Updates and 3D Ultrasound (It's a long one)

I hope everyone's Christmas was good! We had a fabolous holiday. I had to work on Christmas day...unfortunatley the babies do not get better for Christmas, so into work I go. It wasn't too bad though. My family did Christmas on Christmas eve and it was a good time. My wonderful in-laws came to my mom's house and we all ate and exchanged gifts. My mom and dad got Jason and I a video camera so we can videotape all the action that will be our little Carlyn. Jason's mom and dad got us a rocker recliner, chocolate brown microfiber suede, so that we will be able to rock our little girl to sleep. (I may be sleeping in it this in a month or so, when I can't breathe at all when I lay down). I am very thankful to both our parents for these gifts! We love them, and needed both! Jason and I are already looking forward to the day we will be able to spend the holidays with our little one! I came home Christmas night, and Jason and I sat on the couch, and there was a comfortable silence. I then realized, in a good way, that in a few months, our house will NEVER be that quiet again. It is an overwhelming feeling! One that I wouldn't trade for anything!

I am now 30 weeks. Only 10 more to go, and I know this next 10 weeks will go by very fast! In my doctor's appointment this week, she said I am measuring perfectly for 30 weeks! We ordered her crib and dresser, and are starting to paint her room. The closer I get, the more excited and nervous I get. I can't wait to see what she looks like and am nervous for all of the unknowns. I am also starting to read (by the dog whisperer) how to introduce the dog to the newest member of our family. I am thinking Rosco will be very attentive to her, but also jealous! I am feeling really good these days, and love feeling her move all the time. She is a very active girl! She has recently discovered my side, and loves to shove her feet in it. It is not the most comfortable, but I gently push her feet back in, and she cooperates well! It is amazing to feel her little feet, you can actually feel them! It's crazy. Warning, there is a belly shot below, and it is not small!

We got a 3D ultrasound last Friday. It is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. It's just a miracle to see this little girl moving around, yawning, smiling, sticking out her tongue, and sucking her fingers while she's still inside me. Technology has come a long way. The pictures are clear and you can see everything. She still looks like Jason, most people have been saying. Let me know what you think. I put a picture of me and Jason up when we were 5, so you can compare. I couldn't find any pictures of us as babies at the moment. Little miss Carlyn already has hair too. You could see it on the ultrasound, and there is quite a bit of it too, and she has 10 weeks to grow more!

The Grayson Wedding!

On November 1st, two of my good friends got married!!! It was a beautiful wedding, and I wish them the best! Here are a few pics from the wedding. I was 23 weeks preggo, and must say being in a bridesmaid dress that pregnant is not much fun...but I was so glad to be able to do it for these guys! I am much bigger now also...she keeps growing and growing (a good thing) and so do I!

Picture Challenge

I was challenged by a couple people to do this! So, here we go. I had to go to the fourth album on my computer, pick the fourth picture, and write four interesting things about it!1. This picture was taken on Jason's 26th birthday!

2. Jason was trying to give me a kiss, a big wet sloppy one, and I was trying to stop him, all while someone happen to have my camera!

3. Jason can never take a normal picture...never!

4. This picture is why I love this man...he can always make me laugh!

So, now I have to challenge four people to do the same thing! It's fun to see what picture everyone comes up with! So, here we go.

I challenge Farrah, Jessica, Carlie, and Liam and Lucy!

Family Pictures

A few weeks ago, my family got together to take our annual family photos! Of course, like always, Jason and my dad hated every second of it! But, thanks to Nick Narducci (http://www.nicholasmatthewphoto.com/newblog/), they turned out great! We took them at Tempe Town Lake, and when we first got there, we realized it was the same weekend as a big triathlon. Lucky for us, Nick found some great spots to take pictures. I know I posted a lot of them, but I liked so many, I couldn't decide which ones to show! Thanks again Nick, and thanks Becca for the referral!

It's Official

So, it's official...her name will be Carlyn Faye Newman! I am so excited to get to call her by name now. We went to the doctor a couple of days ago, and she said everything looks great. I am measuring perfect for 24 weeks, and the heartbeat is nice and strong. Carlyn is growing and growing, and we are getting more and more excited...and stressed!

