Mother's Day 2013

Could there be anything greater and more joyful than becoming a parent? Better yet becoming a mom?

Andrew and I are so excited and blessed to announce that we are expecting our first child. Our hearts could not be more excited!!  God has truly blessed us! We began planning a few months ago and of course were hit with baby fever with many of our friends getting pregnant. I was not quite as ready when we first started discussing it, but Andrew was ready to start trying!! We discussed and prayed and trusted God's plan. It was difficult at times trusting in God's plans and timing, but He has never given us any reason to not trust Him. He has better plans for us than we could imagine, and we trusted His timing and His plan and Him.

The 1st trimester has hit me like a ton of bricks...people described the fatigue and sickness, and I thought, oh I'll just push through it. Oh no way, I felt sick almost everyday and tired every single day. I went to bed unnaturally early and avoided cooking/eating most days as for real meals. (Poor Andrew). I have to say he was so great through it all. We've been to 2 appointments, one on April 15th, at 8 weeks 2 days-where we saw our cute little baby and heard his/her heartbeat. It was truly magical and brought tears to my eyes. We went back 2 weeks later on April 29th for a meeting with my OB nurse to learn lots of fun information!

Here's a look from our 1st appointment

Our next appointment is coming up Monday, May 20th, where we will have another ultrasound and our baby should look like a baby! :) plus some fun tests.

We decided to wait until 12 weeks to announce our pregnancy to everyone, but our family members have known for a while. It's been very hard for parents and grandparents to keep it all in, but we thank you for your patience as we waited!

I have had some crazy cravings...not many things sounded good to me in the few weeks, but one thing I craved was cherry and coke Icees (mixed together of course) and I craved orange juice. Other times I would crave something, but if I did not get that item right at that moment, it passed in a few minutes. Like one day, I wanted a sub from Beezer's, a sub shop near the Horseshoe on USC's campus. After a couple of minutes, it passed and I didn't care anymore.

Some things I have not been a fan of much or wanted...tomato sauce (spaghetti, etc), Mexican (such a shame, it's my FAVE), or chocolate or sweets.

Here's a little glimpse into how sweet motherhood will be. This commercial brings tears to my eyes.
Happy Mother's Day

I seem to be feeling better for 2nd trimester...but I have had a few headaches. I'm not sure if they are coincidental or if I'm really getting headaches since that seems to be the 'thing' for the 2nd trimester. We are very excited and we are both really excited to feel the baby...can't wait until that happens!

To Our Baby,

    We have not met you yet, but we so excited to add you to our family. We love you so much and cannot wait to see and feel you grow over the next 6 months. Wow, that's crazy to say, we will get to meet you in 6 months. We will do anything we can to serve you and raise you to know our wonderful creator, your Lord and Savior, who has created you in his perfect timing and his perfect image. I hope you continue to grow healthy and safely over the next 6 months, and when we get to meet you, I pray everything is safe and healthy for us all.

We love you and cannot wait for the next 6 months,
Your Mommy & Daddy

Andrew's beautiful wrapping (if you know him, you'll know this is special, usually he does not enjoy wrapping)

1st Mother's Day...of course our baby is not here yet, but quite a few people made my first one very special: thanks to my amazing husband and parents!


Here are a few fun pictures of our first trimester! I know there won't be much change in the first few weeks, but this was something fun that Andrew and I were excited to do

 6 weeks 

7 weeks

 

8 weeks

9 weeks

Cute photo ops of our 2 fur babies

10 weeks

11 weeks

photobomber

wanted to be with his mama

cutie 

 12 weeks

12 weeks=Baby Oliver is the size of a plum

Here's how I announced to my students:

When solving the puzzle it said, Mrs. Oliver is going to have a baby! They were pretty excited and shocked since 2 other teachers in the 5th grade were/are pregnant this year! But it was fun telling them today, too!