A Daddy Moment & The Other Big News

Well, first things first, I was going to start my blog without telling you the big news (besides “We’re having a baby!”)… So, almost 2 weeks ago now we went in for the big 20-week ultrasound. We took our moms and who’s presence just added to the excitement. While having the ultrasound I had to try hard not to giggle and make my belly jump as I reacted to our moms’ “oooh,” “oh my gosh,” “wow,” etc. It was fun! So of course the tech saved the best for last, after showing us the inner parts of the brain and the heart and every other body part and piece she could she finally made her way to the baby’s bottom. She pointed out the umbilical and as she followed the cord with her finger she let us know that “this, is not part of the umbilical cord!” None other than a twig and berries! Yup, it’s a boy! He made sure that it was as clear as day for all us. As much as I would love to show you the pictures, the daddy to be is very protective of his son’s “junk.” So, you’ll have to take my word for it. More good news… I don’t have to worry about pink dresses and I get to skateboard with my son when he’s old enough ;-) I can finally have an excuse to go hang out and skate the local skatepark!

My most exciting moment in the pregnancy (so far) occurred last night! I have been feeling our baby boy practicing karate in my belly for a couple weeks now. Most of the time it’s so subtle that I can’t really share the moment with anybody. In the last week or so I’ve actually been able to see the kicks and punches by watching my belly - (way more exciting than just feeling the flutters on the inside)! This last week, the boy was moving around while I was sitting on the couch… so I grabbed Bry’s hand and put it on my belly and waited patiently. We were just watching TV while I waited for Bry to feel a good kick. And poof a good little punch and I looked at Bryan and said, “Did you feel it?!?” “Feel what?” he replied. Of course I was like, how the heck did you not feel that! And you can imagine how that ended - disappointing to say the least. Well, the tables turned and last night we got ready for bed and were watching TV. Something about lying on my side tends to make the baby a little more active. He started popping me with some really strong kicks and punches, so I quickly grabbed Bry’s hand and almost immediately he kicked his daddy! It wasn’t one kick or two kicks… it was a full on attack of Bry’s hand! I was so excited that I started to shed some tears… it was so exciting for Bry to finally feel the baby like I had been feeling him. It was sooooo great! Truly a big highlight this week.

On a side note… I tried really hard to capture the belly kicks with my video camera this week. Oh course it’s nearly impossible to get the baby to do things when you’re ready for it. Haha. It would be really funny if I managed to capture a thump on camera. I’ll let you know how that goes ;-) And one more thing for those of you that keep up with the blog weekly… I thought you’d get a good laugh out of knowing that I must be developing a new allergy to the grocery because this week’s trip to Publix caused another “speeze!” If this keeps up I’m going to have to start wearing depends when I buy groceries ;-) Oh no!

Gee Wizzzz

So, I'm almost 21 weeks... I can't believe it! If being pregnant flies by this fast, I can only imagine how quickly a child grows up in the eyes of a parent. I'm beginning to catch a glimpse of just how quickly life can pass us by. We saw our little baby at our 20 week ultrasound last Thursday... 5 in. legs, big brain and about 10 oz. Almost a whole pound in my belly! The babe is about the size of a banana now from head to foot (approx. 10in. long). I still haven't figured out how all of that fits in my still small belly (well, large belly to me, but considerably small for the rest of the general public). We decided to bring the moms along for the big reveal, only we didn't actually know if this ultrasound would be the big reveal or not. You see, I've been hoping to keep the baby's sex a surprise until it was born, but Bryan (the planner that he is) wanted to know so he could plan his little heart out. We were literally in the room having the ultrasound before I decided yes or no.... but I caved and we found out. The pre-know stats were my mom & I thinking "girl" and Bry & his mom thinking "boy." So..... well, I can't tell you the sex yet, we still have some friends and family members we're trying to tell in person before I blurt it out in this blog. haha! I'll tell you soon, I promise!

Getting used to a 20 week old baby in my belly...

So, apparently, I've begun the next evolution of frequent peeing. I'm now topping the charts at approx. once every hour. I'm trying hard not to be annoyed over this... sometimes I can push the hour if I'm busy or really just don't feel like getting up. However, I'm noticing it's getting harder and harder to hold it (actually, I think it gets painful). Oh well... So, I think many of us (pregnant or not) have experienced the I laughed so hard I peed... maybe? maybe not? Well, I walked into the grocery store the other day (mind you I just peed before leaving the house - approx. 2 min. from the grocery) and started to get some things (cause that's what you do in the grocery) and BOOM! I sneezed the biggest sneeze out of no where! And well, you can guess what came with that sneeze... yup, a little pee. Now, not enough to run home over, but enough to make you wish you didn't already have your grocery cart half full. BUT, I kept strong, finished the last of my shopping and raced home. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but it really did feel like I peed myself. Needless to say I was excited to come home, use the restroom AGAIN, get a clean pair of undies and pray that I don't sneeze again. I think maybe it should be called the "speeze?" What do you think? I probably shouldn't have told you this, but I'm hoping it will be entertaining. Besides, isn't that the point of my blog.... entertain? Or is just to keep you informed? Well, either way, consider yourself informed.

