Our Friday Night

We had fun plans for Friday. We were meeting a bunch of friends for a joint birthday celebrating in Addison. It was hibachi and Phillip was going to try some new things. We were pretty excited. We found the place, drove out there, and right as we were pulling into the parking lot...

We got rear-ended by a 1989 Jeep with a steel grate - while the driver was looking in the back seat at his baby. Phillip's car might be totaled (we'll find out something Monday). Everyone who could speak for themselves was fine, but when I called my after-hours doctor to see if we needed to go to CareNow, they said we needed to head to the Emergency Room. So off we went, chauffeured by Josh and Christina (love them for helping so much and skipping the dinner too)!!

4 hours after the car accident, we heard our little one's heart beat and were discharged. They did a physical exam and said everything seemed fine but to look for certain symptoms. No worries, I haven't seen those at all. I'm thinking we're in the clear and waiting for this week to follow up with my doctor.

That anterior placenta of mine gave us trouble again, though. Luckily my sweet friend Brenda mentioned that last time they frantically searched for a heart beat a few weeks ago at the doctor, that it wouldn't be the last time. Apparently a hard-to-locate heart beat is the norm for this "condition." So when it took the nurse about 15 minutes to find a heart beat, we were slightly worried, but not as terrified if we hadn't known it was normal for it to be elusive.

Basically, we are fine, baby is fine, and we're about to embark on the miserable journey of insurance issues. Luckily the guy who hit us was nice, and was covered by insurance. That certainly makes things much easier.

P.S. Happy birthday Evan, Danielle, and Patrick!

Meet Mixie!!!

Hello everyone! I come with wonderful news!!!

See that video up there? Yes. Watch it. It's only a minute long. Well, THAT is the bottle we would love to fill our cabinets with. It would allow us to use powdered formula (cheaper than liquid) and we'd be able to fix bottles ahead of time.

The two problems? One, they run about $20 each. Yes. They are certainly proud of their product - for good reason. And two, there is only one store in north Texas that carries them - or buy them on Amazon. But this bottle would be so worth it.

So what's the wonderful news? I entered a contest through Tori Spelling's blog (thanks to Heather for telling me about it) and we won!! We get a free one of these! Every little bit counts!!

P.S. If you're wondering what to buy us this far in advance, please consider this. This product would last us FOREVER and be a lifesaver in more ways than one. My only suggestion? Don't waste money on the 4 oz bottles the baby will outgrow faster... the 8 oz. bottles can be filled with less formula and less water to achieve the 4 oz. size. :)

Hooray for winning contests!!

April 23rd

Circle that date in your calendars, y'all. It's the day. The day we find out if we are having a boy or a girl. The day our lives change - even more - forever. A name will be set. A personality will start forming even more. People can stop calling him/her "it." And we can finally register for all those cute items we keep passing up on in the stores.

Today I had another doctor's appointment. This one was quick and routine. Nothing special. No ultrasound. Only a little blood work and a quick visit. Again, the word used was "perfect" and I got to hear the little one's heartbeat again. I love that sound.

In other news... time to work on some statistics homework....

16 Weeks Pregnant (aka 4 MONTHS!!)

Well for a while there I felt like this was going to be the longest pregnancy ever. But now all of a sudden, things are going fast.

We bought our first packages of diapers yesterday. We still have quite a bit to go and tons of formula to buy, but this is a start. The diapers are so tiny and it's crazy to think they will be used by our little one. This is getting real.

Last night (technically 15 weeks), I think I felt the baby move. I know I'm not supposed to be feeling anything yet due to my anterior placenta issue, but I swear I felt something. It felt like a muscle spasm in my belly. Kind of like that bubble feeling moms talk about, but stronger. Hooray for at least something!

I am feeling great these days, though I can't seem to ever feel completely full. Always hungry. Always craving something. Still loving breakfast foods.

Next doctor's appointment is Monday. No ultrasound expected so it should just be a simple visit to hear the heartbeat again (yay!) and talk with the doctor. The next appointment at 20 weeks is the BIG one. Can't wait for that!

