After Christmas Dinner, we went for a stroll under the Roosevelt Bridge...

Christmas morning was spent with my grandparents.
Can't you tell how excited the guys are to open presents?

Merry Christmas!

Boys Will Be Boys

This is the story of a man named Sam. He has a wife to support. He has many things on his mind: school, work, dinner....and most importantly, his expanding family!
So, Sam does the responsible thing and gets a second job.
Oh no! Analytical Sam has overlooked one thing: Transportation!
"The Tank" is the family car and is heavily abused: Work, grocery shopping, Dr. Appts! How does it manage to do everything? Well, sometimes Tank just can't be in two places at once.
So, Sam (still being practical) looks for a second vehicle. But nothing comes along that is just right: too old, too expensive, gas-guzzler, etc.
One day, Sam is pondering the meaning of being a family man when he passes the scooter store.
A transformation occurs: man reverts to boy. Like a kid in a toy store, Sam skips past the gleaming metal of two-wheeled vehicles and straight into the office. Without blinking, he skips out with....
The Keys!

We come to the end of the story where I am supposed to impart a deep philosophical moral to the story.

All I came up with is "Boys Will Be Boys." At least he is being a responsible "boy!"

I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays! We aren't decorating much; I've been so busy with my classes, I'm lucky to get dinner accomplished! Two more finals (next week) and I will be free to enjoy my Christmas break!

Grandma and I have planned lots of little projects such as cleaning house, sewing projects!

Our apartment is starting to look like a baby store! We were able to get a great deal on a brand new crib, so for now all the "baby stuff" is getting tossed in there until I figure out where to put it! I will try to post pictures when we get things looking a little more civilized :-)

Baby Poling is becoming stronger and more active with each passing day! She loves to "play" when I am using the computer..."Mommy, pay attention to me!"

Happy Thanksgiving

The "Weighting" Game

Today I had my 6-month Dr. appointment. I always get nervous before these things; I just know what is going to happen when I step on the scales....

Of course, today was no different. The nice nurse made me pee in a cup, took my blood pressure, and made me step up to the scales. Nice enough.... Then the doctor comes in, (doesn't even complement me on my perfect blood pressure) takes one look at my chart and asks if I was hungry when I came in. I got really nervous; I didn't want to tell her that, due to my anxious nerves, I hadn't eaten breakfast!

Thats when I realized she was referring to my rapid weight gain in the past 4 weeks!

"No, I'm not hungry, doc. But now that you mention it, I could really go for a double cheeseburger!"

24 weeks... and counting!

Here are some pictures from the last week or so. Baby Poling is going through a growth spurt (and so is mommy!). The wiggles and little kicks become more noticeable with every passing day; Sam is looking forward to the day when he can feel them, too!

Sam likes to talk to the belly!

Baby Bump Alert

Well, here it is... the first picture of the "bump." It still looks like a bubble to me! Seeing "proof" of the baby's existence has Sam in awe! He talks to "her;" but he hasn't gotten to feel any kicks yet.

In other news, the semester is quickly passing by. Soon, everything will be winding down; my finals kick off on December 8.
I found some classes that meet only 8 weeks in the Spring; I plan on taking those so that I can have a few months off of school! I think I will need it....

My grandparents (Ann & Carl) came back into town about a week ago; it's so nice to spend time with them. I missed them since they left in May. I missed Grandma's cooking too! She didn't miss a beat and was cooking almost the day she got here!

Since I am on the topic of cooking... I have been trying out new recipes for the last several months. Tonight I made a southwestern soup; it turned out amazing! Although the recipe didn't call for chicken, I added it anyways-- I think I discovered my favorite soup!

I also wanted to say "Happy Birthday" to Sam; he turned 25 last week!

Baby Blues... or Pinks?

On Tuesday we (finally) had the ultrasound.

The results are in...

Its a healthy "it!"

The sonographer tried really hard, but Baby Poling just wouldn't stop squirming long enough to get a clear rear-end shot.

My doctor promised me I could have another ultrasound in about a month to check again.

At one point, we noticed the baby's jaw moving.

"Our baby is already talking back to us!" I told Sam. I suppose this proves "carnal from conception" David reminds us of in the Bible.

In other news, midterms are coming up. This is a good and a bad thing. The good thing is that midterms signal the half-way point of the semester. The bad thing is that I have alot of studying to do in the next week!

Taking it One Day at a Time

Life update....

School is in full swing. I am taking two different science classes, Chemistry and Microbiology.

Chem is not nearly as hard as Micro. Chemistry is fun, but I really have to pay attention in Microbiology to get anything out of it.

