What I'm Lovin' (Pregnancy Version)

Just a few things I'm lovin' right now!!

My baby bump! Some days I feel huge and some days I don't

feel pregnant at all. But I love to hear people say

"oh you look so cute" or "you don't look very big at all"

Makes this pregger feel special!! (even if it isn't the truth)

Knowing I will be in the third trimester in less than 2 weeks!

Ironically it makes me a little sad at the same time, only

because I know how fast this pregnancy has gone, and

how even faster things will go once Morgan gets here.

Knowing Morgan will be here in about 12 weeks!!

Wow! When you say it in weeks it's sounds so

very close!!!!

Getting things started on Morgan's room. The class

came over today to measure her room and look at it.

The teacher told me that the kids are really coming up with

some really cute ideas! I can't wait to see them!

Knowing our baby shower and our maternity pictures

are about a month away! Just one more thing I

have dreamed about my whole life. I can't wait to see

all the cute things Morgan will get!!

Seeing Cory get just a little bit excited. I love it when

he reaches over every once in a while to feel her move.

He still thinks it's weird, but I think he thinks it's pretty cool

even if doesn't admit it. ;)

Going into her room and seeing her crib put up. Makes me wanna

go buy her mattress right now! I can't wait for the fabric to

come in and mom get it finished! It's going to be super cute!!

The new clothes I ordered her! Makes me wanna buy more and more!

And bows, and shoes, and headbands and.......................;)

Love this little girl so much already and we haven't even met.

The best is yet to be!

Hoping it Goes Good

Ok, maybe I just need to stop reading other people's posts because they have all been bad. One mom said the first 5 weeks of her babies life was terrible. She had the baby blues and cried all the time. Another one I just read said they had to go back to the hospital because of jaundice and her baby wasn't nursing. Another one said she hadn't had sleep for like 4 days and the baby wouldn't stop crying. Oh my, what have I gotten myself into? I am soooo hoping that Cory has a lot of days left by then so he can stay home the rest of the school year (which is only like 2 weeks) and that my mom and/or my Granny Jan can come and stay. I know they will both be a lot of help and hopefully help make things not so bad. I really hope I am just freaking out and that everything goes great. I am very thankful that she is due at the beginning of May and that I won't have to miss much school and Cory and I will have all summer together.

The pregnancy is going amazingly well and quickly. In 2 weeks I will be in the third trimester! The next time I go to the Dr. I will be 30 weeks! 30 weeks!! Wow!! And I have to take the glucose test this next time but the Dr. said since everything is going so well he doesn't think I will have any problems with it. We went to the Dr. on Wednesday and actually saw Dr. Wright's partner. It turned out ok though because he will be assisting with the c-section. He was nice but we do like Dr. Wright better. He answered any questions we had and checked a few things. Said I was still growing normal and my blood pressure looked good. He went over the c-section a little bit and told us it was ok for our photographer to be in the delivery room with us!! Yay!

There is a design class at the high school and they needed somebodies house to redo a room in. My husband got asked if we wanted anything done since our house is about 100 feet from the high school.
He was not looking forward to painting or helping so he willingly accepted. I went Friday to talk to the class and show them things I liked and discuss the room. I am very nervous because I am afraid I won't like it (I have a small thing of liking to be in control) but at the same time it really is a huge blessing. Neither Cory or I have any time to do much outside of work. Cory was not looking forward to painting since we just painted this past summer. And we always have good intentions of doing something and a lot of times it doesn't get done. So this way I know it will get done and in time. The next thing that we have to do is after the kids come up with different room ideas I will go back and pick which one I like the best. I am excited to see what they have come up with. I gave them lots of ideas and they seemed to have some of their own. Cory and I are suppose to put the crib up today. We will see if that happens. ;)

Just a Little Worried

I have been thinking about things lately and wondering how things will go. If you know me at all you know I do not do good with change and I am afraid of the unknown. I have heard many horror stories about breast feeding, hospital stays, epidurals, the first week home, jaundice. I also think that things go worse when you expect one thing and something else happens. I want to be prepared for what might happen and not be naive to think that everything will go amazingly well. I know a lot about babies even though I have never been a mom, I am an aunt, I have been a nanny and have babysat tons of kiddos. Now I know babysitting and being a mom two totally different things but I also know that I am not going into this process completely dumb. Now that's about babies, but that has nothing to do with delivery.

