December 29, 2009

I found our crib!!! I got distracted from working on my proposal, and started looking up buying guides and reviews, and found the one we'll get! It's on this website at Wal-Mart:
http://www.walmart.com/Baby-Mod-4in1-Crib-Espresso/ip/10756405?selected_variation_0=10756405&qty_0=1&upc=0004851700797®istry_id=86203639034&shopFor=true

I'm so excited! It is such a good buy, and it includes the rails to convert it to a toddler bed. It meets all the safety criteria too, and there are no drop sides. It is top-rated on all the websites, and out of 112 reviews none were below 3 stars. The average was like 4.99 stars. I'll probably wait to purchase it, but it feels good to start this task of finding stuff because I will have to research everything we buy. I can't help it - it's how I am wired, and my dad is notorious for researching things to death!

December 21, 2009

So, we have finally told all of the parents and some relatives! Eric made a video of the heartbeat, and he made a video to tell my parents. We'll attach it soon, so everyone can hear the heartbeat (if you want!). I can't describe the feeling of hearing it, but it was amazing! It's so crazy to think there is a little life growing inside of me. My mom bought me a journal and a book of baby names - I guess they didn't like the girls names I mentioned! Now, I can't wait to know the sex of the baby. Jolie is going to do a sonogram for me on Wednesday - she said to make sure it's not twins - the perks of having a best friend that is an OB/GYN resident. Twins run in Eric's family, so she said it's possible, which totally freaked me out. I think I will faint if we see two, but I guess God never gives you more than you can handle, but one seems like a lot to handle!

December 2, 2009

So, we have told Eric's family, and it was exciting! I feel like the two and a half weeks until I see my parents and brother is forever away. Eric and I are excited about the fact that we will have our baby at the next Christmas. We have already started our own traditions such as watching certain Christmas movies, and we have a ritual for putting up the Christmas decorations which is topped off with a Christmas movie once everything is set up. We can't wait to start new traditions as well as have Santa Claus!!! We do know one thing - this is the last Christmas that we will get a lot of presents, but you know what that's okay. I actually had to seriously think about what I wanted. I guess you finally just realize that you have all that you truly need, and when I try to think about shopping, all I think about is the baby and what it is going to need. I am getting more and more excited about becoming a mom. I guess now that I am almost 9 weeks - I feel more comfortable getting attached to Baby Ballard. I didn't want to be pessimistic, but I knew how badly I would hurt if the baby didn't make it. However, it was such a miracle that I got pregnant in the first place that I knew God had a plan for this baby, and He knew our tight schedule. I can't believe I have held onto this secret from our friends and my family for 5 weeks!!!! December 18th, and I get to tell!!! YAY! Two weeks from tomorrow, and I get to hear baby's heart beat, which will be such an awesome experience.

November 20, 2009

So, we had a doctor's visit on Tuesday, and it is confirmed that I am indeed pregnant. They said that everything looks great, and I am healthy. They did some blood tests, but they said I wouldn't hear from them unless there was a problem. Today I am 7 weeks. As each day passes, I am just more and more thankful because it means that this baby's chances of survival continue to increase. Eric says that I need to stop being so negative, but it's hard for me to really get attached until I know the baby is going to be okay. I guess I just watched 2 of my friends go through it, and I know numerous other people that have had miscarriages, so it is a little scary. However, I feel like God is constantly telling me that the baby is going to be okay. I mean it really is a miracle that I got pregnant so quickly, and I will have the baby at the perfect time. God's timing really is perfect. I just hope and pray that our house sells quickly. Eric and I have been praying every night for the baby and our house and various other things, but we will continue to ask God for a miracle. He already gave us one! He tells us that we do not have because we do not ask, so we are asking! Back to baby - I told Eric the other day that if I have a girl, I want her name to start with a "B". I don't know why, and I know it sounds cheesy, but I think Bailey or Beth would be such cute names - think about it - Bailey Ballard (kind of sounds like Hayley Ballard - maybe that's why we like it!). However, I am not going to spell it unique because I have gone my whole life always having to correct everyone about how to spell my name!!!! I know her name would eventually change, but it would be cute for part of her life. I am so excited about telling Eric's parents this weekend, and it has made me debate telling mine. Plus, I lied to Granny this week about not knowing if I'm pregnant, and I will get to see them next week. Thanks DAD for telling them we were trying!!!! I think Eric's way of not telling anyone we were trying was the smartest because I have had to lie to several people, and it is not fun. I'm just not good at keeping my mouth shut when I am excited, but I have managed to do alright for 3 weeks with the exception of telling Jolie. 4 more weeks until the Noah's know!!!! I get to hear the heartbeat at almost 11 weeks - my appointment is 4 weeks from yesterday, then, I will be so excited to tell everyone!!! The doctor said the chance of survival after 10 weeks is like 98%!!! YAY!

