Seven Weeks " The size of a blueberry"

How your baby's growing:
The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling.

Technically, your baby has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller.

Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin.

Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role.

She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.
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Status : Good. Of course tired, but that is expected. I have had some "growing pains" in my belly, but they feel nothing like what I experienced with Cole.

No cravings this week, and nothing in particular that I have not liked either. There were a couple times this last week I fought throwing up - but it passed!!!

I now remember why I loved being pregnant with Cole. My favorite is Daddy talking to you, and singing to you! Epecially when he calls or texts asking 'how is my boy? and how are my babies?" hehe

We pray you grow healthy and strong this week.

Celebrating Thanksgiving

Paul and I hosted Thanksgiving at home this year. With both families coming together, and Paul popping in from work, it was a very joyous holiday.

We have so much to be thankful for on this years Thanksgiving.

This was my Mom's most favorite holiday. She loved Christmas, but hated what the world turned it into with the demand of presents. She always said that "Thanksgiving was Christmas - minus the bullshit!"

I missed her today! As I mashed the potatoes, I heard her loud and clear " add salt, people don't like bland potatoes." I finally handed the job over to my sister, only to find myself telling her the same thing.

As we ate the Thanksgiving dinner that had taken us all day to prepare - I looked up and down our table and realized how blessed we truly are.

My husband has a successful career that he loves!

We have a blessed, happy marriage that has seen its trials this year - but it has only made us stronger overcoming them.

Our son is healthy, thriving and learning every minute. Constantly figuring out a new way to get into trouble! You are a spitfire Cole Michael! We love you and are so blessed to be called your Mom and Dad.

Here we are, preparing to welcome a new creation of our own into this world. Thank You God!

From our family to yours- we hope this Thanksgiving found you all happy, healthy, well, and thankful!

First Ultra Sound

Today was my first ultra sound. We were able to see the baby, and his/her heartbeat.

I am 6 weeks and 3 days today, and my due date is July 17th 2010. The doctor said everything looks perfect - and healthy!

We scheduled our C-Section for July 12th 2010 at 12pm.

My belly has already popped! I popped at 6 weeks with Cole, but was still able to hide it. There is no hiding it this time around! Its out there - so much that I brought my maternity jeans out. I have only gained a pound since learning I was pregnant. According to our chart, I am right on track to gaining three pounds in my first trimester.

I am being super careful this time around - since with Cole my weight shot up dramatically, and had a huge effect on my health in the end. Since I know I have PCOS - and that has a effect on my weight and pregnancy, I am able to have much more control over the outcome this time.

We are excited for this journey that has begun!

Six Weeks

This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape.

If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form.

His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds.

His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body.

His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared.

His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.

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I feel great. Tired, tired tired. My milk craving has subsided. Nothing new these days has popped up.

It might sound crazy, but I have to share. Have you ever heard of Restless Leg Syndrome? It is exactly how it sounds. Apparently, when you are laying down or sitting, you feel like your legs have to move. Well! I swear I have Restless Toe Syndrome. My toes drive me nuts. It started a week ago.

I googled it, and it seems other people suffer from it. It is the urge to have to wiggle your toes all the time. Usually every 10 to 20 seconds. Sometimes I feel like I need to stretch them! Its pretty annoying.

Thats my worst complaint to date!!!!!

Shiny - Everywhere!

This pregnancy is so different from Cole.

For one - I'm not puking! With our son, I was sick everyday, for the entire nine months.

I am beyond exhausted. I fully understand that my exhaustion might be because while being pregnant this time around, I have a 15 month old boy who is a spit fire - and loves to " go go go!"

I am not craving Taco Bell! With Cole - I ate taco bell three times a day. Which is exactly why I gained over 70 lbs. I had to have it. It wasn't a question, or a option. It was a must. This time around, milk is just fine. Its slowed down a bit - I went from wanting to drink it everytime I was thirsty, to now only wanting it with lunch or dinner. Sometimes with both!!!

I am a little more nauseous this time around. With Cole I only puked. No real nausea was apart of the equation. I just couldn't keep anything down! I was close to 6 months pregnant, and went to Beni Hana for lunch with my in-laws and Paul. I went to the bathroom, did my business, and afterward I was fully ready for some shrimp tempura!! Puking was so apart of my daily life and routine, I would actually think about what I wanted to eat as I was throwing up. It was horrible. Well, not this time around. Now I just feel like I have the spins!!!

Another odd thing. I'M SHINY!