One thing that scares me is I'm afraid I'm going to freak out on the operating table. I am very glad that Cory will be in there with me, but I can imagine myself laying there thinking about the fact that as I lay there awake they are cutting my body open. Or that I will freak about the fact that I can't get up bc I am numb and if I do my guts will hang out. Now I am not claustrophobic but I did have to calm myself down when I got my MRI done. I can completely understand why people freak out in that little tube!

I know nothing about breast feeding at all! I like the thought of it and I hope I do it, but I'm not so sure it will happen. I am dreading the sore, cracked, dry, etc part. I have been praying that breast feeding will go smoothly and that I won't have any problems. I need to find a book to read about it.

I have heard so many horror stories about the first week home, it's not even funny. Baby cried the WHOLE night, she won't eat, has her nights and days mixed up, we had to take her back to the hospital, we didn't get to take her home, on and on. I pray everyday that the first week goes wonderful! And that Morgan is a good baby.

I just don't want to have this perfect dream in my head and then everything goes terrible. I want to remind myself that it's not going to go perfect and it will probably be far from dreamy.

We go to the Dr. next week and I will be 26 weeks. Crazy to think that I am this far already and Morgan will be here before we know it!

6 Months

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 6 months

Size of Baby: approximately a foot long, and just over a pound

Gender: Girl!!! Morgan Amory Russell

Maternity Clothes: Yes! Maternity pants, and some maternity shirts.

I can still wear some of my regular shirts and some

regular pants with my belly bad, but not many.

Weight Gain: 17 pounds

Movement: She moves ALL the time! And usually at the

same time of day. She is very active at night when I lay

on my back. Cory has felt her kick once or twice but usually

when he tries to feel her she stops. Poor guy :)

Sleep: I am still sleeping pretty good. I usually get up

once to use the bathroom but not more then that. I am not

looking forward to the days when I am so uncomfortable

that I can't sleep.

Symptoms: Still have lots of heartburn and acid reflux. It doesn't

matter what I eat, I get it. I have really noticed swelling in my legs

the past couple of weeks. I'm sure it's because I am on my feet

all day long. I wore my high heel boots the other day and know

that I am not going to be able to wear them much longer. It's

getting harder and harder to put my shoes on, bend over, get up, etc.

I get out of breath easily and noticed my hips hurting some.

Cravings: The past weeks I haven't really craved anything. This week

I have just craved something really good but not sure what it is.

Silly, I know!!

Best Moment of the Month: Getting to see my belly

move for the first time! I didn't think I would

see her move like this for a while but I was happily surprised

last night to watch her kick! So sweet!

Back to the Daily Grind

We start back to work tomorrow. We are both very thankful for the 2 week break but not looking forward to going back. We have so enjoyed the time spent with family and friends and most importantly each other. It's been so nice to sleep in, have lazy mornings (and days) and do as we please. During the school year we don't get to see each other as much as we would like because we are so busy with work. It doesn't help that my husband is a basketball coach. When ball season is in full swing my nights with Cory are few and far between. I hate this and start to miss him. So when we get a break, we try to spend as much time together as possible.

I know this will be a hard, long work week because the kids will be CRU-AZY!!! It's never easy to come back from a break of any length and get the kiddos back into routine. But after a 2 week break, they will be insane. Hoping to keep my sanity and so thankful it is only a 4 day work week.

My sweet friend Amy scheduled our baby shower at the school and I am super excited. She also bought Morgan (or Amy Jr. as she calls her) some more clothes. Sooooo sweet!!! I can't wait for Morgan to wear them!! We also got Morgans crib from our friends this past week. I can't wait to talk Cory into putting it up. Who knows how that will end up. Poor guy does not have the patience when it comes to stuff like that.

I'll be 23 weeks this Thursday. Can't believe I am almost to 6 months! Crazy how fast things go! Baby Morgan will be here before we know it! With work and basketball season these next couple of months are sure to go by quickly! Ready but not ready for end of April because I know once she gets here things will go even quicker!!!

Our Top 11 in 2011

As 2011 draws to an end I thought I would blog about our top 11 things we are thankful for this year. We were both in a hard time in our life last year and the beginning of 2011. Thankfully we kept our faith in God and He brought us through. After the school year ended things started to look up. I want to always remember to be thankful and remember the many blessings that God so graciously gives us.

