The Baby Book

I created a new blog that is specifically just a journal that I am writing to the baby. I wanna be able to tell my little one everything I am experiencing over these long 9 months, and since I don't even have time to clip my fingernails these days, I decided an electronic version would be the easiest approach. When my Momma was pregnant with the twinners, we bought a journal and all started writing in it to them about our thoughts and emotions. It is so cool to share it with them now that they are older and understand. I want to do the same for my babe. So without further ado, HERE it is.

You don't have to like it, or even read it but in case you are interested, I though I would share.

Pregnancy Sx (Symptoms) No. I am not blogging on pregnancy intercourse.

So there are some women, who apparently "never knew they were pregnant". I don't understand how that is even possible because from Day 1 I have been noticing changes in my body. I know everybody experiences different things during their pregnancy, but I feel like I have experienced every random symptom. Even the ones that only a slight 3% of women experience. It's been really weird!

The first symptom, obviously was the constant need to pee. For the longest time I thought that this was just a symptom that developed more in the third trimester when the uterus is pushing on the bladder. However, I found out that it can often be one of the first signs of pregnancy as your blood volume immediately doubles when you conceive. Therefore your kidneys are working twice as hard leaving you to take a trip to the bathroom every hour.

One of the other early symptoms I experienced was nasal congestion. Believe it or not, it's pretty common to have a runny or stuffed-up nose during pregnancy. Higher amounts of estrogen during pregnancy can contribute to swelling in the mucous membranes lining the nose and even cause you to make more mucus. What's more, the amount of blood in your body increases during pregnancy, which may cause swelling in the tiny blood vessels in the lining of your nose and congestion in the surrounding tissue. I thought this was interesting as it has been around since I found out I was with child.

Emotions. Let's not get started on my emotions. Poor Stefan is all I have to say. But he is the sweetest thing in this world. He is so patient with me and when I feel like crying, for who knows what, he holds me and says "Just cry baby. Everybody is aloud to have bad days." What about bad months? Haha I feel like I am grumpy for no reason on and off. It makes me sad because I am so thrilled and excited to be having a baby that I feel like I should be ALL smiles 24/7. Stef, if you are reading this, which is doubtful, just know that I love you so much and one day I will make it up to you. Thanks for all your help, love and support!

Bloating is next on my list. From the day I peed on that little stick, I feel like I have had non-stop bloating! What is with this? I was pretty satisfied with my flat tummy prior to conception. Now, I feel like I am already 3 months pregnant. Is this common ladies? Who else suffered from the bloat? I have even been exercising and eating super healthy. Just confused.

Constipation. Nuff said. My mom introduced me to some mineral oil that had been great for the poop shoot. That and Fiber One bars. I was told that they aren't actually high in fiber but that they have a mild laxative in them. Hey, whatever works right?

My hips don't lie. Ok, this has been the craziest thing by far to me. I literally can see a difference in my hips. They have seriously widened. Not even being dramatic here. I feel like all my pants are tighter because of it. Girls, I am only 7 weeks along. Is this crazy or what? Maybe my body new that my hips were too small or something, but it just seems sooo early to already be experiencing this. Any insight?

Tender B**bs. Just trying to make this a little more PG rated. Haha. One plus to pregnancy symptoms is the increase in my bra size! That's pretty neat. But my doctor said that it's really a bitter sweet for husbands. Cause their wives breasts get larger but poor husbands wont even be able to play with them because they are so tender. Haha he was so right. They're so tender all the time. Even the shower water can be my biggest enemy in the morning.

The worst of symptoms have been the candidiasis and UTI. If you don't know what Candidiasis is, trust me, you don't wanna. I had never experienced it before and never want to again! The doctor said it is very common for it to develop with your first pregnancy from all changing hormones. On top of it, I got a UTI. It's just been pleasant.

So now I am curious, what were some of your earliest pregnancy symptoms and how did you deal with them? The truth is, that behind this facade of medical nonsenses, is one very truly enthralled woman who can't wait to be a momma! I am proud to announce that we are more than half way through the first trimester. 7 weeks and loving it! (Wishing it would go a little faster though...)

5 Weeks

We are so thrilled to be expecting! Thanks to Melissa Wilding, we had this adorable announcement to show off our exciting news!

I went to the Doctor on Friday and had a blood pregnancy test done just to make sure all was well. They told me that I was very much pregnant! My smile went on for days! The nurse helped me with my "time line". I am due on September 30th. Hello... does that not seem like centuries away? And I am currently 5 weeks! Our first ultrasound is on March 2nd. At that point they should be able to see little babies heart beat! I can't believe the changes that are taking place right in my body. Granted, the baby is only the size of the tip of a pen, BUT I was shocked to learn that in the late stages of week 4 and early stages of week 5, tiny arms and legs called buds begin to develop! And this week, baby develops his/her heart! Today is the first day I have even felt nauseous. I have been continuing to exercise, eat healthier and I'm feeling great! I do, however, already feel bloated! Like I have this pooch that has been there since I found out I was pregnant. I haven't gained any weight, but I do have this nuisance of bloating. Any ideas?

Since we found out we were pregnant, Stefan has become SO excited. He is always talking about our baby... and putting his hand on my belly. Even though I asked him to wait to tell people, he has already told pretty much everybody. Gotta love him. He is such a child (:

I waited to tell my Mom because I wanted to surprise her for her birthday. Although, I couldn't wait til her birthday so I sent her present early and this is some video my dad took of her opening it!

