head over heels in love.

I had my gender ultrasound at the doctor's office today. At this ultrasound appointment, they measured and checked on the baby's growth and made sure that everything was there and functioning that needed to be. It was the most amazing appointment thus far (I am almost certain I will say that after each one).

First, I must admit that yesterday I was really emotional about going to the doctor today because I knew I had to go alone. Lee only has a certain number of days off and he is trying to save as many as he can for when the baby comes. I knew that going in, and that is one of the reasons why we made a gender ultrasound appointment on a Saturday three weeks ago. I was feeling ok with that, for the most part. But when I woke up yesterday morning I just felt really sad that he couldn't come with me and of course, with all the hormones, I knew I was being irrational and needed to pull myself together but just couldn't seem to do so. I prayed throughout the day and listened to as much worship music as I could fit into my day to try and lift my spirits. It was a hard day for sure, but I must say that today, I woke up with an insurmountable amount of strength. I wasn't sad that I had to go alone, in fact I don't even remember thinking twice about it. During the ultrasound though, while the tech was measuring and searching and looking at different parts of our boys body and organs, I became somewhat overwhelmed with worry. What if she didn't find what she was looking for? All the what if's just kept coming in my mind. I was praying, continuously, defeating those worries with the presence of the Lord. And I felt at peace. I am so thankful for the Lord's strength, because going to that appointment and waiting to hear her say "he looks great!" was something I couldn't do by myself. I wasn't strong enough, but He was. And I wasn't alone at that appointment, because He was right beside me. Reassuring me that everything was going to be ok.

I left the doctor's feeling so full of love. How is it possible to love like this? To love like this for someone I have yet to meet? I couldn't stop smiling- I felt so excited, proud, full of love, and I still feel that way- hours later. I stopped after my appointment to pick up a sandwich (chicken salad- surprised?), and I deemed it necessary to show the guy who took my order an ultrasound picture of our son and told him our great news. I couldn't contain the joy I felt inside- it was pouring out of me! I can not wait to hold our boy, to see his fingers and toes in person. To look into his eyes and tell him to his face just how much I love him. I honestly, in this moment am uncertain as to how I can fit any more love into my heart for him. Because I love him so much already! I think a parent's heart must just grow and grow and grow- and never stop growing. Because otherwise, I think our hearts may actually explode. Mine feels like it might today- and I am only halfway to meeting him! :)

Here are a few ultrasound pictures from the appointment today. I obviously think he is the most perfect baby I have ever seen. Because, well, he is perfect in every way already. (I know, they say Goodwin. The tech typed it inaccurately but fixed it.)

This is the leg of a soccer player- for sure. Let's just hope he gets his natural athletic ability from his dad and not his mom. 

I mean, if this little foot doesn't melt your heart, then I don't know what will. 

weeks 17 &18

I decided to lump these two weeks together, mostly because I didn't get around to posting last week. These two weeks were a little bit tough in that I got sick randomly- quite a bit. Which is never fun but I guess I will take random (usually about 3-4 times/days a week) over every day. The end of week 18 (the past few days) has been great- I am feeling really good and haven't been sick in a few days. :)

I wrote a few things down to post about- because I am FORGETFUL (which is something I wrote down). I honestly can't remember anything. I feel like my mom. When we were little she would make our school lunches and ask us each about 5 times what kind of sandwich we wanted. We always teased her (and still tease her) about it. But now, I do the same thing! The girls at work laugh at me because I will ask them what they want for a snack multiple times. Then, I get them the wrong thing anyways because I forgot what they said. I was fairly forgetful before, but this is bad! I hope I get some of my memory power back after July- or maybe I better shoot for next year around this time. Another thing I have noticed is that my skin is really dry and blotchy on my face. Which I am sure is a combination of the changing weather and pregnancy. But I could really do without that part because as frumpy and unattractive as I already feel- the red, blotchy skin doesn't help any.

I have been really into mashed potatoes lately. I really enjoy them and have made them quite a bit. Sorry Lee- although at least I am making dinner now! I think that's the only food I have really been "craving." (Again with the memory!) I FINALLY got my Highland Park Market chicken salad a few days ago when my sweet friend Mrs. Pat brought me some. And I am not going to lie- it was amazing and I may or may not have devoured it.

