What I've Learned So Far...

So I figured that before I forget it all, I should write down everything that I've learned about pregnancy to this point...as I am definitely a novice at this, the list likely won't be long, but here goes:

1. Feeling nauseous all the time isn't very fun, but I am thankful that I at least didn't get sick much in my 1st Trimester.
2. Spelling the word nauseous is difficult for me, and I get it wrong pretty much every time.
3. Preggo Pops/Drops help some, although they are not a 100% cure.
4. Always keep a ziplock back in the car...you never know when the urge to purge will come up (literally), and you'll be stuck at a stop light.
5. Pregnancy hurts pretty much every part of your body, not just your abdomen.  I've felt like I am going through growing pains all over again (especially in my legs).
6. I have no idea how people that already have kids get through pregnancy, which brings on a whole new meaning of tired.
7. Thinking of fun ways to share our news is difficult, but worth it.
8. Waiting until the right time to share the big news is most difficult...especially when your mother-in-law is a PA.
9. Ultrasounds are awesome!  I could never get sick of seeing our little blessing wiggle around within me.
10. A stretching belly is both painful and itchy...and it makes me wonder if I will ever see my belly button again.
11. 3D ultrasounds, although interesting, are creepy.
12. Pregnancy clothes are expensive, but the belly band is a great invention.
13. Baby kicks are the best, although one of the strangest feelings.
14. Swimsuit shopping while pregnant is not very fun.
15. Pregnancy makes coughing and singing more difficult.

Well, I think those are most of my thoughts for the moment...in no particular order.  Now I will just share some pictures of my growth since week 13 and our Facebook announcement.  I can't believe that we are already on the downhill side of this pregnancy...and I think I better get moving on the nursery quick!

01.22.12 - 16 Weeks

01.28.12 - 17 Weeks

02.06.12 - 18 Weeks

02.11.12 - 19 Weeks

02.06.12 - "M" is for Migrin

02.06.12 - 18 Weeks

02.19.12 - 20 Weeks

02.20.12 - Facebook Announcement

A Good Night Kick

Nothing beats a good night kick.  Yep, I said kick, not kiss.  This is Eric.  Tracy thought that I should log on to write down some of my thoughts about our pregnancy.  Since I’m not the one with a baby growing inside of me, I can only provide an outsiders perspective.  So I am going to tell you about my favorite outsider experience. 

About a month before Tracy got pregnant, we started praying every night for God to bless us with a baby.  After we finished praying each night, we give each other a good night kiss.  Ever since we discovered that we were pregnant our night time prayer has changed to one of thanks to God for blessing us with a baby and for the continued health of the pregnancy.  While praying, I put my hand on Tracy’s belly to get a little closer to the baby.  Until a few weeks ago, this act was more symbolic than anything, but then it got better…MUCH better! 

At the beginning of week 18, our baby started kicking.  Shortly after Tracy noticed the first kick I began to feel them on the outside.  Now every night as we pray for our little blessing from God I put my hand on Tracy’s belly and almost every night our little baby responds to my touch with at least a few little (and sometimes big) kicks.  I can honestly say that feeling those little bumps is one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. 

That is why these days I look forward to a good night kiss from my amazing wife and a good night kick from our little baby.

A Quick Update

Well, we are almost halfway there, and I just wanted to add a quick update:

1. I don't think I will ever get used to Bono moving in me.  It is the strangest feeling ever, and yet it is incredible...I can't help but think that that is what it would feel like if I ate a live worm though....

2. The nursery is going to drive me mad!   ...don't get me wrong I've been waiting to design/decorate our nursery for years, but now that it is here it is freaking me out.  Not in a bad way, I just want it to be perfect and fear that the ideas festering in the back of my mind will never be realized.  ...hopefully the baby isn't too picky! :)

A Blessing Sent From Heaven

It's a Boy!!!

...or a girl! :)

This morning we got to go and get our 18 week ultrasound (& no, we did not find out if it is a boy or a girl...it was a tough decision, but I think we want to be surprised).  I had to get up early and drink 32 oz. of water, much of which I threw up before we got there (my body has never liked water much).  Once we were there, everything seemed to go well.  We have to wait to talk to the doctor for the final word, but the tech said she didn't see anything that was out of the ordinary, so we are happy parents.  Surprisingly, or not so surprising, the baby measured at about 19 weeks, which would put our due date back to July 1st, so I guess we'll just have to see what the doctor says.  Anyway, thank you for your prayers and enjoy the pictures...the baby was turned the wrong way so we didn't get any great ones (actually we got some REALLY creepy ones), but the ones of the fingers and toes are pretty cute!  :)

Skeletor?

I think he or she has a Klingenmaier nose!

Profile Face (see the eye...it kind of reminds me of a crash test dummy...can a mom say that?)

