Never, EVER doubt a Momma!

Because we are having a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just knew it. :)

The appointment with the high risk OB went really well. We got there at 2pm for a 2:30 appt, and were finally called back at almost 10 after 3. Oh, well!

The u/s tech asked if this was our first. (I love when they ask that, because I LOVE the reaction that, "Oh, no! This is our FIFTH" brings!) She immediately started the ultrasound and asked if we knew what we were having. I said that I KNEW we were having a boy, but it had yet to be confirmed. She scrolled down to the "parts" and we found THIS:

So, yeah.. there he is, in all his glory! ;) None of my boys have ever been shy. Maybe that's why they all still like to run around in their underwear all day.

Anyway, baby looks PERFECT. His cord is a strong, healthy 3 vessel cord! None of the worries that we had with Lucy and her 2 vessel cord. I did order the kick counter, so if we have a knot in the cord later in the pregnancy, we'll have a better chance of finding out. But, as of right now, the blood is flowing through the cord just perfectly. I'm SO relieved.

Baby weighs about 8 ounces right now, so he's still just a tiny peanut. But, he's right on track where he should be. My weight loss hasn't affected his growth at all.

She switched to a 3D/4D u/s at the end, and we got to see him in so much detail. He looks like a little alien, since he doesn't have any fat on him now, but I still think he's pretty cute!

After she was finished, the high risk OB came in to talk to us. He said that everything looks GREAT and we couldn't ask for a more healthy baby. He has no concerns at all. He also said that if the pregnancy continues to go well, he may not have to see me again. Wouldn't that be nice?! He did say the spotting was from me being too active. I need to learn when to take it easy. I'm working on that!

So, Praise the Lord! And thank you ALL for your prayers!! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

Ok, here's our precious little Baby Boo.....

Isn't he precious? :)

Thanks for thinking of us today!!! We couldn't have asked for better news!!

Awful, awful day....

I've spotted most of today. I KNOW it's because I've overdone it with VBS. This has been a very exhausting week. And, while I've had a TON of fun, I'm glad tomorrow is the last night.

I called the doctor and told her about the spotting. She told me to get into bed and stay put until my u/s tomorrow, but I told her I couldn't. I had too many people and too many kids depending on my being there tonight. (What I didn't know was that I should have stayed home. I had the worst night tonight.)

She told me I could go, but no playing games, no lifting anything, nothing. She's not sure if the spotting is still from the tear in my uterine wall, or if there's another problem. She was going to call down to the high risk doctors office to have them check during the u/s tomorrow.

I'm SO glad I get to see this sweet little guy tomorrow. I need it SO badly after tonight. Seeing his little heartbeat and watching him move on screen will make everything that happened today disappear - I hope!

So, pray for me as I drive to Gainesville tomorrow for the u/s. I've never driven to Gainesville, and I have to go over "Blood Mountain" to get there, so I'm VERY, VERY nervous. Just pray for my safety and that all is just fine with "Baby Boo."

I'll update as soon as I'm home from VBS tomorrow night. I won't be home before then.

Today's doctor appointment

Went pretty well. Pretty basic stuff. I lost 2 pounds, so I'm happy, as long as baby is growing ok. :) Doc said she would like to see me gain a bit over the next month, though.

Did the urine test, the iron test, blood pressure, etc. Everything was just fine.

Doc came in, and we talked for a bit. She thought I sounded miserable, so she checked me out. Apparently, I have a very severe sinus infection on top of allergies. My throat was all gunked up, and my sinuses are swollen. She prescribed me Claritin and Zythromax, and I'm hoping they kick in soon. Still nothing they can do about the back, though. I just suffer through, or find a chiropractor who will take on a pregnant patient.

We listened to the heartbeat, and the baby was kicking like a soccer champ the entire time she held the doppler on my stomach. I couldn't feel it, but we sure could hear it! Heartrate was perfect - in the 150's. Uterus is measuring just fine, too. No concerns with baby right now at all.