Baby Long

Size: Avocado

Important Developments: Still getting those joints and reflexes perfected. Small fuzzy hairs completely cover the baby and eyebrows might start forming. Oh, and the important hearing bones in the ear are forming so baby should gradually be able to start hearing me and eventually the outside world!

Noticeable Symptoms: Bubble-like movement? Hunger Starvation. Belly is refining itself.

Natalie's 11!

Alright. I was tagged by my great friend Natalie for this post. You know... the one I always steal post ideas from? Yes her. You can find her over here: Beaty and Brains with Brown Eyes

Step One: 11 Random Facts About Me
1. The only reason we don't have a cat is because Phillip is allergic.
2. I ate toast for dinner last night... and waffles for dessert.
3. I am a habitual blinker user, almost to a fault. Thanks dad. :)
4. I slice all of the corn off the cob before eating it.
5. I cannot sleep through a thunderstorm. Ever.
6. I am really bad at keeping secrets.
7. I don't like reading books.
8. I have loved Phillip since November 2004 - only 2 months after he became my boyfriend.
9. I have never seen an entire episode of The Simpsons - and I am okay with that.
10. I firmly believe Big Macs are always a good idea. In fact, I paused this entry so I could go get some. Yum!
11. I have a very weak sense of smell.

Step Two: 11 Questions from Natalie

1. What do you enjoy most about blogging?
Informing my family members what's going on in my life. I have grandparents, parents, friends, etc. who read my updates to keep in touch. They are truly why I love doing this.

2. What is your dream vacation?
If I could get over the whole I-hate-flying thing, I would love going to Europe for a few months. I want to look at everything and go everywhere at once (refer back to the I-hate-flying thing).

3. Phone call or text?
Either. If I'm driving or the other person is, definitely call. If I'm too lazy to text, definitely phone call. But if it's short and sweet, text. If it requires a voicemail, text. I hate voicemails.

4. What song(s) are you currently in love with?
Too many. I am really loving these "chill grooves" artists like Fun. and JT are putting out.

5. If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?
Invest. Invest. Invest. I would buy a modestly priced house (and fill it), pay off our current cars, pay off student loans, buy friends/loved ones their necessities, fill our checking and savings accounts, and then put the rest away into retirement/college savings accounts.

6. What is your favorite book or movie?
My favorite book of all time (which is big, considering I'm not an avid reader) is PS I Love You. I read it in 9th grade, before the movie was even a concept. And yes, I would change a whole bunch of things about the movie. Specifically Hilary Swank. Don't. Even. Get. Me. Started.

7. What is one thing you can NEVER leave home without?
Besides phone, wallet, etc. my current necessity is my morning sickness meds - Zofran. It is truly a miracle drug and I never know when I need to take one to cure my nausea.

8. What 4 words would you use to describe yourself?
Organized. Driven. Passionate. Compassionate.

9. What is your biggest pet peeve?
I have a lot. But my biggest one is morning breath. It's the first thing I do when I wake up and it should be yours too. Food/drinks don't mask it. Brush those teeth before you even open your mouth. Oh and I can definitely smell it through noses too - so none of that closed mouth yawning business.

10. What is your favorite post or most viewed post to date?
The one in which I announced we are expecting our first baby. My favorite post AND most viewed out of the 657 I have written. Linked here: "Guess what readers!?"

11. Would you rather be famous for the rest of your life or be the best friend of someone famous?
Definitely the best friend. You get all the perks but can hide away and still go out in public.

Step Three: 11 4 Bloggers I Now Tag
A Blog of Ramblings: The Nonsensical Thoughts of a Woman Gone Bored
Real Wives of La Vernia
The Speech Path
Simply Single

Step Four: 11 Questions for My Nominees
1. What kitchen appliance could you not live without?
2. What is your favorite TV series of all time?
3. What three wishes would you use if you had a magic genie?
4. What is the best part of a sunny day?
5. What is your favorite condiment?
6. What decade do you feel like you really should have been born in?
7. What is your biggest vice or guilty pleasure?
8. What do you love most about your current job?
9. Given the opportunity, would you travel to space for a weekend vacation?
10. What is your favorite dessert?
11. If you could buy any single item in the world, regardless of price, what would you buy?

