.my.hubby.

I just wanted to take the time to tell everyone what a great husband I have! He is really working hard to support his "growing" family.  As most of you know, my husband Bo used to be a police officer for the Brandon Police Department.  He was a Sergeant on the nightshift and the SWAT commander.  He absolutely loved nearly every second of his job - including his coworkers.  They were like family!  He had contemplated going to law school for the past few years because he likes the legal (investigative) side of law enforcement and mainly wanted to make more money.  As you know, law enforcement is extremely underpaid for what they do!  Anyway, long story short, Bo quit his job at Brandon in August to be a full-time law student at Mississippi College School of Law.  He figured he better go ahead and pursue it since we had nothing holding us down.  We saved up plenty of money and were fully prepared for him to be unemployed.  During his transition of being unemployed and a full-time law student, he had to deal with an extremely emotional and unstable wife due to my moms illness.  I know it was so hard on him!  

Then, after being in law school for nearly two and half months, we found out we were expecting!!  BIG SURPRISE!!  We knew he would continue law school and at first thought we'd be okay without him working b/c we had saved up.  Well, months into the pregnancy we soon realized there's no way to do this on one income.  I mean, I've got to have a whole new wardrobe, my nesting phase of wanting things around the house completed have already kicked in, and the horrible economy isn't helping much!  So Bo was somewhat on the hunt for a job - at least part-time.  With the economy so bad, no one was hiring!  I was really getting nervous!

I truly believe God was looking out for us because Bo now has a job!!  He has been employed full-time with the Rankin County Sheriff's Department for a full week!!  Yes - full time, which means benefits and everything.  A true blessing!!  He is currently working in the jail and as a reserve deputy.  He is working like crazy going to school full-time, then working full-time.  I just want everyone to know how much I truly appreciate his hard work and admire him for what he's doing.  

Another blessing is that Abby is not due until June, which means he will be out of school for the summer!  That means he will be able to take a few weeks off work and spend time with her.  

It's amazing how God has a plan for us.  OUR plans have completely been turned around by GOD'S plan.  As I've said before, Bo has been like a rock for me during the most difficult time of my life.  I know he will be the best dad ever and I can't wait to see him with Abby.  He even continues to tell me how "gorgeous" I am even though I have this tremendous belly!!  ;)  He just makes me feel better.  I love you Bo!! 

.big.belly.

Well, last week we went to our monthly appointment with Dr. Cole. There wasn't much done at this visit. We were actually in and out pretty fast, which is unusual. She measured my belly for the first time and we heard the heart beat again. They also gave me the lovely "orange drink" to drink for my next appointment. This is the dreaded sugar test! Next time they will draw blood!! YIKES! :(

Also on this last visit, they did the usual "weigh in." It was the worst it's been so far - 5 pounds!! That's 5 pounds in one month! Over a pound a week! Freaked me out a bit considering it's only been a pound at each visit in the past. I've gained a total of 7 pounds so far. I guess that's not too bad, but it's more than I really want to weigh. It's worth it though. :)

Speaking of the weight gain, my belly seems to be expanding by the minute. She seems to have had a growth spurt over night! It's very obvious that I am preggers now. People do double takes when they see me. :) I'm posting some pics so you can see too!

We are still in the process of finding some baby bedding. I am hoping I have a decision by this weekend. The nursery is coming along. Her papaw (my dad) bought her some furniture. It's a cute armiore and dresser/changer. Bo's mom also helped us buy the dream bed - an iron canopy crib!! I will post pictures soon!! We've also nearly decided on her name - Abby Grace. I have been "practicing" with it and try to refer to her as "Abby" as much as possible.

I am still feeling her little "movements." They don't feel like movements or even flutters. I would describe them as what feels like muscle spasms. I lay there and feel these little "spasms," but I know it's little Abby trying to get comfy. She moves the most when I settle down and get in bed at night - even though I feel her throughout the day. It's amazing!! I do wish mama was here. I have had a few break downs this month wishing she was here with me. I can't stop thinking about "how am I going to do this without her?" Everyone seems to have their mom through this special time. I know she is watching over us but I just want her here with me. :(

Anyway, not much new to post other than some pics of "the" belly. Here I am at 21 weeks, 5 days (and those are not stretch marks, they are scratch marks from my itchy belly):

.movements.

So I think I have finally felt my baby girl moving - the most amazing thing! It actually began last Saturday morning as I laid in the bed. I felt a thump or two! After the first "thump" I thought to myself, "was that her?" Then she did it again, but not as strong. I moved and didn't feel anything again. Then Tuesday at work, I was sitting in a meeting. I again felt the same "thump" but MUCH more intense. I placed a slight bit of pressure on my tummy where I felt it and she did it again but not as intense. I knew it was her!

