Pregnancy musings

My pregnancy with Hudson is quickly coming to an end.  I'm 39 weeks and 3 days--and there is an end in sight.  I had an appointment yesterday and we went ahead and scheduled an induction date for Monday, June 2nd (my due date).  My doctor asked me what I wanted to do...well I think she worded it as, "what kind of person are you?"  I was torn...which led to me crying.  I'm mentally done being pregnant.  This happened with Cooper's pregnancy too.  This is where Facebook is awful because everyone I know who has been due around the same time as me has already had their baby.  I also think that doctors shouldn't say "anyday now...go ahead and have that baby..." because it really makes me think 'anyday now' as the weeks go by.  I really have no reason to complain though because I have had 2 healthy pregnancies-- no miscarriages or infertility and really no complaints during pregnancy.  Although I would love for Hudson to come on his own before Monday, we went ahead and scheduled an induction even though my doctor was willing to let me go over another half week-week.  I'm really not even super uncomfortable, which I contribute to my long torso and that he is probably still pretty comfy in there.  I'm just selfish and done.  I've been eating pineapple & spicy food, going on walks, and bouncing on a big exercise ball.  2cm dilated and 80% effaced. This does put me farther than I was with Cooper at this point (although this hasn't changed in two weeks).  So I think for my mental state and attitude, having a date has helped.

I have a couple of personal goals to celebrate with this pregnancy:

- I have gained half the amount of weight that I gained with Cooper! (probably helps not working at Chick-fil-A) 

- I had a goal to workout at least 3-5 times per week, which I've done!  This included running, which I did up until a few weeks ago.  Lately it's been more walking, stationary bike or the elliptical.

- I can still wear my wedding ring.

So there is a little update.  Hudson is coming soon and we are excited to meet him!

Baby #2 update

I should do a little baby update, although I don't feel like I have much to update about!  I'm 23 1/2 weeks and both baby and I are doing well.  I had a check-up last week and saw the nurse practitioner. She told us that everything looked good from the 20 week ultrasound.  It was a pretty short appointment.  I have gained 14 lbs. total (which was a jump from last appt--so need to watch that better!) and baby boy's heart rate was 148.  My next appt isn't for 6 weeks, and that will include the glucose test.

16 1/2 weeks

23 weeks

The nursery ideas are coming along...both in my head and practically.  We have fabric bought, a quilt pattern picked, have started on some little projects, and have bought a canvas piece of wall art.  The big thing right now is hunting for a dresser.  We are looking for a long dresser (not a chest of drawers) that we can re-do like we did with Cooper's.  We have moved the guest bedroom stuff out and have began gathering baby stuff in the to-be nursery.  

So there's a little update....thanks for reading and let me know if you have an extra dresser lying around :)

Oh, and here are some pictures from days around the house (including 2 snow days with daddy)...don't mind my crazy hair!

We always sneak in to take a peek...sweet sleeping boy!

And usually one of the first things I hear in the morning when I walk in the room, "Gup, gup!" (Get up, get up)

First Trimester update!

I had a doctor's appointment last week, so I thought I would give a little update on Baby #2.

Due date:  June 2, 2014
How far along:  13 weeks (second trimester as of today)
How/when did you find out:  I found out on September 25th by taking a pregnancy test and then
that was confirmed at the doctor on October 22nd.
How have you been feeling:  I've been feeling pretty good. There are mornings that I wake up a little nauseous, but as soon as I get something to eat, I'm much better.  I think I'm over the "super tired" feeling.  I've been trying to stay active (even with the cold weather) and have even taken Cooper mall-walking :)  I had a goal last pregnancy to run a 5k, which didn't happen.  I'm pleased that I have already completed two this pregnancy.  I ran one in Eric's hometown back in September (just a couple days before I found out--but was already pregnant) and then ran/walked one with friends in Columbia in October.
Are you going to find out the gender:  Yes, as long as baby cooperates!  I think if we had one girl and one boy, I would possibly do a surprise for a third baby.  I just like to be prepared and it would be hard not to know!
Do you want a boy or a girl:  We're really okay with either one.  Last time, we liked the idea of having a boy as the oldest.  This time around, I think we would like a girl.  (It would be the first girl in a couple of generations on the Barb side).  We really will be excited with whichever though!  There were several all-boy families in my hometown, and I always thought they must have a lot of fun!  I'm learning boy--and I would have a LOT to learn for girl.  I can hardly put my own hair in a ponytail :)  We are excited for the challenge- either way!
Baby's heart rate: 162 at 12 weeks, 4 days.  Cooper's was 158 at 12 weeks, 1 day.

