Bartok?

Who remembers the Disney movie Anastasia?

One of my favorite Disney lines comes from that movie.

I don't usually upload videos but this is just my favorite!

Well, what am I getting at....I felt my baby girl move and kick for the first time yesterday!!!

It was amazing!

I was just laying down in my bed listening to the radio,

TRYING to get up for the day when I felt these weird 'muscle spasms' on my lower stomach.

I muted the radio immediately

(As if muting the radio would make me feel any better?? lol)

 and just laid there,

holding my breath so I could pay better attention. 

(As if holding my breath would REALLY produce better results??)

I put my hand just below my belly button and there were little movements.

Little movements. Little bumps and jabs.

Little movements from a little baby!!!

My eyes got real big as I realized what those were.

That was OUR baby!

There was a little kick on one side,

and then another,

and another,

and then nothing would happen for a minute or two and then I felt the bumps and kicks

moving to the other side.

Now, I don't know, and I actually doubt that my hand felt any of that.

I am pretty sure it was just under my skin that I felt it

and that I was just wanting my hand to feel it so I made my mind think it.

I still think the movements are too small for Nik to feel, but I am anxiously awaiting that day!

It was amazing! I couldn't believe what just happened.

I don't feel it every day or all day just yet

...just when I am really still.

I am so excited to meet her and to continue our little family.

Did You Ever Imagine...

So the other night when we were announcing our exciting news with my in-laws, I asked my mother-in-law a question...

Did you ever imagine this day? When you were pregnant with your first child, or any of your children, did you ever picture this day? The day that all your babies are growing up and some are having babies of their own to give you grandchildren?

She just laughed and said she never had. It all happened too fast.

Now for me to imagine those days are not that far ahead of me either. I have a little baby girl growing inside and then one day she will be here in my arms and she will grow up and live her life. Kinda sad to think about but also very cool.

I don't know....guess I'm just rambling on.
Life is a beautiful thing to be lived.

It's A Girl!

Yesterday was QUITE THE DAY! Let me tell you a little story, k?

December 20th was a day of GREAT IMPATIENCE. Nik and I heard about this little urine kit that would be able to determine the gender of the baby after 10 weeks. Well, I was past that at 13 weeks and figured it would be a little more accurate being farther along and caved into the idea.
I mean, wouldn't it be fun to find out a little earlier what the baby is going to be?
So I took the test and it was suppose to read the level of testosterone or estrogen in my urine as I am supposedly passing the baby's urine as well. The test came back CLEARLY a BOY.

Yep, a boy! 

I had a feeling it would be a boy and when looking back through Nik's line, there is a majority in boys. So, I was going to have a boy. FUN! Totally new to me but a piece of cake for Nik. I only know girls....that's all I have, 3 little sisters and 0 little brothers. And majority of my cousins (that I know) on both sides are girls. But a boy would be fun.
Nik and I both talked about how this test could be wrong and that we weren't going to plan plan plan for a boy until the doctor confirmed it. It was fun talking about boy names and passing on the Berry name. Fun seeing all my friends that have boys and to wonder how mine was going to be. 

Well, my mom, so anxiously excited to be a grandma, started in on a quilt a little early. Just 3 weeks too soon. See, we had told a few people about the urine test we took but we also made it clear that the test wasn't 100% positive...that this is just a good starting point but that was it.
Back to grandma...she started on the cutest little green and brown owl quilt for Baby Berry. It was and still is adorable! I feel in love with the collection from Scrapbooks Etc and she ran with it. Oh, it was so fun planning the placements of the patterns and the little elephant she sewed on the front. So adorable.

Yesterday comes along and she has me come with her to pick out the backing for the quilt. She had just completed the whole top the night before. So down to Scrapbooks Etc we went and picked out the last of the fabric. I left her there for her quilting class and I went to my doctor's appointment.
My dad was the only one of both families that didn't have work and I wanted someone with me when we found out the gender. Nik couldn't get work off, my mom had her class, my father-in-law was in California, and my mother-in-law had work as well. So my dad came with me to the appointment and I was excited and nervous, still thinking it was a boy, but knowing this appointment could change everything.
I even called my cousin, Eden, the hour before the appointment and told her how nervous I was, that she could end up being a girl...which would be exciting, SO EXCITING, but a complete 180 from what I've been thinking.
Anywho, we get in the room with Dr. Beck and he checks around.
THERE IS A BABY IN THERE! It was amazing! I mean, of course there is but the last time I had an ultrasound, the baby was still a peanut.

