Happy Birthday, Uncle Ryan!

It's crazy to think my little brother is now 20!

T.W.E.N.T.Y.

Ryan, we love you very much! Without even trying, you bring so much laughter to our family. I couldn't be more proud to call you MY little brother.

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We laugh at family jokes; we remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time."

Jennifer Hudson guest starring on Fringe

The most common question I've been asked is, "How are you feeling?" Love this question! And, each time I want to break out into song...specifically with the Jennifer Hudson, "Feeling Good" Weight Watchers performance, but I stop and give a normal answer.

Truly, I do feel great! Thus far, I've had very little to almost no morning-sickness. (Find me the nearest piece of wood, please!) Earlier this week, I had this crazy sensation right around my belly-button. It felt like Baby was George of the Jungle, swinging back and forth. I've been told it's my body stretching out - making more room for Baby, but I prefer the vision of our lime-size bambino in the jungle.

I've so far gained no weight - holla! - but, my cravings I blame on the pregnancy haven't stopped. It went from chocolate milk (after visiting Amanda in the hospital and watching her order room-service chocolate milk, I couldn't help myself) to carmel apples (hey, the apple is healthy!) to gummy bears. The cravings quickly come, and quickly leave - no more than for a couple of days.

My pants have become a bit snug - finding they fit great in the legs, but have to keep them unbuttoned. Immediately when I arrive home from work, I throw on the comfy sweats - which over the weekends I barely get out of. And, my favorite part - there's definitely a bump! :)

Like all pregnant ladies I think "using the bathroom" becomes difficult almost immediately. Eric likes to mention that at night I have no problem "releasing" myself...I kindly inform him that it's Baby's way of letting him know he/she is baking.

Over the past few days I've started to notice some blurry vision. I've worn contacts for years - and purposefully do not wear my glasses...which have frames from the 90's. I thought maybe it was because I've just been tired, it's my way of giving me an excuse to close my eyes, but it turns out (after a phone call to the doctor's office yesterday), like a pregnant woman's feet and hands - her eyes do the same thing. The nurse mentioned that many women change their prescription when they're pregnant, and after the baby arrives, it goes back to normal. This threw me for a loop! She did recommend that wearing glasses instead of contacts makes it easier, but as mentioned before - this isn't an option (yet).

Speaking of being tired - if someone were to ask me what time it was, without looking at a clock, I could tell them based on my tired mood. Right at 2:00, it hits me - like a brick wall. I have no problem waking up in the morning, or falling asleep at night, but a nap in the middle of the afternoon would be amazing. On the weekends, I'm covered - at work, not so much. Whipping out a Disney Princess sleeping bag might not be the best idea...

I think the strangest of all strange "symptoms" would be the vivid dreams. I've never been one to remember what I dream at night (or during naps), but since finding out we're having a baby - I can remember them almost scene-by-scene. I've dreamt about Derek Jeter (that was a good one!), that my Mom found out about her 50th birthday party and that we're having twins (which we are not). Last night's dream was by far the weirdest - which I shared with Eric immediately this morning. Allow me to share with you...

We were excited to have an ultrasound to see the baby, but unfortunately Eric could not make it. Of course, this didn't stop me from going to my appointment - with an ultrasound tech that looked similar to my Dad. Either way, in "real life" the ultrasound is done using a sonogram - this wasn't the case in my dream. Instead, the Dad look-alike took Baby out of back of my neck, and placed him/her in a pan for all of us to see. (I would like for it to be known that Baby looked like a normal itty-bitty baby.) He checked Baby out - couldn't tell us if it's a boy or girl - and when we were finished, placed him/her back in my neck and I went along my way. Pictures were taken - but they weren't cute print-outs, they were 5x7 portraits.

I immediately related this dream to Fringe - a show Eric, Dad and I love to watch. Hence, the Dad technician...

Undoubtedly I can't wait to feel Baby squirm and kick inside my belly - but, until then you can catch me in sweats, 1990's glasses, dreaming away to Jennifer Hudson.

Sharing the News

For some reason I always imagined us being extremely prepared when it came to sharing THE news. And, for many of you, I'm sure your chair has fallen out from under you as you think, "Did the Emily I know just say that?!" Believe it - we had creative ideas, but in the end, it just felt better to say it, than act it.

