Weekdays are good. Weekends are better.

It's 9:30 on Saturday morning. Molly is asleep on her bed by my chair. Bradley is still asleep, we're going over to the in-laws in a bit to "take a tan", AND our house is clean, clean, clean...that makes for a good morning. We've had a busy week. Bradley finished up spring football last night. I have cheerleader camp in less than a month. So we're both putting in our time at school right now. All that and I still cooked a few times this week and cleaned. I know, I know...you're impressed. :)

I have a few random things to share. First of all, we hope to find out if we're having a boy or girl on Thursday. We are so excited. Also, we now have a doppler at our house. (Thank you, mother-in-law.) It is THE BEST. I listen to that heartbeat at least 3 times a day. It makes it all seem a little more real. I can't feel the baby yet, but I can hear it moving with the doppler. I'm hoping to be able to feel it soon.

Last night after the spring game, we had a late mexican dinner with the Bartons and the Manesses. I know the people there were wondering when we'd all go home. It was so much fun...lots of laughs and a few stories made my eyes get really BIG. I also enjoyed seeing 3 men sitting in a row with matching shirts on. It doesn't take much to entertain me.

And one last thing: I teach first grade and my kids always say the funniest things. This week has been no exception. I got a little sick in class Thursday morning. While this was happening I heard a student say to another student, "she's ok. That baby's just kicking her and making her sick." Yesterday we were making aquariums to go along with our study of the ocean. We used paper plates and plastic wrap. I was helping them put them together and A said, "Mrs. Bowers, how'd you get so good at this?" I laughed and told him I didn't know...maybe a lot of practice. He responded, "You just got skills, don't you?" HILARIOUS. His mom reads our blog and I know she'll enjoy that. He has provided my entertainment many days this year.

Wishing you an extra good weekend...

Very Brief Update

1. Still nauseous
2. Still eating, therefore
3. Still growing
4. BUT...only 15 school days left...can't wait! I love teaching, but I love summer too.

14 Weeks

My sweet husband told me last week that I'm "putting on a little weight". But he "meant it in a cute way" or so he said. I am 14 weeks today. I've reached that point where my pants won't button, but the maternity clothes are too big. I have decided I really do like an elastic waste though...I may stick with those after pregnancy. I also really like this contraption called a "bella band" that goes over my pants that will no longer button and holds them up.

I ran into a college friend at WalMart Saturday. It was really good to see her. (Hi Mandi) She told me I didn't make pregnancy seem very glamorous. It struck me as funny, but I've thought about that since I talked with her. I don't mean to make it sound that way. We are VERY THANKFUL for this pregnancy. But if I told you it's all been fun and enjoyable, I'd be lying. Physically, it's the hardest thing I've experienced and I haven't been through labor yet. But I'm sure not all pregnancies are like this. And even though it's been tough, I have no doubt it will all be worth it. We do feel blessed and are thankful.

In other news:
1. We have a crib. There's no turning back now.
2. Our dog did not sleep with us last night. Yeah!
3. There are 19 school days left.
4. I just ate a whole frozen pizza by myself.
5. I'm going to start running in about 6 months...someone remind me of of that closer to time.

Here's hoping your week is extra good and little things happen that make you smile.

5 Things I've Learned This Week

1. Just because you reach the end of the first trimester does NOT mean the nausea goes away.
2. My husband and I can consume one whole box of Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni and not bat and eye. (I'm eating for 2.) Obviously #1 is not slowing me down.
3. Pregnancy changes a whole lot of things...namely my food choices. I have always been known to love a soft drink. No tea, sometimes water, usually a soft drink. Not so anymore. I cannot handle a soft drink. It's tea or water. That's it. I also crave random things. Last night it was baked beans. Normally I don't do baked beans. But I decided yesterday and I needed some really bad. One night this week it was pigs in a blanket. Another day it was salad. If you know me well, you know this is odd.
4. B's class reunion is the end of October...10 days before my due date. I'll be extra large by then. But hey, so will lots of people. At least I have an excuse.
5. There's nothing like the love of a first grader who has missed his/her teacher for 12 days. They were the best! They told me they could not touch my tummy but they could hug me from the side. So many of them told me they prayed for us. They were precious.

Wishing you a comfortable Saturday at home listening to the rain...

