Update!

WOW- It has been a long time since I posted, almost a month to be exact! A lot of things to catch up on!

I left off last month saying that we would be moving into our new house, and we did! What an adventure is all I can say! I told Ryan we will DIE in this house- I AM NEVER MOVING AGAIN! I am so glad to have all that over with. It only took us 3 weeks, and we still have some things in the garage to put away, but overall we are finished and most things are decorated. We love the new house, it is so much more roomy than our old house, I have tons of space to fill up, which is a good thing since I plan on living there for the rest of my life *wink! Our next house project is the nursery! I am so anxious to get this going, I feel like I am running out of time...

I had a doctor's appointment on December 8th. I had to move it up because I wasn't feeling good at all. Come to find out I had a lingering virus. After a lot of sleep and two days, I was feeling much better. Then the next week, I got another virus and threw up for 24 hours... I have had plenty of viruses over my life, but let me tell you having a virus and being 6 1/2 months pregnant is NO fun!! It was interesting to balance eating... I will just leave it at that.

In between of moving, getting sick, work and going to the doctor we did have some fun :) We have been to one Christmas Party and I had a craft party at my house (Call me crazy, I know!) It is always fun to be around friends and family during this time of year!! Even though it doesn't seem like Christmas to me- Ryan and I don't even have a Christmas tree this year. I figured this is our last year to have a low key holiday season, for the rest of our lives Christmas will be so different and be a production!

My next appointment in December 23rd- this will be a fun and not-so-fun appointment. I have to be tested for diabetes (standard), but we will get to see Presley on a ultrasound! What a wonderful Christmas present.

As the days go by, I am getting more and more excited to meet Presley! It is going to be the best day of our lives and it can't come soon enough! I run around all the time trying to figure out how I am going to get everything done and even what I need to get done that I sometimes forget what the real reason for me doing this is , and it is something greater than I can ever imagine. I am so blessed to even have this experience some long for years or even forever to be in my position and I am determined to enjoy every single second of it regardless of the hard times.

Well, I will leave you all with a picture of my belly... It is starting to poke out there. It is funny when I look at this picture because I don't feel this big at all!
Craft Party Fun-

The girls hard at work!

My unfinished wreath! =)

Lindsey, Kara & Mallory's

Me and Lindsey!

That's all for today! Merry Christmas =)

24 Week Doctor's Appointment

We had our November doctor's appointment this morning, and everything went great! I have gained 1 pound in the past 4 weeks (Total=13), and the doctor said that is normal. My blood pressure was great, measurements on target, and Presley's heartbeat was perfect. So overall a good appointment! Our next appointment is December 8th and it is the dreaded diabetes appointment... I have to drink a nasty glucose supplement and get my blood drawn (as you all know I am NOT looking forward to the blood!!). But on the upside, we will get an ultrasound! YAY I can't wait to see Presley again- it has been way too long!

Miss Priss is starting to move more and more each day. She moves mostly at night. Everyone says when you move during the day it rocks the baby to sleep, and that is why they only move when you are still. Who knows!?!

Our house, is still going well. We will get our final inspection by Wednesday. However, we have one hold up until we can finalize everything--They forgot to order our hardwood floors :( and they are on back order! Only we could get so lucky! Good news: they should be in by Wednesday or Thursday, so hopefully, we can stay on track.

Around our house, we are looking forward to the week of Thanksgiving for many reasons:

1. Family in town =)
2. Baby Ava will be born
3. I am off for the entire week! This momma needs a break ;)
4. Moving into our new house!

What a fun week! Happy Thanksgiving!

HOUSE UPDATE!

Everything is right on track for the house to be completed by Thanksgiving. Our builder gave us great news this week and said everything should be completed by the 13th and all the final inspections, including ours with the builder, should be completed by the 20th. Therefore, our move-in date is around the 21st! Yippie (Can you tell I am a little excited?!? ;)
I have some updated pictures... so enjoy!

Presley Movement **Update**

I think... I think, I just felt Presley moving for the first time! It is hard to distinguish hunger and movement, but I am almost positive like 99%. What a fun experience. Everyone is right it felt like a butterfly tapping my tummy right above my belly button! So Exciting! I can't wait until I feel more!

Just wanted to document this occasion =)

*Update
On Sunday morning, Ms. Priss started kicking again. What a surprise and a fun feeling (From what I hear, I better be excited now, because at some point it won't be soo fun!) The first kick was so strong- and reassuring that she is doing well and loving her temporary home! She kicked a couple more faint times and I told Ryan to put his hand on my tummy so maybe he could feel her- and then she kicked so hard! He actually felt her ;) It was so exciting!

20 Weeks

This week we reached the halfway point!! 20 weeks down...20 weeks to go! This week we had a doctor's appointment and everything went smoothly. I have gained 10 pounds total- the doctor said that is perfect and my blood pressure was normal. We heard Presley's heartbeat and the doctor said, "Sounds like a Happy baby, and we like happy babies" ;) Let's hope that attitude continues when she arrives!
Around this week the baby weighs 10 1/2 ounces and is 6 1/2 inches long, about the length of a banana from head to foot. Before this week, the baby has always been measured from head to bottom.

Symptoms:

Lower back pain- This just started two days ago, and man it is a killer. From what I read if I change my sleeping position and put pillows behind my back it should help relieve some of the pressure at night... I will keep you posted.

