CaringBridge

I have set up a CaringBridge page!

It's a way for us to share ultrasounds, pictures, and stories privately. A lot of the "journal entries" are copied posts from here, but there will be extra information and pictures posted from time-to-time. So check it out!

Go here and request the password:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/babylong

Coming Soon: Baby Bump

The bump is starting to show everyone! Right now it looks like a little plump tummy, but it's definitely growing. My jeans are starting to fit snuggly, my stomach is filling into a round bump, and I can tell a perfect baby bump is heading our way!

I don't think I've ever been this excited about outgrowing clothes and gaining weight. But I am.

Come on, baby Long! :)

Happy Healthy (Dancing) Baby!

Yesterday morning was magical. And perfect. Everything went really well at the doctor.

Our baby is perfectly healthy. He/she was up on the huge flat screen TV monitor and I just looked in awe. Yeah. I guess this is really happening. Phillip and I watched as the heart beat like crazy at 180 bpm and his/her arms moved up and down in a dancing movement. It was kind of adorable.

We were so relieved to have a baby they kept calling "perfect" at the doctor. So thankful to hear a beautiful heartbeat and see movement. Excited for what the future will hold. Ready to start the planning process to prepare for the arrival of our first-born.

That moment with Phillip was indescribable. Sharing that with the one you love more than anything is a special moment already, but to be with someone just as excited as me, and someone who is willing to sit through a doctor's appointment is even better. He was such a trooper and supports me through everything. I pretty much love him.

Thankful for our "gummy bear"! [Ultrasound tech called the baby that, so it's sticking.]

On the Eve of Ultrasound Numero Uno

Tomorrow is my first ultrasound. I am too excited and too nervous all at once.

It turns out, Phillip IS able to go to this appointment and I am so happy he won't be missing a thing. He'll get the hear the heartbeat at the same time I do. It'll be a very special moment for the two of us. I couldn't ask for a better man to be the father of my children and my husband for the rest of my life. He really is that good. Really.

I'm just hoping everything goes well tomorrow. There is that slight nervousness that something could be wrong with this raspberry I'm carrying. I'm praying everything is perfect and also for a great moment for our new little family.

I'll let you know how tomorrow goes. However, I will not be posting ultrasound pictures. Sorry followers. I decided a long time ago that when Phillip and I have a family (which is now) that our lives wouldn't be chronicled heavily online via pictures. It's a soap box of mine. I don't want our kids growing up to find these permanent pictures of them plastered online without their say-so.

Therefore, no ultrasound picture and future in-person pictures will be limited. Reach my by email if you want pictures. I'll be glad to send some!

8 Weeks ALREADY!?

Today marks 8 weeks. Can you believe how fast the time has gone!?

Baby Long

Week: 8

Size: Raspberry

Important Developments: Webbed Fingers and Toes, Breathing Tubes, Transparent Eyelids

Noticeable Symptoms: Nausea, Loss of Appetite, Smell

Better Late Than Never!

Sorry readers! It's been difficult to get motivated to get these pictures done. As you can see, there hasn't been much change. BUT. All of this is in preparation for that baby bump that should start forming any day now!

We Are Buying a House!

We have been pre-approved to purchase our first home! We are too excited about this!!!

So house hunting will begin whenever we are ready. We'll have to find a realtor and start looking. Ideally, this timeline will be perfect and we will be able to move into our newly purchased home in early May. That would give us time to do any minor renovations/painting before moving in and allow us to move in gradually afterward. Plus, our lease ends at the end of June so paying for two places for one or two months sounds better than three or four.

Where at? We are looking within a good area of Phillip's new job and our parents in Bedford. So somewhere in the north center of the metroplex would be great.

We'll keep you updated!

7 Week Blueberry

I promise, the belly photos will be coming soon. I have to edit them and make them all fancy and stuff.

Baby Long is officially a blueberry now - doubling in size from last week! Crazy how fast we're moving now. I mean, I'm sure there has been more growth that doubling in the past, but now having a visual makes it seem like so much more.

I am SO ready for the ultrasound a week from this coming Tuesday. It feels like I've been waiting for it forever. I want to hear the heart beat. I want a picture of the baby. I want to know that we've passed the risky part of the pregnancy.

Baby Long

Week: 7

Size: Blueberry

Important Developments: Appendix, Liver, Arms and Legs

Noticeable Symptoms: Nausea, Cravings

Stay-Cation

Tomorrow, Phillip and I are vacationing in Dallas. Not too far from where we live, but still a trip we will enjoy. It will be our way of getting away for a bit before Phillip starts his new job. It'll also be our valentines celebration.

Tomorrow we venture to the aloft hotel in Dallas (the same one we spent our wedding night in) for two nights. Tomorrow night we're heading to the Mavs game and Tuesday we are checking out the new Perot museum. Sounds like just the right amount of entertainment and relaxation.

I am also looking forward to the la k of technology ahead. I love being "unplugged" with my husband! It is definitely needed from time to time.

The Nausea and the Pea

You read that right. Not "The Princess and the Pea" but "The Nausea and the Pea."

