Weighing back in at 9 lb 9.6 oz and gaining 9oz of that over the last three days. Here is Vara James one week old today....

the next generation
Tomorrow is D day... DUE DATE...however, it doesn't look good. SO stay tuned for updates

permanent resident

Vara is deciding on what date suits her best. With no regard to my emotional, physical or mental status. She likes it where she is, she has enough room to bust a rib or two now and then for me, and just seems to enjoy her life as is.
However, i am hopeful she will come before Thursday her due date... or actually MONDAY the 13th was her adjusted due date... but if not, then i go to the DR. thursday the 16th in the afternoon and we wait another week beyone that... being thanksgiving, and then they would discuss an induction date.... yippeeee.

SO... Vara James has decided to wait out her stay indefinately. NO effacement, no Dialation...I suck... or rather my body does not want to progress.

SO last night she freaked out in my belly, like she had a shot of sugar times ten!

Well, what happened? she turned OUT of position, and is now flip flopping around again as much as a large baby can. So i had to have an NST and she is fine, but she moved a lot on them so keeping track of her heart was difficult... she went from 130-170 often.

so... the latest i would deliver is 12 days past my due date... that is when they would induce me. so we are looking at the 28th! so i am just resigning myself to that date...

see you next friday doc....

Go to the dr tomorrow AM..... hopeful that something that I have been doing and or feeling will be a sign that I should go into labor soon. This is a lot harder than waiting for christmas morning or the night even before Todd and I were married. At least i knew what he looked like and when we were going to be able to see each other. Nala, our puppy seems to think she is the baby. Lately taking to sitting on my lap and anywhere near me she can be. I can't even use the bathroom with out her security detail.
Today she helped me prepare for motherhood by getting sick on the both the couch and the chair in about 20 seconds! I bet Vara will go to the time trials to try to break her record if she is anything like her daddy was. Pray for us, pray we can get through the next few weeks and come home with a healthy baby.
All of my internet friends have delivered... so alone online i just get to see their photos and hear the woes of the next level of being a mom. I will wait for God's time, as if i had a choice, and pray for health. Update after the dr. if there is anything cool to tell. e

Go to the dr tomorrow AM..... hopeful that something that I have been doing and or feeling will be a sign that I should go into labor soon. This is a lot harder than waiting for christmas morning or the night even before Todd and I were married. At least i knew what he looked like and when we were going to be able to see each other. Nala, our puppy seems to think she is the baby. Lately taking to sitting on my lap and anywhere near me she can be. I can't even use the bathroom with out her security detail.
Today she helped me prepare for motherhood by getting sick on the both the couch and the chair in about 20 seconds! I bet Vara will go to the time trials to try to break her record if she is anything like her daddy was. Pray for us, pray we can get through the next few weeks and come home with a healthy baby.
All of my internet friends have delivered... so alone online i just get to see their photos and hear the woes of the next level of being a mom. I will wait for God's time, as if i had a choice, and pray for health. Update after the dr. if there is anything cool to tell. e

37 weeks... and counting. Got to go to the dr. today and get poked and proded and we are in the right position, but not really doing anything to get her to come out yet! The latest she would be induced would be just about on thanksgiving! So we may be having a turkey, but i hope sooner, i really love that meal and would be so depressed to miss it, but knowing ms. vara's parents, she will come when she is good and ready. Heart beat is normal, i lost 3 lbs this week, and we are good to go at anytime as 37 weeks is officially full term.

the next generationYour baby is still putting on weight — about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is a little less than 19 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the creamy substance that has protected her skin during its submersion in amniotic fluid. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, and they'll stay in her bowels until birth. This blackish mixture, called meconium, will become her first bowel movement.
At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Babies born between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term; a baby born before 37 weeks is pre-term and after 42 weeks is post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position by now, which is optimal for a smooth delivery, but if she isn't head-down next week, your provider may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to turn your baby manually, by pushing her from the outside of your belly.

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you will be both relieved and excited to know me and vara are doing just fine... however she has been dubbed the "squirmer" won't sit still for the doppler.

heart rate of 150, i did successfully pee in a cup, and i gained 2.5 lbs (in two weeks)

Labs will be back Monday to update us on the thyroid etc. I will let you know.

Having people in town for the shower Amy and Brian are throwing. I am excited about seeing everyone. Aloha!

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Make sure you check out the link below that says waiting for Vara. Its got some cute photos, and we need more of all of you so we can add to it. I can't wait to add her photos to it.... 62 days and counting!

Waiting for Vara

SO back from the dr. my last 4 week appointment. As I started this journey my goal was to stay under the 200lb mark... well ladies and gents, sadly today that dream was deflated when the scale read 200.5 lbs.... so how did i drowned my sorrows you ask, by eat some nachos! yes, before 11 am. HA

On another note... i am in a practice that has 7 docs... the only woman i was meeting today. With great anticpation i was hoping she would be cool. SHE SUCKED!

I asked her about when we would talk or chart my birth wishes, like EPIDURAL and who was in the room etc.... she said i needed to go to a birthing class to learn about my options.. SISTER i know my options, i want to express my wishes.. she had no time for me.

THEN i said something about Vara being big, she said you are tall you can deal with it. UMM ok. But she then saw my chart and noticed my thyroid issues and kept saying I should be happy if Vara is big, better than a baby that has retardation.. HELLO!! wouldn't anyone aggree with that. I just want to know how she will come out with out killing me! and what we do if she gets stuck etc. I don't wish for retardation... does anyone? does that really need to be said?

Then i finally tell her my cousin had an 11lb baby and it broke her pelvis, she said you mean her tailbone... NO that isn't what i said... her pelvis, and I don't want that ok! YEESH... so much for female bonding!

