21 Week Update!

Well...once again, we are a day shy of 21 weeks, but away we go:

How far along? 20 weeks 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: +10 lbs (dealin' with it).

Maternity clothes? Same as last time for the most part - not quite big enough to fill out maternity clothes, but very uncomfortable in regular clothes (especially bras :-( ).

Stretch marks? Not yet. PTL.

Sleep: Not very great - still getting up to pee constantly and the last few nights my abdomen has been pretty achy...belly growing??

Best moment this week: Seeing this little one's cute face and learning that he or she is healthy and all is still well on Tuesday!  Heart rate was about 157 bpm.

Miss Anything? Being able to run without have to pee the. entire. time.

Movement: Yes! WBH and I BOTH felt the baby at 18 weeks 1 day! Such a blessing.  The movement is still not super consistent, and we found out at the doctor that it's because I have an anterior placenta- which means baby kicks the placenta instead of me most of the time.

Food cravings: Mostly salty foods (except for CTC at breakfast, but...like that's even new).

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just if I don't eat regularly.  Otherwise good (huge blessing).

Have you started to show yet: Maybe a little bit, people that know me notice, but not obvious that I am pregnant if you do not already know (just looks like my tummy/boobs/thighs are larger).

Gender: Don't know yet!  We had the ultrasound Tuesday, but are having a Gender Reveal Party of Sunday!

Labor Signs: No no no.

Belly Button in or out? In, and will probably stay that way. Although I am amazed that it is actually a little bit shallower.  Crazy times!

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy happy happy, 'cept if I'm stressed about work.

Size of Baby: About 10.5 inches and about 12 ounces. Hello, twice as heavy as last post!

Looking forward to: Finding out if we're having a boy or girl on Sunday!

Here are my bathroom selfies/bump pictures for this week:

I feel like I look more pregnant from this angle.

I will be back sooner this time to update after the reveal!  Everyone asks me what I think we're having, and I have honestly not had a clue, so today I decided I think we're having a boy just so I can have an answer.  What do you think??

17 Week Update!

...Well, technically I am 16 weeks and 6 days, but assuming nothing crazy happens between today and tomorow, we'll go ahead and call this the 17 week Bump Update:

How far along? 16 weeks 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: +5 lbs (I will be honest and say this is super difficult and frustrating for me - I have a hard time curbing my cravings, and though I have started to exercise regularly again, I just feel huge.  Much of this is due to the fact that I gained about 5+ lbs before getting pregnant, and weight is something I've struggled with for a long time.)

Maternity clothes? Kind of...I can wear normal shirts fine, but most pants just cut into my fat and look really rough.  Feeling cute and not just large is a struggle (See weight gain section).

Stretch marks? Not yet. PTL.

Sleep: Not very great - still getting up to pee constantly, but I have found if I manage to fall asleep on my side, I don't wake up as often.

Best moment this week: Hearing BabyJ's heartbeat at the doctor on Tuesday!  About 156 bpm.

Miss Anything? Being able to run without using run/walk intervals and riding bikes with WBH.

Movement: A couple times I've felt a little nudge that I am pretty sure is baby, but I don't feel confident enough to truly say that I've felt him/her move yet.

Food cravings: Good club sandwiches. Oh snap, I really want one of those right. now.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not eating frequently enough, otherwise I think I'm past the worst of it!!

Have you started to show yet: Husband says I am, but I think I'm just putting weight on from eating more than I ought.

Gender: Don't know yet!  We will find out in 4ish weeks (Aug 20)!

Labor Signs: No no no.

Belly Button in or out? In, and will probably stay that way.  I feel like I have an endless inny.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy happy, 'cept if I'm stressed about work.

Size of Baby: 5 inches and almost 6 ounces! About the size of an onion.

Looking forward to: Feeling the baby kick for real and finding out if we're having a boy or girl!

Here are my bathroom selfies/bump pictures for this week:

Forgive the super awkward almost smile

Seriously not intending to make duck lips here

Making up for previous awkward smile and duck lips

That's all for now!  Sometime I will talk about day-to-day living in the Jones's household, but now I really need to try and find something around here that will taste somewhat like a delicious turkey club sandwich.

