12 weeks

 January 24 - 30, 2012

How far along? 12 weeks


How are you measuring? 12 weeks

Size of baby? According to Baby Bump, the baby is 2.1 inches, the size of a plum, and weighs .49 ounces.

Heartbeat? 164 at the doctor’s appointment on January 23.

Total weight gain/loss? 0 so far. I am sure that is getting ready to change!

Maternity clothes? I’m not wearing maternity clothes yet, but I have been able to buy some things on clearance. Hopefully I’ll be prepared when my clothes (especially pants) no longer fit.

Stretch marks? No.

Sleep? I’ve been getting pretty good sleep. I am still waking up 2-3 times to use the restroom, but I attribute that to being really thirsty at night. I know the main reason I keep having to get up in the middle of the night is because of all the water I am drinking before bed! I was pretty sleepy this weekend and was pretty lazy. I took a nap on Saturday and Sunday after staying in bed most of the morning.

Best moment this week? The best moment for me this week was sleeping in Saturday morning. I really didn’t sleep in like what I use to, but I definitely stayed in bed most of the morning. It was just what I needed after a busy and long work week.

Movement? Not yet, I am patiently waiting.

Food cravings? I am really craving sweet stuff, but again this is not the out of the norm for me! I made the mistake of going grocery shopping by myself when I hadn’t had supper yet. I walked out with quite a variety of sweet stuff. Barrett was cracking up when he was helping me unload the groceries.

Gender predictions? Take a look at my blog post about my doctor’s appointment. The ultrasound tech was pretty certain our little one was a boy. I realize it is way too early to truly be certain of the sex this early, but we would definitely not mind adding a little man to our family. I keep telling Barrett not to get his hopes up, but I think it’s too late. He fully believes it’s a boy now!

What I miss: I haven’t really missed anything this week. This really has nothing to do with my pregnancy, but I have been missing our families. I’m hoping we will be seeing them pretty soon.

What I'm looking forward to: Looking forward to my next doctor’s appointment on February 17th. I won’t be having an ultrasound, but we should be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat with the Doppler.

How are you feeling? I have been feeling good. I have had a couple nights during the week where I haven’t felt very good in the evening until I go to bed. Usually when I wake up in the morning I feel better.

Symptoms? Still no major symptoms. I am having some of the minor symptoms, but nothing major.

3rd Doctor's Appt - January 23

On Monday, January 23, I had my third doctor’s appointment. Being honest, I think I was most excited about this appointment. I was excited to see the little one on the ultrasound again and excited he/she would look more like a baby this time. I also really had a good feeling everything was going to check out ok and after this appointment I would be treated like a normal pregnancy. I had such good feelings about the appointment (and since it was in the middle of the day) I told Barrett he didn’t need to take off work to come with me.


I arrived at the doctor and immediately needed to use the restroom. On all my other appointments as soon as you are called back, you have to provide a urine sample, so I waited in the waiting room hoping I would be called soon. I had to go! The longer I waited the more I was concentrating…it was getting pretty uncomfortable! Anyway, finally a lady came and called me back and I immediately recognized she was the ultrasound tech who performed my very first ultrasound. She led me into the ultrasound room and immediately started talking to me about the ultrasound. She said we would be doing a regular ultrasound today since the baby was bigger. The entire time I was thinking, “This should be fun…any pressure on my belly and I might wet my pants”. She went ahead and prepped me for the ultrasound. She found the baby pretty quick and immediately started laughing. The screen showed our little one head down and moving arms and legs everywhere! She kept saying, “This one is head down, I can’t see anything I need to see.” Then she told me she could tell I had a very full bladder (I could have told her that!!!). The baby kept wiggling and flailing its arms and legs but its back was to us, and we really couldn’t see anything! She told me she was going to adjust the exam table I was laying on to try and get gravity to work in our favor and make the baby move positions and hopefully would no longer be head down. When that didn’t work she told me it would probably be better to empty my bladder (whew – music to my ears).

