Telling the grandparents

We told our parents they were going to be grandparents on Father's Day. At this point, we were about 8 weeks along. This was exciting for us, because this is the first grandchild on both sides. For several weeks, we couldn't decide how we wanted to tell them. After bouncing a bunch of ideas around, we finally decided on this...

In case you can't see it, it is a Father's Day card with our first ultrasound picture inside. The card says "Happy Father's Day! You're going to be a GRANDPA!"

We went to my parents house first. The whole ride over I thought I was going to be sick. I was so nervous to tell them! I don't know, I can't really explain it. I knew they would be shocked and were not expecting this, so I was prepared for blank stares and "are you serious? no really, are you really serious?" So, holding true to my predictions, that was pretty much what we got from my parents and brothers. It was classic. Before this, my parents had not ever mentioned a word to me about having a child, or giving them a grandchild. I felt no pressure, which meant Brian and I could start a family when we were ready to start a family. This is probably why shocking them with our news was so fun. Personally, a month later, I think they are still in shock.

Several hours later, we headed over to Brian's parents house. Remember what I said about my family? Now think about the complete opposite. That pretty much sums up the Fields' and their reactions. They always talked about how they wanted us to start a family, so I knew that they wouldn't be as shocked, but instead, start celebrating pretty much immediately. It was pretty funny. Especially since it took Brian's little sister a few minutes to figure out what an ultrasound picture meant... haha! Maybe we should have just come out and said "we're pregnant!" instead of implying it :)

After we told them, we made them promise to keep it a secret for a few more weeks. Like most first time moms, I was freaking out the majority of the first trimester that something was going to happen to the baby and we were going to lose it, even though we saw a heartbeat and I was experiencing all the normal symptoms. I just wanted to make sure everything was going to be okay. Making our families promise to keep a secret as big as this was really not nice of us. We pretty much received a daily phone call from both sides of the family asking if they could tell anyone yet, OR "just let us know when it's okay to tell." This was torture for them. We think that the second time around, we'll wait longer... until we are ready for the world to know.

Now that the world DOES know, we feel relieved and finally excited about the reality of being parents. Breaking the news was fun for us, but having something so sacred and special that just the two of us got to share for a little while was probably the best :)

The First Ultrasound

After telling Brian, a few weeks went by before our first doctor's appointment. The day of the appointment we were both really nervous. We just wanted to hear a good strong heartbeat.

The nurse called us back to ultrasound. Brian got to sit next to me as I had a vaginal ultrasound... his first real experience in a woman doctor's office and this is what he experiences. I told him to get used to it real quick. This would be nothing compared to what he will eventually see. His concern for me was sweet though haha!

Quickly after the ultrasound begin, we both saw a big beating heart on the screen! I lost it and cried through the whole thing. I had no idea how emotional it was going to be. Brian just kept saying wow over and over again. At that moment, I felt like I became a mom. It was crazy. I will always remember that day.

Here is our baby's first picture at just 6 weeks with a heart rate of 143!

12 weeks

Well, the first trimester is almost over! Let's see what Baby Fields is up to these days.

He or she is about the size of a lime.

And here is what is going on inside my body. This week, the baby has reflexes. Hands open and close, toes curl. The ears are in place (although they baby won't be able to hear anything for another couple of weeks).

Babycenter.com has all these lovely images you see above. When I first found out I was pregnant, I stalked babycenter.com. No one warned me. It wasn't until I had thoroughly freaked myself out and scarred myself for life when I finally learned that babycenter.com is great for the weekly e-mail updates on how your baby is growing, but other than that.... stay away. And don't even THINK about clicking on any of the "forums" - too many pregnant ladies in one place. They are crazy!

Here is what is going on outside my body. Not much change so far. Just a potbelly.

At my last ultrasound, I found out that my uterus is much further back than in the diagram above. It is actually almost sitting on my tailbone. Because of this, I am in a lot of back pain. Nothing a heating pad on low and a Tylenol can't fix! 12 weeks down, 28 to go.

Telling my husband he's going to be a dad

Brian and I went on our first date December 23, 2003. When I was dating Brian, one of the many reasons I fell in love with him was because I knew he was going to make a great dad one day.

Delta Gamma Anchor Ball

Knoxville, TN 2006

When we got married June 28, 2008 we both knew we wouldn't wait too long before starting a family.

In my mind, I always thought that guys get to decide engagement and tell the girl in a cool, surprising way and girls get to tell guys when they are going to be a father. I always imagined the moment, and I thought I would surprise him by doing something fun one day when that happened for us.

