30 weeks!

Today marks 30 weeks into my pregnancy...I can't believe it! I'm feeling much better and I'm back at work now. My first day back was yesterday, and I felt pretty good. I had a doctor's appointment last week and everything looks good. The baby continues to be great, active and growing. My doctor hasn't done an ultrasound in a while, so I'm excited to see what the baby looks like and how much it has changed in the last several months. For so long I was over the fact that I didn't know the sex of the baby and I was content with waiting. However, lately I've been so wanting to know what it is!! We're definitely still going to wait though. Also, of note, Jeremy's mom Mary had a baby shower for us up in Erie this past weekend. The funny thing though, is that we weren't there! We told Mary a while back that we weren't going to be able to make it up to Erie before the baby was born because we had so much going on. She said that was fine, but she still wanted to have a shower for us even if we weren't there! So, on Saturday friends and family gathered and had a baby shower in our honor. Mary will be coming down in October and bringing our gifts. It was so sweet of her and we really appreciate it. Please continue to pray for us and the baby's continued health, safety and growth!

Amber's Birthday/1st year Anniversary

This past Monday, September 1st, marked my 27th birthday and our 1 year wedding anniversary!! We originally planned to go out of town for a couple of days, but since I hadn't been feeling that great lately, we figured it would be best to stay around town. It started off with flowers, and cards and some really nice gifts all from Jeremy. I also really wanted a new purse for my birthday, so he took on the daunting task of taking me shopping. Jeremy was very patient as we went to several stores, but I finally found the perfect one : ) After shopping, we went out to lunch and then checked into a hotel. We decided to spend the evening as tourists in our own town and got an oceanfront room for the night. We spent the afternoon hanging at the pool and the beach at the hotel. That night we went out to dinner at this really cool fondue restaurant called The Melting Pot. We really enjoyed ourselves, the chocolate fondue was the best! That night we sat on our balcony and watched the ocean. I've always been very particular about wanting my birthday and anniversary celebrated as two separate events, so this night was pretty much dedicated to my birthday, so we plan on dinner and gifts for our anniversary real soon. Thanks to everyone who left me such sweet birthday messages!

28 weeks!

Hello third trimester...here I come! I have to be honest, I've actually had a rough last couple of weeks. My sugar test came back fine, but my blood test showed I was anemic. So, my doctor ordered me some prescription iron tablets, which completely tore up my stomach!! Since, I wasn't able to tolerate those, I'm taking some over the counter iron supplements that are slow release and they seem to be ok. Also, I've been having a lot of dizzy spells and lightheadedness lately. I had an appointment a few days ago and told my doctor how I was feeling. He sent me for some bloodwork and everything looked pretty good. It could be the hormones and your circulation does a lot of crazy things when you're pregnant. My doctor advised me to continue drinking a lot of water, continue with my iron supplements and eating small frequent meals. He also said I may need to cut back on work. Fortunately, I have a lot of time off accrued, so I'm taking a little bit of time off work until I feel better, then I can be refreshed to make it through my last few weeks before the baby's born. Even though mommy hasn't been feeling well...baby is doing great! Heart beat was nice and strong and the baby continues to be active. I've had some painless tightening in my abdomen, I know my uterus is just practicing for the big day! I can also tell the baby is growing. I'm having some aching on my sides and lower abdomen where my uterus is stretching and I'm feeling the baby move higher up than before. My mom came into town this week which has been great. We're reallly taking advantage of this time and getting our house organized and cleaned out for baby's arrival. We've been cleaning out closets and getting the nursery ready. I'm so thankful for my mom and her excellent organizational skills, she's been a great help! In any case, I know the Lord is giving me strength and the refreshing I need. Please continue to pray for Jeremy and I and the baby as we enter the home stretch!

Trip to Atlanta

This is a 15 foot beluga whale


This is looking up at the head of a whale shark. The head is real boxy and the mouth is 4 feet wide...but the opening of the throat is only the size of a quarter!! How strange! This one was 22 feet long.



