Time for the "fat pants"

Well, I believe Casey said it best when he described today's appointment as "anticlimactic." Apparently, the main purpose of today was to answer basic health questions, get my weight, and draw about 5 vials of blood for various testing. We only met with the nurse (who is wonderful, by the way), so no ultrasound or heartbeat today. She did give us a ton of info on local classes to look into--including prenatal yoga! We go back on January 30th for a follow up with the doctor, and that one is supposed to be more in depth.

In other baby news, I have officially outgrown most of my pants. I have a special rubber band that has allowed me to continue wearing some of my pants, but I fear that our time together won't last much longer. I've only gained a couple of pounds, but it looks like I'm going to have to break down and go shopping this weekend... if I can make it that long. It's so crazy how everything just shifts around like that! Casey's official job is now to remind me that I'm not just getting fat... I'm having a baby. I'm hoping that finding clothes that fit better and aren't so tight will help me with that mindset. :)

Mini update

I know I was supposed to have an amazing update after the holidays, but I just haven't had the time or energy. Plus, we didn't have a working camera so I feel like I have no good pictures to share. I plan on getting copies from the moms and sisters, but in the mean time, I'll share a few that Candy posted on Facebook. :) We started our travels in Ohio and ended in Memphis, but I don't have any Curtis family pictures yet. Here are some moments from the Lancaster Christmas extravaganza:

Here are the manly men standing proudly by their fire. I LOVE having a fire when it's cold outside!
And this is after a terrible match of ping pong (2nd annual family tournament). This is Casey's way of apologizing for making me play. :)
And (my favorite of the bunch) here is the CUTE duckie robe Casey's parents got for Baby Cochran.
We've been back at work since the 3rd, so I think we've finally gotten back into a routine. We're really looking forward to a weekend of REST! I've discovered that travel and morning sickness are not a great combination. My first appointment with my OBGYN is this Monday, and I'm so excited! Ok, maybe a little nervous, too. I'm somewhere around week 10, so the first trimester should be ending soon. Hopefully, this nausea will go with it! :)

Almost there

As all of the Harding kids pack up and drive home for the holidays, all I can think is.... I still have to work next week. Ugh. No, this isn't my first year to do this, but it still stinks! I don't think I would notice it as much if half of the town didn't just pick up and drive off today. :) In the mean time, I guess I should take this opportunity to wrap gifts, do laundry before we travel to visit family, figure out what needs to be packed, etc.

I'm having a hard time believing Christmas is a week from this Tuesday! This year has flown by, and it's weird to think that I'll only be working at the co-op for another semester. I'm going to work as long as I can through the summer, but when baby comes, it's time to stay home! Casey is working more hours at the TV station and helping out with the occasional wedding video which has helped a lot. Slowly, but surely, we seem to be making it through this difficult year we've had. The future is looking up!

For now, I think it's bed time. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

I still can't believe it!

I know it's still early, and a lot of people say you should wait... but I can't! I've never been good with secrets, and this has been a BIG one.

I'm PREGNANT!!! AAAAHHHH!!!!!

With the holidays coming up, it'll be after the first of the year before my first in depth doctor's appointment, but I've been consulting with the nurse about a lot of things. Of course, Tara is on staff as my personal dietitian. :) This is only week 6, and my first appointment is at the end of week 10 (which feels like forever away!).

Please pray a LOT because I'm a little nervous (*huge understatement*) about how far we have to go. We're really excited, and I wish I could've told everyone in person!

I guess I need to get to work. Love to all!

Holiday Tag

Thanks to Kim, I'm going to update my blog. :) I haven't felt much like updating about life because it's just been crazy with work, but I think I'll enjoy filling this out.

Welcome to the Holiday edition of getting to know your friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I'm the worst with wrapping paper, so I usually stick to bags. Casey's in charge of anything in a box.

2. Real tree or artificial? I prefer a real tree, but we don't have room for one yet. Ours is a sad little artificial tree that sits on a table.

3. When do you put up the tree? ASAP after Thanksgiving!

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually after we get back from our holiday travels and have rested a few days. January... ish.

5. Do you like eggnog? No way.

6. What about Fruitcake? I don't think I've ever actually been brave enough to eat it.

7. Favorite gift received as a child? There isn't really one that jumps out in my mind.

8. Do you have a nativity scene? No--I really don't care for those.

9. Hardest person to buy for? Casey's dad

10. Easiest person to buy for? Tara (she wants a little of everything) :)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I think I must have the worst memory ever...

12. Mail or email Christmas cards? I love to mail them, but I'm usually late because I want to stamp them myself.

13. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas--we watch it every Christmas Eve!

14. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Late November... ish

15. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? You bet!

16. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chex Mix, cheese balls with crackers, and green bean casserole

17. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored

18. Favorite Christmas song? I love ALL Christmas music ALL the time!

19. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? Lots of traveling--Casey's family is in Ohio, and mine is in Tennessee.

20. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Can't you?? :)

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Haha, this is a source of contention in my family. Ask mom about her big plaid bow sometime. :)

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning

23. What is the one present you want most this year? Money to buy Stampin' Up supplies!

24. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Freezing cold weather

25. What I love most about Christmas? Spending time with family and eating good food

Feel free to copy and paste with your answers--Merry Christmas!!!

It's the little things

Recent (small) events that I have been thankful for:

1. Making time to eat breakfast every morning this week
2. Starting back with my physical therapy
3. Waking up with minimal pain this morning
4. Casey truly enjoying his new job
5. Casey's new paycheck (every little bit helps!)
6. Having one full day in the office to catch up on paperwork
7. Realizing I've lost 5 pounds
8. Spending the day with a friend from work and her family
9. Melatonin supplements working better than prescription sleep aids (Ambien is the devil!)
10. Having time to play Yahtzee with my husband

I would also like to add a link that I think everyone should go to. I wish I could add it to the side of my blog as a permanent fixture on the page, but I can't seem to figure that out. If anyone knows how, please share. :)


**EDIT**: Thanks to my amazing husband for figuring out how to put this link on the side of my page. :)

Tiny veins + IVs = BIG bruises!

Casey is off in Hot Springs with a friend for the Arkansas Counseling Association conference, so I'm taking this time to post. Sorry it's been a while--life is crazy! I had my first cervical epidural steroid injection on Monday, and I think it went pretty well. Well, the injection itself was fine. Trying to get the IV in so they could give me the pain meds--not so fun. It took them FIVE TRIES to get that thing in! I was going to post pictures of my bruised arms, but Mom said nobody wants to see that. :) Anyway, I haven't noticed a huge change in my pain level, but I still have two more injections to go. The next one is the Wednesday after Thanksgiving, and I'm hoping they'll have better luck with the whole IV thing next time. I look like a druggie!

Since Casey cut back on grad classes, he's found a less stressful part-time job that he's really looking forward to starting. There's a local TV station in Searcy that needed some help with filming and editing, so he's going to work there about 3 hours a day. It's not a lot of money, but it's something he loves to do, and he has a couple of friends from college who work there now. It helps that his BA is in Electronic Media Production. :) It's just one of the many changes we're making, and I hope it will lead him somewhere promising. Mainly, I'm just glad he was able to find something he enjoys doing. We're still not sure what next semester will look like, but things are working out well for now.

I just remembered that I haven't eaten anything tonight, so I think I need a quick snack before going to bed (I know I shouldn't, but I'm hungry!). Happy Wednesday!