First Profile Picture

These pictures were taken on 10/10/2009 @ 12 weeks and 6 days PG, AND at the END of the day when my belly is actually showing. Alan is still working out the kinks in our new camera, and that's why I look a little like a smurf in the top 2 pictures :) These are unedited at the moment. I know I wouldn't take better pictures because I'm definitely intimidated by the camera...

I'm now (hopefully) over the first trimester "ickies" and really can't complain too much about the first 12 weeks. It went better than I expected and I'm very thankful for that!

I weigh myself on my work scale (which is always at least 5 lbs higher than a home scale) once a week and have so far gained ~ 7 lbs during the first trimester. My cravings are still leaning toward sweets and apple "foods" of any kind.

I do have a prayer request from those that are reading this blog. I am scheduled to see a Cardiologist on Nov. 5th to make sure that my heart murmur is benign. I was "diagnosed" with the heart murmur by my college Anatomy professor during an anatomy lab session involving EKGs, but was told it wasn't a big deal and never really gave it another thought. It still may not be an issue, but I'm being referred for an Echo and visit to the Cardiologist just to be on the safe side. So, please pray that all goes well :)

The next profile pictures will be @ 16 weeks PG. Thanks for checking in.

Can't get enough...

My diet now includes Nilla Wafers, Cocoa Crispies, Gushers fruit snacks, applesauce and Golden Delicious apples (thank you, Sara for introducing me to those great apples!)

Do you think I need some protein, too? :)

I'm still not really LOVING meat right now, but was able to eat a plate of spaghetti yesterday for lunch. But, I have eaten more than my fair share of popcorn chicken from Sonic or Jack's chicken fingers.

I think my cravings are beginning to switch to "sweet" mode...

Oops!

As I've mentioned before, Alan and I were VERY surprised to find out that we were having a baby. It is another lesson to me that God is in control and His plans never fail to surprise me. For example:

About 11 years ago, I moved away from Montgomery to attend college in Nashville, TN. I fell in love with Nashville from the first day that I was there and vowed to NEVER move back to Alabama again... I've just recently entered my 4th year of being a Florence, AL resident :)

August 2006: I graduated from PT school and moved in with my parents in Florence temporarily. My plan was to live at home for 1 to 2 years and save my money so I could purchase a home in Nashville and live there... Did I mention that I've begun my 4th year in Florence??? As it turns out, I met Alan there and God apparently decided that he would be my future husband. Alan is one of the best parts of "God's Plan" so far.

Fast forward to earlier this summer. For the 2 years that I was taking birth control, I was miserable. I've never felt such a loss of control over my emotions, and my weight. I cried at least 5 nights a week for no reason at all and gained 15+ pounds because I also had NO energy whatsoever. It may have been depression, but I didn't think that was even a consideration since all of these "problems" started when I began taking birth control. So, around the beginning of June I sat down with Alan and had a serious discussion about me going off birth control. I did the research before and presented my case very well, my biggest point being "I'm not wanting to stop birth control so I can get pregnant." That was always MY plan, but apparently not God's. Alan agreed with the decision because he also saw the changes that the "pill" had caused. For those that know me well, you know that I've always had a great attitude and made jokes a lot. I'm even considered the "silly one" in my family. All that was gone during that 2 year period.

So, July 11th, 2009: I took my last pill.

Oops! August 12th, 2009 @ 4:00 pm: First + pregnancy test.

August 12th, 2009 @ 10:00 pm: Alan states "I'm not yet convinced." Second + pregnancy test.

August 13th, 2009 @ 7:30 am: I'm not fully convinced. Third + pregnancy test.

My (selfish plans): 1. Stop taking the pill, 2. Lose 10 pounds, 3. MAYBE start trying to get pregnant in October or November 2009.

God's plans: 1. Stop taking pill, 2. Get pregnant, 3. Gain 20 - 30 pounds, 4. Lose the weight after the baby arrives

Although God's plan will be a bit more challenging in the end, I think I'm up for it. He has blessed Alan and me with a good home, great parents (all who live in Florence and may handle the child care when I get back to work, hopefully), and a wonderful church home. This "little one" is another great blessing that He is giving to us. We are both praying diligently for the health and safety of this child and trust that His Will be done regardless of the outcome. I often think "Who am I, that I should be blessed by God?" The answer is always " I am His child, that He loves dearly."

That's all of my ramblings for now. Thanks for reading...

The first 2 months

Thank the Lord I have been able to get through the first 8 weeks without getting really sick (yet.) But what I have been struggling with is nothing other than pure exhaustion!!! I go to bed by 9:00 most nights and have to drag myself out of bed at almost 7 every morning. By the time I get home from work I'm ready to go to bed for the day, but force myself to stay awake at least until Alan gets home from work :) As I mentioned before I haven't gotten sick, but I have felt "puny" most of the day.

As far as cravings are concerned, the first few weeks after finding out I was pregnant all I wanted and could tolerate eating was chicken fingers and french fries. Needless to say, I gained 3 pounds in the first 3 weeks! But now all I want is cheese, bananas, applesauce, and yogurt. So, the fruit and dairy are taken care of... For those of you that know me well, you will be surprised to know that I have no desire to eat anything chocolate or really sweet.

It's taken a little while for Alan to get used to the idea of our family of 2 soon changing to 3, but he's beginning to come around. After I told him that I was pregnant, I wasn't able to mention the word "baby" for at least 3 days because he was so shocked. That being said, this "little one" was not our idea, but apparently God's!

I haven't taken any belly pictures yet, and refuse to call it my "baby bump." It may be strange, but I never really liked using that term. I may refer to it as the "belly explosion" later in the pregnancy! I'll probably start the pictures around week 10-12.

I'm curious to read what any of you think about my cravings and if it means we're having a boy or a girl. At this point, I just hope it's one baby and not two :)

Well, that's all of my ramblings...
Thanks for the prayers.