Belly movements

According to my weekly update, she should weigh around 1 pound by now. Just think, a year from now, who knows a/b how much she will weigh - it is hard to think about.

People say to pay attention to when she is active because that can indicate her sleep/wake patterns when she is born. Well, right now, her busiest time is between 8pm-9:30. (I swear she is having a party in there) I keep trying to get Stephen to feel her kick and this past week he has been able to. Here is the really cool part.

I was laying in bed and Stephen was in the other room, she was kicking like crazy. I happen to look down and could see my stomach move everytime she kicked. So I scream "Stephen! Stephen! Hurry!" He comes walking back to the bedroom, unalarmed b/c usually when i call for him like that lately it is for him to feel her move and he was starting to lose hope and had almost resorted to the fact that she was real shy to anyone but her mom. He steps in the bedroom with a look across his face like "Why are you calling me back here when you know I'm not going to be able to feel anything." I said "You can literally see my belly move."
His immediate response "Nooo Way......, she's not going to do it now b/c you screamed for me and probably startled her" so he crawled in to bed with me proceed to watch her do kickboxing through my skin. It was so cute, he could not keep his eyes off my stomach, at times i thought he was scared to blink b/c he might miss something.

Still no name, but Stephen is finally staring to throw some out there for me to think about. He has two weeks and counting to help me decide on a first name. I already know what I really like, but I want this to be a "we" decision. I want him to be involved in every aspect of her life as much as I am. He has already promised me that he will teach her how to change a flat tire before she is allowed to drive. (He'll have to teach me in the process. I could probably figure it out, but it is better to learn from a perfectionist... maybe)

Our little carrot!

We are officially at 21 weeks! Last weekend we were busy trying to decide on the bedding, furniture and the travel system. The only one we were able to accomplish was the travel system.

I really thought I wanted something modern and graphically cool for the bedding… then there is the whole baby pink issue. I can handle pink, but not all over her nursery. I would feel like I was stepping in to Pepto-Bismol every day. Can’t do it. She will be in plenty of precious pink outfits and skirts to make up for the lack of pink in the nursery. I kind of feel like a mom that is not keen on having a girl, but I am very excited a/b it – I’m just not a real girly-girl. I really don’t want the nursery to look real “baby” either. All that to say, the bedding is still up in the air, which drives me crazy, b/c for me, that pretty much determines the look of the entire room (excluding the furniture) – what paint colors to use, what accent colors to use- blah, blah, blah.

I guess one of these days she will have a name. Stephen was given one month from when he found out the sex to contribute any names... two weeks remain. We have a few first names and one strong possibility, but no middle name just yet. Believe you me, she will have a name before she makes her grand appearance.
According to my books, she is a/b 10 ½ inches long – the average length of a carrot.

Off the subject issues:
Last week I chaired an awareness rally at the Arkansas State Capitol for Ovarian Cancer Awareness. Afterwards, we had a survivor’s luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion. The turn out was way more than we expected, we had over 150 people in attendance. Our goal was around 80. Our prayer for next year is that we will have to move locations b/c we need more space. J It was a great success.
Also, we have a website up and running http://www.arkansasovariancancer.com/ to be a resource for women in Arkansas just diagnosed with ovarian cancer and to be a place to gather information on awareness and upcoming events- check it out.

Presentation of Survivors at rally.

Mom, Leah and myself listening to a speaker at the rally

Stephen played in his first adult league soccer game this past Sunday. I was not able to attend. Unfortunately they lost, but they have only practiced twice, so I expect better outcomes in the future. As the soccer player I was growing up, I have to admit I am a little jealous. I think that would be so much fun. However, there are some things that the foot/brace does not allow me to do and this would be one of them.
I am very proud of him for stepping out and doing something a little outside of his comfort zone. Who knows – he probably did it as a way to get away from the crazy pregnant lady at home! HA!

Here are some recent pictures of my boys...

Stephen & JT at my brothers house in Fayetteville. JT actually rode around at low speed, it was too funny!

JT Hanging out of the window. (this picture may not be reproduced in any way without permission)

Our big news!!

