Weeks 7 and 8

I can't believe its been a month since we found out we are having a baby. It feels like both a lifetime and no time at all! I wasn't able to get a 6 week pic so, as promised, here is the 7 weeks:

Seven weeks brought even more neasea, including 2 days where I felt sick the entire day. But, at least I know there's a reason. I'm growing a human inside of me, for goodness sake! My pants no longer button. I have learned some good tricks from my other prego friends (and previously prego friends) including the fact that Bella Bands are a MUST and you can expand your pant-wearing by using a ponytail holder and wrapping it around the button. Who knew?!? So, I'm putting these tricks to the test and they are working wonderfully! I should clarify that I can still button some of my pants, but they are quite tight when sitting down, so I prefer to not button them.

Food has become my arch nemesis and my best friend at the same time. Sometimes something sounds good while I'm making it only to make me feel very sick at the thought of eating it minutes later. Case in point - I recently made a double batch of White Chili (my best friend, Whitney's recipe). I love this stuff! I always have. I loved it when I was making it, and the first two times I ate it. Then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the thought of having that White Chili in my house made me sick! I had to give every last serving away! (Thank you, Jess, for taking it off my hands!!)

Anyways, enough about me. Today we went for our first doctor's visit. They took us back right away to do the sonogram. It was absolutely amazing! I have been very emotional today waiting for the moment when I heard that little, quick heartbeat, and the moment definitely didn't disappoint. Nothing and no one could prepare me for that moment. My heart was completely full, and I'm so sure of God's goodness in a way that I have never known before. Seeing and hearing that little heart beating made every minute of exhaustion and neasea completely worth it. I love that baby already. And Jason was so sweet. I think it just hit him today when we were in our appointment. Before today, he was somewhat detached, like he didn't really believe anything was happening. I can't wait to see him as a Daddy! Here is a picture of our little baby...the head is pointing down, the dark spot in the head is the brain and the little things sticking out on the right side of the picture are the arms.

Completely amazing! God is so good, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to be this little angel's parents!

Week 6 - Lintel Bean

According to babycenter.com, week 6 brings amazing things in Baby Faunce's development. It's nose, ears and mouth develop, and it goes through a growth spurt, ending up the size of a chickpea! Hahah! That's still so tiny!

As for mama, I'm feeling tired still, and the dreaded nausea has set in....duh, duh, duhhhhh. The nausea comes worse in the morning and at night. I can't complain too much because I feel really good from about 11:00 to 4:00 and eat everything I possibly can during those hours. And, even though I have felt very nauseous, I have yet to actually vomit (gross, I know!). So, I feel very blessed!

I didn't get a photo this week, but will post a 7 week photo next week.

Trip to California 2011

The past few days, Abby and I went to California to count inventory for one of my client's that has a warehouse out there. We also had a little time to do some sightseeing. Last year, we took time to see LA and the touristy sites there (Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, Santa Moncia Pier, the Walk of Fame, etc.). This year, we decided to drive down to San Diego. We went to the World Famous San Diego Zoo. We also drove back up to Santa Monica before going back to the airport. We had a great time!

Santa Monica Pier right before sunset:

Laguna Beach

World Famous San Diego Zoo:

This was an orange tree right outside of my client's warehouse...on the side of the road! I had to pick a few.

Sunset in Hermosa Beach - my first Pacific Sunset - absolutely breathtaking

This place is basically the Five Guys of California - FANTASTIC!

Week 5 - Sesame Seed

According to pregnancy.com, our baby is now the size of a sesame seed. This week, the brain will begin developing and the heart will start beating. I am completely amazed and in awe.

I'm feeling really good after getting over my stomach virus last week. I'm still exhausted, but still haven't experienced any nausea (knock on wood!). This week, Abby and I went to California for work, and I honestly could not get enough sleep. We had a great time while we were out there though! (See California post below). Abby was nice enough to drive around in the crazy traffic so I could close my eyes between working and sightseeing.

I'm loving just about everything to eat right now, but my favorites are oatmeal, guacamole, anything mexican, veggies (raw or cooked) and chocolate milk (I don't mean milk with chocolate syrup - I mean the REAL chocolate milk....yummy!).

