Mother's Day

When I was a kid, I have some fun memories of Mother's Day.

As young kids, my sister and I (like most sweet, darling daughters) got the idea to fix her breakfast in bed.  I can't remember exactly what we fixed her...but I know we served the poor woman cold, day-old coffee.  I'm sure there was burnt toast or some other tragic breakfast disaster.  We would pile it on our Lady Lovely Locks tray and proudly carry it into our parent's bedroom.

picture compliments of google images :)

Then, as we got older, it was a special family picture the morning before church or simply taking her out to lunch after church.

It went that way for many years.  I don't think I ever really appreciated all that my Mom did for me.  How she sacrificed so much so that I could have any and all opportunities for a full and happy life.  I'm sure I'll never fully understand all the ways...or how she did it.  I swear, she must hide her superhero cape! 

I am so thankful I have a selfless Mom to look to as an example.  As I approach the realm of motherhood, I know she'll be on speed dial :)  I hope and pray to be a selfless and loving Mom like her!

Ashy, I stole this from your blog :)

  

"Hi there Little Peanut!"

I was so thrilled when my friend, Mandy, called me up and asked if I wanted an ultrasound done.

"Ummm....YEAH!" was my response.

Mandy works for our local Care Net Pregnancy Center.  She's been the ultrasound tech for several months and needs to do lots of them to keep her skills sharp.  So, I was more than happy to help her out, of course.

Todd and I were pumped to have a chance to see our Little Peanut before the regular ultrasound at 20 weeks.

Let me just say, it was AMAZING!!

Before the ultrasound, they prayed with us (which I thought was wonderful because I was a little jittery!).  Mandy explained that when she first begins the ultrasound she won't be saying anything and that's not because something is wrong, but just so she can get all the measurements and the heart rate.  

On goes the warm jelly and the party started!  All the time she's doing the ultrasound, Todd is being his normal charming and funny self.  He was cracking jokes and telling stories.  But I think most of it was nervous humor :) She was quiet for what seemed to be 30 minutes, but it was only about 5 minutes.   Then she said with a big grin on her face, "So, you wanna see your baby?"

She flashed up onto a flat screen tv what was showing on her computer screen. 
We watched in awe as our little black and white Peanut appeared on the screen. 
I could pick out the head immediately.  It was astonishing to see it's fully formed head, spinal cord, and all limbs!  I am only 13 weeks along...so I didn't really know exactly what we'd see.  I was shocked at how the baby is fully formed already- all organ systems and limbs have been created.  Mandy explained that from here on out the baby is just getting bigger.   

I cried when we heard the heart beat, but I didn't tear up during this ultrasound.  I just didn't want to miss a moment.

Little Peanut was moving around and we got to see all of his/her body.  The little stinker even showed us his/her hiney :)  I already love every cell in his/her body and cannot wait to diaper that cute little hiney!

Here are the pictures we received on that day, plus a couple I took in the office.  I know I'm a first time Mom, so I have to get pictures of everything :) 

Todd, me, and Mandy.  (Check out Little Peanut on the screen!)

I tried to take a picture of the ultrasounds, which are impossible to get a good picture of, so forgive the extremely poor quality of the next pictures. 

Face and belly shot

Head and spine

Another head and spine picture. 

Head, spine, and little arm and hand

The last shot Mandy said, let's see if your little one will move for us.  So she recorded a little movement for us.  I of course had to record it on my camera!  

Here's Little Peanut's first dance moves

 

Before we left, Mandy gave us this little plastic baby to show exactly how big Little Peanut right now.  It's cute and a little creepy :)  I definitely wouldn't want to see these on top of a bunch of frosted cupcakes!

They also gave us our first onesie!  One day, Little Peanut's cute little diaper butt will be in this!

 

It was a wonderful afternoon and I will NEVER forget it!

I am so amazed and thankful that God has blessed us with this little one.  

All glory to Him!

For you formed my inward parts; 

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Wonderful are your works; 

my soul knows it very well. 

