Baby Update

Baby continues to be active .... nothing too exciting to report. She's a good little baby and doesn't cause me any problems or drama ... hopefully that will carry over into labor and her birth =)

We have our blessing on Saturday and then leave early Sunday morning for a week in Jamaica. Our honeymoon has turned into our "babymoon" and we're looking forward to it. We have a nice room that's supposed to be near the beach. I can't wait to get in the sand and water!!!

As people continue to ask "What doctor are you seeing? What hospital are you delivering at?" I have started wondering when birth became a medical procedure and not another life event. Michael and I are so excited to have the opportunity to have our daughter at home and as we get to know our midwife and plan the birth, I can't imagine having her any other way. I'm excited about being able to relax in our home and let our daughter come when she's ready.

Michael has been phenomenal. I have heard of husbands and fathers not being very involved in their wife's pregnancy/child's birth. I can't imagine not having Michael as involved as he is. He takes such good care of us =)

This is all for now! I'll update again when we get back from Jamaica and have another prenatal with our wonderful midwife =)

How Time Flies

I received a message today that reminded me to enjoy the kicks and rolls in the belly because time flies. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought about how true that was.

This time last year, I was a few weeks away from meeting Michael. This past year with him has been absolutely wonderful. He captured my heart from the beginning. When I saw him for the first time, I knew he was the one I'd waited my whole life for. I instantly fell in love with him and have been head over heels ever since. He is the truly the most amazing man I know and I'm so lucky to have him as my husband.

I never thought last year that I'd be married and expecting a child. Life surprises us. I remember when we found out we were pregnant .. we could hardly believe it. I think I cried alot the first couple of days wondering how in the world I could be a good mommy without neglecting Michael or school. That soon turned to happiness as we began planning for life with a new baby.
I remember the first ultrasound and seeing the heartbeat. We created it? Wow. I worried so much in between each prenatal ... what if something happens and I don't know it??? Then I started showing. Then I felt kicking. Then sleeping became uncomfortable. Then we found out it's a little girl.

Time has flown so fast. I want it to all slow down. I know before long ... she'll be here. Then she'll smile. Roll over. Coo. Crawl. Toddle. Walk. Run. Skip. Jump. Grow up. Before long ... she won't even be a baby anymore.

Time flies so fast. Don't take it for granted. Love the one you're with and tell them everyday =)

Our Daughter's Name

For those curious -- we have a name. And seeing as how we decided not to keep that she was a little girl secret ... we are keeping her name a secret =)

Everyone will find out when she's born!! =) Until then have fun looking at pics =P

Our Little Girl

We have recently found out that we are pregnant with a little girl. We debated keeping this a secret, but decided against it. However, we think we might keep the name a secret =) We have consulted with one cousin who is expecting to make sure they aren't thinking of the same name and they aren't! =)



Morning sickness is a thing of the past - seems like forever ago when I last had it. I've had no complications at all - thankfully. She has started kicking and it's a wonderful feeling. We're finally starting on the nursery and getting things in order.

As far as Michael and I ... Michael is still loving his job and is still in ATL. I've finished my externship, but will still work occasionally for $$ and experience.

We're having our blessing in August, followed by our honeymoon to Jamaica. We can't wait!! We're so excited and ready to go =)

First Baby Lopez

So as most of our family and friends know ... baby Lopez #1 is in the making. I'll be trying to keep up to date on here - with pics and posts.

We had one ultrasound way long time ago it seems ... which confirmed we were indeed pregnant =)
It was such an amazing feeling to see something we'd made beating its little heart away while growing inside me.

We have decided to use a CPM (Cert. Prof. Midwife) for our birth, which we plan to have here at home with the help of our MW, her assistant(s), and a doula. We plan to set up the birthing tub in the baby's room - since of course the day is all about our little one.

In a few weeks we will find out what we're having -- we only have one vote for a boy, the rest are girls. I have an urge to buy all things girl, except for little boy things that have planes on them to save for later. I'd love to have either, as long as it's happy and healthy. Though, I'm not afraid to admit that I wouldn't be the least bit disappointed if baby Lopez #1 does indeed happen to be a little girl. Girls are so much easier to shop for! =P

Although if we did have a little boy -- we'd only have one boy to worry about, instead of every boy. haha.

