Halfway There!

We went to the 20 week ultrasound on Monday. The very first picture was a straight on picture of our baby's face and although it was absolutely incredible to see the eye lenses and the nose cavity, it was also absolutely terrifying. I told Pete I was afraid that that image was going to haunt my dreams(is a mom aloud to say that about her own child?). Pete said at one point he got a little queasy and had to look down because he swore he saw an entire mouth of teeth smiling at him. After our initial viewing of the face, we were able to see all of our sweet little baby's parts(minus the boy or girl ones). We saw the heart, the brain, the stomach, the tiny feet (they were crossed) the perfect little hands, and the face. The tech zoomed in on the mouth and you could see the baby sucking, and then he/she put their little thumb up and sucked their thumb. When the tech was measuring the brain, she zoomed out a little and you could see both of the little ears sticking out of it's head, it was so precious. We were not able to bring home any pictures because the printer was down, but we do get to go back in another week for a second ultrasound because she was unable to see all of the spine.

When we got int he car, Pete told me that he had gotten me a "half-way" present. He told me to open the glove box and there inside was a silver wrapped box with beautiful antique earrings. I really do have the most thoughtful husband in the world!

YAY!!!!!! Pete is back!!

Pete and Phil returned from their Appalachian Trail adventure with wonderful stories and only minor bumps and bruises. I am hoping Pete will write a post later detailing the trip, but just in case he does not, I wanted to make sure it made it on the blog. He said the trail was breathtaking, and the most physically challenging experience of his life. They were blessed with mild weather (some rain, but it kept them cool) and mosquito free days. Their goal was to hike between 8 and 10 miles a day, but they ended up doing more almost every day. The entire trip was right around 50 miles of hiking and apparently it was not only well worth the pain, but a life changing experience. They did have an encounter with a black bear, and Pete says as he was bringing his hiking pole up to protect himself, he looked over to make sure Phil was doing the same and instead saw Phil reaching for his camera. I am so thankful Pete was able to take this amazing trip!

Starting off the hike in GA.
The NC and GA line.

This was the view for a lot of the trip.
On the Trail.

Camp.

Pete at the top of a side trail that according to him was one of the prettiest places he has ever seen.

The conquers!!!! At the end of their journey in NC.

Nine Amazing Years and 18 Weeks!!!!!!

Today I have had the honor and the privilege of being married to the most amazing man on the earth for nine years. Nine years ago today, Pete and I were in Homestead getting married at the First Pres. We had our family, friends, and the entire town of Homestead with us to celebrate our marriage. I have heard people say this before, but I truly mean it, I love Pete more today than I did nine years ago when we got married, or 14 years ago when we started dating. I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with him, and making countless more memories. Pete and I are not spending this anniversary together as he is in GA just returning from a week hike on the Appalachian Trail. I cannot wait to hear all about this adventure, and what he learned along the way. I am so thankful that he has had the opportunity to accomplish such an amazing task.

This is also week 18. Baby Fox continues to move and bump, and we are looking forward to our doctor's appointment next Monday where we will get our big ultrasound.

I am so blessed!

Getting dressed everyday is starting to become a challenge. My clothes not only do not fit quite right anymore, but I am also not quite so cute in them. I finally broke down the other day and went to Ross for some shorts and shirts so that I could actually get dressed on the weekends. Well, today three of my friends from school brought in their maternity clothes to share with me and one other teacher who is pregnant. Not only do these lovely women like to shop, but they also have really good taste. I think I am pretty much set for the rest of my pregnancy thanks to these three. I do not think I will need to buy one more piece of clothing. I feel like I went on an unlimited shopping spree, I got 15 dresses(two from my amazing friend Maria), 25 shirts, 3 pants, 4 shorts, 2 skirts, 2 bathing suit tops, a nightgown, and a robe. I am so thankful for these ladies and their incredible generosity!

The loot!

Week 17

Now everyday I feel the baby move. I keep putting Pete's hand on my stomach hoping he will be able to feel it too, but he of course cannot yet. I can't wait for him to be able to feel our baby like I do. We have been discussing the nursery but have not come up with any definite plans. We would both like to have it finished before we leave on our trip so that when we return it will all be done.

Second Day with Colt and Beth

On Saturday we picked up some subs and drove down to Naples Beach for the afternoon. The weather was warm and breezy and the water was the perfect temperature. We stopped at the 7/11 and bought two Mega Gulps which you can see in Pete's hand. They were huge!

