28 weeks and counting

This morning I made another drive to Reno to another Dr. appt with Dr. Mellum. Gosh do I love our doctor! He is so great! A quick update, Anna is growing right on track. I'm measuring 27 cm which I just a week off of where I "should" be but it's still completely normal. I think I'd rather measure a little small than on the big side. I'm already starting to worry a little bit about the birth weight. Praying she's not big! Other than that, just some small errands around Reno and then back to home for a nap. Peter and I are both exhausted! We got home last night pretty late because we fought some snow on the way home. Then, once we dropped into Truckee, suprisingly no snow! No worries though, it's snowing now and should be for the next three days.........burrrrrrr!

A Popular Student....

The beginning of my week started with ACLS. I finally got into a class, nothing new to learn really, it's what I do every night at work at least once so it was second nature, needless to say, it was an easy two days. The first day we were sitting down in groups going over and practicing our "mega codes" where you run your own code on a patient-aka resucitation attempt. There must have been two other people in the group staring at my belly for some reason because all of a sudden they gave me a really weird look and were in immediate awe. Probably because Anna did her first flip and my whole belly contorted to accomodate her move. It was crazy to feel and to watch this little person with her own developing personality move on her own time in her own little protected space. It's amazing as the days go by to feel her grow stronger and stronger, kick harder, and now do flips! It's fun to watch her grow and watch her develop her own little pattern of sleep and wake cycles. I could do with our her kicking my ribs but then again, I want to enjoy the one and only time in my life to just have her with me without having to worry about anything else.

On to life in Truckee, it's our first Christmas away from home and it's definately different. Doesn't quite feel like Christmas this year for some reason. Maybe we've just both been so busy! We did get our Christmas tree up and decorated by the 5th and it looks amazing so that was exciting, even better Peter and I made it a special date night decorating the tree, watching a Christmas movie, and curling up by the fire with hot chocolate. It was great! Also, I was very on top of it this year and got our Christmas cards out in time! I must admit, my creativity was lacking this year in not making them but.....they are a 1/4 of the price to just order them through Costco and they are done overnight....and.....they come with envelopes amazing!

Growing Anna, Alabama, and Thanksgiving Turkey!

Alright Robyn, sorry I've been slacking on the blogging I know! So, here is a very long update! First, Anna is growing right on schedule, we had our appt just before we left for Alabama and everything looks great, still a strong heartbeat, she's moving like crazy, and she's measuring right on track. Our next appt will be Dec. 17th and then after that it's every two weeks to the doctor. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going, I feel like we just found out we were expecting. Now, she's going to be here in 3 months and a couple weeks. Nuts!! Hopefully sometime soon we'll head out and get some shopping done. I found amazing fabric in Alabama for her bedding that I am so excited about. I can't wait to sit down and get started on making it and getting to put it in a crib but that too is a missing item as of now.....

Next, we went to Alabama for a week. It was amazing getting to spend time with family, and the two little girls we don't get to see often enough. It was so fun being with them and got both Peter and I so excited to have our own little lady. They are so much fun! Also, Jonathan and Jen could not be better examples of parents to us for the week. So, hopefully we picked up a thing or two from them......the week was alot of just spending time with them. One day we did go to an Alabama football game, that was quite an experience, Nashville for a day to see Becky and her new husband and an old southern Plantation. That was super fun. In all, our trip was amazing, I still love southern people and the culture of life. I love that everyone is so open to the Lord and you are able to talk about him freely in most places. The receptiveness of the people is incredible. Wish it was like that here!

Moving on, Thanksgiving turkey is something I have been wanting to eat since about the beginning of October so I was super excited for the food this year! Which, normally is not that big of a deal. So, this year, there was nothing better than eating that Turkey and being with family. Peter's family came up to Truckee for the weekend and we all did Thanksgiving on Friday. Bummer I had to work all weekend so I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time with them or as much as I would have liked to but it was still so great to see them! All in all, I am so thankful for these following things:

1. Family
2. God's provision in Truckee
3. Our baby Anna coming soon....
4. An amazing time in Alabama
5. Thanksgiving turkey
6. My favorite friend Robyn growing and learning in Australia
7. A marriage the Lord continues to bless
8. Our kitty Jack
9. Two cute nieces
10. No snow in Truckee yet!

