A New Year a New Baby

Todd and I made it through the holidays and my Christmas break.  It included a quick trip to St. Louis to watch the Mizzou vs. Illinios game and a late night downtown (I wasn't cut out for all the fun and had to be put to bed around 12:30). Then a three hour drive in the rain back to Springfield for Christmas Eve and Nanna Crocker's house, Christmas afternoon at Ma and Pa Bennett's, Saturday with Kim and Carl, then a Sunday afternoon we wrapped up painting the nursery!  We even made it to a Blue and Gold game to watch Hillcrest defeat Moutain Grove (in real Crocker fashion)  Woosh! We felt really busy, but took it all in knowing that this was the last Christmas break that it would be just the two of us.

23 weeks

New Year's Eve, here we go 2010!

I some times sit and just stare wondering what life will be like in a year?  In my daydream I envision rising early to feed and play followed by a little mommy time to wrap up a chore at home, then off to lunch with daddy, another quick errand or visit and then back to the house for a nap.  I don't think it is an unrealistic vision of what next years' Christmas break will hold, but I am sure there are a few details I am missing.

Either way, we are busy at the house getting the room and all of it's parts in order so that we can make time for lamaze class, nursing class, exercising, and a little together time too---can't forget about mommy and daddy!

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

Yep, even after the paper clip and Chinese calendar told me otherwise Todd and I discovered today around 11:30 that our first born will be a little girl.  Todd was silent just taking it all in, he was mesmerized at what he saw on the screen.  She was so beautiful: long legs, longs fingers, heart shaped face, and round eyes.  I can't wait to finally meet her. It all came rushing over me and I  began to cry, this was right after the nurse said that it was a girl and she asked, "Did I say something wrong?"  I told her no that I was just so happy to know who "she" was.  When the nurse left I looked over at Todd and he said, "I am already worried about boys."  I just laughed and confessed that I was too.

I don't know how I would have felt if I would have waited until the day she was born to find out who she was.  All I know is that right now neither one of us can concentrate on anything else but this little girl.

An heaven help her, she is going to have the best hairdresser and accessories in town---I am her mother and what else would you expect?

Here I am--what up momma?

Ah! Yesterday was so exciting, I visited the doctor and unfortunately he had been called out three times that day and was gone for good by the time I got there for my appointment. However, Leah (nurse practitioner) was able to see me and went ahead and listened for the baby. He (we'll just pretend it's a boy) was moving about and every time we heard the heartbeat he would kick or roll over.




Then she got the sonogram machine to take a look. At first it was just the top of his head, then he turned his back on his (literally), finally he rolled over and showed us his face and a little wave---what up momma?  Then he was back to his ball just showing his back.

I think it is so amazing to be able to see your baby in the womb before you even met them. It is even crazier that this baby already acts and looks like one of us. I think the little divot in his chin looks just like Todd's and being annoyed about taking pictures reminds me of Todd too. The only thing that slightly reflexs me is that he is a mover and shaker.



We go some time the first week of December to find out the sex, but we will not be revealing it to ourselves or anyone else till Christmas---HO HO HO Merry Christmas it's a ----?

15 Weeks

We head the doctor tomorrow for a routine check up and I am hoping that he finally puts that tape measure over my belly. I have been waiting since I found out I was pregnant for him to measure my belly. Now, ask me in four months how eager I am to be weighed or measured and I might have a difference of opinion. Either way, we look forward to ever opportunity to see Bubba growing or to hear him having a good time!

They need to write a book about all the fun you get to have while you are pregnant--I am just in awe of all that happens each day. I always dreamed of having a family, especially when I met Todd, and now that we are starting our family I can't believe it is happening to me--I feel so lucky.

14 week 6 days

Hope for the Hooters

We did it! It was freezing, but totally worth it.  Early Saturday morning many supporters of breast gathered at Jordan Valley Park to walk for the Ta-Ta's.  Bubba, Michelle, and several other friends made our 3.5 mile trek through downtown Springfield.  My friend Michelle put together the group and raised over $725 for Breast Cancer Research--that's awesome.  We had a great time and enjoyed our well deserved complimentary granola bar and water at the end.

If you know of anyone who has battled cancer or is struggling right now, be their cheerleader! Support them on their long journey or congratulate them on their strong will to live and beat this Booby Monster.

I looking for a Heartbeat!

So it may be cheesy that this is a Don Johnson song title, but I couldn't help thinking of it as Todd and I strolled into Dr. Lehnert’s office last Monday. It had been a month since our last visit and we hardly even saw the lil' guy, let alone heard anything at the previous visit.  I was so excited to hear the pitter-patter of his (I know I will jinx myself for calling it a him before we actually know) heart. When Dr. Lehnert placed the doppler just below my belly button I felt a rush of blood and tears----there it was, a heartbeat! 160 beats a minute--moving fast just like his mommy :)

I will have to say there are few moments in my short 25 years that I have witnessed that were incredible, moments where you freeze and do nothing but awe at the wonder of it all. I sat there just grinning ear to ear at Todd. "That's our baby!" I said.Dr. Lehnert ended the visit with a short phrase every women wants to hear, "I need you to put on 10 pounds."  I replied gladly, "Whatever you say!"

Here we are now at the 3 month mark and I cannot believe it has gone by this fast. I spent the weekend cleaning out my closets--yes plural I have two that I have taken over--in order to make room for baby. I was exhausted and cranky when I was done, but I admit it and know that I over did it.  Todd and I started to look through names this weekend and we did more goofing off with names than really making a dent in them. It's hard work coming up with a great name that will follow your child throughout his life!

Over the next few weeks “bubba” will be making a visit to the Cancer walk in here in Springfield and the Mizzou vs. Texas game the following weekend for homecoming. We are starting early so that he knows it is only acceptable to be a Mizzou fan in our home :)

Feeling a Little Pregnant

I am at around 8 weeks right now and beginning to feel a little pregnant.  My morning sickness, well it was all day, finally went away and I am beginning to feel more like myself again.  Minus the ever increasing waist size.  Dresses were my thing for the past two weeks, but this week I have ventured into my early fall wear and I am plesantly surprise that I can zip and button most pants---for about two hours---after that I look like I just finished eating a Thanksgiving dinner.  These early weeks are a lot of fun for Todd and I.  We talk a lot about making plans and what little "bubba" or "bubette" will do when they grow up.  I guess the worry and anxiety hasn't set in just yet.

Momma and Papa

I found out I was pregnant on the first day of school (August 18th).  I was so thrilled and shocked that I called Todd ten minutes after he had left the house.  When Todd came home I proudly showed him the three test I had taken, all lined up in a row: one pink line, one plus sign, and one blue line.  For the first couple of days it was extremely hard to wrap my mind around what it was we had done, but soon after I was in full mom mode!
It has been a crazy few weeks keeping this little secret, but we are thrilled to share the news and journey with our family and friends.  We hope this blog will serve as a bridge between friends and family we don't get to see often enough.

Thanks you for visiting and keep posted for updates on the Bennett Family.