Five Months With The WBH...and the little one on the way!

Well, amazingly, it has been three months since I last posted, and yet again, there is SO much to share, but I will try to make all the long stories short (and if you know me, you know how hard this is).

I'll start with the 5 month marriage update -

Truthfully, much of this is the same as it was three months ago.  I still have the World's Best Husband and am grateful for every day with him. I never get tired of our life together and there is nothing I would rather do more than spend all of my minutes doing any and everything with him.  He is my best friend and the hardest worker I know.  He takes care of the tiny/creepy centipedes and spiders and honors me with sweet words and kisses.   It's great.  I love him.

 Exactly two months ago (April 26), I was feeling pretty weird all day long, and even though I didn't think this could really be the case, I grabbed a pregnancy test and took it as soon as I got home.  WBH and I were going out to a Sound Of Music Sing-a-long (I know, he's the greatest!) that night, so after I, ahem, peed on the stick, I ran around the house to grab everything for the picnic.  I came back after the obligatory two minutes to see what it said, and my mind. was. blown. I raced to pick WBH up at work and told him the news.  He claims he knew WELL before the test, but even if I thought it was a possibility, I definitely did not think it would be the case.  

We did a little celebrating, but were cautious.  I've had so many friends miscarry in the first trimester, so I was actually a little doubtful that there was really a baby in there. I waited to call the doctor for two weeks.  Finally we booked an appointment, and at that first appointment at about 6.5 weeks they did a few tests and then we talked to a nurse - nothing too crazy, but it was exciting.  Two weeks later we went back and got to see the little baby and hear his/her heartbeat!  This was an amazing thing!  I did not expect the baby to look like a baby at all and he/she totally did -squirming around and everything.

Baby J - 8 wks 4 days

It was at this appointment that we learned I had actually ovulated a week early.  So the answer to that question everyone wants to ask, but might not, is no, we were not planning to get pregnant at this time, but God's plans are much bigger than ours and we are grateful for His perfect timing.

I was feeling pretty miserable until the last week - not throwing up, but nauseated constantly.  WBH was AMAZING, as usual, and took such good care of me - making me breakfast before I got out of bed, being patient through my constant groanings, rubbing my back, taking me to whatever food sounded appealing at whatever time. Sweet sweet man, I would not have made it without him!  Weeks 6-11.5 will not be missed, this I can say with confidence.

And here we are!  I am 12 weeks, 5 days now and the little one is growing and healthy and kicking up a storm (I can't feel it, but we saw it yesterday at our 12 week appointment).  We know that children are a blessing and are amazed that God would entrust us with this life! Praise the Lord.

Baby J - 12 wks 4 days

How far along? 12 weeks 5 days

Total weight gain/loss: +2 lbs

Maternity clothes? My wonderful mom-in-law bought me some maternity clothes and I will wear a maternity shirt and shorts here and there.  I don't really need them, but they do feel more comfortable (and maternity shirt is much more flattering on my stupidly large boobs these days).

Stretch marks? Nothing that I haven't had since puberty ;-)

Sleep: This has been no good since before we knew I was pregnant!  I am up peeing an average of 4 times a night.

Best moment this week: Seeing BabyJ kickin' me at the ultrasound yesterday and hearing the heart beat again!  So active!  Definitely WBH's child :).

Miss Anything? Every once in a while if WBH has a beer it smells freakishly good to me.

Movement: We know he or she is moving quite a bit, but not feeling anything yet!  Little while longer.

Food cravings: Beef, grits and lemonade...I usually won't get anything but water at restaurants, and now I pretty much always get lemonade when we go out.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Some smells, and if I go more than two hours without eating I am down for the count (not really sure what that phrase means).

Have you started to show yet: Not really.  I have some pudge in my stomach, but I think it's mostly from bloat/not being able to exercise the last several weeks.

Gender: Don't know yet!  We will find out in 8 weeks!

Labor Signs: No no no.