We both wanted to be young(er) parents. After much discussion, number crunching, and deliberation, we decided we would try to start a family. For a little while we just took our chances, not putting pressure on ourselves. I didn't track or chart, and a couple months went by. After talking to my doctor about it, she told me that most couples usually get pregnant after 6 months of trying. So we started trying again, but this time with all the tracking and charting. About two weeks later at 6:30 a.m. on May 27, I took a pregnancy test and BOOM.....

positive?

Or at least, I thought maybe it was positive. I couldn't really tell. Maybe there was a tiny, faint little pink line, but I wasn't sure. "Brian!" I yelled from the bathroom, "I'm kinda freaking out in here." Brian was half awake half asleep and did not respond to my desperate calls. I ran out of the bathroom with my test in hand, shook Brian, and shoved the possibly positive pregnancy test in his face. "Do you see a really faint line there?" Brian - "Uhh, I don't know, maybe, kinda, yea." Then we just stared at each other for a minute. I said "Well, don't get your hopes up or anything, maybe we think we are seeing a line, but really it's nothing. I'm probably not pregnant, just go back to sleep."

We both went to work that day. Of course, all day long I thought about the fact that I might be pregnant. I decided I was going to settle the debate once and for all but stopping at Walgreens on my way home from work and getting one of those PREGNANT or NOT PREGNANT tests. When I got home, Brian wasn't home yet, but I went ahead and took the test anyway. Sure enough, the word PREGNANT quickly appeared and there was no denying it.

So, I did what any normal wife would do. Stood in the garage and waited for Brian to come home. As soon as I saw his car pull up in the driveway, I ran to him with the pregnancy proof. Later he told me I completely bombarded him in our garage door area. I guess I was a little shocked, excited, and needed his support.

Even though I had always dreamed of telling him in a fun, creative way, I was too busy freaking out to think straight. I guess it goes to show that nothing is really like you plan it to be! :)

Our lives are about to change...

we're becoming parents!!!! Set to arrive February 4.

Here is our sweet little baby. We've met twice now (June 19 and July 15) and the baby has already grown so much! Poor Brian and my dad had a little trouble identifying where the baby was in the pictures above (before all of this, I would have too) and the baby is close to the bottom of the picture - the head is on the right, body in the middle, and legs at the left. I LOVE the foot picture! Also in the second pic, you can see the baby's tiny arms stretched out over the head and the baby is actually looking at the camera :) We couldn't get a great shot yesterday because the baby was moving SO much! Already feisty - we're a little concerned :)

My appointment went great! No weight gain, which is normal in this stage. Feeling good, pretty tired especially when I get off work. I heard about exhaustion in pregnancy, but never thought I would be THIS tired. When I get off work, I go straight to the couch and literally can't move the rest of the night... usually falling asleep around 8:30. I read in What to Expect When You're Expecting that a pregnant woman uses more energy each day creating a baby than a bodybuilder does in an average workout. Crazy! Thankfully, I didn't have terrible nausea. I had my days, but usually I was affected more at night. So far, no crazy cravings - although I can't let a day pass without eating Honey Nut Cheerios and I don't think I have had those since I was little. Other things I love are Taco Bell, Sour Patch Kids, and of course, pickles.

What blog post would be complete without the infamous belly shot at 11 weeks.... the beginnings of a belly.

11 weeks

Some days I look pregnant, and other days I look normal. It depends on what I wear. I have brought out the Bella Band, which has been a lifesaver when I can't button my pants! Brian thinks it's great fun to document how big I will get (thanks, honey) so he takes pictures of me and uses measuring tape along the wall to document. By the third trimester, I will probably want to burn the measuring tape ;) I should also mention that Brian thought I was sticking my belly out more in this pic. According to him, I look more pregnant in this picture than I do in real life.

Along with this announcement, I'll be blogging a lot more about the baby's developments. Along with a new baby, we have plans this year to move, fix up our current and new houses, and I can't wait to start on a nursery. And YES we are finding out the sex! Already know when - September 16!

Brian and I feel so blessed that this happened for us and we can't wait to be parents. I already feel like a mom... every second of the day my thoughts are consumed by all things Baby Fields. It's such an amazing feeling and I can't wait to experience everything - even delivery! Life is such a miracle and to have it growing inside you is unlike anything I have ever felt. Of course we are a little scared and working at a children's hospital does not always help (especially when I hear about strange diseases, it gives me all kinds of things to worry about), but I am determined to be positive and enjoy every minute. A little less than 7 months to go!

