March 2013

Current Weather:  80 degrees and sunny (yay!)
Current Gas Price:  $3.26 per gallon
Total Cockroach Count:  9

Weeks Pregnant:  31  (Only 9 weeks to go! Yikes!)

Hello dearest family! How are all of you? Has life changed at all since last week? Haha, probably not that much! We SO enjoyed seeing all of you last weekend and the week before that! It is always good to spend time with you and we're getting so excited for June meet all of you! I confess that I am super tired right now so this may not be the greatest post ever...but whatever! You can't win 'em all, right?

Ok, so March.  March was a pretty crazy month in which Wes just seemed to work WAY TO MUCH!  Not sure what happened there but I feel like March practically came and went without me seeing Wes at all! Of course, I am being super over dramatic but I know we both felt disappointed about the amount of time we had to spend apart last month! Not to mention how tired Wesley felt after working all those shifts! April is turning out to be better although his craziest week is coming up (say a little prayer for him, please)! We have a fun trip to Atlanta planned at the end of April so that's exciting.  Haha, of course Wes has to attend a medical conference all day but we get the evenings together and the hotel paid for :)

So like I said, Wes worked like every other weekend in March so I really only have two "things" that we did that month.  First was the resident retreat.  We went to a lovely little place in Hendersonville, NC for some fun time with the residents.  I confess that I actually just wanted to spend all of the time with Wes since I hadn't seen him very much the week before so we hid away for part of the weekend! Or I should say that we tried to do that...there were residents everywhere so we ended up seeing a lot of people no matter where we went! Here are some pictures from the weekend:

We went for a walk after breakfast and found this cute little lake.  It was great to sit  in the sun and talk for a while! Again, so great to catch up with one another since it had been a while.

This is a BBQ place that Wes and I wanted to try (can't remember the name!) but unfortunately they  only took cash (which bugs me A LOT in this day and age) and it was going to take just a long to go get cash as it would to go downtown and find another restaurant.   So maybe someday we'll get to try this place! 

We ended up going to an old fashioned diner/soda shop place! Not the healthiest of choices but it was certainly delicious! I hate this picture of me but y'all are allowed to see it because you're family and you've all seen me look like that in the mornings anyway :) 

Me with some of the girls! 

Wes and me :)

Playing "Catch Phrase" later that evening in the lodge.  I did not play because I was not feeling well and because I just get so freaking tired of playing Catch Phrase....is anyone else burnt out on this game? Maybe it's just me...

After that it was back to work as usual! The only other exciting thing that we did in March was make some progress toward a nursery! Wes and I painted the walls pink one weekend and then Libby helped Wes move furniture out and set up our new furniture! Check out the pictures:

Us before getting started on our painting job! We primed the walls first and then painted them! 

We're seriously ready to get this room painted!!

Wes did all the trimming this time because I couldn't get up on the ladder! Nice job Wesley! 

Painting the walls pink! Yay! I can always use more pink in my life :) 

Finished product! We were really happy with the color! 

Libby, Me, and Wes getting ready to unpack and put together our nursery furniture! Wes had to borrow a truck from one of our friends and drive to Greenville to pick up the furniture! I was so happy to finally have it in our possession.

First the crib!

It was so wonderful having Libby there to help us! I was pretty useless...in fact I sat a chair, read the directions out loud, and handed them the necessary screws.  So it was great that Libby was able to help Wes with the more "manual labor!"  Thanks again Libs! 

It's coming along! 

Me modeling the new crib! What do y'all think?  We were really happy when we found this crib as it is one that converts into a toddler bed and a full size bed but it's also fairly simple and doesn't have a huge headboard piece...I'm not a big fan of those!  Simple is better...

Wes giving our new stroller a whirl! We had just received it in the mail from Dad & Lynn two days prior! We were so excited! Thanks again Dad & Lynn! 

Getting the dresser out of the box was a bit more complicated! We had to actually cut the box open  to move it out! Again, thank goodness we had Libby here to help us...it was super heavy! Funny moment was when Wes tried to walk around the dresser to leave the room but tripped on the box and fell over...haha, once the box was cut open it did literally take up the whole floor space so it was hard to find a place to walk! 

It felt REALLY GOOD to make some progress on the nursery because it had just been sitting there for months as a guest bedroom and I kept thinking that we need to get a move on it but the month was so busy that we hardly had a chance! Things are definitely coming along now though!

Most of you saw this picture already but in case you didn't this was my costume for our school's reading celebration.  It was a circus theme so I went as a fortune teller and used my belly as my crystal ball! It was a very big hit and I enjoyed all the teacher's and kid's comments about it.  I even had several kids try and pay me to get their fortune told.  Haha, obviously I didn't take their money! Or maybe I did?

