20 Weeks...Half-way There!!

It's hard to believe that we are already half-way through this pregnancy!  I can't believe how fast it has gone and I can only imagine how fast the next few months are going to go!  As you can see...my belly has definitely grown to reflect how big little Evie is.  Right now she is about the size of a banana!

Since we found out we are having a girl, it feels like we can connect with the baby so much more.  We call her by name.  We talk to her and plan for her.  We have started thinking about her nursery and even bought her a cute outfit.  Everyone in the family is excited as well!  My mom bought a beautiful coat for her and I have heard that some others have been shopping as well.  Just over four months until I can hold my little girl!

It's A Girl!!

I think I knew that it would be deep down inside.  I truly did not care either way, but I am so excited and I can't wait to meet this little girl.  I know I'm biased, but I think even her ultrasound picture is cute!

So this Evelyn Love Butler!  But I call her Evie :)

Twas the Night Before Our Ultrasound...

Remember being a kid and knowing you were going to Disneyland the next morning to experience the most magical place in the world was enough to keep you up the night before?

Or remember those long nights before Christmas waiting up to hear Santa on the roof top and to wake up on Christmas morning morning to see what was left under the tree?

That is how I feel waiting for tomorrow!  I am so excited to see out little baby on the fuzzy black and white screen.  To see how big he or she is and how different he or she looks from the little bean pictures we got at the 8 week ultrasound.  I am very excited to see if it is A BOY OR A GIRL!!!  It is so close...3:30 tomorrow afternoon.  Don't worry...I'll keep you posted!

The First Trimester: A Quick Summary

After our BFP (as many pregnant women would refer to it: BIG FAT POSTIVE) bliss was one way to describe me.  Once again my big mouth let EVERYONE know.  We were just going to tell close family and friends, but I was soon telling my friends at work and extended family as well.  Everyone was so excited they could hardly contain it as well.  I did however manage to make it to the second trimester before I told my class.

The thing I remember most about my first trimester was the EXHAUSTION!  I was soooo tired every day.  That is why I stopped running mostly.  I could hardly keep up with my day to day, but to add exercise on top of it seemed impossible.

Around week 6 I started to get sick...ALL DAY.  Week 7 I bought Sea Bands, and didn't take them off unless I was showering.  I truly believe they worked.  Wearing them, I only had a few episodes of morning sickness (that would come in the evening) where as before I had it all day, everyday! 

At 7 1/2 weeks we went for our first ultrasound and saw our little bean.  So tiny.  Fluttering away and a strong heart beat of 170 bpm!!  We left so happy and a little in shock.

At 12 1/2 weeks we heard the heart beat again.  My sister Megan got to come along.  It is the best feeling.  Kinda one of joy and relief. 

It's funny looking back now.  With how long it took to get to this point, and now that we are here...IT IS GOING SO FAST!

"Trying" for a Baby: Part 3 (The Happy Ending!)

Over the summer I was at church one day and I realized that God was speaking to me.  I opened up my heart and listened.  He said (well this is how I interpreted it) "Jami...take a breath.  You will be a mother in time, but I have plans for you still."

All year I had been praying for patience.  I prayed so hard for God to give me patience.  And what I learned was that he doesn't just give you patience, but he teaches it to you.  He doesn't just give you patience, but he gives you oppurtunities to try out your patience.

God showed me some areas of my life where I could grow.  And I also decided that there were things I wanted to do myself.  So I set some goals!

The best thing I did for myself was starting to work out.  Keith and I signed up for a 5k in November and I made us a training schedule.  In September I began working out almost everyday after work.  We would run 2 miles three times a week, and then ride our bikes and lift weights.  I was feeling great.  The best part was that I didn't feel crazy anymore.  I was enjoying my life and this new found love with my husband.

As our race was approaching, I was getting excited.  I just wanted to finish in under 45 minutes.  But about a week and a half before the race, I was LATE...I was actually a week late.  So on Wednesday, October 27, I took a pregnancy test and.....

IT WAS POSITIVE!!  So in disbelief we took a few more!  And so we began the 9 month journey.




P.S. I did run my race!  I finished in 24 minutes and ran the whole 3.1 miles.  I was so proud of myself and the hard work I put into it.  We even got medals! 

I have only ran once since...haha!