An update from earlier...

Well, I was able to crawl off the couch and go to my doctor's appointment to find out I had lost 3 lbs!! :(  Poor Beans.  And what I thought was food poisoning may not be anymore.  My father-in-law called me a few minutes ago and said he heard on the IWU radio (there is a basketball game tonight that Jeff is missing because he is at the hotel just trying not to throw up) that Jeff was not able to go due to food poisoning.  He called immediately and said it may not be food poisoning. I guess two of my sister-in-laws, one of my nieces, and my mother-in-law have all been sick last night and today!!!  So I think it's a contagious bug! My other sister in law thought she had food poisoning around Christmas but I'm beginning to think it was a contagious bug. :(  So sorry for all of those people I have been around recently.  So anyways...I am feeling ok. Still haven't been able to eat anything but I can finally keep liquids down.  Please continue to pray for Jeff that he recovers soon so he doesn't have to miss tomorrow's game.  And pray also for sweet Amy and Jace who stopped by to bring me 7 up and to take care of me today for a little while. I hope they do not get sick!  Thank you!

Just a little taste

Wow...I have an increased amount of empathy for those women who are sick and throwing up during pregnancy.  I have never had morning sickness, afternoon sickness, or nausea period.  But last night was different!  Jeff and I shared a lunch (I won't tell you from where) and then he left for a basketball trip in Cleveland.  I wasn't feeling well around 8:30.  I thought it was from being so overly tired from the fun weekend we had. But it definitely was not.  If you have a weak stomach, lets just say we had food poisoning and stop reading right here. At about 11:30, I woke up to run to the bathroom to have horrible diarrhea.  Then I could tell I needed to throw up so I made myself do that so it wouldn't drag on. That feeling is the worst.  So it all began...Every hour or so, I woke up to have both at the same time.  Horrible feeling.  Especially being alone.  Finally, at about 6, I stopped throwing up and have just continued the other. However, it has been much less often since then.  I wanted to call Jeff but I didn't know who he was rooming with and if he would be awake. At about 8am, I got a text from him saying he had been doing the same thing all night long! Poor thing! He's at a hotel doing this!  Thankfully I was at home in my own bed and bathroom.  So needless to say, throwing up while pregnant is NO FUN!  I felt like I was squishing "beans"each time it happened.  So I am so sorry to all of you who experienced that on a more regular basis because of pregnancy. 

I was supposed to have my glucose test today but I can't hardly keep water or Ginger Ale down so I will have to do that at another time.  I will still try to go for my regular appointment. It's a t 2:15 so hopefully by then, I'll have some energy to do that.  

Sorry to be so open about all the body issues I have :)  Say a prayer for Jeff that he stops doing all of this soon!  He will be in Cleveland through late Wednesday night :(

Love to all!

Baby Clark Update

I don't have a new picture yet but I will try to get one up this weekend.  I had a doctor's appointment yesterday that went great!  Even though I had gained 7 more pounds (yikes!) everything checked out great.  I think I have gained a total of 20 pounds so far.  I am now measuring right on track (27cm).  Baby weighs about 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long.  So of the 20 I have gained, I can only blame 2 on the baby itself.  Maybe the other 18 is just evenly displaced within the uterus :) Here's what's going on with my body: (males, stop reading right here).  I have started leaking light yellow fluid from the 2 ladies on top. I actually have some burning/discomfort throughout the day that lasts for just about 10 seconds at a time when it usually happens.  And I can express fluid manually pretty much at any time. Anyone else experience that???  I have also been having Braxton Hicks contractions.  Lately they have been daily, but I don't think I have had any today.  And I have been experiencing more pelvic achiness.  My body is definitely preparing for what's ahead.  I have to do my glucola test in a couple weeks.  Hopefully that will go ok.  We are hosting our small group Christmas party on Sunday.  It should be a fun time.  My friend Amy's birthday is tomorrow.  Happy birthday friend!!  Don't know what I would do without your friendship!  

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We were in the Christmas mood today and since Jeff didn't have a lot to do this afternoon, we put up our Christmas decorations.  It is so much fun how cozy it makes the living room feel when you have your Christmas tree up.  The middle stocking is for baby Clark.  Thanks to Jeff for getting all of the Christmas stuff out of storage and decorating the tree. He hung all the ornaments while I put the little hooks on them.  

And here's a picture of my 25 week belly.  Feels a little bigger every day. Still so much fun being pregnant.  I love feeling "Beans" move around.  It seems that baby is so active in the early morning and evening and then during the night.  Every time I wake up and change positions, it seems like he/she is moving.  So cool!  Wildcats have a big game on Tuesday against Bethel.  Praying it goes well! 

