14 Weeks

Hello Second Trimester!!

Right when I had started getting some energy back, school started back up. With school brings high school volleyball and 2 a day practices. I am wore out! Please excuse my boring looking chalkboard and my attire since I just came from practice.

Other than an extremely busy week, it has been a good one. I have only had my students for two days, but I think I have a pretty good class. These kiddos will definitely keep me busy until my due date.

How far along? 14 weeks 
Total weight gain/loss: None as of last Thursday, but I haven't weighed myself at home. 
Maternity clothes? Nothing yet, but I am getting close. My dress pants were pretty snug today and I had a melt down the other night when a few of my dresses wouldn't fit for Back to School Night.
Stretch marks? No 
Sleep: It is getting better, but waking up for morning practice isn't helping.
Best moment this week:  Starting back to school. I haven't told my students about Baby Stu yet though.
Have you told family and friends: Yup
Miss Anything? Sweet tea & coffee. This week is really testing me with no caffeine!
Movement: Nope but last week my doctor told me to start to pay attention for flutters.
Food cravings: This week food just hasn't sounded good. WEIRD!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not lately
Have you started to show yet: I have had a few people come up and tell me that I have. In the picture above my belly definitely looks bigger-I JUST ate.
Gender prediction: My family keeps telling me they think a boy, but I still have NO clue.
Labor Signs: No 
Belly Button in or out? In 
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!  
Looking forward to: Getting to see Baby Stu on a 3D/4D ultrasound next week!!

13 Weeks

One minute and thirty-one seconds. After laying still on the bed for one minute and thirty-one seconds the doppler finally picked up a heartbeat. Talk about a panicked hopeful momma-to-be.

Flashback to last week... Our good ole Cherokee County Fair was in town and I wanted nothing more than a Church Wagon Corndog! YUM! As I was practically dreaming about this stick of deliciousness, it hit me--my doctor told me no hot dogs. This could not be happening! So after some research and phone calls, we found out that as long as the hot dog reached 165° it would be safe to eat. Surely this deep fried dog met that requirement. (Side note: for those that don't know, hot dogs are like my favorite food. I know, kind of silly.) Anyway I got to indulge in my favorite County Fair meal and life was grand!

The next day I started getting a pain in the right side of my stomach along with a few other worrisome issues for the next 3 days and Sunday I decided to call Ryan (who has been working away the past 2 weekends) and he told me to go to the ER. The rest of Sunday I started feeling better so I told him I would just wait until my appointment Thursday (today).

My mom was excited she got to go with me this morning to my appointment since she probably won't get to go to any now that school is starting. The first thing the nurse did was try to find the heartbeat and the minute and thirty-one seconds was the longest time of my life. All I could think about was I shouldn't have ate the corndog and I should have went to the ER on Sunday. Then, in the next second we heard the most beautiful drum pattering sound. Baby Stu was still doing okay in there. My alligator tears started to fall, now in relief. When the doctor came in she went ahead and did an ultrasound and oh my, there are no words! The doctor said there is a little miracle in there...she has no idea. Baby Stu was pretty much doing backflips and we couldn't keep up him/her because of how much he/she was moving! Mom said I have an Olympian in my belly in either swimming or gymnastics. Baby Stu must be picking up on all the Olympic Games I've been watching. 

Today has been filled with many emotions, but what a great day it has been!!! I was so excited we got to sneak an extra peek of Baby Stu! I just can't wait to become a momma to this precious baby. Also, I can't say enough how thankful I am for the prayers and all the support I have been given.

In the top photo you can clearly see Baby Stu's head on the right, body, and two legs to the left.

How far along? 13 weeks 
Total weight gain/loss: Still none! I am shocked. Today I was actually down about a half pound.
Maternity clothes? I have bought a skirt and a few things but not wearing anything yet. I still haven't had to use the magic rubber band trick on my pants. 
Stretch marks? No 
Sleep: Still getting up most nights for a bathroom break. 
Best moment this week:  Today seeing our little baby!
Have you told family and friends: Yes
Miss Anything? Sweet tea and coffee...coffee especially now that work is starting back up. 
Movement: I don't feel any but we now know Baby Stu is having fun in my belly. 
Food cravings: Potatoes  
Anything making you queasy or sick: BBQ  
Have you started to show yet: I have had several people tell me they can notice, but I still feel like it looks like I just overeat. 
Gender prediction: Most of my family keep telling me they have dreamed about boys, but I have no idea. 
Labor Signs: No 
Belly Button in or out? In 
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!  
Looking forward to: Finding out Baby Stu's gender in 2 weeks!

