14 / 15 Weeks - Second Trimester!!

Merry Christmas!! Wait?! Christmas just passed, it has been a super busy month with shopping, cleaning and cooking and day dreaming of baby. =) I hope you had a very Merry Christmas.

I had Marcos, my husband, home this Christmas and I really appreciated it. Last year, I thought it would be fine for him to go see his parents in Brazil for Christmas and I'd stay here. It was a really hard thing to do. At first it didn't bother me, well the idea of him leaving, but once he was gone it was just bad. Marcos is literally my best friend, the love of my life and he wasn't celebrating Christmas with me. I thought deep down that this would be a good lesson for him, for him to realize that it was stupidest idea ever to be separated at Christmas. I'm still not sure how he feels about it because I know he never gets to see him family and I see mine almost every day if  not 2xs a day. I know I couldn't do it though, but I don't think he'd think twice about going back to Brazil to spend Christmas with his family and leaving me here in MS with my family.

(Cutest Ornament EVER! Thanks Mom!)

Speaking of family, this is when the issue gets tricky. I'm trying to explain to him that we, as in ME & HIM are a family now. I don't think he gets it quite yet but maybe this baby thing will open his eyes some to see what I see. Or maybe I am just being selfish... who knows?!

At 14 weeks, nothing was to exciting. I was hoping to find out the gender of this baby, but Shiloh just wouldn't cooperate. I am really concentrating on my weight. In the first trimester you should only gain about 5lbs, and I was trying my best to do that. I really think it is unneccessary to gain sooo much weight do to over eating. Don't get me wrong, I definitley over ate for Thanksgiving and Christmas but now it's over and I can stay focused. Every  morning I try and eat a banana and yogurt. The text books say that a baby only needs 300 extra calories a day, so eating that every morning I have taken care of my baby for that day. Then, I go about my day eating and doing things I'd normally do on a normal basis. I have a friend, Kristy (shoutout to you sista) and she is preggo with baby #2 and I saw her at 18 weeks and she barely looked pregnant. She was tiny, and still in her old jeans. It was a real reality check to me after seeing her and reading books that if your small you are less likely to show until your 5 or 6 month. Sometimes I look big, but that is due to bloating or water retention one day. I'll get on the scale and flip out that i gained 5lbs over night but then the next day i'm back to my normal weight, it's mind boggling but reassuring to know it techincally wasn't me.

Today marks, 15 weeks. on Monday we got to see baby Shiloh and baby was very active, kept sucking it's little thumb too! That was soo cool to see and watch. We couldn't get baby to cooperate with us so we could tell if it was a Natalie or an Asher but hopefully soon we will know. This week is NEW YEARS and we have plans to spend it at my brothers house, cooking out steaks and playing games - family fun! =) New years day we are packed up and headed to Dallas Cowboy Stadium where we will celebrate my 26th birthday and watch Rebels play OSU. My best friend from college who lives in TX will be coming to celebrate with us and bringing her fianance, Dale. I met him back in September (a trip I will never forget because I wasn't goign to go because I knew I was ovulating and I didn't want to miss the day, which I thought was a Sunday the day I'd been on the airplane all day - but I guess I was wrong, maybe it was Monday ;) Ha ) I'm really excited about going to Dallas and seeing my friend and spending my birthday w/ Marcos, Nicole and baby!

Well, that's it. I'm tired of typing and want to take a nap! I hope you all have a Happy Happy New Year - and May God reveal himself to you in a MIGHTY way in 2010!

Much love,

Jana

Good Morning!

So, It is early and I am AWAKE. Not sure if I wrote about the name thing but we have a girl name if Shiloh is a girl.

Natalie Arianna Rodrigues
Natalie Gisele Rodrigues
Natalie Nicole Rodrigues

Which one do you like?

For a boy - this has been dificult. We knew Natalie would be the name from the beginning - we BOTH love it. But for a boy - a whole other story. Here is what we have for a boy.

Asher Giovanni Rodrigues
Dylan Asher Rodrigung
Marc "Sterling" Rodrigues

If you are wondering about the name Asher - well, it is one of the 12 tribes of Israel - 8th son of Jacob.
The name Asher means: Blessed & Happy child. =) And I like that!
Dylan means: Resolute Courage or Faithfulness
Sterling means: Pure & of High Worth

So - Let's here your votes! =)

It's Potty Time... Again?! 13 weeks and counting...

 I'm exhausted right now, mostly due to the fact that every night around 1:45am I wake to run to the potty. It's like my bladder has shrunken in size. Once i wake up, I can't go back to sleep. I lay awake until about 4AM then finally some how, I fall back to sleep and stay asleep until about 9AM.

