10 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights How Far Along: 10 wks 5 days Size of Baby Smith: Lime! 2 inches and about .3oz!

Maternity Clothes: Not yet! I bought a belly band a few weeks ago because some of my pants are too uncomfortable to button! Gender: No clue :) Everyone says girl...I have a gut feeling it's a boy! Names: We have a few in mind :) Getting Ready: Not really in the least bit. We have been talking with the bank about applying for a home loan, but I think we're going to wait until mid-summer so we can save more and Travis will have his job established. As we have NO idea if we want to build or buy! Movement: Nope, but I can't wait! At our 8 wk ultrasound we saw the baby wiggle slightly! Sleep: Some days are better than others! Besides waking up at LEAST 2 times to go potty (usually at 1-2am and then at 5am-ish), it's been okay! What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach! Best Moment of the Week: So far, Easter Sunday! Church was great, then my Mom & Dad in law came to Port Lavaca and had lunch with my parents, Travis & I! And my Mom made my birthday cake (a few days early!) It was great! Now...later this week (of course tomorrow is my 26th Birthday!) but Friday we get to leave to go to New Braunfels for the weekend, and Saturday my brother in law (Travis' little brother) is getting married!!! :D So exciting! They are so perfect together!

Food Cravings: It's constantly changing. Lately it's been more of a "I don't want this, this OR this" and it's been me not liking a whole lot of meats. I'm trying hard to eat good but man, it's hard when NOTHING looks or sounds good. I've been loving ICEE's, slushes, snow cones (I think mainly because it's getting so warm already!)

Symptoms: This is a gross one...gagging!!! Bleh!!! I can NOT brush my teeth without gagging and it's SO annoying.

Due Date: Oct 24-26th (keeps changing)




Next Dr. Appointment: Not until April 16th!!! As most of you know there were several complications and I was going every week for an Ultrasound and appointment, well, I was released at my 8 wk appointment to go back to work, but am still taking it very very easy! All has been going good! Well, minus my allergic reaction around day 20 of taking Progesterone shots (in the butt)! I developed a bad rash, so now I'm on the gel until my next appointment. My levels went up from a "7" at the first appointment, to "27" 2 weeks  later, so the shots were VERY effective.





Daddy: Daddy is SUPER supportive. He's such a wonderful and amazing husband to begin with, so patient with me. But he is going to be an awesome daddy! He's always getting me anything I want/need and he says he's having sympathy cravings lol. He is very excited for this little sweet baby!


So, I will try to keep up with this on a weekly basis. I took a picture the other day, but I think at 12 wks or so is when I'll start with the pictures. :)

7W5D Sweet Baby Update

First of all, I can not believe our blog about our announcment has received over THREE HUNDRED views! Never could have imagined that! So since people still visit and keep up with us, I will update on sweet baby.

Today I am 7 wks 5 days, yesterday we had our very important follow up after our progesterone level was low and we found out about the subchorionic hematoma.

Travis started his clinical on Monday, so I am first of all VERY thankful he was able to come to the Ultrasound appointment still.

We have been praying non-stop for our sweet baby, we say outloud prayers before bed everynight and we say our own throughout the day. Not to mention, this sweet baby is getting prayers from so many loving family & friends!

None the less, the nerves were definitely there yesterday morning as we went in for the ultrasound. Travis (lucky duck!) saw the heartbeat first AGAIN ( he did that the other day too!) And his reaction was priceless. The joy, the happiness...it melted my heart. His first words were, "it's beating faster too!!" And that it was!!

179HR for sweet baby! And it has doubled in size in a week! Granted we've both had extensive anatomy and physiology classes, it's still so amazing how a baby develops inside mommy!

The Dr. said the Hematoma is "resolving" but wanted me to take it easy for another week. No work, nothing too strenuous, but I don't have to stay in bed 24/7. Still continuing the shots and I'm sure we'll re-check my levels at my follow up next week!