Apple/Orange/Avocado/Hand/Whatever Long at 15 Weeks (AKA Longest Pregnancy EVER)

I think it's just short of a miracle that I am posting on the exact day I'm turning 15 weeks along. It's been a while.

Oh and in case you haven't noticed, when I am lazy (er, I mean behind) in posting belly pics, I'm going to start going back to posts and attaching the picture instead of using up another post to showcase my recent bout of lazy. For example, if you go back to my 14 week post, you'll see the picture I went back and attached earlier this week. So as of right now, since I'm currently still in my PJs showing down on a cinnamon roll and sipping on a cup of coffee while surfing Pinterest, I won't have a picture right this second for you - unless you like crumbs, bed head, and glasses Ashley. Come back to this post later for the pictures.

I have also updated my progression pictures. Again, go back to the 14 week post.

Baby Long

Size: A large apple! Size gets a little tricky at this time. Like I previously alluded to, websites don't agree right now. And I'm finding that measurements don't always agree with the fruit/object size either. For instance, how often have you found a 4+ inch large apple? Some say orange at this point too. And apparently between now and next week, the baby is growing in weight but not length... So next week's avocado is supposedly the same size as an apple? I'm not buying it. Basically, the baby is 4 inches head-to-rump and has leg length to add to that measurement. I would say probably more like the length of a woman's hand? Sure. Let's go with that.

Important Developments: Reflexes! Baby is now fully moving all joints, can squint, and suck their thumb! I won't be able to feel it until at least 24 weeks** (you'll hear me lament my unending sadness at this fact until week 24....) but he/she is moving like crazy.

Noticeable Symptoms: Starting to toss and turn a lot in my sleep. I can't seem to get comfortable so I'm afraid the long deep sleeping nights are over until the baby turns 14 years old. My pillow is helping but is no miracle cure. My back hurts a whole lot and I feel like my belly is literally growing every day.

** OVER-SHARE WARNING: In case I didn't fully explain in previous posts, I can now. I have what the doctor calls an "anterior placenta." I told you... over-share. Quit reading at this point if you'd like. It means that when our gummy bear decided to become a reality, the placenta anchored itself in the front of my belly, instead of the back like in most pregnancies. I was assured this is not anything to worry about medically. The only negative they really find is that there is pretty much no way I will be able to feel him/her until around 24 weeks at least. While I'm glad they told me this so I wouldn't be freaking out by 20 weeks, I am a little bummed. Most moms will feel something by 20 weeks or so and really feel kicks by 22ish weeks. Not me. This is also the reason why the baby's heart rate is harder to hear on a monitor (like last time when they freaked me out at the doctor because the nurse couldn't find anything).

Sometimes Being a Grown-Up is Hard

And no fun. Like lately when we look at our finances. House down payment is going to be expensive. Baby is going to be expensive on so many levels. Doctor bills are expensive. Everything is expensive. And did I mention that instead of getting a nice fat tax refund we were counting on, we had to pay!?

As we look at our expenses, we wonder how we can keep from eating into our savings without depleting our down payment budget. It is hard. There is hardly any way we can get away with not using up at least some of it for all the expenses we have piling up.

So we may have to make a really difficult decision. I'm afraid it's look like we won't be buying a house right now, after all. It's sad, but when it comes to our family, we have to make the best decision for ourselves and our little one on the way.

You see, putting down thousands on a house, thousands for the doctor, and thousands for the hospital all within 3 months really freaks me out. One small glitch in our plan (which there always is) and we could be in serious trouble. So unfortunately, we will need to spend our down payment elsewhere.