Well, this week was quite as exciting as a month ago. I went to the dr. on Thursday, December 16 @ 13 weeks for some spotting. Just like last time I was freaked and praying like crazy. As I waited in the Dr.'s office i started counting back when the last time I was in here for spotting. It was just last week at 12 weeks that Marcos and I had just heard the heart beat and here I am back in the Dr's office freaked out not knowing what is going on. I realized I had been in at 9 weeks for spotting and it had been 4 weeks and now I am back.

Dr. arrived just as confident and happy to see me. She just saw me about 11 days ago. She asked what was up and I told her well, same thing bleeding and kinda freaked out. She pulls out the doppler and says lets have a hear shall we? Yes, we shall! =)

The night before I just felt my baby move. You make think that being odd... but it isn't. I'm pretty small - and very in tuned to my body. It feels like a "goldfish". It doesn't happen alot but it'll move somethng like a flip - jerk - sudden twitch sooo noticeable that I know it is just my big ole baby! Which I really do think I will carry a big baby not 6lbs but like 8 or 9lbs. Haha. Why do I thnk that , I dunno... I just do!

So, Dr is looking to find the heart beat and i am calm because I know I felt it last night but I don't know why I am spotting. The Dr. is searching down low and taking forever! She looked very nervous. I explain to her the baby is higher and on my right side. She moves the doppler on up to where I thought I felt the baby the night before and sure enough there baby was just a moving. Kicking up a storm. (I'm feeling that right now as I type!!!!! =) ). I got to hear the heart beat and Dr. assured me everything was fine. Actually, it was on November 16 that I came in for the same thing and here it was December 16 exactly a month from that date.

Dr tells me, "Well, your just a bleeder... you know like you wouldn't even know you were pregnant if you had already known". Like the TV show on TLC - Pregnant and Didn't know. I used to watch that show with Marcos and think these people were crazy. But, I guess if once a month you are having signs that a period is about to show you right it off as one and think you're not pregnant. Totally crazy - but as for right now that is ME!

Christmas is next week and I will be 14 weeks and entering my 2nd trimester, even though some text books say I entered it at 12 weeks. I haven't had any morning sickness - this pregnancy has been quite smooth when it comes to pregnancy symptoms people occur during the first trimester - I've experienced very little if that. I give God the glory for that. I'm trusting in him every day to see me through each day. I couldn't imagine going through a pregnancy not having God on my side. It's an awesome feeling.

No Mexican for 12 weeks!

12 week doctors appointment this AM. Everything was great. Baby's heart beat is just a beating rapidly. Can you hear it?




So, anyone who knows me, knows Marcos and I eat Mexican every Friday night with my parents. We have always done this. Literally, for 2 years now we have done this.

Things have changed. I can't stand the sight of Mexican. Even having to talk about it right now is making me quesy. I just realized it has been 12 weeks since I've eaten Mexican. I used to enjoy it all the time. I actually miss the thrill of Friday and Mexican. I desire to want a desire to want it again. Ha, did that make since?

Marcos has been dying. He still loves to eat Mexican. So, we attempted to eat it yesterday. I had no desire for fajitas (like the usual) but the quesadillas sounded good. I got the chicken quesadilla. When it arrived I tried and it was ok. What I realized though was that it would be much better if I scraped out the cheese and chicken and just at the tortilla shell dipped in sour cream and salsa. Yummy - now that was good!

I've started to work out now too. I'm trying to walk 1 mile 3 times a week and lift weights to have sexy skinny arms. I've already gained -- well--- I won't scare you just yet. But do know - I am working on this. Just because your pregnant doesn't mean you have to blow up and get huge. Just eat an extra 300 calories - which translates into yogurt and a banana. I can do that! We shall see.

I hope everyone is having a great day. Were you able to hear the rapid 3 second video of babies heart beat?

Lots of love, joy and peace!

Jana

You Will Never Understand

I am now 11 weeks. Wow, it's super surreal. I wasn't sure what to blog about at 11 weeks until I spoke with a friend today. So, I titled this post, "You Will Never Understand".

If you've never had a  miscarriage, "You Will Never Understand". You'll never understand the anxieties, the worries, the thoughts, "is this going to happen again?" I know many people now, who've lost a child aka "missed miscarriage" and these are the thoughts we go through on an hourly basis. Sure, first time pregnant moms have some anxieties and worries, it's only natural right - but it's nothing like "us".

