BELLY

The first pic is from last Sunday at 17 weeks. The second is today at 18 weeks.

It doesn't really look like much of anything, but I promise something's going on. I can't fit into my pants anymore!!! Also, on Saturday, I felt the baby. My friend, Andrea, told me that if I'd lay on my stomach after I felt the first, initial movement, that would make the baby move more...well I did and baby was upset! He was like, "Get up, mama! You're squishing me in here!" Sweet baby. I'll do my best to post pics of the belly every Sunday.

Look at Jared and Rahab...this is where they sit to take the belly pics!!!! Aren't they sweet?!

Thanks for Tagging me, Ashley...

I really hesitated to do this. Ashley tagged me, and I saw it a few days ago. But here goes...


What was I doing 10 years ago?

Ugh!!! I was 17...nothing good coming from that age/era. In high school causing ridiculous amounts of trouble and pondering getting a tattoo (will FOREVER regret that decision!!!!) Drama was my middle name, and I had the friends to help.

Here's the music that was popular in 1998:

1. I Don't Want To Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
2. Everybody (Backstreet's Back) - Backstreet Boys
3. Jump Jive An' Wail - Brian Setzer Orchestra
4. I Want You Back - N*Sync
5. The Cup of Life - Ricky Martin
6. Too Close - Next
7. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) - Green Day
8. From This Moment On - Shania Twain
9. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
10. Suavemente - Elvis Crespo

Five things on my to-do list today: (really tomorrow, it's after 9:00)

1. Grow Baby!
2. Work
3. Lunch program (need promos!!!)
4. Meet Kathryn for dinner at Texas Roadhouse (Mmmmmmmm!!!)
5. Watch Grey's

Five things I'd do if I were a billionaire:

1. Save for the rest of Jared's school (Masters, Doctorate, Post Doctorate, Research...does it end?!)
2. Give to a few needy families
3. Set up/pay off college fund for baby and maybe prepare for a college fund for another baby just in case
4. Build a house with 5 bedrooms...just a dream of mine.
5. Adopt a child
6. Invest, invest, invest

Five bad habits:

1. Screening phone calls (is that really bad or necessary?!)
2. Dramatic (I've gotten much better, but it pops up every now and again)
3. Caring what others think and letting it affect my behavior
4. I'm so sure there are others, but I'm too tired to think of them...will update later if needed ;-)

Places I've lived

1. Birmingham, AL
2. Starkville, MS
3. Houston, MS
4. Wylie, TX

Five Jobs I've had

1. Mail Sorter
2. Pharmacy Tech.
3. Jewelry Store Clerk
4. Teaching
5. Sales Rep.

I want to know more about (nice way of saying tag)...sorry I don't know how to hyperlink

1. Tiffany - http://chadtiffandbaby.blogspot.com/
2. Woodman - http://wpwardlaw.blogspot.com/

IT'S A BOY and a great birthday present!

Well, Jared has been bragging for quite sometime that he only makes boys. So far, he's exactly right. I went today to the Urologist's office, and we found a beautiful baby boy in there! :-)Let me tell you... this boy is NOT shy! He was just lying there with one hand behind his head and legs sprawled out. He IS his father's son already! We had no problem seeing what we needed to see. I didn't receive a c.d. like I did last time, so I'll try to scan the pics in and post them later. I just wanted to share the news. My birthday was yesterday...what perfect timing for a great present, huh?!

Now for my birthday surprise!!!
On Saturday, Boo threw me a surprise party. (By the way, for those that don't know...we are the "Oo" Family. Don't ask me how or why; it just evolved. Jared's Boo; I'm Moo; and Rahab's Poo...I guess the baby will be Roo...or Noo...or Woo...I don't know, we'll work on it!)We got up early Saturday morning and cleaned, which is our Saturday ritual. About 9:00 he said that he was going somewhere and, when he got back, he'd have a surprise for me. I immediately thought, "Mmmmmm...Breakfast!" When he wasn't home by 10:00 I called to see if I should eat anything. "Sure," he said. So, no breakfast. When he came home he had a bunch of shopping bags from Wal-Mart. I just stood there thinking, "So you went to Wal-Mart for groceries? What a great surprise." Then I left to go to Riley's soccer game. Jared had asked me to ask Andrea and Bryan if they wanted to come over for a BBQ. I asked but understood that if they didn't want to come it was no big deal b/c they have 3 kids and all the toys at their house. They said they'd come. When I got home there was a cake and a card on the counter. How sweet! So I thought we'd be celebrating my birthday with the Learys. WRONG!!! Our friends kept showing up and saying, "Happy Birthday!" Jared had arranged the whole thing. Isn't he great?! We had about 15 people come over and enjoy good fun, good BBQ, and really good cake! (Thanks Riley for picking it out!) My sweet friend, Andrea, is terrible at keeping secrets, but she kept this for a week and helped get me out of the house. I have terrific friends and a pretty fantastic honey! I just love my Boo! I must mention, however, that Rahab had a grand time and thought everyone was coming just to see her! She greeted everyone and catered to them the whole time they were there...Way to go Ray! :-)

Not too much to tell

I went to the dr. today and heard the baby's heartbeat again. Sweet little sound. My friend Andrea has a little boy named Riley. He says the heartbeat sounds like horses. Andrea just had her 3rd baby, so Riley is an expert big brother and has gone to a couple of Andrea's doctor's visits over the years. Anyway...I'm ready to stop drastically pulling over and vomitting on the side of the road or bolting to the bathroom at home...I'm sure other drivers are ready for that to stop, too!