Ok, that's about it and Wesley just got home so I'm signing off! Love you and talk to y'all soon!

February 2013

Current Weather:  46 degrees and rainy
Current Gas Price: $3.47 per gallon
Total Cockroach Count: 8

Weeks Pregnant: 25

Hello dear family! How are you doing? What's the news from the great state of Ohio? Are y'all staying warm up there?  We have been shocked by how fast the month of February has gone...maybe it's because it's shorter than the rest of the months in the year or perhaps it's just because it's winter and we've kept ourselves busy to keep warm :)

Wes is currently finishing up his last week on medicine and will begin OB (Block 10) this coming Thursday! It's really hard to believe that he's going to be in Block 10 (of 13) of his second year! Yikes! He'll be graduating before you know it! I have just been working as usual and have been enjoying spending more time with my girlfriends and high school girls group as Wes works a lot more during medicine blocks! It's usually a good time for me to catch up with girlfriends! My friend Clory is due in 5 days so I've been trying to see her as much as possible and I'm just waiting to hear some exciting news from her any day!

Little Juney is doing well! I am 25 weeks now and have enjoyed feeling her little kicks get stronger and stronger! Wes has loved getting to feel her more often too! I keep watching my belly to see if I can see her kicking and although I can see it move up and down it's not quite enough to tell whats going on! Haha, I am looking foward to the day where I can see her little feet when she kicks...haha I think! Not sure what that feels like but I don't think I'll mind too much :)

Juney Ballooney at 24 weeks!

We have enjoyed making some progress toward actually having a baby this month! First, we attended childbirth classes at the hospital! They were really helpful and I learned a lot! Haha, Wes learned a lot about being the "support person" during labor and that sort of thing but he obviously knew all the more "medical" information.  Haha, I on the other hand felt like I just sat there with my mouth gaping open as I learned more and more about what's going to happen...TO ME! Haha, I had prepared myself to watch a video of a birth but was unprepared to do so in the first ten minutes of class and it definitely freaked me out for the remainder of the time! It truly is amazing that God made it all happen like it does but those ladies did not look very happy...until the sweet little baby showed up of course! And that's what it is all about! Overall, it was a valuable experience and I am certainly feeling more confident about it now but at the time I left like a deer in headlights...not having any idea how I felt about any of it! Haha, good times :)

We also went to Greenville and made our registry! While it was a long and tiring process we had a great time together! My girlfriends had warned me ahead of time that it is super overwhelming and its better to just register for whatever you think you'll need and then go back and change it online...so that's what we did! We just recently bought our nursery furniture and that feels great! Haha, we were thinking about the furniture that we had as children and how we never thought about our parents having to research prices/quality, shop around for what they wanted, make a final decision and THEN deal with picking it up, moving it, and putting it together! We just knew that we got a cool new bed/desk/whatever! BIG thanks to both Moms & Dads for going through all that for us (many times)! It was a good feeling to know that June didn't have to worry about any of it...we just took care of it for her :)

After it was all over, Wesley took me out for a nice dinner at P.F. Changs! Yum! Here are some pictures from the day:

We went to Grits N' Groceries for breakfast.  This restaurant is owned by a married couple who used to be chefs in Emeril's kitchen and decided they wanted a smaller life...so they moved to Belton, SC (in the middle of nowhere) and opened this little restaurant.  We had heard that the food is amazing and we were really excited to go! The people were really friendly, and after one awkward "preggers moment" where I made irrational decisions and ordered things I didn't want and Wes had to track the waiter down so I could change my order , we got our food! I confess that I was not as impressed with it as I was expecting to be.  It was really greasy and underwhelming...but perhaps it's because I had allowed my expectations to grow so high or because I am used to eating Wesley's breakfasts on Saturday morning and his are always more healthy with lots of fruit and stuff.  

Me outside of Grits N' Groceries.  As you can see its a very small place! It's one of those places where they'll seat you with total strangers just to fill the chairs! I like places like that because it makes people more friendly! 

Um...I just need a pacifier......please?

Other than that we've just been trying to spend time together whenever we can! We had some really nice weather last Sunday so we went for a walk on our usual route and took in the sunshine! Have you had any sunshine lately? Hopefully you have :)

Enjoying the sunshine, fresh air, and most of all each other's company! 

Juney enjoyed the walk too :)

Well, I honestly can't think of much else to say.  That's about it for February! Happy Birthday to Debs & Dana and Happy Anniversary to John & Kim! We can't wait to see all of you in April! Only one month to go! Love you!

