn't been alot of info that we hadn't already heard, but its still good to become more familiar w/ the terms and whatnot. I keep reminding myself that we are approaching a huge milestone in our lives... we, our life, its all going to change forever. Wow. The things we do for the ones we love, even ones we haven't met yet!

This past weekend I had a photo shoot with Trisha, my cousin's girlfriend. We took her senior pictures. It was a beautiful day, a little too sunny at times, but we beat the rain that came later in the afternoon so I can't complain. The pix turned out great! It was nice to spend a little time getting to know her better too. She is going into Special Education which is really cool. Here are a few samples of her pic.

28 weeks down - 12 to go!

I had my 28 week checkup today. Another thumbs up from my CNM. All is well, I'm on track with everything. At this stage the baby should be somewhere around 15 inches long and 3 pounds. I feel movement often now and its getting stronger by the day. Isaac is able to feel now, its been really special being able to share it together. We're both getting pretty excited. Its weird how we already feel so much love for this little person we've never seen or met, but the love is there, there is no doubt about that. We can't wait to be able to hold and hug and kiss and just look at this new life thats growing inside of me.
Side Note:
For anyone who knows my sister Shannon.... she and her longtime boyfriend Eric are officially engaged! He proposed (with a ring and everything) on May 1st and they are planning on getting married on August 27th. Yeah!

Another Good Checkup

I had my 26 week doctor's appointment today. Good report! Only 1 1/2 lbs gained since last month(for a total of 12 lbs to date), I'm measuring where I should, and everything else is looking good too. Very pleased to hear that! At this stage the baby is probably almost 2 lbs and about 13in long. It is aware of light and darkness, and can hear sounds both from inside and outside my body. The next checkup (in two weeks) they're gonna check my sugars again and run a few other routine tests/exams. My appointments will be every two weeks now instead of once a month... then the last month or so it will be every week. So far so good. I'm feeling pretty good, enjoying the warmer weather we've been having lately. The baby must like it too - I've been feeling lots of movement. We would appreciate prayers for the rest of the pregnancy and the birth to go well also. We will soon be starting childbirth classes at the hospital and working with our doula on natural childbirth techniques.

Pregnancy Info

This is a little pregnancy information you may or may not know. I chose the info that was closest to the stage I'm at now, and that would apply to the pix of baby at 5months along in the pregnancy(I got the pix from a pro-life website - it is NOT our baby, but cool none the less).

Month 5
Half the pregnancy has now passed, and the fetus is about 12 inches long.The mother has definitely begun to feel movement by now. If a soundis especially loud or startling, the fetus may jump in reaction to it.

Month 6
Oil and sweat glands are functioning. The delicate skin of the growing baby is protected from the fetal waters by a special ointment called "vernix." If the baby were born in this month and given the proper care, he would survive.

How awesome is that? I'm getting more and more excited! I hope to start working on the nursery soon.

Trip Update

Lauren and I had a blast in Florida. The drive was crazy long but the beach was beautiful and the company was great. We really enjoyed spending time with our new cousin Paige and her aunt and cousin who were visiting too. We spent alot of time on the beach, which was only a block away from Paige's house, had a dinner cruise, and of course did some shopping. I think the baby liked going to the beach, I felt alot of movement while we were there, its so cool! It was great but both Lauren and I were homesick for our men. Next time we go we'll have to take them too! Here is a pix of me, Paige and Lauren in the surf!

A+

I got a good review at the last checkup. The baby's heartbeat was good and strong(loud and clear, not soft like before), I'm on track as far as my weight goes, I've brought my sugar and ketone levels down, brought my fluid intake up and everything is looking good. Yeah! It was very encouraging and I'm feeling good. I've been feeling little flutters of movement, but not much localized "kicking" yet. But I'm enjoying the little bit that I've been given for now. I definately look pregnant now... unless I wear big baggy sweats - then I just look fat. But I've got some cute maternity stuff and a new haircut to help me stay cute and not let myself go - at least not every day. I'm excited for this trip to Florida next week. I think Isaac has gotten more used to the idea. I'll post pix when Lauren and I get back. Much Love!

Halfway!

I'm about 19weeks along now, which is about halfway through the pregnancy(give or take). I had my 18week check-up last week. My sugar levels were borderline when they tested my glucose awhile back, and diabetes runs in my family... so I'm off of sugar for the rest of the pregnancy. I've done really well so far. But its only been a week. Give me a awhile and I'll be begging for a milkshake or something, anything!
I haven't felt any definate movement inside yet but am trying to be patient, its not uncommon for first time moms to take awhile before they recognize movement.
I'm hoping to take a road trip to Florida with my sister Lauren for her senior spring break. Isaac is really nervous about me being gone for 4-5 days... but this is the last time I'll be able to do something like this for awhile and I don't want to pass it up. I'm not as fragile as he thinks I am... and my nurse said it'd be fine. It'll be fun!

Our Ultrasound!

