19 weeks and almost halfway there....

We are now 19 weeks into the pregnancy.  We cannot believe how fast time has gone by.  It feels like yesterday we found out we were going to be parents. 

Monday is our 19 week doctor's appointment.  We will be having an ultrasound to spy on LBR.  This is also the appointment where we could find out whether LBR is a baby girl or a baby boy.  But, we are still going to wait until he/she arrives in July.  I cannot wait to find out, but I know if I were to find out on Monday, the surprise would be over.  I truly love to be surprised and that rarely, if ever, happens, so the one way I can control this one is to WAIT. 

We have already purchased LBR's crib, but we are waiting for it to come in.  I have tried to find picture online to post, but for some reason it will not let me copy and paste to my blog.  We have also purchased the rug for the nursery and have decided on a wall color.  All of course are neutral.  Spencer went into Lowe's the other day and found the closet organizers we had been eyeing for 80% off!  You can't beat that.  So, hopefully, he will paint the closet and work on installing the organizers in the next couple of weeks. 

I am still feeling great and believe I have started to feel LBR move around.  At first, I thought this feeling would be a little weird for me, when I heard others  describe it.  But, to tell you the truth it is very comforting. 

I will update more on Monday after our doctor's appointment.  I am hoping to have some pictures to post :)

17 Weeks...

We are now 17 weeks into the pregnancy.  I cannot believe how fast time has gone by.  We have our next doctor's appointment February 15.  This is actually the appointment where we could find out the sex of LBR.  But, as well all know, we are going to wait.  We are really excited about getting to see LBR.  We can't wait to see how much he/she has grown in 7 weeks. 

I am still feeling really good and have not had any morning sickness or vomiting.  I am really enjoying my prenatal water aerobics and prenatal yoga classes.  I will recommend them to anyone. 

On Saturday we ordered LBR's crib from Storkland in Vestavia Hills.  I tried to link the picture but for some reason it isn't working.  It is white iron and will convert, eventually, to a full size bed.  We also purchased the rug for the nursery.  Our next project is to paint, then move in the furniture. I still have not decided on a bed skirt or bumpers, but we want it to be neutral.  We are also still on the lookout for a rocker.  Yet again, we are still undecided on what we want. 

On Friday, I told my students that I was going to have a baby.  I actually told them as we were taking the spelling test.  It could not have worked out more perfectly.  One of our spelling words this week was July (we were studying the oo, u sound).  So when it was time for me to say a sentence with July, I said,"Mrs. Roden is going to have a baby in July."  They were so cute.  Most of them thought I was just kidding and making a sentence with the spelling word.  One little boy thought I would have to quit teaching right away.  But, all in all they were very excited. 

15 Weeks Already?

Spencer and I went back to the doctor on Thursday for our 4 week (monthly) check up.  We actually had to see another doctor in the practice because my doctor was out due to a death in the family.  I am really glad we were able to meet another doctor in the practice.  He was really nice and definitely made me feel very comfortable about using this practice.  The check up went very well.  We were able to hear LBR's heartbeat on the Doppler.  It is always a relief to me when I can hear the heartbeat.  It really makes the pregnancy a reality.  Other than my clothes beginning to fit a little snug and my stomach beginning to become hard, I do not really feel pregnant.  I am actually still wearing my regular clothes, but I do feel that will be changing in the next couple of weeks. 

The next time we go to the doctor I will be 19 weeks.  We will be having an ultra sound during this appointment.  This is where if we wanted to find out the sex of the baby we could.  However, we have chosen not to do so.  We want it to be a surprise.  Surprisingly it does not even both me that we could find out and aren't going to.  I am really excited to wait.  I love to be surprised and that NEVER happens (except with this pregnancy, which is a WONDERFUL surprise).  So to actually be in control of being surprised is a great feeling!

So far during the pregnancy I have not been sick.  I have  had a few headaches and several food aversions, but I have not actually been sick.  I am so thankful for that.  It makes the pregnancy so much more enjoyable.  I am also taking prenatal water aerobics and prenatal yoga.  I look forward to these classes every week.  I highly recommend them to anyone who is pregnant.

