Day 97: Finding his voice

Hello everyone and welcome back! Sorry this post has taken so long, this last month has been very hectic! As most of you know we took our trip back to Albuquerque where Aiden got to meet a lot more of his family members and some of his self proclaimed "Aunt and Uncles." What a lucky boy he is to have so many people who want to be part of his life! So this blog will include a bunch of pictures from his trip for you all to enjoy! For those of you who we got to meet up with, it was sooo nice to see you! And for those we didn't - we apologize, things tend to get really hectic when we get home and next time we come back let's get together! =0)

On our trip we were pleasantly surprised at how well Aiden did on the plane. Our great little man slept during take off, ate, played, slept and ate again during the landing - oh and managed to make the first few rows and the flight attendant fall in love with him - he's pretty good at that! Besides meeting people constantly he also got a trip to the zoo with his cousin Dylan, had a great Baptism (and party) and almost got to see balloons (if only it weren't rained out!). His Baptism was particularly special as we got to have Father Ark perform the ceremony - he was the one who married us. David and I also took the opportunity of having some alone time. We spent the night at Sandia casino and though I cried and cried as I left, I really did have a good time and managed to only call my mom once as she watched him. We also managed to sneak in a movie while we were in town, the alone time was nice to have - thanks mom for the babysittiing!

Then on the way home we were lucky enough to have Matt and Talia come home with us to spend some quality time with us and their God-son. It was so nice having them around as we discovered Aiden may have broken a tooth! Crazy - I know, but what was even weirder is it looks to be a canine tooth, not one of the middle ones that typically comes first. So needless to say my little man has been a lot more fussy and now after this vacation his sleep pattern is way off - alloting me 2 hour periods of rest - oh how I miss his 5 and 1/2 hour stretch of sleep!

Developmentally Aiden seems like such a different little kid every day. On our trip he had quite a few firsts, like his first real tear (totally heartbreaking) and his first laugh - directed at his daddy! Now he's trying really hard to sit himself up, but then once there he really wants to stand. This week has especially been fun as he has really found his voice. I really noticed it the other day when while doing tummy time he rolled himself over and then began to talk to the fan for the next 20 minutes - oh how exciting it is to be little! Then this morning he had bundles to share with daddy and even cried when David had to walk away for a second. And while nothing is as fun as listening to him talk, there is nothing as rewarding and heartwarming as seeing him smile.

Other than that we are doing well, trying to get back into the swing of things. As always we are thinking of you guys and miss you. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers! =0)

Day 62: Look at that smile!

Ok so really be honest - is this not the greatest smile in the whole wide world??? =0) Yes it's true, I have turned into one of those moms!

These last couple of weeks have been incredible. Aiden has started to really smile at us, his range of cooing noises are hilarious and he really seeks out our attention now. Today he went to the doctor for his 2 month appointment (crazy, huh!?) and weighed in at 12 lbs, 9 oz., 22 and 1/2 inches long and you can tell. His double chin and fun little jelly rolls are too cute - not to mention so many of his clothes have become to tight! Unfortunately at the two month appointment is also a big series of shots, so his poor little legs are quite sore today - but he's really being a trooper!

For me my health is still somewhat up in the air. My blood pressure seems to be going down and getting there (thank you for the prayers), so hopefully it continue's down this path! However, my headaches are still giving me some troubles. I'm trying to get into a headache specialist, but doubt I will be able to be seen before our vacation coming up. Really I just want the reassurance that it's nothing serious and just hormonal and a way to relieve the pain would be nice! So thank you everyone for your prayers, please keep them up! =0)

David is doing well as well. He's really gotten back into the swing of things at work, only now to have a vacation! For those who don't know we are going back to Albuquerque for a few weeks to get Aiden Baptized and to enjoy our family, friends, the balloon fiesta and food (oooooooh yea green chile...!). So that means we get to enjoy the first time juggling of a baby on a flight - wish us luck (and a prayer for the flight - I'm a very nervous flyer)!

Well sorry this was so short and sweet, but thank you for following along! Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers and we look forward to seeing many of you soon!