12 Weeks

Where do I begin? I am so thankful for the out pour of support from the prayers, messages, and even gifts. Many of the messages I received asked for updates and that is my goal so I will do my best to do that. However, for those longing for this chapter of their life I definitely understand the bitter-sweetness and for those that I know about, I am praying for you. I am doing my best to respect those feelings by having less posts to social media, but still documenting this great adventure! I get to go to the doctor again next week and I can't wait to hear Baby Stu's heart beat again!

Telling our parents, family, and close friends was the most fun surprise we have ever done. These are just a few of those sweet moments. Side note-my mom and I are practically best friends and she always has me figured out. With that being said, if I showed up excited she would have immediately known so we had my mom thinking we were moving away due to Ryan's job. She was already crying when we showed up. Also, Ryan's mom just had back surgery so she still wasn't feeling her best. Hopefully this is an incentive for a speedier recovery!

Baby Stu Surprise from Malarie Studebaker on Vimeo.

I can tell a slight difference, but I mostly just look and feel like I ate a whole Thanksgiving feast...by myself.

How far along? 12 weeks 
Total weight gain/loss: None so far although I haven't weighed in a few days.

Maternity clothes? Nothing yet, but I am sure it won't be long. So far I haven't even used the magic rubber band trick on my pants. 
Stretch marks? No 
Sleep: I am probably the world's best sleeper but since Baby Stu I am exhausted most of the day and I get up at least once in the middle of the night for a bathroom break. ...it's only the beginning. 
Best moment this week:  Telling everyone the big news!
Have you told family and friends: Earlier this week!
Miss Anything? Hot dogs and tea!!! *tear* 
Movement: No  
Food cravings: Pasta, potatoes, & cinnamon rolls  
Anything making you queasy or sick: I am scared to even type it because the thought of it makes me sick...BBQ. Other than that, I haven't really dealt with morning sickness.  
Have you started to show yet: The start to a little bump so far - people probably just think I ate one two Chipotle burritos. 
Gender prediction: Most of my family keep telling me they have dreamed about boys, but I have no idea. 
Labor Signs: No 
Belly Button in or out? In 
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!  
Looking forward to: Finding out Baby Stu's gender

Thank you so much for all the support so far. Please keep us in your prayers for a healthy pregnancy!!!

Our Greatest Adventure

"For this child I have prayed and the Lord has granted the desires of my heart."
1 Samuel 1:27

Ryan and I have always wanted children, maybe a whole house full even, and ever since we got married I have been praying that God would bless us. It has been a rough year and a half planning for this bundle of joy, but we are excited for this next adventure of our lives!! Abby is too if you couldn't tell...the sun was in her eyes.


At my last doctor appointment I was told that come August, I would most likely be sent to a specialist in KC. So when I found out the news in June, I was beyond ecstatic! Another doctor I have to go to informed me months ago that if I were able to carry a child it would be a higher risk pregnancy and it would be a lot more likely for me to have a miscarriage.  I wanted the moment I told Ryan to be special and remembered no matter what God's path had in store for us. Since Ryan lives out of town during the week and some weekends, it was easier to keep Baby Stu a secret from him a little longer (2-3 weeks!) and get something planned. I got ahold of a videographer (she has done a couple other videos for us) to capture the moment and with a little help from Abby, my surprise was a perfect success!!

Baby Stu from Brooke Jessee on Vimeo.

No matter what this adventure holds, I know it is all apart of God's wonderful plan and I will rejoice! Please keep us in your prayers  during these next 6 months for a healthy pregnancy and also that God continues to work in Ryan and I's lives to help us prepare for raising God's most precious gifts!



JULY

July tastes like sweet corn on the cob, sounds like the bang of fireworks, and looks like fireflies dancing in the yard. Three of my favorite parts to summer!

This year my papa helped me start my own garden after watching him, the Garden King, the past few years. To my surprise, it has went extremely well!