I'll post again soon!

A night at home.....

Last night we just stayed at home. Neither of us are into Halloween and we definately weren't anticipating any trick-or-treaters which we were correct about. Not a single one! Tonight, just another night at home. Peter came home and asked what we were going to do. The answer, not much! We still don't have many friends well, any friends we really hang out with for that matter, and it's cold and getting dark here a lot earlier! So, as the weekend approaches and I head back to work for the next three nights, we will enjoy another quiet, quite boring night at home together. I must say one can only watch so many movies, read so many books and clean so much. I guess the thought of having a little one around in 4 months will definately make us look back on this blog and laugh at the good old days.......missing all you friends at home!

Camping on Birthday Weekend

This weekend, we were off to Fort Bragg to camp with friends. It was fun, a very laid back weekend with out a long agenda. Just walked around Fort Bragg and Medocino and caught up with friends. I must admit it was a little akward at first since some o the couples I haven't seen or talked to since we moved. I really felt the gap this weekend but by the end, it was old times again. Campfires, hot chocolate, and long walk on the beach with Peter taking a journey back to where we got engaged. Times like that make me realize I love him more than ever. I can't imagine doing life with any other person or wanting to for that matter. He amazes me everyday and always has a suprise for me like asking me to marry him all over again at our special spot. I can't think of a better life partner!! On the way home we had to go through Sacramento and made a little detour to Davis to see a couple of the friends I grew up with, Cory and Sarah. We had dinner at Crapeville which was amazing and so fun to get to spend time with them. Friends I truly miss and are always fun to see. It's been fun to watch Peter establish a relationship with them and get to know who they are and learn what a big part of my life they were growing up.

Also, today is my birthday.......this weekend was more of birthday weekend than today which is just fine. Tonight we're doing dinner at home and spending time together. I just can't get enough of Peter lately. I treasure every second we get to spend together, especially at night since most of mine lately are spent working. Opening birthday cards today was a little sad. It just makes me realize how hard it is to be away from family and friends. If I could, I would drive home just for tonight. In all, I guess this is all just part of the moving experience.........

I see 4 AM too often!!

It's 4 AM and I am wide awake. Our little lady is kicking like crazy and she's keeping me awake. That, and I just can't sleep. So, maybe I'll get a short nap this morning and then pack for this weekend and off we go camping to Fort Bragg! I was thinking tonight, I see this side of 4 AM way too often. I miss my normal sleep pattern when I was working days.

A little lonely

So this week I've be processing a ton of things. Just life, our move, this pregnancy. My loneliness doesn't hit too close to home on the day to day basis until I hit days or a week like this and just need a friend to talk to. These days, it seems like no one answers their phones and it takes at least a week for anyone to call back. Is it just me?? This week has just been hard without having my friends here to talk to. I so desire just to take a walk, not even talk about anything significant but just be in the comfort and presence of my friends and familiar faces. I miss the friends I have history with, the friends that truly know me. To make it all a little harder, Peter has been gone this weekend. Also, I'm not used to being so emotionally dependent on him. He truly is my best friend and one of the only people who is walking this journey with me. On days like today, I can't help but feel that many of my close friends back home have become out of sight out of mind these days, needless to say, it makes the loneliness sink in............

It's official

I am now officially a trauma nurse. Sounds cooler than it is, I assure you. Now, if I could just get over my fear of trauma. The class was grueling, all weekend and today was almost a whole day of testing. I passed with flying colors and only missed two answers on my written test! I was excited about that! I think our little lady liked the trauma lecture, either that or she was bored, she was kicking like crazy today during the class. It was fun to feel her move that much, I haven't felt her move that much until today. When she kicks, I can feel it also if I put my hand on my belly. What a crazy feeling! Even better, Peter was able to feel her kick for the first time a couple nights ago. Well, back to the work week for me, I'm on for Mon, Tues, and Wed. Monday nights are usually soooooooo busy!!! Then, off for a birthday camping trip to Fort Bragg with a bunch of friends. I can't wait!