I mean, of course that's a baby, but that was all I had seen since November...and my belly has ever so slowly grown, making it feel like "am I really pregnant?"

Ok ok, back to this wonderful ultrasound. Dr Beck checked and the baby has all 4 limbs moving like they should, the brain looks properly developed, and there is not cleft palate...the baby looks great!
Then he looks for the gender. He keeps moving the little instrument all over my belly just looking and looking and looking some more....then he says
"Well, looks like we have a girl."
Now I swore to myself that I wouldn't say what I was about to say...but it just fell out. In shock I asked "ARE you SURE?"
Gosh, I felt so dumb! OF COURSE he is sure...he's the doctor, been doing this for over 22 years! Duh, Dawna.
I started to cry...little tears of joy. I looked over at my dad and he had little tears of happiness in his eyes too. It was such a special moment.
NIK AND I ARE HAVING A GIRL!!!! A GIRL!
I kinda felt silly for doing that little urine test and getting my hopes up so high on a boy but a girl is just as great and something I am a little more comfortable with anyways. I don't want her to ever feel that she was not wanted because we thought a boy for so long, because that just is not true. We are so excited to have her in our family an can't wait to meet her.
Yes, it is fun saying HER and SHE. Oh, so surreal. This is REALLY happening!

 I won't add the picture that proves she's a girl...because heck,

I can't even tell that well.

So we'll just take Dr Becks word on it.

She was moving around so much during the ultrasound. Her hands were up to her head and then down to her feet and then back up again...like she was having her own little dance party in there. Then the cutest thing happened...she gave this GIANT YAWN. It was so precious. I couldn't believe it. All of a sudden we could see her jaw bones open so wide in a nice long yawn. She's real. She is really there, growing and moving around. Oh, how wonderful that appointment was. I wish I could have gotten that on dvd but maybe Dr Beck doesn't do that or maybe he does it later on. I am not too sure but how real that moment was to me.

I am in love. Ya know the feeling? I haven't even met her in person yet and I love her so much. I didn't understand and couldn't comprehend how possible that was. How was I going to find room in my heart that Nik as already filled up? How was I ever going to make room or feel that real love for anyone else? Well, it's happening. It's real. Nik and I have this little family. We are her parents. She is here because of our love, our love that will last through the eternities. She is ours and we are so excited to meet her.

Well, I finished up my appointment and went to tell the families. Hannah came with but I made her stay in the lobby because this was a special moment of my first baby and just wanted it to be me and my dad. But as soon as I got out to the lobby you could tell she was just DYING to find out what the baby is...and so I told her and showed her the pictures. Her eyes got so big and she jumped up and down. Hannah does this really cute thing when she gets really excited, she folds her arms so tight almost as if she is going to burst from excitement. She did just that and I could tell she was happy to have a little niece to play with even though I know she would have been just as happy with a nephew.

I called my mom as she was still in her quilting class and told her that that quilt was going to have to sit in Grandma's Quilt Stash a little longer. lol. She screamed and laughed all at the same time "IT'S A GIRL?!?!" It was such a funny moment and one that will go down in history. So, onto picking another collection for another quilt! Then I texted my sister in Utah and I could tell she was screaming cuz her texts came back in all caps. haha. I let my Aunt Lisa and Uncle Colby (my dad's siblings, Allreds) know and Lisa replied "Girls are all we know to make ;-)" and Colby said he called it, which he did.
See, on the Allred side my grandpa is the only boy with 4 sisters. Then there is my dad who has 1 sister and 1 brother and then for grandchildren there are 10 girls and 2 boys. Let's add in the babies of that generation and so far there have been 2 girls and then my girl to add to that. So, girls are the majority of what us Allred's know how to make.

We waited to tell Nik's family until they all got back in town or off work and then we met up last night. I showed the pictures to my mother- and sister-in-law, Randee and Amy, and they tried to guess what it was. They guessed a boy cuz heck, how are we suppose to read these grainy little pictures? We aren't doctors. haha. So then I told them it was a girl and everyone screamed. It was so fun! Nik keeps telling me she can be a girl but only as long as she knows how to hunt and camp and play sports. I just laugh and tell him that is fine because that is just what the Berry's do! It is going to be so fun!

 Here I am the day we found out.

