Christmas in Wyoming

So, as mentioned before, Gregg and I spent Christmas in Star Valley, Wyoming with the Jones Family and 5 Aussies came into town! This is part of the reason we HAD to stay in the west this year, you just can't miss an opportunity like this to see them! Those who came are Grandma Dorothy, Papa Bill, Aunt Dianne, Uncle Les and Dean (one of their sons). Pictured above from left to right, back row to front row, in case you aren't familiar with the family is: Gregg, myself, Cherie, Warren, Dean, Dianne, Les and Leslie (Jay), Katie, Grandma, Papa and Ian. This photo was at the Christmas Eve service. Warren wrote a very cute skit that starred himself and Uncle Les, it was very good, as usual!

You can't quite see ALL the presents, but needless to say it took HOURS to get through them all! Gregg and I felt very spoiled because it was TRUE! With all the wonderful gifts given to us by the Joneses, the presents my parents sent from Minnesota and the gifts Gregg and I bought the new baby... we felt very blessed and quite spoiled! Thank you to everyone, everyone was so generous. It was a wonderful Christmas day. I definitely missed my family, but I got to talk to them a couple times on Christmas Day and it sounds like they made the most of their day as well!

The family spent a bit of time outdoors! I wish I could have put more pictures to show! The first attempt, Gregg could not get the snowmobiles working, so we were all outside, to include Grandma! and decided to make the most of it! Jay and Dianne did a little sled race pulling Ian and Grandma! She really enjoyed herself! This was their first white Christmas, so we wanted them to experience the snow... and BOY, was there SNOW! I think it snowed every day we were there! Above was the day Gregg and Warren got the older one working, so Gregg, Warren and Jay took turns pulling each other around on the sled, Dean had LOTS of fun out there getting buried in all the snow! We also went tubing up at Snow King in Jackson! Dianne and Dean had such a good time! It was a bit pricey (Thanks, Warren!), but it was so much fun! It's been years since I've done it!

Gregg's Grandma and Papa came in 2005 to our wedding, which meant a lot to us then and it was SO great to spend some real time with them this time. It was hard to get good quality time with them at the wedding, but they are such WONDERFUL people with the most beautiful hearts! As soon as we told all the Aussies were are pregnant when they first got here, first thing out of Grandma's mouth was, "I'll have to save up and come back for the baptism!" You'd think after 40 hours of traveling to Utah, she would have re-thought that, but nope, not for a second! Whether or not she makes it, it was the thoughtfulness behind the words that made us know just how much we mean to her even from here! She mentioned wanting to win the lottery and come back for Jay's Graduation in May, too! They are 91 and still enjoying and appreciating every moment! I fell so much in love with them! My grandparents have all passed away, so I love spending time with these two and Gregg's Grandpa in Montana. I'm so attached! I can't wait to go to Australia in 2010!

These are all the Aussies that made it! Dean, Grandma Dorothy, Papa Bill, Aunt Dianne, and Uncle Les! It was my first time meeting Dianne, Les and Dean and they are all so easy to love! They all have such beautiful hearts... I couldn't stop the crying the minute we had to leave Star Valley! We'll get to see them briefly when they come back through Salt Lake to fly out on the 10th and I think it will be even harder to say goodbye again! On their way back to Australia, they're going to head to Disneyland for a few days... I'm sure it will be such a great time! It is Dean's first time to the U.S.

My family is attempting to fly standby this week and come and visit. I thought it would be such great timing as the Court is giving me 2.5 days off for free around the New Year! The flights are looking pretty crazy, but I'll be praying they'll make it here... if anyone wants to send out a few extra for me! My brother is thinking/ planning on coming as well! It would be his first time here! It would be nice if they made it because my next Dr's appointment (17 weeks now!) is on Friday and it would be fun for my parents to get to hear the heartbeat! We'll have to see how things go! So, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is well on their way to a blessed New Year!