I get an update every week from www.babycenter.com.  This is what is happening this week:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Crazy huh?  I can't believe how much LBR is growing and how quickly!  It's truly amazing.  I can't wait to see what the future weeks have in store for us!

The Last Decade (1999-2009)

Not only did we roll into 2010 last night, but we also ended a decade.  This got me to thinking about all I/we have done in the last ten years.  Check it out:

• Graduated from high school (May 2000)
• Started college, August 2000
• Got engaged, December 18, 2002
• Spencer started his own company, Renovation Workshop
• Graduated from college, December 18, 2004
• Got Married, March 19, 2005
• Spent a week in St. Lucia for our honeymoon!
• First teaching job at Fultondale Elementary teaching 6th grade, August 2005
• We have bought three houses and moved three times since we have been married.  I believe we are finally in the house we are supposed to be in for the long haul!
• Lost beloved animals, Florida and Buddy
• Added to our furry family: Bella, Piper, and Tater
• Received my Master's from UAB
• Moved to 2nd grade!  (the best grade ever!!!!)
• Numerous mountain and beach trips as a couple as well as with great friends!

The last ten years were great.  I believe it is truly awesome to be able to say that Spencer and I were together to share all of these great and sad experiences.  We are looking forward to the next decade when we will welcome our first born child into the world!  We are so excited to see what 2010 has to bring!

Three's Company

Well, if you haven't heard by now, Spencer and I are expecting our first child.  We are due July 11, 2010.  We were very surprised, but that has now turned to pure excitement.  We cannot wait to meet our little one!  We have decided that we are not going to find out the sex of the baby.  We would also like that to be a surprise.  As my dad put it, "It's like knowing what you are getting for Christmas and not being able to play with it for another five months."  So we are going to wait and let that be a surprise too!  Now, many people do not like this idea, and cannot understand how in the world I am going to prepare for LBR's (Little Baby Roden) arrival.  I know the teacher in me would know right now if I could, but I am taking a completely different approach with this.  I am going to plan, but not over plan. I do not need all pink or all blue.  I already have the nursery planned out in my head, now I just have to locate everything and make it come together (with Spencer's help of course).

Our families were very excited when we shared our wonderful news with them.  Some seemed surprised and others seemed to expect it.  However, we have had nothing but love and support for LBR. 

On a side note, LBR stands for Little Baby Roden, but those are also my initials.  So sometimes I refer to myself as LBR squared.  Haha!

Merry Christmas 2009

This year we spent Christmas in Washington DC at my aunt's house.  We celebrated with Spencer's parents, April, Ramey, Grandmother, and the boys the weekend before at our house. 

Here are a few pictures from the Roden Family Christmas:

Ramey and April

Henry and Owen

Owen and Henry with their new night vision goggles.  So cute!

We left for Washington the next day.  We spent two days visiting with Trey and Christiana.  We enjoyed some delicious food and even took in a play at the Wooly Mammoth Theater.  Oh...and did I mention the northern Virginia/Washington DC area had just had the Blizzard of 2009.  There was a lot of snow on the ground and it was freezing.

Spencer at The Mall in front of the Capitol.

My aunt's house.  Look at the snow!

 

We had a wonderful Christmas and are truly thankful for being able to spend time with everyone.  We did leave a couple days early from DC because Spencer got sick on Monday, had just wasn't getting any better.  It's always better to be sick in your own home.  We are looking forward to the New Year and everything 2010 has to bring. 

Happy Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving at the farm this year.  My parents and sister, as well as my grandparents joined us.  It's so nice to be able to have the entire family together. 

  We had several tables put together.  We were able to seat 26 people around this table. 

Dougie Boy and Katie

 

Mom, Dougie Boy, and Joycie

The entire group! 

The Harrell Family

Owen and April

We are looking forward to our Christmas gatherings now.  Stay tuned for our Christmas adventures :)