22 weeks

21 weeks-me and Heather
me and Heather
22 weeks
22 weeks

Sorry the the lapse in posting...I was trying to wait until I had some new pictures of my tummy, but I kept forgetting to take them. I think I've found some, though. The past two weeks have been busy and it looks like it's just going to continue since the summer is about to begin.

My Mom and I threw a shower for Heather 2 weekends ago. We had a lot of fun watching her open her presents. She even got lingerie complete with flannel, buttons, and the feet slippers! It was funny! It was good to see her side of the family again since I hadn't seen them in a while and to meet Adam's side and all of her friends. Mom, Nessa, and I went to eat with her mom, grandma, and her to each lunch in between both showers...and I had my infamous craving of hot wings. Mom got a call before the 2nd shower that Ma had a stroke, so Mom went to the hospital to check on her. She had a mini stroke, but has seemed to bounce back rather quickly with no lasting effects.

This past weekend, Raun and I enjoyed a weekend at home. It was the first time in a LONG time that we've been home. We cleaned out downstairs and took a bunch of stuff to Good Will. We've cleaned out the guest room a little bit, as well, but still have a lot to go. I did hang up some of his clothes that we had gotten so far., including his going home outfit that Raun and I bought him on vacation. It's weird to see little clothes hanging up. I can't wait until the room is finished and I can just sit in there where it's peaceful!

Molly's graduating from UT on Friday, which is VERY exciting! Her and John are coming to see us for the first time since they've been engaged. I can't wait to see them on Saturday. It will be lots of fun!

21 weeks

We had a wonderful vacation and neither of us were ready to come home! I wanted to take the beach with me, but it wouldn't fit in my bag. We had a blast just spending our last vacation where it's just the two of us for a little bit. We putt-putted every night and found a WONDERFUL hot wings place. We found our baby's going home outfit, which is incredibly cute. Of course, we did buy a few more outfits, but not too many. It was hard not to go crazy at Carter's because they had everything for $3. I probably would have bought more if I could find the 3-6 month old clothes. Oh well!

Our little boy has been kicking more and Raun got to feel him move for the first time on our vacation. He likes to kick Raun right before we go to sleep...I can tell a difference between his kicks and his punches at the moment because he doesn't have to much strength in his arms yet. He also likes to move when I have some piano students who mess up a lot and play loudly....he always kicks me then! Time is going by so fast. We're looking forward to May because our crib gets delivered and the downstairs will hopefully be done so we can move all 3 rooms around. It's driving me nuts because I really want to start getting things ready, but we can't just yet. I think I'm driving Raun nuts!

20 weeks...

We've been enjoying our anniversary trip to Myrtle Beach. It has been very relaxing and I must say I'm getting good at putt-putt golf. We try to play almost every day, at least once. Keeps us busy! Our baby has been moving A LOT during this trip. He seems to get really hyper when I eat jolly ranchers. Sometimes at night, he makes me laugh because it tickles and other times....he hits and kicks me in two completely different places at the same time. I'll update more next week, but here's some pictures of our trip so far!

It's a.......

Today was such a wonderful day! Raun and I got to see our baby for the first time today. It was so wonderful and yet very unreal at the same time. I don't feel ready or old or wise enough to be a mom. There's so much I don't know! I know that mommyhood grows with the baby, but it's scary to realize that we're held responsible for another tiny life.

Mom came with us to see the ultrasound and then we met Raun's mom for lunch at the hospital (since she works there). The ultrasound was incredible! I had prayed that God would make it obvious as to what our baby was because I really wanted to find out. Before my appointment, I figured that I would drink some coke just to make it a little more active and to increase my chances of it moving around and not just sleeping. It worked! I thought my plan was original, but the ultrasound tech said that every mother has done that. Guess it wasn't so original after all. Maybe it's mother's intuition early? Doubtful, I know!