Bummed

Well, if you follow our blog, you would've read just a few blogs before this one, that we just recently became members of our church. Today at church, we got some pretty sad news. Pastor Elijah announced that he has been called to another church. He didn't share all the details and said that there would be more details to come, but I think Gregg and I both know he's not staying in Utah. I was devastated... shockingly so! I started tearing up the minute he announced it and the shock was written on Gregg's face. I guess some people had gotten a heads up during the week, but this blew Gregg and I away. I tried to regain my composure long enough to shake his hand as we left the sanctuary, but as soon as he reached out for my hand, he said, "Are you going to kick me?" It was in the few seconds before that where he didn't say anything that I felt all the tears coming and couldn't hold them back. I think we all knew how important he was to our decision to join the church. He just said, "We'll talk soon". Gregg and I fell in love with the church when it was he that welcomed us on that first day and when we heard his sermon. My Mom mentioned that sometimes it's hard when you fall in love with a Pastor and they leave, because it can tear a church apart. I hope that this isn't the fate for this church and I don't think it will be. Many people in the congregation have wonderful connections already established. We just hadn't had a chance to do that yet. We had made our incredible connection with the Pastor.

It's just awful timing. Gregg and I had talked and prayed long and hard about this decision, one that was made just a few weeks ago. Had we known this to be his fate, we may not have made the decision we did, I don't know. I do know that if he hadn't been the Pastor of this church, we would have looked at other churches, not to say we would not have come back to this one. It's just hard. Gregg and I know that while we resided in Utah, this man made this church a home for us. We were looking forward to more time with him, his family and getting to know the congregation. Gregg and I knew that we would want this man to baptize our baby. Now, 4 months along in our pregnancy (16 weeks tomorrow!), we don't know what future this church holds and whether or not it will be right for us and our new family. I guess we'll just have to see how things unfold in the upcoming months and make a decision at that time.

We were both shocked and hurt. We know that we can not be mad at him for making this decision and following a call that he has been given, but it doesn't make it any easier on us right now. We will hope and pray that good things come to him and his family on their new journey as well as to the church.

Maternity Shopping!!!

It was a pretty busy weekend for us... with TWO trips to the mall for fat lady...I mean... Maternity clothes!! :-) Our friends, Jason and Ali, also recently told us they are pregnant. Ali should be about 7 weeks now. And I am now 15 weeks!! So, we all headed to the mall on Saturday for a little maternity clothes shopping! I hoped the store would be helpful and they were GREAT! It's called Motherhood Maternity. Not only was the sales girl EXTREMELY helpful, but the prices are pretty reasonable! Gregg and Jason thoroughly... okay, not completely... but mostly, enjoyed watching their wives try on TONS of clothes! Using the tummy pillow is kind of funny to imagine what we'll look like in just a few months! I HATE clothes shopping, but this was actually pretty fun! Although we normally don't buy so many clothes at one go, so it made it a little expensive for us, I made out with a lot of things! A couple pairs of pants, two dresses (one of which, I'm wearing in the above picture), some shirts and a couple other things! All in all, we did GREAT! And Gregg is truly wonderful for being patient, supportive, very sweet... and picking up the bill! :-)

Saturday night we headed to the Utah Jazz v. Orlando Magic basketball game. It was my Anniversary present to Gregg this year. Last year the Jazz did great, winning most of their home games.... apparently, this year, they're on a bit of a different path, one that includes losing too many games! It was fun to go, but since the Jazz did lose, Gregg would have liked to see Dwight Howard play, but even he was out injured! We did have a great time though and ran into a good Dr. friend of his, at the ER and his wife on the way home, so it was a good night... even with a loss!

Sunday night was Gregg's work Christmas party! It is quite the treat! The VA ER doctors pick up the whole bill, to include open bar!, and we're not talking about Applebees, they are usually Wonderful restaurants with excellent food! Last year, it was at a hotel up in Park City on a Saturday night, so Gregg and I got a room and made a weekend of it. This year, they scheduled it for a Sunday at a really nice restaurant in Salt Lake called Market Street Grill. Gregg and his friend Mark are in charge of the "awards", usually incredibly funny inside joke awards given out to all the members of the VA ER. It's typically the highlight of the evening and it was no different this time! The boys spent quite a few hours gathering up the best of their humor and everyone was impressed! I've got quite the catch!! The night ended a little earlier than normal due to it being a Sunday, but it was lots of fun and great food!

