We're Halfway There!

August 21 marked the official half-way point of my pregnancy!  I can't believe how fast time is flying by, and that I am already at 20 weeks!  I definitely thought I would have a lot more accomplished at this point, and it's a bit daunting to think of everything we need to do before Baileigh arrives.  Luckily I have a great husband who will happily complete any task that I ask of him...which will be happening more and more in the coming weeks.  His project for this upcoming week is to get all the furniture out of the guest bedroom, in preparation for the crib which should be arriving any day now.

As for the nursery theme, I am still a bit undecided.  I know for sure that I do not want an official "theme", but instead a palette of 4 or 5 colors.  As for choosing those colors...that is the hard part!  I found a lady through the church that is going to make my bedding for me, so as soon as I figure out what colors I want, I can go to the fabric store and get that project started.  I am hoping to have that done in the next month or two...so stay tuned!

The most recent development in my pregnancy is that I can now feel Baileigh moving around and kicking everyday!  I have felt her moving for about a month now, but the kicking started at about 18 or 19 weeks.  One of my new favorite things to do is lay down, or sit on the couch, and just wait for her to kick.  Unfortunately her timing hasn't been very good, and Cody still hasn't been able to feel her.  I think he is starting to feel a little left out!

The past two weekends Cody and I have been able to get down to the beach, which has been such a blast.  Two weekends ago just the two of us went, then last weekend we went with my mom, Lindsay, Jenna, and Jax.  We all had such a blast.  Baileigh got her first taste of the ocean while I was floating in the waves!  The weather and the water were perfect!  I'm hoping to make lots of beach trips with her next summer!

As usual, we both took advantage of our time with Jaxson, and got lots of "Mommy" and "Daddy" practice.  You may not be able to tell from the picture, but Jaxy had a blast playing in the waves with his Uncle Cody!

Last weekend I also had the chance to meet up with my best friend/college roommate Liz in Orange County.   She was so thoughtful and bought Baileigh the cutest little dress!  We don't get to see each other very often, but when we do, we are able to pick up right where we left off.  Liz is busy preparing for her wedding next year and working on her Master's at USC.  It's funny how we have both chosen such different paths since graduating, but we still share such a great bond.  I am looking forward to her wedding next September...it will be an exciting year for us both as we become a mother and a wife!  

It's A..........

GIRL!!!!!!!  Yup that's right!!  We are still in shock.  Cody keeps saying, "I can't believe I'm going to have a daughter!"  I just can't wipe the smile off of my face.  Although, there is a little disclaimer.  The ultrasound tech said that she, personally, doesn't ever say the gender is 100% until 18 weeks.  I had the ultrasound today, at almost 17 weeks, so she said she is only 80% sure.  At first Cody and I were pretty bummed about this.  However, after the tech took a few good looks at the ultrasound, she seemed pretty sure of herself....so we are going with it!  I guess you truly never know until you get to meet them in the flesh, but we are going to go with Girl for now!

I'm writing this at 7:45pm, and let me tell you, it has been a very long day.  I woke up early to get a head start on my "gender reveal" cupcakes, took a shower and got ready, went maternity shopping with Lindsay (and found some GREAT stuff), then hurried home to meet up with Cody and head over to the imaging center.  As soon as the ultrasound was done, we hurried over to order pizza, got some Starbucks while we waited for the pizzas, hurried back home so I could stuff the cupcakes with pink frosting, skyped with Aunt Kaitlin and Uncle Doug in Korea (their reaction was awesome), then quickly cleaned the kitchen (to hide all evidence of pink frosting) before the whole family came over for dinner.

Once everybody arrived, it only took about 30 seconds until everybody had a cupcake in hand, ready to take a big bite to see what was inside....

For someone who doesn't eat carbs, Lindsay sure was eager to eat that cupcake!

