I don't know about you, but the ringing in of the new year always makes me look back on the year ending and forward to the year ahead.
This past year has been a whirlwind! Getting settled into our new home, church and town. Getting pregnant and all the fun and not so fun stuff that goes along with that. Giving birth in a manner I had hoped I wouldn't have to. Recovering from the c-section and starting life with a new member of the family. While I never really ever wanted to experience pregnancy, I do love this little man very much. He was worth it. It is weird how he is a wiggle over two months old and yet it seems like he has been with us and a part of us forever. What a huge blessing!
Next year will be bitter sweet. As Derrek grows and learns and explores, Ray will be preparing to deploy to Iraq with his National Guard unit. Sometime in spring is when they expect to head out. With that, Derrek and I plan to spend some time back home in Maryland.
While it saddens me that Ray will be away, I'm grateful for his sacrifice. Yes, I'll be alone with Derrek and without much family close by, but Ray will not get the privilege to see Derrek grow and change every single day. We are going to have to be creative with keeping in touch. Hopefully, while difficult, the experience will bring us closer together as a family in the long run. It certainly has made us appreciate this time together before the deployment. We take no day for granted.
Now, if you look back at the first few posts of this blog, you will see that I did a month long experiment called "Surprise Me, God." It is based on a book by that name. This dude woke up every morning for a month and his only prayer was, "Surprise Me, God." The book itself is his journal of what happened. I really enjoyed it the first time I did it and I really do think the new year is a good time to do it again. While I did complete that month long experiment, I didn't journal or blog the whole thing. This time I intend to blog each day for a month my experiences.
Happy New Year To Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!! God bless you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
A snow bunny I am not!
I promised some funny pictures of my trying to tame the great snowy back yard. And, after the Raven's loss, I needed to cool off after all that yelling at the television. I put Ray's snow suit on and outside I went!
I'm not kidding, this snow is deeper than my waist! I can't imagine how much potential snow we are going to get this year considering we are only 2 weeks into winter and we have had 2 blizzards so far.
I did get my legs stuck. So I had to kick them straight out and up so that I ended up laying down on the snow. While I was there I figured I should go ahead and make a snow angel. It is still the Christmas season after all!
Yes, that is me standing on the seat of a bench. And, as I prepare to jump back into the snowy abyss......
....I get stuck AGAIN! I do have to say that playing in the snow was fun. Since rolling helped me get out before, I tried it again. The only problem this time? My arms got stuck too.
As you can see, I did eventually tame the Nebraskan Snowy Wild West Back Yard!!!!!!!! I should get a trophy or something. The weather man keeps saying we should be snow free for the next week. At this point, I'll believe it when I see it.
Even from the start, it was pretty deep. For some reason our back yard is a prime place for all the snow to drift to. Probably because the house is higher and the yard slopes away from the house. Ray, by the way, is warm and toasty inside while taking these pictures. Sheesh!
I'm not kidding, this snow is deeper than my waist! I can't imagine how much potential snow we are going to get this year considering we are only 2 weeks into winter and we have had 2 blizzards so far.
I did get my legs stuck. So I had to kick them straight out and up so that I ended up laying down on the snow. While I was there I figured I should go ahead and make a snow angel. It is still the Christmas season after all!
Yes, that is me standing on the seat of a bench. And, as I prepare to jump back into the snowy abyss......
....I get stuck AGAIN! I do have to say that playing in the snow was fun. Since rolling helped me get out before, I tried it again. The only problem this time? My arms got stuck too.
As you can see, I did eventually tame the Nebraskan Snowy Wild West Back Yard!!!!!!!! I should get a trophy or something. The weather man keeps saying we should be snow free for the next week. At this point, I'll believe it when I see it.
Thinking of Spring!
....Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town, not a vehicle was moving except for the plow.....
....and on Christmas day....and on the day after Christmas.......
