We're halfway there!!

So today marks the official halfway mark! Can you believe we are halfway there to holding our long awaited baby in our arms. I just can't help but sit here and be amazed by this journey. I have learned so much about myself, my body, my husband and my faith during this journey, and for the most part it's all been a blessing!

Here is a funny story...I teach dance classes, and I've told my 7-8 yrs olds, but not my 5-6yr olds, because I wasn't sure if they would understand. So we were stretching last night and one of my 6 yr olds looks and me, and in her cutest, but loud voice says...
"Miss Heather when you stretch like that you look pregnant!" I had to laugh. I said, well actually Miss Heather is pregnant and going to have a baby...they were all so cute about it. Just thought I would share the honesty of a child with you.

The past few days I have also started feeling the baby move. It is amazing and usually stops me in my tracks just to savor the moment. Hopefully they will steadily increase and hopefully soon Josh will be able to feel them too!!

So here are new pictures of the week, with the belly growing and growing.


I hate to post this but I am up 8 pounds! The weight is coming on fast now!!

And here is the covered belly for those of you who are tired of seeing my naked belly!!
And here is a picture of our big our bean is!
I pray that everyone has a blessed Christmas!

The long awaited...It's A....

NAUGHTY BABY!!!!

We went to our ultrasound today at 19weeks 1day and wouldn't you know the baby was sitting on its feet...so we couldn't see anything. In all reality we couldn't even get all the measurements we needed because it was in such a ball.

Oh well, we still got to see our baby and it was amazing! We have to go back in 4 weeks...so a whole month away to try and get some more measurements! So maybe we'll get to find out then who this little baby is.

Here is a profile pic, baby's head on the left, with the spine going
down and a hand in front of its face

Here is how the baby was sitting. Foot on the left, knee pointing up,
butt on the bottom.

It looks like we already have an ornery one!! :)

19 weeks! We find out who baby is tomorrow!!!!

So, we have made it to 19 weeks. I can't believe I'm almost halfway there already! It has been such an amazing journey so far and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. Tomorrow is our BIG ultrasound at 11am. We will finally get to see some "pictures" of our little bean and hopefully find out if it is a boy or a little girl. My motherly instincts tell me boy, so we'll have to see if I'm right. I know Josh is secretly praying for a boy, but I know he will fall in love if it's a girl. We shall see in about 24 hours!! YIKES!!!
Overall, I've been feeling pretty good. I am still feeling sporadic movement, here and there. I can't wait to start feeling it more regularly.

I posted the pictures of the week. I am up another pound. So we have hit the 6 pound mark and are slowly creeping our way up. But as long as the baby is healthy, I'm okay with the weight!! :) So here are the newest pics.

19 weeks; up 6 pounds

Belly covered...it's getting bigger.
And I thought I would finally post one of my face...
Thanks to all of you who have been praying for us, our journey and our baby! I just can't even put in to words the amazing things God has blessed us with this year!

As Christmas comes near, and I think about the birth of Christ, I just can't help to think that sooner than later, I will be giving birth to my own miracle!

What an amazing and blessed time of year!

18 weeks and here comes the weight!!

So here we are 18 weeks! YAY!! I can't believe what an amazing journey it has been so far, and yet I think there is so much that I have yet to experience. And I can't wait!! So, I think I may have started to feel the baby move here and there...I am still trying to differentiate between baby and gas!! haha!! The weight gain is obviously not going to slow down now. I have gained 2 this week...which puts me at a grand total of 5 so far...YIKES!!! But at least I know it's for the baby!! :)

So here are this week's pictures.

And one of the covered belly. P.S. We have our ultrasound a week from tomorrow!! I can't wait!!

17 weeks...waiting to POP!

So today marks the 17 week milestone...I've made it 17 weeks! Can you believe it? This journey has brought out every emotion I ever thought I could feel. I am excited, nervous, scared, anxious and every other emotion all rolled into one. Carrying a child is like something I can't explain. When I listen to the heartbeat I can't help but thank God for the awesome creation who has orchestrated inside of me. What a blessing.