A big thing that has happened in these weeks too are that I am a lot more aware of the fact that there is a baby in my belly. Not only has he grown and I am slowly getting out of the "is she bloated?" phase, but I can feel him! I pushed on my stomach over the weekend and was able to feel where his body was. (Thanks again- Mrs. Pat!) It was AMAZING!!! I mean- I know he's in there but to feel him- to know exactly where his little mango sized body is, there aren't even any words! AND...I felt him kick! I have been feeling these little jabs every now and then, but I didn't realize what they were until today. I am just overjoyed! I love my sweet boy so much already, and I love feeling him more and more!

I think that's all for now. Plus, this is getting a bit lengthy. Here are some bump pictures:

week 17:

Week 18:

baby purchases

After Lee and I found out we were having a boy, we went right to the mall to buy some baby boy clothes. We were so excited, we just had to go right then and do a little shopping. For the record, Lee was just as excited about shopping as I was, in fact I think that part was his idea. :)

We bought our son his first bathing suit:

And then Lee saw these super sweet onsies and said we should get them too. He suggested that we get one of each in a different size so that our son will be able to wear them each equally as he grows. (I love Lee's thinking- it makes me so happy that he is over the moon. But more on that in a different post.)

In our free time, we now go out to find all the baby stores we can in Charlotte and we love looking around at all the super cute things and debating what kind of things we want to get. I love my life! :) 

(How many times can I say "our son"- clearly I can't wait to be the mama of a precious baby boy!)

16 weeks

I felt pretty good, for the most part, this week. Not a whole lot has changed, but when I was talking with Sarah the other day I was telling her how my taste buds have changed since getting pregnant. I am not necessarily craving these particular foods but what I used to love, I could do without and am now really into things I never used to be. I mentioned what I am now loving and she responded, "you are clearly having Lee's baby." Because all the things I am loving, are all things Lee loves.

Normally, I am a HUGE chocolate lover. Anything chocolate was my preferred candy/sweets choice. Now, I am LOVING sour patch kids and skittles- non-chocolate sugary candy. I am also really loving juice- normally I mostly just stick to water. I also can't seem to drink enough milk- I'm slightly obsessed. If you knew how much milk we go through in a week, your jaw would drop (but we do also live with Josh, who loves his midnight huge cereal snack). The last change I have noticed is that I love Italian salad dressing. The only salad dressings that I used to eat were creamy ones- but mostly I just stuck to Ranch. Now, the thought of creamy dressing makes me not want to eat a salad ever again. But present the idea to me with Italian dressing and I daydream about salad. It's so weird how these things change! (All of the above are things Lee has always loved- except salad dressing because he doesn't eat salad.)

**edited to add that I take back that I am not craving any of those foods. I am craving skittles. Hard core.**

Here are a couple of bump pictures, our baby boy is growing!

And it appears my t shirts are shrinking! 

It's a...

BOY!!!!

At my last doctor's appointment, I made an appointment for Friday, February 22 to have an ultrasound in order to find out the gender of our baby. My cousin and friend both went to this great ultrasound tech before their doctor's appointment and loved it. They told me we had to do it too. Originally, we were fine waiting for the doctor's appointment to find out. Until Lee decided on Friday night that he wanted me to call and make an appointment. At 8:00 that night. So I called on Saturday morning. I called at 10:23 am thinking we'd schedule an appointment for the following week, but she happened to have an opening that morning at 11. So we jumped in the car and went down. 

We are over the moon. We loved the ultrasound tech and being able to see our sweet little boy on a big screen was amazing. He was moving a ton, dancing- showing his mommy and daddy all of his moves. At the end of the appointment, he all of a sudden decided he was done and wanted to rest so he rolled over, put his hand behind his head and didn't roll back over again. He was tired and needed a nap. :) 

It never ceases to amaze me what an incredible miracle it is to have a baby. The entire process is so amazingly mind boggling- God is an incredible creator! We are so grateful for this blessing and can not wait to meet our son. 

Here he is:

And this is when he was done (look at his five fingers!):

Isn't he the cutest??