Christmas: 15 Weeks

This past week was filled with family gatherings and lots of thoughts of how next year will be so much different with our little peanut here.  This week I also noticed how tight my pre-pregnancy pants are fitting.  A few mornings I was late to work due to a clothing crisis.  This in between stage really stinks…regular clothes are too tight and uncomfortable and maternity clothes are still too big and baggy.  I’m still switching back and forth between maternity pants, but when I get the chance I’m living in my black yoga pants and Michael Kors Jeans whenever I can.  Luckily I received quite a few new maternity clothes for Christmas and a gift card to Destination Maternity. Not to mention the greatest mom-to-be thing ever invented…the Snuggle pillow.  Baby Stafford even received quite a few gifts as well.  Laura gave us her favorite things as a baby: Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, Goodnight Moon and Skittles for me (my only craving).  Sara gave us a the book "Guess How Much I Love You".”  Ben’s parents, gave us an adorable breathable blanket embroidered with bumblebees.  And my mom and Jim gave us a few little clothes, teething toys and of course the pack-n-play we received early last weekend.  Santa even brought Peanut a stocking at my mom’s, which had a Sock Monkey, ornament, and paci’s.  Our growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces, about the size of an apple. He or she is busy moving amniotic fluid through the nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. Baby’s legs are growing longer than the arms now, and the baby can move all of it’s joints and limbs. Although the eyelids are still fused shut, they can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, they baby likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for our baby to taste at this point, but he or she is forming taste buds.

Peanut’s First Christmas

Our little peanut got it’s first Christmas gift from my mom, Gommy!  Friday a huge box from Babies R Us was delivered to our house…the biggest supped up Pack-n-Play in a pattern that matches our living room perfectly.  After a weekend of Christmas parties, family Christmases, we dubbed Sunday as our “Do-nothing-enjoy-Christmas” day and decided to tackle putting the pack-n-play together.  We figured we’ll use it in the living room for the first few months and I loved the idea of the cubbies to store extra clothes, diapers, etc. and prevent too many trips up and down the stairs to Peanut’s nursery. 

Wow does this thing have a ton of bells and whistles.  Not only does it have compartments for storage, but a canopy, vibrating bed, lights and sounds, changing table and bassinet converter.  The regular crib part was easy to pop out, but the extras took quite a bit of time and Ben suffered his first baby assembly injury.  Nothing major, but a scrape, but there was blood! 

Also to honor our little “Peanut” we have the perfect ornament donning our tree.  Every year my mom and I take a girl’s weekend trip to Williamsburg with friends and there is a Christmas ornament store with every themed ornament you could ever imagine.  She found the perfect one!  I can’t wait to fill our tree year after year with special ornaments just for a our peanut…this is only the beginning!

Feeling Great at 14 Weeks

I’m finally feeling good and almost normal, besides a few not so fun symptoms I won’t mention.  The nausea has subsided and the bloat miraculously left overnight this week.  I literally woke up one morning to my bloated “baby bump” gone!  And I also learned to properly use my Bella Band by putting it on first before jeans, tucking it in and then rolling it over…no more fighting it during the day.

Our baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his or her thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, the facial muscles are getting a workout as the tiny features form one expression after another. The kidneys are producing urine, which are released into the amniotic fluid around the baby — a process that will keep up until birth.

In other news: Our baby is stretching out. From head to bottom, he or she measures 3 1/2 inches, about the size of a lemon, and weighs 1 1/2 ounces. It’s body's growing faster than the head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, the arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of the body. (The  legs still have some lengthening to do.) Baby is starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over its body. Our baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and the spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though we can't feel its tiny punches and kicks yet, our little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

How far along? 14 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: 1.5 pounds
Maternity clothes? None this week since the bloat went down, just using the Bella Band
Stretch marks? none
Sleep: Slightly better…I usually only make one potty break in the wee hours of the morning.
Best moment this week: Our peanut getting an early Christmas gift…a supped up Pack-n-Play!  Thanks Gommy!
Movement: None
Food cravings: The huge assortment from our Cookie Swap last weekend
Gender: Still no motherly instinct on either sex
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Still in
What I miss: Being regular!!
What I am looking forward to: our last Christmas morning without our little peanut!
Weekly Wisdom: Eat fiber!
Milestones: Making it to Christmas…I remember telling Ben I just wanted Christmas to get here once we found I was pregnant…knowing I’d be almost 15 weeks!