It isn't our favorite plan, but it's going to have to work. We are going to have to rent a house for another year and hope next year we can manage it. We'll still be moving closer to Phillip's job. Hopefully we'll find a great rental we can try to buy at the end of the term? Or maybe a nice rent-to-own that has a really good contract (looked over professionally by a real estate lawyer prior to signing, of course).

We'll keep you updated but I think this is going to make us breathe a sigh of relief. And now we'll have a nice bit of money to spend on baby furniture and possibly other "wants" we were having to avoid in anticipation of this summer's money crunch.

Top 10 Tuesday!!

Today I'm stealing my entry topic from my lovely friend Natalie. Go visit her blog some time to see all the neat giveaways, themes, and linking up she does!

http://beautyandbrainswithbrowneyes.blogspot.com

DAILY MUST-HAVES

1. Coffee.

I love love love my Keurig and couldn't live without it. Don't worry, my doctor says I can have caffeine in pregnancy as long as I'm having as much or more water every day - and I am. I love my doctor for embracing the "in moderation" technique - a technique I thoroughly believe in when it comes to health.

2. Songza.

I can't work without it. While I was once a Pandora fan, I have now switched. This music website lets you pick music based on mood and/or activity. Quirky titles with hilarious captions.

Currently listening to: "Happy in the '90s" (The '90s weren't just flannel and cynicism. Enjoy these fun, positive grunge-era tunes.)

All of their playlists are created by musicians, critics, DJs, and musicologists. www.songza.com

3. iPhone.

This is a given. My work line, personal line, and other things at my finger tips. I don't go anywhere without it.

4. MacBook Pro.

My company spoiled me by buying me this beautiful piece of electronics when I started this job. I was resistant to the change at the beginning but since everyone at my office uses them, the compatibility is nice. And I think after over a year later I'm finally getting the hang of it. I even heard myself saying last week, "I don't know how to use a PC anymore!"

5. Work Shoes.

Phillip bought me FC Dallas slippers for Christmas 2011 and I think I have worn them every day since. It's probably time for a new pair. Yes, they are slippers. But since I work from home, Phillip calls them my "work shoes."

6. Prenatal Vitamins.

Yep. Had to add them since I don't go a day without them now. These horse pills aren't too terrible and have a built-in anti-nausea boost. That's good since they cost a fortune.

7. Snoogle.

This is my pregnancy pillow. It looks funny and comes with about a million different ways to use it - complete with pictures. And it takes up about half the bed. But I truly can't sleep without it these days. Even when I roll around and change positions, I can find a way to still get comfortable with it.

P.S. Old school silk pajamas anyone???

8. Twitter.

Another website I use constantly - probably too much. With almost 15,500 tweets, I'd say if you wanted almost up-to-the-minute details about my life, come follow me. @ashnotshort

9. iPad.

I know this seems like a post all about Apple products, but this is a necessity too. When I need to take notes, play a fun game, or read my textbooks for school (I bought electronic versions instead of hard copies), I use my wonderful iPad. It is wonderful!

10. Cocoa Butter.

No glowing skin for this mamma. Dry winter skin is turning into dry summer skin overnight and I can't keep up. Plus, to hopefully ward off stretch marks, I pretty much just lather this stuff on all the time. My skin is awful these days! No glow in sight!!




So there they are! What are you 10 daily must-haves?

14 Weeks: Lemon Long

Feeling it this week. The nausea is all-but gone and my belly feels like it is growing every day. None of my pre-pregnancy pants fit me anymore, and even my pajama pants are trying really hard.

I've kind of been on a maternity clothes shopping spree as a result. Don't worry I haven't bought anything expensive. In fact, to give you perspective, the most expensive thing I have purchased has been a $15 pair of jeans. I'm just finding great clearance finds here and there. So I'm stocked up until the late pregnancy hugeness sets in. All these clothes will go into the maternity bin for all my friends/family members to enjoy and pass around in the future - and for me for my next pregnancy/pregnancies.

