Quick Update

I got a message from the doctor's office yesterday saying that my AFP blood test came back negative. The AFP test screens for birth defects like Down Syndrome and Spina Bifida (among others). One small victory for Baby Bell!

Happy Birthday Garrett!

Today is my nephew's 3rd Birthday. He's growing up so fast and becoming quite the little man.

Puppy Hangover

This is what we like to call a "puppy hangover." After spending the weekend with the family, the dogs are completely worn out.

Christmas with The Millers

Opening presents is so tiring for Wylie


Me, Mike, and Amy (The Siblings)

Mom and Dad with Autumn


Sarah and Mike

Chris, Amy, and Garrett

Our last Christmas before Baby Bell arrives.

Next year we'll gain a sister-in-law and a baby. The family

is growing!!

This past weekend we spent Christmas in Charlotte (actually Stanley) with my family (also celebrated my Mom's birthday which was on Dec. 20th and Garrett who turns 3 on Dec. 22nd....busy weekend!). Amy, as always, made a fabulous meal with contributions from Mike and Sarah and my mom. Ricky brought the beer.

We had a great time and good food. Who could ask for a better Christmas than that?

Best Husband Ever

I would like to give a "shout out" to Ricky for being the being the best husband ever. After a horrible night's sleep Monday night due to being uncomfortable as crap, he surprised me with the Snoogle Body Pillow. He went to Babies R Us all by himself and searched high and low for this particular pillow so I can have a better night's sleep. I came home from work and went upstairs and it was sitting there on the bed. What a great guy. Lately I've had issues sleeping only on my left side and I have not been very comfortable.

Night # 1 using the Snoogle - MUCH BETTER!!! Thanks Ricky, you're the best!

Funny Dream

Had a funny dream last night. I dreamt that I just gave birth to a boy. When I was telling Ricky about my dream, he asked "who did he look like?" I said, "he looked like you, literally." In my dream he had Ricky's head but on a baby's body. Strange but also funny. This is my first dream I've had about the baby.

On another note, there was a small earthquake around the Summerville area this morning. It was a 3.6 according to what I read on charleston.net. I didn't so much feel anything as I heard a loud noise that lasted for a few seconds. Needless to say it freaked the dogs out and they started barking like crazy.

Company Holiday Party

Last night was my company's Holiday party at the Holiday Inn Mt. Pleasant. Here is a picture of Ricky and me all dressed up.

Holiday Q&A

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer wrapping paper so everyone can tear into their presents, but sometimes gift bags are called for.
2. Real tree or Artificial? This year we have an artificial tree (thanks mom and dad) but I always like a real tree. We'll probably switch once the kid hits toddler and we can cut down our own tree with Aunt Amy and Uncle Chris in North Carolina.
3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? After New Year's.
5. Do you like eggnog? Never tried, don't think I ever will.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My memory does not extend that far back in time. I think it was My Little Pony or something.
7. Hardest person to buy for? As long
8. Easiest person to buy for? My sister - she loves everything and will always find a use for it.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but I need one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, although I need to get on the ball, I haven't bought any cards yet.....
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I used to be a picky girl growing up but now I love everything I get.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Home Alone
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Well, I would love to start sooner, but I usually start around October.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Never
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's cheese braids and any homemade goodies.
16. Color of lights on the tree? White lights
17. Favorite Christmas song? Deck The Halls (I really like all Christmas songs).
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We usually travel but I will enjoy staying home this year (sorry Mom and Dad).
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Not unless I look it up on the Internet.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Old family tradition was to open them on Christmas Eve. Every year is different now that we've moved away.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Crowds and traffic.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? My mom has given me an ornament every Christmas since I was born (what a great mom). I now have an eclectic assortment of ornaments.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Whatever yumminess my sister and/or mom is making (Beef tenderloin is the usual).
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? To rest and relax :)

Things are going smooth

This morning I had my monthly checkup. Things are looking really good so far. The heartbeat was 156, doctor says that's a good strong heartbeat. That was Ricky's first time hearing the heartbeat so he thought that it was pretty neat. Our next appointment is January 5th and that will be Ultrasound day!!

Reindeer Run

Today we participated in the Reindeer Run in downtown Charleston with our friends Pam and Earl. This event is put on every year and benefits the MUSC Children's Hospital. Pam and Earl both ran the 5k while Ricky and I walked. The weather was a little cool, but great walking weather. The race route loops around the Battery, so I got a picture of the water, which was very calm and flat (always makes Ricky wish he was fishing). It's a neat event because people dress up in Christmas attire, bring their dogs, and it's a great time for a good cause. Not to mention the free beer at Southend Brewery at the end of the race (which I could not partake this year). Here are a few pictures.

First Ultrasound

I was finally able to upload our first ultrasound picture so here it is. This was done when I was 8 weeks. Baby looks a little bit like a peanut but we could see the heartbeat on the screen and that was really neat to watch. I can't wait for the next ultrasound and to see just how much he/she has changed.

Our home laptop had a computer virus and is getting the hard drive repaired so once we get that back from the Rent a Geek store (seriously, that's the name) then I will be able to post more pictures.

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome! Ricky and I are excited to start this blog and share news and events with friends and family. For starters, the latest and greatest news is that we are expecting our first child together June 3, 2009! There's still a long way to go and a lot of stuff to do yet, but we are excited to be first time parents.

As of today I am 14 weeks. Hopefully next month we will get to find out the gender. So far the pregnancy has been good. I didn't have a lot of morning sickness (thank goodness) and I am slowly but surely growing out of my clothes.

If you are lucky I will post some pictures of me as things progess (I still haven't come to terms with the belly getting bigger :) but that will all change once Baby Bell starts kicking me. I will post some pictures of Ricky and dogs soon!