The proof...

The picture is from looking at the bottom showing his two legs with the proof in the middle. He is not going to be too happy with me one day knowing that I was flashing pictures of his you know what around:)

It's a Boy!!!!

Well, as you can tell by the title of the blog, we found out the sex today. The picture showed two legs with a little extra protrusion between the two. When I sent the picture to Brad, you would think that he was on top of the world. Both of us are so very excited and cannot stop smiling. We are still tossing around some names, but until then, we finally get to refer to it as a "he". The ultrasound tech was also very impressed with his heart, she could see the four chambers. She said it was a good sign of a strong heart. So folks, that is what we have right now, a strong, blue eyed little McCarter. Brad and are so blessed! I cannot wait to meet him!

Weekend Get-A-Way

Brad and I are taking advantage of our last few months of just the two of us, and we were able to squeeze in a little trip to Atlanta to catch a ball game and see the city. We had such a blast and it was nice to get-a-way just the two of us. We left Saturday morning and stayed in Buckhead, just North of Atlanta. I was able to reserve us a nice hotel where they put us on the 22nd floor overlooking the skyline of Atlanta. After taking a short shopping trip to Lenox Square Mall, we took the Marta to the Braves game where they got slaughtered. It was till a great time! The next day we had a nice brunch and then headed over to see Brad's sister and family. Jacob and Cassie are getting so tall and they are both fearless. Cassie was happy to show off her biking skills, she no longer needs the training wheels and Jacob told us all about his baseball team. They are very sweet and active children, I don't know how Ashley and Luke keep up with them. The sweetest part of the day was when Cassie run up to me to give me a hug and stopped after noticing my belly, she so sweetly hugged and placed her ear to my belly.
All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. We cannot wait to share these kinds of weekends with the baby!

Another Check up

Well, yesterday I had yet another check up and evertything is still going so very well. I got to hear the heart beat and it is a strong 156bpm. My doctor, Dr. cadigan is very pleased with everything so far. My weight is finally starting to increase along with the size of me. This week i have been feeling alot better so it means I eat alot more. But, I have been keeping active to balance everything as well. My next apt. in August 18th. This is when we will find out the sex of the baby and also go over the anatomy. They will be able to measure the size of the organs and major body parts. From this information, we will get a good idea on the progress of the baby.
Today I am looking at more daycares. It is hard to find a place where you not only feel comfortable leaving the baby, but finacially feasable. Wish me luck!

Baby Bump

Well, we returned from the beach safe and sound and now getting right back into the swing of things. Laura, Mike and Pat were all surprised to see that my baby is making his/her's mark already. My baby bump is in that transition betweeen "OMG, that girl has quite the belly" to "she must be pregnant". It is fun to watch the changes, also, I have an excuse to shop:)
At the beach Laura got to hear all the exciting things that come along from being pregnant from not eating seafood, morning sickness, losing the mind and so on. I think i may have scared her out of it. :)
I had another doctor appointment last week and the baby still has a strong little heartbeat. I have a gerat doctor who is keeping everything in mind when it comes to the health of me and the baby. Next week I see my pulmonary doctor to make sure the baby is getting enough oxygen from my lungs. For the time being, i am told to continue to use my inhaler and will know more once I am evaluated next week.
Daddy is doing well, he is doing such a good job of taking care of me. Now that my belly is getting bigger, he is giving the baby more attention. Every day the reality sets in more and more.
Not much else to tell, I will hopefully have some pictures up very soon.

First Post

Good morning,
so I decided to start a blog. I guess that this is the "thing to do". Not only am I creating this for the family and friends in Minnesota, Peru, Dominica and beyond, but I thought it would be a great way to keep up with my pregnancy progress.
By now, most of you know that I have a living being inside me. Brad and I are ecstatic and day by day, realizing how much our lives are changing. Here is how it all started:

April 29, 2008 - After a long weekend with friends, I thought I was just exhausted and tired because of all the running around the weekend before. But, that wasn't enough to explain how I was feeling. Later that afternoon I called brad to ask him to come home. He was a little concerned so the news was told right then and there...his response, "I'm on my way home." When he arrived, he had a little smirk on his face and it hasn't left...

Now here we are, eight weeks later and still with child. We have had the ability to watch our baby grow week by week (a perk to working for a hospital system). The first viewing of the baby showed a small, pulsating figure representing the heartbeat. Two weeks later, it started to show arm and leg buds. Now, just last Friday, we could visibly see the facial features, arms, and legs. It is truly amazing and I love the baby more and more each day.

I am asked the same questions every time somebody finds out that I am pregnant. "How are you feeling" "are you hoping for a girl or boy" "what are you going to name it". So, in a nutshell.....I am feeling fine. The first 10 weeks were not so good, but now starting to enjoy the process more and more. I can kindof tell that Brad is hoping for a little boy to take fishing, but honestly, we just want a happy and healthy baby. Regarding names, we have decided on a girl name but tossing around names for a little boy. As of right now, if we had to choose a name, it would be Eli James or Ella Rose.

So what's next? I do not know. Everyday is a new experience. All I know is that whatever we go through, we have an amazing family that is there for us every step of the way. Grandma Shirley has started to keep her phone near by at all times to listen to new updates and to help me work through the emotions, she has been an angel to me. Grandma Marty and Wanda have also been so supportive. Grandma Wanda is thinking as I am regarding the sex. She brought over a pink bib and matching blanket set with butterflies on it this past weekend. So what about the Grandpas? Well, I don't think anybody is as excited as Grandpa Doug, but I know the others are too:)
And the three uncles that this fortunate little baby will have, well, they cannot wait. Uncle Pat already purchased the baby's first book, "Who Pooped in the Park?" Not only will the three uncles show the baby how to fish and get in and out of trouble, but the baby will gain great knowledge from each and every one of them.
The baby will also have three wonderful Aunts, Ashley, Hollie and Marty. All who are so excited, and because they are all mothers themselves, have been three I can lean on. And of course, with the aunts, come more uncles, Luke, Chris and Brady. Between the six of them, our baby will have eight other cousins to keep him/her in line.

This week we are awaiting the arrival of brothers Pat and Mike along with Laura "AKA Tater". Next week the five of us will be basking in the sun in Tybee Island. For those who do not know where that is, it is a island in Georgia near Savannah.

Until next time....