Something Completely Not Baby Related

It’s been just a year over living in Austin. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how Zachary and I were in such a state of transition, of turmoil, of pure confusion of what the next steps of our lives looked like. I was swarmed with graduate school and we eventually found jobs to where we were able to survive pay-check to pay-check. We sacrificed potential friendships and haven’t really had a chance to find a true community due to these circumstances, but we are hopeful that this will change in 2013.

We will hopefully be moving to Leander here within the next month or so and hopefully will become tied into a strong church there where we can feel as though we can serve. So much of myself is expressed through loving on others and serving others, and not having that outlet this past year has done great damage on my soul. I have had opportunities to serve in 2012, but let’s be honest; I’ve just allowed myself to be too busy to even find time. Additionally, I haven’t felt called to serve any particular person or situation thus far in the year. Everything and everyone has just felt, distant.

One of my goals next year is to have 1-2 very close-knit friends. I’m not interested in knowing lots of people and being a social butterfly and having shallow friendships at the core. I have one dear friend, Mrs. Ashley Stewart (HA! I said it right) who teaches me every time we talk about what true friendship looks like. We’ve been friends for over 12 years and I cherish her more than she knows. Perhaps this is part of growing up and realizing the differences in what friendships really are and what they can look like. This past year has really shown me who true friend really are, since they have been there for us through this weird transition period of our lives, and are still around today. We are incredibly blessed and thankful for you.

Anyway, I say this to ask for your forgiveness over Zachary and I as we have somehow found a few solid things to hang onto during 2012. We are excited about the many things that 2013 holds and we want to love with you and celebrate with you every step of the way. We are incredibly excited to have our first child and want to share memories and moments with you! Yes! You! 

2013 goals

- Buy a house
- Graduate with a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis on Non-Profit Fund Development
- Have a beautiful and lovely baby boy or girl
- Serve someone monthly
- Learn more on how to be a Godly wife for our marriage
- Love on people more. 

Now enough with this - let's have a baby already! 19 weeks. Will post on Wednesday after our 2nd centering class.

First DIY Baby Craft

There is something about rain clouds that I find extremely peaceful. Perhaps I remember when my grandmother and I used to sit on her patio and watch the storms roll by while either snapping peas or eating cookies. I also remember many rainy drives through the Ozarks and watching the beauty of the trees in the background. Perhaps also this mobile is my longing for rain that we have missed so much by living here in Austin.

Rain clouds soothe the soul, rejuvenate your spirit, and provide you with a breath of fresh air in our crazy, chaotic lives.

If you've been following my baby board on Pinterest, you'd have noticed that I pinned a variety of rain cloud mobiles to create. There wasn't a specific one that I was naturally drawn to, so instead I made a plethora of them put together into one.

I have a goal to have a majority of baby things made by the time spring semester starts. Between finishing up my last year of grad school with a capstone project and moving into a new house and then being greeted by the 3rd trimester shortly after, now seems the best time to get a lot of things done.

Hence - DIY baby project number one! Teals, yellows, greys, creams, whites. Perfection. Of course it will hang straight once positioned correctly.

 

:: yawns ::

Must. Keep. Eyes. Open.

Dearest friends, you will have to forgive  me for not calling lately, or chatting, or making social appointments and dates. It's not due to school or work, ironically enough, it's just pure exhaustion while growing this baby.

Over 1/2 of the weekend was devoted to sleeping and sadly enough I fell asleep during Everybody loves Raymond last night around 9:15 until this morning.

Apparently growing a baby is hard work and my body is t-i-r-e-d, more tired than the first trimester!

So, looks like you'll have to be the one to take some initiative in our friendships for a bit since 1-I can't remember crap and 2-I'm usually home from work and asleep on the couch. But remember that I love you and am so thankful for your friendship!

Got the fabric for the crib in the nursery ordered and all ready to make a bed skirt and a fitted sheet. Here are some inspiration pictures for our nursery, thanks to pinterest.

