Parrett Family Gathering

Our family get together was fun on Sunday! It was great to see my cousins, it has been several months too long. Their Grandmother's and Mother's home has been kept in their family for many years. Just recently the people that Jim, my uncle, was renting to decided to move out. Meggan, her husband Scott, & Mandy decided to move in! The girls decided to host Christmas this year - with all their newly acquired space! I haven't visited the house for so many years, it was so awesome to walk through the door again. It looks simply adorable! It is cozy and eclectic but still feels like my Aunt Judy.

We had a wonderful time visiting, looking through the "new" old house, and reconnecting with family. Mandy gave me belly kisses and got me all excited with talk of the future baby shower - she is eager to plan the festivities and I am eager to party it up! The next few months will hold lots of fun :)

We had a wonderful beginning and a wonderful end to this Christmas Season 2009! It sure it going to be hard to get back into our old routine!

Nursery Ideas

We've been searching around for what we want to do with the nursery. I know we don't want to do super neutral colors - we want something bright and cheery! It makes it tough to decorate as we are not going to find out the gender of our little bellybean, but I know we can make it work!

I found a few ideas along the way that led me to a nursery I just love - it is simple and whimsical with just the right amount of vintage. We are hoping to recreate our own version of the collective rooms we have found! Here are some rooms as well as white cribs that we both agreed on:

17 weeks - An Onion!

My little blueberry sure has grown...we are up to an onion this week - can you believe it? The baby is sucking their thumb, swallowing, hiccuping & blinking! I sure can feel the growing happening, I can feel everything streeeeetching inside and making room! My most favorite thing that is happening this week is that baby can hear the outside world!! Talking, singing, music, Chloe barking - all of it! I think its time for Daddy to start reading some cool books to my belly :)
I also found these super cool "bellyphones" called BellyBuds...You can split the wire so you can plug your headphones into your iPhone and another wire that attaches these sticky speakers to your belly so you can both enjoy your tunes together! Cara wants me to start playing Mozart ASAP! Pretty neat :)

16 Weeks - Avacado!

We've officially set up the tripod to take belly pictures!! We meant to do it so much earlier and sweet Ryan asks me almost every week if I'm ready to get it set up, but my "not feeling so wonderfulness" has made me not want to be in a single picture! Just in time, I feel so much better and my belly is starting to show!! So "CHEERS" (Ryan keeps accidentally saying cheers instead of cheese) to the first installment of belly pictures.

I'll add the fruit or veggie of the week just for giggles :)

Baby's First (Kind of) Christmas

Merry Christmas!! This holiday season was just wonderful. Our house is sparkling with lights and ornaments - I wish they could stay up all year long! Ryan helped me lug all the stuff down from the attic and decorate to the nine (he did the lugging, I did most of the decorating!) We watched The Jerk while we decorated - Ryan's first time!!

I took off several days from work and it has been a fantastic weekend of fun, love, excitement & relaxation. Wednesday night Sarah and her Daddy invited us to join then on a Christmas Light Trolley! Ryan & I met Sarah, her Ryan, Cara & Sarah's awesome family (like 20 of them!) at the Reasors at 41st & Yale. We took a two hour trip - everywhere from Rhema to Jenks to Sapulpa. The lights were beautiful - but mostly it was so fun to catch up with everyone. Ryan and Ryan chatted the night away & Cara, Sarah, and I had our heads together the whole two hours. They asked me a million questions about Baby and the nursery ideas and our birth plan. It was so fun - sometimes the reality of it all slips away from me...I know I am pregnant but I just can't believe it. Conversations like the one I had with them really get me so giddy and excited. Sarah's sweet sister Andrea is 8 months pregnant and it was so fun to touch her belly...she poked around and found her little girl and let me poke in and say hello :) It was a great start to the Christmas season!

Christmas Eve Ryan and I woke up and snuggled up by the fire to open up our stocking stuffers. We cleaned the day away - listening to Christmas music and dancing like dervishes all over the house. Cleaning has never been so fun! We watched the morning rain turn to hours of sleet and then non stop snow. A white Christmas we were going to have indeed!! They are calling in the blizzard of '09! The second blizzard in the history of Oklahoma. Chloe wanted to go in and out and in and out...she LOVES the snow! We took several videos on my handy dandy new video camera (thanks honeypie!) We stayed up way too late and decided Santa was just plain going to skip us this year if we didn't hurry and get to bed.

