Daddy Blog Takeover!!!!

So this is the daddy take over since i haven't really had a chance to get in here and blog i decided now would be a perfect time. We found out what of the sex of the baby is and were so excited, we even decided on a name which is great. Before we get to that though I'll go back through everything that has happened so far From Daddy's point of view So lets Begin

Let me start from how mommy surprised me. I was at work and we were walking into the breakroom for lunch and i saw some balloons at our table and i was like what in the world. Next thing i know brittany my sister walked over and sat a pan of cupcakes down and i was getting really weirded out. I was thinking what is going on its not my birthday what is going on, then brittany told me to look at the cupcakes to see the surprise. On the lid it had "Which would you rather have?" and then i opened the container and it had red and blue cupcakes but i still couldn't understand what was going on then after much contemplating i kinda knew in my heart what was going on. I then looked under the lid of the container and it said....."Your going to be a Daddy" and my heart dropped and i put the lid down so fast and brittany and montez( brittany's fiance) looked at me and wanted to know what was going on, so i finally got up the courage to show them they freaked and at that same time she walked into the breakroom and i was like "are you serious" of course she was lol. I was so excited and scared all at the same time I couldn't even focus at work the rest of the day, which driving a forklift isn't a good thing so i had to stop driving the rest of the day. Talk about the biggest surprise of my life :)

but before i get into another story i have to give this quick side note mommmy was so exicted that for the next six weeks she gave me an update of everytime you changed in size from a apple seed to an avacado lets just say she was super excited.... lol

When we finally got our first ultrasound it was amazing and kinda weird it wasn't a regular ultrasound where they do it on the stomach they had to go through the *cough lady parts lol .....but anyways ultrasounds like that i never understood it just looks like a bunch of blobs but the tech was able to point out the head and butt but i didn't really see it so i just took her word on it. but they also let us hear a heartbeat and that was amazing it became really real to me then i looked at tiffany and i just fell in love with the baby right then i just couldn't believe something so small already has a heartbeat

So weeks went by of course things were happening but more like little things like tiffany having headaches but wasn't a whole lot just a lot of people betting(not really more like guessing) as  to what the sex of baby west. i was guessing a boy just because i have a friend that our lives have been pretty parallel in how stuff has been going and just a few weeks before they found out they were having a boy so i just knew we were too.

Then this past friday it was finally time to find out the sex of baby west so we got up early went into the doctors and as tiffany was getting weighed the nurse said that they don't tell the sex of babies before the 20th week even though they let her schedule that date so needless to say mommy wasn't too happy so we wait for the doctor to come in and she confirmed what the nurse said but she still let us hear the baby's heartbeat but that time we were just looking for a little more....so tiffany got on the phone after we got done at the doctors office and called some specialty ultrasound places and we got an appointment the same day!! which was great!! but because of atlanta traffic and complicated hospital layout we were late and of course she blamed me for stopping for something to eat even though she was hungry too! ;) but they worked us back in even though it really only took 10 mins. when we got in the room there was like five 40 inch tv screens and an ambient light and soft classical music and i big couch for me to sit on! it was a nice environment so she laid down and the tech got to work!

As soon as she found the legs i knew exactly you were a BOY!!! it took her a little longer to confirm my belief but she eventually did. she started taking pictures in 3D and it was amazing i could see you!! you have my nose i can tell already and you kinda look like i did as a child. It was the most amazing feeling ever i said silently to myself Thats my boy!!! it was a weird kinda pride like I'm proud of my boy for swimming around LOL but it was a great time although you were not happy the tech was pushing you around a bit.

While we were heading home i was thinking a lot that because this is our first time i want both of us to be involved in naming baby west in of just the first boy being named after me so i told tiffany this and she was on board but was totally fine either way which is why i love her. but at the same time it was weird like God just dropped a name in my head i didn't force it . so i told tiffany the name and she liked it so your name became Trenton Cole West!!

The last part of my story involves telling my family tiffany made a cake that the inside would tell the sex of the baby by the blue icing which was really cool and really tasty!! my mom was so funny being super excited it made me laugh really hard but Mr lerone didn't want to know what the sex was but he should of left the room because mommy ended up blurting it out anyway LOL it was funny after we told them i went to walmart with britt and montez to pick up some stuff and while i was there i picked you up some clothes including a shirt that said "Daddy's # 1 little tough dude" and some other things it was just amazing i just felt like you were already here these next few months will be tough to get through because i can't wait to see you. i'm glad i got to see you already but i can't wait till i can hold you! I love you so much!!!