Something that's silly, but I was excited about....I only gained ONE pound this past month.  I think they recommend that you gain about 25-35 pounds during your pregnancy.  I doubled that last time :(  I gained 65 pounds with Cooper, and sadly, it hadn't all come off.  So I'm starting this pregnancy weighing more, and would love not to gain that much.  So comparing to this point last time, I had gained about 13 pounds by the end of the first trimester, and currently (though I don't know exactly where I started), I would guess maybe 3-4 pounds so far.

So there's a baby update.  I haven't taken any pictures--but I'm really not showing much.  My jeans still zip up normally.  I'm guessing that will all change in the next few weeks.

And because you are interested in what Cooper's been up to--here has been our day.

Thankfully, he wasn't hurt with the lamp crash.  We moved furniture around yesterday, so we would be ready to set up Christmas decorations soon.  We didn't really think about how now the lamp was in his reach, and he would just grab it and pull it down.  So there's that.  He also loves to take DVDs out of the drawer and we have a few VCR tapes as well.  I saw him slide a tape out of it's box and next thing I know, he's pulling the tape out!  These are just things though.  He's our full-of-life boy!
We also get to have lots of sweet moments.

 Mister got a haircut yesterday, so the next pictures will be his new style :)  Thanks for reading!

Mama's Due with Baby #2

So if you follow Eric or I on facebook or twitter, you will notice that we just posted this announcement.....

That's right--baby #2 is coming in June!  We are pretty excited about it (and I'm also nervous....2 children?!?!) I'm right at 10 weeks along and so far, things have checked out well at the doctor.
Since we moved to Jeff City, I had to find a new doctor and I think when she read my chart, she thought I had just had Cooper this past August.  The first thing she said when she came in was, "Wow. I bet this was a surprise!" I responded with, "Well, they will be almost two years apart, so I don't think it's too crazy."  She then said, "Oh, your first baby was born in 2012....not Aug 2013"
That would be crazy though--I think that's also against doctors orders :)

We have gotten the question (fairly often)...."Were you trying / Was this planned?"  So if that's what you are thinking, the answer is that we weren't actively trying or actively preventing.  We were comfortable getting pregnant at any point, once Cooper turned a year.  We found out at the end of September, when I took a test after being a little sick.  I think it was actually unrelated though, because then Eric and several of our friends also ended up getting sick within a couple of days.

That's really all we have about it now.  I'm nervous knowing our budget is going to get tighter, with rising insurance costs, extra diapers, etc...but Eric brings me back down and reminds me that God provides and He is in complete control.  We have also had several friends with miscarriages in the last year, and that is just a reminder that as we are not promised tomorrow, this baby isn't either.  Of course we are praying for a healthy and thriving pregnancy, but we know that God is control and will trust Him completely.

Thanks for sharing in our exciting news with us!



Caption for what actually was happening during the photo: Eric had some little dixie cups in his camera bag, so he had gone into Cooper's room to mess around with taking pictures.  Cooper had started to play with the cups and then Eric put him in the crib to try taking some pictures.  Cooper either dropped or threw the cups out and then began to cry because he wanted them back.  We just took advantage of the situation :)

updates from the Barbs

Well, this post is going to be all over the place!  We've been pretty busy, so I'll try and play catch up!

