Our Christmas of Firsts!!!

We must say that this has been a Christmas of firsts! To start things off, this was the first Christmas that Shawn and I have had as husband and wife. To celebrate we decorated our tree with all new ornaments and decorations. We bought them on sale at the end of last Christmas and the funny thing it, they are all blue and silver. We find this ironic as we are also expecting a baby boy! So to bring on the second first, we are pregnant and excited to know that we will have a baby boy to spend next Christmas with. (which you all know that) Third, my brother announced that they are pregnant as well! A little cousin for baby Wake to play with! Yeah!!! We had a wonderful Christmas and wish it didn't go by so fast.




We also decorated our house with lights for the first time as well! I would have to say that I think Shawn did a great job! I also have a picture posted of me and Shawn. It is hard to see pictures of me as I am growing so fast. I have been getting bigger by the day and have major pains really low at times. The doctor says it is due to my ligaments and pelvis stretching...OUCH...is all I can say! Sleeping is becoming more difficult as my hips hurt because I don't normally sleep on my side. So I am adjusting to all the changes that are occurring. But I know it is all worth it and I have a wonderful husband that is helping make it even easier.



















Here are a few of the gifts that Wake got this Christmas! Shawn's Aunt Sandy and Uncle Bennett sent these gifts and my mom bought him all the gifs in the second pictures. I would have to say that he did very well considering he isn't even born yet! But we thoroughly enjoyed getting the gifts as it made everything so much more exciting! He is being spoiled already!





We hope everyone had as Merry of a Christmas as we did and we miss and love you all!!! Hope you have a wonderful New Year!!!

Feeling our baby boy kick, punch, stretch and flip...

I am now feeling our baby boy kick me like crazy. He can be very active some days and it is a wonderful feeling. He has also found a cozy little spot really low in my stomach and I think he uses my bladder as a pillow. It causes me to have a lot of pressure and to use the bathroom constantly. But I just can't explain how much of a wonderful feeling it is to feel him move around inside me. It creates such a bond that I can't explain how much I love him already. I just can't wait to meet him!

I have also been dealing with another issue. I have always wanted to be pregnant and have a child. So to me, this is one of the most exciting times in my life, aside from marrying the man of my dreams! However, I have struggled a little. It is mind boggling at how RUDE people can be. I have heard more negative things than positive (moreso at work). I hear how "fat" or "chubby" I have gotten, been asked how much I ate over the weekend b/c I look "huge", been told I look "really pregnant and big" (in the beginning of the pregnancy) and then now get odd looks and comments on days I have have a tighter shirt on. (even if it is a pregnancy shirt) I have to remind people that I am growing a human being inside of me with all these comments. I know a lot of it is in jest, but really. I get negative comments about the name we have picked and they always voice their true opinions no matter how rude they are. I have even had people say that they are not as excited b/c it is a boy...I mean, are you really that picky. I am having a baby and didn't know that it mattered whether or not it is a boy or girl. Overall, I am struggling enough with gaining weight and having my body change, so all these comments make it even harder. I just feel I need to share this with others as I would have never imagined that I would have to experience this. I think it is sad how others can make such a wonderful experience seem so bad at times. But I am doing my best to not listen to these comments and not let my mood swings kick in and over react.

Here is a small video of our 19 week sonogram. It was taken on November 26th and that is when we found out we were having a baby boy! I took a small part of the video with my camera so I hope it comes out okay. Isn't he just precious!

Here is also a picture of my 20 week belly. (Half way there!!!! Yeah!!!) It was taken a week ago. I have noticed that some days I look bigger than other days. It also depends on what I am wearing that day.

Christmas Pictures by Jennifer Ring

I wanted to post some Christmas pictures that my best friend, Jenny, took of us. She has her own photography business and does an awesome job! (Jennifer Ring Photography) If anyone is ever interested in getting photos done I would definitley recommend her! She's awesome! Here are a few pictures to share with you! Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

It's a BOY!!!!!

We are proud to announce that we found out today that we are having a Baby Boy! Here is a profile picture...and you can see his mouth is open. He is already adorable in our eyes! He was moving all over the place and it took the tech a little while to get him to move right so we could see his "boyishness"! ha ha! Here is another picture that shows he is a boy indeed. If you can see, the arrow is pointing to his little pee pee...hee hee!!!! I am currently at 19 weeks but he is measuring at 20 weeks. He is already a big boy! His heart rate is 152 beats per minute.

