Christmas Card

This is the newsletter that I sent out to my family in their Christmas cards and I thought it would be nice to post it here. Enjoy!


It's hard to believe that 2009 is coming to a close- it has been quiet a year for ryan and I!

2009 began in the back of my in-law's mini-van traveling across the Southern part of the country after a vacation in Florida visiting Ryan's older brother, Jeremy and his family. It was a wonderful Porter family vacation and it was so fun to visit with Jeremy and Rose and their children. It's also wonderful that Jeremy and Rose welcomed their 5th child this November. Aden, Josh, Zac, and Janae love their new little brother, Zane. Welcome to the family, Zane!

This is Ryan and I in the ocean in Florida

Ryan and I also welcomed a new sister-in-law into our family this past April when Ernie married Daley! It was a beautiful Ruidoso ceremony officiated by Ryan and I was priviledged to stand by Ernie as best (wo)man. We were both honored to be part of their special day!

Ernie, Daley, Angela, and Ryan

Ryan began his Master's degree this year at the local branch of NMSU. The Social Work program is set up for working adults and Ryan has been taking 2 night classes. he is thriving and loving school. This part-time program with hopefully only take Ryan 2 more years! I am so proud of Ryan and his education. Ryan also had a change at work with a shift in jobs. He went form being a psych-tech to an education assistant. This means Ryan gets to spend mroet ime int he classroom witht he residents of the treatment center teaching and less in the lodges. He seems to be enjoying the transition.

Another huge milestone came this summer when Ryan and I purchased our first home! it was a fun and exciting adventure that resulted in a little casa in the North Valley of Albuquerque. It has charm and uniqueness and we are so excited about it. Thank you to both sets of parents that helped us move, again! We are home now... at least for a while!

But the most significant event in the lives of Ryan and I this year was the birth of our son, Topher Van Sol Porter! God blessed his arrival in October and life hasn't been the same since. he has brought new and exciting challenges to our lives and although being new parents is sometimes difficult... his little face makes any challenge worth it! Topher has been blessed by multiple baby showers from our friends and family in Lubbock, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and El Paso. We have felt so loved and taken care of during Topher's first few months!

Topher with his parents, 3 wks

This was a year of firsts for this little Porter family. We have been so blessed and pray that your 2009 was blessed as well. We also are looking forward to 2010... many of our friends are expecting little blessings and we are looking forward to meeting Topher's newest friends!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A VERY WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!

Much love,

Ryan, Angela, Topher, Rufio, and Harper

2 months and doing good!

I am having a hard time believing that my little Topher is two months old today. I feel like only yesterday I was complaining about pregnancy stuff and waiting to have this baby. Time really does move too fast! But what a wonderful two months it has been!

We had his check up yesterday and little man now weighs 11 lbs 1 oz and is 24 inches long. That means for weight, he is in the 25-50 percentile, and for height, the 75th. His head is also in the 50th, but I didn't write down the measurement. It's a wonderfully round, big head! He also got his shots yesterday and while painful for him, it was painful for me. There is nothing like seeing your little one in pain! I wanted to hold him and make it go away... lucky for me, with two month olds and shots, that is exactly what I did. She shot him, he cried, I held him, he stopped! He did wonderful last night too. No signs of reaction and no fever or fussiness. He slept and ate like normal. It's wonderful when things are normal!

He and I had to go grocery shopping today, and of course, it was snowing. He didn't seem to mind, but I pretty much bundled him up really good. He is such a sweet guy. I never really liked the term "Momma's boy", but now I have one and I love it. He is my little man. We laugh and talk almost all day. He lets me shower, most the time, and occasionally, I let him be held a little extra during quiet times!

We seem to be doing good on this feeding thing. Seems like it would never be a routine, but we have one. I am excited to say, he seems to be eating less formula, which means he must be getting more from ME! I have to say, I have never worked so hard for something like I have with breastfeeding. And the funny thing is... there is only so much 'work' to be done. It's either there or it's not. But for the time being, we are nursing first, then formula as a desert. And the scale says that is working for us!

Lastly, I wanted to mention what a wonderful Thanksgiving we had. It was so special to have Topher meet his Uncle Chris. Chris is so good with babies, having 4 nephews and 1 niece already, it was great to see him with Topher. He feed him, held him, kissed, and loved him. Topher even woke Chris up on several different occasions! Thanksgiving was blessed with my parents, Ryan's parents, grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins. I loved being surrounded by family, and Topher did too. He got held and played with and it was so wonderful.

