5 weeks to go...

Ok...so I am getting really ready to have this baby. I have loved my pregnancy, don't get me wrong, but it is getting very difficult to sleep and to get comfortable throughout the day. I have so much trouble sitting in a chair. I can't do it for long...I have to stand and walk a bit just to get situated. But standing is a challenge all in its self. Little Josie is an acrobat, but thank goodness, she does not move too much at night. But, the girl has more hiccups than anyone I have ever met. Sometimes, 3 or more times a day.

Dave and I are working on finishing her room...pictures to come, and finding a pediatrician. This has become a difficult project. I have had so much input that it becomes overwhelming. We want to make the right decision for Josie's sake. We want her to be in the best care possible.


I start my 35th week on Sunday, and we start going to the doctor every week until birth starting on the 36th week. Let's pray that she is not breech. But, I did have my first labor dream last night. It was a bit weird...My uterus was detaching from the placenta, so I had to have her on a yellow school bus with some of my fifth graders around. (??) She came out to the size of a half dollar, and as she ate, she inflated like a balloon. My mom thinks I am crazy, and I am sure this won't be the last wacky dream I have.





My belly is so big...I am running out of clothes that cover it.

memorial weekend

We enjoyed some relaxing time at the farm this past weekend. Dave and I were looking forward to getting away for a couple of days. School did not end until today, the 29th, but one weekend away from St. Louis was fantastic. Here are the highlights:

Being 8 months pregnant does not slow me down...

Mandy caught one of the biggest fish that I have ever seen be caught at the farm. And I have been going there for over 14 years. Way to go lady...show up those boys.

The girls even had a great time. We love traveling with Roxie. She loves car rides and is such an obedient dog. She comes when you call and we trust her completely. The beagle is Mandy and Ryan's. She was a hoot. Here they are waiting for us to come in.

They made mom and Gene's bed their own. Getting comfy.

shower #2

My wonderful friends, along with my mom, threw me a shower in May. It was beyond anything I imagined. It was so much fun. Unfortunately, it was too cold and windy to have it outside, like originally planned, but still no less awesome.


My closest girlfriends are all former co-workers at Pier 1. All six of us were either managers or associates and had the privilege to work together often. Let's just say that there was never a dull, or boring moment, a ton of fun always took place. Below, in the back row is Katie, me, Michelle, and Mandy. In the front row is Melissa and Alicia. They are extremely generous and gorgeous ladies that would do anything for me...and I the same. Thanks girls for such a fantastic time!!!! Talk about generous...this is our pack-n-play that the girls got Josie and us, and it is FULL!!!! Everything we need was included from diapers, laundry detergent, clothes, pajamas, and more. They are so very gracious.

Other fantasitic highlights came from my Aunt Diane. She gave Josie a holiday gift pack. Once opened, I found Christmas wrapping paper, with Christmas clothes, books, bibs, etc. Then, Halloween, Easter, Valentine's Day. We recieved her monitors, bathing supplies, clothes, clothes, and more clothes. We recieved 2 hand-made blankets made by my mom and her neighbor, Tina. The greatest idea was to give us a book with an inscription, instead of a card. Now, she is forming her own library. I can't wait to read to Josephine!

Dave and I are so appreciative of all the wonderful, thoughful gifts that people gave us. We are truly blessed. I cannot say thank you enough for everything. I was overwhelmed with great, happy emotion. I just can't wait to see our little darling in all the gear and goodies. She is set for years!

This is my baby picture on the cake. I was very bald...will she be??? 7 weeks until we find out...

her name is...

Dave and I have decided that our new baby girl's name will be...

Josephine Lee Whitlock

Josephine was my great aunt's name and it is also the female version of Dave's middle name, Joseph. Lee is my mom's and my middle name. A tradition has begun. Conveniently, she will also have my initials, JLW. I figure I can give her all my initialed jewelry and such.

let the countdown begin...

Week 31 is starting today...this gives us about two months until little Josephine makes her arrival. I have had two showers, giving her so many fantastic things. And we both are feeling good. Entering my third trimester, I have had pretty intense heartburn. Luckily, it is decreasing now, but my energy level is falling. I am back to taking daily naps. The doctor thinks that she is about three pounds!! I measure great, and she has a strong heatbeat...not to mention one heck of a kick! We are at the doctor every other week and as we enter June, I will be going every week until birth. Dave and I finished our birthing classes, and have taken a breastfeeding class. I hate going into situations without some prior knowledge, so this was truly helpful.

