15 week update

I know it has been a few weeks, but we have been busy at our house! Over spring break, my parents visited for a few days, and my mom took me on a maternity clothes shopping spree. This was wonderful, because when I went by myself, I was too overwhelmed to buy anything. It can be confusing your first time. It is still weird to avoid the regular section of clothes and walk to the back of the store for the maternity section. I'm not quite used to it yet. Mom and I had a blast - she is still so excited about becoming a grandmother! We also looked at some fabrics for nursery colors, but I still can't decide until I know whether we're having a boy or a girl. I do know that I like more of the bold colors instead of the traditional pastels that are often found in nurseries. I also helped Mom pick out a khaki colored yarn for a baby blanket that she is crocheting. I am excited, because it is the softest yarn I have ever touched, and I think the khaki will go well with any nursery colors that I choose.

Neal and I also cleaned out the room that will be the nursery in a few months - it is so nice to have that out of the way, so we can start decorating whenever we're ready. I had a few laughs, because I finally sorted through all of the notes and school work that I had saved from junior high through high school. Neal was kind of mad that in the two times we have moved, these boxes have travelled with us, and I have not really opened them very often. I guess I thought I would need them someday! It does feel nice to know that I was finally able to get rid of a bunch of stuff that I did not need.

The weather was gorgeous over spring break, so we took the dogs for several walks. This was great exercise for me, since I have used the feeling sick excuse as a reason to avoid the gym a lot lately. We even took a trip to the dog park! Penny and Peyton were very spoiled over the break, and Penny literally sat with me every time I sat down. She would even carry her ball into the bathrooom and lay on the rug staring at me anytime I took a shower. Our dogs really have a tough time whenever I go back to school after a break!

In other news, a state senator visited our school recently, because she heard about all of our amazing test scores. I think she wanted to see an example of a successful junior high in order to help the legislature in their decision-making for struggling junior highs in Texas. We'll see if that actually helps seeing as how the legislature tends to try and apply business principles to the education world instead of truly trying to understand our issues and systems.

I also chaperoned my last dance as Student Council sponsor. After three years, I have decided to pass on that role to someone else with more time, energy, and patience. It was fun for awhile, but I am ready to be relieved of that particular responsibility. I feel like I am already involved in so many other things at school that it was time to clear off some of the extra "stuff" from my plate.

In pregnancy news, I am at 15 weeks, and I think I am definitely at the point where people can finally tell that I am pregnant without having to wait for me to say something. That's kind of a relief, and I think the bump is cute. It is so weird that I am the one with the bump and not other people. I feel like I am so used to seeing other people go through the stages of pregnancy that I sometimes don't feel like it's really me - that maybe it's someone else who looks like me. I also love how comfortable maternity pants are! I have always heard people say that, but I was secretly worried that I would be the one person in the world who hated them, but no, I am a believer! I finally have two pairs of jeans that fit so well - even though they have room to grow with my belly! I am hopefully out of the morning sickness stage, even though I have had a few "moments" since I began the third trimester. I also have my sweet tooth back - my favorite snack of choice for awhile was crazy core skittles. They are so much better than the original flavors! So far, I haven't gained any weight yet - I think it has just been shifting from my legs to my belly, because my legs feel thinner in everything that I wear. My next appointment is on April 6th, and 2-4 weeks after that, we find out whether we're having a boy or a girl!

We also found out that my dad has a crib and several other baby items that we can have for our little one - I am so excited to know that we won't have to make several of the big purchases! Such a relief! Baby stuff is expensive, and most people only use things for two or three children, so it's nice to know that we are recycling and actually getting good use out of some really nice stuff. We just need to get everything from Houston up here to Fort Worth - road trip!

Here are the lastest belly pics (at 15 weeks):

Like Music to My Ears

This has been an exciting week! On Tuesday, we finally went in for my third doctor's appointment and we heard the heartbeat for the very first time! Everyone says that it is one of the most wonderful moments, but you never really know until you experience it for the first time. At first, I couldn't really tell what I was listening to, but then I could definitely hear it! Neal says that he know what it sounded like the whole time, so he was never confused like I was. It was really cool when the doctor moved the monitor to a place where we could hear my pulse, so we could compare the baby's heartbeat with mine. The baby's heartbeat was definitely much faster at about 160-170 beats per minute, but the doctor pointed out that my heartbeat was racing, because of all of the excitement. I am just so relieved that everything continues to be healthy and normal. I've been telling everyone that when I pray about the baby and his/her growth, I just pray for everything to be normal and healthy. I would much rather stay on the normal side of this than cope with complications.

I am also incredibly thankful to have an amazing doctor as my ob/gyn. Every time I leave her office, I feel like all of my questions have been answered, I never feel like she is rushing us out, and I feel so comforted knowing that she will be the one guiding us through this time in our lives. She really knows her stuff, and she has a great bedside manner. Also, Neal really likes her, too, which is important, because he will be in the room when I deliver! I don't know if many of you still watch Grey's Anatomy like I do, but picture Dr. Bailey, and that is pretty much my doctor. Not only are they similar in height and appearance, but I sometimes feel like I am talking with my very own version of Dr. B. Neal has worried that someday he might accidentally call her Dr. Bailey! She seems to have that feisty attitude, yet you can tell that she really loves what she is doing, and she knows her stuff!

On the subject of sonograms, ultrasounds, etc. during pregnancy, I would like to express some of my opinion. I know that it is fairly common for women to get a sonogram during the first trimester and several ultrasounds throughout the rest of the pregnancy. Well, due to some insurance limitations and how my doctor handles those issues, I didn't have to have a sonogram this week. My first ultrasound will most likely occur at 18-20 weeks when we find out the gender. At first I thought I would be disappointed about this - like maybe I was missing out. But, I am actually kind of relieved. A sonogram does not sound very fun, and to be honest, I would much rather know that everything is okay and healthy right now and that the doctor does not think that there are any problems that might need to be explored further. I also like the idea of how it is closer to the way things used to be when women just had babies with no extra pictures and ultrasounds. I don't even think I want to do the 3D ultrasound. Those have always kind of creeped me out a little, so I am happy that we will only have what we need, nothing more, nothing less. It does not bother me at all if someone else would prefer to have all of those things, but I prefer to be more simple.

In other news, I am officially graduating to my second trimester tomorrow! I am hoping the morning sickness will calm down and that I will begin to feel more energy again. I had a little trouble keeping everything down at the beginning of the week, but the doctor recommended that I stop drinking juice in the morning and try ginger ale instead. I am also taking my vitamins at dinner instead of breakfast, too, and it seems to be working out so much better! Here are a few pictures of my stomach at 12 weeks:

Our next appointment will be during the first week of April, and my parents are coming in to visit us this weekend. I am excited to see them! Plus, they are bringing salsa from my favorite Mexican restaurant in Houston, my mom will get to show off her new car, and she's taking me shopping for maternity clothes! I can't wait!