Overall I have been feeling pretty good, aside from being a little tired and having some "growing pains", I've been feeling good. As of today, I am up 3.5 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight...so those of you who are following know that means I gained 1.5 pounds this week...I'm going to blame Thanksgiving on that!! haha!

So here are my newest pictures...I still don't think I've "Popped" yet...I think it's getting really close though. I am also waiting anxiously to feel the baby move. I think I may have felt it a couple of times, but I'm not sure if it was baby or gas...they say it can be confusing at first!! haha! So here I am with my bump: And here I am with my shirt down:
And here is how big our little baby is to date:

Preparing for Christmas!

So yesterday we put up our Christmas tree and listened to Christmas music...I LOVE Christmas!! :)
So I thought I would post a picture of me, my belly and the Christmas tree! Enjoy!! :)

Give Thanks...16 weeks!

So this post comes a little late because 16 weeks happened to fall on Thanksgiving. And what a day to give Thanks!

This year I want to take a moment to share what I'm thankful for:
I'm thankful for...
the baby that I have been blessed to carry
the struggles that taught me patience on this journey
the unconditional love of my husband
the opportunity to worship God freely
my friends who mean the world to me
my family who have always supported me
and I could go on and on...
What a time to be thankful for!

So I was 16weeks on Thursday and I am officially up 2 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight...I don't see the weight gain slowing down anytime soon either. Here are the newest pictures of the growing belly.

Here I am with a definate bump coming

Here is the belly covered

And here I am dressed and ready to go eat Thanksgiving dinner!
YUM!

15 Weeks...grow, baby, grow!

So yesterday marked 15 weeks completed. That means only about 5 more weeks until hopefully we find out if this little baby is a boy or a girl...what do you think it is?

Overall, I've been feeling pretty good. I had a couple of days worth of migraines, but I'm starting to feel better. I am slowly getting some energy back...eventhough right now I could go for a nap! haha!

When I went to the Dr. Wednesday for my headache the heartrate was 142bpm. So it had slowed down...maybe it was sleeping. That what mom wanted to do!! haha!

So here are the newest pictures. I am up a total of about 1.5pounds...the Dr. was glad to see I had actually gained a pound! I wish I could be as excited!! Well here are the newest belly pictures, the bump is growing, that's for sure.

And one with my shirt down so you don't have to look at my belly.
Thanks to all those who have been praying for us and this baby! God has truly blessed us and we are so thankful.

14 Weeks..this baby is growing!

Well, today marks 14 weeks. I love Thursdays because that is the day my weeks change over. It is getting interesting watching my body continue to change day by day. I think I am starting to show although I wonder if some is still left over bloat. Who knows. Well here are the pictures from this morning. Current weight: up 0.8 lbs from pre-pregnancy weight...which is normal because they said I will probably start gaining a pound per week. We'll see how all that unfolds.

Here I am with my covered belly, I tend to look
bigger when my clothes are covering my belly.

And here is a picture of how big our little baby is now.
The size of a lemon...it's growing fast!! :)

Officially in the 2nd trimester!

So today marks the offical start date of the 2nd trimester.
I am 13weeks, 4days today, but hey who's counting. Haha!!

Just thought I would share some exciting news after our not so exciting weekend!

Preparing for Motherhood...

So I feel like Josh and I got a little taste of what being parents would be like this weekend. We took our "baby" Comiskey to the dog park on Saturday, like we always do and she was playing awesome with her friend, Izzy, the Weimareiner. All of sudden as Comiskey ran by a huge German Shepherd bit her. Comiskey came over crying and limping. We immediately rushed to the Emergency clinic. They did an exam and then came to the conclusion we would have to sedate her, to do the stitches. We put her in the little kennel and left. We were both so upset.

When we picked her up she was so disoriented. She had to have an E-Collar which made her so anxious so Comiskey and I layed in the living room together until 2:30am, then I went back to the Emergency clinic to get some pain meds. At 4am Comiskey and I went upstairs and I layed on the floor with her and rubbed her. As soon as she fell asleep I went to our bed, however, she woke up crying immediately.