The Baby

I initially wrote this post the day that I found out I was pregnant, but I didn't want to post it until I had officially got the word out... That took all of about 7 days due to my adorable Husbands severe interest in becoming a daddy and not being able to keep the news from anyone! Haha

Today, I found out I am Pregnant! I am with child! Stefan and I have been trying for 4 or 5 months now and it has been a let down each of those months that we didn't conceive. This month, however, things just felt different. A couple weeks ago, I started this routine of needing to pee every hour. No joke. I'm constantly looking for the closest bathroom. I also started having really weird mood swings. I was crying for no reason. Poor Stefan. Maybe this sounds like PMS to you, but I never really experienced PMS so it was a sign for me. I have anxiously been enduring that 2 week wait, and technically, I am not supposed to start my period for another week. But last night I had 3 dreams right in a row that I took a pregnancy test and it was positive! Perhaps wishful thinking, but I thought it was a sign. So this morning when I woke up, I decided to take a test. It was the same old routine. I peed on the stick and set it down to wait for the LONG 3 minutes. I got in the shower to avoid from peeking. I do this... I am a child. After the shower, I grabbed the test that I had hid on top of the bathroom cabinets. My first impression was, "Great. Negative again". But then I took a closer look and noticed that faint second pink line! I immediately felt a smile sweep across my face and I couldn't contain myself. I kept saying, "I'm pregnant!". Stefan was gone for his morning Air -Force workouts for all of this, so I made the decision to keep it a little secret from him so I could tell him in a clever way. All day at work, I searched the internet about pregnancy stuff. This is all so surreal to me! On my lunch break, I went down to Target and bought some Pre-Natal Vitamins. I felt like such an adult asking the pharmacist where they were located. I have been anxiously awaiting this day. It makes me worry because I had one miscarriage prior to this and I dread that heartbreak. It's so early right now that I know it's still a very likely possibility. I hope that by taking great care of my body, I can help prevent this from happening.

This was me at school - SO happy that I couldn't stop smiling!

I feel like being a Mom is the greatest gift and I know that it will be my role. I pray daily for the strength to become the best mother that I can be. I can't wait for this little bundle of joy to arrive. 9 months is a long time to wait, but I am so excited for the growth, not only in the baby, but in Stefan and I's relationship. We can't wait to be parents. I thank The Lord for this fabulous opportunity.

Tinsel Town

As I mentioned before, I absolutely love Christmas! It has been so fun preparing for our "First Christmas" together! Which sparks my interest, how did you make your First Christmas special with your spouse? Or for the un-married folk, have any good plans or ideas for your First Christmas? I'd love to know, please share! We have been busy with work, school, and our social life. But I finally got around to wrapping the first present of the season the other day!


What is it about that first present that makes you want to make sure every edge of the paper is perfectly straight and all the folds are equal and clean? I do it every year! Then, by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, I am so sick of wrapping that I usually just cover with paper, tape random loose ends and slap a bow on it. This year will be different though!

I had tons of ideas from Pinterest on how to decorate for the season. Yet through the hussel and bussel of the month, I somehow forgot. Or ran out of time (or money..)
I did, however, manage to do a few semi-festive things.
I filled this vase on our kitchen table with Pine Cones and Red Ornaments!
It fits right in with our red and black kitchen!

Next, was my Mistletoe! Yes indeed I made it by myself!
And you better believe I made my Hub kiss me right directly
underneath it when he came home that evening!


It turned out cute, if I do say so myself! (:

Lastly, our tree is piling up with presents!
Stefan actually beat me to it when he put the first gift under the tree!
He is loving the Christmas season and the surprises!
So much in fact, that he has already given me 2 of my presents cause he just couldn't stand the suspense! Haha I just laugh, and he gives me a huge 5 year old grin.
He's the best darn thing on this planet!
I can't wait to spoil him with the amazing ______ I bought him!


Santa Claus is comin' to town! ... Soon!
Happy Holidays!

Brag Tags

This is a post for all the teachers and parents out there!
A recent fad in the "Classroom World" are these new "Brag Tags."
I have seen tons of posts about them! Teachers, parents, and students are hooked.
I am here to tell you about Boost Promotions. The costs are over 50% off any other companies making them now! Not only are there designs great, but you can even customize your own tags at no additional cost! If you are involved in the PTA, pitch this idea to the board. Many schools all over the U.S. are already involved in Brag Tagging. Teachers, get them in your classroom for your students. What a great incentive for their hard work and desire to succeed. Church member and church leaders, they are also developing a line of Religious Brag Tags, stay tuned for these. Primary students will look forward to adorning their necklace with Tags of accomplishment!
Check out their website HERE.



Let me know what you think!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Some people say that Christmas starts in December. I beg to differ. I am usually already in the Christmas Spirit after Halloween. Thanksgiving is just a preface to Christmas. I have been so excited for Stefan's and my First Christmas. We started our Christmas shopping a while ago. I am lucky to be married to someone who loves Christmas as much as I do!

We planned an FHE date to put up our Christmas Tree and it was so fun! This is the time for future traditions to start. My mother-in-law Connie gave us a tree! It was so nice of her! It's small, but the perfect size for our little apartment!

My babe stringing the lights!

Taking a break to spread some Holiday Cheer!

In my house growing up, putting the star (or angel) on the tree was always a coveted duty.
Stefan let me do it this year!

First Christmas - 2011

My boss showed me this great link to create personalized messages from Santa!
I made one for Stefan and... he loved it (:
If you have a "naughty" spouse, or some "nice" kiddos that you want Santa give a shout out to, go HERE and make one of your own!..
...Or just enjoy the one I made for Hubby Dear - HERE!