Finally, belly pics

Hello everyone and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope that everyone had a blessed day with all of their friends and family. Matt and I were able to go up to Lowell for Thanksgiving to spend the day with his mom's side of the family. Lots of people and lots of yummy food! Did I mention the lovely nap I took after I stuffed myself and baby into a food coma :)

My parents also celebrated their 26th Wedding Anniversary on Thanksgiving this year and we were lucky to celebrate with them the evening before with a classy dinner of pizza hut! Do I know how to host or what?

Ok, now for the real reason you tuned into this post because obviously the title promises belly pics and belly pics you will get. I decided I am 17 weeks along this week and it is time to suck it up and just do this for everyone's enjoyment (maybe even my own one day as I show our little one how I progressed through this whole journey!)

Quick update: Matt and I went to the Doctor the week before thanksgiving for my 16 week appointment. All my blood work from the last visit came back fine and the heart beat was a strong 160 again. It's always nerve racking during that 15 secs or so when they are trying to find the heart beat but then it's such a relief when you hear that amazing sound. Proof that their is still a little life counting on me to provide a healthy, loving environment for it to grow and develop. We will also be finding out the sex this coming Thursday Dec. 3rd so be sure to check back for ultrasound pics and the BIG NEWS!

17 weeks and 2 days along

Good Friends, Lots of Food!

I am so lucky to have the people that I have in my life! Matt and I spent the weekend 2 weekends ago with all of my boys from high school and their lovely wives or girlfriends. It was so fun to be with them and especially in Greg and Sarah's oh so cute home! They always make me laugh and cringe sometimes at the old stories we tell but there is never a dull moment.

There were 25 people at this years Thanksgiving and I hope that we can continue this tradition and only grow as our families grow (26 next year with our little one on the way, who's next??) Did I mention that everyone pitched in and I have never seen so much food in my life? It was oh so yummy and I don't think anyone went home hungry.

Thanks to Greg and Sarah for having all of us over in your beautiful home! Can't wait for 2010!

1st pair of maternity jeans, in love :)

Ok, so I must admit that when shopping for maternity clothes I became a tad bit frightened at all of the elastic all of the huge belly bands attached to the top of every pair of jeans i came across. Am i really going to blow up to the size that I actually fit my belly in those things, I know the answer is yes but geeez a tad bit to take in for the first time mommy.

I finally sucked it up and decided I needed to buy a pair of cute maternity straight leg jeans because my poor boots were staring at me from the top of my closet just waiting to be pulled out for the fall. They are so cute and I really didn't want to give them up. So I went on a mission. Old Navy rocked my socks off and delivered my first fab maternity find!

These are comfy (I still have no butt even though every other part of me is starting to grow outward except for the butt!!) so I have to pull them up but it doesn't bother me because i have to do it with my regular jeans as well. I decided I actually like the elastic band, no sucking in to make them button or zip! pull up and you are done! So awesome, why was i ever scared of this amazing creation? Oh did I mention they aren't a gizillion dollars like every other pair I saw online. Mommy likey!

Cute huh?

Words of Inspiration on This Friday Morning

This song is playing at my computer as I type and it seems so fitting for the end of a week. Maybe you had a great week and were very productive and accomplished or maybe you had a tough week and are going through something that you feel nobody understands.

Sidewalk Prophets say it best: "These are the words I would say"

Be strong in the LORD and never give up hope,
You're going to do great things
I already know
God's got his hand on you so don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget but don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say!

I hope these words of encouragment make a nice ending to your week as you go into the weekend and refresh yourself for the next week. God is Good :) This little peanut growing inside of me is proof of his presence and the miracles he makes happen every day for those who believe!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

P.S. Go Boilers (Matt and I are heading up to Michigan later on today with Todd and Lori for the game)

Baby's 1st Picture

So it took me a while to get this picture up on our computer obviously because it was taken at 8 weeks. (it doesn't even look like a baby) but I promise it's little heart was beating a quick 162 when this ultrasound was done.

My how things have changed since 8 weeks. I am now half way through my 14th week and my first week of my 2nd trimester. I can't believe I am already 1/3 of the way through!

Things I am excited for:
- To find out the sex of our little peanut (can't wait to buy clothes and decorate!)
- To feel the baby move for the first time
- To feel pregnant and not just like I ate too much at lunch and now i have to sit with my pants undone
- To have my husband feel the baby move, he doesn't have the opportunity to feel this baby grow like I do everyday
- To get over my fear of child birth (yeah right)
- To love this baby so much it knows nothing bad in this world and only knows how much it's parents love him or her

* Belly pics to come when you can tell it's a baby bump and doesn't look like i have a beer gut :)