Happy Easter!

Well, Jacob's Easter break started on Thursday afternoon, but my didn't start until Friday afternoon. (Not that I actually get a break!) I did actually get off work a little after 3:00 that day though. We went to Olive Garden for my birthday dinner a week early. It was delicious of course. We used our last gift card from Christmas. You just can't beat a $10 meal at Olive Garden! After that we headed to Target so I could pick up the Karen Kingsbury book that I've been wanting and we also got Parks and Rec Season 2 on sale for $9.99 (Normally $32!) I even got Jacob to walk through the baby section with me!

We just got home from our weekend in Villa Grove. We left here early yesterday morning and headed home early this evening. We had a nice visit with the family!

We just hung out and watched a couple of movies in the afternoon. We started to watch the Cardinals game, but I ended up falling asleep for awhile. Before we had dinner, Jacob, Rachel and I walked over to Grandma Sally's to visit with her for about an hour and then back to the house again.

Brenda made Easter dinner last night instead of today, which I think we all enjoyed. I forgot my camera at home so no pictures of all of our delicious food!

After dinner we hung out and watched old home videos of Jacob and Rachel when they were little. Some of the things they said and did were absolutely hilarious!

I didn't sleep very well. I think I woke up once an hour, but I must've gotten enough, because I felt fine this morning when I got up. Jacob and I didn't go to the Sunrise Service, but everyone else did. Jacob was going to go to Casey's to get some coffee, so I asked him to bring me back a donut. Before he got back, Aunt Sarah came in carrying a giant plate of pastries for us from the Easter breakfast! I think I had consumed 1000 or more calories before 8:00am. So ashamed. Not to mention I ate more after the church service! We did a lighter lunch with leftover ham and then got a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Aunt Sarah gave us a basket of candy with an Olive Garden gift card (replenished our stock!). And Kent and Brenda got us candy and a Target card!

Baby Elam was not left out this weekend. He/She now has their first Cardinals outfit and PJ's.

Grandpa got a book for baby. And Aunt Sarah got a bunny pillow pet. Hope if it's a boy, he likes pink! Haha!

Also...this picture is random and not from this weekend, but it goes along with baby stuff. One of my co-workers had these made for us:

Everyone napped this afternoon except for me. I read half of my new book while everyone snoozed around me . I wanted to stay awake so I'll sleep well tonight!

Now we're home. Jacob still has tomorrow off, and I've got a "fun filled" day of work ahead of me.

Anyway...HAPPY EASTER everyone!

Always Wiped Out

Time for some more randomness.

I pretty much did nothing this weekend. I had a sore throat/cough on Friday and that followed me into Saturday. I had also gotten a headache Friday afternoon at work and I couldn't get rid of it until Saturday afternoon. I pretty much spent the entire day in my pajamas, lying on the couch. I had a major Roseanne marathon. Have I mentioned how much I love Netflix?

Yesterday I was feeling much better. Still had the cough, but the sore throat was gone. We went to church and were able to tell some other people that we're expecting that hadn't heard yet. It's fun watching people's reactions. I even got some hugs yesterday. Guess all I have to do to get hugs around there is announce I'm having a baby! It was also Friend's Day at church yesterday and there were leftover goodie bags, so I made off with a bag o' candy. Life is good.

I made myself do something yesterday afternoon to feel somewhat productive. I did some vacuuming and then officially decided that I am having a garage sale! I've had some boxes of stuff downstairs for a year, that I haven't done anything with. I keep saying that I'm having a sale, but never have. Jacob is still a little skeptical that this is going to happen. But I filled up 3 more boxes of things to sell. I'm hoping to get him to go through some of his things too. I eventually have to clear out the spare bedroom for the baby, so I'm just getting a jump start! I cleared it with my boss, so the sale will either be the 2nd or 3rd week of May! Going to do a Friday/Saturday sale. My boss is going to loan me the 6 ft. tables we have at the daycare for big family events. Yay!