I also told her that I'll be getting baptized on Sunday, and wanted to make sure she didn't have any concerns about that. She's so sweet, she got SO excited, and said, "Nope! No restrictions! The Lord will take care of you!" So, we're on for Sunday.... someone psych me up for it!

On the way out, she called the high risk OB that I'll be seeing. She wanted to set up the initial u/s with him, and rather than waiting until 20 weeks, they said they wanted to do it asap. They said they'd rather check the cord and everything now, so they're a little more prepared if they (we) have to deal with the unexpected. So, YAY!!! We'll get to see our little peanut in TWO DAYS!! And, I can finally prove to you all that I know what I'm talking about, and this is indeed a boy! ;)

So, I'll have another update - and more pictures, I hope! - very soon!! Can't wait until Friday!!

Vacation Bible School this week....

along with a bazillion other things. I MUST remember my doctor's appointment on Wednesday. If I don't, I don't want to have to wait to schedule my appt with the high risk doctor or *the* ultrasound! I've set my phone to remind me an hour beforehand, so hopefully I'll remember!

As I mentioned above, I am teaching Vacation Bible School this week at church. It started with the kick off on Saturday, and teaching actually began last night. It will run through Friday, so I just know by Friday night, I will be completely and utterly exhausted.

I'm teaching the 6 year olds class. I have some of the absolute sweetest kids in that class. They all listen so well, and two of them have become completely attached to my hips. I'd forgotten how much I adore working with this age. I always wanted to be a first grade teacher, and tonight I remembered why! :)

One of the little girls has become super protective of me and my baby belly. During game time, she'd tell me to take it easy, and if someone even came close to my belly, she was in their face. It cracked me up. Almost like I had my own little mother hen watching over me. So, have no fear, my belly is being taken care of quite well by little Kortney.

I'm still having issues with my back, but at least I can put my skirt on without crying. And, walking the stairs haven't hurt as bad as they usually do, so I think Someone is taking care of me. I'm hoping the rest of the week goes well, and that it just continues to get better!

In other news, we STILL have not gotten our stimulus payment. It should have been here before the 23rd, but nothing yet. So, that means I STILL have no washer, and I still haven't scheduled the 3D/4D u/s. I am going CRAZY washing clothes in the bathtub every day. LOL!

Also, I will be getting baptized on Sunday. In a creek. In a cold, dirty creek. So, I'm scared out of my mind. Half the church has told me that I look like I'll just float away, so this could get very interesting. Hubby will be on hand with the camera, so if I don't look like Shamu, I'll post some pictures.

I'll update on the doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Someone just remind me I need to go! ;)

I am officially getting old.

And I'm not doing very well with accepting that.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am terrified of turning 30 this July. I don't know why, but the thought of turning 30 literally makes me sick to my stomach. Because of this, I have convinced my 4 year old that I am 25, and will be turning 25 again on my birthday. My dear, sweet son will fight tooth and nail whenever Gene or Ashley tries to tell him that I will be 30. I just love my son.

But, my age is taking its toll on me. I threw my back out yesterday, and I'm still trying to recover from it. I had been sitting on the floor making bows for a bow swap that I'm in, and when I tried to get up, I could barely move. Everytime I moved, it brought me to tears. I called the doctor, and guess what? There's nothing you can do when you're pregnant. I can't go see a Chiropractor. I can't get x-rayed. So, I got the "put ice then heat on it" and gave a sarcastic "thank you very much" in response.

I know that it's just because I'm pregnant (again), and my joints are limber, but am I really going to have to suffer for the next 6 months? Is this really what it feels like to get old?

My husband is 3 years younger than me. (Jerk) He teases me relentlessly about this being what he has to look forward to when he gets old. I know he's just kidding, but, man, does it tick me off. I don't think he understands how badly this is affecting me. To him, age is just a number. No big deal. I'd love to see it like that, but I know when I see my cake with a big 3-0 on it, I'm going to lose it.