First baby bump picture!

Everyone has been asking to see my belly. This picture was taken at the end of 17 weeks. I still feel more fat than pregnant. I am anxious for it to actually look like a baby. I am starting to also feel a little movement. No big kicks yet, but definitely fluttering and movement. It only happens every so often, it hasn't gotten very consistent yet.

Daddy's 31st Birthday!!!

Shawn turned 31 this past weekend on November 15th. We didn't do too much as we are cutting back and preparing for the baby to be born. We did go out to dinner with some friends and family though. Here are a few pictures. One is of our friends, Justin and Natalie. They are actually due to have their baby girl, Jenna, this weekend. She is also having her's at the same hospital we are having ours, so we can't to visit and see what it is all like.

We bought the babies furniture!

Shawn and I went to Babies R Us this weekend and found our baby's furniture. We have looked around and could never agree on anything. Everything was either too ugly or too expensive. So when we found this furniture and both agreed we had to get it...especially since it was on clearance. Here are a few pictures for you. (the ensemble in it is the one I want if we are having a girl....haven't decided yet if we have a boy)

The chair swivels and rocks and the fabric is an ivory chenelle. I love it...it is so comfy!!! The crib is also a lifetime crib. It will turn into a toddlers day bed and then into a full size bed. If you can't tell, the wood is black. Now I just can't wait to get the room all decorated. But first we must find out what we are having!!!

We have been busy!!!

We are finally glad to be back and have some time ahead of us without so much planned. We just got back from Hickory, NC. We had so much fun and enjoyed seeing family and friends. We had beautiful weather that was on the tad bit cold side. But coming from Florida, it was a nice change. The colors were awesome and we had such a great time. We were able to visit with Shawn's Aunt Sandy and Uncle Bennett along with his brother and sister-in-law. I also got to see some friends along with a special little girl in my life, Cami. We had a blast and I have posted some pictures below...







As you can see I look very prego in the picture above. I have started to pop out and it is really weird. I am officially out of my clothes and in maternity clothes. Although, some are still a little big at times. I am ready to look pregnant rather than fat!!! I heard the heart beat again and we are scheduled to find out the sex at the end of November. We can NOT wait! I am doing better as I have more energy and don't get as sick as often.

Last week of the First Trimester!

YEAH!!!!! I am hoping starting next week that I get all my energy back and lose all the nausea....at least I can hope! Actually, I have been feeling better. Some days still worse than others. But all and all everything is going good.

Here is a picture of me and Shawn at my brother's wedding. It was this past weekend and we all had a great time. I don't have any other pictures to post at this point b/c I uploaded them all to my mom's computer and forgot to send any to mine. We got to see a lot of family members and it all went by so quickly. Can't wait to see everyone again.

Me and Shawn will be going to Hickory, NC to visit his aunt and uncle and some of my old friends. I will also get to see a very special little girl in my life, Cami. We are excited b/c his brother and Amber will be coming to visit for a night as well. I will post pictures after we get back!

Hearing the Heartbeat for the First time!!!

WOW!!! It was amazing! Me and Shawn were in amazement to hear something so small beat so fast! Another step closer to making it all seem so much more real. We don't get another sonogram until 20 weeks which is when we will find out the sex of the baby! I must say that we can NOT wait until that. Any predictions anyone???

As for me...my clothes are getting much tighter. I have started wearing the smaller maternity clothes to finally get some comfort. Some of my clothes still fit fine, but others make me miserable all day. I have put off the maternity clothes as much as I can as I know I will have plenty of time to where them. But thanks to a few friends, I have gotten a bunch of clothes that fit me now and will grow with me. I am still very tired but have more energy throughout the day than I have been having. We are finishing up our 11 weeks today and only a few more weeks until I hit the 2nd trimester. And I hear I should start feeling much better. So lets cross our fingers!

Our first picture of our sweet baby!

Last friday we went to the doctor for our first sonogram. I would have to say that it was quite amazing. We both sat there in awe about what we were really looking at. Kind of made things seems a little more real. We were not able to hear the heart beat yet but we were able to see it on the screen. It was going so fast. The picture doesn't show you much but what we got to see in person was amazing. He/she is just the size of a little peanut but growing fast. We are going to be ending our 9 weeks this week. We hope to hear the heart beat at our next dr. appt in october.

