Baby Girl

Long before we knew we were pregnant I think Mark and I both realized we would be having a girl. I'm not 100% sure how we came to that conclusion, but whenever we talked about our future baby it was always a sweet little girl. Once I became pregnant that feeling didn't change. It was interesting to sit in and have appointments about the gender of the baby because we already knew. There was no surprise. Our doctor at 16 weeks said he would try and check. He couldn't get a clear view because our baby is VERY modest. He said if he had to take a guess based on what he saw, it would be a girl.  At 18 weeks Mark's cousin was kind enough to have us come and take a look at her work.  Before we went we stopped by Target and found some girly things to take pictures with.  Once at the appointment we could tell pretty clearly we were having a girl. Once again, she is VERY modest. Little one loves to have her legs crossed and it is the cutest thing ever. I could have just watched her move around all night.  We were both happy to have a confirmation that it was in fact a girl and not just what we think. We do have another appointment next week to do the big gender reveal. It will be very shocking if we suddenly find out it's a boy. Ha Ha! 

 I love this picture because its just of her little crossed ankles!

After our appointment Mark and I went to get a little treat to celebrate.  We were sitting eating and I randomly said I'm a mommy. It hit me like never before. I had a baby girl in my belly. I was really going to be a mommy to that sweet little girl. I got a little teary eyed as Mark giggled over the fact that I was just now realizing this. It's a wonderful feeling to know that I'm going to have something I've wanted my whole life. I can't wait for this little one to get here so Mark and I can love her more and more.

There's a baby in my belly...

Mark and I had been trying for a little while to have a baby. When it actually happened I was shocked! I had told myself not to get my hopes up, because I had already done that in the previous months. I woke up early and finally just decided I better take a test. I really had set myself up that it would be negative. Mark was still asleep so I was trying to be very sneaky and quite. 

This was officially the hardest secret I've ever had to keep. I really wanted to surprise Mark and had been collecting items to make it special for him. I'm pretty sure I texted him multiple times that day just to say I love you!

I had this thought though that what if it was a fluke. What if the test was wrong? So on the way to work I bought a few more. I tested all throughout the day just to make sure that there were still 2 lines. 

I made the banner and got balloons after work. It felt like the longest day. Those 2 hours waiting for Mark were the worst. I had gathered the shirts, book, and rattle in the previous months to help with the surprise. I anxiously waited for Mark to get home. I stood under the banner waiting....

I wish now that I had taken a picture of his face! He read the banner and said, "REALLY??? REALLY? OH MY GOSH!" I loved being able to see his excitement in the news as well.  

We kept it all pretty quiet because we knew we had a trip coming up to California. We had our first appointment and heard the heartbeat at 6 weeks. That was such a relief to me to hear that little sound. We had another appointment at 8 weeks to hear it one more time before we told our families. 

Father's Day was around the corner and we were going to be out of town. We got both grandpas shirts to help tell them. 

Rob and Stephanie were very excited to learn that once again they were going to be grandparents!

We headed to California for Camden's baptism and to tell my family. It was so hard not to tell them, but I had made a quilt for my mom to tell her and really wanted to be in person to see her open it.

My mom is the one who taught me to sew and kept asking when she would be getting her own quilt. I thought this was the perfect way to surprise her! She was just so excited to get the quilt and then when Mark helped her turn it over he said and guess which baby love you??? She instantly lost it. It really was a great moment. I wish the whole family could have been together to see it. 

We had plans to meet up with the rest of the family and I slowly whispered it in their ears. The best reaction came from Jayden who just kept looking at my belly. He said, "In there? Right now? A Baby??" It was pretty cute. It was nice for everyone to know finally!

We were able to tell the rest of Mark's family once we got back from vacation. I loved being able to share with everyone and just be excited!

I decided to tell my students a couple of days before school got out. These kids were so good to me the last couple weeks of school. I had started to be sick and tired a lot more. They had no idea it was because I was pregnant, but were so helpful with everything. 

We played hangman and the last sentence they guess was the picture above. It was the BEST way to tell them. I loved seeing the look on their faces as they started to figure out what the words were. I told them not to say anything out loud and just let everyone figure it out on their own. Finally, with all the letters up there they yelled, YOU ARE HAVING A BABY!!! Hugs were given and squeals of excitement. 

We had our 12 week appointment and this picture melted my heart! This was the first time that you could really tell there was a baby in my belly. That little profile made me feel like such a proud mom for the first time. 

With many of our friends and family already knowing, we decided to make an official announcement to the social media world. I just grabbed a few things I had around the house and snapped this cute little photo. 

We are THRILLED. We love this little baby so much already. It has not been easy. Really that is an understatement. I've never been someone who gets sick very often, so it has taken a toll on my body to feel this sick all of the time. Luckily I'm hitting that 2nd trimester and it seems to be helping some. I still have a bad day here or there. I will say that Mark is the true superstar of this all. He has been so patient, loving, kind, helpful, etc. I love him more and more every day. He has never gotten frustrated when dinner wasn't made, house was a mess, or I'm still in pajamas at 6pm. He loves to talk to baby and tries to explain that baby really needs to be nicer to mommy :) I'm feeling very fortunate to have married such a wonderful man who takes such good care of us.

Right now we both really think it's a GIRL! We will find out in the next couple of weeks for sure and then we will start planning, naming, shopping, etc!