Check Point!

PHOTOS: (you can click them to make them bigger)
20 WEEKS!
Dan and I doing Charlies Angels, but Dan has a shot gun..haha
Enjoying a nice summer day with my baby Ben and Jerrys!

I have finally found the time to update the blog! Im sitting here in Starbucks waiting for my Love to finish up work and enjoying a nice strawberries and cream frapp. which in my opinion tastes like Captain Crunch berries.. :)

MAMA:
Im actually doing wonderful! Hitting the half way mark was a pretty good feeling day! All i could think about was in half the time its taken me to get here ill be at 30 weeks! WHOA! Its honesty FLYING by, i couldn't have ever imagined, (especially in the first trimester!). Im definitely growing, well this baby is growing and has been on a growth spurt for about 3 days now, which equals Round ligament pain... I have had more all day pain then the sharp pains, but they do come as well. Not anything i cant handle, not yet.. I feel like with how much my tummy is growing i should have stretch marks, but have yet to get them.. Its truly Amazing how our bodies are capable of doing all the things they do. I have also had a Braxton Hicks Contraction, to my surprise i didnt really FEEL anything, just my uturus tightning and then letting up a few seconds later. Im also relearning how to sleep. I have ALWAYS been a tummy or back sleeper. So i have been really strugginling to stay on my sides and have been waking up super sore in the morning. I started using our body pillow to help me not roll over to my back and stay on my sides, but its just hard to figure it out. haha Hopefully i will be getting more sleep soon!

Im loving baby's movements. He is getting more and more active by the day and his little kicks are getting harder and harder! Dan actually SAW the baby kick for the first time yesterday,(it would have been sooner if he was a little more patient)..haha I have to say i like to SEE the kicks more then just feel them. When i either have my arms crossed or my arm across my tummy he usually kicks and punches until i move them. ~OH there he goes right now as im typing this~..LOVE IT, So cute. Im starting to know, well im more so assuming at this point, that the lighter punches are his arms and the much harder ones are his little legs. I am getting to know which way his little head is facing. Hes been flipping and rolling around, which sometimes makes me sick feeling. Its like when you go on a roller coaster with a drop, with out the tickling feeling...If that makes sense..? My tummy has been getting more and more lobbed sided in the monings or when baby is sleeping over to one side. lol AND my bellybutton is about even with my skin. So crazy, i feel like it could just pop at any time!

My uturus is about even with my belly button, and i have gained ALL my weight back and have been putting it on this last few days! WHOO HOO! finally.. I should be growing a bit more and more as the time starts progressting towards 30 weeks, about a pound every week! My cheeks have also been getting a little rosier, i think im fianlly getting the "pregnancy glow", (much better then the 13 year old look, if you ask me..)

BABY:
Baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel. About the size of a cantalope! Practicing his sucking and swallowing for when hes born. Lots of movements, and a steady heartbeat so far. Our Midwife even had a hard time getting his heartbeat with him rolling around OR kicking her! haha

Ok well thats about it for right this second, need to go eat, hopefully some Chipotle, which is on my hubbys mind. Im in more of a mashed potatoes, sour cream, and butter mood. But im positive ill be hungry before the end of the night.. haha I will be adding pictures as soon as i can get Dan to take some quick ones later!

A day controled by Hormones...

OK so i just thought i would give a quick and humorous update on how my day went yesterday. It was completely out of hand and out of control, THANK YOU Hormones...! (not)

Dan and i wake up spend some time together and start getting ready. As im getting ready i hear a scream from the kitchen and run out to make sure everything is ok. Dan is standing in the middle of the living room in shock, i see a plate and two eggos all over the floor (including syrup and butter) and then follow Dans stare into the kitchen and see a entire pot of coffe all over the floor. However it happened i dont know but it was probabaly the funniest thing i have ever seen. From the coffee all over the rug, floor, and carpet, to the empty syrup plate, and two eggos on the living room floor, and Dans horrified look, i couldnt stop laughing. i laughed for a good 30 min, with tears and all. Good start to the day

Head over to some friends house to have lunch and good fellowship. Which went wonderful. By the time we were leaving i ended up with a migraine on the way, due to the weather change, and starting to get sick.