1. Baby Barb
Baby is doing extremely well ... and he has a name!  We decided on Cooper Owen Barb.  We had several options of boy names that we liked, and Cooper made it's way to the top.  We've shared this with anyone who asks and already bought letters to put up a name in the nursery, so it's not a secret and no turning back now :)  It's a pretty big deal to name a child ... I mean, this stays with them forever!  We tried to think through all the ways it could be changed, etc. and we know that it rhymes with Pooper ... but I don't think that's too traumatizing.  I got called Smelly Kelly and my feelings weren't hurt and I think I turned out okay ;)  We had an appointment a couple of weeks ago and everything is still going really well.  He is growing right on track (as am I) and so even though I still look small (relatively), we are on track!  I do feel like there has been a little growth happening this last week.  I feel bigger, look bigger, and my ever-growing basketball size uterus has made itself known as it pushes in and makes room.  I don't think there is any hiding that I'm pregnant.  So one week left and we enter the 3rd trimester!  It has been so fun to feel a living, growing being inside of me.  Maybe I won't feel this way in the heat of the summer as the kicks get harder and I get more uncomfortable, but I really have enjoyed being pregnant.  Another fun thing is that we have our pediatrician lined up!  We just went with Dr. Hoffman, who goes to our church- so lots of friends recommended him (including our OB doctor).  He also happens to be one of the best in town! 

May 20, 2012- 26 weeks

2. Chick-fil-A
This also marks my last week as a full-time manager at Chick-fil-A.  I'm now going to be the part-time Marketing Director!  I know I will miss being with my friends and team members that I enjoy working with and the guests that I enjoy serving, but I will still get to play a role there.  This will allow me to be pretty flexible and able to stay home with Cooper.  We can work with Eric's schedule and that way we aren't hiring out a babysitter or finding daycare options.  Our restaurant is also almost 9 months old now, so we are ready to really get our feet on the ground with stuff in the community too!  I'm also excited that I'll have a flexible summer to be able to spend with Eric, since he has such a flexible summer, and that we will get to be a part of Super Summer and MBC things :) Plus we have weddings, showers, and all kinds of other fun stuff lined up this summer!

My first CfA event -- Leadercast (cookie break)

Lunch at Leadercast

3. Showers
We've already had 2 surprise baby showers!  Our students threw a shower for us back at the end of April and we got so many great goodies....like pacifiers, bathtub, hygiene items, bottle refills, washcloths, towels, onesies, books, blanket, stuffed animal, and giftcards.  We've registered at Target- which was kind of just a shot in the dark.  Everyone has what has worked for their baby, what they never used, preferences, etc...so we registered for all the necessities we could really think of.  I'm sure there will be favorites that we get from people and we didn't bother to register for clothes, because I'm sure that will come too.  I also had a surprise shower on Friday at Chick-fil-A.  They gave us a Target giftcard and our jogging stroller!  We've already been blessed so much!

Some of the goodies from our BSU shower

$7 well spent at a yard sale across the street :)

Coop's first bowtie!

4. Vacation
At the end of April, we took a little trip to Los Angeles.  One of my friends that I met in Ethiopia was getting married!  Reuben (who got married) and Matt made the trip to Missouri for our wedding, so it was fun to be able to do the same!  We spent 4 days in LA and really enjoyed our time.  Eric got to experience Ikea for the first time, we went to Santa Monica pier and beach, went up to the Griffith Observatory, and just shopped and dined!  We got to have dinner with my friend Tracie (from high school) and her husband Ben at a great little Italian place.  Plus, we went to Reuben's wedding and an out-of-towners luncheon.  We love traveling and this was such a great opportunity to get away for a few days.  We'll have quite a bit of travel this summer (close by), but we wanted to get one more flight and travel a little further from home in before Cooper comes.

Reuben & Matt from our wedding- brought their own props for the photo booth!

Reuben & Nicole's wedding

Griffith Observatory--can barely see the Hollywood sign back there

I know there is so much more that I could write about, but it would be even more random than it is now.  So I'll just stop here :)  We've started work on the nursery--as in we know where it's going and have curtains, baby quilt, and the inspiration leading us, but I'm sure I'll have updates as we really begin to put it all together.  Thanks for reading :)

Love,
E + K

$5 prom during Finals week-- we know we're gross :)

Want to read a sweet post from my husband's blog....grab your tissues!

what?!? ...baby barb?!?