As soon as she put the stuff on my belly and got it rolling around, she asked me if I wanted to know what it was. I, of course, said "yes!!!" She said, "well, it's defnitely a boy." I'm not for sure what I was expecting, but I said, "That's it? Just like that?" She said that she was measuring the femur and well, our little boy decided to make it obvious about its gender. Raun and I just knew that we were having a girl because everyone thought that I had been carrying it high like I was having a girl. I think only 3 people have said a boy! Raun and I were a little in shock because it wasn't what we expected. Once the shock wore off, we were excited. We got to see him sucking his thumb and at one point it looked like he was waving. He is registering with a due date of August 29 (still Labor Day weekend) and I would already be 20 weeks as of tomorrow. I'd be okay with him coming early! Not too early, though. We've got lots to do and I have to work on his scrapbook. His heartbeat was nice and strong at 156 this morning and it was 158 by my afternoon appointment. They said that the heart sounds great and there were no abnormalities that they could spot. Praise the Lord! I would be okay if God blessed us with a disabled child, but I don't want to wish for it to happen. I declined the genetic test for Downs and Spina Bifida because I know that nothing would change in us about our view towards it. I know that God won't give us more than we can handle, so if He blesses us with a typical child, then great. If not, then that's great, as well. We'll just have to deal with it from a different angle. We are going to watch the immunizations though, since boys are at a higher risk for autism. I have a feeling we'll be signing a lot of religious reason forms for a little while. Oh, well. If it keeps him from getting autism, then it's worth it.

Can't wait to go shopping on our vacation! What a great way to mark this wonderful day!

18 weeks and registered for baby Taylor

Nessa's dog, Maggie, (a boxer) loves my pregnancy pillow! She made it her bed.
Jen and Maggie dancing.
The Roomies
Suzzy also loves the pregnancy pillow.
17 weeks

One week from tomorrow we get to find out if we're going to be blessed with a boy or a girl. So far, all but one person has said that we're having a girl. We'll see if everyone's right! Then comes the fun part...picking a name. I think we have a boy's name figured out, but we're still stuck on several different names for a girl. Gotta be prepared for both, just in case the doctor's are wrong.

I had a great weekend with Jen and Nessa. We had a lot of fun catching up with each other and of course, lots of laughter. It always feels like we never left each other when we get back together. I'm so glad that God has blessed me with such great friends that have walked through the good and bad times with me and we still maintained our friendships and instead of it falling apart, like I'm sure we all thought at some point, it grew stronger. Jen showed us her house online and it was beautiful and we even got to see Josh's (Nessa's husband) lovely face on the webcam...all the way from Afghanistan. I'm so glad that they have that so they can still talk every day and, in a sense, remind themselves of what it's like to be together. She's such a strong woman. Jen and I were amazed because we didn't think that we would have the strength to let our husband go for 15 months. We love you, Ness!

I've been cleaning and organizing my house and trying to get things ready for the crib that comes in May! Who knew that you could accumulate so much stuff. Cleaning out and taking things to Good Will is on our agenda for this weekend, as well as finishing up taxes. I look towards our anniversary as vacation...Raun sees it as a reminder to get his taxes done!

Mom came to visit us on Monday and stayed the night. We had so much fun. She helped me register at the different places for baby items. I'm so glad she was there because by the end, I felt like I was barely chugging along. It's amazing how a baby takes so much out of your body. She's been laughing at my craving for Sonic tator tots dipped in LOTS of ketchup, though. She was great at helping me figure out what would be great to register for. Combined with my polling from friends who have had babies, I think we figured out some things that would be good. We did find a great stroller and car seat, if I must say so myself. She tested it out first and it passed the grandma test, so I got to try it out. I was a little unsure whether or not you are supposed to register for diapers and wipes. I wanted them, so I did register for two different packs, but I'm hoping people know that any diaper and size is okay. If anyone knows how you're supposed to do that, let me know! Raun was glad that he didn't have to go, but we did go beforehand to pick out a few things.

I've been feeling more pressure on my bladder lately and more fluttering...usually after my Lucky Charms at night. Still no hard kicks, though, although it could be anywhere between now and week 20 that I feel it kick.

I got a call yesterday to speak at Southern Adventist University about music therapy and health. I am so excited about that opportunity. It will be neat to promote music therapy and the growing field. I'll let you know how that goes...I don't think that it will be until after our trip, though.

I'll be sure to post next week after the ultrasound!

I can't believe I'm in my 5th month!

Taylor
Dalton

I told Mama that Dad was a foot doctor:)
16 weeks
16 weeks--my Easter dress that I couldn't wear because it was too cold
One of my beautiful flowers in the flower garden

I cannot believe that I'm 17 weeks pregnant yesterday. How amazing! It has gone by so incredibly fast. My belly is definitely getting bigger...almost everyday, it seems. I've been feeling slight movements, especially after I eat my Lucky Charms at night before sleep. Maybe it's the sugar? I gained my first pound this past week. I was kinda sad, even though I know it's for a good reason. I honestly think that's the hardest part of being pregnant, for me. I understand that I'll loose it and I still exercise, it's just harder when I know that I can't go running and really push myself until after the baby is born and my body has readjusted itself again. Two more weeks until we find out the gender!

