WHAT'S IN A NAME

When you were little, did you ever wish you had a different name? I went through a stage when I thought the name "Megan" was soooo boring.  I would even ask my Mom why she never thought of giving me a much cooler name like, "Stacey." My love for the name Stacey stemmed from the Barbie's friend doll, and my absolute love/obsession with the Babysitters Club Book Series. I always wanted to be the character Stacey from this series. Luckily, I came to love my name and stopped giving my poor Mom grief about it. 

Thinking of a name for your child is a big decision. I had been thinking of names for my future children ever since I was a little girl. When Casey and I were engaged, I presented my favorite options to him. He thought I was crazy :) He told me he would not commit to any child's name until I was pregnant with them. I thought this was lame, but it didn't stop me from throwing some ideas out every once in awhile :)

Last summer over dinner, I told Casey that I was really starting to love the name, "Emma." I knew that I would most likely get the response, "Lets get pregnant first," which I did.  About two months later (and before we were pregnant), he brought up a potential child's name at dinner.  I almost fell out of my chair since he has always been so resistant to this type of conversation, and now he was actually bringing it up and had a name! I could not wait to hear what it was going to be. To my surprise, he said, "I am not sure where it came from, but today at work, I just started thinking I really like the name, 'Emma' for a girl." At first I thought he was joking. Was he just trying to tease me since I brought this name up two months ago? I just stared at him, and said, "Are you serious?" He stared blankly back at me not understanding my response, and said, "..Yes." I reminded him that I brought this name up two months ago, but he had no recollection of it! I guess he just blocked those "kid name" conversations out of his memory. 

After we laughed about the whole thing, we realized that we had each come to this name separately, but together. It was pretty much destiny, if you ask me. We both love that the name, "Emma" is timeless, classy, elegant, and sweet. 

"Grace" is another name I have always loved, and is actually the name of my Goddaughter/niece. I thought it would make a perfect middle name. Emma Grace had such a nice ring to it. When we found out we were pregnant, we committed to it being the name of our baby if it was a girl. Baby O was a girl, and our little bundle of joy now has a name. Sweet Emma Grace, we love you!

Happy Thursday! Thanks for reading! XO

GENDER REVEAL

A few days before Casey and I left to go to Louisiana for Christmas, we had the big Doctor's appointment where we found out our baby's gender. One of the most frequently asked questions when you are pregnant is, "Do you think it is a girl or a boy?" Casey and I would go back and forth about what we thought our baby's gender might be, but we definitely leaned more towards our baby being a boy. 

In the sea of people we knew having babies, all of them were having boys. We figured something was in the water, and we would be having a boy too. We obviously would have been excited either way, but I know we both mentally went into the appointment expecting the Doctor to tell us we were having a boy. I did, however, have one dream about our baby before the reveal and in it our baby was a girl.

When the time finally arrived, we anxiously waited as the Doctor moved our baby around so he could find out. Once he knew, he asked us if we wanted him to just tell us or write it down. We quickly replied, "Just tell us!" Then he said, "You are having.....a GIRL!" We both instantly were a little surprised and so excited! 

After the appointment, we stood in the parking lot and just kept looking at each other and saying, "We are having a girl." I instantly wanted to go shopping and buy all the adorable little girl clothes I had been seeing and admiring. I started dreaming of her nursery and what she would look like. Casey was kind of being quiet, so I thought maybe he was disappointed we were not having a boy. I asked him what was wrong. 

My sweet baby girl if you ever read this blog one day, know this what your Daddy had to say, "Nothing is wrong at all! I am just thinking of the adventures I am going to take her on, the Daddy daughter dates, making sure she knows she is beautiful, walking her down the aisle..." My heart officially melted in that moment.

Baby girl, your already have your Daddy wrapped around your finger.