I just feel overwhelmingly blessed today. I am still working on getting my barrings, but days like today make me so incredibly excited about what is going to come.

Meeting Mema and Papa

On our way down the road to Las Cruces, we stopped in T or C to visit and introduce Topher to his great-grandparents, Mema and Papa. It was a wonderful lunch and a fun visit. Topher was a little cranky since he had been in the car all day, it was his first road trip... but overall he did very well. We are so blessed by Mema and Papa and can't wait for more time with them.

Mema and Topher

The boys. 3 Generations... missing Stanna!

Topher loves his Papa.

We've got reserve!

We just got back from Topher's doctor's office and I am so happy! Topher's doc wanted to see us again after two weeks to make sure Topher is gaining the appropriate amount of weight, since he lost so much at the beginning. Two weeks ago we began supplementing with formula after every feeding and we are proud to say that he GAINED 2 lbs! Yippee! She said that he looks so good and healthy and she is very pleased. He now has little rolls on his thighs and is starting to get a double chin... and she said that is what she wants. Him to have some reserve! So, praise the Lord, we are doing good.

Harder then expected...

Everyone tells you that once you become a parent, your world changes! If you are pregnant, you nod and agree, but you don't fully understand that... at least I didn't. We are 5 weeks into this parenting game and some days I just don't know how I am going to do this for the rest of his life! Today, for example, he is AWAKE! He took a short nap this morning, and I did shower... but he's been up since his 4am feeding. After that feeding I put him to bed and he cooed and grunted until 6. Right now, he is in his bed doing the same thing. He isn't hungry, he isn't wet, he might be gassy, but he is just talking.

I guess I am having a moment of weakness! I just don't know how I am going to go back to school or work and how we are going to function! I am so scared and confused and long for the answers. Ryan is working and going to school... he is doing a great job. I just don't know if I can do the same. Daycare is a scary thing right now with all these germs and H1N1 stuff.

I guess I shouldn't blog when I am feeling this way... it makes me want to cry and go lay down. Which is what I should do, but with a 'talking' baby it isn't easy. So, I guess I am sending this blog out into the universe in hopes that by putting words to my fears, maybe they will be less scary.

I don't know what to pray, except... Lord, I need help.

Trying to keep up.

I have been such a bad blogger these past 4 weeks, but I am going to attempt a little more. Life has completely changed for me and although it is taking some getting used to, I am truly enjoying Topher more and more everyday. I can't believe it is November already. Ryan and I began our love story together 8 years ago this past month. I am truly blessed and hope the Lord has blessed you as well. Here are some pictures of our little dude.

First church visit.

First snow day... I had to bundle him up!

Smiling at Daddy

41 wks

It's hard to believe that my due date has come and gone with no new baby, but I understand it's not that unusual! Yesterday, Ryan and I got to see our little Baby with another ultrasound, which is standard for woman who reach 41 wks. It was great to see the Baby, although it was quick. Ryan said he had never seen a skeleton that was so cute before. Everything is where it should be... the heart rate was awesome, kidneys, heart, brain! Head is down and in my pelvis, so we couldn't get a good face shot, and Baby's tush is right under my chest. I could have told you that... I pat it all the time!

We then went for NST monitoring for about 40 minutes. They checked heart rate and contractions, and while Baby's needle danced all over the paper, mine did not. So, tomorrow, on my birthday, we have another appointment and we will decide our next course of options. So far, I have been taking herbs and drinking tea which is supposed to help labor along. And talking walks, but you know, that's kinda hard sometimes! Anyway, sorry blog-readers that there isn't more exciting news.

I hope that my birthday present will come soon! Prayers welcome!

The Wheels on the Bus...

As I entered the bus yesterday, I was hot and uncomfortable, but nonetheless, it was going to be another short ride to work. As I made my way to the back of the bus to find an empty seat, I was surprised how crowded it was for a Wednesday mid-morning. I found a seat at the end of the bus, and was quickly surrounded by more people. This generally doesn’t bother me, but this day, something was different.

Usually my bus rides are filled with people who are diverse and eclectic, which makes each ride an adventure. I meet people who are homeless, transient, college students, office workers, parolees, and hippies who don’t drive. Most of the time, I read or listen to music, and occasionally engage in small talk, and my commute to work is hassle free and quick.