This week, Gregg has finals and I have a few days of Court, so it's a busy week before Christmas! The Aussies are flying in on Friday so the fam is driving in from Wyoming to pick them up and bring them back that night. So, the plan is hopefully that Gregg and I will have a little time to get to see them at the airport before they head out on the long drive back! My parents have been talking about visiting and I'm really hoping it works out. They always fly standby and flights are busy this time of year. I'm in need of a good visit since I won't make it home, so I'm going to pray that something works out!

I hope that everyone is having a relatively stress free holidays! It's a great time of year and it's nice that Salt Lake is starting to see some of that famous "best snow on earth"! It's about time!

Members!!

Today, Gregg and I became members of the church we have been going to, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. When Gregg and I first started our church search, I made a list of churches. We visited a few, but never made it past Our Saviour's. The man in the picture is our Pastor, Pastor Elijah. He and his wife are originally from Zambia and he has 4 beautiful children! They have been so welcoming to us from day 1. He is the reason we never left. His Sermons always speak to our hearts and from the sounds of it, he truly speaks to everyone. He is a big reason many people never left the church after coming to visit. We were treated to a wonderful New Member dinner at the Pastor's house last night where we got to spend time with other new members as well as members from the council. Today, they asked all the new members to attend both services so that all of the congregation would come to know us. It was really nice. Many people took the time to come and talk to us and congratulate us on the pregnancy! We really found a home at the church and the last two days were a great welcome! We're just excited to be a part of it while we're here in Utah as it's already been a blessing in our lives!

I am 14 weeks pregnant! Which means.... I've begun the second trimester! (at least according to my OB!) That, in and of itself, is so exciting! I'm over the big first, stressful hump! I can tell I've become a little less nervous since I've treated myself to the occasional Diet Coke. I haven't had more than one on a given day and I'm allowed more than that, but it's nice to just have an occasional pop as a treat! Since I won't have the glass of wine this season, I'll have to settle on a nice glass of Diet Coke... ha ha! I'll take it!

Out of the Army and new Baby Picture!

Two big pieces of news!! Clearly, we got another ultrasound picture to share with you. At first, Gregg and I didn't think the picture she gave us on the top was the best one she could've given us because there were some great ones, but I realized today why she gave us that one... you can see (I don't know how well on here) the baby's facial profile... forehead, nose, chin... it's incredible! We definitely have a real, complete baby in there! It's no longer my little rice krispy blob... although it will always be in my heart! :-) The bottom picture is of it's little face looking up at us. The ultrasound tech said that it is 7.7 centimeters.. so it's definitely growing and quickly!

We were in yesterday for our appointment with the ultrasound specialist/guru as I like to call Dr. Ball. He was mostly questioned why we got the test done to begin with since my parents hadn't been tested and I had no history or family history of blood clots. He considered it to be looking under stones, which is true, but I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if we didn't do something to prevent any problems. He knew that and thought that any shots would be too much for me since I don't have the worst of either mutation that I tested positive for. So, we decided I would take a quadruple does of folic acid and a baby aspirin every day. I'm okay with this plan. He says I'm doing "a lot" when I told him I just needed to do "something". So, I think we are. Without knowing if I would have had problems, this is a good path for me.

I also happened to get the phone call from my unit yesterday. I am discharged from the Army as of 25 November. I knew it was what I wanted as quite a few people in my unit had me afraid that if I did stay in the rear if my unit deployed, there was still the chance I would have to leave my baby and our new family. That wasn't something I could risk. So, ultimately, this was the best thing for us. It would've been nice to finish out to the full 8 years, but I think 3 months shy will be okay! It was a big part of my life and although there are many reasons I'm getting out and am happy with that decision, there are a lot of things I will miss. This was very sudden for me, so after I wrap up some loose ends and hopefully get a chance to say goodbye to friends, I think I will have some closure on it and will be happier about it. But overall, this a blessing. One less thing over my head and to worry about. We can really just focus on this baby and bringing it into the world happy and healthy.