Who ordered all this snow???? I bet it was the farmers. Lots of snow in the winter with a slow melt is ideal for the wells and for the produce. But two blizzards in three weeks is a little much. Although, it is pretty. And, if I were a kid, this would be the perfect snowman, snow fort or igloo snow. Tomorrow, I plan to jump into the massive snow drift in our back yard. Don't worry, Ray plans to video it and take some pictures. I'll be sure to post them for you to laugh at......
Now for spring.....
I still have this big old yard of garden and I plan to not be here for a few months this summer. So, I need to make some decisions about what to do with it when I'm not here and the yard tends to week up fast. I suppose I'll need to hire someone to take come over once a week, mow what little grass is here and tend to the copious amounts of weeds and grasses that tend to choke out my flowers and other plants. I'll have to think about that and do some research.
However, it is going to be months, as you soon will see, until I see green again under all that white. So, in the mean time, I think I'm going to grow some herbs indoors. I always have a winter project and I think I'll make it my project for this winter.
....and on Christmas day....and on the day after Christmas.......
Who ordered all this snow???? I bet it was the farmers. Lots of snow in the winter with a slow melt is ideal for the wells and for the produce. But two blizzards in three weeks is a little much. Although, it is pretty. And, if I were a kid, this would be the perfect snowman, snow fort or igloo snow. Tomorrow, I plan to jump into the massive snow drift in our back yard. Don't worry, Ray plans to video it and take some pictures. I'll be sure to post them for you to laugh at......
Now for spring.....
I still have this big old yard of garden and I plan to not be here for a few months this summer. So, I need to make some decisions about what to do with it when I'm not here and the yard tends to week up fast. I suppose I'll need to hire someone to take come over once a week, mow what little grass is here and tend to the copious amounts of weeds and grasses that tend to choke out my flowers and other plants. I'll have to think about that and do some research.
However, it is going to be months, as you soon will see, until I see green again under all that white. So, in the mean time, I think I'm going to grow some herbs indoors. I always have a winter project and I think I'll make it my project for this winter.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
2 Months Already?
It is hard to believe that Derrek has been here for 2 months already. In reality, 2 months is a short time, but it really feels as if he has been here with us the whole time. I guess in a way he has since we moved into the house in mid December and I was pregnant by February! Here is Derrek's quick 2 month update:
Derrek was not a huge fan of bathtime at first. The pictures above are of his 3rd bath here at home and the first one he did not cry through. My mom came to visit for almost 2 weeks to help us out. It is a good thing because this hungry guy was wanting to eat every 1.5-2 hours. At this point we were still trying to get him back up to his birth weight. It didn't take too long because he eats all the time even now that he is on formula.
Here are some additional pictures from the past 2 months.
Of course, the most recent pictures are first. Above is Ray and Derrek at the Christmas party for Ray's MP unit. Below you will see that Ebony and Derrek are already good buddies. She lets us know when he is crying and will chase the cats away from him. Now she will lay on the floor next to his bouncer and lay her head by his feet.
Above was a picture I took here in the living room at 5 weeks. The blanket is one my Grandmother made. It made for the perfect backdrop for a picture of Derrek in his cammo outfit. And below you will see that Derrek already has the strength to hold up his bottle at 3 1/2 weeks.
Below is a picture I took while we were still in the hospital. Being a baby must be hard work! He was 4 days old here.
Derrek was not a huge fan of bathtime at first. The pictures above are of his 3rd bath here at home and the first one he did not cry through. My mom came to visit for almost 2 weeks to help us out. It is a good thing because this hungry guy was wanting to eat every 1.5-2 hours. At this point we were still trying to get him back up to his birth weight. It didn't take too long because he eats all the time even now that he is on formula.
Here are some additional pictures from the past 2 months.
Of course, the most recent pictures are first. Above is Ray and Derrek at the Christmas party for Ray's MP unit. Below you will see that Ebony and Derrek are already good buddies. She lets us know when he is crying and will chase the cats away from him. Now she will lay on the floor next to his bouncer and lay her head by his feet.
