~Baby Dyer~

As many of you already know (as I'm behind on blogging again), Bill and I are expecting a little bundle of joy at the end of July! We are so excited and feel blessed that God has given us this child that we have so eagerly prayed for. For those that don't know, I had a molar pregnancy last year that was very devastating and demanding. I had to have blood work every month for six months to make sure that my HCG levels were at a certain number. For these six months, we were not allowed to try for another baby. But God has shown how faithful and loving he is after a year of heartache. Here are some details so far! Due Date: July 29th, which is special because it will be 6 years to the day that Bill and I went on our first date! When we found out: I am never late, so I had an idea that I was pregnant. We waited until the end of November/beginning of December before I took a test. I had one left over, but also bought a 2-pack. Test #1-positive, Test#2-positive, Test #3 (yes, I wanted to be sure)-positive! I was simply overjoyed, but from our previous experience, I wouldn't rule anything out until I had gone to the doctor and see "Herbie" in the ultrasound. I went to the doctor on December 22nd and I was extremely nervous, especially for the ultrasound. I couldn't look at the screen at all, until the doctor said "ok, there it is." I looked at the screen and there was my little baby. I will never forget that moment as the anxiety and weight were lifted as I saw my precious gift from God in my belly. I was speechless and so overjoyed. I couldn't wait for Bill to get home and share the news. We both cried and laughed and just couldn't believe we were going to be parents. Here are Herbie's 8 week ultrasound pictures.

Bill and I wanted to wait until I was around 12 weeks, near the end of the first trimester, before we told anyone. I went to the doctor for the 12 week appointment on January 17th. Everything looked good, which I was so thankful for. For me, it is such a relief to hear the heartbeat and see the movement.

Since everything was going good, we decided to share the news with our family first, close friends, and finally anyone else who wanted to know! HA! My mom's birthday is January 19th, so we thought it would be perfect to tell my parents and sisters that day, as well as Bill's mom. After supper at Bobe's, we all went to my parents' house for cake. We made mom open her presents first. I had ordered her a pair of Lia Sophia earrings for her birthday, but I didn't receive them by her birthday. So I took a couple of Lia Sophia boxes that I had and wrote the note, "These earrings will arrive in a week or two." And in the other box I put the ultrasound pictures that I had with a note saying, "And I will arrive around July 29th." Everyone was thrilled and excited. After leaving my parents, we went to Bill's mom's. I had printed off a house plan that I was hoping she would think was our house. We have talked abour remodeling, but that is years down the road. At the bottom of the house plan, I wrote, "Here are the plans for our new 'addition'. We are adding on by two feet." She didn't get it at first and Breanna had to help her! They were excited and glad Aubrey will have someone to play with in the future.

2 days later we went to supper with Bill's dad and stepmom. I hadn't given Tim his birthday card yet, so we decided to write "Happy Birthday Papaw. See you in July" in the card. They were both very excited and can't wait to have another grandchild.

After telling grandparents and family, we shared the news with close friends and it seemed the whole world knew within a few days.

Herbie at 12 weeks

I have been extremely blessed and have NOT been sick! PTL!!! In the beginning, I woke up with a stomach ache, but never had morning sickness. I have only thrown up when I had a headache and when I forgot to eat with my prenatal vitamin. Stupid me! At the beginning of the 2nd trimester, there were 2 weeks were I had a headache everyday, but I read that that was normal. I was extremely tired for about 10 weeks. I wanted to do absolutely nothing but lay down or sleep. I would come home from work and lay in bed, eat supper, and go back to bed. Thank goodness that is gone, even though Bill was great throughout and helped with so much around the house. Other than that, I have been perfectly fine. I feel bad for women who have really bad sickness for long periods of time because everything has been so smooth for me.

Baby Dyer at 20 weeks-look at that spine!

I only have a short list of cravings that have taken over. Breadsticks with cheese, especially pepperoni are always at the top of my list!!! Cottage cheese is in my daily menu!!! I have drank more milk since becoming pregnant than I have my entire life. There is just something about that cold drink that satisfies me! And for some reason Big Macs from McDonald's! I know most of you are thinking that is disgusting and I'm sure I will once this baby is born! But there was a McDonald's commercial on one day with a Big Mac and it sounded good. Once I ate it, my body wants one weekly!!! Other than that, I still eat the same things. Nothing that I liked before sounds awful either. My eating habits have pretty much stayed the same, beside the few cravings listed above.

Another shot at 20 weeks.

I just can't express how happy and excited we are to become parents and raise this child. It is a huge blessing that we know can easily be taken for granted. I pray for those that desperately want a child, but for some reason have not. God has a plan for each of us and even though we may not understand it, he knows what is best for us in HIS timing. I'm so thankful that we were granted this miracle in HIS timing.

More updates on "Herbie" soon. (Yes, this is a silly name, but it seemed to fit!)

Whitney