20 Weeks

Well, this last week has been an eventful week! It started off with our big 100 day celebration at school on Monday and went all the way till our Valentines party on Friday! It was an exhausting week with my first graders, but well worth it :) They are all so sweet, I am very fortunate to have a great group of kids and parents this year.

Friday also marked the half way point in our pregnancy, 20 weeks! I can't believe how fast it is going, very exciting and a little bit scary all at the same time. Hopefully we find out about Nate's school soon so we can start planning the near future. Everyone at school said my belly has finally "popped", it's no longer just a food baby, it's here to stay for a little while :) All and all it's been exciting changes, I've gained about 9 pounds, but haven't really noticed it in too many places it shouldn't be...This week also marked an exciting turning point, I felt the little one kick:) It's not been as frequent as I would like, but everytime it happens I have to wake up Nate and share the good news with him, it's such an amazing feeling, I absolutely love it! Things are progressing along just as they should, we are very blessed with this pregnancy.

Also this week, we found out one of my first graders has a heart condition and is in intensive care unit at the hospital. Her heart has doubled in size...the doctors are hopeful that the medicine treatment will bring it back down to normal size, but at this point there are still a lot of unanswered questions. My assistant and I went to the hospital to visit and she was very excited and in good spirits. The kids are all very concerned about their friend and have writtten lots of get well notes and cards. I will be making a trip back to the hospital tomorrow to deliver her valentines, which I know will bring a smile to her face. Please keep De'Asia in your prayers.

Other than that, Nate and I have been celebrating Valentines Day all weekend, with movies, going out to dinner, making dinner, and lots of snuggle time :) I truly do have an amazing husband, that is going to make a wonderful Daddy! Hopefully soon we will be closer to home, so we can spend more time with those we love, we are thinking about you all and hope you have a great week! Happy Valentines Day :)

Anatomy Ultrasound

We had our ultrasound yesterday, and it was absolutely breath taking! Little Chucta is growing so fast. He/she is already 9 ounces and 6 inches long! It's amazing something so little is so developed...but no meat on the bones yet :)

Our ultrasound went great! The sonographer had a student in the room with us so she got to play around for about 10-15 minutes before we had our actual scan, so we got to see our little peanut for even longer than normal. Let me tell you what, Baby Chucta is  mover and a little bit camera shy. He/She kept putting her arm over her face and was very conservative with the legs crossed. Nate said she was such a lady already....if it's a girl that is..ha :) The sonographer looked at the brain, the spine, and all the inbetween parts and everything looked great. Due to the baby moving so much and then deciding to plop on his/her tummy she couldn't get a good view of the heart so on our next visit we get another ultrasound! We did see all four chambers though when the student was checking things out so that is good news. It about killed Nate at the end of our ultrasound when the tech said that she did in fact know the sex of the baby. She says usually if the patients don't want to find out she tries not to look, but she knows what to look for and must have saw something.

Next time we get more pictures since we only got one this time :) We are also so excited that my sister will be down here for the next one so she gets to be part of the experience as well, yay! We also are going to take our new video camera with us and tape the ultrasound screen for everyone back home...We only wish you all were closer! Especially my momma! I know she would love to come with us and see her grandbaby :) So here it is, the newest picture of Baby Chucta, only an upper body shot though since we are still waiting for his/her arrival to find out if it's a boy or a girl :) Enjoy and we love you all!

18 Weeks

Well, it's that time again for some new pictures :) I feel as if I am finally starting to show a bit to the public! Some teachers at school have started to notice a little bump, which makes me excited! I know I'm crazy, who wants to get bigger right, but it's exciting when others start to notice a difference! Here is one of me, before heading to church at 17 weeks, I just look a little thicker....

And now for the 18 week pictures....Nate and I got a really nice new camera on our Walmart shopping spree, and are still experimenting with it, hoping we have it figured out in time for Baby Chucta :) So bear with us on some of the pictures as we figure out the lighting and shadows and whatnot...

We go tomorrow for our ultrasound appointment!!! Ahh we are so excited, but will be happy when it's over so we aren't tempted to find out anymore :) It's a great feeling though to see that little human being up there on the ultrasound screen, it really does take your breath away. Hopefully our doctor's office is still open with the recent ice/snow storm we got down here this weekend. Friday night into Saturday morning we got about an inch of nasty snow and sleet. Let me tell you what, the people down here DO NOT know how to handle it...Nate and I laugh because in Michigan it's such a normal every day occcurance, but down here it's a crisis! The stores are all out of everything...that is if they are open. It is already predicted we will have at least a 2 hour delay tomorrow if not closed for the whole day. They just don't have the resources down ehre to deal with it, I'm not complaining one bit :) Well...except for the fact that I'm ready for spring :)

We also have more good news, my sister booked her plane ticket to come down and visit! YAYYYYYYYYYY!!! She is planning on coming in and helping out in my classroom and I plan to take a few half days so we can get a little more extra time to hang out and who knows maybe go shopping to spoil little Baby Chucta:) Whatever we decide to do, I know it will be a good time, and we will enjoy her company. We hope you all have a great week, and we will update you soon with ultrasound pictures and news from the doctor :)

Sunday Blues

It's always a bummer how fast the weekend goes! Nate and I had a relaxing weekend , but are not ready for the week work to start. I had a short week last week, and the kids only had school for 2 days, which means this week is going to seem really long! Also we are excited for our next appointment on February 1st, so that might make it drag on ......

