16 weeks and counting...

I am so behind here...I meant to update on Tuesday after my appointments but I was pretty wiped out!  Both of my appointments went well. I am very happy that everything with Baby Nixon is going well so far...I dont take these moments/appointments for granted AT ALL, and I'll be the first to say that.  My cervix did shorten a little but is still at an average length and is still closed - which is a great start.  I will be monitored every 1.5 - 2 weeks by the Perinatologists, and so far every doctor I have seen has been wonderful.  I was cleared to return to work, which has made me extremely tired and sore at night.  Hopefully that will change soon.  I have another appointment and u/s on the 2nd of July (can you believe it is already July???) and I hope we can find out what we are having!  Here are my 16 week stats...

Pregnancy Highlights:



How Far Along: 16 Weeks

Size of baby: about the size of an avocado - 4.5 inches and 3.5 ounces. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still "under weight" from the surgery, now lets not confuse this with underweight because friends, that is NOT my issue.  So I will just say that I just havent gained any yet.   

Maternity Clothes: Still in all of my regular clothes

Gender: Unknown...hopefully we will find out next week! 

Movement: I havent felt any movement yet

What I miss: nothing

Sleep: I have had no problem sleeping. I do wake up about every 3 hours to go to the bathroom but am able to go right back to sleep


Symptoms: During the 1st trimester I could hardly eat meat - that is starting to come around a bit but am still having some food aversions to meat and some other foods - I made spaghetti & meatballs for dinner last night and couldnt eat the meatballs/red sauce...


Cravings: Still the veggie bowls bowls from chipotle - I didnt think I would live to see the day I would ever get a meat-less meal from any where.

Best Moment this week: Knowing that things are going well so far.  Around 15-17 weeks is when I started having a few issues with Emma so it is just an uneasy time.  I am 16 weeks and inching my way closer... 


What I am looking forward to: My next appointment & u/s on the 2nd - hopefully we can find out if it is a boy or girl!  What do you think?? 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, we are going out to dinner (Chipotle!) & a movie tonight with our wonderful best friends Dave & Tonya.  I am looking forward to it!  Happy Friday!

Recovery

Thanks for all of the many prayers and well wishes that we have received.  I am so sorry if I havent responded to emails - I am extremely behind and plan on try to catch up while I recover.  My surgery went very well which I am very grateful for.  The doctor told Josh that she got a few good stitches in there which is great.  I did however extremely underestimate the recovery - I have been in alot of pain but can tell that I am on the mend.  Did I mention that I am a big wimp when it comes to pain??  Well I am...we just don't get along.  Anyways!  This pain is worth it, so although I might complain just know that I am so unbelievably thankful that I am pregnant and able to get this surgery to help me carry this baby to term.  I am off until Tuesday and have a follow up appt then to see how everything is going.  We had a little issue yesterday but all is okay for now and we got to see our active little baby on the ultrasound which put me at ease...for the moment at least!     

I have seen these around so I thought I should try and start highlighting this pregnancy - as I havent done much of so far...at times I am excited and hopeful but other times I feel like I shouldnt get too attached.  I pray for this baby so incredibly often and have really been trying to trust and rely on God.  I seem to understand more and more each day that I am not the one in control :)  So without further ado, here are baby nixons highlights so far -  


Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 15 Weeks today

Size of baby: size of an apple - 4 inches long and about 2.5 ounces

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  I have lost weight this week due to the surgery and not feeling well...I was able to eat something for dinner tonight so I know that will change soon! 

Maternity Clothes: Still in all of my regular clothes 

Gender: We dont know yet...but we are thinking boy!  My pregnancy has been completely different than it was with Emma.  We will find out in a few weeks...

Movement: I havent felt any movement yet


What I miss:  nothing 


Sleep: I have had no problem sleeping.  I do wake up about every 3 hours to go to the bathroom but am able to go right back to sleep 


Symptoms:  During the 1st trimester I could hardly eat meat - that is starting to come around a bit but am still having some food aversions to meat and some other foods.


Cravings: vegetarian (not me AT ALL) bowls from chipotle - I didnt think I would live to see the day I would ever get a meat-less meal from any where. 


Best Moment this week: Having the perinatologist tell us that the cercalge is 90% effective with a weak cervix (a possible issue of mine) and that their goal is to keep me out of the hospital and have me carry the baby to term.  What a wonderful day that would be!  

What I am looking forward to: Well since we take things a week, day, even a moment at a time here at the Nixon home, I am looking forward to my appointment on Tuesday to make sure everything is well from the surgery. 

This post took me a while to write - I am laying down next to my die hard lakers fan of a husband who is pacing back and forth right now while watching game 7 of the finals and lets just say the Lakers better step it up!  It will be a long night/weekend if they dont pull it off!!

Wonderfully made

Thank you so much for your comments and emails – It means so much. Especially the prayers, it is a wonderful feeling knowing we have so many praying for us!

Like I said in my previous post, I have a wonderful medical system that has a plan in motion for this pregnancy. I am having a cerclage  put in tomorrow around noon – so I would appreciate your prayers during that time. Any potential risks are squashed by the benefits of this surgery for someone in my situation, having delivered at the end of my second trimester. It is a quick procedure (only takes about 25 minutes) and will just have to stay at the hospital for about 3 hours after to make sure baby and I are doing well.  I am a little nervous but have complete faith that this is the best plan for me and for keeping this baby in! I will be seen every 2 weeks by the perinatologists from now on along with the “normal” pregnancy appointments at my regular ob.