So any advice.... what if she is who delivers Vara... i need a funny dr. someone that will help me get through it, and engage me etc... not robo doc. UGH

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Working on Vara's room.... here are some photos. Mom was here this weekend and we had a great time checking things out and getting ready. Thanks so much to all the DONATORS.... lindsey and kate helped a ton! She has enough clothes I think, and the crib is amazing. so we seem to be ready for WEEK nine to be here.

I head to the Dr. Friday, i will update then.

Making Headway
WEEK 30 TEN TO GO !!!!

Your baby's height and weight haven't changed much in the past week, but the big news is your baby's brain gain. Until now, the surface of your baby's brain was smooth. Now, your fetus's brain is taking on those characteristic grooves and indentations. The reason for this change in appearance? Those wrinkles allow for an increased amount of brain tissue — a necessary change as your baby prepares for life outside your womb, and the street smarts he or she will need.

Another big change this week: Your baby's bone marrow has taken over production of red blood cells (before, tissue groups and then the spleen took care of producing the blood cells). This is an important step for your baby, because it means he or she is better able to thrive on his or her own once born (with a little TLC from you, of course).

So it's in with the new (brain cells, red blood cells) and out with the old (lanugo). Much of the lanugo — the soft, downy hair covering your baby's body — is beginning to disappear now because both fat and the brain are regulating your baby's body temperature (so no need for that furry coat anymore). But you may see a few leftover strands of fur on your newborn's back and shoulders.

the next generation
So there is some good news and some not so good news....again. I passed the three hour test for gestational Diabetes, so I don't have that to deal with!

However, my thyroid levels are so low that we may have some concern for Vara's mental development. However, there is not a way to determine that. Just pray she works through this and gets what she needs, i know God will take care of me. thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

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Sad to say we have not done well with the reports and tests!!! Glucose Failed, Iron Failed, Thyroid FAILED.

The major concern is brain function at this point. the thyroid levels are so out of wack that they changed my does today! and are concerned that she may have lost some development there, but that is an outside chance! so pray for us.
Redo a three hour glucose tomorrow and the iron, well, just have to take more. that harms me more than her.

sorry this is not a good update. hopefully it will be better once we get the three hour back!

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VARA UPDATE:
Heart beat normal at 145
Glucose test today... YUCKY i will get the results monday. Wish us luck
Measuring two weeks ahead of schedule! MAYBE OCTOBER? that would be great...but hopefully uncle brad won't be to dissapointed!

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100 days to go ... can i get a heck yes!!!!
I am so excited to hit this mark. I mean, it seems like a short run some days and then when you go to your closet to pick out something to wear and see the same three possibilities.... 100 days AMEN.

Had a great time this weekend in TN. It was fun to see people and meet new ones etc. I think Vara's going to like the family reunion, everyone just pitches in and helps with each others kids... and honestly we have some pretty people in the Landreth family. I was looking at all the girls intently and if she gets the eyes of her sister in laws and the skin tone of her second cousins she will be just fine! PRETTY FAMILY...

speaking of. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Uncle Brad and Aunt Katherine! I can feel the sand between my toes from Aruba now! that was fun.

here is some information on week 26.. one more week to the third trimester!

Middle of week 26

Eyes Wide (Almost) Open
Look who's looking. Your baby's eyes — which have been closed for the past few months (so that the retina, the part of the eye that allows images to come into focus, could develop) — are now beginning to open. What this means is that your baby is able to see what's going on now (unfortunately the view in your uterus isn't all that exciting). But do try this at home for kicks (baby's that is): Shine a flashlight at your stomach. Your baby might kick in response (as in: "Get that light out of my eyes!").

The iris, the colored part of the eye, still doesn't have much pigmentation (that'll fill in over the next month or two), so it's too early to start guessing your baby's eye color. Even the color your baby will be born with might not be the permanent shade; so you may be kept guessing until your baby is close to six months old.

Look what else is going on this week: Your baby's brain-wave activity is kicking in, which means your little one can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them. Not in so many words, of course, but with an increase in pulse rate or activity.

And talking about activity, at your baby's current height and weight (about nine inches tall and two pounds), and at the rate he or she is growing, your baby will soon be feeling a little cramped in your uterus. Not to worry, there's still plenty of room for your baby to grow. It just means your gymnast will have less room for those somersaults, cartwheels, and other Olympic feats.

the next generation
Shower in Ann Arbor.

I had such a great time. I got beautiful things, got to see some old friends and to be the center of attention! What could be nicer. Seriously, I got to see my oldest friend Becky and her daughter. Her daughter is so pretty I couldn't believe how much she looked like her mom the day we met! Same smile and all.

She got me this cute little side button jacket and outfit to match. It was so nice, but the gift was truly her getting there! She is due in four weeks!

Karen and Len were there with their daughter and she is so cute too! What a pretty generation we are bringing in. They were too generous with information and things, and I promise K I did read the hand outs.

Claire and Eric were there, he wore Orange socks and a shirt for me! I loved it, so thoughtful. And the gifts from Claire were commented on even in the airport. She made two of the coolest receiving blankets a little girl could hope for. Hawaiian print and all.

I had a great time, my sister got little uggs, and signed the card aunt Kate... How cool, she gets to be an aunt! And mom got us all the medical supplies of course! What a weekend. Thanks guys!

the next generation

BRAXTON HICKS?

well Sunday I noticed that Vara was on her own schedule. She would bump and bounce about, as well a few times I got this weird sensation of tightening, almost like a sit up.... If I can remember that feeling, and then it would pass.
These young friends are called Braxton Hicks contractions... Like the warm up for your body to be able to play in the real game. Well coach, put me in, I am ready to play...Or am I? I have watched one too many TLC shows and birth doesn't seem all that great. I know once she is here, I will be relieved she is here, healthy and safe.... Then her torment begins. I have decided if she makes it through her first years with NALA, STEPHEN and her parents she will be ready for anything.