Lucky 13!

This past week was an amazing week!  Friday we had our NT Scan appointment and it could not have been better.  At Duke the idea is to hurry up and wait, so we were a little anxious after a long wait following the meeting with the genetic counselor.  As soon as we were called the ultrasound room, the ultrasound tech immediately found our baby and I knew everything was okay.  We got to watch out little peanut for almost 15 minutes!  At first the baby was awake and wiggly all around with it’s back facing towards us.  Literally, our little one was shaking it’s booty at us!  It was so hard to believe the little baby wiggling all around on the big LCD tv in front of us, is actually ours and wiggling around inside me!  It’s a surreal thing to think about.  Our baby is measuring 13 weeks, 1 day, so right on track, and is approximately 2.75 inches long.  The heartbeat was great at 148.  The ultrasound tech was so nice and pointed out the legs, arms, stomach, umbilical cord, brain and spinal cord. 

After taking lots of measurements and of the clear (translucent) space in the tissue at the back the baby's neck, everything seemed perfect.  The measurement was less than 2mm and anything below 3mm is considered normal.  I also had blood-work done for neural tube defects, Down’s Syndrome and Trisomy 18.  The doctor’s office should call next with the results. 

After the measurements it was time to get some pictures for us to take home.  Unfortunately the baby had fallen asleep by this point and despite all efforts of poking and prodding my abdomen and me shaking my hips, the baby would not budge.  We were not able to get a good profile shot since the baby was content on curling up in a ball on it’s belly.  We did finally get the baby to turn to the side with it’s arm over it’s body.  It’s the sweetest picture ever and I still can’t stop looking at it!

After our appointment we decided it was officially time to let the cat out of the bag and everyone know.  Thanks everyone for the congratulations, thoughts and prayers.  Technically this starts the 2nd Trimester and the past few weeks have flown by.

 

How far along? 13 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: 1.5 pounds
Maternity clothes? Occasionally, just jeans so far
Stretch marks? none
Sleep: Eh…it could be better.  I think it’s time to invest in a side sleeper pillow.
Best moment this week: Seeing our perfect little babe for 15 minutes…so surreal!
Movement: None
Food cravings: Skittles, lemon and ruby red grape-fruit juice
Gender: I’m still split on any guesses!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Still in
What I miss: Really good non-interrupted sleep.
What I am looking forward to: My bump popping
Weekly Wisdom: Don’t try to do too much, you just wear yourself out.
Milestones: On my way to the 2nd Trimester!

11 and 12 Weeks

I can finally tell that I’m feeling better!  The nausea has decreased and I’m not falling asleep at 8pm…I can usually hold out until at least 9, some nights 10!  The past two weeks have gone by fast thanks to Thanksgiving, Christmas Shopping and a trip to Charlotte for the Carolina Panther’s game.  I officially wore my first pair of maternity jeans to the game and was so happy for the comfort.  The bloat has subsided, but I can definitely feel my stomach getting harder and an actual “bump” appearing.  We’re now looking forward to our NT Scan this week, where they will measure the fluid behind the baby’s next for possible indication of Down’s Syndrome, heart defect and other chromosomal defects.  We are not too worried, but more excited our growing little peanut again.

