It's funny how fast time flies by. Christmas is now over, and that makes me sad. I love our house all decorated, and I think for the first time, I will be a bit sad to take it all down. This week has been a little crazy, but i find myself resting in God's grace, and I really believe whatever is meant to happen, will happen. Sorry to be so ambiguous... but just go with it for now! I've found myself quite emotional lately, and it's not like me. I guess it is good to cry some times, and I just blame it on the baby. :)

I had four wonderful days off for Christmas. It was a lot harder to go back to work than I thought it would be. Jude had to work though, which kind of stinks... but I know that won't last forever. Bosco and I had some quality time together ;)

It is insane that 2008 will be here in about 5 days. I can't even believe it!

Today I'm going to call to make my ultrasound appointment, so that is exciting. Jude and I are very anxious. Kyla already calls the baby Hannah... which I think is so cute. Every time she sees me she asks how Hannah is doing. she's a funny kid! Cole has caught on to "Grandma's" name for the baby: piddle diddles. Which makes me laugh, almost every time I hear it. I can't wait to register, once we know the gender! My belly keeps growing, and i find myself uncomfortable in most of my regular clothes. I have some gift cards to old navy that I've saved from my birthday, so I'm going to have to use those soon I think. I got sick on Christmas evening... which I was NOT happy about. And then I felt fine, so I'm not sure what the cause was. But it wasn't pleasant.

The office is so quiet today... I think I'm going to leave a little early today! :)

There's a first time for everything :)

I have a very important announcement to make! Today, is the first day... that I've worn maternity pants! It's very exciting isn't it? And wow, why didn't I wear them sooner!? So much more comfortable. Thanks to Jessica Parris, who has let me borrow all of her maternity clothes! My belly is definitely growing, and it's so very exciting to me. We took the first "belly shot" photo on Tuesday night. I'll be posting it on here shortly.

It was quite a lovely evening on Tuesday, we were at home, Bosco was snoring on the couch, we only had the Christmas tree lights on, and it was raining outside... Jude and I cuddled up on the couch, and he "held" my belly. It was such a sweet moment! And we talked about how crazy it is that we're going to be parents... still so hard to believe. We are both so anxious to find out the gender... only a few more weeks! I'm feeling the baby move more and more. It's such an amazing experience, every bit of pregnancy. I'm really enjoying it.

Jude is done with school now (HOORAY) and it's so nice to be able to spend more time together. Such a relief! Christmas is in less than a week... and I have so much to do still! I'm racking my brain trying to think of a gift to give Jude, and I'm not having much luck.

Merry Christmas everybody! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, and be so incredibly thankful for the amazing gift of Jesus.

Love and blessings,
Sarah

Week 15... and counting

I feel like time is flying by! Already at 15 1/2 weeks... I can't believe it! I'm starting to feel a little bit behind with everything. I'm finally starting to feel better, in terms of my congestion, however, again yesterday morning, I got sick from brushing my teeth. I think it may have had something to do with the chili fries I had the night before though! :) I'm actually getting used to getting up every night to use the restroom. It doesn't even surprise me anymore. And i guess it's good "practice" because I know I will be getting up even MORE with a newborn.

I had a wonderful day yesterday, me and some girlfriends went to Glenn Ivy Spa and had an 80 minute massage.... oh my goodness.... it was heavenly! I really hope there are day spas in heaven! ha! I'm smiling just thinking about it actually.

Lately I've noticed that I am much more emotional. I even cried while watching The Wedding Planner... which has never happen before. So I can't say that the mood swings haven't been an issue for me! Sorry Jude :) Sometimes it just feels good to cry though... and I guess I need that every once in a while.

The next couple weeks are FULL of Christmas events! And we had the chance to go to the mountains last Sunday, and play in the snow! We got some great pictures, which are being added to our outgoing Christmas cards! We got our tree on Monday, and I just love it. We brought Bosco with us, which has become sort of a tradition. We cranked up the Christmas tunes on the way there, and were starry eyed. We both loved the second tree we saw. I think it was the fastest we've ever picked out a tree. I love the smell of evergreen trees in the house... so fun! I can't even believe that Christmas is less than two weeks away... so scary, considering I haven't even FINISHED my shopping. For some reason, I'm more behind than ever before. It's kinda crazy to think that this will be our last Christmas with just the two of us... still can't even wrap my head around it!

Jude is done with finals this week! YAY! I know he's stressed out, so it'll be a big relief when it's over.

I know I said I'd post pictures... and I'm still working on that :)

Love,
Sarah

Smooth Sailing...