My next appointment isn't until the 17th week on January 2nd. That week we'll get another heartbeat reading, test for some of the genetic disorders and schedule the ultrasound where we'll find out the sex of the baby! Those few weeks will be so exciting! The Aussies come into town on the 19th and we're going to tell that set of grandparents on the day I go help pick them up from the airport! Should be fun to tell them.

So, we've had some good news! My service with the Army is complete, no more gray clouds in the sky for me and we're doing all we can to help this pregnancy have as few complications as possible! Sounds good to me! :-) A friend at work, Amy, had one of the greatest quotes on her blog today and I'm going to borrow it for today, it was so comforting..."The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you". How great is that.

Thanksgiving in Wyoming

Gregg and I spent Thanksgiving with the Joneses in Star Valley, Wyoming. It was a VERY relaxing 4 days! The best part of spending time in Star Valley is definitely the time with the family, but the next best?? Spending most of the time in our comfy pj's! We did manage to make it out of the house a few times, once for a failed attempt to go to the Parade of Lights... we had the wrong day, but didn't realize it until we got down there! Oops! Then we drove up to Jackson Hole to see the movie, Australia. My parents had seen it the day before and LOVED it, so we thought we'd check it out and we also... LOVED it! It really was a great movie. It sparked some of my Dad's history curiosities, so each time I've talked to him on the phone, he tells me about the new things he's learned as a result from conducting a little research after seeing the movie! Aww, he's cute! And then of course, we made it into some respectable clothes for church on Sunday!

After Ian begged and pleaded to get the tree up and promised to help with putting it up, it was Gregg and Katie that did all the work! Is she not the cutest little helper! We put up the tree, the Christmas village and some berries and such on the mantle and banisters.. the decorations were great!

We had to take the annual family picture, this one is the "funny" one. Everyone thought to point at our +1... awww, before we know it, he/she will be part of the picture, too!

Here was our other attempt at a family picture. It took a lot of "takes" considering we were trying to do it with the timer, but this one turned out pretty good! It was a nice weekend with the family. Setting up all the decorations, puts me in a bit of the Christmas spirit. It's been hard to think about not getting to go to MN this year, but my parents have mentioned trying to make it out to us sometime within the next month or so, hopefully that will make up for it a little bit! But my parents really do an excellent job getting the house ready, my Mom especially! She is a decorating machine and as an adult, I have come to appreciate the work she puts into it so much more!

Cherie's parents and sister's family are coming to visit from Australia for Christmas and will be here in just a couple weeks. So, it will be one bustling household in Wyoming! This is not a trip made often, so we wanted to make sure we were around to spend time with them. We're just hoping for some snow soon so they can see their first white Christmas! I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Gregg and I had a lot to be thankful for and we hope you did, too.

The Most Amazing Little Heartbeat!

So, I come to the baby update! Today was our 12 week appointment with the OB! I was nervous, but so excited to get to hear the official heartbeat! Gregg and I waited in the waiting room for a bit and tried to remember all the questions weighing on my mind. One of which was the fact that we had not received any word on my lab results. Well, this was the first thing we discussed.

Most of the tests came back with negative results, which was great, but there are a couple reasons that show a little reason to be concerned. I did test positive for the Factor V Leiden gene, but the heterozygous type, meaning only one mutation instead of both. Typically, this would not concern my doctor all too much, but I also tested positive for something called MTHFR which is another genetic defect which can increase risk for blood clots. Apparently the two combined is what concerned her. She has referred me to the Maternal and Fetal Medicine clinic and I have an appointment next week. Apparently, they are Doctors that have more awareness regarding this condition and possible treatments and will decide what is best for me and my situations. I'm trying not to worry too much about it until we know. So, I guess it's GREAT that my mother is a little crazy and demanded we get the FVL test as it's turned out to possible be of some concern! We would much rather know and do what we can to take preventative measures than to have not known at all.

But the BEST part of the appointment by FAR, was getting to hear the heartbeat of our tiny little baby! It was crazy! I don't think you could have wiped the smiles off of Gregg and my faces! She said it sounded perfect and healthy at about 150-160 beats.... it was AMAZING! There, beating away is this wonderful, perfect little baby growing inside me! I'm not really showing yet... just feeling chubby... and this is assurance that there is a whole other being with a whole other heartbeat developing inside me! It was wonderful! Another couple weeks and I'll be past the first trimester! I'm sure I'll put something on here if I learn anything new!

