Today was the day!

Today had to be the best day ever!!! Nathan and I were so excited for it to be the day that we got to see our baby.

My appointment was at 9:15am. Nathan followed me there. Thankfully we made it on time despite the traffic. As soon as I walked into the waiting room I signed in and then went to pee in a cup (that's going to become part of the norm, oh joy!). As soon as I came back and about to sit I was called back. Nathan and I were taken to a room for the ultrasound. I think we were both happy it was happening first. The lady came in and got everything started. All I can say is wow!!! I couldn't believe we were looking at our baby. One baby to be exact!! It brought tears to my eyes. The lady informed me that I was actually 13wks and 4 days along instead of 12wks and 4 days. The other night I had a distinct feeling that I was further along then I was told. My due date is still the same. She measured the baby and the babies heartbeat. Our baby's heartbeat is 154 beats per minute. Very awesome! It was so cute to see our baby sucking on his/her thumb. The lady said she was going to wake up the baby. She pressed my stomach and finally the baby kicked. As soon as I saw him/her kick I started laughing. My laughing really woke the baby up. The baby was moving all over the place. He/she even picked up his/her little arms and put them in front of his/her face. Almost like he/she was playing peek-a-boo. My heart melted. I couldn't help but shed tears while I was seeing and listening to my baby. Even Nathan's eyes got all watery. :)This was seriously the most AMAZING experience!!!! We both will never forget it.

The rest of my appointment went very well. I was so happy that Nathan stayed with me the rest of my visit. He has no idea how much it meant to me. I'm so thankful that I have such a wonderful husband. He's my rock. I know he's going to make an awesome Daddy. :) God has truly blessed me in more ways than one!

Here's our baby's first pictures!!!!


I think this one is my favorite, because you can see baby's nose & mouth so well. :)


One of my faves!











Our baby has a strong heartbeat!


Look at my alien baby! lol

Vegetarian Lasagna & Tater Eggplant Slices

Friday night I cooked supper. I made my first Vegetarian Lasagna and Tater Eggplant Slices. I decided to document the making of the lasagna.



In the words of the Pioneer Woman, here's the cast of characters.


veggies


Spaghetti sauce and carrots.


Ricotta is so funny looking straight out of the container.


In goes the spinach.


Spinach, ricotta, and egg mixture.


The layering process.





Mmmm cheesy lasagna.


Eggplant


Yummy lasagna right out of the casserole dish.


The meal all put together. My presentation isn't as pretty as some, but it sure was good.

I did add some extra seasoning to the lasagna to spice it up. :)

Vegetarian Lasagna

55 min | 10 min prep | SERVES 8
1 1/2 quarts spaghetti sauce (your favorite homemade or jar spaghetti sauce)
1/2 cup grated carrots
1/2 teaspoon oregano
6 cooked lasagna noodles
1 (16 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced zucchini
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1. Mix carrots, oregano, and spaghetti sauce together.
2. Mix Ricotta, spinach, and eggs together in separate bowl.
3. Spread ½ cup spaghetti sauce in bottom of 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
4. Layer 3 lasagna noodles, ½ remaining sauce, ½ Ricotta mixture, ½ sliced zucchini, ½ sliced mushrooms, ½ Mozzarella, and ½ Parmesan.
5. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
6. Bake in 350 degrees oven for about 45 minutes.


Tater Eggplant Slices

1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 medium eggplant peeled & cut into 3/4 slices
1 egg
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 cup instant mashed potatoes

1. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Melt butter in the pan.
2. Mix egg, salt, and pepper.
3. Dip eggplant slices into egg mixture and then into potato flakes.
4. Bake for 20 minutes turning halfway.

12 weeks

Its that time again. I'm now officially 3 months along. :)




I didn't realize my stomach already looked different until Nathan took this picture. I was really surprised that my stomach is already looking more rounded. In a week my belly has changed so much. Its going to take some getting used to. :)

I don't feel like I have been as sick lately. When I'm hungry and don't eat right away I get real nauseated. I still get tired easily. I feel like things are getting better. I actually cooked supper last night for the first time in over a month. I made a Vegetarian Lasagna and Eggplant. I enjoyed it going down, but was nauseated afterwards.

