Just a couple of things I've noticed...

Pregnancy is a totally new experience. Things happen all the time that completely catch me off guard. I often say to myself or Aaron, "What's wrong with me?" And...he always politely reminds me...."You're pregnant!" Duh. A couple of examples:

1. At week 13 and 4 days :) , the nausea/aversion to foods is still not gone. Thursday night, we cooked a wonderful (looking) dinner of cheeseburgers, baked potatoes, and steamed broccoli. It all smelled marvelous, but when it was time to sit down and bite, I couldn't do it. The banana milkshake i was thinking of from Sonic, however, sounded (and tasted) good. I figured some calories were better than no calories.

2. I am starting to have trouble sleeping. My sides cramp up when I lay on them for a substantial amount of time. My back and neck cramp up when I lay on my back for a while. Stomach is off limits. How to be comfortable?

3. It is INCREDIBLY hard to find cute maternity clothes. The pants I have bought should last me awhile. I am not so concerned about those being "cute." However, tops? Ridiculous. I am going to wear my regular clothes as long as I can and then pray that the designers of maternity tops and dresses come to their senses. Meanwhile should anyone have clothing they would like to donate, I would greatly appreciate it. (That was the other huge issue: the cute stuff was outrageously priced!)

4. Without being completely inappropriate and providing TMI, there are "other things" that we are finding difficult as well. I mean, when this belly gets much bigger, as it will, I don't see how we are going to do "certain things." Ok...I'm stopping right there.

5. I forgot the 5th thing I was going to rant about. Maybe I should mention pregnancy brain and forgetfulness.

And I know I've mentioned a lot of negative things here. One great thing is that I have started having a bit more energy and have gotten out and walked a few days. Another thing is that I have started telling myself everyday that at the end of all this, I am going to have a little, precious mixture of Aaron and me to hold and raise and teach about Jesus. I say everyday "I'm going to have a baby" and I've started to believe and understand it. It's pretty cool and definitely trumps 1-5 :)

I'll try to post a pic later.

First baby bump picture...

Well here it is! The very first Smith baby bump photo...I was waiting until there was actually something to show but I can feel and see a bump now, so I figured it was that time. Don't you like my elastic waste band skirt? It's about the only thing that fits me now. Jeans are out. I'll be purchasing some kind of stretchy band to help me wear my dress pants to work, and lots of flowy dressed! 

Everyone of course asks how i'm feeling and I'm glad to say that I have mostly felt good since the beginning. I pass out every night between 8:30 and 9 and wake up at 5:30 about to starve! I eat when I'm hungry and try to make good, healthy decisions. I even let myself have those "cravings" every once in a while because let's face it: I'm not going to turn down ice cream, ever.

We go back to the Dr. this Wednesday, the 2nd. I am excited to see how much has changed. I know we probably won't get an ultrasound this time just because it's not a critical week to have one. However, we will be 13 weeks this time and I plan to ask if we can come back around 18 weeks next time and pray to find out boy or girl :) That would be around March 9th or 10th...right before Spring Break. I would be a happy girl :)

Well, until next time! 

What's in a name?

Ok, so I know we have a lottt of time to think about things, but as far as I'm concerned, I have found a baby name that I love! It popped up out of nowhere one day while I was searching and I kind of fell in love with it. I don't want to post about it yet, because there is still a major dilemma: I CAN'T GET AARON ON BOARD!

This has been the most frustrating part so far. We can't agree. The bad thing is: I've already imagined my child being named this name, it's sort of set in stone...in my heart anyway. So, pray that he sees the light!

I am 11 weeks tomorrow. AAAAAAAAHHHHH! It's starting to get so exciting and real. I go back to the Dr. on Feb. 2nd and can't wait to see what we find out then. Right now, the baby is about the size of a fig, I think. Bones are starting to harden and teeth buds are forming below the gums. He or she is already moving around, kicking arms and legs, but of course I can't feel it yet! I look forward to that day.

Survey!

