Catch Up Time!

 How far along I am: 21 weeks and 4 days. 

Cannot believe it has only been 3 weeks since we found out we're having a girl. Time is moving by WAY TOO SLOW. I'm the most impatient woman when it comes to knowing surprises, and knowing we have a baby girl on the way but don't know what she looks like is bugging me. Sad thing is I'm only in month 5, so I have plenty of time to huff and puff bout this. Jordan laughs at me, so at least I know he'll be smiling the whole time. My closet is becoming less of my things and more of Harper's. I decided to move all of the clothing that does not currently fit into another closet, which left me with 5 maternity pants, 5 shirts, and 2 dresses. I went from too many clothes to not enough within a nights sleep. Seriously grow over night, and won't notice until I attempt a clothing option. I give you evidence....

 This is at 19 weeks, I'm slacking on photos but I'll upload current before this week is over. And no, that is not beginnings of a prego mark, it is a scar from awhile back. Notice how I wear sweats? Well that is my main attire around the house (got to keep my low availability of maternity clothing clean! jk).

School has begun which has created a much busier lifestyle. Jordan and I are both full time students and continuing to work part-time jobs. Thankfully we still do have time for one another! I like keeping busy that way my mind drifts off baby mode for awhile to focus on school/work/cleaning/friends/family. I cannot do much right now anyway on preparing for baby, but by end of month 6 I'll be on the go! Must rest, but here is a picture of the day we found out we were expecting a girl. Of COURSE we each bought a outfit for her.  His says something of "Daddy" and mine "Mommy."

 And the spoiling begins from first time grandparents (Franks).

'Ole Girl

 

Here is her profile view. So amazing how a ball shape at 6 weeks can turn into baby shape! 

   Little Girl

 Her feet were up by her head whole time, flexible!

 Cannot wait to see the little chubby feet! 

 I'm thinking a future running partner with that nice leg.

 Her face

 Jordan made comment how I bite my nails, so the tech added some humor onto this one. (She's sucking on her fingers/hand)

 Hand in mouth. 

11 ounces of PINK

I have always been attracted to babies ever since I held my first. Whenever someone from church or a family friend had a baby, they'd be my new best friend because I only wanted to be around the little one. It fascinated me that I was once that small. The fact I was still growing made me begin to think of how I couldn't wait to watch a little part of me and a little part of my partner grow up. It was always a BOY BOY BOY on my mind for first child. There isn't a great reason as to why I preferred a boy over a girl, but maybe it was because I had an older brother and liked the fact I had two protectors instead of one (my dad and brother). If anything were to happen I know one or both would be there to fix the problem.

When I found out I was pregnant my mind raced to the boy gender. I imagined how awesome it'd be to have a "momma's boy" =D. Throughout the progressing weeks I gain extremely confident I was carrying a boy. One of my best friend's is pregnant as well (one week ahead) and purchased a pregnancy book of signs/myths indicating gender. I was checking off almost all boy checks, but she thinks I did because I had "boy" on my head. A big sign for me was craving MEAT! I havn't eaten red meat in 5 years and all of a sudden crave a juicy hamburger, hmm boy! Many of her checkoff list was pointing to a girl, which she realllllly wanted. Needless to say I looked more a boy things for a long time, but had to resist buying anything until we found out the gender.

Having the known date of finding out the sex is miserable. Each day drags on, and each week feels like a month. There is less sleeping, more research on baby gender prediction, always looking in the mirror, and more eating. Jordan had no problem at any of those things, such a boy thing! He'd just laugh at me because he knows how bad at am at waiting for anything, especially surprises.

The date finally came, Monday August 15 at 1:30PM. (And of course I woke up semi early this day and just stared at the clock.) The jelly is all over my tummy and the distinct outline of a head appeared. It was the wildest thing I had ever seen! The hands were moving and grabbing at the feet. I wanted to cry right there, just from happiness. The tech said she is looking healthy but having a hard time finding her end because her darn leg wouldn't move! I literally almost bawled, but saved it just in case we gained some luck. Jordan's eyes were pinned to the images. Asking what was what and making me laugh. The tech finally found her bottom and I held my breath as she showed us the three little dots to make our healthy baby, a GIRL! I was honestly not expecting that, but had begun to think since I was craving brownies and cheesecake the pass 3 weeks. My whole body heated up from the rush of adrenaline. I was SO HAPPY. Our very own first baby girl. Jordan was hoping for a boy as well, but he begun to smile from ear to ear after hearing the results. I'm thinking he's wanting a "daddy's girl", but he can admit to that later. We got a roll of photos, more than I expected which made us very glad.

The hard part is over. We have found out the gender and have picked a name.

Harper Ann-Elizabeth Frank

We cannot wait to meet her! Just like her grandparents who have already given us/her clothes and cuddly animals. Thank you once again! 

I'll post ultrasound pics as soon as I take my SS# off the film.

