Hello 2nd Trimester!

Week 14 Day 2: 

We're in our 2nd trimester! 

This is exciting and a huge milestone.  Our chances of miscarrying is significantly lower, now.  That puts a big smile on my face.  :-) 

In other news, I'm starting to get my appetite back.  After nearly 14 weeks of eating next to nothing thanks to morning sickness that lasted 24/7, I can finally eat!  The doctor prescribed anti-nausea meds at 8 weeks and they helped me from throwing up all the time, but I still couldn't eat much.  I'd be like totally starving and then be able to only put down 5 or 6 bites of food.  But, it's getting better!  I'm a lot hungrier these days.  :-)  Still not able to eat a lot in most sittings, but I'm able to eat several times throughout the day. 

For the record, I'm still negative 4lbs from pre-prego.  I'm sure I'll start gaining weight soon! 

Calvin's really excited about the baby.  He prays for Peanut a lot.  It's pretty cute.  We're taking him with us to the doctor on Wednesday so he can hear the heartbeat.  He's really looking forward to it. 

A 25% Off Sale!

Babies R Us is having a pretty cool sale right now.  Just trade in any old car seat, stroller, travel system, high chair, play yard, toddler bed, bassinet, or crib and get 25% off Any New one!!!  FYI:  The stuff can be pretty old!  We traded in some old stuff we got from Chris's parent's house.  We were able to get 25% off our crib and car seat!  If you're thinking about getting a jogging stroller for the Spring, now's a good time - just trade in any old one (or anything on the list) and get 25% off!  It's such a good deal that I had to share it with you guys! 

On The 3rd Day of My Birthday Week...

Welcome to Day 3 of my Birthday Week. 

It officially started Saturday, February 6th when Chris whisked me away to Terre Haute for lunch at Olive Garden and some browsing at some stores followed by dinner with my inlaws that even included the Happy Birthday tune! 

 
Inspite of everything going on, Chris took the time to give me a great birthday.  :-)  My actual birthday was yesterday, February 7th.  We went to church with family, lunch with my grandparents, shopping, and dinner at Lone Star!  It was a pretty terrific birthday - especially considering the circumstances. 

Calvin singing Happy Birthday to me. 
I can't figure out how to flip the video to portrait - sorry. 

Onto the gifts... 

FIRST:  I guess I better announce to the Blogger World that we are expecting baby Peanut!!!  We are 12 weeks pregnant and everything is going very well.  Peanut is scheduled to arrive August 21st. 

Since we're so excited about the baby, I insisted that my gifts be for Peanut.  Chris got me the deluxe, mega, luxury baby swing.  It's so awesome - seriously, if they made them big enough for me we'd probably replace the Natuzzi sofas with these swings!!!  ;-)  Calvin got Peanut a cute toy, too.  I love my gifts! 

Our anniversary was last week and we'd promised nursery furniture to each other as a gift.  So, on my birthday we headed to Terre Haute to Babies R Us to order the bed that I just had to have (seen the day before and couldn't find it anywhere else).  After the drive home and a few minutes of rest, Chris and Calvin took me to Lone Star for dinner - then DQ ice cream cake! 

I have to give Chris mega kudos for making my birthday so special.  He's an amazing husband that truly gets the whole Birthday Week experience.  Thank-you.  :-) 

"I may not be perfect..."

Many of you already know that last week Chris lost his little brother, Tommy in a tragic farm accident.  It is devestating and the family is still deep in mourning.  Life changed in a blink of an eye and things will never be just like they were before.  There will always be a void in our lives.  Tommy was an amazing son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.  Looking back on all of the memories, nobody could come up with even one bad thing to say about Tommy.  The stories shared by his closest friends are some of the funniest.  We look forward to hearing even more. 

I've tried to think of the right words to share, but so far I've come up empty handed.  So, I want to share part of Tommy's obituary written by close family members:  People listened when Tommy spoke. When he did speak, it was "right on," ... sometimes teasing, sometimes just the thing to say to make you smile. Thus that gorgeous smile spread to those around him. Family was first for Tommy. He enjoyed going out with his friends; but if there was a family gathering, he was there. Tommy the son made his parents proud. As an uncle, cousin and nephew, he spread big love. Tommy the brother, Tommy the friend, was reliable and protective; he showed up just when you needed him, with that grin, or if necessary, a tough look. Tommy the grandson shoveled driveways, mowed lawns and played cards. He was their Mr. FixIt. Friends and family describe him as "the type of person to drop everything to help out in times of need." A beautiful smile entered heaven Thursday. We speculate that Grandpa O. greeted him and introduced him to a few pinochle players. They are probably already on their second game. While we wish we could have played one last game with him too, we thank you for your smile Tommy. We will remember how you spread it and will continue spreading that special love.


The family will be eternally grateful for the amount of community support during and after the rescue efforts.  Friends and family from across the nation came together to celebrate Tommy's life this last week... a life that we will always feel ended too soon, but also a life that was filled with love and happiness.  The family definitely feels all of the prayers you have been saying.  Thank-you.   

A friend of the family shared a quote from Tommy that really made us smile: 

"I may not be perfect
but I am Tommy O."