Jeff was so sweet and set up the crib this past Friday.  I love it so much! It's hard to believe there will be a baby in there in a couple months.

Not a lot to post about...

Well I can't think of much to blog about except my belly :)  The basketball team has been playing a lot of games recently.  They are now 5-1.  We had our first home game last night (where they won!) and didn't get to bed until 11:30...which means not a lot of sleep for either of us.  As soon as my alarm goes off, Jeff starts thinking about basketball.  I think the Lord is preparing me especially for being up all night long. I still go to the bathroom at least once a night. Usually 2.  The only thing not totally enjoyable about being pregnant is the poor sleeping.  I can't seem to get really comfortable.  But when I wake up, I usually feel this little baby (or "Beans" as we call him/her) move around which is awesome. I never get tired of feeling the baby move.  The left side of my belly is the favorite spot to kick or punch.  Now, if I push on my belly a little bit, I feel the baby's retaliation.  It's probably thinking "What in the world...I am trying to sleep in here!"  

At my last appointment, everything went great (and quick).  I was measuring a little big but I never asked how much.  He just said a little big.  I figure it's got to be a big Clark baby!  And the heartbeat was great (not even sure what it was).  We go to the doctor again on December 10th. It's the last time I have 4 weeks between appointments. After that time, it will be every 2 weeks and I'll have to do my glucose test soon. Yuck! We just love this little one!  I am going to try to start getting the nursery ready soon.  I have some organizing to do in that room before we can put any baby furniture in.  It needs to get done soon, though, since basketball season is so busy. Here are a few pics of the belly at 23 weeks and 5 days.  

I feel like my belly looks tan in this pic but it's just the light.  I really am pretty pale right now!

My new jeans I just got!  I love the demi panel!!!

Basketball Begins and a little "Chrisgiving"

Our team scrimmaged Northwestern University (of the Big Ten) a week ago.  It was a great weekend spent in Chicago.  We left with the team on Saturday morning and returned late Sunday night.  We went to see Blue Man Group (which I really liked!) and ate some great Chicago style pizza at Giordano's.  Here is Amy and I on the long bus ride up :) At this point we were really excited.  I think the trip home, we were both really exhausted!

This is one of my favorite little guys, Jace, playing with some basketballs at Valpo.  The team practiced there on their way up.  He had a lot of fun removing all of the basketballs from the rack.  

This past weekend, we spent a lot of time with family.  Friday night, Jeff and I went to Garrett, IN to visit with his grandparents.  Jeff's brother Steve and his wife Bonnie came up from Atlanta for the weekend. It was great seeing them!  Here is Jeff's grandma and grandpa with the two granddaughters that could make it up that night.  Lilly is on the left and Hannah is on the right.

Today, we had "Chrisgiving" (as my grandma calls it) with my dad's side of the family.  My grandparents go to Florida for the winter and are heading down there a little bit earlier than usual. So we celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas today.  It was a really fun time! And here is a few belly pics of me from this Saturday and Sunday. I was 21 weeks on Friday.  I feel like I am getting huge! We go to the doctor in a week from Wednesday.  Not looking forward to hearing how much weight I have gained :)  But we love feeling this baby move!!! Jeff feels him or her almost daily and I feel the little one multiple times a day.  It is one of my favorite things so far!! I can actually feel harder areas on my belly and imagine it's the head or the butt or some other body part. As I type this, the baby is kicking me on my left side.  It really is amazing that the Lord designed such an amazing part of life! 

Hope everyone has a great week!! IWU's first game is this weekend at Purdue-Calumet.  Can't believe the season has begun.  I finished registering this weekend at Target and Baby's R Us since I don't think I will have a free weekend from here until the baby comes!

19 weeks, a new recipe, some new decor, and a new niece!

Well I just finished eating a delicious dinner (if I may say so myself!)  I got the recipe out of a cooking light magazine and need to share it with you!  Along with some homemade bread and salad, it was wonderful.  Thank you Amy for your help in making it! Even though I am stuffed, I feel like I could go eat the leftovers.  

