Candice ♥ Corey♥ Mackenzie ♥ Caroline ♥

33 weeks -- She's a honeydew! :)

2009-10-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Once again, more belly....

33 weeks this week..... oh my goodness, time is flying by! Before we know it Caroline will be here.

I am getting very anxious, excited, a little nervous.... but above all I'm ready! I can't wait to see her. Each day she gets bigger, or so it feels like she does. She moves all day long, keeping her little feet up under my ribs and moving so much at time that she makes me jump or knocks the wind out of me. Its so funny to watch my belly move to one side or the other. Its amazing, I wish I could just watch her on ultrasound all the time.

Although I'm ready, her room ....is not so much! I have painted.....

....which I'm really happy with. Now we just have to put up the chair rail, which will make a huge difference. And we also got great new carpet! :) So I'm super happy about that. Then in the past week I've started finally getting some of her decor on the walls....

This is the sweet quote that we put above her closet! : ) I've had it picked for her room since before we got pregnant. (of course, the 2 stickers on the closet doors....compliments of the child that occupied the room before we bought the house, will be removed asap!!)

....and we put together her crib last night, which was really exciting. (PICS to come!) Mackenzie was a big help to Corey doing it and although I wanted to help, I sat with my camera and watched. Being active is much harder these days than it used to be. I'm quite uncomfortable with my big and still growing belly.

I've had 2 baby showers--thanks to my wonderful, thoughtful and very giving family and friends. My first shower was given by Erin, Ivy (my sister-in-law/Caroline's aunt) and Jen.... at Ivy's house, and despite the awful rain that day, it was a very fun and exciting shower, and several great friends came to celebrate with us.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

My First Baby Shower

Ivy, Me, Erin and Jen

The absolutely adorable diaper cake that Jen made me!

The precious cake with Caroline's initials... "C.A.B." that Erin had made! So SWEET!! And, Caroline loved it...she moved SO much that night after I ate some of it! : )

Then my mom and Aunt Karen threw me a huge Family/Friends shower which was a blast. Opening LOTS of great presents for Caroline, seeing several great friends and having family around is always nice!!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

My Family/Friends Shower

My best friend and Momma! : )

Mackenzie and I before opening lots of presents! :)

Opening presents.... I took it slow and enjoyed it! LOL!

My ridiculously cute niece, Tyla, telling me about the toy she was going to give to "baby Caroline when baby Caroline comes out!" precious!

My fabulous diaper bag, from my wonderful mother-in-law!!

My "sister/BFF" Amber and our moms! : )

This has been such an overwhelming time in my life. I am beyond blessed and I still haven't gotten all of Caroline's gifts organized and ready for her. We're working on getting her room ready slowly, and I can't wait to sit in it when its all done, and then most importantly, to bring her home to it.

I see my DR every 2 weeks now, and my last 2 appointments have been routine "belly checks"... my DR said I've had a great pregnancy and so far everything looks good. We're hoping for another ultrasound soon to see how big Caroline might end up being. I'm fairly certain she's not breach anymore, with all the little kicks I feel under my ribs.... but they might check that to be sure as well, since she seemed to be for so long. I am anxious to start going every week... it means the end is SO near! : ) Its all so exciting and surreal! My DR's have been great and I am praying for a smooth delivery and for Caroline to be healthy...that will be my perfect ending to this VERY happy chapter in our lives!

Only 7 weeks to go... stay tuned! hehe

30 weeks belly pics!

2009-10-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Caroline is growing constantly, moving constantly... only 10 more weeks!!

29 weeks 'my little squash'

2009-09-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

Time if FLYING! I can't believe I'm already 29 weeks pregnant. Baby Caroline is moving all the time! She wakes up with me in the morning and moves on and off all day long. She doesnt keep me up at night, which I'm hoping means she sleeps when I do... prayerful that she keeps that schedule when she's born! :) Ha! My stomach bounces and moves around with her now; its so funny to watch. I lay on my back at night, when she's the most active and its quite entertaining to watch and feel her moving around so much.