I go to my doctors appointment next Wednesday the 30th. I can't wait!!! Nathan is going to meet me there. They have to do a few exams and then I get to have my ultrasound. Nathan and I are so excited about seeing and hearing the babies heartbeat. We should find out if we are having one or two babies. ;) Everyone thinks we are having twins. We shall see.

11 weeks

Saturday night my MIL Darlene took my 11 week pictures. I didn't get to wear the same clothes as last week. Although I don't think it really matters. Without further ado...






In these pictures I'm wearing my maternity pants. They are so comfortable, but they fall off so easily. I have a darker pair there aren't as loose. Its strange. Either way they still feel better than my regular jeans.

Owls

For the longest time now I have had a thing for owls. Mostly the Japanese styled owls. I went in search of some online, but I'll post the couple of things I do have.

These are a pair of my favorite earrings!! I just love 'em. My in-laws got them for me at Christmas. They are Lucky Brand. I like how the blue eyes just pop.








This is a little outfit I bought a while back even before I had gotten pregnant. I just loved it! Of course its because of the owls and the trees. :)
















I'd love to have this print in my home. Its from yumiyumi.



















This is actually scrapbook paper from Sassafras Lass.







A banner from ISAK.











This is vinyl wall art from Holly's Shop.


Well you get the idea. Owls are just great in my book. :)

10 weeks and 1 day

Yesterday marked 10 weeks along. I can't believe I'm already at 10 weeks. 2 more weeks and I get to hear our babies heartbeat. We're so excited. We're also hoping we only hear one. Everyone thinks we're having twins (since they run on both sides of the family). Nathan even had a dream last night that we were having twins. Hopefully it was just because everyone else talking about it.

I went out with my Mom yesterday in search of maternity pants. My pants are already getting snug on me. They didn't have my size at Old Navy...well they had it but not in long. Regular is too short. We also went to the mall. We stopped at JCPenny and I found an adorable maternity top. I'll probably have to wait till I'm a little further along before I actually wear it. It was fun shopping and looking at all the cute maternity clothes. I never found pants, so I purchased 2 pair on Old Navy's website. I can't wait to get them.

Last night I had Nathan take some belly pics. I figured since 10 weeks I needed to start. I can't wait to see the differences.
Its not the most flattering picture. I have more pudge in the lower area now than before. I plan taking belly pics every week of my pregnancy.

I'm starting to develop headaches again and I know its not sinuses. I've been reading in my book that headaches come along with the 3rd month. I'm still having issues with being sensitive to smells. I can't wait for the second trimester!

How we told our families

Easter weekend we went to Charleston with Nathan's family to visit his brother Christopher. While we were there we had planned on telling them the good news. We decided on telling them at Folly Beach where the lighthouse is. It was the perfect place.

That Friday morning I had gotten so sick. I had to eat a half a pack of saltines. I was praying I was able to keep it together on the drive to Charleston. I didn't want the way I was feeling to give away the good news to anyone just yet. Thankfully we stopped at a gas station to fill up and Nathan got me a biscuit. Boy did that help me feel better. I did alright on the 3 hour drive to Charleston. Of course I was so anxious to tell everyone.

We went to Christopher's apartment and had lunch. His friends were over and they were talking about one of the guys wife was pregnant. Chris (roommate) was referring to her as Pregasaurus and then he asked me if I heard that. (See Christopher is always asking Nathan and I when we plan on having a baby. Well Chris knows this and he was hinting around about us having a baby.) When he said that, I was thinking "you have no idea".