November 15, 2009

Baby Ballard was much nicer to me today. I was able to eat all three meals, and I didn't feel sick at church. I was scared I would have to miss Sunday School, but thankfully, I felt much better today. Of course, I have to burp ALL the time, but I'll take that over nausea. One week until we get to tell one set! I am so excited I am about to bust! I am getting the swine flu shot tomorrow, so I feel really good about that, and we get to see the doctor on Tuesday. I think it will feel more real when we get to see him and have even more confirmation about this little life inside of me. Today when I was at church, I just really started to get emotional about this baby. I just feel so humbled that God would choose us to raise this child. I know that babies are brought into the world every day, but they are all miracles. I have been reading about the development of the baby every week, and it is seriously the coolest thing to me that I am growing a little life inside of me. More than anything my prayer is that Eric and I can raise this child to know and love God as much or more than we do. I feel like the main purpose that God gave us this child is so that he/she can know, love, and serve Him on this earth, and we will help baby Ballard to do that. Again, I just feel so unworthy of this precious gift God has given us. First, I feel unworthy for the salvation that He freely gave us, and this to me is the next biggest thing. God is so awesome, and He continues to amaze me everyday especially through my pregnancy.

November 13, 2009

So, I am feeling all of the symptoms pretty full blown. I have lost about 5 pounds in the last two weeks. The only meal I feel like eating is dinner. Breakfast is awful. The only thing I want is eggs, and this morning, I could only eat half without feeling like I was going to hurl. It's so crazy that the thought of cereal in the morning makes me want to vomit. I never thought that day would come. I don't want anything dairy - even my craving for ice cream is gone. It is soooo weird! I crave stuff like hamburgers, fries, and pizza. Also, mexican food is another one. I might start taking a calcium supplement because I know that I am not getting enough since I won't eat any dairy - except cheese. Hopefully, when I go to the doctor on Tuesday, he can help me by giving me some medicine or something so I can eat! Mom and Dad - I talked to you yesterday, and every time it is so hard not to tell you! Sandy - you'll know in a little over a week! Again, I wished you guys lived closer because I would probably tell you now that I am 6 weeks along. Plus, I have read that having nausea significantly decreases your chances of having a miscarriage. We are almost in the clear. I am just sick of not being able to do anything in the morning. Yesterday I felt like I couldn't move or I was going to throw up. I really thought I wouldn't be able to sign the papers for our agent to begin selling our house. We hope it sells quickly, so we can get settled before baby Ballard comes along. I have already started looking, and there are plenty of duplexes and townhomes that allow dogs and are in good, safe locations. Plus, we'll need the extra money for the baby, so the sooner the better!

November 10, 2009

So, we had a great weekend with Adam and Jolie! Don't be mad, but we told them. I just couldn't hold it in anymore. We want to be able to tell everyone face-to-face, and plus, I am still not that far along. Eric and I decided that we would tell Sandy and Randy at Thanksgiving, but make them promise not to tell anyone because I don't want all of Columbus to know before my parents. If y'all didn't live so far away, we could tell you sooner! I just don't want to do it over the phone because I want to see everyone's faces. One week from today, and I get to see the doctor! I hope we can hear the heartbeat!!! I have felt better, but I did feel nauseous this morning, and I have been so tired today. I almost fell asleep at 6! Mom- I can't believe you haven't asked me if we're still trying or what happened last month. I told Eric that you won't ask me. Thanks for not prying! Otherwise, I don't know how I would be able to lie to you. 6 weeks and I get to tell everyone!

November 6, 2009

So, I am taking a break from coding at 2:51 am at school. I plan on being here for several more hours as well. I am trying not to drink too much diet coke because I know too much caffeine is bad, but with the pregnancy fatigue and staying up late, I am dying! I wish I could tell my adviser right now that I am pregnant, so he can feel bad for me and give me an extension! I was thinking today about girl names, and I realized that I have no idea what I would name a girl. I even looked on those sites, and none of the names really stuck out to me. I think this settles it - it has to be a boy. However, I started thinking about how cool it would be to have a girl besides her teenage years (which I will be sending her to the grandparents during that time). I'll be happy with a little Noah or little (insert name here).