I'm seeing my DR every 2 weeks now--which made me realize how close I am to the end. At my last OB appt I had to take the Glucose test; drank the sickening sweet, Hawaiian punch tasting juice and sat for an hour. But thankfully no diabetes. I am, however, extremely anemic so I am now taking iron twice a day along with my Flintstones! Otherwise my visits continue to go well. I have gained less weight than I thought and about average according to the DR's, which makes me very happy...especially considering the cravings for chocolate lately and increased appetite. I guess I'm making up for 20 weeks of nausea and throwing up!!

My birthday came and went at the end of August--with a wonderful, and highly recommended for pregnant woman....'mother-to-be massage'. It was great! I have become less comfortable the bigger my belly gets and the massage really helped. Thank you Momma and Daddy! :)

I finally started painting Caroline's nursery...brown and pink, with a white chair rail. I have been super indecisive with the bedding and decor of her room because I'm a little on the obsessive side, but its all coming together finally, with the help of my wonderful mother-in-law! I will post pics asap! I can't wait to see it all done.

I have been really busy lately! I got to go to Charlotte for a few days with my mom, to visit my brother during his first week of teaching. We went to make sure his first few days went smoothly and of course, that he ate good and had plenty of washed and ironed clothes! :) It was a quick but good visit. Always good to see him and let him see Baby Caroline...since she tends to grow so much these days.

Benjamin and I in Charlotte

I'm getting really excited about upcoming baby showers and things really coming together in Caroline's room. I'm so excited to have her room ready for her! Its been such a fun experience, post being sick, to be pregnant! 11 weeks to go....

More belly, less hair -- 27 weeks!

This angle makes my belly look B-I-G! :)

6 months pregnant!! : )

2009-08-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

FIRST of all.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY to sweet baby girl, Kenley Victoria Fountain and CONGRATS to new parents, Sally & Keith! : ) My good friend Sally had her baby today--what a huge blessing! I'm so happy for her and her new little family. It makes me so very anxious for December!

Just a quick update on Baby girl Becker...... : ) She is moving all around, all the time! Its the most amazing, weird feeling and I am loving it! Corey and Mackenzie finally got to feel her too. She moves mostly at night when I'm relaxing and it seems she's getting bigger and bigger every day because I feel it more and more. I am truly enjoying this part of pregnancy. I can't wait to feel and recognize a little foot or elbow... its amazing to me to watch my belly grow and know that she's constantly getting bigger. (SEE below)

It hit me today that I am 6 months pregnant--time is truly flying by! I have so much to do to get ready for our addition. We are narrowing down the name choices and I'm pretty close on picking colors and bedding for her rooms. Pictures to come! : )

July 17, 2009 -- 20 weeks

2009-07-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

Today was my 20-week OB appointment and the greatly anticipated ULTRASOUND!!! : ) I was SO very excited and hopeful that baby would cooperate, so that we could finally learn the sex... and that we did! We are having a little GIRL!!!!! : ) I am thrilled! This was 1 of the best days of my life, learning that I was getting a daughter! Corey and my mom, who were with me, were very excited and we were very anxious to tell big sister Mackenzie! I do believe Corey is in trouble... 2 daddy's girls and Mackenzie was a little disappointed that she wasn't getting a brother, but she is now enjoying playing the name game!! Now I can plan, paint, decorate, shop, register and pick a name, which is proving to be both challenging and fun!

We got to see our baby girl "gymnist" moving all around during the ultrasound! Everything looked great. She measured normally for 20 weeks, with the exception of "longer femur bones than average at 20 wks"....already growing tall like her Daddy! It was amazing to see a little person growing and moving in there... who can now hear us and will begin recognizing familiar voices, and plays with the umbilical cord between her fingers.

(YES, the ability to say "she" and "her" is refreshing after referring to her as "baby" and "it" for the past 4 months.)

The appt went great! I've lost a pound, which was unexpected, seeing as though I'm able to eat anything and everything now and don't crave the most healthy of foods! (i.e. butterfinger blizzards) and all my past bloodwork came back normal, ruling out several genetic disorders, Thank you Lord!