Today, however, I was brought to tears by a young man who showed the slightest bit of kindness to me, a stranger. Like I said, I found a seat at the back of a very crowded bus and each seat around me was taken. It seems that my seat was right in the line of conversation of men who all knew each other, and decided to catch up on the ride down Central Ave. Their conversation was almost as appalling as their smell. My eyes watered from the body odor and alcohol as we stopped at what seemed like every bus stop between here and there. They discussed being in jail and fighting and even how their shoes were still stained with the blood of their last encounters. One man decided my lap would be the best place to prop his leg to show off his shoe. I gave a look, not wanting to be mad, but wanting to make him aware of my presence. He didn’t get the gesture.

This continued just a moment longer, until I was about to throw up from all the things listed above. Luckily, I am over my morning sickness, but nonetheless, I felt the emotions and fear of confinement coming along with an upset stomach. I was about to reach my limit when a young man caught my eye, and asked if I wanted his seat.

I graciously nodded, he then stood up, cleared the men from my path and sat me in the corner seat of the back of the bus. I was next to a window and had space to breathe. My new friend, then placed himself between me and the men who had obviously offended me, and he stood there until my stop. As I was leaving the bus, I thanked my new friend, and felt completely taken care of. I came to work and shared my story of the young man on the bus who gave up his seat and showed kindness with few words. He probably just felt sorry for the pregnant lady, but he made my day.

I started this blog to share news of our new baby and keep family up-to-date, and this is exactly the kind of story I want to remember.

The whirl of emotions...

And I am not just talking about my pregnancy hormones!

I am now 28 weeks pregnant and feeling very large and not at all in charge! As I enter into the last trimester of my pregnancy, Ryan and I are entering into a completely new phase of life... homeowners! If all goes as it is supposed to, then this afternoon, Ryan and I will close on our first home. We have been house-hunting since the spring and found the cutest, littlest, sweetest starter home for this little family of 3. We are so excited and nervous and every emotion in between.

The joy of looking at possible real estate sometimes changed to puking in the front yard because of the garbage + morning sickness experiences! The excitement of finding a home that would work, only to find that it is bank owned and the possibility of getting it would take months! And then finally, finding the perfect little home and the stress of gathering ALL our money for down payments and closing costs and moving, and the fear of doing the 'right' thing. There were moments of wanting to give up, moments of excitement and joy, and then paralyzing fear.

I am honestly awed at the support we have around us and the prayer that has been and that will be offered about us and this choice. I know that becoming a parent is going to be the biggest change in my life, but today, becoming a homeowner is coming in a close second.

Hopefully, tonight I will post pictures of my new home.

A little of this and a little of that...

It has been a while since the last post and that is completely my fault. It has been a little crazy. With school ending and summer school beginning, buying a house, celebrating Chris' graduation, work, and registering for baby stuff, my summer has been completely crammed, and it's ONLY JUNE!

The semester finished wonderfully! I was super stressed about my Statistics class, but made it through! This semester was filled with learning about Group counseling and Career counseling, and of course Stats. I was able to complete my classes with good grades, despite the fact that starting the semester with the news of a pregnancy made it hard to concentrate sometimes. I even got "outed" in one of my classes about my pregnancy. My teacher sensed my stress and when she asked, my friend said to everyone, "Well, yeah she's stressed, she's pregnant!" It was a hoot!

But nonetheless, the semester came to a close and I began my summer class the following week. I took Ethics online and finished in about 2 weeks. It was so quickly paced that I can't believe I was able to read an entire text book that quickly. But I did it! So, now I can concentrate on my family and me for the next few months.

We had a wonderful time with Ryan's family as we watched Chris run his last High school track meet here in ABQ. It was the State meet and he did wonderfully. He placed in two events... and I should be able to recall what they are... but like I said, I just finished an entire class in 2 weeks! :-) We also got to celebrate Chris' graduation with a trip to Colorado. Ryan, Alan, Stanna, Chris, Baby and I traveled to Denver to watch The Rapids (MLS) play. It was pretty fun for being futbol! We spent time in Colorado Springs site seeing and hanging out. We drove up Pike's Peak, and although it was beautiful, Baby and I did not enjoy the altitude change. Nothing has ever happened to me before when at high altitudes, but this time, I couldn't catch my breathe and I felt pretty dizzy. I want to go back after I can reclaim my body and see how I react! Other then seeing the sites, it was nice to eat together and visit and even to watch some of the basketball championships and just be together. I sure am going to miss Chris when he travels to the Naval Academy this summer for college. But, don't tell him I said so!

