12-Weeks - End of 1st Trimester

Well I have been a little lax in posting to the blog - since I intended to do it LAST Thursday at exactly 12 weeks. I did take another picture of Lauren last week in my efforts to chronicle the birth of our first child. Below is a picture of Lauren at 12-weeks pregnant:



There isn't much of a difference ... atleast not one that you would notice unless you live with Lauren 24/7 like myself. But to prove the existence of a baby growing in her stomach I present the ultrasounds we had on Monday, July 20th:












This was quite simply the most amazing thing I have ever seen! I was awe struck that Lauren and I helped create this little person growing inside of her! I am so excited (if you couldn't tell) and cannot wait to welcome this precious child into the world.

Our next ultrasound is not until 20-weeks (when we will finally find out the sex and can refer to the baby as "he" or "she") - so my next post will be Lauren at 16-weeks and we'll see where she has progressed!

Can't wait for a new week...

So, this past week has be awful.....too many crappy things to mention....I think next week should be better!!!!!

Andy took another picture Thursday to mark week 12. I don't think I look any different yet - I mean, my clothes still fit fine and I really don't feel like my tummy is being stretched or anything. Hopefully I will be able to wear my clothes for another 8 weeks or so....maternity wear is just not that cute (and the stuff that is more stylish is WAY too expensive). I am starting to feel a little better though- not everything makes me want to vomit now ;-)

Alex had to go to the vet again this morning. His eye was all red and he was squinty....I swear, you would think we don't take care of this dog by the way he looks, but he is one of the most spoiled animals you will ever meet! The vet could not find anything in his eye, so that was good. He may just have the start of an ulcer, so we have more medicine and he goes back for a recheck Friday. I would like a month to go by where we don't have to spend several hundred dollars on the dog!

8-Weeks

Well as many of you know Lauren is pregnant with our first child - and I honestly could not be more excited than I am right now. Nothing compares to the thought of having a child, with the woman that I love more than anything on this earth. I've had a pretty good year thus far - I will be an administrative intern at Moorhead Junior High and I was accepted into the Texas A&M University doctoral program for Public School Administration but neither come even close to the birth of our first child!

Now as many of you know I have a slight case of the OCD - I keep track painstakingly of all kinds of things - this pregnancy will be no different. I am going to be starting to take pictures of Lauren in 4 week intrevals to show the progression of her pregnancy. I started last Thurday, June 18, 2009 when she was 8-weeks along.



So check back for more information - I will defintely be posting again on July 6, 2009 after Lauren has her next doctor's appointment and another ultrasound. Then on July 16, 2009 when Lauren is at 12-weeks and at the end of the first trimester you will be able to see how she has changed since 8-weeks.

Being Preggers....

So, being pregnant is TOUGH!!! And I am not even 25% done....yikes!!! I feel like I haven't slept in a week, I have to go potty every 2-3 hours (even at night!), I am constantly nauseated and I have a few other issues that I will refrain from listing - although if you ask Andy he would be happy to tell you!!

I really don't know how people do this more than once - they say you forget all they symptoms and pain, but I really don't see how anyone could forget all of this - lol!

We will be finding out what the sex is - as soon as possible - so we can finish picking the bedding and what colors to paint the room. Andy wants a boy and I want a girl (no surprises there!). So far the votes are about 50/50. I know SO many people who have had boys though, I really hope the odds are in my favor and I get a girl =)

We have also decided to turn our dining room into a study so we have an extra bedroom - I hear the baby will need a place to sleep once it gets here ;-) We have three contractors giving bids, so hopefully we will be able to get this done quickly and cheaply. It does not entail too much - walling off an opening from the kitchen into the dining room, putting in some french doors from the entryway into the dining room, painting the room, and replacing the baseboards. I think it will really add to the house....I mean how many people in our age group/starter home price range actually use a dining room??!! We don't even have furniture in there at the moment!!

Baby!!

Guess who is going to have a baby?!?!?!

I am about 8 weeks and due in January......just in time to miss the 2009 tax year - HA!!

I am sure Andy will be posting more on this subject. He also plans on posting pictures of me each month...as I grow...bigger and bigger....yikes!!! =)

Busy Busy

I have been quite busy the last few weeks!!! Lots of work with some fun mixed in =)

First, we had a Percussion Studio reunion a few weekends ago. That was a blast from the past!!! I had so much fun seeing everyone again. It was crazy to see some people with their kids - I still can't get over the fact that I am creeping towards 30! It really made me miss college though - such fun times. I also have to give props to the current Studio president for organizing the reunion - good job. And, I hope your leg heals nicely (he broke it during the show - hardcore!!).

That same weekend we went up to ATM for Andy's orientation for the doctoral program. It is going to be a lot of work, but worth it in the end. Now I need to find a hobby or something to occupy my time while Andy is doing school work!

Last week I went to NYC to walk for graduation. Yes, I did finish in December, but Pace only has one ceremony a year, so I had to walk in May. Graduation was at Radio City Music Hall - very cool. It was a girls event - I went with my mom and Shana. We had lots of fun, although I could have staid for another 5 days!! I did get to bring some cookies back from Ferrara's that I have been munching on for the last few days.....YUMMMMMM!!!!!

Now I have to get back to the grind - grocery store and errands today!!

Aggieland Here I Come!

Well most of you know that recently I was trying to make a decision on which doctoral program to start this summer. Well after a lot of time debating with myself and discussing it will Lauren, my family, friends, and colleagues - I have decided to make my way back to Aggieland this summer. I think what sealed it for me was the orientation at A&M on May 8th - I really liked the way the program was laid out and the professors that I met. Plus, the more I think about it the more inevitable I think it was - I love Texas A&M, I am an Aggie through and through and I love the thought of going back.

Thanks for all your support guys - it is always greatly appreciated!