Still here...

I'm still here...no baby yet! We have about 2 1/2 weeks to go, unless she decides otherwise. I've just been busy with holidays & having a cruddy cold...but I promise I'll be back with updated belly pics & news from our next Drs appt. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!!!

Late pictures

Sorry! I know, I have been a bad blogger lately & haven't posted in over a month & I've gotten really slack with posting the belly pics. Anyway, as of right now I am 36 weeks...had my check up today & will be seen weekly from here on out. Everything looks good, I ended up being positive for the group b strep test & will have to receive antibiotics during labor/delivery, but other than that everything else is looking & feeling like it is supposed to. No major braxton hicks contractions, just a little mild cramping every now & then...but we are hanging in there...literally, it feels like baby girl is "hanging". She was in the breech position until last week & finally had moved head down; this week my midwife thought she had moved back sideways so she was a little concerned & decided to check on her via ultrasound. Baby girl is still head down, she is just already a long little booger - just like her Daddy. Hopefully she'll be long & lean & not a 10 pounder lol. It's hard to believe we are SO close to her being here. The weeks fly by like time is nothing & we are so ready & excited...but this Mama is a little nervous & apprehensive. I'm sure everything will be ok, it's just the "unknown".

Since I've been gone...

I've had 2 baby showers so far

I have belly pics to post

I celebrated my 25th birthday

Found out hubby is receiving a very special award at his next month's drill

So happy to have had my veteran home this year

And now here we are at 31 weeks & 4 days, with baby girl about the weight of 4 navel oranges, always moving around, & Mama not being able to sleep very well. I have experienced the most pains in the last couple of weeks, from my neck to my back to my hips to my stomach being sore in the mornings where she lays at night....it is scary to think how close we are, but we are getting excited to meet her! I have her nursery almost completely done, just a few more things to hang on the wall & such.

29 weeks & 4d ultrasound

Today I am 29 weeks & had a Drs. appt where we had the 4d ultrasound done. I have gained 6 more lbs. & am now up to 128, baby's heartbeat was in the 140's - 150's, my tummy measures right on time with how far along I am, & no swelling just yet. After the check up; me, hubby, my mom, & his mom headed into the ultrasound room for our 4d. Which is such an awesome thing by the way! When we first started baby girl was face down & we found out she is breeched as of right now, but still has plenty of time to turn. So, our tech tried a couple of maneuvers to get her to move in a good position, but she would not budge & it seemed that every angle she had her hand in front of her face. We gave her a minute & we finally found a position where we could get a couple of good shots of her face, so we started snapping away:) We were even able to see her open & close her eyes which is so amazing! She has a little bit of peach fuz on top of her head so she may not come out with a head full of her hair like her Mom & Dad did...but she does already weigh 3.4lbs. Hubby & I were both big babies so I'm a little nervous to see how big she may be. She is already in the 58th percentile ( my little over achiever :0) haha ). Of course we won't be able to really tell anything until she is actually here, but to me it looks like she is her Daddy's girl. Looks to be that she has his nose & lips, long legs, toes, & fingers lol! But, that's ok:) Ok, Ok, I know you are ready to see some pics....so here she is.....

her arm & hand near her face

face shot

foot w/ toes spread if you look close to the right

Another Little Angel gained in Heaven

This precious little angel named Lydia went HOME to be with her one true Prince early this morning. She is a 7 yr old who lost her battle with a brain tumor to gain a lifetime of eternity in such a glorious place called Heaven. I ask that you all say a sweet prayer for this special family, the Byrd family as they lost one of their precious baby "birds" this morning. Her mom has carried on a blog during her journey. Her mother is such a strong, courageous, faith filled, inspirational Christian mother, who her story is so powerful & full of peace. Take the time to read a few posts of hers & maybe even send her a comment letting the family know you're thinking about them during this time!

http://byrdhouse-byrdsnest.blogspot.com/2011/10/lydia-has-always-been-early-byrd.html

26 & 27 week belly pics & about baby

I am now 28 weeks as of yesterday (just haven't taken the pic yet). Here is what Baby Z is up to these days in her days of growing!