On that note, I think I've gotten personal enough for one day. I'll try harder to get back on my 7 day writing schedule!

Love you all! Thanks for reading ;-)

How Big?

19 Weeks!

Hey everybody... I was just working at my lap top and thought I'd better post some kind of picture update since I was slacking in my last post. Forgive the crappy laptop photo, but it's the quickest easiest way to give you a belly update... enjoy!

Quick Recovery

Hey everybody! So sorry it's taken so long to update you. I'm forever yelling at my pastor to write on his blog weekly or else people begin to lose interest... and here I am, wayyyyyy behind on my own blog. Well, I promise I have a good excuse! As most of you know, we just got back from camp last week. Odego 2009 went down in Cocoa Beach, FL this year - an amazing year with 100 students from all over the state of FL. This year was a special year as we celebrate 10 years of camp. Bry took over this camp 10 years ago... and here we are. Once known as "Camp Daytona" we had to re-tool when we decided to move camp to Orlando... probably a little weird to do "Camp Daytona" in Orlando?!? Anywho, Odego (loose Greek for "move") was born and the name is sticking no matter where we go. Seeing as how we've been in Orlando for the last 5 years, making the move to Cocoa was a little nerve racking... it came with many technical obstacles for the room-design, lots of fresh meat when it comes to hotel staff, and learning how to "do our thing" in a new town with new people and new businesses. Needless to say, year 10 just may have been the smoothest year yet! (I know, crazy!) Anyway, it was a great week.. exhausting as usual, but great!

It's always amazing to watch students transform throughout the week and just grow closer together like one giant family. This year I had the pleasure of bringing 15 students from my church as well as our 2 volunteer youth leaders. Half of these students are like my own adopted children, so to watch them change in small ways throughout the week was cool. Probably the highlight of my week was watching a handful of my students closing their eyes with hands open and singing with all of their heart... WOW! I know I'm over-emotional being prego, but I was like a proud mother watching them from the stage as I lead worship with the band... so awesome! The icing on the cake was interviewing the students this week and hearing their feedback about camp and how it changed their views of each other and grew them closer to God. Maybe I'll post those interviews when I finish the video... check back ;-)

Well, you're probably tired of hearing about camp, so I'll bring you the baby update... We are already at 19 weeks! I can't even believe it as I type it! The time really does pass so quickly, I can't imagine how quickly our baby will grow up!?! So, this coming Thursday we have our big ultrasound. I want to wait to find out the baby's sex and Bry wants to find out... which means... we'll find out. Let's be honest, Bry is the planner of the family and if we want anything to get done around here, we let the planner plan! haha. So, hopefully this time next week I'll be announcing whether we'll have a little girl or boy... hmmmmm. We're taking votes, so let us know what you think it'll be. :-)

I still haven't had any "major" food cravings... I'm still a big fan of pickles. I've always liked them, but when you find yourself opening the cabinet doors and saying "mmmmm, pickles" you know something has to be a little different. So, I'd say that's my biggest craving so far.

I'm finally getting fatter! I had to break down and get maternity clothes this week. I don't really need maternity tops, but I definitely need the stretchy pants! I got tired of hearing myself whine about how my pants are too tight and moaning and groaning as they dug into my gut... SO, I called my mom on our day off and to the mall we went! I spent far to much money, but I do have a really great wardrobe that will last me all the way through the jumbo belly. The most entertaining moment was strapping on the little "pillow belly" in the dressing room. My mom and I were rolling, we were laughing so hard! The scary part is we were laughing and that's exactly how I'm going to look. Needless, to say it made the whole process fun... considering how much I love to shop, we needed a good laugh to keep me happy ;-)

Hmmm... I think that's all the good stories for now. OH, wait! I think I finally felt the baby move. I say THINK, because it's so quick and subtle. BUT, I'll keep thinking... it'll be fun when we can see a hand or foot move across my belly or when Bryan can feel it too, but I'm enjoying the journey. Thanks for reading, I'll dig up some pictures to post soon. Bry's already gone to bed and I'm pregnant so I should probably be sleeping now.

We'll talk again soon... I promise! Happy 4th of July!