Busy, busy, busy!

It's Sunday night, and I'm exhausted. It's been such a busy week! Joe and I found a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house that we really liked out near Prairie Creek/Beaver Lake. They dropped the price of the house by $8000 just before Thanksgiving, so we scheduled a second viewing last Sunday. After looking at it again, we were sure it was the house for us, so we put together a contract with our realtor that night. The beginning of the week was a bit stressful as they countered, we countered, and they countered again... but Tuesday turned out to be a great day!

On Tuesday morning, we went to have our first "real" ultrasound. It was fantastic. We spent about 2o minutes viewing the baby on the screen as the technician took measurements... our first real quality time with the baby. I did a better job of not crying this time, but I definitely teared up a bit, especially when we got to hear the heartbeat. I've scanned the ultrasound pictures in below. I'm sorry they're so small, but I promise it actually looks like a baby now! And you can tell I'm ready to be a mother, because I've been proudly showing them off any chance I get!




On Tuesday, we also agreed on a contract for the house. It was exciting, but also overwhelming to think of all the things we need to get done before it will be ours... not to mention all the moving, painting, etc. that will happen after it's ours!

Yesterday Dad and Marcia came down to check out the house, as did the home inspector. All agreed that there are only minor repairs needed and that we're getting a great deal. It was such a relief, and the first time that I felt this might all work out. The house sits on a 0.88 acre wooded lot and, while it's not lake view, you can see Beaver Lake as you drive into the neighborhood. As we drove around the neighborhood, I started thinking about all the family vacations to Table Rock Lake as a kid. I used to love those trips and always wished I could have one of those houses on the lake. I know it sounds corny, but I feel like my dreams are coming true. Beaver Lake is just as pretty at Table Rock, and it's also in the Ozarks. While it's not a house on the lake, we couldn't be much closer. It's not ours yet, but it will be one Home Sweet Home.

View from the back porch

It's been an exciting week!

We had our first doctor's visit this week! I'm 11 weeks along now, and the baby seems to be doing well. The doctor did a quick bedside ultrasound, and found the baby very quickly. Thank goodness there was just one! I could immediately see the head, torso, limbs, and heartbeat. He/she was moving around all over the place! I started crying because it was just so awesome, and then getting a good picture was difficult. So, we've got pictures, but I can't get them to download here... and they're really not worth it anyway. Joe says he can tell it's my baby because it has the Weston head, but he also thought the baby looked like it had frog legs. Men!

The weeks seem to be progressing so slowly, but I'm hoping things will feel like they're moving faster now that I'll start seeing the doctor monthly. Seeing the baby was one of the greatest things ever, and I can't wait to do it again!

On a separate note, we decided it might be time to buy a house. We went to the bank this week and got pre-approved for a loan, so we've started looking. I don't want to rush into anything, but love the thought of having our very own nursery set up for the baby when it gets here.

Lastly, I'll just say that the morning sickness is getting old. I'm so ready for that part of things to be over! I just keep telling myself that my once a day vomit habit is nothing compared to what some women go through. And, I'm sure it will all be worth it!

8 weeks

Two months down, 7 to go! The baby is the size of a kidney bean now and is constantly moving and shifting, although I can't feel it. Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from our baby's hands and feet, the eyelids practically cover the eyes, breathing tubes extend from the throat to the branches of developing lungs, and the "tail" is just about gone. In the brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. I get the feeling that I'm having a boy, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal the sex.

This past week has been pretty uneventful. The morning sickness seems to have gotten a bit better. I still feel queasy, but haven't vomited this week. The worst part has been the fatigue. I am so tired! I've been going to bed earlier, which has helped me in the mornings, but that 2 o'clock slump is a killer. I almost started crying at work the other day because I just wanted to go home and sleep! I had planned to go home for Arkalalah this weekend, but decided I'd stay home and rest. I'm not sure I could handle the crowds and excitement right now.

Joe has been great. He's excited about being a father and shows it by taking care of me. He basically let's me get my way on everything, and I admit that I'm taking advantage of it. The only thing that's he's really stood up to me about is names. I'm not sure that we'll ever agree on a name. We've decided to postpone further baby naming discussions until we find out the sex of the baby, which would limit our choices by about half, and make it easier. Feel free to recommend names, so long as you won't get your feelings hurt if we don't use them!

7 Weeks

I'm seven weeks along now and the baby is the size of a blueberry or raspberry, depending on which website you look at. Pictures of the baby at this stage really vary, and some look like something out of a horror movie, but I'll chose to believe that our baby looks like the one below.



It still amazes me that such a little thing can be wreaking such havoc on my body already. Fatigue and nausea have been my biggest enemies this week. That 2 o'clock slump seems extra rough with no chance of a caffeine perk, and bedtime keeps getting earlier and earlier. Morning sickness paired with the morning teeth brushing makes for a volatile event, and I've come to dread dental hygiene. I've considered forgoing it in the mornings, but I have a feeling my coworkers and interviewees wouldn't appreciate it. It's so disappointing to make it through to clean fresh teeth, only to vomit all over them!

The only other notable symptom this week is the craving for pizza and chocolate, particularly Totino's pizza rolls (which I haven't had in years) and peanut M&Ms. Funny how I crave such terrible food when my brain is telling me to eat healthy!

Overall, I know it could be worse, much worse. I'm envious of those women who say that they never had morning sickness and loved being pregnant, but I feel lucky that it's only been a little uncomfortable... and I hope it doesn't get worse.

We're Pregnant!

I was a few days late on Friday, October 1st, so I took a pregnancy test. It was negative, but I doubted the test. I just didn't feel normal. I went to Edmond for the weekend to celebrate Asher's first birthday. When I got back on Sunday, I still hadn't started... so I took another pregnancy test. Joe and I went to view the results together. The test had a positive sign, but one bar was very weak. I didn't feel those were conclusive results, so I went to Walgreen's and bought another test... a digital one. The results this time said PREGNANT. Joe and I flew through a series of emotions including shock, fear, excitement, and happiness. We're pregnant! I went to the doctor on October 8th and they confirmed the pregnancy and set my due date at June 10th, 2011. I'm currently 6 weeks along. My next appointment isn't until November 17th.

It amazes me that such a tiny little thing can already be changing my body. I have to pee all the time, I feel hungry most every second of the day, and I'll tear up at the sappiest of commercials. So far no real morning sickness, although brushing my teeth in the morning leads to a gagging fit occasionally followed by vomiting. Joy!

Joe and I are very excited to be parents. Our family and friends seem just as excited. I'm creating this blog to help them all keep abreast of the latest happenings with the Hackler family. I'll admit that I've copied the idea from my sister-in-law, Jessica, whose blog about my nephew has not only entertained, but helped me feel a part of things, even though we're hours away. Please take time to check our blog regularly and comment on posts. We feel so lucky to have you all in our lives!


Me,Kelly, Asher, and Mom the day before I found out my life would change forever!