We did at least pick which week we were going to share the news. After confirming with the doctor that I am, in fact, cooking a bean in my tummy - we took a trip to Memphis for a family wedding. My Uncle Hal will tell you he "knew" it that weekend, but I think he just likes to show off. I did my best to hide it, but of course the baby topic of conversation didn't stop Ryan from guessing it. He had strict, and I mean s-t-r-i-c-t, rules not to say a word. The following Saturday we were headed up north for our nephew's birthday party - perfect time to see and tell Betsy and Bob. And, on Sunday we made plans for lunch out with my parents.

Eric couldn't attend the party-part of the night, as he had to work that afternoon - but he did make the special trip up, knowing we had some exciting news to share. The Davis side of our family has never been shy expressing their desire for a Little Emily or Eric. And, the comments were in high-force this afternoon! To play along - I remember saying, "Before anyone else has another baby...can WE have on first?!" All in joking fun, and little did they really know! After Daniel and his friends ran through his slip-'n-slide countless times, opened his gifts and we all ate far too much Toy Story birthday cake - Eric arrived just in time and within minutes of him walking in the door - we were ready to share the news. Hearing Eric say, "Well...we're having a baby!" was pretty cool - and seeing their reaction was priceless. It felt great to be surrounded by the people who had prayed with us, and for us!

Sunday afternoon my parents met us at our house for lunch and a little shopping. Before we left, with Dad sitting in the arm-chair and Mom standing in the kitchen, I looked at them both and said, "Before we leave - we have news." Mom blurted out, "You're pregnant!" Mother's intuition, I suppose. :) Their reactions the days following were far better than the day of - with Mom's almost-giving-it-away Facebook status and Dad's sweet email to me at work. Since that Sunday, it's non-stop baby talk from the soon-to-be Nana and Papaw!

We did have to fib just a little that day. Unbeknownst to Mom, we were planning a surprise 50th birthday party for her in September. So, that Sunday I told her that we wanted to wait to tell the rest of the world until October - when we're heading down to Lexington to watch a UK football game. Apparently, she had dropped hints to her sisters that she thought it would be a good idea if they came into town that same weekend - you know, to "finish painting" Mamaw and Papaw's house - why, of course!

But, the Friday before her party - there were all of her sisters, and most importantly my Mamaw and Papaw at my house, hiding out. The night before I made a gift for Nana from Baby, and thought it would be a great way to tell the family.

I made the onesies (one for a girl and one for a boy!) and placed them in a box. Before we all left for lunch that Friday afternoon, Mamaw and Papaw were standing in our kitchen. I asked them if they'd like to see what I made Mom for her birthday - and when I opened the box, Mamaw looked right at me and said, "You're having a baby!" That night, Papaw said a special prayer for Baby - something that still makes me cry.

The next afternoon, we shared the news with both Mom's side of the family and Dad's side of the family - as they were there to celebrate for more than just Mom's birthday! Come to find out - Mom couldn't keep her mouth shut...she told her neighbor AND two co-workers!

And, then we shared with the entire "world"...

We've come to learn, it's not about how you tell the news...but, about WHAT the news is! :)

High above Cloud Nine...

No matter how many words I write down today, there will not be enough to express how amazing "this" feels. I can't quite capture in multiple paragraphs the feeling of faith, joy and excitements flowing through me. I've never been more excited for one journey to end, and another to begin.

Eric and I have now been married for two years (where has the time gone?!) - and shortly before our one-year anniversary, we started to discuss planning for a family. At that point, I don't think we even understood the level of emotions we would feel over the next year. Never did we expect to feel as if our questions would not be answered, that we would become numb to the word "disappointment". But, within those unanswered questions, we opened our heart again.

The journey we are now on, is one that inspired our faith. You grow up having this relationship with God, and attempting to understand His plan for you. After countless rounds of fertility medication, the door was shut. But ironically, together with the most devastating loss imaginable, our faith began to grow stronger. We had been given a sense of hope.

I can't explain or credit any specific reason why God took us down a long and curvy road - but, He had a reason. "Something" about our first baby wasn't right, and He knew it. And, to know one month later, He was ready to give us the most amazing gift, restores all that we thought was lost.

So, here we are - almost 11 weeks PREGNANT. And, it couldn't be more amazing. :)

Hearing and seeing Baby's heartbeat was nothing we ever pictured. It's one of those moments that you remember every time you close your eyes. Hearing the words "perfect" and "right on track" never felt so good. At this point, we're high above Cloud Nine...