January 17, 2011

17weeks 3days

So, that is our wonderful story of finding out the gender of our little baby.
IT'S A GIRL! YAY!
In the poll I posted, there were 12 Girl votes to 9 Boy votes.
Next time we'll just go off the votes rather than a urine test.
lol. 

Dear Baby Berry,

We are so excited to have you in our future,

and right now as you play around in mamma's belly.

Being a girl is so much fun!

Your daddy is so excited and has already been plotting

his threats to any boys who do you wrong.

You are going to be so pretty and have lots of pretty girl things

but daddy wants to make sure you know how to hunt and camp

and do all the Berry stuff...cuz after all, you ARE a Berry now.

Don't worry...you can still look cute while you do that, it's okay.

And mamma is excited to pass on her middle name to you.

This has been a tradition for 3, going on 4, generations.

You are so loved and we are excited to meet you

and your sweet personality.

I sit here waiting for you to make some sort of movement

that I can make out is you, but I will wait as long as it takes.

I've heard you can be pretty forceful in there as you run out of room,

so take your time making your stay known.

Just about 5 more sweet months until you are in our arms...

and can we please talk about the 22nd of June?

It would be pretty rad if you could be born on that day.

Just letting you know.

I'll explain when you get here.

Can't wait til you come out!

Love,

Your Mamma

Boy or Girl?

MONDAY JANUARY 17th.
The day is FAST approaching!
I can't believe it is right around the corner.
SOOOO excited!
So....in the top left corner of the blog is a poll...go cast your vote of what you think we are having.
=]
Wow! This day is almost here.
          [p.s. don't forget to vote before 1/18 in the top left corner
           on what you think we are having! fun stuff!] 

Dear Baby Berry,

I hope you cooperate so we can start the planning!

If you are a girl I am so excited to dress you in the cutest dresses

and the cutest little hair bows

with the most adorable little flowers and bracelets and shoes.

To see your Dad wrapped around your little finger

because YOU are his Princess.

And if you are a boy to pass on the Berry name,

I am so excited to dress you in cute sweater vests for church

and little polos for the playground

and spike your hairs in little fauxhawks.

To picture you out in the yard throwing a football with your Dad

and him teaching you all you need to know about camping and hunting.

But mostly I am just so excited to be a mommy and hold you

and kiss you and cuddle you

and to know that you are the next step and continuation of an Eternal Berry Family.

We have been waiting for you and long for the day you are here in our arms.

Your Mom and Dad love you so much already.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy Berry

Not-So-Normal Grapes

So...remember my post just earlier today...(see below)...well that purchase at Safeway included some grapes.

These are magical grapes.

Have you ever had grapes from Chile?

Have you ever had grapes infused with nectarine juices?

I HAVE!

Let me just tell you....the most delicious grapes I've ever had.

I'm gonna go get some more!

Just sayin.

Well...this was a ridiculous post but I had to share it.

Thanks for readin!

Mrs. Berry

Yep.

Over a year and a half married...

and...

It still gets me everytime!

The other day I was checking out at Safeway and as the cashier pulled my receipt from the machine and read back how much I saved...I got a little excited! Yes, the savings were great...

But then the best part came....

"Thank you, Mrs. Berry. You have a great day."

GAH!

I love the way that sounds.

Having that last name means one very awesome thing...

...That Mr. Berry is my husband.

This Mr. Berry is very berry [ :) ] handsome.

This Mr. Berry completes me.

This Mr. Berry loves me!

This Mr. Berry is PERFECT for ME!

This Mr. Berry is mine...forever...and ever!

This Mr. Berry is Nikolas James.

I just love it.

I love this!

I love HIM!!!

I love being Mrs. Berry!!!

Forever and Ever

Salsa, Anyone??

Sometimes I make these posts more for myself to look back on than for your entertainment...so bare with me for a minute, please.
Thanks.

I heart Mexican food!

HEART IT!

I love and crave chips and salsa on a regular basis (pre-pregnancy as well).

But one very sad thing has happened since I became pregnant...

No More Chips and Salsa (at least the Red Salsa). =[

Since I have been pregnant I have had Mexican food THREE times.

TWICE I had Red Chunky Salsa, the norm.

ONCE I have had the Green Salsa from Tia Rosa's.

TWICE I came home and shared all my food with the toilet bowl.

ONCE I didn't share one bite!

So....I have come to the conclusion

(because this never happened before in my life and really only one thing has changed)

that I cannot eat Red Chunky Salsa for the next 6 months...

unless I want to share again. 

