26 wks and 4 days

Oh Baby!!

Hello everyone! My husband and I got married in July 2006. Thanks to my sister Heather! We met in Feb.2005 at a party our family was throwing for her since she was moving to Arizona. A shy Addam wanted my phone number, after finding out all the details about him I decided to give him a chance. He is a wonderful person, so gentle, caring and loving, such good morals and values, such a warm heart with a love for family. After only a few weeks I knew he was different than all the others, I knew he was the one. Luckily he felt the same way! We were engaged in Oct of 2005 and the wedding planning began! July 15,2006 was a very exciting and wonderful day, the first of many to come. We knew we wanted to have kids very soon so in the end of October 2006 we decided to see what would happen. We didn't expect it to take forever but we also didn't think it would happen so quickly! We found out that I was 5 weeks pregnant on his birthday February 1st! We are very excited, despite being a little nervous since this is our first! Unless you count our two dogs one of which is a puppy, the other is just a big baby. One of the hardest things is living so far away from our family and friends. We moved about 2 years ago to Tampa for my job and left everyone behind in Pittsburgh! We love the warm weather and the beaches but we definitely miss spending time with those we love. Now that we are expecting it seems to be getting harder to be away. We believe that everything happens for a reason though and we try to apply that to everything that happens or doesn't in our lives. We aren't sure where the future will take us but we are trying to make the best of our situation. We are blessed to have such wonderful, loving and supportive families and friends to stand by us. We can't wait to find out what we are having so we can get busy on the room and the registry! The grandparents can't wait to go shopping and neither can we!

Proud parents to be! Before we knew you were there. Smokey and Luda our current babies!! They look so innocent here but don't let that fool you!!!!! Seriously.

January 14, 2007 I didn't know I was pregnant yet!! 3 weeks pregnant. Addam and I with my parents and my sister, Heather and brother Roy III. Proud Grandparents and Aunt and Uncle!!

Us with Addam's parents, also proud grandparents. Uncle Aaron and Addam ( daddy! )

Feb. 1, 2007 : 5 weeks 3 days. Today is Addam's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! To my husband!! I had my yearly appointment today and found out we are going to be parents! I had an ultrasound for them to confirm and check on everything, cute little lima bean! I am 5 weeks 3 days pregnant, which explains being tired and not feeling to well. I was quite surprised since I took a test about 2 weeks ago and it was negative!!! I can imagine the look on my face when the doctor told me, b/c she then asked me if it was a good thing. I said "Yes!" Of course Addam still thought I was pregnant even with the negative test and was texting me while I was still in the exam room wondering what was going on, since he was at work. I had planned to surprise him when he got home and we went out to dinner for his birthday, but I just couldn't not say anything. So when I called him after my appointment and he asked how it went I said " Fine, daddy." He is very excited and couldn't wait to tell everyone. Of course from there all the phone calls and emails began!!

Feb. 6, 2007 : 6 weeks 1 day. It seems as though as soon as I find out I am pregnant I start with the consistant nausea and morning/allday sickness! Wierd. I hope that it goes away soon! I am having a hard time getting ready for work in the morning, since I have to take time out of the routine to get sick! Plus I really don't want to eat anything, the taste of any food in my mouth just makes it worse. Brushing my teeth does me in most of the time. The toothpaste just isn't working with my stomach!! And Holy Hormones!! I thought PMS was bad. Sorry honey!

Feb. 7, 2007 : HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! To Addam's brother, uncle Aaron.

Feb. 13, 2007 : 7 weeks 1 day. I had my first official ultrasound today. We got to hear the heart beat and even see a little bit of wiggling! How could something so little make me feel so sick!!? The little lima bean has now become a little cheese curl! How cute! Everything is going fine, normal, even being sick! What an exciting feeling going to the doctor to see the little baby growing inside me, and to share that with the one I love. We are both excited but I don't know how much it has sunk in yet! I keep saying to myself you are pregnant.

Feb. 18, 2007 : HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! To my Pap Pap! Baby Patrick's great grandpap!

There is our little munchkin at 7 weeks !

March 22, 2007 : 12 weeks 4 days! Had an OBGYN visit today, all is well. The heartbeat is going strong a little over 145 beats per minute. I am still struggling with sickness and not really eating much other than crackers, toast, bananas and apple sauce, drinking water and cranberry juice. I guess it is better than nothing! It will be nice to reach the point were I am hungry again and able to eat. I can't stand the smell of food cooking, especially meat. My belly is starting to show more and more, I already have invested in some maternity pants, can't really comfortably wear my pants anymore.

