Saturday, December 27, 2008

Our little Love Bug

Our adventure begins on December 2nd...we had our 16 week checkup and were able to schedule our ultrasound to find out the gender of our baby. We thought it would be really fun to surprise our families for Christmas by letting them know the gender of our baby. By some miracle we were able to schedule our ultrasound for December 23rd! We told our families that we were not having the Ultra Sound until December 30th and there began our 'secret mission'. We decided that we would wrap up a boy or girl outfit to surprise our families on Christmas Eve.
December 23rd came FAST, especially with all of our preparation for Christmas and the holiday season. Before we knew it we were driving to find out the if our baby was a 'he' or a 'she'. As we drove through our 'Winter Wonderland' to the office, we nervously held hands and were busting at the seams with excitement. If our baby cooperated this could be the PERFECT Christmas gift, if not, we would still be happy to have seen our baby, but our little plan would have been ruined.
Our ultra sound tech was very friendly and thought our idea was very fun. As soon as she began the ultra sound we saw our babies legs...spread wide!! 90% girl!! I expected for her to have to search around and get the baby to move to get that perfect shot to tell if it was a boy or a girl, but we found out right away! Todd and I both had HUGE grins on our face for the remainder of the ultra sound.
HER little body is developing right on target with how far along I am. Everything looked beautiful according to the tech. She did say that our baby has very long arms and legs, which are more than likely from Todd. We got some pretty amazing shots and were amazed at how informative and thorough our tech was. After the appointment we walked out of there holding a huge strand of photos, with big smiles on our faces, anyone could tell we were prouder than ever!
Now began the hard part....me keeping my mouth shut for 1 day...Luckily I was able to do so and our parents had no clue what we had just found out. We went shopping and found some baby girl outfits and wrapped them up for each set of parents.
Our daughters name will be Emily Jean Stone.

Emily meaning 'ambitious'
Jean meaning 'God is gracious' and Jean was also the name of my Nana ( my Mom's mother) who passed away 15 years ago. So it is in honor of her.

Revealing the news to our families was amazing! Just how I pictured it, we got the perfect reaction from both sets of parents and it was well worth the wait and secret holding:) Little Emily Jean is already spoiled and loved so much. Knowing that our daughter is growing perfectly and peacefully inside of me has set our minds at ease. We love calling her by name and talking to her through my tummy:) Our next big task is her nursery, what a job that will be!! But a fun one to do together:)

Sunday, December 14, 2008

25 and Pregnant

I have always been a 'planner'. My life has always seemed to follow a predetermined time line that I have created in my mind. I knew once I graduated High School I would go to college, did that. I hoped that sometime between High School and College I would meet my husband, check. Got married after College graduation, done. Start a family by the age of 25...is this really happening? You could say I am either really good at setting a goal and attaining it, or that I have been extremely blessed. I choose the later. One of the things that I do not think I could have expressed on a time line was how extremely happy I would be by the 'ripe old age' of 25.
"Lucky" is a word I have always disliked. People don't just get lucky, they are blessed. This passed week and weekend Todd and I have been extremely blessed by our family and friends, I have always known that no matter what we would have the support and love, but I just never knew the extent to which some people would show that support and love.
Every day I get more and more excited to bring our little one into such a warm and welcoming family. The baby moves like CRAZY at night, I think he or she is either doing back flips, or just can not seem to find that comfortable position (like mommy). It is amazing how every day those little twitches and taps seem to get stronger and stronger.
All I know is the little person we meet this spring is not anything I could have ever written onto paper to check off a list. There is not one word that could describe how I feel right now other than BLESSED.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

