...And He's Off!

Well we have a walker! He still chooses to crawl every now and again but he is really trying out this walking thing! My day includes following him around and cleaning up everything he just pulled out of the cabinet or dumped out of a toy box. There is one particular cabinet that holds all his food and some canned veggies that I put back together about 10 X's a day. But it keeps him entertained so I let him. I am getting sleep these days too! Its amazing that I survived about a year with no sleep. What an adventure motherhood has turned out to be!

My boy is growing up!

I just rocked my little boy to sleep. I couldn't help but stare at his face and think about how perfect it is. There is nothing more precious to me in this world. As I looked at that gorgeous face with the purest expression I tried to imagine what he would be like in a few months and then a few years and then as a man. Its hard to imagine because it feels like he will always be a little baby. But as I look back on pictures of him I know that he IS growing. I wish I could bottle up these moments and never forget!

There's a baby in there!

I made it to my first doctors appointment. Lots of nausea but I was too excited to care. They gave us a book about pregnancy. A lot of prenatal vitamin samples and then our Dr. did a vaginal ultrasound. I didn't really even know they did those. Cody was horrified by it. But there it was on the screen... a little sac. The doctor said I must be around 5weeks along. I had thought I was much further so there was a little disappointment. She printed off the picture and we went home and stuck it on the fridge as a reminder. Turned out we didn't need a reminder. The 24 hour vomiting that followed -wouldn't let me forget. So I entered into the morning sickness faze. I mean I threw up and didn't stop. Sometimes 15x or more a day. When I wasn't puking I was trying not to puke. It was so miserable at the time. I cannot believe I survived that. 15 weeks to be exact. Thinking back now that time went by in the blink of an eye.

The News

So it was official. I was pregnant. My emotions were all over the place. Excitement one moment-sheer terror the next. It was almost unreal. I had to tell my mind that there was a baby inside of me. The more I thought on the matter the more joyful I became. I didn't really even mind the nausea and vomitting at first. It just was more proof that I was in fact pregnant! I immediately dove right in to finding out everything I could about what was going on inside of my body. I called the doctore right away to make my first appointment. I felt like I was the first woman on this earth for this to happen to. You could imagine my shock and disbelief when the doctor didn't get me in until two weeks later.

Pregnancy 101

Cody told me I was pregnant weeks before I actually found out. I don't know how he knew but he knew. He also told me it would be a boy and he was right about that. He is right a lot now that I think about it. (but I would never admit that to him). I had been feeling "off" but several pregnancy tests had come negative. While grocery shopping one afternoon I was struck by the most horrible heartburn EVER! I had never had heartburn before but I knew enough to know that my esophogus and sinus cavitiy were on fire. I drank a sprite and alkazelter (which i am conviced is a cure-all) and never thought a thing about it. That evening around 11:00pm I was nauseous and began vomiting. The light bulb went off in my head. The next pregnancy test was positive... and so were the next three.

Prematurity

We are getting ready for the March of Dimes walk this Saturday. Our small team (which includes Cody, Parks, and myself) has raised $500! I don't exactly want to get up early and do the walk but it is for such a good cause. It was 6 1/2 months ago that Parks was born prematurely. You wouldn't know by looking at him now. He is such a healthy beautiful little boy. He weighed in at just 2lbs 9oz. We visited the NICU twice a day everyday until he came home. Those were THE HARDEST days of my life. Even though the days are past us it is still very hard for me to even think about. So much happened from the first day I found out I was pregnant that I would like to spend the next several days blogging about my whole experience. I need the therapy.

A Letter to My Baby Boy.

You came into this world very small, but you have quickly become the biggest part of my life. Your very presence on this earth confirms the existence of God. Your birth has re-established my hope for this world. When I see your smile my heart melts and I know what my purpose is...to be your mother. I am eagerly looking forward to the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. Watching you grow up will be my greatest pleasure in this life. I will pray for you to be strong in spirit and body. You will favored by man and blessed by God. How fortunate your dad and I are to be your parents. I love you so much!

Hugs and Kisses,

Mama