Joy is a good description of how we feel this season. We are most joyful about the precious new addition that will be here in six short months. God has been good to us this year, and we are so thankful for His many blessings.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Merry Christmas from the Haywoods!
We're headed south today to see my family, and I'm so excited. Might be a few days before I post anything else, so now's the best time to says Merry Christmas from our house to yours!
Joy is a good description of how we feel this season. We are most joyful about the precious new addition that will be here in six short months. God has been good to us this year, and we are so thankful for His many blessings.
Merry Christmas!
Joy is a good description of how we feel this season. We are most joyful about the precious new addition that will be here in six short months. God has been good to us this year, and we are so thankful for His many blessings.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 20, 2010
13 Weeks
How Far Along: 13 Weeks (12/20/10)
Size of baby: Baby Haywood is the size of a peach!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: As of my last appointment a few weeks ago, I have only gained one pound. We'll see what the holidays does to me. I've been too scared to look myself.
Maternity Clothes: I have been sticking with the stretchy pants and dresses. I have one pair of black maternity pants that I'm probably going to break out soon.
Gender: I'm still going to guess that it's a girl.
Movement: Haven't felt anything yet.
Sleep: Oh sleep - you're such a fickle friend. I have good nights and bad nights, but most the time I get up at least once. If that's all I do, then I consider that a good night.
What I miss: Nyquil and White Zinfandel - but not together of course!
Cravings: I've been really sick the past week, so not much sounds good to me.
Symptoms: Really really tired, emotional breakdowns, vomiting, nausea.
This past week I had the busiest week I've had since being preggers. Beginning on Saturday, I had something to do each day of the week through the next Friday. They say you have to slow down, and I wish I could have, but that just wasn't possible. I had a baby shower, church Christmas party, birthday dinners, AWANA, wedding anniversary, work Christmas party, and jury duty. I get tired just thinking about all that I had to do. When I got home from the big party on Thursday, I crashed and crashed hard. Without going into too much detail, let's just say that I hate to vomit, and I've done my share of it over the weekend. I think some of it was due to sinus drainage I experienced over the weekend, but still. I. HATE. IT. I kept whining to Brent, "I'm just ready to feel better." And I know he's ready too - he bears the brunt of my emotional breakdowns and sicknesses. He's a good man!
The next doctor's appointment is January 5th, and that should be my 15 week appointment. The next appointment after that will be the first week of February, and we should be able to find out then if it's a him or a her!
Size of baby: Baby Haywood is the size of a peach!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: As of my last appointment a few weeks ago, I have only gained one pound. We'll see what the holidays does to me. I've been too scared to look myself.
Maternity Clothes: I have been sticking with the stretchy pants and dresses. I have one pair of black maternity pants that I'm probably going to break out soon.
Gender: I'm still going to guess that it's a girl.
Movement: Haven't felt anything yet.
Sleep: Oh sleep - you're such a fickle friend. I have good nights and bad nights, but most the time I get up at least once. If that's all I do, then I consider that a good night.
What I miss: Nyquil and White Zinfandel - but not together of course!
Cravings: I've been really sick the past week, so not much sounds good to me.
Symptoms: Really really tired, emotional breakdowns, vomiting, nausea.
This past week I had the busiest week I've had since being preggers. Beginning on Saturday, I had something to do each day of the week through the next Friday. They say you have to slow down, and I wish I could have, but that just wasn't possible. I had a baby shower, church Christmas party, birthday dinners, AWANA, wedding anniversary, work Christmas party, and jury duty. I get tired just thinking about all that I had to do. When I got home from the big party on Thursday, I crashed and crashed hard. Without going into too much detail, let's just say that I hate to vomit, and I've done my share of it over the weekend. I think some of it was due to sinus drainage I experienced over the weekend, but still. I. HATE. IT. I kept whining to Brent, "I'm just ready to feel better." And I know he's ready too - he bears the brunt of my emotional breakdowns and sicknesses. He's a good man!
The next doctor's appointment is January 5th, and that should be my 15 week appointment. The next appointment after that will be the first week of February, and we should be able to find out then if it's a him or a her!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Has it only been 3 years?
