Baby Susanna's 1 Year Birthday Party

Today we went to Clayton, NC for a birthday bash in honor of Susanna and Ava's 1 year birthday. Jason and I had a rough start since we were running late and got lost. We couldn't get a hold of Miguel so we took a break to regroup and eat a pizza. We were able to get the directions we used from the fair to navigate our way there. The address is a new development and not yet available by GPS. Luckily, when we got there the party was still hopping.


It was so good to see Miguel, Jessie, and the ever growing Susanna. We got a chance to catch up and Miguel took us on a tour of Susanna's nursery and play room. Jason and I were really interested to see the items other parents have found useful.
They had all kinds of good food at the party. There was BBQ, fried chicken, hush puppies, slaw, potatoes, drinks, and of course birthday cake. Susanna was so cute in her birthday girl outfit. She had a pink shirt that said, "It's my 1st birthday" with a sequined birthday cake. She also donned a pink tutu. What a party princess! She did have to take a break from her party to nap at one point and when she woke up she changed into her jeans. Jason and I got to hold her and feed her a banana. She is not quite as easy for me to hold anymore though, she weighs about 25 lbs and is becoming a big girl. She is learning to walk and talk. She was so cute interacting with her other young friends. It was a really nice party and I'm so glad we got to attend.

We got to see Sissy the dog too. Poor Sissy must miss the days when she was the baby. She still seemed to know Jason and I. I got my usual sniff in the face.

After the roaring good time, we went to Babies R Us to compare baby furniture. Jason captured this picture of me while I was waiting. I can confidently say, I'm smarter than the average bear in this class.

Northwood Temple Sale

(I hope that the baby doesn't mind our fill in model :-)

This past weekend I went to the semi annual kids sale at Northwood Temple. IT WAS GREAT!!!!! I went by myself at around 8:30 and there was a line to get in. They had the sheriff's dept on site directing the crowd. It was held at their gymnasium. They had all kinds of things and it was so well organized. It was almost like shopping in a regular store. They had a food and general care section, book and learning section, toy section, furniture section, clothing and shoe section, Bags and carriers section. Everything was reasonably priced for fractions of what you would pay in the store. I went through the first time with a box I was given at the entrance. My box was loaded down. I got a Baby Bjorn carrier which regularly sells for around $80 for $20. I got a really nice johnny jump up for $15. And as many cute clothes as I could pile on.

They were a couple of dollars each and they were like new. I tried to stick with mostly neutral outfits in yellows, greens, and baby blues. I got some adorable clothing with ducks, frogs, and hippos. I did cave in for a few dresses that were too cute to pass up. I figure I could pass them along or reconsign them for probably what I paid. It was almost too good to be true. There was a news team from channel 14 there taping the event. At the checkout, I got a coupon for a free chik-fil-A chicken biscuit. So I went over there, had a nice breakfast and called mom. She met me back over at the church sale at 12:00. After 12:00 the majority of items were 50% off. We made a second round and got a pottery barn crib bedding set with curtains and all the pieces. We got bottle warmers and baby wipe warmers, and an inflatable quacking bath duck. More clothes and hats. I doubt we'll need many more clothes for summer. The second time through mom grabbed lots of chicken coupons too so I'll be eating good for a month. It was really a great bargain and a lot of fun!!! I love a good hunt and was really proud of the treasures we found. I have marked on my calendar when the winter sale is. I guarantee I'll be there.

I've been sick for the past couple of days. Everyone around me has been sick so I figured it was only a matter of time. I'm not sure which medicines are safe to take while I'm pregnant so I haven't been taking any. This has probably been the best route anyways. I have been getting a lot of rest and eating soups... Chicken noodle, Southwestern chicken chipotle, chicken and dumplin's. mmmmmm. The symptoms seem to be upper respiratory cold symptoms. Sore throat, sinus congestion, and cough.

I go to see Dr. Meeks again on April 1st, my birthday, so hopefully I'll get a good checkup. I suspect my iron might be low again. I felt really light headed in the OR the other day and the other docs had to finish up for me. I just excused myself. I usually don't have any problems but we had been standing for quite a while so maybe that was part of it.

I am almost 28 years old. Not much of a shock to me since I thought I was 28 all last year. 28 is going to be a big year though!!!!

Baby is a kicker

So for the past couple of weeks I have been able to feel the baby kicking. In our ultrasound, baby was really moving around a lot. Considering all the activity, I wasn't really able to feel much of it then. Things have changed quite a bit. It started as what felt like little muscle spasms or vibrations. I'd try to get Jason to feel it but he really couldn't feel much. Now there is tons of detectable activity. I can feel the baby kick me all the sudden while I'm at work. It seems to be really active in the morning when I first wake up. And Jason has been able to feel it quite a bit lately. He thinks it is so cool that there is a baby in there causing all the comotion. I can even see the kicks if I hold still and watch my stomach. This might be what an alien body snatch would be like. There is nothing like it. I am continuing to get bigger and bigger too. I didn't want to buy maternity clothes. I was hoping to be able to wear my scrubs most everywhere. It is getting to the point now where my rubber bands around the button loops are no longer working. Mother bought 2 pairs of maternity pants, which are so odd looking on the hanger, for me. Once I tried them on, I was in love with them. They are so comfortable. I can go out in public again and have thought that once I am done with pregnancy, these would be great buffet pants. I had been taking pictures of my belly once a month to chart my growth but have gotten really far behind. There is a big jump from last picture to the picture coming up.

Second Ultrasound

Hey everyone, So the blogging is going pretty slowly. I've been really busy with all the exciting events that have been going on in our family life. I am so excited for Caroline and Greg as we plan for their wedding in June. I have been helping them with Save the dates. Jason and I went to a fabulous family dinner with the Logues and Stablers at Sullivans in Raleigh, and now I'm in the process of working on the invitations. Did I mention we are doing a little bridal shower at my house. I'm so excited to have a party. Whitney and I have been plotting and planning our event. It kind of reminds me of when I was little and I had all these little office stationary sets and would plan my birthday parties and sleep overs. Who would be invited, what are we going to eat, activities. It has been fun. Also I have been focusing a lot on dentistry. I am slowing down my hours at the Sears clinic but still cover from time to time. Care clinic and the greater
Fayetteville dental society are still keeping me busy. Also, I have been investigating my future job opportunities after baby is born. I have a few great options in the works but it looks like I'm really starting to close in on the best one for me. It is so exciting to imagine the limitless possibilities of what the future will hold for our family!!!!!

So check out these awesome pictures of our baby......

HandFoot

Face- you can see the orbits of the eyes.Profile
I am so happy to see all these limbs and HEALTHY body parts. It kills my mom that we could have found out if it is a boy or a girl but requested not to know. She kept saying to the nurse, "just tell me, I can keep a secret." Somehow I think she would have had a hard time keeping a secret like that. They wouldn't tell her even though she tried to bribe them. I love the hand picture. It is like the baby is waving hello, or maybe a high five. And that foot looks huge. I was thinking all along it was going to be a girl but after seeing those feet, I'm thinking maybe a boy. They look a whole lot like Jason's "beautiful" feet. The baby at this stage is 20 weeks old and weighs approximately 11 oz. Baby is going to start growing much more quickly now.