Saucy Carbonara Pasta

1 16 oz pkg spaghetti

2 Tbsp olive oil

4 ounces of bacon (or pancetta)

1/3 c. chopped walnuts (I used pecans because that is all I had)

4 cloves garlic minced

1/2 c white wine (I probably used a full cup)

1/4 tea crushed red pepper flakes (I will use more next time...wasn't very spicy)

2 eggs

1 cup Parmesan cheese, divided

1/4 c chopped parsley

Ground Black Pepper

Cook pasta.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil.  Add the bacon and cook 3 to 5 min until crisp. Add walnuts, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 to 2 min, stirring often.  Then add the wine and cook 2 to 3 min to slightly reduce the liquid. Drain the pasta and add to the skillet. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs with half of the cheese. Remove skillet from heat. Pour egg mixture into the pasta and toss. Garnish with the rest of the cheese, parsley, and pepper.  

My variations:  I used turkey bacon that I cooked in the microwave.  You will need a little more olive oil or white wine to make it a little saucier.  It's not going to be a runny dish.  I cooked some chicken tenders in a skillet with butter, cavenders, garlic powder, and onion powder.  When the pasta dish was all done, I cut up the chicken and added it on top with some cheese to give us some meat.  What can I say, the guys like to eat meat :) I didn't measure the white wine or oil or red pepper flakes.  It's just not that fun if you have to measure :)  And I used pecans instead of walnuts cause that's what I had.  I served it with homemade rolls and a salad.  YUMMMMYYY!!!  I served 4 and have 1 serving leftover. So if you are making it for more than 4, you want to double the recipe.   Seriously it might be one of my favorite meals I have made in a long time.  

Here is my 19 week 3 day belly (right after that dinner above!!!).  But I feel like the past few days, my belly has popped out and rounded!  I am thinking it's going to be a big baby!  And Jeff got to feel the baby kick on Friday night!  It was such a cool feeling for both of us to feel the baby kick at the same time.  Next doctors appointment will be in 3 weeks.  

Here is my belly yesterday.  Not a great picture but oh well.

And here is what Jeff and I worked on Sunday morning before church.  I went shopping at Hobby Lobby with my momma and picked out some stuff to hang on the walls.   

And last but not least, we have a new niece!  She was born this morning at 8:03 to Adam and Casie and Emery.  They haven't picked out a name yet but I am sure she is just as adorable as her sister.  We are going to see them sometime this week.  Hope everyone's week goes well!

Doctors Appointment Update

I went to the doctor this afternoon.  Jeff had practice so my good friends Amy and Jace came!  It was way more fun having company there.  Although it was the quickest doctor's appointment ever.  I got there at about 4:10 to check in and we were checking out at 4:25.  I even gave my sample, asked about 7 questions, heard the baby's heart beat and scheduled my next appointment all in that time.  I love my doctor's office!   The appointment went well.  He said I am still measuring ahead a couple centimeters but since our ultrasound at 15 weeks showed that baby was on track for our due date, he said it's nothing abnormal. The heart rate was "about 155" according to the doctor. So who knows!  And since he saw everything he needed to see at the last ultrasound, we don't need another one.  I was a little bummed at first right when he said that because I had been hoping to see this little baby one more time! But then got to thinking that I should count my blessings that this baby is still doing so well that I don't need another one.  And this further seals the deal in not finding out since I can't find out at this point.  I could request an ultrasound but insurance would not cover this 500 dollar expense unless there was medical need.  So we will just live in suspense for the next 21 weeks until we meet this little one! I seriously cannot believe how fast this is going! I'm sure it will feel a little slower as I get bigger but I don't want this to end. I am having so much fun being pregnant! (Sorry if that makes any of you other moms mad because you had tougher pregnancies!) Well I am off to get ready for bed.  I love feeling the occasional kicks/thumps.  I can't wait until I start feeling more movement where Jeff can feel the baby move also.  I will post a picture this weekend.  Love to you all!

18 Weeks

Last weekend, we went to my parents house to have a birthday celebration (My brother's birthday- sept. 17th, my Uncle's birthday - 20th, my birthday-22nd, my dad's birthday, 29th, my mom's birthday - oct 3) My sister's birthday is in June...lucky her!  She gets her own special day instead of a group celebration!  

And here is Jeff and I :)  He really hates getting pictures taken but he was a trooper that day.

Here's my belly at 18 weeks and 2 days.  Hope everyone has a good week!  We go to the doctor on Wednesday so I'll update after the appointment!  

A week overdue...

I have been meaning to post my 17 week picture but just didn't get around to it. Here's a picture of me in my new shirt that my sis Natalie bought me for my birthday!  It's also a nursing shirt and super comfy.  Thanks sis! I will do another post tomorrow of my 18 week belly.  Still feeling great!  I go to the doctor on Wednesday and will schedule my next ultrasound then.  Can't believe it's gone so fast!  I need to get working on all this baby stuff!