Later that afternoon we went to the hotel and then finally went to Folly Beach. Nathan and I were so eager to get there. We walked on the beach for a little and took pictures. Everyone came together and we knew it was time to tell. I pulled out a sticker that said "Grandparents make you smile". I said to my MIL, "Hey Darlene here's something for you to hold onto." (Okay here's the story behind the sticker. Last September was Grandparents day. At their church a lady was handing out those stickers to all the grandparents. She gave one to Darlene and then took it back, because she remembered she wasn't a grandparent yet. Darlene had said that it just about ripped her heart out when she said that. She kept the sticker anyways. That day she told me about it she gave me the sticker to hold onto. So I knew that was the perfect way of telling her.) It was so funny watching her expression as she was trying to figure out why I gave that sticker back to her. All of the sudden Allen says with a big grin on his face , "Are you pregnant????!!!!!". We smiled and said yes. That's when everyone started screaming and jumping up and down. Darlene threw her arms around me and just kept saying she was proud of us and so happy. Christopher was so happy that he threw his hat up in the air and screamed at the top of his lungs "I'M GOING TO BE AN UNCLE!!!!!" Then he started jumping up in the air. Everybody was thrilled. I was so happy I started crying. All Breanne could do was just squeal. After the good news was given we took a few more pictures. As we left the beach Christopher told a random stranger that he was going to be an uncle.

That night we went out to Myabis. Chris and his girlfriend also came along. Christopher was driving me crazy so I let him tell them the good news. When we sat down to eat Christopher told the chef the good news too. He was bubbling over about being an uncle. When the guy was giving out the chicken he gave me extra and said it was for the baby. :)

The whole weekend everyone was asking how I was feeling and if I needed anything. I don't think I've ever been given so much attention in my entire life. It was nice though.

On Monday March 24th was my brother's 22nd birthday (yikes he's growing up so fast). It was the perfect day to tell them the good news since they were altogether. We went out to eat and then back to my parents house. Franklin opened his presents and had his cake. (At the doctors office I was given a magazine for grandparents.) My parents were sitting on the couch along with Nathan. I had the magazine in my purse. Nathan leaned over pulled it out and said to my parents, "Hey I picked up this magazine and thought y'all might like to read it." My Mom looked at the magazine and read the title. Then my Dad about jumps to the edge of the couch and says, "Are you expecting????!!!!". We said yes. Everyone started screaming and jumped up. My Mom was still eating cake during this. I have no idea how it made it to the coffee table without going everywhere. lol Franklin started hollering "I'm going to be an uncle!!!!". Korey was so happy she had tears in her eyes. We were given so many hugs. It was great. Everybody couldn't believe we kept it a secret for so long. I gave them all the details.

Our parents are so excited about being grandparents. My Mom and Darlene call often to see how I'm feeling. Darlene has already bought a little boy and little girl outfit. She couldn't help herself. She also got me the books "What To Expect When Your Expecting" and "What To Expect The First Years".

Finding out the good news

On March 5th I had to go grocery shopping. While I was out I decided to buy a test, because I realized I was later on my period than usual. I told Nathan ahead of time that I had planned on buying the test. He said that whatever the test said we will be just fine. I was nervous about buying one, because I didn't want anyone I knew to see me buy one. I know that sounds crazy. I just know that if someone saw me buy one they would spread it around that I'm pregnant before I even take it. Pretty sad actually. I don't live in a small area, but I run into people I know at Wal-mart pretty often.

Before I got the test, I went to get pick out some shorts for Nathan (that way I had something to hide the test in lol). I went to the aisle with the soap and pregnancy test. It was so funny when I got the test, I would look over my shoulder to see which one I wanted. As I held my soap I leaned over real quickly got the test and shoved into the shorts. I know I looked crazy, but nobody saw me. lol

After I packed up the car full of groceries I made the 15 minute drive home. It was seriously the longest 15 minutes of my life. Once I got home I unloaded the car put the cold stuff up and took the test. I was so nervous. Before I even looked at the test I prayed, "God if its your will for us to be pregnant let it be. If not, then I understand." It was time for me to look at the test and I saw it was positive. I started to cry. I was so happy and nervous all at the same time. I even read the instructions to make sure I wasn't jumping the gun. A few hours later I decided to take another test in case the other one was faulty. It took less than 2 minutes to show it was positive too. It was bright blue on both...no faded lines.

When Nathan came home I told him the wonderful news. He was excited and nervous. We were both in shock. It took a while to process all the news and we both kept saying "wow". lol I decided that Thursday morning March 6th I would call to make an appointment with my family doctor.