We had our doctor appointment yesterday, and everything looks great! My blood work came back, and everything is good there too. I found out that my blood type is O positive... which i never knew before, and I don't have HIV, or any other sexually transmitted diseases, another bonus. :) Jude's response to that was: "i knew i married her for a reason!" The doctor got a good laugh out of that, and then said: "Yep, she's as healthy as a horse!" I'm not sure how i feel about being compared to a horse... but it was funny all the same! The baby's heart beat was found right away again, and before she put the gel stuff on my tummy, she felt my stomach and said she could feel it in there... i thought that was really neat! The heart rate was at 155, and the doctor said that was perfect as well. Smooth Sailing! :)

I have to admit, i am relieved once again! It is finally sinking in a little bit that we are going to be parents, and I'm so excited! I find myself day dreaming about it, and our future family. It's just so much fun! I feel really lucky to be able to experience this miracle, and it's amazing how attached i am to our little, tiny baby already! I even asked Jude the other day if he feels ripped off that he doesn't get to experience what i get to experience. He didn't seem to really feel like he was missing out...ha ha! But i wouldn't trade this for the world! I'm really enjoying pregnancy, because i know it's going to go by so fast.

This morning I was feeling very sick... but i got some cough drops and I'm feeling pretty good now. Thankfully!

My next appointment is in January, and in about four weeks i have to call to schedule my ultrasound appointment!! I'm pretty excited to find out what the gender is! I'm still sticking with a boy... so we'll see!

Last night was so much fun, we went to see the original Miracle on 34th Street on the back of the Fox Theater in downtown Fullerton... so much fun! and it was freezing, so it really felt like Christmas time!

I hope everybody is enjoying the holiday season! Love you all!

Yes, I'm sure it's not just gas!

So on Friday, i felt the baby move for the very first time! I was laying on the couch in the evening, just closing my eyes while Jude was watching a movie, and it happened. I kind of gasped and my eyes opened immediately and i just tried to stay still and enjoy the reminder that i actually am pregnant, and our little baby is inside me! It was so amazing! Felt like someone was tickling me from the inside, but not annoying at all... it was really pleasant. It happened again on Saturday, and I have been trying to recreate my positioning and the setting ever since to feel it again! I told Jude and he said: "are you sure it's not just gas or something?" I responded with: "I've never felt anything like it before... and YES, I'm sure it's not just gas!!" ha! Other moms that I've told said, well of course it's the baby! And about three other people i talked to said they felt the baby move around 13/14 weeks too, which makes me SURE that what i felt was the baby. It was so fun, and i can't wait to feel more movement in my tummy!

I've never had to pee so often in my entire life! I actually get quite annoyed when i wake up with my bladder completely full. At this point, i can't ignore it and roll over and go back to sleep.

We have our doctor appointment today, and I'm really curious to see how much weight I've gained... yikes! I've really enjoyed eating whatever i want, and as much as i want! I'm still trying not to over eat, so that i don't have so much to lose come June, but i do get hungry much more often than i used to.

The past month or so I've been pretty congested, which isn't fun at all. And today has probably been the worst, as far as headache and a sore throat. But I'll get through it, I'm just trying to get as much sleep as possible. I don't know if the runny nose is a pregnancy thing or what... but it's annoying! A friend of mine told me that her sister had a runny nose through her whole pregnancy...? who knows.

I can't believe Christmas is less than 3 weeks away! GEEZ! This will be Jude and my last Christmas with just the two of us. By the way, I'm convinced that i have the most amazing husband in the world! He's just so good to me, and i love him more today than EVER. This January we will have been together for 9 years! After all this time, i still get all warm and fuzzy when i think about him, and so excited to see him when i get home from work. I love you honey!

:)

Second Trimester here we go!

13 weeks, can you believe it? It's crazy to think I'm already a third of my way through this pregnancy... part of me is very happy that I didn't find out until i was about 7 weeks along, it would have just given me more time to worry! I'm still tired, but not nearly as tired as i was, which is a good thing! I do find that i get more cranky late at night when i'm ready for bed though... sorry Jude. The queasiness is pretty much gone all together, which i'm so thankful for! I feel very lucky. My skin is still freaking out a bit, and i'm hoping that starts to level out as well. Also, when i'm hungry... I'm HUNGRY. haha, that reminds me of the SNL skit with Chris Farley everytime: "Lay off me I'm STARVING!" But seriously, i need to eat right away when i'm hungry. It's sort of strange really... but i don't ask any questions. And i eat more often, just not as much food at each 'meal.'

