28 weeks pictures and doctor's appointment

My doctor's appointment went well today! The baby's heartbeat is a good 140 and the doctor was pleased. She also liked that I haven't had swollen ankles or anything so far and was impressed. Maybe my exercising is helping? Who knows! Goodness knows I'm getting lots of water from my watermelon and at least 2 liters of water:) I am now going to the doctor every two weeks...AHH!!! It's getting closer! So crazy! I am having more indigestion now, but she told me Tums were safe, so I bought the Smoothie tasting ones. Not half bad tasting. My doctor and I talked a little about labor and delivery today, which was reassuring. I asked her when the latest was that I would be able to get an epidural, if needed, and she said "if the head's out, then it's too late." She seemed supportive of me going as natural as possible, so that was great. I had my glucose test and got to drink lots of sugar...and my baby was very happy and active. He kept kicking the heartbeat monitor:)

The orchestra at church threw Raun and me another surprise shower. That's two from the same church so far! And they have one more planned...but thank goodness it's not a surprise. I at least get to come prepared for this one. They had really tricked me with the past two showers. They were so wonderful and had bought us so many things, including our stroller. I was so excited! Raun put it together because when we first attempted it at the shower, the handle was broken. He wanted to make sure this one wasn't broken before it was too late to exchange it. I will just say that Babies-R-us has some of the most helpful staff. It's looking like I have a shower almost every weekend in July, which is highly exciting! It's amazing that people would want to help us out so much.

Julie had her baby last Friday and little Eli is beautiful. I got to go over and see her on Tuesday and she was looking good. It was so weird to look at him and imagine him being in her belly. His little feet did kick a lot. She said that's what he was doing constantly in her belly. I can't wait to get another glimpse of our baby!

7 months!

I've had a very relaxing past 3 weeks since the transition of the school schedule and the summer schedule. I've still had to work, but not quite as much. The rest has been great and I've gotten a lot of stuff done. It's weird to think that my next break will come as the baby enters our lives.

Bethany came and stayed with us for the past week. It was so nice to have her and to have someone to talk to during the day. We went shopping one day and she experienced Japanese food for the very first time. I even shared her first Starbucks drink experience with her...which she liked! It was definitely fitting that I share in that with her:) We didn't do too much because it was too hot outside to go on the trails. She did take the infamous walk around our neighborhood, which is an incredible workout. There's nothing like hills to whip your butt into shape! We met Aunt Patricia, Uncle Ray, Anna and David at Western Sizzlin' yesterday to give Beth back to her family. The dinner was great, and it was wonderful to spend time chatting with them. We've invested in Beth's band trip experience by buying homemade bread from her almost every week that mom comes to visit. I love sourdough bread...it's so good! When we first saw them, Anna got out of the car and told Beth..."I missed you....I almost forgot what you looked like!" Those two squirts always make us laugh. I'm surprised that David isn't sick since Raun came up with weird food concoctions for him to try...such as dipping a pickled okra into his chocolate ice cream. However, David came up with eating tomatoes and the pickled okra at the same time as his ice cream! We all wondered if he was the pregnant one!

It has been incredibly hot here the past week, and it doesn't look like it's going to cool down any. I've definitely been hot and at night, I freeze Raun out....and I'm still hot! We already have two fans in our room...the ceiling one and a turning one....but I think we're going to have to invest in a table top one now. I've successfully been drinking over 2 liters of water a day and watermelon is my new craving. I ate a half of one in almost 2 days! It was soooo good.

My family is all traveling to Florida this week without us! I'm a little sad that I won't get to see everyone but I know that traveling would be very uncomfortable and we won't even talk about the heat and being outside! But I do hope that they all have fun and come back with lots of stories to tell me.

Work is going good and is constantly increasing. God has answered one of our prayers and has made it possible for one of my childhood church friends, Julie Dill, to watch our baby when I go back to work. She will be able to watch him 2 days a week while I work those 2. We really didn't want to take him to a daycare because we wanted to know the person that would be watching him. Julie is so wonderful and just had her baby boy Friday, so little Eli will only be 3 months older than ours. It's funny how God works every little detail out. I had been praying about it for so long because it had really been on my heart. When I talked with her about it, she said that her and Eric had been talking and praying about doing something like that a few days a week. God is so good! It's just funny that the same girl that I used to play with when I was little and the one I grew up with is going to sharing in our son's life and our baby boys will play with each other.

I have my 7 month doctor's appointment on Thursday and get to take the glucose test. I'm just praying that it comes back normal and I don't have to take the full-blown test.

Raun is celebrating his 29th birthday this weekend. He's staying busy trying to help me out with cleaning and bending over to pick things up. He has finally felt the baby ball up and shift sides in my stomach. He couldn't believe how strong he felt when he would flip around. Ever since he's felt that, he wants to keep pushing my belly and making him kick. He's going to be such a good daddy!

I'll post the results of my doctor's visit next week!

26 weeks

I am now 26 weeks along...27 tomorrow. I can't believe that I'll be in my 3rd trimester in one more week. The countdown is definitely beginning....but I try not to think about that because I'm not ready for him to come yet. I love feeling him kick and move (even though he moves ALL the time!) and play with Raun. Raun is able to make him really kick hard. I constantly remind him that is his daddy and to remember that voice when he needs his diaper changed...