Hope you are all well.

the next generation
Stolen from What to expect when your expecting... thought it was cute!


WEEK 22: HAIR YE, HAIR YE
Guess what? Your baby has finally broken the one-pound mark. How heavy is that? Hold a one-pound box of sugar in your hand the next time you're in the grocery story (and expect people to ask you why you're grinning from ear to ear). Is the box eight inches long? That's about the length your baby is too!
This week, your sweetie is making more sense of the world as he or she develops the sense of touch. In fact, your little one's grip is quite developed by now — and since there's nothing else to grab in utero, he or she may sometimes hold on tight to that umbilical cord (don't worry — it's tough enough to handle it). The sense of sight is also getting more developed. Your fetus can now perceive light and dark much better than before (even with those fused eyelids). But remember — unless you're shining a flashlight over your belly (which you can do, by the way), it'll be mostly dark for your baby inside that cozy womb of yours.
Moving up from the eyes, the eyelashes and eyebrows are well formed now — and even more hair is sprouting atop that cute little head. You'd be quite surprised, though, if you could see your little one up close and in color. Hair at this stage has no pigment, so it's bright white.

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Vara in her kick boxing mode...

the next generation

Thanks to everyone who has sent in name requests. Danny, unfortunately it will not be her name. As well, Amy, I am sure that all the time she spends with you will be enough for her to bring out part of your legacy so as well, her name will not be Amy either.

As for all the well wishes, we are so happy she looks great so far, maybe a few ounces bigger than the average but heck why would that be any different than her mama!

The Middle name will be James. James was my step-dad's name and somehow I think it gives her the edge to her name I like.

So get out your monogram equipment, VJH. Vara James Hopkins Due November 16th, 2006.

And to quote Zach's little girl Claire..."I'm so esited!"

Showers,bedding, paint, clothes etc... There are a lot of decisions that have to be made. I am excited about heading up to Michigan to see some of my old friends and share in the experience with them. As well, just to get up North. It appears the shower is Art Fair weekend, what a ZOO. But it should be cool to be back for it in a way. I don't think I have been to the art fair in about 15 years.

As for the Southern Shower... Amy is on it. It will be great, and I am so happy to see Vara's name in print. I think she will really like it. I do.

Todd is out of town so I am looking around at the house and seeing all I think I can rip up or paint etc. But then luckily I get sleepy and don't begin to tear anything apart.

Hope you are all well. Cousin Liz is being induces at 2:30 am so pray for her and little Bordes.

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ITS A GIRL!

the next generation
ITS A GIRL!!!!! VARA willl be her first name , that was Todd's Grandmother's name. I am not sure on the middle, but everything looked great. She had fluids in the right places, bones in the right places

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1:17 I am so excited I can't even work. I am sitting here getting text messages from Todd about how he is excited, I am excited, Amy is waiting to go with us and I just can't really focus. Praying for healthy, praying for happy, just praying all is ok.... But what fun to finally meet him/her. Just to know that we are one step closer to knowing what parents we will be, parents to a son or daughter..... How emotional it is beginning to make me!

WHEW

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WHEW... Moved in to the new place..... You have to love those stencils. Thanks to all who helped. It was cool. Mom came down, Lou came over and we got this moved in.... Now the fun begins. Friday we find out what we are having and then let the paint fly!

I will post HOPEFULLY photos of the newest addition Friday afternoon, stating name and sex! WAHOOO I am excited.

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Week 17 or so...i have been sick for a week with a viral thing. Thought i would die, but I am back now. we are moving next thursday. see you then... but for now


How big is your baby now? About five inches long and more than three and a half ounces — the size of your open hand. (Open the other one too and imagine your baby cradled in both your arms right after delivery!) Body fat (baby's, that is) is beginning to form and will continue to accumulate through the end of your pregnancy. By the time your baby is born, body fat will make up about two-thirds of his or her weight (and will make all those chubby parts especially yummy).
Your baby is almost certainly listening up by now. In fact, loud noises — the dog barking, the doorbell ringing — will actually startle your baby (and also get him or her used to such noises; for instance, fetuses who regularly hear a dog barking will become babies who sleep right through Fido's outbursts). Your baby's eyes (which have fortunately finished their migration to the front of his or her head) are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed. And since practice makes perfect, your baby is sharpening his or her sucking and swallowing skills in preparation for that first (and second…and third) suckle at your breast or bottle. In fact, most of the survival reflexes that your baby will have at birth are being perfected in utero right now.
And here's some proof that your baby is truly one of a kind (as if you needed any!). Within the next week or so, the pads on your baby's fingertips and toes will become adorned with completely individual swirls and creases (aka fingerprints).

the next generation
How your baby's growing: At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl! (Don't be disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down the gender depends somewhat on how clear the picture is and the position of your baby during the ultrasound; he may be curled or turned in such a way as to keep you in suspense.)

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Some information for you!
Stolen from www.babycenter.com

How your baby's growing: Head to bottom, your baby's 3 1/2 inches long — about the length of a lemon — and weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. Her body's growing faster than her head, which now sits upon a more well-defined neck. By the end of this week, her arms will have lengthened and will be in proportion to the rest of her body. (Her legs still have some growing to do, though.) She's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair all over her body (called lanugo). Her liver starts secreting bile this week, a sign that it's already functioning properly, and her spleen starts contributing to the production of red blood cells. She's also producing and discharging urine into the amniotic fluid, a normal process that she'll keep up until birth. You still can't feel your baby's movements, but her hands and feet (which are now half an inch long) are more flexible and active. Thanks to brain impulses, her little facial muscles are getting a workout as she squints, frowns, and grimaces. She can grasp now, too, and she may be able to suck her thumb.