-Dad

16 Weeks of Growing Baby

I have to start out by saying, I just love my husband. He is such a great supporter and encourager. When I am having a bad day, he somehow knows exactly what to say to make me feel better, even when he doesn't realize it. Our baby is going to have an amazing father. God paired us up perfectly :)

The past few weeks haven't really been much different, which I guess is a good thing; just makes writing any updates a little harder. I did talk to my doctor about all the headaches I've been having and she recommended I see a neurologist since I already got bad headaches from when I was hit in the head in high school. But I was talking to Joe and talking to my mom and we are all on the same page about this. You see, I'm really good (or bad, depending how you look at it) at self-diagnosing myself and since I've learned to deal with the bad migraines for the past 8 years, I can typically tell the difference between what kind of headaches I am having. Plus, Joe and I both don't want to add another doctor bill right now.....and really, what can a neurologist do for a pregnant woman? I can't have any tests or x-rays or MRI's done....So I think we have concluded to opt out of seeing a neurologist and just stick to my self-diagnoses for now :)

One thing that has been different in our lives though, is Joe has started helping me in my Sunday school class :) I work in the infant room every other week at our church and he has started coming with me which has been wonderful to see him interact with other cute little babies. This past weekend we had a little 9 week old baby and I absolutely loved seeing Joe take care and learn how to take care of this adorable little baby. There was some apprehension but he did great and I was so proud of him. Have I mentioned how much I love my husband lately?

This week also marks the beginning of a new month! So of course, here is the 4 month picture :)

Goodbye First Trimester, Hello Second!

Today marks the beginning of the second trimester! 14 weeks now. I have been so lucky in not having the stereotypical first trimester of morning sickness and food aversions. Which I am so very very thankful everyday for that!

Nothing too big happened this past week as far as the baby goes. Joe and I have had some good talks about our little one though and that has been wonderful. While my sister was here, she bought some cute little outfits for Baby West and we can't wait to use them :)

I always wondered why pregnant women touch and rub their bellies so often. Now I know. It's just so neat and such a reminder that God placed a tiny little being inside you for you to take care of and for Him to grow into a healthy little baby. I find myself constantly putting my hands on my belly and just smiling; thanking God for such a miracle.

This week though, there is a lot of happenings going on; at least on the Goodall side of the family. On Wednesday, July 25th, my oldest sister will be having a C-Section about 5 weeks early due to some complications we all knew would happen when her and her husband got pregnant. But on Wednesday, the first grandbaby of the Goodalls will be born! I am excited to see, and eventually meet, little baby Elijah Charles :) Prayers would be appreciated though as baby Elijah will have to be in the NICU for awhile, as well as healing from the C-Section for Karynn.

We all decided that Karynn should wait a day, though for Elijah to be born because the 26th seems to be a great day to be born :) My baby brother will be 5 years old on Thursday and I cannot believe it.That little stinker is growing up and he and Michael will both be starting kindergarten this year.....oh, and also on the 26th is my 24th birthday too...but really ever since Travis was born, my birthday has disappeared and it's been his birthday. But I don't mind, I kinda like him :)

3 Months Down, 6 More to Go!

Today marks THREE MONTHS! We are almost out of the 1st trimester and it's pretty exciting :) Today we had a doctor's appointment and we got to hear the heartbeat. It was absolutely wonderful.

I am sure it's not just me, but most if not all mothers, but I was pretty nervous right before hearing the heartbeat. Since the first trimester is the most susceptible to miscarriages, that fear has always been in the back of my head. Now I haven't had any signs whatsoever that I have had a miscarriage and I have been seeing and feeling changes signifying that I really am still pregnant, but that fear still lingered.

BUT, we heard the heartbeat and all is well :) My doctor said it sounds good and now I need to start gaining weight. With only one week left in the 1st trimester, I have gained a whopping 1 1/2 pounds; yet still not back to my normal pre-pregnancy weight. My doctor told me I need to gain at least a pound before I see her again in 4 weeks. So here's hoping all this food I've been eating will start catching up with me! Just not too fast though :)

In 4 weeks we go back to listen to the heartbeat again, and then 4 weeks after that we get to (hopefully) find out what we are having! Any bets on what it's going to be? I'm thinking maybe a girl; just because probably 99% of my pregnant friends this year have had or are having boys. So I'm just saying 2013 will be the year for girls. Just my speculation of course.....


Also on a side note, I got my first "Are you pregnant?" question today at work from my favorite security guard. I guess that means I officially look pregnant now :)

11 Weeks and Counting

Dear Baby West,

Today you are 11 weeks growing! You are getting bigger and bigger and Daddy and I are so excited. My belly is starting to grow out, though sometimes it just looks more like I’m packing on pounds rather than baby. It seems that the exact day 10 weeks hit, you decided it was time to make Mommy sick though. How about we just go back to me eating a ton of food and not getting sick? Deal? Deal J Rice cakes, Tums, and sherbet ice cream seem to be helping me this week, so at work I have practically an entire pantry full of different food in my desk, and the fridge and freezer in the break room has my ice cream, popsicles, and 2-3 different types of lunches every day just for me. I never know which ones are going to make me sick……

Grandma Kathy sent you some things for your nursery with Auntie Stephanie this week! I am so excited to get things ready for you. You are going to have the best nursery around! Though I am a bit biased. My clothes are also starting to not fit anymore, but sadly I’m in the stage where my clothes are too small, but maternity clothes are still too big. It’ll come though, and frankly, I’m excited to get a new wardrobe for a few months.

