movement

what a special moment that is when you feel the first kick or punch of your unborn child. honestly, it blew me away. and it brought so much joy after such a hard first 20 weeks. it happened one morning lying in bed and i felt a small little punch on my side, brought a smile and tear to my eye.

i can't wait to meet this little one. and it has been a joy to feel i move more and more over the past few weeks. sometimes at 3am but i am grateful it is active.

love being pregnant these days.

Halfway

well, we are halfway through this pregnancy. the first trimester is way over (thank goodness) and i am well into my second. i honestly couldn't imagine myself not being pregnant. it is such a blessing to be carrying this beautiful child that i will finally meet in 20 short weeks. :P

on monday, i had my 20 week ultrasound. as i sat there looking at the little one being active inside my little womb, i couldn't believe it. it was so surreal. it was so fun to look at the baby and then back at joseph's face as we both sat there amazed at what we were looking at. it is always a plus to hear the doctor say, "healthy, growing, active baby" all in one sentence. ptl. then the big head and weighing 1 pound already got me freaked out. classic "plantz" baby, i guess.

yes, joseph tried to cheat and figure out what the baby was, but he had no idea what he was looking at half the time. (phew). i love surprises, so of course i would wait to find out.

so, after seeing my little lamb, i am so thankful and in awe that the Lord chose joseph and i to be parents to this little baby. my pray today is that we will first figure out how to be parents ;) but more sincerely, to raise this child up in a home that firmly believes in Jesus Christ. and my prayer for this little one is that no matter what it does that above all, their first love and priority will always and forever be their savior, Jesus.

take a look at this little one, i mean, how cute is that:

so, what is your guess? ;) boy or girl?

until next time...

Baby Snare. 8.28.11

sorry blogging world - i have neglected you yet again. i have wanted to blog and tell you all about my growing tummy and extra weight that i have gained, but feeling awful 24/7 for the past 10 weeks had my focus on my daily tasks and trying not to throw up.

okay, i'll say it, i thoroughly did not enjoy my first trimester. i would say, hate, but that is harsh- and I am in LOVE with my little lamb already.

if i had to sum up the past 10 weeks in one word, i would say, "tough." i have endured a lot in my short little 24-25 years of life. i have trained and ran 3 full marathons, numerous half marathons, trekked through a semester with 21 credit hours in college with two jobs, dealt with a loss of a brother, and many, many other things.

however, this pregnancy probably makes it in the top 5 toughest things i ever had to endure. not only was i waking up to awful nausea and gagging (and still am), and then eventually, vomit - but my "morning sickness" was "all-day sickness." at first, i dealt with it, got on some medication and went on with life. but as the weeks went on and days would end in tears, i eventually told myself i couldn't do it.

phew, finally week 13. prior to this week, i was told i was going to get better. but, of course, i didn't. it got worse. it was clock work. everyday at noon, i was throwing up whatever i ate. and to make matters worse, i work 40+ hours a week, so i didn't have the comfort of my home to "do my thang." nah, my co-workers have experienced and heard my vomit as much as i have. ;)sorry, guys.

and to make things even tougher, i find out that three other girls i know are due right around me and their first trimester was a breeze. another word: depressed.

i wasn't angry with God but i was frustrated. i didn't understand why i had to go through such a terrible first trimester, and part of my second while no one else was. why only me?

but after much prayer and thinking, i realized that i forgot i was carrying a baby, a human being, being formed with our CREATOR's hands. i realized that there are hundreds of women that can't even get pregnant and spend hours crying because they want the opportunity to be a mommy. i realized that God puts us through situations to grow and test our faith. i realized that one day, i will be able to encourage a woman in my life when she is dealing with a very difficult pregnancy. i realized that in six short months, i will have my first child in my arms and nothing that i went through will matter, nothing. i realized a lot. and i felt convicted.

so here i am, almost 16 weeks with my next doctors appointment on monday to see my little lamb and let me say, i couldn't be more excited. i am finally feeling better. this week has been a huge encouragement. i am still nauseous but haven't thrown up in a few days. (sigh of relief.)

thanks for all the prayers for those who have been praying for me and little snare. i feel it. and praise to my Lord who has given me the opportunity to carry a child that in a short 25 weeks, i will be holding and calling my own.

i can't wait share this journey with you over the next 24-25 weeks. i am sure there will be a lot of joys and a lot of discouragements, but i am glad i can share each week with those who love me.

as a start, here is the first picture and heartbeat pattern of little snare at seven weeks. yes the peanut looking thing in the center is the baby. ;)

For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works my soul knows it very well. psalm 139:13-14