**** the she is not indicative of what we are having, just what they chose i guess.

13 weeks 6 days.... Went to the doctors today and got to hear the heartbeat! 156BPM and it was so cool. I never really thought that I would be able to get so excited about things I can't see or feel but it really almost brought tears to my eyes. I learned today that trimesters are 13 weeks.... Or at least the second one is... Just a fact for you.

I was rated a low-risk pregnancy and even thought the dr. was from Ohio he was really nice.

For all of those betting on the sex, place your bets... June 16th at 2:30 we are going to be in the ultrasound and hopefully triscuit will cooperate.

We move June 9th... And close on both homes that day. So June is a busy time for us.

I have begun to hear rumbling of showers for the baby... How fun, and thanks to all who are willing to help out. I am just excited to have an excuse to party!

love e

the next generation

I have been to the new DR and like them. Tomorrow I head back and they will let me know all the results of the myriad of tests that I took at the old place, and as well, let me know what the schedule for my ultrasound to determine sex and any other complications etc will be. I think it should be by mid June. I am really excited.

Viviana was her yesterday and she asked me if I had felt any movement, and honestly I thought not... But there is this little flutter I keep feeling almost like a faint vibrating phone every few moments and it isn't gas so maybe it must be something... I will ask tomorrow.

Today is Kristina's 18th birthday... Happy birthday.

So we spent some time in the ER this weekend. But is was not for the triscuit it was for his daddy. Todd has some issues with swollen lymph nodes that mimicked "appenixitis" as one of the young kesel girls called it. Thankfully he is feeling better now.

On another note, I am switching Docs. There have been a few things that I have been uncomfortable with, so we have decided to move on. I am hopeful the new group will be great. I will keep you updated. It may mean we get more fetal fotos.... So look for updates.

Hope you are all well.

So here is the weekend recap!

Stephen Graduated this weekend, he is so excited to be done. We had his family here and everyone made it out alive! (just kidding) RJ and Caroline like Nala and the hot tub, I got to spend some time with the girls and that was nice. However, in true Hopkins style there was some chaos in the mix.

Todd was also in a wedding this weekend so here is a glimpse at our schedule.....

Thursday Lou came to town
Friday we looked at houses and went to Stephens practice
Friday evening I picked Todd up from work and headed about 50 miles north in rush hour traffic to the rehearsal and dinner. We got lost on the way to the dinner! Got home about 10 and stayed up too late!

Got up Saturday morning to the rest of the family arriving for Stephens graduation. We all headed to graduation with Todd's tux in tow and he left from there to go to pictures for the wedding etc.

After the graduation we went to eat, and then I headed home for about 15 minutes, changed clothes and D and I headed back up to the wedding site. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL wedding and Todd looked very handsome. Especially since he was never able to try on his tux as it was being driven up from Atlanta the night before!

After the wedding Todd and I were at the reception for a while then we headed back here to the house and hung out with the family. Todd started feeling sick early Sunday morning.

Sunday afternoon it rained and rained and we had rented a moonbounce for Stephen. He enjoyed it anyway. There was a wrestling match and all. However the house was packed and the bbq was my brother in law cooking in the rain soaked garage!

When that was over some teens hung out until 6 or so then we headed to the Kesels with Macaroni and cheese in tow. By this time Todd was feeling worse. SO about 9 we headed to the ER and they confirmed they too thought he head appendix issues. NOT so we found out at 3:30 am, he actually has a virus that was harming his lymph nodes. SO we are home today resting, and I had my DR. Appointment where I gained a whopping 9 lbs on their scale, but lost two on mine? SO.... I am on a shut your mouth diet.....That doesn't make the pregnant lady happy!

On top of all this, still no house... But I know that we will find just the right one.

WHEW that is it....

AMEN.... Todd is not a carrier for Sickle Cell so the only chance we have is that our child COULD be a carrier of the trait. Thanks to all of you who have kept us in your thoughts and prayers.

NOW, if you could help us with a house! Today we looked at a third home we liked, and before we got home it went off the market. How does that happen?!? Anyway..... We need a house, and hopefully we can find something as fun as Foxwood.

I bought some maternity clothes yesterday. Miss Amy dug through every sale rack she could find and got me a few things that were not nasty! And that is no small feat! Thanks woman.

Hope you are all well. My next appointment is Monday so I should have some more updates for you.

Stephen graduates Saturday... love you man you are going to do great thangsssss.

So today I got a call from the Doctor's nurse today. She said I was a carrier for sickle cell disease.

Weird, my first reaction was confusion, second relief because I was white. (Most of the cases we are familiar with are within the African American community, however, the Mediterranean areas also have the gene and my mom is Greek.) So when I mentioned to the woman on the phone I was White, she put me on hold. As my face flushed and I giggled nervously I immediately began to Google the disease. It appears it is totally possible for me to be a carrier and as long as Todd is not we have no chance of our child getting the disease. If he is, we have a 25% change I think.

From http://sicklecelldisease.org/about_scd/index.phtml
If one parent has Sickle Cell Anemia and the other is Normal, all of the children will have sickle cell trait.
If one parent has Sickle Cell Anemia and the other has Sickle Cell Trait, there is a 50% chance (or 1 out of 2) of having a baby with either sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait with each pregnancy.
When both parents have Sickle Cell Trait, they have a 25% chance (1 of 4) of having a baby with sickle cell disease with each pregnancy.

Sickle cell disease is a global health problem. In the United States it is estimated that over 70,000 people have sickle cell disease. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year in America.