My pregnancy pillow has been sleeping with us every night now too. My back just hurts without it and soon my belly will need the extra support. I catch Phillip snuggling up to it at night too - he can't help it if it takes up half the bed and is in between us. It is a wonderful and expensive pillow.

Baby Long

Size: Lemon (3 1/2 inches long excluding 1/2 long legs!)

Important Developments: facial expressions, ultra-fine hair on the body

Noticeable Symptoms: back pain, headaches, sense of smell, appetite, faint stretch marks

Photo Updates!

Here they are!! My backlogged pictures. I need to be more consistent and on-top-of-things. The photos stay in the camera too long and then I have to produce them all at once. That just isn't fair to you readers!!!

 I will fix that formatting error before saving this one to the baby book...

BONUS PICTURE!! :)

Our Hearts Skipped a Beat

This weekend, we had a little bit of cause to worry about the safety of our little one. Some not-so-normal stuff led us to a doctor's appointment first thing Monday morning.

But don't worry readers, everything is great! The doctor was very good at making us feel like we weren't crazy but also reassured us through an exam and ultrasound that we are both back to being "perfect," as all the staff describes us.

And we got another ultrasound out of it! This should bring our total count up to 6 (without any unforeseeable complications). I've already had 3! Lots of moving and lots of kicking from the gummy bear. This baby will be active.... and will have crazy hands that are constantly moving. In all 3 ultrasounds, including the first one, the baby's arms and hands have been moving like crazy. We have already been able to count all ten fingers. Yeah.

13 Weeks

Feeling great lately! My energy is coming back, my appetite is in full-force, nausea is almost entirely gone, and my bump is showing quite nicely. I lost more weight. I have now only gained 3 pounds since starting this pregnancy... which is good, considering I gained about 7 at the beginning (hello holiday eating!).

Baby Long

Size: Medium Shrimp, 3 Inches Long (Doctor said 6cm from head-to-rump on Tuesday, to be exact). These measurements don't include the kicking legs!

Important Developments: Vocal chords are forming. The baby now has fingerprints! The digestive system is finishing its final movements. The body is starting to catch up with the head's size. Prepared for growth!

Noticeable Symptoms: Hunger, Excitement, SECOND TRIMESTER!

*Searching for a medium shrimp on google just made me a bit nauseous. I apologize for the semi-grotesque picture, but I wanted you to see the size.

Texas Independence Day!

Happy Texas Independence Day everyone!! A great way to celebrate our own unique heritage in the midst of a world bigger-than-ourselves. A day to recognize that we are strong, independent, and different in the best ways.

Yes. A day to say "y'all" and "howdy" more than usual. A day to blare country music in hopes of an early Spring. A day to eat Texas BBQ, drive on the back roads, and drink sweet tea. A day to be happy and free.

A good friend of mine posted a song that is perfect for today. It's called, "My Texas" by Josh Abbot Band, with a bit of singing by Pat Green. The lyrics are about the unique things this great state has to offer. So it got me thinking... I need a Texas bucket list!! So here it is... based on the song's lyrics, and a few extra things I think are equally as important.