The blinding morning sun reflecting off the snow woke us up on Christmas morning. We had planned on hosting a lunch, and the weather sure didn't look permitting. We talked to our Mommas and it seemed pretty up in the air if it was going to happen at all. I got another phone call from Sherry and her and Bob had decided to go get my Mom and Grandma!! It just warmed my heart that they would do such a thing. I wanted nothing more than to share Christmas day with the four of them, and they were going to make it happen!! The red chariot arrived and we spent the late afternoon eating a wonderful dinner, each bite made with love from someone at the table. Ryan prayed over our meal and it was so beautiful it made me secretly weepy :) We talked, laughed, opened awesome presents, and it all too quickly came to an end. They needed to get home before it got too dark and re-froze. Thank you Bob and Sherry for going and getting them - that kind of kindness made the day even more wonderful. Ryan and I collapsed on the couch with Chloe then we played a few games of Jenga! We tried out my new baby heart monitor - super cool gift from Ryan! You put the headphones on and the monitor on your belly and listen...all we heard was my tummy rumbling! It is made for the third trimester - but we had to check it out!
The Christmas weekend has flown by in a flash as it always does, but it has been so joyous. Tomorrow Ryan reads at Church then we will meet my family at Meggan, Scott and Mandy's house. I look forward to seeing everyone for one last get together of the year!

14 Weeks

Ryan and I met with Dr. Howerton on December 7th. We had our fingers and toes crossed that this would be an ultrasound appointment (pictures just in time for Christmas?) But alas it wouldn't be until the next appointment. Ryan got to meet Dr. Howerton and watch me get gooed on (brr that stuff is cold!) We had to wait in anticipation again to find the little stinker's heartbeat again! Baby likes to play hide and seek on heartbeat days. We listened to the pitter patter - it never gets old. The Baby's heartbeat is slowing down a little each week (as it is supposed to.) The heart rate was at 160 bpm.

After talking to Ryan and consulting both our Mom's we decided to tell Dr. Howerton that there will be no inducing! I knew that would be how we all felt the second she told me last appointment, but I needed to gather myself first! I sicked Ryan on her and she said it would be no problem. There will be a doctor on call the weekend she is gone, and as research proves - most Mom's don't deliever right when Baby is due anyways. I'm pretty sure I can make it a few days after. She said there would have to be talk of inducing if it was medically necessary and of course we agreed. I am so happy to be on the same page! I want more than anything for her to deliver my baby - we did so much research to find her and her reviews are spectacular. But we will just have to see!

Meeting Dr. Howerton

I was scheduled for a physical with my doctor's nurse practitioner on November 9th. All my appointments have been on a Monday - what an awesome way to start our week!! I've never loved Mondays so much :) Since it was going to be a routine physical, i.e. weigh in, pap n' such, Ryan decided to skip out on this visit. Big mistake mister!

We were so bummed he didn't make it because they surprised me with the first real Doctor's visit! Dr. Howerton doesn't meet with her OB patients until they are at least 10 weeks pregnant. This bubbly, quirky woman came bounding through the door and I knew it was her! The physical went great - I am a healthy Momma and Baby is doing great too! It was a milestone visit for me because I got to hear the heartbeat through my BELLY!!

I got the inaugural cold goo squeezed all over my belly! She searched and searched for the heartbeat while I held my breath in anticipation. I had been going through a weird worry spell lately, wondering if this was all real, is the baby healthy, is something going to go wrong? I read online that tons of first time mothers have trouble enjoying their first trimester (not only because they were too nauseous to function - I understand that from experience) but also beacuse of worries that this is too good to be true. She stopped at the top of my belly button and we listened to a deep drumming and my eyes got wider..."aaaaand there is Momma's heartbeat!" Geez! She kept searching until way over on the left side she stopped and we heard our little hummingbird heart! There baby was, heart beating as healthy as could be. The heart rate was the same as the weeks before, 170 beats per minute. I broke into giggles and she lost it, she laughed and told me to hold still :) She was so sweet, she let me listen for what seemed like 5 minutes! She could see the relief and joy all over my face I'm sure.

The appointment came to an end and she sort of blindsided me with a conversation about delivery. Apparently her niece is graduating out of town the same weekend that I am due. She nonchalantly told me we would be inducing a week early to avoid a time conflict. I whispered a confused "okay" and she said she would see me next month! Uhh...
Aside from that weirdness, it was a fantastic appointment!

Halloween Bean Spilling

Halloween was an absolute blast. We had waited SO long to tell our friends and this was the night we were going to share our big news! Our good friends Scott & Devan were throwing a party that night and we knew all of our nearest and dearest would be there. Our outfits had arrived (Bun in the Oven and The Bun Maker) and I had ironed on the finishing touches to his chef's coat. We were ready to tell everyone! We pulled up to the house and sat in the truck for about 10 minutes gathering our (my) nerves. We finally went in and had the most wonderful night!