Speaking of meals...Thanksgiving has to be one of my favorite holidays. It's so nice to get together and have great food, with no pressure of gifts or anything like that. Jude got up early to play the first annual "turkey bowl" with the boys, and i slept in... it was delightful! I got up just about the time that Jude walked in the door! perfect timing. We cuddled on the couch with Bosco and talked about what we are thankful for... it was a really nice way to start the day. Now Christmas is right around the corner, and i'm feeling a little behind with my shopping. I'm feeling very inspired to decorate our new house for Christmas! I'm actually really excited for the Christmas season this year... which is the first time in a while. Christmas just hasn't been the same the last three years without Josh around. But this year, my Christmas spirit is brighter, and i think that's a good thing... Josh always loved Christmas, and i know he would want us to be happy.

I've noticed that Jude and I talk a lot more about how we want our kids to be, and what we will need to do etc... and i'm sure things will change a bit once our baby is here, but it's fun all the same. We are noticing and admiring parenting skills that we want to inherit as well. It's a lot of fun to talk about. I'm thinking that it's going to be a boy... I may be completely wrong, but that's just my thoughts right now. Jude said he thinks it's a boy too... so we'll see :) I have about 6 weeks before we find out.

I just found out last week that my cousins are going to have a baby too! It's so very exciting, because we weren't sure they'd be able to have kids. Which reminds me... i should really give them a call. She's about 7 weeks now :)

My next doctor's appointment is next tuesday, and i can't wait to hear the heartbeat again! It's still a little nerve racking, just because I want to make sure everything is ok in there. The heartbeat is a great confirmation that everything is going well. I had to get blood work done yesterday... so i'm hoping everything is good there too!

Love,
Sarah

Phew...

Jude and I went to our first doctor appointment yesterday afternoon! I had to go in for an 'annual' exam as well, so Jude got to wittness that for the very first time... it was quite funny to look at his face when all that was going on. The doctor was able to find the heartbeat right away! She even said, "oh that was easy!" Gosh, we were both so relieved. I can't even tell you the weight that was lifted off my shoulders! We were able to ask her a bunch of questions, it was just a good day! I totally love my doctor too, she's so sweet, and makes me feel at ease. After that we went out to lunch together, and then went shopping for stuff for our new house! it was so much fun. We actually have stuff on the walls now! We love our new house!

So i took the Gender Predictor Test (G.P.T) this morning... and is says it's a boy. However, we looked into online, and the test isn't very accurate. So we'll see. At this point, I am happy with a boy or a girl, as long as he/she is healthy. We've been talking about names more seriously... it is just so much fun. Everything about this part of our life is fun. I feel extremely blessed, and so grateful. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present!! :)

I'll post some pictures here in the next week or so... i feel like i'm showing... but i have a feeling i just look like i've been packing on the pounds. I had some to lose anyway, so that doesn't really help! But after the first trimester is over, i'll post some pictures. :)

My weekly update :)

Here I am again, on a Monday... seems to be a pattern. Ten weeks yesterday, which is so great! I only have two more weeks to go of the first trimester!! Yippee! I'm really looking forward to everything leveling out, and feeling like my old self again...this is what I'm told anyway. I'm extremely tired, and I honestly could lay down on my desk right now and fall right to sleep.

We moved this past weekend, which is probably why i'm so sleepy. It went well, we got done before 1pm, thanks to all of our wonderful friends and family that helped out. On Sunday, Jude and I went back to the old house, and cleaned it all up, so we can get our security deposit back! Now the fun begins: unpacking all the boxes that are piled up in our garage and pretty much everywhere else. We have our living room semi- put together, which makes me feel SO much better. At least there is one room of sanity! I'm pretty overwhelmed with all there is to do, but i know it'll get done sooner or later, i just have to pace myself. I'm really looking forward to "nesting" and getting a baby room put together! We found out when we were packing all the stuff in our attic, that we actually have a lot of baby stuff... which is cool! My aunt and sister gave us a lot of stuff, once they're kids grew out of toys and clothes etc. anyway... i'm really happy with the house we have now, and i'm excited to make it 'home.'

A lot of people are asking about baby names, and it got me thinking... i'm not sure! If it's a boy, he will be named after my little brother: Joshua James, but if it's a girl... i have no idea! I have always liked the name Hannah, but i feel like i have to look into it more. I've decided that i have to have a baby name book! :)

My good friend 'Mexican food' hasn't agreed with me lately. I'm usually always down for Mexican food, but not for the last couple weeks. It doesn't make me sick or anything, it just doesn't sound good at all. And when i do eat it, it doesn't taste as good as it once did... so strange. Also, I've discovered a super power that i now have: my sense of smell! It is INSANE how well i smell! haha, that sounds funny! But seriously, i opened up a bag of cheetos the other day, and the smell of cheddar cheese hit me like a brick wall. I also noticed that there is mint somewhere in our front yard... not sure where, but it's there, believe me.