Sam and I took a few pictures after church; I guess we were both feeling photogenic--not something that happens alot.

I might eventually post "belly" pictures, but right now I just look like I had too many cheeseburgers...not flattering!

Next Tuesday we find out the gender; Sam is beyond excited. He talks about it all the time.

As for me, I just want "healthy." Pink or Blue? I'd rather it be a surprise...

I think I have been feeling kicks although I would describe it more as "twinges" like someone is prodding me with a dull knife, but on the inside. I suppose in the upcoming weeks it will become more obvious what is "kicks" and what isn't!

Labor Day

For Labor Day, we grilled out at Denise's. Jennifer was our designated cook! The shish-ka-bobs were great!

Time Flies....

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day!!!!

Well, I can't believe that it has been over two months since we found out we were pregnant! Lots of things have happened since my last post; nothing life-changing however.

School started last week and now it is in full swing. Potential hurricanes could throw a wrench in my professor's plans, however! Gustav and Hanna stayed away, but Ike is a threat due to his uncertain path! Yikes!

Two weeks ago we went out on D.C.'s boat.

This is her husband-- with our dinner!

For Labor Day, we also went over to their place for a cookout... I will pics of that up...eventually! We grilled chicken, fish, beef, peppers and mushrooms! Yum!

On Tuesday, I had my 2nd Dr. Appt. We got to hear the heartbeat! This is very comforting considering I am not showing yet... At least it feels "real" now! In 3 weeks I am scheduled for an ultrasound--Sam is exited because he wants to know the gender so badly! I don't really care, but everyone else does, so we have to find out and appease the majority.

This is my pineapple, grown in my grandparent's garden.
I planted it two and half years ago!
It didn't get very big, but I am surprised it grew at all!
I can't wait to cut into it!

Life Update

Well I know I haven't blogged in quite a while. Things have been really hectic around here.

I have been busy keeping up with school and work, but it paid off-- I got all A's in all four summer classes I was taking! So now I have three weeks to relax (and give the house a deep-cleaning) before fall classes start. I am signed up for eight classes, so I know I will be super busy this fall.

Perhaps I should add one little detail. My reason for being absent from socialization for the last month or so can be chalked up to one "little" factor-- our baby-to-be. Yes, thats right people-- I am pregnant! And because of it, I have spent the last month asleep or wishing I was asleep-- and then trying to fit in school and work. Fortunately I'm not due until March, so I can make it through fall classes without much of an interruption.

Well, I feel better now that I have officially made my "announcement." I have told a few family members and close friends and even dropped "hints" on Facebook, but this is the first time my message will be broadcast to a larger audience.

Oh by the way, Sam wanted me to mention that he hopes for a girl--I just hope for "healthy." Keep us in your prayers!


This is the best picture I could get of the test. It didn't show up too well without flash--with flash it just looked blank.

A Collection of My Birthday Presents

My gift from my Mother-In-Law:

FlipFlops with grapes, pineapple, bee and flower.

My gift from Heather:

Apron

Does this mean I have to cook more often?

My Birthday Gift from Jen:

"Spa" for Hands
We had an interesting evening....

Sam and I picked up the cake.

Then, Jen joined us. We picked out two movies.
Then we went to WinnDixie and picked up food.
Then we went home....
Where are the movies? I said.
We all looked at each other. No one picked up the movies?
Sent Sam to get movies.
But the rest of the night went fine!
We ate cake!

So, my sweet husband bought me a birthday cake. Considering I had to make my own last year, I felt really special this year.

More pictures coming soon!!!!

This is what I like to call "bear in the chair."

This is Sam's "aviation table."

This one speaks for itself :-)

I hope you enjoyed the brief tour around our apartment!

THE Couch

Here is the couch that everybody wanted to see!

Love me, Love my junk

Maybe you can't visualize it, but for a second can you pretend you are watching Brady Bunch? Okay now you know what my couch looks like. Bright green. With flamingoes. Matching Pillows.
Sam cries everytime he sits on the couch.
These pictures are of the sheets that I used to re-cover our couch. Honestly, it looks AWESOME!!!



I took my Lab final today; I have much confidence in my Anatomy know-how. Now I just have to weather through American History tomorrow. I geuss I had better go study now!
More updates later!

PS Thanks to all of my friends who regularly LURK on my blog. You know who you are.

Summer, Part II

Okay, so I never had a "Summer, Part I." But my first session of summer classes ends next week- finals!
Then my second session starts the 23rd of this month.

