Pregnancy.... (The first trimester perspective)

***Let me first start by saying, this is going to be brutally honest so if you are looking for the rose colored glass version of pregnancy then this is definitely not your post!

Ahhh pregnancy.... if there was any feasible way to avoid your luxuries I would be the first in line. I will preface by saying that while my first pregnancy was certainly brutal at times this one takes the cake! After finding out at the end of June that we were expecting #2 I was elated and nervous all at the same time. So excited to meet this new little life and add a playmate to our sweet little family, but nervous because pregnancy and the early months of infancy were anything but kind to us the last go round. But none the less we were thrilled.

By 5 1/2 weeks pregnant though, I began to feel the unwelcome all day nausea accompanied by extreme fatigue. The kind of fatigue that comes with running a marathon (well who am I kidding, I've never done that but you catch my drift).

Just three days later I found myself vomiting morning, noon and night and praying that I could just survive the day. The weeks that followed we did not leave the house AT ALL and I cried for the better part of most of those days truly wishing I could just die. By the end of the 8th week I had dropped 8 pounds in one week and found myself severely dehydrated. One call to the OB and I was told to head on to the ER to receive fluids. I prayed that relief would come from the additional fluids but even after IV fluids and IV Zofran and Phenergren still NO RELIEF. I was so deflated I told Zak that if I survived this we would not be having any more biological children. I just could not do this again. It literally felt like being dropped in hell.

There truly is nothing else quite like it. And to make matters worse, trying to care for a toddler while you are vomiting is near to impossible. Many days Will would come put his arms around me while I was throwing up and say, "all done Momma all done." As if to say, please make it stop. If only son, if only.

Almost like a miracle though my symptoms began to subside after about a month and a half. I had fully anticipated the sickness to last til 14-16 weeks but the Lord in all his graciousness poured out his mercy and made the misery taper off at about 12 weeks! I believe the Lord knew that if He desired for us to add any more kiddos to this household the crazy train had better stop and fast!

I am so so thankful to be 18 weeks and feeling as good as could be expected for pregnancy. With the exception of afternoon heartburn and a bit more tired than usual I am as good as new! Those early weeks we were blessed beyond measure with all the support of family and friends bringing meals, watching Will and just loving on us as a family. We couldn't be more grateful! We find out tomorrow whether this little peanut is a boy or girl and I can hardly wait. I am quite confident it's a little Misses but we'll just have to wait and see! Here's to hoping the 2nd half of this pregnancy is uneventful!

Happy Birthday Zak!!! (The forgotten post)

*I came across this birthday post for Zak (His birthday was September 16th yikes!!!) that I thought I had posted but it never made it past the draft file. Sorry hubby, better late than never!

It seems unfitting that there is only one day of the year designated to celebrate the life of my wonderful husband and very best friend! We have shared so much life these past 6 years; two pregnancies, one toddler, first apartment, first house, first cat, first dog, several jobs and a slew of life experiences. I can confidently say that I can't imagine walking through life with a better man. We are truly blessed to have him as husband and daddy. Thanks for loving us so well and always providing the strength, security and stability to our home. We love you so much Zak! Happy Birthday!

Will's 2nd Birthday Party!

My sweet little man just celebrated his 2nd birthday a week and a half ago at Pullen Park. After Will's first birthday party I learned that my child prefers his family and just a couple of his best buddies. So this year, we had the grandparents, aunts and uncle and cousins and two of his best buddies. I have to say, it was so nice to have some milder weather (especially pregnant) but the morning was still filled with off and on drizzle (hence the TERRIBLE hair day I was having).

I did a Choo Choo train theme for his party since he is absolutely over the moon for trains these days. Side note- we also got Will a train table set as our birthday/Christmas gift which he is obsessed with!

We were soo thrilled that Bampa was able to make it to the birthday party even though he's working out of town for several months. It clearly made Will's day. And of course, Pop (My Dad) and Will are always thick as thieves.

Sweet Jack and Gerry were kind enough to come and celebrate as two of Will's closest buddies and Miss Kennedy was best dressed as always!

My beautiful niece Lucy who Will is absolutely in love with.

Such a sweet picture of the boys paired with their Daddy's who have been buddies since kindergarten.

Seems not even worth saying, but Will LOVED the cupcake! Last year he was not wild about his first go at birthday cake but oh how a year changes things!

All in all, what a fun day we had! Pizza. Cake. Rides. Presents. What more could a sweet little boy want. Happy Birthday sweet Will, your Momma and Daddy could not possibly love you any more! Stay tuned- Will's Two Year post coming next week after we have his two year check up. Our doctor is in high demand but very soon I'll be posting pictures and stats of my growing little monkey!