We are starting to work on her nursery. Jason and I picked the bedding out together, although he was extremely picky and said that this was the ONLY one he liked. We are thinking about painting the room a tan color on three walls, and pink on the other. Then, Jason's idea again, painting dark brown paw prints on the wall! I think it will be very cute! We are going to get the bedding, the lamp, and the hamper, we are debating on the mobile. What do all you mom's out there think?!

I am feeling great these days with the exceptions of a few uncomfortable pregnancy pains. But, I can't complain too much. After working today, with an extremely sick infant who was born at 25 weeks, as old as Carlyn is now, it brings into perspective that the uncomfortable pains I am feeling are nothing. I can't imagine how it feels to see your one and a half pound baby lying there sick and in pain. It is unbearable to even think about, and my thoughts and prayers are with that family.

We are also starting to look at all of the different items we will soon need (sooner than we think)! I have been looking at strollers and travel systems. I have heard that the Chicco travel system and the Gracco systems are good too. I'm not sure where we are going to get our furniture at yet, but I've been looking around. I think I want the convertabile crib, so she will be able to use it for a while. I think I want the swing that swings both ways. It is a bit overwhelming shopping. There are so many different brands and items out there, I don't know which ones are better!!! Ahhh! So, moms out there, give me your advice. Which items do you love and would you not buy if you could go back?!

12 Days of Junkie

Thanks Jessica for getting me hooked on blog giveaways! I love them now. I have yet to win, but I have heard great stories from those who have, and have gotten great idea for myself and presents for others! Check out this site. It showcases moms! Tip Junkie is great! Here's the link. http://tipjunkie.blogspot.com/ Enjoy!

Good Read!

With all the political stuff that's going on today, I wanted to post something different! I saw this on the internet, and I loved it! Those of you with kids, let me know what you think, and tell me if there's something that changed when you had a baby!

Things That Change When You Have a Baby

*Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.

*The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

*You respect your body... finally.

*You respect your parents and love them in a whole new way.

*You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

*You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

*Your heart breaks much more easily.

*Every day is a surprise.

*Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you, (Hooray for poop!)

*Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

*You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth.

*You now know where the sun comes from.

*You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night.

*You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having.

*You discover an inner strength you never thought you had.

*You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule.

*You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late.

*You learn that taking a shower is a luxury.

*You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place.

*If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, now you do!

It's a GIRL!!!

So, we found out last friday...it's a girl! We are so excited, we can hardley stand it. All of our sisters are very excited also. I've already bought her two new dresses and some cute pink onesies! I can't believe I'm going to have a daughter...it's amazing! We haven't decided on any names yet, but here are a few we like. Let us know what you think. Audrey, Dylan, and Carlyn. Jason's dad's name is Carl, so she would be named after her grandpa. Her middle name will probabley be Faye, named after my mom. I'm realy liking Carlyn and Dylan, then Audrey. So, we'll see. I am feeling much better these days...although I've been told not to get too used to it, the third trimester will bring many uncomfortable days. I may change my mind later, but I say nothing can be worse than being nauseous and throwing up ALL day. So, bring it on! We have started picking out stuff for her room, and I am getting very curious to know what she will look like. For those of you who don't know, Jason is half black, half Italian. I'm white as white can be, and my whole family has blue eyes! So, there are many options in our gene pool! I wonder if she will look anything like I picture her to be...only more beautiful, I'm sure. So, any advice from those mom's of little girls???

She has huge feet! Right now, they are 3cm long, and she's only 17! That's almost a quarter of her whole body!

These 3-D pictures are amazing! Everyone says by her features, she will look like Jason! We'll have to see!

3 white lines means it's a girl!!!

20 weeks...halfway there!

Updates!

So, I haven't written in a while. I know, I'm bad. But, I have recently just uploaded some pictures of labor day weekend...I know, a bit late! But, I will post those soon, along with those lovely belly pictures! So, we have our next ultrasound on October 10...this is the one where we find out if it's a boy or girl! We are SO excited, we can hardly wait. I'm not sure either way, I'm leaning towards a boy, but was leaning towards a girl up until 12weeks. So...who knows! Either way, we will be so excited and happy! On another good note, I have been feeling much better!

