Home Sweet Home

For Luke and I Hesston, KS is HOME!  Our families are there, our friends and our memories.  We have LOVED being able to move around over the last few years and Ruston has really become a great home for us but nothing quite compares to Kansas!  Last weekend we packed up for a trip up north to visit and celebrate with our families.  We started out Friday at 4:30 am and arrived in Hesston about 4pm.  We dropped off the dogs with my parents and headed straight to McPherson to meet Emory Rose.  She is a PERFECT little person.  She was so content and sweet the entire weekend.  I think we heard her cry twice the entire trip. 

We got to tag along for her first "public" outing.  We ate dinner at Pizza Hut in McPherson and she did great! She was quite the trooper! 

After dinner we went back to the house for dessert and again with a perfectly content little one.  I just hope that our little one will be as easy as Emory!

Saturday was our Ultrasound in Emporia with Mandy!  I wish I would have brought my camera for a group picture.  We may have set a new record for the number of people you can cram into an exam room :)  Our little man is so loved and he isn't even here yet!  Now if we can just survive this Louisiana Summer and get to October already!  Saturday afternoon Lauren, mom and I did a little shopping while Luke and his dad golfed.  I think Luke was feeling pretty manly after learning about his son, and eagled the 18th hole at the Hesston golf course.  He was pretty excited!  All in all a good day for the Simmering Family!

Sunday we Celebrated Easter with the Raleigh family.  We hunted easter baskets and went to church as a family.  We attempted a family picture but anytime we include Grant we have to settle for what we get.  We took 3 and will be able to use 1.  Here is just a taste of what family picture time at the Raleigh Household is like. . . 

We then had lunch with extended family and spent the rest of the day watching miss Emory.  I'm sure she was glad to see us leave, every time she woke up there were several sets of eyes just staring at her! I know if would creep me out.  
We're back in our Ruston home now and looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend, but we're already looking forward to our next trip home in May!

17 Weeks

How Far Along: 17 Weeks

Though increased blood flow is good for baby, it might be making you a little...damp. Body secretions (think sweat, mucus, and nosebleeds) are in full force. This week might also mark the first time you feel baby move inside you, but don't worry if it's another two months before you notice anything. (Or realize that this time, it's actually not gas.)

Size of baby: An Onion

Total Weight Gain/Loss:

Maternity Clothes: nope just my belly band. I'm contemplating a maternity swim suit because we have a pass to the country club pool and my old suits just won't cut it anymore, but I haven't been able to bring myself to make that purchase just quite yet.  I still feel silly walking into a maternity store or department.  I'm hardly showing and feel like I don't quite belong there just yet.

Gender: BOY!!! BOY!!! BOY!!!

Movement: I can't feel it yet but should be within the next few weeks.

Sleep: good when I'm on the couch and so/so when in bed.  I may just move on out to the couch soon :)

What I miss: not feeling sick.  I'm back at it again.  Not as bad this time and mainly just in the mornings but I'm on day three of throwing up in the mornings, again. YUCK!

Cravings: fruit and veggies. I really have NO desire for any type of meat which I know i need to do a better job of consuming.

Symptoms: morning sickness - again. And I now have a rash, I'm hoping it is just dry skin or something but I itch all over and I'm getting hive type patches on my skin.  Thank goodness I can hide it under my clothes!

Best Moment This Week: our Ultrasound with Mandy!  We invited our families to come along so they could be there when we found out the gender of Baby Simmering!  It was so much fun to have them there with us to see our baby BOY!

Milestones: Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.

What I'm Looking Forward To: I know I say this about every other weekend but I'm excited for a weekend at home with Luke.  He hasn't been home for the past 3 weekends and I was gone 2 of them as well so being able to be home and get some work done around the house sounds like the best weekend ever right about now.  I'm hoping to pick out some fabric so we can start getting a plan together for the nursery!  But other than that I'm planning a low key, relaxing weekend!

We're thinking BLUE

Baby Simmering cooperated with us on Saturday and we were able to get a nice clear view of our Baby BOY!!!  We were able to invite our families to come along with us to the ultrasound and find out with us what we are having!  It was such a great experience to get to have them there with us as we found out!  

Let the shopping begin!!!

16 Weeks

How Far Along: 16 Weeks

Thanks to increasing blood flow, it's time for some major cash and prizes. Enjoy quick-growing hair and nails, smooth and firm skin, and a healthy glow. One bit of bad news -- your eyes might be feeling a little dry these days.

Size of baby: an Avocado, mmmmm

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 0

Maternity Clothes: nope, not yet pants are tight but not too tight to rush out and get maternity clothes just yet.

Gender: SATURDAY!!! You have NO idea how freaking excited I am to know who is in here.  We have names picked out and I’m ready to start using one of them!

