Happy "Dating" Anniversary!!

Today Adam and I celebrated our "dating" anniversary. 16 years we have been together!! I cannot believe it. I have officially been with him more than half of my life..and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Yes, we have had our ups and downs over all those years, especially since we had to grow up together (started dating when I was 15 and he was the big 16), but we have made it through and I love you more and more each day.

Adam called me from work today to let me know that he had reservations at The Melting Pot, a place that I love and I have been really craving lately. It was so good and Finley and I really enjoyed it. My belly was very tight and "poked out" when we left.

Thank you baby for a wonderful day and for the past 16 years!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

SURPRISE!!! Finley is a.........GIRL!!!

We had our BIG ultrasound today and found out our little baby is a GIRL!! I cannot believe it. I was in shock. I had feelings that she was a little boy but all of my dreams told me she was a girl. I guess my dreams were right!! So PINK..PINK..PINK it is!! I am so excited!!!

Everything else measured perfectly and most of them measured ahead, especially her HEAD!! That is probably the part that scares me the most because it has to come out first!! But I am just glad everything was there and perfect. Her heart rate was in the 140's (which deletes out the old wives tale about the higher heart rate), all 4 chambers were there, she had a perfect spine, thigh bones, 2 kidneys, a bladder, a liver, her face was perfect when they looked at the lips and I swear I saw some hair in there.

I must admit I was very emotional today after finding out. It made it so much more real. I kept saying, "We are having a little girl..she's a little girl..she's my baby girl". Then I started thinking about bows for her hair, clothes, shoes, princesses, drama queens (like her mama), dance lessons, prom, her wedding, her first date..it was actually a little overwhelming. But we could not be more excited. Adam was delighted he will be having a baby girl. Secretly I think she will be a daddy's girl, who knows? He was already talking about her playing sports and being a wrestler and I told him as long as she wore a pink wrestling suit with a crown. He did not comment on that. We have to have compromise!!

I know my niece, Gracie, is going to scream with delight because that is all she has wanted was for us to have a baby girl, well she got her wish. Gracie is the only girl in the family on my mom's side right now, so she was feeling a little outnumbered.

I wish I had pictures at this time but I could not get the to upload from the disc. I will try to get them all up and labeled later on today.

Just keep thinking PINK, PINK, PINK!!! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

New Ultrasound Pics at 11 weeks 5 days!!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I had an ultrasound today. Everything looks great and I am still measuring a few days ahead at 12 weeks and 2 days. It took the ultrasound technician like 10 minutes to get the little baby in the right position to measure the back of the neck (which was fine by the way). She said that the baby "was just relaxed and chilling out". She would try to press on my tummy and the baby would jump around and move its little arms and legs. By the way, my nausea is pretty much gone, but the reflux has started...FUN!!

I go back next Thursday to see the doctor and we will be scheduling the next ultrasound which will be the one to let us know what we are having!!! I will keep you all updated.

Happy Birthday, Cynthia Lucille Howell!!

Brad (Adam's brother) and Brandy welcomed their first child on Thursday, October 16th, 2008. This was also Brandy's birthday!!

Cynthia Lucille (or Cindy Lou Who as Uncle Adam calls her) came in weighing at 8 lbs. 14 oz measuring 20 1/2 inches. She's a cute little chub and we are all so excited for them. Mama Brandy is my hero because she labored most of the day at home and then went to the birthing center and had a water birth with no drugs at all!! Wow!! It was a completely different atmosphere there. She was in like a real bedroom with no IV, no baby nursery, nothing. Only a midwife and a doula. I don't know if I could do that, but she did great, awesome!!

We love you all!!!

Can you say.......CONSTIPATED???!!!

Okay, so I cannot believe that I am about to discuss this on my blog, but I thought.."Hey, why not" so I can look back on it and laugh and of course, remember this lovely moment of my pregnancy.

Well, I thought that I always understood what being constipated meant. Ha, Ha. Someone that doesn't go for a few days or has trouble going. I am a nurse, so I educate people on how to prevent constipation and how to treat it and what to take. I considered myself an expert. I have let this go way to far!!! I would say I have had a "sluggish" colon since being pregnant but I literally have not gone in the past week and if anyone knows me out there, you know I go daily. I knew that progesterone slowed down your digestion among other things, but this is ridiculous. I am dying!!!!! I have now resorted to eating prunes tonight and will later drink prune juice. If this doesn't work, then I will have to resort to the stool softener that I do not want to take because I hate medications and I never take them. My belly looks like I am at least 5-6 months and I feel like a giant cow!!!

