Reaching the 7 Summits - AWESOME JOB!

Congrats to Rob Hill and the No Guts Know Glory Team for accomplishing his goal of reaching the 7 summits of the world! Rob successfully summited Everest today! I met Rob last year in Iowa at the IBD Awareness day - he's an AMAZING guy with a GREAT story. Did I mention Rob has an ostomy?! Read his story here....http://nogutsknowglory.com/

Way to go No Guts Know Glory Team!

A soccer player in our future?

Baby Neal was very cooperative this week at our doctor's appointment. We met with Dr Morgan on Thursday morning. She felt bad that I'm still sick - but there are more better days than bad days, so hopefully it's coming to an end soon. (fingers are crossed)
We got to hear the heartbeat - a strong 150-160! But in the midst of listening to the sound of the heartbeat, we heard quite a few loud THUMPS, which Dr Morgan explained were kicks. Baby Neal kicked two or three times within a few minutes. Right before she pulled the doppler off, the baby MUST have flipped completely over because the sound it made! I still don't really "feel" it, I don't think - but it's definately moving.

Steven and I spent today with the Garrison's at the Des Moines Farmer's Market, then off to the Blank Park Zoo we went! We spent most of the morning and early afternoon there and had a WONDERFUL time!! We're looking forward to heading to Omaha next weekend, where will spend the day at the Zoo there! (can you see a trend, yes we are Zoo freaks!)

Only 2 1/2 weeks until we find out what flavor this pumpkin is!! Getting VERY ANXIOUS!
Have a great week guys! Hopefully we'll post pictures soon from the Blank Park and Omaha Zoos....

Week 17

So - it's officially week 17 for me and the pumpkin...it's still making me sick, and I thought it was supposed to be over by now! Oh well - I'm getting through it (thanks to Zofran and Phenergan).

Like I said in the last post, we go to the Dr on Thursday. Very excited, and ready to check things out again. I feel like the bump has started to form, but I'm still in the I kinda-look-fat stage. I'm ready to start looking pregnant! I saw my surgeon this last week - the first thing he asked - "Are you showing yet?!" I quickly stood up and pulled my shirt tight, and sure enough, he saw it! So - at least someone thinks I'm looking a little pregnant!

We had a wonderful weekend - Saturday was spent at the wedding of our dear friends, Angie and Rob Roggers! It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and a cool breeze. Angie looked beautiful in a coffee colored, knee length dress from Pea in the Pod, showing off Charolette's bump very well! Robert looked very handsome in his brown tux, that fit very nicely. We had great bar-b-que, and wonderful cupcakes. It was very small, but very fitting for the couple! Congrats Bob and Angie! Here's to many wonderful years ahead!!

Sunday was spent relaxing and catching up on sleep. Steven cleaned the office little more, getting ready to start moving things out of there and into storage, so we can move the guest bedroom upstairs to make room for Baby Neal!

We hope everyone has a wonderful week, and look forward to posting more info on Baby's appointment next weekend!
Love you all!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mother's out there. I know I owe my mom a lot of credit for making me the woman I am today. She knows when to hold on, and when to let me make my own decisions. I appreciate it all. There have been many other women in my life that have helped shaped me, you all know who you are - THANK YOU!
So, that being said - is today my first Mother's day? I think so - I'm growing this little life inside me, nurturing it, loving it, and trying to make sure it comes out the healthiest it can. Steven, Sooie, Rae, and the Pumpkin bought me a beautiful card, and the Willow Tree "Cherish" figurine. It's the mom that's pregnant. I LOVE WILLOW TREE! :-) It's beautiful and has a special place on a shelf in my room now. I'm sure once we get the baby's room set up, we'll move it in there.
It's been a cold weekend here in Iowa - but Steven, Tom and Andrea G, and I ventured to Pella yesterday for the Tulip Festival. While many of the Tulips were gone because of the storms last week and this week - it was still a good time. We had great food and good company!
We have busy weeks ahead of us still. PTCB is back in gear, and I'm still teaching classes. 4 in all each week this round. 1 week is down, 3 to go. I go to Waterloo (northeast IA) Wednesdays for class, have a class in Des Moines Thursday evening, and 2 classes in Des Moines on Fridays.
The next dr's appointment is in a week and a half - the 20th! I can't wait to hear the little pumpkin again! I'm hoping that by that time, this nausea will subside. We have the gender ultrasound scheduled for June 8th!!! Many people I've talked to say girl based on old wives tales (me being sick, the position of the baby is higher than the dr expected at our 14 week appt, etc), but we'll have to see!
Wishing all the Mother's out there a VERY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, may it be filled with love and laughter. I love you mom!
Until next time!
Ally

Baby Neal - taken at 10 Weeks, 4 Days

Sorry, it's been a while

Well, it's been quite a while! Things have been going pretty well around here. I've still been very sick - which stinks! I'm almost 15 1/2 weeks pregnant now - I've been pregnant for just over 105 days! CRAZY!!!!
We've been busy still, trying to prepare for this little blessing. We had a OB appointment on Tuesday this week, baby's heartbeat was going strong at 150! We scheduled the ultrasound for June 8th to find out what it is.
AND - my awesome Mom and Dad, Brother and Sis-in-law got me gift cards to Prenantal Vsions in Des Moines, which is a 3D/4D ultrasound place, for my birthday. It's super exciting! We're planning on going around 28 weeks (we think) because we want to make sure that baby's started for form a little fat on him/her and look like they'll really look in October!
Speaking of birthday - I also received a really neat Coach diaper bag from my mother-in-law, yes she loves me! Steven gave me an IOU for movie and dinner - which is the greatest gift he could give me (he's not much of a going to movie guy!)

Well, we're anxiously awaiting our next appointment and DEFINATELY looking forward to June 8th! Until then, let's hope this morining sickness (ha, yeah right!) goes away SOON!!
Lots of love - Ally & Steven