Trauma Rama

This weekend is jammed packed with Trauma! I have to take the TNCC class--the trauma nursing course and get special certification to run traumas in our ER. Not too excited about a class from 7 am to 6pm and then testing all day Sunday for a weekend event but it should be somewhat fun considering I'm taking the class with some of my favorite people at work. Other than the class, I'm home on my lonesome. Peter is off racing at Buttonwillow down south for the weekend and will be back Sunday night. To be honest, I'm not too excited about running traumas, it's a huge responsibility and especially being pregnant I just don't like being around all the x-rays they shoot. We all wear heavy leads during a trauma but still. It's just a scary thought to run a truama on my own and be the lead. A lot of pressure for a short while...........I guess it's just all part of the job though, we'll see how it goes!

Oh, and by the way, I feel like I exploded this week! Here's the latest belly picture.

I did it!

So, in all the hours that I haven't been sleeping lately, I learn fun new things to do on the computer. Normally, I'm pretty computer retarded. Tonight, I finally figured out how to attach pictures to my blogs! So, I will do so more often now. This discovery made my day! On another random note, I must say that maternity clothes are the most comfortable amazing invention of all time! I never want to wear my normal jeans again. I have a new found love for maternity jeans, yes, they are not nearly as cute, but, oh so comfy!

A Little Lady

Last Thursday, we found out we are having a little lady! We are so excited, thrilled is more like it. I must be honest and say that a couple weeks ago when we found out we "might" be having a girl, I was a little bummed. I just couldn't picture myself with a little girl. Ridiculous I know but I really think it has a lot to do with my crummy relationship with my mom. I think deep down I fear that relationship with my own daughter and it is the last thing I would ever want! So, the thought of having a little girl took about a week to digest. So, in praying through this and seeking the Lord, he completely changed my heart and at our US on the 11th, I was so excited to hear it was a girl for sure. Dr. Mellum was also amazing with Peter following our US. I know he is a little nervous about relating with a little girl and Dr. Mellum was so encouraging. He told us he has 3 girls and a boy, his first a boy, and the rest girls. He said he was nervous at first and now, relating to his girls is actually suprisingly easier than with his boy. It was fun to see the two men bond over little girl advice and encouragement. We absolutely love Dr. Mellum, we could not have been more blessed to have him in Reno and be our Dr!! What a small world.....

No more Jeeps!

It's been a while since I've had something fun to say and update you all about. So, I figured I'd just let you know about our past week. We finally sold our Jeep....thank you Lord! It was such an easy sale and we got what we wanted for it so....yeah! We've been saving and saving and saving the past three months we've been here and we finally have enough with the sale of our Jeep to actually purchase a "real" car. Something not 10 years old or breaking down, and no, not a project! We are so excited. So, we have a date tomorrow night to go to Reno and look at a potential "new" car. It's a 2005 Subaru Outback, yes, I'm sad to say we've entered the "station wagon" phase of life even though Peter refuses to call it a station wagon. He likes to think of it more as a "sport wagon." Call it what you will, we test drove a couple this past weekend and absolutely loved it! Tons of room for baby stuff, very comfortable and the best feature.......windshield wiper defrosters so your windshield wipers don't freeze to your windshield. Not to mention the heated side mirrors and heated seats, I know we'll be loving it come big time snow season! Speaking of snow, it snowed all day last friday. It was amazing to wake up and look out the window and see snow!!! I must say, I'm not quite used to that experience living in Chico my whole life. My "new" friend and I went to coffee that morning and found the best little coffee spot called Wild Cherries. If anyone comes to visit, we'll make sure to take you there. Then we went to Reno for a day of fun shopping. I found where Lowes and Walmart are along with Babies R Us, Ross, and TJ Maxx! We both found some great things! Other than that, I worked the past couple nights and am so glad to have 7 days off now. Family is coming this weekend which we are so thrilled about. All in all, it's been a great week. We are finally comfortable in our day to day lives and are settling in. Just waiting for the snow now, we all have a feeling it's going to be a pretty heavy winter snow wise, I guess it's good for all who love to ski. One last note, we have our "20 week" appt (I'll only be 19 weeks at our appt, oh well) on Thursday where we have our indepth US and find out what we're having for sure. We can't wait. So, this week we've really started thinking seriously about names, our original girl name Peter is now unsure about so, we're back to square one. Naming is a difficult process, hopefully we'll have one soon once we know for sure......