The First Half of Summer

This summer has been filled with lots of fun events! May, June and the first part of July have been great!! I can't believe the summer is half way over.

For Mother's Day, my mom and I took a really fun painting class and now have matching paintings in our home!

For the first year, Brian and I joined a team for Memphis in May BBQ Fest. Our team was Swine-O-Mite! We competed in the ribs division. Even though we didn't win, we had so much fun and enjoyed having a place for all of our friends to hang out and eat great food.

One of the highlights of the summer (and a large part of why this blog has been neglected) is that the children's hospital where I work had it's grand opening for a brand new hospital on June 15. We have been in Memphis since 1952 but built a brand new, beautiful building next door to our current facility. It is absolutely amazing and I am so thankful to know that if my children ever need it, it is a top notch children's hospital. Part of the excitement of grand opening included a parade where various groups associated with the hospital marched and cheered with the crowd of over 2,000 people. Brian was asked to march along with the volunteers. He had so much fun! Our department (marketing and communications) was largely in charge of planning Grand Opening Week (yes, an entire week of huge events!) but we pulled it off with little sleep, 4 years of planning, and some of our best results yet!

Brian and me in game day attire :)

Saturday, June 19 some of our close friends, Sean and Ashlea, finally got married!!! We are so glad they moved back to Memphis from Chicago and they will be close by. Friday night was the rehearsal dinner at the Madison Hotel. It was so beautiful... cocktails on the roof gave us some of the best views of Memphis.

The groom and Brian - friends since kindergarten!

Brian and me on the roof of the Madison with the "m-bridge" in the background.

Saturday was wedding day! Brian was a groomsman and I read in the wedding. The wedding mass was at Immaculate Conception and was so beautiful.

The reception was at the Brooks Museum. I had never been to a reception there before and they completely transformed it for the wedding - it was really cool. Of course, the greatest wedding band of all-time Memphis Soul Revue performed. We had them at our wedding and I cannot say enough about them. I didn't take many pictures because we literally danced the entire night!

June 28, Brian and I celebrated two years of marriage! We had dinner at JG's and it was really good. I didn't take a single picture... now I am wishing I had. We had a huge dinner with lots to take home. We just had a quiet night together, which was really nice.

Last weekend, some of my high school friends got together and threw our friends Michelle and Ryan a wedding shower. They are getting married in October and we can't wait for their wedding! It was great to see Raina... I wish she came to visit us more often :)

The cake was hilarious. Michelle and Ryan are probably the most athletic people I know and they play in a competitive adult softball league. Ryan played baseball at the University of Memphis and Michelle played softball at MTSU. So truly, when Robyn and I saw this cake, we had to get it. Hilarious!

All the girls at the shower

Michelle got so much great stuff! Here she is opening up everything, with Michelle's sister, my mom, and Ryan's mom. Michelle and I went to preschool together and have known each other forever, so it is so cool to be a part of her wedding!

We had to get a mother/daughter picture of all the SBA girls. Poor Ms. Ginny (Robyn's mom) missed the picture! I think she had just left. It was such a great night... we loved doing it for Michelle. She cried and hugged us multiple times during the course of the night and told us how much she loves us. It was so sweet! I love having close friends like these that have known me for so long. It is really special.

Of course, what summer would be complete without a Redbirds game! It has been really hot lately in Memphis, but we braved the heat and watched the Birds win. Hopefully we'll be able to head out to more games.

Another big deal this summer is that I finally submitted and defended my special project (similar to a thesis) and officially have a master's degree! I could not be happier about this. I am so glad I did it, and I am DONE, and I will never go back to school again. I feel so proud because I graduated with the class I started with and worked full-time while I did it. There were some really challenging moments, juggling school, work, life, family, and friends, but I am pretty proud of myself.

That pretty much catches up the blog, with a few things left out here and there. I have a new camera on it's way (thanks to Leslie!) and some exciting life developments I will be blogging about soon!!! I can't wait! Stay tuned!

A few randoms...

SO my brother won the local Sing Like John Mayer contest! Now vote for him in the national contest here.

In other news, I have found my new most favorite blog ever. It makes me laugh everyday. It is calling Catalog Living and you can find it here. I cannot look at a Pottery Barn catalog without thinking of this blog.

After July 4th, I have some fun things in store for the blog! So check back soon.