So Josh and I brought her into the spare bedroom, got her up on the bed (She is not allowed on ANY furniture), layed her down and I petted her the rest of the night. We slept from about 4:30am - 7:30am and then moved to our bed when Josh left for work.

I feel like I was prepped a little for what is to come. We realized we would do anything to soothe her and make her feel comfortable and safe.


Here are some pictures from her ordeal this weekend. Here is the wound, she also had a huge scratch across her belly.

Here she is after she was shaved and got her 6 stitches.

And here is our poor baby with her ENORMOUS E-Collar on!

Bought First Piece for Nursery

So on Friday, Josh and I bought our first piece of furniture for the nursery. We decided against a traditional glider after trying some out. So we decided on a microfiber recliner from JCPenney. It is SUPER comfortable and the arms open up for cup storage, magazine holder, etc. The best part is it has a built in heater and massager!! YAY!! It will be here next Monday...I can't wait.

Here is a picture of our new recliner!!

13 Weeks...

Well, today marks 13 weeks into this pregnancy. I can barely believe it. On Monday, I will officially be entering the 2nd trimester. What an amazing feeling. I just feel so blessed to have made it this far already. It is going so fast, and yet so slow at the same time. I have been feeling better as the days go on, however, I think I am coming down with a cold. I have started the coughing, runny nose, etc. It's no fun being sick! Well, here are some new pictures from this week. I am officially back to my pre-pregnancy weight today. So we'll see where the weight continues from here.

13 weeks with my shirt on...I'm definately getting a bump.

I think it's less and less bloat and more and more belly.

We'll see...maybe that's wishful thinking.

Here is a picture of how big our baby is right now.
Our baby is about the size of a peach. It is now forming
teeth and vocal cords. Can you believe something so
small is growing and developing so fast?

12 Weeks Pregnant!

Well, we've made it to 12 weeks today! I am still in awe of how great God is and the miracle that is taking place right before my eyes. I was hoping the morning sickness would have slowed down by now...but in all reality it hasn't! I have been spending a good chunk of the morning, bowing to the porcelain god! UGH!! I am hoping this ends soon.


I started seeing a chiro to help alleviate some of this HORRIBLE back pain I've been having! I'm serious! It is not good. I am having trouble sleeping, back spasms, the whole works! Some, seriously exciting stuff!! haha!!


Tomorrow is our appointment to hear the heartbeat. I actually heard it by myself last Friday, because I was cramping so I went to the Dr., and she found the little bean's heartbeat! It was the most incredible sound I think I've ever heard. I can't wait until tomorrow though when Josh gets to hear it for the first time. It will be such a blessing.


Well, I actually lost a pound this week, I'm sure thanks to the morning sickness and vomiting, but I guess at least I'm not packing on the pounds yet. I'm sure that is to come!! haha!! Eventhough I haven't gained any weight yet, it sure doesn't feel that way! Nothing is fitting and I just feel fat, but I have to remember this little baby is growing by the day inside me!


Well, as always, here are some new pictures of me. 12 weeks and down 1 pound from pre-pregnancy weight! Enjoy!

And of course with some clothes on! :)

11 Weeks Today!

Well, today marks 11 weeks completed. It is amazing just how fast and yet how slow all this is going. Today when I stepped on the scale I was up 0.2 pounds from my prepregnancy weight. So I finally crept over the threshold. The bloat seems to be starting to go away and it looks like there may be the start of a "bump" taking place.


I am still pretty sick, dry heaving every morning and sometimes vomiting throughout the day, but I am always reminded the end result of this, and it seems to make it all the more worthwhile.


So as always, here are my belly pics from this week, one bare belly, and one covered for those of you sick of seeing my yucky belly!! :)

Am I getting an actual bump or is it just me?

It's our 3 year Wedding Anniversary!