Just to show you how much he loves me. He went to the Happy Birthday Jesus party at AWANA tonight and we celebrated our anniversary with 7 kindergardeners over a romantic dinner of coke and Pizza Pro pizza.
And he said he wouldn't trade me for anything in the world.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Widows Christmas Brunch
When I was growing up, my grandparents would host a Christmas dinner at their home to honor the widows in their community. I remember these being almost as fun as Christmas Eve at the Bayou, and now that I'm older, I long for those days. There would be tons of food, and Pa would make divinity, and the grandkids would be the entertainment for 40-50 older ladies who had lost their husbands. Often times, we would bring our friends from church along as well. At the end of the night, we'd give them a calendar, almanac, and a box of chocolate covered cherries. (To this day, I can't eat chocolate covered cherries cause I ate tons of them back then).
This is one of my favorite pictures of him. He never wanted anyone to be cold or hungry, and he loved having people around.
I was really nervous for some reason, but I get like that before big events. All of my Sunday School friends really got behind the idea and were excited about the ministry opportunity as well. I don't know about the other girls, but I had a great time meeting all of the ladies and talking with them. With the way our church schedule is, we don't see a lot of older people in our Sunday School hour and worship service.
Funny story about this event. There was one older gentleman in this group of ladies. Mr. Duke is close to 80, and I asked him how he ended up the lone wolf in the midst of all of these ladies. He said, "Well, I don't know, but if I had a piece of paper, I would send it around and get their phone numbers." What a mess! He was a really neat man and I was glad to get to know him.
On Sunday, Calvin read a note for one of the ladies who had sent the church a note. She said: "Thank you again for the food and fellowship Sunday, but most of all because you did it in the service of the Lord. It made me feel extra special and to be able to interact with some of the "younger people" and Sunday School class of the church was great. May the Lord bless each of you and strengthen the fellowship of the church family. Merry Christmas to all. In Christian love, Virginia Smith."
I teared up because I thought about my Pa. I know that he is in heaven smiling right now because his legacy has been carried on. I felt like God wanted me to do this, and I did it, and received so much more than those ladies and one man will ever know.
This is one of my favorite pictures of him. He never wanted anyone to be cold or hungry, and he loved having people around.
Our Sunday School girls have been trying to do service projects once a quarter, and I came up with the idea to do a Widow's party for the ladies in our church. Originally I wanted to do a lunch, but after determining schedules, we realized that wasn't going to be possible. Instead we decided to do a brunch and invite the widows' Sunday School classes. We have a really nice renovated room in the 100 hallway that we decorated and filled with breakfast goodies.
I was really nervous for some reason, but I get like that before big events. All of my Sunday School friends really got behind the idea and were excited about the ministry opportunity as well. I don't know about the other girls, but I had a great time meeting all of the ladies and talking with them. With the way our church schedule is, we don't see a lot of older people in our Sunday School hour and worship service.Funny story about this event. There was one older gentleman in this group of ladies. Mr. Duke is close to 80, and I asked him how he ended up the lone wolf in the midst of all of these ladies. He said, "Well, I don't know, but if I had a piece of paper, I would send it around and get their phone numbers." What a mess! He was a really neat man and I was glad to get to know him.
On Sunday, Calvin read a note for one of the ladies who had sent the church a note. She said: "Thank you again for the food and fellowship Sunday, but most of all because you did it in the service of the Lord. It made me feel extra special and to be able to interact with some of the "younger people" and Sunday School class of the church was great. May the Lord bless each of you and strengthen the fellowship of the church family. Merry Christmas to all. In Christian love, Virginia Smith."
Sunday, December 5, 2010
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!
Last year we spent the week before Christmas in Arizona so I didn't put up my Christmas tree. This year, I couldn't wait to get everything out and decorated, and I realized that I have a lot of Christmas stuff! In fact, most of it stayed packed up, and I only got the pieces out that fit in the space that we have. I am on a red and green kick right now, and I am loving my tree. It's skinny, and although I wish it was pre-lit, I can't find a pre-lit one as skinny as this in the stores.
I love my nativity scene - direct from Israel. I am not loving my stockings, but they're all I've got right now. Next year, we'll get new ones with our names on it, and the name of our new addition as well.