After I finished in the restroom she prepped me again, and we started looking for the little one. Immediately we saw the baby had moved into a much more comfortable position! There was our little one – profile and all! He/she wasn’t moving anymore but looked just to be relaxing. The ultrasound tech started pointing things out to me and said she thought everything looked really good. The heart rate was 164! She said since our baby had a nasal bone that was evident and she didn’t see any fluid behind the head that we would not have had a positive Down’s test if we had opted to have the test. Barrett and I decided to not have the detailed test, but I appreciated her telling me some of the things they look for and saying our little one looked good. Here are a couple pictures!

I went ahead and decided to ask her when their office schedules the anatomy scan to find out what sex the baby is.  I knew that you can have the scan anywhere from 16-22 weeks.  She continued looking at the screen and told me that their office does the scan around 19-20 weeks.  Then she asked if we were planning on finding out what we were having.  Now, for those of you who know me, you understand my obsession with planning ahead.  I have been ready to know what this baby is from day 1.  The tech surprised me and said, “Do you want to find out what you are having today?”  I looked at her with disbelief and then told her I would love to find out today.  I was again disappointed B wasn’t there with me, but the planner in me took over!  The tech told me, “It’s a boy!”  She then went on to say that she can’t tell little girls this early, but there was obviously something sticking up and she had no doubt it was a boy.  Now, I’m going to be perfectly honest…if you have been reading my weekly posts you know that I was starting to feel like it was a girl and everyone else also had the same feeling.  I also realize that at 12 weeks this news isn’t always accurate.  I know too many stories recently of people being told one sex and then the baby ended up being the other a few weeks later.  However, the ultrasound tech was so certain, she decided to write on the remaining pictures she printed that it was a boy! Check these pictures out and see what you think.  I guess only time will tell if we truly have a little boy on our hands or a little girl! 

This is a "bottom shot view".  

After leaving the ultrasound room I had to sit in another waiting room and wait for my doctor. I used the time to call B and my mom. B was literally giddy with the news. I am still having to remind him that he doesn’t need to get his hopes up about it being a boy since it is too early, but I think it is already too late! He is beside himself excited!


When it was time to see the doctor, she confirmed my feelings! She said everything looked great with the baby and with me. She also said the bleed was gone and there was no need to monitor me closely anymore. I was so excited! She released me for exercise and scheduled my next appointment for Friday, February 17th. Then she asked me if the tech had told me she saw something on the screen making her believe it was a boy. I told her yes, and she immediately told me to not go painting a nursery blue just yet. But, she did say this was her most experienced ultrasound tech, so we will just see!

After meeting with the doctor I met with the business office manager to go over my insurance/benefits. We also went over my hospital admission paperwork for me to turn in to the hospital where I will be delivering. I can’t believe I already need to be doing those things! After my meeting I am so very thankful for the maternity benefits I have through my health insurance at work. After meeting my deductible I am covered at 100% and my deductible is VERY reasonable.

My doctor’s appointment went great. I really like my doctor and the clinic’s practice. I can’t wait for my next appointment and especially can’t wait to find out in March for sure if we are having a boy or girl!

11 weeks

January 17 - 23, 2012

How far along? 11 weeks

How are you measuring? 11 weeks

Size of baby? According to Baby Bump the baby is 1.6 inches; the size of a lime. The baby weighs .25 ounces.

Heartbeat? 164 at our doctor’s appointment on January 23rd.

Total weight gain/loss? 0. I put a notebook in the bathroom by my scale, and I have weighed and documented for over a week now. I am still fluctuating normal and haven’t been able to see actual weight gain.

Maternity clothes? Not yet. I am still unbuttoning my pants after meals and when I sit at my desk during the work day. I have started buying a few items online that are on clearance. I am still worried about finding pants that are long enough. Hopefully I’ll be able to wear my jeans and work pants with a Be Band for awhile when I can’t button them anymore.

Stretch marks? Not yet. Still applying lotion 1-2 times a day.

Sleep? Sleep has finally gotten better. I am still getting up about 2 times a night to use the restroom, but I am able to go back to sleep!

Best moment this week? I got a message on Thursday night. Barrett came home a couple weeks ago and surprised me with a one hour massage gift certificate! He said I had been stressed and he thought a massage might help him relax! It was so sweet, unexpected, and thoughtful! I went ahead and scheduled my massage thinking I would still be able to lay on my stomach this early on, but the therapist didn’t feel comfortable having me lay on my stomach. The massage was great and I was really relaxed! Another great moment was the doctor's appointment on the 23rd.  It was great to see the little one again during the ultrasound.

