Busy! Busy! Busy!

We have been so busy these last few weeks getting the nursery ready. We ordered the furniture a few weeks ago and it finally came in yesterday! Brendan and his brother are going to pick it up today. I can't wait to get everything put together and see how it looks. We finished painting the nursery this weekend. It took us (mostly Brendan since I just did the taping) about a week to finish it. The walls are baby pink with "celery" green stripes. I will get some pictures posted eventually...

We are excited about the Gamecock football season. The first game didn't look too pretty, but at least we won. My sister has already found a USC cheerleading outfit for Lilly! It should fit her during basketball/football season. Hopefully we will have a good game against the Georgia Bulldogs this weekend. We are hoping we can pull out a win!

It's a girl!!!

This is a little late because we have been soooo busy these past few weeks! We found out August 6th that we are having a baby girl! Lots of people told me that it is much better if you keep it a suprise, but it was still a great suprise at the ultrasound. It was one of the happiest days of my life! (Right up there with getting engaged and our wedding day). I was really hoping for a girl and that's what I thought we were having but it was nice to actually KNOW. I was amazed at how detailed the ultrasound was. You could see the heart, brain, bladder, stomach, and all the other organs. The ultrasound tech said that everything looked great!



We made my parents wait until that night to find out so we could tell them in person. It was so hard to not tell anyone all day! My parents came to our house after I got off work and we gave my dad a fishing pole wrapped up that said To: Papa, Love: Your 'lil fishin' buddy. When my Mom saw that she thought that it was probably a boy, but when my Dad opened it and saw a Barbie fishing pole she was so excited that it was a girl and my Dad may have been a little disappointed, but he didn't show it. He told my Mom that he wouldn't mind if it were a little boy so he would have a fishing buddy and not have to worry about playing dress up, but I told him that just because my sister and I are girls didn't stop him from taking us fishing with him all the time.



We left the next night to go to Mississippi to visit Brendan's parents for a week. We had a lot of fun and got to shop for cute little girl clothes. We had a great week and Brendan's parents got Lilly lots of cute clothes.

16 Week Appt.

Tuesday I had my 16 week appointment. I was both excited about and dreading this appointment. I was excited to hear the heartbeat-which was very good! The heart beat was in the 140's-150's. Then, I was dreading the blood work that they had to redo because they messed up the first time! This was still just as bad as the first time, but I sat a little longer afterwards and they took 1 less vial so at least I didn't almost pass out this time. At my Dr.'s office they like for you to see all of the doctors 2 times in case they are the Dr. on call when you deliver. I already know I like 2 of the doctors and would be happy with either one of them, but I had this appointment with another Dr. this time that I really don't care for. After the appointment Brendan wasn't so sure about her either, but I told him we will just have to pray that she is not the Dr. on call when our baby is born! She didn't seem very caring or sympathetic and I wish I didn't have to see her again. We get to do the ultrasound to check the baby and find out the sex August 6th and we are really looking foward to that , but unfortunately we have to see this Dr. again! At least this will be the last time! We are counting down the days! (20 days from today!) We cannot wait to know what to buy for the baby and nursery! We are going to visit Brendan's parents in Mississippi the week after we find out and they have tons of good outlet stores near there house where we can shop for baby stuff. This will be a nice trip for us to get away from work for awhile and relax.

This past weekend we went to Beaufort for the Water Festival with Derek and Rachel. Saturday we went to the Sandbar and just hung out on the water most of the day before going out to dinner. Sunday we all went into town to check out the vendors set up for the Water Festival and shop around on Bay St. Rachel and I enjoyed the shopping a lot more than the boys, but they were good sports about it. So, after the shopping was finished we all got ice cream as a treat. We had a great time!

This weekend, we are attending Brendan's 10 year high school reunion! I keep teasing him about it telling him he is getting old (although I know he isn't). The reunion is being held in Camden and it should be a lot of fun. I am looking foward to meeting more of Brendan's high school friends even though I already know his closest ones and their wives.

Happy 4th of July!

We had a great 4th of July weekend! Friday night we went to the Blowfish vs. USC alum. baseball game. Unfortunately the Gamecocks didn't win, but we had a great time and the fireworks show was pretty good. Saturday morning Brendan and I ran the Born in the USA run. We both did the 2 x 2mile relay. Brendan ran with Derek and they did a great job. I ran the relay with Kamala from our Sunday School class. We were both happy with our times and were suprised to find out that we actually won for the girls relay!! (There were only 2 girl teams, but who cares.) So we each got a medal, some strawberries and $25!! I told Brendan that the baby has won it's first race and will one day be a great runner. Haha!

