caprisuns & french style green beans *yummy*

Today was a rough day.
Last night was a VERY rough night.
I was sick after eating supper last night and it lasted all night!
It was very hard keeping three children today after having no sleep and feeling the need to purge every 30 seconds.

They are not lying when they talk about the weird cravings that pregnant women have. Today the thought of fruit punch caprisun drinks & french style green beans sounded scrumptious! Of course by the time the end of the day rolled around it didn't sound that great anymore! My poor poor husband!

I took my entire refrigerator apart and cleaned it from top to bottom. Bryant and I are normally very clean people but our refrigerator did not reflect that. I also cleaned out and organized our pantry. It is such a wonderful feeling to open the pantry door and not have something fall on me. I took before and after pictures of the refrigerator but I'm too lazy to get up and find my camera cord to upload the pictures. I'll do it after while.(*I know that isn't proper grammar*)

My mom and dad are coming in the morning! I've very very very excited!

Hope everyone out there in blog land had a fantastic day.

Good News

I just found out that one of my pregnant buddies (Ashley G.) is having a GIRL! I really really thought she was having a boy. Also, they told her the baby is completely healthy! YAY!
So today I'm so happy for them. I know that has to be such a great feeling. I am also trying to be very patient. I know that we have another 6 weeks until we find out what our little bambino is. I'm still feeling girl but who knows....it could be Baby Boy Cloud.

That's our baby!

Today we went to the doctor for our first ultrasound. Bryant and I were thinking it really wasn't going to be that big of a deal. I know that sounds horrible but I've seen a ton of little "baby blobs" from other friend's ultrasound pictures. I knew it would be nice to know that things were going ok but basically that was it. We got into the room and the ultrasound started. The ultrasound lady (who was so so nice..her name is Sheila) didn't give us any warning at all. All of the sudden we hear this loud heartbeat. It was so surreal. I was in complete awe of the moment and of what I was hearing. It felt real to me for the first time since we've found out we were having a baby. Then she turned the monitor around and we got to actually see the heart beating. It was a fast little heartbeat too - 168 bpm!! Sheila told us everything was exactly where it needed to be. She said the baby looked great and healthy. Then it happened....Bryant and I sitting out in the waiting room before we saw the doctor became those people.........starring at the baby blob. I think we looked at the pictures for 15 minutes straight. It really is different when it's your baby blob. It was great to see Dr. Hensarling again. She is so great. I did gain some weight but she said with the way I've been feeling not to worry at all. I'm still very very nauseous all day long and very tired. She said it would probably be another month of that. Also, BIG BIG NEWS....they changed my due date from August 30 to September 3!!! So instead of being 9 weeks and 2 days pregnant - I am 8 weeks and 4 days pregnant. I was kinda sad about that. I felt like I've earned those extra 5 days. Oh well.....So that is the update. I'll keep you posted!

hello out there.....

I need some help.
If you are reading this blog would you please comment on this post.
I have no way of seeing any type of stats on blogger.
I know there should be a way I can see how many people are viewing this blog.
If anyone knows how I can find out that info..Please let me know.
It would be extremely lovely if you would just leave a little comment
.....even if it is just "hello".

I feel like I have morphed into zombie-form.
Hopefully, the more human-like traits like speaking clearly, remembering things, eyes that aren't glossed (or is it glassed..see what I'm talking about) over, able to understand normal things that people say or ask.........will return whenever my body (& baby) decide to let me sleep again.

I haven't left my house in 9 days! Last weekend I felt so badly I literally laid on the couch the entire weekend. I am such a bum. This week the thought of doing anything besides running to the bed by 7pm makes my head hurt. To top it all off the children I keep have decided to revolt against ALL authority and not nap this week. Including the 7 month old little boy who normally sleeps 4 hours a day. He has decided to replace that time with high pitched squeals and screams.

I know it will get better. It is a little annoying though how any medical person (nurse, doctor...even the receptionist) you talk to gets so FLIPPING (*Mama, if you are reading this I do apologize for the use of the word flipping. I know you raised me better and it is extremely un-ladylike.*) excited when you tell them you feel like crap and your nauseous 24/7. It is like the have a parade in honor of morning sickness. *

(*I promise that a more positive tone and attitude will come back soon...at this point 3-4 hours of sleep would be cause for celebration and fireworks.*)

Even though it may not seem like it today, I am SO excited about this baby. I am so ready to know him or her. (We definitely think it is a girl.)

five letters that I need so desperately

SLEEP
It amazing how difficult things can become when you get no sleep.
Last night is the most sleep I've had since I've been pregnant. I never thought I would get excited about 4 hours of sleep. My sweet sweet sweet (*yes, he deserves three sweets*) husband stopped on his way home from work and picked me up some Aromatherapy Lotion and Oils form Bath & Body Works. I think it actually did help me relax.
I'm hoping to get at least another 4 hours tonight. Nauseous is still in full force. The only time I really feel good is when I'm eating. Isn't that just lovely. Hopefully, I can try to control that so I don't become an extra large cow. Anyway, Bryant and I go to the doctor on Monday to have an ultrasound. I am getting excited. I want to make sure there is just one baby in there. I know that my life is way to boring for something like twins to happen to me but it has been in the back of my mind.
Ok - that's all I've got.

raise your right hand and repeat after me....