November 4, 2009

Okay - Mom so I just talked to you, and I didn't let it slip! Don't worry, I will get the swine flu vaccine as quick as possible! I'll probably have it before I see you. You also asked what I wanted for Christmas, which is gift cards to buy clothes for pregnant people, but I couldn't tell you that. Man! It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, but seeing Jolie is going to be hard this weekend. Plus, when we see Sandy and Randy at Thanksgiving, I have no idea how I will keep that it in. Last night was another crappy night of sleep. I woke up at 4 am with terrible abdominal pain, which was actually just gas and my mouth felt like someone stuffed a bunch of cotton balls in it. I never went back to sleep, so we'll see how working on my exam goes today! No one tells you it is going to be like this. The funny thing is I actually don't mind the pain because it reminds me that baby Ballard is growing. I read that a sign of a miscarriage is the symptoms fading away, so I will treasure feeling crappy as long as it means the baby is healthy and growing. The weird thing is I have lost about 2 pounds this past week. I think it's because I haven't been able to eat as much. I can't explain it - I just don't want to. I do make myself, so don't worry, but it's just not as much as I normally eat. Alright - Gotta get working on the exam!

November 3, 2009

Hey friends and family,

I wanted to share about our journey to having our first little one. Most of you won't find out for another 2 months because we wanted to surprise our parents with an amazing Christmas gift. Mom and Sandy - this is the hardest secret that I have ever kept from both of you! Mom - I'm sorry, but you probably noticed a decline in phone calls from me because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it in. I still can't believe we got pregnant the second month of trying. Coming off of the birth control was awful. My body was out of whack, and the first two months were terrible with headaches, weight gain, terrible cramps. We actually found out on Halloween. I had been nauseous for a few days - which seemed crazy that I would feel that way so early. My car actually got hit Friday night - the same night I received my comp exam from my adviser. I wanted to take a test Friday night, which would have been about 10 days after I ovulated (I was keeping track using a BBT chart) because I just wasn't feeling right. I thought maybe I was about to start, but the nauseous thing was new. I woke up Saturday morning at 6 and couldn't go back to sleep after a terrible night of sleep and not knowing if the person who hit my car was going to call me and pay for the damages (which thankfully, they did!). I immediately took a test because I couldn't start working on my exam, and I saw those two pink lines. I woke up Eric immediately, and I was shaking and freaking out. Eric couldn't stop smiling. He was soooo excited! We decided to go to Waffle House since some website told Eric waffles were okay for his diabetic self as long as he had sugar-free syrup. I have been having trouble eating. I feel hungry constantly, but when I start to eat, I feel nauseous. It's awesome! One thing that is really weird is that I do not want anything sweet. I saw a commercial for brownies and had to turn away because just looking at them made me want to barf. Also, my love for cereal is gone, too. I don't want it at all. All I've eaten for breakfast the past four days has been eggs. I only want salty things. I must say I have never ever turned down sweets or been disgusted by them. Chocolate has been my favorite food, but I can't eat it. It is so weird. Mom-maybe it's because my body knows I may have gestational diabetes. I told Eric there's a chance we could have diabetes together at least for a little while! I can't wait to have the first trimester over because I will finally start feeling better (which thankfully will be around Christmas). Most of the time it feels like someone is pushing my stomach out. I read that your uterus has to expand, which sometimes leads to abdominal pain. Well, that little tadpole is stretching me out like crazy! Eric only refers to the baby as "he", and I say "it", which bothers him. I think he thinks that if he calls it "he" enough it will actually be a boy. I would be happy with a healthy baby. Although, we already know what we would call a boy - Noah Parker Ballard. Hayley's going to get mad when she sees this! We may change the middle name (if Hayley gets too upset), but we thought that it would be neat to include a name from each family. If it's a girl, I have no idea! I am starting to get really excited now that the shock has worn off. I actually took tests Saturday, Sunday, and Monday - Eric was like you are pregnant, but I have taken 4, so I guess it really is true! We have our first appointment on November 17th, and I think I'll be about 6 or 7 weeks by that point. I'll keep updating this, so I can feel like I have included everyone in our journey. It is KILLING ME not to tell anyone (especially our parents), but Christmas is going to be AWESOME! I can't wait to see all of your faces. Sandy and Randy - now, you don't have to adopt anymore grandkids! Mom and Dad - now, y'all will come see us more! God is so good, and we prayed when we started trying that if the time was right that God would give us a child, especially since we weren't sure if we would keep trying after October because the baby would be due during school (which I need to work, so the baby can be on my insurance). I really didn't expect it to happen in only two months of trying - especially since I just got off the pill in August. Normally - it takes about 6 months to have a good chance. It is such a miracle, and Eric and I could not be more excited to be parents and raise this child to know and love God. Mom and Dad and Sandy and Randy - thanks for being such great parents to Eric and me. We feel pretty equipped with God's and your examples and help! The due date is somewhere in the July 9-11th range.

Surprise!
Kandace