23 weeks

Twenty three weeks! This pregnancy is flying by. This week I have started making a list of possible names for you. It's really hard because your Dad and I can't quite agree on the right one just yet! Hopefully we will be able to narrow it down so that when we get to see you we will just know. We also have the beginnings of a nursery started for you. Your room is all cleaned out and ready to begin filling it will all the things you will need. There are just a couple of outfits for you hanging in the closet already. Also this week I have actually had some real cravings! I love cereal but more than usual. Fruity pebbles seem to be my particular favorite as of late! Nathan spoils me and let's me eat as much of them as I want. There is one little thing that your father has done since we have been expecting you that I want to share. It pulls at my heart strings each time when I will say to him "I Love You" he will either text or say "I Love You Two" but what he is saying is that he loves us both at the same time. You are so lucky to have Nathan as a dad.

22 weeks

Baby Girl Stokes, you are a whole 1 lb now! I love reading about all your new developements, including the formation of your taste buds this week and how you have enough nerve endings to experience touch sensations. Mommy is really noticing a lot more movement from you this week. Even some really big movements. Daddy loves to talk to you at night after he gets home from work. I can tell you must really love hearing his voice because it always gets you excited and moving like crazy! It's times like those that Daddy has been able to actually feel you. Don't stop dancing baby girl!

21 weeks

The start of this week we went into the doctor for a check. All our measurements were taken and things are right on track with where they should be. Dr told us the results of your ultrasound look great and you are growing beautifully! You compare to a banana in size about 10.5 inches and weigh 12.7 ounces.  Both daddy and I were thrilled that we got to hear your heartbeat again. 154 bpm it's gone up since our last appointment. Hearing your heartbeat is one of the most amazing sounds! It is always so fascinating to hear those little fast thumps. This week was also your fist Valentine's Day! Your father spoiled both of us! He bought me a new bathrobe that I will be able to wear in the hospital and for you he got an adorable matching blue outfit. You will look so cute in it! It's hard to think you can fit into something that small. You will always be our little sweetheart! Love you baby girl! 

20 weeks

Hello sweet baby girl! This whole week I have been practicing saying girl, she and her just so I can really let it sink in. I have no idea where to even begin to start buying things for you. I look at all these options and colors and I am overwhelmed by all the fun we are going to have just dressing you! Daddy is more than thrilled that he knew all along you were going to be his little girl. He won't ever let me forget that he was right and I was wrong!

19 weeks

Finally we were able to see you at our ultrasound appointment! I can't believe how much you have grown. You are a little baby now and we were able to make out your face, hands, and feet. We were so overwhelmed with joy to see you. Our technician took many images to check all of your developmental progress including your spine, brain, heart, and kidneys. Then we spent lots of time looking at your profile and your kicking feet. You must not have liked the technician pushing on my tummy to look at you because you kept moving like crazy! We will blame Aunt Morgan and the part of a cookie she gave me before our appointment too. Once you actually completely flipped over and I really felt that. It seems you are a bit shy since you kept hiding your face. At one point in the appointment the technician and Aunt Morgan tried to get you into a position to determine whether you are a baby boy or a baby girl. You kept trying to kick them away. It was suspenseful not knowing right then and they gave Aunt Morgan the image with the final result. To finish our ultrasound appointment we got to see your sweet face and profile again. Daddy was so excited to see that you like trying to suck on your fingers and hands. My favorite part was just as we were finishing, you must have been exhausted from all the pushing because we saw you yawn a couple of times! It was the perfect way to end the day.

Now all we had to try and do was sleep so that we could find out if we were expecting a boy or girl. Both daddy and I had dreams, mine that you are a little boy and daddy dreamt of a little girl. The gender reveal party couldn't come soon enough! Aunt Morgan planned everything and it was darling! Lots of pink and blue everywhere. Cute little man or little miss banners. Mustaches and tutus. We had family and friends that came to celebrate with us and we all snacked on some yummy brunch items including donuts, fruit, and hot chocolate. We played one game where mommy and daddy had to use candy bars to complete some sentences. Finally we couldn't wait any longer..... We had a wrapped box with homes in the sides. We had to place our hands in there and find the stuffed animal and a little outfit that we then needed to dress. It was harder than it seemed but we actually were able to do it. (and it was on correctly too) Only after we had the animal dressed could we bring it out. It was a cute stuffed kitty wth a pink and black baby girl outfit on!!! Baby Stokes is a GIRL! Daddy was right and mommy was so surprised. We are all excited! We love you baby girl! -Mommy and Daddy

18 weeks

This week is all a countdown till next week when we can see you at our next ultrasound! We are so excited to see you that it's been hard to focus on anything else. Daddy and I bought our first package of diapers for you. Well actually they were two big boxes, somehow I am sure we will need more. A lot more. The greatest about this week is that I have been able to feel you move! I haven't been sure the previous little flutters I have felt but this time I am sure it's you! It really does feel like butterflies in my tummy, it actually kinda tickles. I envision a tiny jelly bean jumping around in there. Daddy and I have played music for you on my tummy to see if you move more and it seems to work. Mommy likes a good tune to dance too!

