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! 

1 Year at Home

Today is 1 year since our closing date on our first house!! It's crazy to think we started dating 10 years ago, not a day goes by where I could imagine my life without Andrew. I don't know or even remember life without Andrew. When we talk about the past I sometimes ask, did you think this is where we would be 10 years ago when we started? Of course, his answer is always no. He even told me once, I didn't see us being here 3 years ago when we got married. Our first home together was an apartment, which felt so cozy and homey, but we wanted more. After 1 year in the apartment we pursued finding a house, but quickly found (with some family advice) that it wasn't the time. We reevaluated and started paying more on bills and debt, and almost 6 months later found we were in a much better position to pursue a house. It was a tricky process figuring out the best place for us. We spent HOURS searching neighborhoods around us, every day after school and work, we went searching, on the weekends, we went searching, until we were tired of searching.

We put a couple of offers a couple of new places, but when things didn't work out, we stopped looking for a couple of months...and then our current home came on the market, we quickly looked and fell in love with the house and the price!! We found out the reason we loved the price was because the house was a short sale. We didn't know anything about a short sale, and we weren't in a hurry to close, so we took a change. That chance took us on a long 6 month, sometimes frustrating and sometimes upsetting, journey. However, I have to give all the glory to God, He knew what He was doing-His timing was perfect, as it always is.

We were able to pay off all debt except student loans in that 6 month process, and came into our house as 25 year olds with the only debt to our names being  student loans and now a home loan. May 10, 2012 was a glorious day. We began painting the very next day, and with the help of so many family members and friends-we painted almost the whole house in less than 48 hours!!! eeek!!! Andrew was on a mission and with the support, we made it happen. A week later, on May 18th, after a night at Relay for Life, we packed up the UHaul, again with the help of some great selfless friends, we moved into our first house!!

Again, I cannot believe time has passed so quickly, we are so blessed, with God's guidance and trust in His plans, not our own, our family's support, and the help of friends, our dream came true...and a year later, we are still loving and enjoying our first house and cannot wait for the many years to come here!!

This is not only a memorable blog of our journey but a Thank you letter to all those who helped us on our journey to becoming Homeowners!! THANK YOU!!

Here's a look at some changes we made: Our Home

A Year Later.... (Almost)

I was cleaning up in the kitchen today and thought wow we've almost been living in our house for 1 year...May 10 was our closing date and we moved in on May 18, 2012. Wow, how time flies!!! We are so blessed to have our home and so blessed that God made it all work for us. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Also, through prayer God showed us what was best for us, in the process of trying to get the house, we spent 6+ months in the offer/negotiation process. In the time from the first offer, to the closing date, we were able to pay off all of our other debts and credit cards, etc. We came into the house with only 1 debt, Andrew's student loans. What a blessing, we didn't even know that we needed it. God made all of those things work together for our good!! 

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22

So in short, all the plans God has for me are greater than our plans. He loves us, is always with us, and has greater plans for us. 

So thankful for God's planning and timing. I try to remember this any time that I feel that plans are not working the way I want... 

To God be the Glory! He is good all the time! I am thankful for him knowing what I need, even when I don't know it. 

Water

February 22, 2012: Lent began, something I've tried to participate in every year since high school because of a friend. I decided to stop drinking soda. But then wanted to take it a step further and drink only water....a year later and I'm going strong. Now, I did start drinking some other things, like orange juice and sweet tea occasionally, but I have kept to no soda and mostly drink water! It's crazy, now I crave water, feel better, and am more hydrated which helps all around. Here's one key to my success---1 or 2 of these a day..sometimes 3!!

This year's Lent was not to give up as much as to add something. I decided to exercise at least 3 times a week, so far I'm struggling, but hope to stick to it. Here's to trying.... :)

Another Baby Visit

First day home...welcome home TUCKER!! We brought some chili and yummy dessert over, secretly we cooked dinner to trade for baby time! 

just admiring this little bundle of joy

I was gladly snuggling with him while we were hanging out. (Andrew's comment was...if we're taking this many pictures for your kid, what will happen when we have one...one day?) 

Couldn't resist snapping this shot...look at his little arm!

Welcome to the World Tucker Scott Howe

1:52 this morning, my cell phone got a text message from one very nervous and excited Jordan Howe...they were at the hospital waiting for little Tucker to get here.

We started our morning out, getting ready to go to church since the little man was taking his time, but Andrew said he wanted to be there at the hospital, if only in the waiting room. So we decided we'd wait with the grandparents to be. We went to the Howe's home, let out the dogs, fed them, and headed to the hospital. We had to go to church around noon for a training but quickly returned to the hospital..about an hour after Tucker was born. Luckily an hour or so later, we got to see Jamie and the family, we watched the nurses do some of the things in the nursery and then got to see this perfect baby boy. After a few hours visiting we headed back to the Howe's home again to watch out for Tucker's big fur sisters, Kota and Penny!! Can't wait for what's to come for the Howe family and Mr. Tucker Scott! Congrats to some of our best friends!

wiping tears

one nervous Andrew

"Aunt" Alex & "Uncle" Andrew