So just pray that Todd is not a carrier, and we should be fine. What this has done is made me aware of just how scary this disease and all other potential thing we may carry are for our baby. Now more than ever, I just pray for a healthy baby.

Week 12:
As you near the end of your first trimester, your uterus, now about the size of a large grapefruit, begins to migrate from the bottom of your pelvis to a front-and-center position in your abdomen. If you're lucky, this will bring an end to one pesky early pregnancy symptom — the constant urge to urinate. Also slated to diminish somewhat now that you're on the cusp of your second trimester are some of those other early pregnancy symptoms: nausea, super-tender breasts and nipples, food aversions, fatigue. But don't look now (though — considering the symptom — maybe you should), there's a new one added to the mix: dizziness.
And guess who's to blame? Yup — it's your old friend progesterone again, which causes your blood vessels to relax and widen, increasing the flow of blood to your baby (again, good for baby), but slowing the return of blood to you (as always, not so good for mom). Less blood flow to you means lower blood pressure and reduced blood flow to your brain. All of these can contribute to that light-headed, dizzy feeling — especially when you get up too quickly — which is why slow and steady wins the race against dizziness.
Another cause of dizziness during pregnancy is low blood-sugar levels, which can occur if you're not eating regularly (so don't try to run…or even walk…on empty). And looking ahead to later in pregnancy, dizziness in the third trimester can be caused by the pressure the growing uterus places on your major blood vessels, especially when you're lying on your back.
Here's a quick tip: If you feel dizzy or faint, lie down or sit with your head lowered between your knees, take deep breaths, and loosen any tight clothing (like that button on your jeans you struggled to close in the first place). As soon as you feel a little better, get something to eat and drink.

Well where have you all been? Aw just playin. Some sad news, some good news to report. Stephen WILL graduate. He has just finished his last day of school and will be a member of the large 35 person class of 2006 Grace Academy. He walks May 6th. I couldn't be more excited. I am truly hoping that "Welcome to the Jungle" is the theme song. YESSSSSSSSS Sadly, Todd and Stephens grandmother "mama" Vara Katherine Lindsey Landreth died this week at 79 years old. Good news? We saw her Easter Sunday and had a good time. Bad news, well, it was just plain sad and a little tense while we were there. But we are truly home now and settling in. Vara was amazing. She IS amazing. What a lady and a great example of how to be a strong woman with class. Feeling ok, triscuit is good, he/she is just making a once a morning appearance, and I am feeling a TON more human. Hope you are all well. thanks for all of your support with things.

This just in Triscuit makes an appearance! Doing a handstand in the middle of the black part. . You can see his BIG head, just like mom, and little nubs forming as hands and feet. It was really cool, not all the poking and prodding, but she could see the whole umbilical cord and showed it to me, looked like a lasso.... honestly I was never one for Science but this was pretty sweet. She could also show the blood flow to the little critter and everything.

On an even better note, besides falling asleep often I am feeling a little less hung over, as long as I eat well and don't stress.

Today is my dad's 63rd birthday...... it seems like yesterday we were in Disney World, I was engaged, Hannah was not even born, and sammy was freaking out and drooling when the parade went by.... that was for his 60th. What a great trip. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD..... love you!

Entering the double digits... WEEK 10

Your baby's growth is fast and furious now. He or she is nearly an inch and a half long and the size of a prune, but not nearly as shriveled (even with all the time it spends in water). In fact, your baby is really taking a human shape now. Bones and cartilage are forming, and small indentations on the legs are developing into knees and ankles. The arms (complete with elbows) can flex already, but don't run to the store for a baseball bat just yet. Though your baby's arms are taking shape and getting stronger, each one is only about the size of this number 1. The tooth bud fairy is making her appearance this week, heralding the arrival of your baby's little choppers, which are forming under the gums. (Those pearly whites won't break through the gums until your baby is close to six months old). Other systems are go, too. Your baby's stomach is producing digestive juices, the kidneys are producing larger quantities of urine, and, if your baby's a boy, he's already producing testosterone (yikes!).

Katherine, Todd and Stephen's sister called to let me know the hammock is on sale again on ebay.... wish us luck... good looking out man... thanks

SO, a few things have gone on this marathon weekend.

We had a girls event Friday evening we made some pottery it was cool. Then I drove the girls by our new house, that is now NOT our new house, Saturday we had three showings or more on our house, and then Sunday same thing. We have felt like grand central station. Besides that, Baylor had a birthday and so did Greg so we were eating lots of junk food and having lots of good times with our friends it was nice.

However, Sunday I got a call from our realtor letting us know that although we gave the sellers what they asked for in their counter offer, they lied, kept talking to the other couple and we were the proverbial guinea pig for the offer they truly wanted. That realtor is shady, that couple is shady, and that house MUST be shady so it was not meant to be. SO, keep an eye out, we are searching for a house again.

Feeling ill, week nine, go to the Dr. Friday so I will keep you posted. I am sure it will be eventful. When asked who I wanted to see, I asked her whom the funniest doc was.... Do you think most people pick someone that way? Well, hopefully she is, because I can't do this with a serious face!

gained about 2 lbs total so far.... I bet I will look at that number and laugh next trimester! But I hate it now.

UPDATE: Becky, my friend from middle school is pregnant too! for those details, call me.

So we found a house that we loved, made an offer, but there is another offer on it now. SO.... We will have to see. We put our house on the market at about ten last evening and now someone wants to see it already, that is good right? But we still have some final touches to get done.

Went to the doctor today, for a thyroid screening, he gave me a different vitamin sighting it as a potential reason for my sickness. Lets hope that is it. I did however throw up in their parking lot because the pharmacist insisted on telling me about her pregnancy about 50 years ago while I paced and smiled hoping to make it out the door. This is all to reminiscent of my freshmen year in college with hang overs and taking tests! UGH payback man, God does have a sense of humor.

