Weeks 1 - 12

As most of you know by now, I'm pregnant and we're excited to announce we're expecting our first little one next spring. We've been told the due date is April 13th once, and April 17th once, so we've decided to split the difference and we're shooting for April 15th, Tax Day! The child will be destined to be a CPA.

First, a roll call. This baby will be welcomed into this world by lots of family:

1 Great Great Grandma Powers
3 Great Grandmas (GGMS, Granny and Rose)
2 Great Grandpas (GGPB and PamPaw)
2 Grandmas (Nana and Gigi)
2 Grandpas (Papa and Poppi)
5 Aunts (Christine, Mollie, Kim, Katie and Aunt B)
2 Cousins (Aubri and Alayna)
And an abundance of mom and dad's friends!

We are really looking forward to snapping a 5-generation photo, as well as multiple 4-generation photos, and for this little one to be surrounded by generations of family, love, prayers and support.

If you do the math, you'll notice we have a dominance of female family members, including 8 of 8 female great grand children on my mom's side of the family. If we have a boy, it will be the first of 9 great grand children, and the first of 3 grand children for my parents. Because there are too many type-A personalities in this relationship, we will be finding out around week 20 if we are having a boy or girl, and plan to share with family and friends.

We're now crossing over the first trimester hurdle, and the reality that we're going to be parents is really setting in. On August 23rd we got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time, and that was the moment when it began to feel real. Though, I began experiencing all-day-sickness (who coined the term "morning" sickness, it lasts all day!) almost immediately after we found out we were pregnant. I'll echo Julie's description of her first, first trimester, "I knew I was either pregnant or dying!"

We've been creative and found ways to manage the sickness, and Chris has been a huge support. We're eating out a lot these days, because what sounds good when I grocery shop on the weekend, typically doesn't still sound good by the time dinner comes around during the week. I've been eating a LOT of potatoes - in all forms - potato soup, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes. I'm also enjoying strawberry Poptarts or trailmix in bed when I first wake up in the morning. I've gone through phases throughout the first trimester, at first salads and vegetables sounded disgusting, but I had my first salad last week (in about 6 weeks) so I think things are improving.

Below is the link to the Google Hangout where we announced to Chris' sisters that we are pregnant. You can watch the video by clicking the link below, and the announcement is between minutes 11:00 and 16:00. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/2bEFDgHsu3Y