All of the family has finally been notified so it is safe to finally tell the world. We are expecting our first child. We found out last week that we are going to have a baby girl! Most importantly she is healthy. She currently weighs about 13 oz.’s which is a little on the small side, but that is what our OB prefers. With my medical history, the doc wants her to be nice and small and maybe even come early so I will have a nice natural deliver.
Stephen is very proud but I think he is more worried a/b 401k, retirement and the like… typical guy. He has been a pretty good trooper and has gone to every doctor visit with me. I think this whole pregnancy has taken both of us by surprise because it has been pretty easy. I never really had morning sickness and the only big change is my frequent consumption of food. I have not really craved anything I don’t think. I have found though, that I really like to make different dips. It makes me think I am eating something somewhat healthy as a filling snack because someone in the household does not like to eat dinner until around 8 – I’m not naming any names or anything.
This weekend we went to Babies – R – Us to narrow down our selection of various baby paraphernalia b/c Mr. Research wouldn’t know what to do if his child didn’t have the best recommended and safest – of course. I find myself feeling relieved over that b/c it really is overwhelming if you do not have a clue what to even start with. Do you go with a maximum weight of 22lbs or 30 lbs? Do you get the whole travel system with stroller or just the carrier? Do we get the carrier that is more recommended for my car or his car? There is no point in getting different ones that fit better in each care. Do we really need a stroller AND a jogger? Probably not, but those joggers are pretty cool. Oh – and by the way – why on God’s green earth did most of the infant carriers go back to the normal handles and not stick with the more ergonomic one’s? Yeah, let’s not get started on the bedding….
Here are few pictures of the ultrasound. Now that everyone knows, I will be updating a lot more frequently and will be keeping everyone up to date about our progress.

Bascially this is profile shot. Isn't that precious? What you are seeing is from the knee down. She is already a little southern belle.

I know, I know. It has been a long time since I have been able to hop on here and post. I apologize.

Stephen & I just had my dad in town for a little over a week. We had all these activities planned and then wham! - the weather. Was it because of rain? NO Was it becuase of tornados? NO
It was becuase the temperature was around 103 with a heat index of over 110!

I have been super busy with the Arkansas Ovarian Cancer Coalition. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month in Arkansas, so we have a few events planned. We are doing a rally at the State Capitol and a Survivors Luncheon at the Governor's Mansion on September 9th.

Congratulations to Renee for getting engaged!! (Stephen's cousin) That is awesome! You go girl!

Stay tuned... I promise, stephen & I will have some new news soon!

So much for spring cleaning

Stephen & I have been really busy for the past couple of months. I have to brag on him a little, he is doing such a great job to the front of our house. It is by far looking like the best house on the street. Below is a before and after picture. We have painted, built new columns and are reworking the flower beds. (The house got new paint about a year ago, but the doors and stuff we have done recently. ) oh- and funky new house numbers.

BEFORE:

Also, coming up we are participating with the Luminaria Ceremony for the Maumelle Relay for Life this weekend. (update: we helped raise over $45,000 for the American Cancer Society)

Stephen will be traveling for work some and I will be busy helping plan my 10-year high school reunion and my best friends baby shower!... all while watching another birthday pass me by.

Okay, I have been putting this post off to find time for a new picture for the front of the house, but no sense in continued delay. So here is one with out the new landscaping - just the new columns. (Which Stephen built by hand)

AFTER

My reunion is actually this weekend and I've been running around like a mad woman trying to get everything in order. Another girl and I have been doing the majority of the work and I couldn't have done it without her. Just for reminiscing sake, here is a picture of me in high school: (I'm the one on the far left, in both pictures)

(1996 - me at 16 yrs. old) (1998 - senior banquet, 17 years old)

We also had the arrival of our wonderful neice (Lauren) on March 28.

Here is a picture of her the day she was born.

NOLA .... Surprise Ali!!!!

Stephen, Chris (bestfriend’s hubby) and I pulled off a great surprise for one of my best friends, Alice. Her birthday was March 16th. Chris & I started planning the surprise around Christmas for me and Stephen to come down to their house for the weekend.

Chris was already planning a crawfish boil for her birthday, so we just joined right in. I was so proud of him for not folding and keeping it all in – I know there are a few times when he wanted to just blurt it out.

We drove down to New Orleans on Friday. I had been setting her up for weeks and she was expecting a fed-ex package from me – so she thought that was who was at the door. I’m so sneaky.

Her new house is gorgeous and they did such a great job remodeling it - it got around 6" of water from Katrina. I am so happy they have found a house they want to be in for a long time. And they live in the cutest/coolest neighborhood with great neighbors!




Our two "other" nephews - Chip and Rex were such a joy to be around. They were my snuggle bugs. It really made me miss having two dogs in the house.














Stephen & I also got to experience our first New Orleans St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It was pretty cool. Nothing like the strict southern ways of Arkansas. We went with several of Alice’s friends & in-laws, so they were able to hook me up with some big beads, without having to “do something” for them....but no worries, I got them respectfully… its good to know people that know people (thanks Val!). One picture below is of me with beads about 5 minutes in to the parade. In this parade they would also throw a bunch of cabbages, carrots, potatoes, and green onions. By the time we left, all we needed was the meat.

Here are several pictures.















Amy & Stephen in the French Quarter

















"MOM! That's MY rose!," says Rex-oppotomus.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICE!! *smooch* love you!!!

We will meet again, I know

My baby girl passed away this past friday, March 7th. I can't say much because it still hurts.

She was 13 years old, we grew up together and she was the most loyal, sweetest, humble, happy thing I knew.

Rainbow Bridge Poem

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.

Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

Her bright eyes are intent.

Her eager body quivers.

Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together... Author Unknown