My frame was not hidden from you, 

when I was being made in secret, 

intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; 

in your book were written, every one of them, 

the days that were formed for me, 

when as yet there was none of them. 

Psalm 139:13-16

Week 7 (March 4-8) and Week 16 (current)

**This post was written in early March**

I am in my 7th week of pregnancy.  Little Peanut is the size of a blueberry!  Here's a quick update on me:

Morning sickness for me starts when I wake up and lingers through the day.  I feel this empty stomach/hunger/nauseous feeling, but nothing sounds good to eat.  It's weird.  Luckily, I haven't tossed my cookies...

Foods I can stomach (right now)
- dry cereal (Cinnamon Life is my fave)
- popsicles
- peanut butter and jelly sammies (but they are getting old...quick)
- Saltine crackers
- peanut butter crackers (the orange square ones)
- Canada Dry (I sip on at least 1 a day during school hours)
- fruit like grapes, pears, and apples

The cravings have been the strangest things so far.  I'll be trying to think of something to eat because I'm getting that hungry/nauseous feeling again, but everything sounds disgusting to me.  Then, out of nowhere something sounds absolutely delicious and I must have it- immediately!

For example, I was dropping of a check at the bank when I had the biggest craving for a big taco salad from Salsaritas.  It was 3:55pm on a Monday afternoon.  But that didn't stop me.  I got a giant taco salad and ate every bit of it...by 4:25 that afternoon.

But once I eat something I've been craving, it immediately becomes repulsive.  I think to myself, "I just ate that!"  Ugh.

Making the grocery list this past week was almost impossible.  I have no idea what I want to eat within the next 30 minutes, so how can I plan meals out for the next week?!  It's frustrating to say the least.

But even with the frustrating parts, I LOVE that I'm pregnant.  I am so excited and cannot wait for all the things to come- ultrasound pictures, picking out baby names, buying maternity clothes, and all the fun tiny baby clothes!!!

I am so thankful God has blessed us with our Little Peanut!

**Now here's a current update**

As of today (Sunday), I am 16 weeks pregnant.  I cannot believe I've been pregnant for 4 months.  

Peanut is the size of an avocado and is about 4 1/2 inches long, weighing about 3 1/2 ounces.  

I'll use part of my earlier post to help with the update...

Foods I can stomach (right now)
- dry cereal (Cinnamon Life is my fave) Still able to eat it, but now can branch out into more cereals
- popsicles always good
- peanut butter and jelly sammies (but they are getting old...quick) I think the day I wrote this was the last day of the peanut butter and jelly sammies
- Saltine crackers haven't had one in several weeks
- peanut butter crackers (the orange square ones) bought packages of these babies and still have a couple hanging around...I can't bring myself to eat one more orange square
- Canada Dry (I sip on at least 1 a day during school hours) there's a 12 pack still in the fridge...unopened
- fruit like grapes, pears, and apples  still can eat these 

New foods I'm digging now...
- strawberries, blackberries, bananas are my current faves
- popcorn
- tuna (don't freak out...I get the light canned tuna...if someone told me I'd be craving tuna while pregnant I'd have laughed in their face)
- ice cream...but don't all pregnant women want this?
- water, water, water...preferably freezing cold with lots of ice

I think my bouts with queasiness have ceased for the most part.  As for my first trimester I only tossed my cookies twice.  That's not bad considering some women rarely leave the bathroom the first 12 weeks. Plus, I no longer gag when going through the meat counter at the grocery store.

Speaking of the grocery...super fun pregnancy moment happened yesterday.  Todd and I were shopping at our local Kroger's when I saw an old friend.  We chatted briefly and she asked what was new with us.  I got a huge smile on my face when I said, "Well, I'm pregnant and we are expecting our little one in October!"  She was super excited and congratulated us.  As we finished our conversation and continued shopping I said to Todd, "That's one of the most fun parts of being pregnant- getting to tell people and seeing their reaction!!"

On Tuesday, I travel to my doctor again for a routine check-up.  I'm excited to get to hear the heartbeat again :)  Let's hope I haven't gained too much weight from the ice cream I've eaten after dinner!