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Her movement is never consistent...she will go full blast for a few days & then she will have a few days where she sleeps a lot & only moves here & there (I guess when she turns over to get more comfortable lol). I love feeling my baby move & I know she has to have her rest too, but I wish she moved ALL of the time!!! Maybe I'm crazy!

Food is sooooo good right now....I'm hungry all the time & since I passed my glucose test, it's like all I crave is sweets & carbs:) Not good lol!

I sleep pretty well through the night other than switching from side to side all night long to stay comfortable. I have began to have to literally jump out of bed when I get a leg cramp because there is no trying to get it to go away laying down. I get up about once a night to go to the bathroom. I'm back to being exhausted by the end of the day & lower back pain...but hey it's to be expected & we have now ventured into the last trimester:) Exciting & scary all at the same time! Last Drs. visit I had gained 4.4 lbs; I go back again on the 27th for a check up & 4d ultrasound - so with all of these sweets I have been eating, we shall see how much I weigh now:)

This weekend we will complete all of the painting in her room & start putting the furniture together!!! I'm so excited - pictures will come soon!

Maternity Pictures

Last weekend, hubby & I had some maternity photos taken by his cousin's wife & I have to say, I think they turned out pretty good! Here's a few to share - she claims she's not professional, but I disagree - I think she does a fabulous job!!!!

25 weeks

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

TO MY GRANDMA ANN!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU & HOPE YOU HAVE

A WONDERFUL DAY!!!!!!

HAPPY HAPPY

BIRTHDAY

TO YOU!!!!

22-24 week belly shots

Update on Baby Girl

I feel like I have been slacking in the blogging area; with just a short post here & there or just a picture post...so here I will give you an update on Baby Girl & Mama:) Baby Girl is 24 weeks & 5 days, we will be 25 weeks on Thursday. So here is her 24 week update: from Whattoexpect.com.

Your baby weighs more than a pound and a half right now and sports a crown-to-rump length of about eight and a half inches (standard letter size!). At this point in fetal development, that beautiful face (though still tiny) is almost fully formed.
And all kinds of sounds can be heard by your baby in your womb: from air exhaling from your lungs (deep breath now), those gastric gurgles produced by your stomach and intestines, your voice and your partner's (which your baby will be able to recognize at birth), and even very loud sounds such as honking horns, barking dogs, or a wailing fire truck.

How Far Along: 24 weeks, 16 weeks to go!

Size of baby: Baby Z is more than a pound & a half, about 8 1/2 in.

Weight Gain/Loss: I have gained 20 lbs. so far

Body Changes: Belly is stretching every day & face seems fuller looking lol.

Gender: It's a GIRL!

Movement: She's moving all of the time, some days more than others. But, I'm afraid she has her days & nights mixed up already :/

Sleep: I usually sleep ok...now it's beginning to be a very light sleep with tossing & turning & all of the getting up to pee during the night - some days I am exhausted. Maybe I'm getting prepared already lol!

What I'm looking forward to: Her bedding arriving so we can paint & decorate the nursery!

Cravings: Nothing in particular. Just FOOD!!!!

Symptoms: Back pain:(

Best Moment This Week: Clearing out the office to make it a nursery!!!!

Sorry it's been a while...

But hubby & I decided we needed a vacation, so we set sail on a cruise ship & sailed away from reality. It was a nice get away, very much needed for the two of us. And as I sit here typing this, (reality settled back in for us today as we headed back to work), with a stuffy nose & a kinked up back - I am missing that cruise ship!!!! Vacations never last long enough:(
But, I'll leave you with a few pics from that fabulous Caribbean get away!

