Baby V is in the works!

As most of y'all already know, Josh and I are expecting our first little bundle of joy to join the family in May 2013! (As always, I'm a little late updating this blog)

I am 13 weeks now and starting to feel a lot better than I have been the past few weeks.  We are so excited and looking forward to meeting this little blessing.  I think one of the down sides to working in Labor & Delivery is seeing how difficult getting pregnant and having a baby can be, so I have really learned to let my worries go and know that it is all in God's hands!  

I definitely struggled with nausea starting at about 6 weeks, but I'm starting to get an appetite back and feeling more like myself again.  No baby bump yet, but I can definitely tell that my jeans are starting to get a little snug :)  I'm kind of ready to start showing because now it looks like I just ate too much!  

Here is a peak at our little one @ 11 weeks:

I have another appointment tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to update with another good pic.  Here is my chalkboard pic right after we found out:

I think this is such a cute idea (from Pinterest, of course).  I definitely need to do a better job of taking them weekly!  

That's all for now.  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a safe and healthy pregnancy.  

Lots of love from Birmingham,

McKenzie (and Poppy Seed)

    

  

6 months and 51 babies later...

This week marks my 6 month "anniversary" as a Labor & Delivery nurse.  The past 6 months have been filled with a lot of ups & downs, and A LOT of learning.  Every day I'm at the hospital, I learn something new.  It also makes me realize the ridiculous amount of stuff I have left to learn.  But every morning at 4:15, when the rest of the world seems to be paused for the moment, I drive to work in the quiet and the dark.  And as much as I wish I could be sleeping like everyone else, I have found that to be one of my favorite parts of the day.  It has become the opportunity for some serious prayer and reflection time.  It started as prayer time because of the overwhelming anxiety I was having every time I went to work.  Something about being responsible for 2 lives on a daily basis can really make you understanding how much you need God on your side!  Now it has become a time that I really cherish in our busy lives.  I still walk up the hill to the hospital with a pit in my stomach, anxious to see what awaits me for the day... but everyone says the 1st 6 months are the hardest.  I love it so far and have so much fun being with the families every time those squishy little blessings are born :)  I started keeping count of how many deliveries I've been a part of since my 1st one (obviously not including any patient information that could possible be a confidentiality issue :) and I'm up to 51 babies!  That's 51 little lives that I've helped bring into this world... it's pretty cool.  I hope I never lose sight of how awesome it is.  Not to mention, I'm making a lot of great new friends.

 

On another note... Josh & I made our first big purchase together and finally replaced his Explorer with a new Ford Fusion!  I'm proud of us for saving up and making a responsible decision.  This will help a lot with J's gas expenses too :)

There is seriously something in the water at work... everybody is getting pregnant or trying to get pregnant.  And now that we've been married a year, a lot of people want to know when we'll be working on a Baby V. Right now, we're just enjoying time together and with our 1st baby.. Mr. Kitty :)  But seeing precious-ness like this makes me super excited about the future little punkins.

Until next time,
Lots of love from Birmingham

One year down, forever to go!

Believe it or not, Josh & I recently celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary.  I can't believe how fast this year has gone by and how incredibly blessed we have been.  We celebrated by eating a delicious dinner at Bottega Restaurant and staying the night at Ross Bridge Resort, complete with a couple's massage!  We did eat the top tier of our cake, but it wasn't awesome... I am proud to say I kept Josh's gift a secret for several weeks before our anniversary, which was tough because I was so excited about it.  One of my best friends is a manager at Coach and she helped me get a limited edition Coach wallet that was made from vintage baseball gloves.  It was a great surprise!  Josh got me the anniversary band that fits beside my engagement ring :)

I've often heard that the 1st year of marriage is the hardest...  Fortunately for us, it has been a breeze.  Here are some things I've learned over the past year:
*Say "I love you" more than enough.  Better yet, say WHY you love each other!  It helps you appreciate the little things you do for each other.  We started a journal where we write one reason we love each other every night before bed.
*Make sure you're on the same page with financial matters.  We discussed how we would handle our money early on, and it has helped avoid a lot of disagreements along the road.
*Sponsor a Compassion International child!  That has been one of the most fun (and meaningful) things we've done together this year.
*Enjoy doing little things together, like grocery shopping and running errands.  It's more fun if you appreciate that time together.
*Don't be afraid to cry in front of your husband.  He's the one you will lean on for the rest of your life... it's okay to let your guard down sometimes.  Especially with really important matters, like when you bring home his LEAST favorite Girl Scout cookies as a surprise and realize you don't know what his favorite flavor is :)

I think that's all for now...
Love from the not-so-newlyweds anymore!

Back in the game!

So after nearly a year since my last post, I am back and ready to give this blogging thing another shot.  It's been almost a year since my last post... life has been fabulous and so busy.  Here are the main points from the past year:

* We decided to stay in Birmingham and start our lives together here.  It's tough being away from our families sometimes, but we felt like it was the best option for us right now.  We are really settling in down here and making alot of new friends.  Plus, it's only a 2.5 hr drive so it's not that bad!  We also added a sweet kitty to our family, "Weezy" aka Mr. Kitty.

* I graduated from the Accelerated Second Degree Program with my Bachelor's in Nursing from Samford and passed board to become an RN.

* Josh graduated with his MBA from Samford (so proud! )

* We went on our incredible honeymoon to Cancun, Mexico.  It was so much fun and very relaxing.  Wish we could go back right now!!

* I accepted a job as a Labor & Delivery RN at Brookwood Medical Center.  I couldn't be happier with the unit, the people I work with, and working in L&D.  I love getting to know my patients and their families, and bringing new life into this world.  It's an amazing job!

* I am also still nannying for the Tatum triplets.  I love being a part of their lives and can't believe how big they are getting!  "Ken Ken" loves these 3 little stinkers.  

2nd Birthday Party

Trip to Franklin & The Gentry Farm

Spring Pictures

* Josh accepted a job as Associate Sales Rep for Standard Process Southeast.  It's a whole food, all natural vitamin and supplement company that sells to healthcare professionals.  His has the entire state of Alabama as his territory... alot of responsibility!  I'm so proud of him and he is doing a great job.  Side note, let me know if you're interested in any whole-food supplements :)

I think that covers most of the high points from this past year.  I promise I'll post again sooner than later!  Until next time... sending love from Birmingham!