It's a boy!

Everything looks perfect! He sure is a shaker and a mover. He did not want his face photographed, imagine, our child being stubborn, weird... Pretty cute though, eh?

19 weeks? Already!?

Can you believe we get to find out if our little one is a boy or a girl next week? I am so excited! As we get closer to the day, the time goes slower. I think I'll sleep the weekend away to make it go faster :) My mother and my mother-in-law insisted on a belly picture, so here it is. Right now it's mostly condensed fat and organs with a little baby, but it's more baby all the time!

On a totally different note, we have had a TON of snow here lately! I never thought I would ever be a person who would buy our dog clothes, but it has been too cold not to. But look how cute he is in his sweater.

Alright friends, I will post again next week when we know what we are having!

16 Weeks

Wow, I really like the 2nd trimester better than the 1st. I have felt so much better. I still have heartburn, but the constant nausea is gone. I am having to eat every 2 or 3 hours to feel my best, but usually a yogurt, string cheese, or piece of fruit is enough for between meals. And I have only gained a pound and a half. Hooray!
I have had a few people ask me how things are going with my Thyroid. My levels are getting checked every four weeks by my Endocrinologist, plus my Obgyn tests my levels everytime he does blood work. My levels have had to be adjusted 3 times, but I think my current dose is working well for now.
I had my second appointment with my Obgyn on Friday and he said everything is looking great. Brian couldn't come so my sweet friend Kiera came. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat, between 120-140 beats per minute. I called my mom so she could hear it too and of course she cried. According to old wives' tales the heartbeat is not on the fast end, so it could mean a boy, but really who knows. We have an appointment for Dec. 8 for my next ultrasound, and to find out what we are having! I am so excited. Brian is convinced it's a boy, but I'm only sure that it's a baby.

WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!

On Wednesday August 25 I took my millionth pregnancy test (ok, maybe only thirtieth). But this one was different, it was POSITIVE! I sat in the bathroom and bawled for a couple minutes, while I triple read the instructions to make sure I was really seeing what I was seeing. Then I said a little prayer of thanks. Not just to God for giving us what we had so fervently wished for, but also to my Daddy for finally letting one of his grand-babies go. I then went into our bedroom and said to my sleeping husband, "Brian Askew, what would you say if I told you I was pregnant?" He proceeded to jump out of bed and hug me tight, and I, of course, started to bawl again. It was 22 months since we had started trying, and nothing but frustration had come our way, but now we finally had a positive test!
My doctor had me come in for an ultrasound that Friday, where they confirmed a gestational sack. Then the following Monday and Wednesday they checked my HCG levels to make sure they were doubling appropriately. On Thursday September 2 it was confirmed that we were pregnant, and that things were off to a great start.We decided that would keep it a secret, just to be safe. But really, I don't know how anyone has missed our giddiness!
I had my first prenatal appointment on Tuesday October 5, and it was amazing! We got to see our sweet little alien (really, the head was as big as the rest of the body then). We also got to see the heartbeat and little legs kicking. Holy cow! That is so amazing. I could have 20 children and still think that is cool! (no, we will not have that many kids) The doctor gave me a due date of April 19, but then told me I was 11 weeks, which really means April 26. Either way, we will have a new sweet little Askew in April! We decided to tell our parents and siblings about the pregnancy since everything was looking good. They all were excited,  I think everyone yelled, and my mother bawled. I think it was harder for them to keep the secret for two weeks than it was for us to keep it for two months! But now it is time to tell the world!
I have been very lucky, and I have not been too sick. I had to eat every hour and a half, but I have been able to carry on with my normal life. The worst part has been that I am tired all the time. I pick Brian up from work at 8:00, and take myself to bed by 8:30 or 9:00. I miss spending my evenings with him, but I wouldn't trade this pregnancy for anything!
I think that covers everything, but feel free to ask if you have any questions!

Goodbye Sweet Summer

Well, tomorrow is my first day of this school year. I have 28 students in my class, and many of them promise to be challenging. I'm excited to get started! I finished off my summer with some fun. I slept in, I read lots of books, played with my pets, and hung out with friends and family. We also did some special things.
Brian and I got to see the Broadway show Lion King. No, we didn't get to go to New York. The show came to Salt Lake. Brian took me out to brunch and to the show. It was really amazing. you should definitely go if you get the chance.
But most important, was a surprise 50th birthday party for my Mama. We invited friends from many different times and places in her life. It was fun to see great people, and my mom really enjoyed herself!

Coming in the door, holding up her hands like what the....

Blowing out her candles

Miah and me with the birthday girl

Michelle and Brian were sweet enough to help with it all.

Oh Summer...

I  finished summer school last week, so I am now officially on my two week summer break, YEAH! This summer has been great, even with school. I have gotten to spend a lot of time with friends (even ones who hit my car), and family (although brought together by a funeral). We also took my Mama to a Paul McCartney concert, and it was freaking AMAZING!! Seriously, you would think his voice would have given out 50 years later, but no, he sang for 3 hours! I can't even tell you how many different instruments he played. Definitely tied with The Cranberries for BEST CONCERT EVER!

We also adopted a puppy this month. Or, more correctly, I saw a puppy and fell in love and called and asked my sweet husband if I could bring him home. He let me, but made sure I understood that if it didn't work out, he was going back. But, he's working out wonderfully! He's a puppy, so he barks and chews when he shouldn't, but he will learn. Brian named him Frodo.

That's it for our summer so far, but stay tuned for more fun!

21 Months

     21 months of hopes and prayers. 21 months of counting days and taking temperatures. 21 months of doctors and medications. 21 months of "Are you guys ever going to have kids?" 21 months of prenatal vitamins. 21 months of my husband absentmindedly caressing my belly in a way that shows our longing for it to be full of something beautiful. 21 months of disappointment and frustration. 

      I know that I am blessed to have a husband that loves me, great family and friends, a good job, a home, and many other blessings that others do not have. But I still feel like part of me is missing. And some days the emptiness and longing are more painful than others.