Christmas 2010

I Love our Christmas tree this year. I like to refer to it as a "Martha Stewart" tree. I love how the presents begin to take over the bottom of the Christmas tree! I can't wait everyone to open their presents! This will be a good year for the girls! Yay!!! The other picture is of Cecelia at her schools Christmas party. I always volunteer to help the room mother. This year I offered to do the game. I precut wrapping paper (enough for each child to have one). Then I brought empty cereal boxes (3) and a bag of bows, oh-and of course I bought prizes. The kids were in groups of 6 and went to 3 different stations (snacks, craft, and game station). At my station, I had the kids break up into 2 groups of three. I had the kids race to wrap the paper, tape it up and slap a bow on it. Who ever was the first one to put the bow on won, and got a prize. Fortunately, everyone got a prize who played. The kids loved it!

1st prenatal visit

I had my first prenatal visit this morning. Baby's heart rate was 148 bpm. Perfectly normal! Typically, at this point, the ultrasound can't usually pick up the heartbeat but instead you can only visualize it on the monitor. I asked if we could try to hear it and sure enough, the heartbeat came over loud and clear. The little peanut is coincidentally, from crown to rump, about the size of a peanut M&M (about 1.25 centimeters). I'm measuring at 7 weeks and 4 days, which is right on target based on my lmp. My blood pressure was about 106/68. Just about where it usually is. We got 2 ultrasound pictures and I can't wait to tell the girls tomorrow. Cecelia is going to be sooo excited! My next appointment is scheduled for January 18th:) Oh my goodness! I have to pee ALL the time! Apparently, not only is the uterus sitting on my bladder (obviously) but apparently now that the baby's kidneys are fully functioning, I am now peeing for two. This pregnancy is quite different than I remember with Cecelia. Maybe that is a good indication that it may be a boy???

Graduation!

I now officially have the honor and privilege of saying that I have my Bachelors Degree of Science in Nursing!!! I can't believe I'm done! It doesn't seem real yet. Graduation was beautiful. My graduating class was only 24 students, plus a few students from various other programs from the college. So it was very small, and intimate. At this point in my life, it will be a transition phase. I have to learn to relax again! I have been so used to constantly being busy...juggling school, working part-time, and being a full-time mom and wife. I'm glad that I can once again focus on being a mom, and simply working 3 days a week (let's hope I can find a JOB!).
Cecelia only has school on Monday and Tuesday next week, on Tuesday, Cecelia has her winter party at school. I'm very excited to help out in the classroom again. I have also promised to join the PTO after Christmas break since I will have a lot more time to devote to the organization. Cecelia had her skills check out for gymnastics the last two weeks. She received a blue ribbon. The next ribbon up would have allowed her to move on to the next class, she still has a lot to work on but is getting better each week. We are hoping when we move that we can get her some gymnastics equipment to pull out into the yard or to just keep in the basement for her. Possibly a balance beam and some mats.
This weekend I also hosted a Christmas party for some of my closest friends. There was about 10 of us here. Just hanging out, cooking, eating, exchanging gifts and enjoying each others company. Luckily, 2 of my best friends, Stephanie and Rachel were in town. Rachel lives in California and Stephanie lives in Florida, and I miss them sooo much when they are not here. Because of their presence the night was that much more special.
So far, this pregnancy hasn't been too rough. I have to admit that I am already beginning to show, and that I only fit into sports bras these days. I have been exhausted lately and just want to sleep for 12 hours a night. I have had no nausea up until this week. Luckily it has been very mild, and intermittent. I can usually just eat some saltines, and have some ice water and sit or lay down and I start to feel much better! Next week I will be 8 weeks pregnant. We have our first ultra sound the day before Christmas Eve. Getting to see our babies heartbeat on the ultrasound screen will be such an amazing Christmas gift. Of course, I have to thank God himself for all the amazing blessings I have in my life. I can't wait to share the ultrasound picture with Cecelia and finally let her in on our secret. I know that she is going to be ecstatic, and I just feel terrible keeping such exciting news from her.
We can't wait to have Kiley home from Colorado for a week over Christmas break and have to have Cecelia home for 2 weeks from school. Up next for me: working on getting my student loans consolidated so that will be in order for when we start looking for a house in February or March, and studying for boards. I am going to try to schedule to take them the 3rd week in January. Pretty nervous for them. I will have lots of studying to do over the next month!

I can't believe it has been a month since I even got on here. This past month has flown by! I only have 2 weeks left of school before graduation! So I have been busy finishing up the last few requirements. Thanksgiving was great! We went over to my sister Jennifer's house for lunch. Then for dinner, Aaron's family came over to our house. I cooked the turkey, and everyone brought 1 or 2 side dishes. I LOVE the holidays. Especially the shopping that is required! Aaron's sister Sara and I went black Friday shopping this year, just as we have done every year for the last 3. This year we started at Wal-Mart at 10:30 on Thanksgiving and didn't return home till after 6:00 A.M.! I was able to get almost everything that we needed...the car was completely full. Literally, I could barely see out the back windows! Just as tradition, we put the Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. I absolutely love the soft glow of the Christmas tree and the smiles of anticipation that Cecelia has as she looks and feels all the presents. This year is especially cheerful for us because we just found out were expecting! I'm only about 5 weeks pregnant, so it's super early, but pregnant just the same! Yay! I'm due August 11th (according to Nigel's rule) but I have my first prenatal appointment and ultrasound the day before Christmas Eve, so I will probably get a more accurate due date then. We plan on telling Cecelia when we have the ultrasound picture to show her. Plus, it will give us a little more time to get further through the first trimester. I am so excited for graduation, my best friends coming in town for the graduation and Christmas, all the holiday parties, presents, good food, and the new year. Graduation pictures soon to come! I started applying for jobs today too. Hopefully, I can get something that I love and that has good hours. I will be praying hard!