My Boys

15 weeks! It's a boy!

13.5 Weeks

Hello World!

12 Weeks

12 Week Scare

I woke up this morning to more spotting and lower back pain. I immediately called AJ to see if I would get arrested if I called off my jury duty. After he and my Dad convinced me I would not get arrested, I called in and texted my midwife. Yes... my midwife is an old family friend and nice I can text her. She asked me to come in. I think my Mom and Dad were worried sick. I was actually pretty calm. I was excited I may get to see the peanut today. The baby immediately started moving around and is out of my pelvis. The heartbeat still is 168. Many are predicting a girl. I am hoping deep down, but know my odds are against me. I will trust God knows what I need best. I will be ecstatic with either. We are going back tomorrow for my bloodwork and another sono to look at the placenta. I convinced AJ he has to go with me.

12 weeks

12 weeks down!

I am sorry I have not posted recently. It has been same old same old around here. I am looking forward to my doctor's appointment Thursday. I had a little scare on Saturday morning. I experienced some light spotting. Worried I sent a text to my midwife then decided to call the office. She gave me orders to take it easy. Easier said then done with boys and activities. But I managed to rest and not do a whole lot this weekend. Brady has strep throat and I pray I don't get it. I have jury duty this week. I was excited about it at first... now I dread it. I hate not being able to plan my week. Praying they won't want a police officer's wife!

11 weeks

So cute!

http://vimeo.com/m/#/14235967

Labor Day Weekend

The boys and I have escaped to our favorite get a way. It is cool and windy in South Western MI. It really feels like fall. Not a good day for swimming or rock hunting on the beach. Looks as if we will find a fall activity to keep us busy. Baby seems to be doing well. We just hit our 10 week mark. It seems as if it is going very slowly. I hope you all are getting to relax this Labor Day weekend. Thinking about all of those including my hubby who will be laboring this weekend.

Apple Salsa

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Apple-Salsa-with-Cinnamon-Chips




I cant wait to make this!

Stroller Fun

AJ and I had a lunch date and went and played with strollers today. This is our top pick so far. I am so excited for all the fun things we are going to get to do! AJ asked me how I convinced him to do this again.... then we sniffed Baby Magic and we both remembered.

Moving Along

Sorry for the lack of posting. It has been pretty uneventful around here. Ive been working hard, trying to get a daily nap, and getting the boys back into a school routine. Baby is growing and I dont feel as hungry 24/7. But watch out if I get a craving! Today was rolos!

Over the Moon

I am over the moon with our little peanut. I admit, I had a sleepless night last night and pretty much made myself sick with anxiety today. I just kept imagining how awful it would be to be so excited about this little one, to find no heartbeat or even no baby. I saw the baby as soon as she started the sono. AJ and I were nervous we would maybe find twins. Although I'm sure it is a blast... really was praying for one. AJ held on to me so tight as we watched the screen. We were both relieved to see our little peanut and to hear and see a strong heartbeat. 168! My due date is April 5th, but she told me that we can schedule an induction up to a week early if all goes well. With AJ's work schedule and the boys... I'm sure we will choose to pick our date. Now.. for an April or March birthday. =)

We have decided to stay in our cozy house for a bit. We just bought a bigger SUV, and we want to make sure AJ is 100% secure in his job. So.. thanks to my sister in law she gave me a great idea for moving our dining room and changing our dining room into our Master. It will work for a small while .

I absolutely love our decision to stay in our small town and experience small town life. Our lives are at a much slower pace and it came at the perfect time. I am enjoying my 2 minute drive to drop off and pick up the kids. Keegan has been walking to school and already has a handful of friends. Brayden also seems to be making friends quickly.

9 weeks

Random Thoughts

I wanted to share how incredibly amazing this journey has been so far. It is really fun to see my belly grow and to see how excited the boys are. AJ has started talking to the baby and kisses it before he goes to work. So sweet. Im so anxious for our doctor appointment. Please God .... only one!

Patiently Waiting

We are heading into week 9. My exhaustion seems to not be as severe this week. Ive had a busy work week and got the boys back to school. This week I'm craving anything from Panera. Mexican food is also at the top of the list. No olives! We are patiently waiting for our ultrasound Wednesday. I know Im getting bigger and am confident our little raspberry is growing growing!

Little Moments

I love mornings that start like this!

It's Out!

I have decide that we are approaching week 8 and more and more people in our lives are finding out, I made it public on Facebook. I have been overwhelmed with the well wishes. I thought long and hard about waiting until our doc appointment on the 25th,but I realized that if there was a problem, I would want the love and support of our friends. Here is to week 8 and our little raspberry!

Thoughts...

I have been watching my 20 month old nephew today with the boys. Keegan and Brayden are so wonderful with him. We were on our way to McDonalds, and Keegan says to me... " Mom. I hope our baby is just as cute and funny as Bailey." I realized I'm going to have great helpers and this baby is going to be a perfect addition to our family whether it is a boy or girl.

