It's been One week...

Well, it's that time. The discovery of what is growing inside of Beth will be made in one week! This brings up feelings of both excitement and nervousness. Boy vs. Girl. The little pal or the little princess. The more new things are decided/developed makes this whole thing a little bit more real. It's going to be harder to convince myself that Beth is just putting on a little bit of weight once I know if it's a boy or girl. We have an idea of names for both but it still seems very theoretical because we don't know what it is. It is still an it at this point, though soon it will no longer be an it but a something. Scary.
Beth's appetite has been increasing lately, I've been trying to keep up with her (for, you know, moral support), but she is about to leave me behind. We have been trying to stay away from eating for 2 myth, because I believe that is often used as an excuse for ladies to eat what they want, disclaimer: if you are currently pregnant or have been anytime in the past or think you will ever be, I am not talking about you but all the other ladies. I think the doctor is going to tell Beth to eat more though at this visit, you know like some more crazy ice cream cravings would probably help the baby.

Chris

with what's been going on around here...

The 17 week update goes like this:
Beth experienced being sick and knocked-up at the same time and it was not fun. While we got visits from the Bullingtons (minus Paul) and the Giusti's (minus Mike)(we also got to see Tommy again (minus Rita) and Matt), with an influx of awesome children germs and a ton of Tennessee pollen both of us went down this week with the sinus sickness. I learned the advantages of Claritin and Motrin, Beth was left to suffer without the benefit of drugs. So, she did the next best thing, she slept for 2 days straight. We newly learned about a great sinus issue treatment; Kelly told us about Neti Pots, which I would have sworn she was saying nutty pots and I thought that was just weird, but it is essentially a tea pot you fill with special salt water and pour into your nostril and if flows through you sinus cavity and out your other nostril. It's nuts and amazing all in one, and it works!
We had our April check-up scheduled during the days that she was ill, so we had to miss that appointment. I guess that would be the downfall of keeping your doctor 2 hours away in NC. I am starting to doubt that decision but we really like it there at Haywood Women's and we have already had 1 doctor peer into our private lives with all of those probing questions, if you know what I mean...
Random notes: we have recieved our crib, otherwise known as Abigail's (and Wilson's and Anne Lois') baby crib that she claims she is too big for now...Beth is helping with Environmental Ed at JKC and a little cleaning around camp, she is glad to make some money but is going stir-crazy in the house and would be willing to work even for the government at this point...we got to see Beth's friend Ian in the AA baseball game at Chattanooga versus Montgomery Biscuits, go Biscuits!...the food craving for the week is doughnuts...

Chris

Baby's moving to Rocky Top

Well, God is good and we are moving to Tennessee! I have accepted the Interim Program Director position at the John Knox Center in Ten Mile, TN (otherwise known as drive 45 mintues outside of Knoxville). Visit JohnKnoxCenter.org for more information on where I'll be working, and send any young'uns to camp there, too! We are super excited to be back in camping and in a better financial situation, too.

Chris

Baby Spends a Day in Asheville

We had our 12 week Doc visit, which constituted of about a minute and a half of doctor time. We had an ultrasound to screen for any chromosomal abnormalities. Aunt Heather came with us and got to be the third person to see the baby.We are waiting for a blood test to come back but none of the nurses freaked out on us, so hopefully that means we are all good. Beth was also astonished that they didn't move her due date up, as she thinks she is farther along than they say. She has continued to lose weight since being pregnant, I swear I think I figure
her out and now she is frustrated that she weighs less!
The closer we get the more we are realizing that we need more than just some cool Keen baby shoes. So with that in mind, we made a visit to Target and officially created our first baby registry. So go visit at Target.com. If Beth wasn't there I think I would still be lost looking for all the random different baby items that are necessary. Who knew that nipples came in different sizes! It made it all very realistic looking at all the bottles and whatnot. A little scary to think that I have a lot to learn.
Beth and I have a lot of decisions to make about work and we are trying to find the best solutions to the different challenges. It has been tough to remain faithful and patient but it has been amazing how much God has blessed us during this stressful time. Keep us in your prayers.

Chris

11 Weeks Update

At 11 weeks Beth is feeling great. She has been learning the fine line between gas, hunger, and feeling sick. She hasn't had many crazy food cravings (except an unfortunate McDonald's evening). As you can see she is starting to show a little and is super pumped about looking pregnant, not bloated! Beth and I have been getting tons of exercise (more important for her not me) and we have been trying to walk as much as possible and even went rock climbing the other day ( I mean... I went rock climbing, Beth took pictures)!
Work has become very complicated for us. Beth has now gone to a more part time basis and does not go into the field every week, but every other week. I am currently looking for other employment, as a pregnant wife/eventual new baby does not match with the lifestyle of a wilderness instructor!
We have been trying to slowly add things we will need as we find good deals. We have recieved a few gifts from people that have started our parent collection. And we have bought some cloths and what not on super sales and it has made us realize how cool our kid will be, I promise my kid will be better than yours (I'm joking, but... not really)! We have also found a really cool website called Mama's Bargains (thanks Beka!) that sells baby and parent stuff on super great deals, go check it out and buy something for yourself or us!

Chris

Welcoming a New Ford

Welcome to the blog of the newest Ford! Beth and I are super excited to welcome him or her to our lives and enjoy our new adventure in parenting (read: I don't actually know what to expect and still think this is either not real or will be all fun and games). I am hoping to keep current updates on this blog and let y'all know what is happening in the life of Baby Ford!

Here is the picture of our ultrasound at 8 weeks. We are anticipating a due date of September 24th, or is it October 1st, or somewhere in between...they keep changing the date on us!
Chris