I was exhausted last night and ended up falling asleep at 9:00. I'm once again starting to feel tired tonight. I've been very achy since this afternoon. Legs and lower back are really sore, so it's probably about time to go lay down on the couch and relax.

Oh...and on a completely random note...if you read my blog and use Pampers or know anyone else who does...if you don't use the Pampers Gifts to Grow Points, I would be more than happy to get your codes!

Some Weeks Are Just Swell

It's been an exciting week. It's been so much fun announcing our pregnancy and actually being free to talk about it with everyone. My co-workers are all excited for me, so work has been a lot of fun too.

On Tuesday Andy called me and left me a voicemail asking me to call him back. I figured he had heard about the baby and was calling to congratulate us. As it turns out, that was only half of it. He also told me that he had just gotten engaged! It was fun because we were both so happy for each other. It was so good getting to hear his voice too. I miss that guy. In fact, after I hung up the phone I started crying and couldn't stop myself! It was happiness, mixed with the sadness that I still probably won't see him again for a very long time.

My new co-worker, Ashely started on Monday. Literally within the first hour of meeting her, I knew we were going to work perfectly together. I LOVE when that happens. She's awesome and we get along great. We also have a lot of the same philosophies on taking care of babies, and it's nice to work with someone who is basically on the same page as me!

Now, onto more pregnancy related things...

Everyone keeps asking if we are going to find out the sex of the baby is? The answer is YES! I used to always say that I didn't want to know and Jacob always said that he did. In the past year though, I have changed my mind and I'm really excited to find out. Although, that won't happen until July. (I have had one dream so far that it was a girl though) Wish it were sooner, because Wal-Mart has all of their winter baby clothes on clearance. That would sure be helpful. (Although I'm guessing baby will receive a lot of clothing as gifts anyway.)

I've been asked if I'll be posting baby bump pictures? I will be doing that as well. Just not quite yet. Right now the only belly I have is a pooch of fat that's been there for a long time! Plus I bloat up like a balloon through the day and then deflate again overnight!

Still no morning sickness. I'm praying that it stays that way. My appetite can be weird at times though. Certain things that I normally love don't sound good. I do not like touching raw chicken. I never really do, but the last time I cooked with it, it REALLY grossed me out. I have a very hard time trying to decide what to cook for supper because sometimes something that sounds really tasty, sounds really icky by suppertime.

My bladder is already working overtime. For a girl who has to go a lot anyway...I'm making even more frequent trips. Unfortunately I'm up about 3 times every night already.

Now, I'm getting a cold. I had a sore throat on and off for a few days, but now it's turned to a cough/chest congestion. No longer can I rely on my Ny-Quil to save me either!

But all those things, don't really matter so much in the grand scheme of things. There are going to be lots of discomforts while pregnant, but I also want to enjoy it as well. In a couple of months I should be able to start feeling the little guy or girl start moving around. Something to look forward to!

Oh Baby!

Word is out! Our family is growing! Jacob and I are expecting our first child in November. Our estimated due date is November 21st, which makes baby 8 weeks today! (Grandma Brenda is hoping the baby will hold out for November 23rd so they can be Birthday Buddies.)

It was a bit of a journey to get here. We had decided early on that we wanted to start trying to have a baby after a year of being married, so last year at the end of May I threw away my pills. Of course, I had hoped that we'd be one of those lucky couples that get pregnant right away. That wasn't the case. I had a sad day or two (or three) every month. It was hard to watch so many people I know have babies and get pregnant and wonder why it wasn't me. All the while I was so happy for them, but there was always that twinge of envy. There were months where I was sure that I was pregnant, and it just wasn't happening.

After several months though, I just have to say, that it was totally worth that wait!

We found out that I was pregnant on March 23rd. By then I was over a week late (but I had been someone irregular after coming off birth control, so I really wanted to be sure.) I had a hunch that I was pregnant on March 17th, but just kept it to myself, because I wanted to really be sure. I still wasn't sure the morning that I tested. Jacob had already left for school and I finally decided that if I didn't test, I'd go nuts that day. I took it and 1 line showed up. I was disappointed, but time wasn't up yet. I walked away for a minute or so and when I came back I couldn't believe it. Another line had appeared!