But....I'm not much of the sharing type...at least not voluntarily.

So much sadness has been brought to my belly as I came to this conclusion. 

Let me just say...

once this baby is here to hold and love and kiss and cuddle....

I'm chowin' down on some sushi and salsa! 

You better believe it!

Well, if you survived this brutally honest post, I need some help...
...The only Green Salsa places I know of are Gecko Grill (amazing) and Tia Rosa's (amazing) so let me know if you know of any others, please!!! I'd like to keep some sanity.

Beginning of my 2nd Trimester

Ok...So I'm on a roll today! Let me just make all my blogs at once! K? Sounds great!

Well...I was moving into my 2nd trimester on December 13th being 12weeks and 3days. That Monday was HORRIBLE.
I just kept feeling nauseous...like usual...and I just wanted to roll over and quit. Food was nauseating, the THOUGHT of food was sickening, the process of EATING food was not helpful, and I just was sick. I hated feeling this way. I just wanted to sleep and NOT have to eat anything. WHY do we have to eat? It's silly.

But then the miracle that some speak of happened the next day.
Tuesday December 14th....I had the huge ball of energy, I felt GREAT! I was hungry all the time but never nauseous. I couldn't believe it! At the end of the day I said my prayers of thanks and then waited for the following day to kick my butt again....
BUT IT DIDN'T!
It was GLORIOUS!
I had energy. I felt great. I LOVED food! I couldn't get enough food. Wonderful!


And everyday since then I have been perfect. Not one ounce of nausea, sickness, or yuckiness.
I have been very tired still but I can live with that.
Food seems to love me as I love it. We get along very well right now.
Oh...and I haven't gained a pound since my first visit! (Which I am told it good for the 1st trimester and then I am suppose to SLOWLY and LIGHTLY gain pounds as the baby gets bigger. Yay for saving it through the holidays!)

Well that's the update! 14weeks and 3days right now. yay! Next month I should be able to find out what we are having. I still feel it's a boy. We shall see!

Whisperings

Ok, here is a little story for you.

Nik wakes up early for work and to be able to work out before work (they have a gym at his office and it rocks. Gotta love BofA).

Anywho...he woke up at 5am this morning so he could get there in time to work out, shower, and get ready for work there and be to work by 8 without any rush.

As he is leaving the house I was still cozied up in bed but had this feeling to roll over and make sure he took his scan badge to get in the buildings. But then I realized my phone was over on the bookshelf and I didn't want to have to get up to text him if it did happen to be there on the dresser still.
Bad wife? Maybe.

Well about an hour after he leaves and I fall back asleep I get this BANGING on my window!
My head lays right there and it scared the HECK out of me!
My eyes SHOT open and stared at the ceiling.
I didn't know what to do.
I have this fear of looking out windows in the dark because I might  see some yellow beady eyes staring back at me.
Ok?
might
But still...it's a horrible thought.
Then more rapping at my window.
I just layed there motionless and prayed that Nik locked the door when he left for work.
THEN my phone light went on and I ran to it.
Maybe Nik was having a feeling that something bad was happening to me and wanted to tell me he loved me.
So I got out of bed...and IT WAS Nik calling me!
My LOVE!
So I called him back and whispered "hello"
And he goes "Yes, it's me at the window."
GOSH!
Scare the living daylights out of me!!!!
I look over on the dresser...and there was his scan badge!
DURH!
Why couldn't I have just LOOKED over there when I had that feeling...because now Nik will have driven the length to Maricopa and back today and that was one thing we were looking forward to with me being out of a job now - less gas! Yes, he drove to Chandler and the 101 and THEN he realized he left his badge. grrr.....listen next time, Dawna!
The reason he was knocking at my window was because he doesn't have a house key to my parent's house yet....which is NOW on my list for the day!

So not only did he waste gas because I didn't listen to the Whisperings and he didn't double check...but he also didn't have time to work out before work (which he loves). Sorry babe.
Learn from my mistakes and listen!

LOL
What a morning!

Our Merry Christmas

Christmas morning we woke up 

BRIGHT and EARLY!

5:15am to be exact.

After getting ready, we opened presents at 6am

and then headed to Grandma's house for our Breakfast tradition.

We ate our Mickey Mouse Waffles, yes waffles....not pancakes.

Top that!

Then we had our sliced oranges and baked apples.

Add in some eggs and salsa with some bacon.