 

The most dramatic development over the past two weeks: reflexes. Our baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, their toes will curl, their eye muscles will clench, and their mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if I prod my abdomen, our baby will squirm in response, although we won't be able to feel it. His or her intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the abdominal cavity about now, and the kidneys will begin excreting urine into the bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in our baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. Baby’s face looks unquestionably human: eyes have moved from the sides to the front of the head, and the ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, our baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

10 Week Relaxation

Ben and I celebrated the 10 week milestone at the beach doing absolutely nothing, but relaxing.  We have had the busiest fall in years and this was the first weekend we had not one thing planned.  It was so nice to get away for a quiet weekend away before the holidays.  The weekend was spent watching ABC Family movies, football, eating dinner at T-Bonz and breakfast at Golden Griddle Pancake House.  We did manage to get in a few stops at the outlets for a couple of Christmas gifts, plus the cutest Santa outfit for Baby Stafford for next year.  It’s so fun to think everything we are doing now we will be doing next year with our baby.  Ben and I spent the majority of the weekend fantasying over the Holidays next year with our little munchkin’ and how much fun it will be. 

This past week I have felt the worse so far this pregnancy.  Morning sickness has been an all-day affair and I have completely lost my appetite.  I have lost a few pounds, but nothing to be worried about.  I’m still wearing my regular clothes, although I can tell they are getting quite snug around the waist.

Our baby has now completed the most critical portion of its development and is a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his or her body rapidly grow and mature.  The baby is  swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including the kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout my pregnancy.

In other developments: Our baby has tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on its tender skin.  Our little one’s limbs can bend now. His or her hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over the heart, and the feet may be long enough to meet in front of the body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Our baby's forehead temporarily bulges with the developing brain and sits very high on the head, which measures half the length of the body. From crown to rump, the baby about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, our baby will again double in size— to nearly 3 inches.

9 Weeks!

I’ve officially made it to 9 weeks with a healthy baby!  Overall I’ve been feeling exhausted and quite drained.  Morning sickness has been pretty mild, but just sort of lingers all day on most days.  I don’t really mind since it is a sign everything is progressing as it should.  Most nights I’m in bed by 9pm if not asleep on the couch while Ben watches TV. 

I celebrated our amazing ultrasound appointment this week by stocking up at the GAP Friends and Family event for maternity clothes.  I have not gained any weight, but already my waistline is expanding due to bloat.  Those elastic waist jeans are very tempting!!

Our baby is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. He or she is starting to look more and more human. The essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Our baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do the tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Our baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. The eyes are fully formed, but the eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. The baby has tiny earlobes, and his or her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that Our baby's basic physiology is in place, he or she is poised for rapid weight gain.

A Heartbeat

Ben and I have been trying to keep ourselves busy while we waited for our follow up ultrasound to check for the viability of the baby.  But the wait was well worth it!  All along I’ve had a good feeling about this pregnancy, but of course I could not help but second guess every feeling and twinge.  During the ultrasound Dr. Anya wasted no time in announcing the baby had a perfectly healthy heartbeat in the 140’s.  Unfortunately we were at the other Raleigh office and had a portable ultrasound machine, unlike the huge one at our other office with the big TV for us.  I could barely see the little flickering heart, but I could have stared at it all day.  Dr. Anya was quite impressed with the progress our peanut made since our last ultrasound.  The baby measured one day ahead at 8 weeks, 5 days!

Being it was Veteran’s Day I decided to keep my holiday instead of working.  The weather here was incredibly nasty, but nothing could rain our parade that day.  It was one of the happiest days of our lives and we look forward to having many milestones with this little peanut in the future.

Our next appointment will be Dec. 10 at Duke Perinatal where we will meet with a genetic counselor and have the NT Scan as well as the Penta Screen.  We’re so excited to see our little one again.  Right after the holidays I have my 15 week appointment with a new doctor, Dr. Placide, who we were told is absolutely wonderful. 

Our First Ultrasound

We went for our first ultrasound on Oct. 29 and I was 6 weeks, 5 days.  My doctors office typically does not perform ultrasounds this early, but given my previous miscarriage they gladly scheduled me close to 7 weeks for additional reassurance.  So, partly I was relieved to be getting a glimpse at the baby so soon, but my nerves were all over the place as we were placed in the same room where we learned last time our baby did not have a heartbeat.  I guess this ultrasound was a little too soon.  All we saw was a teeny tiny blob, although I swear I saw a little flicker and flash on the huge LCD TV above me, but Dr. Anya said she could not see much and it may be too early.  So the two week wait began again… until Nov. 11 when our second ultrasound was scheduled.