Everyone had different reactions to our costumes and they were just hilarious! Devan & Scott were the first we saw when we walked in the door. Devan said "cute costumes!! You wouldn't happen to have a real bun in that oven would you?" (she was completely joking) We both exclaimed "YES!" and they screamed and hugged us both. Nate and Sirikit came a little later while were in the kitchen. They came in and gave us hugs and chatted about the past few weeks and went on as everything were normal. They both looked at our costumes and didn't say a word about them. Ryan and I were squeezing each others hands in anticipation for their realization! Nate finallllllly said "wait a second, what are you two again?" We broke into laughter and they immediately knew what was going on. They were so sweet, Nate kept apologizing for not getting it immediately. It was so funny! Jared, Chris & April came in and immediately knew, Jared pulled me into a big bear hug & congratulated us both. April just barely glanced and me and exclaimed "You are pregnant aren't you??" She knew all along...I just couldn't tell her she was right until now! Dave, Kylie & Aisley weren't going to come but Ryan called and begged them to show for just a minute or two - and they did! They met Ryan and I outside when we went to get the camera from the truck. Dave said "We can't wait till you have a real bun in that oven!" "We DO!" Ryan exclaimed! I said "It's baking!!" Kylie suprise attacked me with the biggest hug and nearly knocked us both to the ground. We were giggling and screaming. Dave was hugging and jumping around - it was awesome! It was such a loving, pure reaction to our news.

The night went great, lots of joy and congratulations & an overwhelming relief to finally share the big news with our second families!

Heartbeat!

WE HEARD THE HEARTBEAT!!

We went to our second Ultrasound appointment on Friday, October 23rd. We were whisked right in to see the doctor this time! Ryan stood by my side squeezing my hand in anticipation as she searched for the hearbeat...within seconds there it was!! I gasped and broke into giggles and she lost it for a second, but I laid there as still as possible and we heard the most glorious healthy heartbeat. It was beating at about 170 beats per second - strong and healthy as can be!!! She measured baby from head to rump to reveal how far along I am - 7 weeks & 4 days the day of the ultrasound!! We got to see the baby too - and MY GOODNESS has the little peanut grown! The first ultrasound showed as a tiny speck of wonder and curiosity, but this one showed our beloved baby in all its glory :) It is really amazing how much the images have changed in a few short weeks. The doctor showed us the head, the brain, two arms, and two little legs!! My heart swells with excitement for the process that has begun...I can't wait for the months to follow! With this heartbeat, I really feel it now - the journey has begun <3

SHHH!

AHHH It has been SO hard not to tell our friends the wonderful news. Ryan and I have always planned on waiting until the second trimester to reveal the good news. We never though about how hard that would be!!

We decided there was no possible way we could wait that long. We made the ultimate decision that we would tell our closest friends the good news after October 23rd. That will hopefully be the first day we hear our baby's heartbeat!

We have been dying to tell everyone! We have basically been in hiding for the last three weeks. Some of our friends (APRIL!) are getting a bit suspicious of our unusual behavior and lack of play. Every time I tell her we can't make it somewhere she tells me "you know we all think you are pregnant right?" I have somehow managed to have actual reasons to not hang out and not lie to her without telling her she is right! It has been tough!

We decided how we are going to tell everyone! We wanted to do something fun instead of just standing up and making the announcement. We brainstormed for the perfect place and scenario. Our friends Scott & Devan are having a Halloween party which subsequently will be after our big doctor's appointment! A big portion of our close friends will be there, including our two favorite out of town guests which will be perfect!

I was looking at costumes when I just broke into giggles! I showed Ryan ad he thought it was perfect. I am going to dress up as "Bun in the Oven" and Ryan will be "The Bun Maker!" It is an actual costume too! Its a soft silver oven with burners and dials with a working door revealing a bun. We got Ryan a chef's coat and a toque (the big white floppy chef's hat) and I am going to iron on letters that say the bun maker on his lapel. We are hoping to show up and surprise the crowd!

I just hope we can make it a few more weeks without a peep!
Wish us luck :)

Telling Our Parents <3

For the first few weeks, we decided the only people we would tell would be Ryan's parents, and my Mom and Grandma. We avoided talking to our parents for a whole week so we wouldn't spill the beans before we got to tell them in person. My Mom and I took my Grandma out to a showing of Charlotte's Web at the Performing Arts Center on October 2nd. We all met at my Grandma's house and we were running a little late (as usual). They were waiting outside when I arrived. I asked if we could go inside for a few minutes, and after a little hesitation they decided to oblige. They were in the kitchen while I set up the video camera, hidden on the fireplace mantle. I called them in the living room and told them I had made them both a surprise. I handed them a shadow box with a lid on it and told them to open it together. My mom opened the box revealing all 5 positive pregnancy tests and screamed "ARE YOU PREGNANT??" She burst into sobs and pulled me into a big hug. My Grandma just kept saying "Oh my gosh!! OH MY GOSH!!" It was perfect. We went to Kilkinney's for dinner and then the show, and we talked about how much fun it is going to be!