I have recently decided to apply to Missouri University for my masters program. They have a distance learning Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, and for this I am grateful! I think this will help with a baby coming! I will apply in February and be done in about 1 1/2 to 2 years. Then...no more school! The program will be tough, I'm sure, but it is what I have always wanted to do and I am determined to do it. Even more so now, that we will have a family. This little baby is more motivation for me to go back to school and in the end have a better job and life for our family. I refuse to work weekends and holidays for the rest of my life! I want to be off and enjoy life with my family, and I cannot wait to be able to do this (especially since the holidays are coming up and I have to work Christmas this year...boo). I will continue to work, part time or full time, I'm not sure and where I'm not sure either, I've been thinking about this also! I am very excited to embark on this new journey as well as a little (okay, more than a little) nervous!

Jason has recently been doing some side work with one of the other firefighters he works with. This guy has a company that does large landscaping. Basically Jason gets to drive a tractor, mow about an acre or two and get paid PRETTY well to do it! He only does it on his days off in the morning and he's done by the afternoon! He likes it and he's learning a lot about owning large pieces of land (which just means he wants some!) The guy he works with has chickens, roosters, geese, horses, goats, and more on his farm! I got to go the other day and it was pretty fun to hang out with all the animals. Jason is doing all this side work so he can save to buy a truck! Sounds like a pretty good idea to me. Save up, and then no (or little) car payment!

So, Jason and I are just trying to prepare for all these changes that lie ahead for us. We are very excited and feel very blessed to have the love, family, and support that we do!

One tiny baby!

That's right...there is one baby in there! We were so excited to see the ultrasound and our baby. It is amazing and there are no words that can describe the feeling you have when you see what you have created actually growing inside you. The cougar was laying on his/her side the whole time. The x-ray tech would try to wake the baby up or try to move him/her, but no luck. Cougar would stretch the little arms and legs he/she has and would go back to sleep. It was actually pretty cute. The x-ray tech had me get up, jump up and down, stretch, touch my toes to see if we could get the baby to move. No such luck. All that did was give the cougar the hiccups!!! It was so funny to watch. The whole little body would jump with each and every hiccup. It was so fun to watch. They gave us a DVD, but I cannot get it to work to post it on here. So, that will have to wait. But, here are some pictures of the little one.
We will have another ultrasound in about four or five weeks to find out if we are having a little Jason or a little Lynda!!! We cannot wait. Jason can barely contain himself. Before the ultrasound I thought it was a girl. But now, I keep calling the baby a him...look at his hand, look at him move. So, now I have NO idea! I know some mom's have a feeling...I have no clue. Some days I think it's a girl and some I think it might be a boy. So, only time will tell and the next ultrasound! I will keep you updated on that for sure! As for me...well, I've been feeling better. Not 100%, but I'm not sure I will for a while. I have my good days and my bad days. Some days I feel great, and some I feel nauseous all day still! I always get sick, good or bad day, around 7:30 or 8:00 every day. So, I'm thinking that's when the little cougar will some day make his/her appearance. We'll just have to wait and see! So look at the pictures, and take your guess...boy or girl???!!!

The Heartbeat!

Jason and I had our 12week appointment this past Friday. The Doctor said that everything looked good and then we finally got to hear the heartbeat! It was pretty amazing. Jason never fails to make me laugh when we are in the OBs office! While Dr. Damore had the doppler on my belly, Jason had to say..."Wow, it sounds pretty windy in there!" He's too funny, and that's why I love him! I cannot explain the feelings when you hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time! So, everyone is asking...there was only ONE heartbeat??? Well, yes...only one. BUT...the doctor said that even if there were two (or three, let's hope not!) that she would only hear one, because the baby is so small that it would be pretty difficult to decipher if it was only one beat or two. So, we wait again! But, wednesday is our first ultrasound...two days!!! We are so excited, and a little nervous. Working where I work, it's hard not to be nervous...I know too much! But, I cannot wait to see our little baby for the first time. I will update on Wednesday...with pictures!!!

