Here Comes HP (Our First Lil Blessing)

On November 2nd, Joshua and I took a pregnancy test. Less than 5 minutes after I dipped that little stick into a small cup of my pee, we looked at the test and it confirmed our suspicions. I was surprised–wow, so quick! Literally as soon as it could have happened. We have ourselves a little honeymoon Hawaiian baby. I sat down on the floor, stunned–in a great way. We kept the secret for quite awhile. I did tell Kayleigh (who happens to be HP’s ((we’ll come back to those initials)) Godmother), a few days after. We told my mom shortly after that and his family on Thanksgiving. We then told friends here and there and announced it to everyone on Christmas.

I’m currently, 17 weeks and 5 days, or 4 and a half months. At our first appointment on Novemeber 11th, we got a very tiny pictures of our little nugget. However, even at that small of a body, the heartbeat was beating and we could see it move. On December 9th, we heard the heartbeat. It was incredible and unreal. It still is, that there is a little person in me. He or she is currently the size of  sweet potato.

Joshua and I have had some names picked out since we first started dating. From those names, we’ve nicknamed the lil guy or girl HP, which stand for the most likely names we will choose. At first, HP was an easy cover that we could talk freely, some people thought I was just talking about Harry Potter, we told some people it stood for Hurles Purles (which is our dog’s nickname). But HP has become so much this lil baby’s name that I’m not sure it’ll ever not be. It doesn’t even remind me of Harry Potter any longer.

Overall, I didn’t experience a lot of morning sickness. I did gag a lot and feel nauseous quite a bit. But it was a mild case compared to some other woman I know. I did catch a bug a few weeks ago and it got so bad that I was very dehydrated and I could not keep anything down. My doctor sent me to the hospital for fluids. I was completely miserable. The fluids made me feel so much better and I was able to keep food down after that. The first trimester I was SO tired, it was incredible. I just couldn’t believe how exhausted I was. The first trimester is the time period when you build the placenta–the life support, it’s an exhaustive task. However, when I reached the second trimester my energy picked up back and Joshua is very happy that I’m participating in chores again.

Speaking of Joshua, he’s already the best father ever. He reminds me to take my prenatals (which is the hardest thing in the world for me to remember to do). During the long migraines he’s rubbed my feet, patted my back when I’ve thrown up, gotten me water EVERY time I’ve asked for and made sure that I have food in my tummy. He’s been incredible. He talks to HP every day. He’s so excited and still makes me feel beautiful even on the days when I feel huge (and I’ll just keep getting bigger)!

It’s an amazing feeling, to know that a little person is growing inside of me and come July 4th(ish) HP will be here, all 100% of a miracle.

I’ve recently began feeling some tiny movement. At our doctor’s appointment today, while listening to the heartbeat, we could hear HP move. It makes this “Scwoop” sound on the mic. In the next few weeks, we’ll be getting our 20 week ultrasound. This is the point that we could find out the sex, but we are waiting until birth. The doctor that we’ve chosen as our OB, is Dr. Mary Bush. She was Mrs. Wilson’s doctor–she delivered Matthew and Jenny. She’s great and I feel so comfortable with her. We’ve chosen IU Clarian North, which is pretty much two minutes from our home and from my job, perfect location. We recent’y started cleaning out HP’s room and will be continuing to decorate his/her room. We’ve decided to go with a Winnie the Pooh themed, it’s gender neutral and I love it!

Well, that’s all for now. We’re almost half way there!

From 2011 to 2012

It honestly just feels like we we’re ringing in 2011, but now, here we are in 2012. This year went very quickly, probably because so much took place, so much had to be done and a lot of joy was shared.

Off the tip top of my head, here are some major things that took place in 2011:

• I finally graduated–well, I walked and received my diploma.
• I became Catholic.
• I got my first full time real nice job.
• Hurley was seriously injured, possibly by being hit by a car. But by the grace of God, he healed himself up.
• I married an amazing man.
• We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon and conceived a Hawaiian baby (Surprise! Our first lil guy/girl is due around July 4th).
• I marked a few things off my bucket list: I married a Christian man, I became a parent, I went snorkeling and I rode in a helicopter. I finally swam in the ocean–a lot!

I made a short and incomplete list of things I learned in 2011.

• I learned how to say the word Alzheimer, thanks to gRegor. I thought it was was pronounced “All-time-erz”. I honestly still can’t say it correctly.
• I learned how to make a baby.
• I learned that making a placenta–the life support for our baby is so incredibly tiring. In the first 12 weeks, I could’ve slept every moment of the day.
• I learned that when other’s kept telling me that our wedding day would go fast… that they were completely correct. It was the fastest busiest day of my life.
• I learned almost what it’s like for a parent’s cihld to get hurt when Hurley was injured. It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life, I was petrified that we may lose him. You may think that’s silly, but if you knew Hurley, you’d understand.
• I learned that terrible salesmen still exist and that following your gut is usually never going to fail you.
• Through my position at work, I learned so much about mutual funds, the economy, about money and I feel like I’ve grown up quite a bit.
• Along with the last one, I’ve learned how important it is to always remain childlike.

Looking ahead at 2012, my goals are:

• Read 50 books.
• Pray daily, read scripture daily.
• Be the best wife EVER.
• Scale back on social media (I deleted the FB app off my phone a few weeks ago).
• Write more (poetry, blog, journal, letters)
• Be more creative.

What were your favorite moments in 2011–with me or without. What are you looking forward to in 2012 the most? What would you like to do together in 2012?

Make it a great one–it is up to you to decide how great 2012 is. Don’t let December 31st, 2012 get here with you wishing 2013 would hurry up and get here.

May God bless you.