We're headed to the Jones house in Wyoming for Thanksgiving. It's going to be brutal not seeing my family for either holiday, but hopefully they'll come out and visit soon enough... my brother is even talking about coming out to snowboard! It will great to hang with the fam in Wyoming and have a nice long weekend! It's definitely needed! My heart is definitely full this year and I am thankful for so many things! I hope all of you have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING and find that you have lots to be thankful for!

Utah v. BYU- 48-24 - Nov 22, 2008

Before I put up an update about the baby, I had to put up a few pics from Gregg's Utah v. BYU excitement! He was anxious ALL day and could hardly wait to get to the game. He got a new haircut that afternoon with me... I don't know if you can see it in this picture, but he is one stylin, sexy man! This is right before the big rivalry began... Gregg on the verge of a heart attack. The game would start out rather close, but Utah, being the amazing team they are, eventually pulled away and ran with it!

Utah beat BYU 48-24, it was amazing! Between crazy touchdowns and interceptions in our favor, it was a GREAT game! Mostly because we won it! But many of the players played the game of their lives! And Gregg was there to see it! 12-0 record and Mountain West Conference Champs! It will probably his only Utah v. BYU game of his college career, so he waited until all the young, crazy bucks stormed the field, then he and Mark made their way onto the field! Quite the treat for my man!

The final score, 48-24, Utah kicked butt and took names. By the end of the weekend, Utah made it's way to 6th in the BCS rankings and is a BCS Bowl Game buster for the second time! We're not just good... we're GREAT! Go Utes!

Some late pictures

As mentioned previously, Gregg and I went through a big of a nightmare in the 6th week thinking that we had lost our baby. But thankfully, we had my parents in town those couple days and Cherie, Katie and Ian came to visit a few days later. It was SUCH an emotional rollercoaster, but it was so great to have family around to help us through it. Here is a picture of my lovely parents, Marv and Ruby, who rarely come out to UT at the same time, but make us appreciate the fact that they did even more! Gregg and I have created an amazing support system for each other in the 7 years we've been together, but having my parents there, being so far from home, was a blessing in itself.

Awww, this is us with Cherie, Kaite and Ian during their visit to SLC. They came down with Cherie's friend, Cindy and her daughter Chelsea. We managed to get to see them a few times though. Gregg swam in the pool at their hotel with Ian and we did dinner twice. Once with EVERYONE to include my parents! And the second, the night before they left town. We love all our visits!

This was dinner on our 3 yr Anniversary. We thought we would commemorate the occasion. We were the only couple eating at the restaurant, so we did get excellent service!

Gregg and I at the Utah v. TCU game on Nov 6th! It was chilly, but lots of fun! A friend of Gregg's gave him one of his family's season tickets, so Gregg is going to get to go to the Utah v. BYU game on Nov 22nd. Gregg is SO excited! It's our biggest rivalry and it's at the U this year. It probably would've been Gregg's last chance to go, so while I will be sad that it's the only home game I'm missing, the excitement on his face and getting to watch it from our warm apartment will be more than enough for me!

Today, I am 10 weeks and 3 days, so slowly I'm getting there. I realized today that I am, apparently, not worrying as much or trying not to think about it as much? I feel like 10 weeks is pretty good! I just have to get through 2.5 more to be relieved of SOME of my worries!

Celebrated our 3 Year Anniversary!

Yesterday, Nov 5th, was our 3 year Anniversary and it was Great! I knew Gregg had planned something for a while, so he had told me to take Thursday off because we were going to spend the night somewhere. So, I left work a little early yesterday because he ended up letting go of the "surprise" a little early! ;-) He had booked a room at a really nice resort hotel at the Canyons Ski Resort in Park City, with a fireplace, jetted tub and balcony in the room! It was a little strange because the hotel was a bit like a ghost town being out of season... which is also why we got a great rate on the room! We had dinner at The Cabin which was within the hotel. We were the first table seated of the night.. ha ha, so we got the best table in the restaurant with a fireplace right next to the table! It was nice just having all that time together!