(17 weeks)

Happy Holidays to you all :)

Centering Groups: First Meeting

Today Zachary and I attended our first centering group at the birthing center. Centering groups is where you are placed with 5 other couples or so who are all due the same month that you are. The idea behind centering is not only to empower the mother to take more charge of her pregnancy, but to also connect moms and dads with other couples and build community throughout your pregnancy. It was incredibly exciting to meet first time moms and a lot of people our age. I can't wait for next month!

Every time you meet you are responsible for taking your own blood pressure and weight. After that you meet with the midwife to see how you are feeling, measure the uterus, and then listen to the baby's heartbeat. After that you join back with the other couples and the topic for that specific class starts. This class was focused on nutrition and exercise. At the end of every centering group there is either a birthing video or birthing story read to not leave the dad or mom blinded by the labor process. Future classes include emotional support, practicing labor, relationship roles, newborn care, etc.

I absolutely love coming here. I love hearing women talk about their positive birthing stories, how empowered they felt by the birthing center. I'm so thankful to have a place like this for my pregnancy! I firmly believe that labor is a positive experience. If you don't have a positive birthing story to share from your experience, please be respectful of my future experience.

Anyway, above you will find an audio recording of the baby's heartbeat. It's around 150 and pumping strong! Ignore the video, I was just focusing on audio. The baby is a wiggler though, took her a bit of time to get baby to keep from moving around so much to hear the heartbeat.

Zachary and I will begin reading The Birth Partner hopefully this weekend, which I am really looking forward to. 

Nothing sounds as sweet as this does. 15 weeks 1 day! :)

The 2nd Trimester Begins!

Well, the second trimester has begun, and I'm feeling a lot better than before. Thankfully a lot of the nausea and the exhaustion is starting to weaken, which is an ANSWERED PRAYER! There are of course other symtoms going on, but you don't wanna read about that ;)

I'm just gunna put it out there, don't touch the belly. Don't think about touching the belly. Don't rub the belly. Just...stay away, :) thanks!

I spoke with my dear friend Becca today who is studying to be a doula. I expressed concerns how I feel as though putting all the responsibility on Zachary to be my rock during labor might be too much for one person to handle, much less possibly a male. She recommended a great book called "The Birthing Partner" that helps speaks to doulas/spouses/supporting role people about how to be active during labor, what to expect, etc. Suppose that will be the next book on the ever growing list to read.

We start our centering classes next Wednesday. Looking forward to connecting with other moms who are due at the same time and feeling a sense of community about this pregnancy.

Anyway, little bump starting, 14 weeks! Already wearing maternity pants, since my other ones no longer fit and the bella band is rubbing/digging against my ever growing uterus. Not much to look at, but heres to the future!

Heartbeat 155 and beating strong.

Little Blessings

Dear Baby,

While Zachary and I are beyond blessed and thrilled to have you in our lives in just a few months, I have to admit at first, I was nervous. Couples talk about having children and become overjoyed with excitement when the time becomes right, but once that test reads positive, I was scared. Not that I wasn't beyond blessed and excited for you, but scared of being a parent, being a responsible adult with someone relying on them.

As the weeks passed my fear came and went until about a week ago. It was during lunch and I was warming up my chicken noodle soup in the microwave and it suddenly clicked. In a few short months you will be our beautiful child. You will be a living walking real being and not just some sonogram blur.

I became overjoyed.

Walking back to my office, I shut my door for a few moments and thanked God for you. I thanked God for my wonderful husband who I cannot wait to see as a Dad. I prayed for your future, your strength and rest. I prayed for our family, my courage, my patience.

I thank God for you and cannot wait to meet you.

From someone who already loves you,
Mom (first time typing that word)

10 and 1/2 weeks

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Last Wednesday we had our first prenatal visit and ultrasound. It was a LONG appointment, around 2 and 1/2 hours, but in the end, we got to see the lil gummy bear and hear the heartbeat. The chambers even flash red on the screen - super neat.

(Isn't this onesie just the cutest thing ever. My dear friend Ashley Davis gave it to me when  I was up for her wedding and I about cried. Thanks hormones!)