I feel like I can't end the post without saying how happy and blessed I feel to have this wonderful miracle from God.  I thank Him every single day- multiple times a day!!  He is so good!!

Here are some pictures of our "fur baby" as we call her. 

Last Sunday, she tuckered herself out with toy overload!

She loves sitting and watching the action outside :)

Watching for rabbits!

Checking out Peanut's gear

Telling the Parents

It was so much fun sharing our special news with our families.

The first people we told were Todd's parents.  We went over to their house to drop Ruby off before we went to our last ballroom dancing class.  Todd had printed out pictures of little Red Wing onesies (like the ones below) and put them in a folder.

 

After some brief chit-chat, Todd started in on the conversation.  It went like this: 

"Mom and Dad, Melanie and I want to thank you for getting us the hockey tickets this year. We loved going to watch the Icemen play and we're excited to head to Nashville with you guys in April.  But, there's a little problem for next year.  You're going to need to buy an extra ticket and maybe some of these..."  

And that's when Todd handed them the folder.  Looking confused, they open the folder and both respond with an "OH!" a couple seconds later.  Hugs and congratulations all around!  

*   *   *   *   *

We found out the good news about Little Peanut when my family was in Oklahoma.  It killed me to wait until they got home.  Finally they did!  

We invited them over for dinner on Saturday night and prepared to tell them the news.  They arrived and we had been chit-chatting for about a half hour.  They were both sitting on the couch and I said nonchalantly, "Hey, I want to show you something."  I went to the spice cabinet and pulled out a jar of poppy seeds. I had read where the baby is the size of poppy seeds at about 4-5 weeks.  I shook one seed into my hand and walked back into the living room.  

Totally not my hand (compliments of Google images), but here's the size of a poppy seed. 

I lowered my hand so Mom could see it. 

"What do you think that is?" I asked them both. 

Mom looked confused, but Dad leaned over and said, "Looks like a tick."  

I smiled at his response and said, "Well, it's not a tick.  It's a poppy seed, which is the exact size of your grandbaby right now." 

My mom's eyes shot up a surprised happy look (as if to say, "Are you serious?!") as she and Dad bounded off the couch.  Squeals and tears and hugs were exchanged.  I even think we all began jumping up and down together out of sheer jubilation.  You couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces the rest of the night.  

It was a wonderful moment full of joy to share with them!  I will never forget it. 

2.11.13

**Disclaimer: this post was actually typed a little less than 8 weeks ago, but I'm just now posting it! **

February 11, 2013, is a day that will always live in my memory as being one of the most wonderful days of my life.

That day I saw two blue lines that changed my little family forever.

All I could think was...wait a second, I see two blue lines.  Two...not one standing solo  in the blank white space that I'd seen so many times before.  Two.  There it is- the other blue line I'd been waiting and hoping and praying to see for so long.

I was stunned and overjoyed.  I screamed out of disbelief as tears ran down my face.  I couldn't believe what I was looking at.  In disbelief I tried to take a picture of it, just to make sure I wasn't looking at it wrong.  But my hands were shaking so much, all the pictures were blurry or washed out by the camera's flash. 

After falling on my face and thanking God for creating this tiny little life, I wanted so bad to shout it from the rooftops.  Todd wasn't even home from work yet, but I knew he'd be coming home soon.  So the first living thing I told was Ruby.

"Ruby! You're going to be a big sister!!!" I said with tears coming down my cheeks.  She looked at me with her head cocked to the side as if I was crazy.  I didn't care!

I felt as if I had to wait a million years before Todd got home.  I was so excited, I didn't do anything creative in how I told Todd.  I just told him.  He looked at me in disbelief and said, "Are you sure?"  I really don't think he believed me at first, but then I showed him the proof and I don't think he was honestly convinced yet.  He was surprised since we'd been thinking we might need to consider other options for starting our family (this is another post for another day).   It took a little while for the news to sink in.