April 19, 2007 : 16 weeks 3 days! Had my 16 week OBGYN visit today. The heartbeat is still going strong a little over 155 beats per minute. I have been starting to feel little movements, and it feels so neat but weird at the same time! I am sure it is the baby since it feels like nothing I have ever experienced before. It is definitely not gas. A few weeks ago I finally stopped feeling sick 24 hours a day!! Thank God!!! I can eat a little more variety now...not much though! And I can brush my teeth with no problems now! I am sure everyone appreciates that. My belly is steadily growing along with other things! Thank goodness for stretch mark cream! I hope it works! I hope I look pregnant and not just chubby! Oh well. My next appointment is May 11th and we will find out the sex!

16 weeks 3 days, getting up to go to the doctor. Yes I have a top on!!! It is beige. Please excuse the bathroom and the pajamas!!!

April 30, 2007 : 18 weeks today!!! Everything is still going well. Feeling a little light headed today, not really able to stay on my feet to long, and even when sitting still feel funny. Would be nice to be home in bed! A few days ago I noticed my pulse under my right eye, and it is still there, pretty strong. I am starting to eat more and more! The baby is moving quite a bit now, hopefully soon Addam can feel it too. Starting around 17 weeks I have been getting up about 3:00am almost every night, and can't always get back to sleep. I am learning this is typical, oh well!! Stay tuned for the sex next week!!!

18 weeks

May 3, 2007 : 18 weeks 3 days. Last night while laying in bed the baby was moving a lot! I put my hand on my belly to see if I could feel it and I got kicked!!! It felt so wierd and neat! Addam tried to feel it to, but it didn't happen again after that. Sorry dear, next time. It is things like this that make it (being pregnant) feel more real everyday. I have been having crazy dreams a few nights a week, I can't even really describe them, many random things happen in them, some I don't like!! I have also had dreams about a boy and a girl, so I have no clue what to expect!!!

18 weeks 5 days. Getting bigger!

May 7, 2007 : HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! to my Dad! A.K.A. Grandpa Cox., Dr. Cox.

May 8, 2007 : 19 weeks 1 day. I am so mad!! I just got a call from the doctor that they have to reschedule my sonogram!!! Apparently the tech wont be in on May 11th, which irritates me since I made the appointment a month ago and they are just now calling me today! I still have to go in for an exam to top it off! I switched my days off and everything. Now I have to do it again next week. We were so excited to find out the sex! There is nothing I can do about it though, oh well. Bummer. I am still mad. Until May 18th I guess. I hope I can switch my day off from work again!

May 11, 2007 : 19 weeks 4 days. Well had my exam today. Everything is looking great. Baby's heartbeat is strong. Addam had a big smile on his face when he got to hear it, and of course so did I. Met a new doctor today, she is very nice. We briefly discussed an epidural and decided it is an option depending on how things go, she encourages it. In about a week I will register for lamaz/birth classes to start at week 30. We definitely need some info and instruction on that!!!! I finally gained back the few pounds I lost in the first 3 months due to all day sickness. I am eating pretty much all day now!! Small meals but everytime you see me I have food in my mouth! I have been able to have a little more variety of food now but still no meat. BLAHHH!!!! One of these days I am going to be able to eat the biggest burger!!! Still liking pizza, fries and spaghetti with garlic toast! Yes I am eating healthy, I only eat those items in moderation. Mostly I am eating fruit, yogurt, granola, cereal, vegetables (raw and cooked) and pasta. I will do my best to get some pictures posted soon, it hasn't been working very well for some reason. May 18th we find out the sex!!

19 weeks 4 days, off to the doctors!!

May 13, 2007 : HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!! To my Mom, You are the best! And to Addam's mom , and also to all the other moms out there, oh and to myself !!

May 18, 2007 : 20 weeks 4 days! I had my ultrasound today and IT'S A BOY!!!!!! He was not shy about it at all! The very first picture he gave us a clear shot of what we needed to see, and then again later on! We also got his feet on my belly, his face and 2 profiles. He was very active, he yawned twice, it was soooo cute! Everything looks great. Daddy is very happy and so am I, I really had no preference anyway. He is exactly the size he is supposed to be 15.4 oz., his heart rate is 158 bpm. Everything is right on schedule. My due date stands at October 1st. Now we have to really concentrate on names and we can finally go shopping!!! We can't wait to set up his room and register for everything. Grandparents better start deciding what you want to be called, he already has a Pap Pap so start thinking!!!! He will be here before you know it!

