Wednesday, September 5, 2012

39 weeks, 1 day, and about to pop!

Hey everyone!

So, yeah... it's been a while since I've posted last.  The Bohanans have obviously had a lot going on in the past 6 weeks.  Wow. 6 weeks!!  We moved from Auburn, AL to North Augusta, SC the last weekend of July,  Shawn graduated with his master's degree on August 4th, we unpacked, had 2 AMAZING baby showers, got babyfied & settled in with our new doctor and hospital, went camping at 37 weeks pregnant, and Shawn has worked 2 full weeks with his new job at the Georgia D.D!   As of right now, we are living with Shawn's parents in the upstairs of their home.  We are so thankful for this opportunity, as it will provide us with means to pay of debt and really get our snowball rolling.  Not to mention, the built in babysitters when Charlie comes!

The end of my pregnancy has been interesting, indeed.  Last week I was very sick- had an infection and was totally out of it with flu-like symptoms for 2 days, and in pain for the rest of the week.  My first antibiotic supposedly caused me to break out in an awesome rash, so I had to switch to a different one.  Hopefully, the infection will clear up and I'll be good as new before our baby boy decides to come.  Besides the freakish sickness, I've been feeling pretty great to be at the homestretch.  My biggest inconvenience is the the swelling of my feet.  I'm pretty sure they are the size of my head.  But, praise the Lord, I've been sleeping well (with the help of Tylenol PM), and have the blessing of resting a lot since I'm not working outside of the home anymore.
  We are so blessed to be close to family- not only Shawn's family, but mine as well.  We're hoping that mom will be able to come and help me through my labor:)  Hopefully we'll still love each other after all the pain;)  Also, I believe that Dad and David are going to be able to come in for the birth as well!  Jessica will be visiting SC the 18th of September, so she'll be able to see the little munch almost straight out of the oven:)  Uncle Daniel will have to find some time to break away from all his hard work to meet his nephew too!

   Shawn and I are still trying to figure out how to go at this labor.  His homework assignment was to read "The Birth Partner", and since then, he's been super on board for a natural labor.  He said, "it'll be fun!"  I said, "for who?!"  haha....  I still haven't decided that it's the way I want to go on the first pregnancy, which means I will probably be begging for the epidural!  haha:)  But, either way, Lord willing, we'll have a healthy boy to love and cherish for the rest of our lives!  Well, here are some photos from the past 6 weeks for you to enjoy.  Thank you for keeping us in your prayers as we enter into this new phase of life!





34 Weeks pregnant:) Taken in Auburn with the T-Rex skull!

 













Shawn's Graduation Ceremony


Our family baby shower

Little Charlie Mattison at 35 Weeks.  He's a little scrunched.

Hubby painting Charlie's nursery.  He's a keeper!


Our annual camping trip with the Pitts/Bohanan families- 37 weeks pregnant!

Baby Charlie's Nursery so far:)

Labor Day festivities with some of my best friends.  39 weeks pregnant

 




 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

32 Weeks- 8 to go!

Hi there!

   It has indeed been a busy 3 weeks since I posted last.  I can't believe so much time has gone by.  It really is incredible how you can blink and not even realize a month has come and gone.  Since our lovely trip to Florida, Shawn and I both had off for the 4th of July, so we got to travel to Tennessee.  We're thankful for this time where we can take long road trips without having to pack up a kiddo and all his things (although, I DID take 9 pillows with me so I could sleep).  We're enjoying spontaneity while we can, but will be greater blessed when Charlie comes and we can experience all things as a family of four- yes, Jericho must be counted.
  Our trip to Tennessee was so much fun.  A lot of our time there was spent working in the kitchen!  I had a hankering to learn how to "put up" or can fruits, make jam, and make salsa!  We sweated it out in the kitchen, I iced my feet and ankles to hopefully make the swelling go down, and at the end of the week, we successfully put up around 15 jars of peaches, 12 jars of peach jam, 4 pint jars of blackberry jam, and 2 pints of salsa.  Before we left, Shawn and I also canned about 12 jars of pickles (and boy, did they stink!)


