Belly Button in or out? In, and will probably stay that way.  I feel like I have an endless inny.

Wedding rings on or off? On - fingers feel the same right now.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Half and half, more easily irritated, but I am a very happy lady right now.

Size of Baby: About the size of a lime! A little over 2 inches head to rump, about half an ounce.

Looking forward to: Feeling the baby kick and Fall!

12 wks 3 days along!

Baby J is due January 2nd, 2014!  

Two Months with the WBH

Two months ago I married a man who immediately became the World's Best Husband. I know we're still new at this marriage-thing, but I enjoy taking in everyday with my man.  I was granted a precious gift in WBH and my hope is to show him how aware of that I am everyday.  This is a man who loves me like no one else, plays with me, cares for me, cares for others, works hard and diligently at everything he does, takes care of our home, has big strong muscles to accomplish tasks that my not-as-strong muscles can't even try, surprises me with service, calms me with his patience, encourages, trusts, fights, and provides.  He is strong, but his heart is gentle. He can do everything on his own, but showers me with applaud when I do something for him.

I could not ask for a more wonderful man to share life with.

I never want him to leave in the mornings and I count down the hours until we get to be together again.  I look forward to every. single. thing. I get to experience with him.  He's the most handsome man on the planet AND he makes me feel like I'm the prettiest.

We are aware that we are newlyweds and the future will hold unknown, difficult times, but I just wanted you all to know that we are loving life together so far and we are not waiting in anticipation for the ugly times.  We are taking one treasured day at a time and praising the Lord for such an amazing gift.

Here's to all the two-month-versaries to come!

A Year In Review

It has been almost a year since I posted in this blog, and what a year it has been! Okay...last post was Easter time 2012 and my dad had just passed away and my big brother had just married his now wife of almost a year.  Let's get a quick run down of life since then...

May 2012

-Turned 25

-Ran Marathon #2 (took my dad's place in the Pittsburgh marathon with Mom and Uncle)

Mom and I the day before the marathon

-Ran into super cute guy from college who I hadn't seen in probably 4 years

-Little bro got engaged!

-Moved into adorable townhouse with two great girls

June 2012

-One year at FF!

-Started dating super cute guy from college

July 2012

-Little Bro got married! Zero to two sisters in 4 months

Little Bro and his wife!

-Super cute guy from college met fam in VT at little bro's wedding                                    

SCGFC and I before little bro's wedding

August 2012

-Really into SCGFC

-Lots of training program-type things went on for work

-Mon Chu Chu got MARRIED

The BEAUTIFUL Mon Chu Chu and I at her WEDDING

September 2012

-SCGFC PROPOSED! I said yes!!!

October, November, December - pretty much a blur as we prepared for the wedding.  We visited family in Charlotte, celebrated Thanksgiving, I went to VT for Christmas, and brought in 2013 at shaHEEN's house in NC.

SCGFC and I getting ready for Ridgewood Turkey Trot

January 2013

-Married SCGFC!!

-Honeymooned in San Francisco

-Moved into new home

-Last name is now SUPER easy to spell and pronounce

February 2013

-Joined a new, wonderful Life Class at church

-Lots going on at work

-SCGFC is actually the World's Best Husband

March 2013

-AM finally came home!

-One year anniversary of dad's death

-WBH and I are continuing to set up our home and loving every minute of it!

And here we are!  I know that most people find blogs without pictures unbearable, so I will post better pictures here!  WBH actually has a phone that takes decent pictures, so I will have to wait for a day that he is home and can get those guys up for you.

In all, it has been a crazywonderful year.  What a story! And even more, a testament to grace.  I hope to be able to keep you - mostly my mom :) - updated on what's going on in the Jones household and how God is blessing us daily.

Fight the good fight. One day at a time.

The Words I Said

On March 10th, we had an incredible celebration of my dad's life, where I was privileged to speak (also my dear friend, Sha, turned a year older!).  A few people have asked to have a copy of what was said, so I decided to post it here. And, truthfully, this seems the best weekend to post it.  This weekend is the greatest celebration of all, and the only reason I was able to speak with absolute confidence (through tears, naturally) at my dad's service. It is my sincere hope that the words I said will give you a small glimpse of who my daddy and my Daddy are.

