27 weeks

I am now at 27 weeks. I can't believe it! What's even more crazy is there are only 13 weeks to go. Thirteen weeks is such a short amount of time! I have lots to do over the next three months to get ready for this baby.

A week and a half ago I had another doctor's appointment. No exciting news to report. The doctor said the baby's heartbeat was good - 140 beats per minute. My stomach was also measured and I measured right where I should be for 26 weeks, so that was good. My weight is climbing slowly. I gained 2 pounds since my last appointment. My weight gain from my starting weight is only 5 pounds, but I have gained 7-8 pounds overall (I had lost some at the beginning).

I have also been feeling the baby move a lot more. A couple of weeks ago, on September 5, Jason was actually able to put his hand on my belly and feel kicks for the first time too! Last week I woke up in the middle of the night because a kick (or punch or head butt) was so strong. I love feeling our baby move! It is amazing to know that there is a little person inside of me moving and growing.

Three weeks ago was Jason's brother's wedding. I am so excited that I now have a sister! It was a beautiful wedding and we had a great time. And, my dress fit! Here are some photos from the wedding:

Baby's First Photos

On Monday, August 18, we had our first ultrasound and were able to see the first images of our baby. It was so amazing... what a miracle that there is a little person growing inside of me. Right away, the first image we saw of the baby was with his legs wide open, revealing to us that we are definitely having a boy! I always thought it would be nice to have a boy as the oldest child, so I am happy :) The ultrasonagrapher and doctor both said that he appears to be devoloping normally, his spine, lungs and brain look healthy and his heartbeat is strong. All good news! He weighs about a pound and all his measurements are right where they should be for his age. It was a relief to see him for ourselves and see that he has ten little fingers and ten little toes and a really cute little nose!

In the last couple of weeks, my belly has grown a lot. I am at 22 1/2 weeks now, and although I haven't resorted to wearing maternity pants yet, I only have a few pairs of my old pants that fit me comfortable. I have begun to wear some maternity shirts. I think it's about time for a shopping trip for some clothes that fit! At my appointment last week, I had finally gained some weight and was up 5 pounds total from my starting weight. At this point in a pregnancy, the average is about 10-15 pounds, so I'm still on the low side, which is fine with me as long as the baby is healthy! Next week is my brother-in-law and future sister-in-law's wedding and I have to fit into a bridesmaid dress, so I am hoping that I don't gain too much more over the course of the next week.

Also in the last couple of weeks (not sure of the exact date, but around mid-August) I have started to feel little flutters. Sometimes it is hard for me to tell what I am feeling is the baby or my intestines, but I am definitely feeling something. I was a bit worried since I was 20 weeks along and hadn't felt anything, but with the ultrasound and now feeling flutters, my anxieties have subsided.

I also had my first baby shower yesterday. My office threw me a surprise shower! I was overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone and so excited to get my first baby items. I know Jason and I are blessed by so many people around us, and I am so thankful for everyone who is supporting us during this time. Thank you all!

Baby Decker

I have not written anything yet about the biggest news of our marriage thus far - we are having a baby! For the sake of my own records, I am going to chronicle the journey we have been on over the last four and a half months. So, here it is, the story of baby Decker thus far:

End of April: I suspect that I might be pregnant and take a home test - it's positive! Jason and I are scared and excited. I immediately call the doctor to schedule an appointment.

May 17-18: We share the news with both sets of our parents, but swear them to secrecy, even from our brothers. We want to see the doctor and make sure everything is okay before we tell other people.

May 22: First doctor's appointment at 8 weeks along. Everything seems normal.

Memorial day weekend: We start sharing the news with family and friends. It was so strange to say the words out loud, "I'm pregnant." It doesn't seem real.

June 19: Second doctor's appointment at 12 weeks. We hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. It is so fast! It is reassuring to know that there is someone growing in there.

Mid July: My baby bump is staring to show. Until now I had been able to hide the fact that I'm pregnant, but now I'm really starting to display a noticable bump. I'm still wearing my regular clothes though! I'm putting off maternity clothes for as long as possible.

