Crib Shopping

Well we are approaching 17 weeks and are becoming more and more anxious to finding out what gender our little one is! We can hardly sit around and wait... Today we purchased our crib and custom bedding set! The bedding goes for either gender so we just couldn't wait!!! The crib is the one in the set below. A cherry finish sleigh crib...absolutely beautiful! When we put our bedding set against it, we knew instantly it was the one we wanted. Once we get the nursery painted and the crib put together we will post pictures of our nursery in progress.

Baby Heaven

This weekend Chad and I ventured out to begin our crib and baby furniture search! We have been to my dad's store and Babies R Us a million times. We couldn't seem to fall in love with anything. Then today we ventured over to the other side of town and walked into baby heaven!!!! Better yet...it's their big holiday sale! We took a few pictures of cribs we love (this pic is our favorite so far), and we are going to take the week to think about what we really want. The bedding set we decide on needs to match the crib, so we are having the big debate with cherry or expresso wood! It's hard to decide not knowing the gender of the baby! But even so...we got really excited today shopping for baby Bridges and can't wait to actually make our purchase and bring it home!

17 Weeks

Another doctor's appointment down. Our BIG one is next!!! I got to hear the heartbeat and was measured to make sure baby was growing. Everything was great, except they put me on the dreaded iron pills! I've heard they make you pretty sick, so I'm not looking forward to starting them... We also had our genetic blood testing done to make sure everything is okay with baby. Please pray this week as we wait for those results to come in. Hopefully all test are negative and we have made it through the most critical half of pregnancy with no problems. Things at home are changing as well as my body! Cali can definitely tell something is up. She has become A LOT more needed than usual and has to be constantly touched. Today is her birthday and she turns 4! It feels like we just got her. We are going to get her some special doggy treats this afternoon and spend some time with her. I'm sure she will feel pretty neglected for a while once baby gets here and our attention shifts! Well, we are on the countdown to find our what the gender of our baby is! Only 27 more days...

Sweet Thoughts

We have been so blessed to have such an easy pregnancy so far! It is comforting to both Chad and I to know so many people are praying for the health and safety of our family. Each day it seems like we get a new email or card with warm thoughts. We are approaching 17 weeks and are on the countdown to find out what our baby is! Only 29 days to go... We have decided to wait and share names until we know the gender of the baby, but we are pretty set. Crib and furniture shopping is our next big adventure! Our next doctors appointment is tomorrow, so until then...

A Pain in the Butt!!!

When my doctor was discussing my pregnancy with me, one of the first things he told me about was this sciatic nerve which runs down your back and into your legs. He said "because you teach and are on your feet all day, it may be a problem for you." Oh boy has it been a problem!!! While everyone seems to have a different opinion for how to treat this, I have not found anything that works yet! Warm bath, body pillow, two pillows between your knees at night, sleeping on the opposite side of the pain, 30 minute-leg up breaks, massages (which I'm up for!), floor exercises (do you know me at all!)... Oh let me count the suggestions! My next doctors appointment is on the 19th, so I guess I will tough out the pain in my butt until I can talk to him about it more!!

Sinus Infections and Baby Clothes!

For the past 8 days I have been fighting one heck of a sinus infection! The doctors said it was safe to take Claritin and nose spray, so they have been my best friends lately. The only thing that seems to take the cough away is hot cocoa, so I've been through two boxes! Today I finally began feeling some relief. Mom and I went shopping for Chad's birthday gifts, and couldn't help but stop by the baby stores as well (couldn't control ourselves). I am so anxious to discover whether we are having a boy or girl so I can start buying all the precious things out there! Only 5 more weeks until then...

14 weeks

It's official....the baby bump is starting to show!!! Oh lord!