Go home, talk about buying a house...Get over stressed and yell and cry.. (over really nothing) And not able to talk for a good 15 min. just because i was going to cry.. Then calm down, and am fianlly ok, and Dan opens one of MY (well in my head it was MINE not ours) snacks...Which i started crying and all, again...yeah i know, my poor husband has to deal with a crazy wife.

Decide to just go chill out and pray the headache goes away. So i go lay on the bed for awhile, not realizing the entire time i was laying down i stared at the wall..I actually really thought i was sleeping.

I decided to stay home from church and clean and just chill out to feel better, (note: all this is on top of a bad cold already) So I do some cleaning and am feeling better, put some music on, things are going good.

I Decided that the music was too loud and it started to overwhelm me..so what do i do?
Turn it down?..Uh no..
i actually yell at it and say to be quiet... HAHA wow i know.

Dan comes home we eat a Wonderful dinner and finish up the night on a good note. A thunderstorm even came in, (which are my favorite things in the world) Well, not tonight. For some reason i get emotional and decide its going to tornado...(yeah i know). So lay in bed in silent tears, and Dan is trying to make me feel better. So i finally make hime get up with me and look on the weather channel to make sure we are in the clear... Which there was a warning out for our area, (this did not help)....

Fall asleep pleading the blood of Jesus over us and praying Jer. 29:11....

Wake up and laugh at the whole previous day........

Pregnancy Survey

pregnant? We found out Jan. 21,09
What was your reaction? I jumped in the air in shock, and joy...then got really shaky
Who did you tell first about the pregnancy? Well My husband was there, we looked together, then Rachel.
Date of Conception? Around the end of Dec. 08
Due Date? Sept. 15th
Was the pregnancy planned? Yes and No, it was the first month we didnt do any prevention (purposefully) and thought we would have to try longer, praise the Lord we didnt!
How did your parents react? My mom was ecstatic along with the same but shocked dad, immediately rooting for a boy!
How did your partner's parents react? We dont really know, we talked to his sister that night that told us we should wait to call! Finally when we did everything was wonderful!
Did you go to the doctor yet? Yes, it was actually a very stressful first appointment! i started off with a doctor with a very heavy accent, (which is fine, but if you know me i am horrible at that stuff..) So i just very calmy asked the lady at the front deck if i would be able to swich dr.'s and it turned into a HUGE thing, i got swept back to a room and interrogated by the nicest nurse. I ended up crying from being overwhelmed and swiched dr.'s (which was not a big deal) and ended up with the most amazing woman ever!
Did you have your first ultrasound? Yes, I actually cried when she told us it was a boy! We also got to take home way more pictures then allowed, just because she thought we were "too cute" :)
Do you know the sex? Boy or Girl? Yes, were having a boy! (and theres no mistaking!)
How is the baby's movement? Wonderful, he moves so much now and has even gotten scared a few times..awww
How is the baby's heartbeat? right on track, i tear up everytime i hear it!
Baby's name? Well, we're juggling between a few right now.......... ;)
Did your husband help pick the name? Well yes, it actually really funny b/c, when we met he told me his two boys names and i shot them down in disgust, now out of the blue im LOVING the one...SO yes...now im agreeing..funny, poor hubby
Mom to be's latest cravings? mmmm. i really enjoy sour (which i have always hated) and salty, not a fan of sweets really... But i do LOVE captin crunch at this moment! haha
Mom to be's latest "pregnant" moment? Oh gosh, there has been so many...My FAVORITE and most embarissing is the very First one..... I called the Doctor office to schedule my frist app. and get the ball rolling and as the lady was getting all my information and she asked MY birsthday, and i said, well thats what im coming to find out...I JUST learned im pregnant.....long pause.....she gave a little chuckle and said NO i need YOUR date of birth...haha
What was the first change you noticed in your body? My chest! Thats actually how we decided to take a test, i hadn't missed yet but i went from barley a B to a full C, in like four days!
What was the latest change in your body? Well my crator belly button... :( haha With my stretching tummy it just seems to get bigger! And sadly right now my complexion!
What is your sleep schedule? I usually get up around 930 and get to sleep around 11...
What is your work schedule? When we get to the Prayer room!
What is the last thing you bought for the baby? The latest thing I have bought for baby is this amazingly cute giraffe picture frame...
What was the last thing you bought for yourself? A tin of sour mints for my purse..and then food...haha
Planned birth place? At the hospital
Who will be in the room with you? Probably just my midwife and Dan.
Are you scared? Not yet.
Are you going to use drugs? No
How do you think you will react? Oh you know, tears, and sheer joy!!!
How do you think your partner will react? I think he'll be the same, if not more so!
Have you started birthing classes? No, i really dont want to, but im sure i need to...just need some motavation...haha
What is the nursery theme? Since its a boy we're wanting to do safari... :)
Are you going to breastfeed? Of course!
How much weight have you gained? I havent "gained" anything, but i have gained back basically everything i lost (around 10lbs.) and am ready to start gaining! I lost all my weight in my legs and arms, now have gotten it all back in my chest and tummy!
What is your favorite thing about being pregnant? All the kicks and movements! Im constantly waiting for them!!
What is your least favorite thing about being pregnant? probably the entire first trimester when I was ill often but now it's the fact that when hunger hits, it hits fast and i need to eat right away or I feel sick! (yes)
Biggest pet peeve while pregnant? Ah, the sound of the cats licking!! SICK!! ANd how people tell me to "just wait" till i get bigger when i say i feel huge...I AM huge for right now, ive always been small and flat!
Favorite drink before pregnancy? Prob... Mountain Dew..?
Favorite drink while pregnant? During the first trimester, Sunny D. Now, Chocolate milk
What features do you hope the baby gets from you? hmm, eyes (shape and color), nose, feet and toes.
What features do you hope the baby gets from your husband? height, skin color, mouth, and i have to say it heart..
What week did you start wearing maternity clothes? Well not yet, i actually swim in them!! I usually wear a size 5 pants, im now down to less then a 2!! eek!
What week (if any) did stretch marks appear? I actually dont have any, we'll see, my mom nor my grandma got any!
What are 3 things you can't live without right now? Dan, food, and bella band!
What is your favorite smell or scent while pregnant? im loving my hubby colone more then ever, and our sugar cookie candle!
What is the worst smell? I swear im always smelling cigarette smoke (which is weird cause i dont know one person that smokes) and i hate the cats food! GROSS!
What is your favorite pregnancy website? thebump.com
What is your favorite baby names website? Dont really have one, our minds thus far!
What is your favorite kids movie? Well its always been Little Mermaid, and any old disney movie or pixar. I LOVE WALL~E
What is the first thing you might say to your new baby boy or baby girl? I dont know that i will be able to say anything...we'll see...