Henry (todd's dad) came to town and he we had dinner, he drove by the home we were hoping for. We went to dinner and at the end when we were all saying good bye he rubbed my belly.. WHOA... I am not sure I would ever be ready for that from anyone, and for some reason, men love the thought.... if I had a six pack maybe, but the wiggle/jiggle doesn't promote phrases like "Please touch my belly unsolicited" or "HEY! wanna see what a fat belly feels like? "

Today starts approximately week Nine....

HA the joy returns. I forget that I haven't told everyone yet. So today when I was explaining to someone I work with occasionally that I was slack and felt ill, and why... Here is what I got!

HOLY S ---!! Congratulations!!! How many months?? HA that was great.

The other offer I got today was from Amy's dad who will be the sub-grandfather. He offered to cancel out some business debt for the baby.... Unfortunately, I don't think that is an option for either of us, so we will just have him babysit! isn't that the same?

Wes Amy's brother suggested COUGAR for the name... Nice huh ROAR! Ha. Today is ok, starting to feel human after about 5 rough hours, but enjoying this little window.

We are going to check out some homes in a few hours. Wish us luck.

So i was outbid... Outbid on the coolest little thing. It is called the Amby Hammock. It is this hammock for babies that they can use it instead of a crib. Makes them feel like they are still in utero AND if they are colic-e or anything it helps. Check it out... and let me know if you see one on E bay. www.ambybaby.com as well, it turns into a bouncer for them..... very cool.

Week 8 and its not that great!

Well, unfortunately I appear to be following in my sisters footsteps. Usually not a bad course, but for now the sickness would be something I could have gone without. It is brutal, and so if I don't seem to be in the best mood, that is why. I get sick in the morning, and that makes brushing your teeth a true challenge, and then about 3pm, I go down again. THANK GOD I work from home, if a few hours a day counts as work... i just couldn't do it any other way.

You can all leave comments to, so feel free... that way I won't feel like I am talking to myself. Have any questions? Let me know. Also, name suggestions are taken here. Good luck.

Bodily Functions... the next is not for the faint of heart.

So today a few normal things happened and some things that are not so normal happened as well.

I woke up and after yesterday going well, I thought.... Cereal that is the trick! I will eat it just after I brush my teeth. SO.... I got up, feeling bad because I have a cold but don't know what, if anything I can take. After the left nostril finally woke up and allowed me to breathe again, I grabbed my toothbrush, began that morning ritual... Unfortunately for me I somehow got a hair in my mouth. Normally, this would not please me, but I would go on, however with a great rush of panic a scrambled to get the hair off my tongue and into the sink, but since I was already foaming at the mouth that was all she wrote. Living on the border of getting sick most moments lately, that was the proverbial straw or hair in this case that broke the back of this camel. So I throw up, not a big deal right? WEELLLLL, that made me sick to my stomach in another way and then that smell in turn made me gag and throw up again. You know it is bad when you make yourself sick! So there I am, in such a position that allows for only magiver to succeed. The rest as we shall say is history. Dirty diapers just don't scare me at this point, at least Triscuit will be wearing one if he spits up!

On another note I got my blue cross card today so I am going to be able to go see how Triscuit is holding up. April 14th is my appointment. As well, I am totally a sucker for instant gratification, such a thing is not possible in a 9 month pregnancy, so that is why I am sure some man or woman invented http://www.fetalfotosusa.com me. So at 17 weeks I can get a picture of the little person in time to be able to give them a proper name. ( not that Triscuit may not make the cut) I have officially added it to my wish list!

nothing new on the house yet.... wish us luck. Shout out to the teen girls for being so supportive.

Love , Moe

I got to tell some more friends today about the baby. It is really interesting to hear about what they think, if they are as surprised as I was etc. The thing that gets to me sometimes is that I wonder what really was their initial thought. Was it "OH NO! Emily has reproduced?!" or "Poor little kid... " or was it " Man, Todd is in for nine months of a mess!"

In any event everyone has been very encouraging and so far, it does not appear that anyone has had the nerve to ask what we were thinking etc! SO thanks friends.

Moving.... it appears we are going to have to do more than just widen our waistlines, we need another room. We need a fourth room, as I currently work from home, Stephen has a room, Todd and I have a room, and can you believe that Triscuit has requested a place to sleep other than in utero.... so we are looking to find this house only with one more room.

I love this house.

On the Road again........................


So we loaded up the truck and headed to my Mom's. We took the Titan from Charlotte, to Southern Illinois in order to bring back some furniture my mom wanted us to have. One of the coolest things was the recliner... NOW LADIES before you let out that collective sigh this one has a story. The recliner was Jim's. He died a year ago last Christmas and the coolest photo I have of him toward the end was him in that recliner with Hannah my niece. He just looked at her, and she didn't know he was sick she just looked right back and gurgled and cooed and made him smile. It was great. So now, I have it, and in some way I hope that recliner helps our baby feel a little like Hannah did.

On another note, the ten hour trip wasn't that sweet for a girl who feels like she has had one too many margaritas without the chips and salsa. I just felt crappy so luckily I have the ability to put myself into a sleep coma in a car that took care of most of the ride there. We got in about 3 am Friday morning and I was up at 6. Something about this little buddy wants to make me a morning person.

Uncle chuck came over and that was great. We had dinner out, not that I wanted any but it was fun to see he and mom enjoy good food, wine and talk about becoming the snoop sisters. As well, in order to include Stephen in things they started telling embarrassing moments about me, and there are tons.

