Updates

Well I haven't been on in a while as I've had many life changes happening.  My father passed away on June 9, 2011 which is one of the hardest/toughest ordeals I've ever had to face.  The only solace I get is knowing he doesn't have to suffer any longer.  He was only diagnosed in April 2011 with his cancer, but daddy had been sick for over a year and to watch him get sicker and sicker was heartbreaking. 

Secondly I had to move which was a task, but it is now complete so no more worries about living in two places!  Dan and I have pretty much gotten settled, but we still have several boxes to unpack - I have the next few weeks to get this done while Dan is out of town.

I also was able to visit California for work, so not much pleasure or site seeing occurred.  It is a beautiful state and I would like to go back to actually enjoy it. 

On a happy note, I will be going to meet Dan's parents and other family the week of July 4th.  I am looking forward to meeting everyone and I am sure they are very excited to meet the little guy for the first time.

I also felt the little guy kick for the first time over the last few weeks, yet I wasn't sure exactly what it was but now I am positive, especially when I get a foot/fist in the ribcage!  I can feel his activity daily which is weird and wonderful.  Funny though, when I try to share the moment with Dan, the little guy doesn't give a good movement to be felt on the outside!  

More pictures to come as well! 

DRUM ROLL PLEASE....and the baby is a -

Yesterday was very exciting and awesome.  We had a "anatomy" ultrasound yesterday and it was intersting.  I didn't realize how indecisive Dan and I both were regarding the pregnancy.  We couldn't decide how we wanted to find out the sex, where we wanted to go for dinner, or anything else for that matter!  I guess we were following each other's lead of "I don't know" or "It doesn't matter".  Finally we decided in the exam room during the ultrasound to have the technician put the results in an evelope to open later - the technician made the punchline by asking "is that when you get to the parking garage?"  HAH!  The technician put the results in an evelope and taped and stapled it closed.  Taking a step back though, the moments of seeing my little one's facial features and little arms, hands and legs was breathtaking.  I could not grasp how I got so lucky to have such a wonderful little being growing inside of me.  Dan was by my side and holding my hand.  He experienced the whole journey right along side me.  It was so awesome to have him by my side!  Of note, our little one is a big nose picker...that is definitely got to stop as snot grosses me out tremendously!  I made the decision to have dinner at Outback in Pineville as that is where our relationship picked back up in January 2011.  On the way to the restuarant I made the comment that the baby may be a boy as the 3D pictures favored my little nephew, Christian.  Dan absolutely agreed - weird!!!  So we get to the restuarant and I suggested he open the evelope first and I could get a picture of his initial reaction and then he could get mine.  The only decision left to make at this point was whether or not to wait till after dinner to do it or could we not wait that long and need to open it before we even sat down?  Dan finally made a decision to open the results after we ordered but prior to eating, otherwise we would have never ordered or ate for that matter.  He knows better than starve a pregnant woman!  He is such a smart man!  Dan's reaction was classic and mine was AWE!  We are having a little baby boy!!!!  Albeit I thought the results would be more of the pink pursuasion but to be honest, I couldn't be happier with our little man!!!  He is the most amazing little person ever!!!! 

We decided to call our family afterward togehter.  Since Dan got to see the results first, we called my mom first.  She was quite happy with the boy news as she was hoping for another grandson.  I heard the crack in her voice to hear the news!  We called Dan's mom next and she was absolutely thrilled.  This is only her second grandchild compared to my parents' 10.  This is Dan's first child and mine too, but Dan is the oldest so it was a big big deal.  It is the first grandson on his side too.  Lots of big news for Grandma Dahl to take in for sure.  Back and forth we went down the list of calling our dads and siblings.  There reactions were awesome, although we did mess with them and tell them we were having a girl first!  My friend, Caroline, wouldn't allow me to even give her crap she cut right to the chase and told me to tell her and not mess with her.  I still did - thanks for the name ideas of Franklin Aster and the other name I couldn't even pronounce! 

Either way, Dan and I are so excited and can't wait to meet the little guy...welcome baby boy Dahl!!!!

