FEED ME!!

No, I don't feel like some crazy monster from a movie, but my stomach is keeping me busy eating like one!! Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right?!

I feel super blessed because I have felt pretty good throughout the first three + months of pregnancy, considering all the symptoms that can occur. So, I can't complain...but I can poke fun at myself!

Besides fatigue my other symptom would have to be that I feel like I can't eat enough! I have always been a breakfast enthusiast ("It's the most important meal of the day!"), and those who know me well know that when I am hungry I can get a little cranky. And with pregnancy those sentiments have been definitely reiterated for me!

Some mornings I have to eat right when I wake up...I usually make a b-line to the kitchen for some juice or fruit. And then I eat my real breakfast around 7:30 before I head to work. I used to be able to make it until noon for lunch, but things sure have changed! My co-workers will hear me rustling around in my office, eating trail mix or a granola bar for a mid-morning snack. My desk drawers look like the insides of a snack machine!

Here is a list I'll call "Courtney's Cravings:"

• Cheese-especially mozzarella or provolone! We have a stash of string cheese at home that I visit often.

• Oranges-juice, popsicles, the fruit itself...can't get enough!

• Chicken strips with Honey Mustard-Weird one...never been a huge fan, but for some reason it sounds good all the time! I have even contemplated it for two meals in a row :)

• Other sour treats- lemonade, cranberry juice, lime popsicles, and Starburst jelly beans (since it's Easter-time, this craving may be seasonal :)

And last, but definitely not least:

• Taco Bell-Kayla, you're rubbing off on me! I've always been a Bueno fan, but that restaurant is a little out of the way from our house. I even called my sister, Lynnlee, one night to ask her what we ordered from Taco Bell this past summer after a concert we went to: cheesy, bean and rice burritos...mmmm, healthy right?

I have read that cravings (and food aversions) can change throughout pregnancy, so I'll be sure to keep you posted. And speaking of aversions, I have not had too many of those yet :) At the rate that I'm going, I just hope that our baby is getting lots of nourishment (and good eats)!

Parents-to-be and the big reveal

As we recently posted, we are expecting our first child in September! We are so excited to begin this next chapter in our lives, and I know Brett's going to be a wonderful father!

We originally started this blog with the hopes that we would be able to write about this subject one day...we just didn't know WHEN that would be, as with many things in life. To make a long story short, Brett and I have been talking about starting a family for awhile...we have been married almost three years and have dated since we were 19. We had hoped to have a baby during late Spring of this year (after "busy season," of course), but God had other plans for us. Although it was hard to deal with at the time, we grew from that experience both individually and as a couple. During those months, we learned patience and perseverance in faith. We know even more now that He has a plan for everything, and we feel so blessed to become parents!

We found out the great news on Januray 13th...and this is how it all went down: starting this year I go in late on Tuesday mornings, and Brett left for work at his usual time that morning while I was planning on going to the gym. I took a pregnancy test that previous weekend, but it was negative. I took another one that morning, and lo and behold, it was positive! I could not believe it. My heart started racing and I was crying (happy tears). All I wanted to do was call Brett and tell him the great news, but I wanted to wait and tell him in person that night.

So, along with all the other emotions running through my mind, I started thinking about how I was going to tell him. I have always imagined coming up with some creative and memorable way of letting him know when the day finally came. What should I do to surprise him? And, much more, how was I going to keep this from him ALL day while we were both at work?

After work that night I drove to Target to get some stuff for dinner and a pair of red (gender neutral, right?) baby socks. I cooked an extravagant dinner (ha, no way...I had way too much on my mind! I stuck with something simple (that I could not mess up!) and one of the usuals around our house: pasta, salad, and bread). Also, I didn't want to cook anything too elaborate because I didn't want him to know that something was up right off the bat :) Before he got home I wrapped up the baby socks in a gift bag.

Only two weeks into "busy season" at that time, he had already been putting in a lot of hours. So, I gave him the gift after dinner, telling him it was a late Christmas present and something to get him through the next several months of work. Not really knowing what to think of this random present, he opened the bag and saw the baby socks. He looked at me, and I had tears welling up in my eyes, which made him get a little teary-eyed. He was speechless at first, and all he could say was, "Are you really!?" That night we talked and talked about how excited we were, when we were going to tell our family and friends, etc., etc. Ever since then we have been reliving that day in our minds and also preparing for the months to come!

And baby makes THREE!

Brett and I are excited to tell everyone our BIG news: we will become parents soon! This has been the hardest secret to keep in, and we are so glad to be able to finally let it out.

I am about 12 weeks along and feel great! I have not had morning sickness at all, so I feel like I have really lucked out (especially after hearing some of my friends'/family members'/co-workers' accounts). As I've told many, I just seem to be hungry ALL the time, and bouts of tiredness hit me out of the blue. The only nausea I've felt has been in the mornings, when I am hungry!!! So, all in all, I would say I have felt better than I ever anticipated. I'll have to post something soon about my weird and constant cravings :)

Just treatin' the symptoms: nap time. This has become a common occurrence at least one day during the weekend, maybe both days! And Marley-bear is so sweet to keep me company :)

Our little bambino's due date is September 24th, although it has been changed several times already. At first it was the 16th, but the last two doctor's appointments have stuck with the 24th due date. Here's our fist sonogram:

7 weeks along-Wish the sonographer would have zoomed in a little. But we could hear the heartbeat, and that was so great!

And here a couple of pictures to document the "baby bump:"

8 weeks10 weeks12 weeks

I know, I know...not a lot to see, but it's so exciting! My clothes are starting to feel a little snug (hence the loose-fitting garments in the pictures above :) So, time will tell on when I will have to break out the maternity clothes. One thing's for sure: it's going to be one hot summer, but oh-so worth it!

We'll be sure to keep you posted with all the details as we prepare for baby Winters!