Two more weeks!

So, just an update on how things are going! I've been sick, and some days are good, some not so good! I'm hoping this only lasts another two weeks, and then I will be feeling better...hopefully! In two weeks, we also get to go to the doctor and have our first ultrasound! YEAH! We are so excited! My mom still thinks it's twins, I just think it's one...but I'm leaning towards a girl, right now anyway! All I want to eat is fruit! I also am starting to show...already! I know, everyone says...no, you're just bloated or you can't be showing yet...well tell that to the baby, cause when I show people, they say...wow, you are showing! Crazy!

Also, we have started calling the baby Cougar, until we know what it is...why??? Well, Jason thinks Cougar is a tough name, and we were listening to a John Cougar Mellencamp song and he asked if we could have part of the baby's name be cougar...I immediatley said NO! He then said if we did, when it grows up and plays golf....it could be the Cougar against the Tiger!!! My husband is crazy! Anyways, as a result, the baby is Cougar, until we know what it is and we give it a name. Although, Jason still is trying to convince me to have the middle name be Cougar if it's a boy...oh man! I'll update again for sure in two weeks after the ultrasound!

Memories!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Since this is our family blog, feel free to leave a memory about any of the four of us.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Big Changes!

So, it's finally happened (for everyone who was waiting)...we are pregnant!!! We are so very excited for this new change in our lives. We found out about a month ago, but wanted to wait until we had our first appointment to say anything. Well, we had our first appointment this past Thursday, and she said everything looks good so far! I'm almost 9 weeks. I have been feeling sick at times, but I know that it is all worth it in the end. Jason has really been reading about pregnancy, and knows everything! He tells me what is normal, what's not normal, what I should eat, what I shouldn't eat, and much more! He is going to be a great dad. He is so excited and can hardly wait! We had only been trying about two months when we found out the good news. Jason was golfing when I took the test, and I had to hold it in for 6 hours!!! It was hard! We bought shirts that say "mommy to be" and "dad to be" and wore them over to our parents house! Both of our families are also very excited for this new change as well. My mom cried for at least ten minutes! She was just happy that I didn't have trouble getting pregnant like she did. I have to admit, it was a relief for me too. My mom swears up and down it's twins. For those of you who don't know, my dad is a twin, and for the past five generations...there have been twins. There is no skipping generations in my family! So, while it's a possiblity, I'm just not sure...but she is. We have our first ultrasound in about three weeks. I will keep you all updated! We can't wait!

The animals

So...we don't have kids to write about yet...so our kids are our pets! I have learned from them though, that you can teach them to do what you want....and sometimes, they will just do what they want...Rosco in the trash and Dude in the laundry bag!

Recently...

I haven't updated everyone in a while...sorry, I'm still new to this blogging thing! So, on June 9th, Jason turned 26!!! It was fun, we got to hang out with some friends and family, and we had a good time! Oh yeah, and we bought a new TV...yeah!!! Our first big screen. 50inch plasma...and I love it! As Jason said...we might never leave the house again! ;-) Oh, and Jason plays football for the Phoenix Thunder (Fire department and police) and they played in their national game against NYFD. Unfortunately, they didn't win (even though they should have!), but they gave it great effort, and Jason played really well!

Jamaica!!!

Jason and I went to Jamaica for our first anniversary. It was so much fun! We stayed at Sandals Montego Bay! I would highly recommend it, as we had a blast! We went kayaking, snorkeling, hydro-biking, swimming, sailing, and much more. Jason played volleyball everyday, as I sat and watched! We also got to go on a cruise to Margaritaville in Jamaica! It was crazy! They have a 100 foot slide you go down and it shoots you straight into the ocean! Then you get to swim out to these trampolines, and jump on them…in the middle of the ocean! It was great! Here are a few pictures! We can’t wait to go back someday!

So, here we are!

So, I have finally given in to the whole blogspot thing! I must say it's a great way to keep in touch with all of you...so here we are! Mine and Jason's first blog spot! Who would have ever thought! We will try to keep you updated on all the latest info! Thanks for visiting!