It's like a new group of friends - the "us" group, who's been there and done it and can relate. Not only can we relate but we can feel the exact pain someone goes through when they've discovered their loss. It's in this moment that I am some how grateful I faced a devasting tragedy because now I truly know how it feels.

Jealousy - jealousy is something that satan tries use to make you feel the pain all over again - when a friend or relative or sister or whoever becomes pregnant and doesn't experience a loss. They have what they call, "a perfect pregnancy" - blessed pregnancy. This is something I overcame a long time ago. I actually don't ever remember being jealous of anyone who was pregnant around the time that I was and carried their precious baby to full term. But, I do know of those who have lossed and this becomes an issue.

Pride - I've dealt with prideful pregant people. Those that were pregnant or are pregnant and have the thoughts of gosh, "I'm pregnant or poor her, she experienced a lossed and I am just blessed". It's actually sickening how some people can act with not truley understanding the motives behind what they just said. It's very easy for me to see those who truley are meaningful in their words and those who aren't. You'd think I should feel some bitterness for those people but once again, I acknowlege who they are and thank God, I am not like them. That I can have compassion and be thankful and grateful that God has blessed them with perfect pregnancies.

Babies are BLESSINGS.

With Hannah, "I thank God for the blessing of this baby."

There is no need to be jealous - if you've lost a child and no need to feel prideful if you've haven't. I think those who have lost a child should think of those who haven't and put yourself in their shoes - and how they should feel grateful they carried a pregnancy full term. Those who haven't had to experience a loss - Praise God - but put yourself in our shoes. Imagine your sweet baby you have right now taken from you - lossed. It's a terrible pain - unimaginable.

So, today I pray like I do on many occassion - Lord - change me. Keep me renewed. I want to produce the fruits of the spirit in my everyday walk of life - in all trials and tribulations - in the greatest times and in the worst of times. Let me be: love, joy, peace, patient, good, gentle, meek, self-controled and faithful. I thank you for molding me each day into the women you've designed me to be. I know you're not finished and for that I'm ecastic. In Jesus' name! AMEN!

Happy Thanksgiving - Let us give thanks!

So, the week of Thanksgiving was a great week to really look at the life Marcos and I have started 7 years ago and give God all the Glory, Honor and Thanks. It's truley amazing to see how each year we've had trials, some small and some big but through it all we've continued to never be discouraged and to look to the One who has ALWAYS been looking after us during these times. God has never failed us.

This year was especially special because God's given us a life to look after. He has given us the honor to become God fearing parents to lead and a direct a child in the way Shiloh should go. We pray for this baby on a daily basis - not only for health but for Shiloh to be a God fearing child with their spiritual senses tuned into the Father.

I am now 10 weeks along in this pregnancy and everything seems to be goign smoothly. Last week, at 9 weeks I got to see baby Shiloh due to a "scare". But things were normal and Shiloh looked great and growing perfectly. Being a first time pregnant gal, it's not at all what I thought it would be. When you want things to go so perfectly you end up worrying over every little ache, pain or new bodily function that happens. You don't what is normal and what isn't. It's really not fun not knowing what to expect when expecting. Oh, do you think I should read the book, "What to expect when expecting?" Well, I have... it stinks... nothing helpful for me - mostly talks of food cravings, adverisons, tiredness ect. Nothing about what your body should feel in the inside. So, when I have a moment of, "Hmm what's this?" I just pray about it immediately and know God is in control. And for this I can say, "Thank You God!"

In my 3rd Month! 9wks =)

So, I have entered the 3rd month according to "What to Expect when Expecting". I am week 9 now and things couldn't be better. I continue to give God all the glory for this baby and already God has been glorified through it. I got a really encouraging letter the other day from a mom who read my blog and was uplifted with the confidence I have for the pregnancy - baby shiloh. She expressed her concerns for her pregnancy she had been having and God gave her peace after she read my blog. She is using the same scriptures and is reminded of how God is in control and he wants the best outcome for us and our babies. "No weapons formed against shall prosper - Jesus name. Amen!"  Reading the letter just had tears over flowing, as I saw God working through my strength giving others the same hope and peace God has given me.

Here is a pic of my BEAUTIFUL Baby Shiloh with a Heart rate of 185beats a minute measuring 2.44cm and 9wks.

I got to see the little feet and arms moving! My miracle!

Week 8 & all is Great!

So this past week as been so amazing. Every day I wake up and think about the little heart beat I saw inside of me just a couple of days ago. It is so amazing - such a God thing. I've stopped the 3pm surprise trip to the toliet or closest plastic bag, which is great. I may feel quesy for second but I am able to breathe it through.