Later that day we went to Lake Wateree with our friends Derek and Rachel. It was a nice day to be on the lake. Everyone went tubing (except for me) and swimming. We all got plenty of sun to show for the trip.

Sunday after church we decided to shop around some more for baby stuff to familiarize ourselves with what we like. A few weeks ago we saw a Graco traveler set on display that I just loved for a girl, but since we didn't know what we were having we of course didn't get it. We were walking through this Sunday and I told Brendan that they probably didn't even have any left since it was already on sale last time, but there it was and only 2 left... marked down the $119 from $189! I knew that if we find out it is a girl and I didn't get this stroller I would be disappointed. We checked on the return policy and it is a 90 day one so Brendan and I decided to go ahead and get it since it was such a good price and when we find out the sex in a month we can return it if we need to.

We will be busy for the next week... We are going to Beaufort this weekend for the Water Festival, Monday is my Birthday and Tuesday is my 16 week appointment!

12 Weeks Appt.

I went Monday for my 12 week appointment. Brendan didn't go because he had a meeting at work and I told him I would be fine since they weren't doing any blood work or anything this time. When the Dr. came into the room she said that something about the blood work from my last appointment and for a second I was worried that something was wrong. Then she said that it got put into the wrong vile or something so they have to redo it. I asked, "Today?!?" She said at the end of the appointment, but I told her that I would have had Brendan come with me then and I was getting upset so she said I could wait until my next appointment. WHEW!!! I was about to start panicking! I just keep having to tell myself the same thing that I did last time ("I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me"). That may sound silly, but it really helps me to get through it. Other than that the appointment went great! The baby's heartbeat was in the 160's! So I am hoping for a girl :). I know it is a wives tale, but fun to think about! I can't wait until August 6th to hopefully find out.

Saturday we have our nephew Cason's 5th birthday party. They are renting a large blow up waterslide for the day. It is a good thing because it is supposed to be 101 degrees! It should be a fun day.

8 weeks

Today I am 8 weeks 2 days! Last week I felt a little nauseated sometimes and I was starving all the time, but this week I have felt better and my appetite is pretty much back to normal. The only smell that has even bothered me is REALLY strong coffee. It didn't make me nauseated, but I couldn't stand to be in the office. I have overall been feeling pretty well this week other than getting tired easily. I have been going to bed about 9pm every night! Brendan's parents are coming into town this weekend. We are really looking foward to spending the weekend with them.

First Dr. Appointment

Our first prenatal appointment was May 6 at 2:30pm. I was both nervous and excited for the first visit. I was nervous to see that everything was going okay and because of the blood work. Brendan went with me and the first thing we got to do was an ultrasound. That was so exciting! We got to see the first glimse of our little baby! Brendan says it looks like a bean. So, for now we are calling it Jelly Bean. We also got to hear the heart beat (121 bpm). Afterwards the nurse gave us a ton of information and answered all of our questions. At that point I was thinking I may be getting out of a blood test... but OH NO! That was the last thing. It was terrible! The nurse was about to show me the needle so I turned my head as quick as possible. Then she took 5 viles. I wasn't feeling so well by the time she was done, but I though I was going to be fine so we walked to the check out area to set up our next few appointments. That's when I started to pass out! I think Brendan was a little embarrased, but he was very helpful in getting me to where the Dr. told me to go lay down. Now, Brendan will take me seriously when I tell him I don't do well with needles. I am glad the appointment is over with and looking foward to the next ones to come.

Finding out the news!

Brendan and I found out that we were to become parents April 20, 2009. It was definately a time of strong emotions. We were both excited and nervous at the same time. Brendan couldn't wait to call his parents with the news! They were happy for us and very supportive.

Of all the weeks for my parents to be on a cruise this was the week! I talked to them a few times on the phone, but really wanted to wait until they got home to tell them. My Mom's Birthday was Sunday and when my parents stopped by our house on their way back from the cruise I told her we had an early Birthday present for her (because I couldn't wait any longer). I gave her a onsie that said "What happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's". She asked if there was something I was trying to tell her. Well of course! My sister was there too and didn't catch on for a little while.

My first Doctor's appointment is tomorrow and after that we will begin telling other people our news! I am REALLY nervous about it because I am terrified of needles and I know there will be blood tests. I have never had one before and I am so glad that Brendan will be there with me for support. He has been really great and helpful these past couple of weeks. We are looking foward to the journey ahead!