My dad was a great dad. He taught us well. He loved us.  He was generous. He was a provider and a fighter. He was my daddy, and he was wonderful. I can’t imagine living life without him – to help guide and love me.  My dad ran hard – spiritually and physically.  He loved the Lord and my mommy and my brothers and me. He understood the importance of working hard at all things.  He kept a cool head when I was an irrational, silly girl, and spoke truth to my heart. I think I took for granted that I could just pick up and call him whenever I needed him – at work or home or out for a run.  

So I am sad.  We are sad.  Our hearts are broken like never before. Our lives are changed forever.  Nothing will be the same. It is confusing and hard. 

But there is a greater joy.  There is an overwhelming hope.  My dad believed in and knew Jesus.  He believed and professed that He came to this earth, God in the flesh, lived a perfect life, and sacrificed His own life so we could know Him forever. My dad knew that Jesus was who He said He was.  My dad also held onto the hope that this God-man conquered death, and that meant that he could be in Heaven in the presence of his Savior, fully basking in His goodness and glory for all eternity. And this hope drove him. 

And so we hold on to this same hope.  We know and profess that God is good – in all circumstances, at all times. This Jesus who we love, who we know holds our broken hearts so tightly in His arms, suffered a deeper loss than we could ever know.  He suffered the infinite loss of His Daddy on the cross so that the rest of the world would have the chance to spend forever with His father.  There is no one more worthy of holding our hearts in this time.  

The day he died, I was driving to a friend’s and, you know, crying…a lot.  But I had this picture of my dad, in Heaven, shouting excitedly and fervently – “It is so much more than we could have imagined.  Christ is MORE.  He is so much more!  Tell more people! They need to know.  Tell more!” So this is what I intend to do. And I hope if you don’t know this perfect Jesus, if you haven’t trusted Him with your life, you won’t hesitate to ask one of us. It would truly bring us great joy to talk about our dad’s best friend, deepest love, and Father with you. 

And we rejoice.  Though we mourn, we rejoice and praise God that this life is a vapor in comparison to eternity, where we will dance and sing with our dad again in perfect relationship without any tears or sadness.  We rejoice that my dad’s faith is now his sight.

Not Alone

This post is a long time coming, but a few really crazy things have gone down this March 2012.

Well, I lost my daddy about a month ago, and that has changed everything.  I'm still living in the same town, working the same job, doing the same routine, but everything is different.  I don't know where I'll be in 6 months...I don't even know what tomorrow looks like.  If I have learned anything in the last year, it is that nothing is guaranteed.  I have no idea what any given day may hold.

The hardest part of this loss is that nobody's life changed except for my family's and mine.  And my family isn't with me in Raleigh. People are sad, but nobody else lost their umbrella of protection when my dad died.  Just me.  So when my Life Class from church reached out to help me bear the weight of this loss in such amazing ways, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. These exceptional people have provided meals, friendship, and love in ways that I never could have asked for.  The support and affirmation from this church body has encouraged me and given me strength when I didn't have anything left.  The worst is far from over.  Truthfully, the hurt seems to get worse everyday - but I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I am cared for and loved.  I am provided for and prayed for.  I am not alone.

This is not to say that there haven't been so many others of you who have made this journey so much more bearable.  Every card, every post, every email, every text, every comment makes a world of difference.  Prayers for my family are the most important and have not gone unnoticed.  THANK YOU for all you've done for us.  There truly aren't words for what my heart wants to say. So thank you.  Thank you for being a light to remember when it feels like there will only be darkness. Thank you for being an ear to listen when I'm crying and almost out of hope.  Thank you for your patience as I grieve and heal.  Thank you for reminding my family that we are not alone in our loss and that this earth is not forever and that there is so much more - there is ceaseless joy - waiting for us for eternity. Thank you.

Oh, hey...and P.S. Big Brother got MARRIED!! And now I have a first ever SISTER!  So happy for this couple!