Weekend in Savannah

Since I've been feeling better, I decided it was time to actually attend one of my husbands soccer tournaments! He has been so patient and understanding through this experience and it's time that I find small ways to thank him. It's always so rewarding to my soul to watch Chad with his teams. His guidance and caring spirit with his teams remind me of what a wonderful father he will be. We enjoyed the weekend away together (knowing it may be one of the last alone!). Chad's varsity team starts up in January and Christmas is always a busy time, so we figured it was one of the last as "the two of us"...at least for a little while!

Just for Fun!

We want to know what you all think! Go to the site below and take a vote!

http://www.pollpub.com/what-gender-will-our-baby-be1.aspx

Finally!!!

Well I finally reached week 14 and finally have started feeling better!!! This weekend Chad and I are heading to Savannah. We figure it will be the last traveling weekend for us due to his soccer schedule and then me being way too huge to sit in a car very long! I am still finding myself anxious to start showing, but I have a feeling once I do I'll want to go back! I get a lot of "where is it" and "there's no way" comments at work and from friends, so I'm eager to show my proof! They may not be seeing much....but I sure can! Chad has still been extremely supportive, even though I know I'm aggrivating him to death at times! He even helped me clean the house this week...what a man! We are still batteling over boy names but are pretty sold on our girl name. We have decided what colors to do our nursery in (for either gender) and we are beginning our crib search! As I feel better and better, I am getting more and more excited. Especially as we start getting closer to collecting baby Bridges things!!!

A Strong Heartbeat!!!

My 13 week doctor's appointment was yesterday and it was exciting to hear the heartbeat so strong! He has dismissed any high risk due to the hemmorage I had and said we are officially "in the clear!" It was great to have the doctor give us the okay to get super excited! As exciting as it was, it also had its low points. I have officially gained 6 pounds and passed the 110 pound mark for the first time in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A little scary, but at least it's for a good cause! I spent the night thinking...where did 6 pounds come from!?! Then I began to recall the nights of ice cream and trips to Hardee's in the last few weeks :) So I am going to have to start watching what I eat a little more closely!!!

12 Week Ultrasound

Yesterday was the most amazing day of our lives! Seeing our baby (acutally look like a baby) was so wonderful. As soon as the ultrasound cut on, we could see our baby moving around and see a heartbeat. The heartbeat measured a strong 171 and the fluid check for its neck was good too! We actually got to count 10 fingers and 10 toes through the new 3 and 4-D photos. It was unexplainable to watch our baby move its hands and body as the nurse poked my stomach. It's still way too early to feel myself, but I am anxiously awaiting the time when I can feel my baby move! We had a 75% accurate gender reading done, but we still aren't convinced yet! We are going to wait to our 20 week to make sure its what we think! The reality that a baby is on its way hit Chad and I hard and we had fun talking future plans in the car on the way home. God is great and the baby is healthy! So much to be thankful for!

Having Fun with Friends

Chad has been so patient and supportive through this crazy time we are having. One of the ways he relaxes is to go outside with our good friends the Patricks (Caroline and Jarret) next door. They have 3 precoius kids that ADORE their Mr. Chad. As a matter of fact, they like him so much that they call me "Mrs. Chad" most of the time! We are lucky to have them so close to ask questions and share frustrations. Caroline is my "please share in my mysery" friend when the morning sickness is more than I can handle. Jarret helps Chad relax by assuring him he will be a great father, and allows him PLENTY of practice with his three handfulls!!! We are so thankful to have the Patricks in our lives and look forward to sharing this experience with them.

Stress and Carolina Football

Today Chad and I spent the day at home together. We had lunch in, took a walk with Cali, and watched some Carolina football. The one thing I have read in all of my pregnancy magazines and books is to keep the stress level of your body down as much as possible. Well if you know anything about being a Gamecock fan, you know that every Saturday is FULL of stress! Today was no different. We came out on top, but I feel like I need to go to bed at 7 just to calm my nerves!! Ha! Only 4 days until our next ultra sound and we can't wait!!!

10 (and a half) weeks!!!