My friend Cindy's blog gave me the idea to do a survey of fun questions about what's been happening so far in the world of "sitting on the nest" as my Dad would say. So here goes:

Firsts:
Is this your first pregnancy?: Yes
How did you find out you were pregnant?: I felt yucky around the time that I should've gotten my period in December so I decided to get a box of HPTs!
What kind of pregnancy test did you take?: The first 2 were HEB brand with separate indicator and control window. The lines were so faint that I decided to get another box of more expensive ones (who knows?) and do it the next morning. All 4 were positive :)
What were your first symptoms? Swollen/painful breasts, bloated, TIRED, and a bit of nausea here and there
Who did you tell first? My husband and our friends April and Jamin Carter :)
Who was with you when you found out? I took the tests alone. Aaron didn't even know I had bought them, but I went and got him and was like, "I need you to come look at something!"
Was baby planned?: Yes and no. We were not preventing, I should say.
When was baby conceived?: middle of November before Thanksgiving
How far were you when you found out?: 4.5 weeks
My baby:Due date: August 11, 2011
Do you want to know the sex?: Yes, it's too hard to plan without knowing. And, I'm a planner.
Any names?: Boy names we like: Grayson, Owen, Jaedon (Aaron's pick) Girl names we like: Olivia, Ryleigh
Any ultrasounds?: Yes at my first appt. It is amazing how you can already see arms and legs.
Have you heard the heartbeat?: No, but we saw it beating on the ultrasound.
Who do you think baby will look like? dark hair, hopefully Aaron's complexion
Will baby have any siblings?: Yes. I am waiting to see what parenthood is like before I decide how many :)
Have you and dad felt baby move? Not yet, too early!
Are you excited?: Very, not sure it's really set in yet
MISCELLANEOUS:
Did you have morning sickness?: Well, nausea at the smell of some foods. Heartburn after. No vomiting, yet!
Do you have any cravings?: bread, crackers, soda
Do you have any mood swings?: Yes. I am a very emotional person anyway, so you can imagine
Are you a high risk pregnancy?: No
Any complications?: Nope
Formula or breastfeeding? Good question. will try to breastfeed as long as I can!
Have you bought anything for baby yet?: No, but had my brother buy him/her a baby Carolina tee and rattle :)

Who will help with baby after their born? Aaron and I; MDO ladies at church
What is your favorite thing about being pregnant? the anticipation and most wonderful thing ever to look forward to!
What is the worst thing about being pregnant? So far the exhaustion and nausea feelings
What's one thing you miss doing since being pregnant? Having morning coffee
Any days you wish you weren't pregnant?: No, it's never THAT bad :)
Are you ready for baby? Not yet!
How far along are you now?: 9wks 6 days

First post from the 3 of us!

The word is mostly out...but in case you haven't heard, Aaron and I are expecting our first baby. I am about 9 1/2 weeks now...which makes baby's arrival date on or around August 11, 2011. Recently, I have started to get really excited at the thought of having a child - and seeing the best parts of Aaron and the best parts of me in another human being. Wonder what he/she will look like? If we'll ever agree on a name? Ahh...I know we have time, but the planner in me can't help but want things, well, planned out already!

Maybe you didn't catch that, but it's only recently that I'm getting excited. Up to this point, I have been mostly nervous and scared, thinking, "What did we do?" It's no secret - I am a person who likes my sleep. There aren't many nights that I make it past 10:00 (Aaron would say 9:00). :) And...with our recent move to La Vernia, TX to be student pastors here, we are the farthest from our families that we've ever been. That's a scary thought! No Help! Don't get me wrong, I fully expect for our church family to step in where they can to help us and be our "family" away from family. But, you know what I mean. Sometimes, and, I suspect, in this situation, it may not seem like an equal substitution.