Isaac and I got to see our baby for the first time today! We have a couple minutes of video and everything! It is so weird, its seems so much more real now that we've seen it. Its really gonna hit me sometime... and I'm gonna just freak out.
Here are a couple still shots of what our beautiful baby looks like at 16 weeks! The top pix is of the baby's feet together, the middle one is almost a full body shot (the head is on the right, you can see the little profile of its face and you can see the back), and the last one is of its arm and fist. How cute! Omigosh... can you believe I'm gonna be a mom in 5mos?!? Oh, yeah we met w/ our potential doula on Monday. It was really nice to hear what she had to say, have her answer some questions that we had, etc. We feel pretty good about it and will most likely end up having her help us w/ the birth.

moving along

Ok, this is not our baby.... but it is close to the same age as ours is now and I thought it was neat to see what it kinda looks like about now. This picture is of a 16week baby and we are 15weeks... I have a doctor's appointment on Monday morning and am going to be meeting w/ a doula that evening(hopefully). I've had a cold which has made my morning sickness worse - gag reflex, etc... bummer.... but I think the cold is on its way out of my system. I haven't gained much weight which is a bit of a relief.... I was afraid I'd balloon up right away... but I've still got 5-6mos to go.... don't worry I'll have a massive belly in no time! he he - We're waiting to hear from someone about a free ultrasound. As soon as we get one I'll post pix of our own baby! Yeah!

Info

There is alot to deal w/ when you're pregnant. I don't think I realized how many decisions I'd have to make along the way, or how hard some of them would be. I want to have a natural birth... but do I want to use Lamaze, the Bradley method, or a doula? Do I want a water birth, or use a birth ball or chair? Do I want an ultrasound? And if I have one do I want to know the sex of the baby? I'm so overwhelmed sometimes. Its so hard to know what information to believe. There is so much out there and I don't know who to trust. I feel like I'm being pulled in too many directions. Everyone has an opinion and everyone thinks their way is the right way! What to do, what to do?!?

checkup

Wednesday was my 12week prenatal checkup. Isaac and I got to hear the heartbeat of our baby! It was the most amazing thing! We only heard it for a second but it was soft and fast and precious! Kandy, our nurse, said the baby kept hiding from us and thats why we couldn't hear it more than that. But next month we'll hear the heartbeat more and hopefully get an ultrasound done too. Exciting stuff! Yeah!

Sample Pix

Here are a few of my fave pix. Hope you like them!

update

We had very enjoyable holidays, visiting w/ friends and family. We announced our news to everyone who didn't already know. Everyone is excited for us, of course! I'm 11 weeks along now. Feeling pretty good, not feeling as much morning sickness as I was before. Still tired alot. We have another doctor's appointment next week and we should be able to hear the heartbeat then!

Baby On The Way

This weekend Isaac and I announced to our families and church body that we are expecting our first child in late July. As I'm sure you suspect, we're very excited, as are our families. We'll be going for our first prenatal appointment the Monday after Christmas to confirm that all is well. I'm feeling pretty good, a little bit of Morning/Afternoon/Evening Sickness... but nothing too bad, just a li'l queasy feeling that comes and goes. I'm glad to have it out in the open, its been hard keeping it from people these past few weeks!

Photography

I have had several paying photography gigs now. I'm getting more comfortable I think, behind the camera. I'm still highly critical of my work. But I'm slowly realizing that I may be pretty good at this. Isaac insists that I'm a natural and wonderful.... but he's so biased. But he lifts me up and helps me have confidence in myself and my abilities. Husbands are good for that. :-)

Home Again

My parents returned from their month long trek to Mexico. They had many adventures and alot or work and sightseeing. Their pix were amazing. I wish I could have been there. They went to the Aztek pyramids, islands off the pacific coast, flea markets, and the area where butterflies migrate to. They had a really neat experience and I'm so glad that it worked out and they are safe at home again!

Parent's Mexico City Adventure

My parents are still in Mexico. They went to see the ruins near Mexico City. They took a different route on the way back to the mission camp and ended up in the ghetto. They tried to ask some policia for directions and the cop threatened to take my dad to jail for some "violation" if they didn't pay him $600.00 American dollars. Eventually he ended up settling for about 30.00 and some change and directed them to the highway. A little bit scary to say the least! Please keep them in your prayers!

My Paren'ts Mexico Trip

My parents are a week into their trip. They are at a mission camp in the middle of Mexico. There were a couple small hiccups on the way down but nothing major and they are there safe and sound. They won't be back for another 3 weeks and I would like prayer for their continued safety and protection. I'm really excited for them and I wish I could be sharing this experience with them. But a month is too long for me to be away from my honey.

Back from Vacation

Isaac and I took a week off and did as little as possible. We went to the lake (for the first time by ourselves). It was so quiet and restful. We went out and emjoyed Amish country and visited with a few people. But mostly we relaxed and enjoyed spending some quiet time alone with eachother. It was wonderful... we were'nt ready to come back to work yet. But alas here we are back in the real world. Anyway... Christmas is just around the corner and I'm partially through my shopping. I had to wrap some presents already because I was afraid Isaac would go snooping around and find his gifts. he he