They say that we're only as old as we feel. Today I feel about 85, so turning 30 should be no big deal, right? I wish!

Someone please tell me 30 isn't that bad. Please!

I am just not feeling well today!

I tell you what, being sick when you're not pregnant is miserable. BUT, when you're not pregnant, you can take any form of medication you choose and not feel as miserable as you would otherwise.

However, when you are pregnant, that all changes. You can't grab your miracle drug of choice, (for me, it's Motrin or Excedrin Migraine), and you are stuck taking Tylenol which does absolutely nothing.

So, here I sit. Sneezing, and coughing, and my head just throbbing. Gene took the kids to church, so at least it's quiet, but I want some relief.

Ok, ok. I know many of the readers here have kids of their own, and you don't want to hear my whining, but I had to get it out somewhere. I'll stop now. And, I'll just remember, "This too shall pass."

Crazy, crazy dream...

So, I woke up this morning and didn't know what to think of my dream.

In my dream, the baby was born. Brand new, just home from the hospital. Only, the baby would switch from being a boy to a girl. I kept looking around, trying to figure out where the "other baby" went, but I realized it was the same baby the entire time, it was just switching back and forth. We gave the baby two names... a boy name and a girl name, and would call it by whichever gender it happened to be.

Gene ticked me off in my dream, too.... I asked him to watch the baby long enough for me to take a shower, and he got all huffy about it. Like he couldn't believe that I would DARE to ask him to watch the baby. At one point, I thought he was going to drop the baby because he just didn't want to deal with it! It's crazy, because that couldn't be more opposite of Gene. He's always so great about helping me out with the kids. He's never once complained.

So, I have no idea what the dream could mean. I have always wanted boy/girl twins, but I think it'd be creepy to have them be the same baby! ;)

I didn't eat before bed. Didn't even drink anything except water. Dinner was nothing out of the ordinary and was at 6pm. Not even close to when I went to bed. So, I don't think any of that had anything to do with it.

Any dream interpreters out there? This one was a doozy!

Does Pregnancy = Destruction?

Earlier this week, I broke my glasses. They snapped right in half. Lulu had been "playing" with them, and bent them out of shape. As I was bending them back into shape, they completely broke. I've been wearing the same pair of "Focus Daily Wears" contacts since we moved down here, so I'm stuck. So not what I needed.

I figured that was going to be the worst part of my week. Lord, I could not have been more wrong.

On Saturday, while vacuuming the house - which is nothing new... I do this once a day - sometimes more, depending on how messy the kids are. Anyway, I overheated the vacuum and it died. Brand new vacuum that we bought back in March. Stupid thing! (I tried it again today, and it seems to be working again. Thank you, Lord!)

THEN, I decided to make my homemade peanut butter cookies as a thank you gift to the guy who came over and helped build our steps. As I was doing this, my mixer DIED. Totally stopped working. My guess is I overheated it, too. It was a cheap mixer, but still... there go the mashed potatoes I wanted for dinner tonight.

THEN, I throw some clothes in the washer. Again, nothing new. I do a load or two a day. Well, I hear this AWFUL sound coming from the mud room, and the washer won't spin. It also won't drain the water out. I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't have 4 kids AND a husband and not have a washing machine!!!

SIGH. I do NOT have the money to buy all new stuff. Heck, I don't even have money to put gas in my car and get the kids to school this week. Now what in the world am I going to do?

Talk about a destructive day! Is the pregnancy causing the destruction, or do I just have some really bad luck vibes seeping through my body? Apprently, I need to stay away from anything that has a motor. That may be my only answer!