Here are a few other pictures from my previous ultrasound...this baby (who we think is a BOY by the way...) is just perfect.  Wonderfully made by our Maker.  Just amazing! 

Baby Nixon waving at us during the u/s

Baby Nixon's leg

We are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14

part of your heart

When you lose a baby, part of your heart leaves with them. I am convinced of that. You will never feel the same as you were before if you have to walk this road. You will be forever changed. I look at things so differently now. As I watch my beautiful niece grow, I can’t help but wonder what Emma would have been like, what their relationship would be, the similarities, the differences, etc. Emma would have been 19 months old, I can’t believe it. Oh how I miss our sweet girl.

Over the past year ½ plus, we have been putting our full trust in God and HIS plan. Although it might not have been ours & our hearts will never be the same, I truly believe losing Emma has made our hearts even bigger and prepared us for so much more. One of the things that we need to be prepared for is having another baby. And well to be honest, the past 19 months without a child have not been "easy".  You dont go back to your life prior to being pregnant.  So although I wish our sweet Emma was here to tell you….

She is going to be a big sister! We are excited yet cautious, as losing a child will ultimately do that to you, regardless of how long it has been since you lost a child. I do not want worry and fear to cloud this pregnancy so I would appreciate your prayers in this! God knows exactly when this baby will be born and I find great comfort in that, although I am seriously praying for full term!  I am 14 weeks on Thursday, due December 9th! I have had many doctor appointments and am comforted by the fact that my doctors are being proactive and very helpful. Please join us in praying for our precious baby! Ill update more later…but for now ill leave you with one of my new favorite pictures :)

He has made everything beautiful in its time.  Ecclesiastes 3:11

Love,
Josh, Angie & baby Nixon

Happy Anniversary!

(I took this picture on Thurs night when she was so uninterested in getting her picture taken.  But she sure still is cute!)

Guess who is the luckiest auntie in the world?  That would be me friends!  Josh and I get to watch our niece, Hope, this afternoon until tomorrow while her parents enjoy a relaxing anniversary night!  I had to make a target run this morning to get a few toys & books and of course some treats healthy fruits & vegetables!

Jayson & Bethany have been married 5 years, here is a picture of them and us at their wedding 5 years ago - Bethany was the most beautiful bride! 

Happy Anniversary Jayson & Bethany!  We love you and we will take wonderful care of Hopers today!

 

a strangers face

This weekend is Memorial weekend and I am so looking forward to going to the lake!  Here is a picture of Josh and I last year (I think) of us with our friends Dan & Katie - who we miss very much! 

Memorial Day means a lot to me.  I grew up going to our cabin in South Dakota (where my dad grew up) for Memorial Day but it is 5 hours away so we usually don't go there unless we are staying for more than 4 or 5 days now.  We would go to a service on Memorial Day dedicated to those who serve/have served our country.  My grandpa was in WWII and died when I was very young so I always loved that service and I miss going.  I always get emotional standing outside by the many flags that are lined up, wearing our red poppies, listening to Taps (which gets me every time regardless of where/when I hear it), and waiting for the retired veterans to shoot off their guns.  We would then go and look for the flag with my Grandpa's name on it.  There is so much respect and honor (well deserved) that goes into those services that are dedicated to our troops, it is definitely an emotional day (which I realize is more than a day for those in military families). 

You can tell by looking at a stranger's face how long it has been since their loved one has passed.  There is so much anguish and heartache in the faces that are enduring that raw pain.  Then there are the ones who have tears in their eyes but HOPE all over their faces.  They have endured this uncertain road and want to reach out to those that are hurting.  I have the utmost respect for any solider along with their families.  Every time I see a solider in uniform I pray for them and would love to give them a big hug to thank them but don't want to come off weird and crazy :).  So if you have a father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, or friend who has served, currently serving, or who has given their life for my freedom, I am forever grateful.  I will be praying for all of you on Memorial Day and especially when I see anyone in uniform.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.  I appreciate it more than I will ever be able to say.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend! 

Angie

Weekend Fun!

We had a great weekend!  It has been so nice here in Minnesota finally!  It was raining every day last week and so blah out.  On Friday we had a date night...well sort of.  The girls went to Letters to Juliet and the guys saw Robin Hood. 

I really liked the movie, it was romantic, cheesy and maybe a little corny but I love those attributes in a movie! 

On Saturday my beautiful sister had her junior prom - so I went over there to see her before they went off to take pictures and go to dinner....doesn't she look gorgeous??

Nikki is the one in the blue/purple dress and Kaitlyn is in the yellow dress.  They have been best friends forever and I see Katie as another younger sister.  Ill post a few more just because I am proud :) 

It was a masquerade ball, so here are the girls of their group with their masks

Nikki & Noah (her boyfriend) at the grand march.  He is a freshman in college..."too cool" to go back for prom :)

After I saw my sister I was so lucky to go and visit a favorite pair of Twins - they are getting so big and I was so glad that I was able to see them!  I didn't get any pictures because I was too busy playing with Miss Avie and Mr Jaxon but trust me - they were adorable and oh so sweet! 

On Saturday night Josh and I spent time with Jayson, Bethany and our favorite niece Hopers.  Here is a recent picture of her - she is hilarious and we LOVE spending time with her...and her parents are pretty cool too :) 

Dave and Tonya hung out with us as well and after Hope went to bed we played Taboo - it was so much fun!!!  We will have to play again soon - I love our game nights! 

Well have a great week blogger friends!  I am off to bed!