Today, we went back down to The Cabin for the breakfast that came with our room package. We were able to get whatever we wanted, so we had a super yummy breakfast as well! We hung out a little longer at the hotel and then headed to a Mexican restaurant on our way out of Park City... it was a Wonderful Anniversary! I had told Gregg that I would like to own Pretty Woman on DVD (I think I have it on video) because it is a classic and I love it, so that is what he got me. And I got tickets for he and I to a Jazz game on a Saturday in December, which he loved!

We have been more than ecstatic about the election results and it's been fun to talk about together because we are on the same page for a lot of our political beliefs. We have felt that Obama was what the country needed and we couldn't be more elated about the history this election made.

Today, we're getting ready for the big Utah v. TCU game tonight. Gregg is SUPER excited! It's going to be a tough game and we just want them to win! It's going to be super duper cold, so hopefully, I stay relatively warm!

This week I am 9 weeks pregnant. So, slowly, but surely I'm getting there! A friend of mine at work did a little research on the internet for me about the flu shot and most of what she found said that anyone who is going to be pregnant during flu season should get the shot. As well as it is more harmful for the baby should a woman get the actual flu. So, that makes me feel a lot better and I'm super thankful she did that. I just didn't want to look and find a lot of bad news. So, all is well! We're happy, healthy and excited for all that is to come!

A Fear

So, one thing I forgot to mention in my last post was something else from my 8 week nurse appointment that upset me quite a bit. When Gregg and I were sitting in one of the appointment rooms at 6 weeks from the scare we had, in the room a sign was posted. It read, "It is recommended that ALL pregnant women get the flu vaccine". Well, it just so happened that was a question I had because the Court was going to be giving out flue shots the next week. So, I thought, how convenient, they have it posted right there... looks like I'm supposed to get the shot! So, I get the shot.

So, at my 8 week appointment, I'm in a different room, but the same sign is posted. But like I said, she gave me a bit of handout information. While she left the room to prepare my lab sheet, I read over it. One of the pieces of information was about the flu shot. It said, "The flu vaccine is recommended for all pregnant women, AFTER their first trimester." So, I started to freak out and when she came back in the room, I asked her about it. She said things like, "yeah, we don't recommend it for women still in their first trimester" and "it doesn't matter if you haven't had any symptoms, it affects the pregnancy". She told me that she would talk to the Doctor for me and get back to me. But we ran into another one of the Doctors in the hallway as we left the room. The nurse told her about my fear now and the conflicting information and Dr. Morgan said that they changed the issue 2 or 3 years ago and that they now recommend it for all pregnant women and that I shouldn't worry. But I'm still worrying! Why would they still have that in the handout then? Why after I left the office did other pregnant women know about this first trimester thing and I didn't? Why wouldn't they have said something? Why do they have the sign posted if there is still concern? Even our friend that is a nurse said that the nurse that gives out their flu shots said that it is recommended for all pregnant women, but that most pregnant women don't get it during the first trimester. The problem is that now I'm paranoid. I still take my temperature every day to make sure it doesn't start to drop and it was down .2 degrees today. I did take it later than I normally would so I'm going to chalk it up to the time and hope all is well tomorrow. I just ask that if I still have people checking this out occasionally that you pray for the baby and that the flu shot not have any negative impacts on its health. And that I might stop worrying so much about it! ;-)

Estimated Due Date Given!

So, I had my 8 week appointment with the nurse on Thursday, 10/30. Not as exciting as getting to see an ultrasound and see a heartbeat, but I'll take anything! She gave me information about common symptoms, when to be concerned, any over the counter medication that is safe to take and answered any of my questions. The one fun piece of information I got to take away was an official estimated due date!! Ready?? Ready??? I don't know how accurate, but here it is..

June 8, 2009!