Then, this weekend was even MORE amazing! Friday night, my husband Bo and I went for a late night snack. We went to Sonic for some milkshakes - maybe just a pregnancy craving. ;) We got back to the house, drank our shakes, and settled in to watch a movie. As we are sitting watching the movie I feel the "thumping" again. It's the most intense it's been! I placed my hand on my tummy to really feel it. I asked Bo to place his hand on my tummy just to see if he could feel it. I really didn't think he could since most tell me the husband can't feel until later on in the pregnancy. But he DID!! It was that strong!! I thought to myself - "I bet you can see this!" So sure enough you could! We both saw one good "movement" and that was it. It was so neat! I think she is already getting cramped in there with those long legs.

Anyway, no baby preperations this weekend other than some maternity clothes shopping. I finally got some decent jeans that fit and a few cute tops.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I hope to post some belly pics soon! :)

.getting.ready.

So the past two weekends, all I have done is begin my preparations for my sweet baby girl.  Last weekend my sister, Bo, and I went to Brookhaven in hopes of nursery ideas and of course - maternity clothes.  We went to the famous Expectations.  It was a cute store and I did get some good maternity clothes, but that's about it.  Aunt Jenn bout me the cutest "It's a Girl" shirt!  I should be able to wear it soon and "fill it out!"  Last weekend I also began cleaning out the spare bedroom to make room for the nursery.  That project continued on this weekend and will take another weekend before it's completely cleared out.  We've come along way though.

I've also stared wearing the ever dreaded maternity clothes! Egh!  I only had one good pair of pants that I bought in Brookhaven so I wore them one day last week to work.  All my other "normal" pants will either not button at all, or not button comfortably.  So off to Target I go! I've got to get some comfort.  I found a belly band that basically allows me to stay in my "normal" clothes but leave them unbuttoned.  This has been a life saver!  I have worn it nearly all week until the clothes I ordered online come in.  I ordered some pants from the Gap b/c I have to have the LONG length.  They should be in this week!

So my belling is really beginning to expand and I should be "really" showing in the next week or two.  And hopefully I will begin feeling her move some.  I can't wait!

.It's. a . . . .

BABY GIRL! We found out yesterday we are having a sweet baby girl. The whole sonogram experience yesterday was very surreal. I am currently 17 weeks pregnant and I feel more connected than ever with this living human inside me. Of course I knew I was pregnant and even had one sonogram at 8 weeks, but yesterday I literally saw this little creature that was just a moving all around! It actually hit me that I have this living thing inside me! It was amazing! What amazes me the most is that she was really moving, but I couldn't feel a thing!

We had our sonogram appointment at 9 a.m. Bo, of course, went with me and my sister met us there. On the way to the appointment I told Bo.. "I really think we are having a boy." He said, "no, it's definitely a girl." Everyone, especially my sister, has been telling me all along that is was a girl. I really deep down felt it was a girl because I cannot see myself with a boy. Plus, I totally see Bo with a girl. He cares so much for his sweet, little 4 lb Maltese baby girl Maggie, so I know he would love a little "human" baby girl just as much. It just melts my heart! Now I would L-O-V-E a little boy too! And I do hope one day to have one of each! But girls in my family are far and few between. This whole experience is very bittersweet because I want my mama so very badly! Not a moment of any day passes that I do not think of her and wish she was here! I want to tell her about these things more than anything else in the world, but I know she is watching all of this from above.

Anyway, as we walk into the sonogram room the sonographer asks if we are finding out what it is. Of course I say YES! As I am laying there watching the screen she is pointing out the arms, spine, etc. Then she comes across the "area" and my immediate thoughts were.... "It's a boy! I see IT right there!" Then she randomly and casually says "It's a little girl." My heart melts and I tear up a bit. My sister is over there, "I told you!" I even had to ask... "are you sure?" She said yes and pointed it all out to me on the screen. Then she looked at all these little organs and pointed everything out to me. It was just so amazing to see! I still cannot believe this little 6 ounce baby girl is growing inside.

Everything else checked out good. I have gained another pound (3 lbs total). I feel the pounds will really start packing on in the next month or two when she hits her growth spurt. But for now, no maternity clothes yet!! I am slightly anemic so am on iron pills. Baby's heart rate is good at 145 beats per minute.

Needless to say we are thrilled and I couldn't be more excited at this point! Reality has DEFINITELY hit and we are now about to prepare our home for this miracle! I know my mom is smiling down watching every second! She is just SO happy and I cannot wait to tell my baby girl about her Mimi!

A few of the sonogram pics are below. Sorry they are not the best quality!

Check out the long legs... just like her daddy. . .