I was shaking SO bad. (Excited shaking). I couldn't stop looking at the 2 pink lines. I was almost afraid they were just going to disappear. I decided to wait and surprise Jacob when he got home. It was a LONG day. Especially because it was a Wednesday and Jacob doesn't get home until 8:30 on Wednesdays.

I went to Wal-Mart after work and bought another test...I just had to be certain! I also got Jacob a little present. When he got home, I had him come into our bedroom and had a box sitting on the bed. I told him I got him a present. He opened it and this is what he found:

A bib and the 2 positive pregnancy tests. It took a few minutes of staring to let it sink in and then came the excitement! The look on his face was priceless and I ended up bawling because I was so happy!

We decided to keep it quiet until I could get into my OB for an appointment. I got one scheduled for today...and so the 2.5 weeks of secret keeping began. Actually we didn't keep it a secret from everyone. We each got to tell a co-worker, and then we called the Grandparent's-to-be and Aunts and Uncles on that Friday night to let them know. Everyone was so excited! I am extremely proud of my mom for keeping quiet...I know it was hard!

Today finally arrived and I went to my first appointment. Jacob wasn't able to come with me, due to a concert rehearsal, so his mom came with me instead. We got to see the baby and hear its heartbeat. That was probably the most amazing thing I have ever seen or heard. I don't have the ability to scan these right now. They're grainy to begin with, so this doesn't help, but I'll still post them.

If you can see the arrow drawn on there...that's the baby. We're calling it "Peanut" It's currently 1.65 centimeters and had 172 heartbeat! The old wives's tale says that's a girl...but we shall see.

Another without the arrow.

It"s incredible that a human life is growing inside of me right now.

The pregnancy is going well. I have been fortunate so far and haven't had morning sickness. I feel sick sometimes, but no throwing up. Lot's of bloating, tiredness and headaches, but it's all to be expected. Just praying that everything continues to go well. I'll be happy to get out of the 1st trimester when a lot of the risk factors go down.

Pretty excited that in 7 months I'll be holding my own little one. I've taken care of so many others, but this time I get to be the mommy! Jacob is thrilled to become a daddy too!

Can't wait to share our journey as it continues.

More Ramblings

I love this extra daylight, but the weather is driving me crazy! Yesterday it was 80 and today it was in the 40's. Even though it was warm yesterday, the wind was insane. Somehow a bag to one of our folding chairs on the front porch, ended up against the fence in our backyard! Then this morning we apparently had an incredible thunderstorm, but I didn't wake up until the very end of it. I was a little bummed, but I guess I'd take sleep over the thunder.

I had another weekend of not doing much of anything.

Friday night we ordered Pizza Hut and watched the last Shrek movie. Jacob had to get up early on Saturday for Solo and Ensemble so we both went to bed early. I was sleepy anyway, and was out before 9:30. I love that I went to bed earlier on the weekend than I do during the week. I got to sleep in a little bit which was nice. I figured I'd better get a few things done before I laid down on the couch, so I dusted, did the dishes and got rid of a few things. I really need to either haul a ton of crap to Goodwill or attempt a garage sale. I ended up going grocery shopping too. Why I procrastinated until a Saturday is beyond me. I know that I hate grocery shopping on Saturdays, but I did it anyway. Why is it that people always find the need to be standing at the end of every aisle not paying attention. They don't move until you practically have to run them over with your cart. And why are people always talking on their cell phones right in front of the one item I need? Jeez people!

Yesterday we went to church and then came straight home and did nothing for a better part of the day. Actually Jacob worked...I did nothing. Unless watching Roseanne for 2 hours on Netflix counts.

Now we're back to yet another week of work. Today wasn't bad. Just slow. But the babies all slept well, which made me a happier camper.