I started thanking God today for making all my dreams come true. I had a very crazy couple of years trying to find myself. As you all know, I left a job that was toxic to me and I couldn't be happier. I prayed daily that I would be a mom again and that I would find a job that would allow me to work from home and to be with my kids. I am so blessed that my job as a Realtor allows me to do just that. I have to admit that I am sad the boys are back to school next week. I really have enjoyed them this summer. I felt like I had lost the past two years with them. I feel like I have myself back and I know what I want and where I am going. It is a wonderful feeling.

My nephew is down for his nap, and I decided to wake up at 5:30 this morning to make banana apple bread. So.. It's nap time for me.

We Have Fingers and Toes!

I was searching this site last night and it had some great pictures. The site shows how the baby goes from paddles to fingers and toes this week! Very cool! Check it out if you are interested!

Football!

Maternity Clothes

Ive been trying to hold out at looking at and getting maternity clothes. I can now no longer fasten my pants or shorts. The Belly Ban is a lifesaver but I am sure as my butt gets bigger... it wont work for long. I have to say I am so disappointed by the frumpy maternity clothes in the stores. I did get a pair of maternity jeans with the fold over panel for a pretty good deal. I am so surprised maternity clothes havent come farther. Guess I will be forced to be creative!

Test!

I am writing this post from my wonderful third arm... my Droid. I am excited that I should be able to post at the touch of a button!

Daily Wishes

I have found it fun to tell a friend here and there that we are expecting. It's so fun to get the well wishes and see the support we have. Yes, I will be glad when we can shout it from the rooftops... or at lest publish it on Facebook. =)

My belly is definitely growing. The boys and I were looking at blueberries yesterday, and picked out the fatest roundest one and joked that was our blueberry. It has been so fun to involve them. We were not going to tell them, but my investigative oldest picked up on the clues. Some days they talk a lot about it, and some days it's hard for them to grasp. Keeg already has asked if he can be in the delivery room. Although, it may be a great lesson in birth and birth control, I think he doesn't need to see his mommy that way. After all, he told us last week that he wasn't ready to learn about being a teenager.. he just wants to be a kid. =)

Heading in to week 7!

For the most part, this pregnancy is a secret. We vowed to not make it public until our August 25th doctor appointment and sonogram, but I have heard that my husband has shared the news with the whole police department and Marine Corps. Family members and a few friends are slowly hearing the news. I hate to say it, but this baby is definitely making my belly pooch out a lot faster then I had expected. A few people have noticed already. I have one pair of jeans that I can get on comfortably with a belly band, but there is no buttoning them. My low rise jeans, are set aside as there is no hope in getting them to work.

I feel great other then being tired in the afternoon. I also, have a very broken up sleep at night. I crave olives, spicey foods, and cheese. I have fallen in love with the local olive bar. Aj wants to throw up!

It's Positive!

AJ and I have been trying for baby #3 just about two months. I began to get frustrated, as I had gotten pregnant immediately with the boys. It does make things a bit tricky to find time to baby make with two boys and their hectic schedules. Not to mention a husband who works at night. But.. we obviously did something right.

I began taking tests last week. I just didn't feel right. I felt as if I had the beginning stages of pregnancy brain. I left things in odd places, leaving me to retrace my steps. The tests were from Dollar Tree and when I took them, I swore that I saw a faint line. The lines were nothing like I remembered from the boys. I shook it off as I was testing to early.

This week, I continued to have pregnancy brain and wrote two checks without completely filling them out. I also have been feeling really bloated and exhausted. I bought a set of EPT tests last night and ran home to try them. When we got home, I swore I saw a faint plus sign, and even called AJ in to validate. Again.. frustrated I turned to the Internet and saw that many people had the problem with the tests. I decided that today I would get a digital test. No debating... it was going to tell me Pregnant or not Pregnant. AJ laughed and said mine would come up "I'm not sure."

I couldn't wait to take the test. I had been cramping all day, and thought maybe I wasn't pregnant. I sat in my parents bathroom and said a little prayer. I watched the hour glass spin on the test and then I saw "Pregnant"! I think I was a bit in shock. I took a picture of it with my phone and sent a message to AJ. It said " OMG!"

He is already on me about watching what I eat, starting to exercise, etc. Really funny because he wasn't like that with the others. I teared up twice today when I thought about how this baby would not get to know Mamaw Grace. I know she has spent time with our little one and I am sure she is started him/ her out right. I know she will be watching down on us every minute as I know she does everyday.

I am so proud of myself. I haven't told a single soul other then AJ. It should be interesting to keep our secret as we are going on vacation with our families. I am sure it will come out when they see me pass up a glass of wine. No Michigan wine for me this year.

Beginning Thoughts

Before you were conceived I wanted you. Before you were born I loved you. Before you were here an hour I would die for you. This is the miracle of life. By Maureen Hawkins