The other good thing to come out of it was a blood draw. My Mom has been pretty concerned for a while, since we had a good friend find out she had it during her pregancy, that there is a chance I could have Factor 5 Leiden, which is a common hereditary blood disorder. It's a Scandinavian thing and she convinced me to talk to my Doctor about it when I met with her during the 6th week. She did order it apparently along with a Lupus test, so I guess all we can hope is that everything comes out without any concerning results! That's all the news for now! June 2009 is going to be a Very busy month!

A Picture of our Rice Crispy!!

It's official (well, as official as the internet is!), I became 7 weeks pregnant on Wednesday. So, I guess that would make me 7 weeks 2 days! I'll take it any way it comes!

Today, I had my check up from last week's scare. It was the same Ultrasound Tech from last week, she was going to do the Ultrasound but brought in a female doctor as well. I wasn't sure how I felt about all of it at first. She wasn't nearly as gentle on me as Dr. Ball had been the week before and I had to ask what happened to the heartbeat! They just said, "Oh, it's there... we just haven't gone slow enough for you to see it yet... See, there it is". Ugh... hello! But shortly thereafter, they wanted to compare last week to this week, so they did find Dr. Ball and he completed the Ultrasound. He is SO GREAT! I'm not kidding, I am going to have to ask for him specifically from now on!

I am sad to say, although he/she will always be my little rice crispy, Dr. Ball said very soon, he/she will become more like a cocktail sausage... and eh hem, that doesn't sound nearly as endearing! He said it is still on the large scale for a rice crispy so I'm keeping the name for now!

What he determined... he believes he has ruled out the fact that it could've been a second baby. It looks like it was a hematoma that has largely cleared up. There is still a little blood pocket hanging out around the baby's sac, so he just said not to panic should I have a little bleeding. And as far as the ectopic goes, it must have looked a little better because he said that he thinks that there is an even smaller chance than he found last week that it would be ectopic. The fact that I haven't had any pain is also a good indicator. He thinks that whatever he is seeing might be a small blood clot. He didn't mention any concern over that though, so I'm guessing there isn't any?

But the good thing, Gregg and I were on such an emotional rollercoaster last time we were there, we fogot to ask for a picture to commemorate the occasion, so I made sure to ask for one this time! I have attached it above! The picture on the right is easier to see. The bigger mass is the baby. The little mass next to it is what's feeding it. And the line around all of it, which is hard to see, is the outside of the yolk sack that it's hanging out in! I will go have my 8 week check up with the nurse this next Thursday, on the 30th. Today... we are very happy!! It's been fun to get to show people an actual picture! He/she is really in there!

We also had the Pastor from our church over for a visit last night. It was really great to get to know each other better. Gregg and I decided we really liked the church after hearing him that first Sunday. He is truly a great Pastor and it's been nice that he has taken an interest in us and making us feel welcome. We have been invited to his family's house after church on Sunday to experience traditional Zambian food (He is from Zambia). It sounds delicious and was very kind of him! So, we're going to go to a movie this weekend with our friends, Jason and Ali, eat dinner for charity for cancer Saturday night and get to top it off with a nice lunch on Sunday with the Pastor's family. So, here is to what was a Great day and what will be a Great weekend!

Total Devastation... with a Blessing for an ending

My parents told us at the beginning of the week that they were going to come out and visit... together! Which RARELY happens! Somehow, one or the other always manages to make it out here for a visit... so this was exciting stuff. They were going to come in on Wednesday right about the time I got off work. I planned to take a few hours off on Friday for their last real day and so did Gregg. Things were great!..... right? Wrong!

I picked my parents up at the airport and we stopped by the grocery store as usual on the way home to pick up any necessities for their visit. I hadn't had a chance to use the bathroom before I left work, so I HAD to go at the grocery store... YUCK! Well, because I have had a lot of fear of something bad happening, I typically just check to make sure I don't have any bleeding (Sorry of this is Too Much Information!... but it's necessary!).