Day 46: In his own time

Hello everyone and welcome back to our blog! Things here have been as hectic as ever! To speed ya up on the going on's I'll start with my health. Last weekend ended with a trip to the emergency room after starting to get very unusual headaches. I know it seems weird to go to the emergency room for a headache, but these one sided wonders had me stumped and the on call nurse I spoke too seemed concerned enough to tell me to go. So after 4 and 1/2 hours at the hospital and one cat scan the doctor told me - "Well you might be developing migranes, we'll just have to wait and see," - oh geez! So then I had my 6 week, postpartum check up on Friday and talked to my ever sympathetic doctor - and once again I am stumping the medical world! Her theory is that everything is still hormon related - to be more specific she thinks the lack of estrogen in my body is the cause (as she had a very similar experience as me when she had babies). So then what can fix low estrogen levels? Stop breastfeeding - not an option yet. I'm too attached to our time together when he feeds and to me the idea of formula feeding is not one I am comfortable with yet. Plus there is no way to garuntee that is what is causing my problems, so if I did stop and the headaches continued then I'd be SOL and it would break my heart! So then we moved onto my blood pressure, which has started to go down on the medicine (knock on wood) and now I get a trial run of coming off of it! Yea!!! If it spikes back up or if my breast pain returns then I must get back on it (she's thinking the breast pain is a vascular problem known as Raynaud's syndrome of the nipple which this blood pressure medicine helps) - so PLEASE send us prayers that the blood pressure and pain all go down!!! Besides that everything is looking good, I've healed up, I'm on something known as a mini birth control pill(progesterone only) now and I have a reference for a great headache doctor and David's getting me a good reference for a chiropractor - we're trying really hard to fix me!!! =0)















A lot is going on in Aiden's world as well! At his last doctors appointment he weighed 10lbs, 2 oz and he continues to grow, grow, grow! His week, this week, was filled with all sorts of firsts! For example, he smiled for the first time on purpose this week - no it wasn't gas, a couple of real smiles for mommy! Then there are the new cooing noises he's making, I love hearing him play with his voice! Oh and the best was yesterday, as to our surprise we watched our little man turn himself over several times. The first time it happend we wrote it off as pure accident, but then the next 4 were hard to deny - this kid is sooo smart (it's a task that babies don't usually do until 3 months of age) and does things very much on his own time! And even if he doesn't do it again until he's 3 months- who cares - it's going in the baby books that he first did it on purpose at 6 and 1/2 weeks!

Beyond that we have a special thanks to give to Jessica White (Brooke's sister) because we've found a book that really seems to be helping us a lot, as by her recommendation! It's called Baby Wise and in it shows suggestions for how to put babies on a kind of flexible schedule so they sleep better through the night, because of their day patterns. Pretty much it teaches you how to make a content, healthy baby and a content, healthy mom by letting each be on a sort of schedule that allows both of us to know what to expect from each other. To be honest I feel like it has made a world of difference for all of us! To add to it we are also very much enjoying our snugglers baby class and baby groups that we are going to. I love the fact that we are making friends and really hope that these are some of the children he will grow up knowing - it's a lot of fun!

David is also doing well - he constantly surprises me how understanding and supportive he is with me as I go through all of this. He keeps reminding me that everything will work itself out health wise and has really been such a help. It's so sweet seeing how excited he is to see us when he comes home and even gives me some time to myself each night where he takes Aiden so that I get "me" time. Aiden is really taken by him as well. His gaze always turns to David when he hears his voice and he just can't seem to get enough of daddy! =0) They really are two peas in a pod!

Well thanks again for checking in on us, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we're working on getting healthy! We love and miss you all and can't wait to see you (we'll be home in about 4 weeks)! =0)

Day 35: Becoming one handed

Welcome back everyone! Sorry for the delay in posts, as you can imagine things are quite hectic around here! For starters I'm back in the swing of millions of doctors appointments, still battling breast infections and high blood pressure. We've ended up taking the route of blood pressure medicine and antibiotics now because things just don't want to seem to clear up on their own. Quite frustrating and quite scarey - I'm really ready to be healthy and feel like myself again - so please send your prayers for all of this to clear up! Besides my health David has had a few issues as well, he had the beginings of an upper respitory infection and then one nasty cold. Perhaps what's even sadder than that is seeing how sad he is not being able to fully love on Aiden because he doesn't want to get him sick - he's a great dad!


Luckily we have had the lovely helping hands of my fantastic mother these last few weeks. She was so graciously kind in helping us to get extra sleep, cooking us great meals, cleaning and just being that extra encouraging voice when I started to feel helpless with my health and ability to take all this on. I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank her enough and my dad for his help and letting us have his wife for all that time - really guys thank you! So then of course yesterday came, that inevitable day, where it was time for her to leave, and like always I cried like a baby. So I decided to distract myself with a kind of mommy and me class that our hospital offers. It was the best thing I could have done for myself! Since then I went to one play group today and have another one tomorrow, it's nice to know people going through the same things baby wise. Other than that I've been learning to do more and more tasks with one hand, weather it be eating one handed, loading the dishwasher, doing laundry - it's amazing how quickly one is forced to pick up that skill set! =0)

Aiden continues to amaze us daily. Last night he slept for almost 6 hours straight (it would have been even better if I had been able to fall asleep...)! He still has yet to cry during a bath -
they seem so relaxing to him and his little dinosuar noises completely crack us up! He lifts his head like a champ, is very observant and has one strong grip - just ask grandpa where all his chest hair went! His least favorite thing is the nose goober sucky thing. He's had a bit of a stuffy/congested nose and every time he sees me pull it out he pushes my hands away - what a smarty! =0)

Well I should be off! Hope everyone is doing well, we love and miss you all! Please keep us all in your prayers! =0)

Day 16: No more coffee for that kid!