Can you believe it? Today Josh and I have been married 3 years! That is so amazing to me. For those of you who don't know I thought I would share some insight into our marriage!
I had the BIGGEST crush on Josh before I ever knew his name. I worked at Gold's, he worked out there. So I saw him everyday, but was too scared to talk to him. I use to tell the girls that worked there though if I could marry anyone, I would marry him.
Fast forward, in August of 2002, his mom (who I knew very well) set us up. We went on our first date on August 13, 2002.
Josh proposed on September 13, 2003.
And we were married on October 16, 2004.
These last 3 years of marriage have been blessed beyond words. I have been blessed with a man who loves me despite my imperfections, who trusts me, encourages me, supports me, pushes me to better and loves me unconditionally. We have been blessed with trials and tribulations that in the end have made our marriage stronger than I ever could have imagined. God is the center of our marriage of because of that I am confident in the many years to come that we will share.
As we embark on the newest adventure in our marriage, preparing to become parents, I can't wait to see the way our marriage and love continues to grow.
Josh, thank you for being my support system, my inspiration and my best friend! I love you today, tomorrow and forever!
Happy Anniversary to Us!!

1/4 of the way done...10 weeks!!

Well, today is officially 10 weeks! 1/4 of the way done...Can you believe that this little baby is already a quarter of the way done! :) Crazy, huh? Well, things are going as well as can be expected. Still dry heaving...now accompanied by some vomiting! The joys of pregnancy, huh? The bloat is getting bigger and bigger...I am starting to wonder what is bloat and what is baby bump...eventhough I know the baby is only about 2 inches long and only weighs 5 oz. how can none of my pants fit!! OH MY!! Well, here are the newest pictures of my expanding waistline...

And for your sake...here is one covered up!!! Two weeks from tomorrow we will get to hear our little bean's heartrate!! I can't wait! :) We are so EXCITED!!! :)

New Game!!

Play our game at ExpectNet.com....click on the link at the top of the page and you can make guesses about what we're having, when and how big!! :)

I'm excited to see the results! :)

9 Weeks Pregnant!

Yesterday, I was 9 weeks pregnant. I am back up to about my pre-pregnancy weight...although NONE of my clothes are fitting! I have 1 pair of jeans that even buttons...YIKES!

Our next appointment is October 26th and there we will get to "hear" the heartbeat!! YAY!!!

Our "Bean"

Here is Josh and I at 8wks, 2dys pregnant! We are just loving this journey!

Ultrasound 8weeks, 1day

So because of all the spotting I've been having, we had another ultrasound scheduled for today. I was so scared and nervous that something was wrong. I have been praying hard for the last couple of days, knowing that God would hear my cries. Well, we went to the ultrasound and baby looked great!! :) Praise God. It has grown so much since Monday and the heartrate was a strong 178bpm. This baby is a fighter!! :)
Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts that have been sent our way. We appreciate them so much!

Officially 8 weeks!

Well, today marks the official 8 week mark. I can't believe I'm already 8 weeks pregnant. It's amazing. I would be lying if I said I felt great, and the road had been easy thus far. It's actually been quite the opposite. The dry heaves are getting progressively worse and the fatigue is overwhelming. But I am reminded by each of these things of the life growing inside me and the joy that is yet to come.


I have to say that my husband has been the most supportive, caring and loving person during this. Rubbing my back every night, listening to me whine, going out and buying milk because I want cereal and just being an amazing friend. Thanks, Josh, for all you do for me.


Here is the newest belly picture, 8 weeks and still growing by the day. The funniest part about all this though is I'm actually down 3 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. Too bad you can't tell and I can't even button my pants anymore.

7weeks, 4days Ultrasound

Well, I have been experiencing some pretty bad spotting, more than what should be "normal" during a pregnancy. So on Monday, Josh and I headed to the Dr. for an ultrasound. We got there and got to see our baby again. It was so amazing. I don't know if you'll be able to tell but the white circle near the top is the yolk sac, and just below that is the baby's head and the torso is to the right. It was such a miracle to see our little bean again. The heartrate was nice and strong at 164bpm. We will have another ultrasound on Friday to follow up on the spotting. Any and all prayers are greatly appreciated.

7 weeks today!

So, I am 7 weeks today, I feel like the time is going fast and slow at the same time! It's unreal. So here is my bloated belly picture of the day...
I am actually still under my starting weight by almost a pound, but you could never tell by looking at this picture. The thing is, I am starting to look like this all day, not just at night or after I eat, this was taken first thing this morning. I think I am done seeing my waist for awhile.