It MIGHT be pink for the LeDucs!

A couple nights ago I finally saw my favorite ultrasound tech, Dawn at work and she took a little peak at our little one. It is absolutely amazing the difference between our 13 week US and now this one at 16 weeks! The first US we call gummy bear, the second we call frog legs and this one is a baby! It was amazing to see it move, kick, roll over and suck it's thumb. It stuck it's foot right out at us and we got a really cute picture of a foot, and then it rolled over and sucked it's thumb and got an amazing profile view of the baby. 2 healthy arms, legs and a really cute belly. Then.....the moment of truth. About a minute into the US, the tech said "I don't see any boy parts" so she's thinking as of now it's a girl. She was pretty comfortable to say that for now, it's a girl but, we will know for sure in a couple weeks. She's also going to sneak me down again in another couple weeks to take a better peak as the baby grows and then our offical appt. at Dr. Mellum's office is Oct. 11th for the 20 week diagnostic US. So, we'll keep you all updated on when we know for sure, just wanted to keep you in the loop that as of now that we're thinking pink!

To add a disclaimer...........thinking girl is a big might right now, we're not completely sure....we'll keep you posted!

Episode of ER? Is this for real?

Just this week, I really actually starting adjusting and maybe even liking my job a little bit. Every night is different, depending on what side of the ER I'm assigned to, last night I was drunk patrol, boring, and just a lot of vomit and stinky people, but the night before I was critical care. Talk about exciting! I felt like I was on an episode of ER. I had a patient flown in from B.F.E. Nevada and I had to go out to the helicopter landing pad to help with transport of the patient. It was dark, the helicopter was loud, blood and all it's glory, and you could see all the lights of the city. It was unreal! Definately exciting. I really have such a passion for critical care patients and the ER is a great place to get them, we see them first! I'm starting to make friends at work which is great. Erin (my new friend) is so fun, she's young like me and also just moved here a couple months before we did, so she's adjusting to it all also! It is also such a blessing to be a part of carpool. I switched shifts with another co-worker so I can work 5P-5AM now which is such a better shift! It's great to come home and fall asleep when it's actually dark! Not to mention a better arrangement sharing gas costs and having someone to talk to on the way home when you're exhausted! So, this week I am so encouraged. I truly feel like the Lord is opening up my eyes to see what he has for me here and teaching me to learn to like it here. Not easy but at least my heart is now willing........

Maternity Clothes, 8AM, and Tender Words

I've been doing a little bit of shopping lately and have found my way back to e-bay! I figured, I could start stocking up on maternity clothes for this winter as it starts to get cold and my pants don't button anymore let alone barely zip. Yes, I'm in the grieving process over that one this week. Anyway, I've found some great deals! I got 7 long sleeved shirts from Old Navy Maternity new with tags for 5.00! Also, three brand new tank tops for under scrubs, 3.00! And 4 more shirts for 6.00! The deals, amazing. I must say, shopping from home is much more exciting than shopping in the store. No crowds, and you get packages in the mail, just one of my favorite things.
Also, I am on day 4 without a nap and woke up 2 days in a row before 8 AM. Honestly, I must say I haven't seen 8 AM in three months unless it's a morning after work and I am just getting home it was impossible. I'm finding it's true what they say the second trimester hits and you feel great! At least it's very true for me. I feel functional again. Praising the Lord for feeling myself again.
On another note, Peter and I have really been working at connecting since our work schedules are so different these days and our quality time lately has been watching a movie together with me sleeping on him. Needless to say, not fun and quite more like not quality time. The idea of a baby coming has been a foreign idea to him these past three months and what I keep telling him is, you just don't get it. Just last night, we made dinner together and during dinner he looked at me and smiled and said "you're glowing." Just hearing something encouraging from him related to this pregnancy melted me! He was so tender and sincere and the idea of this baby coming clicked last night. A special moment. This baby becomes more real to us each day and is becoming such a part of us. The excitement grows daily.......

