Kevin, Shannah, Liam, Lorelei & Delaney

We finally found our nursery furniture and ordered it a few days ago.  The company says all three items are in stock and should mail within three business days.  We're currently on vacation (in Hanford) visiting family and will be here until a few days after the New Year... so we have plenty to do upon returning home!  Baby F's room is still a "man room" so we have our work cut out for us.  I thought maybe having the nursery furniture sitting in boxes would motivate us to get the room cleaned out!  I guess we'll see.  Until then, here's the photos of Baby F's bedroom set:

We had two appointments yesterday, the first with the perinatalogist and the second with our doctor.  The perinatalogist did an ultrasound to measure the thickness of Baby F's neck (and to let us have a little fun).  Here are some photos:   Assuming Baby F was trying to find his/her thumb to suck Looks like he/she almost found it, a little lower sweetie The ultrasound tech said I am right on track, measuring 12 weeks and 2 days, so my due date was confirmed as June 29th.  Daddy-to-Be was excited about that, as he's hoping for a June birthday since I was born in April, him in May and now Baby F may follow right after! The perinatalogist said all measurements came out with normal results (no increased thickness in the neck, meaning there is no indication of Down's Syndrome or other birth defects/abnormalities at this point).  Although, she explained the blood tests, which screen for Down's & mental retardation would confirm this with more accuracy...

re are the results from our amateur photo session (please ignore Mommy-to-Be's hair, her new stylist completely misunderstood mommy and cut it all off)... so we're in the process of growing it out... and Mommy-to-Be is VERY sensitive about it (lesson learned--never let your hairdresser cut your hair with your BACK facing the mirror). Anyways, enough about Mommy-to-Be, on to the photos:     Considering this was just a "run through" and all of the photos were done in less than 20 minutes, we think everything turned out great (although our photographer is being a bit more critical of himself).  I feel I am showing a little bit, but it only seems noticeable in the bare belly shots.  Guess that is the point of following the pregnancy month by month.  We'll see how much I've grown around week 14.  Stay tuned...

So, by the end of this week our secret will be out!  Christmas cards (revealing the surprise) went out in the mail today!  We wanted to wait until we were 12 weeks, but I am always a beginning of December Christmas card kind of gal.  I tried to ignore them sitting there on the table, but it was driving me crazy, so I had to send them out!  We're a week early, but the good news is in a few days everyone will be able to speak freely about the pregnancy (what a relief!). More good news--I have never felt better!  I am back to my old self and even went back to work today (part time).  Work went great!  The past couple of days I wake up feeling full of energy and my stomach is no longer doing cartwheels!  I still need a lot of sleep (averaging 10 hours a night and if I don't get those hours I suffer from terrible headaches).  As long as I give my body the rest it needs, I feel really well.  I am hoping this means the worst is over (for now)...

So, I am really late posting this, but here is our favorite recruiter working the 1st Annual Veteran's Day Celebration in downtown SLO.       I know at times Kevin really misses his "real" job in the Navy, but he looks like he was having fun here to me!  In all seriousness, this is just one more "challenging duty" role that I know Kevin will be proud to have been apart of in the future (if he's not already).  I am so proud of him for his relentless commitment to both our country and our family.  We both have made tremendous sacrifices, but overall I'd say giving up a very unique job that you absolutely love, for one that is less exciting and even more challenging is a sacrifice made out of respect and love for your family and their needs.  Not a day goes by that I don't realize the hard work, dedication and commitment this sacrifice requires. There are so many military members making similar sacrifices right now.  I think they need to see our supp...

Its been a while and we have some catching up to do!  About 3 weeks ago, I took some photos of my belly (this is when we first started noticing I had a very small "pooch" or in other words, when we noticed my stomach was no longer "flat").  I was about 7 weeks, almost 8 weeks at the time (sorry it took me so long to post its been a busy couple of weeks!).   Don't know if you see it or not, guess I notice it the most since I am obviously the most familiar with my body.  Around this time, my pants started to fit a bit more snug and were a little less comfortable (hence the reason I am wearing sweat pants in the photos).  Now that I am 10 weeks I am noticing even more of a "pooch" but, again nothing anyone would notice!  Hopefully we will get some more photos posted here soon (there are some plans in the making). So, I thought blogging today might help me keep my mind off of feeling yucky.  I was supposed to substitute this afternoon, but abso...

We wanted to wish all of our blog readers a blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving!  We're a little early, but will be leaving town tomorrow to join the family in the valley, so no internet for a while.  Mommy to be felt much better today, so I am hoping it sticks around long enough to get my fill of turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, rolls, pie/desserts.  I very much so love Thanksgiving and will be devastated if I spend it sick.  So, here's to a healthy and yummy Thanksgiving! This Thanksgiving, we're so very, very thankful for our little miracle and the support group we have behind us!  Thank you again for all of the prayers and positive wishes you keep sending our way.  We are so very blessed and will be remembering you this Thanksgiving. Also, we ask that you say a prayer for our troops this holiday season.  Having been there, we know how difficult the holidays can be.  Please keep our troops and their families in your prayers and say a "thank y...