Movement? Not yet. Still really looking forward to feeling this little one inside me!

Food cravings? I wouldn’t say I’ve had any weird cravings. Again, I am always one that has “cravings” or randomly wants something special to eat. I have noticed this week how wonderful cherry tomatoes taste! I have always liked tomatoes, but they have been especially good this week!

Gender predictions? Still reminding myself 50/50 chance. I think I have more wives tale signs saying it’s a girl, but we are still holding out hope we might have a little man on our hands.  Stay tuned for the doctor's appointment post to see more information about this!

What I miss: On Saturday Barrett and I went to Starbucks and used a gift card I had received at Christmas. I miss not being worried about the amounts of caffeine in Starbucks drinks! I ended up settling for a simple hot chocolate after I looked up caffeine amounts on my phone! All my Starbuck’s favorite specialty drinks simply had too much caffeine for me to chance!

What I’m looking forward to: I’m really looking forward to finding out what we are having. In my spare time I have been browsing nursery themes and I am ready to start planning for this little one!

How are you feeling? Feeling good. I have had some nights this week where I felt really full and bloated. I have also had a few moments of pain in my lower abdomen. I really think it is all starting the growing process and it is my muscles stretching.

Symptoms? None. I have been really blessed in this pregnancy so far! Every week I think, “I am one more week closer to feeling like I’m having a baby!”

10 weeks

January 10-16, 2012

How far along? 10 weeks

How are you measuring? 10 weeks

Size of baby? According to Baby Bump, our baby is 1.2 inches and the size of a prune. The baby weighs .14 ounces.

Heartbeat? 161 and 160 when it was measured at the doctor on December 29.

Total weight gain/loss? Not really sure. I will have a definite stat next week after I go to the doctor next week. I have also placed a notebook by the scale in the bathroom so I can track my weight daily!

Maternity clothes? Not wearing them yet. My sister in law gave me a tub of maternity clothes that I started trying on this week. I also went ahead and started the search for long maternity pants, and let me tell you it is rough finding pants to fit this inseam. I don’t need the maternity pants yet, but I want to make sure I have some when I do! I placed a couple orders online for some items on clearance so I will be ready when the time comes!

Stretch marks? No and still applying lotion!

Sleep? Getting better. I am still waking up 2-3 times to use the restroom during the night, but I have gone back to sleep pretty quick.

Best moment this week? I enjoyed going on two long walks with Bindi. I have been trying to really take it easy with the minor complications I have had, but I am getting stir crazy not doing any exercise. My doctor didn’t tell me not to exercise – only no vigorous exercise. I just decided to be on the safe side and take a good break. I have to admit walking 1.5 brisk miles had me a little winded! I am ready to get in a good walking routine!

Movement? No. I started thinking this week that I am working my way closer to “showing” and feeling the baby. I am getting excited about that!

Food cravings? I have food craving all the time, but that is really no different than when I wasn’t pregnant! I have always been one to have cravings, and I think it is just because I like food! Still very thirsty and drinking lots of water and juice. I am amazed at how thirsty I feel all the time!

Gender predictions? I guess I am starting to feel like we might be having a girl. I think so many people in my family and Barrett have said they think we are having a girl that I have started believing it! Then I have to remind myself there is still that 50/50 chance!

What I miss: I miss waking up in the mornings and having a somewhat flat belly! Ha – I know that sounds selfish but I have quite the bloat belly going on! I know my belly will only get bigger, but I am ready for the bump to be baby and not bloat!

What I'm looking forward to: My doctor’s appointment on Monday, January 23rd. I am suppose to have another ultrasound and then sit down and talk insurance and payment plans. I am actually anxious for both, but especially seeing our little one again. I have a really good feeling about this appointment and I’m hoping I’ll be considered a normal healthy pregnancy after Monday!

How are you feeling? I feel great! Again, I am just really surprised that there is a little one growing inside of me! I haven’t been sick and I really haven’t had the “waves of exhaustion” that so many talk about. I am so blessed that this pregnancy has been easy on my body so far!

Symptoms? No real symptoms besides a bloated belly, and I am very thankful for that!