On the 4th of July, we had the family over for a big meal and enjoyed one another's company (even in the hot house!) The next day, we went up to the river and played there most of the day.  The river was extremely chilly, so it was VERY nice to soak my tired and swollen feet in:)  Shawn and Chad also put on a nice fireworks show for us that night.
     On the 7th, we travelled down to Newberry, SC for our niece's 1st birthday.  The party was absolutely beautiful, and Eden was the most engaged one year old I've EVER seen at their 1st birthday.  She LOVED opening her presents, eating her smash cake, and wearing THREE new dresses.  Yes, she had many outfit changes that day, like a regular diva.  I haven't edited her birthday photos yet, but I did get a few of her playing on her new pink piano. 

 





Of course we had fun playing with Titus too!  We really hated that JJ and Whit couldn't be there to celebrate with us.  It's always so much fun when all the kids are together:)

Here are some recent belly shots for you to enjoy.....  Charlie is growing by leaps and bounds these days.  He's getting heavier to tote around and moving like crazy!  Right now he's resting because the past 24 hours I think he was building a house inside my uterus.  He's sleepy now, so he's decided to take it easy for a bit.

31 Weeks
32 Weeks- Looks like I'm carrying a bit higher than last week:)


And two last photos for you....JJ is excited about his cousin Charlie.  He's been on a drawing spree and decided to draw Charlie:)  Here he is:

You can't tell, but he drew a pacifier on him:)






 

Thursday, June 28, 2012

29 weeks!

Hey everyone!

     Holy moly I'm so excited about the time flying by!  29 weeks already:)  Last weekend we got to take a little mini-vacay to Florida to see two of our good friends tie the knot.  Congratulations, Andrew and Megan White!  The wedding was in Yahala, Fl.  During my research to find a suitable hotel for us,  I discovered that one of my best friend's parents lived about 40 minutes away from Yahala-in the Villages, FL!!  I called Peli (Nicole Rebardo Gilmore) to see if she thought her parents would mind hosting us for the weekend, and come to find out, she was going to be there the week before- ironically leaving 2 days before were to arrive (she and Joshua are living in Zion, Il.).  Because we hadn't seen each other in a long while, she did some magic and got her flight changed to the following week!! Joshua, her hubby of 7 years (happy anniversary!) flew in from a mission trip to spend the weekend with us as well!!  Talk about a wonderful surprise and blessing.  We had the best time!!  On top of that, another one of my best friends, Jennifer McKinney got to drive up from Lakeland, FL to visit us too:)  We had such a great time swimming, playing dominos, playing pickleball, riding around in the golf carts, and of course in the great Rebardo fashion- EATING CONSTANTLY!! Uncle John wasn't going to let his nephew Charlie starve for one second:)
Shawn had to get his game on so Mambo, Peli's mom,  wouldn't have to tell him "thank you" ;)  She says that to all of the  people that lose to her and don't REALLY play a good game.  Apparently, the words "good game" have to be earned!
We went to feed the fish and turtles at the square:) The belly is getting HUGE!! God bless my last trimester.....

Add caption
We also ran into a few old friends at the wedding:) It was so nice seeing Dana Ashmore and Michelle Ard!   (Unfortunately I didn't get a photo with Michelle).  Doesn't Andrew White look so handsome and happy?  We were very blessed to get to share in his special day!

   But like it or not, all good things must come to an end.. (well, except God and his goodness!)  We had to travel back to Alabama to finish out our year in Auburn.  
  I had a doctor's appointment for them to administer my glucose test, which tests for gestational diabetes- and it was high!   Oh no.  So, I had to go in for a THREE hour extensive glucose test to ascertain if I really have gestational diabetes.  I had to fast from 12pm the night before all the way until around lunch time the next day.  Let me tell you what, that is NOT an easy feat for a lady 29 weeks pregnant!!  But, I did it:)  I'd do anything for our little boy- to make sure he's happy and healthy.  We got the results today, and Praise God, NO DIABETES!!  All my levels were very normal.  They attribute the first test results to my having eaten before I went in for the testing (which I was allowed to do).  I would have fasted the first time had I known I was going to have to sit through 3 hours of torture;)  

