Meet our son...

Ultrasound went really well today. We were able to watch our new baby BOY kick and move around for about 30 minutes while they checked his heart, brain, spine and other organs. We were able to see his little face up close and watch him suck his thumb. I hope the images come out clear enough. They were so small they got fuzzy with the scan and enlargement...but you get the idea. He is really healthy and right on schedule. Enjoy the photos...

20 weeks...half way there

I think there is no hiding I am pregnant anymore. The belly is not huge, but there non the less. The baby has been kicking a lot everyday. Always when I am sitting and especially in the car. Who knows why. I was sick last week with a cold and nausea. Threw up twice and was just nauseous the rest of the time. I find myself feeling that way when I get run down or really tired. So I took advantage of Josh being out of town this weekend and went to bed every night by 8. We are starting to consolidate all of our junk to make room for the nursery to be built. My dad is starting on the construction on Friday, and I am excited to see the room come together. It is hard to imagine what it will look like with all the little baby things set up in it. My appointment is on Wednesday, and I am sure we will update soon after to give you the news about the gender and general health of the baby. I am sure everything is fine, but it will be nice to hear it from the doctor.

Until then...

19 weeks and the flu shot conspiracy

It has been a busy week. Josh is back in the full swing of classes and is busy with life. I have been swamped at school and just generally growing a baby. The baby has been really moving and kicking. Good strong kicks. I am hoping Josh will be able to feel it soon. I really can't wait for him to feel connected in that way. I have been feeling okay. No more throwing up, praise God, but still generally nauseous. I think I am coming down with another cold, which is frustrating because I really don't have time for that. I actually have a flu shot theory. I have never gotten a flu shot before because I don't really believe that they work. I have been teaching and working with kids for four years now without a flu shot and have never gotten sick, not once. When I got pregnant in the fall I thought, okay, everything I am reading says I should do this, so for the sake of my unborn child I got the flu shot. Well...I have been sick twice now. It brings to mind a Simpsons episode that linked the flu shot to a government conspiracy that gave people a desire to spend money and boost the economy. I think they might have been on to something.

Side note: 1 more week until we know if we have an Emma or a Rowan!

18.3 weeks

The baby has given me a few good kicks over the last two days. It has been more that just a light flutter. Last night (it always is more active in the evening) it gave me two good kicks. I was so surprised I let out a little yell. I was relieved because it had been a few days since I had felt anything, and I always begin to worry.

I took the day off today to just rest and hangout. I went swimming with my mom and sister and did some laps. I am so out of shape. I was huffing and puffing after only a few laps. I wish I could blame it on the kid, but I know it is just the fact that I really haven't done any serious exercise in a few months. It felt good to get in and move though. I am not big yet, but I can imagine the relief it offers women to feel weightless for a little bit. I am hoping to go a little more regularly, but we will see.

We are counting down to the next doctors appointment on the 20th! Can't wait to know if it is a him or her.

17 weeks and some change (by Josh)

Yesterday we went in for a visit to the doctor for Shey's regular monthly check-up and everything seems to be going really well. Shey looks great and she has been still feeling a little nauseous but no more throwing up! We heard the baby's heartbeat and went over some questions with doctor as he develops a plan for the birthing process. The exciting news from the appointment is that on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, we will find out the sex of the baby! We are really looking forward to finding out, and being able to soon talk to our child by name. (Not that we have the names picked yet, but we are compiling our lists!) It will be such a fun surprise to hear what we are having and we hope that the baby is positioned so that we will be able to tell if they are a boy or girl.

The last time we went to the doctor in December, we only heard the baby's heartbeat briefly, but this time, we heard the heartbeat loud and strong. It was a wonderful sound. In the midst of the great transition that is our life, it was a beautiful strong and steady song that I felt was urging me on towards the future, helping me to know that in the midst of a new semester of school starting, youth pastoring, financial fears, doubts about my abilities as a father, and worries about all the details that I can't control, that we just need to keep steady, and listen to the quiet but strong rhythm that brings hope of new life.

On a quite different note, since we are going to find out the sex of our child in a few weeks, we will gladly be accepting any name suggestions, just hit us up in the comments or shoot us an email. My mom has been thoroughly inundated with sports this year (my dad grew up outside of Boston, so with the Red Sox and now the Patriots, and even the Celtics tearing it up...she is getting a heavy dose of sports right now) and thus with all of her watching of random sports teams I will start the suggestions with a couple of hers: Plaxico and Coco Crisp. Any and all suggestions are welcome...I don't think we have any prizes to offer if we select your name, but I'm sure we can work something out.

16 weeks

So I broke down and went shopping for some maternity clothes today. I have been fighting it a little because I really haven't changed that much and have been getting by with the ol' rubber band through the button hole trick. But with working every day and needing to look somewhat professional, I thought it was time to bite the bullet. It went okay. I was able to find some pants that look like normal people's pants, but oh the tops. I know the style now is those long sort of baby doll tops. Ideal for pregnant women and tiny little girls. Me being a larger gal, I have avoided them like the plague. Why would I look pregnant If I am not? Well now that I am, I tried a few on today and don't really like them any better, but excepted the fact that I always like other people in them and might not look as horrible as I imagine in my head. So if you see me in said top and I do look horrible, please please lie to my face and tell me how great I look. Maternity clothes do have an amazing ability to make you look pregnant though. Prior to this, I haven't felt extremely pregnant looking, but put on a pair of elastic band pants and a top that cinches your fake waist and comes to your knees and voila....you look pregnant!

I know I sound horribly insecure, but you must understand. I don't work at an office where I can hide my growing midsection behind a keyboard. I have to stand in front of 100 12 year olds every day, who I have honestly caught starting at my stomach. And who discuss daily this looming event that is birth and how they think I am going to measure up as a mother. It is enough to make anyone feel a little self conscious.

15 weeks

So I missed a week. Week 14 was a rough week. I threw up every single day and Josh came down with some highly contagious plague that knocked us both out of commission. I tried to hold strong, but it over took me on Friday forcing me to take Monday off. The nausea has subsided the last few days just enough for me to rub my nose raw from blowing it about every 30 seconds. I need warm weather a lot of vitamin C. How much longer until I pop this baby out? Only a hundred and some-odd days left. Awesome.

I haven't felt the baby yet, but I am hoping in the next few weeks I will feel a stir of some sort. I recently read that it is now able to sense light and if I were to hold a flash light up to my belly it would move away...I am very tempted to see if I can feel anything, my fear is that I will and become obsessed with it, thus confusing the little guy and doing some sort of permanent damage. Is it wrong to use your unborn baby like a science experiment? I might just risk it anyway.

Last week I turned in my letter of intent, letting the administration know that I would not be back next year. I haven't filed the official letter of resignation yet. I am just afraid of doing some thing so permanent. What if something happens and I am also out a job. I think a have a few more months I can drag my feet with it anyway. I still have very distinct moments where I don't believe I am pregnant. I think it will help when I can A)feel the baby B)start showing or C)know what it is. I think that will help me connect more.

I have a wonderful friend who just recently had a beautiful baby and is truly in love with her. Not in a stupid way, in a really sincere way. My fear is that I won't love my kid like that. I find myself really annoyed by other peoples children in places like the grocery store, or out to dinner. Who decided I should be a mother!?!

On a brighter note, I started looking at nursery bedding. Pottery barn kids has some really cute choices. Expensive, but cute. Just have to wait to see which color palate to go with. Only another month!