9 weeks

January 3 - 9, 2012

How far along? 9 weeks

How are you measuring? 9 weeks

Size of baby? According to Baby Bump .9 inches and the size of a green olive. The baby weighs approximately .07 ounces.

Heartbeat? Still using the heartbeat from our appointment on December 29 – 161 and 160.

Total weight gain/loss? Still not entirely unsure. I don’t think I have really gained anything. My weight continues to fluctuate every morning, so it is hard to definitively tell.

Maternity clothes? No. I broke out the belly band this week with a pair of my tighter waisted work pants. I dread trying to find maternity pants long enough for my legs!

Stretch marks? No – I am still lotioning up every day!

Sleep? Still struggling with sleep. I have been fighting a sinus infection most of the week and it has been tough sleeping with a scratchy throat and congestion. I am still getting up at least twice during the night to use the restroom.

Best moment this week? My husband coming home and surprising me with a gift card for a one hour massage. He really has been AWESOME! Of course another amazing moment was when Alabama won the National Championship! OH – and we officially booked our “Babymoon” in New York for the spring!

Movement? Not yet, I know it won’t be for awhile, but I have been wondering when I would feel that baby. I think once I finally feel him/her it will all feel more real to me!

Food cravings? Nothing major. I have been doing a better job eating healthier lunches and I have really enjoyed my raw veggies and yogurt!

Gender predictions? B continues to call the baby by our boy name, but still thinks deep down it is a girl. I still really don’t have a feeling!

What I miss: Not being bloated. I don’t have a baby bump, but I definitely have a good bit of bloat going on in my middle area.

What I'm looking forward to: Looking forward to my doctor’s appointment on the 23rd!

How are you feeling? I have been feeling pretty good this week – though the sinus infection has been wearing me down.

Symptoms? Still no pregnancy symptoms. I am so thankful for an easy first trimester so far! I know that I am especially blessed to not have experienced morning sickness!

8 weeks

December 27-January 2, 2012

How far along? 8 weeks

How are you measuring? The embryo measured 8 weeks and 3 days at my doctor’s appointment on the 29th. The doctor changed our due date to 8/7/12!

Size of baby? According to Baby Bump .63 inches and the size of a raspberry. The embryo weighs .04 ounces.

Heartbeat? The ultrasound tech measured the heartbeat at two different times during our ultrasound. The first time the heart rate was 161 and the second time it was 160!

Total weight gain/loss? +2 from my last doctor’s appointment. I am attributing the Christmas holiday food to those two pounds!

Maternity clothes? No – but I have started unbuttoning my pants!

Stretch marks? Not yet, still applying lotion!

Sleep? Still waking up 2-3 times a night for a bathroom trip.

Best moment this week? Going to the doctor with my husband and us seeing our little baby! It was awesome to experience it this time with him!  Also spending New Year's with my family! 

Movement? Not yet.

Food cravings? Orange Juice! I use to drink coffee every morning, and now I don’t want coffee at all. Orange juice is SO good right now!

Gender predictions? Barrett admitted that he thinks we are having a girl (even though he wants a boy). I still really don’t have a feeling.

What I miss: Still missing a good night’s sleep and being able to sleep in!

What I'm looking forward to: Going for another doctor’s appointment on January 23. I am ready to be able to exercise again!

How are you feeling? Feeling good. Still don’t feel pregnant!

Symptoms? This week was the first week that I have felt really tired. I hated that I was so tired during our visit to my parents’ house, but I simply could not hang with them! I did good to see the ball drop on New Year's when I woke up from my “nap”!

Second Doctor's Appt. - 12/29/11

My second doctor’s appointment was scheduled for Thursday, December 29th at 9am. My doctor had scheduled a follow up ultrasound to check on the healthy baby and also see if I still had a bleed. I was really excited, because Barrett was able to come to this appointment with me!

We waited in the waiting room for a little while and then it was time for the ultrasound. I hadn’t really been nervous about the appointment, but right before we went back I started getting pretty nervous. I just wanted everything to be ok with our little one.

