pictures and heartbeat

Wow, so our lives have been super busy since my last post. I'm sure many of you reading this could say the same thing. Anyway...last week we got to see baby Durff for the first time and hear our baby's heartbeat. It was AMAZING! As soon as I saw our baby I wanted to jump off the table and yell, "That's my baby!" I was so excited. Then to also hear the heartbeat that day was just incredible. Brian and I were overjoyed. There was a USI student in with the ultrasound tech and she asked if she could play around on my belly with the machine after the tech was done. Of course I said sure because that was more time I got to lay there and look at my baby! It was a great day.

This past Saturday Brian and I visited our good friends Amber & Bryan near Indy. We went downtown Saturday for the NFL experience and had a blast! There was so much to do. We were there for about 5 hours taking it all in. I was very proud of myself. We did a lot and I didn't get too tired or sick, YAY! Sunday though was a resting day for me. I think Saturday caught up with me because once we got home I spent the day on the couch. My amazing momma brought me dinner that night because the only thing that sounded good was a chicken finger salad from O'Charley's and spinach and artichoke dip (and their rolls). I have to say it is tough to be hungry what feels like all the time, but only a few things sound good and even fewer things actually taste good. These pregnancy taste buds are CRAZY and change daily. So weird.

I'm in my final master's class (graduate April 27). I've had some challenges and hiccups occur this week causing me to stress a bit and work all night after working all day, but I keep telling myself it will all be over soon and will be worth it.

Our next appointment is Feb. 21. They'll do the second round of genetic screening (take more blood) and we get to hear baby's heartbeat again. Next ultrasound will be sometime in mid- to late March and we'll know baby's gender!

11 weeks

We are only 1 week away from getting to see our sweet baby Durff for the first time! Next Tuesday is my next doctor's appointment when we get to have our first ultrasound and hear baby Durff's heartbeat. I'M SO EXCITED!!! Be sure to check back sometime next week because I'll post ultrasound pics!

Still feeling nauseous, but blessed that I haven't gotten sick (knock on wood). This sensitive nose business is about to do me in! Especially working with kids. Some that don't bathe regularly are hard to work with because the smell is overwhelming. I can hardly open the folders of my kiddos whose parents smoke, let alone grade their papers because the smell of smoke knocks me off my feet. And oh my, if one of them has gas I may as well leave the room (and I live with Brian and Wrigley!) Today was chili for lunch...need I say more?!?  Something about all the smells at work. We also looked at our compost bags today in science. The organic matter had been decomposing for 6+ weeks...even the kids commented on how bad it stunk! Needless to say that project ended today. My taste buds have also really changed. Foods that I used to love are now just okay or I no longer like. I feel a little guilty because my amazing husband cooks for me just about every night. He is starting to know that its just my pregnancy hormones and not bad cooking. He rocks!

We are looking into my maturity leave. We've also started tossing around baby name ideas, but we aren't sharing name ideas until we know baby's gender and agree on a name for sure. So many things to think about and look into...

10 Weeks

I am 10 weeks along today (30 more to go!). Although my clothes still fit they are feeling a bit more snug. I wasn't prepared for this to start so early, but I guess its all part of the process. I have learned that to keep the nausea at bay I need to eat all day. So breakfast starts at 6:30 with a bowl of cereal, a hard boiled egg at 8, some dry cereal or crackers around 9:30 or 10, lunch at 11, an afternoon snack at 1, then again at 3, and dinner around 5 or 6. I feel like I am eating all day long and that I will soon be fat! However, these meals are all small because I can't get too full or too hungry without being sick. Its a weird feeling. I've been reassured by other mommies, books, and pregnancy blogs that this is okay and I won't gain 100 pounds.
I don't think I've had any food cravings yet, but I will say things taste differently than they used to. The closest thing I've had to a craving is popsicles. Last week I wanted one and now our freezer is stocked, which is weird since its the middle of winter. I REALLY miss my morning coffee. It has been harder to give up than beer.
My nose is still very overly sensitive to smells. Things that bothered me before are now almost unbearable.
Brian and I think it will be fun to share some belly photos for our friends and family we don't get to see very often. Here is the first photo...don't mind the lack of make up, it was a full moon last night and my kids were crazy today so that's why I look a bit frazzled in the photo.

super sniffer

I've always had a sensitive sense of smell, but my oh my has it gotten even more sensitive. Brian is no longer allowed to wear Axe body spray, his cologne is okay, but that Axe stuff has got to go. Certain food items can no longer be in our fridge or I just can't open it, forcing Brian to get me any/everything I need from the fridge. Certain candles and air fresheners send me over the edge so we are tying to keep our house a neutral smelling zone (which is harder than it sounds).
Brian and I bought the paint for the nursery last week. We're going with neutral walls and when we find out baby's gender (in March) we'll decorate for boy or girl. Now we just have to find a free weekend or week night to paint (don't worry, I won't be painting).
My first day back to work went well. I'm sure I'll sleep good tonight, but I didn't come home and crash! I'm hoping being back in a routine and on a schedule will help get my energy back. I got to share our baby news with my co-workers today and Brian will tell the rest of his co-workers when he goes back to work tomorrow.
With the new year beginning I find myself feeling so blessed. I'm so thankful God has given us this new life to grow our family. God is good!