Another Skeletor...I really don't see a face, but the tech seemed fine with it.

 Now for the creepy 3D Pictures...

This one is a little better view of the face from the side.

Adventures in Babysitting

Yesterday was a pretty exciting day.  We got to have OTB for lunch (thanks to Uncle Greg & Aunt Nancy) and we got to babysit Micah and Caleb while Aaron & Erika went out to dinner and a movie.  It was a fun time, although I will admit that it freaked Eric & I out a bit knowing what our future is to bring and wondering if we can handle it.  Don't get me wrong, I am totally excited, but I also question whether or not I will have any clue of what I am doing.  Our poor child is going to have to be patient with his/her parents as we attempt to figure things out.  

It was a little tough watching Caleb because he was a bit fussy for most of the day, and since we are not his parents we don't know what he wants.  I did figure out a diaper change (I survived my first #2 experience BTW), and then he sucked down two bottles, but then a bit later he was cranky again.  We couldn't figure it out (although we did figure out that he loves looking out the window), and thought there was no way he was hungry AGAIN.  However, eventually I decided to put him in his high chair and feed him some chicken and apples and he stopped crying immediately.  If only he could talk to tell us that a bit earlier.  Oh well, we figured it out eventually and then everyone was happy.  When I realized he was finished, I rinsed his spoon off in the sink and when I came back to clean him up and take him out of his chair, he was slouched over and passing out!  So cute!  I cleaned up his floppy hands and face and then picked him up for a good snuggle in the lazy boy. Meanwhile, Eric and Micah made a "Shoe Shoe Train"out of our shoes in the living room and played.  It was really cute, and when it came time for us to leave Micah started to cry because I had to get my shoes out of the train, but he was soon appeased as Erika convinced him that they have plenty of shoes for new trains. :)  My favorite part of the babysitting experience though was when I looked at Micah and he had a huge snot bubble hanging out of his nose, which he was trying to show Eric (obviously VERY proud of it).  It was awesome and then I heard "I popped it."  Gotta love that kid!

You'd think that with all that the day couldn't get any better, but it did.  The best part of the whole day happened last night when Eric & I were watching Lord of the Rings in bed and we felt our little wiggle worm moving for the first time!  It was amazingly awesome and brought so much joy to my heart.  I love him or her so much already and cannot believe how awesome God's creation is!

Today Eric & I headed down to Aaron & Erika’s to babysit Micah and Caleb, and give them an afternoon to themselves. Micah slept for the first hour that we were there, so we just had to keep Caleb entertained (which Eric did by sitting and looking out the front door window with him).  Once Micah got up, playtime really began and I focused on Caleb mostly while Eric and Micah played with Mater, footballs, Micah’s “Shoe Shoe Train” and pretty much anything else they could find.  At that point, Caleb was mostly just entertained by them, but he did get a little fussy.  Two bottles and some mixed chicken and apples (gross) later, I lifted a very sleepy baby from the high chair and we cuddled until Mom and Dad got home.  It was a fun day and we were pretty proud of ourselves for surviving on our own!  We can do this...maybe.

Christmas Cookies

December 10-18, 2011: This week, I continued the family tradition of baking Christmas cookies.  Mom came to help me (the 10th) and for over 11 hours we baked up a storm, using 23 sticks of butter, several pounds of sugar and all of the dishtowels in our house.  We had a great day and only had to throw out a few batches due to forgetfulness and lack of attention.  During the rest of the week, I finished off the rest of the cookies/candies, and then Eric and I spent Sunday (the 18th) afternoon delivering the goods to all of our neighbors.

Christmas at Home

November 25-December 23, 2011:  This year, Christmas started on Black Friday when Eric & I got up before dawn, drove to Marinette through dense fog and got our 2011 JC Penny Mickey Snow Globe.  Later that day we went to Powers with Dad to pick out and cut down our Christmas tree.  As December got under way, we enjoyed the holiday month by baking cookies, decorating the house inside and out, buying/making gifts, sending out cards and caroling in the Lehmann’s neighborhood.  When Christmas Day drew closer, we decided to take off the Friday before so that we could enjoy our own little family Christmas morning (a few days early). It was a nice, peaceful morning filled with prayer, cinnamon rolls and exchanging gifts.  It was a perfect morning, and I couldn’t help but think how wonderful next Christmas will be with our baby girl or boy.

Work of Art

For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb~Psalm 139:13.

December 2, 2011: Today we had our first doctor's visit and got to see our little blessing for the very first time!  It was truly amazing!  I will never forget the moment that I heard the heart beating, reassuring us that everything is going to be okay and we are finally going to be a Mommy & Daddy!  That sound and watching his/her arms and legs move brought joy to my heart and tears to my eyes!  We are so blessed!