A Good Report

We went back to the doctor today to make sure everything was still ok. The baby seems fine. Heartbeat was at 162. It had it's feet in the air and it's hand behind it's head...relaxing. I also am healing fine. 4 scars and a testimony of God's faithfulness...we are so thankful.

So Blessed

Bradley and I have talked several times about how God's hand was on us last week. We know God's hand is always on us, but there are times that we're reminded a little. Last week was one of those times. We go back to the doctor tomorrow morning. I'm a little nervous about the ultrasound. I need one of those dopplers at home. ; ) I've tried to talk Bradley into it. He just shakes his head. He gives me that response often. He has been wonderful through all of this. I am so blessed to have him.

The sickness was better for a few days, but has returned. I am 12 weeks pregnant, so I can't decided if I'm "pregnant sick" or sick from the meds I have to take right now. I'm hoping they take me off those tomorrow.

I've been straightening our house today and trying to figure out which dishes go to which person. Everyone has been so good to bring us meals and snacks. I have many thank you notes to finish. Last night I graded 2 weeks worth of papers and got those in the computer. I'm accomplishing way more than I was a week ago. I'm hoping to be back to work on Thursday. That's the plan anyway.

Hope your Tuesday is finding you well. I'll post after our doctor visit tomorrow. Thank you for all your prayers.

And then there was Monday...

If you read the previous post, you know that we spent most of the weekend in the hospital. Sunday night I ran some fever, and my husband, being the smart man that he is, had read the instructions the doctor gave us and knew we were to call her if I ran any fever. So he called and she told us if we could get the fever down to come back Monday morning to the office. I was under the impression that I might have a UTI and thought I was going in for a urine test and blood work. So Bradley went to work and my mom took me to Dr. Johnston's office. We had another ultrasound (this baby may have more pictures made before it's arrival than after). The tech never gave any indication that anything was wrong. Heartbeat was strong, etc. She sent us over to see the doctor. Dr. J followed my mom and me into the room and said something to this effect, "Your ovary is twisted. Maybe it's been twisting and untwisting causing the pain, but as of right now it's twisted and you need surgery today. I'll schedule you for 1:00." This was somewhere around 10:45. After a small panic attack and several phone calls, I was in a room ready for surgery at 12:55. Bradley, our families, and some close friends arrived in time to see me off. I have NEVER had surgery. And I had no idea what was about to happen. I knew there was a risk to the baby...our biggest concern. I knew they would try to drain the cyst, but might have to remove my ovary...another concern. So off we went...the next thing I knew I was headed to recovery. They told me my baby was ok and let me hear the heartbeat. They also told me they had to remove my left ovary and tube. We have been overwhelmed by the phone calls and messages from family and friends. This was a scary time for us both. Bradley told me this morning that he thought I was holding it together better than him yesterday. I thought he was holding it together better than me.

Let me give Flowers Hospital a little plug: There was not one person who we dealt with who did not go above and beyond their duties. They were the kindest and most patient people to work with...from the ER to the 2nd floor where we spent several nights. I think it is rare to find people of that quality. But they're still around. We appreciate each of them so much.

And the most important thing, I have to share how BIG God was in this. He showed His hand many times through this ordeal. It makes me so thankful and also so overwhelmed with emotion to think about it now. I had fever for a few hours Sunday night...that was all. Had we not noticed it, we would not have seen the doctor until next week. The blood supply to my ovary was cut off. If left alone, it could have been so much worse on the baby and myself. Also, the nurse I had going into surgery. God placed her there. She had been through the same procedure while pregnant. She told me her baby was fine and that she went on to have another. She was such and encouragement. She told me she was praying for me as they wheeled me out. This morning my nurse was unable to find a heartbeat. So they sent me for an ultrasound. My tech happened to be a sweet girl from Opp who I took dance with many, many, many years ago. She probably didn't know it, but I needed her familiar face this morning. And God knew it.

We are so thankful for everything. There's no way this post expresses it all. But we have no doubt that God was with us the entire time. Bro. Tony, who married us, shared a verse with us from Isaiah yesterday as we were preparing for surgery. I'm sure he had no idea that I've read that verse many times and that it's underlined in my Bible because I find it so encouraging. Thank you, God, for your presence and for your plan. We are filled with gratefulness for Your goodness.