     Oh!! Another big happening is that we FINALLY found out that we're going to be placed in AUGUSTA, GEORGIA!!  We are so blessed and happy to be moving close to friends and family.  Our little boy is going to grow up so loved and spoiled:)  I'm looking forward to my days of being a stay at home mommy, and Shawn is looking forward to starting his career as a BCBA.  Continue to pray for us in our transition (especially the stress of moving), finding a doctor, and also for Shawn as he will have to take his certification test in September.  

     Thank you for keeping up with us during this exciting time in our lives!  We love you all:)

---- Jaclyn, Shawn, baby Charlie, and Jericho

the belly at 29 weeks


     

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

28 Weeks!

Well, the past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind.  I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is proceeding.  It seems like the first trimester took forever and now here we are in our 3rd!!

Some special dates-
*June 7th, Shawn got to feel the baby kick for the first time:) That was so special for us!
*June 19, yesterday, Charlie was moving around so much that I could see him for the first time just by looking at my belly!!  That was so weird and wonderful.  I can't believe how fast he's growing.  He's estimated at a healthy 3lbs right now.

I'm feeling pretty good still, although my feet are swelling a little more and I'm having more trouble sleeping.  My back has continued to plague me, but that's pregnancy!  I'm so thankful to have a healthy little one and pray that he would continue developing big and strong!

Last week, we had our 4d ultrasound, but Charlie was being stubborn (don't know WHERE he got that from!) and he was face down and had his feet over his face...  So, we had a redo today! I'll tell you about that one in a bit. But, back to last week.

We also went home for an extended weekend to see the Lion King and celebrate Father's Day with my sweet daddy. Before we left for Greenville, my husband treated me to a pedicure- complete with a foot soak, exfoliation, massage, and polish!  The best part about this was that it was HIS idea:)  I have to say, that was probably one of the most memorable moments for me during my pregnancy.  I just HAD to take a photo!  Praise the Lord for a thoughtful, Christ-loving, servant-hearted husband.


 The Lion King was amazing, just as I had hoped all those 14 years I had been waiting to see it.  We got to go with David and Anna, and got to share in their first experience of seeing a Broadway show!  They loved it as well!  Charlie slept through most of it, but was moving like crazy when "I Just Can't Wait to be King" came on.  Either he loves music or wants to be king one day.  I'm hoping it's the former:)  Here are two photos of the big night!




here's the bump at 27 weeks!

We had such a great time in Greenville.  I forgot to take a photo with my dad (boo....)  but did get to take one of Titus.  He wanted to give Charlie a kiss:)


How cute is he?

Ok, so now for the news about today's ultrasound.  Well, Charlie was in a better position this time (at least he was face up!)  but as soon as she got the thing on him, he brought his feet up to his forehead and stayed like that the entire time!!  I was amazed that our radiologist could get any photos at all:)  She did a great job though.  So, here is our little munch at 28 weeks.  


 I think he is perfect:)


 Here's the famous whistle face!!


So serious


And the big yawn!!  Our radiologist said that she's never seen a baby yawn so many times during an ultrasound!  I said, he must love his sleep just like his daddy:)  My dad said he might just be singing:)  Either way, he's a cutiepie.

We should find out about my glucose test (which I took today), early next week.  Keep us in your prayers and that Charlie would continue to grow healthy and strong.

As for mommy and daddy, pray that we would be patient as we wait to hear back about his fellowship.  Shawn's boss said that we would hear this week.  I hope he keeps his promise!  We'll let you know where we're going to be whenever we find out!

Thanks for all of the prayers and for keeping up with our growing family:)

Jaclyn & baby Charlie

Thursday, June 7, 2012

26.5 Weeks & Waiting....

  Hey everyone:)

   I think my last blog post was about at 24 weeks I think.  I guess the 2 week marker is my cue to update- seems the case anyway.  There's a lot going on around the Bohanan house these days.  A lot of baby preparations, going out of town, work, gardening, and then there's WAITING.  Yes, it seems we do a lot of waiting these days too.  First, before I get into the beef of the blog post, I wanted to show you a couple of belly pics!