Welcome back everyone! These last ten days have been quite the adventure for our family! First of all Robert, Jade and Dylan came up for a visit and got to meet our little man. As you can see, Dylan found ways to be quite helpful with his little cousin! His curiousity towards Aiden was completely priceless as he constantly asked me, "What's that?" - referring to Aiden.

We also had our checkup with our little guy, where he placed on the 50th percentile on the growth charts and successfully got rid of his jaundice! We were very excited as we talked with the doctor about what a great baby he has been thus far - he didn't even cry during his first bath! What a champ! My health remains up in the air, though we are trying to get it all in control (keep us in your prayers please) - I developed mastitis and my headaches have been very prominant over these last weeks. In order to get everything under control I've been perscribed medicine and told to take pain relievers with caffeine. Great advice, and it did help a bit, however David and I then learned the hard way why you should avoid caffeine while breast feeding! Our little guy, whom we had sung his praises to the doctor - stayed awake for 5 hours that night, with his arms flapping around, unconsolable and that crazy dinosaur face, gave us our first moment of "OH MY GOD!" =0) Needless to say - no more coffee for me, means no more coffee for him and that's okay with us.

Well again I know it's not much, but for now this will have to suffice! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Day 6: They call me mellow yellow

Welcome back family and friends! As you can imagine it has been quite a hectic week for us trying to get our groove down with this little guy. And until I can actually take a second to fully focus on what I am writing these blog entries will be short and sweet, but full of pictures! As our week has quickly passed by we have found ourselves in the midst of appointment after appointment, trying to get Aiden's health and mine as up to code as possible! As the title suggests our little guy has jaundice, but luckily the doctors think it should fade by itself (and of course help from mommy with all of her feedings...) without the need for light therapy. My health has been kinda funny as well, with high blood pressure readings, headaches, funny lumps and all the other fun stuff to make a mommy worry. Everyone is keeping an eye on both of us and the doctors are all very supportive and helpful (prayers please!). Aiden is by far the cutest little guy I have ever seen and his little smile lights up the whole room. He even let David and I have a nice restful night of sleep the other night, never crying, just waking up making smacking noises - we feel so lucky and blessed! Mom and Dad Wolf have been so very helpful, letting us get those extra ounces of sleep, cooking delicious meals for us and helping around the house - we thank God for them! Well the updates will be better next time, but until then please keep us in your prayers and thoughts as we get our strengths up!

WELCOME AIDEN

Well it has happend - our little joy came into the world yesterday evening - July 19th, 2006. The blessed event (which hurts like heck by the way...) occured at 8:05pm. Aiden Matthew Hargis was born weighing in at 7 lbs, 13 oz. and 19inches long. In the room was the doctor (Dr. Russell), the nurses, David, Myself and our friend - Aunt Natty! Of course I will write a more detailed blog when I can think again, but right now I know people are dying for pictures - so here they are! We hope that you enoy them and please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers! Enjoy!

Day 247 (19 to go...): It's one of those moments

**Dylan with Auntie Teresa**
It's one of those mornings when that clock hits 5 am and for some reason I find myself completely wide awake with no chance of falling back asleep. I start to question myself - "Am I not tired?" Oh no that's definately not it. "Did I have a weird dream?" - Surprisingly no. So I take the normal steps to falling back asleep - you know get a drink of water, go to the bathroom for the 20th time that night, make sure I'm cool enough and try listening to the rythmic sound of David breathing, but none of it works today. And as I lie there just watching David as he's sleeping so peacefully, there he is - my little guy waking up too, letting me know with every twist and turn in my tummy. That's when I start to realize that these mornings - where I stare at David in wonder, thinking about the fact that there is something that the two of us made, are coming to an end. He'll be here soon. And if I ddn't feel awake enough before - now I'm really awake, contemplating this idea that at any time now I could be blessed enough to be awoken by my little guy with a cry or a movement outside of me. It seems so foreign to me right now, but at the same time it's a moment I simply cannot wait for! Just thought I'd share...

Day 244 (22 to go...): Our little big guy

Welcome! Well as you can imagine these last couple of weeks have been quite hectic for us. If the pictures are not an indication enough, we've bought a new car. It's the LL Bean edition of the 2006 Subaru Forester and it's fantastic! We've been contemplating the new car idea for over a year now and decided it was time that we had a more space efficient/ baby friendly car than the little Saturn that could. I think David also really enjoys being able to watch me actually get into and out of a car without bumping my belly on the steering wheel and grunt and groan every time I have to bend down ackwardly to get into a vehicle. What a sweet man!