January 2013

Current Weather: 56 degrees and sunny
Current Gas Price:  $3.27 per gallon
Total Cockroach Count:  8 (first sighting of the 2013 year...in our bedroom...gross!)

Greetings dearest family! It feels like such a long time since we have seen y'all but really its just been a few short weeks.  We've had a busy start to the new year and we're so excited for what this year has in store for us.  Not much has changed in our daily routines...Wes is on PEDS (but will switch to TMED this Thursday) and I'm just working as usual.  Not too much to report on that side of things.

We were really excited to have Brent come and stay with us for a few days! We always say that we are so blessed in the siblings that God has given us! We have truly wonderful brothers and sisters! We miss seeing you all more often and think of you very often!

We took a stroll in Sumter National Forest (the only place to go hiking near Greenwood) while Brent was here! The guys were very patient with me as I can't walk as fast anymore (I keep getting slower and slower) and had to pee really bad! 

The most exciting thing happening now is, of course, the baby! As y'all know we did find out that we are having a GIRL!  That was certainly a huge thing to find out and we're now feeling as though we can begin moving forward with "baby preparations."  We feel so blessed to be having a sweet little girl.  We have officially decided to name her June and we've already settled in to calling her that! We have a few ideas for a middle name but have not settled on a favorite yet! Haha, in the craziness of these last several weeks we have honestly not discussed it very much.

We took this picture at 17 weeks.  We were on our way to have Wes do an ultrasound and try and figure out the gender of our baby.  Shortly after, Dr. Amaya did a freebie ultrasound for us and both she and Wes left suspecting that we were having a BOY! So our ultrasound at 19.5 weeks was rather shocking when the suspected "boy parts" were nowhere to be found!  Instead we saw our lovely little girl! 

I am currently at 21 weeks...so we're half way there! I have been feeling great and Juney is kicking up a storm already! I've really enjoyed getting to feel her move and we're anxious for the day when Wes can feel her as well! It certainly makes me feel closer to her and I want to feel her too! I think it won't be too much longer!  I have been going to physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles around my SI joint that were giving so much trouble in early January.  For those of you who haven't heard about it...I had a muscle (literally in my right butt cheek) that was strained and I was having trouble walking after a while because the pain was so bad.  PT has helped tremendously and I am almost completely back to normal though I think I'll need to keep up with the exercises as my belly grows.  But thank God for physical therapists! Haha, this is the second time they've really helped me!

We also spent some time looking into furniture for the nursery and were slightly overwhelmed by all of the options out there! We're going to be taking a trip to Greenville this coming weekend and hope to get a better idea of what we want.  We're also going to start a registry and in general just do something! Haha, slow and steady wins the race, right?

Ok, time for pictures! I'm trying to not be that girl who sends weekly pictures of myself but y'all should tell me if you want to see more pictures! I know its a bummer that we're so far away and we want everyone to feel like they are in the loop! So please let me know if you want to see more pictures!

Me and "Juney Balloony" at 20 weeks.  That's what we've nicknamed my belly...it seems to change shape every week, looking rounder this week and more pointed the next.  I suppose its due to the baby's position and I certainly don't mind :) 

Check out her eye! I really hope that she has Wes' puppy dog eyes because I think they are so cute! I guess we'll find out in a few months! 

IT'S A GIRL! 

Profile shot.  Wes and Dr. Amaya said they saw her sucking her thumb and despite several efforts at seeing it myself I just couldn't tell what they were talking about...haha, oh well! 

Shortly after finding out that we were having a girl, we attended a "Gender Reveal" Party for our friends Lauren and Gavin Pinkston.  Their baby is due two days after ours so its been fun to go through this with them! We were even more delighted to find out they are also having a girl! 

Us with the Pinkston's at their Gender Reveal Party! 

Wow! Looks like we're all four having girls! 

Our month was wrapped up with a visit from Lynn's parents, Gerry and Myrtle! We really appreciated them wanting to stop by and they took us out the Mill House for pizza! They were on their way up from Florida and it was so great to see familiar Ohio faces! Great way to end the month! 

Well...that's about all folks! Overall, we're doing great! God is already teaching us more and more about His character through this journey into parenthood and we're excited (and humbled) to think of what he will teach us once June is born.  We're thankful for this opportunity and the closeness that it will give us to Him as we experience firsthand the unconditional love that parents have for their children and see that reflected in His love for us! 

We miss you like crazy and think of our family often.  We can't wait to introduce little June to you! Haha, but we'll see you before then in April! Until then, we love you! 

