The Big Reveal

Alright everybody. It's the big moment. We are finally going to reveal if we are having a boy or a girl!

But first let's take a walk through our experience today. Our appointment was at 9am at Condell in Libertyville (this is where we will be for delivery). For our exciting morning I was given strict instructions to drink 16oz of water 1 hour before and could not use the bathroom! I was in utter misery trying to hold it in. Especially on the drive there and while waiting for our names to be called in the waiting room. Here is a pic of our hospital as we were walking in. Isn't it a pretty building.

After our names were called we met our technician who was the sweetest lady ever. She was so friendly and made sure we were completely comfortable as we settled in for our great experience. The room was dimly lit with calming music playing, felt like I was in a massage room. After getting cozy she told me the fantastic news that I would be able to go to the bathroom after she got a few quick initial pics. I was more than delighted to hear this.

After I was relieved.... she came back with some warm blankets for comfort and we got ready to see our baby (I felt very taken care of) The appointment was about 45 minutes and we got so many awesome shots of Baby Till. But as we were nearing the end of our appt our technician had to admit that the baby was staying modest and she was having a hard time seeing the necessary parts. I told myself this morning that we might not be able to find out boy/girl and I would have to be OK with that. When she was saying she was having a hard time seeing I heard Matt say exactly what I was thinking, "well, it's just not meant to be." Our technician was so sweet and kept trying to find out, but with no luck she decided to take a break. In the mean time here are some of the great pics we got of our baby today.

Isn't our baby so cute!!! I was definitely shedding a few tears... I couldn't believe how great of a miracle was happing right inside my tummy. What a blessing. Turns out baby is very healthy and everything is in order. Praise the Lord!

After taking a break our tech came back and tried again.... And again no luck. We have a very modest baby! In a last effort she asked me to lay on my side. And after a few maneuvers we got the picture we were hoping for!

And so, without further adue... Ladies and Gentelman, Friends and Family, Dearly Beloved... Matt and I are very proud to announce that we are expecting a beautiful baby GIRL!!

Alyssa Marilyn Till is expected to arrive September 3, 2012.

We are absolutely thrilled about our baby girl and can't wait to meet her! In our last few moments during the ultrasound I thought, "Alyssa, next time I see you will be on your birthday." Can't wait to hold this little precious one!

In all our excitement we headed straight to Target and bought her her very first dress. Matt picked it out. He said, "this is so Alyssa" and I could have cried. Isn't it perfect?!

Please continue to pray with us that Alyssa would grow healthy. And we are praying even now that by His grace she would come to know Jesus as Lord. Thank you for your love and encouragement... we cherish it!

Baby Heartbeat

Here is Baby Till's heartbeat at 17 weeks.

The little "clicks" you hear is the baby moving.

Baby Bumps

12 Weeks // February 20, 2012

16 Weeks // March 20, 2012

18 Weeks // April 3, 2012

Better Days

Within a week of entering my second trimester I began to feel my pregnancy symptoms ease up. And by week 14 I was feeling like the energizer bunny! I didn't realize how exhausted I had really felt until I had my energy back and I felt like I could zip around all day. Unfortunately, I try to be busy all day and then it all catches up with me. I have learned to pace myself a bit better now.

With my energy up and an anticipate busy summer Matt and I decided to get a head start on preparing the babies room. By mid-march we had picked out paint colors, bought the supplies and covered those walls! By the close of the month Matt changed all the outlets and put in a new light fixture. The room is 70% ready! All we need is to cover the windows and fix up the closet with some new shelves and we are ready for some furniture and then a baby! Can you tell I am excited? :)

By 16 weeks I was beginning to see a bit more progress in the "looking and feeling like I'm pregnant" department. I had a mini bump to show off and I began to feel some baby flutters. I'm pretty certain it wasn't gas but who knows ;) I felt the first flutters the night before my sister Paige's choir concert and then felt pretty confident in the new discover at the concert when Baby Till decided to dance a little to the beautiful voice of their auntie :)

At 17 weeks we had our 3rd prenatal appointment. I was thrilled to not be sick this time around. The appointment's highlight was hearing our baby's heartbeat again. This time it was so much stronger, louder and faster. I was not expecting it to sound so different. It is definitely an awesome and reassuring experience to hear that "wooshing" sound confirm your baby's safety and health. Also, at our appointment we received our orders to get our ultrasound done within the following 2 weeks.

I am 18 1/2 weeks today and our ultrasound is scheduled for Monday, April 9th at 9AM. I made the appointment today and did not expect to feel so giddy about it. It's hard to believe I made an appointment to see our baby! I cannot wait!!

The big question we are being asked now is, "Are you going to find out the gender???" And the answer is, "YES WE ARE!" I have also been asked if I have a feeling if it's a boy or girl. Until 15 weeks I had no feelings one way or another. But one day I thought to myself that it's probably a boy. We are excited for either boy or girl, we don't mind either way. We just want a healthy baby!!

Before I close let me say a HUGE thank you to all who are praying for us and our growing baby. We have had a very smooth experience so far and are very thankful for the Lord's provision in all of it.

Closing out the first trimester

At the close of the first trimester Baby Till was the size of a shrimp. I wasn't looking pregnant yet but I was still experiencing some minor symptoms that are common for the first trimester including; gagging, nausea and extreme fatigue. I was beginning to wonder if any of these symptoms would subside. Granted I had a very easy but it is frustrating to always be exhausted.

On top of my lovely symptoms I got sick at the end of my 13th week. And by sick I mean I was at home, on the couch, not even well enough to watch TV. You know your sick when you can't bring yourself to watch TV. After almost a whole day of dealing with body aches I finally called my Dr. and asked if I could take any kind of medicine to relieve the pain. He let me take some Tylenol, which was a miracle worker. I was still sick but body aches always make any sickness a million times worse.

After a long weekend of feeling ill I had my 2nd prenatal appointment. By this point I developed an ear infection and was glad to get a baby-safe RX to clear it up. But that's not all I was glad for at that appointment.

1st we learned we could get an ultrasound between 18-19 weeks rather than wait until 20 or more weeks, which is what Dr.'s normally say. But our Dr. said its easier to get a full picture of the baby if you go a little sooner.

2nd WE GOT TO HEAR THE BABY'S HEARTBEAT! It was the sweetest sound! It gave me a huge relief and a sense of this pregnancy being very real. When you don't look pregnant yet and you don't really feel pregnant it is easy to wonder if its "real". But hearing the heartbeat was just what I needed to close out my first trimester.