Finally back home last night it was great to be here. I just wanted to be still. Funny, after ten hours in a car home to just want to sit, but to be able to stretch out was nice. As well, we got to Nuggle with Nala. She was glad we were home.

That is all for now. Until the next upchuck.. I mean update.

Got a great email from my Cousin Liz. Not sure if you all know this but there have been a lot of little cousins born this year or made at least. First Leslie had Lilly, (might I mentions she did not come easily at 11lbs.) Then Mike had Maya, then Mark had Oscar (he came early) and Liz is due in June, and then me in November... Not bad huh? I bet Grandma Gordon, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Pat are all laughing at the progress. I will be the "youngest" parent 31/32 ... and my dad is still trying to imagine how it is possible his little girl is going to be a mom... me too POP POP me too.

I hope that all of these babies eventually get to hang out like we all did. We had great times learning to swim, or eat sand, and play speed solitaire. I hope the DON'T break bones like Kate and I did before most of these events!

Feeling like I had one too many margaritas last night... without the fun or fuzzy memory or having gotten to drink any of them... ahh love this stage....

For the curious side of you, below is from one of the millions of websites about babies. I am in week Six until approximately Thursday... here is what is says.

WEEK 6 of the baby

Your Baby's Development

This is a week of major developments as organs and parts of the body begin to take shape. Will your baby's eyes be brown, blue, green or hazel? It's much too early to know, but by week six the eyes are beginning to develop, and the earliest version of the retina is forming. Because the internal organs and limbs are in such an early stage of development, the embryo is very sensitive to any drugs, viruses or bacteria that might get past the placental barrier. Most birth defects begin between weeks four and eight of development (six to 10 weeks of pregnancy). Halfway through this week, the embryo will make her first movements, but you'll have to wait until your second trimester before you can actually feel your baby's wiggles. She's still very tiny…only about the size of a kidney bean, but this is a big week for your baby.

So many things are happening now!

• The neural tube, which connects the brain and spinal cord, will close this week. This is good news, because when the neural tube closes, baby is much less likely to develop brain or spine defects like spina bifida.

• The heart — still located on the outside of the body — is dividing into chambers and will find a more regular rhythm soon.

• Upper and lower limb buds are forming on the body and will eventually develop into arms and legs.

• The brain begins to fill Baby's tiny skull.

• The larynx and inner ear starts to form.

• Below the opening that will later form your baby's mouth are small folds where the neck and the lower jaw will eventually develop.

• Facial features are already forming as nostrils become distinct.

• Kidney, liver, pancreas, lungs, stomach, and intestines are developing, and the appendix is in place.

• The pituitary gland and muscle fibers are forming.

• The lining of the placenta begins developing.


WHEW i feel tired just reading all that.

Let the games begin....

Today began the first bout of morning sickness... heck lets be honest, isn't it really all day? So far no good. I don't appreciate it. I think that Kate felt the worst because I was talking to her and all of a sudden I interrup, (ok that is not that uncommon) and I had to go... UGH. And please PLEASE don't tell me to eat a cracker. It doesn't matter if you eat it, a steak or anything else, it just is the way we do things in the Gordon family.

wataweekend!



I spent this weekend without Todd and Stephen. They were in Atlanta with their dad on a some race track. What an adventure. While they were gone I was accompanied but a myriad of ladies to ensure I wouldn't be lonely. I had Team Chu at the house. It was cute. All of them are 16-18 years old and had dates on Friday and they trickled in between 8-10. Some with dates in tow. We watched the Goonies, and ate popcorn and I of course, fell asleep. So the boys left and I went to bed. About 2 am Nala ( our fearless nuggler) was in bed with me and started this fierce growl. Kristina was coming to sleep in my room and she was not sure about that! So we were once again assured we have protective animals in this house. It was great... kristina and I talked for about an hour and then we just passed out... Hopefully our child will want to do that sometime when I am like 500 years old to them! Will DVD's even exist to watch? Or will they be the 8 track of their childhood? Will their friends want to hang out here and watch a movie or is that just not going to be cool at all?

Saturday Team Chu headed to Mooresville to go to Rachel Chu's lacrosse game, we had fun, but they lost.

We came home, I rested momentarily and then began to prepare the house for dinner for 8 (aspen chicken, homeade mac and cheese and salad) and then a sleepover for 15 or so. SO... I started cooking about 5 and was done finally in the kitchen about 10pm.... The girls had a good time, and then about 7 am I started the waking process for church .... Needless to say, 2 bathrooms and about 10 girls... NOT BIG ENOUGH.

By Sunday I was so tired, Todd and Stephen came home and tried to show me their video of the race and I slept for about 2 hours.. PASSED OUT....

No one told me about the CRAZY dreams you have. Maybe it is because you sleep so hard you actually dream, or because junior is in there like the wizard of Oz pressing all the bells and whistles to get your attention! Either way, last night I was getting divorced, in some kind of version of Harry Potter and we were loosing our biggest client... I hope we start to get good dreams soon...

Mark (couzin mark) just emailed me, he knows too. To all of the Cousins... I didn't send out an email or anything because Dad said to wait... See what happens? Moe

The cats out of the bag!

Even though we are still in that really sketchy, not sure if everything will be ok phase... Todd Hopkins is shouting it to everyone he can. He is really excited. I got a call from someone at his work that said he was telling everyone about being a dad. Guess the secrets out.

He even mentioned in his prayers how happy he was and grateful that God has given us this gift. So, yes we are pregnant, and it is really early on so please keep the positive vibes coming and in about another 6 weeks we will be over the first trimester.