	Climb Enchanted Rock.
	Drink Shiner in Luckenbach.
X	Go to the River Walk.
	Float Down the Frio river.
	Listen to Red Dirt on the Radio.
	Eat at Cooper's in Llano.
	Go to the Houston Rodeo.
	Sing "Carry On" at a Pat Green Show.
	See the sun set in Abilene.
	Catch a trout in Port Aransas.
	Listen to the words of "Corpus Christi Bay."
	See fireworks on Possum Kingdom.
X	Have a kolache in West.
	Go to the Larry Joe Taylor fest.
	Go to the Fort Worth Stock Show.
	Sing along with Cory Morrow.
	See a hill country sunset.
	Hike through Big Bend.
X	Get hair blown back by the Lubbock wind.
X	Go somewhere they call you "friend."
	Go to the San Antonio rodeo.
	Sing "Everclear" at a Creager show.
	See an El Paso sun set.
	Feel your toes in the Gulf of Mexico.
X	See the bats in Austin.
X	Spray paint a car at Cadillac Ranch.
	Tour the capital building.
	Watch Kemp's Ridley sea turtles nest on Padre Island.
X	Peer into Palo Duro Canyon.
	Swim in the nautral pool at Balmorhea State Park.
	Eat fried shrimp at King's Inn at Loyola Beach.
	Dance on the patio at Garner State park.
	Visit the Alamo.
	Visit Goliad.
	Visit San Jacinto.
	Paddle a kayak through Caddo Lake State Park.
	Drive Willow City Loop north of Fredericksburg during bluebonnet season.
X	Visit the Dublin Dr. Pepper museum.
	Tour the Blue Bell ice cream factory in Brenham.
	Soak in the Devil's River.
	Tour the space center in Houston.
X	Visit Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels.
X	Walk down 6th Street in Austin.
	Go to the State Fair.
	Visit Buddy Holly's Grave in Lubbock.

My Friends

I know I have said it time and time again, but I love my friends. As the years have gone on, I have really "narrowed" them down to the best ones of my life. They are the cream of the crop, the ones that will last me a lifetime, my kindred spirits and confidants. I love each and every one of them.

I once thought that friendships were defined by the number of years I knew them or the quantity of knowledge they had over my past and intimate thoughts. But I have learned in the past two years that isn't the case. Friends are the ones who don't need to know your innermost thoughts, your secrets, and certainly don't need to have been there through every second of it. True friends see your soul and know your core being without needing a resume. That's special. That quality is the one that is hard to find.

Someone who doesn't need to hear painful details of your past to understand every detail and emotion. Someone who can hear so much in the silence. Someone who puts you up on their shoulders in the good times, and lends a tissue during the bad. Someone whose qualities make you a better person. Someone who is a better person because of you. Someone who is worthy of the term "friend."

I have found those people. And each of them has a different quality that drives me. My best friends are, in every sense of the word, the best. [IN NO ORDER]

My Bleeding Heart: The one who has the ability to put my emotions into an outward expression - something I cannot do myself. The one who has taught me so much and continues to teach me. The one who opened my eyes to what a mutual friendship is. The one who softens my edges.

My Nurse: The one who understands my career passion. The one who gets me in so many ways without me having to explain. The one who makes me want to set more goals and accomplish them. The one who knows exactly what she wants and where she's heading.

My Clone: The one who can finish my sentences. The one that can fight so hard and love so hard with me and still remain my best friend. The one who always speaks the truth, even when I don't want to hear it. The one who knows me well enough to know when I am out-of-character.

My Reporter: The one who is realistic. The one who is never afraid to speak her mind and always brings a perspective to the table I have never considered. The one who, even living so far away, manages to remain in touch - a trait I did not know even existed. The one I always want in my corner fighting my battles with me.

My Big Sister: The one who has taught me how to be more than a sister, but a friend. The one who shows me what it's like to conquer your goals when there are huge obstacles in the way. The one who demonstrates integrity and would not compromise that for anything or anyone. The one who has taught me how to fit in with my family.

My Rock: The one who lets me bounce ideas off of her in the best ways. The one who helps me solve my problems and brings news ideas to the conversation to really make me think. The one who succeeds in everything but exhibits the traits of a humble human being. The one I can have the most intense grown-up conversations with and walk away with more clarity.

My Speech Pathologist: The one who is just as old-fashioned as me, and in most cases is even more so. The one who is so naturally beautiful inside and out. The one who knows how to keep a conversation going and always has interesting things to add to any conversation. The one who struggles but triumphs, works hard and succeeds, and shows me there is always a way to better yourself.

My Meteorologist Nurse Meteorologist Nurse: The one who can always make me smile on the toughest days. The one who reminds me that life is not always as serious as I make it. The one who makes me feel like I can be myself around her in every situation. The one who shows me that life can be fun and dreams can constantly change, but that it'll all end up the way it should in the end.