I do have to say I am feeling slightly better today. Yesterday was horrible, I was nauseous ALL DAY LONG, and nothing helped. Today I have been able to eat a little and I've only had the dry heaves once so far this morning...Praise God!


Lord, I just pray that you continue to bless this pregnancy and bless my body to support it as well. Thank you for blessing me with this child.

Whoever said "Morning Sickness" was WRONG!

So to me, morning sickness means you wake up, feel sick, get ready, feel better and move on with your day until it starts all over the next day!


Well, someone lied to me because I wake up...I feel nauseous; I shower...I dry heave; I get ready...more dry heaves; I go to work, leave my meetings to yes...dry heave; try to eat only to...dry heave some more; and this continues until I go to bed and begins again the very next morning. So whoever said it was "morning sickness" lied to me because I am certainly experiencing "all day, all night sickness".


The only thing that gets me through is remembering the reason behind it, the reasoning of holding my baby come May and experiencing a love I've never felt before.

Our Little "Bean"

So yesterday, 9-17-07, we had our first appointment in Iowa City. It was amazing. They called us right in for our ultrasound. I was nervous, anxious, excited and every emotion in between. She looks for a minute and said, "There's your baby." It was such an amazing feeling. Then she showed us a flickering light, and told us that was the baby's heartbeat. It was a beautiful sight to see. The heart rate measured 136bpm (beats per minute) which is wonderful. They also said I measure exactly on target as to where I thought I was. So as of today, I am 6 weeks 5 days pregnant and our little "bean" is due to arrive on May 8th, 2008. God is amazing and has blessed us with a creation that no one else could.


Here is a picture of our little bean! Hope you enjoy it.

Some Bloated Belly Pics

The day I found out I was pregnant. 3 wks 3 days pregnant. 8-26-07

So I thought I would share, although embarrassing, some pictures of how bloated I am.
Here I am at 4 weeks, a couple of days after we found out. I'm actually down almost 2 pounds, but I'm so bloated you would never know. Taken in the morning on 8-30-07.

Here I am at 5 weeks, still bloated, up a pound but still under starting weight. Where did my waist go already. Taken in the morning on 9-6-07.

Today I am 6 weeks pregnant, back down to 2 pounds under starting weight and still bloated...this is getting scary. I think I am just getting prepared not to see my waist for awhile. Taken the morning of 9-13-07.

Our first appointment is Monday, the 17th in Iowa City and I can't wait to see our little "Bean" growing.

Thank you, God, for blessing me with the miracle of life. Thank you for creating in me a child that only you have the power to do. You are an amazing God, and I pray that you continue to bless this child and bless my body in order to provide a safe place for this baby to continue to grow.

We're Having a Baby!

God has blessed us beyond what I ever could have expected.
Well, since word travels fast, I thought it would be best if it came from me! :) Josh and I have been blessed with the news that we are expecting our first child May 8th, 2008.
Here is our story!Josh and I were married in October of 2004 and decided we were ready to start a family in April of 2006. After a few shorts months I thought something was wrong and began infertility testing. I was diagnosed with PCOS. Under the direction of a local OB doctor they gave me 50mg Clomid (failed), then they tried 100mg Clomid (failed), finally 150mg (failed). After this I was referred to the University of Iowa Fertility Specialist. They performed an HSG making sure my tubes were clear (all good) and decided we would try Femara. Month 1, ovulation but no pregnancy. Month 2, ovulation but no pregnancy. Month 3, we were blessed with a positive pregnancy test and after 4 more I believed what I saw.
I had 2 blood tests done and everything is looking great so far. My first appointment is September 17th, in Iowa City. I can't wait to see our little "Bean".
I prayed that God would provide for me and my family and he did. The Bible verse that helped me survive was this:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and thanksgiving give your request to God" ~Philippians 4:6
Thank you to all those who prayed for us during this journey.
I will post some belly pictures, just so you can see how bad the bloat is already!