# 11 We sold my junk car and bought a new dependable one. We were more than thankful to get rid of my escape. It was falling apart and not dependable. That was always very frustrating and scary. We got a great deal on a Dodge Journey.

#10 We celebrated our 6th year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been 6 years already! (I know I say that every year, but it's amazing to me how fast time flies) During our anniversary we went to visit my grandparents and mom in Horatio, AR. It wasn't really a celebration of any type but it was nice to be with family and enjoy their company.

#9 Cory got a new coaching job at Summersville High School. He is the head boys basketball coach, athletic director, and the high school PE teacher. We are so thankful for the move and happy to be in a place that the boys have good attitudes and a heart to play ball. It makes such a difference and he is very happy so far with his new job.

#8 I got my first teaching job at Summersville Elementary. I am one of the two first grade teachers and the Jr. high and high school cheerleading coach. There has been both good and bad times so far but I know a lot of that has to do with the fact that I am a first year teacher. I have enjoyed my first year of teaching but I am looking forward to next year when I have better knowledge and confidence.

#7 We were ecstatic to celebrate my mom's one year anniversary of her kidney transplant. Through out the year every week and month was a milestone to one year of everything going exactly the way it should. She ended up having no big ordeals and everything seems to be going very well! 

#6 Cory surprised me for my birthday with a sweet Boston Terrier, Abby. We love her to death and are so in love with her. I always thought people were ridiculous when they acted like their dog was their child, I now understand. She is the sweetest, cutest, stinker ever. We absolutely adore her!

#5 We found out we are expecting our first child! It was such a surprise after trying for 2 years. This is what I am most thankful for and can not wait for the arrival of baby Russell in late April!

#4 Finding out the gender of our baby- it's a girl! And seeing her move like crazy on the ultrasound screen. We are so thankful that Morgan seems to be doing great, growing like she should be and the pregnancy is going pretty good. We have had no concerns or scares so far.

#3 We have made two very close friends since we moved to Summersville and know that they have become life long important people in our lives. They are truly amazing people and we are so thankful they are here for us no matter what.

#2 My mom graduated from college. It only took her 30 plus years, but it's better late then never! Almost all of the family made it and we were very proud to sit in the crowd and watch her walk across that stage! Way to go mom!!

#1 Most of all I am thankful for my amazing husband! I truly have a great man who loves and adores me. He is a great provider, he helps out daily with the house, cooking, etc. He has great character and is a good Christian man. I can not wait to see him as a daddy to our baby girl. I know right now he is scared but I know he will do an amazing job!!

As 2011 draws to a close we reflect on the many blessings God has given us. We are thankful for His love and look forward to seeing what He has in store for us in 2012!



An Arkansas Christmas

Since we all went to Meme's for mom's graduation we decided to

go ahead and have our Christmas while we were all there. It was

a little hectic because everyone arrived on Friday night and had to leave

Sunday. Saturday was packed to the brim with graduation,

Christmas dinner,

and opening presents.

 It wasn't fun to pack it all in, but

I'm glad we got see each other and have some sort of a

Christmas. Hopefully next year it will be for longer and we

will actually get to enjoy our time together instead of cramming

it all into one day. Unfortunately Brian, Annie, and the kids

didn't get to come and neither did Amanda Shaw, Sarah or Cory but

the rest of the family was there and we had a great time. It's always

nice to get to be together as a family and I wish it could and would

happen more often.

This was the the first time most of us had gotten to meet baby

Kayden and he was such a cutie and such a good baby.

 I'm really

hoping next year we will get to all be together because we will

have two new little ones and all together have 7 young ones

running around the house. I have always thought Christmas

was so much more fun when there were little ones around.

Every year it's mine and Kobi's tradition to make Christmas

cookies. So while we were there I thought why not throw

that into the mix too. I wanted the grandma's to come and help

him but mom was busy and Meme had no interest at all. Kobi

finally talked Granny Jan into it but I think she thought it was more

of a hassle then anything. As they were mixing the dough Kobi

got into the silver sprinkles and dumped the whole bottle into

the bowl. That was really fun to fix.

Then the dough was sticking

to the table when Granny Jan was rolling and cutting and

she decided to make them super thick.

Needless to say by the time Kobi and Granny Jan were done,

the cookies were not edible. Just another thing I would like

all the grand kids to get to do together next year.

Hoping next year we can all be together!