19, 20, & 21 weeks

18 week belly pic

Thank You Lord

Today was the day!!! We found out today that our little Baby Z is a precious little GIRL!!! Since we found out we were pregnant, our main prayer was that this baby would be healthy & well developed. In my heart, I wanted a sweet little girl so bad, but would have been thankful & pleased with a sweet little boy as well! Starting out with the heartbeat so high, I just knew it was a girl. But, as time went on & my shape started forming, I was slightly convinced the opposite way. I had determined it was going to be a boy! But, my prayer stayed the same. Today we go to the Dr. & have the heartbeat done first, it was 140. I looked at Matt & said..."It's definitely a boy." Even my nurse stated she had two boys & both of their heartbeats were in the 140's. We left her & went to the ultrasound room anxiously waiting to see our little boy on the screen. She started showing us the heartbeat once again, the head, the spine & so forth. Finally, she asked if we were ready to know what we were having. She started towards the legs & there was nothing in between. I couldn't believe my eyes. There on that screen was our sweet, sweet, precious baby girl. We were both in shock, but had nothing but excitement on our faces & in our hearts. The tech then went on to show us her feet, legs, arms & hands. As she got to the hands, our sweet little girl lifted hers up to say "hello". That little hand melted our hearts & our love for her is already so much it's uncontainable. The Lord is so good to us & has blessed our lives in so many ways, we can never be thankful enough. But, He looked down deep & knew the desires of our hearts & decided to bless us again. We thank the Lord He has given us a healthy happy little girl, whom we will spoil like there's no tomorrow! Thank you Lord!!!!

17 weeks

and counting....down to Friday that is, when we find out if we have a boy or girl in the oven! Can't wait!!!!

15 & 16 week pics

I am now 17 weeks, just haven't taken the pic yet! But, here is 15 & 16 weeks. It seems like the weeks are going faster than I can keep up! Next Friday, we go to find out what our little Z may be. Whether boy or girl! From the pics you have seen so far, what do you think? Some days I feel like I'm carrying a boy & other days I feel like I'm shaped as if it is a girl! I am all confused & haven't gotten the little motherly intuition just yet! When is that supposed to happen lol? I will be happy no matter what the sex of the baby is, a part of me would love to have a little girl to dress up & treat like a princess, but nothing takes the place of those mama's boys! I'm just ready to know & these next few days better not creep along! I am still feeling great! I have started to feel very light "flutters" in my lower region & right now those are the best feelings in the world! I can't wait until they get a little stronger! My energy is starting to come back & I know my hubby is glad of that because now I can get more things done around the house & he doesn't have to pick up my slack so much! But, he has been wonderful - not complaining at all! I still feel tired at the end of the day but not like it was in the first trimester! My appetite is back with a vengeance & at the moment I can't help but give into it! I do not own a scale, so I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not! I will be weighed soon & will go from there! The only problem I can complain of right now is lower back pain, but to ease it off I just get in the bathtub & soak. What a wonderful feeling! And so relaxing! Baby Z is about the size of my hand these days & about 4 1/2 - 5 in. long. Which means everything is starting to really stretch & grow. I love my little Z & can't wait until next Friday to find out & go shopping for his/hers first outfit:) Oh the joys of these little miracles!!!!

Last 3 weeks of belly pics:)

Life can end in an instant...

Life is like a vapor. Death comes in like a thief.

Hubby & I lost a friend early this morning to a tragic car accident. He was only 23 years old. Just a short life lived, but an eternity awaits him. Please keep this poor guy's family in your thoughts & prayers. We still can't believe it, it seems so unreal!

13 weeks tomorrow

So far this pregnancy has been a breeze & I hope it continues to stay this way. I have had no physical morning sickness; just feelings of being weak & tired ALOT. As long as I eat & keep something on my stomach I am good. My belly is starting to take a rounded shape & I can no longer force myself to squeeze myself into my tight pre-pregnancy pants! I did buy a bella band for the pants I can't fasten anymore, but I prefer loose fitting cotton pants at the moment. Baby Z is growing & is now about the size of a peach. I go back to the Dr. on Friday & my mom is going with me this time. She wants to hear the baby's heartbeat, which I will be glad to share this moment with her. She's so excited, she acts like a kid in a candy store. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. I have been having crazy, crazy dreams lately which I blame on pregnancy hormones. I have to use the bathroom ALL of the time, I don't know how much worse it can get lol. I don't have any strong cravings right now for certain things, but when I have my mouth & mind set on a particular thing to eat, there is no eating anything else. The one thing that I can not eat right now is Chinese food, which I normally love, but right now it turns my stomach to even think of it. My favorite thing to eat is pizza & Olive Garden salad:) Pregnancy is funny how it completely changes alot about your body, but it is so amazing & such a miracle to be able to bring a life into this world. I love it so far & I can't wait to get bigger, feel the baby, & find out what we are having. I will post some more belly pics soon! Have a great rest of the week!

