New Year with New Updates

A lot has taken place since my last post. We traveled home for Christmas and we were able to split the time between our two families over the span of a week. I was really exhausted by the time we were done driving back and forth and flying. I was definitely not ready to leave family, but I welcomed the rest we got when we returned home.  Here are a few pictures from Christmas and New Year's.

Me, Haley and Melissa on the hay ride looking at Christmas lights.

My mom's Christmas present, a Shiba Inu.  His name is Pheonix...so precious!

Matt & Jessica in Wilmington on Christmas Day about to open presents.

My family on New Year's Eve

Both families got to celebrate New Year's Day and Brenda's Birthday together.

While we were home, our family and friends also threw us an ECU couples baby shower!  We really enjoyed seeing everyone and appreciate all the hard work they put into making the shower so nice.  Here are some pictures from the event.

The ECU diaper cake!

Some of the ECU decorations/ECU outfits...so cute!

All the food....everything was so good!

Most of the ladies that hosted...minus my sisters, Melissa and Haley.  Thank you ladies!!!

The ECU girls and precious Kaylin

all of our gifts

Matt's family

My family

25.5 weeks-who's winning?!?!

Current Updates:

1. Anniversary: Matt surprised me with flowers and some of my favorite candy (Reese's) on the anniversary of us dating/being together for 11 years, Jan. 27th.  Many people don't know this, but it's actually the day of our first kiss...not the day we starting dating.  Neither of us know the date we started "talking/dating" because we never official asked the other what our status was...so, we've always gone by the date of our first kiss. :)
2. Staying Busy: This month is going to fly by with all of the busy weeks and weekends we have planned. 
• We started a married couples small group and we're doing the Fireproof study.
• Matt joined a men's small group that's doing the Couragious study, and then plays pickleball afterwards.  (We didn't know what pickleball was until we got involved with the church, but it seems to be popular here.)
• We have parenting classes at the hospital every week.
• On the weekends we have our childbirth class (all day, 9-4pm), a baby shower, maternity pictures, and a babymoon!  I'm so excited about everything we having going!
• By the way, we also try to go to the gym a few times a week.  We joined the YMCA, so I can swim or walk and Matt usually plays basketball or swims with me.
3. Work:
• I started working part-time at the church we've been attending, Journey.  I make their worship guides for the weekend service, other marketing materials, and basic admin work.  Although it's not in my field, it's nice to get out of the house and work with some great people.
• Matt is still liking his job and he's staying very busy being responsible for his facility, as well as three others (Jacksonville, FL; Waco, TX; and a new facility in Elkader, IA).  Thankfully he doesn't have to travel again until closer to June.  He's an amazing man, and I'm so proud of all his hard work and success!
4. Kansas:
• We've had a very mild winter.  At this point we've only had a few snow flurries, but plenty of very cold days with harsh winds.  The locals keep telling us this is not typical and some think Feb. could get pretty bad, but only because they're still waiting on all the snow.  I was told it snowed around 26 times last year between Oct. and Feb.  I guess they're breaking us in easy this year...
• We're still trying to figure out some of the social norms and culture around town.  There are certainly differences between here and back home...the south!  One for instance, people don't seemed to be concerned about personal bubbles here.  When I'm at Wal-Mart people get waaay to close to me in line and while shopping for groceries!  Fashion is also different.  We've notice most people dress very casual and some even wear pj pants to the store or mall.  Having moved from Charleston, I have to say I really miss seeing new fashion trends and people dressed in cute clothes....I also miss the boutiques, so I can shop for cute/unique clothes.  That is, once I have the baby and get back into my regular clothes.
• They have different words for things here...at the store they always ask me if I want a "sack" for the items I've purchased.  The first time I heard sack, I had to ask him to repeat himself.  They call the inside sink faucet a "spigot" (which is what we call the outside water spigot)...and they all call soda, "pop".
• They're pretty funny too because they have no idea where our accents come from so we've been asked a few times if we're from Texas.
• However, the people we're meeting have been extremely nice and welcoming.  It's been easier to meet people and make friends than it was when we moved to Charleston...which is nice when you're so far from home!