A Jordan Story

For those of you who know Jordan Frank you understand that he has a lot to say to just about anything (always entertaining). When I finally broke the news to him about the baby I must say I've never heard such silence so well. He just stared at me as my eyes began to water. I was so nervous because I had kept it a secret for about three weeks after I had found out (I was 9 weeks when I told) and he knew something was up for awhile. It was easy to tell him, but I was nervous about the response. We sat for a few minutes, as I began to cry and he just taking it all in. His incomplete sentences finally turned into, "How far along?" From there I told him everything, the how I found out story, what the doctor had said, my family's reaction, and how I felt. Although I'm sure he shit his pants from shock, he was very thankful I decided to keep the baby and went right to talking about the future with finances, school, and care. He felt bad for not jumping up and down with excitement since a baby came some years early, but I knew within time he'd begin to smile at the thought of a little Frank running around. I had some time to deal and register my emotions about this when I had told him, so I was doing all right with the new addition, although scared to death!

A little over 2 months has passed and our outlook and emotions have become more optimistic (especially mine!). Since the beginning we did NOT look at this as a bad thing at all, just a sudden change. We kept our minds positive, but now real happy excitement increases everyday. I understand the guy doesn't know exactly what to do about being excited or knowing how to help since the woman is carrying. But Jordan shows me in his actions by rubbing or laughing at my belly, talking to baby, and smiling at every excited emotion that I get when the word "baby" is spoken. Oh and the ear-to-ear smile he gets when an outfit says anything about "Daddy".

Overall we are both excited and very nervous. We learn from listening but will learn better when interacting with our baby. We cannot wait until January 7, 2012. (or whenever baby decides to come into the world)

The Beginning of a New Life

Many friends and family do not know the story on how I found out I was pregnant. It's a denial and drama filled story that still entertains me today when I think of it. Here is the detailed story to finding out a brand new chapter in my life.

April- My birthday is April 30, and I was turning the long awaited day for the big 21. It still feels like yesterday when I would think, "I wonder what I'll be doing when I turn 21." The adventure surely did not ever cross my mind as happening. I had gone to work Friday night nd planned to go out at midnight. For some odd reason I felt very nauseous on and off throughout whole day. Thinking that it was something I must have eaten I kept my plans and went out with the girls. Saturday was the real celebration. Woke up with a slight stomach issue but slept it off. A whole day hangover hasn't happened since my classes graduation party (yes, I'm admitting to drinking at 19-years-old). I began thinking of reasons why I could be feeling this way and pregnancy NEVER entered my head. Saturday night before heading out downtown me and a few friends went out to eat Italian. Once the pasta sat infront of me I could only take a few bites. My appetite became low and the visual look on food made me want to run to the bathroom. (I love Italian food, so this was very strange for me!) Once again I ignored how I felt and went out. But when a friend would offer me a drink I'd turn up my nose. It looked and smelled so awful, but I sucked it up and took it like a champ.

May- First day of May was also the first day of the worst hangover. I had never felt this way before. It was like a stomach ache mixed in with a bad fall. The bed and couch were my best friends. After a few days the nausea continued, thankfully my boss allowed me to sit down whenever I was able to. I went on doing my normal routine, but absolutely no drinking. The thought of a cocktail made me gag. Still I didn't think of pregnancy. Two of my close friends questioned it, but I said it was impossible. Seemed like I was trying to make myself believe it was impossible. Making my mind believe a lie I created. A week and few days passed and I became unable to move from my bed. The ache below my lungs yet above my stomach would go up and down in pain. Fetal position was the only cure I could find. Becoming curious and worried, I looked online. Related symptoms went to a digestive issue, so I called my mom to let her know about how I was feeling and had made a doctors appointment.

Twenty minutes before my mom was coming to take me to the appointment (I couldn't drive due to extreme nausea and pain) I took a deep breath and tore open a pregnancy test. It did NOT take long for that thing to register the two bright pink lines. I was positively 100% pregnant and in shock. I sat until my mom pulled up. She could tell something was up right when I got into the car, and without thinking twice I showed her the test results. We have a very good relationship and I let her in on almost everything in my life. Immediately her eyes widen and the words I kept saying to myself came out of her mouth, "Oh my gosh," but with a smile.

Doctor's Office: I'm the kind of person that needs reassurance and an accurate statement. If I was to find out if the results were right a quick sample at the doctors office would be the answer, so of course I still went. My doctor came in and told me I was very much pregnant with a high level of HCG. "Congratulations!" But I sadly ignored her enthusiasm as I tried to comprehend the fact of how my life just went from one lifestyle to another within 10 minutes. Checking out was fast, and when my mom and I stepped outside I told her it was a for sure deal and began crying. I wasn't crying from sadness, I was happy but extremely scared and worried.

Some days later I got my appointment with my baby doctor. An ultrasound was taken to see how far along I was and they believe I was 6 weeks. My birthday mess and everything after made so much sense now. MORNING SICKNESS DUHH! I still smack myself for not even thinking of the possibility.

Now marks the beginning of a beautiful bump in our road. Since my first initial shock, I couldn't be any happier of a person