20 Weeks Pregnant with a Baby...

BOY!! I knew it! We found out Tuesday that Moses will have a brother. I am SO excited. We have been throwing around names for a while now but I think we have settled on Hugh "Sutton" Barker. Little Sutton obviously gets his name from his Papa. Each one of our boys will be named for his grandfather. We might have to enlarge door frames to accommodate my father's head. He is so proud that this little boy will carry on his name (he was the only son and I am his only child).

Although we found out about Sutton on Tuesday, Brett and I decided to wait until Thursday to tell our family and friends (with a few exceptions!). Our parents tried everything to get us to tell (pestering, guessing, and even bribing). Everyone was guessing girl including our mothers. We bought a little onesie that said "little brother" and put it in a box and let Grand Mollie open it as soon as we got to her house for Thanksgiving. I think everyone was really surprised!

As far as my doctor's appointment, it was great. I saw Dr. Gunter who I LOVE. The baby looked great on the ultrasound. The tech even mentioned how active he looked. He wiggled around and we were able to get some good pictures that I promise I will try to scan this week.

As far as I am concerned, I gained another 1.5lbs which puts my total weight gain around 6lbs. This I am sure will change greatly when I go back since it will be right after the holidays! The only problem was my iron level. It has been slowly nose diving so they put me on iron supplements. YUCK, YUCK, YUCK. I am not enjoying the side effects.

I am still feeling SO much better. I am not having as many moments of nausea and weakness and my energy is picking up. My emotions have been whirlwind because of the sad and happy news delivered in one week, but I guess that is to be expected.

My mom and I spent this afternoon going through all of Moses' clothes and figuring out what Sutton will need. We've also starting trying to figure out what to do about the nursery and other things. My nesting is kicking in big time!

I can't wait to meet this baby boy. I guess it's my lot in life to be surrounded by sweet boys!

Sweet Riley Jean

Tonight, very suddenly, we lost our sweet family dog Riley Jean or as Moses called her "Ryry or Rirey." We noticed this afternoon that she just curled up and wouldn't move. We called the vet and he urged us to bring her in. We honestly thought it was a virus of some sort. After looking her over they noticed she had fluid around her heart and it was enlarged twice the normal size. They began to do a procedure to drain the fluid and noticed that it was blood. At that point, we realized that it was something very bad. We made the very sad decision to let her go. Apparently she had a tumor in or around her heart that ruptured. It happened very quickly. There were no other outward signs that she was sick. Up until this afternoon she was her usual happy hyper self.

Riley was actually a Christmas gift from Brett the first year we were dating. He had a black lab named Dixie and they were fast friends. They were as night and day as the color of their coats in terms of personalities. When Riley was hyper, Dixie was quiet, but they played together beautifully. Dixie died of bone cancer a few weeks after Moses was born. Riley was such a trooper, but I know she missed Dixie terribly. She was such a great comfort to us when we were missing her sister.

I still marvel at the relationship she had with Moses. They have always loved each other dearly. Moses has always been as gentle as Riley was with him. He loved to feed her and throw the ball for her. He would giggle at her doggie kisses when she came barreling in the house.

Trying to explain to a two year old where his doggie has gone will be difficult. We have decided to tell her that Riley has gone to heaven. At this age, Moses asks the same questions a million times, especially when it comes to where people are. He's always been able to see Riley even when she was outside. He knew if he knocked on the window or door she would run up to check on him.

Please keep us in your prayers. We are suddenly petless after 10 years and are missing our fur babies. We are trying to remember to be thankful to God even in hard times. We are so thankful for the love and life both our pets brought to us. We take great comfort in knowing that our sweet dogs are finally playing together forever.

19 Weeks...and a Photo!

Go me! I actually put up a photo! In all seriousness I hardly ever put on any make up during the week so taking a picture of me is a rarity. So, here I am at 19 weeks before church. I am still feeling great (knock on wood) and have been able to do a lot more. I'm sleeping great and I even try to grab a nap in the afternoons when Moses sleeps.

I'm craving comfort foods now a days. Anything that seems to make me happy. I've even been wanting cereal which is strange because I am not a cereal person. Still some food makes me gag, mostly seafood!

My belly is is getting big! I'm wearing all maternity pants or stretch pants. I have a lot of tops that I wear that are not maternity but I have found some smaller tops in the maternity section from target that work well.

I am feeling lots of movement now!! Usually when I'm still. Moses woke up at 2am one day this week and would NOT go back to be on his own so I put him in bed with me and as soon as he settled down, Baby B started wiggling. They are already working together!

Tuesday is the BIG DAY! Reveal day! I feel like it is the most exciting part till you give birth. It's nice to have something to break up the pregnancy! My guess as always is boy. So cast your votes in the comments and we'll see who gets it correct! Right now we are thinking about keeping it a secret and telling our friends and family on Thanksgiving day. We'll see!
Here I am with my big belly and my big boy! Look how long he is getting! I can't wait for him to have a sibling to play with!

Confessions of a Black Friday Shopper

I come from a family that LOVES a good deal. Brett calls us cheap, but since we've had Moses he is not complaining! I took him with us to Walmart one year when we first started dating and he'd swore he'd never go back. Actually none of us do Walmart on that day anymore! (Truth be told I don't think I ever want to go back there period but that is another story.) However, we did need TVs that year and we stocked up.