I know this is outdated (from May of this year) but it's a great picture of my sis!  Love you and miss you! 

And this picture is also from last May but has all my family in it.  

16 weeks and a new mirror!

I want to ask for prayer for our dear friends Ryan and Chelsee Jones.  Ryan's father passed away yesterday very suddenly.  Chelsee is 37 almost 38 weeks pregnant and it just makes us so sad to think of what they are going through at this time.  So if you could remember them in prayer, I know they'd appreciate it! 

For my birthday last week, Jeff wanted to give me a new bathroom mirror/medicine cabinet and light.  I was so excited to go pick it out :)  Here is a picture of the new one we got.  He surprised me today and put it up while I was at work.  I love it so much!  It's bigger than our old one and has a lot more space and looks much more updated.  Thanks Jeff!!!  We are going to paint our ceilings soon and put up new window treatments in the bedrooms so when that's done, I will post more pics. 

And here is my 16 week and 2 day belly.  

Pregnancy is still going great!  I go back to the doctor in  2 weeks and will then schedule my last ultrasound(Lord willing) around 19 or 20 weeks. We are so excited to see the little one again!  I am feeling movement a little more often but nothing really regular.  This past weekend, Amy and I went to Fort Wayne to shop with my mom while our husbands were out of town. I got some cute maternity tops and a new comforter/bed set for our guest bedroom.  I was so exhausted when I got back home and had to work today so it's not set up yet. But as soon as it is, I will post some pictures.  My sister is visiting this weekend so I will be up in Fort Wayne hanging out with her all weekend. I'll post some pics of us next week.  I can't wait to see her!!! This will be the first time she sees me with a belly :) Hope everyone has a great week!

So sweet!!

Second post of the day! I don't know if that has ever happened.  I am exhausted after a fun day with my mom and mother-in-law at Johnny Appleseed Festival and a dinner date with Jeff.  I just got out my CD of pics from the ultrasound and when I opened the cover (it was one with a snap and really hard to un-snap), I must have cracked the CD right at the part where the pictures were! GRRRRRR.  So I will have to see if the doctor's office can get me another CD on Monday. But I took a picture of the one we have printed out so you can see a little bit of what our baby looks like.  It's looking at you and there is a hand at the top waving :) The bigger dark spot on the belly is the bladder. There is dark spot above it and that is the heart.  And here is a belly pic of me at 15 weeks.  Enjoy!  I will post an update when we hear back from the doctor. I guess he calls all his patients after an ultrasound just to go over everything.  Oh yeah...you'll have to re-vote since I changed our poll.  

Ultrasound Update!

We just got back from our ultrasound and it went great! We have a 15 week old baby (which is what I was originally thinking).  My due date is still March 12.  I just have a really tall uterus.  The tech said because I am tall, my uterus just has a little more height to it.  The baby's head is right at my belly button! :)  We got to see many pictures of our little baby! When it waved at us, I started crying.  Too cute! We saw all ten fingers and the tech said our baby had big feet!  We also have a very active baby!  (It's probably a little Jeff - he was very active!) He/She kept moving around during the whole thing which is great!  That also might explain why I have felt the baby move and she said because I am thinner than some, that also might explain it.  It seriously made me love this baby so much more after seeing it.  I can't even describe what it felt like to look at the spine, the head, the little heart beating, the bladder, the little hands and big feet. :) We feel so blessed to have a healthy baby!  Thanks for all the prayers and support!   Oh yeah...you probably already figured it out but no twins.  Just one  :)  And probably will be a big one before this pregnancy is over!  Love to you all!

Jeff and Tiff

Baby Update!!

Well...we can't rule out twins yet...BUT...I am measuring ahead.  The doctor asked me if I had any problems and I said no.  He asked me if I had felt the baby move.  I told him I think I had.  Last Thursday at work, I felt this strange sensation (like someone tickling the lower left part of my belly from the inside).  It happened off and on for about 20 to 30 minutes.  It happened again on Saturday and I am thinking as I write this post that something may be happening :)  So when I told him I had thought I felt the baby move, he said that it's pretty abnormal for a first time mom to feel it this early.  Then he proceeds to feel my uterus and says well it seems to be measuring about a month ahead - about 18 weeks!!! It was right below my belly button. But he couldn't tell for sure without an ultrasound so we are having one this Saturday! Crazy!  I could go in Saturday and find out that I'm a month ahead, or that I am just going to be really large and in charge during this pregnancy.  Or maybe there's twins.  We heard the heartbeat and it was great! Not sure what it was cause I was still kind of shocked that my uterus was measuring large.  So Saturday, we will know what the deal is.  I will try to post a picture of my belly this weekend with the updated news.  I am going to the Johnny Appleseed festival this weekend with my mom, mother-in-law, and maybe my grandma.  Hope everyone is doing well!

