Dr. Update

Over the past few weeks, I've been to a bazillion dr's appointments. No surprise, there. They've run the gamut of usual prenatal tests and there's only good news to be had! Everything has come back normal and the pregnancy is progressing perfectly.

It also appears the due date has changed. Not by much, just to November 20 instead of the 15. I gotta say, I'm totally cool with that! Lol!

So, there you have it. Only 8 more weeks to go!

Bump Pictures!

I thought I'd post a few pictures of the baby bump. I'll add more over the next 8 weeks (that's right, only 8 weeks to go!)


28 weeks


32 weeks

Baby Shower Prep

My (totally wonderful and completely fantastic) mom is throwing me a baby shower. If you've arrived at this page you've likely received an invitation of sorts to it. ;)

Since so many of my family and friends are spread all over the country, we figured we could throw some technology into the mix and have a hybrid traditional / webcam baby shower which would give my loved ones the opportunity to join in the festivities without flying in from all corners.

My mom is also setting up a more traditional physical shower in an actual venue (which we'll be broadcasting via webcam). This will take place on Sunday October 16, 2011 from 1-4pm at the Deerfield at Providence Apartments Clubhouse, 2000 Buckhead Trail, Mount Juliet, TN 37122.

Don't worry. I'm going to prepare a complete step by step instruction post of exactly how to join in on the virtual baby shower. I'll be posting it here so be sure to check back as it gets closer to the date of the shower.

I'm excited so for this whole shindig and I'm hoping everyone will get a chance to take part in this with me!

My body has been hijacked by a parasitic lifeform. She's due November 15.

Surprise! 

If you're feeling a bit shocked, imagine how I feel. No, this wasn't planned & I was pregnancy-specific symptom-free until mid-July. Took tests at the beginning of August & had a confirmation ultrasound which informed me that I was pretty far along.

I got hooked up w/ an OB & had another more in-depth ultrasound. The results were 27 weeks pregnant with a girl who is due November 15. 

All this means I only have 3 months to prepare for this. 3 months to decide what I'm doing, how I'm going to do it & figure out what resources are available to me.

I'll skip most of my rationalizing since to be honest my decision isn't the most rational one given my current financial/employment situation. In fact, my decision is based almost solely on my emotions. I don't believe I could do anything except be a parent to this child. I'm aware of the hardship I'm choosing to put myself through. I'm aware of how people in my life may react to this decision. But hardship & adversity are poisons I've spent my life building up a tolerance for. Dish it.

Fact is, everyday I can feel her move. Her kicks get stronger & she reacts to me sometimes. I love her already. I'm not going to go on & on about predetermined fate or god since neither of those things are my cuppa tea. A lot of mistakes were made that put me in this spot; I wont deny that. But I am going to do everything I can to give her what she needs & be the best mother I can. I'm going to work hard to finish school (hoping to graduate December 2012) & start a career. I'm not going to give up who I am or what I want in my life. That's just not me. I want her to be as proud of me as I will be of her. Justin & I had talked about kids & decided we wanted to wait a while. Shit happens.

So a lot of change. A LOT. I'm not going to pretend to be ready of any of it either. I figure, from what I know about parenting I'll be ready for this sometime around this kid's 23rd birthday. Sound about right?