We had a great weekend over Easter. We spent Good Friday with some friends in Knoxville. Lori helped me figure out what to register for and what type of things are needed to go with the breast pump I'm getting. It was extremely helpful. Then we went to eat at one of my favorite Japanese places, Wasabi. After dinner, we headed to Manchester to stay with my parents and see my brother and Molly. We got into Cannon County and Mom called asking us to pick them up dinner because their microwave finally went out. So Raun got to experience the wild world of Woodbury...where you don't fit in if you don't have a truck and my car is too powerful for their city! We had a great time laughing and catching up with each other.

On Saturday, Raun, mom, and I went to Murfreesboro to buy a new microwave. Raun relearned why he doesn't take me in when he negotiates....since I blew their cover. Needless to say, Sears refused to drop their price when we even showed them that the other Sears' had it cheaper. So, after stopping for a much needed lunch (requested by me), we went to H.H. Gregg to get the microwave. They got a REALLY good deal on it. I was impressed to watch Mom and Raun work together. I stayed away and pushed buttons on all the other appliances and dreamed of a bigger kitchen so I could put all their stuff in it! We got home in time for me to make my maple pecan snack cake (which was great) and to cook dinner for the crowd coming in. Mama, Ma, Paul, Aunt Barbara, and Bill all joined us for dinner. It was sooooo good. I ate so much and there were not that many leftovers. Mom and I tackled taxes for my business after dinner. We didn't get home until really late, but it was fun.

Easter was spent with Raun's family. We had a really good dinner, and I een got my fried okra with ham. It was incredible. I was so full that I couldn't leave the table for a bit. The boys (our nephews) got Taylor's pony stuck in a tree, so they had to get a ladder to save the pony. Taylor was not very happy with them afterwards, needless to say! We then had fun embarrassing our nephew Dalton. There was a girl next door that he kind of liked, so while we were outside watching him skateboard, Raun and his brother spoke loudly about how that girl was not impressed with his skating, yet. It was funny, but I know poor Dalton was embarrassed! Kelsey showed us a prom dress that she liked...it was amazing to see how much dresses have changed since we went to prom. There is definitely a lot less material on many of them!

Our Easter service was so good. I loved hearing the handbells playing "He is Risen." Amazing! Brother Bill preached a wonderful Easter lesson from a new perspective. It was very eye opening and challenging.

This weekend is going to be lots of fun for Raun and I. He's actually going to get a full night's sleep without me waking him up every couple of hours! I'm going to see Vanessa since her husband is in Afghanistan for 15 months. Jen and I are kidnapping her and having a girl's weekend. It'll be fun. We'll be planning our trip to Gulf Shores for our girl's vacation. Raun is doing a golf tournament, so he is thrilled about this weekend. Our kid's choir is singing on Sunday, which is going to be great. I'm excited to hear their voices singing praises to God!

16 week appointment

Mom and Dad bought us this cute lamp

I didn't want anything too "Pooh-ish" or bright.

Another incentive, but not for this year!:)

I had my 16-week appointment today...a great way to mark the end of my 4th month! I was a little nervous about hearing the heartbeat because I had to take some medicine to get over the stomach bug, but the heartbeat was strong and the baby kept moving around my belly. I didn't even have to have a full bladder to hear it this time! It was either 155 or 157 bpm...I can't remember which. I was just so glad to hear it beating. I didn't get off as lucky as my last appointment. I had to inform the doctor about my light-headedness and almost fainting spells in stores, so she had to do the finger prick to check my iron. My iron count turned out okay, so she told me that I needed to drink more fluids. I already drink a ton of water, so I'm not so sure how to cram too much more in me. People may have to be more lenient with me because my bladder is going to be constantly full and the bathroom will be a must! She wasn't concerned that I haven't gained any weight so far, which is good. I eat until I'm full, which isn't too long, and I was getting concerned that I was doing something wrong since the scale has stayed the same. Guess I'll just enjoy that because I know those numbers are about to budge! I got to schedule the BIG appointment today, as well. I am going on April 10 for my ultrasound to find out if we're having a boy or girl!!!! I can't wait....only 3 weeks away. I'll find out before we go to Myrtle Beach, so it may be really dangerous to go shopping!

We went to Babies-R-Us after church on Sunday to buy our crib bedding. Mom and I found some material that matches it perfectly, so she's making a wall hanging, a blanket, and a few other things. We have to go shopping for curtain material when she comes to for the ultrasound. Our guest room is filling up with baby stuff now...I'm starting to get antsy to get the nursery done since I'm feeling great!

