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...