Oh...BOY!!!

Just in case you didn't "get" the title or picture...Jeff and I are having a little man!!! We are so excited!!! I always knew I would be a momma to a little boy! Needless to say, Jeff has thoroughly enjoyed telling all of his friends and players about the little slugger...I'm just enjoying the fact that I FINALLY know so I can prepare for his arrival. Yesterday, not only did we learn about Baby S's gender, but we also learned that his heart, brain and everything else that was checked was perfect...that was even better than learning his gender! He was being a little stubborn when the u/s tech was trying to see his fingers and hands. Every time she would try to take a picture of his hand open...he would close it. We also got to see him do some boxing moves...I think he's going to take after his Daddy:) He was breech, but the doctor said that his position will more than likely change several times before he is ready to make his appearance. Wow...it's so awesome to call Baby S a "HE". We are soooo thankful that our little boy is healthy and we can't wait to kiss his sweet face.

Babies for everyone :) ----
My cousin, Deanna, will be finding out what she is having next Wednesday. We are 5 days apart and I'm soooo hoping she's having a boy also!!! Another cousin and his wife are expecting a baby girl in July...and...one of my friends just found out Sunday that she is pregnant with her second! YAY!!!

FYI: I think we may have decided on bedding...I just have to make sure we can still order it! I can't wait to start on his nursery!!!

Our choice :)

Happy 19 weeks Baby S!!!

Warmest,

Prince or Princess???

Tomorrow is the BIG day! We find out if Baby S is a little prince or princess!!! After that we are going to Babies'R'Us! I have a feeling it's a girl, but we will be happy with whatever God gives us:) We just want Baby S to be healthy and arrive here safely. Jeff and I are soooo excited...STAY TUNED!

Warmest,

Please Pray

PLEASE PRAY...I just found out a little while ago that one of my students passed away this evening. She was only in 6th grade and the details are horrible and a nightmare to any family. I can't elaborate, but I'm asking that whoever reads this, that you take the time to pray for her family and friends. I don't understand why this has happened, but I know that God is still in control. She, along with the rest of her class were counting down the days until we would find out Baby S's gender. Just please pray for God's peace that passes all understanding for her family and friends...and pray for me that I will know the right things to say to my students on Monday. Our hearts are broken.

"Be still, and know that I am God."-Psalms 46:10

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
-Psalms 34:18

Baseballs and Butterflies

Jeff (#12) and the pitcher of today's game

Just a great group of guys

Our pitcher after the game with his teammates...so proud of them!

So, it is pooring the rain here in North Carolina and we (Cathy, Allen, Lil and I) are waiting on my parents to get here for the game(s) tomorrow. Just a quick update on the team...the Railsplitters (#6 seed) won their first game against Wingate (#1 seed) 10-9. Woo whoo!!! It was the best game I've watched all year! We didn't win yesterdays game against #4 Carson-Newman, but we had great comeback at the end. Carson-Newman just squeezed past us with one run. Thankfully, the tournament is double elimination! Today's game started at noon and was against #5 Tusculum...another great game! LMU pitched a freshman who did a phenominal job and we won 5-1. The other game we were suppose to play today was rained out and is set for tomorrow afternoon. My parents couldn't come today, so it has worked out great for them. Now, they are on there way here so that they can support Jeff and the team tomorrow. YAY!!! It's been a great several days...lots of great baseball, great weather (until today :), lots of LMU fans here to support the team...and I THINK... I've felt Baby S move! I've had butterflies in my stomach over the last several days, but that could be due to the fact that I've been a nervous wreck...or...maybe Baby S is just as excited as we are about how well Daddy's team is playing:)

Jeff and some of the players during a pitching change (He's so cute in his uniform :)

Warmest,

Playing Hookie!

Yes...I'm playing hookie...from work:). I'm in North Carolina with my in-laws, Jeff and the baseball team. They are participating in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament here in Forest City! I'm so proud of them and all the hard work from the coaches and players!!! We ate with the team lastnight at Outback (mmmm...still makes my mouth water) and today we plan on cheering them on against Wingate! Cathy (Jeff's mom) made chocolate chip cookies for the team and coaches...I might have to snatch a few when we get back to the house :). Say a little prayer for the team this weekend (coaches and players)!

On another note, pray that I don't get another speeding ticket on my way home:(. Yes...I got my first speeding ticket, which I knew would eventually happen. I do drive too fast and I guess God is trying to tell me to slow down...especially before Baby S gets here! The funny thing was, I dreaded telling Jeff, but he actually took it really well. My parents on the other hand did not. When I talked to them lastnight they scolded me...I felt 18 again! Oh well...I've learned my lesson!

BTW...less than 6 days until we find out if Baby S is a prince or princess!!! Everyone is getting so excited!