Hi everyone!! My feet on mommy's belly!!

My cute little face! My profile

20 weeks 4 days

How funny I had a blue shirt on!!

May 23, 2007 : 21 weeks and 2 days! Well I am 30 years old, yesterday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME!! I am not quite sure how I feel about being 30. It really isn't a big deal to me, I don't feel any different, just pregnant. Oh well. Life goes on!! Addam took me to dinner at one of my favorite places Kobe Japanese Steak House, it is a hibachi. I had steak for the first time in 5 months!! It was great! I now know that I can eat normally again, it is so nice. But now I am going to start packing on the pounds I am sure. So far I am pretty much all belly, I hope it stays that way!! I am feeling very good aside from aches and pains and fatigue, all normal. Our little boy is doing very well. He is moving so much and in so many different directions!! He kicked me in the rib yesterday at work. And!!!! Last night he was kicking up a storm and Addam finally got to feel him kicking it was so neat! I still think he wasn't sure if he really felt it or not, but I hope he did. We are still working on names, we do have it narrowed down to a few. I am not sure if we or I can commit to one really, until I meet him. We will see! I started the registries at Target and Walmart yesterday also, they are far from done. We have to take an inventory on what has been given to us already and make sure we don't get that stuff again!! There is soooo much to get, it is a bit overwhelming. My next appointment at the doctor is June 8th, just an exam so no u/s pictures. Until next time!

May 28, 2007 : 22 weeks today!! I am still feeling great. Getting tired the last few days a little more though, especially today. But as long as I don't feel sick I am happy! Our little boy is still moving a lot daily. Starting a few days ago, many of his movements now can be seen from the outside, when he kicks my belly pushes up it is so cool!! Addam gets to feel him move almost everyday now. Yesterday was a nice relaxing day at the beach, which I definitely needed. I totally forgot that I couldn't lay on my belly in the sand so I am pretty sure I am now 2 different colors, front and back!! Oh well! I will post a belly picture before the week is over.

May 29, 2007 : HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! to my brother! A.K.A. Uncle Roy, Little Roy, Roy da turd

22 weeks 2 days. He is laying low!! Maybe that means a shorter trip out? One can only hope!!

June 1, 2007 : HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! To great grandma Mayumi!!!!

June 4, 2007 : 23 Weeks!! Well I think we have finally finished the registries!!! What a chore! It is fun though to look and shop for everything. We registered at Target, Walmart and Babies R Us. Of course there are a few things that aren't on there like ointments and shampoo and stuff but those things are a given. We will just have to start buying those over the next few months, along with diapers galore!! The clothes are there just to give ideas, I know they may not have those exact items which is not a big deal to me. There is enough cute baby clothes out there that I am not worried! Besides Auntie Heather has already bought out a few stores from what I am told!!!! Busted! I am feeling good still, aside from the lower back pain and I am now getting leg cramps mostly at night in bed. All of that is normal, just not very fun. I think my belly is already bigger! I will do my best to take a picture this week or next and get it on here. Our little guy is still very active, which hopefully is not an indication of his life after he is born!!! The weeks are flying by..... I have an appointment for an exam this Friday June 8th, there will be no more ultrasounds unless they feel I need one so from here on it will be pictures of the belly!

June 7, 2007 : HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! To great grandma Diamond!!!!

June 8, 2007 : 23 weeks and 4 days. I had a doctor's appointment today, just an exam. Everything is great. My weight is good, belly looks good, B.P. is good. His heart rate is between 158-160 bpm, normal. He is doing well, still pretty active despite running out of room more and more! I have to come back in 4 weeks for another exam and for my glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. Thank god I don't have to fast before it! I don't know what I would do, I eat like every 45 min!!!! This week has been a very tired week for me, I can barely keep my eyes open each day. He must be doing a lot of growing right now. I will try to get some pictures up in the next few days. The maternity pants and shirts that I got in March are pretty tight now and two pairs of pants no longer fit! I must go and get more. I have been wearing the same few outfits anyway. Not much else going on right now, we plan on trying to start setting up his room in the next few weeks, hopefully. Along with painting and getting new flooring in the whole house! We still have time, but it is flying by!

23 weeks and 6 days, with Smokey on a very hot day while talking to Auntie Hettie on the phone!! Things are already getting tight in there!!

