In Case You're Curious

Here's what I look like at 14 weeks pregnant:

Looks like there might really be a baby in there!

When I look back just 2 weeks ago to my 12-week pictures...

I think I'm actually growing!

Tonight a dear friend of mine is letting me raid her closet for some maternity clothes, and I'm going shopping tomorrow with another friend who is also pregnant, just a few days behind me. Only this will be her 4th, so I'm hoping to glean a bit of wisdom while we shop! I'm so thankful for the women in my life who have walked this road before me, reminding me of the incredible gift at the end. And for letting me borrow their pants when I outgrow mine!

Excitement...and a bit of frustration

I hit the 14 week mark today! This feels like a milestone of sorts because regardless of whether the 1st trimester is actually 12 or 13 weeks in length, I am truly into the 2nd trimester now. Whew! Only 6 more months to go.

By all accounts, I am told that the 2nd trimester is the most enjoyable of the 3. I hear you move past the nausea, get some energy back, and actually start to look the part of a pregnant girl - all things I am very ready for! Last week I really thought I was beginning to turn a corner with the whole nausea thing. My "good times" seemed to be getting longer, leaving me with a bit more energy, and even some of my old appetite. I was thankful for the change as Dan's sister was in town and I was able to cook a couple of meals - something I hadn't really been able to tackle since sometime in January! I even cooked up some meat and veggies, two items which have made the kitchen my nemesis thanks to my super-sonic sense of smell and hyper-active gag reflex. I didn't actually eat them in the end, but I felt like it was progress nevertheless.

Then Sunday didn't go quite as well. Then Monday was worse and I wasn't sure I'd make it through the work day (I did). Then yesterday was more of the same and by the time I got home I was a nauseous, whiny, pathetic mess. Dan was so excited to have an evening just to ourselves, and instead of relaxing and enjoying our time, I pretty much succumbed to throwing myself a nice little pity party. I'm not so sure he enjoyed it.

I'm not sure why, but it seems like my reprieve of last week has only served to dampen my spirits during this week's sudden reversal. As I step back and think about it, I realize that I should be grateful for the break I was given for a few days, particularly while Amanda was here to hang out. The Lord allowed me the strength and energy to enjoy the time with her, and I am thankful for that. And yet instead of focusing on the good, I tend to dwell on what's dragging me down - which as we all know, only drags you down farther.

I know this seems like a rather depressing blog entry, but I guess I'm just trying to sort out some of my thoughts this afternoon. The excitement and anticipation for this little one I carry builds each day - and I know this will all be totally and completely worth it in the end. In fact, my guess is I'll probably do this again some day (Lord willing). So right now I know I just need to "suck it up" and press on. I just wish I knew if I was going to feel like this for another 6 months or 6 weeks or 6 days. But maybe that wouldn't help, anyway. Maybe today I'll just ask God for the grace to get through today and let tomorrow worry about itself.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite quotes as I write this - one I should probably wall paper my office with. I'll leave you with this:

"What may be your portion tomorrow is not your business today. Today's business is trust in the living God who precisely measures out, day by day, each one's portion." - Elisabeth Elliot

I think I'm feeling a little better already...

Dan Feels Left Out

When I snapped a couple pictures the other night of my growing tummy, Dan decided he needed to be included in the action. But don't be fooled by that little pooch he's showing you. Because unlike mine...

His can disappear at will. In reality, that thing is rock-solid!

*Note: I was only allowed to post the first two pictures as long as I also agreed to include the last one. He didn't want anyone to get the wrong impression of his manly figure ;-)

3 Wonderful Years

3 years ago today my Dad walked me down the aisle and I said "I Do" to the man of my dreams. As I look back on the precious day, there are a few things I would change about the decor, maybe my hair, and I'd probably try to be a bit more organized if I was given a do-over. But there is one thing that I absolutely would never change, and that's the man who was waiting for me at the end of that aisle. And while I was head-over-heels in love that day, and still am as I write this, I had only a glimpse of how blessed I truly was to become the wife of such a godly man.

I look back today on that day and the 3 years that have passed since that time, and I am blown away at God's faithfulness in our lives. These have truly been the best 3 years of my life.

Thank you, Dan, for loving me inspite of myself and for your committment to God, me, and our family (soon to come!) "til death do us part." I'll love you always.

12 Weeks & Counting

I hit the 12 week mark this past Wednesday, so I have almost entered the 2nd trimester! I guess it depends on who you ask -- some say 12 weeks is the mark and some say it's 13. Either way, I'm almost there. It's strange to think I'm already 1/3 of the way through my pregnancy!

A couple weeks ago, my sister sent me this very cute gift called "The Belly Book" which is a journal of sorts specifically for pregnancy with a weekly place for belly pictures. As I mentioned last week, I'm just starting to grow, but I thought I'd go ahead and start documenting the process since it might be fun to look back on at some point. I think.

Anyway, in case you're curious, here are a couple of 12-week belly pictures from this past Wednesday:

There's just something awkward about this. But I have enjoyed watching some of my friend's pregnant belly's grow through pictures, so I figured why not :-)

We also had a doctor's appointment on Friday and got a good report. We got to hear the heartbeat, which totally blew me away! It really seemed like I was just in the room listening to the doctor talk to someone else about all of this...it just doesn't seem possible that it's actually happening to me! But there was definitely a heartbeat, and it definitely came from my womb - which was a pretty incredible realization.

