Baby Bump 22 weeks

I decided to put up pictures of my pregnancy process. It's exciting now that I'm really starting to feel the growth and changes. I was playing basketball with Mark after his church game and I went out to shoot a 3 pointer and I realized I couldn't do it, I didn't have the stomach strength to get it there because my stomach muscles are being ripped apart right now(at least that's what it feels like!)to make room for the baby to grow. (I might add that the church game held true to its reputation as 2 guys got technicals and the refs had to jump in).
I'm glad that I am starting to show now because that chubby looking stage was just awkward-I think the pictures show me a little more pregnant than I really am but I don't mind-in fact, I'd much prefer showing a little more to a little less because for a while there people would see me and the look on their face said "Shanna you really need to give up the twinkies".

This is a little more than 22 weeks.

The next stage in life

It's more than time that I make this post about our soon-to-be little boy. It's crazy for me to think that I will soon have a little boy and I will be a mother. It seems like ever since I was a little girl I have always looked forward to the next big "event" and it wasn't that long ago that the event I was looking forward to was entering in YW's, playing on a Varsity team, getting my first kiss, going to prom, driving, graduating, playing in college, and then getting married. There were times when I thought I'd never be able to move onto the next "step" but life always had a way of working itself out and here I am on the eve of the biggest step that I feel exists and I couldn't be more thrilled/nervous. I feel like everytime I start getting anxious about such an incredible responsibility I feel him kick and I am overcome by love for this little guy.

Here is what's been going on...
I know we all have trials of different sorts and being really sick during pregnancy is one of mine. Feeling like I have the flu for 5 straight months (and counting) won't be one of my fondest memories. I don't think there is a place or situation where I haven't thrown up: testing center, in my car, on myself, in class, at church, work, home, restaurant etc. I'm sure I will laugh at these stories later. Luckily I have a wonderful husband who in the midst of the Jr. Core accounting school has helped me through it all.

I made it through my 2nd to last semester of school with 15 credits and working. I have no idea how I did it and still got good grades. I think that maybe my running out of class with a garbage can made my teachers feel sorry for me.

We learned we were having a boy on December 16th when I was 16 weeks pregnant. When I saw his little thing I was in shock (I thought it was a girl) and I asked the doctor and he said "look at that thing THAT does not lie!" I was happy when I heard that his legs measured a week ahead of the rest of his body.

I am now in my last semester of college and it is such a good feeling to have the end in sight. This semester has been so much easier than last because I only have 9 credits and they are at a good time of the day. I have also been blessed to work at a place that will work with me and allow me to stay home when I'm too sick to get out of bed.

I am going on 22 weeks of being pregnant and I feel like in the last two weeks I have popped and am starting to show. It's a crazy roller coaster but we are so excited for Conner(that's the name we chose) to come.

Here are a few pictures
Look he's already got a muscle!

definitely well endowed :)

The semester's coming to a close

The thought that this semester is almost over brings welcome, might I add needed, feelings to my heart--feelings like peace, relief, and joy! It does help that this is the Christmas season and "the most wonderful time of the year." I don't know who is more elated, me or Mark. We had been warned beforehand that accounting school is consuming but there really are no words to describe how crazy it has been. You would think that the big texting days are over now that we're married and the dating life is more than behind us but I hear his phone going off multiple times in the middle of the night from people in his little assigned group asking questions or collaborating for a project. I told his group that they are more of a wife to him than I am because I never get to see him! It's a good thing that his toughest year in accounting happens to fall during my last year in college because I don't notice it as much because of how busy I am. ONE MORE SEMESTER AND I'M DONE.

I finally got most of the christmas stuff up and here's how it looks.

My mother-in-law got me this nativity and I love it! It is by far the prettiest nativity set I've seen.

I love decorating Christmas trees! If I could I would change my tree and theme every year!

Harry Potter Halloween

Those who know me know I LOVE HARRY POTTER! In one of my classes we were discussing why some people are able to enjoy books and movies and why others can't...it all has to do with your ability to suppress reality and limitations. If you find yourself saying quite frequently during movies or books, "there's no way that can happen" then you my friend have a problem suppressing reality. I, on the other hand, have the complete opposite problem, I am unable to bring myself back to reality after experiencing a particularly good book or movie. Usually the spell that the most recent story has on me will wear off little-by-little after a few weeks, but the wizarding world of Harry Potter has never worn off; I am convinced that somehow my owl got lost on its way to bring me my acceptance letter to Hogwarts. It has been my dream to dress as Harry Potter and Hermione for Halloween since I read the first book AND IT FINALLY CAME TRUE! I lucked out to marry someone who resembles Harry Potter(though a much hotter version), and we were able to impress everyone at the party we went to. I love Halloween--really I love any holiday that gives me an opportunity to get a break from the everyday goings of life. The best part about these costumes is that we will be wearing them for the 7th movie part 1 that comes out November 19!

Time for a change

Every time I read my friends blogs I'm envious of the visits to the park, library, zoo, etc... I'm jealous of the cute and often funny experiences they share with their children, or of the success and freedom that having a career brings. Don't get me wrong I'm grateful for everything I've been able to do thus far in my almost quarter of a century lived it's just...I've had about enough of school, never having time to cook a real meal, not having a clean house, never playing the piano, and not enjoying my husband. Everyone tells me life only gets busier as you get older but I don't understand how that could be true? I leave every morning at 7:00 for work, after work go straight to school, and don't get home till 8:00 p.m. at which point I do my homework. Maybe it's true that life will always be this busy--and truthfully I wouldn't want it any other way--I'm just ready for a different type of busy, that's all.

Jessi's wedding

My cousin/best friend Jessi got married September 3rd....I know I'm a little behind on my blogging. I didn't have my camera with me most of the day so I only have a couple pictures from the reception. The place where they had the reception was incredible! It was up hobble creek canyon and was serious my dream property.
I was a bridesmaid
All of us bridesmaids!
My sexy husband
This is the only picture I have of them. What a handsome couple!

Where were you on Sep 11?

I mentor a little spanish girl named Jacqueline and each week I take her out to do something and spend time with her. She's from Mexico and is still getting used to the U.S. She told me that her teacher said that we will never forget what happened on September 11 and that it is one of those events where everybody will remember where they were and how they felt. I believe that's true.
I think for generations much older than mine it joins a list of others: pearl harbor, atomic bombs drop, cuban missle crisis, President Kennedy assasination, man landing on the moon etc...
My list is probably Princess Diana's death, Oklahoma city bombing, Columbine shooting, with September 11th having the biggest impact. I remember I was listening to 94.9 zht getting ready on my bed it was about 7:50ish and some listener called and said "I heard a plane ran into the space center! Why haven't you announced anything on the radio?" The announcers scrambeled then found the information being received and so I ran to the TV and was shocked at what I saw. I couldn't get another tardy for school so I had to run but my first period was honors history and we just watched the TV and saw when the second plane hit the other tower. I remember thinking "how did this happen we're the United States!" All that day and the next the nation was glued to the TV as the different tragedies and heroic events were brought to light.
I truly can say I am proud to be an American! I was proud before, but I think that after living in El Salvador for the summer and seeing just how lucky we are compared to most of the world I am more than proud and also blessed to be from the United States. Maybe Obama is leading us to destruction but even with him we're still a whole heck of a lot better of than most.