Me and my friend Alisa enjoying a Braves game


This past weekend we took a trip to Atlanta. As I approach the third trimester, we figured now would be a good time to sneak in a quick trip to relax and just get away for a while. We arrived around noon on Saturday and checked into our hotel. The hotel was right downtown so it was just a short walk to get to the Georgia Aquarium. This aquarium is fairly new and is the world's largest aquarium!! It was really cool, we saw 22 foot whale sharks, a beluga whale and tons of other sea life. After that my good friend from college, Alisa, and her husband Matt picked us up from our hotel. We went and grabbed some dinner and headed to a night Braves game. We had a great time and the Braves won! The next day, we got up and ate breakfast and headed to an afternoon Braves game. A friend of Jeremy's provided us with some great tickets, right over the Braves dugout behind first base. It was really hot that day, but with a lot of water and some occasional clouds we made it through. The Braves lost that game, but it was exciting to watch. By the time we made it back to the hotel we were exhausted, so we ate dinner at a restaurant in the hotel and relaxed in our room the rest of the night and watched the Olympics! We headed back Monday after breakfast. We had a really nice time and really enjoyed each other's company. We're really trying to enjoy our alone time, because we know in a short while that will come to an end (except of course when one of the grandmas comes and let's us have a getaway!) However, we're excited and looking forward to taking our little baby on some trips in the future!

26 weeks!

I know I sound like a broken record by now, but I can't believe I'm 6 1/2 months pregnant! Time keeps flying by and the whole thing is still so surreal to me! You'd think I'd be used to it by now, but I still can't believe I'm having a baby! Anyway, I've been feeling really good lately. I continue to feel the extra weight, mostly just when I'm working. The days I work, I'm so tired when I get home I often sit on the couch, scrubs still on and all, and immediately pass out for about 30 minutes before I can do anything else! My back and legs are a little more achy than usual, but not too bad. Otherwise, the baby continues to be very active and I love feeling he or she move so much! The picture above is of me in my "modified" scrubs. I just purchased a pair of scrub pants with a stretchy cotton waist band and I've began wearing mens undershirts as a top! Not too fashionable, but it works and is very comfy. We are so excited and thankful for our precious little baby and continue to pray the Lord's protection over me and the baby as we continue cruising through the second trimester!

24 weeks!

This past weekend marked 24 weeks! We had a doctor's appointment on Monday and everything looked great. I'm measuring right where I should be and the baby had a nice strong heartbeat. This week I go for my glucose test to make sure that's good. My only complaint these past few weeks has been raging heartburn and indigestion! Tums definitely aren't cutting it anymore, my doctor said to try some acid reducing pills. I'm quickly learning the foods I can and cannot tolerate. I've decided to give up red meat once again. During my first trimester, just the thought of if made me gag. Eventually, I got my taste back for it, and was craving hamburgers again. I definitely still love steak and burgers and other red meat dishes, but they just don't like me...they tear my stomach up!! Anyway, the baby continues to be very active. Now, I not only feel the baby from the outside but I can sit and watch my belly bounce all over the place! It's so amazing! Jeremy finally got to feel a really strong kick last night. He was so cute, he sat right up and said "Whoa!" and had this huge grin on his face! It's getting very real for both of us! We just continue to thank the Lord for our healthy baby and ask you all to pray for a continued smooth and healthy pregnancy and baby. Also, of note, we want to mention that our good friends Vince and Sara had their baby girl Marisa today! We can't wait to meet her : )

The beginnings of a nursery....

A few weeks ago, Jeremy and his brother Tanner cleared out our extra bedroom and painted the baby's room. A few days later the furniture arrived. We decided on a mint green color for the walls that matches the bedding we picked out. The bedding is a mint green and white gingham that will work for a boy or a girl. However, after the baby is born I want to make the room more girly or boyish according to what we have. We figured we could always add blue accents if it's a boy and pink or purple if it's a girl. The paint color turned out beautiful and the guys did a really great job. We love our furniture that we picked out. The crib converts to a toddler bed, a day bed and eventually the head and foot boards to a full size bed. We also got a double size dresser and hope this furniture lasts for years to come!