Glucola?? Hmm...

At my doctor's appointment today I was given a bottle of orange "Glucola" that contains 50 grams of sugar. I have to consume this entire bottle within 5 minutes on the morning of my next appointment (March 23) so they can stick my finger with a needle and check my blood glucose levels. Awesome. Here's my question - why is it that they don't provide any type of organic alternative to this nasty synthetic garbage?! I'm not in the habit of taking in processed sugars or any other dyes/toxins on a regular basis ON PURPOSE... so why would I want to spike my normal levels with an INorganic sugar and all other sorts of crap? I'm hoping that my midwife will allow me to drink 14 ounces of organic grape juice - which would also equal 50 grams of sugar. I feel this is a valid and reasonable alternative, don't you? And here's another profile shot of my growing belly & baby girl! :)

A brief update

I am really enjoying being pregnant!!! I feel great and I hope this continues to be the case for the remaining 3-4 months. :) I can feel her moving quite a bit these days and I must say that it is the most amazing sensation in the world... I thank God for EVERY time it happens - even if it's when I want to sleep! I definitely look permanently pregnant now - not just a little round in the mid-section. Some people have told me that they can't tell I'm pregnant if they look at me from behind, which I CERTAINLY appreciate. :) Let's hope they're not just being nice!

I'm having a bit more difficulty sleeping - or rather getting comfortable on my side - and I know this will only increase in the coming months. But I'm sleeping pretty soundly once I can find a relaxing position. I'm trying to walk every day and remember to do my exercises. Some days are better than others, though, I'll admit...

As of right now, our little girl weighs about a pound and so far I've only gained 3.5 - so not too shabby!! :) Here's the latest baby bump picture (taken about a week ago):


My next appointment is on February 24th and I'm SO looking forward to hearing her heartbeat again. I know it may sound crazy, but there are days when I just need to hear that sound to know that she's growing strong and doing well. :) That's all for now...

And here SHE is!!

That's right... we're having a GIRL! :) I am 21 weeks along at this point and feeling great! Here are some pictures from the ultrasound this past Tuesday morning.

Not quite a modest little lady... but we wanted cooperation - and we got it! :)

Here is a profile shot of our little girl - though she didn't care to uncover her face!


And here's a straight-on shot. It looks like she might be praying in there! :) As Shane likes to say, "Spiritual from the start..."

A new year... a new addition! :)

[WARNING: Long post to follow!]
While most of you who read this blog already know our exciting news, I figured it would be a good idea to chronicle the journey of our expanding family! We found out on October 8, 2009 that I was expecting our first child!! :) We were (and still are) ECSTATIC, to say the least. The morning of October 8 began as any other day - with work. As I left work for my regularly scheduled annual doctor appointment, I couldn't help but hope that my dream had become a reality. I kept telling myself, "Don't get your hopes up..." But let's be honest - they already were! Without getting into all the details, I'll just say that I had not yet taken a pregnancy test until the day of my doctor's appointment. After arriving at the office and taking care of my end of things for the test, I was waiting patiently in a chair as my blood pressure was taken. The nurse looked at me just seconds later and said very nonchalantly, "Well, you have a positive pregnancy test." I was dumbfounded! I immediately said, "Are you serious?" Not sure why... especially when we had been trying, and since this was what I was hoping for! But I think her tone and manner caused my initial reaction. It was as if she was reading aloud the things on her "to do" list. I suppose she has to be careful with how she delivers this statement, though, as not everyone would be excited for this news. Once it registered in my brain, I immediately began smiling from ear to ear and teared up a bit. At this point, she returned the smile and said, "Congratulations!" Let me share that Shane was attending class as I was being told this life-changing news. Had I thought I really WAS pregnant, I probably would've insisted that he come with me that morning. But I've dealt with disappointment before on this front and didn't want to create something out of what I thought was nothing.

After delivering this wonderful news, the nurse proceeds to ask me some other questions and determines that I am approximately 5 weeks and 2 days along - making my due date June 10, 2010. WHAT?! At this moment (while I am being escorted into an exam room), every possible thought is swirling around in my head. "I HAVE TO CALL SHANE!" "Oh my goodness... I can't believe this is happening!" "I don't feel any different. Is she sure the test was positive? What if she made a mistake?" The reality of this moment finally began to set in when I spoke with Shane just a few minutes later. I had left him a message for him to call me, and he did so as soon as his class was dismissed. I was with my doctor at this point and I told him that I might have to answer my phone should my husband call. Just seconds after uttering that statement, my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. I scrambled to grab it and heard Shane say, "So... what's up?" And I anxiously answered, "Umm... you're going to be a daddy!" His reaction was instant, saying, "Are you kidding??! Oh my goodness..." I could actually HEAR him smiling on the other end of the phone. He got in his car not long after our conversation and met me at work so we could enjoy lunch together as we shared in this awesome moment.

I'm happy to say that we are blessed to have been able tell both of our families in person. It all started off with our trip to Disney World with the DeHavens back at the end of October. Once we found out that I was pregnant, we began plotting how we would let the cat out of the bag. We knew that Shane's family would be the first we saw... and determined at that point that we would tell them as soon as everyone was together. Once we got home from that trip, we hopped on a plane to NY to tell my family. It was a whirlwind couple of weeks, but worth EVERY second. :) Both families were overjoyed at our news and we've been sharing it with friends and extended family ever since.

As of today I am just over 18 weeks along and feeling great! I had my moments of sickness during weeks 10-14, but besides that I really can't complain! I know now that I have to get at least 9 hours (if not 10) of sleep each night to feel fully rested. I'm drinking lots of water and eating well... making sure Baby D (as we fondly refer to him/her) gets all the necessary nutrients. We are looking forward to finding out the baby's gender in just a couple weeks! It is still quite a surreal experience, but I am so blessed and humbled to be carrying this new life inside of me. God is so amazing...

Here is our first ultrasound from week 8 along with a couple "baby bump" pictures (one from early December and one from just last week):