Movement: not feeling it yet.  Since I’m a first timer it will probably be another month, but I am SO ready!

Sleep: not great! I seem to toss and turn and pee all night long.

What I miss: nothing really. I’m back to eating like a champ and I’m still able to do most everything I’ve always done.  Life is finally good for this pregnant lady!

Cravings: Veggies. Any and all green veggies, carrots, and cauliflower sound amazing ALL.THE.TIME.  I could eat them 24/7.

Symptoms: I still struggle to brush so I normally throw up in the shower when I brush but I’m ok with that – it beats how it was just a few short days ago!

Best Moment This Week: Getting Luke home from Chicago!  He was only gone for 5 days and I kept myself busy but having him home is so NICE!  Plus, he feeds the dogs when he is home and the smell of their food still has me gagging J

Milestones: Watch what you say...tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean she can now pick up your voice. A few more minuscule changes: Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.  I’ve really been working to clean up my potty mouth and I think I’ve done a pretty good job!  We will find out this weekend when we go home – I’m sure my mom will let me know if it isn’t up to par!  Isn’t that what mom’s are for?

What I'm Looking Forward To: Going home to meet EMORY ROSE WALTERS this weekend.  Of course it will be great to see the rest of our families as well.  But the most exciting thing on our schedule is our 4D Ultrasound on Saturday!  Our friend Mandy is going to take a look for us and tell us if we have a boy or girl on the way.  We are planning a lunch with our families for Saturday to share the news and celebrate!

Because I can't help myself

Here are a few more of my perfect little Emory!

Just Call Me....

Aunt Morgan

Katie gave birth to a BEAUTIFUL little girl early this morning!  

EMORY ROSE WALTERS

7lbs 7oz - 21.5 inches

Mom, Dad and Baby are doing Great!  Here are some pics sent from Grandma Molly!  Luke and I will meet her next weekend (which can't come soon enough)!!

Grandpa Johnny

Walters Family

Proud Momma and Emory

San Antonio

Last Wednesday Luke and I loaded up the car and headed to San Antonio, TX.  He had a poster accepted to a conference there and so I tagged along!  

our first evening in San Antonio - can you tell I chopped about 4 inches off my hair! LOVE IT

We had a great time exploring on our first evening there.  We ate some wonderful Mexican food, I even indulged myself in a virgin strawberry margarita :)  We got to bed pretty early the next morning so Luke could get up and get to the conference bright and early.

Dinner on the River! Baby Simmering takes after mom and dad and LOVES Mexican food!

I explored on my own while Luke was at the conference the next morning.  And by explore I mean walked to Starbucks ordered refreshments and sat on a park bench while chatting on the phone, I also napped back at the hotel.  When he was finished for the day we headed to the Alamo.  We will always remember the Alamo - Luke got pooed on my a bird :)  While wearing his favorite shirt :) I was able to get it cleaned off for the most part and we didn't let it ruin our day.  He was a trooper and wore the shirt the rest of the day!

ignore my closed eyes - only pic we got and I know you needed proof that we were there :)

The rest of the trip we just messed around in down town San Antonio.  We walked and walked and walked, ate, and even took a boat ride when we couldn't walk anymore.  We had a great trip.  Luke was able to reconnect with a professor from OSU that he hadn't seen since graduation.  He wrote a great recommendation letter for Luke for Minnesota State so we will always be so great full for him and his help.  I'll leave you with pictures of the remainder of our weekend escape :)

this one is for my grandma!  She is a red hatter!  This picture just cracks me up! She would be in HEAVEN!

can you tell I'm a little tired of all the pictures!  We need this baby to get here so Luke and I have someone cute to take pictures of!

I made him do this - payback for all the times he made me pose!  This was a cute manly  little deli/bar right off the riverwalk.  

Dinner at Saltgrass on the River.  Thanks to my BFF Zofran I ate an entire meal - a huge meal to be honest!

Navy Band from New Orleans preforming at the Alamo for the kickoff of Fiesta Fiesta! 

see I do play nice, either that or he caught me off guard :)

15 Weeks

How Far Along: 15 Weeks

Your gums may be red and swollen (thanks, hormones), so it's extra-important to take good care of your mouth right now. Brush often, floss gently, and see your dentist if you haven't already. Also, your now-cramped chest and abdomen (baby's growing fast!) might be making you a little short of breath.

Size of baby: Naval Orange

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 0 according to the scale at the Dr's office.  I'm right where I was at my first prenatal appointment which was a little before 7 weeks. I didn't weigh at home so I'm not sure what that scale is saying but we will go with 0 for now.