Week 18 Procrastination

Ok so, week 18 has finally hit! Whoa, its so fast, and only 2 weeks until im half way there!
I decided i didnt have time to post for 17, with everything going on and flying home.
This last week has been amazing!

Quick update on what has been going on...(week 17)

~Baby has defiantly grown over the weekend, with a massive growth spurt!
As soon as i woke up the day we were leaving to go home I began having "round ligament
pain" and it went all day for about 3 days straight! I am noticeably bigger, just over night!
~I can now feel baby shifting positions if i sit and wait for a kick, and kicks have been SO much
more frequent and quite a bit harder. (im loving everyone of them!)
~Im finally to my original (well about to be) weight before pregnancy! WHOO HOO! I lost all my
weight in my legs and arms, now have gained it all back in my breasts and tummy.
~ I think we may have narrowed down a name, now to find a good middle name...sigh...


OK now week 18:

BABY:
Baby is passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. So much going on, no wonder im feeling him so much! Hes quite the mover and LOVES being in the prayer room with the music all the time. (I think i can add dancing to this list!) Weighing about 7 oz and about 5.5 inches he is about the size of a bell pepper OR can of soup!

MOMMA:
I have been doing wonderful, with the exception of 'round ligament pain' and fatigue after our trip. Baby has been kicking and has even gotten scared and jumped a few times! The newest change over just this last week has been my complexion. One day its wonderful and the next i look like a 13 yr old!! haha (im sure being back in the humididy is not helping) As i said im back to my origional weight, well close, and am ready to be putting on baby weight!
My biggest struggle thus far, is not drinking enought water, i try and try but by the end of the day i only drink about one water bottle..UGH! Im starting to worry for the baby's health and devlopment... Some nights i just cry thinking about it. pray for grace in this and remembering to take my prenatels EVERYDAY! i forget about 5 out of the 7 days of the week. Still trying to figure out a good system....