Above was a picture I took here in the living room at 5 weeks. The blanket is one my Grandmother made. It made for the perfect backdrop for a picture of Derrek in his cammo outfit. And below you will see that Derrek already has the strength to hold up his bottle at 3 1/2 weeks.
Below is a picture I took while we were still in the hospital. Being a baby must be hard work! He was 4 days old here.
Finally, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Even our little guy is in a Christmas state of mind!
Derrek's Birth Story
Sorry this has taken so long but we have been a tad busy lately! If you get quezy at the thought of blood, bodily functions and gore and birth, reading a birth story containing a c-section may not be the best read for you!
On Wednesday evening, October 21st, I started to notice a kind of pattern to some back pain I was having. I also felt some contractions, but only like one an hour. Still, it got my attention enough to keep an eye on it. Not too long after that, my sister called. We were chatting about all kinds of stuff, and I mentioned around 6ish about the back pain and contractions. She stayed on the phone with me, and at 8:00 I started writing them down and she helped me with timing them.
My poor sister stayed on the phone with me until 10:30ish, when Ray got home from work. I also tracked down my friend Erin on facebook. I remembered her birth story and how she didn't realize she was in labor because the contractions were not textbook. I picked her brain a bit as well and decided that at the very least, when Ray got home, I was going to call the hospital and see what they said. At this point, contractions were about a minute or so in duration and about 10ish minutes apart.
Ray walked in the door from work, and I said to my sister, "thanks for staying on the phone with me." Ray gave me a funny look and said that was an odd comment. It was and odd comment and I informed him I had something very interesting to show him and to come over to the sofa with me. He did, and I handed him the contraction timing list. He got this very cute and very funny smile on his face. Oddly enough, he STILL has that look today...LOL!
I called the hospital and they suggested that since I had been drinking water constantly since 6ish, to come in and get checked. Ray got our stuff together, made sure the animals were good and off we went in the pouring rain to the hospital. Good thing it was rainy though....otherwise our normal 40 minute trip to the hospital may have been more like 20.
We arrived, they took me to a labor and delivery room and started the intake. I had to pee sooooooooooo bad, so she let me go. Oddly enough, there was some bloody show. First time I had seen it at all. I immediately went on monitoring. Remember when I said I had timed my contractions to be like 10ish minutes apart? In reality, they were 2-3 minutes apart and I was only physically feeling about a third of them. I was totally fascinated with the monitoring strip. After 30ish minutes, the nurse finally checked my cervix and it was only dialted 1 cm and was about 45% effaced. No big deal. They called my doctor and he said to not admit me yet, but hook me up to fluids and monitor for 90 minutes. Check my cervix again after that and call him back. They inserted the IV around 1:00ish am. They also did an unofficial ultrasound, and stubborne little Derrek was still in full on breech, but doing very well with the contractions.
Fast forward 90 minutes later.....by this time, contractions were 1-2 minutes apart, I was feeling every one and laying in bed hoovered!!! They checked me, and I was 85% effaced and "one and a wiggle" cm dilated. The nurse left the room to call my doc and give the update. She came back in dressed in surgical scrubs. "Dr. Gibbens said to have you ready in 30 minutes. You are having your baby within the hour."
Huh? WHAT?????
So, surgical prep started. I got poked by the lab gal, shaved, got to wear my uber fashionable surgical cap and was being talked to by anestesia on the way to the surgical room. Ray stayed in the labor and delivery room until after my spinal/epidural was put in and all was ready to go. They gave me a combo spinal/epidural. The spinal meds covered the surgery and right after. I kept in the epidural for pain relief for a little over 24 hours. I was more scared of the epi than I was of the surgery I think. That fear was misplaced. Once I relaxed, the epi/spinal went in like butter and I started feeling very little.
Ray came in and sat by my head and they put up what they call "the tent." Doctors started working, and while I felt them working, I did not feel any pain. Well, I didn't feel pain right away anyhow. Let me just say that anyone who says that women who get c-sections are cop outs or not real women or don't have real births have obviously never had a section. It does hurt! A lot! Not so much the birth part, but the repair part afterwards. I dealt with labor, although a short bout of it and then dealt with the section. I paid my dues!
