18 weeks and counting!!

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound. Your baby is the size of a sweet potatoe!!

Well, I had my first unofficial ultrasound today!!! It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Glory be to God!!! That is all I can say. Seeing my sweet baby for the first time move and suck his/her thumb, flip around, etc. is just awesome. Michelle a friend of mine that works with me in the PACU at Children's went down the hall to ultrasound with me. One of the girls was sweet enough to do an ultrasound on me. Everything looked normal to us, which was a breath of fresh air. My official ultrasound where they measure everything and really check everything out in detail (if mom and I have anything to do with it!! ha!) will be Jan. 13th. I hope that baby boy/girl opens his/her legs, b/c today he/she was refusing. Oh, and Baby Iffland waved at us also. It was like he/she was saying, "Hey, I see you, and I'm not going to let you see what I have down there until Zach is with you!!" So, I'll be good and wait. As for me, I'm feeling great!! No nausea/vomiting, and lots of energy. My hair and nails are growing fast. My face is breaking out "more than usual". I am not sleeping well at all. I think this is God's way of getting me used to being sleep deprived when Baby Iffland comes. Gosh I already love this sweet baby so much already! Thank you Lord for your blessings!!!

17 weeks and counting!!

How your baby's growing:
Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop. The baby is as big as on onion!

CHRISTMAS 2009

I think each year during Christmas time gets better and better. Especially with all of the new additions to the family. Watching Christmas through my nieces eyes is so much fun. They are so much fun. I can't wait to have a totally new experience with my own child next year. I worked on Christmas Eve, so I had to miss the Iffland Christmas party. Zach really had a good time though! Christmas day we went to Jarrett and Christal's house for breakfast and lunch. It was so laid back and relaxing. Thank you Lord for blessing us with good health and togetherness. Thank you for my family and friends. Thanks Mom and Dad for everything. We really appreciate all that you do!! Merry Christmas everyone!

14 weeks, baby name picks, crib, and baby bedding!

I'm 14 weeks! I'm in my 2nd trimester already. Baby Iffland is the size of a lemon! This week's big developments: Baby Iffland can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his/her thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his/her facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His/her kidneys are producing urine, which he/she releases into the amniotic fluid around him/her — a process he'll/she'll keep up until birth. He/she can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him/her sucking his/her thumb!
I have not had to take Zofran in 3 days. So wonderful! No nausea/vomiting! I never thought I would say that. No belly pic. yet, b/c there hasn't been a lot of change to my tummy physically. My present symptoms/signs are face breakouts, heartburn, and just being hormonal. I cry about anything sweet, sad, etc. Mom and I picked out the crib and baby bedding. yay!! I love it. Thanks so much mom and dad! We really love you, and appreciate it so much. Thanks to Mom we got a great deal on everything.
Baby names are... GIRL- Tate McKinley BOY- River Lee Iffland. I'm so pumped about the name picks. Lee is my Dad's middle name. I want to have a boy for my dad more than anyone. I pray for you everyday sweet baby. I love you so much already. Below and above are pics of the bedding and the crib. The espresso color is our crib. The other light colored crib is another pic with more detail. I'm so proud and excited!!

PACU PREGGERS

Congrats Melissa! Melissa had Georgia Ann Vargas Nov. 15. She is a beautiful baby girl. It was so fun being pregnant together and sharing stories. She has been a big help to me. We will miss you why you are on maternity leave!! So glad our babies will be around the same age!

12 WEEKS PREGNANT

Well, I'm 12 weeks and 2 days today! Baby Iffland is now a size of a large lime. I have felt flutters, which feels so neat. Dad and I think it's just the baby saying, "Roll Tide"! I've gained 5 lbs. I'm trying to exercise, and eat right, so it will not be hard for me to lose weight post-partum. It's hard though when all I crave is Chinese, Buffalo Wings, and salt and vinegar chips!! I really crave orange juice a lot. My intuition tells me the baby is a boy. Old wives tales say craving OJ means it's a boy. I would love to have a boy, just praying for a healthy baby though! Thanks to Zofran, I am nausea and vomit free. I'm really tired a lot and have a stuffy nose. Just the normal stuff. Zach and I are so excited. We get to hear the heartbeat Dec. 1. Thank you Lord for this miracle, and all of your blessings. We love you so much!

Halloween 2009

Gatlinburg 2009

We had so much fun! It was so good to get away by ourselves and have a relaxing trip. I know one thing, I will not go on another trip or big outing during my 1st trimester. Wow, driving around Cades Coves never bothered me until now. It caused nausea city!! Here are some pics. of the Village, Johnson's Inn, Cades Cove (with the prettiest rainbow I've ever seen!), a view from our table at The Peddler, etc. Can't wait to go back for the 28th yr. in a row.