Chico is my Hometown

Peter had a race this weekend in Willows, so of course we came to Chico to stay with his parents. Oh how I love Chico. I went to see all the people I used to work with, ate at Sin of Cortez, went to Apple Blossom Baby, walked around downtown, walked through the park, and had dessert at the Cozy diner with loved friends. Chico is such an amazing place! There really is no place like it and Truckee definately doesn't even come close! I've been struggling with being homesick, away from friends, family, and the familiarity of it all. I've mostly been struggling with trying to make Truckee our new home. Not gonna lie, it's not fun. It doesn't look like Chico, there aren't the special breed of Chico people around, it doesn't have all the great things Chico has. So, daily I pray to find new things to like about Truckee. In this, I've begun a list to be positive and find things I do like about Truckee.

What I like about Truckee....
1. It's not blazing hot like Chico
2. I can sleep with a down comforter all year long
3. It's quiet
4. It's fall already and the trees are pretty
5. The grocery store is just a walk away
6. Wong's Garden is across the street
7. It's beautiful
8. All the buildings are pretty
9. Lake Tahoe is only a 12 minute drive away
10. Friends love to come visit us there!
11. Our new friends Alli and Jesse
12. Peter loves his new job
13. Our new church

Ok, that is all I could come up with. In all, Chico is a special place that I do love to call "home."

Sleep Standing Up......Yes Please!

I really don't think I've kicked this whole tired pregnancy thing yet. Although, I hear it gets better in the second trimester. Two more days to go! I feel like I could fall asleep anytime, anywhere, lying down, sitting or even standing up. I don't know if it's just being pregnant or just working nights and staying up all the time and not sleeping well during the day. Most likely a good combination of the both. I'm just so tired all the time. It's getting frustrating! I feel like I can't get anything done! Praying for a good day of sleep after a very long night at work.

Frog Legs

An update from our last appt with Dr. Mellum.........we had another ultrasound and saw the baby again! It is moving around, still standing on it's head, and kicking it's little legs which have a striking resemblence to frog legs at the moment. It was so fun to see how much the baby has grown just in 4 weeks! It had it's little hands over it's face and was kicking it's legs about every 10 seconds. Dr. Mellum said everything looked great, good heartbeat, and it's developing right on track. We did talk about AFP testing again and cystic fibrosis screening. At first, we weren't going to have any of them done because of course, it wouldn't change the outcome of this little life. He did talk us into doing the cystic fibrosis screening only for the purpose of being prepared that if our baby does end up having it, we will be able to start treatment day one instead of wasting time trying to figure out what is wrong with the baby since cystic fibrosis is hard to diagnose right away in an infant. We are absolutely loving our OB and our appointments. Seeing the baby again and watching it move and kick has increased our excitement in a big way for this baby! YEAH! And.......we find out what we're having on October 11th, and maybe even sooner if I can sneak down to ultrasound in two weeks (: I talked to a US tech and she said they can usually tell boy or girl at 16 weeks if the baby is in the right position. So, we'll keep you all posted.

Our Days are Numbered...

