20 Weeks- Halfway there!

What an exciting week! So.. I have finally given in to taking some preg photos and have gotten over this 'am I big enough?' 'am I too big?' worries and just relaxed to let my body do what its going to do! Not like I really could do much to control that anyways right....

So Lauryn has been kicking more and more and is growing so much! Her kicks have moved from little popcorn flutters to something like a little drum. I know that this is mild for what is about to come!

Thursday morning I woke up with major pains in the right side of my lower abdomen. I dismissed them and went to work. By lunch, the pain had increased and even though people at work told me it was most likely growing pains, I called the doctor to make sure and so that I would not have to worry. For procedure, they sent me to Labor and Delivery which made me sooo uncomfortable. I was very embarrassed to be there because I felt in my gut that things were ok. I guess we had to follow procedure. Truth is I didn't know what I was feeling and even though its hard, I can't just think about me and my pride. For Lauryn- I needed to be reassured that she was ok. After a thorough exam and ultrasound, Dr. Hughes concluded that my pain was most likely related to round ligament pain. On the way home from the hospital, I threw up the Vicodin they prescribed (oh so much fun). Dr. Hughes still wanted to see me the next morning for a follow-up visit. She asked me about my daily routine and work. She quickly told me that I needed to cater to myself a little more and cut back on the physical demand I am putting on my body (and Lauryn) during the day.

So... today I made a few first steps by sitting down during morning duty, drinking more water, and putting my feet up when I got tired. A few steps in the right direction!

Little Lauryn

So the last week Dustin and I have been talking a great deal about what it means to have a little girl and its amazing how our thoughts are all over the place and have resulted in lots of laughter and a little bit of anxiety.....
-Dustin told her if she made bad 'boy' choices he would not buy her a car when she turned 16
-I have notified the family- NO BIKINIS!!! I'm not sure why, but for now she can't wear bikins... most likely I will get over this, but for now we will instill some modesty!
-Dustin said that he will teach her to put her Barbies in the leaf blower and shoot them across the yard
-Grandpa Dwayne is calling her "Penelope!" which I am sure she be called forever! Precious!

Nana bought Lauryn's bedding this weekend at Pottery Barn~! So cute! Check it out......

So the fun is just starting... my closet is cleaned out , Dustin is in the process of moving into that closet, working on getting the 'junk' room turned into Lauryn's room... and hopefully will have the painter out in the next two weeks!

It's a Girl!

Profile pic


Front of her face

Look for the 3 lines- girl parts!

Today Lauryn made her appearance! The ultrasound went beautifully and the technician informed us that she weighs approximately 11 ounces and is right on track for a June 11th arrival. After completing her measurements, the technician asked us if we were "READY". Then the words came, “It’s a girl!”
I immediately started crying, mom started crying, and Dustin smiled. Wow! We could not believe it. After the other two ultrasounds at the Vintage, we were just sure it was a boy. The surprise was soooo special. She printed off pictures for us of our precious baby girl. I just can’t wait to start shopping and decorating. Then it hit me…. We are having a daughter! Wow! Thank you Lord for another blessing!

I headed back to work and changed into a pink shirt. My principal immediately sent out an email with the big news and the staff was so gracious in sharing in all of the excitement. My sweet friends Jennifer and Amanda made lunch a celebration too. Cookies and a pink strawberry milkshake topped off the joyous day!

18 weeks!

So here we are at 18 weeks and there is much to update....

1) The quad screen results came back negative! That means Nugget does not have Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Trisomy 18, or a neural tube defect. Praise God!

2) Starting wearing maternity pants this week. Thanks so much to my neighbor Hannah who gave me so many maternity clothes, I don't think I will have to buy any!

3) Nugget starting kicking at 17 weeks. It felt like 4 little popcorn pops. I have to lay still to really feel it, but each night I feel him/her jumping around~ wow!~

4) Sickness is still a thing of the past! I feel great in my second trimester with less heartburn, more energy, and no vomiting. Headaches have started in the late evening, but no complaining here!

5) Dustin and I are truly getting soooo excited. The reality of Nugget's arrival is really starting to sink in. I can't wait to hold our sweet baby.

6) Jan 18th is our next doctor's appointment. We will have another ultrasound and find out for certain the sex of the baby and have the full anatomy scan where they will check how Nugget is growing and developing.

This is such an exciting journey! Thank you Lord for our sweet Nugget.

Jumping Bean!

What an experience. We got to watch Nugget on the screen for an hour! I just can't even list all of the blessing and things we have to be thankful for....

• he has two arms
• two legs- which we were told are very long!
• two big feet
• two hands (each with five fingers)
• a brain with two hemispheres
• a nose
• a ear (only saw one side of his head)
• a tummy (which Dustin said looked like a beer gut)
• a racing little heart beat
• an umbilical cord
• he liked to touch his hand to head a lot (I wonder if he will sleep that way?)
• very active little Nugget~!

If you have watched any amount of TLC or Discovery like I have, you know these are all BLESSINGS! We watched in aw as our little kido literally punched and jumped around for an hour. He was so active! Elise told me to get ready for when I can really feel all of that movement, I will really feel it! We couldn't believe how something three inches big was so volitional and so intentional. He responded every time she moved the wand and bounced all around. Now... I keep saying he, but we only got one shot of his/her bottom and she was unable to tell for sure if we are having a boy or a girl. At her first glance and with her gut instinct, she thought boy but we will have to wait till another ultrasound to know for sure~ It doesn't matter to me~ We got to see this precious life, acting sooo ALIVE, and to experience something so special and new. What an awesome God~

Stomach Bug

So... after 5 days in a row of night sickness, the stomach bug hit. Thankfully we were not sick during the concert, but as soon as we made it to the parking garage, the vomiting began! The next day at work, I had a complete emotional breakdown, crying in the bathroom, and could keep nothing down. My co-workers insisted I go home which I did around 11:00. By the afternoon, Mom had brought me a snack and a drink which soon came back up and by the time Dustin came home from work, diarrhea and a low-grade fever had set in. We made it through the night and by Friday morning I was feeling much better. I took the day off from work as I was sooo tired and weak from the day before... and of course... the ultrasound was scheduled for that afternoon!

Andrea Bocelli Concert

Wednesday night Dustin and I (and Nugget) went to the Andrea Bocelli concert at Toyota Center. While some might not think this is a big deal, I was sooooo excited I could hardly stand it. Andrea Bocelli was on my bucket list and something that I had always hoped to one day see! Two days before we found out we were pregnant, I saw the ad for the tickets. I waited in the driveway for Dustin to get home so that we could get tickets. To say the least they were VERY expensive, but we agreed and bought the tickets. Thank goodness that was before we knew Nugget was coming because knowing me, I know I would not have spoiled myself with buying these tickets once I knew we had a baby on the way.

So.... the night of the concert..... it was AMAZING. We had tickets on the 9th row in the lower club section. Former President Bush (41) and First Lady Barbara were there. They received a standing ovation from the entire crowd when they were seated! Wow! Of course I cried! I cried multiple times throughout the evening and Dustin kept reminding me to calm down.... Dustin leaned over during a song as said this was Nugget's first concert.

I am so excited to experience of his/her little firsts in life. First cry, first diaper, first feeding, first crawl, first steps, first... first... first... first day of college. Thank you Lord that you have entrusted us with this life. Wow!