Maternity Clothes: not yet, just lots and lots of dresses

Gender: both Luke and I are thinking boy but we will find out in a few more weeks, we are heading to KS for Easter (which is hopefully the same weekend as baby Walters birth) so we will try and find out then!!!  We also have scheduled our official gender scan with Dr. M for May 10th.  So if Mandy can't find anything when we go for Easter we will know on the 10th.  Less than a month! 

Movement: I’m not feeling it yet

Sleep: good and bad.  When I sleep it is great but there is a lot of tossing and turning going on.

What I miss: my clothes - nothing really fits right.  I'm much too small for maternity clothes but my regular clothes aren't fitting quite right.  Getting dressed has become a challenge every morning - thank God for dresses they are they only thing besides sweats that I am comfortable in these days!

Cravings: fruits and veggies.  Dinner on Sunday night consisted of carrots, celery, cucumbers and cheese.

Symptoms: still a little nausea every now and then – mostly in the morning but other than that I’m enjoying pregnancy for the first time in 15 weeks J

Best Moment This Week: We had several great moments this week!  We got to see baby Simmering at our appointment yesterday.  Dr. M even made a guess at the gender based on something he did or didn't see on the little ultrasound he did in the office.  Luke and I are over the moon to know we may soon have a little boy in our arms!!  Of course a girl would be just as wonderful!  We will know for sure very soon! We also bought a crib!  I think this makes it all so official.  This is our first baby related purchase and I’m so excited to get the guest room cleared out so we can get to work creating a room for baby Simmering!

Milestones: Baby Simmering is already taking after Luke, who was a very large baby at 10 lbs 5 oz.  The measurements taken from the ultrasound at our appointment yesterday put baby Simmering at 16 wks 6 days.  Yesterday was actually 14 wks 6 days.  Dr. M kept commenting on the large size of the head!  Not really comforting to the person that will birth this giant baby!  But we are thrilled to know that our little one is growing and thriving!  He may even move our due date up according to what he sees on the ultrasound on the 10th.  Now, for the weekly Bump.com update. Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out-measure his arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably can't feel the movements just yet.

What I'm Looking Forward To: A relaxing week at home.  Luke is off to SIOP in Chicago so I'll be roughing it without him this week.  I have strict instructions to eat regular meals and was warned that popcorn does NOT count as a meal. Can you tell I don't usually cook when he is gone.  I guess I'll be learning to cook for 1 while he is away - anything for this growing baby!

14 Weeks

How Far Along: 14 Weeks

In theory, your uterus' ability to expand (14 times in size, 20 in weight) is awe-inspiring; in practice, it kind of hurts. When the aches and sharp pains hit your belly, think about this happy news: By now, your risk of miscarriage has gone way, way down.

Size of baby: a lemon

 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +1 or 2

Maternity Clothes: none yet, but I can’t button any of my work pants anymore, so I’m rocking the rubber band!

Gender: not sure yet. Hoping to find out THIS MONTH!

Movement: I can’t feel it.  Maybe by the end of the month.

Sleep: pretty good.  I get restless and toss and turn but when I finally get comfortable I’m out!

What I miss: not feeling nauseated all the time. I’ve started a new prescription and scraped the others so hopefully I’ll be a new girl soon.

Cravings: none really, mostly just aversions.  I really don’t want anything but I can force myself to eat green beans, cheese roll ups, and peanut butter ritz crackers. I’m working on a better diet now so hopefully I’ll be able to add a few more things to this list next week.

Symptoms: after a week of feeling pretty good, the nausea returned with a vengeance but I’ve started a new prescription and I’ve been able to keep down atleast 2 meals a day for 5 days now. This is a pretty big deal in our house!

Best Moment This Week: weird best moment, but as I was drinking a Gatorade at work on Monday I noticed that the expiration date was Oct. 12^th.  Which means that I should have a baby in my arms by the time the Gatorade has gone bad.  Just realizing that it isn’t that far away is always a good moment.

I also got to hear baby’s heart beat last week when I went in for the new prescription.  That always makes me feel better.

Milestones: Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine, and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys, and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over her body for warmth.

What I'm Looking Forward To: A LONG weekend.  Luke and I are heading to the Lone Star State this weekend.  We are leaving Wednesday morning for San Antonio and will head north to Dallas on Friday to spend some time with Bill and Erica.  While we are in TX we are planning on doing a little shopping.  We’ve picked out a crib, day bed and trundle that we will pick up while in Dallas.  I’m so ready to begin work on our nursery.  I think getting a crib up in there will really make it official!

Life's Not Fair

Ok, so we all learn growing up that life isn't fair, but SERIOUSLY!  Look at my sister - couldn't I have just a smidge of her genes!  We're 100% biological siblings but geeze louise I don't look like her.  Like I said - Life isn't Fair!

Jaclyn at GingerRoot Studios in Wichita took these! Isn't she great! I can't wait to see the great ones she gets at the wedding!