July 18: Third doctor's appointment at almost 17 weeks. My weight is exactly the same as it was at the first and second appointment (I will keep that number to myself). Although I have not yet gained a single pound, my weight is being dispersed differently. I've noticed that my arms and legs have got a bit thinner and my belly is growing. The nurse advises that I gain weight before the next appointment. I also record the baby's heartbeat at this appointment. Once again it is fast, with some variations in tempo, which the nurse says indicated proper neurological development. Everything seems to be on track.

August 1: I'm at the pizza place and a stranger in line next to me asks, "Is this your first?" A very bold, and dangerous, comment to make to a woman. I guess I am noticably pregnant to others now.

Today, August 7: I am two days away from 20 weeks - almost half way there! I'm feeling good. Did I mention that I have not been sick at all in the pregnancy? No morning sickness, no nausea, no other major symptoms. There were a few evenings at the beginning when I felt slightly queasy, and I have been more fatigued than usual, but overall I feel good!

I will try to keep this blog updated with the latest pregnancy news.

Maple Grove Family Camp

Almost home

It's been a while since I've posted here, and once again, I am going to try to keep it updated. A lot has happened in the last few months. One thing that has happened is that Jason and I made an offer on a house in Jackson. It has three bedrooms, hard wood floors throughout, and is in a great neighborhood close to two parks and the bike trail. I have had my eye on the house for a while, but thought it was out of our price range. After being forclosed and on the market for six months, the price dropped over $60,000 from its original asking price. If all goes as planned, we will close on the house and move in by July 31.

Cruise

March 9 to 17 we went on the first family vacation with Jason's family since we've been married. It was also our first cruise. After almost missing our ship's departure, we set sail to Nassau, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. My personal favorite was St. Thomas, where we went to Magen's Bay for the afternoon, which is ranked by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We also had a great time on the ship enjoying the food, the sun, and the activities. The weather was absolutely beautiful, sunny and 80's every day. It was really hard to come back to Michigan.

The trip came to a sad end when Jason called me at work the day after we returned and asked me, "where did you put the camera?" to which I responded "it's in my carry-on bag, why?" Well, turns out it was not in my bag, or anywhere else. Apparently, I left it on the plane on our flight back. I was of course completely devestated. Not only do I love taking photos while on vacation, but I love to look back at the photos, create albums, play with the images, post them on my website.... *tear. Luckily, Audrey (my future sister-in-law) took lots of photos and sent me a CD of what she had. I'm not holding my breath that I'll get my camera back and have grieved my loss (literally, I cried for a day). But miracles happen, right?

Freckle faces

Skiing

Jason and I went skiing for the first time together a couple of weeks ago. I got him skis last year for Christmas, and then boots this year. He has been begging me to go for a while, so we finally went to a place over by Kalamazoo. It was a freezing cold night, but we had a lot of fun!

Ice skating!

This photo was taken on a trip to Grand Rapids a few weeks ago to visit our good friends Jenn and Ben Meador. We had a great time going to the art museum, ice skating, eating at several nice restaurants, and attending Mars Hill church. It was a perfect weekend! We always have a good time with Jenn and Ben and value their friendship tremendously.

18 months later.

So, I really haven't kept up with this blog like I wanted to. Okay, I haven't kept up with it at all since the first post a year and a half ago. Maybe it's time to resurrect it? Here's a recent photo from my cousin's wedding. Our wedding seems like an eternity ago!

This is my first time ever posting on a blog, and maybe for some of you it is your first time ever reading a blog. If so, we're both in uncharted territory. Honestly, for the longest time I really didn't know what a blog even was, and maybe you're asking yourself that question too. I would prefer not to think of this website as a "blog" or a journal, but as a way for us (Jason and Jen) to communicate with our friends and family. We want to stay connected to all of you, and we want to be able to share our lives with the people that we love the most... and that includes you!
I am going to try to keep this site update as much as possible, especially with pictures. Jason and I are so excited to be starting our life together and we really just want to keep people up to date on what we are doing. We miss you all and hope to keep in touch as much as possible. So, enjoy this site and visit it often. In it, you will find a little piece of us.