Baby update

Today I am 16 weeks!  According to my book I'm reading, our baby is about 5 inches long right now.  We had a doctor's appointment a few days ago and got to hear our baby's heartbeat for the first time.  That was pretty amazing.  The doctor said everything sounded good.  She even said it sounded like we have an active baby since it was kicking and moving around so much.  An active baby is a healthy baby!  I haven't felt any kicking myself yet, but hopefully in these next few weeks I will. 

I'm still feeling a little nauseous, but our doctor said that is perfectly normal all the way to 20 weeks.  She actually recommended I take Flintstones vitamins twice a day instead of my prenatals for a little while, which we thought was kind of funny, but I'm hoping it works.  I'm just ready to feel somewhat normal and have some motivation back to get things done. 

My stomach is slowly growing and I can't fit into most of my jeans now, looks like I'll be having to buy some new ones soon :)  which, for those who are interested, H & M has a maternity section and some pretty cute clothes.  A friend of mine was kind enough to loan me some of her maternity clothes so I definitely have enough shirts and dresses.

Other than that, not much is going on.  We have our next ultrasound scheduled for August 17th and we'll get to find out if our baby's a boy or a girl!  I'm pretty excited.  I've actually had two different dreams about our baby, the first one it was a boy and the second one it was a girl, so I have no idea, maybe one of each :)  So please keep us in your prayers that everything is healthy and happy.

Since posts are more interesting with pictures, here is a picture of Randee, Richard and I at our youth groups "leader hunt" at the mall last week, always a fun time!

 

Oregon coast

After the 4th, the whole Doe family set off for Lincoln City, OR.  We spent 3 days at the coast relaxing and just enjoying family.  The weather was a little cloudier and windier then I would have liked, but still very beautiful.  

The house we stayed in.

Walking down to the beach.

windy day!

Sweet Sophia

On our way back home, we stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  I've been wanting to go there for a while, being such a fan of cheese :)
 

Samples!  The best part.

So much cheese!

Doe family picture  (soon to have one more)

Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is a great holiday to spend up here in Washington.  It's crazy how firework-crazy everyone gets up here!  We heard fireworks being set off well in to the night, all around us, it kind of sounds like a battle zone.  This year, our brother and sister-in-law and niece and nephew were here visiting which made it even more fun.  Richard and I set off our first big fireworks this year.  They were so loud, our niece Sophia didn't really know what to think of them.

Me, Randee and Marcie making 4th of July cakes for our BBQ.  They were so good!

Randee with a roman candle.  She looks a little like Hermione :)

Richard setting off his first mortar.

and me next :)

Baby!

We are having a baby!!  Richard and I are so excited and thankful for this amazing blessing.  Baby Doe is due on January 10th, 2012 so we are about 12 weeks along right now.  I've been constantly nauseous but other than that everything has been going pretty smoothly.  We've had 2 doctor's appointments so far and our baby seems to be very healthy.  During our last ultrasound, our baby even did a little flip for us :)  It's pretty amazing knowing that a little person is growing inside of me, with a little heartbeat and everything.  At our next appointment we should be able to hear the heartbeat and then in August we get to find out if our baby is a boy or a girl!  Here are our beautiful baby's first (of many) pictures.

At 6.5 weeks

At 8.5 weeks

Danny, Alexandra and Finley

While we were in Arizona, I was given the wonderful opportunity to take pictures of my cousin Alexandra and her husband Danny.  They are expecting a little girl in less than a month and we're so excited for them!  These pictures were extra special because we took them by a little lake in Scottsdale where our Grandma Annie's ashes were scattered.  Here are some of my favorites from the day.

Thank you guys for letting me document this special time for you, that meant a lot to me :)  Love you and we can't wait to meet Finley!

Arizona

Richard and I went to AZ two weeks ago for by brother Jonny's high school graduation.  It's still pretty weird that my little brother just graduated and is off to college next year and that my youngest brother, Jesse will be a junior in high school.  Time sure fly's by.  All three of my brothers have grown into such amazing young men and I'm so proud to be their big sister, I just wish we could live a little closer to them, all in time...

Anyways, or trip was filled with lots of family time; Jonny's graduation and graduation party, my cousin Alexandra's baby shower and a Memorial Day BBQ.  The weather was perfect and we really enjoyed spending time with those we love.

Here he is getting his diploma!

Balloon drop.

Me and my little, big brother.

Family picture, I'm pretty sure everyone was standing on their tippy toes.

All the extended family that came to support Jonny :)

Jonny's graduation party was a few days later and we had fun decorating and making picture boards.  It's always fun to look at old photographs of when we were all younger.

Ping pong was the game of the week.  Action shot.

Richard and our nephew Micah

I was so thankful that I could attend my cousin's baby shower while we were there.  She is due the beginning of July and she is so cute pregnant :)

me and Alexandra.

Me and my niece Sophia at Alex's shower.

She got so many cute girl clothes!

My mom bought a huge box of sparklers to use at Jonny's graduation party, but we forgot about them.  So one random night, we decided to have a sparkler party.  I got bored with them after a while and started taking pictures.

Jesse

Richard trying to make a heart, it kind of worked. 

Until next time, Arizona.

Easter

This Easter was, yet again, spent in the rainy northwest.  It was nice spending time with Richard's family at his Aunt Rena's house.  It was also fun skyping with my family back in Arizona.  We're hoping that next year we can spend Easter in the warm AZ since we haven't been back home for that holiday yet.  One fun tradition Richard and I do every year is get a new outfit!  So here we are in our new outfits :)