Lettuce, carrots, 3 types of onions, potatoes, green beans, peas, corn, jalapenos, green peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, and a few types of herbs.

I have learned so much! Throughout this process I have taken many notes...try a different lettuce, not as many onions, more potatoes...and the list goes on. If you have never planted a garden, YOU SHOULD!

March 5th

 

 March 29th

May 7th 

April 17th-First time harvesting lettuce. The seeds I used to plant the lettuce were some left over from my Papa's garden. Next year I am going to look for a different type that has a better flavor.

 Abby thinks she is the keeper of the garden.

June 8th-My first BIG harvest.

Since then I have dug up all of my potatoes and onions and am in the process of storing them for winter. I am excited to pick my corn this week! Next I need to pull out the beans and green beans to make way for pumpkins. I have my fingers crossed for them!

"If you have never experienced the joy of accomplishing more than you can imagine, plant a garden." -Robert Brault

BABY STU

Dear Baby Stu,

This morning I woke up around 9:30/10:00 because there was a storm last night and I didn't sleep well. I decided to make some Eggowaffles. I always remember my dad making them for me when I was little and I still have to cut them up the same way. As I put the waffles in the toaster I decided to go ahead and take a pregnancy test. I've felt pretty bloated lately and just a little off, but I still can't figure out why I decided to because over the last year and a half every time I had a hunch, I was always wrong. At my last doctor appointment I was told in August they would send me to a specialist in KC so I also kind of gave up hope. Well as I finished the test I was shutting the cabinet from getting another role of toilet paper and I looked down and there the word was. PREGNANT. It hadn't even been the 3 minutes..not even 2 minutes! I was certain that by the time the 3 minutes were up the word "Not" would show up in front of pregnant. Nope! Instead, 3+ weeks!! I don't think Abby (your doggy sister who has also been waiting patiently to find out about you) understood what was going on because I immediately started jumping up and down and squealing.

As much as I don't want to keep you a secret I have to for now until I can get into the doctor to learn you are healthy. Your daddy works in Manhattan right now and only gets to come home some weekends. He doesn't get to this weekend so I have to wait another week to tell him. I want to see his reaction so a call on the phone call won't suffice. I did call your cousin Ashley though. She is about the only one that has known we have been praying and trying for you, our little Studebaby, for awhile now. It felt so good to tell someone.

Also, I've only known about you for a few hours now and you've already been apart of one of God's miracles. You see, 2 years ago on this same day I found out my dad (your grandpa) had stage 4 cancer without the best hopes. Well, here we are 2 years later and he's doing great! He will be one awesome grandpa, just wait and see. This is now a day I will celebrate for a different reason..finding out about you baby Stu.  Knowing that day's significance puts me at ease that everything will be okay and I shouldn't worry about the risks regarding my health.

Let the adventures of Baby Stu begin!!!

xoxo,

Momma

  

I am pretty sure you had just started cooking in this picture, and for both of our sakes, lets take this moment to pray you cook better than I do.

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

The first thing I did after I left the airport was find the nearest place to get a sweet tea! I love that when you ask for tea in the south you don't have to say sweet tea or ask for sugar. I also love that chicken and waffles are on just about every menu. That dish may not sound very good, but y'all have GOT to try it. The Black Cow served up the best I have ever had. If you are ever near Columbus, Georgia please do yourself a favor and eat there. 11th and Bay Southern Table was great also. In fact, this is where our family ate the first two nights it was so good!

Cheddar waffle topped with fried chicken and their house made bacon jam.

Now for the real reason Georgia is on my mind.

"...I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier."

Hearing my cousin Danny speak these words at his graduation as a part of The Soldier's Creed, gave me the chills. I have many family members who have served and are currently serving as a part of our U.S. Army, but something about my little (yes, he will always be considered little) cousin continuing what seems to be the family business is bittersweet.

As an American, you should feel thankful you have someone like Danny helping protect our country. The word PROUD feels like an understatement as to how I feel about this boy.

Follow me.

Like father, like son.

Danny almost has his 1st week of Airborne school complete and in 2 more weeks he will graduate from Airborne and hopefully continue on to Ranger school. 

"God is my strength and my power, and he makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze."

2 Samuel 22:33-35