26 WEEKS

Mommy and Mason Update:
Yesterday, I had my Week 26 Appointment with Dr. H and here is a brief update:

Gained 2 pounds

Blood pressure looks great

Mason's heartbeat was 148
Mason is measuring 26 weeks and 1 day
He was breech again and the u/s tech decided to do a 4D so we could get a better picture of him...still too early to tell who he will look like:) She also said that his feet were right on my bladder...DUH!
Waiting on the results for my sugar test
We will start seeing the doctor every two weeks now

We scheduled our birthing classes for August...so exciting!!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 26 Weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 8 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I love my jean capris! I just bought my first maternity swimsuit for the beach...love it!
Best Moment this week: Jeff, my mother and I got to see Mason in 4D!
Gender: It's A Boy! - Mason Andrew
Movement: Mason likes to kick Mommy's ribs and when he is breech he loves to kick my bladder!
Food Craving: I love McDonald's ketchup!

What I miss: Lifting stuff and being able to do things without asking people to help me. Also, I miss working in my garden, but it's way too hot for me to do that this year!

Sleep: Starting to sleep more on my side...I bought a Boppy body pillow several months ago, but haven't used it lately...I guess I'll start:)
What I am looking forward to: I'm looking forward to the beach with my family, getting a pedicure and getting our painting done after we get back!!!

Belly Button: In for now, but it's close to popping out. The other night, Jeff and I laughed hysterically at the fact that every time I laugh my belly button looks like it will pop out at any minute...I gross my Dad out every time I talk about it. It's funny that my belly button has been the topic of conversation lately :)

Shots: Yesterday, the doctor said to keep giving the shots in the stomach:( It's going to get more painful, but it will be worth it:)

Stretch Marks: No stretch marks so far! I'm lathering up with Bath and Body cream everyday!

Symptoms: I'm having pretty terrible heartburn! I had heartburn before pregnancy, but nothing like this...WOW! Also, my hips and back hurt daily:( but other than that...I've had a great pregnancy thus far!

It's still A BOY!!!

Warmest,

A NOT SO WORDLESS WEDNESDAY (25 weeks)

Are you a blog stalker? I am:) I love reading a couple of blogs of women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Below is an idea that I borrowed from a blog I read. Melissa, if you are reading this...thanks for all your help with our nursery (bedding, paint, fabric). You are my inspiration!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 25 Weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 8 pounds (I'm sure that has changed since my last appointment :) Overall, I think I'm doing pretty good weight wise!
Maternity Clothes: I love maternity capris and dresses!
Best Moment this week: Mom and I ordered Mason's custom bedding!
Gender: It's A Boy! - Mason Andrew
Movement: Mason moves a lot! Some days he doesn't move as often because of the way he is laying, but most of the time he moves constantly and even on cue for his Daddy :)
Food Craving: Pre-pregnancy I was a HUGE fan of chocolate, but over the last several months I have had no desire for the dark stuff. Slowly, I've started craving it a little over the last week or so. Also, I've never been a milk drinker, but that has changed too. Now, I usually drink a cold glass of milk when I'm cooking or relaxing...WEIRD!

What I miss: Lifting stuff and being able to do things without asking people to help me.

Sleep: I like to sleep on my side, but Mason moves more when I'm on my side. I mostly sleep on my back, and don't sleep as well as I used too:(
What I am looking forward to: I'm looking forward to putting the nursery together and my doctor's appointment on Monday...we have an ultrasound scheduled...YAY!!!

Belly Button: In for now, but it's close to popping out. The other night, Jeff and I laughed hysterically at the fact that every time I laugh my belly button looks like it will pop out at any minute...I gross my Dad out every time I talk about it. It's funny that my belly button has been the topic of conversation lately :)

Shots: I'm still giving myself a shot everyday, but the task is getting a bit harder now that my stomach is stretching. The bruises are worse, but I'm hoping that the doc can recommend another option besides the stomach for now...it's beginning to be a little painful.

Stretch Marks: No stretch marks so far! I'm lathering up with Bath and Body cream everyday!

Symptoms: I'm having pretty terrible heartburn! I had heartburn before pregnancy, but nothing like this...WOW! Also, my hips and back hurt daily:( but other than that...I've had a great pregnancy thus far!


Warmest,

What's In A Name?