We get another ultrasound, this time around it's called the gender ultrasound, because of the fact that we can find out the sex, but we're still holding out strong and going to wait until little Baby Chucta makes its way into the world to find out if it's a boy or a girl. Both Nate and I have a feeling it's a girl, but with no hard evidence :) Although Nate does claim he's 95% sure. Nate also has had a grand idea, where he wants to start a pool of who can guess the sex and weight, $3, winner takes all. Haha he would :)

This week especially, we have been wishing we were closer to home, to be with my family, especially my sister, but I know it will happen soon enough! We are thinking about you and praying lots though, you're a strong girl, and we love you mucho!  We hope everyone had a good weekend, and we will update next weekend with the 18 week belly pictures :) Love you all! Have a great week!

16 Weeks

Hey All! As I promised to my sister, you will get new belly pics at least every 2 weeks :) So here it is, 16 Weeks!

I can't believe how fast time flies, it's crazy to think that soon we will be half way there! We're ready :) Haha...can you ever really be ready for a little one? We'll see:)

Still no word from Central....We're crossing our fingers hoping to hear soon and be close to family. We know though that it will all work out exactly how it's suppose to, so we aren't too worried. On the other side, we have got a few exciting pieces of news within the last 2 weeks. We just found out that my Uncle Rich and Aunt Susan will be having another baby and are due only a week and a half after us! We are excited little Baby Chucta will have a cousin so close in age! We also welcomed a new nephew into the family on the 4th of January, as Nate's sister, Laura , and his brother-in-law, Nathan, had their third boy!!! Lots of babies in the family, YAYYY!!!!

Well, it's time to get on with our Saturday errands. I look forward to a nice long weekend with a break from school on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and then teacher workdays on both Tuesday and Wednesday! It is a great little break to get caught back up and things organized at both the house and in my classroom. Have a wonderful weekend! Love to all :)

Hey All! It's been a busy few weeks with school starting back up after the long Christmas break, but my kids have been wondeful and it has been nice to get back into the ole routine :) I truly am blessed to have such a great group of kids this year, it makes getting up in the morning a lot easier!


We do have some good news, Nate heard from Central, and is being considered as an alternate as of now....which is great because he's still in the running for a spot in the PA program. Yay! We ready to be closer to family that's for sure, especially with the addition coming soon.


Things with the pregnancy have been going extremely well, it's almost too good to be true. Still no sickness, and I've only gained about 4-5 pounds. Nate and I are starting to notice a difference in my belly, but it still isn't too noticeable to the outside eye :) We will take another picture this week as I end my 15th week, so check back for updates! Love you all, take care!

Happy New Year!

The family :)

Hey Guys! Well we're definitely new to this whole blogging thing, but thought what the heck it's a new year let's give it a try! As most of you know, Nate and I are still down in North Carolina where I teach and Nate is an analytical chemist. We love the warm weather,  but are ready to be back up in cold Michigan with family and friends :) Maybe this year....

Nate & Me back home in Reed City

We had a wonderful Christmas break back home, filled with lots of family, friends, and food. Once again, we got spoiled rotten by everyone, even Baby Chucta, I can't imagine what it's going to be like when he/she is born! Nate and I also had a great start to the new year with lots of snuggles and kisses! It's hard to believe how different things will be at this time next year with Baby Chucta in the picture! Nate and I are so excited with the new addition coming in July...ahhhh!!!!

Saladin Christmas

Things still haven't changed a whole lot with me and the pregnancy. I've been feeling great and my pants are only a bit too tight :) Nothing a bella band won't cure! Those things are amazing! They let me wear all my old pants I just don't have to button them now, good thing because they aren't even close to buttoning! I just finished my 14th week, and am in the second trimester, it's crazy how fast time flies! It feels like just yesterday I was peeing on the little stick (4 times might I add) revealing the plus sign :) We go back to our doctors on February 1st for another ultrasound, where we can find out the sex of little baby chucta..... As of now we are still sticking strong to waiting for the surprise...we'll see if Nate can hold out!

It's Postive!!!! :)

14 Weeks

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season and Happy New Year! Lots of love to all of our long distance friends and family!