Once we were situated in the ultrasound room it was time to see our little one. I thought it was really neat because our ultrasound tech was pregnant. Anyway, she immediately found the little one! After a couple seconds she looked at me and Barrett and said, “Y’all knew you were having twins right?” My mind immediately interpreted her question the wrong way and I know I had a weird look on my face. I looked at Barrett and back at her and then told her that we knew there had been two but we had lost one. She shook her head and said, “I’m so sorry”. I don’t think she realized how she had worded her question, but when Barrett and I talked about it later we both had interpreted the question to mean there were two and we were again having twins. There was a moment where we both were stunned! I guess that was the hardest part of this second appointment. I was really thinking my body would have “taken care” of the one that didn’t make it and I wouldn’t see it again on the ultrasound, but I was wrong. It really was ok, just gave me more of a reason to believe God wanted us to know there had been two blessings at one time!

The tech went ahead and took measurements of the failed embryo and the entire time she apologized. I had to keep telling her that it was ok, we had had time to process and grieve, and we were at peace with it all. I think it was hard for her simply because she was pregnant and she also shared with us she had had a miscarriage before this pregnancy. I appreciated her apologetic attitude and sensitivity (minus the wording of the first question)!

Then we were able to spend some time looking at and examining our little one! The heartbeat measured 160 and it was the coolest experience to hear the heartbeat this time! Barrett immediately said, “That is so cool!”---and it really was! It was incredible to see how much growth had taken place during the two weeks since the last ultrasound. She also talked to us about our due date. I originally thought our due date would be 8/10/12, but based on the measurements of the baby, she moved my due date up three days. Our little one’s new due date is 8/7/12! Again, I appreciated how much time the tech spent explaining where everything was. She even wrote a few main body parts on our pictures so we would be able to decipher what was what. She told us that by this point the baby could move and sometimes they can pick it up “jumping”. She said that sometimes when she measures the heartbeat is when they jump. She measured the heartbeat again (this time 160) but we weren’t able to see it move. I appreciated her spending that much time with us and she really was very friendly! We were able to get three pictures of our little one!

After our ultrasound we were able to talk with my doctor. She did the quick genetic screen questionnaire – talking about family health history. Then she talked to us about the ultrasound. She said that everything looked great with the baby, but I was still showing a bleed at the bottom of the healthy baby’s “sack”. She said that it wasn’t anything to be too worried about, but told me to take it easy for the next 3 weeks and she wanted to see me again for a follow up appointment. I was a little disappointed that I still wasn’t 100% in the clear – I know during the early part of pregnancy you are never really in the clear, but it is still a little unnerving.

Before we left the doctor’s office I had some lab work done and scheduled my next appointment for Monday, January 23rd.

Barrett was such a trooper for this appointment. I know the only “fun” part for him was the ultrasound, and that was done within the first 30 minutes of the appointment. We were at the doctor’s office almost 2 hours due to waiting and going through the different “stations” as I like to call them. His back had also been bothering so having to sit in between the “stations” wasn’t comfortable for him. I’m thankful he was there to support me!

Anyway, everything seems to be looking good. I am again excited for the next appointment to see how much more this little one has grown, and I’m hoping I can finally be on track for a “normal” healthy pregnancy!

7 weeks

December 16-December 22

How far along? 7 weeks

How are you measuring? 7 weeks

Size of baby? My Baby Bump app says .51 inches and the size of a blueberry. The embryo weighs .04 ounces.

Heartbeat? I was able to see the heart beat on the ultrasound, but the embryo wasn’t developed enough for the heart beat to be measured.

Total weight gain/loss? Not since my doctor appointment.

Maternity clothes? No. Some of my pants are feeling a little uncomfortable around the middle.

Stretch marks? No. I am already putting lotion on twice a day.

Sleep? Still having trouble sleeping, but now I am waking up 2-3 times to use the restroom. After I get up it is really hard for me to go back to sleep.

Best moment this week? Having Christmas with Barrett’s family and getting my first maternity shirt. It says, “Future Bama Baby”!

Movement? Not yet.

Food cravings? Not really. I have randomly wanted a glass of milk. I have always liked milk, but I am not one to drink it regularly.

Gender predictions? Not really sure. Once I start thinking one way or the other I am reminded it is a 50/50 chance!

What I miss: Nothing really. I am missing getting a good night’s sleep, but I can’t really complain.