Besides the car things have just been a whirlwind this last week. We went to the hospital on the 4th of July because I was feeling "leaky" - worried that it might be amniotic fluid we went in for some fun little tests and it turned out that it was just one of those fun, weird pregnancy related things. A few days later we were back to the doctor for our scheduled ultrasound in which we learned our little guy, may not be so little! The technician determined that he is (plus or minus about a 1/2 a pound) 7 pounds already! That in itself was followed with the news that from this point babies tend to grow about a 1/2 lb each week... eeek! =0) Since that ultrasound we've had two doctors appointments. The first one revealed that we were 1cm diliated and 60% effaced - which still like all the other things mean we're pretty much right on track. And that he has positioned himself head down, getting ready for his journey. This one today said that we are 2cm diliated and 80% effaced - so yea still on track lol.

As our little big guy continues to grow I've noticed that my once very active belly has calmed down just a tiny bit. He is still very active, but I can tell that his quarters have become more and more cramped as now some of those movements actually somewhat hurt my tender belly. In his world his grasp is becoming firmer, he automatically turns towards sources of light and his body is taking on a more rounded and plumper look. Here in the outside world, I'm more tired, am getting frequent headaches (they're keeping an eye on them, but please keep us in your thoughts) and my random bursts of energy are actually quite funny. Not to mention the reality of what we are about to have to go through I think is really starting to set in with every random, through increasingly stronger, contraction I have.

Well it's time to be off! Please keep us all in your prayers as we journey through these last weeks, we miss you all! =0)

Day 231 (35 to go): Itsa cool 74

It's been quite an interesting week at the Hargis household so I thought I'd take a moment and catch everyone up on the going on's here!

We started the nursery and if you can make it out on the picture to the right it's yellow and (kind of) green stripped, once we add the top boardering to the room we'll take more pictures. So far though, it looks really great and we're getting more and more anxious for it to be finished! The air conditioner has been installed and I love basking in the coolness that is my upstairs (Stitch loves it too)!!

On Monday I lost my little plug (if you're female you probably know what it is, but I'm going to spare the details on this one cuz it's kinda yucky) which as you know isn't definitive measure of knowing when labor will start. It is however a sign to us that my body is preparing itself for the journey it's about to take. It also made us recognize the things that we haven't quite gotten around to, like packing the hospital bag or washing the baby clothes that have been piled up in a rubbermaid bucket. So Monday was our wake up call, now the bag is packed and I've started a load of baby clothes, so there is at least something for that "just in case" scenario.

Today brought another little surprise. As I was going about getting ready, I went to put on my clothes and realized that things were feeling different. That high up bump that I have been so used to, had lowered. Yeup that's right, he dropped a little. All just little signs to show us that things are progressing and we really have no idea when he's actually going to come! Perhaps our doctor's visit next week will give us some insight...! Other than that things are pretty normal (which in our world means kinda hectic) as we're just preparing ourselves for what's to come!

Developmentally our little guy continues to pack on the pounds, getting those fat deposites to increase so that he can be a well formed kiddo. His skin has also become more pink and smooth because of these deposites.

Well sorry I don't have much to write about, I need to get a move on with this day - hope all is well with everyone! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Day 223 (43 to go...): Half outty, half flatty

I know I know - I'm huge!!! So much so actually that at our doctor's appointment today, our doctor made the announcement that she wanted another ultrasound ordered for me - just to see how big this baby is! Which of course sends my mind spinning in 20 different directions - what if he's huge, they have only heard one heart beat right, or what if he comes way ealier??? As if there wasn't already enough to contemplate, now there are more "what if's!" Though of course all those get put aside once that doppler runs its way across my tummy and there it is, his fantastic heart beat, oh how I love hearing that!

So much has been going on since I last wrote. First of all I had my last day at my job last Friday and while I thought it would be more difficult to leave, it wasn't. I guess that means that I was just really ready to take the opportunity to catch up on things here and take the chance to really enjoy this last part of my pregnancy. We also started our birthing classes (after a very confusing incident where they had forgot to inform us that our classes had been cancelled) and will be doing those for the next several weeks. So far we have learned different breathing techniques, labor positions to reduce pain and the pros and cons of the different medicinal options during labor. We also had our breastfeeding class where I got to learn all about all the fun different aspects of natural feeding - oh this really is an adventure! Besides the classes we are taking we are keeping busy with many other things! Last week we had the heat pump (which includes air conditioning) installed and have been working getting all those lose ends tied up. We've also finally come up with an idea for the nursery and will begin the room this weekend (yea!!!).

As this little guy keeps growing I've found a lot of interesting changes that come with it as well. I've started getting those Braxton Hicks contractions which while not very painful (knock on wood), do cause me to stop and take a second until it slowly fades away. My belly button which had changed from its formally innie self to a "flatty" position, now has poked halfway out. That's right folks I have half a flat belly button and half an outty - lol! Oh also, I can't see me feet! In his world a lot is going on as well. His fingernails have reached the end of his fingertips, his eyes open and close depending on his sleep cycle and he can register information from all five of his senses. He has assumed the fetal position because his living quarters are becoming cramped and today we learned that his head is lying on my lower left side and his feet are tickling the upper part of my right side, every now and then kicking at my ribs (ouch!).

