Maternity Photo Shoot

I just couldn't pass up an opportunity to document the wonderful journey that we have been on over the past several months. I found an amazing photographer that did an incredible job of capturing the joy, love and happiness that Jeremy and I are feeling as we await Preston.

The Best Gift I could ever ask for

I can't wait to share our love with our little man. I am so thankful that Jeremy didn't complain during the pictures since he knew how much they meant to me... we will have these pictures to show Preston when he is older and he can see the love we had for each other went into making him!

Pumpkin Carving

It's that time of the year, the leaves are dropping and pumpkin patches are lining every corner. Jeremy and I met up with a bunch of friends who were hosting a Pumpkin Carving Day. Everyone packed up the vehicles, drove down the street to the Pumpkin Patch to pick out the special pumpkin to make our creations later that night. It was a lot of fun watching all the little kids running around picking out pumpkins, and just enjoying this fun day.

The Pumpkin Patch

Jeremy found our pumpkin

It looked like I stuffed another pumpkin in my shirt, but it was just Preston!Our Family Pumpkin Patch PictureFriends and the KidsAnd the winners are....These two won in my book, although it was a close call...After indulging in chili, pumpkin muffins and sweet cornbread, Jeremy and I were stuffed/exhausted and enjoyed the rest of the evening relaxing with friends.

This was a great Fall Tradition that we were happy to be apart of, can't wait to do it all again next year with Preston.

28 Weeks

On Tuesday the 20th we had another follow up appointment with the doctors. Everything is going great, Preston is measuring normal and appears to be right on schedule. I am now going every 2 weeks to the doctor, which means that the weeks are flying by and he'll be here before I know it. I passed my glucose (sugar diabetes test) back on week 25 which was a relief. Unfortunately I had consumed a glass of juice and a rice krispies treat about an hour before and of course the high level of sugar showed up in my urine sample. The doctor just told me to watch the sugar intake but I shouldn't have anything to worry about since I just passed the glucose screening weeks prior. I had major baby brain that morning and should have opted for a healthier meal, especially before visiting the doctors office.

On Thursday the 22nd we had big plans to see Preston in a 4D ultrasound. He must have been excited because he was moving around all day long. I told him that he better cooperate with us later since we had to shell out some $$$ for this experience. The technician told me to drink 20 ounces of water an hour before my appointment. Well like a good girl- I drank more water than normal all day and ended up in the restroom every 40 minutes to empty my bladder. I don't know why she thought a 7month pregnant girl can keep 20 ounces of water down an hour before being prodded with an ultrasound wand.

Preston is currently in the breached position and it was a little hard for the ultrasound tech to get a good image of him at first. It didn't help that he liked to keep his arms/hands in front of his face. Towards the beginning he didn't mind his pictures being taken but at the end, he ended up putting both hands crisscrossed across his face trying to tell her to stop it already.

The technician was wonderful and very patient with us- she didn't have any other appointments after us so our 40 minute appt turned into 1 hr 20 minutes. She let me take a pee break and then another break to drink some OJ and walk around outside for about 10 minutes, hoping he would move positions or atleast move his arms out of the way. It was a really great to get a sneak peak into what he looks like, I'm glad that I'll have the photos to show Preston what he looked like inside the womb when he gets older.(Click Images to View Larger)

Finnley Ethan Ponder is Born

Our good friends Nick and Beth were blessed with a beautiful baby boy on Oct. 4th. He had to spend a week in the NICU after a few complications, but by the grace of God and many prayers, he was released. Nick and Beth invited us come to the hospital to meet Finn for the 1st time the night he was taken out of NICU, he was so precious and Jeremy and I got practice holding a little one.

1st Family Shot of the Ponder'sOptimus kept kicking me when I was holding Finn
(he was talking to Finn in morse code via kicks)

Our 25th week Check-Up

Optimus and I went to the doctors office this morning (9/29/09) for our 25^th week check up. All is well, my weight is perfect, he is growing right on schedule and no problems to date. I had to take the glucose screening this morning and drink a highly nasty sugary drink an hour before they drew blood- if I don’t hear back in the following week then all is normal, if I hear back from them- I’ve got to go in for another screening, this time for 3 hours. I’m pretty sure all is well, so I’m not too worried.

Jeremy, my mom and I went to Baptist South Hospital last night for a Hospital Tour and Registration. It really puts everything into perspective when you turn in insurance forms, filled out birth certificate documentation (expect the blank spot for his name) and sign a bunch of patient info documents. The hospital is brand new and really nice- no one should get lost trying to make their way around the hospital, really easy to find. The maternity suites are nice and roomy and I’ll hang out, go through labor/delivery and post recovery all in the same room- won’t leave until we go home. They don’t have any visiting hours nor have a limit on people allowed to visit. The only rule is no children until the age of 6 allowed in the labor/delivery ward- especially with the flu and other virus’ going around.

Jeremy and I will meet the pediatrician this Thursday evening for a New Parenting class, where we tour the office, meet w/ one of the doctors and go over vaccinations requirements and basic newborn care and any questions we should have. The pediatrician will come to the hospital after delivery and perform the initial checkup along w/ the hospital staff. We also start a 5wk Childbirth Class next Tuesday Oct. 6^th from 6:30-9:30pm , every Tues until Nov. 3^rd- it should be really interesting! And then we will also do a CPR class on Nov. 23^rd for infants/toddlers.

Going shopping for the day w/ my Mom @25wks

Running Errands around town @25wks

Mommy's 25th Birthday

Jeremy took me to Coco Beach for my birthday. We had a nice weekend relaxing on the beach, fishing off the pier and visiting the Space Center. Around this time, I'm about 22weeks and still going strong.
Once we got home from Coco Beach, my mom had a few close friends and family over for dinner to help me celebrate my birthday. It was really fun being around the ones who love you and I know that they already love Optimus.

Party Time for Mommy

I had the honor of being one of the matron of honor's for my friend Beffy's wedding on Aug. 21st. Optimus got to come along for the ride... here are some photos from the event and Optimus' expanding home (aka- my tummy).

Me and Mom

Jeremy and I

Jeremy, Myself, Elizabeth and Sean

I hosted a baby shower for my friend Beth on Aug. 29th, it was so much fun and she got so many great things for baby Finnley when he arrives.