Wow!

**When I went back to edit this post, I noticed a post from June that I had typed but never posted? So I posted it today! So technically, it hasn't been since April, but only since June. Much better.... still not quite quarterly reporting at its best, but much better! :)

So my quarterly report has apparently turned into a yearly report! I can't believe I haven't posted anything since last April. Speaking of April.....that's when the next big life event is scheduled to occur. We are expected our fir st child due April 26th. We've had two ultrasounds, the first at 13 weeks when it was too early to determine the gender, and the latter at 19 weeks, when our little sweetpea wasn't cooperating. The tech says based on what she saw and "didn't see" it looks as though we're having a girl!! (It's a bit frustrating not knowing for sure, but then, as a parent-to-be, it absolutely changes nothing!)

Both of the labeled photos above are from our first ultrasound at 13 weeks. It was amazing to see all the tiny details taking shape in our sweet baby girl!

The above photo is from our 19 week ultrasound. We only got three pictures from this ultrasound, and they all looked exactly the same to me! Notice our sweet pea appears to have nothing below that round belly of hers (which she gets from her mom)! This could be why we aren't sure if we're having a girl!

The pregnancy has gone really smoothly so far...no problems or complications, and I've learned to stay calm when I feel as though there might be a problem. The first 12 weeks were by far the most nerve racking weeks of my life. I thought everything that I felt or didn't feel was a "bad sign!" Not posting any pics of me just yet, because I haven't "popped"! Advice for those overweight gals that get pregnant or are thinking about getting pregnant.....don't let the baby bump (or lack there of) keep you from enjoying and relishing in your pregnancy. That's been the hardest lesson for me to grasp. I don't have to look pregnant to know and feel the little miracle growing inside of me. I'm 26 weeks pregnant, and though I can tell my body has changed, not many others can. I'm still wearing all pre-pregnancy pants, though I've learned pony tail holders come in quite handy around buttons, and I'm hanging on to a net weight loss of about 4 pounds at this point.

I first felt our assumed baby girl on December 14th, which was my dad's birthday! I cooked dinner for my family for his birthday and as we were lounging around after supper I felt her first kick! It made me gasp (and cry) and it was absolutely the most amazing feeling in the world! It took a week or so for me to get used to her jabs and rolls, but now, every time I feel her I can't help but smile! Even her 3 a.m. boxing matches don't foul my mood! I look forward to feeling her around bedtime, she helps lull me to sleep!

For all wondering, we have given assumed baby girl a name: Anna Jeanne, after our moms.

For as long as I've thought of being a mom, I've had many girl names picked out, neither being what we've chosen. After my mom passed away, it became important for me to find a fitting way to memorialize her and continue her legacy. My mom went by Ann, but I prefer Anna. Clif's mom's middle name is Jean, but we preferred the spelling Jeanne. I really like the nickname AJ, but Clif says nicknames complicate things for kids later on in life (which I agree with), so she'll probably go by Anna.

What if it's a boy, you ask? Well.....we're stumped! We are still looking for a back-up name, but have yet to agree on one. We've come up with about 25 middle names, but no first name! We still have 3 months though!!

We've been working on the nursery.... we got the crib for Christmas and it is up, but we don't have the mattress or bedding in yet. Our nursery theme is called "Stars of America". I've always loved rustic country decor, and I found baby bedding composed of muted reds, blues, and yellow plaids, patched into stars. I love it, and can't wait for it to arrive! The walls are a buttery yellow color with rustic stars and signs hung on the walls. I'll post pictures once the crib is ready!

Clif and I on Christmas Eve '09