Well like always we hope all is well with everyone else and we miss you! Take care and please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Day 199 (67 to go...): Where's the beef?

I've been told that I haven't been posting enough pictures of the belly - so this blog will have some more - enjoy!

The past couple weeks have been really busy, I'm really not sure where to even start. As the title of this blog suggests my cravings have changed quite a bit over the last weeks. My need and longing for fruit has now been replaced with my want for that satisfying hamburger or steak! Yum - yum! I went in for the glucose screening test and luckily all results came back fine. We have one more monthly doctors appointment and then we're down to the every two weeks and so on to our weekly visits. Beyond those visits we have the classes that start this June, rooms to finish (we're almost there... kinda) and just trying to get everything figured out. I have three more weeks of work before I call it quits, which brings me to a lot of mixed emotions. On one hand I cannot wait to get away from this place that causes me so much frustration, but on the other I'm really gonna miss those kids and not to mention feeling like I'm making a monitary contribution to our household.
Which is especially hard to adjust to when you are constantly spending money on things that are needed.

OH! That reminds me I've decided to write a list of things that should never be said to a pregnant woman (as I have recieved through my dismay) - I'm sure as I go through these last 9 weeks I'll have more to add. First I will tell you why I am doing this. For whatever reason people feel the need to tell you the most unnecssary things when you are pregnant. For example, today we went to Babies-R-Us, at the register the sales woman and I got into a discussion about how far along I was. It turned into a schpeel about how my feet and hands have been swollen, in which she told me and David about how her daughter had that too and she got pre eclampsia, to which the mother had to go to the hospital in case she needed to make a life altering decision. That is why this list is necessary not because any one of you have said anything to hurt my feelings - I'm just venting!:
1. Never tell any horror story of someone you knew who was pregnant and went through things such as preterm labor, pre eclampsia or any other life threatening predicament - it does NOT make the pregnant woman feel good or reassured in any way.
2. Try to avoid saying things like, "Are you sure you're not furthur along?" or any other comments about the weight and/or size of the pregnant lady - that is of her concern and her doctors and all it tells the woman is that you think she's fatter than she should be. This also goes for comments relating to the possiblity that she might be having twins - which always leads to the discussion about someone's friend who's neice thought she was only having one baby but had two - until you have a medical degree in gynocology leave the speculations to the doctors. Okay I'm done venting for now! =0)

David has been particularly wonderful throughout this whole thing. Yesterday he sat through our second estimate for an air conditioner and though we thought we could hold off, he made that huge purchase so that I won't be to miserable as I wade through the summer exhausted and too overheated. He's also been wonderful to my poor swollen feet, as he offers to set up my pedicure spa machine he got me for my birthday and rub them when they just become unbearable. Really he is so wonderful!
And as you can see here Stitch is being wonderful as well - he has lovingly learned that he is not allowed to bounce around and jump around me. He has also adjusted to the fact that I do not have the energy to play with him as much as before. Though our nap times together changed from non-existant to almost daily now, which he seems to really enjoy. It is especially funny to watch him when he places his head on my tummy and the baby starts kicking - I wonder how much he knows about what's going on.

In our little mans world things are becoming more and more cramped. Which means his movements are all the much stronger - which I LOVE! I actually got to feel him hiccuping yesterday which was so neat. Most of the developemental aspects of his life focus on his survival out of the womb. His brain is becoming stronger and stronger so that he may process things correctly when he arrives. And while his weight is begining to slow down from now until birth he is still gaining the weight that he needs. =0)

Well this has been a long blog entry so now I must go - please keep us all in your prayers and thoughts. We miss you so much!

Day 186 (80 to go...): Mom to the rescue!

Last night David and I found ourselves staring in amazement at just how strong our little man has become. With every kick our buglet delivered, was a rise in my stomach and a feeling of pure excitement. Perhaps one of the best parts was when I felt the nub of what I thought to be a foot, move slowly across my stomach, with my hand. Then better yet, watching David as his hands got to feel the same thing and the look in his eyes while he felt him move - it was priceless.

With the excitement of all that goes on daily, everything is starting to become more and more real. We picked up our crib and dresser/changing table this weekend and I can't wait to move it into the room and start the nursery. Though before any of that can happen, other rooms are being taken care of. We are finishing up our downstairs office (and by we I actually mean David with the little bit of Teresa help), as that old wall paper had to go and a basil colored paint went up! Next will be my office, as it will transform it's red walls into blue for our guest bedroom. Then of course our current guest room will become our little man's nursery - I can't wait! Of course, David has been fantastic with all of it, letting me change my mind countless times and never even giving the apperance of any annoyance - I'm lucky! He's even taken on the task of giving some of the rooms new trim and re-doing the nursery window! Besides the rooms there are the classes we are taking for the little guy's arrival coming up and the doctor's visits. After my return home from ABQ I had some intense leg pain that they ended up ultrasounding to check for blood clots - their test results came back normal and I'm trying to rest my feet more. Then during my routine blood draw they found increased glucose levels and low iron levels. While it's pretty common it means I'm taking an iron supplement now and have to go in for a 3 hour glucose test to rule out gestational diabetes - please keep us in your prayers! =0)