I had some sickness off and on for the majority of the first trimester. Round ligament pains have come and gone since the beginning -- I'm sure they'll continue. I don't really have cravings, except the same I had before baby - Chocolate, mac and cheese, sushi. As far as sushi goes, Michael has been informed that as soon as labor starts, a sushi run needs to be to follow soon after. The baby has been good for my diet -- for the most part. I've tried to eat more fresh fruits (not a big veggie person unless it's soup or someone else cooks it). Lucky for me .. summer is fresh fruit season and I'm enjoying every bit of it -- strawberries April-May, blueberries and peaches June-til they run out ... not sure what will be next -- probably pineapple and maybe some fruits I haven't tried before (maybe star fruit or mangoes?)

The belly is growing -- every day it seems. The baby has begun to kick which is a wonderful reassurance. The heart rate is usually in the 140s when we have it checked. We're planning to get another stethoscope or fetoscope so we can listen whenever we want. =)

I'll keep you posted. And if anyone knows how to make the blog fancy ... like decorating the top myself or anything .. please do tell!!

Pregnancy ..... cont =)

The day after I wrote the last note - I felt the baby kick for the first time. At first I was like "Was that a kick?" and everyday since that day I've felt it. It's so exciting. It's reassurance that everything is ok and it's growing and learning to move.

Even when I got the bump, I'd worry - is it ok? Is it growing? Moving? Doing everything it's supposed to? Now that I can actually feel it move - I'm settling into the excitement of Michael and I becoming parents and not worrying so much.

I haven't gained much weight yet - not that I'm complaining. I've gained about 8lbs - give or take. I'm trying to eat healthy and not pack on a bunch of extra weight. Michael has been wonderful helping me resist the chocolate, caffeine, and sweet cravings. I've been stocking up on fresh fruit to help provide healthy snack alternatives. =)

This past weekend we flew into Melbourne, FL to see some friends and family. Thursday night we went to his aunt Linda's house and I met her and her kids for the first time, as well as the Fritz's. They are all so much fun!! I enjoyed the get together very much and look forward to many more family get togethers in the future =) I really love and appreciate how close knit and welcoming his entire family is - it's a wonderful feeling to be a part of such an amazing family. I'm glad I didn't get voted off the island =P His aunt Linda made us a cake with baby booties on top - one blue and one pink. She told us whichever one was cut first was what we were having. We saved the top layer with the booties for Saturday night dinner with his parents. Martha cut the pink bootie first. We now have about 4 votes for a girl. haha.


On Friday, we met his friend Keith and his gf Tera and went to SeaWorld. I lasted until about 530 and then fatigue hit. The baby has brought on a new kind of exhaustion. I just can't do what I used to anymore. Michael is so understanding with that. As soon as I say I'm tired, whatever we're doing is over. He's going to make a wonderful father - so patient and understanding =)

SeaWorld was awesome though - we got through about 75% of the park done before leaving.

Friday night we had dinner with his parents. Saturday we walked up into Cocoa Village to some of the stores, went to lunch and Get Smart that afternoon, and then had dinner with his parents and a couple they are friends with =)

All in all it was a wonderful trip. I always enjoy getting away .. and also getting to see the Lopez fam =)

Mommy in the Making

The feeling of becoming a mommy is indescribable. I thought I'd be more scared or apprehensive, but I'm so excited. And I couldn't dream of being married to and having children with any other man than Michael. He's been absolutely wonderful since we started talking and has gotten better everyday. I know he'll be a wonderful father. Having that trust in him and the wonderful relationship that we do makes becoming a mommy a wonderful adventure in life. This is going to be great and I can't wait to meet our baby.

I've always heard horror stories about morning sickness, back pain, various other things. Morning sickness sucked, but it GOES AWAY. I think people forget to tell you that. I haven't had back paiusedn, but I think my sciatic nerve has been sat on a couple of times. That's the baby getting me back for doing it to mom =P Sleeping can be sucky. It's better when Michael's around. It's hard to get comfy in a big empty bed when I can only sleep on my side. Apprenhension comes, but so does excitement =)

As far as when the baby comes, we're going against "tradition" and doing things the traditional way (by that I mean how things used to be done traditionally). We're hoping to deliver the baby at home with a midwife =) We couldn't be happier about our decision. Our midwife has been great so far and we're looking forward to her helping us through this process of becoming parents =)