Here are current pictures:

I took this picture myself...as you can probably tell. When I imagined myself pregnant, this is the picture of what I thought I would look like.

shower #1

On May 1st, the teachers at school threw me a great shower. It was exciting to start getting baby clothes and gear. You get a bunch of teachers together, for any reason, you will have fun. Here, at the shower was no different. I am blessed to work with ladies who are so talented and FUN!!!!

Above, on the left, in the yellow, is my partner teacher, Susan. Our school principal is on the far right, Peggy. On the lower picture, the assistant principal is in white, Laurie.

Shower #2 pictures coming soon.

a crib with no baby

We are giving a huge THANKS to my mom. She was so kind! She bought us all the baby furniture, a crib, a chest of drawers, and the dresser. How awesome is she? The best.

We ordered the crib on April 13th and on Friday April 17th, it arrived. We took some time today to put it together. So now, we have a crib with no baby. But, not for long...

Roxie is not a fan, but she can crawl under it.

happy easter

We do hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter. Dave and I spent our time enjoying the Triduum by going to mass from Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday. We spent our Easter with our sporting family...the St. Louis Cardinals. We enjoyed a great game, in which the Cards won, and Kyle Lohse pitched a three hit shoutout!! We are huge Cards fans and plan on spending our summer at the ball park. We went ahead and bought a Pujols Pack. We got five games for the price of seven, with free hotdogs and soda at each game. What a snag!! We also scored some tickets for the Allstar FanFest that will be happening in July. The games worked out great with our little one...we have tickets for every month except July, and they are located under an awning. She will be a Cards fan!!!!


Don't worry, we did make time for family on Easter. We spent the evening at Dave's parent's house.

Here is a current picture of me and my belly. I really believe she has doubled in size this month. I am rounding out more and look even more pregnant everyday. I will be starting my third trimester on Sunday, the 19th, and looking forward to the excitement as we move closer to the end of the beginning.

Oh p.s.-you maybe wondering why everytime I post a pic of me, I am in black and white...there are 2 reasons. One, Dave thinks it would be cool to make a flipbook at the end to see a continuous growth. And two, my aunts gave us a ton of stuff to scrapbook my pregnancy and her first year. It is easier to build the pages and see the progression with me in the same colors. When I have the book closer to being done, I will make sure to post pics of it. I am proud of it!

she is growing fast.

Another successful doctor's appointment...check!

Dave and I feel so blessed after we leave the doctor's office every month. It is a great relief to hear all positives and no negatives when talking to the doctor. My physician is very happy with the way I measure and the baby's progression. She has such a strong heartbeat. I tear a bit each time I hear it. And one thing is for sure...she is growing quick. Even as I write this, I think she is growing. I feel very stretched today! I am having a bit of trouble breathing...I think she pushes on my diaphram for fun, and needing to sit more often.

Big things are ahead for us. We are still debating on a name, and who her peditrician will be. But there is time...but these last 6 months have flown by, so I am feeling a bit pressured. One thing is for sure, we are as ready as we can be mentally (I hope). Every night comes a new discussion about our blessings and how we are offering our entire experience up to God. He is the one to guide us down this path, and He will keep us safe.

Thanks for all the words of wisdom so far...keep them coming.

update...

This week I am starting my 6th month of pregnancy. It has been so fun! I love this. She surely won't be our only. I have not felt sick since about week 9 and my energy level is great. But it always helps that I am on spring break (a much needed rest). This week I am in the process of cleaning out the closets and getting more things ready for baby. Dave and I have started birthing classes. Many people said that they are not worth it, but I am learning more than I would have imagined. I understand that once labor starts, many of these ideas might leave my head, but I am glad I know more about the process.

From the thebump.com, they say that our little one is the size of a papaya. I am guessing, she is about one foot and a little over a pound. I have not gone to the doctor lately, that appointment is on Monday the 30th. More updates later.

Here is what I look like now:

I still don't think I look like I am 6 months pregnant. But, she is surely sitting on my bladder and rolling in bed is quite difficult. With this pregnancy, I would not change a thing.