June 15, 2007 : 24 weeks and 4 days. Another week has gone by, we are getting closer!! I am looking forward to a weekend off. I am still feeling good and eating normally. Our little boy is still moving around on a regular basis. It is fun to sit and watch my belly jump and wripple around while he moves. Addam put his head on my belly last night to see if he could hear him, and got kicked in the ear a few times!! I am trying to start figuring out what he is hitting me with, a hand a foot, a head but.....I have had a few sharp braxton hicks contractions the past few days but that is expected. I am trying to post pictures on the new photo page but haven't had any luck yet. I will be working on that this week!

June 21, 2007 : 25 weeks and 3 days! All is well here. We are looking forward to our trip home to Pgh. in a few weeks for my shower!! It will be so nice to see everyone, hang out by the pool and catch up on everything. That weekend is also our 1st wedding anniversary!! We have the top of our cake in my mom's freezer waiting for us. It will be a quick trip since I can't really afford to take any time off from work but it will be worth it. Thanks to our parents and Aunt Cheryl for making it possible, we really appreciate it. We are so very lucky to have such a wonderful family. Get ready to party and eat!!!! Pgh here we come!!

25 weeks and 3 days. Sorry for the bare belly! I didn't want to wear one of my good tops and it was so hot!! Boy do I need some sun!!

A big hug from daddy!! Daddy loves his son! Just dont kick me in the head!

June 29, 2007 : 26 weeks and 4 days! Well yesterday was a stressful day. At around 1230pm I started to get really strong uncomfortable pains in my back on the right side, and it was not muscle pain. To me it felt like a bladder or kidney infection, but I wasn't sure. I called the doctor after about and hour of being quite uncomfortable, and they had the doctor call me right back. She said that she wanted me to come in to get checked and that the office would call me to make the appointment in about 10 min. 20 min goes by and the pain goes away finally, but no one called. I figured I would wait a little longer before calling them. Well after an hour the pain came back again, so I called the office. The apologized and told me to come in. I gave them a urine sample and then the doctor checked me out. Everything is fine, his heart rate is 148-150 bpm. I however, do have a slight infection and they gave me an antibiotic that I have to take until Monday. Better safe than sorry!!! I still have my regular exam on July 3rd and my glucose test. Other than strong pain in my back on the right side I am fine, just uncomfortable. It will be a few days before I can sleep on that side! We will keep everyone posted as the weeks go by!

26 wks 2 days. Here we are playing with the doggies outside. Thank goodness for the belly belt, my back hurts enough already! Sorry for blinding everyone I know I need some sun!

July 6, 2007 : 27 weeks 4 days!! I am now in my third trimester!! I had an OB exam this past Tuesday July 3,2007. I had to take my 1 hour glucose test, the drink wasn't that bad and it was only a medium glass full. I haven't heard about the results yet but I have no reason to think that they are positive for any sugar problems. If the results are clear they wont call me anyway. The baby is doing fine, heart rate is 150 bpm. The doctor said my belly looks good. I still have the pain in my right side, and it has started to cover a wider area. According to the doctor and lab results I don't have an infection. I think now that I agree with them since the pain seems to go away if I rub the area and try to adjust the baby's position a little. He must be pushing on something that is causing the pain. Ice seems to help also. My next appointment with an ultrasound also is August 3rd at 31 weeks!! I have to go to a training class in Charleston SC for work July 23rd- Aug. 2nd, so that sucks, I hope they have a comfortable bed because I can hardly sleep in ours. I am going to fly, the drive would just be to long. I want to get it over with while it is still early. We just registered for our birthing class we start Aug. 6th and go one day a week for 4 weeks. It will be nice to have some guidence for labor, and they teach Addam how to coach me through it. We can't wait to see everyone in a week for the shower and our anniversary!

29 weeks 4 days!! Can you believe he grew since the shower a few days ago!

July 21, 2007 : 29 weeks 5 days!! It has been a busy week! I have had catching up to do at work, and Smokey has been giving us a hard time since we left him for a weekend. Butt face! We had a great time this past weekend in Pittsburgh for my shower and our 1 year anniversary party. It was so nice to see everyone and be home again. The weekend went to fast. Thank you to my parents, my Aunt Cheryl, and Addam's parents for such a nice baby shower! And my parents again for a nice Anniversary party! Our cake was sooooo good!, even after being frozen for a year. Yes we smashed it in each others faces again! It felt like just yesterday that we did it at the wedding. I do have pictures and will get them on the photo page as soon as possible!! We got alot of cute little clothes, some toys and other accessories. We also got some gift cards and money. And!! We got an awesome video camera!! Thank you mom and dad!! We promise to send DVD's and put it to good use. But you still have to come and visit! As I expected the food was great and I ate way to much more than once! I also got alot of maternity clothes so now I don't have to wear sweats and t-shirts! Thanks mom and Regina, I really appreciate it. Now Addam and I need to work on getting the rest of what we need and getting his room ready! With about 2 months to go or less, the time is going to fly by! I leave for training this Monday and will be gone for 2 weeks, so that sucks. When I get back I have another U/S on August 3rd. And we start our birth classes on August 6th. Thanks again to everyone, we love you and we miss you!!!