I have also been super blessed by friends and family who have offered to throw Ryan and I some baby showers this summer. We are planning on heading to Lubbock this month and then to El Paso in July. But the best and worst part about this, is registering. YIKS is all I have to say! Ryan and I were released into this huge store of baby stuff and all we could think is, "Where's our mommas!?" We probably spent 20 minutes looking at strollers, just scratching our heads. Luckily, I have amazing friends who sent me lists and lists of what they considered MUST-HAVES, and boy, was it helpful! It was like having 20 of my friends there saying "Get this, not that!"

So, all in all summer has begun and we are excited about it. We are looking forward to getting our house together (another blog about that another time) and spending time with friends and family. I am not looking forward to growing in the heat, but am very much enjoying feeling my baby move and grow.

22 weeks and feeling good.

Ryan and I had another midwife appointment this week and everything is still going good. I got asked about my weight gain... I might be gaining a little quickly, but no worries! Except that it is now summer which means cookouts and baby showers! Oh well, we aren't concerned... just trying to be mindful!

As far as Baby goes, it's moving! I have finally acknowledged the fact that I feel baby move and it's not my imagination and it is so neat. I can feel thumps and turns and people might not believe me, but I can feel it's heart beat. Ryan felt it a little too. He has yet to feel the movements of the baby... as soon as he puts those big hands on my tummy, things quit. It's just his soothing nature!

I have also become a pregnant woman. I am finally showing and I am so proud of my belly. For a while there, I wasn't sure if I looked pregnant to anyone who didn't know me... but yesterday at the bus stop, and woman asked me for a lighter and then said, "Oh, never mind, you're pregnant!" So, I am not just a little bloated, I'm pregnant! Yea!

Okay, non-baby related Porter family updates.

We are in the process of buying a house. We have put in many offers on bank-owned homes, and have yet to hear back from any of those. But we did find a charming little home in the North Vally that will be a wonderful started home for us. We are in negotiations with them and it looks very promising! Please pray that the Lord makes a clear path the home we are supposed to have.

Summer school has begun for me and I am really enjoying working quickly on one class. I finished this past semester, which is a huge blessing. It was very difficult to go to school, look for a house, work, and grow a baby! But I finished strong and am looking forward to a break! Did I mention, I got an A in stats. WooHoo.

Ryan is working hard both at work and before and after. Against my wishes, he is running in the mornings and lifting weights after work. I say it's against my wishes because he is losing while I am gaining. It isn't fair! But I am proud of him nonetheless!

We are looking forward to a wonderful summer of traveling to Lubbock and El Paso for baby showers and to Colorado to celebrate Chris' (Ryan's little brother) graduation! It will also be our last summer as a duo, so we are going to live it up and hopefully stay cool!

I'm in love with a machine.

As most of you who are parents know, yesterday was probably one of the most amazing days. With the use of some remarkable technology, Ryan and I were able to see our little Peanut through ultrasound. It was one, if not the most, wonderful moments of my life. I was blown away with what we were able to see and experience. I got to see movements of the arms and legs, and see it twist and turn. The face, the head, heart, the bones, everything! This machine is amazing. I have seen a lot of friends’ ultrasound pictures, and they are all amazing too, but to see the movement in the moment was just… miraculous.

We are so glad to report that everything is exactly as it should be! The important things that the midwife and tech look for are all wonderfully normal. Praise the Lord!

I had a few favorite moments! One was when the tech wanted to look at the Baby’s brain, so she found it’s head and Baby was completely still and sideways. As soon as she said that she was going to go in closer and get a good look, my little Sassy Baby turned completely the other way! The tech laughed and Ryan looked right at me with that look, like “this is you child!”

Another favorite moment is when she was able to zoom close in to the baby’s face, and at that moment, Baby lifted its arms and began putting its hand in it mouth. We got to see the mouth open, and the tongue lick the fingers, and it was just incredible. I am just in awe of this machine and how it truly made me and Ryan feel so much closer to this little thing! I want one every week now! But, like a friend said, it’s a good thing that I only get one… that means nothing is wrong! I can’t wait to see this little masterpiece in person.

Here is a profile look. The spine is the line down the back. It's perfect.

Here is a little foot. I thought, considering who I married, this might be bigger! But it's still growing. Measured in a 3.04 cm! Can't wait to kiss those toes.

Here is a look of the baby looking right at us! A little skeleton, but gorgeous!

Here is another profile picture. The nose, lips, and chin are visible.

Here is one we got of Baby sucking its thumb! TOO CUTE!

And, lastly, here is our Little One in 3D. It was difficult to get a good picture here because Baby was cuddled up to my placenta. To get a good picture, there needs to be liquid all around, but this Baby is like Ryan and is cuddling. I am happy with what we were able to see!