Matt and I before our 1st 4D ultrasound....27.5 weeks.

Pregnancy Updates:

1. Currently: as of Feb. 7th I started my 31st week (only 9 weeks to go!!)
2. Cravings: I still haven't had any cravings...although I'm getting hungry more often.  I also don't like the aftertaste of food, so I always want a mint or something sweet after dinner. 
3. Discomforts:
• I get out of breath easily.
• My lower back and hips have started aching at night (and when sitting too long) which is making for some restless sleep.
• I bought a support band for my belly and it's made a big difference in the amount of pressure I feel in my back, tummy and feet; especially when we're out walking around all day.
• I have two gift certificates for prenatal massages and I'm try to hold out a little longer until I get even bigger and more uncomfortable...I'm looking forward to them!
4. Test Results:
• I passed my glucose test!!  It wasn't too bad, but I did gag a few times because the drink is thick like syrup, and I only drink water or skim milk.  Plus you're not allowed to rinse your mouth out, so your saliva gets really thick...or at least mine did.
• My iron came back low meaning I'm anemic.  I had great iron in the beginning, but like many pregnant women turned anemic later in pregnancy.  It's explains a lot of weird symptoms I was having but just attributed it to pregnancy.  (I was dizzy, extremely tired, confused, cracked/chapped lips, the skin on my palms were sensitive, and my fingernails turned fragile and pale.)
5. OB Apts: I'm going to the OB every two weeks now.  After Feb. I'll start going every week.  I like my OB doctor, but I'm still not very happy with their front desk staff.  She's never happy when we go into the office.
6. Maternity Pictures: I'm so excited because we just found a photographer to do our maternity pictures, and she's also going to take pictures of Paisley once she arrives.  Check out her webiste to view her work, ImageWise Photography.

29.5 weeks

Paisley Updates:

1. Heartbeat: 145 bpm at last OB appointment
2. Size: a little over 3 lbs and measuring somewhere around 16-18 inches long
3. Features: We got to see her precious face during our 4D ultrasound at Topeka 4D and she sure does have some chubby cheeks and a cute pouty lip. Can't wait to kiss on her! By the way...she got her cheeks honest from both her mommy and daddy!  Check out her pictures below from her 4D ultrasound.
4. Activity: She's a busy girl and we're enjoying watching her move around.  (That's right...watching her.  She's pushing out on my tummy so we watch her almost every night.)  She also likes for some body part to stay bundled up in my right rib cage.  I told Matt the muscles and ligaments on my right side are definitely going to be more stretched out than on the left.

Profile picture of Paisley's face at 29.5 weeks.

Most of her face is covered but you can see her pouty lips and hand in this one.

She seems to have long skinny fingers like me.

Here's a video of Paisley stretching and yawning....so cute!!!  Can't wait!!

Here is a link to watch the entire 4D ultrasound.  (The link will only be available for another month.)

Don't Forget Toby:

Toby has been doing great since his injury.  He's able to play like he used to and jump for his toys.  The hair on his leg has almost completely grown back as well.

At the end of January, we celebrated his 9th birthday!  It doesn't seem like he should be that old already.  You can tell the hair on his ears is starting to turn slightly grey.  However, he's still the same ol' playful puppy!

We're also trying to get him used to the idea of a baby coming into the home soon.  We put together the pack and play and the swing so he can start to get used to the changes over time.  He doesn't seem to mind any of the new additions.  He's a bit concerned about the swing when I have it running, but only for 5 seconds...then it's no big deal.  Even when he's concerned about it, he just looks at it with his ears perked up...and then he just lays down. 

He's such a good boy and we know he's going to do great with Paisley. 

Toby loves snuggling up in front of the fire.