Derrek was pulled out rear first.....appropriate for being a full breech baby and he cried right away. Being born at 37/5 was no problem for him. 6lbs, 11oz and 18.5 inches long. APGAR 8/9/9. He was full of vernix but beautiful with a ton of dark hair on his head. They showed him to me quickly, but then rushed him off to the warmer on the other side of the room. Ray went with him and the anesthesia gal stayed with me and talked me through it all.
Did I mention how much the repair part hurt???? She had given me all the meds she could at the moment including pitocin to help get that uterus shrinking back since I could not breastfeed right away as well as nausea meds. I am still amazed that I did not throw up on the table. That's how much it hurt. And, I have a pretty high pain tolerance. At the end, the doctor asked if I wanted staples or stitches. I told him whatever is faster. I wanted it to be over sooooooooooooooo much! At this point, Ray had Derrek all swaddled up and had brought him over to help me get my mind off the doctor's working. He was so sooooo cute. And, he was quiet. Besides some initial crying as he was pulled out and then maybe for about 4 minutes, we heard very little from him. He was just that content and wide awake too. I had to keep asking if he was still in the room.
I was rolled into a recovery room, and Ray, Derrek and I got to spend our first quality time together as a family. The nurse took some pictures of us at that time. After that, it was time to be moved as a family up to the maternity floor. Finally...!!! Some rest.
On Wednesday evening, October 21st, I started to notice a kind of pattern to some back pain I was having. I also felt some contractions, but only like one an hour. Still, it got my attention enough to keep an eye on it. Not too long after that, my sister called. We were chatting about all kinds of stuff, and I mentioned around 6ish about the back pain and contractions. She stayed on the phone with me, and at 8:00 I started writing them down and she helped me with timing them.
My poor sister stayed on the phone with me until 10:30ish, when Ray got home from work. I also tracked down my friend Erin on facebook. I remembered her birth story and how she didn't realize she was in labor because the contractions were not textbook. I picked her brain a bit as well and decided that at the very least, when Ray got home, I was going to call the hospital and see what they said. At this point, contractions were about a minute or so in duration and about 10ish minutes apart.
Ray walked in the door from work, and I said to my sister, "thanks for staying on the phone with me." Ray gave me a funny look and said that was an odd comment. It was and odd comment and I informed him I had something very interesting to show him and to come over to the sofa with me. He did, and I handed him the contraction timing list. He got this very cute and very funny smile on his face. Oddly enough, he STILL has that look today...LOL!
I called the hospital and they suggested that since I had been drinking water constantly since 6ish, to come in and get checked. Ray got our stuff together, made sure the animals were good and off we went in the pouring rain to the hospital. Good thing it was rainy though....otherwise our normal 40 minute trip to the hospital may have been more like 20.
We arrived, they took me to a labor and delivery room and started the intake. I had to pee sooooooooooo bad, so she let me go. Oddly enough, there was some bloody show. First time I had seen it at all. I immediately went on monitoring. Remember when I said I had timed my contractions to be like 10ish minutes apart? In reality, they were 2-3 minutes apart and I was only physically feeling about a third of them. I was totally fascinated with the monitoring strip. After 30ish minutes, the nurse finally checked my cervix and it was only dialted 1 cm and was about 45% effaced. No big deal. They called my doctor and he said to not admit me yet, but hook me up to fluids and monitor for 90 minutes. Check my cervix again after that and call him back. They inserted the IV around 1:00ish am. They also did an unofficial ultrasound, and stubborne little Derrek was still in full on breech, but doing very well with the contractions.
Fast forward 90 minutes later.....by this time, contractions were 1-2 minutes apart, I was feeling every one and laying in bed hoovered!!! They checked me, and I was 85% effaced and "one and a wiggle" cm dilated. The nurse left the room to call my doc and give the update. She came back in dressed in surgical scrubs. "Dr. Gibbens said to have you ready in 30 minutes. You are having your baby within the hour."
