15 Weeks & Counting

I can hardly believe that I am now 15 weeks into my 40 week journey. Oh how time has flown by, yet September cannot get here quick enough. This weekend I found myself day dreaming about the nursery and what color it would be or what theme it would be... The sheer anticipation of the baby's arrival is just killing me. I even felt tempted to cuise the internet for some baby clothes. Luckily I havent bought any yet although my sister bought us some this weekend.

During the past few days I have felt more and more "flutters." Often these flutters can be mistaken for gas but I could tell that what I was feeling was NOT gas but the baby instead. I can't wait until these flutters turn into kicks and jabs so that I can share the experience with Todd & Stella.

We had a bit of a pregnancy scare this past week. Sunday night/early Monday morning I felt 4 contractions. I went to the doctor and had an ultrasound. The good news is that the ultrasound revealed the sex of the baby! Stay tuned to find out if its a girl or boy! The bad news is that I have to do less and rely on more people. If you know anything about me, you know that this will be a huge feat for me as I am typically a "doer" and a constant busy body. I guess I will have to learn to like doing nothing and planting my bottom on the couch more!

So with 15 weeks down there is only 25 more to go.....

Good Friday...

You just got to love kids. They are so innocent and yet sometimes they ask the hardest and most intelligent questions....

This morning I explained to Stella that I would be picking her up from school a bit early to head to church for the Good Friday service. She looked at me and said "Mom, Teta (Arabic for grandma) said that today is when Jesus dies for us on the cross. Is that true?" Growing up I remember asking my mom a very similar questions. In fact, never understood why today was called "Good Friday." What was so good about it if Jesus was crucified? In fact, when we go to church on Good Friday, the service and all of the hymns are quite solemn and subdued. Often times people are wearing black and crying....

Then one Sunday, I was reminded by one of my most favorite Sunday School teachers (my dad) why we call today "Good Friday." He reminded us of what the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus; this was definitely not good (see Matthew chapters 26-27). However, he continued, the results of Christ’s death are very good! Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Finally he taught us that the events of Good Friday should be ever on our minds because the death of Christ on the cross is a paramount event of the Christian faith.

Today I am reminded by my faith that we are all so lucky. Lucky to have a Father that would die for us and for our sins. I hope as a parent I can instill those same beliefs and faith that my parents and Sunday School teachers did in me to my children. So that one day my children can appreciate what Good Friday means to the Christian faith and pass it on to their children as well.

"Remember me, O Lord, when you come into Your Kingdom." Luke 23:42

TIRED!

What has happened to all of my energy? If you were to come over to my house you would see a permanent butt imprint in my couch! I'm still napping on the weekends and can barely make it during the work week without a nap. I thought all of my fatigue would begin to diminish after my first trimester.... Saturday I made a mistake of running errands (about 5 stops in all) and paid the price for it later in the evening. My back began to ACHE! I need to learn to take it easy and realize that I'm not super woman...instead I'm just a pregnant mom who needs to learn to rely on others for help.

Good news...I was officially released by Kettering Reproductive Medicine last week and I am now able to go to my regular OB/GYN. I see Dr. Woods & Dr. Horlocher at Miami Valley Hospital-these guys have a serious following at LexisNexis (especially in my building)! I absolutely love that group...the 2 of them have the most impeccable bedside manner, are very laid back and have a great sense of humor. All of which I think is super important in any doctor but especially ones that have to look at your girlie parts and deal with your hormonal moodiness when your pregnant! My first visit with them since being released was this past Tuesday and it went wonderfully! I go back in 4 more weeks (when I'm at 16 weeks) then again at 20 weeks. Our 20 week visit is when we will have our ultrasound and find out the baby's sex. I've been so spoiled up to this point and had about 5 ultrasounds just in my first trimester; who knows how I will do having to wait 8 more weeks for my next ultrasound.

We are planning on taking Stella with us to the 20 week ultrasound so she can be with us when we find out if the baby is a boy or a girl. I know that she will be super excited either way but this way we can share the excitement and the moment with her too.

12 WEEKS!

Well we aren't 100% out of the woods yet but we're getting pretty close! I can hardly believe that we are now at 12 weeks! It's been great so far with the exception of fatigue and nausea but that's par for the course....

Here is baby's latest photo from my most recent doctors visit:

At one point when the doctor first turned the ultrasound on we were able to see the baby sucking its thumb. It was way too cute.... one of the ultrasound photos even shows the little hand above its head and you can make out the little tiny fingers. I'm just waiting for the day when I can kiss those little fingers and toes; I don't suppose the September can get here fast enough.

I've begun to feel tiny little flutters, often times mistaken for gas. I guess it won't be too much longer when I begin to feel the kicking and the punching.

Stella is so enamored by the ultrasound photos. She loves to look at them and asks nearly everyday when the baby is coming. Like Todd, I think that she is rooting for a little boy but I know that they will be just as excited if its a girl (in about 5 more weeks we will know the sex of the baby). I know that Stella will be a terrific big sister and I cant wait to see her interact with the baby!

Pregnant & in Sin City

Vacationing while being pregnant can be an experience in its self! But vacationing in Vegas, a town which is definitely meant for families or pregnant folks, can be quite challenging. With the exception of always being hungry, because there is always bound to be a buffet just around the corner, it can be hard to fit in around Vegas! Everywhere you turn people are drinking, dancing, gambling, or making a mockery of themselves. When I ordered a virgin strawberry daiquiri at Paris (the hotel) the lady behind the cashier seemed a bit bewildered. Once I explained that I was pregnant she sympathized with me and even gave me a better deal on the drink. Weird, but oh well.

So far I'm up $300 just from playing black jack. Everytime I sit at the slots I never win enough to convince myself to cash out. I think mama's little peanut is her lucky charm this time around.

Salt, Salt & Salt!

Well if it isn't bad enough that almost everything that I eat now a days gives me the worst case of heartburn. Now I am craving salt like crazy! If its not Chipotle, its nacho's from Taco Bell, french fries from McDonalds or an entire bag of salt & vinegar chips! Poor Todd & Stella have had to deal with my crazy cravings and have found themselves eating more Chipotle than I am sure they would have ever imagined or cared to. Most folks that know me know that I love anything chocolate. But surprisingly enough nothing sweet sounds good right now. Lets hope that my sweet tooth will return for summer because Stella loves getting ice cream at Graeters or Dairy Queen.

We're absolutely positive!

We've waited long enough to share our wonderful news! Yes your eye's haven't decieved you, we are pregnant! As of today we are exactly 9 weeks and 2 days! We were going to hold out a few more weeks to share our news but the sheer excitement is killing us!

Here is Baby Langley's 7 week photo. As you can see our little peanut now has a head! :)

Here is our 8 week photo! Its so hard to tell from this little picture but little peanut now has little hands and feet

We recently shared the news with Stella and oh the questions she asked. :) She is so so cute and so excited to be a big sister. She has since named the baby "peanut." Everyday its a new set of questions...We are so excited to give her a sibling and can't wait to share this journey with her along the way. Stay tuned to our blog...