Normally, I would let myself become worried by all these things floating around in my head (am I eating too many crackers?, getting enough protein/calcium/vitaminC/etc.? is it ok to have a littttle bit of caffeine when my head wants to explode?, yada yada yada.) But, I really have been trying to rest back on the power of prayer. I have to make myself, I won't lie. It's easier sometimes in human weakness to spend more time thinking and less time praying. But, I want God's plan for this baby, my life after baby, etc. My biggest prayer request right now, other than a healthy baby, is for God to show us a way that I can work from home. For all of you who know: I have a Master's degree to teach which is realllly what I want to do with my life. But, I would really enjoy the time to be at home just for the first year or 2 with my baby. And then go back to work. See, it all makes perfect sense to me, but what is God's plan? You can join me in asking Him, if you'd like :)

I guess that is enough for now. My intentions are to update regularly with new pictures of the "belly" as I continue to grow. I will do my best!

Inspiration

So...this past Sunday morning I was just sitting at the table having a waffle for breakfast...and some coffee. I happened to look down and saw a magazine that I thought I'd pick through while I was eating. It was from Liberty University - the college where Aaron and I have both finished Master's degrees. I was just scanning the articles, read the one about Glenn Beck speaking at Spring 2010 commencement. Then, I came across a small insert that shocked me. It was about a death in the Liberty community. As I read on, I was shocked even more to find out that, of the few professors that I actually met in person, (my coursework was mostly online) the woman who died was actually Dr. Jill Jones, one of my intensive class teachers. Intensives are 1 week long classes where you go from 8-5 Monday-Friday and receive 3 credit hours. (As a teacher candidate, you have to do this 3 times)! Man was my heart saddened. I remember the first summer I went for my first intensives, 2 back-to-back. All the people I saw in the "break room" were telling me how hard the next class I was taking was going to be - the one with Dr. Jill. I can still remember being so nervous to meet her. And then...it's like I walked into the room and met an instant friend. I loved Dr.  Jill's class...challenging, definitely, but also so enlightening about my career. I didn't go back to Liberty to take my last intensive until 2 summers later, and who did I see one day in the hallway? Dr. Jill. She remembered me! How crazy is that? She remembered about a specific prayer requested I had mentioned (2 years before, mind you) and asked me how the situation had been resolved. I walked away with such a smile on my face! But not before she told me that she would be looking for me in the doctorate program. Holy cow!


That particular class that I took with Dr. Jill was called Methods of teaching Middle School. I focused on the lack of foreign language programs in MSs and why it was so crucial and necessary. I don't think it's a coincidence that I just happen to be teaching that very thing right now! It was such an inspiration to have met her, and I know, even now that she's gone, she'd want all of us, her students, to continue working hard for our students. 


She played us a song one day in class, while asking if any of us had a "life song." Hers was "Legacy" by Nicole Nordeman. She just wanted to make a difference, and I know at least for me, she did. We all need a reminder by someone like her that how we treat people is the biggest key to making a difference, in any line of work. 


I won't ever forget Dr. Jill. And who knows, maybe I will end up in that doctorate program, crazy as it sounds. Sheesh

Surprise

I have been feeling so guilty lately for not studying my Bible like I should. Don't get me wrong...I love to study scripture. I have a great study Bible that has notes that are so interesting to me, and I'll find myself sitting for hours sometimes just checking all the cross-references! That is - when I have time! Don't judge me! I have to get up early every day for work and while those morning hours are the most quiet and practical times to do my Bible study, I just find myself wanting to snooze and get in more sleep.

So...I mentioned to Aaron the other day the idea of maybe getting the Bible on CD so that, in my 40 minute roundtrip commute everyday, I can at least use those minutes more efficiently. Much to my surprise he had ordered me the complete New Testament on CD to keep in my car and it was waiting for me when i got home today :)

Now...I know that I don't want this to be my only Bible study that I do all week. I still want to actually "read" my Bible but I am so excited to get in some time with Jesus on my way to work and I can't wait to see how it actually affects my attitude and my day with my 8th graders...

My husband is so great. He has proven to me again how much he listens when I talk about things that concern me and bother me. He is a great spiritual leader that I look up to and he helps me to want to be a better Christ-follower. I am so proud of him!

Oh and btw, he preached last Sunday at church...a great sermon on Evangelism. You can check it out at www.grace-bible.net - media resources.