DEE-LISH!

Then we opened presents there and could feel all the love from our families.

We are so blessed to be so close to our families.

After presents we played some Mario Cart (Thank you Santa),

played Phase 10 (Allred tradition),

Watched some Despicable Me (Thanks again Santa),

And slept.

Then Nik and I headed off to Nanu and Grandpa's house.

After almost running out of gas, because we were just so excited for Christmas, we made it safely.

We hung around for a bit until the food was done cooking.

Had a delicious roast, mashed taters, corn, yummy salad, and rolls.

Can't forget about the Poppers that Nanu gets us each year for us to pop.

Inside our Poppers we each got a paper crown to wear for the day, a joke, and a fun toy.

(we love traditions!)

After dinner we cleaned up and opened our gifts there.

We love our family.

Everyone gets along and loves each other.

We are so blessed.

After presents we had some pie and Wassail and then rolled ourselves out the door.

SO.MUCH.FUN!

Here are the two pictures I have from the day and am waiting for the rest to arrive via email.

This was our 2009 ornament and tree.

LOL.

Our tiny Provo apartment did not have adequate room for a tree

And we were going to be in AZ and CA for the majority of the holiday

I just bought this 4inch tree candle to sit atop our t.v.

Oh, the memories!

 This is our 2010 ornament.

All the writing was chosen by Nik.

Gotta love his humor and ability to have fun.

This sat on my parent's tree because we didn't have one of our own again.

And here I am at 14weeks and 1day (Christmas day).

Depending on what I wear you can see it or you can't because I'm not that big.

But it's fun to see a little growth.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas like we did!

This is the holiday feast we had here in the office. So delicious. I have the best, most generous boss ever!! Me and Baby Berry are stuffed! Now time to decorate the office. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Who's Your Daddy!

So....

ever since I can remember Panda Express making the Orange Chicken more spicy....

I have HATED it!

Nik on the other hand LOVES it!

Sometimes if there isn't anything else that looks good he will get double Orange Chicken.

I can't stand it.

Sometimes it is so overpowering I feel my nose hairs fry off.

lol.

Well, ever since this baby landed in my belly...

...I have been CRAVING Orange Chicken.

I just can't get enough.

So....all I can say is that Nik is definitely the daddy...

And the baby has his taste buds.

So I texted Nik to tell him this:

This baby is DEFINITELY yours!

Not just for obvious reasons but also because

I can't stop craving Orange Chicken!

He replied:

If it is MY baby, as you claim,

It would crave TimTams and Dawna.

Seeing as how it OBVIOUSLY hates you

And you have not craved the chocolatey goodness that is TimTam...

It is OUR baby.

So he obviously took the "yours" in my text too literally...but his reply cracks me up.

"Seeing as it OBVIOUSLY hates you..."

lol.

For the last couple days it has been non-stop discomfort of the stomach.

(just an fyi)

He is so funny.

I love him!

So I just replied and said

Meant to say YOU are DEFINITELY the FATHER.

Oh well...he is still cute and funny.

Call Me A Baby...

...But I just cannot help but tear up everytime I see this picture.

(which is probably means it's not a good idea to make it my desktop.)

It means so much to me to see all these people that love and support us.

To know that the man I am kissing is the man I get to keep for the rest of my life.

To know that he makes me so happy.

To know that half of these people I inherited with this marriage

And they are wonderful to me.

To know that THIS is love, life, and happiness!

This was the happiest day of my life...so far...

....another to come this summer!

Lower Back Pains

So I have been having some pains in my butt/tail bone/lower back area.
It hurts when I walk up steps.
It hurts when I stand on one leg to put the other leg in my pants.
It hurts when I try to get off the couch or out of the car or out of bed.
It hurts when I try to roll over in bed.

I'm not sure what is going on. I've done a little research but don't want to be overreacting if I'm wrong.
The symptoms say it is Symphysis Pubis Disfunction.
What the heck is that??
I am not sure what to do but I am in constant pain when moving.
I think I will call my doctor and see if there is anything they can prescribe, other than Tylenol, because that doesn't seem to be working.

Hope this goes away or gets better soon!

Coming Soon to a Couple Near You - June 24 2011

Yep, this is REALLY happening!

We are going to be parents around June 24th, 2011

(although I want to have it on the 22nd)

All the families know and are excited.

My mom and dad teared up,

My Mother-In-Law almost fainted,

And all my sisters screamed, Amy included!

