Penicillin...Spots....and heartbeats

I am now in my 2nd trimester!! My long lost friend, energy, is coming back to see me finally. I am also getting somewhat of a belly. (I will post belly pics later).

With the exception of having a horrible sinus infection, the past few weeks have been good. I have also discovered I have a new allergy to penicillin. The weird thing is...I've never been allergic to it before. I had been taking antibiotics for my sinus infection. Then, last Sunday I woke up with little red dots all over my body. They looked like I had the measles or chicken pox, except they didn't really itch much. I was somewhat worried so...needless to say, I stopped taking the medicine and the spots went away in a few days.

Matt and I visited our Midwife, Holly, for our 3rd visit today. Everything seems to be moving along just fine. We got to hear "little bit's" heartbeat. It never ceases to amaze me how much of a miracle it is!! It is beating at 147 bpm, which is somewhat lower than our previous visits but Holly says no need to worry.

We are really looking forward to our next visit because we will find out if we are having a little boy or a little girl. I think Matt is more excited about that visit than me!! He is like a little kid at Christmas. What do you think??? Is it a little Matt or a little Lauren?? Please post your vote!

       

Second visit to our Midwife Holly Smith

We went back to Holly today for our second appointment. This time was special because Mimi (Elaine) got to tag along with us. We had several questions for Holly to answer, but the best part of the appointment was getting to hear our baby's heartbeat. Even though I heard the pitter patter of life growing inside me during our first visit, it was just as amazing to hear it again today. It is such an indescribable feeling to hear that thump thump. Makes my heart melt!! Our nurse, Julie, said our "little bit" has a strong heartbeat at 159 beats per minute. Everything with me checked out fine, too.

Now, if I could only get my energy back!!! Hopefully, it will re-visit in the coming weeks and months.

Starlight Symphony

There is an event in Jackson every year called the Starlight Symphony. I have been going with Matt, his mom and Darrell ever since we started dating back in 2006. The Jackson Symphony plays on the lawn of First Presbyterian church, and hundreds of people come to listen as well as picnic and fellowship on the lawn. At the end of the symphony's program, they play the 1812 Overture featuring real Civil War cannons! It is such a wonderful experience and I can't wait to take the little one next year.

This year we had a lot of food and fun. Many thanks to Diane Abott and Elaine for bringing such wonderful food.

We also got to hang out with our amazing friends Todd and Julie!

First visit to the doctor

Our first visit to our midwife, Holly Smith, was on August 1st. We were so nervous going in to the appointment. We had a list of questions and concerns to ask her. She was so wonderful and we are looking forward to our future appointments. We even got to see our little bundle of joy for the first time and it loves to move for the camera! Just like Mom!! Oh no! We are due on March 1st and will keep you updated on our pregnancy as we move along the months ahead.

Here is our baby! This was the ultrasound taken at 9 1/2 weeks. We won't have another picture of "little bit" until October 20th, when we find out what we are having!

Our Sweet Babies

Luke and Roxie are our lives! They are the best things that have ever happened to us, and we can't wait until they get to mee Baby Cleek. Here are a few cute pictures that show just how sweet our babies really are.

 They love to ride in the car with us. So, we put up the "hammock" and take them along where ever we go!

I only hope they will be this sweet to the baby!!

St. Louis continued....

Matt and I went to Meramec Caverns, which is about an hour west of St. Louis. I went there as a kid with my Meemaw, but couldn't remember much so I decided Matt and I should go. It was the hideout of Jesse James back in the day. It was about 59 degrees inside the cave and about 100 + outside. Matt and I had to wear pants and jackets, so it was a pretty nice change of scenery. We saw some pretty amazing cave formations and I have a few pictured below.

This is the loot rock where Jesse James and his posse would hide their loot. They also escaped the law from here several times, too.



It was pretty amazing to see the beauty of mother nature.

More from St. Louis...

The Arch....

That same day Matt and I walked from our hotel, Union Station, to the Arch by the river. On the way there, Matt kept saying, "I think I'm going to go up in it with you this time." I was thrilled!! However, by the time we actually got there, he chickened out and refused to go up with me. Oh well, maybe next time. We did go see a neat imax film on Lewis and Clark, though.