This is my in table all prettied up.
I didn't take a picture of the outside this year, but it basically looks like last year's. Except most of our yard is dirt right now.
Friday, December 3, 2010
5 Weeks vs. 10 Weeks
Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 5 Weeks (10/25/10)
Size of baby: Baby Haywood is the size of an apple seed. Amazing!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: No weight gain so far. I'm doing really good at eating more fruits and vegatables and drinking lots of water - mainly so my stomach will stay in check.
Maternity Clothes: Haven't bought any traditional maternity clothes yet, but have a few things that will work I hope.
Gender: We're still a long way from there! I've been feeling like it will be a girl, that's just a premonition at this point.
Movement: We've got a few weeks before I'll feel any movement, but I can't wait!
Sleep: I knew something was off when I was actually waking up when my alarm was going off at 5:30 and getting up on time. Of course, at 9 p.m., I am literally in a coma and so tired that my entire body aches. The only way I can describe it is that it's a tired that I've never felt before. I have noticed that I feel less tired on the days that I walk, so I've been trying to do that.
What I miss: Blue Moon!
Cravings: Not really craving anything yet
Symptons: Hungry a lot, tired, cranky at times (what's new). I haven't been sick yet, but I have gagged a couple of times. It may have been my prenatal vitamins, so I'm taking those at night with my meal.
How Far Along: 10 Weeks (11/29/10)
Size of baby: Baby Haywood is the size of a kumquat, or little over an inch long.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: No weight gain so far. I'm really surprised because of all of the activities we've had lately: family, wedding, Thanksgiving, etc. I do think my lower stomach has started to pooch out more though.
Maternity Clothes: Old Navy had a sale last week, and I got several pieces that I can wear through the winter. I haven't needed any special pants yet, but I have a feeling that it's coming.
Gender: At first I thought it was a girl, now I feel like it's a boy, which is what Brent is really going for. I honestly don't care either way, but we should know for sure at the end of January\first of February. We have also not discussed names because Brent says why waste your time discussing one gender if it's not going to be that. He has a point, and I don't feel like arguing too much with him on this point.
Movement: No movement yet- just twinges of things growing.
Sleep: Oh sleep - you're a fickle friend. Some nights are good, and some are not so good. And then there are the nights when I have strange dreams and they make me tired before I even get out of bed.
What I miss: Still Blue Moon! It's funny how not being able to have something makes you want it even more!
Cravings: I got an intense craving for Ma's cheese ball that she always makes for Christmas Eve, and I'm waiting on the recipe because I'm not sure I can wait an entire month! I've also wanted good sushi from Sushi Cafe (only the fried kind of course), and I wanted pizza the other night, but that didn't end well.
Symptons: Oh the nausea set in about week 6, and I think it may be easing up some. I had to get some meds for it and those seem to help when I'm gagging. Luckily, I have not actually thrown up, but it's just the general sense of feeling like crap wears you out! The nausea is worse right before I go to bed, which is definitely not classified as "morning sickness" but it's still a sickness. I'm also ready for bed by 9:30, but have been forcing myself to make it past Ned's forecast. Thanksgiving break was so nice because I was asleep by 10:30 every night and got up at 8. Nothing like 9-10 hours to make you feel normal again!
I can also tell when the hormones are ramping up because the emotions go into over drive! I've had a few instances where I completely lost it: the first was at church while watching a clip of Saving Private Ryan, the second was at Target after talking to an old friend (had to go to the car), and the last one was watching the Country Music Award tribute to Loretta Lynn and hearing her sing "Cole Miners Daughter". Oh yes - Brent has seriously though I have lost my mind, and everybody says that it's probably going to get worse. At least we can laugh about it at the same time!
I'm looking forward to my second doctors appointment next Tuesday! Time is certainly flying, and June 27th will be here before we know it.
How Far Along: 5 Weeks (10/25/10)
Size of baby: Baby Haywood is the size of an apple seed. Amazing!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: No weight gain so far. I'm doing really good at eating more fruits and vegatables and drinking lots of water - mainly so my stomach will stay in check.
Maternity Clothes: Haven't bought any traditional maternity clothes yet, but have a few things that will work I hope.