Our first Doctor appointment is this Thursday, and there's a part of me that is very nervous. I'm hoping that they are able to find the heart beat RIGHT AWAY, or i might pass out. It's such a weird feeling, to know something is growing inside of you, and have no idea if it's doing alright or how it's coming along. It's a very good lesson is letting go of control.

Also, my birthday is this Friday! I've always really loved my birthday... it's the only day that is all about YOU! I'm excited... however, I've been a little pre-occupied with other things. It doesn't even feel like it should be November yet! Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, and then Christmas! Yikes!

Bye for now! :)

9 weeks and counting

Well, yesterday was 9 weeks for me, and every week that goes by, i feel better and better about the baby's health/stability. My first doctor's appointment is November 8th, the day before my birthday! I'm excited to see the doctor, and ask her a bunch of questions. by then i'll be just about 11 weeks! It's still so hard to grasp, that i am going to be a mom... that's a very hard concept for me. I'm feeling very excited and nervous at the same time.

I found my first stretch mark a couple days ago... which kinda makes me sad, but what can you do. I've started taking baths in 'body butter' :) I'm feeling pretty thick around the middle, and some of my clothes are just not comfortable anymore. I get into PJ's as often as possible! This morning, i waited a little too long to eat something, and i wasn't feeling well at all. But now, after lunch, i'm feeling fine, just tired. I need to start walking regularly, and i really want to take pre-natal yoga. My goal is to have a natural child birth, so i figure, i better start preparing for it. I've started a routine of having to get up every night to use the restroom. For the past 4 nights at least. I'm not used to that at all! And then when i get back in bed, my mind is racing with a million different thoughts, and it's hard to go back to sleep.

My friend gave me a test to take at 10 weeks, to determine the sex of the baby! It's something like 85% accurate... so i probably won't go out and start buying clothes, but it's fun all the same!

This is the last week that we'll be in our little house on Cornell Ave. Saturday is the big moving day! My parents came over to the new house this past weekend, and helped clean, and my dad repaired some things as well. And some friends came over and helped paint too, which we appreciate very much! I feel a bit overwhelmed with everything that has to get done this week... but i know, somehow, it will all get done. Jude has been doing so much... my life saver! He's at home right now packing up the rest of the kitchen and painting the bathroom back to white. I feel bad that i haven't been able to help as much as i normally would, but hey... i'm carrying our child... and that's a pretty important job! :)

Kyla thinks that we should paint the baby room purple... she's convinced that it's a girl! Cole said: if it's a boy, you should paint it blue! they are very excited to have a cousin!

I can't help but think about Josh even more than i normally do. I never invisioned 'growing up' without him in my life. I know he would have been so excited to find out that i am pregnant. He was a great uncle... always loved holding and playing with the kids. It's hard to think about, and makes me miss him even more. Doesn't seem fair does it?

Anyway, thanks for reading!
Love,
Sarah

well, here we go...

Hello all! We had a very exciting week this past week, Jude and I found out we are going to have a baby! I thought blogging about it might be a fun way to document my journey in carrying our baby, and this way, our family that lives out of town can keep updated as well.

I'm 8 weeks and one day, and my "un-official due date" is June 1st. I'm a little anxious about the due date, because i'm in my friend's wedding May 24th... i'm going to do my best! My doctor is suppose to call me on Wednesday to schedule my first visit. However, last week i had an ultrasound so they could determine how far along i was, and i got to see the heartbeat of our little bean of a baby! It was so amazing, it is still so unreal that the little heartbeat i saw on the screen is inside of me, and our baby! Simply a miracle, and nothing less. I wish Jude could have come with me, but he said he doesn't want to miss any other doctor appointments! I feel so blessed to be a part of this phenomenon. I'm still quite nervous about the idea of miscarriage. I just keep praying against it at this point.

So far, I'm feeling pretty good. I noticed that i'm tired more than usual, and in the morning i'm queasy until about lunch time. I learned quickly, that as long as i have some food in my tummy, i feel pretty good. i have had to pee much more often, and it's uncomfortable to sleep on my stomach, which i'm really sad about! The smell of seafood, like at the grocery store, grosses me out, and brushing my teeth also has made me gag.

It's all very exciting. Jude is so proud, already! It's very cute. We are moving too, and yes, i do have great timing don't I? We found a house to rent about 8 blocks away from where we live now. It's a great house, with three bedrooms, and a great back yard. It has a pool!! That is probably the best feature as far as i'm concerned. Jude is busy painting, becuase i can not! He's also taking 15 units and working full-time... he amazes me! Our move in date is November 3rd.

Anyway, that's all i have for now.