You are going to get some good flying in before you are born, little Baby! This year I will be having to travel to new clients with work, so there are quite a bit of opportunities for us to fly. And you, me, and Daddy get to spend a wonderful 4 days in Vegas with my coworkers and their spouses since we brought in so much revenue last year. Your mommy is very, very blessed with an amazing job with awesome perks J As of right now, this trip is planned for the end of August, so Daddy gets to see Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and Hoover Dam for the first time! We will need to take you there again one day when you’re older. The Grand Canyon is an amazing place to see God’s beauty.

There are just 3 weeks left until we go into the second trimester. Let’s leave the first strong, and not very sick J Daddy noticed my growing belly for the first time the other night. I just love your daddy. His face of pure excitement and awe and wonder, was just amazing for me to see and I cannot wait for him to feel you move for the first time. He already said he isn’t going to take his hands off of you J

I love you precious baby. Keep growing strong and healthy.

We see you, little Baby West!

Saturday, June 16th 2012

Last week I didn't post anything mostly because I had my first bad week. I started off the week with a terrible, terrible migraine. Usually over the counter medicine doesn't work for my headaches so this is one thing I have been a bit worried about with this pregnancy. But God is good. And so is my husband. He got up at 3:30am and went to the gas station to buy me some Tylenol. Then he stayed up with me until I was able to get semi-comfortable enough to fall asleep. Isn't he wonderful? :) And thank You, Jesus, it actually worked. I by the end of the next day my headache was gone.

I also had my first bout with food aversions. I was making chicken one night and then all the sudden the smell was repulsive. I just couldn't get away from it and I was so queasy and miserable for two days after! And I must say kudos to every mother who has had morning sickness because these two days of being so extremely nauseous were horrible! I don't think I could handle it every day.

This week was a great week though! On Monday, we had our first ultrasound!! It was so exciting to see our adorable little lima bean of a baby! I just wish I was able to capture the look on Joe's face the first time he saw his little baby. Especially when he saw the heart beating. It was such a precious and beautiful moment.....

The ultrasound technician also gave us a more accurate due date, which is now January 21st, 2013! We thought I was 7 weeks along at this point but I'm actually 8 weeks. Which I also figured out this is a honeymoon baby..... :) The only bummer part about the new due date is now there really is not a good chance of it being a February baby at all. I guess little Baby West will be sharing a birthday month with Daddy, Aunt Brittany, Uncle Michael, and Aunt Karynn for sure!

This week I also broke the news to my boss and coworkers. For some reason I have been pretty apprehensive about telling them all, but I knew I needed to do it sooner rather than later. 1. because my belly is already starting to grow and 2. we travel so much with work that my boss really does need to know so I can take the proper precautions while flying and collecting documents at client sites. But good news. They took it well. I also found out that one of the ladies I eat lunch with at work is also pregnant! So now there will be two of us waddling around the office this winter :)

And since another month has passed by, here is the 8 week picture! My stomach is starting to grow a little bit, though I'm not really sure you could tell in this photo or not.

Week 5!

June 1st, 2012

It's Week 5 Day 3 and little Baby West is the size of an appleseed or a sweet pea. He or she is now visible to the naked eye too :) That is so exciting to think about!

This week has been another week of annoying and bothersome cramps but not too terribly bad. I haven't had any of the supposed "normal" symptoms yet like extreme tiredness and exhaustion, or morning sickness. The funny thing is, I'm sort of opposite. I've actually been really hungry! Which for me, that's a praise since I am pretty sure I am getting hungry as much as a normal person and I haven't had any sort of "normal" when it comes to my stomach since I was 18 years old. I still can't eat a lot of food but I do get really hungry every couple hours. So for me, that is super exciting :) Although, I have to admit, it does make me nervous that I will gain a bunch of weight....my goal is to gain no more than 30 pounds this pregnancy. Which will still put me at the heaviest point I have ever been in my life; which also freaks me out a bit! At least most all of it will be gone when the baby is born and while breast feeding.

This week I have also been a bit stressed out. Dealing with health insurance is a pain! I have never been so frustrated about something like this before. Who knew that trying to figure out which insurance plan to choose could result in so many what-if situations.....! But I think we are close to figuring that all out, thank goodness.

We are also starting to look for a midwife in the area that we are comfortable with. Joe and I both would like to deliver at home if at all possible, so prayers in finding someone in the next few weeks would be fantastic :)

Another good news about this week is that I am officially a West and a Georgian! Today I spent the entire day getting a new social security card, driver's license, car insurance, and license plate and tags. I must say though, I have been dreading losing my California plates :( The new Georgia plates are so ugly....!