I think last year was the best. With the economy being what it is, mom and I discovered that a lot of places were open on Thanksgiving day. My favorite was Old Navy. We racked up! They had adult jeans for $15 and lots of other great deals for clothes. Next door we also discovered Michaels was open. I wandered in and found Moses a great wooden easel for mom and dad to get him for Christmas. They also had great Christmas items on sale. I ended up buying fish bowl flower vases that I use all the time as well as Christmas balls that I love.

We did do the Kohls thing very early on Thursday morning. I can't remember what I bought but I do remember how extremely friendly and fast the staff was. I was impressed with how organized they were. Not sure if we'll go back there this year but if you see something on there list you really want, I feel that they are a well prepared place (Note, we go to the Kohls in Fuquay that is probably a lot less crowded than one in a more populated area.)

I've been looking at this website for the previews of the sales. I like it because it lists the items as well as showing you a scan of the ad page. I'm such a visual person so I love seeing the actual ad. It updates every day with new places. I'm getting excited about shopping!!

18 Weeks

Someone mark this week down. It is THE week. This week I am feeling like my old self!!!!! I attribute a lot of this to the weather. It has FINALLY cooled off in NC. I'm talking highs in the 60's. Also, last weekend Moses spent time with both sets of grandparents giving Brett and I three nights with out him. I missed him so much, but we were able to do a lot of cleaning and sleeping and remembering why we got married.

The baby has also been moving around a lot more. Just like with Moses, the second I get a minute to sit still this little one starts poking and kicking. It's great. Brett was even able to feel the first little nudge this past weekend.

With the nausea finally subsiding, eating has actually been pleasant. My new cravings are chicken and grape salad from Lowes food, any kind of rice or pasta, strawberries, and anything with melted cheese. I think cooking more than one meal a week might actually be possible now. I am seriously concerned that this baby is going to come out saying "do you want fries with that?"

Things that are a turn off or gross me out are looking at the pills I have to take. I'm fine taking them but I gag looking at them. I'm really having an aversion to chocolate some too. Especially in the candy form. But the worst? Those McRib commercials! EW! With Moses it was the Hillshire farm commercials that were in the cheerleading chants (Go Meat!).

I'm wearing maternity pants or leggings/stretch pants now. I have the bella band things that go over regular pants but I always fidget with them and I hate the way they look. I was really lucky to have friends loan me some clothes and I picked up a pair of jeans at Target that I really like. I was also really excited to find a maternity coat on clearance. I'm still wearing regular shirts for the most part.

I'm still feeling like this baby is going to be a boy! We will know the answer in less than two weeks. Moses is saying sister so we will see. Let's all remember he was way wrong about me having two babies in my belly. Below is a picture taken last week of me and my lil sis Amber. Can't really tell I'm showing, but trust me I am! I won't be buttoning that coat soon!

Trick or Treat?!

This was the year that Moses has started to understand Halloween! I have to admit, I'm not a huge Halloween person. Growing up I went trick-or-treating, but our church had a big Fall Fest type event where I spent most of my time. Knowing how Moses is about hats and other articles of clothing and factoring in the unpredictable NC weather, I decided to look for a costume that would not be a battle. I found the PERFECT one at our church's consignment sale. Meet Moses the Top Gun.

This year we went to Moses' friend Cameron's neighborhood party. It was SO much fun. People brought different kinds of chili and soup and there was mac and cheese and pigs in a blanket for the kids. All the kids were super cute and ran around and played in the cul de sac. Once Moses put on his costume he was ready to go get candy. He was very upset when he had to wait! I don't think he ate two bites of his dinner.

Finally it was time! He did a great job saying thank you and only taking one piece of candy at a time. Towards the end he wanted to stop and take inventory instead of continuing on with his friends. We did a few more houses and decided to call it a night. He came home and had one piece of candy before bed time.

The next morning around 8am he looked at me very seriously and said "Trick-or-treat!" That's when he learned candy was not a breakfast or early morning snack option. We still have some candy left and he has actually enjoyed sharing some with us. I think he likes the Skittles the best! I wonder what we'll be dressing up as next year?

17 Weeks

Tick, tock! Still trucking along with this pregnancy. Not too much to report this week. Or the week I missed. (Oops) I'm so confused this time around because they will deliver me (c-section) at 39 weeks.

I'm really surprised I'm not showing more. Well in my belly. Apparently, I'm carrying this baby in my rear end. No joke. I wore leggings and longer tunic today and when I was at the mall, thanks to all the lovely mirrors, I nearly ran into a store and bought something else to wear. I was so embarrassed. Totally the reason why I have not posted a photo. I feel like I look like I've eaten too much and I don't really "look" pregnant.

The nausea is still here. Yuck. Was really bad last Friday and Saturday because I WAY over did it at that football game. Apparently, I'm "Pukey" the missing sister of the seven dwarfs. I think this cooler weather is just what I need though. I am loving it! Also still dealing with the tiredness.

Cravings are getting more pronounced. Pastas, Mexican, grape Kool-Aid, rice, and sometimes a good salad. Not sure about the current weight gain thank goodness.

The best part? I'm feeling the little swooshes. Especially when I lay down on my side and things are quiet. Moses was the same way. As long as I am moving nothing. Soon as I slow down and want to sleep, I will feel some movement. LOVE IT. It is so strange because now when I think of baby movement, I think of those last few weeks when your entire belly moves (Yes LT it is really freaky!!).

Still really thinking this baby is a boy. I will be totally shocked otherwise! I'll let you guys know in about 22 days! WOW this is going by fast!