Cannot wait to meet her! Thanks for reading! XO

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

I have never been a believer of love at first sight. I think there can be infatuation at first sight, or attraction at first sight, but to me, love is something you can only obtain by truly getting to know someone. I believe you must invest in that person and come to see their greatest gifts and biggest weaknesses. True love is when you still make the choice to love all parts of them despite their imperfections. I stand by this stance when it comes to dating and relationships, but once I saw my precious baby for the first time, I officially became a believer of love at first sight. True genuine love came pouring out of my heart as I watched my baby move and wiggle for the first time. 

As crazy as it may sound, even though I took a pregnancy test that told me that I was pregnant and had bad morning sickness, there was a part of me that still doubted it was all real. I could not wrap my head around the idea that there was a living baby growing inside of me. Even as my Doctor put the jelly on my stomach, I wondered if a baby would show up on the screen. As soon as our baby made its first appearance, chills went through my body. Our baby was real.

Baby O was only 9 weeks old at our first ultrasound, and yet, our baby was so full of life. We didn't get to hear the heartbeat yet, but we could see it. It was beautiful and breathtaking. It was crazy to see Baby O's perfect little arms and legs already formed. All Casey and I could talk about after was how anyone could deny that was a baby. We have always been pro-life, but experiencing and seeing firsthand our little miracle made it all the more convicting. 

The fact that Casey and I will have a baby in 3 months, blows my mind! To be able to play any part in God's creation, and bring a life into this world is a surreal feeling. Being pregnant, I see more than ever, His perfect design and plan. God is so good. 

Happy Ash Wednesday! Thanks for reading! XO

P.S. Make sure to get to Mass today and get your ashes! :)

THE FIRST TRIMESTER

Five days after Casey & I returned home from our European Adventure, I found out that I was pregnant.  I was actually pregnant during the whole trip, but had no idea. It does explain my frequent need to take resting breaks in between walking to different sites. Originally, I thought I was just really out of shape and needed to hit the gym ASAP, but in reality, I was growing a human ;) The most exciting part is that our baby has already received a blessing from Pope Francis!

I first found out the big news on Tuesday, October 1st, 2013. I started to get very suspicious over the weekend that something was different. I bought a pregnancy test on Monday afternoon and waited until Tuesday morning to take it. I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I thought I was going to have a few minutes after taking the test to prepare myself for the results, but the test instantly told me, "PREGNANT." I remember my jaw dropping with a gasp, and as my hand covered my mouth, tears instantly filled my eyes. Then shock hit me and I had this surreal moment of, "I. Am. A. Mom." During my entire life, I dreamed of being a Mom and that day had finally arrived. The shock still hits me all the time. I shared the news with Casey that afternoon when he arrived home from work by decorating our room and even captured his response on film, seen here. 

By the time I found out I was pregnant, I was already  6 weeks along. By Thursday of that same week, the morning sickness hit; and it hit hard. I was extremely sick until week 14 when I finally got on some medication for my nausea. I kept hoping it would go away after week 13 or week 14, but when it continued I realized I needed to get some help. Week 6 to week 14 were rough. I felt nauseous almost all day long and threw up on average 3 times a day (hence no blog posts). My record was 5 times! It was definitely difficult, and I very quickly realized sacrificing for my child started way before they come out of the womb. It was humbling. There were days when I felt helpless. Thank goodness for my amazing husband. He had to pick up all the extra slack, and did it so graciously and lovingly. I AM TRULY BLESSED.

All in all, the first trimester was a world wind. It was filled with much excitement and celebration as we shared the news with family and friends. On the other hand, it was filled with sickness and sacrifice. As much as that time was difficult, I know it was all worth it since it is preparing me for the most important role of my life.

Happy Thursday! Thanks for reading! XO

BIG NEWS OVER HERE...

If you haven't noticed, it has been kind of a ghost town around here lately. I was just gone without a trace. It was like one day we were going steady, and then I just never called again....like a bad break up. And I'm sorry, but here is why I have been so MIA with blogging lately...WE ARE HAVING A BABY! I told you I had a GOOD reason for my leave of absence :) Please keep Casey and I in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare our home and our hearts for this little bundle of joy. 

Enjoy this special video we made capturing some great responses to our exciting news!

Have a Blessed Monday Everyone! Thanks for reading! XO