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!