Selecting A Name

The first item monogrammed for Pierce.  This is just the beginning...

We decided on a name.  Our little boy is going to be named Pierce Bradley Applewhite.  As soon as I found out that we were pregnant, I couldn't wait to order a monogram machine.  Once we decided on the name, I knew that I was going to have a blast with my new machine!

Yikes - Preterm Labor

I noticed that my back was bothering me on Thursday and Friday morning. I  scheduled a pregnancy massage on Saturday afternoon.  On Sunday, I could barely stand up straight.  I thought that I was sore from the massage.  I went to work on Monday.  After lunch, my stomach started to hurt.  I had a light lunch.  I was still hungry so I popped a bag of popcorn.  I thought that maybe I had eaten too much.  Throughout the day, the tummy pains increased.  I have no idea what is normal for a pregnancy, but I do know that I have a very lot tolerance for pain.  I decided to hang in there for the rest of the day.  After school, I was meeting with a teacher.  The stomach pains started to become more and more uncomfortable. At about 5:30 p.m., I decided that it was time to go home and rest.  When I got into the car, I had a hard time driving.  It was difficult for me to move my leg from the gas to the brake.  I knew that something wasn't right.  I called the doctor, and I was directed to go to the hospital.  Brad met me there, and we waited to see what was going on.  It turned out that I was in labor, and I was having contractions every two minutes.  I was only 25 weeks and 4 days.  It was too early to have this baby.  The doctors gave me a series of shots to stop the labor.  Fortunately, the shots were successful.  I was on bed rest for two weeks.

24 Weeks and Counting

It is hard to believe that I am 24 weeks already.  I took the diabetic test and passed.  My pregnancy is going great.  I am still having a hard time sleeping at night, but I don't have any other complaints.

Decorating Diva

I am on a roll!  The furniture has come in, and Brad has put everything together.  I ordered bedding that is neutral so that we can use it for the next child too whether it's a boy or a girl.  I sewed curtains to match the bedding.  I made alphabet frames and pictures frames to match the bedding.  The room is coming together! By the way, Daddy did a great job painting the room!  Thank you honey!

21 Weeks and Counting

I have been shopping for furniture for the baby's room.  I ordered a crib, changing table, dresser, and recliner.  I can't wait to get his room set up.

Baby Applewhite's Bedroom

We spent weeks clearing out the room so that we could get it ready for Baby Applewhite.  Brad spent the weekend painting the room blue.  The color that we chose is called Icelandic Blue.

Let's Try Again

We went back to the hospital to have another ultrasound.  We hoped and prayed that they would be able to tell us if our little one was a boy or a girl.  When I went into the room, the technician turned on the machine and said, "Up, I know what it is."  Brad was parking the car.  I asked her to wait until he came into the room to share the news.  I suspected that it was a boy the entire time.  When she was able to determine the sex within seconds, I knew.  Brad walked into the room, and she told us, "It's a boy!"  We were so excited.  Brad did a manly cheer and literally jumped up and down.  He was so excited and proud to be having a little boy.  We both jumped on our cell phones and called our family to share the news. 

Pink or Blue

We have been counting down for this day.  We had an appointment at the hospital to get an ultrasound and find out the sex of the baby.  Aunt Kim came with us to find out the news.  The cord was between Baby Applewhite's legs.  As a result, it was difficult to determine the sex.  After about two and a half hours of trying, we decided to reschedule. I tried drinking sugar water, stretching, dancing, exercising, etc.  On a fun note, it was so neat to see the baby's ribs, lungs, face, etc.  Wow, our little miracle is growing.

Wrapping Up The First Trimester

 We went to the doctor again at 13 weeks and 6 days.  The baby is growing so much.  Everything looks great, and I feel great too.  I have having a hard time sleeping at night.  I am often wide awake from 12pm to 4am.  Aside from being exhausted, our pregnancy is going smooth. 

12 Weeks and Counting

It has been so fun to share the news with all of our friends! 

Spreading the News

We went to Hammond for the weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving with Brad's Aunt Chris, cousin Scott, parents, Marco, Mary, and Eliska.  We told them the news on Thanksgiving morning.  It was so nice to share our news.  Mary had been asking me almost daily if I was pregnant, and it was so hard not to tell her. We were so excited that we could finally talk about the pregnancy in the company of others.  What a great holiday!

Aunt Ken

Brad and I decided that we wanted to tell our family first.  I could not wait to tell everyone.  Kim and I went to dinner at Sonoma.  On my drive there, I was trying to think of a clever way to tell her.  I asked the waiter to write "Aunt Kim" on one of our dishes.  I told him that it was a surprise.  Kim walked into the restaurant as I was talking to him.  I don't think that she suspected anything.  As we sat there, I couldn't wait for our food to come.  He sat the first dish down.  It was asparagus with the prosciutto on the side.  In the middle of the plate, it said, "Aunt Kim".  The writing bled a little bit.  Kim said, "Aunt Ken, huh?".  I said, "Aunt Kim.  Aunt Kim.  Get it."  It was so fun to surprise Aunt Kim with the news.  The staff at Sonoma was so excited that they were all cheering.  Our waiter brought over a glass of champagne for Aunt Kim and a glass of apple juice for me.  This was a night to remember.  There was nothing more special that telling my little sister that she is going to be an aunt.  Life is good.

Safe Zone

I went to the doctor for my second visit.  She said that the baby looked great.  She also said that we could begin telling our family and friends if we wanted to do so.  His heart rate looked great, and he was progressing as he should.  In three weeks, I was amazed at how much he had grown.  I was so excited to see the ultrasound.  I could see his head, arms, and legs.  What a great day!

8 Weeks and Counting

Brad and I started to talk about baby names.  If it is a girl, I really love the name Berkeley.  Brad loved the name Pepper for a boy.  I was not thrilled about the idea of naming my son Pepper.  I had a dog named Pepper as a kid, and it was a girl. 

Our First Doctor's Visit

My first appointment was at six weeks.  I couldn't wait to see the doctor and have the pregancy confirmed by an expert.  The doctor confirmed the pregnancy and gave us our due date.  Baby Applewhite is due on June 16, 2011.  I was able to see the baby in the ultrasound.  He was very small, but I can remember seeing his heart beat.  What a joyous moment!

Feeling Great

Aside from being exhausted, my pregnancy in the first trimester went very well.  I felt great.  The hardest part was keeping our secret! 

Keeping A Secret

Brad and I decided that we would only share the news with our parents.  It was a tough decision, and I don't think that we realized that it would be a very difficult task.  Brad came up with the idea to buy grandparent bibs as a way to share the news.  We went to dinner with my parents and gave them a gift.  We sent a package to Brad's parents.  Both of our parents were excited.  The grandparents are now keeping a secret too!

A Day To Remember

After a long day at work, I went to dinner with Tommy, Brent, and Amy.  We went to Houston's (one of my favorite restaurants), and I enjoyed two lovely glasses of Cabernet.  On my way home, I noticed that something felt different.  I decided to swing by Walgreen's.  I took a test, and I received news that would change my life forever.  Brad goes to trivia every Tuesday night with his buddies from the neighborhood.  I didn't want to interrupt his "guy night", but I couldn't wait to tell him the news.  I called him and asked him to come home.  I told him that I needed to talk to him about something, but I asked him not to make it obvious.  I sat at home waiting for Brad so that I could share our exciting news.  Two hours later, he walked in the door.  He reminded me that I said not to make a big deal about it.  I guess that maybe I should have stressed a bigger sense of urgency.  Brad was so excited to hear that we had a baby on the way.  This was the beginning of a wonderful journey.