Aug 30, 2009 Measurements - Prepregnancy (excuse the disheveled hair. this is a post workout picture)

Weight: 112 lbs

Waist Measurement: 29.5 in

Changes

Aug 27, 2009 - First day of getting a patient assignment in clinicals. I held a newborn in my arms as it cried. My heart actually ached. Wow.

I've made some changes in my diet and habits to prepare for a baby.

1. I'm going on three weeks of no caffeine. This is one of the hardest things to break but I have not slipped not one time. Not even a sip. I no longer drink coffee to stay awake and study for tests or for class. For those that know me and my sleepy habits, this is VERY TOUGH. I've made sure to make use of my time wisely and sleep early to get a good night's rest.
2. I've been taking Prenatals for about 2 months now. I hate big pills; they make me gag. But I've grown accustomed to these also.
3. I'm drinking a lot of water. I'm not a fan of water, but I've found that mixing water and Crystal Light is tolerable.
4. I'm trying to exercise more consistently. However, with my schedule this has been near to impossible. I want to carry a baby with no problems and have a much smoother delivery.
5. I'm eating more fruits and vegetables.
6. I've lessened my sweets and candy intake. For those that know me, this is also an achievement. I am or I thought I was addicted to sweets after every meal. Apparently not.

Preparing for a good pregnancy will be very beneficial for baby and myself. Although these seem like small accomplishments, I am proud to have started them with the intentions of my future baby's health in mind.

Baby Jacob Reed Nicholson

Charlie and I visited my good friend Jenny after our trip to the beach.  She lives in SC so she was on the way home.  We were soo excited to see Baby Jacob Reed.  He was born on Aug 3, 2009 and absolutely gorgeous! It was so great to see and catch up with Jenny. She was tired that day because Jacob didn't sleep good the night before but she looked great. 

Jenny, Jacob, and I

Jacob and I

Sleepy Jacob

Charlie and little Jacob

It was so cute watching Charlie hold Jacob. He hasn't held many infants.  He was so cute trying to hold him properly!!
 

1st Clinical Day

Hello to all but no one in particular. No one knows of this blog but Charlie and me. Today was the first day of our Maternal Child clinical rotation. This entire day has not only fueled my desire to have a baby, but also helped to make a big decision. I have decided to NOT purchase another set of birth control!! So, if a miracle happens, we could be pregnant by the end of May or early June!!

There are friends that oppose this idea. They say it is too soon after I graduate. They say that I need to focus on boards. Yes this is very true. However, my gut tells me that if I just trust in God, then everything should happen as it should. I can't describe how I feel right now. I am sure that this is how most mothers feel right before they decide they want their first child. It is a strong need that I cannot deny no matter how hard I try.

This semester is not helping either. All our lectures will be based on pregnancy and babies. I thought that maybe seeing the labor delivery dvds or seeing all that could go wrong with a pregnancy would make me rethink. But I honestly think that it makes me want to do it more. I know that I am strong enough and willing enough to go through pregnancy during nursing school. I expect it to be tiring and stressful. I look forward to the long nine months and look forward to the long and very painful delivery. I know that Charlie and I will be part of a little miracle and that totally blows my mind. I mean .. a little person grows inside of YOU and then comes out of YOU!! Double WOW! :0)

So for now, I will quit babbling because I have to do schoolwork. Maybe it will be soon that we will be pregnant and our loved ones will know and read this website. But until then, we will all leave everything in God's hands.


In the meant time I will continue to breathe and be as stress-free as I can be....
Just breathe Gina..

Delivery Day

Friday July 31, 2009 was a day to remember. I was given the honor of holding two sweet beautiful babies in my arms. Both great friends - Lauren Hutchins and Missy Edwards - delivered on the same day. Different locations and times of course but nevertheless SAME DAY!! I am so blessed and fortunate to have been there to see the sweet little miracles. Holding both babies in my arms only fueled my desire for mine and Charlie's own miracle. I can still remember a few years ago, holding my nephew Storm and my niece Marina, when they were little babies. I can remember saying to myself - "This kids are not even mine and I love them so much. I can only imagine what it feels like to love your own children."

At 5:06 am, Lauren Hutchins delivered Miss Julia Grace Hutchins at CMC Northeast, Concord N.C. She was 8lbs 1oz and 21 inches long. It took 22 hours for Lauren to deliver but she and Julia both persevered. Below are some pics that were captured.



Sweet Julia Grace Hutchins



Hi there sweet beautiful girl!



In her beautiful mom's arms

Dad and Miss Julia



Very tired dad

The five amigos



You can't help but smile at her!!

Julia and Auntie Gina
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Missy Edwards delivered Matthew Wyatt Edwards also on July 31, 2009. He was a few weeks early but still weighed 7lbs 81/2 oz! I can only imagine how big he would have been at full term! Below are some pics:

Dad and Mom

Daddy Steve suiting up for the C-section

Missy and Vickie before the C-section

Me, Missy, and Heather

Right after C-section before they wheeled him into the nursery

Proud mama and her little boy

Hello sweet thing!

Proud new family

Aunt Vickie and Baby Matthew

Aunt Heather and Baby Matthew



Aunt Gina aka "Auntie Dora" with Baby Matthew