I will not be a fatty!
I will not be a fatty!
I will not be a fatty!

I just finished working out with Denise Austen and she said that I don't have to be a fatty!
It is just extremely hard when everything your body craves is horrible for you! I haven't been giving in though. I mean of course I've been bad a couple of times but not daily. I'm going to try to let myself have one bad thing a week.

I wanted to take the dogs to Kiesel (the dog park in Auburn) but it is too cold! I love cold weather but when it gets in the teens I start to complain. I do not know what I'm going to do with myself today. I spent all yesterday cleaning and doing laundry. It is so wonderful to sit in a super clean house! I LOVE IT! Anywho - Maybe I will talk my sweet and wonderful husband into going to the movies. I'm sure he will say yes since we have a $50 gift certificate.

Hope you all are enjoying your Saturday and staying warm!

A side of fatigue and extreme hormones for me please!

I know I have completely dropped the ball and not updated this blog in several days. I absolutely HATE it when people don't update their blogs daily. I'm sorry but even with all the excitement we have going on, our life is pretty boring!

People need to really really think long and hard before getting pregnant. I just wish I could even come close to explaining how tired I am. I sit down in the floor with the kids and just cry sometimes. I am having to go splash cold water in my face several times a day to not just collapse. I know I sound like a huge complainer. I'm actually happy even though my brain feels like mush. I know that it is good to feel symptoms so I am trying to be very positive.

One of the highlights of this weekend was the fact that our favorite show is back on. 24 is not just a television show...it is an experience. It is also great to connect with our "24 buddies" and get together to watch the show. *We love this show so much we named our dog Jack Bauer, after the main character!) This isn't going to mean anything to anyone that wasn't here on Monday night but for documentation purpose I would just like to note than Keri S. would really like a pac-man shirt!

Bryant and I finally took a picture together. I can't believe that we have known we were pregnant for almost 4 weeks and we still haven't taken one. So anyway - Here it is:

I didn't want Bryant touching my stomach because that is just weird so I put my hand on his!

One last thing....Yesterday was our sweet Dudley boy's birthday. He is 4 years old. Bless his heart he doesn't realize how much his little doggy life is going to change when the baby gets here. I guess it won't be too bad on him. If he has a blanket and a pillow to lay on he is happy.

Ok - That's all I've got!

I love Dr. Henserling!

Our doctor's apt went fantastic!
I absolutely love Dr. Henserling. She is great!
They told me everything was right on track. I go back in two weeks
for an ultrasound. I'll know the exact due date then. They will also measure my stomach (auuggh!) and tell me how big the baby is.
They are thinking it's going to be around August 29-31.
Bryant is hoping for 9-9-09. (I don't want the baby to share it's b'day with Bryant!!)
Anyway - nothing much really to report. Everyone was so nice and helpful. I think
I made a great decision by picking Dr. H

Ok that's it.

*I know this post was really really boring. sorry maybe it will get better!*

patience is a virtue....that I DON'T have

Tomorrow we go to the doctor! woohoo! This has been the longest week of my life. You would think I would have enough assurance (*i hope that is the correct word to use there*) since I've taken probably 15 pregnancy test! No, that would be what a normal person would need. Even though my boobs hurt to move and I feel like I'm drugged all day long...oh yeah and the fact that I'm almost 3 and weeks late, I still need a doctor to confirm that yes we are definitely 100% pregnant.

I will post an update tomorrow.

Happy note...Everything I ordered from Forever21 came in today and it ALL fit w/ room to spare which is very much needed these days.

seriously...

this pregnancy has been the worst kept secret ever....

Excuse me? Can I get caffeine shot straight into my bloodstream???

First off, let me apologize. This blog is probably going to be very boring for some people to read. These next few weeks I'm just basically trying to document this topsy-turvy hormonal roller coaster that I'm on.

I have never been this tired in my life. I feel like someone is slipping Benedryl in my coffee. I literally cannot keep my eyes open. Everyone says it's normal and it happened to them. I don't believe it. This is so extreme they need to come up with another name for it besides fatigue. I had to get up and walk around the house today so I wouldn't fall asleep in mid-conversation on the phone!

I know what you are thinking.....I am a big loser. I'm really not trying to complain. I guess I need to be thanking my lucky stars that I'm not hugging the porcelain throne every morning.

That's all for today.

*Please not that I am trying to be a good pregnant lady person and not drink hardly any caffeine during the day. I did not want the title of this blog to misrepresent that. Thanks.

mmm mmm good

I am not a milk fan....until now! I am embarrassed to say that I drank almost a half gallon of milk today! I guess it is a good thing we drink skim milk.