We told Ryan's parents the next evening. Ryan's Dad had always offered me a beer in the past, and we had a running joke that just once he wanted to offer me a beer and me tell him I couldn't drink alcohol for the next nine months!! We went over there for dinner and to watch the OU game - perfect situation for that offer right? Nope! Haha he wasn't drinking on this particular evening. We waited and waited for him to ask and it never happened. Ryan and I dilly dallied waiting for the perfect lull in the game to share the good news, but it just wasn't working. Sherry and Bob both have new iPhones and I was showing Sherry how to do something fun on her phone when all the sudden a picture message came through. Ryan sent her a picture of me holding the positive test. It was tiny and Sherry asked "What is that??" I showed her if you tap the picture it makes it bigger. She screamed "HOLY SH**!" (haha so unlike her!!) and ran to Bob to show him the good news. They were simply ecstatic! Bob kept sending us messages after we left about all the super fun things the new Grandparents are going to get to do with baby :) Both of our parents will be first time Grandparents - what a WONDERFUL honor <3>

Our First Appointment!

When we found out I was pregnant, we made our first doctor's appointment. It was set for October 23rd - a MONTH away. Talk about suspense?? I started having pretty severe cramping, and just out of new baby jitters we decided to see if we could get in early. They made my appointment for the following day.

We were at the doctor's office for three hours. We met our nurse practitioner (who was SO cute!) and she had me do a urinalysis and a blood test. Based on my possible conception date she thought we might be able to see something with an ultrasound! She told us there was even a possibility we could hear the heartbeat - I immediately was choking back tears!! Well...I ended up not being quite as far along as assumed. We met the err, ultrasound-ologist? and we got to see the (maybe?) baby! It was the size of a peppercorn. But she also said that this early on you may not even be able to see the baby yet. She said "this is either your baby or a bloodclot. Geeez. She explained that usually women don't find out they are pregnant until a few weeks later than we had, and there is usually a bit more to see. I was a teeny bit disappointed, but still full of excitement!

It was so early in the pregnancy that no one could really give us any solid information. I said to the nurse, "I just want someone to say the words 'you are pregnant'!" She told me she would call me with the blood test results. Still didn't get to hear the words! Ryan took me back to work and called me about a half hour later and told me she said I was "DEFINITELY PREGNANT!"

When you are pregnant, the hormone HCG doubles in your body every 48 hours. They asked me to come back on Monday to check my hormone level. They called with the results and it had more than doubled!! Everything is going just as it is supposed to! So now we wait for our original appointment on the 23rd - where if everything goes perfectly, we will get to hear our baby's first heartbeat <3

I'm Pregnant!

Ryan and I have known for many years that we wanted more than anything to start a family. We were married last year and naturally felt that our next (and greatest) big leap in life was to start having children. We talked, laughed, and got ourselves so excited to start our plan. We wanted to live this summer to its fullest. We went on the most amazing vacation with our closest friends to Cozumel Mexico. The trip, to us, was going to be the celebration of our past and the welcoming of our future.

We returned home from our trip and were ready for the next step! Over the next few weeks we began the waiting game with much excitement. I was over a week late so we decided to do a few pregnancy tests. From the 17th to the 23rd of September I took four pregnancy tests, all negative! We weren't super disappointed, just curious of why I hadn't started yet. The morning of the 25th my wonder was put to rest when I started what I thought was my (decimal). However on the 26th it was done! One day? Wish it was always like that!! We just assumed my body was simply getting used to not being on Birth Control.

Tuesday September 29th rolled around and I went to work as normal. All day I felt so funny! The best way to explain it was that I had butterflies - constant butterflies. I wasn't nervous or anxious feeling, just different! My back and feet were achy and I was exhausted. I didn't think much of it, but I told a few co-workers who immediately told me to take a pregnancy test. I called Ryan on my way home and told him I wanted to take a test. He didn't think I needed to, but asked me to wait until he got home from work.

He came home and we went to the bathroom together to take the test. Having taken several of the same exact kind, I knew to expect the single pink line on the right, results appearing lmost immediately. I looked at the test and in shock I pulled it close to make sure I was seeing what I though that I was. Ryan kept asking "what?" getting more anxious each time. I started saying "no! NO WAY!!" I was in so much shock - no way did we get this lucky!!! Two pink lines. TWO! I handed it to Ryan and just sat there speechless with a ear to ear grin on my face. "HUG ME!" he exclaimed! We embraced then ran to the bed and laid there and giggled in astonishment together. I took another test not 15 minutes later and it mirrored the first! Tears, laughter, and shock oozed out of us all night long. This is really happening...

We are having a baby!