Breaking Ground

We broke ground today on our new pond!! It is very exciting to watch the digging process and I think Ben is really ready to begin stocking it with fish!! The pond is going to have a burm around the back curve and then there will be a beach area on one of the curves facing the house (the pond will be a kidney shape when it is finished). Once the digging is finished we'll be able to get some good grass growing around it and start swimming!! Yeah! 

Halfway There!!!

Here are a few pictures of Baby Spitzley @ 20 weeks 1 day. The top picture shows Baby S on his/her back (the spine is pretty noticeable here) and the bottom picture shows the profile of Baby S and one of his/her hand's up by his/her face. The pictures didn't turn out so great, but we have the whole ultrasound on video!! Yeah! I think after this I am going to watch it again. It was amazing to see. We got to see Baby S clasping his/her hands and even yawn!! It was incredible! Of course, like I have said before these pictures just do not do an ultrasound justice, because it is much better in "live action". As for all the health reportings, everything is top notch. The heartrate was at 150 beats/minute (which some says means it is going to be a girl) and the measurements came out to be around 20 weeks 3 days (so right on schedule...growth-wise). All-in-all everything is going great and things couldn't be better for the baby and it's health!! Which is such a relief, since I was completely stressed out because I bought a pet rat for the classroom and just learned that rodents can carry a virus that is harmful to unborn babies!! Yikes! They said that the baby had his/her thumb sticking out during the ultrasound which is a good sign for a normal/healthy baby (meaning there are no chormosomal abnormalities). As for my health, I am doing great. I am still tired after every school day and try to fit in a nap. One annoyance is a recent nerve pain in my right lower back area. The doctor said this is common and recommended that I buy a pregnancy cradle (although I may just manage for a seven more weeks until school is out). Once summer is here I think this nerve pain may subside somewhat (or atleast I hope so). It is very painful at times. I do feel the baby kick often now, yet still to faint for Ben to get a good feel. I love when the baby kicks (which has been happening while I am at school and then later again at night as I go to bed)!! It is definitely noticeable and wonderful every time!! :)

In other news, Ben and I have decided to dig a pond in our yard!! Ben can't wait to stock it with fish and I can't wait to go swimming! The digger comes on Sunday and it will take a fews days to finish. The digger is also redoing our driveway and making it into a circle drive (we will put a burm in the middle of it). I think it will look great when it is finished (which will hopefully be before the baby shower Jocelyn is throwing for me at my house). Pictures will come when it is finished.

Well, we are off to Mexico Wednesday morning. I will post pictures when I return!! 'Til then... 

The New Looking Rooms

The top picture is of our new guest bedroom (without furniture in it, obviously). It used to be the superman blue room. The bottom picture is of what is going to be the new nursery. This room used to have bright purple carpetting and purple walls. I think the new carpet looks great and the new color on the walls helps to make it more our own. We'll have to wait and see what the rooms look like with furniture in them!! :) 

18 Weeks 2 Days

Here are a couple of pictures taken today (18 weeks 2 days along). I couldn't decide which one was a better belly pic, so you got both. The one on the right makes my belly look huge, but I guess that's what happens. It's crazy because for awhile I have felt like I didn't have a pregnant belly, yet all of a sudden I guess I do! :) It is actually quite fun to see the changes and I actually have felt the changes also!! Yes, you read correctly, I have felt the baby move!! They call this "quickening", but to me it feels like bubbles. It isn't very often (usually atleast once a day), but it is definite when it happens. Just a little blup, blup here and there. It's fascinating!! I love it. I think Ben is getting anxious to feel the baby now, too. I cannot wait until it is felt by others, also.
We also got word back on our genetic testing (the Quad test) and the results were negative. This is a very good thing, because a positive test result would mean that the baby may be born with birth defects. That was such a relief to hear that good news!
Our re-carpeting efforts are coming along nicely, also. As I write this there is a carpenter putting in the new carpet!! I cannot wait to see the final result. It will look great! I will definitely post a pic of it when it is finished. :)
Our next doctors appointment is April 19th (2 weeks from yesterday) and that is with the ultrasound (we will be 20 weeks along) in which we can tape it!! I am so excited for that! Then the following week we are off to Mexico with two other couples (Puerta Vallarta), so that will be a nice getaway before the baby comes. I'll keep you updated on that, also. 'Til then...