Labor Day Family Times

We went to Jeff's parents on Sunday for the boy's fantasy football draft and some fun times with family.  Here are a few pictures from the day.  By the way, we have a new niece!  Lillian Noelle was born on September 2nd to Ryan and Kristin.  We went to see her after she was born and she is adorable!  I didn't get any pictures that day but hopefully the next time we see her, I will get some.  

This is Jeff's brother Steve with our niece Hannah.  Doesn't he look a lot like Jeff? 

Steve's birthday was Sunday.  He and I are the same age for about 3 weeks.  Pretty interesting!  

Here are all the guys having their fantasy football draft.  This is a big deal for all the guys.  There is always a lot of food, pop, and a lot of guy talk for a couple hours. 

Basketball has started!  The guys are all back on campus and now begins the long but fun season! 

Trip to Pennsylvania

This past weekend, I drove to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for my friend Nikki's wedding.  I got to see some of my college friends and my college roomates.  It was a lot of fun catching up with everyone.  Here's my 13 week picture.  I am still feeling great and love eating food!!  I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful pregnancy so far.  We have another appointment in a week to hear the heartbeat again.  And hopefully I am on track with everything (maybe he can rule out twins??!!) Hope you all have a great week!  I love the Monday holidays!

This is my friend Jennifer's sister Ashley.  It was so much fun hanging out with her! 

This is Jennifer, one of my college roomates. It looks like we fit together like a puzzle :)
This is my other roomate, Emily.  

Working away...

Just a little update on the baby and our house.  Here is a picture of me at 12 weeks.  I feel like all of the sudden, my belly has kind of popped out.  I am looking forward to our next appt in 2 weeks to hear the heart beat!  Maybe this time, the doctor can rule out twins :)

Jeff is currently outside staining our deck.  He is constantly working on a project here at home and I love that about him! He never complains and I think he really enjoys doing things around the house.  Here is a before picture of the wood...

Here is Jeff down on his hands and knees staining away

Here is a small section of deck that has been stained.  We didn't want a really dark color. We wanted more of a natural color so it may not look that different on the computer but it looks great in person.

And I am so proud of this piece of work.  We had to have a step put in beneath our patio door for insurance to continue covering us! And for safety's sake.  It was a 2 foot drop off so here is what Jeff did!  He did a fantastic job and now everyone can feel safe going out the sliding patio door!  Thanks Jeff, it looks great!  Hope everyone has a great week!

P.S.

We are not going to find out what we are having :)

New House Pictures and Baby Update

I wanted to post a few pictures of our house. These are not the most updated but I never took any since we moved in. So next time I clean and organize, I will try to post more.  We have countertops now :) We are enjoying being homeowners but it is so true that the projects never stop.  The only thing we changed about the bathroom was that we had the tub re-glazed.  Everything else, we left as is.

We had our floors refinished and we love them.  
Our fireplace is not a working fireplace. It could be, but it would cost a few grand to fix.  So right now it's just for looks :) But we love the built in bookshelves.

We got back from vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last Friday and had a blast.  It was a great week of relaxing, sun, and playing games with our good friends Mindy and Tony.  I felt great the whole time and I think I gained a couple pounds during this trip :)  We had our first doctor's appointment today and it went great!!!  We love our doctor and feel very comfortable with him! We also got to hear the heartbeat which was great! Can't wait for 4 more weeks until we can hear it again.  I am feeling great and am loving being pregnant! Enjoy the pictures...

Love to you all!

New Belly Pics

Here are a couple new pics of my belly.  I am 8 1/2 weeks pregnant and feeling great! The past 5 days I have felt completely normal.  Not that before was bad, but I just didn't feel great.  Now I do and I am so thankful.  We are leaving for Mexico on Saturday and I am so excited! It will be a great week off and fun times with our friends, Mindy and Tony.  I then have my first doctor's appointment on Monday, the 17th.  We should get an ultrasound that day which will hopefully rule out my thinking that I am having twins :)  I just never thought that my belly would feel this big at this point.  Not that it's that big but I feel like it is growing daily!  Enjoy the pics and I will update after the vacation.  Love to you all!

By the way, for those of you familiar with my belly button, it used to be oblong and skinny and it is definitely already rounding out and becoming more shallow.  Check it out...