What I'm looking forward to: Going to see my parents for the New Year and my doctor’s appointment on the 29th.

How are you feeling? Feeling good. I am still amazed that I am pregnant, because I really thought I would feel different!

Symptoms? I have had a few minor waves of nausea, but nothing really to complain about.

6 Weeks

On of my blogger friends, Katy Link, did an excellent job of documenting her pregnancy.  I completely copied her idea and plan to do a post for each week of my pregnancy.  I am mainly doing it for a scrapbook for myself, but thought it would be a fun way for family and friends to keep up with us! 

Thanks for the idea, Katy! 

December 9 - 15, 2011

 

How far along? 6 weeks

How are you measuring? At my doctor appointment yesterday, the ultrasound tech thought the embryo looked to be well over 6 weeks but not yet 7. I am going to keep it the same until my doctor officially tells me differently.

Size of baby? Baby center says it is the size of a sweet pea.

Heartbeat? The ultrasound tech detected the heartbeat, but it was still too early to really hear and get the BPM. It was so awesome seeing the heartbeat flashing in the “little bean”.

Total weight gain/loss? I have lost 6 pounds since my physical (before I was pregnant) November 18, and not from morning sickness!  I had actually started dieting the week before I found out I was pregnant. 

Maternity clothes? Not yet, but I do confess I am unbuttoning the top button on my pants after meals. It is so much more comfortable!

Stretch marks? Not yet, but I am thinking they will be inevitable. I have already purchased “stretch mark massage cream” so we will see…

Sleep? I have really had a hard time sleeping. I don’t know if it is still me getting use to the idea of being pregnant and not being able to shut off my mind, or what. Since we found out we were pregnant I have probably only had 3-4 nights of uninterrupted sleep. It isn’t even because I am in the bathroom all night…I am just waking up and can’t go back to sleep.

Best moment this week? Being able to see the ultrasound. I so wish Barrett could have been there, but it wasn’t a planned ultrasound.

Movement? Not yet.

Food cravings? No. I have had a few nights that I wanted a glass of milk, which is pretty out of the norm for me. I also like raw vegetable, but they have really been tasting good for part of my lunch!

Gender predictions? We just want a healthy baby, but of course B would love a little boy. I really don’t have any feelings yet.

What I miss: I miss not being worried about what I’m eating. I was really doing a good job before I found out I was pregnant.

What I'm looking forward to: Going back to the doctor on December 29 for another ultrasound. I am really excited about this one since Barrett will be able to go with me this time!

How are you feeling? This week has been quite the whirlwind between the doctor's appointment and getting use to the whole idea of being pregnant. :)

Symptoms? My only symptoms have been mild cramping and bloating. Just feeling a little uncomfortable but nothing major! I am hoping I can get through this first trimester without morning sickness, so we will see! Other than my mild symptoms I feel normal. I have to keep telling myself I’m pregnant!

First Doctor's Appt. 12/15/11

I had called my doctor on Monday, December 5, as soon as they opened. When they scheduled my appointment, I went ahead and asked them if an ultrasound or anything exciting would be done since I wanted Barrett to come with me for the “big stuff”. The lady told me that nothing like that would be done at this first appointment and all they would be doing was “confirming the pregnancy”.

The doctor’s appointment went pretty normal…at first. They went ahead and took a urine sample and then I waited to see the doctor. While the doctor and I were talking, I mentioned that I had been having some cramping and really bloated feelings. I only mentioned it, because I was under the impression that was normal. She immediately decided that they would go ahead and do an ultrasound just to make sure that I wasn’t experiencing a tubal pregnancy. The doctor went ahead and warned me that it might still be too early in my pregnancy for them to be able to detect a heartbeat, but they just wanted to make sure the baby was set up where he/she was suppose to be! I was immediately excited and disappointed. I was excited that I would get to see if there really was a baby in there, but I was disappointed that Barrett wasn’t with me to see it!