16 week appointment

Today was our 16 week appointment! We had the opportunity to do a 'Quad Screen' test which is where they would draw some of my blood and test it to see what the chances are that our baby would have Downs Syndrome. It isn't actually a diagnosis, and we decided that this test isn't something that we needed, we will love our baby no matter what. The test is not accurate most of the time, and would just cause worry and stress on my part, it just was not worth it to us. We got to hear Baby Stone's heartbeat , well actually we heard 2 heartbeats! The Dr. reassured us that the other heartbeat we heard was mine because it matched perfectly with my pulse...then we found the babies and it was much faster it was at 140. You should have seen the look on Todd's face when the Dr. said...well there is a heart beat, but I hear another one down here too....HOLY COW! I got a Flu Shot (preservative free) and have gained 4 pounds so far right on track:)
Today 3 different people told me I was glowing...awwww:) Made me feel really good, and I have gotten numerous belly rubs from friends and coworkers. I don't mind it at all, just more love for the babes:) We got to schedule our BIG ultrasound! December 30 is when we find out the gender of the baby we can not wait! It really is not that far away, hard to believe!
Todd is gone in Kirkland until Friday with training for his work. LAME! This house is not the same when I am all alone, at least I have Chloe:) Tonight she layed next to me and stretched her paw across my belly...it was so cute!
We had a very relaxing and fun Thanksgiving, it was very hard to get back to work, but I only have to last until Dec. 19th, then my school is on break until Jan. 5th! That means we crack down on this nursery business! Can't wait!:)
Hope everyone enjoyed spending time with their families this past weekend!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Savior Please

Todd and I recently went to the Josh Wilson/Matthew West concert at our church it was amazing! Especially a song Matthew West sang about seeing the ultrasound of his brand new daughter, pretty awesome. Lately I have found myself being a control freak, with everything in my life. I want everything in our house to be perfect when our baby gets here, but I felt like I could never be happy with bringing our son or daughter to a house that is not completely spotless, or doesn't have that perfect shade of paint on their bedroom walls...or the newest crib and dresser set.
I know that Todd has been working really hard with working full time, plus class one night a week which equals about a weeks worth of homework, and he has also been trying really hard to make sure everything is perfect for our baby.
When Josh Wilson performed his song "Savior Please" at our church Thursday night, I knew that needed to be my prayer, to let go and not worry or try to control every thing around me. Here are the lyrics.

Savior, please take my hand
I work so hard, I live so fast
This life begins, and then it ends
And I do the best that I can, but I don't know how long I'll last


I try to be so tough
But I'm just not strong enough
I can't do this alone, God I need You to hold on to me
I try to be good enough
But I'm nothing without Your love
Savior, please keep saving me

Savior, please help me stand
I fall so hard, I fade so fast
Will You begin right where I end
And be the God of all I am because You're all I have

Hallelujah
Everything You are to me
Is everything I'll ever need
And I am learning to believe
That I don't have to prove a thing
'Cause You're the one who's saving me

This song could not have come at a more perfect time. I am feeling really well, just not getting very much sleep at night. I think God is preparing me for those late night feedings:) I don't mind it though, it gives me time to think about our baby and spend some time alone with my thoughts. I can't believe it has already been 15 weeks, next week we visit the Dr. for a routine check up and then we schedule the ultrasound where we find out the gender!
If it is a girl her name will be Emily Jean
Emily means 'ambitious' and if there is anything I would want my daughter to be it is that. Jean was my Nana's name so she will be named after her, and Jean means 'God is gracious'. We have narrowed down some names for a boy, and I told Todd he could name him if it is a boy:)
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Bye Bye First Trimester