Oh, and can't forget our brother, Sam,

who is excited to be Uncle Sam soon.

It was a shock to everyone but we are Soooo Happy!

=]

Newlywed Graduates!

June 10, 2010
Disclaimer:
This is long overdue....
but made possible with the faster internet now.
In California our internet was too slow to do any pictures on our blog,
so that is why there is a huge space between posts.
Enjoy!

This has been one crazy fun year of marriage.

We have lived in

Provo, UT

and

San Diego, CA

and loved each experience in its own separate way.

Now it is time for our First Anniversary
so we got work off to head over to

DISNEYLAND!

We were both so excited because the last time I went to Disneyland I was 8 and Nik's last time he was 18.

This was MUCH overdue....

and came at a perfect time for living 90 minutes away from the park at the time.

Here are some pictures I can FINALLY load up with the faster internet.

Welcome to Disneyland, ya Lovebirds!

In front of Splash Mountain.

We did this one twice.

Loved it.

Pictures below.

Don't know why this is sideways

I love him!

This was our delicious lunch

And our waiter snuck into the picture

It was so good!

We stuffed our faces and didn't have to eat for the rest of the day.

Before

After.

OMGoodness! It was sooooooOOOOooooO Good!

On the Matterhorn.

First time on this ride because when I went at 8yrs old,

some guy fell off of the ride just prior to our visit,

so it was down for construction.

Eek.

I WAS a little nervous to ride it.

1st ride.

Made him go first because I didn't want to fall out.

My MOST FAVORITE ride EVERRRRRR!

Nik and I waited a little longer than 2 hours to get the front seats.

It was AWESOME!

(don't mind my goofy face)

Our last ride of the day.....

I WAS SCARED OUT OF MY MIND!

But then I wanted to go on it again right away.

It was amazing.

Well, that sums up our trip. It was so fun.

I love this man and the fun times we have together.

Hinting

So I was at work yesterday with these new clients. We are writing some new business and enjoying each others company. They had just celebrated 50 years together and were telling me about their lives and how much they treasure their four children, who have now given them grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

The husband said that those years of raising their children were the best years of their lives. I don't hear this very much from parents nowadays. I have been hearing a lot of "these were the mistakes we wish we could take back" or "hold off as long as you can until you get some common sense not to" or "boy, did we wish this never happened."

Yes, times are rough,

 things are going to be hard,

 and life will forever be unknown....

but THAT'S LIFE!

(Nik is much better at this than I am.)

You are still alive

and you are still alive, right?

But didn't things happen that changed everything?

I guess one way to make yourself miserable

is to make everyone else happy.

(ok, enough ventation, Dawna)

These all make me sad even though sometimes it might look as if they were just joking, I don't know that.
I don't know if you are joking or serious. I hear this stuff more than the happy stuff.

I will say that a friend posted on FB "I love when my little girl falls asleep in my arms. Motherhood is the greatest gift of all." This made me SO happy!
Motherhood IS a blessing, a hard never-ending job, but a joy as well. I am excited for this...to take on this new role.
And Nik can't wait to be a father. Whether it's a boy to throw a ball with or a girl to treat her like a princess (although he says she is going to be one cute tomboy. lol).

Well, back to the old man. As he was talking about his children he said
"So I take it you have kids, (paused), or you will be soon?" (as he pointed towards my stomach.)
I was thrown back.

WHAT did you just say?!?!

I was trying to suck in as much as I could but I guess sitting down really emphasizes everything.
Luckily I could tell him that "Yes, we are expecting our first."

But still, he was LUCKY!

It could very well have just been some weight for the winter.
But oh well, guess this cat has to come out of its bag sooner or later.
When I stand you can't really tell, and I have been trying to wear shirts that flow, but let's just be realistic - Nik and I really can't keep this secret in much longer.
Okay, maybe just me....but I'm sure he's dying to say something too.

So, with Thanksgiving right here....it is perfect because we wanted to say something at this holiday of Thankfulness (a word? it is now) and everything seems to be going well. I will be 10 weeks....and we think this is good enough, especially since all our family will be here at one gathering, it couldn't be better.

(except for Caren and Gma and Gpa Allred....we'll just have to Skype them)

OH....And I'm always exhausted! I went to bed at 8:30 last night and slept til 5:30.

I hear I better catch up on these hours for they quickly dwindle when Lil Berry arrives.

