Merry Christmas!

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, even though it may be the most hectic since getting married. Juggling families is never an easy task. Unfortunately, we were both sick this year, which made the Holidays a little less happy than they usually are.

Mike and I started a new "tradition" this year by hosting Christmas Eve dinner at our home, which included me cooking a 22lb turkey! Other than it taking an hour longer to cook than I predicted, everything came out delicious. Christmas day started by opening presents with dad, then with Mike's family. After coming home and getting a little rest, we were off again. First to my aunt and uncles, then to his. At about 8:30, the cold and the pregnancy got the best of me and I was done. We've never called it a night that early, but made an exception this year.

I cant help but think of what Christmas will be like next year with Ashlynn. She already has Christmas pj's that her grandma Cindy bought for her. Just one more year...

Our 22nd Week

Our little girl just keeps getting bigger! The last two weeks I have defiantly noticed a change in my waist size. The jeans that fit comfortably with my Belly Band are now becoming just as uncomfortable as the rest of my pants. Sweats and yoga pants have become my new best friends! The pregnancy books say she is almost a pound and about 11 inches long. I can now feel her move and kick and actually see her pushing against my stomach. It's still hard to believe there's actually a person in there! Since I informed Mike that she can hear what's going on in the outside world, he talks to her everyday. I love it! Other than my back hurting... sometimes very badly... I really don't have any complaints. Our next Doctor appointment is in 12 days and I can't wait to hear her heartbeat again. It stops mine everytime...

20 weeks to baby!

"I can already put my hand in my mouth! "

"See mom and dad... I'm a girl!"

I am now officially halfway through my pregnancy! The only real complaint I have lately is that since I'm carrying her low, she is constantly pushing on my bladder. It can get very uncomfortable! Everything else is very manageable. They say the second trimester is the easiest, and so far I'd have to agree.

Today was our 20-week anatomy scan. I was hoping that she wouldn't be jumping around all over the place like she usually is during ultrasounds since I knew they would have to look at how her organs and bones are developing. She was calmer than usual, but was still kicking and trying to get away from the pushing on my stomach. Even the technician said I have a very active baby!

After all the pictures were done, and it was re-confirmed that she is definitely a girl she said our little girl is developing perfectly, is healthy and has a good strong heartbeat. I was thrilled! We watched her grab her feet and pull them up to her face, then put her hand in her mouth. Shes such a little gymnast!

As of now I have gained 4 pounds which is wonderful since I had food poisoning five days ago and thought whatever weight I'd gained would've been gone thanks to Carl's Jr. Basically, I'm all baby weight, which is just fine by me!

We want to thank all of the friends and family that have been praying for our little angel since we found out she was on the way, and ask that your prayers continue for her healthy growth and development. Keep growing little girl!!!

Karmela meets Santa

The day after Thanksgiving I went with Kelly and Karmela to meet Santa Claus. I had bought Karmela this dress about a week before, and couldn't wait to see it on her. She looked absolutely adorable and knew it! As soon as the dress went on, the smiles did too. The nap on the way there must've been a good thing, she didn't cry at all when meeting Santa for the first time. She was all smiles and giggles. Such a sweet girl.Being that I'm due two days before Karmela's first birthday I can't help but look at her and think... "this is how big Ashlynn will be next year". What a difference a year makes.

Gobble Gobble!

I love Thanksgiving. Any holiday that brings family and friends together will always be at the top of my list. It is also the official start to my favorite holiday... Christmas! The day started with my dad making breakfast for Mike and I, and then Mike was off to play football with some friends while I stayed home to watch the parade with my dad. Then it was off to Mike's grandmas house for a lot of good food with a lot of wonderful people. One of my pregnancy cravings has been turkey sandwiches, so I was in heaven will the delicious turkey! I was definitely stuffed and sleepy by the time we made it home.

Baby belly

Being pregnant has definitely been an experience for me. The first three months were filled with a lot... I repeat... a LOT of all-day sickness, and a scare that threatened to take this baby back to heaven. After a lot of prayer and a little bed rest, I finally got to my second trimester. What a difference from the first! My energy isn't quite what it used to be, but since the vomiting stopped I've felt more like myself again. At 17 weeks, we found out we are expecting a little girl.

Now, at almost 19 weeks, she is fully developed. Feeling her poking, kicking and rolling over in my stomach has been such a beautiful experience, and earlier this week Mike finally felt his daughter kick for the first time. My belly popped out at around 16 weeks, so I'm finally starting to actually look pregnant. As of November 11th I had only gained a pound! I'm hoping I start gaining some weight soon, but gaining weight has always been difficult for me, even when I eat like a linebacker.

Next week is our 20-week ultrasound where they check everything, brain, lungs, kidneys, heart, bones, and will re-confirm that she is a she. Just about a week to go! I can't wait to see my baby girl again.

Our beautiful ride... (so far)

I was meaning to start a blog after we got married, but being the procrastinator I am, didn't get around to it until now. Better late than never, right? Our life together has been an exciting journey, and we can't wait to find out what's to come. Let me catch you up on our "beautiful ride"...

Mike and I met in late 2004 through mutual friends at, of all places, IHOP. Little did we know, but that night turned out to be the start of an unbelieveable journey. On Valentines day 2005 Mike showed up at my work with flowers and a card which read "will you be my girl?". It didn't take long for me to realize this was the man I would grow old with, and a year later on the day before Valentines day he got down on both knees and asked me to marry him. I did just that on May 12, 2007 in a sunset ceremony overlooking the ocean in Palos Verdes, California followed by an unforgettable reception.

In early August, we received the best blessing God could bestow. I felt kinda... off... one morning, and realized "aunt flow" was late for her monthly visit! After ransaking under our bathroom sink I finally found a pregnancy test and took it... "One line for no, two for yes" was the only thing going through my mind for the next 3 minutes. I looked at the test, and there was one and a half lines! I asked my dog "what the heck does that mean"? I ran to the drug store and bought the fool-proof "pregnant" or "not pregnant" brand and rushed home. After taking both, both confirmed "pregnant"! After having it re-confirmed by my doctor later that day, I thought, "how am I going to suprise Mike"? When he came home, I gave him a present consisting of a baby blanket and a pregnancy test. After pulling out the baby blanket he asked "how is this a present for me?" I then informed him he was going to be a daddy.

The smile on his face melted my heart, and we are so excited for the next chapter of our lives to begin.