As crazy as it sounds, I feel like I already look different, and my clothes are definitely fitting differently. I've always had a very flat stomach, even when I gain weight, so I can tell that it's starting to poke out a little. It almost looks like I'm bloated, but my stomach is still tight...it's really strange, but I love it! Here is a pic of me and the sesame seed in Laguna Beach, week 5 (this was really 5 1/2 weeks):

Christmas with the Faunces

Jason was on-call on December 24th and December 26th, making travel for Christmas nearly impossible. So, we were so excited for Jason's parents to be able to come to us! Our brother and sister also live right down the street, so we all spent Christmas at our house. I love having people in my home - I guess it's the Southerner in me....the more the merrier! I'm very tired from all of the excitement, but it was such a blessing to celebrate Jesus' birthday with family! Here are some pictures from our day (which, of course, started out with Melinda's famous Christmas morning cinnamon rolls and ended with an amazing dinner, which included my mom's famous ham!)

Week 4 - Poppyseed

Jason and I have started calling our baby our little Poppyseed, because, according to my daily updates from babycenter.com, that's how big the little Baby Faunce is at this time. It's amazing to imagine that it will grow into a baby!

I'm feeling pretty good so far. I'm extremely exhausted and have a constant backache. This is definitely a change for me. I've never been a morning person, but typically by 9:00 a.m. or so, I'm good to go (with the assistance of Dunkin Donuts coffee, of course). Not so much these days. I wake up exhausted, work through the day barely able to hold my eyes open, and crash immediately when I get home. (I'm not sure caffiene would help even if I could have it!) But, I can't complain - I feel so blessed!

Yesterday at work (December 30), I thought I had my first was of neasuea. I did, but it actually turned out to be a stomach virus! I couldn't believe it! What are the chances?!?! So, the last 18 hours have been terrible - as it is anytime you have a stomach virus, pregnant or not. (I would rather have anything besides a stomach virus!) And my poor little Poppyseed hasn't eaten anything as a result. Jason says the Poppyseed will be just fine and not to worry.

Being pregnant, even only knowing for the past few days, has completely changed my world. I double and triple check everything I eat and do to make sure its okay. There are so many things you can't have! I'm sure I will get the hang of it. When I was a teenager and my now sweet husband would take me out on a date, my in-laws used to tell him, "Be careful! You have precious cargo." I feel exactly the same way about my little Poppyseed....he/she is already precious to me.

I am amazed by how much I feel like I have physically changed already. Most of you probably can't tell, but I can definitely tell. Not to mention, my sweet husband informed me that I now have love handles ("You've never had love handles! Even when you gain weight!"). Thank you, Honey...love your honesty. (Bless his heart!). Here is a picture of me at 4 weeks, 3 days after finding out the big news!

We're Having a Baby!!!

Yes, we are having a baby!!! I am writing this blog on December 30, 2010, two days after getting 3 (yes, I said 3 - I didn't believe the first 2!) positive pregnancy tests. (Side note - I took another one the next morning - just in case.) Wow, it seems that in two days, my entire world has changed. I don't feel much different, but the fact that everything I do from here on out affects another human life is really sinking in. It's absolutely amazing, and I feel so incredibly greatful. God is so good!

The thought that I might be preggers started on Monday afternoon when I literally couldn't get enough of the pickled okra that we had left over from Christmas. I polished off the rest of the jar by myself. I didn't think too much of this because I do love pickled okra. But, when I was sitting at my desk at work craving pickles the next day, I thought there might be more to my odd cravings. Not to mention, I was literally exhausted. At first, I thought this might be attributable to having the family in town for Christmas (which is another post below). But, the extreme fatigue along with the craving for pickles (which is funny since it's so steriotypical!) gave me just enough reason to take a pregnancy test.

Jason wasn't home when I took the test, and I couldn't wait to tell him when he got home from work!!! He was so excited, and (althought he might not admit it) got a little teary-eyed. We've been married 5 and half years, so we are both ready to start our family.

So, Baby Faunce is on the way!! We can't wait to meet him/her!! Please pray for us as we begin this journey!