Smashing good times!

Going back in time a few weeks, I had SUCH a great birthday! I had plenty of renditions of "Happy Birthday" and surprises (truly surprised - in spite of a few hints a long the way :) throughout the day! I really couldn't have asked for a better 24th birthday (on the 24th, in the 4th month, when I was 14 weeks and 4 days pregnant... muwahahah!). Here are a few pictures that exhibit some of the fun! ---

(p.s. I promise those are stick on earrings on Atticus & Matt...)

Updates

Update: see 16 wk pictures below!

I was reading another woman's blog, which has been basically her pregnancy journal, and realized I've really been neglecting sharing the experience for those of you who are tuning in :) I've wondered if it's a little strange that I am reading her blog... this woman is some complete stranger in Texas, but for whatever reason I really enjoy reading her musings and following along with her pregnancy (she is actually due any day, but I often go back and see what was happening at my current stage). Is that weird?

As for me, I am about 4 months now and am finally starting to feel better! I was having a maybe 50/50 ratio of good days to bad days for the last few weeks and I couldn't decide whether the bad days were that much worse or whether the contrast of a good day to a bad just made it terrible - teasing me! However, this week has had a much higher ratio of good times and lets just say that in comparison to the last two months... I feel like a new woman! Hooray! I even worked out yesterday for the first time in a long time and mmmaaaaan, did it feel good.

Of course, I've still got other lingering things (and I'm sure new things looming in the near future) like the fact that the sleep I've been getting at night has been less than optimal (I realize that this is just the beginning of many, many years of such problem) and my coccyx is still killing me! Thats right, I'm suffering from a sore tailbone. After about a month of experiencing the pain without being able to connect it to any event, I asked our Doctor and she wasn't fazed at all - "oh yeah, the baby is probably sitting on that". She didn't say it'd probably go away... she left it at this open ended "oh well... not like we can do anything about it". Ha! In spite of how painful it can be at times, I refuse to buy a donut.

All in all, things are shaping up - and I mean shaping up, I am getting a belly! Well, I guess at this point its more like my guts are being shoved up in my belly. One of the most common pieces of advice I've received has been to take pictures of myself during the pregnancy... so I better get my act together and start doing it! Here is the first picture (sad that I waited this long!)...

16 Weeks...

Thoughts on Pregnancy

• It is the most amazing, miraculous thing I have ever encountered
• Regardless of how many ultrasounds you've seen over the years, seeing your own is unlike anything else
• Morning sickness, although a common concept, cannot be comprehended until you experience it
• Being grateful for morning sickness is only something a baby could bring about - have you ever heard someone pray in gratitude that they got the stomach flu? Most likely not
• My husband is amazing - with all that he juggles, he has really stepped up to the plate and taken care of me and the house while I have been not-so-much-myself
• Even though I feel as prepared as I can be for this baby (realistically), I still have this feeling that I have no idea what we're getting into :)
• I still find it funny how you see an ultrasound, you're really sick, you're exhausted, but it still doesn't feel "real"... maybe when you feel the baby move... we'll see!
• I weighed myself this morning and found I still haven't gained a lb... however, looking at my figure, I would guess otherwise. I can't wait until I'm past this frumpy in between stage, but have a feeling that when I do get a big bump and I'm uncomfortable I'll be longing to just be in the frumpy stage...
• Whoever named morning sickness should be shot - lets call it "all-day-sickness-that-never-takes-a-break" Must have been a man :)
• It is amazing how long it can take to get pregnant, but even more amazing how the memory of those months seem to fade quickly once you do get pregnant
  
• You suddenly gain a whole new set of rules - what you can/can't do, etc. and what is on the list completely depends on what book or website you're reading at the time
• Funny how my imagination and dreams have started running wild (particularly dreams)... I've shared some of my dreams with Matt and others and I am pretty sure they think I'm crazy
• The other day I remarked to Matt, "honey, do you realize I have been sick for 2 straight months now? 2 months!" and he replied "and can you believe how quickly those 2 months have gone?" How true and not true !
• I don't particularly like saying, "I'm pregnant" - it makes me feel like I have a growth or I'm dirty or something
• It  can be the scariest experience - what is "normal" anymore???
• In spite of the sickness and other interesting things that come with pregnancy... I am so grateful for this child!!

Watch out, world... another Spann!!

We are 3 months pregnant (12 weeks) and COULD NOT be more EXCITED!

Too cute to resist...

My parents bought new chicks on Friday (9 hens and 1 rooster) and the pictures were too adorable to not give them a spot on the blog :) 

 It makes me miss the country!

 

My new love for Hoops & Yoyo...

I've seen them before, I've seen them a bunch of times... but suddenly they've taken on new meaning as I've started surfing through their many ecards and have discovered just how HILARIOUS they are! I think they are now my official pick-me-up. Check out a few examples to see what I mean...

I Don't Care Friday

*Spastic Colon Sunday

Sarcastic Wednesday

Mondays!

How I Feel Today