We've got MOXY!

It was a wonderful midwife appointment this week. We went in at 18 weeks and I was prepared for a scolding and to complain that I hadn't felt the baby... but we left laughing and talking and filled with joy!

First, I was prepared for a scolding because of my weight gain, I was worried that maybe in these past 4 weeks I had gained too much too quick. But, my midwife said I was right where I needed to be. My blood pressure is "textbook" and the baby position is exactly where it should be. I have noticed my abdomen getting more and more firm. Sometimes, I am like Ryan's little brother, Christopher always telling Ryan to feel my abs!

But the best part was when we got to listen to the heart beat again. The first time we got to hear the heart beat (4wks ago) this same thing happened. My midwife put the microphone to my belly and found the beat right away, but Baby wasn't having it. Both times, with a swish and swirl, Baby headed to a more private area! 4wks ago, I kinda laughed, and thought not much of it, but this time, it took my midwife moving all over my tummy to find it again. We heard the Baby swimming all around. We all were laughing, and Ryan said, "Sassy, just like Angie!" Later he replace sassy with obstinate! But, my fears of not being able to feel the Baby move were put to rest, because we have a very mobile little one. My midwife reassured me that with first children, mom's often don't feel things until 18-22 wks. I told her that people around me said they felt things early and I should too, and she told me not to listen to others... listen to her!

So, the lesson I am taking away is to stop comparing my pregnancy to the pregnancy of others... and the authors of all the books I am reading. Those books are very helpful and have a lot of information, but they are written to be used for generalization. And my friends and family who have been pregnant, are completely different people then I am with different bodies. Their advice is priceless, and I will take all I can get... but just because they felt their baby move at 6 wks, doesn't minimize my experiences at all! I will feel my Peanut when I am supposed to.

I am so happy to be pregnant. I am so happy to have a supportive partner who speaks to my belly every night and loves that his baby has some of my spunk! I am joyful that all is healthy and "textbook". I am content with where I am.

May 10th.

As I was walking to work this morning I was listening to my favorite morning show and they were giving away gift certificates to a local restaurant and the male DJ said that these would make wonderful Mother’s Day presents and the other DJ commented on how Mother’s Day is just around the corner and that is when it hit me… I am about to join that club!

Every once and a while I have these moments of realization that I am actually pregnant, I am not imagining it and this is not a dream or a joke. This was one of those moments. Sometimes it happens when I am alone and I find myself talking to my tummy, and then I realize I am not a crazy woman talking to herself, I am talking to someone! Other times it hits me when I am speaking to people and they ask me questions and where they used to be hypothetical, now they are legitimate, time-sensitive questions: Do you want to know the sex of the baby? Are you going to use pain medicine? Do you have names picked out? Its times like that I realize I need to have answers to these types of questions because soon enough I am going to have to take a stance. And for those of you who want those answers: NO!, NO!, and NO!

I do not know if the realizations hit Ryan like they do me. Sometimes I think it’s still an abstract thought to him. And sometimes, I get annoyed because it seems he acknowledged it a long time ago and I wonder what’s wrong with me! It’s funny how we all have different time frames for these kinds of things.

So, the purpose of this blog?... I guess to document that I am going to be celebrated on May 10^th! Woohoo!

"Hold on, let me think about that..."

So, when one gets pregnant it is known to most that there will be morning sickness, nausea, weight gain, mood swings, but nobody ever really told me about the baby stealing my brain!!!

The words of the title of this blog have become my catch phrase. I say them constantly, whether to myself or out loud. I am forgetting things that have been in my brain for years, things that I need to remember, like for my MASTER'S DEGREE, and things said to me 20 minutes ago! I know this has a tone of whining, and I don't mean for it to, it is mainly a tone of surprise. I have always had a good memory... compared to Ryan, it's amazing, but now... he looks to me to remember when we moved from Lubbock to Albuquerque, how long we worked at Spirit Ranch, his birthday... and it's in there, it just takes a minute to retrieve. It is very frustrating.

So, mom's of the world, is this normal? Will it get better? Or should I just resolve myself to being forgetful? Maybe now I understand why my mom forgot me at school is 4th grade!

From Ryan

I CAN NOT WAIT! this was a surprise pregnancy, but it is very welcome. every day i think about this child that Angie has growing in her, and every day i fail to wrap my mind around how HUGE this is for us! life forming... it is absolutely amazing, nerve wrecking, and exciting all wrapped up into one.
i guess at times you have to make plans, like Angie and i did to have a baby after she was finished with grad school(so much for that one), and at times you just have to smile and thank God that life has it's own plan that you have very little say over. we always walk the line between that which is of our own doing and that which is due to the active processes of the world outside of our control.
fatherhood... any advice?