Our Seattle Souvenir

Almost two weeks after returning from Seattle we received a late souvenir…a baby on the way!  After 4 pregnancy tests we found out on Friday, Oct. 3 and could not have been more surprised.  I tested first thing in the morning and surprised Ben as soon as he got home from work.  After 5 months of trying again we finally got our wish!  All week I had been feeling weird like I was coming down with a cold, but my first true symptom was a migraine and it lasted all weekend.  It will be worth every ache and pain for our little miracle that could not have come at a more perfect time. 

My OB got me in their office within the week for lots of blood work and scheduled an early ultrasound for Oct. 29.  I’ll be 6 weeks, 4 days and we’re hoping to at least see the baby’s heartbeat.  Officially our due date is June 19, 2010!  Naturally, Ben and I are a little nervous, but know we need to stay positive and put our faith and trust in God. 

Sad News...

Today we had our first ultrasound and are very sad to say they baby did not have a heartbeat. The baby measured 8 weeks, 5 days and I should be 9 weeks, 4 days. I've been very anxious the past week and had a gut feeling something was not quite right. Ben and I are very sad, but know it's nothing we could have prevented or that we did wrong. This go-round just was not meant to be.

Tomorrow I'll be having a D&C and plan to take off the rest of the week to recover. We're heading to the beach with some very good friends for a long weekend of much needed rest and relaxation. Hopefully we'll be back on the blog with happy news of another Baby Stafford!

Week 9!

Yesterday was the 9 week mark and I could not be more excited!  Monday is our first ultrasound and I’ve been researching what we might be able to see.  Our little peanut now has arms and legs and is moving, although he or she is still too tiny for me to feel anything.   I can not wait to see our little bean dancing all round Mon. morning.  Also, I know we’ll be able to see the heartbeat, but hopefully we’ll be able to hear it as well.

 

I also came home to a package from on of my best friends, Meg.  She sent us an Ultrasound frame with lots of interchangeable messages.  It is such a perfect gift and could not have come at a more perfect time.  She knows I’m a sucker for picture frames!  Thanks Meg and Pat…we love it and can’t wait to display our little one’s first photo shoot on Monday. 

We also received another surprising gift from my mom.  I’ve been doing tons of research on the baby gear we’ll need and finally decided on an infant seat and pattern for several other things.  She went ahead and bought us the infant seat!!  There was a promotion too and we also received a free umbrella stroller.  I love seeing all of our baby stuff accumulating in the guest room that will eventually become the nursery. 

Overall, I’m feeling much better.  The nausea has decreased and only comes every few days and have not gotten sick since last week sometime.  This week would have a been a great week if only the headache that reared it’s ugly head Monday night quickly went away, however it did not leave until Thurs!  I’m slowly getting some energy back and not falling asleep on the couch at 7pm.  I’ve also been able to run about 3-4 miles now, although it’s a much slower pace!  We’re running the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston…a 10k in April.  I won’t break any personal records, but I’ll be quite proud of myself for completing a 10k at 11 weeks!

How far along? 9 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: down 1 1/2 pounds
Maternity clothes? Not quite…I wore the Bella Band for the first time today and it was so much more comfy.
Stretch marks? None
Sleep: Eh…it’d be better if I didn’t toss and turn so much.
Best moment this week: Not getting sick!
Movement: None, although the little bean is finally moving now.
Food cravings: Strawberries
Gender: It’s still mixed!
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? Still in
What I miss: My skinny pants…I’ve moved into my “fat” pants now.
What I am looking forward to: Our first Ultrasound…just a few more days
Weekly Wisdom: It’s perfectly fine to let the house chores go…do what you can!
Milestones: Not puking all week.