So please continue to pray for sweet baby & our little family...while things are looking better, we still have to keep our faith, hope and prayers up!

On another note, I am excited that I am going to get into some scrapbooking today and tomorrow. AND I've been cleaning out my drawers/dressers and Trav did a little too, and we got my parents motiviated...so I am selling some stuff on the local classifieds! AND I'm proud to say, I made $25 on 3 pair of American Eagle jeans that honestly, I wouldn't wear again ever!

AND Travis has a new "hobby" of making this neat crosses...

 

This particular one is 20"x11" (large) and is black wire with blue ice marbles, and it sells for $25. He also makes some medium sized ones (not sure on measurements as we've sold out currently and he's not here for me to ask) but they look the same just smaller and those sell for $15. We can get just about any color marbles desired, and if anyone is interested in purchasing this particular cross or want one custom made please email me at:

tara_ann1786@yahoo.com

 

It's just a pass time for him, he's very crafty and artistic and loves to work on something, ANYTHING outside. Since I haven't been working for almost 2 weeks, it definitely helps to have a hobby that's profitable :)

 

 

 

Thanks to EVERYONE for the continued prayers and thoughts, and check back frequently for updates :)
Tara

Patience is a virtue...

Hello everyone! So today made my 6th full day of bed rest. WOW. I can do it, but it is way harder than I thought it'd be. Emotionally, Physically, and Mentally! I'm so used to doing my own thing...I usually take care of the laundry, the dinner dishes daily, Gizmo our guinea pig, and other things. But in the last 6 days I haven't fixed my hair, put on make up, or even a piece of jewelry!

So tomorrow is our big appointment. Travis is unable to go due to clinical, but my Mom is going to be taking me. Luckily it's EARLY, because my nerves are already shot...I couldn't imagine twiddling my thumbs ALL day.

I don't know if they are going to do any lab work on me and check my Progesterone level tomorrow or not, since this appointment is "new" since all of the problems arose last Wednesday. I know for sure we will have an ultrasound...and we've been praying SO hard, and so have so many of our friends and family, for this ultrasound to be GOOD. I'm talking--hematoma SMALLER (OR gone...) and sweet baby's heart rate to be up!

We've been keeping our faith strong...and although at times it's easy to be negative and ask "what if", but all we know is God is in control of this situation, he is protecting and guiding us along this path and there isn't anything we can't handle and work through together with God as the center of our marriage.

Please, if you're reading this it means you care...that you saw one of the pregnancy posts probably...so say a special prayer for us to just comfort us and ease our minds as this ever so nerve racking ultrasound approaches tomorrow.

I will definitely be back with updates, so...for now, thank you so much, and God bless!

Tara

Pregnancy Reveal to Our Parents

I figured since I have the time, and my blog has been super active thus far today (almost 200 views of our announcement blog!) here's how we told our parents!

We thought we were 6, almost 7 wks when we told them mid-Feb., BUT we found out the exact date at our first ultrasound and we are currently 7 wks 2 days today.

Our dogs are our "kids", Pudge & Barkley. And it's not uncommon for me to take pictures of them, it's something new I've been doing for the holidays anyways (for Valentine's I managed to do our 2 cats and guinea pig too!)

So here are the pictures that were in their books, both sets of parents got the same book :)

If ya'll don't know Barkley (the little one), he's VERY scared of a lot of things! The look on his face just made me laugh, so priceless lol!

 



 

We also did some scrabble letters that spelled out "love, marriage, baby" with my ring :)

 

 

Telling my Mother & Father in-law our good news :)

 

http://youtu.be/CxZFNfB97mo

 

 

Telling my parents the good news :)

 

http://youtu.be/sZ7JODjjw3Y



We have an important annoucement...

Travis & I along with our 2 dog-son's: Pudge & Barkley, have a very important annoucement to share with all of our family & friends!

 

 

 

 

We found out the beginning of February that our family would be growing by 2 more feet, and being who I am, it's SO hard to keep quiet! 