Names names names. My goal is to have a name picked out before we know. A name for a girl and a name for a boy and the day we find out we will know the name. Something about that seems so special to me to go from not knowing the sex and as soon as you find out the sex you know the name. We have figured out a girl name but the boy name is just toooo hard. His parents can't say half the names I like or they can find some crazy movie and relate the movie to it. It is very frustrating. I've got some names with some really strong meanings (since it's all about the meaning of a name to me). I'm hoping the time I am out of my first trimester we will know a name for sure.

I babysit for a lady whose sister is a sonogrammer and we are going to go in at week 14.5 and find out the sex and announce it at christmas in a special way. That means I have 6 weeks until I find out!! Wow, that makes it seem like I am right around the corner.

"LET US HOLD FAST THE PROFESSION OF OUR FAITH WITHOUT WAVERING; (FOR HE IS FAITHFUL THAT PROMISED)" HEBREWS 10:23

"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts" Malachi 3:10,11

Week 7 - Hallelujah!!

Last night I couldn't sleep at all. I woke up at 2am to go potty and couldn't go back to sleep until 5AM. Once I fell asleep I was woken up again at 6 15am because Marcos was up getting ready for work. It's only natural to feel as anxious I did after going through the things I went through this time last year. The outpouring of support - happiness  - joy - prayers for this pregnancy has been so overwhelming. I feel like I'm the most blessed pregnant one out in the world at the moment due to all the cards, phone calls, emails and prayers. With all this being said there was a calming around 8am - a supernatural peace - a peace that surpasses all understanding. The last 7 weeks this baby has been covered in so much prayer and love that God's word wasn't coming back void - God's word has taken preminence over this pregnancy, our baby, Marcos and I and I know God will see me through it til the very end. This is the confidence we have our Great Lord.

Marcos picked me up a 9AM and we ate breakfast at ChickFila and then headed to the appointment. As she called my name - butterflies entered my stomach. Marcos and I entered the hallway were Dr. Moses and Nurse Kristy was there saying, "We are so excited for you guys! Congratulations - When we heard the news we couldn't help but be so excited." It was so sweet hearing this from my Dr. and of course Marcos was grinning from ear to ear.

They drew my blood - got my weight - and sent me to the sonogram room. As I sat in the room I was filled with so many emotions - what were we going to see? what were we going to hear? this all seemed surreal. The sonogrammer says, "Look at that we got a sweet little baby right here momma". It was incredible... I look over at Marcos his crying happy tears.. I am crying happy tears and our sonogrammer is crying happy tears at this point. She goes on  to say, "let's hear the heart beat" and then came the "showoshshowoshshowosh" 154 heart rate and strong she goes on to say. It was an incredible moment for us. The sonogrammer was the sweetest girl - she was so excited for us, I thought she might have could been in our family cause she seemed so comfortable talking to us and expressing such strong emotions for us and this "sweet baby" on the screen. I'm sure she was an Angel  sent in to show us our first little living miracle from God - "Baby Shiloh". That is what I am going to call this baby right now - "Baby Shiloh" it means peaceful, God's gift. It fits perfect because he/she is definitley a gift and has brought me much peace from the moment I read the words, "pregnant".

So today we are rejoicing... This is the Day that the Lord has made!! Thank You God for the gift of life.

A week away!

It's the 6th week for me and things couldn't be getting better. We are really anxious about our first appoinment next week. This week was actually the first date of our appointment but I called and moved it back one more week. I've been trying to "take it easy" however, that just isn't who I am. I'm a go go go girl! I always need to be doing something so it is so hard to just "sit" around. I've been sewing which is helping the days go fast and keeping me entertained without the feeling of being lazy and doing nothing.


I haven't really experienced any horrific sickness or nausea. I think it is actually funny when I get sick. It started last Friday when I was in the car with the girls. We were driving down the road and all of a sudden I felt motionsickness or something and I just had to puke. I grabbed a walmart bag that was sitting next to Sara Madeline and threw the stockings out of it (green & white tights for Audrey's costume) as fast as I could before I made a mess. After that I was fine. I was able to go through the rest of my day wihtout any more sickness. But this wasn't the last time it happened. It has been happening once a day around 3pmish and if I am in the car well, I just need to be prepared. =) Getting sick isn't going to leave me helpless at home, I just don't think I'll be one of those "pregnant" people.

I took a quiz today on Parent.com on what I should name my baby. This was the result:
"You seem to be a pretty active person and an independent thinker who likes doing instead of just talking. If you want your child to be strong minded and leave his or her mark on the world, you should consider baby names that people associate with being creative, smart active, and strong."