Needless to say, everyone was ecstatic to see the pink frosting!  We are all very excited to have a girl in the family.  Cody and I can't believe we are going to be the lucky parents of a sweet little girl.  We love our little angel already!  We can't wait to meet you, Baileigh Dawn!

One down, two to go!!

Well my first trimester is officially over.  I still am in shock of how fast it came and went!  Although I really did feel great the entire trimester, I have noticed the past few weeks that I have more energy.  I am thankful to be feeling up to making dinner and cleaning the house again.  Cody was doing way more than his fair share for quite a while there, so I am happy to resume my duties and start taking better care of my man!

I officially told the pastors that I work for the news last week.  I had been nervous about this for weeks.  I thought that they would be disappointed in me and upset that I would be leaving so soon.  They all were bummed, but more excited for me than anything.  I really had no reason to be nervous.  I had been praying about it, and just like He always does, God took care of things.  I am beyond thankful to be working at High Desert Church.  It is a truly unique work environment, where family comes first in everyone's life.  All the pastors were more than supportive of my decision to be a stay-at-home mommy.  They all expressed that they wouldn't want it any other way for me.  It has been such a relief to not be keeping that secret anymore, and lots of fun too!  Most of the women I work with are around my parents' ages, so I am blessed daily with their wisdom, advice, encouragement, and support.  I couldn't have asked for a better place to work.  Although I am eagerly looking forward to my new job as a mommy, it is going to be very hard for me to leave my job.

Today I had my 14 week appointment.  Cody was able to go with me again.  Sylvia, my nurse practitioner, had a hard time getting the heartbeat.  Every time she would find it, the baby would move or fidget and she would have to find it again.  She joked that she was having to chase the baby just to get the heartbeat!  Now Cody and I are anticipated an active baby!  I think Cody got a real kick out of our feisty little baby.  My first ultrasound is scheduled for July 27, which means the next time I update this blog it will be to announce what we're having!  We can't wait!!

I'm a little embarrassed about my 14 week photo.  Instead of a baby bump, it looks more like a baby roll in the picture.  Oh well.  As Lindsay would say, "I keep it real."  Cody takes these pictures right before I leave for work, so there is usually not a lot of time to take a lot of shots.  Hopefully for my 16 week photo I will look pregnant and not chubby!

10 Weeks

Time is just flying by...only two more weeks and I'll be done with my first trimester!  I can't believe it.  I feel very blessed to say that so far, I have had a great pregnancy.  I feel pretty much myself, except for my growing waist.  The last few days at work I have had to wear a longer shirt with my pants unbuttoned!  I think it may be time to look into some pants with a little more stretch!

This past Thursday I had my second doctor's appointment.  Cody was able to go along as well.  The doctor said everything looked great, and we even got to hear the heartbeat!  It was such a special moment.  As soon as I heard that "swish-swish" of our babies heart, the tears started rolling down my cheeks.  That was the moment where this all started to feel very real for us.  We left that appointment with big smiles on our faces...with Cody saying, "HE has such a strong heartbeat," as I replied, "Yes, SHE does."

Unfortunately we won't be able to end that debate for 2 more months.  My doctor said if I really want to know the sex on the first ultrasound, we should wait until 18 weeks.  That seems like an eternity right now.  I just have to keep reminding myself how quickly the past few weeks have gone by.  I think everyone in the family is eager to find out the sex...so we can start buying stuff for the baby!  Every time I am out at the store I have to refrain from buying all the cute little girl stuff I see!  I am also eager to get a head start on the nursery.  I have tons of ideas running through my head...most of them involving a little girl's room!

Well that's all for this week.  I'm happy to say there is not much to report.  Cody is doing well, for those of you who are curious.  He has been extra helpful around the house and very patient with his often-cranky wife.  I am a lucky girl.  He is looking forward to celebrating Father's Day this year!  We will be heading to Arizona for two days to visit his dad as well as take Hot & Spicy out for the first time of 2012.  Other than the short ride to the beach, I won't be riding in the boat this summer, so Cody will have to take her out solo. But I am looking forward to floating in the water all day and giving the baby it's first taste of the river!

