Sheila OUT of the Kitchen!

Can you believe my last post was November of 2009?

Well, I've been busy!

January 1st 2010 - HAPPY NEW YEAR! It was also this morning that my husband I woke up and found out "we" were pregnant! What a way to start the NEW YEAR! (It was this day that a huge craving for Grandma's sweet pickles started!)

Without going into too much detail - my husband and I had been waiting for this day for awhile. We had prayed for it, saved for it, dreamed about it... and now here it was! I spent the rest of the winter in hibernation mode. I got up out of bed only for the necessities and then went straight back. Most of January, February, and the first part of March are a blur. Food sounded awful. I was STARVING! But nothing sounded palatable! Except anything my mom cooked. My wonderful mother made us food often and brought it over. She made Andy his favorite meals too. Do you know how much life is easier when there is wonderful, yummy, and nutritious food already for you to heat up and enjoy in the fridge? My mom knew this and took very good care of us. (And still does!)

Soon, the grass started to poke through the frozen ground and we could see the beginnings of Spring. Hallelujah! It was a hard, cold, wet, frozen winter. I was starting to get rounder and rounder. I had found some long lost energy. Andy and I started shopping for baby furniture and making plans to turn the spare bedroom into a nursery. Now we just needed to know what color to paint. Pink or Blue?

There are two types of people in this world. Those who love surprises and those who don't. Guess which one I am? :-) I most definitely do not enjoy surprises. I'm a huge planner. I LOVE to plan. I LOVE to plan to plan. And I like to plan my back up plan! So needless to say, we opted to find out what we were having as soon as possible!

It's a BOY!!! So, let me tell you how I remember finding out: We were in the ultrasound room, and the doctor was scanning the baby and telling us how healthy and great he was doing. Then she said, "Do you want to know?" Up until this point, we were convinced we were having a girl! Everyone told us they were sure we were having a girl too. So we thought how could all these people be wrong? Clearly they SEE something in my growing belly that I can't see! So, about a week before the ultrasound, we started calling this baby a "she".

Well, the doctor pointed to the screen and pointed to this "thing." Clearly, this baby is all boy as there was no mistaking the "thing". Tears were welling up in my eyes as it was all becoming even more real. And I started immediately making plans and checklists. Blue paint, monkeys, brown curtains, tinkle teepees, the list went on and on. Andy and I got into the elevator on our way back to the car after finding out we were having a beautiful baby boy. The door closed and Andy started chanting, "IT'S A BOY! IT'S A BOY! TWO to ONE! TWO to ONE!" I smiled at him. How naive, I thought. Doesn't he realize the power of the mother? Then he wisely realized, "Your vote probably counts more than ours, huh..." Um, YEAH!

We decided to name him Adam Jones Dokulil.

It wasn't long after that Adam's flutters started turning into full fledged kicks and rolls and punches. He's an active little guy! I swear I felt my first flutter before the end of the 1st trimester. By week 15, he was getting bigger and stronger. And before I knew it, it was time for my first baby shower.

I have the most amazing church family. The women in my church are especially wonderful. They take care of everyone. And they took care of me. My pastor's wife and the church choir that I direct through me such a special shower. They had the entire room decorated with baby toys that they sent home with me. There was amazing cinnamon rolls, sticky pecan rolls, fruit, juice and we were serenaded as we ate. We played some games and then opened presents. I was so touched by the generosity of these women. I'll never forget it.

A second shower was held on June 26th at my sister in law's house. Aimee out did herself on everything from food to games to gifts and her amazing hospitality. It was a wonderful day!

Here we are now in July! I'm 8 months pregnant. We had our 32 week checkup and Baby Adam is doing great! We actually got to see his face today! For the last 15 weeks, he's had his arm, elbow, feet, legs, etc. in front of his face keeping us from getting a good look at him. Currently, he's still in breech position. Most babies have turned head down by 34 weeks. I'm not sure if Baby Adam read the manual on how to be born yet. But we're not worried!

(Can you see his eyes, and nose, and mouth and chin?)

The year is half over! Its been an amazing year full of surprises. I'm overwhelmed and humbled by God's blessings. We are so thankful and enjoying every single day.

(I MADE this! I MADE it! Go here to Andy's cousin's blog to find out how! She's got awesome tips and ideas! Plus her kids are adorable!)

This weekend is my shower/party for all my students. It's bittersweet as I will be "retiring" from teaching at the end of July to prepare for the baby and then be a stay at home mom. I'm so excited for the opportunity to spend so much time with my kiddo but I will sorely miss my students and their families.

Check back soon for more pictures and updates! I promise to do better! (Ok - I promise to TRY!)

Love,

Sheila

PS - Constant Craving: ANYTHING POTLUCK... Mmmmmm

PPS - How pregnant are we?!?! Me and my best bud - partners in crime!