Jeff and I are happy to announce that we have decided on a name for our little boy. His name shall be MASON ANDREW. Jeff and I have always liked the name "Mason" and "Andrew" is Jeff's middle name and his grandfather's who passed away before Jeff ever had the chance to meet him. Also, we like the fact that "Andrew" means "manly or warrior" and "Andrew" was the first apostle of Christ. The name "Mason" means "stone worker" which reminds me of my Dad because he is a contractor and works with stone, brick and block. It is nice to finally call him by name! We can't wait for Mason to arrive!!!


Warmest,
Mason's Mommy

Memorial Day and A Great Deal!

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day. Jeff and I spent the weekend in NC with his family. Since Jeff's mom and step-dad live on a golf course...we spent Saturday at the pool while Jeff, his brother, Jimmy and step-dad, Allen played golf. I was telling Cathy (Jeff's mom) how nice it was to just spend the day relaxing by the pool while Avery, our niece, went swimming. On Sunday we spent the afternoon with Jeff's dad and step-mom. We went to church with them and ate lunch at their house. The church they attend is a large church with a great pastor and an awesome choir. It was nice because during the service they did a tribute to all the military and honored a mother and father who, recently, lost a son in Afghanistan. I couldn't help but think of our son, and how hard it would be to support him if he decided to join the military. Don't get me wrong...it would be a honor to have a son serving in the military, but the worry would be horrible weight to bear. I know that I would have to put him in God's hands if that is the career God calls him to pursue. God help me if that happens.

A couple of weeks ago, Mom and I went shopping and did some stopping on the way for YARD SALES! I LOVE YARD SALES!!! Actually, my entire family does! About 20 of us travel to IN to my aunt's house every year in June and we yard sale throughout different neighborhoods all weekend long! I'll never forget the first time Jeff went with us. Now, he wills and deals with the best of them! So...back to my story...after a couple of stops, mom and I found a lady with little boy clothes and this is a picture of everything we bought for $10...yes...I said $10! Like I said before...I LOVE YARD SALES!!!

BTW...I am 24 weeks and 1 day! Happy 6 months to us!!! Our life is going to be more hectic in the next several months. I start summer break tomorrow...and this month we will celebrate our 3 year wedding anniversary, Jeff's birthday, vacation with my family, painting and putting down new carpet, ordering furniture and baby bedding. Next month will be our Family and Friends baby shower! Exciting!!!

Warmest,

Michele

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY (22 weeks)

Our baby boy is growing!!!

Happy 5 1/2 months BABY BOY!!!

Warmest,

Do You Believe In Miracles?

Do you believe in miracles? I sure do!

My cousin, Deanna and her husband, Russ, have always wanted children and found out after 10 years of waiting that they are expecting their first child!!! Isn't God so amazing?!?! There were no fertility doctors involved...just a miracle from God that our Grandmother has been praying for...for a long time! She prayed for Deanna and I to both be pregnant and we were able to tell her on the same day because we are 5 days apart. Wait...it gets even crazier!!! Deanna and I are both having BOYS!!!

Congrats Deanna and Russ!!! I know you both will make awesome parents!!! Our little boys will be best buds and sure to keep us on our toes!!!

Deanna and Russ

Warmest,

"Mommy to Be" Day

Mother's Day 2010
(21 weeks)

I know...I know...I said in my last post that I would post something the next day. Honestly, I haven't been able to find the time to sit down and blog. If it wasn't for Facebook being on my iPhone, I probably wouldn't have found the time to be on there either!

Before I get started on the rest of my post, I just wanted to take the time to say that you should also "follow" my cousin Kim's blog...she has two kids and they are a hoot! Scroll down to "Blogs I Love" and click on Watkins Family...they are pretty entertaining!

It was so exciting to finally get to celebrate Mother's Day as a "mommy to be." Last year was extremely hard because I had just lost a baby several months before. It still amazes me to look back on that time and remember all the times that God spoke softly to me "Be still.." I even played Kari Jobe's song "Be Still" so much that I can't even listen to it now. Don't get me wrong, it is a great song that helped me through a rough time...but...really...how many times can you listen to one song?