Tonight at work, I had an overwhelming reminder. I know that life is short, our days are numbered by the Lord and it is up to him to call you home, however, whenever and where ever when or where that may be. Our lives live soley in his hands and his alone. Tonight at work as I watched two very young people leave this earth in sudden instances, the Lord reminded me of that. As I try everything I can to save these people with a whole medical team, nothing I do matters in the end. God has already spoken, and I am not in control, the patient's life and outcome lies in his hands, not mine. Surrender! With these losses, it made me question myself. Have I been loving well, living well, and praising him for every minute he's so graciously granted me on this earth? Have I praised him enough for this new baby and the timing of it all? Have I completely surrendered control of my life to him? The answer is no, not even close. I thought I had but I really haven't, it is one of my biggest struggles. It is so easy for me to forget that we are not in control. We like to be in control of life, we like to say when we have kids, where we will live, what we will do, where we will go, who we will marry, if we marry etc. I personally love to plan everything. I like planning what I'm going to eat for lunch, where I'm going to work, what I'm going to do, where I want to live. What has God said to all this, it doesn't matter because it's really up to him. He knows every move, every weakness, every desire, want, need. He's proved this in our move to Truckee (the last place I thought I'd ever live), with this suprise baby, with a job that I don't love. Through it all, his power and control of my life is overwhelming. He's guided every step and made it so obvious, was I just missing it? He's beginning to show me how much he's taught me these past couple months in trusting him and his plans for my life. It was just more powerful tonight than ever before.

On a lighter note, I played with the doppler at work tonight and heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time, very exciting! Thank you Lord for life, for creating life, and holding our lives in your hands.

What was that all about?

I think I had my first bout of morning sickness this morning. I was standing at the stove making my well loved french toast for Peter and I and all of a sudden I felt an overwhelming sea of nausea come over me. Thank goodness I hadn't eaten anything yet! Peter finished the batch of french toast and I proceeded to dry heave about 6 times into the sink and finally threw up my couple sips of orange juice. I felt so much better afterwards! I ate breakfast and then felt great. I don't know what that nausea was all about....

My new love...

I haven't really had any cravings thus far but.....it happened.....My new love of the week........French Toast! It's great. It's great with syrup, it's great with powdered sugar, it's great just warm to eat. It's good on wheat bread, wheat cinnamon raisin swirl bread, it's great on sourdough, on french, and even better on Hawaiian bread. It has protein from the eggs, some whole grains if it's on wheat, and overall it just makes the best breakfast ever!

I just don't think it's gonna fit.....

So I felt ambitious this morning and drove to Reno to the REI which was having their .83 cent sale. This means, anything that ends in .83 is 50% off. Now, we're talking The North Face, Marmot, REI brand, Prana, you name it, brand names 50% off! So, of course my husband the e-bay junkie sent me out to spend a small fortune so we can sell most of what I bought today on e-bay and make a small fortune selling things back for 75% of retail. While in the store I found some great stuff for me. I got great deals on all sorts of stuff! I got a really nice North Face jacket today for 25 dollars and it isn'st even ugly.......but......it's not going to zip up this winter. So, most of what I got will have to be for next winter because this winter, I just don't think it's gonna fit......

Still processing.....

So, I have never really been the girl to fantasize about having babies, I wasn't the one who had the names picked out before I even met my husband, wasn't the one who wanted to stay home and be a mommy, and definately wasn't one who was in a rush to have babies, not the one to cry when hearing the heartbeat for the first time or with the first picture. Well, the time is now and my prayers are for excitement. As I sit and think about this little one growing inside of me it is such a foreign thought. I struggle with feelings of being scared, nervous, not ready, too young, and all that being a parent entails. We definately weren't expecting this little one but it is here and God has created this little being in his image and for his purpose. I was praying Psalm 139 over this little one this morning but it just isn't real yet! Yes, I do feel thicker in the middle but for some reason I find myself thinking I'm just gaining weight before remembering, oh yeah, I am pregnant, it's the beginning of a baby bump! I can't feel this baby yet, I can't see it, I can't touch it. So, this whole experience is just not quite real yet! It's been hard getting excited for this little person when it's taken so long to process the idea! So, still processing..............