Here we go...

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind in the Nelson home.  Time is already flying by, I already feel like these next 8 months will go by so fast...and there's so much to do!  I've already had my first OB appt, crazy cravings (I ate about 3 avocados a day for a week straight), and nausea.  More than anything, I've had "pregnancy brain".  I am extremely forgetful and scatter-brained these days.  If anything, all my mishaps have kept us laughing!  

At my first appointment, we were told that I was 7 weeks along with a due date of January 8, 2013.  That was exciting news for us, we have lots of family birthdays in the month of January.  Cody's dad's birthday is in January, and not mention my dad's and Kaitlin's, on the 6th and the 7th.  So if the baby is born on the 8th, we will have birthdays on the 6th, 7th, and 8th!  How exciting!  Or perhaps the baby will be born on one of their birthdays, or even on New Year's Day!  Who knows!  We are already looking forward to taking the baby to the river next summer, he/she will be at a great age to enjoy the water!  Renay is already chomping at the bit to buy the baby's first life jacket!  Safety first!!

My first belly pic is not very exciting.  This was at 5 weeks right after we found out.  I already feel a little bigger now, at 7 1/2 weeks.  My jeans are definitely tighter!  I am constantly hungry, but haven't been making the best dietary choices.  I have been splurging on sweets...big surprise, right?  I definitely need to tone it down, I'm blaming it on the initial excitement of the pregnancy.  I will try to be more health conscious from here on out!  Cody doesn't want the baby to come out with a sugar high.

Well that's all for this week...nothing too exciting!  More to come...

Exciting News!

I've been wanting to start a blog for some time now, but never had a very good reason until now...


On May 10, 2012, Cody and I received the biggest news of our lives: We're pregnant!  After nine years together and almost four years of marriage, to say we are "ready" to start a family would be an understatement.  This is something we have dreamed about since we were teenagers (and for me, for as long as I can remember - I think I was born with a baby-doll in my hand)!  


Looking back on our time together as a couple, I can truly say that God has perfect timing.  I spent the past few years longing for a baby, almost to the point of depression.  But things just never seemed to work out for us.  The time was never right.  I desperately relied on God's word.  There is a verse that I have kept on my fridge, and in my heart, the past few years:


"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart...Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him, do not fret..." -Psalms 37:4,7


While I can't say that I have always been "still" or "patient", I can say that the Lord always keeps His promises.  I recently read in a book that if you want something, and God hasn't given it to you, then it means you don't need it yet!  How profound.  So I have really been trying to focus on the blessings I do have in my life.  First and foremost, my wonderful husband, who makes everyday fun in some way and fills my life with love and joy.  And of course my family, my sisters/bestfriends, my adorable nephews, my friends, my wonderful job, and my church family.  Just when I started to feel content in my life and with all that God has blessed me with..."BAM!"...he answered our prayer!  My heart is overflowing with thankfulness to the Lord, he has truly given me the desire of my heart - to be a mother.  

Joy.  That is the only word I can use to describe the state Cody and I are in right now.  When I shared the news with him, we couldn't stop laughing!  We were so happy.  Sharing the news with our family was another story.  We decided to tell our moms on Mother's Day, but we weren't sure if Cody would be at work or not. Cody got home from work late on Saturday night, so we tried to coax our moms into coming over for their "gifts".  It took a lot of coaxing.  And there was a lot of grumbling on their parts.  They didn't understand the big deal, why couldn't they just get their gift the next time they saw us?  We practically had to beg them to come over.  Once we finally convinced them, they were pleasantly surprised by their gifts - baby onesies with "Coming Jan 2013" written on the front!  I think they were glad they made the trip.

Well here's to an exciting and eventful 9 months!  

"Every good and perfect gift is from above...." -James 1:17