Spring Break and all it's excitment!

I loved this creek.

Here I am at 22 weeks. Can you see the Grand Canyon behind that belly?

The top of Mt. Lemmon.

First let me start by letting everyone know that Baby J and Mom are doing fine! If you are not sure what I am referring to, let me catch you up...

Joel and I went to Arizona last week to visit my Aunt and Uncle. We had plans on visiting the Grand Canyon, Sedona and anything else along the way. We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed most of it. On Thursday morning, we left Williams, Az. and were headed to Sedona. I passed out and got sick while riding in the vehicle. My family took me to the ER in Flagstaff. I was put in Labor and Delivery and then later moved to the ER. I spent 8 hours in the hospital! (Not fun!) The Dr.'s determined that Baby J was perfectly fine!! The Dr.'s seemed to think that I was dehydrated and that the baby was possibly laying on an artery, therefore not giving me as much blood flow as I need. This was causing me to faint...multiple times.

Once we got home, I followed up with Dr. McCauley. He suggested I make an appt. with my cardiologist.

Dr. Cox informed me that Baby J was more than likely laying on an artery. My prescription: to drink lots of Gatorade (for the sodium). That's it...it's that simple!

Please keep me in your prayers. I am still having episodes at times. A last resort will be bed rest. If you know me at all, you that the bed is a place to sleep...at night...only!

The pictures above are from our trip. We had a great time and got to see some many of God's beautiful creations. We were reminded of just how blessed we are to have such a wonderful Creator.

More on the house

I am so excited about the progress with our house. The siding is almost complete and we are waiting on the stacked stone for the front and the side. We now have our electrical work and heating and air completed!

Everyone warned us that the "construction thieves" would be keeping their eye out on the place. Well they were doing their job! We were robbed while we were in Arizona last week. The idiots had the nerve to pose as a clean up crew and take things in the middle of the day! Needless to say, thanks to our neighbors description, they were caught!

This house building process has been quite an experience and to think we are only half way there!

a few more updates

20 weeks

We now have some windows and porches!

Mommy's Nose and Daddy's Feet

Check out this beautiful face!

Me, Joel and Nona (my Mom) went for our 20 week ultrasound today. Baby J was fantastic...he/she kept its little legs together the whole time! We think that Baby J has my nose (very distinct) and Joel's long feet.

Everything looked great today! The heartbeat was 152 and the baby weighs approximately 15 oz.

Now that you can see our sweet baby's face, vote on what you think the sex will be!!

This picture doesn't show much, but today was the first time we were able to go upstairs. This is taken from the man room, overlooking the living room, kitchen and our bedroom.

This room will be Joel's pride and joy! I am so glad we will finally have a designated room for him to display all the stuffed animals that are currently hanging on my living room wall!

As of today, we are about a week or two from having the house in the dry and all the siding put on.

Baby J News

Baby J has been very active the past few days! I love feeling him/her squirm around. We are 20 weeks today! It's hard to believe we are half way through the pregnancy. Now the pressure is on - only 20 weeks to get this house finished! (Keep your fingers crossed!)

Amazing progress!

19 weeks

I have become very "plump" in the last week!

We did not have an ultrasound last week because we weren't 20 weeks yet. We go March 18 for our next ultrasound. Dr. McCauley said that I was doing great! I have gained a total of 10 lbs.

Can you tell?

Now for the house...

They have made so much progress! Check it out!

Master bedroom, bathroom and walkin closet
Back porch

(part will be covered and part screened in)

Front door/foyer

Garage side of the house

Front of the house

Roof trusses going up

Man room/Loft area

One of the bedrooms upstairs and balcony

Well that's it for now! We should have the house in the dry within the next 10 days or so. Stay tuned for more updates.

On Saturday, my Mom and her brothers threw their mom, Nona, a surprise 80th birthday party. The party was a great success! Here are a few pictures from the party.

Kenny married Joel and I. He wanted to compare bellies.

Here we are at 18 weeks. We got to the Dr. for an ultrasound on Thursday the 5th!

Joel can still get his arms around me!

My Uncle Bill flew in from Arizona last Wednesday. On Thursday morning, he surprised Nona on our way to the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg. We haven't seen him since our wedding.

*If you've never been to the Pancake Pantry, it's a must! I recommend the French Toast!

Nona was so surprised! There were family members, church family, old co-workers and friends there to party with her!

Nona with her grandkids and the money umbrella we made for her. It had 80 one dollar bills on it! Rachel did a great job fixing it up!