When does this all actually sink in? Please tell me it happens sometime before the baby actually comes home with me. I'm guessing there are a few things I need to do before then.

Yuck!

Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day here in Nashville - 75, sunny, no humidty, no bugs yet. Plus, it was the first day since the fall that it was still totally daylight out on my drive home, which I love! So I was having an unusually enjoyable commute home with my windows down to take in the lovely fresh air when all of a sudden the pleasant smell of fresh blossoms was choked out by cigarette smoke. I was so angry! Some guy that had pulled up behind me at a stoplight had his cig hanging out the window and the lovely breeze carried it right into my cab and totally ruined the moment for me. I HATE the smell of cigarettes, and that hatred has only increased with my current condition.

Moral of the story - cigarette smoke is gross. It ruins beautiful spring days.

And So It Begins...

First of all, thank you all so much for all of your comments! We appreciate the support and encouragement so much, and who doesn't like to get comments? It's fun to see who stops by this blog every so often.

And so it begins...the many wondrous and wacky experiences of pregnancy. The past couple of months have been filled with queasiness for me, although I am thankful that I am not nearly as sick as I could be. The sight and smell of food tends to be the usual culprit - especially when it's actually cooking. Dan has been so great to fend for himself most meals, although I'm always willing to share whatever oh-so-bland pasta or bread I happen to be munching on. Any tips on semi-healthy foods that might taste good right now? The mac & cheese and ramen noodles are starting to get a little old.

I've also experienced the usual fatigue of the first trimester. Who knew that something so tiny would require so much energy?! This is a bit embarrassing, but yesterday I took a bit of a marathon nap...for 4 hours!! Now, before you go getting too judgemental, I had a little help. My doctor recommended that I take 1/2 of a Unisom tablet (a sleep aid) for my nausea, which I was told shouldn't make me too drowsy. I'm glad I didn't try that at work! Perhaps it helps quell nausea because it renders you totally unconscious.

Just in the past week, my pants have started feeling a bit tighter. I didn't think I had really grown any noticeable amount, but day by day my pants have become more and more uncomfortable, particularly at work. I mean, that button is going to have to go soon! I'm just not quite ready to purchase maternity clothes yet, but in an effort to make my work wardrobe last a bit longer, I made this purchase at Target this weekend:

I think it's called a BellaBand. Has anyone ever heard of this? Does it actually work? It seems like it just might be the ticket to hold up some button-less pants for the next little while.

In other news, spring has definitely sprung here in middle Tennessee! Blossoms are exploding like crazy, along with the daffodils and fresh green grass that is poking it's way up through last year's left-overs. I love spring! Pictures soon to follow.

Two Pink Lines

Awhile back I did something I've done a few times before - I peed on a stick. But this time was a little different. This time, after I laid the fascinating little piece of technology down and waited the required 3 minutes before peaking, I didn't toss it in the trash can. In fact, I gripped that thing so tightly you'd think it had tried to escape. This time, an extra little pink line appeared across the screen...and it didn't go away. So I did what any respectable woman would do who saw 2 pink lines appear on a stick she just peed on - I frantically screamed for my husband to come QUICKLY.

And then I peed on another stick. And the same thing happened.

And then I started getting queasy and started hating foods & smells I had once dearly loved - like coffee.

And then I went to the doctor, and they showed me this:

Apparently I've aquired some sort of a parasite! But good news - they say it will pass in about 6 1/2 months.

In all seriousness, Dan & I are absolutely THRILLED! What a beautiful and miraculous gift pregnancy is, all nausea & exhaustion aside :-) I am 11 weeks along today and have been given a due date of September 23. I'm anxious to get through this first trimester, but thankfully I'm just a couple of weeks away now.

I thought it was time to come out with my little secret here on this blog of mine. Perhaps you'll be hearing from me a little more frequently now that I have something important to talk about! I certainly seem to have a lot more crazy thoughts rolling around my head these days :-)

What a LONG Week

This week started off great as I was able to make a trip home last weekend to spend some much needed time with my family. I hardly took any pictures at all, but here's one with Grandma & Grandpa at the airport just before I headed back to Nashville on Monday:

I really had a wonderful trip, got to spend lots of good time with Mom, heard some "stories from the field" as Dad told some tales from the Academy (which is going pretty well, by the way), hung out with Paige & Torri, and got to visit quite a bit with Grandma & Grandpa. Perhaps if I ever get a bit more motivated to keep up with this blog, I'll tell you more about it :)


I got home Monday night, went to work Tuesday morning, and came home sick Tuesday afternoon. I'm not exactly sure what it was that hit me, but I had a fever by the time I got home, and that seemed to hang around until Friday, keeping me holed up here the rest of the week. I've been fighting an awful cough in my chest and a horribly stuffy nose ever since. Today was the first day I woke up and actually thought, "Ahhh....I think I'm feeling a little better today!"


Like I said...what a LONG week this has been. I've been doing this most of the time, sipping my fluids and resting. If nothing else, it's given me a good opportunity to do some fun reading!

Today I finally had the energy to get a little something done, so I stripped the bed and put on some nice clean sheets. Nothing feels better...especially after wallowing around in sickness for a few days. Now if I can get up the energy again, I think I just might get the bathroom cleaned. Mom said that is always a good sign a Schoon woman is feeling better...when she starts cleaning again :) (My Mom's maiden name is Schoon...in case you were confused). I think I'll go see what I can accomplish!