17 weeks

Went to another doctors appointment today. My mom came with me to hear how things are doing. She loves hearing all about you and how you are developing. Dr found your heartbeat right away and you didn't seem to mind so much this time pressing on my belly. Your heartbeat was a little slower but still strong. Dr was happy that your mom has been feeling better and eating well too. Everything is measuring right on time and we are anxious to have another ultrasound to see if you are a little man or a little miss. After our appointment we scheduled another ultrasound so we can see how much you have grown! We only have two more weeks and I can hardly contain my excitement! Your father thinks you will be his little girl but I feel like you are a strong handsome boy. I guess we will see and one of us will be right.

Currently you are approximately the size of an onion (5.1in) and weigh about 5.9oz.  You are growing so big! 

16 weeks

This week your father started his last semester of school! We are so proud of him and his dedication to get his degree. Things will be a little busy for the next few months while we both work hard as well as start to get things for you. I haven't actually bought anything yet but I am making a checklist of things to do and buy that you will need. This week you are the size of an avacado. Aproximately 4.6 in long and you weigh about 3.5 oz.

I am anxiously waiting to feel you move and every butterfly or bubble in my tummy I hold my breath and try not to move. I am not certain it's you moving but it still makes me smile knowing you are with me. We love you Baby! 

15 weeks

New Years! The most exciting thing about entering 2016 is that we will get to meet you. It's hard to believe that will be in 6 months. There is still lots to do in the meantime. I love seeing on my tracker how big you are getting which this week is the size of an orange. We have started to notice that Mommy's tummy started to poke out some which is crazy! I admit that I have been lightly pressing on my tummy to try and feel you. I hope that you don't mind that so much, we are just so excited about you. The best part is Mommy is less sick and glad to be enjoying food again. I haven't found any foods that I have been craving just yet but everything seems to sit better with me these days. I hope you are comfortable and I will continue to do my best to provide and care for you while you continue to grow. We love you Baby! 

14 weeks

Merry Christmas Baby! This will be the last Christmas with just your father and I. Our gift to Daddy was a ticket to go to comic con in the spring. He is very excited and I am sure he plans on teaching you all about it. We spent Christmas with family and enjoying each other's company. Actually you got a few books for Christmas from grandma and grandpa Stokes. We are so excited to read these books to you! Mommy loves reading and I hope that is something we can do together. We love you Baby!

13 weeks

Hello second trimester! I feel like this pregnancy is flying by. I am looking forward to a little less morning sickness though. Starting to show a little bump now! Can't wait to see how things go this trimester. Keep growing little one!

12 weeks

This week was a dr checkup for us. We got to listen to your heartbeat again and it was so fast! You didn't like the dr pushing on my tummy to find that heartbeat and you kept moving away. It was cute and I kept laughing which I think made it harder to find your heartbeat again. 

We are so excited that we couldn't wait anymore to tell everyone about you. So we had Aunt Mickenzie take a beautiful photo of Daddy and Mommy holding the smallest pair of shoes! She made a cute Christmas card announcing that you will be joining our family in June 2016. There are so many people that are thrilled for or growing family and we were truly touched by all those who are so supportive. We love you Baby! 

10 weeks

Thanksgiving is something that I have been looking forward to for a few weeks now. Not just because of the turkey, but we also told our siblings that we are expecting you! It was so fortunate to have the whole Stokes family for the holiday. It's been so long since we all have been together. We decided to show everyone a list of some of the new movies we had and happened to slip in our ultrasound picture of you sating something like everyone would have to wait to see this one until June 2016. I think it took everyone by surprise for sure but they are all excited to meet you! We received tons of helpful tips of necessary items that we should get for you as well as tricks to help with morning sickness. I am sure I will have to revisit everything they told us but good info. Then it was off to the Newsom household to tell Ryan and Morgan they were going to be an uncle and aunt. I showed them an ultrasound picture and waited until they finally realized that it was actually ours! You have so many people who love you we were excited to share the news with family and can't wait to share with everyone! This is going to be one thanksgiving we won't forget.