   The first we took (AFTER I had gotten all dolled up, of course) in North Augusta at the wedding of a close friend of Shawn's.  Charlie got to experience his first swing dances that night!! Of course, we didn't dance as fast as we used to:)  This a week 24 photo.


The next photo I just took at work-  I thought it'd be interesting to get a different view...the view I see day to day:)  This is my 26.5 week photo! (I'm leaning back a little, so he's really not as big as he seems...I'm just sticking the belly out!)


Ok, now that we got that over with I'll continue the post.  


     Ok, so we got back from the beach (and I still need to post some photos on the blog!! If you just wanna glance through them though, they're on my FB page)  Since then, I feel like we've been playing catch up.  Tons of laundry, house cleaning, my garden was overgrown, Shawn had to catch up on school work, grocery shopping... Vacation can really take it out of ya!!  We've taken a trip to North Augusta for Memorial Day- which was AWESOME.  We got to spend much needed time with our Bohanan family and friends- even got to enjoy the lake!  We had a baby shower on Tuesday night, given by my awesome Sunday School class.  It's safe to say that Charlie is VERY spoiled already. And that he's gonna miss all our friends here in Auburn!  
      I've also been busy trying to control these hormones.... keep on trying, right?  I had a pretty terrible day at work yesterday and then I came home excited to check on my garden and read a book.  Well, I went outside and found 3 of my squash plants dead and the 4th well on its way:(  We've been battling with squash bugs since the plants came up, but NOTHING is helping.  The little critters had infested our previously thriving squash plants and killed them:(  I pulled them up--in a last stitch effort to get rid of some of the bugs and perhaps save the zucchini....and just CRIED.  I guess that's just how gardening goes.  Needless to say, my horrible day finished horribly as well.  At least today's a new day.  Very glad for new beginnings.  I'm hopeful our tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers will continue to do well so I can at least make some salsa.
      Lastly, we've been very busy WAITING.  OH my gosh, how I LOATHE waiting for anything.  Waiting to hear where we're being placed come August has been one frustrating experience!!  But we're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  Clint, the guy at Georgia DD, has FINALLY emailed Shawn and has arranged a phone conference for Thursday of next week, at 10 am.  He said that he needed to speak with both Shawn and his classmate who will also be working with Georgia before he can tell us where we'll be placed.  Hopefully, this will also be the conversation that will lead us to find out where we're going. (I'm praying that we would find out ON Thursday!)  I have a few prayer requests for this....please join us in prayer if you would!
     1.  That God would be glorified and lives would be blessed because of where our family is placed.  There are so many hurting families out there and Shawn has a great opportunity to share Hope with them. 
     2.  In our hearts, we'd really LOVE to be placed in Augusta, GA.  If this is not God's will for us, pray that we would have thankful and willing hearts to go wherever He leads.  This is VERY difficult for me.  I want so badly to be close to my family and friends- ESPECIALLY since we are embarking upon a sure-to-be difficult season of life.  I don't want to be alone.  But, as we were reminded in Sunday School last week, where God leads, He IS.  He has promised to never leave us and to sustain us along the way.  God knows our hearts.  He knows what we need.  I need to be prepared for ANY decision that is to be made.  
    3.  Pray that wherever we're placed that I will find a good doctor that I trust (and one who will actually take a 8 month pregnant lady!)  
    4.  Pray that we will find affordable housing and a good church family.
    5.  Pray for the continued healthy development of our little boy.  We have his 4D ultrasound on Monday, the 11th, and are SO excited!  Pray that Mommy would not be stressed about life and would walk daily with God.  (Pray the same for Daddy too, and that he would finish his Master's Degree strong!)

Thanks so much for keeping up with us and committing to pray for us whenever we are on your minds!

We love you,

Jaclyn, Shawn, and baby Charlie:)