On the way home from the beach we decided to drive out to Captiva and eat at the famous Bubble Room. Colt and I had vague memories of eating there when we were little. The only things we could really remember were the cheesy bread, and the picture we took in the love boat. The restaurant is like being inside of a cartoon. There is stuff on every surface of the restaurant, the waiters wear boy scout uniforms and hats and call themselves scout guides. The food was good, and the cheesy bread did not disappoint. We took a picture in the love boat and got a piece of their orange crunch cake for home.

Colt enjoying the gift of cheesy bread!

Sunday morning we went to Bennett's for some coffee and then to First Watch for breakfast.

The whole weekend was wonderful and we all felt like we had been on a vacation after they left.

How we told!

I have been meaning to put up how we told our families that we were pregnant and am finally getting around to it. We were getting ready to go see the ballet Don Quixote on Wednesday February the 10th. We had bought a pregnancy test, but I was planning on waiting until the morning to take it. Pete wanted me to take it that night so, I did. When I looked down at the stick I was in pure shock, as I really did not expect it to read positive. I went into the computer room where Pete was, he said, "well?" I said, "I think we are!" He said, "what do you mean I think?" I said, "well the one line is kind of light so I am not sure, but I think if it shows up at all that mean yes." Pete looked at me in shock. He got up and I said, "where are you going?" He said, "I just need to walk around, I can't believe it." Later we looked at the stick and realized, the light line was the control line which shows the test actually took. The dark line was the prego line. That night and the next day we obviously discussed all kinds of different thoughts and emotions. One topic was when and how we were going to tell our families. A lot of people advise waiting until after the first trimester to tell people, but that is not who we are and we could not wait to let everyone enjoy this news with us.

I have always wanted to tell our parents in a fun, creative way, so we discussed many options, without coming up with anything we really liked. On Friday while I was at school Pete sent me an email with a poem he had written to give to our parents. I loved it, and we decided that we would drive home that night and tell them. We got to my parent's house around 9:30 on Friday night and the house was empty. We took showers and sat around a while waiting for them to return. About 10:30 they came in from Capri with two of their friends. Of course this was the night that the friends had no where to go, and so they were very content to hang around and visit. After about a hour the friends went home and the four of us moved into the kitchen. My mom brought in some laundry and she and my dad started folding towels. I said, "oh, I have something I want you to read." I brought out the poem and told my dad that he would have to read it out loud because mom did not have on her glasses. He proceeded to read the poem and at one point my mom looked over at me to see what was going on. When he got to the end, "and watch Grace grow", my mom put her head down into the towel she was folding and started to cry. My dad was speechless, he just kept smiling but didn't really have much to say.
The next morning, we went to the Fox's for a surprise breakfast. When we walked int he door, Delores was on the phone, she looked over at us and then did a double take as her mind registered who we were and that we were not supposed to be there. After we had had breakfast and were sitting around the table, Delores gave us the perfect in when she asked Pete if he had read the poem she had found of Iva's. Pete told her how much he had liked the poem, and then said, "I found another poem I think you would like. Read it out loud so dad can hear it too." Delores read the poem and when she got to the end part she just started crying. She got up and hugged us both and couldn't quit crying and smiling. Pete and I later talked about how bad we felt for Don. He was contently eating his breakfast and listening to the poem, right when Delores got to the punch line part of the poem she started crying and hugging us. Poor Don was left sitting in the dark wondering what in the world was going on. Later we talked, and Delores told us that she was completely shocked because they did not think we were ever going to have any children, how funny.
On the way home we called our brother's and the rest of our family. When I called Clay and Colt I told them I had new names for them. I said, "I think we should start calling you Uncle Clay/Colt". Clay's response was "why", I said, "because you are going to be an uncle." He said, "no waaa, it's about damn time!". Colt was quicker on the uptake and said, "no way, I am so happy for you guys". All of the responses were so fun and encouraging, and I told Pete that I thought this might we one of the most fun days of our lives. When we got back to Fort Myers, we got a phone call from my dad. He said,"you guys weren't kidding about that were you?" I laughed and reassured him that we were very much not joking. He said, "I am so happy for you guys this is going to be wonderful!"

And now for the poem...

Since we first left home way back when, we never really tried
Then the last few years it occurred to us and sort of wondered why
As time went on we looked around at all our friends and fam
Who all celebrated little ones with party’s full of ham

It never seemed our time you know
We sure do like to travel
But with all that ham around
We’re getting tired of seeing gravel

We joke about the words “you’ll see”
We keep hearing from some of the others
We’ve got a plan to take them camping
Or leave them at grand-mothers

So now you know our current state we’ve thought about a while
We finally just decided lately to organize our pile
Of life, you see, we take for granted each and every day
Time to slow down and take a breath and laugh along the way

So come October we’ll all find out what color to paint the walls
Cause we’re not finding out till then which toys - trucks or dolls
Till then we wait and watch Grace grow I hope she’s got a guide
On how to do all these new things, but we’re sure God will provide.

