Healthy thoughts....

**24 weeks**

Today I had my 24 week checkup and everything went great. My blood pressure was 120/78, I had gained 4 pounds (which my doctor was very happy with), and Samantha's heart rate was 152 beats per minute. I am still measuring about a week ahead of schedule, but they are sticking with my due date of February 10th, since Patrick and I were both over 9 lbs when were born. The doctor looked at my ultrasound pictures and said that Samantha is definitely a girl from what he can see, so that was nice that he reassured me. :) He recommended that I take Zyrtec or Claritin for my sinuses, which I was thrilled about because they have been giving me a fit lately. Thankfully that is all I have had, and Patrick has gotten over his case of the swine flu without passing it around to me and Sam. I got my glucose drink and will have to go take my glucose test in about 3 weeks, and at my next appointment I will get the results for that along with a rhogam shot for my RH negative status. Also, lately Samantha has been kicking up a storm. I had been a little worried because she hadn't made any significant movements until about 22 weeks, but now I feel her every day, usually when I am trying to rest or go to sleep. She kicked so hard last week we could see my belly move, and last night she was kicking good enough so that Patrick could feel her with his hand on my belly. We are so thankful that she is finally letting us know that she is ok, without having to go to the doctor to hear a heartbeat, now if she could just stay off my bladder I would appreaciate it. lol. So far everything is going great and I will keep you updated with all of the exciting and even the not so exciting baby news. :)

In other news, we are officially moved into our new house! We still have a few boxes to unpack, but for the most part are settling in very comfortably. Patrick got to enjoy the living room for 5 days last week as he was recovering from his bout with the swine flu, which was a blessing in disguise because it gave him a much needed break from work and school. He is feeling much better now and we are thankful for all of the thoughts and prayers we received. :)

I guess that's it for right now. I have attached a very unflattering photo of my growing baby bump. I just thought I would share with you the growing miracle that is making me look like a house. lol. :) It will all be worth it when we bring home our beautiful baby girl in just a few short months. Oh and my younger sister called me after she saw my bump picture and said "you look huge" I said "thanks Jessica, I appreciate it, but my doctor says I'm doing fine" then she said "well you look like you are 6 months pregnant" I said, "Jessica, I am 6 months pregnant" she said "oh". lol. So at least I am starting to look pregnant and not just chubby, so I'll take it. Leave it to my little sister to give me a laugh at her expense. ;)



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Dear God,
Thank you so much for everything that you do for us. Thank you for taking care of Patrick while he was ill, and for protecting me and Samantha from catching the flu. Thank you for letting Samantha show me that she is getting stronger and is staying healthy and thank you for letting us get a good report at the doctor today. Please continue to take care of our family and to take care of others that are sick or need your help right now. Thank you for everything that you have given us, and all that you do in our lives every single day.
AMEN
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So much has happened...

**22 weeks**

Sorry I haven't updated lately, but we have been so busy. Last Wednesday we officially moved into our new house! Everything went very smoothly. We hired Two Men and a Truck and they were amazing. The two guys they sent were very courteous and fast! My father in law Bill came up for the day to help out. He brought me lunch, and helped me get anything that I wanted to carry to the house myself, put into the cars. Then he stayed while the movers put everything in the house and even killed some ant beds for us while he was here. I was really glad I didn't have to be alone. Then Thursday I turned in our notice at the apartment, packed up some of the food from our pantry, and had lunch with Patrick for 10 minutes, since he has been so busy at work that was all the time he had. Friday I spent most of the day changing addresses with various people, and resting from the busy week. Samantha was moving around in my belly all afternoon! I love knowing that she is ok in there especially since I don't know when I will get to see her again before she is born. Saturday Patrick's parents came up to help us with some stuff around the house. He and his dad cut the grass and fixed our back door. Me and his mom spent the day unpacking and organizing the kitchen. I felt like we had accomplished something HUGE! :)We tried a new BBQ place that is right up the street and it was awesome! I was really glad that they came to help us. Then Sunday my parents came up to load the rest of the odds and ends from the apartment into their van while Patrick was working on homework at the school, and then we all went to lunch and came back to the house. Patrick and my dad spent the afternoon moving the cable in the living room from the wall right in front of the door, to where we wanted it on the largest wall in the room. Me and my mom spent the afternoon unpacking some more in the kitchen and organizing the pantry. We are so lucky to both have such wonderful parents. I don't know how we would have gotten all of this stuff done without them. I guess that is all for now. We are still unpacking, and I will post pictures as soon as we are finished.Please keep us in your prayers, as we are starting this new journey together.

22 week bump: This picture was taken in Sam's nursery!

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Dear God,
Thank you so much for everything you do for us. Thank you for our new home, and for letting everything go so smoothly so far. Please continue to work in our lives and let things go well for us. Thank you for letting Samantha be healthy and strong. Thank you for letting me feel her move around this week and give me a sense of comfort that everything will be ok. Please continue to help Patrick juggle all of his enormous responsibilities at work, school, home, and with our family. Let him know that he is an intelligent, wonderful, sweet man and give him the confidence to do well in everything he puts his mind to. Thank you for giving us such wonderful parents that are always so supportive and willing to help. We can only hope that someday our children will feel the same way about us. Please continue to take care of our friends and our family who may need your care. Thank you again for everything.

AMEN
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