July 26, 2007 : HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! To my mom!!!! AKA Grandma Cox.

August 3,2007 : 32 weeks!! Wow there is not much time left!! I just got back from my training course and it was rough. Being on a military base for two weeks, in a very uncomfortable bed, on a walking campus!! I made it through though. Slowly but surely his room is filling up with clothes and accessories. We are going to work on painting in the next week or two. Thanks to Aunt Heather!!! We have tons of clothes and a bedding set now! And plenty of movies!! Boy is he spoiled! We wouldn't have it any other way. I had an U/S this past Friday and an exam. Everything looks great. He is doing very well, and is very comfortable in there! He is 3.5 lbs, which the doctor said is small but they aren't concerned, he is in the acceptable range, she said there is nothing wrong with having a small baby. I agree with that!!!! His heart rate is 145 bpm. It was confirmed that he is still a little boy! Not that we expected it to change but they always make sure with the last U/S. He has his head down and has for a few weeks, getting in position to be born! And trust me it is way down there, my poor bladder! I now will be going to the doctor every two weeks, that was the last U/S, unless there are any issues. We start our birthing class tonight and we have a total of 4. We can't wait to see how it is and get the hospital tour. The U/S pics are below. Time should go by even faster now....!!!!

31 weeks 4 days : the arrow is on his chin and his face is upside down and a profile

31 wks 4 days : these are the 3/4 D pictures of his cute little face!! That is his foot over his eyes! He didn't want to open his eyes or move his foot. He was quite content right were he was!

this one is his foot, the picture got a little stretched!! this is his leg and him showing us he is definitely boy!

Still a boy!!! We thought it was really funny that it looks like a turtle!! Another profile.

Mommy and Daddy at 32 wks and 2 days. Yes I am tired!! Me again, side view.

32 wks 2 days, I am about to pop!!

August 15,2007 : 33 weeks and 2 days! Everything is going well. I had my doctor's appointment this past Monday Aug.13,2007 at 33 weeks. I was having some spotting and called to tell the doctor just in case. They had me come in just as a precaution. Everything is fine, the baby is still very active, his heart rate is between 140-145 bpm. My weight is right in the range and all my measurements are right on target, so are the babies. I cancelled my appointment that was going to be this Friday since they did everything that day. My next appointment will be Aug. 28th. We have had two classes so far and it is very helpful and we enjoy it. We just had a tour of labor and delivery this week. Wow! Things start to settle in even more when you see the room and the different equipment. We have watched a few videos on births and are really getting prepared on what to expect. The next class we are supposed to get into Addam's coaching role to help me through the pain and labor and ways for me to focus and get myself through. I do plan on have as natural of a birth as possible. I don't do well with pain medicine/narcotics they make me pretty sick, and I don't really like the idea of having a needle put in my back so I am going to see how things go. I am flexible however that whatever needs to be done to get him out safely is what will be done! We are both getting very excited and can't wait to meet our little boy!! While I was waiting for the doctor to come in the room I swear he was trying to kick himself out of the left side of my belly! My whole belly was an odd shape for a few minutes. The little goober! Needless to say it was a little uncomfortable and has become a regular occurance lately. We will keep everyone posted.

September 16,2008 : 37 weeks and 6 days. This is my belly at its biggest only a few days before Dylan was born. Boy was I tired!!! Luckily Grandma Cox arrived that evening because we all knew that it wasn't going to be much longer. At this point I felt like I was walking with his head sticking out already...sorry for the visual but that is how uncomfortable I was! I actually was looking forward to labor, where as before I kept thinking there is no way I am going to be looking forward to the pain. Thank goodness that his room is all done and we have the bassinet, everything is ready for his arrival at this point. We cant wait to meet our little boy!!! We love you!

This Baby In Me

This baby in me
That I can't wait to see,
with wonders of what you will be.
Month's of waiting, hoping,
praying. With dream's of
you and me.
Boy or Girl doesnt matter
much to me.
I can't wait for that special day,
The day you'll be here with me.
A precious miracle of God,
This Baby growing in me.

Copyright ©2007 Shannon Marie Traxson