Colt and Beth

Colt and Beth came to visit this weekend. They got here yesterday around 11:30. The two of them and Pete went to the Edison for lunch and to watch the golfers play in the hot sun. When I got home, I found the three of them hanging out at Sophia's pool enjoying the sun, water and a brew. We sat around awhile watching Penny learn to swim, then later we went to Echo records and then Publix for dinner supplies. When we got home, we all took a much needed nap in the living room. Billy came over and we made the most amazing sushi rolls for dinner. After dinner we played the game Things and laughed the whole time. It is so funny that the things that make us laugh when we are ten, still make us laugh today.

Colt was in charge of the Tuna, Steak, Salmon and looking cute in my purple apron.
We had small assembly line going most of the night.
The end results!

Not only delicious, but also beautiful.
I had to take two group shots because I looked like I weighed 500 lbs. in the first one. Even with the double shot, that arm of mine looks like I could put a serious hurtin on someone. I have been compared to China(WWF wrestler) before, and that large man-bicep is a small indicator of the pain that I am capable of inflicting. Watch out!

Week 16- Pretty Sure!!

So, I am almost sure I did feel the baby move tonight!!!!! We were laying on the couch and Pete asked me if I had felt anything else and I said no, I had not. A little while later I felt like the lower part of my stomach was perculating. I kept feeling this little bump mostly on the right side. I watched my stomach for about half an hour to see if I could see anything, and I know it is probably impossible, but I thought I saw a little poke. I can't wait to see if I can feel something tomorrow night. On an unrelated note, my students are soooo excited about the baby. My little Kaylie is always hugging me and patting my tummy. Today after she hugged me, she kissed my stomach. It was so cute.

Today I bought what I am sure will be my first of many bottles of Coco Butter. I am praying this little bottle of suntan lotion smelling ointment will save my tummy skin from any unsightly marks! One can only hope.

Pad Thai or Life

Tonight we ordered sushi and Pad Thai. Not to worry, mine was a veggie roll, completely safe. The Pad Thai was very oily, and we both had stomach aches after eating dinner. As we were laying on the couch watching TV, I started to notice some strange feelings in my lower abdomen. As I was laying there I began to think...is this the Pad Thai, or am I feeling our little baby moving for the very first time? I laid very still and muted the TV to see if that would help me to distinguish what I was feeling. I was still unable to come to a definite conclusion so for tonight I will go to bed thinking Pad Thai or life. :)

Dinner and beer brewing with the Houghtons

On Sunday night we went over to the Houghton's for dinner and a little beer brewing 101. We spent about four hours on the porch talking, laughing, and brewing beer. Paula made an incredible 1904 salad and Mahlan grilled salmon and portabella mushrooms. All the food was absolutely outstanding and the company was even better. After dinner,and the transferring of the beer to the carboy, we had tea and key lime pie. To end the evening, we watched a home movie of Billy perform a dinosaur dance in his second grade Edison Park dance recital. It was absolutely hilarious.

Frisbee Golf with Billy

Last Sunday, we went back to the beach frisbee course with Billy. We played all 18 holes, but we did spend some time trecking through the woods looking for a disk. On the 18th, Pete and I had the pleasure of watching Billy take a little dip in the drink to retrieve a run-a-way disk. If that wasn't bad enough, when he got out of the pond, we realized that my disk had fallen through the storm grate. Pete and Billy moved the grate and Billy reached down into the black lagoon and saved the disk. After the golf game, we decided to get sushi and beer for dinner. Billy went for the sushi and Pete and I headed to Total Wine for the beer. We decided to stop in at Publix to see if they carried the beer that the boys wanted. As we were walking in, we were almost run over by a guy and his cart. Surprisingly, as we walked around the store we bumped into the same man about three times. All three times he almost mowed us down. We decided not to buy anything and were on our way out As we turned down an aisle we noticed the man with about 10 cases of beer, going down the aisle next to us. We walked right out of the store and got into the car. As we were closing our doors, we notice the guy running down the parking lot. It took us a minute to realize that he would not have had time to pay for the beer and make it out in such a short amount of time. We drove around to where his truck was parked and got the licence plate number. We headed back to Publix and gave the manager the news and the number. We feel a very personal responsibility to take care of the store we visit at least five days a week. :)