It's still sinking in for me too.  But what a wonderful, blessed, happy sinking it is :)

More to come, I am happy to say!

This photo was taken on the big day!

Spring Break Week

This week both Todd and I are on Spring Break. 

It has been awesome.  Absolutely glorious! 

There's no better feeling than waking up and having the whole day to do what you want to do. 

Sure, we've been lazy, but we've also accomplished some things as well.

On Monday, I cleaned the house top to bottom.  Todd worked out in the garden with his little helper. 

"Hey Dad...I can help with digging!"

"Actually, I like pulling out all the weeds you've already removed. hehehe"

"Victory!  I love dirt!"

"Dad, I'm pooped. Can you clean off my paws before I go back inside?"

As you can see, Ruby had just as much fun as Todd did in the garden :)

On Tuesday, Todd played golf in the morning with a friend from work. 

Later on that afternoon, we headed to Evansville.  We went to some stores, ate dinner, and did some people watching at the mall.  Then, we headed over to Swonder Ice Rink for Todd to play a little late night hockey. 

They have an adult league on Tuesday nights that lasts from 8:45-10:00.  Todd enjoyed doing the drills and the scrimmage at the end, but it won't become a weekly  jaunt to Evansville.  He still enjoys playing in the adult Owensboro league on Sunday nights.

Todd from behind

Todd is the one in the middle with the Red Wings jersey

Since we got home so late on Tuesday night, we were complete slugs on Wednesday.  Once again- glorious!

But we did get out and take Ruby to Panther Creek Park for some fun time in the great outdoors.  

Todd and Ruby

Todd telling cat jokes :)

Roo and Me on the bridge

It was really windy when we were out in the field- so you might want to turn down the volume before viewing.

Todd and Ruby found a giant mulch pile. 

I got my hair cut on Thursday (a venture I always love!) and have worked on a couple things around the house.  While I'm typing, this Todd is out mowing the lawn. 

Friday will be out last weekday of Spring Break, so we're going to try to make the most of it- sleep in and maybe go see a matinee :) 

Don't you hate us? :)

Well, we'll be back to work next week...sigh...

Grandma Tootie's 80th Birthday

My sweet grandmother turned 80 years old on March 27th. 

My Mom thought it would be fun to throw her a birthday party to celebrate reaching the big 8-0!  She enlisted the help of my sister (who is amazing when it come to parties!) to provide inspiration.  Ashley came up with a garden party theme. Genius!

The invitation

In Kentucky, March weather can be quite crazy so we decided against having it outside (brrr!) and decided to have the rendezvous take place at The Miller House. It's a beautiful old house that's been turned into a restaurant.

Grandma Tootie had never eaten there, so it was an extra special birthday treat!

My sister cooked up all the great ideas for the party and Mom did all the legwork for the party (thanks Mom!).  I provided moral support and labor :) I spent a Saturday helping her get all the supplies for the decorations and favors.

We put the favors together the night before the party and the day of the party did some last minute errands.

On the big day, armed with the cake, favors, and decorations, we were ready to set up!

Mom and I planned for the set up to take at least an hour or more, but it actually took us about 30-45 minutes.  We were able to spend some time before the party with the birthday girl, which was wonderful.

Here are some pictures we snapped of the soiree!

Table is all ready

Yummy cake! The favors were small terracotta pots with dahlia bulbs inside.

Up close and personal with the cake

The evening's menu

So pretty :)

Pictures of Tootie throughout the years. (Sorry about the lighting..)

Close up of some of the pictures

Let's get the party started!

The guest of honor arrives!

 

Tootie admiring her pictures

Mom, Tootie, Maxine, and Janet looking at the pictures.

Party guests (from left to right): Maxine, Janet, Jessica, Mom, Shannon, Tootie, Lavada.

Tootie with Mom (the hostess with the mostest) :)

Tootie and her sisters: Maxine and Janet

Tootie and her best friend Lavada (They have been friends for more than 50 years!)

All the party goers :)

It was a great night celebrating Tootie!  She is one loved lady!