Huh? WHAT?????
So, surgical prep started. I got poked by the lab gal, shaved, got to wear my uber fashionable surgical cap and was being talked to by anestesia on the way to the surgical room. Ray stayed in the labor and delivery room until after my spinal/epidural was put in and all was ready to go. They gave me a combo spinal/epidural. The spinal meds covered the surgery and right after. I kept in the epidural for pain relief for a little over 24 hours. I was more scared of the epi than I was of the surgery I think. That fear was misplaced. Once I relaxed, the epi/spinal went in like butter and I started feeling very little.
Ray came in and sat by my head and they put up what they call "the tent." Doctors started working, and while I felt them working, I did not feel any pain. Well, I didn't feel pain right away anyhow. Let me just say that anyone who says that women who get c-sections are cop outs or not real women or don't have real births have obviously never had a section. It does hurt! A lot! Not so much the birth part, but the repair part afterwards. I dealt with labor, although a short bout of it and then dealt with the section. I paid my dues!
Derrek was pulled out rear first.....appropriate for being a full breech baby and he cried right away. Being born at 37/5 was no problem for him. 6lbs, 11oz and 18.5 inches long. APGAR 8/9/9. He was full of vernix but beautiful with a ton of dark hair on his head. They showed him to me quickly, but then rushed him off to the warmer on the other side of the room. Ray went with him and the anesthesia gal stayed with me and talked me through it all.
Did I mention how much the repair part hurt???? She had given me all the meds she could at the moment including pitocin to help get that uterus shrinking back since I could not breastfeed right away as well as nausea meds. I am still amazed that I did not throw up on the table. That's how much it hurt. And, I have a pretty high pain tolerance. At the end, the doctor asked if I wanted staples or stitches. I told him whatever is faster. I wanted it to be over sooooooooooooooo much! At this point, Ray had Derrek all swaddled up and had brought him over to help me get my mind off the doctor's working. He was so sooooo cute. And, he was quiet. Besides some initial crying as he was pulled out and then maybe for about 4 minutes, we heard very little from him. He was just that content and wide awake too. I had to keep asking if he was still in the room.
I was rolled into a recovery room, and Ray, Derrek and I got to spend our first quality time together as a family. The nurse took some pictures of us at that time. After that, it was time to be moved as a family up to the maternity floor. Finally...!!! Some rest.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Oh how time flies....
Everyone warned me that the pregnancy would fly by. I didn't believe them. At times, it felt like it would never end. Indeed though, it did end, on October 22, 2009. And, we welcomed into the world our wonderful little man, Derrek Nolan Underwood!
As you can see, I did end up having a c-section. I went into labor on the 21st, and when we went to the hospital, they determined the little bugger was still in a full breech position. We are all doing well now and recovering well. I'll be adding more updates as I go now that Derrek is sleeping longer during the night and Daddy and I are starting to feel a bit more human. I'll also post the full on birth story for those who like to read them.
As you can see, I did end up having a c-section. I went into labor on the 21st, and when we went to the hospital, they determined the little bugger was still in a full breech position. We are all doing well now and recovering well. I'll be adding more updates as I go now that Derrek is sleeping longer during the night and Daddy and I are starting to feel a bit more human. I'll also post the full on birth story for those who like to read them.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Lots of updates......
Ok, so it has been a while. But, I have been busy!!!!!!! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it ;-)
Of course, we have had the beginnings of Football season. And, my Raven's are doing pretty well! Even Ebony is excited!
Of course, we have had the beginnings of Football season. And, my Raven's are doing pretty well! Even Ebony is excited!
We are also getting stuff rolling in church as the Fall came storming in. Ray is teaching Adult Sunday School and I'm leading the same study in an evening group at our home. I am also leading the youth group.
As for the yard/garden? Well....ummmmm, yeah! The weeds got it. I think it is a Nebraskan conspiracy or something! I have been able to keep up with the front yard and a bit on the side. The rest? Not so much. Bending over to pull weeds just does not jive with having a growing baby in the belly. There is always next year. Not to mention, next year we are going to be turning a portion of the back yard BACK into a lawn instead of a garden full of flowers, cactus, weeds and rocks.