On the plus side, I did get some really great steps built on Saturday. We bought the wood to build the steps back in November, but the guy who kept promising to build them never got around to it. I asked Gene to ask a friend of ours to help, and he did!!! Look at my new steps:

Aren't they pretty? I don't know what Gene did with the other set we used to have there. I wanted to take a picture of them to show you the difference. They only came about 12 inches off the ground - if even! Picture a great big pregnant woman trying to jump out that door. I'm sure it was a sight to see most days. Thank heavens I no longer have to deal with that!

I felt the baby move!!!!!!

I cannot tell you how much this means to me. I have been so panicked because I'm 16 weeks and hadn't felt the baby move yet.

Well, I was lying on the couch and felt a few consistent teeny tiny kicks.

Finally. Thank you, Jesus. This is such an answer to prayer and a HUGE relief.

This is my favorite part of being pregnant and the ONLY thing I miss when I'm not pregnant.

Here's hoping I feel it lots in the near future!!

This pregnancy is doing wonders for my diet!

I have had the biggest craving for Peanut Butter cookies today. Not sure why, but I just want them. So, I pulled out my trusty recipe that I found online awhile back. (You can find the recipe here. They really are the world's best cookies!)

Anyway, I go through the whole process and make 6 dozen cookies. I bite into the first one, and GET SICK! Apparently, I was only craving the smell. My body couldn't handle actually eating them.

So, here I sit with 6 dozen cookies. Good thing the kids and the hubby like them, but 6 DOZEN cookies? LOL. I think I'll be giving some away at church tomorrow.

So, obviously this is why I'm not gaining much weight this pregnancy. I have lots of cravings, but when I actually try to eat anything, I end up getting sick. Crazy!

Anybody want a peanut butter cookie? We've got a few to spare.....

A few websites to share....

Another friend sent me a link to http://www.wrybaby.com. They've got tons of super cute "Snapsuits" that are just too funny... and some of the products are absolutely hysterical. If you need a funny gag gift for that pregnant friend, this is the way to go - especially if it's their first!

I also came across http://www.mom4life.com/ - and they are officially my new favorite website for moms. I made a registry just so I can remember to go back and purchase certain items. I think my absolute FAVORITE item on there is the kickTrak Kick Counter. After Jace had a knot in his cord, and with us almost losing him, doing kick counts is VERY important to me. This seems like a much easier way to track the kicks and know when to notify the doctor of a problem. I'll definitely be ordering it soon, as well as many other items! Thanks to mom4life.com for offering awesome products at reasonable prices!!!

Another site I'll be ordering from is http://www.babysafeus.com. We had something similar with both Jace and Lucy, but gave it to some dear Missionary friends. I love the fact that this monitor has TWO sensory pads instead of the one we had before. Definitely a worthwhile investment, IMO.

I also love http://www.ambybaby.com/ - but I doubt we could ever afford to purchase one of their hammocks. It's a great idea, but oh, so pricey. But, maybe it will help someone else reading the blog!

I hope these sites help you out. I sure love 'em!

More about baby names....

So, a very dear friend of mine (and a mom to 7 - MY HERO!) turned me on to http://www.babynamegenie.com/. I am HOOKED! I have had way too much fun asking the genie for a name for a little boy.

Some of the names he has given me have been such a hoot. Here's a few of my favorites that I could just NEVER use:
Blaze Ashton
Milo Theodore
Tanner Prince
Justice Deacon
Weston Houston
and my all time favorite.... Stone Morgan. (This name cracks me up, because both of my boys' names came from characters on General Hospital. If Stone Morgan isn't *THE* perfect General Hospital name, I don't know what is!)

I did, however, get some REALLY great names from the site. We've settled on a middle name already, so now we just need a first name. Here's most of my list of first name choices... I'm still debating on a few more:
Kaden (or Caden not sure of the spelling we'd use) - vetoed by Courtney. :)
Lawson
Cooper - Vetoing this one. "Cooper Pooper" was the first thing Zander said when I said this name out loud.
Landon - I vetoed this one.
Griffin
Connor
Sawyer
Camden
Cole
Keaton
Calen (pronounced with a short "a") - we'd call him Cal
Colton
Maxwell
Lincoln
Garrison - Hubby vetoed this one.
Marshall
Gage
Parker
Greyson - Ashley vetoed this one.
Keenan - Hubby vetoed this one.