Since the ultrasound, there hasn't been a lot of planning anything going on. School has really picked up and so has work for me, Zach has been out of town, and lately I've just been extremely sleepy, tired, sick, and forgetful. However, we are reaching the end of the first trimester, and I hear that a renewed energy is brought back in the next few weeks. It better be a WHOLE lot - I'm holding out for something good. Did I mention that I left the hairdryer on and left the room the other day - came back 5 minutes later and didn't even realize what I'd done? Pha. 

Instead of doing individual prenatal classes, the birthing center offers "centering groups" which is where they partner you with 5 other couples for a one a month meeting where you have your prenatal visit and you meet other couples in the area who are due your same month. What a great idea! In addition to this, we will also be taking the Bradley birthing center courses on Thursday nights for a couple months to better prepare/inform us first time parents. This all starts in December!

"Christmas break" will be filled with reorganizing the apartment (yes, we are staying in our one bedroom apartment, more on that later), buying fabrics and sewing, hopefully gaining an idea of what kind of bottles, car seats, strollers, cribs, etc. to buy, and reading the stack of books that have piled up on my bedside table.

I can't wait to see each of you and spend time with you! Please be praying for Zach and I as we near the end of the first trimester. Please also pray over our finances and for individuals to pass down lots of handy downs for our lil one.

Be sure to subscribe! Don't forget! :) 

What's that smell?

Sorry to have neglected you!

Well, I was waiting to post an update after our first prenatal and ultra sound dating, but some dates got confused and we aren't going in for a visit until next Wednesday the 24th! M'eh. :(

Since we let you know about our pregnancy, things have been going pretty good overall. The morning sickness isn't a joke and i've been spending a lot of time on the couch - eating pei wei and watching everybody loves raymond. Good times!

We have yet to make the pregnancy public and greatly appreciate you holding your tongue :) OH - on my next update I'll be sure to post a picture of the most amazingly adorable onsie I got from one of my dear friends. For those of you who know me well - you'll understand why it is the single best onsie ever. But, another day.

Other than the sickness, hatred of smells, and extreme exhaustion - everything is going pretty good at the Honea household. We haven't been doing a lot of baby prep since we have been waiting on a dating ultrasound and such to better prepare. I suspect that "christmas break" will be the time to start getting things in order.

Anyway, we took a babymoon last week to celebrate our 4 year anniversary in good ole' Winslow, Arkansas. We spent time hiking outdoors, spending time in small towns and relaxing by a warm fireplace inside of a 1930's cabin. It was wonderful.

Take care you guys!

Welcome to our Journey!

Hello and Welcome!

Zachary and I wanted a place where we could post updates, pictures, etc. but it still be a semi-private area where only family and close friends were notified. We are excited that you will be joining us on this adventure and are blessed to have each of you in our lives.

We were never really 100% sure when to have children or how many that we wanted. I mean, come on, we've been moving around all over the place and have just settled into semi-jobs, adding a baby just seemed crazy. But, we both knew that God put something on our hearts many months ago, and it's something that we just couldn't ignore.

Zachary and I have been together for 6 years now, married for 4. About this time last year, motherly instincts began to settle and we had many conversations about expanding our family. We knew that with my thyroid disease, it could be a challenge, but we started to prepare. The transition period was a rough time, but my body got everything in order by late May of 2012. We successfully conceived after 2 months! What a blessing.

On September 15th, 2012 at 4pm we got our first positive pregnancy test - and then proceeded to get many more the coming days. A blood test was confirmed on Tuesday! We plan to give birth at the Austin Birthing Center North location with a midwife.

   
We are excited to share this journey with you and want you to know that we have absolutely NO idea how to raise a child, but, will be looking to friends and family for support, love, and strength. We ask that you keep this blog private and not post any pictures to your personal social media outlets. We do not feel comfortable showing photos of this journey freely to anyone, especially since the little one doesn't have a voice in the matter.

Here's to the next 9 months! :)