Oh yeah, and we have Derrick getting closer and closer to his arrival each day. I am due on November 7th, and so far we have had a healthy pregnancy. Let's pray that does not change. Many have asked about the final update and pictures of the completed nursery and my belly. Enjoy!!!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
New Belly Pic
Well, ok....here it is! People have asked, and now I am delivering......
The picture is of Ray and I out and about at Rock Creek Station near Fairbury, NE. I'm a huge history buff, and the California/Oregon Trails as well as the Pony Express went right through here. You can even see some of the wagon ruts left. Not a lot of detail, but no doubts that I am 23 weeks pregnant in this picture! Thanks to my lovely sister for snapping this one... ;-)
The picture is of Ray and I out and about at Rock Creek Station near Fairbury, NE. I'm a huge history buff, and the California/Oregon Trails as well as the Pony Express went right through here. You can even see some of the wagon ruts left. Not a lot of detail, but no doubts that I am 23 weeks pregnant in this picture! Thanks to my lovely sister for snapping this one... ;-)
Thursday, July 02, 2009
It's Done!
And now.....the long awaited announcement you have all been waiting for......
THE BABY'S ROOM IS DONE!!!!!!!!!
This is the room, as you may remember, was Pepto Pink when we moved in. Well, not anymore! Good thing too since it turns out that we are having a boy. The room is painted, the carpet is in, and the dresser is in the room. My mom and sister will be visiting next week. Therefore, we still have the twin bed in there and the crib is still in a box on the porch. When they leave, the bed will go upstairs and crib will come in.
Here are some pictures of Ray learning how to paint his first room:
And now...the finished product!!!!!!!
THE BABY'S ROOM IS DONE!!!!!!!!!
This is the room, as you may remember, was Pepto Pink when we moved in. Well, not anymore! Good thing too since it turns out that we are having a boy. The room is painted, the carpet is in, and the dresser is in the room. My mom and sister will be visiting next week. Therefore, we still have the twin bed in there and the crib is still in a box on the porch. When they leave, the bed will go upstairs and crib will come in.
Here are some pictures of Ray learning how to paint his first room:
And now...the finished product!!!!!!!
It has been a long process, but I'm so excited that it is over! We learned a lot about our home as well as to not expect anything to be square or even in a house that is over 100 years old. Now we have plenty of time to get everything ready for little Derrick to arrive around November 7, 2009!
Water Rescue At The Dog Park
This past Monday, Ray and I decided to take our 50 lb puppy to the dog park in Lincoln. Ebony LOVES the dog park! She is a very well mannered, curious and social dog and she can practice all of that there.
Now, Ebony is a mix. We know she has lab and german shepherd in her. She has the webbed feet, tail and coat of fur that labs are known for. Her head, ears and personality however are all shepherd!
Back to the story. We got to the park and she explored and played for a bit. Then we ended up over at the creek and pond. She is a lab mix who is not so happy about being wet. She has webbed feet for goodness sake! So, this could not last for long. We tried to get her to go into the water and check it out, assuming that she would like it if she jumped in. No success! She would sniff the water, drink the water, but didn't even want her paws wet.
With that, we decided to take action. A dog with webbed feet should be swimming on a hot and sunny summer day. Ray took her around to the other side of the pond area, and bumped her into the water.
After about 15 minutes and her making no attempt to even really move around, it was time for a Ray style water rescue! He took off shoes and socks, and went in the water to bring her out.
And that fast, Ebony was again the happy and playful pup she always is, although very wet. She immediately started playing with another dog and running around.
Now, Ebony is a mix. We know she has lab and german shepherd in her. She has the webbed feet, tail and coat of fur that labs are known for. Her head, ears and personality however are all shepherd!
