We have reached the 14 week mark ...

So I haven't been so great at keeping everyone up to par, but I am giving you a little update now. Things have been moving right along, it's hard to believe that we are already 14 weeks along! I had a week of nauseated-free bliss, however, that ended quickly and I am back feeling nauseated in full swing. The doctor informed me that it usually ends at 16 weeks at the latest, so we will pray that we have that to look forward to in 2 weeks. Otherwise, I am still just tired and constantly lying around - doing things here and there!

We decided to do the Downs Syndrome testing at 12 weeks and got to have yet another ultrasound. This time it was absolutely fascinating - we could see the eye, nose and lips. The lil' peanut likes to keep her hand up by her face - (I am referring to our peanut as a "her" because I feel it is a girl)! Our results can back that our risk of having a Downs baby is 1:>5,000 chance, and 1:>10,000 of having a child with Trisomy 13 or 18. We would not have done anything differently if the results can back differently, however, Jason felt that it was important that we have time to mentally prepare for that situation. I could not agree more.

We also made our appointment to find out the gender of the baby. The appointment is on December 1st. It sure does seem a long time away, but it is fun wondering what that lil' peanut in there is. Of the things I have read, such as, craving sweets, gagging at the thought of steak (and some meat in general), having increased morning sickness and heartburn, increased heart rate and my instinct. I had my first dream the other night and it was a little girl. We will be so delighted either way - a handsome lil' guy or a frilly lil' girly-girl. I keep telling everyone that we may be only having one because I am not sure I can go thru all this again. It hasn't been horrible, but very hard to work and function when I am not feeling up to par (or anywhere near)! :)

So this week, our peanut has started developing laguno - the little hairs on their body. All of the vital organs are in place and developed and blood is now circulating. (S)he is able to move around (which she has been doing on the ultrasounds). Our lil' peanut is now 3 inches long (also compared to a nutter butter on another site). The outer membrane is now starting to form skin. Hair is starting to grow on the eyebrows and scalp. Hiccuping may occur, as well.

My little pudge is getting bigger and it is soooo exciting to watch. I have not been able to feel the baby move, although we can tell (s)he is an active baby. That should be occuring in the short weeks to come.

I will try to keep everyone updated, sorry that I haven't been doing such a great job lately. I will try and get the ultrasound pics scaned and put on here, along with a belly pic. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers up to this point!!!

Pumpkin Patch Extravaganza

Jenna showing off her prize picked pumpkin!

Love is in the air - Jenna and Preston holding hands

There's the shy guy, Ethan, playing in the fort!

Jenna and I being silly!

The kidos enjoying the animals

Well I have many things to catch everyone up on, so first we will start with our trip to Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch! This trip was organized to give my coworkers and their families time to get to know each other and do something as a family. April took her two boys, Preston and Ethan - while I stole Jenna for the day. The weather was hot and I was nauseated throughout most of the trip, however, April and I have many funny stories to share that happened within the 5 hour trip that we took.

We started off doing all the activities: feeding the animals, riding the tricycles, going thru the corn and hay mazes, going down huge slides and watching the pig races. Then we took the dreaded trip out to the pumpkin field, not realizing how trying this experience would be. It all started off great, until we realized that all of the pumpkins were bigger than our heads and very heavy. Since we had 3 kids total, that meant we had to carry 3 heavy pumpkins out of the field. Getting those pumpkins out of the field and back to the hayride was a lesson of its own. Ethan was getting tired and wanted to be held, while April had to carry 2 heavy pumpkins. We would walk a few feet, rest, get Ethan up to speed and do it all over again - many, many times!

By the time the trip was finished, we were exhausted and all ready for a nap! Now we had to cart the pumpkins to the cash register to pay. When we found out that our pumpkins were going to cost $10 a piece, we disregarded all the work we had just put in and distracted the kidos so we could switch out for smaller and cheaper pumpkins. What are we going to do with a $10 pumpkin???? So we headed out, and ran into yet the funniest story of the day - but I will let April fill you in on that saga!!! :)

We had a great time but when it was all said and done the lesson of the day was learned: We will never go to the pumpkin patch without Dexter or Jason to help carry the pumpkins! The night ended in disaster as Mizzou lost to Oklahoma - but overall it was a fun-filled and interesting day!

Meet our Newest Addition ...

Meet Franklin - a new member to the Smith gang

Wanting mommy to pay attention to him

The lil' guy hanging out with Daysia

Already chewing on things nonstop

Franklin says hello - up close and personal

After a rough week last week, Jason and I contemplated adding another furbaby to our family. We were scared that people would think we were replacing Scootie or moving on too quickly. However, after discussion, we decided that if we waited too long, we would be trying to train a new dog and having a new baby. Not even a situation I want to put myself in to! So we took the huge plunge and so far, it has been worth every second!

So on Friday night, we drove to Osawatamie, KS to pick up our lil' guy. We decided that we wanted to name him in memory of Scootie, so we named him Franklin, or Frank for short. Among many other nicknames, we would call Scootie Frank - so we decided to name him Frank with a twist. Franklin is 10 weeks old and about 5 lbs or so. He is a little cuddlebug and instantly melted our hearts. He rode the whole hour and a half drive home wrapped around my neck, resting against the headrest. He sleeps throughout the night and has only had 3 accidents.

Daysia is warming up to him, although they have their moments. He is jumpy and excited and Daysia is relaxed and calm. Franklin always thinks it is time to play and thinks that Daysia's tail is a chew toy! But time will make all well. They are cuddling together as I type this post!!! :)

I will update about our little peanut within the next few days!!!!! It already feels like we are training for our peanut to arrive.