With all that is going on I have to say I feel so blessed to have my mom's comforting voice at the other end of that phone line to reassure me. It's especially helpful as things are getting closer and closer. There are those days (as I'm sure every new mom experiences) where I find that we really still have sooo many things we need to get and as my mind focuses on that it becomes very overwhelming. What happens if I forget to buy bottles, or those other necessities? How many crib sheets do we need? What am I forgetting- I know there's a whole list of things!? Is it normal that I can't picture him in my mind? I don't know how she does it, but with every question asked, she has an answer that makes it okay. Really with anything I bring to her she manages to make it doable - perhaps it's the power of the mom - whatever it is, I hope I develop it! I feel truly blessed to have her and can't wait for that time I'll get to spend with her this summer, where I'm sure she'll work to silence more of my fears. =0)

Each day that passes on our little guy continues to get stronger and stronger. His skin is still becoming smoother as more fat is deposited underneath it's surface. His brain can direct rhythmic breathing and control body temperature. His eyes are completely formed and eyelashes are present on his eyelids. It's neat to know that every day he spends inside this growing stomach of mine he is working to become a strong baby that can thrive in the outside world. Knowing this makes me more and more anxious to find out what he looks like as we eagerly await his arrival.

Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts! =0)

Day 173- (93 to go...): My tummy the punching bag

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Picture has Christina, Natalie, Mom and Me (please ignore the swollen ankles and feet)
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You know it hit us this morning as we were lying in bed talking. David found a concert that he really wanted to go to in October and I told him to go ahead and jump on it before tickets sale out. What was funny is what came next. "Do you want to come too," he asked. "No not really, plus if I went then we'd need to get a babysitter on a Thursday night and I'm not a huge fan of this guy," I replied. The priceless look of shock on his face was what was so hilarious. "Oh my gosh," he said, "We're going to need a babysitter!?!" So needless to say, things are starting to sink in.

Besides the shock of what is becoming closer and closer is the fun we are getting to have. I got to go home for a little vacation with my friend Natalie. Thank you to all of those who helped us have such a great time! During that visit my mom threw me a lovely baby shower and it was so nice to see all those friendly faces that I miss so much! Thank you all for the great gifts - we are bound to have one stylish baby! It was especially wonderful to get that one on one mommy time and get to share this experience with her. It makes me even more anxious knowing that we get both mom and dad when they come out for a whole month in August- can't wait! =0)

A lot has changed in his little world in the past few weeks. He now has a strong grip, one that actually is more powerful than it will be after birth. His fingernails, toenails, eyelashes and eyebrows have all begun to form. Even more amazing, his nostrils have begun to open up, his lung sacs are developing and his lungs are now capable of breathing air! It's all so amazing! While we can read about all the changes in his world, it is even more exciting feeling them. His movements are much strong and much more all over the place - it's fun because now it is possible for others to feel his great little kicks! Night time has become even more interesting. The lapses of insomnia have now been accompanied by our little one drumming inside my tummy at two in the morning. Oh how he loves practicing his boxing skills at two in the morning...! But perhaps the greatest part is when I roll over I can feel him so softly snuggling into whatever side I am lying on. Like he too is taking a rest and cuddling up inside me, I love it!

Thank you again for following us on our journey, please keep us all in your prayers and thoughts! =0)

Day 155: Let the nesting begin!

Well it's happend, I had wondered if it would seeing as how I'm already compulsive enough, though both David and I are finding this really funny. It started the other day when I was getting cans for a canned food drive for my kids at work. I open up that bottom cabinet and see that it needed to be cleaned out, oh if only that was enough. All the sudden I'm disquested by the fact that the pasta sauce cans are next to the rice and the cereal boxes are next to the taco shells and that was enough! The next thing I knew I had scrubbed the shelves, put down liner and neatly organized the shelves so that the pasta sauce was next to the pasta, the rice furthur down and the bottom shelf is now exclusively the breakfast shelf. I'd like to say that the craziness has stopped there, but no longer had I finished that project than I had found a new one. Those baby clothes that I have been collecting (and been given), that are in their nice little box had to be organized by size, not that they even been washed yet, but the thought of not knowing how many I had of each size started to slowly eat at me. Then two days ago it was the refridgerator, every shelf and drawer was taken out, scrubbed down and cleaned out. Then today I found myself at work looking for the things that I can compulsively fix - this morning alone it was our activity log books, I ordered them by date (not just by theme), then the small group files needed to be cleaned and finally I even found myself color coding the lunch table charts, according to table. So I think it is safe to say that the nesting has begun and while it finds me in a bit of a frenzy, I do really love the significance of it.