9 weeks

This week has certainly been a little rough with all the morning sickness. Mommy wasn't feeling up for a picture. So we will pick up next week when we are feeling better. Just know we love you! 

8 weeks

This week was a really good one! We finally were able to tell our parents about you! It was so wonderful to be able to share that with them because I know they have been waiting just as long as we have to hear this news. For my mom and dad we created a Christmas wish list. They had been asking for weeks for one to give them some ideas on gifts for your dad and I. So we came up with a short list for me, followed by a list for Nathan, and last on the list was a bunch of baby stuff for baby Stokes. It was suspenseful watching them read thru the list but when they finally reached your list of needed items we could see the surprise in their eyes. We had to reassure them it was real and we proved it with the ultrasound pictures we had taken last week. Hugs and tears of joy followed for several minutes! Then we were off to tell the Stokes that they were going to become grandparents again! Nathan was clever and asked his mom if we could put in a request to have some sewing projects completed in the next little while since we were expecting you! They both were just as thrilled to hear the news as my parents. Everyone has been so supportive and excited for you! We are excited to share with everyone in a few more weeks! We love you Baby!

7 weeks

Another week of progress. The morning sickness has set finally set in full swing. Not my favorite part but it's conformation that you are growing. The most exciting thing this week was our first ultrasound! We were able to see just this tiny little bean and the smallest little flutter of a heartbeat! Your little heart beating about 136 beats per minute was the most amazing sound to hear. We both were so excited that we couldn't stop smiling all day. I can't wait to do that part again.

6 weeks

Well week six and I still can't believe that you are there. I have had some nausea starting but otherwise feeling good. Your dad and I have found ourselves looking at all the things we will need when you arrive. Glad we have some time to prepare for you, because there seems to be lots of things. You were able to attend this years Halloween party with friends. (Although no one knows about you yet) We dressed as the Dread Pirate Roberts and Princess Buttercup.....but secretly you have made us a mom and dad! We are looking forward to seeing you this week at our first ultrasound! We love you baby. 

5 weeks

We only just found out about you this week. I didn't believe it and took a couple home pregnancy tests and then to make sure the doctor confirmed with a couple blood tests as well. Everything seems surreal right now. It's hard to believe you are inside me just beginning to grow. Your dad and I have been waiting a long time for you. We are beyond excited and look forward to our first ultrasound where we will get to hear your heartbeat! We will wait for a little bit before we tell everyone about you, but we hope it will be just as big as a surprise as it was for us! 

Oh Baby!

Everything right now is surreal. I have wanted this for so long that now that it's finally happened I don't believe it. I'm pregnant. I am going to be a mom. It's been 3.5 years of trying, 2 years with fertility drugs, 1 major surgery, and about 1 million prayers. The words to describe my excitement don't seem good enough to explain what I am feeling. When I woke up today it was just like any other month wondering if it might be this time but trying not to get my hopes up. Against my better judgement I decided to take a pregnancy test (I have done this in previous months too, something about just waiting makes it so difficult). Previous attempts resulted in waiting 2 full minutes, sometimes more, and intently staring at the window to determine if I can make out any faint lines. This morning when I looked at the test, there was nothing faint about that bright pink second line. I had to do a double take of the instructions and then triple check I was reading the result right. Pregnant 2 lines. In shock and unbelief I began to cry in the early morning hours on my bathroom floor. Nathan still asleep in our bed had no idea what was happening. We both assumed some of the things I was experiencing were precursors to my monthly cycle beginning again. I decided that I would call my doctor first to determine if this is real before telling Nathan. While dazed I managed to get dressed and leave for work. I immediately called my doctors nurse, leaving some ridiculous message about the test result and what I needed to do next. When we were finally able to talk,  the doctor ordered for me to have  a blood test to determine things officially. Work never has seemed to go so slow, I left for the doctors office. They quickly took my blood sample and told me I would have results the next day. After what seemed forever the results were in and it was confirmed that based on my hormone levels I was somewhere around 4-5 weeks pregnant. I am so over-the-moon happy! Now all I had to do is tell Nathan. I thought it was fitting that I would tell him using a Doctor Who reference! Honestly I had no idea what to expect of Nathan's reaction, I didn't think he would believe me. We both cried! Our heads are spinning as we prepare for first scheduled ultrasound next week! We are Totally Stoked to be having you join our family.