Well, my worst nightmare had come true. Right there, in the Smith's grocery store bathroom, I realized I was bleeding. I was truly devestated and shocked. My parents just happy to be there were walking around the grocery store getting random things... I had to walk up to my Dad who was the first one I came across... he could see something was wrong... and tell him that we had miscarried. I started crying and found my Mom. There we were, crying in the middle of the grocery store... I was DEVASTED. I didn't know what to do. The floor had fallen right out from under me. The future we were planning, the changes we were making physically, mentally and emotionally were crumbling right then and there. I didn't want to have to tell Gregg... oh God, I didn't want to have to tell Gregg. And all my friends that I'd told? I was empty inside... and angry. I did get a hold of Gregg and told him. By the time we got home from the grocery store, he was home. Gregg and I hugged and cried. I called the Dr. for the office I'm going through and we decided it would be best to wait until the morning and get an ultrasound and blood test. So, that night, we got it out... Gregg called his parents, we all cried... we were all sad and prepared for the worst.

The next day, the whole family went to St. Mark's to start the process. Gregg and I were expecting the worst. I went to the ultrasound first. After a little process thanks to some bad information to chug water (Mother!), the Dr. (Dr. Ball) said, well I'm going to need you to go empty your bladder again, BUT... I DO SEE THE HEARTBEAT RIGHT HERE..... DO YOU GUYS SEE THE HEARTBEAT! I about started bawling right there on the table. The Dr. said... "Well, when it's the size of a rice krispy, it's hard to see everything, but you can see the flickering... that's the heartbeat". We were on cloud nine... we still had a heartbeat! Our rice krispy was still there... alive and kicking! We truly just couldn't believe it.

Getting to tell my parents was so great... my Mom started bawling yet again. It was SO GOOD to have them here. We needed the support. After talking with Dr. Ball and being lucky enough to get to talk to my actual physician, Dr. Kinghorn, the bleeding was caused by one of two things: 1. It's a hematoma (blood clot) which 60% of the time will result in a totally normal pregnancy or 2. It was a twin that stopped developing. Either way, for the most part, it sounds as though neither will really affect our beautiful rice krispy that is growing at a normal pace for 6 weeks. There was one other abnormality with my ultrasound, there is something appearing on the outside of the uterus.... which could be something that is providing the hormones to the baby... which is a GREAT thing and the option we're hoping for.... OR it could be a second or third embryo which could mean ectopic... which would mean they would have to terminate the healthy baby in order to treat the ectopic pregnancy. The Dr. said that that is a 5% chance or 1 in 30,000.... so, we're really praying that it's not what it is. I have an additional ultrasound on the 23rd so that they can see what has changed and maybe clear some things up.

But Gregg and I learned that Prayer can be challenging at times. We prayed so hard and were so grateful, but we discovered the common question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" "Why would God do this", etc. We also prayed for forgiveness for the anger. Those questions may never have the perfect answer, but right now... they aren't questions we're going to have to torment ourselves over. We were BLESSED. We continue to be BLESSED. Our rice krispy, our future baby, is still with us. We know the hard road is not over, but for now, this was an emotional, difficult detour. We pray that God will continue to bless our lives with this baby. And we were so thankful to have family here to support us and help us through what was, by far, the hardest two days of our marriage.

First Posting!... We're Pregnant!

Gregg and I have been planning for quite some time to start a family! We figured there is a long road ahead of us with Gregg's school, so there seemed to be no better time like the present to make our family bigger! So, Gregg and I found out on October 1st that we are blessed to be parents-to-be! It is still VERY early, at present, I am 6 weeks along! So, Gregg and I really struggled with what to do about telling people.

But I came to the conclusion with the help of my beautiful mother, that if I'm going to tell the people that I love if something goes wrong, that I would have wanted them there when times were good! And they're good NOW! We know it's early and we are hoping and praying for the best. We are so ready for this and thank God every night for this wonderful gift! So, to commemorate our wonderful news, I've decided to become a "blogger"- blasphemy!! Ha ha! We'll see how well I do!

I have also submitted my early discharge paperwork for the Army based on this pregnancy, so all we can do is pray that the paperwork goes through before the stop loss is placed on my unit for this upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, preventing me from getting out. I am supposed to get out of the Army March 4th, but the sooner the better as we are ready to focus on our family.

So, this is also a request for any additional prayers to be sent by you to the Father that blessed us with this most amazing gift! We need all the help we can get! Thank you to those who have shared in our excitement with this news and who always support us. It is most appreciated.