Today I am officially 6 weeks along. Our baby is the size of a pea this week. And hellooooo morning sickness. It hit me like a ton of bricks Wednesday night and hasn't fully let up since. I have breaks here and there, but then it returns. Woohoo.

My saving grace has been Quaker Oats Real Medleys Oatmeal (seriously, you should try it), ginger snaps, my incredible prenatal vitamin that doesn't upset my stomach a bit, and endless bubble baths. Oh! And the fact that the pharmacist told me I can be taking TWICE the amount of antacid I've been taking. Hallelujah!

Phillip has been really sweet to me too. He has pretty much taken over the care of our Murphy because I'm either too tired or he is too rambunctious for me to handle. He is also really patient with my incredible mood swings - never once calling them mood swings. I mean, he took some serious abuse when he didn't answer his phone the first time I called the other day. Seriously, Ashley? Seriously!?

And now it's just about time to enjoy the weekend. Phillip is taking a CHL class tomorrow (yikes!) and I plan on doing even more relaxing. Maybe I'll even clean. Maybe.

Monday I start grad school classes and I'm already overwhelmed just by looking at the syllabi. But it'll be a whole lot of fun.

Baby Long

Week: 6

Size: Pea

Important Developments: The heart is beating and the features are really starting to develop!

Noticeable Symptoms: Nausea, Back Pain, Mood Swings, Smell

Belly Picture coming soon!

P.S. I seriously get nauseous looking at that picture.

5 Weeks

Today I started my "belly shots." I know it's kind of early since the baby bump won't show up until about week 8. But I wanted to start early... especially since I'm feeling the pre-baby-bump-bloat coming on. I can tell I'm retaining water and this extra resident is making me feel more bloated every day.

So here we go!

He Got A JOB!!!

Phillip was just offered a job this morning and will be accepting it! He starts in 2 weeks!

He will be working for a company called ITC (Insurance Technologies Corporation as a customer service analyst-ish. The official job title will come with the formal offer letter this afternoon.

So excited for him!!! You have NO idea! We've been waiting for this for a year and we are THRILLED!

Now to start thinking about relocating to somewhere between Carrollton and Bedford....

I am so excited for my wonderful husband. He deserves this more than anyone. Job hunting has taken its toll on him and now he can finally relax and build his career up.

So blessed. :)

Apple Seed

Today, our baby is the size of an apple seed! Can you believe it!? Already growing way too fast. Hehe.

Yesterday we took some "pregnancy announcement" pictures. We're probably not going to do an official announcement but I wanted them as a keepsake for this time and to remember us before the bump and subsequent bundle of joy. Here are some of my favorites!

What do you think!? I thought they turned out great! There are probably about 15 others I love too! Heather did such a great job with the camera and helping us pose correctly. Thanks!

P.S. Phillip had a job interview this morning!

Baby Long

Week: 5

Size: Apple Seed

Important Developments: Umbilical Cord

Noticeable Symptoms: Smell, Mood Swings

One Year Anniversary

Today I have officially been in my current job for one year. Happy anniversary!!

This job came at the best moment and has changed my life for the better. I truly love what I do and I get to make a difference in the world every single day.

This company took a chance with me - fresh out of school, young, and burnt out from the post-grad-can't-get-my-dream-job-so-I'm-working-at-a-bank-to-make-ends-meet job. I am so thankful!

My Accomplishments: (Ok. I know this is conceited but I wanted to pat myself on the back a bit.)

• I have personally been responsible for 2000 students in Texas being screened.
• As a result of my initiative, we now have our first district that purchased machines and is paying for their students to be screened.
• Two adults in a school district in North Texas were flagged for serious heart conditions - one spent that weekend in the hospital.
• Two FC Dallas players came out to support us and show students how "cool" and painless the process was.
• I screened almost an entire town in east Texas because they needed it.
• I caught a rare Long QT person. You have to screen them at the precise second they are having symptoms.
• I spoke with the mayor of Arlington, a room full of skeptical athletic trainers, a TEA big-whig counsel meeting, and held my own during an interview with the newspaper.
• I found a student with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome who had an inpatient hospital procedure.

I have grown so much this year - professionally and personally. I have pushed my limits and done things I thought I couldn't. I conquered those times I had a ball of nerves in my stomach while my legs tried to run the other way. Situations were uncomfortable, scary, and overwhelming at times, but I did it. I mastered "small talk" to new people, sharpened my memory skills, improved my work ethic (as though that were even possible to do), realized some big dreams of mine, and so much more.

Cheers to starting a new year with them and hopefully making a difference in more lives!

NYE in Argyle

Happy New Year everyone!

We stayed up just until it was officially 2013, our time. Then, like the old people we are, we drifted off to bed. It was relaxed and I loved it. We watched TV, hung out with our puppy dog, and enjoyed the night.

Our very own New Year's ball!! Phillip's parents gave it to us last year so we could carry on their family's tradition of dropping their own ball at midnight. Last night, since it was our first NYE alone, we did just that. Happy New Year!

Phillip and Murphy snuggling on the love seat while I took up the entire couch.

I love my life! This time next year, we will be playing with a baby at the same time. What an exciting and eventful year ahead - for us and our families and friends. 2013, despite its number, will be a lucky year for a lot of people. Ready to get this 2K13 party started!