 

Unfortunately things aren't going "normal",and as my Mom pointed out, I've never been "normal" myself! Here's the news we have so far...

 

Monday, March 4th Travis & I went in for our first ultrasound of sweet baby, HR was 124, had just started beating late the week before so we were right on target. They drew a bunch of lab work.

 

Tuesday, March 5th I waited by the phone ALL day, finally got the much anticipated phone call from the nurse with some lab results, mainly checking my Progesterone (a vital hormone in sustaining baby) and much to my suprise, we were low. 7.3, need to be around 20. Thankfully there are ways to increase it, and my Dr. recommended the Progesterone shots. So Travis (he's off all this week for his "Spring Break" in between clinicals, thank God) he rushed to Victoria to learn how to do these shots for me.

 

Wednesday, March 6th, some complications began to arise that I wasn't so sure of. I thought I wasn't going to have good news. Travis yet again, rushed to Victoria, the Dr's scheduled me in, we had another ultrasound and honestly had tried to prepare for the worst but pray for the best. Again, much to our suprise, baby was still doing good and had 104 HR. The emotions that day were so, overwhelming.

 

So, the baby being there and still having a HR was GOOD news. The bad news? No one wants it, but here it is.

 

They found what was causing the complications is a large subchorionic hematoma. (Research it if you don't know what it is, it's basically a bruise between the placenta (holding the baby) and my uterus) No one can explain how or why they get there, but it is none the less, there. And the only treatment option right now, STRICT Bed Rest for me.

 

Before anyone assumes "great, why is she telling us, it's not going to be good", there have been positive outcomes with similar situations. As well as not so good ones.

 

BUT we have been through the "ringer" this week, emotionally, physically and well, spiritually!

 

We have given it over to our one and only God, we know he is with us and protecting us and won't give us anything we can't handle. We have contemplated sharing our news for quite a while now, especially this week.

 

Many of you know our story, from private messages/phone calls, but we want to let everyone know who is interested.

 

Please keep us all in your prayers, it's times like this the petty stuff in life doesn't matter, the family/friend support we are getting is phenomenal.

 

Eventhough I tell him multiple times throughout the day how much I appreciate him, and love him, Travis has definitely been my rock through all of this. I can't imagine him not by my side as we venture through this pregnancy. He does get weak like me, but he always keeps me smiling, even with his little jokes about my shots (they're givin in the rear end!) here's his joke...
"When this child grows up, we can tell them they were LITERALLY a pain in the butt!" :)

 

Thank you all for reading. Will post again soon with pictures from the books we made to tell our parents, and keep an eye out for the videos on facebook of the reveal.

 

Also when we have our next appointment on Wednesday 3-13 to find out the status of sweet baby, I will definitely update then.

 

Much love to all,

Tara & Travis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



San Antonio Fun!

Here it is! The happy post I should have posted yesterday, instead of letting my immature side come out. I don't regret anything, just moving forward and not looking back :)

So. Last Monday I went to San Antonio after work & we went to the San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo and saw Dierks Bentley. He was awesome! Didn't get any good pictures :(

Then this past weekend, I drove up Friday after work and we went to the Riverwalk and ate at Casa Rio. Was a beautiful night on the riverwalk!

Saturday we woke up, had a delicious breakfast at Cracker Barrel & then off to the Rodeo! We saw so many different shops, events, and activities! Plus got a BUNCH of freebies!

We saw the Extreme Bulls (will definitely go again!) and one of the bulls actually jumped OVER the fence, he was already laced up but not ready to ride quite yet, so he was like, hanging by the rope over the fence (around his mid-section)! They cut the rope quickly, fewf!
Justin Moore was the performer, and he was really good, I got a few of his songs that I took with my "i-pod" :)

We ate at Red Robin (Yumm) after wards :)

Sunday Funday! Travis cooked us breakfast, then we went to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Drive Through Zoo! It was so much fun! Here are just a few pictures from the drive through!