11 weeks

Baby Z & The Belly Bump

Baby Z is 10 weeks & is the size of a prune! He/she is starting to develop their elbows & knees. Still no sickness; tiredness still lingers but not as bad as in the very beginning; energy is slowly starting to come back; and belly is growing. Baby Z is starting to make my pants very hard to get zipped & buttoned & starting to show their form in my tighter fitting shirts. But, I am enjoying every step of the process so far & can't wait for more! I love my little Baby Z:)

Our Little Miracle of Life

So, Wednesday we had our ultrasound of Baby Z & it was by far one of the most awesome things in life. We were able to see our little peanut, hear the heart beat (which was 175) & see the little feet move. It was the best feeling in the world to see the little miracle of life inside me! Hubby was in awe too! We are already have so much love for this little life & can't wait to watch it grow & grow & form into our bundle of joy we can hold in our arms!!!

The midwife wasn't off by far with how far along I am. It was just a few days, so now I am 9 weeks & 2 days! Baby Z is a size of an olive!!!!

I will post the pic of our ultrasound as soon as I can get it uploaded!!!

Not Sure

So the blog of our announcing our expectancy was a scheduled blog because I didn't want to get too busy to share with all of you. But, the midwife was a little unsure of exactly how far along I am with me giving her the date of going off birth control & last missed period, so I will go back next Wednesday to have an ultrasound done to see the progression of Baby Z. Which I am so excited about. I hated finding out that I wouldn't have my first ultrasound until around 15-18 weeks & really wanted to see the "proof" that I had the baby in there. So, I was beyond thankful & ecstatic when she gave me the news. So, next week I'll shall see our sweet little butter bean:) And will fill you all in on just how far along we are!!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Guess What?!?!?!?!

Now I know the reason why,

I seem to be tired all the time!

I peed on a stick,

And what do I see,

But TWO purple lines,

Staring back at me!

My heart jumps a bit,

What shall I do?

This could change things -

A little life, Brand new!

Yes!!!! The hubs & I are expecting our first little one! I went to the Dr. on Tues., so now we are able to let the secret out!!! We are so excited & I have had the hardest time trying to keep it in. We found out a few days before Mother's Day weekend & that was our Mother's gifts. We gave them a picture frame & a "Grandmother" Mother's Day card! They were beyond ecstatic!!! I haven't been "sick" at all. I have been really, really, really tired & I just make sure I always have something in my stomach. I have times where I feel blah! But, hopefully the actual sickness will stay away! Little Baby Z is 8 weeks tomorrow & is the size of a blueberry. It's amazing how fast they start forming every little part. We are so thankful for this little miracle of life & pray that everything will go smoothly. So, my next set of blogs will be updates of our Baby! Hope you don't get too bored:)

Back to the Norm

Well, our little life is back to normal. Hubby had to report back to his unit this weekend for good ol' drill. So, I'm home this weekend by my lonesome doing some much needed laundry. It's supposed to be rainy here, but the sun is shining brightly. Which I'm dying to get outside in:) We have some really exciting things that are happening in our life right now & in due time, I will let all of you bloggers in on the excitement. Hope you all have a great weekend!!!!

God Bless the USA

*I stole this from MrsMike over at The Year After - hope she doesn't mind, but it was just too good to resist posting again*
05/01/11

Now I lay me down to sleep, One less terrorist this world does keep.

With all my heart I give my thanks, to those in uniform regardless of ranks.

You serve our country and serve it well, with humble hearts your stories tell.

So as I rest my weary eyes, freedom rings, our flag still flies.

You give your all, do what you must...

with God we live and God we trust!

Happy Easter