I am feeling our baby girl move now... it was VERY faint at first, the "flutters" everyone refers to, but as of this week it is very apparent that shes making herself quite at home! I feel her some during the afternoon, but it seems most consistent at night, when I'm laying down. Corey can't feel her yet, which drives him crazy, but I'm sure it won't be long! It is a truly weird and amazing feeling. I am very anxious for her to get bigger and move more and more! I am enjoying this part of my pregnancy sooo much!!

Baby girl Becker

7/17/07 - 20 weeks

Her little face!

She has her hand up at her mouth! Probably sucking her thumb like mommy did! : )

20 weeks

2009-07-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

My baby belly at 20 weeks!

18 weeks

2009-07-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

The ever-growing baby belly...

June 18, 2009 -- 16 weeks

2009-06-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

I went for my 16 week check-up and saw my wonderful mid-wife again, whom I have come to absolutely love! It was a pretty routine and quick visit and all is good! I've gained 4 lbs, which I assumed average... and good since I was consuming all carbs being sick for the past 9 weeks! They agreed and said 10 lbs total for 16 weeks was normal! :) Let's just not get carried away now that not getting sick as much, but still eating constantly!! They took blood for more testing, all of which so far has come back negative, Thank the Lord! And finally I heard the sweetest sound EVER again, this time much more clear!! The heartbeat amazes me... its so neat to hear and it was very reassuring and calming. Since I've been getting sick much less, but not showing as much--I've had a few 'am I even pregnant' moments?! Silly probably... but hearing that sound makes is SO very, very real! I cant wait to see that face that goes with the heartbeat in 5 months!

AND....at our next visit, we get to find out what we're having!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! I am hopeful for a girl and have leaned more towards a girl the whole time. Corey and Mackenzie both call it 'him' and want a boy badly! I am just ready to know what it is so I can start planning, registering, picking a name, painting, etc. AND, the one dream I've had about finding out the sex, it was a boy! So we shall see.... in July!! :)

Baby belly at 17 weeks!!

2009-06-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants to see the 'bump'... so here it is! It looks bigger than I feel! :)

May 18, 2009 -- 12 weeks

2009-05-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

Went to the DR yesterday for my 12 week check-up. I will actually be 12 weeks on May 20th, but close enough! :) It was an easy, routine visit where I saw one of the four DR's in the practice that could deliver. I got to hear the heart beat again, briefly... and asked the DR how could I have possibly kept a baby alive with the little amount of food I've managed to keep down these past 6 weeks. Baby gets first dibs though, so Baby Becker is doing just fine...regardless of how malnourished I feel! : ) I was neat to hear the little heart beat again, and it was wonderful to realize what I'm going through all this for!

I have gained 6 lbs which the DR's were happy about, since at my first appt I'd lost 4 lbs. Although thats only a total weight gain of 2 lbs since I concieved, its a good sign and I was unusually happy to see the scale go up! LOL!

Then finally I began to beg and pled with the DR to help me, give me anything she possibly could for the nausea and vomitting, which at almost 12 weeks had not let up at all. Then to my surprise, she did something I will forever be grateful to her for. She took me off the very harsh pre-natals and put me on a strict, twice a day Flintstones vitamin regimen! : ) Yep, Flintstones chewables...twice a day! I made her repeat it a few times to make sure I was hearing her right, since Flintstones were like candy and we took them my whole childhood. YESSSS!!!! Finally, this HAD to allow for some relief, since I knew and its very commonly known that the pre-natal vitamins often make the nausea worse. I was excited and thought maybe this was the light at the end of the tunnel!! Yay!! It was a good visit and I was happy to start my new vitamins last night! I'm one day in and I'll wait and see, but I haven't been that sick yet today so hopefully this will be the answer!!

I was also excited to make the appointment for the next ultrasound at 20 weeks--which is where, if Baby Becker cooperates, we will be able to find out the sex! I can't wait!!