The Donkey's cracked us up! Turned sideways for you to "dump" the food in their mouths!

ZEBRA!

Hey Zebra...there's something in your teeth!

Hehe..he was really nice, just BIG and I pet him :)

We drove through twice! It was one fee, so we figured "why not!?"

We grilled some chili dogs, and then Travis had to work hard on school stuff all afternoon/evening!

So anyways, just wanted to have my most recent post a positive one...because that's what lifes about! Being happy, being positive & surround yourself with loved ones.

Wedding Card Cake Box & Other wedding ideas!

Since I made a pin on pinterest, I will explain why and how to make this (my Mother in law made it, we picked out stuff we wanted on it!)

After being to some weddings in the past,  the birdcages, baskets, ect are cute for collecting all the many envelopes, cash, gift cards, right?

One major downfall...some people can't resist temptation, you'd like to think that everyone is at your wedding to celebrate your happiness and be giving...however some people you may not know 100% and things could get stolen. We've heard of it a couple of times, and it is heartbreaking.

So my mother in law is very crafty, we researched different ideas (and pinterest didn't exist yet!) And came up with a cake box, and I thought it'd be cool if it resembled our wedding cake in some form or fashion, we incorporated our wedding colors, flowers, and some bling bling of course!

All of the boxes were covered in fabric, the white box with the slit in it for cards to go was opened on the bottom to drop into the bigger box, to ensure plenty of room! Once the wedding was over, we simply took it apart! My Mother in law was able to reuse a lot of it as well! :)

The Card "Cake Box" :)

 

The Card "Cake" Box set up among the gifts at our reception

Our wedding cake! 2 Flavors to it might I add; white w/ buttercream & butter w/ strawberry! Yum!

So he doesn't feel left out, this is my husbands grooms cake! Chocolate w/ Chocolate, with some red fish tailing! :) We had the table decorated with fishing stuff & fish net!

We did a candy buffet for our guests. In talking with my mother in law the other day as we're prepping for my brother in law and soon to be sister in law's wedding in April, I had completely forgotten we bought those plain white treat boxes (with handles) and used scrapbooking style to decorate each & every one! Over 150! AND put red/brown tissue paper in them so people could fill their treat bag with candy (we had candy left over for almost a year, with giving heapings to our jobs! LOL!) It was a hit though!

 

I LOVE the idea of a slideshow, showing baby pictures. But our church didn't really have that kind of set up and the reception hall didn't either, so we opted for this huge picture frame with Trav's baby pictures on the left, mine on the right and in the middle it was a picture from each year we dated signifying something important or what we loved! Top to bottom in MIDDLE: Travis proposing on 12-22-07, Travis & I at the park in 2005, Us snorkeling in the San Marcos River 2007, Skiin in Ruidoso, NM 2008, Fishing at Boggy in POC 2008, Travis' graduation from undergrad @ Texas State, and my graduation from Wharton County Junior College 2010! :)

 

A special picture to me, I love how he is looking at me in this shot. We took just a regular round table, some brown material and lacey material layered over to give it a "vintage" look incorporating our wedding colors of brown/cream, the vase was perfect...found it at Ross! I carried over a dozen red gerber daisies bound together by satin, and 3 white roses held alone. Once my Dad "gave me away" we had a memory ceremony where Travis & I went and placed the 3 white roses in remembrance of my Grandma Bernice, Grampy & Nana. We also incorporated them into our program so people knew exactly what we were doing :)

 

I also had a little piece of each of them with me as I got married. I wore my Nana's engagement ring on my right ring finger, had a brown stone ring from Grandma Bernice in my bouquet, and on the front of my bouquet was the medal I got from my Grampy being in the Navy :) If you look closely at my right hand (the one around my dad) you'll see Nana's ring, and in the middle of the bouquet Grandma's ring & the front is Grampy's medal :)

 

So this is a little MORE than the cake card box, BUT it incorporates other wedding ideas that we used :)