Night sweats- These happen a few times a week, but isn't too bad.

Increased appetitite- Hungry a lot... and I like to eat bigger meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner. According to the "books" I will start gaining about a pound a week in the coming weeks... watch out food.

Other than that, nothing to complain about. I am feeling good with lots of energy.

HOUSE UPDATE:

The House is coming along. The outside is compeletly finished =) and they have started the sheetrock. The painters will be able to start by next wednesday. We are still on track for a Thanksgiving finsh- crossing my fingers!

I can't wait for the house to be finished so I can start on the nursery. We bought the bedding and the crib, and are looking for the rest of the furniture, but that can wait until next year when we get all the house expenses out of the way.

Until next time...

19 Weeks

A month has flown by! Be prepared this will be a long one.

First, I want to start off by saying, being pregnant is a beautiful thing. Sure I have my bad days when I don't like getting fat, I have nothing to wear, I am moody, and I am always hungry, but overall I love it. I love thinking about meeting our precious baby, and how much love Ryan and I will have for God's little creation. It brings a happy tear* to my eye to even think about the first time I will see that precious baby and I am so excited to see Ryan's reactions and words! Man, I cannot wait.

Now on to the good stuff...

This week the baby is the size of a heirloom tomato. And my tummy is growing more and more each day, I barely recognize myself. I will say that waddling is fun and every pregnant women should take full advantage of their time to waddle ha ha and use pregnancy as an excuse not to wear heels! It has been nice!

Another thing I have noticed, people are so courtesy and nice when you are pregnant- it is amazing. Most Men treat you with the utmost respect. It is very heartwarming and I am very appreciative.

Over the past month we had an ultrasound and guess what?!? We found out the SEX! It was absolutely amazing-- As you know, I wanted a girl with all my heart (After that healthy part, ha ha). I prayed, I talked to my stomach and in my mind it has always been referred to as a girl or as Presley. Ryan in the beginning really wanted a girl also. BUT, he changed his mind late in the game and decided he wanted a boy! I guess I prayed harder and talked to the baby more because IT IS A GIRL!!
Please Meet PRESLEY TAYLOR SPIKES!

We also learned that she is very health and all of her measurements are perfect. We seen her brain, heart and kidneys. All are functioning properly. Her stomach and head are the right proportion, it was a relief to hear everything was great!

She is a stubborn little thing and already prissy! She crosses her legs non-stop- just at the ankles, like a proper lady ;) So Cute!! It seems like she already has a little personality- a little hard headed (She doesn't get that from her momma ;) but still sweet and innocent. O I can't wait. Ryan and I went to Babies R US and picked out the bedding and the crib- it was SOO much fun! =) And I love it. Can't wait to go back and register.

Well I think that is all for the baby update! Soon- I will post an update on the house! =)

15 weeks!! =)

Well, once again, it has taken me forever to write another post. This time I will blame it on my busy life and work schedule!

I had a doctors appointment this past week, and everything went smoothly. We didn't have an ultrasound this time (tear*) but, we did get to hear the heartbeat and kicking! It was very exciting and reassuring to know that our baby is doing great in its comfy little home ;) My next appointment is October 13th and guess what we get to do?!? FIND OUT THE SEX- YAY! My gosh I just cannot wait. At this point, I am feeling a little overwhelmed by all the things I will have to get done before March and after our house is done.

The baby is a size of an apple this week (Does this explain this ever growing baby bump? Hmm... It almost seems like a watermelon in there-- OK OK maybe not watermelon, but Cantaloupe at least haha!)

I have had some cramping lately, but the doctor reassured me that everything is fine. It was most likely dehydration.

Symptoms lately:

Hardly anything to complain about!! Most of the sickness and exhaustion is gone- yay for energy!!

I am hungry a lot! I mostly want Sweet Tea (I know it is bad for me- but everything is OK in moderation, right?!?), Beef O'Brady's, and the occasional weird thing like a pickle. But not too bad all in all.

The House:

The house is coming along- they have started on the foundation- dirt and framing (I guess that is the right term), and "Roughing In" the plumbing. I will take all the progress we can get. Lets just cross our fingers for a December completion date!!!

They said they will pour the foundation at the beginning of next week. I will say that building a house is not an easy task (Just like everyone else that has built a house will say :). It takes a lot of patience, which I do not have a lot of. When I say two days go by that no one is there it really makes me mad- but I have to remember good things come to those who wait!

Busy Schedule:

My schedule has been the most challenging thing thus far-- All self-induced I must add. I joined Junior League this year, and so far I am really enjoying it. This past month, I did some training for my community service hours on abused children and signs to look for. They presented us with some really shocking statistics and as a soon-to-be new home it feels great to be informed.

And in my spear time, I am also in Leadership Pensacola. This program is ran by the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce is and is for leaders and up-and-coming leaders of Pensacola. it is very exciting to be surround by individuals that have a passion for our community and work every day to make it better. Since I have started working with the Chamber, I have grown to love Pensacola and everything it has to offer. We do live in Paradise and overall we have good people that want to make this place the best it can be. In LeaP we have had some great days- we did an obstacle course and we had a community overview day. The overview was very enlightening and I was shocked to see how many people were misinformed about the North end of the county. I am looking forward to the next months getting to know everyone better and learning more about the place that I love!

WHEW- I was long winded today, I guess that is what I get for not updating!! =)