When thinking about Mother's Day and preparing myself to finally be a mom...I think about how I want to raise our son. One of my desires for him, with God's help, is to teach him to "Be still" and learn to listen to God. I know from experience it is not easy to do...especially in the fast-pace world that we live in today. I remember that in my quite prayer time that sometimes all I could do was "be still". I had cried and prayed so much that I didn't know what else to do. That's when I began to just listen, and allow God to speak to me. I know for some...that may sound silly, but the way that I've been taught to believe is that God does speak to His people. He speaks to those who will listen. I needed God like no other time in my life and I needed to hear from Him. No one could say anything that could ease my pain or give me peace...only He could. I heard a preacher say once that sometimes God allows us to be broken so that He can put us back together the way He wants. I'm so humbled to say that God is still putting me back together...and I'm okay with that. This year on Mother's Day, He did remind me of the brokenness that I felt, but thankfully, He also allowed me to celebrate the "new life" He has given me. If it be God's will...I will be holding our son next year :)

I was blessed this year to be pregnant with our son...and also two other very special gifts that I will cherish always. Even though Jeff was very sick last week...he managed to somehow sneak out and buy me a Mother's Day gift. It is precious! My mother also bought me a beautiful Willow Tree Angel called "Cherish". I am so thankful for my own Mother and all that she means to me. Aside from Jeff, there is no one that knows me better. Sometimes it's scary how much we are alike! I don't think I'd be the same person without her. I remember several years ago when she had emergency open-heart surgery. I have never been so scared in my life! She was very serious and I was devastated. I remember when she was on a ventilator that all I could think about was that I couldn't talk to her. I realized then that my Mother meant more to me than I could ever imagine. She is better now, and we are closer than we've ever been...we work together and live 10 minutes from each other. There is no one like her...she is selfless, understanding, forgiving, loving, caring, my very best friend and above all a Godly mother...who prays for me. I am thankful that my son will call her "grandma."

My beautiful Mother's Day gift from my Mom...I've been waiting a long time for this!

The precious gift from my husband...
I can't wait to put a picture of our son in it when he gets here!

A pretty card from my father-in-law and Jeff's step-mother

This is the sweetest card from my niece, Avery...the picture below is of her artwork inside the card...so sweet! Thanks Avery...and Jimmy!

If you are a mother...I hope that you had a blessed Mother's Day. If you are not yet a mother...I pray that God will give you your heart's desire.

Warmest,

A Little Bit of Everything

Warning: This post may be a little random!

Today I realized that it has been over a week since my last post...bad girl! And since my last post, a lot has gone on. For starters, Jeff and I have decided on a name for our sweet son, in which I will blog about tomorrow:) And finally, I have reached the halfway point of pregnancy and that means shots too! Also, throughout the last two weeks, Jeff and I have received packages, gifts and cards from some very thoughtful people. Baby S is already loved so much!

One of my best friends growing up, who also happens to be my cousin, Kim, sent me these two cute outfits in the mail this week...I love getting packages especially when they are unexpected and for Baby S! I know his Daddy likes the first one a lot...and Poppy will definitely like the second one! Thank you Kim! I love you guys and can't wait for our kids to grow up together like we did!

This little baseball outfit is from Jeff's dad, "Papa Six" and step-mom. He got this for us when we first found out we were pregnant. Personally, I like it because it says "Mommy's All Star." Thanks Papa Six and Nana Jessica!

Grandma Cathy and Papa Allen (Jeff's mom and step-dad) sent us this card last week after we told them we were having a boy! Thanks guys...I know you all are just as excited as we are!

The card on the left is from Jeff's grandmother, Lillian! She also sent this card last week when she found out we were expecting a little man! Thank you Lil!

And the beautiful card on the right is from my best friend Jamirae...we've been friends since 6th grade and needless to say, we've been through a lot together! I love you Jamirae...and thank you for the precious card! It's my first Mother's Day card!

The card and gift above are from friends who happen to also be our neighbors. Mark and Alice...I can't wait to make Baby S's hand-print! Thank you for thinking of us!

This last picture is of the shots I have taken since I found out I was pregnant...165 to be exact! Thankfully, I am half-way finished with them!
Only 138 more to go plus 6 weeks worth after Baby S is born! It's worth it though!

HAPPY BELATED 20 WEEKS TO ME AND BABY S!!!
BTW...he's been moving like crazy! I love it!

Warmest,