12 Weeks Today

Today marks the 12 week mark for us!!! We are so excited to have made it this far. It seems like it was not that long ago that we began everything, but at the same time the weeks seem to move so very slowly. I have been very fortunate as to not have any morning sickness really to speak of. At least no throwing up, which is amazing for me because I used to throw up all the time when I was little. I remember being so excited about having mac and cheese for dinner one night, that later that night I got to relive it coming back up. I aways had a nervous stomach and pretty much anything could trigger it. At least little Almond didn't make me sick. I did get some stomach aches at night, but overall they were not to bad. The one symptom that I am really hoping will get better in the next week or two, is the constant fatigue. It is really taking a toll on me, and I am looking forward to it getting a little better. I have already started to notice that sometimes at night I am getting lower back pains, and I have a feeling a pregnancy pillow is in my near future. So much for snuggling up with James! I don't think my belly is really to much bigger, but it sure looks huge after I eat anything. I think it is all just bloating right now, but I have had a few people notice my "baby bump."

The reality of the baby has not fully sunk in and I am not sure when that will actually happen. We have been working on a budget for Almond and we are in prayer about some major life decisions once Almond arrives. I know that God has an amazing plan for us, and we are being patient and waiting for Him to reveal parts of the plan to us. At the same time we are starting to look for a new - used car that is a little more family and dog friendly. James and I have been doing really well and I am excited for one more week of trimester one. I am ready for trimester two!

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Love,

Amanda

A Year Ago. . .

I know most people take time around Jan 1st to reflect on the past year, and take stock of what has changed and what they would like to change. I on the other hand don't normally follow the rules so I have decided to take time now, in the middle of July to take stock of my previous year.

Well this time last year James and I were just getting back from a trip to Tennessee. It was our big summer vacation that we had planned, and a few days before we were to leave James was let go from his job in Livonia. It was a tense time for us, and we didn't really know what to expect, but we had everything all set for the trip, so we decided that this job situation was not going to keep us home. I was so glad that we went, and when we returned home it didn't take to long for James to find a new job. He started the new job right after Labor day, which was great because that allowed us to take a trip to NY to see our good friends who had moved. Fast forward a few months and James's job was not going so well, and everyday he would come home so discouraged. I don't think I was very supportive for him during that time, but fortunately God provided a new job for James. We went to SC to visit with James' mom after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and before James started the new job. In the time in between the trips I had made a few doctors appointments and we had decided to start the IVF journey. When we went to visit Carol, we had decided to tell them and then tell my parents what our plan was. We were so blessed with the out pouring of support from both families that it made it so much easier to go through everything.

We made it through everything, and when the positive news was told we were again so blessed by the excitement of everyone. We get update calls from Chris and Carol, and my parents are always asking how things are going. We have made it to 9 weeks, and I will be officially 10 weeks on Tuesday. It seems like every week takes forever to pass, but then I look back on how we are doing and I can't believe how fast it has gone bye. The best part about hitting the 10 week mark is that I am officially done with all of the shots, and yucky meds. I now will only have to take my vitamin. Whoo-Hoo!

I have been feeling really good for the most part, just tired most of the time. I think James is getting bored, and he is the one that likes to stay home all the time. I also have to get up to go to the bathroom almost every night. I get very excited when I get to sleep the whole night through. I guess I am just preparing for when little Almond comes into the world, with the 2am bathroom breaks, that will undoubtedly turn into 2am feedings. I am very blessed that I have not had any major morning sickness, the only thing I notice is that if I don't eat I will get nauseous or that if I eat to much I get nauseous. Other than that I am doing very well.

James and I are coming to the point where we are going to have to make some decisions. I don't know what lays in store for us, but I am excited to see what God has planned for us. I would love to be a stay at home mom, but we have yet to decide if this will be a possibility.

Thank you everyone for your prayers, and I will do a better job of posting updates.

Amanda