I'M PREGNANT!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,the fruit of the womb a reward" Psalm 127:3
Yes, I'm definitely pregnant! I'm 7 weeks pregnant to be exact. I'm loving every minute of it. My first appointment was last Wednesday. The due date is June 3rd!! We told our families last weekend. The day I found out was one of the best days of my life!! I will never forget the feeling. God blessed us with this little miracle. Thank you Lord!! Please pray for a healthy pregnancy and baby!! I had my first morning sickness Monday. That reminded me that it's not about me anymore. From now on it's about the little one! We are excited. I'll keep you updated. No change in the tummy yet of course, but I just had to do the belly pick!!

NEW PICS TO COME SOON!

Hey everyone! Yes I know, I haven't updated in a while. I will be starting to update again very soon with some wedding and honeymoon pics. I'm loving married life, our new home, and working at Children's again. Zach is loving his job also. Hope my blogger friends are doing great. New posts soon! Happy blogging...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!!

Proverbs 31:12 and 25-31

She is worth far more than rubies.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

MOM,

I KNOW TODAY ISN'T MOTHER'S DAY, BUT EVERYDAY REALLY IS A DAY TO HONOR YOU. SO I THOUGHT I WOULD GET A HEAD START AND TELL YOU THAT I LOVE YOU AND APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!! YOU TRULY ARE A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A GREAT CHRISTIAN MOM. THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL EXAMPLE YOU HAVE BEEN TO JARRETT AND ME ALL OF OUR LIVES. I AM WHO I AM TODAY BECAUSE OF YOU! I HOPE AND PRAY THAT I CAN BE HALF THE MOM ONE DAY THAT YOU ARE TO ME EVERYDAY!

I LOVE YOU MORE,

MANDY

UPDATE...

I'm planning on updating with some cute little slideshows with wedding pics., new house pics., etc. someday! We moved in, and are almost settled into our home in Mt. Olive. yay! Zach's house is still for sale in Auburn. Keep us in your prayers!! We got married on March 28th. It was such a fun and special day. We went to Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA for our honeymoon! We really enjoyed it!! For now, here are a few pics of our wedding and home. Thanks everyone for all of your support and help with our wedding festivities!!! It's so wonderful to have such great friends and family!! Love you!

WORK WEDDING TEA IN AUBURN

My PACU/OR work friends gave me a wedding tea in Auburn. Zach and I got some really nice things. Thanks everyone! Leslie, thanks for opening your home to everyone! It was so much fun!

More wedding presents at home with family...

I opened my presents from Jarrett, Christal, mom and dad the night before my tea. Jarrett, Christal, Jacey, and Camryn got us our toasting flutes. Mom and Dad got us our luggage, some of our china, Anthropology dishes, etc, my wedding book and lots more. Thanks ya'll! We love everything.
Zach didn't get to come to Bham until Sunday. He got to come to my tea after it was over to help pack up. He wondered why any real guy needed to come in close distance to a tea. He learned real quick that women can't haul everything to the truck. Oh, what we both have to learn! =)

WEDDING TEA IN BIRMINGHAM

My tea was so much fun! I got some really great stuff. Zach and I really appreciate it so much. We can't wait to use everything. My best friend, Jill, took all of these pictures. She is the best matron of honor ever! Thanks Jill!

BIRMINGHAM HERE WE COME AND UPDATES!!!

I am going to update with some new pics. soon!!

First of all I had 2 awesome wedding showers, and am so thankful to everyone who helped. I had one in Bham, and another in Auburn with my wonderful co-workers!! I received some beautiful things, and am so thankful to have such awesome things to help Zach and I start out RIGHT!!
Zach and I have been praying for lots of things; the right jobs, place to move, and not just any place to work or move. I've been praying for a while, but know I'm on God's time not mine!! (which is very impatient time mind you)... We found out last Friday that Zach has a job with Merita. He will be a Quality Assurance Manager/Auditor. He will not be managing as many people, and has so many wonderful benefits with this job. The company is located in downtown Bham. I have been torn between different places to work. I have missed Children's so much. There really is no place like it! So with much wisdom from Jesus himself, I chose to come back to Children's Hospital!!! I have an interview the first of March for a position in the PACU. I want to work PRN in the ER also, so I can be with all of my buddies there again!! I just love PACU, and can't see myself doing anything else. Where to live? Mt. Olive is where we will settle down. My aunt called with some great ideas, so we will see. I'm very excited about this new chapter in our lives. Zach and I will be getting married March 28th also, so there will be LOTS going on. Please keep us in your prayers. We are so excited that we will be back closer to friends and family again!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

NEW YEARS

Zach and I had a quiet New Year's Eve this year. I was on call New Year's Day, so we stayed in. I don't think anyone could pay me to get out in the crowds now. Wow, I thought I would never say that. Happy New Year's to everyone!!!