I cleaned the entire house in one day for the first time in a while. I was proud of myself. I was exhausted by the time I finished, but it felt good to air the house out and get rid of stuff. I cleaned out the basement Saturday and got all of our stuff that we're giving away in a pile. We're taking it to the church garage sale, where they are giving things away for free to people who can't afford things. At least it'll all go for a good use.

We're going to meet some friends at our favorite Japanese house in Knoxville on Friday before heading to Manchester for the weekend. I have to play at church on Easter, so we're spending Friday night and Saturday with my parents and brother and Molly. I'm excited to see everyone again. I love our family time together because there's always lots of laughter.

Things went well at my Alzheimer's unit last Friday. They were happy and I got them to at least move their hands and one woman sang with me. It was fun! I did have one that reminded me of mine and Nessa's first client that we ever had to do an assessment on...everything I gave her went into the mouth. At least she wasn't as bad as our first client!

I'm posting pictures of a few of our nursery items, but I'll post some 16 week pregnancy pictures next week with Easter.

The stomach bug, 15 weeks, Marilyn going to Heaven, and kids choir....

My dogs while I work

The title about sums up my week! What I thought was going to be a very calm and rather boring week has turned into a crazy week.

I began to get ready for work on Friday and began to feel very nauseus. I knew it wasn't pregnancy nausea, but I couldn't figure out. Well, I ended up vomiting, but thought I was better, so I went to work at my psych hospital. Within an hour I had to leave because I couldn't stop vomiting. I went home and Raun came home early to take care of me. I couldn't hold down solids or liquids. After talking to my mom later that afternoon, I decided to call my doctor and see what I needed to do so I wouldn't get dehydrated. I was becoming really thirsty and couldn't keep water down. My doctor was glad I called because he said I would have ended up in the hospital with IV's had I not called. So....I got the lovely experience of suppositories. NOT much fun! I told Raun that we were just making more memories! He was great at taking care of me and making sure that I was okay. By Saturday night, he asked me if I wanted to sit on the couch. I caught on that he was tired of walking back and forth to the bedroom, so I laid on the couch and watched a movie with him. Needeless to say, I missed the Jerusalem Walk on Sunday since I couldn't get out of bed and stand up straight! I was bummed, but I guess out of all the weekends, it was a good one to be sick on. I haven't been that sick since high school...but at least I've avoided the flu outbreak that's been hitting everyone (and lots of people have had it twice).

I'm now 15 weeks and feeling better. I am getting a little bigger of a belly and my maternity pants fit better and better. I can still wear normal shirts for the most part....they've just become shorter! A couple that is in our Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class brought us a baby bathtub, some cloth diapers, and a few other things. It's weird to actually be accumulating this stuff now. We woke up this morning and Raun said it's getting scary now because it's really happening. It'll be even more real when we see the baby for the first time next month. I can't believe I'm at the end of my 4th month. Time has flown by. I really want to cherish it because I in no way feel ready to be a mom, but I know that I'll learn as the baby grows!

One of my dear Starbucks friends entered Heaven on Tuesday. Mrs. Marilyn had been battling cancer for many years, but it came back during the last 3 years and 3 months. She did live to see her grandbaby get born, which was God's gift entirely! She taught me so much about patience, endurance, and fighting the fight. She had such a strong faith and knew that she was about to see her Heavenly Father. Before she passed away, she described seeing a vision, full of beautiful lights, beautiful noise, and beautiful friendships. She was so inspiring and encouraging. Despite her long journey that was full of pain and suffering, she always knew that God was with her during it all....He was walking with her, knew her pain, holding her up, and not letting her go. I met Mrs. Marilyn in my Bible Study class that is full of what they call themselves "grandmas." I'm by far the youngest, but they love having me because I make them feel young and I like them because I can learn so much from them and what they've been through in life. There's nothing like the older generations teaching the younger and fulfilling God's Word in discipleship.

Speaking of Bible Study, we've started a new one called "When Women Say Yes to God." It's so wonderful. It reminds us to look for those divine appointments in which God calls us into. He's a personal God and is wanting for nothing but obedience, even in what seems outrageous to the world. I highly recommend this Bible Study. After this one, we get to do Beth Moore's new one...which is gonna be awesome! I love Beth Moore...she's so gifted by God.