I see the light! I am rounding the corner towards 2nd Trimester bliss...or so I hear! 13 weeks and 5 days along today, two more days until I am in the 2nd Trimester, which I hear is the best and most comfortable one to be in. My bump is more round, and is starting to settle a little lower, before it was very high, and I think it was from all of my bloat. I can not fit into any of my old pants, SAD! But at least I know baby is growing! Still only gained 2 lbs (go me!) but am prepared to see that number go up very soon. Grannie and Grandpa Malone came into town from Utah and with some money I had gotten from my Papa they were able to get me a very beautiful glider rocking chair with an ottoman! I know many memories and naps will be taken in that chair!:)
This coming weekend I am a bridesmaid in my friend Kara's wedding, so I will be keeping busy with all of her wedding festivities, I tried my dress on today, still fits!:) although my belly is a lot more prominent than it was when I originally bought the dress. Lately I have had a horrible time with my gag reflex. Anything and EVERYTHING sets it off....this morning I went to Safeway, all of the smells and just thinking of different foods...ugh I could not bare it. It seems to happen every day, but if I get some water and fresh air that helps a lot.
I have enjoyed a couple Decaf EggNog latte's but am proud to say no Diet Coke or regular coffee has entered this baby making body of mine...:) Todd is back at school every Tuesday night, and I have enjoyed some time baking and trying new recipes to keep myself busy on the nights he is gone. I have started thinking about birthing classes that are offered out here, and will probably talk with our Dr. at my next appointment about them.
The other night I had a dream that I was holding my baby GIRL and she had blonde hair and blue eyes, she was SO cute...until she reached up and ripped out all my eyelashes....what the heck kind of dream is that?! Well I am off to meet some girlfriends for lunch!! hopefully I don't gag all over them:)

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Quick Update

Just a quick update! We went to the Dr. yesterday afternoon, just a regular routine checkup. Everything looks great! Blood pressure is normal, I've gained 2 lbs. which is good! We got to listen to the heart beat again, this time for a little longer, it is something I think I could listen to all day long. Todd said it is a really good feeling to be able to hear it.:) I talked with the Dr. about my spotting and she said it is very normal, and my cervix is extra sensitive right now. Since I am 12 weeks along and we have found the heart tones twice and they are very strong 165-175, she said it is nothing to worry about.
In 4 more weeks I go for my 16 week check up, at that appoinment I will get blood work done to test for Downs Syndrome and some other disorders. That appointment is Dec. 1st and then after that we schedule the BIG ultrasound! It will be sometime around the end of December, right after Christmas, right before New Years. We will find out the gender of the baby if baby cooperates.:)
As for Todd and I, we are very relieved after our scary Monday morning. We also decided on painting the baby room Banana Cream, a light yellow. Grammie Malone is going to help us with paint and we will paint over Christmas Break. We figured yellow will go with a boy or a girl, and then we can pick out boy or girl decorations. And since it will also be our office, it will make it more neautral for us.
I keep having dreams that it is a girl....AND an old wives tale says that a faster heartbeat = girl!
But who knows! I really don't care either way, just give me that baby!:)

Monday, November 3, 2008

12 week update

Just an update on what happened with me and the baby today. Well nothing happened to the baby apparently, just me:) I woke up this morning and had some spotting, something that you do not want to see when you are pregnant is that. Your mind can wander in so many different directions. I called my Dr. and spoke with a nurse, and they got me in right away, to see if they could detect the baby's heartbeat. Todd met me there and the nurse was SO wonderful. She got the heartbeat right away! Between the 160s-170s. It is very normal for a woman to spot during pregnancy, as long as it is not gushing red for an extended period of time, followed by severe cramping. 1 in 5 women spot during their pregnancy, this was something I was aware of, but when it happened to me, I just got frantic.
I immediately began to cry when she found the heartbeat, because we had not had our appointment to hear it yet, so it was a relief and such a joy that we were hearing our baby's heartbeat for the first time! Just not in the circumstances I would have imagined. Which, made me realize that I am not in control of this baby, God is. I can only do so much to make sure my body is healthy, the rest is up to the Big Guy. It was a very emotional day, with the lowest of lows followed by the highest of highs.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