The first of my Diaper Bag Collection

For a while the Diaper Bag will double as a purse for me, so of course I’ll need options.  This week, I made my first purchase and one I’ve been eyeing even before I got pregnant.   A Petunia Pickle Bottom Touring Tote in Saffron Roll.  It’s a pattern that has been discontinued, but matches great with the baby gear we like.  And the green and brown color will go for either a boy or girl. 

While it looks impractical, it has tons of features.

• Brocade-Chocolate/Citron European-inspired starburst design
• Citron Water Resistant Liner
• Double-headed zipper for easy opening
• (3) Strap options: small hobo, long shoulder, stroller clips, (1) Lined front pocket with magnetic closure, (1) Large back pocket with removable changing pad,(2) Zippered pockets for cell phone or iPod, (4) Spacious interior pockets, (2) Interior bottle/sippy cup pockets, (1) Interior pacifier pocket Sleek black PPB monogrammed plastic wipey case
• Dimensions: 12"x14"x6.5"

 

If you love the Petunia Pickle Bottom line, check out the Petunia Outlet for 30-40% off savings!

8 Weeks!

It’s been an exhausting week.  Last weekend was spent celebrating Ben’s 29th Birthday.  Friday night we went to the Hurricane’s game and saw an awesome win.  Saturday was filled with Ben’s sister Christy who is due 6 days before me and her family.  Her husband, Daniel is starting to make beer and spent the day helping Ben make a batch together.  For dinner, we met Ben’s parents at McCormick & Schmick’s for a birthday dinner.  It was Ben’s birthday, but I got a gift too…the sweetest green newborn gowns.  And on Sunday, we celebrated my Dad’s birthday with church and lunch.  The work week was also tiring being out every night.  Thursday I had a dentist appointment…not cavities, but I got lots of Congratulations as the news traveled through the office.  We’re now at the beach for a rainy weekend of relaxation!

How far along? 8 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: down 1 pounds
Maternity clothes? Nope, but I did buy a few shirts and a swimsuit this week during an awesome sale
Stretch marks? None
Sleep: The last part of the week was much better
Best moment this week: Getting baby gifts from my in-laws
Movement: Other than the gas in my stomach…none
Food cravings: Bojangle’s Canjun Filet Biscuit and a Sweet Potato Pie
Gender: It’s still mixed!
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? Still in
What I miss: Red wine and a nice rich chocolate stout.
What I am looking forward to: Our first Ultrasound…just one more weeks
Weekly Wisdom: Drink water!
Milestones: I made my first big purchase this week for the baby…a Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag.

7 Weeks!!

I can’t believe I’m over halfway through the first trimester. And I’ll be happy to leave it behind with all the nausea and morning sickness too!! We originally thought this would make grandchild #12 for the Stafford’s, but we’re actually Lucky #13! Ben’s sister Christy announced this week she’s pregnant with her second child and due Oct. 16…just 6 days before us. I guess it could be a toss up on the order though!

Nothing exciting going on with our little one this week so I thought I’d use this weekly questionnaire that I stole from a friends blog to add a little something to read.

How far along? 7 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: down 2 pounds
Maternity clothes? Not yet…hopefully I can hold out for another month at least
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: Mixed…I sleep well, but toss and turn
Best moment this week: Realizing that I'm 7 weeks already and our ultrasound is in 2 weeks!
Movement: Of course not
Food cravings: Baked potatoes & Ben’s Chocolate Strawberry Birthday Cake
Gender: Today I’m feeling like it’s a boy, but most of the week I felt like it’s a girl!
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? Still in
What I miss: Coffee…I almost immediately got an aversion to it.
What I am looking forward to: Our first Ultrasound…just two more weeks
Weekly Wisdom: Increase your carbs…it seems to help with the nausea!
Milestones: I haven't gained any weight yet!

Little Bunny Foo Foo

So far I think we’re doing a pretty good job of not going overboard buying things too early for the little one.  However, I saw an adorable and irresistible “Baby’s First Easter” outfit at Target.  Of course they only had Newborn and 0-3 months the first time I saw this, but tonight while doing a little birthday shopping and errands with my mom we found one Medium hiding!!  My mom surprised me by buying the outfit, bunny cap and set of matching bibs.  My favorite part is the little cotton tail on the back!  Needless to say, our baby will never be without tons of cute clothes, toys, etc.