Back to the story. We got to the park and she explored and played for a bit. Then we ended up over at the creek and pond. She is a lab mix who is not so happy about being wet. She has webbed feet for goodness sake! So, this could not last for long. We tried to get her to go into the water and check it out, assuming that she would like it if she jumped in. No success! She would sniff the water, drink the water, but didn't even want her paws wet.
With that, we decided to take action. A dog with webbed feet should be swimming on a hot and sunny summer day. Ray took her around to the other side of the pond area, and bumped her into the water.
She fell into the water and immediately climbed out. But then, she seemed a bit curious. So, into the water she went again with a little help from Ray. And then it happened....Ebony froze. She did not fight the water, but she sat down and would not move or try to get out. At first we thought she was just getting used to the water. Then we realized she didn't know what to do and she was unsure about swimming in deeper water that she would have needed to go through in order to come out the other side toward us.
After about 15 minutes and her making no attempt to even really move around, it was time for a Ray style water rescue! He took off shoes and socks, and went in the water to bring her out.
And that fast, Ebony was again the happy and playful pup she always is, although very wet. She immediately started playing with another dog and running around.
We stayed for a while to let her play herself tired and to dry out a bit before getting back into the car. Next time we plan to take waterproof shoes or sandals, some towels and treats and see if we can get her to follow us into the water. It would be such a shame for those very cute webbed paws to go to waste!
Oh yeah, you did not see double. Ray and I are wearing matching t-shirts. Totally unplanned, but neither of us felt like changing that morning. No jokes please ;-)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
One Step Closer
Today was a good day. Yes, it was the day that Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson passed away. However, it is apparent that life does go on. We were able to have our 20 week ultrasound today and to witness just how new life grows.
For your viewing pleasure, let me introduce to you......Derrick Nolan Underwood! We can't wait to meet you!
For your viewing pleasure, let me introduce to you......Derrick Nolan Underwood! We can't wait to meet you!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Say goodbye to the pink!!!!
When Ray and I first looked at the house we moved into, we knew right away that one of the bedrooms on the main floor was perfect for a nursery or kids room! The problem? It was painted pink. I mean REALLY PINK!
Not only was the horrible pink and white paint all over it, the hard wood as you can see did not even reach the wall on two sides! Ack! So, we changed plans and decided to cover it with laminate flooring. Not realizing (like a dummy) that the 100 year old hard wood was probably not level, we tried in vein to lay the floor. After a few days, we knew it was not happening without a lot more work. And, my pregnant body was not up to the task considering all the manual and physical stuff the rest of the house and the yard requires.
So, we ordered carpet. We are hoping to have it installed within the next couple of weeks. Once it is in and the room is decorated with cute baby things, I'll show more pics. But, that probably won't be until much later this summer.
Baby Update: He/She is moving like crazy! It is not really hard kicks or anything like that, but I feel a ton of movement, especially in the evenings. Our doctor's office is getting new ultrasound equipment installed on the day we were supposed to go in for the 20 week ultrasound. So, we have been rescheduled for later that week. Hopefully, we will be able to find out the sex of the baby. Considering that I have caught the "I must buy all cute baby things" flu, it may be a good thing if we are not able to find out! However, I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to know.
Even if we end up having girl, who would want to sleep in a room the color or Pepto Bismol? So, it is now painted a nice soothing and neutral color. We pulled up the old and ugly slate blue carpet hoping that the hard wood under it would be good. Surprise! It wasn't!
Not only was the horrible pink and white paint all over it, the hard wood as you can see did not even reach the wall on two sides! Ack! So, we changed plans and decided to cover it with laminate flooring. Not realizing (like a dummy) that the 100 year old hard wood was probably not level, we tried in vein to lay the floor. After a few days, we knew it was not happening without a lot more work. And, my pregnant body was not up to the task considering all the manual and physical stuff the rest of the house and the yard requires.
So, we ordered carpet. We are hoping to have it installed within the next couple of weeks. Once it is in and the room is decorated with cute baby things, I'll show more pics. But, that probably won't be until much later this summer.