My kids choir is doing wonderful at church. I love working with them. I hadn't told them that I was pregnant because I wasn't for sure how to tell them and I really didn't think they'd care (they are 4th and 5th graders). However, last night during rehearsal, I saw the girls pointing, whispering, shaking their heads, so I figured I'd address the issue. I informed the group before they left that "No, I'm not getting fat....I'm having a baby." One dear, precious, sweet girl said, "I thought so because you were skinny before!" I had no idea what to say, but Raun just laughed! At least she thought I was skinny previously! Out of the mouth of babes....

We have officially booked our hotel for our anniversary trip to Myrtle Beach. I can't wait to go. It's such a beautiful place and the beach is very clean. Not to mention...lots of shopping is available and my list of things to shop for is getting longer and longer!

Next week: 16 week appointment and hear the heartbeat again!

14 weeks...

my belly at 14 weeks...Raun posed this picture.
This one shows it a little better...still not too big!

the ladies on the retreat...I'm on the left

from the side of the room
where we stayed
a view from the hiking trail of our rooms

a sign of spring!

from outside of our room...it was beautiful!

I had a great weekend! We went to Cohutta Springs in Georgia for our women's retreat. I led the worship and another friend of mine from church led the Bible Study. It was so great and we could tell that God was not only there, but He had put it together and it was a weekend that only He could pull off. The theme of the retreat was "refleshed"...taking off the old man and putting on the new one. Emily talked about how we're called to be different when we accept Christ as our Savior. She also reminded us that we are all one and sometimes the worst criticism and treatment comes from fellow Christians because we forget to look at ourselves and see that we are just like them. We're all in the same boat and all sin and all have faults, so instead of discouraging people, judging them, and turning away from them, we need to embrace them and encourage them, like Jesus has called us to do. Next door to us was a Greek Orthodox church and it was so neat to watch this lesson being played out during the weekend. They were incredibly nice and just because they worshiped differently, they were still worshipping and serving the same God and we both honored each other's wishes. It was sad that Christians are harder on each other and more hateful towards each other, instead of more loving and more forgiving...the things that God wants us to be. We also talked about how a lot of it is because we have to make ourselves feel better, so we naturally judge and walk away from people that are intimidating to us...that's human nature. The other other 2 sessions were just as good...we talked about going through hardships and being faithful in the small things and then God will allow us to serve in the big things. We each have a purpose, and we should be helping each other find our purposes and our spiritual gifts instead of being spiteful and jealous. What a great time full of wonderful lessons! The ladies at our church are so encouraging and I love being a part of the women's ministry there. I enjoyed playing the guitar and helping to lead in worship. It was a new experience, but it was fun. I have difficulty having people focused on me, so I had to work on forgetting they were there and reminding myself that it was just me and God.

I played a solo with the handbell choir on Sunday morning for both services. I played "Be Thou My Vision." I had a lot of people come up to me and let me know that I sounded good. I only messed up once when a key stuck, but hey, it's an Irish tune, so it's okay to kinda do a jazz dip up to the correct note! It was a lot of fun to play with the handbells. I wish there was a recording so I could hear it. It's one of my most favorite hymns and it was a beautiful arrangement. I wonder if I'll get to play again!

This weekend is going to be fun, as well. We're meeting some friends at one of our favorite Japanese restaurants on Friday and then looking at some baby items. Then I have rehearsal on Saturday for our Jerusalem Walk, with performances on Sunday. This is a re-enactment of Jesus' final days on the earth. It's incredibly moving and thought-provoking. The scene that the choir and orchestra is in is the scene where they put Jesus on the cross, but praise the Lord the story doesn't end there! He rises in our scene, as well, and that's the joy we get to experience. It's so incredible that the sadness ended there for Him and for us because now there's hope and Heaven! I mean, there's definitely nothing depressing about Heaven and living for Jesus!

On the baby front, I'm 14 weeks yesterday! I am getting a little of a belly, especially at night. At our retreat, I was showing one of my friends the belly band that I wear to extend my shirts and realized that the rubber bands that hold my pants together was not successful in holding my zipper up. That's when I knew that I had outgrown my pants. They would still fit if I wasn't growing outwards in only one section! So now it's to maternity pants, which fit great now. I can still wear my normal shirts, but I found some cute shirts that will grow with me. Of course, I bought short sleeves because it was 70 degrees, but now it's back in the 40's and I don't think I'll be wearing them this week! I've been feeling weird things in my belly...it feels like butterflies or something fluttering around in there. I only have 2 more weeks until my next doctor's appointment, where I get to schedule my ultrasound for April!!!!! April's gonna be a HUGE month for us with everything going on!

Enjoy the pictures!