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???!!!