I am feeling more and more confident about things going well as we grow closer to the 12 week mark. The sickness is growing weaker while my food cravings are increasing like crazy!! My bank statements are a joke! 1.25 for a slushie here, 2. 50 for a burger there... I am spending more each week in gas driving from Chapin to Irmo to feed myself! Chad is just enjoying that part of the ride! We have our next ultra sound next week and I can't wait. I want to actually see a "baby" this time, and they assure us we will. Maternity clothes are starting to make their way into my closet, although most people can't tell anything yet. I wore my first pair to work today and got made fun of! It's just difficult to sit down or bend over comfortably in my "normal" jeans these days. They hit me in an uncomfortable spot. After wearing my maternity pants for a day I have to tell you...what was I worried about! They are so comfortable!

Do people in SC get pregnant!?!

Well today I conquered my fear and bought my first pair of maternity pants! Much to my surprise, I discovered that NOWHERE in South Carolina do they sell size 0 maternity pants. Let's check through the list: first Target (no 0), then Motherhood Maternity (they laughed at me), Old Navy (ehh), then the internet. After hours of searching I found that there are websites such as Gap and Ann Taylor that sell sizes that small but the other side of that coin is they cost a fortune!!!! So I bought a too big size pair of jeans from Old Navy to get me through, and in the meantime, I'm going to pray that my Gap online order comes in and everything fits!!!

9 Weeks and no Tummy yet!

I have offically made it to 9 weeks and haven't gotten a tummy yet! As a matter of fact, I have lost a pound! How does that happen??? I can tell my pants are getting a little more snug, but there is no baby big enough to poke out yet! This means I have at least a few more weeks before I have to go into Lisa's maternity pants! I still feel sick a night, but the tiredness is getting better thank goodness. I go to bed at 7 instead of 5 now. As scary as it is to think of my belly after 26 years in a size 0, I am anxious to see the baby growing and am actually looking forward to a baby bump in the future!!!!

Another Dr. Appointment!

I was fortunate enough to get the day off today! I had a doctors visit this morning and a dentist visit this afternoon. All is still well! The baby is progressing just like it should and my iron count is up thank goodness! I have hear that having to take iron supplements can make you sick, and I do NOT need anything adding to my uneasy stomach. It was definitely an interesting trip to the doctor today though. When I got there, I noticed all of the nurses sticking their heads down the hall. When I was sitting in the waiting room I couldn't help but notice they continued to stick their heads around the corner to look at me. When I got called back I asked my nurse if I had something on my face! (I was convinced there was leftover cheese and bacon on my face) She filled me in on the fact that the nurses were "hoping" my husband would be accompanying me to this visit this morning. As soon as I laughed and announced that Chad was not going to be there...they all flocked to other places. It was hilarious, but what can I say. My husband is beautiful!

Friends

Today I got to visit my friend Lisa and her two boys. Lisa sent me home with 4 bags of maternity clothes! She is a great friend! I remember Lisa as always being dressed so cute when she was pregnant, but I can't quite get excited about the maternity clothes yet. I think as my belly progressively gets bigger and I get more comfortable with my new body I'll be excited about them! My pants are starting to get a little tight, and now I have some reserves for the morning I wake up and can't button my pants!!!

8 weeks!!!

I am becoming more and more anxious as the first trimester moves on! Since our scare this past week, I have been very eager to get to the 12 week mark. Only 4 more to go. I am remaining faithful that all will move smoothly! Monday I go for all of my OB work, and today we got one of the important benchmarks in the mail. THE BILL!! All I can say is... Thank you God for my great insurance! My sickness hasn't been as bad since I switched back to my old prenatal vitamins, however the fatigue is still hitting me hard. It's amazing that its 7:30 pm and I'm not asleep yet! This may be a pregnancy record for me! As we hit the 8 week mark, I am feeling so blessed for every day and I'm getting more and more excited. Chad is planning to take me to Babies R Us when he gets back in town from his soccer tournament, and I can't wait! We are dying to start buying items for our little one (even though its probably still too early for that)!