I have my glucose test in 2 weeks, so hopefully everything will turn out okay with that. I really don't want to have to take the full-blown test. I'm not really looking forward to being at the doctor's for that long, but I guess I'll do what I have to do! Just think of how much I'll get done in an hour!

I'm glad to report that my carpel tunnel is appearing to be a little better at this point. Of course, that could be because I'm not drumming at the moment. I've had 3 weeks away from my drumming clients and so my wrist has had a break!

However, I do miss them a lot and am ready to get back to them. Only 3 months left with them before I have to take my break for 6-8 weeks. I'll be glad for that break, but it will be weird to not see them.

I've been doing a lot of research on music therapy and labor and delivery. It has been awesome to learn so much. My plan is to have as much of a natural birth as possible, so hopefully the music therapy will help. I've been training, and I must say, it's quite relaxing. Of course, I know that the epidural is always there if I get tired and can't push anymore, but I really want to go as long as I can before resorting to that. We'll see, though. I know plans always change. I've signed us up for the prenatal class (8 hours long) in August. Don't worry...it's the beginning of August, so hopefully he won't come that early! We weren't going to take the class, but I just like feeling prepared...even though I hear you can never be 100% prepared for labor, delivery, and parenting. However, I can at least make myself believe that I know what I'm doing! Maybe it will help calm some of my anxiety of having to push out a big baby...I really do wish other options were available. I just don't see how this is physically possible but my mom swears that it is. I'm just glad that I don't have to watch this whole process...I think I would pass out:) Mom is under strict orders to revive Raun if he does falter! But that boy's got a tougher stomach than me so I know he'll do just fine.

The reality of this kid is beginning to hit him now. Where he's been for the past 6 months, I don't know. I guess he had to see my big belly and feel his son kicking him before it registered that he is having a baby is less than 3 months. He told me the other day that he's starting to get a little nervous over all the things that need to get done. Which, by the way, does nothing for calming my anxiety! But, we'll make it through this and somehow we'll have to figure out this parenting thing....we have it worked out in our heads, but I know a lot of adaptation is going to be required.

I'm really excited about this upcoming weekend. My cousin, Bethany, is coming to stay the week with us. It will be wonderful to have her here and to bug her constantly!:) She'll be my walking partner! It will be a lot of fun to have her and to be able to hear about all that has been going on and just to talk with her....I'm really looking forward to it. I think Raun knows he's going to be losing his television this week! It's time for chic flicks!

24 weeks

The original 4
Mom finding out her Mother's Day present is a new sewing machine, of course for
the baby!

24 weeks



the entire family

Okay, so I must apologize for taking so long in updating this blog. I feel like the weeks keep going by faster and faster and there's no time for me to catch up on everything. I definitely am beginning to feel a lot overwhelmed and confused about everything. I've done good at not bugging Raun too much, but I still struggle some. To make myself feel somewhat productive, I have hung all his clothes up, since that's all I can do. The washing will come in a few months!

I am 25 weeks today, which is crazy! I had my doctor's appointment yesterday and everything looked good. His heart is beating at 125 bpm...until the doctor made him mad...then it went to 133. He was definitely kicking the machine. And speaking of kicking, he is getting stronger and stronger. I've actually had to sit back a little bit because of how hard he is kicking. He definitely responds to music, little kids voices, and anytime I eat. He also likes when I get into the bathtub. Driving is becoming annoying because it's one of the few times that I sit down and he goes to town...kicking almost the entire time I'm driving! For the most part, he sleeps through the night and stays awake during the day. I hope that continues, even though I know that's not a huge possibility!

I was told yesterday by the doctor that I have carpel tunnel. She said that pregnancy brings it on temporarily, even though it can get worse before it goes away sometime after giving birth. She said it'll take a while. It's in my right wrist, although she suspects it'll go to my left hand. It gets very painful at night and when I play drums. I am a little low on potassium, so bananas are becoming my new best friend to help me stop getting charlie horses at night. She also said that my hips are widening, which is why I'm in so much pain in my lower bones. Things are working towards giving birth...AHHH!!!! I can't believe how close I am to 36 weeks, at which the baby could come anytime. So crazy! Which leads me right back to the stressed and overwhelmed feeling! I have also been having lots of lower back pain in my right side and hip bones, and it hurts for anyone to touch it. So...to fix this, I'm going back to the chiropractor. I can't wait to be readjusted and to feel aligned again!

I am really excited about the month of June....we have our first baby shower then. The ladies from our home church in Manchester are throwing me a shower, which will be so much fun since I haven't gotten to see many of them lately. Then my side of the family is throwing one on July 4th weekend (the week before Heather's wedding!). Our church here is throwing us one, too, so I'm even more excited. It's very humbling to think of how many people like us and want to help us out as we open a new chapter in our lives.

We have a busy weekend ahead...tonight is our pizza party for our 4th and 5th grade choir at a WONDERFUL pizza place. Then we have a Sunday School cookout tomorrow night for a missionary family in our class that is leaving to go back to Thailand. They are such great people and I have learned so much from them. I've had the honor of teaching their daughter guitar, which has been fun! I guess I'll see them in 3 years, when our baby is walking and talking...so sad! Then Sunday is our choir night, where the children's choirs hold their end-of-the-year concert.

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!