Telling the family!

I thought I would share with everyone the way Ryan and I decided to share the news with our parents and Ryan's extended family. First, Ryan's parents. (Unfortunately, we don't have any pics from that!)

We decided that since it was Alan's (Ryan's Dad) birthday, that would be the perfect time to run to Cruces and surprise them. We let Stanna in on the birthday surprise, and she wasn't really suspicious because we have often surprised various family member on special occasions...so she was really none the wiser! We also let Chris in on the surprises... both of them. Ryan was excited that Chris would be the first to know! Anyway, Ryan and I got a birthday cake for Alan and on the cake we wrote "We Are Pregnant!" walked in the house singing Happy Birthday... and when it got to the part where you say the name of the person, Chris, Ryan, and I said "Happy Birthday, Dear Grandpa!" and with their mouths wide open, both Stanna and Alan stared while I began to cry. Ryan and I nodded our heads and it began to sink in. It was perfect!

The second place we had to stop was in El Paso to see my parents. Ryan and I left Cruces on Saturday morning and drove to EP, and as soon as I got to my parent's neighborhood, I called to make sure they were home. I said that we were out running errands, and they both got on the phone, which is what they usually do when I call to chat. So, Ryan and I pulled up to the house, still on the phone, and we snuck in the front door. It was perfect... they were both sitting in the kitchen on the phone... and Ryan and I made our way into view and they both started laughing. They thought we were there to share the news about Ryan getting into grad school... Ryan and I has prepared signs that read "Guess What?" on one side, and "You're Grandparents!" (with an arrow pointing to my tummy) on the other. It was so fun to watch them react. Here are those pics:

The best part about this story is after my mom and dad hugged me, and mom and I cried, she reached out her hand towards Ryan, shook his hand and said, "YOU DID IT!!!!" It was hilarious!


The last group we told was Ryan's extended family. Luckily, we had already planned a Valentine's Dinner at Ryan's grandparent's house in T or C, so we knew this would be perfect. Ryan's two uncles and their families would be there, as well as Ryan's grandparents. With Stanna in the know, we pretended that she wanted to take a family picture with her new camera before dinner. So everyone crowded around me (I strategically placed myself right in the middle) Ryan got the camera and told everyone to say, "Say 'CHEESE!'" He took the picture, and then said, "Angela, you look a little weird!" Everyone thought he was insulting me... and so he said we needed another one. This time he told everyone to say, "Say 'Angie's PREGNANT!'" and then he just continuously took pics. Most of them were pretty blurry from people moving around and hugging... but below are a few of the good ones. I just love looking at the faces. Some thought we were joking, other's a little confused... and a lot of love.

Here we are. I am anticipating what is about to happen!

A few of them got it... it took a minute for it to really sink in!

Aunt Suzie had the best reaction!

Everyone hugged and a few of us cried. I cried a lot when Papa (Ryan's grandpa) revealed the bassinet he had built for our children. It was a wonderful night!

It's a.... human with a heartbeat!

Welcome to week 14. This was an exciting milestone for us, we got to hear the baby's heart beat. It was so interesting. There was a moment of panic when my midwife put the instrument on my tummy, moved it around and began searching for the baby and the heartbeat. She finally found it and sighed, then baby moved and she lost it. It's going to be one of those babies! She searched again and found the beautiful little sound. It was so neat. It's amazing how this little sound can take your breath away.

Everything else went well with our appointment. I really love our midwife. She is so calm and easygoing about things. She answers all my questions with simple straightforward responses, and is just a sweet person. She also loves to give me freebie vitamins and things! LOVE IT! Our next appointment is in another 4 weeks. Woohoo.

Another interesting milestone happened thanks to my beautiful friend, Stephanie. She gave me a bunch of maternity pants. I am not really showing, yet, but my 'normal' pants are beginning to be very uncomfortable, especially since I sit at work and in classes all day... so I have began sporting the maternity jeans. AND I LOVE THEM! So stretchy and wonderful.

I am blessed to have friends and family so willing to help out!

The beginning of the beginning!

Greetings family and friends to the Ryan and Angela Blog. I decided that with the news that we are having a baby, I would create a blog. The hope is to chronicle our lives, including work, school, and of course the pregnancy. We look forward to sharing this part of our lives with you.