I woke up Thursday morning and made an appointment to confirm the pregnancy. I was so nervous I was sick at my stomach. Sadly I couldn't see my regular family doctor. When I got there I signed in. The nurse came out and said a name. I couldn't tell if it was mine or not so I asked to make sure. I'm glad I did, because it was my name she called. I could tell spanish was her first language. She butchered my name the first time. Thankfully she was really nice and talked a little bit slower so I could understand her. There was a few times she was talking and I had no clue as to what she said. This didn't help my nerves. She gave me a cup and I went to pee in it (how fun that is). I went back to the room and the doctor came in. Turns out her first language was all spanish. I had a hard time understanding her too. She talked some slower but still didn't help much. She looked at me and read on the computer "Your not pregnant?". I could feel the tears starting to form. Then she looks up at me and says, "Oh no I'm so sorry I read the wrong thing. You are pregnant! I'm so sorry I'm so sorry. Here look at the screen I'll show you what I saw." I was so relieved. I told her if I wasn't pregnant than something was very wrong. I was so happy! I started crying happy tears then. So we talked more about the pregnancy. At the time she told me I was 5 weeks along and my due date was November 5th. She told me they would call me back with an appointment with an OBGYN.

When I got out of the doctors office Nathan called. I told him the good news (again). I could tell he was smiling from ear to ear.

We knew that we had to keep a secret about the pregnancy. Man, that was the hardest thing to do!! I was busting at the seams to tell our family. We did good though we held it in. Every so often people would ask us when are we going to have children. We just kept saying, "Well you will just have to keep waiting."

It was over a week and I hadn't heard anything about my upcoming appointment with the OBGYN. I called the nurse and she called back telling me my appointment was Wednesday March 19th. Well, that Tuesday Nathan was in Alabama for work. So I spent the night with my parents. Wednesday morning I got ready and went to my appointment. I was so nervous I was just sick. I get that way when I go somewhere I've never been. I had found the directions for the women center online. I got there pretty early which was great, because I had time to go the restroom.

I found the elevator and went to the floor the obgyn was on. I actually went into the wrong office at first. The lady asked my name and then if I was pregnant. I told her yes and she said that I needed through the connected door. I was originally in the GYNO waiting room. lol The OBGYN waiting room was a lot different. There was low lighting and more comfy furniture. I was the only one in there. I signed in and pulled out my book to read. I waited for a little bit and they called me back. I went in a office with a head nurse. She was a really nice lady. She went over my family history and a few other things. I was in there for a while. She gave me all kinds of free stuff and we went over things I can't eat....and medication I can take. It was all very informative and overwhelming at the same time. She showed me the room where I'll eventually have my ultrasound. As we walked by I heard a babies heart beat. I just about teared up right then and there. Then she walked me to the lady who deals with the financial part of everything. We discussed my insurance and deductibles. Thankfully she wrote down how much everything will cost and how much we may have to pay. She informed me that the insurance company will probably only cover one ultrasound. So she advised that I paid the 12wk ultrasound out of pocket, because its over $120 cheaper than the 20wk ultrasound.

Afterwards I checked out and scheduled my next appointment. I'll be going April 30 for my 12 wk ultrasound. I have to take a video tape so they can make a copy for me. I can't wait to hear the babies heart beat!!

Before I left I had to go downstairs to the lab. They had to take blood and an urine sample. While I was waiting my Mom called. I was praying that when I called her back she wouldn't ask where I was. After I was done in the lab I was finally free to go. I called my Mom back as I was walking back to my truck. She ALWAYS asks what I'm up to and it was a miracle that she didn't ask this time. I was so relieved.

First Blog Post

I started this new blog, because I didn't like my old one. I wanted this one to be a place that I could post recipes, crafty things, and anything that inspires me.

I came across this picture yesterday. I love the colors in this room. My favorite is the blue bookshelf and the green wall. I'd love to have those colors in my home, but sadly it would scare my husband. lol

I also love that this little area seems so private. Looks like a nice getaway from a hectic day. Perfect place to read a good book and drink a cup of hot tea.

First Entry

I created this blog to keep friends and family updated on my pregnancy. There's so many changes going on that I'm sure there will be plenty for me blog about. Once the baby is born this blog will be all about him/her. :)

I'll do my best to update later.