Highlights.. Documenting happy moments in the past week or so

- On September 23, 2011, I announced to the world your pending arrival. We also told your sisters. Everyone has been excited and we have received some warm, heartfelt blessings and well wishes. My facebook page continues to flood over.

- Your father chased you down on the doppler at home again last night.. heart rate was between 125-135 beats per minute.. then of course, you moved away lol and we got to hear you moving around again. You are a comedian for sure!

- On today, after eating some fajitas from one of our favorite mexican spots, I felt repeated flutters from you. (I guess because I had been wanting those fajitas since saturday.. I can tell you enjoyed them!)

- Your sisters declared they want you to be a girl lol.. which is shocking because they always talked about having a little brother. Weird. They are very excited for your arrival. They constantly watch over me and make sure I am taken care of. Kianna's head is now magnetically attached to my tummy. They swear they can hear you.

- Today makes 25 days untill we find out if you are a he/she.

- I relish in quiet moments at home, with my face masked, in a tub full of hot water and lavendar soap and epsom salt. I love to relax and read baby books/magazines and think of you in my quiet time.

- My taste for dill pickles has returned with a vengence!

- Latest craving- DOUBLE QUARTER POUNDERS!

As I approach one huge milestone....

I wanted to come and reflect on two things... first, after a little worrying I had an ultrasound on monday that revealed my sweet little baby waving and kicking and dancing around. It was the happiest feeling I have ever had. The joy of hearing you move, hearing your heart beat and seeing you show boat around in my womb can not be matched. Also my second set of flutters came about 30 minutes before the doctor's appointment as I ate some cajun fries from cookout. LOL.. You must get really excited when I eat foods you like. I assume you liked the lemonade freeze and the cajun fries I got the flutter from because they did not make me sick. I am anticipating kicks now within the next few weeks as I have read that they are not far away from the first flutters.

Tomorrow we enter the second trimester.. 13 weeks. I woke up with this on my mind as I planted my feet on the floor to get dressed for another workday, and I thanked God for all that has transpired thus far. I have a healthy, happy, growing son/daughter inside me and before you know it I will be halfway through the pregnancy. God's word never comes back void, this I know to be true. He said he makes the barren woman to keep a house full of children. And that nothing is impossible to God. Holding on to my hope and faith, we now have you sweet baby. I am confident that in March/April next year we will meet you, healthy and happy and that all will be well with you. As I take it all in, sometimes I get so emotional. Last year this time, I would have never imagined being where I am now. I often wonder what I did to deserve a blessing of such greatness. When I sleep, I dream of my sweet baby and the day we meet finally. But there will be no sleep tonight I am sure.

so I will be up early tomorrow to write as we enter the second of three trimesters together... I cannot believe time has gone by so fast.

love mommy

unforgettable....

I now have reason to believe that three small feelings I felt on saturday were my first flutters from you Baby Shands. I was in the mall, sitting in the food court drinking a lemonade freeze from dairy queen. It was the first time we tried it, and I now know, we both LOVED IT... I felt three little weird taps on my right side near my ribcage, just underneath. They were really weird, really different feelings. I cannot even describe the exact feeling! Maybe a light tap/thump. Not even that really. You had to really be paying attention not to miss it though. At the time, I brushed it off as gas. After talking to my mom today and learning she felt her first flutters around the stage in pregnancy I am in, she convinced me that was probably you. I wish I had known at the time, so I could relish the moment, but at least I know so when I feel it again I can recognize it. So we have a new favorite treat to share with one another and I have a good clue on what to drink to get you moving next month for your gender ultra sound :)

Our little acrobat, always up to something I see :)

we love you!

we found you at home!

today your father was able to locate your heart beat by pocket doppler and we were so happy... you were in the 145-150 beats per minute range... we also got to hear you swishing around in my womb and you were doing LOTS of moving, I guess trying to get away from the doppler. You really hate that thing! lol.... We love you so much sweet baby. Your father was so amused by you... he continued to play around and listen to you moving, we just couldnt believe you have grown that much where you were playing so freely on the inside. I cried tears of joy and I am so glad you are okay and continuing to grow and stretch out. We are scheduled to tell your sisters and the world about you in 6 days... I must say it is killing me to keep it quiet, but its for a good cause. Your sisters will be very excited, no doubt about it. I finally found a very nice maternity swim suit to accentuate your beautiful growing bump that is comfortable for mommy and I am very happy. I also plan to start prenatal aquamoms tuesday so we can get more exercise in. I am excited about so much sweet baby. This all seems to get realer and realer as the days go by.. I pray this excitement continues...

Just wanted to stop by and share my joy..

we love you.

mom and dad

The 12 weeks Milestone....

We are very proud parents of a 12 week fetus today... We love you Baby Shands!

And I have a very official craving now... ORANGES! Some pineapples too, but mostly oranges. Yummy! Thankfully I am starting to want healthier foods now.

Grandma Leah sent me a box full of Liz Lange Maternity clothes for the summer and early fall days so I am good to go now, thankfully, untill its time to start purchasing sweaters... we are so spoiled Baby Shands :)

Next week will be your first week in the 2nd trimester and me and daddy plan to tell the world about you on next friday, 8 days til then! In celebration of our 12 week achievement, I am going to post a bump photo today...