3D/4D Screening Scheduled

We are very excited.  Checked into the 3D/4D ultrasounds and found a place in Charlotte.  We get to find out (hopefully) the sex of the baby on Saturday.  We will get to share the moment with our family and friends through live video feed.  I have a nervous feeling now, finding out the sex of the baby make it so real....I mean, I've heard the heartbeat and I saw the little bean at about 4 weeks, but I don't know, it is a scary thought.  We are going on Saturday morning and we will get to have photos and videos on CD.  The positives to look forward too is that Dan and I will be able to go register before he leaves for a few weeks.  It gives us some time to decide on the nursery theme and gives me something to do while he is gone. 


I also got a baby doll to help my doggy, Lady, through the transistion and in preparation for the baby's arrival.  It has been just Lady for the last 3 years so I am hoping so adapts well and is a little tamer when the baby comes home. 


Lots to do...so little time!


Stay tuned...

16 Weeks and a Few Days

I know I know, I look like a teenager with the braces....

We had a milestone week. I had my very first Mother's Day and it was great to finally make a "public" announcement about the little bundle of joy that will make his or her arrival in October.  Daddy was very sweet and sent me flowers from him and baby Dahl.  Daddy hit a milestone as well with the anniversary of his accident which renewed his excitement even more!  I was able to tell work this week too.  It went very well and relieved some of the anxiousness I was feeling.  This made Daddy happy because he has been waiting on me to be ready.


I have my next appointment on May 17th.  We have decided not to have pre-birth testing as I don't feel it will change anything - we will love the baby all the same.  I also feel it will be too stressful if something is detected so I would rather "enjoy" the pregnancy as much as possible. 


We have decided to find out the sex of the baby, but that won't be until the next appointment - around 21 weeks.  I don't have a preference which one the baby turns out to be, but I am really anxious to find out just to start buying stuff and decorating the nursery.  Daddy just wants a healthy baby too.  I've got a big move ahead of me over the next month.  I really don't like moving, but looking forward to a little normalcy and finalizing the plans for the nursery...got a few ideas, but that will probably change a few times until we know what the sex of the baby.


We are off to the beach this weekend to relax and soak up some sun before I get to be too pregnant "fat".  I need a little time away with the stress of my daddy being sick and work and of course the baby.


Stay tuned for updates after the appointment and more pictures of the growing belly!

Tough Day

Today has been a tough day.  As I embark on my journey of being a parent, I found out my dad has been diagnosed with lung cancer.  The details are vague at this point as additional diagnostic testing is being completed.  The doctor seems to believe dad has a good prognosis, but the testing is not complete so I am trying to stay positive, but am anxious about the results of the tests.  Everyone has been very supportive and compassionate.  And I know everyone is worried about me stressing out, but I do know there is a little one growing inside that needs me to be strong, but it is devastating to just hear the word cancer.  You hear it all the time, but when it is a family member, especially a parent, it seems to be a little tougher to process.  I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers (for the ones that pray) and will need them now and in the future as I cross this bridge as well.

12 Week Check-up

Dan and I attended my "first" baby appointment today and we got to hear the baby's heartbeat again today but no actual video/picture of the baby.  Although Dan isn't 100% sure he is the dad, if we have twins, at least one of them will be his.  I am wearing my first maternity shirt which is still sort of big because I am missing the baby belly - this picture turned out okay since Dan had to make up for his comment of not being the dad, and we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner - so rather bloated from all the pasta - there was no room for cheesecake.  Dan and I decided to get it to go, can't forego cheesecake for goodness sakes!  So lost 3 pounds instead of gaining any weight.  I guess I will have to eat more and make sure I take my vitamins more regularly.  Grandparents on both sides seem to be very happy for us and really makes this easier.  Dan and I are more than excited about our little bundle on the way and look forward to the rest of this journey of the pregnancy and then raising our child!

New Bras

So all the pregnancy effects on the body...I always thought it happened in the latter part of pregnancy, especially the growth of your bosom.  Again, I am wrong!  I started noticing my bras were looking smaller and knew I would have to buy new bras soon, but yesterday I was having dinner with Miss Janet and lo and behold she made a comment on my bigger boobs.  I have been trying to really cover them up as I was yesterday so I was surprised to say the least she noticed them.  So I decided to buy a couple of new bras.  I got a really pretty one and I actually fit in a size C.  Wow for this only B girl!  So I was talking to Dan the othe night about my boobs growing faster than my baby bump...his suggestion, we should take weekly pictures of my boob growth...SUCH A MAN, what a mess!