  

 

Our Baby Snowman

Today we had a wild March Snow Day and while I had a normal work day, Ben played in the snow at home.  These are some of the pictures that showed up in my Inbox at work with the Subject Line: “Our Baby Snowman”….too cute!  We got about 3 inches, but the roads were mostly clear, although slightly deceiving at 830am.  Most of the snow was melted by the sun that came out in the afternoon.

Sweet Nausea Cures

Since last week when the Morning Sickness (more like All Day Sickness) started I’ve been on a quest for remedies.  I’ve tried Ginger Tea, Preggie Pops, Ginger drops, saltines, bland foods and trying eat small meals.  The ginger seems to help, but I’m just not a big fan of the tea and drops…it’s way too hot for my taste.  But, Ben’s coworker made Ginger cookies for him and he brought me a taste home and they were delicious.  Perfectly sweet with a hint of ginger.  On a whim, I found a recipe on Allrecipes.com…one with 5 Stars and over 1,600 reviews.  Luckily, I had everything on hand in our pantry.  These are now my new afternoon snack and after dinner dessert.  I have a feeling I’ll be baking up another batch this weekend!

Week 6

This past week has been pretty eventful!  We had our first appointment, although there was not very much excitement there.  I had lots of vials of blood drawn and we met with the OB Coordinator to go over our medical history and receive a ton of information.  I feel like we’re in information overload right now, but that’s just my obsessive-compulsive-need-to-know-right-now personality coming through!

  As far as symptoms I’m not nearly as exhausted this week.  But like clockwork from my reading, morning sickness starts at week 6…I've been having little waves of nausea, but it comes and goes quick.  Until tonight.  I made a huge salad that looked delicious and the very last bit of the Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi I made earlier this week.  Apparently Baby Stafford loves spinach and salad, but hates Orzo and Shrimp. 

I have a great journal that Ben and I read each morning.  It gives a detailed daily update as to what’s developing with the baby…being science dorks, it’s a little something we both look forward to each day.  Tomorrow the baby will be the size of a coffee bean.  The heart is already beating, leg and arm buds have formed and the facial features are beginning to develop.  

This weekend we’re planning to spend a little time tidying up the house, going for a run and celebrating the AVERAGE 30th Birthdays of Ben and our friend Rick.  I’m excited to have more than just a few hours to get a few things at home done and relax some.  My to-do list before Oct. has gotten longer and I’m sure we aren’t at the end.

Five Weeks

The first official week since we’ve know is over!  Even though we won’t see much progress of a baby bump for a while here’s a picture to be consistent.  By now we’ve told all of our family and many close friends.  The nights I’ve been able to keep my eyes open I’ve been reading book after book.  No other symptoms than being utterly exhausted.  During the week my new bedtime is 9pm.  And on the weekends I’ll take two or three naps a day. 

We’re EXPECTING!!

We could not believe it ourselves, but could not be more excited! We're having a baby! On Friday, February 13 we officially found out that I'm pregnant and due October 22. That night we told my mom when we arrived at the beach. Ben was so excited and anxious to spread the news, he accidentally slammed his fingers in the car door.

My mom was overjoyed...as expected...and we spent the rest of the weekend doing all things baby. We made a trip to Barnes & Noble for books. For a Valentine's Day gift, she gave me The Belly Book to keep pictures and memories of my pregnancy. And of course we could not help ourselves from buying the baby a little Valentine's Day onesie and cap.

On Monday night after we got back from the beach, we told my dad, stepmom and little sisters. Everyone was excited, however, little Lillie is not too excited to be "Aunt Lillie." After dinner we called my grandparents and my brother, Zack.

This past weekend we told Ben's family and our timing could not have been more perfect with his sister, Julie and her family in town from Seattle. This makes grandchild #12 for them and they are still very excited for us.

Hopefully this blog will keep everyone updated with how things are progressing and how we're getting ready for the newest addition of our family.