17 Weeks & 5 Days Pregnant

Just wanted to give an update on what's been going on in our lives over the last couple of days. I feel like I am about to hit a "growth spurt". :) Since Friday, I have been experiencing aches and pains in my stomach, side, and back. Sometimes they come and go, sometimes they linger around for hours, like last night. So, being the worry wart that I am, I called my OB this morning and talked to the nurse. I described everything to her and told her that yesterday the cramping started at 4p.m. and lasted through the night, still lingering somewhat today. After answering several of her questions, she told me to take some Tylenol and roll on! :) Guess that's what I wanted to hear, but now I am thinking, "Grow already so this uncomfortable stuff can pass!" I think since this is my first go-around, I don't know how I'm supposed to feel, so I worry about every little twinge of anything different.

We are literally counting down the days until we find out the sex of this baby! (it's 10 counting today). I would love to hear your comments or predictions! Jonathan and I do not have a feeling. I have had 2 dreams about this baby. The first was the birth =girl, the second was the ultrasound day=girl. Don't know if that is some kind of preminition or not. Guess we will see in 10 days.

I am very ready for spring weather to come and STAY! This rain is becoming annoying. Plus, if we have many more winter days I am going to have to leave the house wrapped in a blanket, because I refuse to buy winter maternity clothes! Some of our close friends had a baby on Saturday, Madison Grace Dalby arrived 5 weeks early. She is doing good, but I'm pretty sure her mother wasn't expecting her to be born when it was 40 degrees outside! Oh the joys of Arkansas weather. I love it, and hate it at the same time.

Hope today finds you and yours well, I will be posting next Thursday, so keep watch for that exciting entry! Talk soon, Rachel

There's Nothing Better Than Family

Blevins/Arnold Family

What can I say, Sunday was a spiritually uplifting day to say the least. Our family had the opportuniy to worship together in an environment where praising God is exciting! :) John 3:16 Ministries is an amazing program. We watched Jared (one of many cousins), graduate from a Christian program dedicated to serving God and giving God the glory for everything in your life. Jared, congratulations on your accomplishments. Remember that our family is rock solid in the Lord. We know you will continue to succeed. I am definitely proud to be a part of this family, and to see so many relatives follow in the path of righteousness. Enjoy a few more pictures from the day! Rachel

Jared and his parents (Uncle Bob & Aunt Linda)Jared with Brian & Beverly ( leaders of John3:16 Ministries) Robert, Michael, Jared, and our Daddy Vell

www.john316spiritualbootcamp.com

16 weeks and 2 days! I'm growing!

16 weeks checkup

Wow! I never get tired of hearing that sweet little heartbeat. Everything went great yesterday at our OB checkup. I was big enough that she could measure me, and the doppler picked up the heartbeat the SECOND she stuck it on my tummy. I guess baby Rog is growing!!!!! We scheduled our big ultrasound with the radiologist to measure everything and find out the sex of the baby. It is APRIL 9. That is only 3 weeks away. We can't hardly wait! :) Our in-laws ordered us our travel system stroller and base from Chicco. We love it for a boy or girl. I have been having ligament pains on my side and back. Dr. Deed said that was just everything growing.

Our baby stroller!

Fun facts about baby Rog right now:

* the baby is palm-size, 5 inches & 5 ounces

* sharpening the skill of sucking & swallowing

* heartbeat 153 to 160

* eyes and ears are in the right spot

* felt the first flutters ( feels like butterflies in your tummy) this past Monday night!:)

A Day of Shopping

Today was very tiring! Jonathan and I went on a shopping trip to look for some "staples" for the baby room. We started out looking for a rocker/recliner, and were unsuccessful. We then decided to go look for a crib. I knew I wanted to buy from Mr. Carpenter at Kid's Furniture because they are super nice people and I went to high school with his daughter. He also had told me that he would have cribs on sale the middle of March so that was a good time to buy. After looking at TONS of cribs, and debating for an hour and a half or so, we picked one!!!!!! It was the exact opposite of what I was going in there for, but isn't that how life usually goes?! I thought I wanted a creme/ivory finish, but they only had stark white....so.....we picked a gorgeous crib in expresso finish that truly almost looks black. We also bought a storage console/changing table to coordinate. It was Jonathan's favorite crib, and I must say he probably picked the nicest looking one of the bunch. Perfect for either boy or girl. Here is a small picture of the crib. We bought the middle console shown, but not the hutch and shelves surrounding it. After a couple more stops exchanging things, we made it home and I am truly exhausted. Is 5:37 p.m. too late to take a nap? :) Needing rest, Rachel

Isn't it pretty?! :)

My First Entry

I'm not sure I even understand all of this "blogger" lingo, but I'm trying to make sense of it. This is my favorite, most recent picture of us from the beach in September. And of course, there is a picture of Nelli standing by the back door wanting to go inside. That is common territory for her. I think that it is finally beginning to sink in that we are going to be parents. I was so sick my first trimester that nothing was fun, then to start the second trimester we both ended up with the flu and then I got bronchitis. I hope that we are all on the other side of sickness and can start enjoying life again. We find out the sex of the baby mid-April, and then I think I will finally be able to start making nursery decisions. I'm so indecisive as is, so it might take me a while. Jonathan told me the other day that he was already ready to be back at the beach, and I couldn't agree with him more. We will be there towards the end of May! I guess that's all for now.

Rachel