-- Well, DUUH, I could have told you that. Anyone who knows me could have told me that. I am doer - always going and never stopping. And I am sure my child will be just as creative and a go getter as me and marcos.

2 Corinthians 10:5

This week marks 5 weeks for me and all I can think about is next week. At 6 weeks and 2 days is when the worst happened for me. After praying today and looking for comfort in God's words this is what I got.

"Casting down imaginations, and ever high thing that exalteth itself AGAISNT the knowledge of GOD, and bringing INTO Captivity EVERY thought to the OBEDIENCE of Christ!"

- Wow- So powerful when you think about this. When I read this I thought to myself, well I am having these thoughts and they aren't obedient of Christ. How do I know these thoughts are not obedient of Christ, you may ask?

The Word of God! =)

I will make my EVERY thought obedient of Christ with HIS words! The Gossiple - The Good News!

The Word says:

"Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about they table." Psalm 128:3

"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall YOUR VINE CAST her fruit BEFORE the TIME in the field, saith the Lord of host" Malachi 3:10-11 (*Casting your fruit before it's time - referring to a miscarriage)

"And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of they womb." Deuteronomy 7:13

"There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren in they land: the number of thy days I will fulfill. " Exodus 23.26.

So, tonight I will go to sleep with peace - Faith in God's Word brought me this peace tonight and will continue to bring me peace over the next 40 weeks (35 now). =)

Gender Predictors

So, today have been cleaning and looking at baby things of course. ;) Anyways I took this fun old wives to test to see what it said. Here was my result. We shall just wait and see....

60% chance of a boy
40% chance of a girl

Congratulations!

The old wives tales indicate that you are having a boy!

http://www.babygenderprediction.com/old-wives-tales/index.phtml

Then at Parent.com I went and took the Ancient Chinese Gender Quiz to see what it said I would be having.

According to my age: 25
According to my conception date: September

It says that there is a 58% Boy and 42% Girl.

Once again - they say I am having a boy.

I guess we all shall wait and see!

October 13, 2009

Yesterday morning I woke feeling fantastic besides the fact that my "watermelons" were quite sore. Which is beyond odd for me because I have never had this feeling before. I had an ovulation predictor test stick and decided to pee on it. Yes, I know this is an ovulation test however since I am wasn't ovulating there shouldn't be a second line. Low and behold there was a second line, strange...a little but not suprised. I went on with my morning wondering, could I really be pregnant again?

Alison my sister called that morning wanting me to pick up Audrey from school. I picked Audrey up at 11:30 and came home to have lunch with Marcos. While Marcos was out eating I decided to take a "dollar tree" test that I had gotten awhile back and never needed to use. Extremely nervous I followed the directions and waited...and waited...and waited. The waiting was worth it because I saw an extremely faint second line. And let me tell you - dollar tree test you can never get that second line - or atleast I thought. Shocked, excited and overwhelmed and pranced out in the living room trying to hold my composure. I was ready for Marcos to go back to work so I could get things together to announce the news that night over a romantic dinner.

Still not to sure about if I could trust the dollar tree test; I decided to go to Walmart to purchase a digital one that would read, "Pregnant or Not Pregnant". While at Walmart I bought: Baby Back Ribs, Baby Peas, Baby Carrots, Baby Rolls and for dessert: Baby Peaches and Baby Bananas baby food. =)

I waited 2 1/2 hours before I POAS (peed on a stick) because I just went earlier and wanted to make sure I had something and that it would be a waste of money. At 4PM I tore open the package, said a little prayer, POAS, and waited again. This time there is a little hour glass the flashes... it flashed FOREVER. I decided to leave the bathroom due to feeling anxious and come back later. As I walked back in I saw a word...what did it say? Should I go pick it up and look at it? Why not? So, I did and it read, "PREGNANT". OMG! Couldn't believe it... it was true this time because I had a machine telling me this.

I got ready to teach spanish class and put that baby back ribs in the oven. Marcos came home from work and left to work out. When I got home from school I was able to prepare everything before he got him. When he arrived I could tell that he knew somehting was up because of the fact that the dining room door was closed off and I was cooking. I told him to take a shower and when I was ready for him I'd call him for dinner.

At 8pm it was time to announce it. And so I did. Here are the pictures of the special occassion.

Eden Condominiums

Marcos and I just finished taking our first couple trip to Peridido Key where we stayed at the Eden Condominiums. It was fabulous! The condo was just like the pictures and our stay was so pleasant.

Riley, Paul, Liz, Leah, AJ, Jana, Marcos


In front of the marvelous waterfall...


A posing picture...of course!