After another wait in the waiting area for the ultrasound tech, I was positioned looking at a screen waiting to see what was growing inside me! She immediately found the embryo and told me she thought I might be measuring a few days further along than I thought. I was able to see a very tiny flashing on the screen and she told me that was the heartbeat. She wasn’t able to measure the heart rate, but it was beating! Immediately the tech moved the view to another similar looking “sack” on the opposite side of the screen. I really wasn’t sure what it was, but I went ahead and asked her, “Is that another view of the embryo?” I don’t think anything could have prepared me for her answer. She then told me that, “No, it isn’t another view. This little embryo didn’t make it. You had been pregnant with twins.” There are really no words I can write to describe my rush of emotions. #1 – I was shocked that I HAD been pregnant with twins! There had been two little babes growing inside me! #2 – I was so saddened it brought me to tears thinking of one of the little one not making it.

After the ultrasound it was time to head back to the waiting room and wait to see the doctor. I was so numb and really didn’t know how to feel. I was really holding it together. I couldn’t really talk to Barrett or my parents, but I sent them a text about what was going on. I still really didn’t believe it. I guess the reality in a way was setting in that I was having a baby – I had seen the little “bean” on the screen. Then, I was hit with this unexpected news that another one hadn’t made it.

After a few minutes the doctor spoke with me about what the ultrasound had revealed. She stated that I had experienced “failed twin or a vanishing twin”. However, she said the other embryo looked great. She mentioned me having a little bit of a bleed and that I needed to take it easy for a couple weeks and come back to make sure everything was still going ok. She told me not to worry that a lot of times when this type of thing happens a woman’s body would take care of the other embryo, and I should have a normal pregnancy. And that was it...

I really did a great job holding it together…until I called my mom. I guess the emotions of staying strong in a doctor’s office finally had caught up with me. My mom was upset too I think we were all shocked by the news. I was finally able to talk with Barrett on the phone (he was in class during the whole ordeal and could only communicate through text). I think it shook us both up pretty good, but we know all things work together for good and this was all God’s plan.

I have to admit, it is a weird grieving process for something like this. You are sad about the one that didn’t make it, but you don’t want to dwell on sadness for the one that is healthy and doing good. Since my doctor’s appointment I have done a lot of reading about Vanishing Twin Syndrome. Everything I read discusses how it is a common occurrence but most women do not know it happens, because they do not have an ultrasound that early in their pregnancy. I guess I took that the wrong way because I felt by saying it was a common occurrence it was belittling to the fact that this other baby didn’t make it. Though this may be a “common occurrence”, it was still a baby (our baby) and God wanted me to know about him/her. What a wonderful blessing to know that we had been blessed with not one but two!

I don’t think a day has gone by since that appointment that I haven’t thought about the one we lost. I still have feelings of disbelief that I am even pregnant, much less that we could have had two. I am so thankful for our faith in the Lord and in knowing that He has everything in His hands. This whole process has been the Lord’s timing and I am so excited to see what God has planned for this little one growing inside me. Thank you Jesus for these blessings and Your faithfulness!

Telling Our Families

I’m not one that does a good job keeping secrets, so we didn’t wait very long to tell our families. On Monday, December 5, we decided to tell both of our immediate families the news. We decided to tell my parents first since this would be their first grandbaby! I knew that I wanted to be able to at least see my parents’ faces, so we decided to Skype them. I tried to play off to my brother why I wanted them to get on Skype, so I think I told him I was really missing everyone and wanted to see them. The first thing I asked them was if they could make a trip to West Tennessee to come see us in August. My mom just looked really confused and my dad immediately said, “Hold on let me do the math”. I know they were excited about the news, but I also know they were SUPER shocked. Soon after we told my mom, dad, and Reid, Lisa - Reid's fiance came over.  I told her the news and she just really didn't believe us.  I really don't know how many times we had to tell her we weren't joking!  The call ended with my family and I think everyone was still mainy in shock - but VERY excited!

After getting off the computer with my parents we decided to call Barrett’s family. Barrett went ahead and told his dad and we could hear him in the background while he was telling Barrett’s mom, sister, and brother in law. They were all thrilled for us and excited for grandbaby #3.

It was really fun being able to tell our families our news. I really wish we could have told our families in person, but we just had to do the best we could being far away!

It is so nice having great families who support us, love us, and already are crazy about this little one!  

Finding Out We Were Having a Baby!