As for me I feel very very FAT!!! I still fit in my clothes but barely. I think I am eating too much because it is not baby at this point. So needless to say my self confidence stinks because I just feel and look miserable. Shawn is being a great support though. Its tough to feel so big when your not even showing yet. I eat a lot but more little things throughout the day as I can't really eat really big meals anymore. (depends on the day) ha ha! But I have noticed that I have more energy when I workout...the problem is getting myself to work out :). I have been doing good though. As for nausea...its better but still comes and goes. But definitely better. I think I have a hang on how to eat throughout the day to not let myself feel so yucky! As for now things are good!

We had our First Doctors appt!!!

Just wanting to update everyone as we had our first doctors appt this week. First off, it was the longest appt every! They threw so much information at us that we both don't remember half of it. But this did confirm the pregnancy as that has been a strange fear of mine to find out that I am no really pregnant. (then how would I explain all these crazy symptoms) lol! But our estimated due date at this time is April 19th. I will be eight weeks as of tomorrow. The more exciting news is that we go next week for our first sonogram. We are both VERY excited! I will do my best to try and post some pictures when we get them. So be on the look out!

As for me turning 30, Thank You to everyone that had called to wish me a happy birthday! It was a crazy day with work and then going out to dinnner. Shawn was awesome. He sent me flowers, took me to a nice dinner, and bought me an awesome new stereo system for my car. I can't wait to get it installed. It was a great day and we are going to dinner with all the aunts and uncles tonight for dinner. I can't say that turning 30 was great, but my friends and family did all the could to make it an awesome day! Thank You!!!

Ft. Lauderdale vacation came and went quickly!!!

So we came back from Ft. Lauderdale a day early due to yucky weather! It sucks but is good all in the same. Now we can have a day to relax before heading back to work. It was great spending time with our best friends. It was different for me as I got to sit back and watch everyone drink and have fun! Funny thing was that I had no desire to drink and it was nice not having to wake up feeling so yucky....wait I did anyways! But here are a few pictures of the fun times that we had spending our 30th birthdays together! I love you Jenny!

As of now we are going onto our 7 weeks with Baby McKendrick! Week 6 was good with some major times of nausea. I am ready for the crappy feelings to end and start enjoying the pregnancy. I wake up feeling yucky and go to bed feeling yucky. I am also ready to have energy to do things. Work has been tough due to being so tired and the emotions are all out of control at times. We go to the doctor this coming thursday so I will make sure to let you know how it all goes! Cross your fingers as I hope all is going well!!!!

Ending 5 Weeks!!!

Well we are finishing up our 5 weeks and moving on. Not a whole lot to report pregnancy wise. Still very very tired! Had my first episode of heartburn last night and it was miserable. Tums here I come!!! I plan to stock up now. At this point Baby McKendrick is developing its inner ears and the embryo has now developed three layers. The outer layer become the brain, nerves and skin. The middle layer becomes the bones, muscles, blood vessels, heart and sex organs and the inner layer becomes the stomach, liver, intestines, lungs and urinary tract. As you can see we are excited and keeping track of everything happening from all the different websites.

We have also had the pleasure to ride out Tropical Storm Faye this week. We had lots of wind and rain and leaks in our roof...ugh! Time to get a new roof I guess! It has been an eventful week but everything is fine on the homefront. We are leaving town for a mini vacation with our best friends next week. We are going to Fort Lauderdale and can NOT wait. I will hopefully post some pictures for everyone to see when we get back!

Learning the Changes that are going on in my body!

I must say that there have been some crazy feelings going on inside. I have had slight waves of nausea here and there, heavy bloated feelings, crampiness and I am constantly tired! The tiredness is really hard on some days and makes getting through a day at work tough. But then other days its better! I am also reading up on whats going on with the baby. As of now it has become an embryo, started nerve development and is starting to develop a face. We are getting ready to start the 5th week and I go to the doctor on September 4th. One day after my 30th birthday! ahhh!!!! I will fill you in as more happens.

It Finally Happened!

If you haven't heard yet, then you must now know....we are finally pregnant! Anyone that knows me knows that I have been wanting this for a VERY long time! We are both very very excited but nervous at the same time. Its still early on so we just want to be careful to make sure everything goes okay and nothing happens. I think we are getting more excited everyday. Anyone that knows me knows that I have tons of reading material and journaling and things to do to track everything about this pregnancy. I am recording the baby shows and so forth! Keep checking our blog and I will keep you up to date with how things are going!