The craziness doesn't stop there either. I find myself feeling less like me, I feel like I don't always know/understand my body, I feel akward in my clothes, can't seem to manage my hair in a way that I like and my brain has turned to mush. And while I know it's for the most amazing thing life can give you, it's hard not to feel a little sad at the loss of one's self. I know I'll find me again, I'm in there somewhere, but for now I'm more than happy being me and him. Like David told me, "Right now you may not feel like you, but it's because your more now than ever before and that's pretty amazing," - pretty smart that husband of mine. And everytime I start to miss how normal I once was (if you can call it normal) I just remind myself that sharing myself to help this little guy get strong is worth everything in the world, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love being pregnant.

As I can feel our little guy getting stronger and stronger I've also found some of my energy again - better late than never and we'll see how long this lasts! But his kicks and movements become more and more defined/noticable. Not to mention higher, the other day I felt him move above my belly button, it was a much welcomed first - I love feeling him move. I swear everytime I feel a movement I can't help but hold my tummy and think about how amazing it is, even when it means he's tap dancing on my bladder and yes to me it really feels like he's dancing on it! Besides his amazing dancing abilities, he is experiencing a big growth spirt. This week alone he is supposed to gain about 6 oz. - amazing! He can now hear things like my heart beating, voices resonating and the growling noises in my tummy ( I hope they don't scare him!). His skin has started to take on some color and as he gains more and more weight he will become more smooth than wrinkly.

As I bring this entry to an end today, I feel him moving about, so I think I'll go take sometime to lie down and feel him a little better. Hope all is well, can't wait to see some of you soon, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers! Much love! =0)

Day 148: More lemons please!

Well as it keeps being requested here is another pregnancy photo - I'll try to remember that while my growing belly finds me feeling somewhat ackward at times, it is something that for whatever reason people wanna see. =0)

Besides that swelling belly of mine, I've got the feet and ankles to match! It amazes me now that my work day leaves those feet of mine in so much discomfort, thank goodness it's almost time for the flip flops! Luckily though I have a great family who looks after me and my poor feet! Rob and Jade were lovely in giving me a prenatal massage gift certificate for my birthday, which was amazing! And my amazing husband spends his nights rubbing that cocoa butter stuff on my belly and then rubbing my feet. Not to mention his amazing ability to understand and suggest often that maybe another pedicure would make my aching feet feel good. I'm a lucky girl! =0)

Not much has changed in the way of food cravings, I still cannot get enough fruit - I honestly think it's impossible! It seems that lemons and tomatoes lead the way to a happy baby! I know it's sounds awful but I just can't help but wanting to munch on at least one of those every day with some salt - bad for the teeth - yes - and don't get me started on the unfair ramifications of heart burn. Though I swear I could eat a single peanut and have heartburn afterwards, lol oh this baby is a tricky one!

These weeks ahead of us are really big growth weeks for our little guy as he will almost double in weight this month. He's becoming more proportioned and his ears bones are begining to harden so that sound conduction is possible. His hands can now grip things with more force and his movements are becoming more noticable. In fact the other day I was just lying down feeling him move and kick when I glanced down at my stomach and saw it moving. With every little kick I felt, up my tummy would go, this son of mine is ready for an audience! =0)

Thank you again for following along with us on our great adventure, we hope that you all are doing well! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers! =0)

Day 139: Hey Elusive we found your drummer!

In case I haven't said it enough, it truly amazes me how much can change in just a couple of short weeks when your pregnant. Take for instance those pants that finally fit right - only now they are becoming a little snug and visions of belly pannels haunt your thoughts. Then there is the favorite part of your day - bed time! Thoughts of relaxing and putting those tired feet and eyes to rest is all to appealing as you contemplate how wonderful it will feel all day. That is until night time comes and all the sudden with no reason or forewarning insomnia hits and you know your exhausted, your body knows its exhausted but for some reason, something in you believes you only need two hours of sleep to get by.

Though scarey and somewhat unpleasant some of these things become I am happy to report that something bigger and more wonderful can usually balance it out, maybe even top it (knock on wood!). We've noticed in the past couple weeks those little butterfly movements in my tummy have become more defined and stronger, and yes I said we. =0) Last friday David unexpectedly got what he has been waiting for, the chance to feel his son move. There was no denying that he felt a kick and a pretty strong one at that and to us it just feels so amazing to know that he has the ability to put our mind at ease and let us know that he's okay inside his snug home. Some days it's as though he is the best soccer player/drummer this world will get to know, while others his small, subtle movements still just make me take a moment to really revel in how much I already love him.

Besides my sappy view on what is going on there is all the fun developmental stuff we get to read about. He is roughly the size of a Barbie/Ken Doll and weighs about a pound. His heart and brain are continually getting stronger and if you were to look in at him, he looks like a miniature newborn baby. If you held a pound package of butter in your hand that's about how heavy he would feel! He can move in any way the brain directs like spinning, turning, sumersaulting - perhaps that's why I could feel him kicking at my belly button today! When you think about it, it really is quite amazing how much he is going through.