10 Week Update

Today I am 9 weeks 5 days pregnant. The morning sickness has surpassed and a cold/cough has taken its place. Although it completely has me drained of energy, I would much rather feel this way than the way I was several weeks ago. Todd and I have been talking about home revisions we might like to make before the baby comes. We are thinking of putting hardwood floors throughout the house, and in the baby room, Chloe has destroyed our carpet, and we are planning on replacing it before we rent out and move anyway. We went to Home Depot today and I took some paint samples with a baby girl in mind:) My feelings are starting to sway towards a girl now:)
This weekend I feel like my belly has really started to 'stick out' Todd took my first 'belly picture' and after looking at it I don't think I realized how much my stomach has changed over the weeks. My Mom and I went to the Supermall this weekend and the Carter's outlet is AMAZING! I can't wait to find out what we are having because we will be going crazy in that store.
This weather has got me very excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas, oh and my 25th Birthday:) I made my first batch of Chex Mix and it filled the house with that familiar smell that I look forward too every season. Lately my friends have been a HUGE support and blessing. All the phone calls, cards and emails are so encouraging and I am excited for our 3rd annual ornament exchange!:) Hard to believe we have all been friends since Kindergarten, they are some of the best people I know.
I am fully enjoying being pregnant and I am welcoming all the aches, pains, odd smells, cravings and waves of nasuea with open arms. I am blessed and not taking it for granted for a second.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

No more Debbie Downer

Today marks week 8 of my pregnancy, so far weeks 5-7 have been the worst, but I feel so much better physically and emotionally about everything. My appetite has come back slowly and I have more energy throughout the day. Today I had my first appointment with my Dr., she did a full physical exam and they gave me the results of my blood test. Everything came out great in my blood work and my blood type is A+ sounds good to me! The Dr. said my uterus is the right size for how far along I am, the only thing is my vaginal canal is very narrow, so if we have a large baby, it may be difficult to PUSH!:) Nothing to worry about though.
My next appointment is in 4 weeks, and that is where we will hear the baby's heart beat for the first time! I will be 12 weeks along by then, hard to believe! I recently invested in a Bella Band which is a wonderful invention! I am able to wear my regular pants unbuttoned and this nifty band holds them up! Maternity pants are expensive, so I will use this often while I am at work, while I am at home I will wear my sweat pants:)
The house is all ready for Fall and Todd and I are anxious for the holidays:) Somewhere around the end of December beginning of January we will have our appointment to determine the sex of the baby. Till then it is fun to dream and imagine:)

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Morning Sickness = All day sickness

You know that feeling you have when you have the stomach flu, right before you are about to throw up? Then you throw up and you have relief and feel so much better. Well I wish that was the case, I would rather throw up every morning and feel better than feel incredibly ill all day long. Knowing that I am only in my 7th week and have about 5 more weeks until I am out of the 1st Trimester is really taking a toll on my spirits. I have cried more in the past few days than I think I cried last year total. I can cry at the drop of a hat, if Todd walks in the room and smiles at me, I cry. I cry at any TV commercial with kids and parents in them, if I talk about the baby, I cry. I am one big blubbery blob of messy hormones.
This afternoon I got a phone call from a nurse at the Dr.'s office and she said they got results from my blood tests, I automatically think "I must have HIV!" well not exactly. But my white blood cell count is high, which means that my body is trying to fight off infection, and she told me it is common in pregnancy for your white blood cell count to rise. This little scare made me realize that I am thankful that I AM sick, because obviously my body is doing what it is supposed to be doing to insure the development of the little peanut inside of me.
This weekend I think I am going to try to find a "Baby Project" to keep my mind off of the way I physically feel and try to maintain a positive state of mind. Oh and I can I just brag about my amazing husband.:) He has cooked, cleaned, mopped, changed the litter box and put up with my raging hormones for the past 2 weeks. I love him very much...oh great I'm crying now...:)
Just pray for me:) xoxo

Friday, September 26, 2008

I knew it!

