We're having a girl!!!

19 weeks along

We had another ultrasound on Thursday. This was the first time Jonathan was able to go to the doctor with me.

And we found out we're having a girl!! Here's her face and huge belly, we're hoping she looks a little different come January.


So, the baby pool is locked now. We just have to wait until she arrives to find out who wins.
We're off to Myrtle Beach to visit with my sister and her family!

It's been a long week

What a week! Jonathan started seeing patients his first day of work where it took me a week. He's enjoying getting to use his skills he worked so hard for. It's been 3 months since he's done dentistry, and now he'll never stop! He's learning the ropes there with the paper work and how the office runs. He doesn't have his own team or patients yet. He's been sharing with the officer in charge. However, he learned today that there is a possibility he will move to a different clinic. We're not sure if or when this will happen.
As for me, I began seeing patients on Tuesday with my supervising physician and now I have my own patients. I'm still learning the medications and treatments. It really is different than what I was doing before. But I'm up for the challenge. The patients haven't had a provider in the office in a while so they're just happy that I'm there and don't mind that I'm slow right now. The staff is also understanding in that I'm needing to take time to learn the system.
I went to the doctor last week and was told that the maternity ward is full for the month of January so the military is sending me off base. So I still haven't found a ob yet but I have an appointment next week with someone. And hopefully will have an ultrasound within the next couple of weeks. We'll be having the baby at the local hospital which is closer to our house and no hassle of having to go through military security.
Here's my 18 week photo! Growing every day and having to wear maternity pants. I'm feeling good and maybe feeling the baby kick! We try every night to hear the baby with our stethoscope but we're not sure that we've heard that yet either. One day soon though.

Welcome to the Workforce

After our first few weeks here in Fayetteville we've lots to report. The most exciting is probably that we've finished unpacking and moving things around the house. As far as the baby is concerned, no news really to report. We're anxiously awaiting the Army's bureaucracy to process us through Tricare so we can see a doc. The powers that be have set a month out from our registration as our start date for coverage. I'm not sure what the rationale is for this deadline, but its ensured our next ultrasound is probably a month away from now. I'm guessing mid September. Fortunately, everything seems fine. Avoiding the heat seems to limit any nausea and aside from occassional headaches and restless nights, I haven't had much discomfort (knock on wood). I've begun to show a tiny belly and am starting to chronicle my ballooning waistline with measuring tape and the occasional photo. In the one below I am 17 weeks along.

Jonathan has finished in processing with his unit and starts doing dentistry tomorrow. Its been a few months since he last got to practice actual dentistry. He'll be seeing many patients on a daily basis. On some occasions his clinic will see up to 1000 patients in a day (for mobilizations). He'll have more to details to report after tomorrow I imagine.

I started working this week and am going through the typical orientation stuff (videos, paperwork, introductions, etc.) I'm slated to begin seeing patients on Monday. The schedule they have planned for me is to see more patients than I am used to along with the fact I'm still unfamiliar with their office protocols makes for more stress than desired. No worries, I'll figure it out. I'll have more details, too, once I get into a normal routine.

Baby Pool

Ok, we've set up a game for a baby pool. Enter your guesses and whomever wins will get a prize. Guess soon because we should learn the gender within the next month or so. Here's the site http://www.expectnet.com/games/LittleHardy1
Have fun!!

Little Fingers

Here are a couple more pictures of the baby. I can't believe how much he/she has grown in just 2 weeks. All is fine with mom and baby. Right now we're in TN with Jonathan's family (minus Jonathan). I'm heading to NC tomorrow and will be without computer access for about 1 week unless I can find the library. Only 12 more days before Jonathan is back!!!

January 20, 2009

I had another ultrasound today, it was just the 1st trimester screening. I thought, hey, it's another chance to see the baby. The baby was so active they had a hard time getting everything they needed. I heard the heartbeat again. The HR was 143 and the baby is still measuring about 4 days ahead. The due date is January 20.  It's such a miracle to have a baby with me right now. Wow! 

Jonathan is in the field again. He returns to base today for the remainder of his training. Overall, it seems he is having a good time minus the intense heat there. I'm so ready for him to come home. 

Just a few days left in Lexington. I'm excited and sad. Leaving wonderful friends, family, and all things familiar. But there is so much to look forward to in North Carolina.  You all will have to come visit us!

Sorry for not having pictures. 

Here I Come

That's right. There's our first baby. We are so excited to have him/her with us. I went to the Dr. today and everything is going well. I saw the heart beating and it finally gave me reassurance that I've been wanting for several weeks. I called Jonathan's room in Texas to let him hear the heart beat. I haven't heard yet if that worked out. Keep us in your prayers.

(Sorry for the small picture, I'm having a hard time finding out how to convert the files.)

I got a phone call

On Friday night I received a phone call from Jonathan. He was using another soldier's cell phone while still out on the field. I cried I was so excited! He didn't say much about what he was doing other than he's been gassed, learned how to disassemble/clean/assemble his M16, and it's REALLY hot. He returns to his base on Monday night and I'm energized after that phone call.

On my end, I got a job. The interview I had on Tuesday turned out really well. I believe this will be a good fit for me. I'll be doing pretty much the same thing I'm doing now but in a different environment. My last day of work in Lexington is tomorrow. Why did I pick a Monday? No clue. It will be sad because I've really enjoyed working there. I've met some wonderful friends in such a short time. But I'm also happy that I will have some time to get things ready for the move, visit family, and friends before July 14. 

I look forward to posting again this Tuesday. I should have some pictures to add by then. You'll just have to see!!

What's Jonathan doing?

Well to give you an idea about what he's into these days...
He's learning about formations, maps, salutes, etc. He is especially enjoying soldiers saluting to him. He just left this morning at 2:30am for his 10-day field training. He will be with the other 300+ officers. They will have a varied schedule starting at 4:00am every day while there. He will have no access to computer, phone, tv. He will be in the 105 degree temperature with no shower!! YUCK! He will have air conditioning in his tent but will be sharing this with about 40 others.
It really is a different world there for him. Far different from the dental work his classmates are already performing. While they are doing endo, he's qualifying on his M16.
So I won't hear from him for 10 days which is really hard. But I'll let you all know how he's doing when he returns. He should definitely have some interesting stories.
As for me, I'm doing the same ol'. I do have an interview for a position in NC next week!

Our house

Here are some pictures of our house. It's a new house owned by a military guy. We love it even though we're not there yet. The only thing about it is the owner wants to keep his 2 arcade games that don't work in the garage. Don't think so. They take up a lot of space and we can't/won't be responsible for anything that happens to them. The neighborhood is quite new. We're excited about meeting the new people there. I'm not sure how to add more pictures than this? But there are 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a finished bonus room above the living room. The outside has seen better days, but the porch is so cute!