Ok, so it's not a little list. And, it's not a complete list. It's being added to all the time. And, the list above is in no particular order. I have extra special favorites scattered throughout the list.

If you've got more names along those lines, feel free to let me know!! :)

Hit me with your best shot!

I knows it's early, but Gene and I are already discussing baby names. We're pretty set on a girl's name (we think... but we're not too concerned about it, because we're both completely convinced this baby is a boy!) We've tossed around a few boy names, and there's one I really, really like, but Gene's not so sure. (At least I have time to convince him if we don't find another name we both agree on!) :)

We have 2 boys already, and their names are Zander and Jace. I need a name that flows nicely with the boys' names, but isn't too off the wall. And I do NOT want a common name. I already have an "Ashley" and you can't find anything with her name personalized on it in the stores, because they are sold out due to the fact that there are 8 billion other Ashley's out there. So, common names are out.

I am going cross eyed looking online at baby names. There aren't any good sites for names out there, and believe me, I've looked at them all!! There are sites with too many names and you can't weed out the ones you like, sites where you input the name and they give you the meaning (if I HAD the name, it wouldn't be an issue!!), sites where they have unique baby names, but they are so unique that there's no way I would name my kid some of the things listed on there, and so on and so forth.

Here's where you come in. I need boy names. LOTS of them. Something that flows right with Zander and Jace, and something that we could be proud of.

So, hit me with your best shot. Leave your comments, and give me your list of boys names.

I just love Mother's Day...

Not for the gifts, or the spoiling, though those are always nice, but because there's nothing quite like hearing, "I love you, Mommy. Happy Mudders Day" from your 3 and 4 year old. I also love the handmade things that you get. Zander made me the sweetest little handprint flower and a card at school. I just loved it. This was the first year that Ash didn't make me anything at school (shame on her school), so she made sure that she made me something at home. She worked for hours on it on Saturday night, and Sunday morning I was gifted with a hand made card and I have no idea what the other thing is, but I love it - because SHE made it. Without being asked or told to do it. She did it all on her own. I am the luckiest mom on the earth, because I have been blessed with 4 (and a half!) beautiful children. I can't wait to be called "Mommy" by this baby as well.

I won a prize at church yesterday, and I didn't even find out until AFTER church was over! :) Our church gives away big hanging baskets of flowers to differnt moms: the oldest mom, the youngest mom, the mom with the most kids with them in church that day, etc. Well, *I* won the "Mom with the most kids with them in church." There was another mom there with 4 kids, but because I'm carrying the baby in my belly, Pastor counted it as a "half" so I won the hanging basket. I was down teaching my class, so I had no idea I had even won! Gene accepted the gift on my behalf. So exciting. I've never won anything before!! :)

I hope all the moms reading this had a wonderful Mother's Day.

First official belly pic this pregnancy....

In honor of hitting 15 weeks yesterday, I asked hubby to take a belly pic this evening.

So, here you go. Here's my great big belly at 15 weeks:

Ok, be nice. I KNOW I'm really, really big for 15 weeks. I'm still hoping there are really two in there!

I hate this!!

I will be 15 weeks on Friday, and I have YET to feel this baby move. With #2, 3, and 4, I felt the flutters early - between 12 - 14 weeks. I figured with this being #5, I would have felt him/her move the second I peed on the stick. But, nope. Nada. Not one single little flutter yet, and it is driving me CRAZY!

I hate this part of pregnancy. If I could feel the baby move, I could have a better sense that things are ok. Without feeling anything, it's making me nervous.

I know I shouldn't worry, since I heard the heartbeat last week, but still. I just want a little reassurance that everything's all right.