Progression

I'm like the Energizer bunny these days. I just keeping growing...and growing...and growing...

Week 8 (I'm counting this as my "before" shot)

Week 14


Week 16

Week 18
Week 20

Week 22

Week 22 with the belly button--oh boy.

So far, the 2nd trimester has been wonderful. I love being able to feel her moving around in there, which she does often. I don't have anything to compare it to, but I feel like she's a pretty active creature. Aside from the wretched heartburn, I've been free of most "symptoms." I'm just enjoying this time before I start to get uncomfortable! We're both getting so excited for December, but we're definitely soaking up every last second we have of just the two of us.

Gymnast

I'm saving my dollars so my baby can go to gymnastics. See that foot? It's definitely resting on the top of her head. The ultrasound tech and I were pretty amused.

California 2010

We were in need of a post-graduation, real-life-is-gonna-start-soon, new-job-means-no-vacation-before-baby trip. So, we decided to do a 10 day California adventure. We started in San Francisco, after we missed about a day of our trip due to a storm in Denver. Fortunately we managed to squeeze in everything we wanted to see, despite the less-than-friendly weather.

Grace Cathedral

Pretty flowers




Funny sign


Lombard Street


Ghiradelli hot chocolate...

...at Ghiradelli Square

Coit Tower

Seals at Pier 39

Toured Alcatraz

Chinatown

Saw the Golden Gate Bridge

Walked the Golden Gate Bridge

Thought about jumping off the bridge, but then saw this sign. Whew. Close call...


After our day and a half in San Fran, we rented a car and drove four hours south to Pismo Beach.

Our room was quite fantastic, and it reminded of us of our cruise with the little towel animals.

We woke up and took long walks on the beach after breakfast.

Our trek down to the beach included scaling the side of the cliff...luckily there were some poorly constructed, barely functional wooden steps to help us.

We walked downtown San Luis Obispo, which has it's very own Bubble Gum Alley. This entire alley is devoted to people's chewed up bubble gum. We were disgusted and did not contribute. Don't worry, I'm not really touching the wall.



After a few wonderfully relaxing days at the beach, we drove four more hours south to Fontana, where we got to hang out with these cute fellas. (My brother and his wife and 3 boys live there.)

Cute Jared.

We went to Disneyland and California Adventure with them. (J.D. & Jacob)

We brought presents for birthdays. That's a heartbreaker right there...

Jacob with his new stuffed panda.

We spent the next few days just relaxing with the Jorgensen's. It was so good to see them and spend time with them. Overall, I would say our vacation was a success!

Impatience

Well, we just couldn't wait. So, we decided to pay for an ultrasound. I took some advice and drank some orange juice an hour before the appointment. It must have worked, because our baby GIRL was in prime position! She was so cute up there on the screen--and it's finally so nice to be able to call her a her, rather than an it. Let the planning (and shopping for little girl clothes) begin!!!

It's A....

...healthy baby. How I would love to be more specific, but it seems Baby Byron is not quite ready for the big reveal. The ultrasound tech said she would try again at my next appointment. What's four more weeks, anyway?

Masters' Byron

On May 9th (Mother's Day) Bekah graduated from IU as a Master of Social Work:

Some of my MSW buddies.

On May 15th, Chad graduated from Purdue University with his Master's in Human Resource Management:

Scott, Jacob, and Chad (MIA-Dylan)

We were fortunate enough to have our families come for our graduations. My sister and niece, along with my parents came for mine, and Chad's parents and his siblings, and my brother-in-law came for his graduation. They were special days for both of us, as we celebrated these last two years of hard work. The week was bittersweet for us as we said goodbye to all of our friends that we have made in Indiana and prepared to move to Ohio. Indiana will always be a special place to us!

What are you doing December 9th?

...Because we're having a baby!* We couldn't be more thrilled about this new upcoming addition to our family.



Most have inquired about how I've been feeling. I feel pretty lucky. While I am nauseous and exhausted most of the time, it is completely manageable and I can still function in the real world. Quite a blessing. It could be much worse. I am, however, looking forward to the day when my appetite comes back and my weight starts going the right direction--up.



At our 12 week appointment yesterday, we got to hear the heartbeat. That was one of the most incredible things either of us has experienced. My emotional little self is tearing up just thinking about it. This whole process is just such a miracle, and to be honest it wasn't really real until yesterday.



I have a zillion other things I need to post about. In May, both Chad and I graduated with our Master's degrees and we took a family vacation with Chad's family. However, I was feeling too excited and couldn't wait any longer in posting our happy news! So, more posts to come.



*I attempted to post a picture of the 4 sticks I peed on, but the airport internet is janky. Yes I did in fact do 4 pregnancy tests. Yes they were all positive. I just wanted to be sure. =)