Allred/Berry Family Pictures

My awesome friend

-Andrea Wanlass-

took our Family Pictures this weekend

and here is a sneak at what she did.

(p.s. - last time we took Family Pics Hannah was a newborn

...8 years ago!

About time?

I'd say so!)

I love my family.

More to come.

Thanks Andrea!

Here is her info if you are interested...

...and you SHOULD be!

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Contact her.

You won't regret it!

Let The Games Begin - 9 weeks

NAUSEA: a stomach distress with distaste for food and an urge to vomit.

Do you know what is causing said Nausea right now?

This little RASPBERRY in my belly!

Well that raspberry is graduating to a green olive (which REALLY makes me vomit) this coming week.

It just amazes me that something so small and so wonderful can be so painful and life changing…

and it hasn’t even shown itself to the world.

Nik is so wonderful and he is trying his best everyday to make me comfortable. I appreciate the fact that he does NOT say “I know how you feel” because he doesn’t. He just tries to make things better for me…running and getting me my crackers or a fresh glass of water and then rubbing my back. I am so blessed to have him with me on this journey.

My doctor gave me some meds that are suppose to help ease the nausea.

Getting that prescription filled as I type!

Oh, and it was the most precious thing, yesterday, to see Lil Berry’s heart beating. How crazy is it that a little being about 1inch in length has a little heart and it BEATS?!?! Seriously!

And people say it isn't a human yet!?! Now, THAT is sick!

The sound of the 160 beats per minute is just breath-taking…to know that some little human is growing inside me and I am responsible for him/her right now BEFORE s/he is even born by eating right and getting good rest and taking the proper vitamins. This is all just so amazing to me. I still lie awake at night and can’t believe this is possible.

The doctor said Lil Berry has a very strong heart beat and that the chances for miscarriage right now are about 2-3%. This is one thing that has been stressing me – hoping it doesn’t happen. Yes, if it happened it was meant to be, but I have seen friends go through those struggles and I can’t imagine the pain.

We are so excited to tell our friends and families next month.
It sure has been hard keeping it a secret and having to fib when people ask.

(It's funny to think I am blogging all about this and it is JUST for me right now,

but I type it as though you are following along right now.

A little therapy, you could call it.) 

I am 9 weeks right now and in my 3^rd month. That is so weird to think about.

Well, that is what is new with us. Nik keeps telling me that because of all the pain I am having now, this child is going to be an angel. I sure hope so! ;-)

(P.S.Sorry if this is so scatter-brained...

I am having a hard time thinking straight right now.

Lil Berry's brain is growing right now, stealing mine.

Plus, Fatigue, Nausea, and early mornings are rough.)

Emotional Much?!?!

Wow!

Can I just say I, Myself, am sick of this!

I cry over anything in an instant.

Nik and I were talking about some major changes coming up this month

and it was just overwhelming.

Nothing we haven't prayed about or can handle....

I just got majorly overwhelmed.

I couldn't take it.

I got off the phone with him and just started crying.

Why?

I don't know.

I am just overwhelmed and don't know what to do with myself.

I called my mom during lunch and just bawled.

Couldn't give her a reason why; just bawled.

She felt bad but kinda snickered with a grin - that these are my major hormones going crazy.

The little Berry in my belly is taking control!

OF EVERYTHING!!!

I know that. I need to control it.

At least I haven't taken this out on anyone yet.

And you know what else is changing....my pants.

Can't fit in them and I'm only in my 8th week.

The doctor will confirm how far along I am next week in my appointment

but for right now...

I am a rubberband girl.

JOY!

I'm beginning to like dresses more and more.

Oh....AND....I can't enjoy frozen foods.

I use to go to Jamba Juice 2 or 3 times a week and get an Ideal Meal for breakfast.

[Can't tell me this doesn't look AMAZING!]

(Especially with the little smiley banana)

Well it isn't anymore.

:'(

My tastebuds don't like it.

It isn't like it is nasty....I just can't taste it.

So I haven't had one for about 2 weeks but this morning I decided I would give it a try again

JUST IN CASE

it was a fluke.

Nope.

Not good.

Makes me sad but my wallet will be happy.

It wasn't expensive because I am a cool person that has a 20% off key card.

SCHWEET!

But yeah, weird huh??

Not a fan.

Well, as you read from the previous post...NIK HAS A JOB!

So next month we hope to move out from his parent's house and into our

own place.

Ok....I'm done being an emotional wreck. I just want to sleep now.