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)

2009-05-19T10:47:00.000-07:00

So... along with the joys of expecting a baby, came the joys of morning sickness! : ) ...OR in my case, Hyperemesis, defined as severe and persistent nausea and vomitting during pregnancy!!

The first 2 weeks I knew I was pregnant were great. No nausea, no headaches. I felt good and focused on nothing more than finally being pregnant!!

The first day I felt sick was 6 weeks to the day! I was a little nauseous that morning but it came and went throughout the day. I knew that I would probably eventually get sick, but little did I know that the next several weeks would be so physically and mentally exhausting. I continued to be sick, which quickly became not only a morning occurance but an all day and sometimes throughout the night occurance as well, very rarely providing much relief.

It is very hard to explain the 'sickness' if you've never actually been pregnant and dealt with it personally. And although my poor husband doesnt understand what I've been going through, he's tried so very hard to help me as much as he can. He's had a hard time adjusting and understanding that once I've gotten sick off something, I dont want to eat it again... not now, possibly not ever! Pregnancy has definetly changed eating for me!!

I've heard every suggestion in the book, very few of which have worked. Ginger Ale and Saltines is the most common one. As of now, however, I could care less if I ever see, smell or taste either of the two ever again! : ) After trying numerous different 'remedies' and realizing there may not be anything that may work for me, I decided to pray and beg for mercy! : ) I did figure out that the Sea Bands--for motion sickness/morning sickness provided some relief to the constant nausea, but didn't get rid of it completely.
My DR's have also given me Phenergan which doesnt help much and Zofran, which I've only taken on days that I absolutely couldn't leave the bathroom! I have a new found respect for mothers everywhere, for enduring pregnancy...some more than once!

I have also had the pregnancy headaches/migraines that my DR's also say are very common. Those are not fun either, especially on top of the nausea and sometimes consistant vomitting that goes along with it.

If I had a dollar for everytime I've heard "it'll all be worth it in the end"... which I know is more than true, I'd be rich! I'm just praying for it to pass very soon... and hoping that the 2nd and 3rd trimesters are more enjoyable and I can end my intimate relationship with our bathroom! :)

April 9, 2009 -- 1st Ultrasound

2009-05-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

Today we had our first chance to see Baby Becker! I was a nervous wreck all morning that after the ultrasound we'd be refering to 'them' and not 'it'... and was focusing on nothing else but hearing the ultrasound tech say that there was ONE 'spot' on the screen! : ) To my relief, not only did we see our ONE sweet little spot, we heard its amazing heartbeat!! To the surprise of the ultrasound tech, my favorite nurse Debbie (who wanted to be in the room with us), Corey and I--she was able to focus in just for a minute on the baby and hear the little heart beating clear as day! : )

It was completely unexpected and took me by surprise, so it took a minute to sink in.... and then the reality of actually being pregnant hit me! Corey grinned from ear to ear and held my hand! It was a truly sweet and unforgettable moment that I will cherish forever! The heart rate was 111, which the DR later said was a very healthy and strong heart beat for 6 weeks!!

Baby Becker is already making mommy proud! : )

March 26, 2009 -- We're Expecting!!!

2009-05-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

I'm updating now since I have obviously gotten behind! : )

On March 26th... after lots of prayer, patience and perseverence... we found out that we are expecting our first baby! I was 4 weeks and 1 day pregnant and due December 2nd! We were so very excited, scared, shocked, surprised... it was a wonderful mixture of several emotions that I could never explain!!

We spent the evening telling our immediate families and a few close friends, and continuing to be in shock. I didn't 'feel' pregnant and to know that there was little life forming inside me was nothing short of amazing!

We are VERY excited to finally add to our family and we are praying constantly for the sweet child that God has chosen to bless us with!

Learning to blog... Dedicated to Sally! : )

2009-02-06T06:53:00.000-08:00

Well it couldn't be more obvious by the lack of entries, that I am not yet accomplished at this blogging stuff! : ) I have started two now, and failed to maintain either of them. So here goes...

I plan to start blogging and keep those close to me, up to speed on the latest in my world!

Thanks to Sally : ) I will hopefully be blogging much more in the days to come!