Our Doula

we met with the Doula that met my requirements through website and telephone call today and might I add, your father and I were beyond impressed. We went ahead and signed the contract and paid the deposit today to reserve your birth on her calendar. Mrs. Helene Delgado has been in the game for some time now.. She is a sweetheart and she was sure to engage your father just as much as me in our initial meet and greet. I really liked that. Over the next few months, she will be prepping us both for labor, prepping mommy with different coping techniques for natural pain relief and just there for general support, questions and answers. At 37 weeks, she will be waiting by the phone, 24-7 for signs of your pending arrival and she will be with me to labor at home and at the hospital. She will be one of the first few people to see you when you arrive and my first lactation consultant, making sure you are able to try and latch in the first two hours. I feel so secure with her services and so does your father. Your father plans to coach me through labor, as your Aunt Val gave shinning recommendations on his labor coaching for your twin sisters. Mrs. Delgado will play the background, helping to keep Stephen informed of all my birth and newborn plans and making sure that they are all executed as I ask, more so for the newborn plan as it is very detailed.

Here is the website for Mother's Angel Doula (Mrs. Delgado) for anyone out there that wants to check her out...

http://mothersangeldoula.com/index.html

ultrasound

here is a graphic design of your 11 week photo from yesterday...

I just wanted to marvel at it... unfortunately since you were moving so furiously the actual photo didnt come out as clear as the view we had... we saw your little arms and feet and legs (as you kicked at us lol), but the doctor was not able to get a good shot

11 weeks and a busy day....

Happy 11 weeks Baby Shands dear!!!!!

Mommy had her final tooth polish/cleaning with the dentist first thing this morning then me and daddy rushed off to our first prenatal appointment with our new Obstetrician today... mommy definitely took a nap after all the business of today but it was a great one...

We got to see you and you are quite the little newborn now, with your arms and legs... You were not too thrilled that we invaded your little home to get a peek at you, so you did taebo kicks the whole time warning us to leave you alone. You amused our doctor so much with your violent kicks Baby Shands.. Mommy and daddy will have to make a mental note to leave you alone in your cozy little home. You are definitely the antisocial one. I observed in church last night, that you may like music. I cannot wait to confirm this thought when I can feel your kicks. I remember standing up for praise and worship and having to sit down... I felt randomized cramps in four different areas of my stomach/pelvic region, like the cramps I recognized before we would go in for ultrasounds and see you sitting on the side of my stomach I was cramping. I have learned that these cramps may be you moving and positioning yourself in other parts of my pelvic/stomach region. well if I am right, you moved quite a bit last night sweet baby. I have a feeling you are going to be a huge fan of song and dance :)

we love watching you grow... it bought a big smile to your father's face to see how much you have grown and see your little flickering heart. I can see the pride in his eyes. I cannot wait to meet you and hold you sweet baby. We will know (if you cooperate ) on October 22 if you are a girl or a boy... your grandparents will be there to witness the moment as well... We are very excited!

We love you,

Mom and dad

A toast, to your father..

Dear child:

You have the greatest father ever! Let me just say that now. You may not be aware so early on, but soon enough you too will experience his loving kindness. I could not have picked a better man to start a family with.

Stephen Shands has been working hard...Doubles sometimes, and still coming home to clean, buy groceries and look after a very pregnant, very tired Mama Shands. He gets up in the middle of the night to make me the tastiest lemon water ever and even makes me snacks if I wake up starving after midnight. Sometimes he even comes in after a midnight shift with a cookout hotdog in his hand. The man is one in a million. God could not have sent you a better father. I know he hates to clean, which is why I have a cleaning lady come in now, but in between her visits he has really stepped up. And he is the most awesome dad to your sisters let me add! I took a nap today, and got up to him making them lunch. He steps in right on time and takes over my past duties. Never complaining, never grudgingly. He listens to my worries and my ranting with a listening ear and a calming reply. He does all he can to make me comfortable as you grow sweet child. He bought mommy a special, yet expensive pillow to sleep on and its been the best sleep of my life. He makes sure I am safe and happy.... he is the greatest father ever and the best husband! I cannot say it enough!

so here is a toast to your father... whom is so excited about your impending arrival that he writes notes to you on the dry erase board on the refrigerator.. and they are so sweet... he never misses a doctors appointment and is always on time..

we all love him so much... I know you will too!!!!

love mommy.

stage fright....

Dear child:

as this pregnancy becomes more and more a reality for me, today I find myself in a slight panic.. Although I have dreamed of the moment I become a mom and raising a child of my own since I was a little girl, I worry. Will I jack my kid up? Will I do at least the basic stuff right? I have so much to learn and I pray I know enough to do the right things for my baby. Thankfully daddy has some experience to lend me... On top of that he is wise, patient and kind, so he will be there to help if I mess up. I dont want to be a bad mom and that is my greatest fear.. it eats away at me... pregnancy hormones dont help. I just want to be for you, all the things I did have and way beyond what I didnt have. No books I read, classes I plan to take or advice can prepare me. I guess me and you will have to do this thing my sweet child... JUST DO IT... No looking back.

I apologize in advance for any wrongdoings...

love you so very much,

MOMMY

Happy 10 weeks!

Happy 10 weeks little baby!

you and mommy enjoyed the neverending pasta bowl at Olive Garden last night in celebration of you hitting the double digits.. continue to grow sweet baby... it will be no time before we get to finally meet. Daddy and I will get to see you again at 11 weeks at our doctor's appointment. We are both excited. We miss seeing your growth and development. I am sure we will be in awe and amazement as the last few times we saw you.

Well off to work

Love mom