Well it's a little crazy to think that I'm 12 weeks pregnant.  We went to the doctor yesterday and saw a baby growing inside of me- full of life, moving around everywhere, and full of stretches that showed off fingers and toes.  It has a heart that is beating 158 beats/minute.  It's growing and so far, everything is normal.  So...I guess all that to say, I think I'm pregnant.  Until yesterday, I don't know that I was 100% confident of this fact.  Sure, we had taken a pregnancy test back before Christmas that showed two pink lines.  And yeah, I've added a couple of extra pounds that can't be contributed to Christmas, not to mention I have felt exhausted all the time and other changes that seemed to match straight up with what the books say.  But I guess I'm enough of a pessimist realist to want to see the proof.  Maybe I had this fear that it could be some crazy medical coincidence going on....I don't know!

There it is though!  Baby Barb (in the singular form...unlike my husband thought, who has been joking and claiming for weeks that it is twins).  The top two pictures are profile pictures and then the bottom one is looking straight on at the face...with the little arm up by the face (almost doing a little salute).  We're due August 26th.  So here are the frequently asked questions:

Due date:  August 26, 2012
How far along:  12 weeks, 2 days
How/when did you find out:  I found out on December 21, 2011 by taking a pregnancy test and then
that was confirmed at the doctor on December 27, 2011.
How have you been feeling:  I've actually felt pretty good.  I haven't been sick at all- just times that I feel weird/different (which Eric is quick to tell me that it's because I have something growing inside of me!) I'm pretty tired and take a lot of naps- but I think that is starting to get better too.  While we aren't training for any marathons or plan to have the story of this lady, I am still walking/running at the gym often.  I'd love to be able to do one/couple 5ks this spring/summer.
When did you tell your families:  We told both of our immediate families at our Christmas celebrations just a few days later.  We knew it might be a while before we would all be together and have a good opportunity to tell them in person. (Eric actually has some videos of our parents when we wrapped up some frames and gave them as Christmas presents.  The frames said "Sweet Baby" on them and then instead of putting a picture in it, we just used a little poem that we found that said: "We have no picture for this space, reserve 8 months for Baby Barb's face")
Were you trying:  We had decided that November would be my last month of birth control....but in all reality, I didn't expect to be pregnant a few weeks later.  We knew it could take a while, as we've walked through that with friends and family, and so in my mind, I expected maybe 9 months later (to be finding out that we're pregnant, not to be having a baby).  We had made the decision to just trust the Lord's timing instead of trying to plan it all out ourselves to later maybe find out we would have trouble or whatever...... but I guess in my mind, I still thought I knew what the Lord's plan was.  Silly me!
Are you going to find out the gender:  Probably.  I think it could be fun to be surprised, but it would probably kill me knowing that I could know, and I didn't.  I think I'm probably too much of a planner to be surprised like that!
Will it be the first grandbaby on either side:  No. Eric's  brother has a son that is 11 years old and that is the only grandchild on his side.  My brother has a daughter that is almost 5 and then another baby girl on the way in just 10 or so days.  So it will not be the first grandbaby on either side, but it will be either the first boy on my side or the first girl on his side.
Do you have names picked out:  We have a couple of names that we like for each gender, but we all know that could change several times.  We haven't really decided if we'll put whatever name we pick out to the public or not.
Do you want a boy or a girl:  We're really okay with either one. I think I like the idea of a boy being the oldest- but we'll be grateful and excited for whatever this baby may be!

Well, I think that's all for now.  I'm starting to show a little bit (maybe only Eric and I can tell though).  But my clothes are getting tighter and tighter- especially my nice white button up and black pants all tucked in for CFA.
Let me know if you have any questions that I didn't answer!  I'm new to all this and feel pretty much in the dark about everything- so I'm open for advice and whatever too!  Thanks for celebrating with us!  We are so excited and honored that God has entrusted us with a baby- that we're already trying to care for.  It brings us to a new place of truly understanding Him more as Creator and Author of life.  As Psalm 139:13 says, "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb."  He's doing the forming and the knitting....and we are so grateful that we get to be a part of it!

After our church's Valentine's banquet and a scrabble date at Starbucks last Saturday

Love,
E & K