Warmer Days

So, it is starting to warm up around here which I think will do wonders for my mood and hopefully my health! The baby seems to know it's time for good weather because he is as active as ever. I think he is already ready to be born! His newest habit is pushing his feet into my lungs, stomach, and diaphragm to make room for himself! He tells me when I am sitting a certain way that squishes him by punching the inside of my stomach. He seems to be reacting more and more to outside touch and noises every day. I just can't wait to actually hold him and see what he is like. I am also having Braxton-Hicks contractions this week, which I'm sure is just a small taste of the real thing. But having them made me excited that the baby really will be coming in a couple months!

In other news, Joey bought me a pet rat last week because I was so lonely and depressed being at the house all the time. I love him! Rats are also very clean and non-aggressive so that is good for pregnancy and having a baby around. We named him Darwin. He is really smart and learning to come to his name when we call him! He truly has brightened my days and taken my mind off of being sick.

Today before it started raining, I got to till a section of my dad's garden with him and plant potatoes. It was incredible to feel the fresh cool dirt under my toes and to start some plants out there. I plan on coming back to help dad at the end of April to plant corn, lettuce, tomatoes, and maybe one other thing. Of course, by then, I will be a little bigger, and it will be harder to bend over so much! I love being outside though. I can't wait until Joey and I can take our little baby out on nature walks and camping. It will be a dream come true.

Oh, and Joey and I love the name Alden. I think that is what we are going with. And we are going to call him Alden as well- actually we already do :) It just feels right. Alden is such a gentle and intelligent sounding name and those are some characteristics we'd like him to have. Plus, we thought calling him "little currie" when we were around family might be kind of, well, make him feel little or less. This way, he can have his own identity and still carry on the family name!

Thanks for everything you all do for Joey, me, and Alden. We really appreciate it all. I'll try to update more soon since we have a doctor's appointment Tuesday.

An Update

Sorry that it's been so long since we've posted anything. Last week, Joey and I went to Charlotte, NC to see his parents. Though I was sick, as usual, I had a great time getting to see everyone, and I know Joey did. We got there Sunday night after a long and not very enjoyable drive :) Then Monday Joey and his family went to go see the Dead Sea Scrolls that were on display at a museum. They even brought me back a pamphlet so I could kind of see what they saw. That night, Joey's parents' church gave us a very nice baby shower, our first one!! We got a whole bunch of stuff we needed and all the clothes were REALLY cute. I think it made both of us realize that we really are having a baby, and that was very exciting to think about. At the shower, there was a nurse there named Frieda, and she let us all hear the baby's heartbeat with a handheld doppler device; that was an unexpected treat. Tuesday night, Currie (Joey's dad) got all Joey's family together at the house so they could see us. I was elated that he did that because I've only been with the extended family once or twice before! We got to show the ultrasound video to everyone which was great to be able to share. Wednesday we just relaxed around the house, and Joey's cousin Ricky came over and watched Walk the Line with us. We came home on Thursday and spent the weekend with my folks.
This week Joey's been working a lot and having band practice with the two bands he is in. He even played a show! I've been mostly too sick to do anything this week but spend time at my parents' house while Joey's working. I'm trying to work stuff out with the school so I can still take my tests since I can't attend regular class anymore. They are being pretty understanding and working with me well. It's really important to me to finish school!
Joey and I are still getting along. I am impressed every day that he can put up with all of my crying and being emotinal and sick. He comforts me and keeps me looking forward to better days when the baby will be here and I will hopefully be done being sick. I don't know how he keeps being so happy and optimistic, but it really makes me thankful that I have married him and that he is fathering my child. We are now working through the relaxation, meditation, and exercises in my book Active Birth to get my body ready for giving birth. Hopefully, that will help me be able to relax and have fewer panic attacks.
Well, I hope everyone else is doing splendid, and if you are getting nice weather as we are, I hope everyone can go out and enjoy it!

Baby Stuff

So yes, we need baby stuff. And I hate to ask for it. We are registered at www.target.com. You don't have to get us anything (support is the most needed), but if you have some extra money you were going to just use for toilet paper...
Joey and I will be going to Charlotte soon, if all goes as planned. The baby's first long car trip (kinda)! I can't wait to see all the "new" family!