Gender: We're still a long way from there! I've been feeling like it will be a girl, that's just a premonition at this point.
Movement: We've got a few weeks before I'll feel any movement, but I can't wait!
Sleep: I knew something was off when I was actually waking up when my alarm was going off at 5:30 and getting up on time. Of course, at 9 p.m., I am literally in a coma and so tired that my entire body aches. The only way I can describe it is that it's a tired that I've never felt before. I have noticed that I feel less tired on the days that I walk, so I've been trying to do that.
What I miss: Blue Moon!
Cravings: Not really craving anything yet
Symptons: Hungry a lot, tired, cranky at times (what's new). I haven't been sick yet, but I have gagged a couple of times. It may have been my prenatal vitamins, so I'm taking those at night with my meal.
How Far Along: 10 Weeks (11/29/10)
Size of baby: Baby Haywood is the size of a kumquat, or little over an inch long.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: No weight gain so far. I'm really surprised because of all of the activities we've had lately: family, wedding, Thanksgiving, etc. I do think my lower stomach has started to pooch out more though.
Maternity Clothes: Old Navy had a sale last week, and I got several pieces that I can wear through the winter. I haven't needed any special pants yet, but I have a feeling that it's coming.
Gender: At first I thought it was a girl, now I feel like it's a boy, which is what Brent is really going for. I honestly don't care either way, but we should know for sure at the end of January\first of February. We have also not discussed names because Brent says why waste your time discussing one gender if it's not going to be that. He has a point, and I don't feel like arguing too much with him on this point.
Movement: No movement yet- just twinges of things growing.
Sleep: Oh sleep - you're a fickle friend. Some nights are good, and some are not so good. And then there are the nights when I have strange dreams and they make me tired before I even get out of bed.
What I miss: Still Blue Moon! It's funny how not being able to have something makes you want it even more!
Cravings: I got an intense craving for Ma's cheese ball that she always makes for Christmas Eve, and I'm waiting on the recipe because I'm not sure I can wait an entire month! I've also wanted good sushi from Sushi Cafe (only the fried kind of course), and I wanted pizza the other night, but that didn't end well.
Symptons: Oh the nausea set in about week 6, and I think it may be easing up some. I had to get some meds for it and those seem to help when I'm gagging. Luckily, I have not actually thrown up, but it's just the general sense of feeling like crap wears you out! The nausea is worse right before I go to bed, which is definitely not classified as "morning sickness" but it's still a sickness. I'm also ready for bed by 9:30, but have been forcing myself to make it past Ned's forecast. Thanksgiving break was so nice because I was asleep by 10:30 every night and got up at 8. Nothing like 9-10 hours to make you feel normal again!
I can also tell when the hormones are ramping up because the emotions go into over drive! I've had a few instances where I completely lost it: the first was at church while watching a clip of Saving Private Ryan, the second was at Target after talking to an old friend (had to go to the car), and the last one was watching the Country Music Award tribute to Loretta Lynn and hearing her sing "Cole Miners Daughter". Oh yes - Brent has seriously though I have lost my mind, and everybody says that it's probably going to get worse. At least we can laugh about it at the same time!
I'm looking forward to my second doctors appointment next Tuesday! Time is certainly flying, and June 27th will be here before we know it.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Survey
There's a graduate student in Fayetteville who's doing a thesis on blogging (I found on Kelly's Korner blog). I had to do a survey and research paper to graduate with my Master's degree, so I thought I would help her out. She's a graduate student in Communications so I certainly feel her pain! Take a few minutes and help Brittany out (www.razorbackbritt.blogspot.com).
"If you are a woman who writes a blog with content predominantly about her family, and you have 10-15 minutes to spare, we would love to hear from you! We are doing research on bloggers, and invite you to take a survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/mommyblog. Your participation will help one graduate student get one step closer to completing her thesis, and one step closer to graduation! Thank you for your input and for your time!"
"If you are a woman who writes a blog with content predominantly about her family, and you have 10-15 minutes to spare, we would love to hear from you! We are doing research on bloggers, and invite you to take a survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/mommyblog. Your participation will help one graduate student get one step closer to completing her thesis, and one step closer to graduation! Thank you for your input and for your time!"
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