My nails are shiny. My hair is shiny. My skin is shiny. The amount of natural oils my body is producing is ridiculous. I don't understand it. I'm not even using my daily moisturizer on my face at night because my skin is so oily. I've also stopped taking Vitamin E which has been apart of my vitamin regime for the last two years. My nails will not hold acrylics, gels, or EVEN NAIL POLISH. Yea thats right, I can't even paint my nails. Within ten minutes of the color drying, it peels off. It doesn't chip off - it PEELS off. I've gone from washing my hair every three or four days, to everyday. Remember me mentioning my newest dislike of the smell of my shampoo - yea, its still there!!

Over all - I really feel great. Nauseous, greasy, full of milk, great! I am counting down the days to our first ultra sound. Its next Tuesday by the way! 6 more days to go!

2nd Year Anniversary

Two years ago today, Paul and I stood in front of 240 family members and our dearest friends, and committed our lives to one another.

Today we celebrate that commitment, the life we have built, and the road that lies ahead.

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My Dearest Paul Michael,

Today is not only a celebration of you and I, but the life we have built together as one. Its amazing to reflect on how much we have grown not only as a couple, but also as individuals in these last couple of years. All the while, being side by side.

You push me everyday to be a better human being. There is no one else I would want to share this journey with.

Like you said in your card - " Here is to 50 more anniversaries together. "

Long Time Since Journaling

I was finally able to catch up on my computer work these last couple of days since we have been home from our vacation. I cleared out over 1800 emails in my inbox. This doesn't include my spam mail - and coupon offers. I have to admit though, most of these were deleted.

I was also able to catch up on the blog. But not fully. I have been journaling here for the last year now, in hopes that someday our children will be able to look back and have a deeper insight on how much I have loved being a mother to them. Besides the pictures, our announcement, and vacation - I figured now is the perfect time to get back on that wagon.

I'll start by adding that Cole has had a really hard week. Every morning he has woken up between 4:15am and 6am. Much earlier then his normal 8 - 8:30am. On top of it, he has not napped. Which means his appetite has been close to nothing. With the lack of sleep and lack of appetite, he has been a GRUMP. With these things, he has been attached to my hip. Constantly wanting me to hold him, snuggle, " Mama's bed, Mama's bed." Last night was even worse. He was up at 2:30am - and didn't go back to sleep until close to 5am, of which - was on top of my chest. My only guess is that he has a tooth coming in. Poor baby.

My worse complaint is that I'm tired. The nausea has been tolerable, but feeling like my body has been hit by a train - well, there are no other words to explain my exhaustion.

I have been drinking milk by the gallon. Literally. We have gone through 5 alone this week. Is anyone selling a cow??

Cheese makes me sick to my stomach, and the smell of my shampoo has been the latest thing to add to the list of things that I do not favor at the moment.

Cole has learned to say " Baby " and points to my stomach when he says it. ( or when you ask him. ) He will, at random, come up to me and kiss my tummy and say it too. Which is my favorite so far!

Even when I have felt my worse, I have felt my best. As most of you know, Paul and I have wanted this for sometime now. There are no words to describe our happiness. Cole is going to be a great big brother. He is so loving, gentle, and patient with Benjamin. It is so sweet to see them interact. Especially now since Ben is older and fully understands who Cole is.

I grew up with my cousin Tiffany. She has been considered more then a cousin through the years - she has been considered a sister.

I see that with Ben and Cole. Ben so much wants to keep up with Cole. He is Ben's drive! Its amazing to see what Ben is willing to accomplish when he is here with him. I am anxious to see how this new baby will blend in.

What if its a girl?

Interesting to imagine a girl surrounded by Cole, Ben and Jackson. She would have Haylee - but Haylee fits right in with those boys. All the while holding on to her Barbie or favorite baby at the moment. Haha.

Well new baby - if you are girl, you have much to learn, and some alligator skin to grow. No worries from this Mama though. You will be half of me and the other half will be made up of your spit fire Father. If you are boy, we have plenty of clothes, blue things, and hockey sticks for you to claim as your own!!!

Current status -
Loving my life.. and being pregnant.

Grow healthy and strong. Girl, boy, whatever you are. Grow!!!!

Happy Announcement

Paul, Cole, and myself are happy to announce that we are pregnant.

These last couple of weeks I have been extremely tired, groggy, and nauseous. Initally I thought I was coming down with the flu. I woke up on a Saturday morning feeling worse then ever. Paul suggested I take a pregnancy test.

It was positive.
Thank You God.

Three pregnancy tests later, lots of happy tears, and still feeling tired, sick, but happy - It was confirmed through my blood work this last week that everything is right on track.

Please join us in prayer and well wishes that God will have His hand and blessings upon this pregnancy.

" and all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22

We believe! We believe!

Berries Anyone????