December 2012

Current Weather:  72 degrees and partly cloudy
Current Gas Price: $3.17 per gallon
Total Cockroach Count:  7

Hello Family! We hope you are having a wonderful new year so far! We certainly are! We have been getting back into the swing of things this past week.  Wes began a new block (PEDS) on Thursday so he's having to adjust to a busier schedule and I'm having to get used to walking as much as I usually do at work with a bigger belly!  This past week was very exhausting and it made me slightly nervous about the "physical strain" of just walking up and down the hallways all day...especially in a few months!

*Haha, side note, but this past week most of my students asked if I was pregnant after noticing my belly and one of my groups of second graders wanted to touch my belly.  So after letting them each put a hand on my belly one of them said, "oh wow, I can feel it moving!" and then they all started saying, "me too!" Haha, it made me laugh because as of now I still have NOT felt it move so there is no way that they could have felt it moving...but it was so sweet!

We had a great time with all of you over the Christmas holiday.  As always, we love spending time with all of you and miss seeing you more often! Here is a look at our December:

Us before a friend's Christmas party! We attended several parties this Christmas...they were all very fun! I think its such an exciting time of year that its worth celebrating many times :)

Just grabbing a quick ultrasound before the party!  This is the ultrasound that we used in our  Christmas letter...baby was 13 weeks then! Here's another look at it :) 

We were both surprised to see how long its legs had grown! Only three weeks earlier  they were just little paddle-like things sticking out of its body! Craziness...

My belly was already big enough that my belly button ring was showing under my shirt so it was time to say goodbye to it! I've had that thing for over 10 years and it honestly felt really weird to not have it there! Haha, even though I didn't even notice it anymore, or pay any attention to it, it was kind of sad to get rid of it! 

Adam Walters was visiting the south for vacation and he stayed with Brandt Weininger in Greenville for a while.   They both drove to Greenwood to visit Wesley! It was so nice to see them and we appreciated them coming down our way :)

Early Christmas present from Wesley...a pregnancy pillow! This is called a  "Snoogle" and although it's pretty crazy looking it really has helped me sleep better and also to stay on my side! Thanks Wes! 

Wesley had to work all day (and all night) on Christmas day so I was so happy that Mom and Libby came to spend Christmas with me again this year! It was great to see them and get a little"girl time" between Wesley's shifts!  Here are some pictures from their visit:

Making Christmas cookies! I was rather intimidated with making the cookies from scratch as I had had a bad experience with sugar cookie dough a few years prior (and because I can't seem to get the hang of rolling dough) but this recipe was really easy and they turned out delicious! 

Our lovely cookies! We brought a plate of them over to the hospital for Wesley and the other residents working  on Christmas day!

Wes and I decided to tackle our first Christmas ham this year and it turned out awesome! Wesley was the real hero of the day because I (of course) bought the wrong type of ham AND didn't read the directions on the recipe all the way through so we had to improvise but Wesley handled it like a champ and it was delicious! We used the left over ham to bring ham sandwiches to the residents and make bean soup later that week! 

I am SOOOO behind on my scrapbook for 2012 so Mom and Libby  each made several pages for me! Thanks so much gals! I owe you big time :) 

I bought Wes "Ticket to Ride - Europe" for Christmas so we played  it one night! It was a lot of fun!   Mom bought me that pink bathrobe for Christmas and I wore it most of the week! Haha, while all of them were dressed in normal clothes I was rocking the sweatpants and bathrobe all week! Luckily, I received some maternity pants from Dana, Dad & Lynn, so I'm more comfortable now :) 

I bought a box of 10 holiday puzzles several months ago and Wes and I have been slowly putting them together.   We still had a few that we had not done so we spent an evening putting a couple together!  

After a great week with Mom and Libs we headed up to Ohio for Christmas with the Haldermans, Dad & Lynn, and John & Kim! Mom was a beast on the drive up and ended up driving the entire way! She made the drive very easy on us which was really nice! Thanks Mom! 

Here are some pictures from the Christmas/New Year holiday:

Halderman clan in front of the tree! 

We spent some time taking family photos in the snow as this was the first time that everyone was able to be together  in a while! Haha, it was rather chilly but we got some great pictures! 

After talking about it for several months we finally loaded Dana's piano into the truck  and took it to Toledo (well, everyone besides Wes and I took it to Toledo).  It was quite an adventure but they handled it like master movers!

*Don't worry, I didn't help with the loading of the piano! 

Sporting our "growing bellies'" at 16 weeks! 

Brannon Christmas/New Years celebration! 

Again, it was so great seeing all of you! We've had an exciting beginning to our new year but we'll have to tell you all about that in the January post! Our next doctor's appointment is on January 21st so we should know our baby's gender then! We'll give y'all a call and let you know! We can't wait...then I'll feel like we can finally get moving on the nursery and basically everything...because we haven't done very much :) 

Love you!