Sweet 16

I am 16 weeks along now and I've noticed a big surge in energy this week. Thank goodness!! Only 10 days left of work, 7 IEP meetings, and a ton of paper work/organizing/packing to do. Then it's off to girls camp. When I return I think I will look like this and sleep for at least 48 hours :)

We are also the proud owners of a crib thanks to some really great and generous friends in our ward who are moving to Illinois and trying to get rid of stuff. It's a beautiful crib and I can't wait to set it up in a few months! I don't think they sell the same model anymore so I couldn't find a picture, but I think it's the older model of something like this except in a lighter wood color.

Have I mentioned that Stephen is now working full time? He was able to get a contracting position in the central office at DC Public Schools and loves his job. I'm so happy he's found a job and a boss he enjoys. He's also taking 2 evening classes this summer so that even when he drops to part-time school he will be able to finish a year from now! What a wonderful husband. He has been so loving and patient the past few months with my lack of energy, sickness, and pickiness.  On Memorial Day we took an evening walk in Rock Creek Park (forgot the camera). It was so nice to spend quiet peaceful time together. Summer cannot come soon enough!

Thought you would want to know

We are planning to welcome the newest addition to our family this coming November!

This ultrasound was taken at 8 weeks when, according to Steve's favorite baby website, the baby was the size of a kidney bean.

Now, at 15 weeeks, he or she has grown to the size of an apple!

Speaking of fruit, I have been consuming a lot of it since I first felt sick at about 6 weeks. My taste buds and tummy have preferred fruits, grains, dairy, and some vegetables. The only thing that I have really developed an aversion for is hamburger. bleh!!! One night we were watching an episode of the Cosby Show where they order hamburgers at a restaurant and I was seriously getting nauseous. So I'll plan on sticking with chicken and pork. Unfortunately the toilet and I have become good friends in the mornings, but luckily I've managed to keep food down while at work. I come home everyday exhausted, but we are overjoyed at our growing baby and can't wait to become parents!

We've heard all sorts of nicknames for people's unborn babies. Stephen's favorite teacher called their unborn baby "lime baby" thanks to the baby website above. Anything to avoid calling "it" an "it," right? So our baby's nickname is Nebula due to the following story: I left work early on Stephen's birthday to have the 8 week ultrasound pictured above. His parents and younger brothers were in town and during the day they all went to the Air and Space Museum where they watched an IMAX movie about the Hubble Telescope and nebulas. Later that evening, when Stephen opened up the ultrasound picture as a birthday present (don't worry, this was not a surprise for him!) we got a lot of puzzled looks and a long pause while everyone realized that the picture was an ultrasound and not a nebula. Luckily it only took a few seconds for the screams and hugs to set in. Our baby will be the first grandchild for Stephen's family and the second for mine so we have some VERY excited grandparents!

I would post pictures of my belly, but the Nebula has decided to stay hidden and you can't tell at all that he or she is there. We'll work on getting something posted around 17 or 18 weeks. Only a few more weeks and we will be having an ultrasound to find out the baby's gender! I left the pictures of our initial reactions to the home pregnancy tests below, in case seeing a home pregnancy test grosses you out. Thanks to those of you who have already shared your excitement for us! We can't wait!

Happy! 

and scared out of our minds :)

Airports

We live within an hour of 3 major airports. It comes in handy when you are trying to find the lowest price for a flight, but it is not so handy when you forget which airport you are supposed to go to. My sister, Marissa, has been visiting us for the last week on her way home from Jerusalem (I will make a post about her visit when I get pictures loaded onto the computer). This morning we drove to Ronald Reagan airport in DC. We couldn't see Southwest airlines on any of the terminal signs. We were horrified when we called my dad and found out we were supposed to go to BWI in BALTIMORE! Luckily traffic is manageable on Saturdays. She made it to the gate with 7 minutes to spare... phew!

Lesson learned: make sure you know your destination before you leave!! Oh, and if you ever come to visit us :) BWI usually has the best prices.