Baby Update: He/She is moving like crazy! It is not really hard kicks or anything like that, but I feel a ton of movement, especially in the evenings. Our doctor's office is getting new ultrasound equipment installed on the day we were supposed to go in for the 20 week ultrasound. So, we have been rescheduled for later that week. Hopefully, we will be able to find out the sex of the baby. Considering that I have caught the "I must buy all cute baby things" flu, it may be a good thing if we are not able to find out! However, I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to know.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Yummy!
Well, at this point my veggie plants are paid for. I harvested my first round of lettuce today, and Ray and I enjoyed it in a salad for lunch. It was very yummy and it was really neat to be able to go to the yard for food instead of to the grocery store!
By next week, I should have some berries to harvest too. In fact, I'll have enough of them for about 1000 pies by the end of the season! Maybe I'll try to sell some at the church farmer's market with the proceeds going to missions. Or, I'll process them and freeze them so I can bake in the winter.
Regardless, the yard and the veggies are coming along. So is my pregnant belly. No doubt I am pregnant now! Although I'm not brave enough for a full out naked belly picture, you will get the point.
Considering that I have not gained, but lost 15lbs since I stopped working, my doc said I may be lucky to gain 15lbs by the time all is said and done. But, it is totally normal considering I'm not eating out 2 or 3 times a day, sitting behind a desk for 10 hours a day and driving in the car for another 2 hours per day. And, I could stand to lose some weight anyhow.
Our next doctors appointment is on June 22 and they will do the 20 week ultrasound. Assuming the baby cooperates, we will be able to find out the gender, if we decide to do that. Still not 100% sold on letting the sex be a surprise up until the birth. I guess we will have to wait until that day to decide for sure. Either way, it will be a good day.
And now, both Ebony and myself need a walk. Catch ya later!
By next week, I should have some berries to harvest too. In fact, I'll have enough of them for about 1000 pies by the end of the season! Maybe I'll try to sell some at the church farmer's market with the proceeds going to missions. Or, I'll process them and freeze them so I can bake in the winter.
Regardless, the yard and the veggies are coming along. So is my pregnant belly. No doubt I am pregnant now! Although I'm not brave enough for a full out naked belly picture, you will get the point.
Considering that I have not gained, but lost 15lbs since I stopped working, my doc said I may be lucky to gain 15lbs by the time all is said and done. But, it is totally normal considering I'm not eating out 2 or 3 times a day, sitting behind a desk for 10 hours a day and driving in the car for another 2 hours per day. And, I could stand to lose some weight anyhow.
Our next doctors appointment is on June 22 and they will do the 20 week ultrasound. Assuming the baby cooperates, we will be able to find out the gender, if we decide to do that. Still not 100% sold on letting the sex be a surprise up until the birth. I guess we will have to wait until that day to decide for sure. Either way, it will be a good day.
And now, both Ebony and myself need a walk. Catch ya later!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day, 2009
Well, the day is almost over and Ray and I have had a great one! We slept in, then worked together in getting some much needed house work done. We have lots to do over the next week to get ready for a furniture delivery on Thursday. However, the weather was beautiful and this afternoon we decided to cook out on the grill for the first time. The grill, by the way, was another perk of buying the house! Here are some pictures of Ray cooking dinner:
While he was cooking, I was enjoying the garden yard. It is so much fun because it changes every day. And, the veggies are doing GREAT!!!! In fact, I will be harvesting some lettuce tomorrow. The strawberries are also growing. We are going to have a ton of them. Good thing we really like them. I'll have to find some recipes for smoothies. That would be perfect for the summer. As for the flowers, here are some pictures for you to enjoy:
While he was cooking, I was enjoying the garden yard. It is so much fun because it changes every day. And, the veggies are doing GREAT!!!! In fact, I will be harvesting some lettuce tomorrow. The strawberries are also growing. We are going to have a ton of them. Good thing we really like them. I'll have to find some recipes for smoothies. That would be perfect for the summer. As for the flowers, here are some pictures for you to enjoy:
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