Other than that things are going well, busy but well. We hope all of you are doing well, as we miss you very much! Please keep us in your thoughts in prayers! =0)

Day 125: It's so good to see you!

Well here it is, the belly shot that I have been asked to post, and while it may not look to big right now, I swear it goes through random nightly growth spirts! =0)

Let's start with talking about our busy couple of weeks! My parents came to town and were able to come with me to a OB appointment and hear the heart beat of our baby! I also got to meet my new doctor, whom I find to be quite lovely and comforting. Then there was finals to deal with, work as usual and some friends from out of town (Sarah and Henry), and I have learned that yes, I do have limits! It's actually kind of funny how tired I become when there is so much to do and take care of, just remember Teresa - naps!
Well so much has been going on in our little babies world it's hard to believe how much it experiences daily. Right now our babies skin has a protective covering while its glands and sensory cells are devolping. In addition to that it has hair, eyebrows, wakes and sleeps much like a newborn. Today was an especially exciting day - we had our ultrasound! It was amazing to watch our baby as it fanned out it's toes, put it's arms in a boxing position and strummed it's fingers around - which David exclaimed "all it needs is a guitar!" - oh my. Like father, like son, I suppose! Yeup that's right, our little one, is a little man as our ultrasound technician was happy to point out his little area. =0) David is of course thrilled as he didn't want to be "owned"by his first child and well all thoughts of anyone else inside me, quickly faded as I watched my amazing little man move around inside me - it truly is an amazing experience. So to let you all be apart of this even more, down below are some pictures from the ultrasound! =0)

His amazing little feets and toes =0)


His head and spine! =0)


Our little boxer - how cute is that!

Awwwe our little dinosaurs face! =0)

Well hope you all can make out the images (I know it can sometimes be kind of hard), but here is our wonderful blessing. Please keep us all in your prayers, we miss you all, take care! =0)

Day 110: Was that a gas bubble in my belly button?

Today we reached a very exciting point in the pregnancy, one that the baby books I've been reading have told me could happen at anytime. Though I have to admit when I read it my skepticism came about as I wondered, "You can't really feel your baby move when it's still this little, can you?" Well today that naive little question was answered as I stood in my classroom talking to my work associates about a matter at hand. When to my dismay the weirdest sensation came over me and I thought, well that was either a gas bubble in my belly button or I just felt my baby move... "I just felt my baby move!!!" I know it's silly, but emotional me couldn't help but start tearing up and become even more excited about the precious, mobile, little person inside. Through all of the neat things we've gotten to experience, finding out we were pregnant, hearing the heartbeat, this - this tiny gas bubble feeling in a place no bubble has been before, was really something really indescribable.

Day 101: Did David do the laundry???

Let me first start by apologizing - it has been brought to my attention that I haven't updated this as frequently as I should be. I didn't realize that in the midst of all this excitement that David and I experience daily, others would really like to know what all is going on! So I will make my best efforts to keep you all more up to date.

These past couple of weeks have been quite interesting. For Valentine's Day I went to my closet of hundreds of shirts that I love and picked out one of my favorites to wear. While buttoning it up I realized that the bottom seems to be flaring out, something I have been noticing more often. Then there was school the next day when I wore my favorite tank top under a shirt, only it kept popping up exposing the ugly waistband of my jeans - very frustrating. However, it wasn't until my favorite, nice, black, going out jacket didn't quite fit when I realized ... either David did the laundry or I can't fit normal shirts anymore! They are tight and restrictive which just makes me feel well uncomfortable! So now onto a new frontier of clothes, clothes that go over the small, now kinda noticable, hump that is there and NO I did not say maternity shirts yet... just ones that go over - lol. Goodbye to American Eagle, the Gap and Express, I will visit you again one day after this summer!

Ok cheesyness put aside, there are other things going on than the loss of my wardrobe. I went to my former hell the other day (aka the grocery store) and I realized what a dangerous place it now is. Now instead of wanting to run to the restroom at the sight of all that food, hungry Teresa has come out and I wish to fill my basket with all that there is to see! Seriously, I went in the other day for a head of lettuce and ended up spending $30 on food that just looked so darn good. The cravings have been pretty consistant thoughout the pregnancy thus far. Give me fruits any time of day (except banana's), I'm usually in the mood for something dairy and goodness please do not by any means deny me tomato's - Costco we thank you for your abilities to make sure we do not run out of these products.

As far as the baby goes it continues to go through a world of changes. It is practicing it's reflexes like sucking, swallowing, blinking and can even move its feet and fan out its toes. It's hair pattern has been determined and its sex has been decided. It seems so amazing how much is going on in its little world and we are getting more and more excited by the day, after all we only have about 165 days to go...

We miss you all, please keep us in your prayers and we hope that you all are doing well! =0)