24 weeks and counting

24 weeks, 2 days. Doctors say 6 months, but really it's not. It's much more like 5 months. But-whatever, they call it six. People's perceptions crack me up. Within an hour the other day someone said, "Wow, 24 weeks-that's 6 months. You're big for 6 months." I laughed and smiled. I'm not big for six months. Next person: "You're pregnant? Oh my gosh! I didn't even know. You don't even look pregnant!!" Hmm... really? I'd like to think I'm somewhere in between the two extremes. :) He's definitely growing. Packing on 6 oz a week from here on out. He kicks me all the time and almost on demand. It's funny. Most babies stop moving just when you call people over to feel. Not Josiah though. He'll be still for hours. I'll sit down, place me hands on my tummy, and start talking, and he goes crazy. I called Eddie at work the other day just to say,.."Umm... I think our baby loves me." :) That's what I like to think anyway- that he already knows and loves me. Finished school yesterday, and I'm really excited to start being able to shift my focus more to this very special little guy that's on the way. Yay! :)

Oak Glen with the Girls

Emma, Amanda, Danielle. These are awesome young women. I love these girls and I love working in youth ministry. Sometimes I wonder if I'll do something else someday, but this is what keeps me coming back!!! I love spending time with them, laughing with them, sharing life with them- seeing them grow to understand and love God in new ways. Teenage years are so important. Teenagers make decisions that shape the rest of their life. I learned God wanted all of me, not half, or part when I was 16-maybe that's why I'm still in love with youth ministry.
Found out a few weeks ago I'd have a Saturday off in April, so we planned a trip to good ol' apple town. It was fun. We pet random animals. Eddie pretended to be a peacock and challenged another male peacock because he wanted to see him spread his feathers- and it worked. Wish I had a picture of that moment...or a video. Ate at Apple Annie's- yummy. Talked a whole lot the last two weeks about eating apple pie, but none of us ate pie. Just Hot Chocolate. mmmmm :) My highlight, besides the obvious (Quality Time)- Petting the baby goats :)

21 weeks

Really 20 weeks, 5 days, but might as well call it 21 right? It's sad being far from my family while I'm pregnant. My mom called today and said she was sad she sort of felt like she was missing out being far away. Same with my big sis. So, here's another belly picture- my blog seems to be the best way to let you see the progress.
At our ultrasound a few weeks ago the tech questioned if I really knew my due date because our baby measured a week ahead of Aug 16th. I didn't think that was out of the norm, but he said for people Eddie and my size (I guess not really big people???) that I wouldn't usually measure a week ahead. Since then I pretty much have been saying I'm due the 12th instead of the 16th because it's the more accurate date anyway. It's only four days sooner, but it's sort of fun to think he may come sooner than later. We''ll see.
The baby is moving a lot these days, which is definitely the best part of pregnancy. It's such an amazing feeling. I'm feeling better overall lately, which I'm really thankful for.

Josiah it is... :)

This was an amazing day. Started off at 8:55 with Dr. Hart. Got to hear baby's heartbeat again. Ultrasound wasn't until 1245, so Eddie and I had time to kill. He went to Best Buy and dropped me off to get a pedicure. It was great. Then lunch, and back to Loma Linda. We had the most amazing ultrasound tech ever. So smart, been doing ultrasound work since 1984, and it showed. He was funny, and sweet and it was just an awesome experience. I told him, "Now when you look to see if it's a boy or girl, don't tell me. I want to say what I think it is." He laughed and put the ultrasound probe (Is that what it's called???) to my stomach. The very first thing to pop up was baby's you know what, and I shouted, "It's a boy!!!" We're excited. Eddie and I had a lot of the same thoughts as we left: Just thankful that everything looked perfect. Boy or girl didn't matter, but we did hope for healthy. I have tons to learn, Grew up in a house with 4 women and a dad.! I'm excited and look forward to having the opportunity to raise a boy... a man. Crazy. I came home to take a nap today and couldn't. My mind has been racing, but in a good way. Guess all the boy voters were right after all, including mommy. :)

17 weeks

Just another belly picture. Went from zero weight gain to packing on 8 pounds in the last 3 weeks. I started getting really hungry really fast. I feel like I need to eat a full meal like every 3 hours. I read yesterday that our baby has doubled in weight over the last 2 weeks of his/her life. I thought to myself, "No wonder, I have been starving! Baby is starting to try to pack on the pounds!! :)
We find out Thursday if baby Culin is a boy or girl. I was going to post a poll on my blog but I feel like I already know everyone's votes. My friends at work did a poll for me. Between work and family, friends, and Frontside girls- boy votes far out number girl votes. I'm not sure why so many people think it's a boy. So, a whole lot of people are going to be right, or just a few will. Excited to find out!!! :)

The next most common question...

What are you going to name him or her??? Some people keep it a secret. I've never felt like our names need to be kept top secret. I'm not really afraid of people "stealing" our name. So here it goes. There's somewhat of a story behind the boy name, but not for our girl name...

Boy: Josiah (Edward as a middle name. It's sort of up for debate still). Here's the story: We were dating. Knew we were headed towards marriage. One date night at my apartment we were talking about baby names. Eddie said, "Ive had my boy named picked out since I was 16." I said, "Funny. I've had my boy name picked out since I was 20." Long, story made short is it was the same name, and we basically had the same method for coming up with it. He was 16, and I was 20- but we had both been reading through I and II Kings, and fell in love with Josiah and His heart for God. Each of us decided, "If or when I have a son someday, that will be his name." Weird. I wondered, "does that mean we're destined to have a son someday??" It sort of seems like it. We'll see I guess.

Girl: Rebecca Love. I chose Rebecca years ago. I think when I was in High-School. Eddie likes it. It just so happens to be that everyone I meet named Rebecca is fabulous too. :) I picked Rebecca Faith. Eddie said no- if we have a girl someday her name will be Rebecca Love. I liked it. End of story :)

Basic Baby Info

I keep getting asked these questions, so I figured I'd post the answers here. I feel like there's sort of a lot to catch up on as far as posts. I've just posted basic appt info. and a few belly pics, but I haven't even done a blog just sharing my heart about the last 6 months. For now, I'm just trying to provide the basics :)

When are you due?? August 16 based on LMP. August 12th based on date of conception. Conception date is actually more accurate (obviously, right?), but I tend to just say Aug 16th for two reasons. #1) If the 12th passes and I'm still pregnant, I won't feel like the baby's late if I tell myself my due date is the 16th #2) My sweet Danielle Crowley's birthday is August 16th, so I like to think of the baby being due on her birthday. Yay!!

When do you find out the sex? Anytime after week 17 (Anytime after March 8th). My Dr. already gave me the order for the ultrasound and wrote that I can schedule our appt. anytime after week 17. So, I don't know yet. My 18 week appt is March 11th. I'm thinking I'll schedule my ultrasound for the same day, just to do it all in one day. We'll see.

What do you think the baby is? Eddie thinks girl. I have no idea. If I had to guess I'd cast my vote for boy, but there's no great reasons behind my guessing.