So I decided I needed to take charge of my fertility. So I bought pee-on-a-stick OPK(ovulation predictor kit). Nothing. Those things are expensive, and to think I have to shell out 20 bucks EVERY month? So I did my research: I bought an Ovulite. In short, its just a tiny flashlight with a microscope on the end. You lick it every morning and wait for it to dry. So far, my ovulation is still out of reach.
The only thing short of pills(eww) and shots(ouch) to jumpstart ovulation is losing weight. Since I am teetering on the edge of "overweight" and "obese" (according to those handy-dandy BMI calculators) I decided it was time to shed a few pounds. Okay, maybe more than a few; more like 15-20.

It is three weeks into this diet and I have lost 6 pounds so far. I'm not starving and I don't have to wake up at 3 am to exercise (if this summer is as bad as last year, 3am maybe the coolest time of day to exercise, though!).
Time will tell!
So, for now we lick the flashlight every morning and count our calories and keep our fingers crossed.

Mission: Possible!!!

We moved in all in one weekend! I can't believe it!
Stacks of boxes have been pushed aside just enough to make a path that snakes from the front door to the bedroom with a pit stop in between at the kitchen.
In time we should have everything put away... and then we can start having parties!! (Not really...)
Thank you to all those who helped us move and offered their help; your thoughtfulness is appreciated!

To U-Haul or Not to U-Haul?

Okay, No U-Haul. We are just moving across the street, almost. Twenty trips in the "Tank" will deliver everything short of the bed, desk and couch. Although Sam has offered tie everything on the roof of the car, I think I will pass on his sweet offer. I couldn't, really! What a sweetie. Guess I will have to make friends with someone who owns a truck. A really big one....

By this time next week we should be completely moved in.
Busy weekend ahead!

Topic

Please forgive me if I seem stuck on one topic...
Perhaps you understand the struggle of infertility... and if you don't, please bear with me. Don't write me off as a crazy young girl who has her head in the clouds.
At least my feet are on the ground.
Please feel free to comment about my blogs. I will take all input (positive and negative)!
Thanks!

Reader Discretion Advised (See Previous Post)

I don't really have the time to do this, but I am in between classes and have my laptop too.

So I was thinking about what I wrote yesterday. Sam and I talk about it. Alot.

We decided that IDEALLY we should wait until at least one of us gets a college degree before we start our family. IDEALLY.

Sam should get his degree a year from now. Me, 2 years. And I'd be the one carrying the baby, so LOGICALLY we it should wait until I graduate, right?

But if it happens, it happens-- right?

Caution: Controversial Content

So, here I am-- once again taking summer classes. And moving. And working full-time.
Sound like a lot?
Then you have to add to the equation a husband who is also taking classes. And working full-time. Picky eater. Needs a math tutor (which turns out to be me).

I am not complaining, just explaining. Just in case someone thinks I am ignoring them... Just in case anyone cares.
Maybe it is more for myself, this blogging business.
There are a lot of things I would like to say, but blogs just seem so.... open? No, thats not the word. Exposed? no... Impersonal? not really....
Once I type it and post it, it just hangs out there like a piece of meat. Either the wolves will steal it or it will just get old and rotten. Do you see my dilemma?

Okay maybe I should just be honest: Sam and I want to have children. But, apparently Mother Nature has other ideas. And so do the people in my life. Some people ask when? or if? And what do I say? "When the time is right." What I really want to say is "It is not as easy as 1-2-3. And if I had it my way, the right time would be right NOW!" Oh, but then you have the naysayers who know just HOW practical it is to wait until I get my education.
I am a very practical person, much to the surprise of 99% of those who know me. I know exactly what the next "logical" step should be: Wait.

BUT I AM TIRED OF WAITING!!!!

Ann

&

Carl

Okay, so this is bittersweet...

I said good-bye to my grandparents on Sunday... and won't see them for 6 months!

The good news is that we signed the lease today for our new apartment-- don't worry! We are still living on campus, just in a bigger place. I will post pics once we move in and tidy up :-)



Sometimes I wonder what the big scheme of things looks like. Like, if you could peek at God's plan for you, what would it look like? It makes sense to Him even when it doesn't make sense to us....

Smooth
Criminal!

Long time....

Sorry it has been sooooo long since I have blogged!
This semester has just flown by!
UPDATE-- Since my last post:
1. I finished Spring semester at IRCC
2. I work 30+ hours a week as a companion for an elderly lady.
3. I signed up for summer classes.
4. We are getting ready to move. Again.
5. Grandma and Grandpa are leaving this Sunday :-(