My friend Kate from Leeds, England is studying to be a midwife. She had some interesting things to say about the cultural differenced between The states and England. She mentioned our medical approach to birth and I say HECK YES. Every time I get scared about delivering I praise the medical profession for coming up with the epidural, but there is a twinge that concerns me in terms of its prolonging labor etc. However, sanity sets back in and then I go IF it is going to take a long time, I may as well be high right? ( I know, I know, not nice talk from a future mama)

On a sad note we had to remove Grace from our house after she was aggressive toward a child and seemed to go downhill from there. We loved her, she was a great dog. No more wiggles, jiggles or show me your teeth....

zzzzzzzzzzz........
So I was unaware that finishing sentences and staying awake at my desk were concepts that the non-pregnant take for granted. I have been told that in a few weeks this will be better, but for now not so great. I continue to repeat myself and forget what I was doing but since I suffer from some severe ADD it is no problem, people just think I am off the meds.

Secrets out!
Some of the south girls (the teens in my church group) found the pre natal vitamins on my desk and the secret is out! Deirdre was my favorite reaction so far. She was so fun on the phone and truly joyful about things. HA so fun to see how people react.

Katherine called (Todd's younger sister) she is called Tanti by RJ and Caroline, Lindsey's kids (todd's older sister). So that will be her name I guess again.

She got her arm cast off today after her snowboarding incident. I think it weighed as much as seh does. She was excited too! This is great, it is like being on the parade float and getting to wave at all your friends and they are smiling and waving right back. "Hey Girl!"

thanks to all of you for being so sweet. It helps keep us positive and calm.

Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles...... Wow there are a lot of people to tell that they are going on a journey with us. Triscuit has just been in our lives for 5 days and already we are telling people about their new titles. Aunt Kate, Uncle Matt, Uncle Stephen...HA! I just realized this is the first time Kate and Matt get to be the Aunt and Uncle and not the parent! Welcome to what my comfort level is. Aunt is fun, you get to stop in, buy some stuff and laugh as the kid throws food at the dog. Mom, well, from what I can see it is going to be a lot more than anyone bargained for on this side of things. But I am sure with all of the help we will be just fine.
Lou was cute, Gran is her designated title, and she wants to know what sex it will be so she knows how to start Smocking appropriately. Wow, think of all of the little outfits...

Mom was cool about things, she is excited and I assume PINK will make a debut as soon as the labor pains begin. But she has already gone to the baby stuff store and started crying, while listening to some kid throw a fit like I used to... That phrase is beginning to haunt me... Truly payback is something to contend with. And with Todd and I as parents, "HOLD ON"

Dad was funny, I assume he is gramps and suze is grammy suze. She left the cutest message, she asked me if I forgot what happens when you "do the wild thang" HA that is a good one.
Side note, she has this receipt with a list of things that I wanted when I got older, and I said a boy with curly hair named Ben.... So time will tell.

Walked the dogs today, had a great time, Uncle Stephen (US) went with me. He and Todd are being so great, they even make sure I get my rest etc. WOW I feel like princess, (that may or may not have been run over with a truck when I get tired).... And this is just the beginning.

That is it for now, should head out to find a Dr. This week. Wish us luck.

Today we got the third test...Amy and I. It was funny, it was as if I was not sure the equate brand would, so I had to get the next thing... the $15.-- digital read out, red rider bb gun of pregnancy tests, and before I could even finish flushing the toilet it was flashing PREGNANT. I think if I had paid more money the only thing that could have been more conclusive would have been for an arm to reach out and slap me across the face and say... how many do you need, you are indeed pregnant you silly little girl! HA

So this morning after worrying to death about what everyone would say, I told Todd. I had read online about all the cute ways to tell someone they are going to be a dad. But I wimped out and waited for his weakest time, the early morning. I got to look into his half opened eyes and say, i took a test and it was positive. After he recovered he fell asleep for awhile more. I think more he was just trying to process. But then as he was leaving he did the cutest thing, he said "Bye baby", like he does on most days, and then popped back around the corner to say "bye babies!" so cute.

So i also got to start to tell people, since my business partner Amy can't stand the secret. By the time I had gotten to her this morning she had told her boyfriend, her roomate, her mama, and then made me tell Brian. So the first person other than Todd I told outloud was Brian. He was like great, i think... right?! HA i don't know if it is great, it just is. And I am sure it will be great, but for know it is just filling me with about 100 questions.

So in these early stages who do you tell? If you are reading this, i guess you!

Amy has decided to nickname the baby Triscut, and let the name game begin. She is so excited, to dress it, to name it, to plan for the shower, that no doubt will include drinking games.... She has really helped me adjust to the fact that I am indeed moving into a whole other realm, and yes, unfortunately back up the scale after just loosing weight. But at least I am not starting where I was last August.

Kate was awesome, she was happy and surprised and did a perfect thing in wrapping it all up with some older sister wisdom. She was really comforting to talk to, and I am excited to have her to chat with as this roller coaster takes off. ( besides, who else better to have already read every book and that can just give me the spark notes versions! thanks kate)

so now, we seek insurance, a dr. and to tell the rest of the Granparents.... (what do we call all of them?) Submit your requests~!

The next generation

So what is a girl to do when she looks down at that white plastic stick and sees it....that plus sign that changes you from wife to mom. Weird, i have one....heck I have a step-mom, my mom, my aunt nancy was like a mom, a mother in law and sister who is a mom, some of my cousins are moms and even some of my college buddies that partied with me are moms.... but me?

Well, it appears, at least for now that this may be the way things are going... so now i just have to tell DAD.... my dad, todd he is going to be a dad, that he needs to think about himself in the whole new category. Weird.

And why is it we are shocked when we get pregnant? We were there, we all hear about it time and time again daily. Well, as Amy would say.... HOLD ON... I hope to use this to talk about the updates etc.... and if this is how you found out.... sorry, talking about this is new to me too.