Anyway, I guess I will let you guys know how things come out!!! Or if they don't!! Ha, Ha!!!

8 Week Checkup and Baby Pics

Today Adam and I went for my 8 week checkup and ultrasound. I originally had it scheduled for this Thursday, but I had a little bleeding and spotting scare yesterday so they moved it up. Not to worry, because my doctor said it was very normal to have spotting during this week because the placenta was starting to form. It only lasted a couple of hours, but that doesn't mean that it didn't scare me to death!!!

Anyway, everything checked out great. Blood pressure was good, weight was FRIGHTENING and she gave me a prescription for Zofran just to have on hand for my 24/7 nausea. It was a very long visit. Lots of questions, blood work, ultrasound and seeing the doctor and getting a huge bag full of stuff that the nurse had to go through. I am technically 8 weeks and 3 days today, but I measured a little ahead of schedule at 8 weeks and 6 days, which is great. They are still going with a due date of May 15th, 2009!!

I teared up, of course, when I saw the baby on the ultrasound, and the look on Adam's face is just priceless. I don't think I have ever seen a look like that. All lit up and smiling. The little bean actually looks like a little baby now. He/she was moving all around and the heart was beating beautifully between high 140's to 160, and when I tell people this, they think it is a girl. Who knows!!?? It was so amazing to see the little heart beating in the chest. It was probably to most amazing and beautiful thing I have ever seen. I will tell you..I love this little baby so much already. I cannot imagine how I will feel when I actually meet this little person. She also looked at my ovaries during the ultrasound and told me that the left ovary released the egg. I thought that was pretty cool that she knew that.

My next appointment is in about a month, on November 6th. No ultrasound that day..just listening to the heartbeat with the doppler, but exciting in itself. I will keep you all updated!!

8 Weeks and Cravings

Woohoo, I am 8 weeks today!! My nausea is so much better and has been the past few days. It just comes on during the day at times, like if I waited too long to eat, or I ate a little too much. But much better overall!!

I can only eat certain things, like what I am craving at the time since I am usually feeling a twinge of nausea most of the time. I have been craving things that I have not eaten and haven't thought about eating in years. Like......

-tomato sandwiches (with mayonnaise and salt and pepper)
-macaroni and tomatoes
-potato chip sandwich with mayonnaise
-chocolate milk (which I haven't had since I was a small child, but I know how much Lee loves)
-homemade pimento cheese
-unsweet tea with lemon (which is something I have never liked to drink or could really stand, I am a sweet tea girl)
-salty french fries (which I have only indulged in twice)

Today I wanted a roast beef sandwich with curly fries from Arby's or either a chicken chalupa from Taco Bell. Which is soooo very weird for me since I have not eaten fast food in 3 years. The most I eat is from chick-fil-A. It seems like if I don't have what I am craving for or thinking about, I am just not satisfied until then.

Other than the above symptoms, that is all I have. Sometimes I don't even feel that pregnant. Is that weird? I am sure it will come soon enough. I have an appointment next Thursday and I will let everyone know how it went. Keep us in your prayers!!

Can you tell I was obsessed?

So..this is a picture of the 17, yes, I said 17 tests that I took on this pregnancy. I took the first few because I couldn't believe it, then I just wanted to make sure they were getting darker (which is not a good indicator of your HCG level) but it was the only thing I had to keep my mind at ease at times.

I am at complete peace with everything now, especially after I saw the heartbeat and letting go completely and giving it all to God. I just thought I would show you guys how obsessive I can be at times so you can all get a good laugh.

Nausea

Does it just come on all of a sudden? Or gradually? Or what? I am sitting here trying to eat my breakfast, which is something that I felt like I needed right time I woke up this morning and the past several mornings. Once I eat, I am usually fine. I am now having "waves" of nausea, if that makes sense, as I eat. I also had it all day yesterday, it never went away. I think I would rather just vomit (such a lovely word) and get it over with, then to have constant nausea. On the other hand, I am thankful for it in some ways because it reminds me that I am pregnant, which I am so excited about and willing to endure whatever to get to the finish line!!

I will keep you updated on this new issue I am having.I have a strong feeling it will worsen over time, but hopefully it will not be debilitating, which is what I always describe nausea and vomiting as. Tell me your stories. Like when did it start and how long did it last. Any information will be reassuring for the novice preggo lady here from all of you experts out there!!