They say that I woman knows her body better than anyone else. WELL 3 weeks ago when I called the Dr. to tell them I was pregnant and they got all my information they told me that I was about 7 weeks along. 7 weeks! I thought there is no way! I am not that far along. That is why the scheduled our Ultra Sound for today was to determine exactly how far along I was.
So Todd and I went this afternoon and they had to do a pelvic ultrasound, not the most comfortable way of finding the baby, but it worked! She measured the baby and we saw the little flicker of its heart beat. She said was it was very strong! at 139! Todd said "That's my boy!" :) And then she measured the baby figuring that I am only about 6 weeks and 2 days, bumping my due date all the way to May 20th! I said I think that this is all a blessing in disguise because I was able to get in very early to see my baby and set my mind at ease. Most don't get to see their baby until they are much farther along and God knew that I could not wait that long:)

Monday, September 22, 2008

For I know the plans I have for you..

"Before I formed you in your mother's womb I knew you." Jeremiah 1:5
I recently heard this verse at the Steven Curtis Chapman concert I went to with my Mom and it really got to me. To think that God already knows our baby and knows that it will be the perfect baby for us is awesome! Another verse that really got me was Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God doesn't just think he has plans for our baby He KNOWS the plans of our baby. It is hard to get caught up in all of the things that could possibly go wrong in a pregnancy and birth of a baby. But what it most comforting to me is that God already knows our baby and the life that is ahead for him/her.
My prayer right now for Baby Stone is that he/she would grow up to KNOW that God has great plans for them, and was brought into this world for a significant purpose, every intricate detail of their life is being laid out by the Creator of the Universe! What an amazing thing!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Appointment #1

Today was the much anticipated first appointment! My office calls it the "Nurse Intake" basically the nurse takes you into an orientation room and you talk about all your questions and she gives you tons of information and goodies! I told her about my irregular periods and how I wasn't sure if the estimated due date was very accurate so she looked at my calendar where I had kept track of everything and said it would be best if we just schedule an ultrasound next week so we can see how far along the baby is! So a week from today we will have our first ultra sound! YAY! Then a week after that is my first exam and hopefully if I am far enough along they will be able to hear baby's heartbeat.
After my orientation I asked if they confirm the pregnancy there, she said they could if I wanted them too, and I said YES! I am addicted to pregnancy tests and I just need one from the Dr. to ease my mind! It turned positive before the test was even completed, she laughed and said " Do you want to keep this one?" I said yes:) After that I went to the lab to get blood work done, not my favorite, they had to draw a lot of blood and I almost fainted, but luckily I was in a reclined cushioned chair...:) I am so excited for next week and I have such a peace in my heart now.
Todd thinks it is a boy and I am beginning to think the same, but some days it changes. All the ladies at the school think it's a girl:) So far we have a few names picked out, but I think we will keep that private for now:) We don't want anyone's opinion to sway our decision:)
I am feeling really good, slightly nauseous mostly in the mornings into the afternoon, lots of bathroom breaks and lots of sleep. Todd and I are trying to go on walks and hikes as much as possible so I can keep as much weight off as possible, so far I have only gained 1 pound. :)

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Feeling good

It took me about 1 week to figure out that all this is really happening. Some people may have thought I wasn't excited when they saw me, but honestly it was just my mind going a mile a minute. I decided to take a day off from work and just be alone, to really get some rest and prepare myself for what is ahead. It was the best thing I could have done! I spent the day reading my baby books, shopping for good, fresh food, looking at baby clothes:) and talking with some close friends. Everyone at the school has been so supportive, I get asked about 10 times a day how I am feeling and everyone seems to want to take care of me in some way. It is like my family away from home. Todd and I stood in the office today and tried to map out exactly how we are going to turn the office into a baby room, yet still have our computer in it. I think it is going to work, but it will take some down sizing on our part. We have a lot of things that we don't even use! I started cleaning out our closets, taken loads to the Goodwill, it feels really good! Maybe it is early nesting? I just want all the old stuff out because I know we will be getting a lot of new stuff with the baby. Our office is currently painted brown and blue, which we will keep if Baby is a boy, but will change if Baby is a girl:) Today at work I had to undo my button on my jeans! UGH! A girlfriend taught me the "rubberband" trick, so currently my jeans are being held up by a rubberband. I am down 2 pounds, but my stomach is more bloated than normal.
I really am enjoying all of the positive information from other Mommies and accept it with willing and listening ears!
Todd and I brainstormed a bunch of names tonight...we have a pretty long list, I think it will take awhile to narrow our names down. This weekend we plan on just being together and relaxing, these past few weeks have been crazy and we really need some down time with one another.