Me, Cathy (Grandma Cathy), and Lillian (Great-Grandma Lil)

Railsplitters during the anthem

Thursday against Wingate (LMU won 10-9)

(I'm blogging from my iPhone so if there are any misspelled words, just look over them!)

Warmest,

Baby Boy or Baby Girl?

In less than 8 days, Jeff and I, hopefully, will be able to find out if we will be parents of a handsome baby boy or a little princess...(that is, if, Baby S cooperates :) So, being the planner that I am...I've been looking for bedding for the nursery. Here is what Jeff and I have come up with...

For a "little man"

Above: Baby girl's room (not that crazy about the bedskirt)

Below: Baby girl...we would have to have a chandelier! I also really like the bed, but in Espresso.

Below: Baby Boy


Below: One of my top favorites for a girl's room

Below: Another one of my top favorites!

Below: This is my favorite bedding of all! I would love to do this for a boy's room! I think I could also make it work for a little girl...maybe change the fabric on the bedskirt. I would also do the crib sheet in a different color.

Decisions...decisions...decisions!!! Which is your favorite?

Warmest,

WOW...34 YEARS!!!

I love these two people because...

they have always been there for my brother and I...

they have showed us how to love by loving us and each other...

they have never missed an important, or not so important event in my life...

...and they have always thought of others before themselves.

Happy 34th Anniversary
Mom and Dad!

Warmest,

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY (17 weeks)

Happy Wednesday!

Warmest,

Last Monday's Appointment and Poppy!

Going into last Monday's appointment, our nurse told us that we would not have another u/s until we were able to tell the gender, which was going to be around week 19 or 20. Even though I desperately wanted to see the little one, I was content with just being able to hear his/her heartbeat. So, before we arrived to the doctor's office I did a little research about the fetal dopplers and mentioned to Jeff that I had read that using a Doppler to find a baby's heartbeat was a lot harder than finding it on the u/s and that after several times of trying they will do an u/s to make sure everything is fine. Boy...am I glad I prepared him for that!

Our CNP (Nurse Practitioner) brought in a nurse with her to listen to the baby as she filled out my chart for 2nd trimester screening. I could tell the nurse was concerned after several minutes of trying and no heartbeat. Stephanie (our CNP) came over and gave the nurse some directions and told us that sometimes a 16 week baby's heartbeat was hard to find on a Doppler. I saw the look of panic on Jeff's face and I, myself tried to remain calm. I just kept thinking that "it" had to be there and this could not be happening to us. Then...thump...thump...thump...there it was...the sweetest, most perfect sound I have ever heard. Shewww...what a relief! We finished up the appointment with bloodwork for our second trimester screening and when I got the results a couple of days ago and everything with the baby was great. I, on the other hand, am still slightly anemic and my thyroid is just a little overactive (which causes you to have a harder time gaining weight). The doctor says that both are commonly seen during pregnancy and not to worry because my thyroid was tested a couple of months before I got pregnant and everything was fine. I'm not required to take any medication for my thyroid, but I am having to take an iron supplement once a day. My doctor said that I needed to eat more meat since I was anemic and also because I have yet to gain any weight. I'm sure the weight will come with time :)

Since our slight scare, we have since decided to rent a fetal monitor doppler from a website that a friend shared with me called Tiny Heartbeats. They will let mother's who have suffered from a miscarriage, fetal demise, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, loss of a child to complications from pregnancy, or even women in high risk pregnancies rent the Doppler's free of charge. If you would like to rent one or want to know more about it, you can check out their website at www.tinyheartbeats.org . My rented doppler should be here any day and I will blog about it once I learn to use it.

I just wanted to leave you with a few pictures from when Jeff and I told my Dad that we were pregnant. They are pretty special because I love my Dad so much. There is just something about Daddy's and their little girls :) He has been everything a father could be and so much more. I know Baby S will love their "Poppy". I can't wait to see him and my mom with their first grandson or granddaughter. I get teary eyed just thinking about it.

We gave Dad a handkerchief that read "Grandpa"

This is CLASSIC!!! He was upset because I had spent the day at his and Mom's house and I didn't tell him the good news when I saw him earlier...I just told Mom cause I knew he couldn't keep it secret!

Awww...I can't wait til he/she gets here!!!
(I was pretty proud of myself because I made this on my sewing/embroidering machine that Dad and Mom bought me for Christmas :)

Warmest,

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY (Easter Weekend)

Jeff and I Easter 2010

(Left to right: Jeff, me, Mom, Dad and my brother, Corey)

Easter 2010 (15 weeks and 4 days pregnant)

My cousin Jacob and his red-tipped mohawk

Cousin Brody and his momma, Kim after hunting eggs

Newest member of our family Keagan, little sister to Brody

"The guys" playing basketball after Easter Sunday dinner (look who has the ball :)

Aunt Peggy riding the motorcycle for our entertainment (Yes, I rode the motorcycle too!)

Warmest,