We'll find out in a couple of weeks just who's in this belly. Ashley, I promise I'll get you pics as soon as there is a belly to see ;-)

By the way, if you haven't tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser...YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!!!! Jared and I clean on Saturdays and this new invention has changed my cleaning life. Our shower is so clean!! :-)

I love my job...especially right now!

When we went to the dr. on Tuesday we were told that if we wanted to find out the sex of the baby, we'd have to pay for it. Dr. E does a sonogram at 12 weeks and 28 weeks, so insurance wouldn't pay for another one. Well, it would be $75, minimum, to find out...they have all different kinds of packages up to $300! So...we all know that Jared is a bit frugal, but he said we could pay to find out! We have phenominal insurance and baby will only cost $115 to deliver ($15 for first copay with first visit and $100 for hospital admittance - SERIOUSLY!!!!).

I'm sure you're wondering why I titled this "I love my job...especially right now!" Well, I went into my favorite Urologist's office on Wednesday to announe the news and show them my pics of baby. I love this office! The staff is wonderful and the dr.'s are top notch. Anyway...Sheila, the receptionist, said that I should come in and found out what it is...So, here's the conversation:

Sheila: You should come in on a Thursday. That's the day when our sonogram tech is here. His name's Rick, and he'll tell you what you're having.

Me: No, I don't want to be a bother!

Sheila: WHAT?! You're not a bother! We all want to find out who's in there anyway!

Me: Sheila, you shouldn't have told me that...I'll be in every Thursday bothering this man to look at my baby!

Sheila: Come tomorrow and we'll see.

Me: Okay!

Thursday morning I go back to the office and Rick was busy with patients. I didn't want to be a brat but the staff insisted that I stay. When Rick was done with the patients, he called me in there, and we took a look...FOR FREE! Now I knew it was too early to tell but I wanted to see my baby again!!! He said I should come back when I'm 16-20 weeks, and we'll see just who's in there!!! So, God has provided again! We'll save some $$$ and still get to know who's in there! I'm so shocked and humbled with the people I've met with my job. They are loving our family already. By the way, I should mention that my friend, Andrea, suggested I find an office that would do the sonogram for free, then this just happened!

Other updates:
Jared has painted the baby's room...I'll post pics later.

We're getting baby furniture for free! My dear friend, Andrea Leary, has a brother that lives in our neighborhood. He and his wife are preparing their little one for a toddler bed or "big boy bed", and they said we could have their furniture!!! Just have it! I can't believe it. I must mention that my wonderful friend, Ashley Norwood, has told me that we can strip and paint the furniture, and she'll even tutor us on how to do it!! I have the most fantastic friends anyone can ask for!!!!

Introducing Baby Verwiel

We had a sonogram today. Baby Verwiel is measuring at 13 weeks and 4 days. He/she is quite an active little one. Today was so much fun. The sonogram technician made a guess as to who's in there, but I'm not revealing that to just anyone yet. We'll go in for the confirmed gender in about a month or so. We even received a couple 3D videos that last for a few seconds each...too cool!

A sigh of relief

Today Jared and I went to the doctor to hear the heartbeat. Although I had no reason to be anxious, I was. I just wanted to hear that tiny heartbeat and know everything was okay and progessing. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my dr. Dr. Eisenberg is fantastic. Whenever I go in there he makes me feel calm and at ease about my pregancy and our decisions. So...on with the story. The nurse calls us back to the room and leaves. While waiting on the dr., Jared says, "Are you going to take your clothes off?" I say, "Well...the nurse didn't say to, and I don't want the dr. to come in here and I'm naked for no reason." Thankfully I listened to the voice of reason and kept my clothes on. If not, I would have been really embarrassed, as that was unnecessary for this particular visit. Dr. E came in and explained that the objective of this visit was to find and hear the heartbeat. He looks at me and says, "Now, this is like finding a needle in a haystack. So, don't get nervous if it takes a while." So I lie there and prepare myself to wait a while. Baby Verwiel was ready to show off. Dr. E put the doppler on my belly and we immediately heard that precious thump, thump! Good strong heartbeat! I looked at Dr. E as if he was making that crazy noise! Because the look was written all over my face, as per usual, he felt the need to assure me; "That's your baby." I let a sigh of relief and gave praise and thanksgiving to my Creator who's given us this little, bitty blessing. I thought I would cry, but I was just elated with joy and excitement. We are due Sept. 29th, which will make for a comfortable summer I hear :-) We'll find out just who's in there around my birthday. What a great present, huh?! We go in for a sonogram next week, so maybe I can post a pic