Heaven on Earth

I know this looks really scary. If you are looking at the screen turning your head from left to right wondering what this could be....don't fret! You are not the first person to look at this and go "HUH?". This lovely item is a huge pillow! **thanks Nicole for letting me borrow this while you aren't using it**It can be used as a "n" or a "u". It is designed for pregnant women. I have been having a lot of lower back pain and this wonderful contraption has been a God-send! Bryant (and other men) refer to it as the "impenetrable pillow". There is really no way to get to someone in the bed when they are using this thing. Pregnant or Not - This is a must have!

Still no morning sickness!! Woohoo & Praise the Lord!

Today has been a crazy day. We are putting in a closet system in the master bedroom. In order to do that we had to take everything out of the closet. I was thinking about posting a picture of what our bedroom looks like right now but my better judgment told me not too. Once everything is looking pretty and neat I'll post some photos.

New Year's Resolution

This will probably be the first year in a LONG time that my number 1 resolution will not be to lose weight. woohoo! I guess I shouldn't get too excited seeing that #1 is still probably going to be weight related.

1. Try to have a very healthy & happy pregnancy.
2. To be in the moment & not stress about the future
3. To read my Bible through this year
4. Get all of the artificial junk out of my life
**this has several meanings....people, food, cleaners...etc.**
5. Try to be a lot nicer to my husband
6. Spend less money!

**we tried to take a picture of Bauer with the
2009 tiara but it didn't work...so here is our sweet Dudley**

Happy New Year! (and babies)

Last night we went and saw Baby Finn.
He is so beautiful.
All 9 lbs and 3 oz!!

It seems like just yesterday Siggi was telling us that she was pregnant.

Here are more pictures from our New Year's Eve visit to the hospital.

(We also went and saw Baby Gray but my picture of him did not turn out. Heather is doing great and Baby Grey is very beautiful as well!!)





(Siggi is holding up the "F" sugar cookies I made to welcome Finn!)

The Big Announcement (Dec. 27 & Dec. 28)

(Poor Chaz....I think we scared him!)





(Please note that Donnie thought the pregnancy test was a rectal thermometer.)
*I do apologize that the word "boobs" was used during this video*

The big day (Dec. 27)

December 27 - Today I found out that I'm pregnant. I didn't think I was at all. This was our first month to try. I had taken a test on the 22nd and it was negative. That was the day my period was supposed to start so I assumed the test was correct. As soon as I got back in town from Baldwin Co. I took a test just as a precautionary thing. I didn't want to eat or drink anything I shouldn't if I could be pregnant. I am so used to my period being late that I really thought it was a No-go this month. I take the test and forget about it. It is just sitting in the bathroom. I called my friend Jill to make arrangements for dinner and Bryant says, "Uh, you might want to go back in the bathroom." It didn't even register! I was so surprised the the test was positive. I took 2 more just to be sure. What a happy happy happy day! Bryant and I are so excited to have this kid!

*I needed a "start" picture to go by*

Our Story

Bryant and I met when we were 18 & 16. He was in his first year of college and I was a senior in high school. We went on our first date December 21, 2001. I knew that night that he would be the person that I would marry. I was right.
We were married on August 2, 2003. 

 We live in the lovely town of Auburn.

We have experienced joy and had more fun than we ever imagined. Marriage is hard and it's work but we have loved being married. Bryant is my favorite person.

 We have two sweet dogs...

 

Dudley & Bauer

We found out we were expecting a baby on December 27, 2008! We had experienced a miscarriage in 2005, so there was still a sense of nervousness that accompanied the news.

In March we found out our new addition was going to be a baby boy!

 On May 5, 2009 I went into preterm labor
at 23 weeks gestation
Our sweet Baby Nate went to be with Jesus in the early morning hours on May 6, 2009
 Click here to read the email we sent out
to friends and family


Our lives are very different now. This is not the road we ever expected to be on.We have experienced the Lord's Presence and Comfort in a very real way.We have experienced losing two other babies since delivering Nate.
Even though early miscarriages are different than
delivering a stillborn child, the pain is still the same.
This road has not been easy.
It has been trying and hard. At the same time, Bryant and I have grown into new and different people. Our priorities in this life have totally changed.
Our focus is on Jesus and His promises!
We know that one day
He will make all things new...and His timing will be perfect for us.
This blog is a documentation of sorts...of our journey....
Thanks to all of you who have decided to walk with us.

About Me

I'm Courtney.
I am a:
wife
mother to babies in Heaven
daughter
sister
aunt
niece
granddaughter
cousin
friend
neighbor
studio manager
ministry assistant
conservative
southerner
Auburn fan
coffee addict
music lover
crazy dog person
online shopper
writer & blogger
but most of all...
I am a Jesus follower. I am nothing with His Grace.