It was the weekend of December 3rd. Barrett was out of town at the Tennessee High School football state championship games. I had decided I would go ahead and get his Christmas present, and on the way home I would stop and get a pregnancy test just to relieve my mind from thinking there was a slight chance I might be pregnant.

I headed to Best Buy to pick up B's present and on the way home stopped to get something to eat and also a pregnancy test from Walgreen's. When I got home, I unloaded the Christmas present and ate my dinner. Then I remembered the test, so I went ahead and took it. The whole time I was buying the test and even while I was taking it, I just knew it wasn't going to be positive. You can imagine the disbelief on my face when that little test immediately turned +. To be honest, I just looked at it in disbelief, then I decided I would just wait until I had to go to the bathroom and take the other test (3 were in the pack). Well, a little while later, and 3 positive tests, I still didn't really believe it!

I knew I had to tell Barrett first, but he wasn't going to be home until the next afternoon.  I also knew this news wasn't something that I could tell him over the phone, so I had to sit and wait.  I ran through every reaction I though he might have (good and bad).  I don't think I slept at all that night!  I have to admit I was pretty worried about telling him since we had really thought we wanted to wait at least a couple more years before starting our family. 

Fast forward to the next day and the closer it got to him coming home the more anxious and nervous I was.  I met him at the door as soon as I heard the car pull in the drive way.  As soon as he walked in I immediately burst into tears and really couldn't even talk.  I had so many emotions going through my mind, but I was mainly worried about how he would react to the news.  I told him he needed to go look in the bathroom.  He went into our bathroom (obviously worried and not sure what was wrong).  As soon as he came out he immediately hugged me and told me everything was going to be ok.  I was so thankful for his reaction and I knew right then everything was how it was suppose to be. 

I want to share with everyone our reaction.  Please understand we are happy and excited about this wonderful gift God has given to us.  We were just not expected this little blessing this early.  We have a peace that this is definitely God's timing and His will, but I want to share with you the honesty in the moment of finding out for us. 

Thank you Lord for your precious gift! 

Our BIG news!

Baby Earnest is due 8/7/12!!!!

What an unexpected and exciting miracle and blessing from the Lord!

Christmas 2011

I did a TERRIBLE job taking pictures this Christmas. I really don't have an excuse :(.

We spend Christmas with Barrett's family in Tennessee. We celebrated at least three different times with different parts of his family. It was nice to see his family. Since we moved and live out on our own, it is harder not seeing family every other or every few weekends. It has definitely made spending time with family precious to us.

Below is a group picture we took.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas with family and friends!

The next weekend we were able to travel to Texas to spend New Year's with my family!
I didn't do a good job taking pictures during that visit either. I don't know what my deal was, must have been in some sort of picture funk! I'll try to share my family's New Years card on the blog soon!

San Antonio

After seeing my grandparents, we headed to San Antonio to spend the rest of our Thanksgiving Holiday! I can remember being a kid and watching the Holiday River Walk Parade that is a tradition in San Antonio on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Barrett had never been to San Antonio and it was so fun to experience it with him and my family. Here we are on Friday exploring the city!

Lisa and Reid at the River Walk! Soon to be newlyweds!
And the people who made the trip happen! My parents! Thanks Mom and Dad!

I snapped this picture as we were walking to the Alamo!

I also snapped this picture of Lisa and Reid walking!

So cute!

We took a River Walk boat tour that was really informative.

Here is a picture of B waiting to get in the Alamo!

I loved this tree!

Remember the Alamo!

Dad and Mom in front of the Alamo!

I loved this tree full of everything Texas! Unfortunately, B was tired of having his picture take, so I took one of Reid and Lisa!

On Friday night we had reservations at Rio Rio on their patio. We were able to eat a Mexican food buffet and sit on the patio for the River Walk Holiday boat parade!

Our seats were great and the drinks were good too! I love this picture of my Mom and Dad! Definitely my favorite of the trip!

With my honey!

Lisa and Reid!

All the kids!

Weren't our seats great? I know you really can't see much, but we had one of the front tables on the patio!

Mom and Dad! I loved the setting of this picture!

My future sis-in-law and me!

And my handsome husband!

It was definitely a quick, but really fun trip. We woke up Saturday morning and headed back to my parent's house. We had to make it back in time to watch the Iron Bowl! It was such a fun time with my family!