Well this has been a novel post, and i have so much more to say!! For the next one!
Thanks for listening to my babbelings...Pictures soon to come...

♥ Ash and Baby

Week 16 update

OK so as i said in the last update, i am a week ahead of what they had originally guessed! Which puts me at 16 weeks and a few days now! YAY! My new due date is now set at Sept. 15th.

ASH:
Im doing much better this week, no real sickness or anything! Praise the Lord! Iim more so tired all the time, (since we have been switching our schedule back to days this week). Im feeling baby all the time now, and his little kicks are getting stronger. I cant help but stay up for hours in bed just feeling his kicks and such. All i can seem to do is think about what he is going to look like, more of me or Dan, im thinking Dan..but we will see! I feel huge right now, my stomach is tight, and not willing to stretch anymore..( I cant imagine what it will be like in just a month or two!)
Dan is fully enjoying my growing tummy and still walkie-talkie'ing baby through my belly button! haha We were talking about names, which has completly changed, and what goes well with disapline, haha. SO as you can see Dan's hopeless try in trying it out, only to end with "Aww, im not going to be able to do it.." HAHA im starting to really enjoy this pregnancy, especially now i know what baby is, and can start thinking about decorating..

BABY BOY:
Baby is just over 4.5 inches from head to rump, and about 3.5 oz! Which is about, im saying about, the size of a large Avacado. Just big enough to cradle in our hand, but not for long! Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. The bones in the baby's ear are now in place and is starting to hear our voices as well as sense light. WHOA!
This baby is pretty active, during our ultrasound baby was kicking, playing with his ear and (my favorite part) waved at us! He moved his little arm and fingers to us! Even the lady doing it said aw. It was amazing to see him moving around, stretching and playing the whole time!

Thats it for now, since this is a novel! Thanks for listening again!

♥
Ash and baby

ITS A BOY!!!

Click the pictures to make them bigger if you would like

Were having a bouncing baby BOY!!!
We had our first ultrasound today, and everything went wonderful! The tech. told us it was to early to tell a for sure, but she would give us a good guess as to what we are having, but not to buy anything as of yet. So as she was looking around the baby can into the perfect position as you can see..(Picture 3) It was actually really funny cause she kind of jumped and said well there's no mistaking your having a BOY! She actually said it was like a third leg joking with Dan..haha As we were leaving the tech tore off all the pictures and rolled them all up and said that she was only able to give us 6 pictures or she could get in trouble with the hospital but she said she thought we were "too Cute" and gave us all 14!!! Such favor again! im not going to add them all but did add the best ones! Here are what the pictures are of just do you are able to see it..

Picture 1~ Front shot of baby looking at us (he also during this waved his hand to us!)
Picture 2~ Baby's top of head and crossed legs
Picture 3~(my favorite) Baby's foot
Picture 4~ Baby was stretching towards the end. Back view of his stretch
Picture 5~Baby's parts...BOY
Picture 6~Side profile of the face

I also found out i am actually a week ahead of where i thought i was, SO now were at 16 weeks!
Ill update on me and baby's growth soon! Hope you enjoy, let me know what you think!!!

Love
Ash, Dan and Baby

You know your Pregnant when.....with week 15 pictures

Week 15 quick shots
I dont really know why i look SO huge? I mean i AM getting bigger for sure but im filled out all the way up..haha im thinking its b/c we just got done eating and are about to go to bed for the night. My tummy IS this big but my stomach isn't...haha hope this makes sense!


You know your Pregnant when.....

~You cry about getting in the bath when you know it will make you feel better.

~ Then you cry about having to get out...haha

~ You underestimate your new chest size and open doors, cupboards, and stall doors, etc on yourself.

~ Your bladder feels like it is about to burst and then when you go, its no more then three drops. and at other times its the biggest relief, you just have to smile.

~Absolutely nothing sounds good to eat until you take the first bite.

~ Your scared to go to sleep, fearing you'll wake up in a completely new bra size. (yes it has happened!)

~ COLD water is so refreshing, but normal water makes you sick..?