Monday, September 8, 2008

If you don't have anything nice to say...shut up:)

Maybe it's just my hormones and I am being very sensitive. But it seems like a lot of people have very negative things to say to you when you tell them you are pregnant. For example, "How have you been feeling?" my response " Great! just a little tired but I am doing really well" their response " Oh you just wait! You will be so sick and in so much pain in no time!" ....ok thanks...I feel really good now:)
I know that it is human nature for us to focus on the negative more than the positive. I just never noticed it much until now. And yes I know that some people say you should wait until you are through your first trimester to tell people, but everyone is different and Todd and I are both confident that God is in control.
So to those of you wondering, I am feeling very well, just some major headaches due to lack of coffee.:) I get tired in the day, but when it is time to sleep my mind is racing with so many thoughts it is difficult to fall asleep. I have my first appointment scheduled for October 1st, and spoke with a nurse from the Dr.'s office this morning and she got all my information about my last period and told me I was 7 weeks pregnant and due April 25th. And honestly, I still am kind of in denial that I am even pregnant so far I have taken 3 pregnancy tests! Of course each one of them has been positive, but it feels pretty unreal at this point. :)

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Our little pebble

So two months ago Todd and I decided that we would go off birth control and let nature take its course. If it was in God's plan for us to have a baby, we trusted that His timing was perfect! Well it only took two months of no birth control and now we are excited to say that we are expecting our first baby! It still seems weird to say that we are expecting a baby, a real life, breathing baby! This past week I had been feeling very sick, I have not actually thrown up, but just felt had a lot of cramping and bloating. So after about a week of feeling that way, I told Todd we should stop at Rite Aid and pick up a pregnancy test. As soon as we got home I took it and in no time I saw 2 pink lines! I ran out of the bathroom yelled "OH MY GOSH!" and showed Todd the test, we were both stunned and had no idea what to do next, we just kind of stood there in the kitchen, hugging and crying and I kept repeating "OH MY GOSH!"
I always told myself I would want to wait to tell family until I saw the Dr. and made sure everything was good, but the feeling of knowing I was pregnant was way too overwhelming to just keep to myself, so the first thing we wanted to do was to tell our family. We called all of our close family relatives and told both our parents over web cam. We really have no clue what to expect or where to go from here, other than the Dr. but we are extremely excited!
Our expected due date as of now is April 26th, which I am really happy about, I did not want to be pregnant through the summertime. And now I get to be pregnant on my 25th Birthday:) We are looking forward to the next 9 months as we tackle everything that pregnancy brings your way. I already am reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and am learning a ton!!
We will both try to keep our blog updated since we have family spread out all over the state and country:) We are open to lots of advice and suggestions on what we can expect!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

4th of July Weekend

This time last year we were sitting on the beaches of Jamaica and enjoying our new status as 'married'. This 4th of July we got to spend with our family, the Stone side and the Malone side. Todd's Grandma Barb is here from Oceanside, California and is staying for 3 weeks. We got to spend the day with the Stone's on the 4th, enjoying a yummy BBQ, campfire with S'mores, a round of Taboo and Catch Phrase, and then an amazing fireworks show put on by nearby neighbors.
Tomorrow morning Todd and his Dad are going fishing at 3am!! While I go shopping with Todd's cousin Shelli. This coming Thursday we get to go Long Beach with my parents and brother and girlfriend. This is our second family trip to Long Beach and is going to become our family tradition.