The Greatest Day...

was today, September, 18th, 2008 when Adam and I saw our baby's heartbeat!! Yes, that's right, I am pregnant and due on May 15th, 2009. We are so excited!!

It all started on August 30th. I had just came home from work and decided I thought I would take a test just to see. I wasn't planning on seeing anything since it was so early (exactly 3 weeks and 1 day)and lo and behold, a faint pink line. Of course I took one everyday after that and then a digital test which I included a picture of above. I know, I am crazy.

I went in on September 3rd and had my HCG level and progesterone drawn and they came back great..HCG was 80 and progesterone 30.2. I then went back on September 8th, and the HCG was 793, then this past Monday, September 15th, the level went to 14,975!!! Wow!! All those numbers are great, by the way. The number is supposed to double every 2 days and mine was more than doubling.

Today we went for an ultrasound and everything looked great and we got to see the heartbeat, beating strong at 144 beats per minute and our tiny little peanut measuring at 2.5 mm. I cannot put into words how thankful and grateful I am for this, how thankful Adam and I both are. I know many of you know what we have gone through to get to this point and I am so thankful for your thoughts and prayers during all of this. God is so good!!! I love you all!!

Yes, I am still alive!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am still alive even though I have not posted anything in forever. I, of course, check everybody's blog at least once a day!! I love them, I don't know what we did without them!!

Anyway, just wanted to say HI to everyone!!

The Many Faces of Brutus

Our oldest and biggest dog, Brutus, makes the funniest faces at times. We love when he gets his lip caught and his teeth show..we call this "bulldog face". He is an american bulldog, so I guess he has this face all the time!!! Seriously, though, he is the sweetest dog. His nature is to be a working dog and people pleaser and very protective of his people (that meaning us, his family). He is not happy unless he is around people and doing something. He is very obedient and easy to catch on, but can be very stubborn at times. The saddest time is when I picked him up from his Doggy Daycare one day and one of the workers there told me that my "son" had been separated from the rest of the group because he didn't play well with others. She said that Brutus would not stop "humping" everyone. I was so sad that he had no friends. However, after a little "nip", his testosterone levels got under control and we are happy to say that everyone loves him now and he plays very well with others!!!

Fun at Cambell's 2nd Birthday

I was so glad that I got that day off this past Saturday (since I usually work every weekend) to go home for the day to see some of my family and then go to Cambell's 2nd Birthday party!! I got to see most of my friends and even got to meet the new baby, Preston!!

Happy Bithday Baby Sister and Kerri!!!

I just wanted to wish Happy Birthday to my little sissy and my friend Kerri!! I hope you both have a great day and I love you very much!!!

Happy 32nd Birthday!!

I just wanted to wish my sweet husband a very Happy 32nd Birthday!! I love you more than you know and I thank God each day for having you in my life. Your are my rock. I couldn't have gotten through the last few months without you. I hope you have a great day!

Happy Birthday, Baby Brother!!

Happy Birthday, Little Keith!!! My baby brother is 20 years old today!! I cannot believe it!!

It seems like just yesterday you were born. I was 11 years old when you were born and Heather was almost 8. You were our real live baby doll. We used to shake the cradle in the living room when you were sleeping in it just so you would make a sound and cry so we could pick you up. Mama would get upset and say, "Was he awake?" and of course I would say, "Yes, mama."

I love you so much!!

Fun at Mary Clare's Birthday Party!!

On our recent trip home back to Hartsville, I got to go to Mary Clare's 1st Birthday!! It was so good to see everyone, even though some of us were missing. What a special day this was for Mary Clare and her family. I love you all.

Family Picture..Kinda

I just love this picture of Adam and our babies. Even though only 3 out of 4 of them are looking at the camera..this is as close as I could get that day.I just wish I could find a way to be in the picture!!

Playdate at Lee's House in April

I am really falling behind on posting things. I was going through some pictures and discovered I didn't post about the wonderful playdate my high school friends and I had on Betsy's Birthday on April 23rd!! It was so good to see everyone and their beautiful children. I wish we could do it more often!!!

First Time Home for the Dogs

This is our dogs when we brought them home for the first time at the house. They did surprisingly good. They were a little reluctant and scared at first, but now they have settled in. George and the two little ones..Chloe and Sampson..did get up about 4 times the first night to potty which is highly unusual, but I think they were just nervous.