20 weeks... halfway there!

I've been able to feel the baby move now for over a month. It started with a barely noticeable fluttering that I only felt while laying down, but has increased to a more noticeable thumping that I can feel throughout the day. Last night the baby was feeling especially rowdy and was moving around more then I'd ever felt before. Joe asked if I could feel him from the outside, and I told him that I sometimes thought I could, but that I might just be imagining it. He put his hand on my belly, and could feel the baby move! It was really exciting to have Joe be a part of those first interactions with the baby!

The websites say that the baby is about 10.5 inches right now from head to toe... the size of a banana! I'm amazed by how fast he's growing. Luckily, I haven't gained any weight yet... but my belly is definitely getting bigger. I know my time will come, and probably sooner rather than later, but I'm trying to keep the weight gain to a minimum given the extra pounds that I'm already carrying!

I'm feeling much better in my second trimester. I only have occasional morning sickness and usually have more energy... although the move into our new house has been draining. I am noticing that I'm not sleeping as well. I wake up hot, or thirsty, or because I have to pee. I realize that this is probably the beginning of a very long period of time without a solid night's sleep. Given how much I enjoy my sleep, I know I'll be cranky... and Joe would likely tell you that I already am! I had a bit of a breakdown the other night as I tried to unpack the kitchen because the shelf liner wasn't cooperating and there wasn't a drawer large enough for our silverware tray. Oh the joys of pregnancy hormones! At least that's what I'm blaming it on!

The nurse called yesterday to say that the results came back from the ultrasound and that everything looked normal, but that they didn't get a good picture of the baby's face or spine. She scheduled another ultrasound for March 10th. I asked her if I should be concerned and she said no, that the baby was probably just too small since I was only 19 weeks at that time. I can't help but be a bit worried, but I'm guessing they wouldn't make me wait 6 weeks if they were concerned. So, I'm not going to let myself get worked up over it. Besides, it will be another chance to see the baby, which is always welcomed!

It's a boy!

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. We've been super busy! Yesterday was our ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby, and it's a boy! We are both so excited! I wanted a boy because I'm terrified of having a prissy girlie girl. Joe said he didn't mind either way. He was grinning from ear to ear when he found out, and said he was excited about having a golfing/fishing buddy. The radiologist said that everything looks normal, that he's developing as he should be, and that he currently weighs about 13 oz. I've included some pictures below.



Look at that cute little nose!



Perfect little feet!



And some boy parts to make Daddy proud!

The other big news is that we closed on the house on December 28th! We both love the place and are so excited, but I'm absolutely dreading the move. I have definitely grown to hate moving over the years, but Joe keeps reminding me that this is the last time we'll be moving for a long while. The best part is that we've been able to take our time as we don't have to be out of our rental house until the end of the month. I've been packing boxes, and Joe has been making trips in the Jeep. It looks like we'll be moving the big stuff this weekend, so we should be living there shortly. I'll send out an email with our new address and phone number soon!

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!