So, Mommy-to-Be is back to being sick again.  I woke up this morning and started my usual routine (going to the bathroom to empty my bladder immediately).  Upon arriving at the sink, I realized I was dizzy, sweaty and overall just "not myself".  Thinking I had just got up too fast, I went to sit down.  After a few minutes, I was still dizzy and not feeling so great.  So, Daddy-to-Be went and got Mommy-to-Be a carnation instant breakfast, which was VERY hard for her to get down this morning, which is very unusual.  Mommy-to-Be also spent some quality time with the toilet today.  I also did not feel so good yesterday (although that was no where near as terrible as today was). I really do not understand these "come and go" symptoms I get.  I am wondering if these flu shots have anything to do with it?  Last time I got the seasonal flu shot, I was sick for over a week, causing me to miss out on some family events and suffer through a trip to/fr...

So, the perinatalogist's office called yesterday afternoon.  We go in first thing in the morning on Dec. 17th.  Then, walk across the path to my doctor's office for our monthly appointment with him.  The test has two parts: a blood test and an ultrasound.  The blood sample is sent out and screened for levels of PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein A) and HCG (pregnancy hormone).  With down syndrome, levels of PAPP-A tend to be decreased, while HCG is increased.  The ultrasound will measure the thickness at the back of the baby's neck.  Increased thickness is associated with down syndrome and other abnormalities/birth defects.  The lab calculates a woman’s risk of chromosomal birth defects using the combined results of her blood test and ultrasound. First-trimester screening can detect about 82% - 87% of pregnancies affected by Down syndrome and about 90% of those affected by trisomy 18 (mental retardation).  In other words, we need...

Baby Fagundes had his/her first photo today... We had an ultrasound to date the pregnancy.  I am 8 weeks, just as we suspected (I told that nurse she was a couple of days off!).  Baby Fagundes' heart was just beating away, which was a huge relief for Mommy & Daddy.  Daddy found the heart beat right away so he must have been secretly worried about this (mommy was trying to see through her tears and calm herself from excitement). Today was also the first time we met our doctor.  Kevin and I both really like him.  Very personable, knowledgeable and spent lots of time with us, making me feel like I was the only patient he had in the office!  Once again, the staff was wonderful and our wait time was less than a couple of minutes!  Overall, we are very pleased with our choice of doctor's office. Doctor said all looks well, with the exception of what he says is just a little bit of blood showing in the ultrasound, outside of the uterus.  He say...

It has come to my attention that the comments section (at the bottom of each post) is not working?  Is this true for everyone?  I am trying to figure it out, as it is not a problem on my end.  Leave a comment (if you can) by clicking on the comment link right below this post.  This will help me to see it's a problem for everyone!  I will try to figure it out from there.  Thanks so much!

** Update 11/15/09:  I got the H1N1 shot at my doctor's office on Friday.  In 2 weeks it should take effect.  So I will likely be back to work shortly after Thanksgiving.  I am so relieved!  Thanks to everyone who helped me in researching the effects of the shot and trying to find me a place to receive one! **  So, my doctor's office called a few days ago and said they had 500 preservative-free vaccine shots that they are giving out this afternoon.  These 500 vaccines are for the entire complex (several doctors work in the building, meaning I have many patients to compete with today!).  So, I am planning on lining up early, in hopes of getting vaccinated today.  Wish me Luck! This will decide if I am able to go back to work in 2 weeks (it takes about that long for the vaccine to establish itself within the body).  I am really hoping I am able to get one, that would be one less worry for me, as going out to the movies or a local store...

My wonderful sister in law emailed me today and told me where I can go to get an H1N1 vaccination.  I called my doctor to see when they were expecting the vaccination to arrive and they said they had been taken off the list, as there are no more vaccinations, so it could be quite a while. So, I called the location my sister in law told me about and they set me up with an appointment for this afternoon!  FINALLY!  Two weeks from now I will be back at work (if the morning sickness and lack of energy allows me to).  Poor students!  A moody, hormonal pregnant woman running their classroom.  Good Luck to them!  I am so excited, in two weeks I can LEAVE the house! I am also grateful to be up, moving around, not sick or queasy and full of energy this morning.  I don't know why this is, the only thing I changed in my schedule was taking a walk yesterday, so I may try that again.  I am so thankful to be among the living again (even if it only last...

Halloween was fun.  We went to Hanford and saw both of our nephews (briefly, but still worth it).  Spent the day and evening hanging out with family.  Overall, we had tons of fun! Here's Barney (AKA-our nephew Ryan) trick or treating at Grandma and Grandpa's house: I just LOVED the tail!   Barney playing with his toys:       Barney playing with Uncle Kevin's wig: Here's our boys (glow in the dark skeletons) getting their Halloween Treats: And Simba with his Halloween Treat: A monkey (AKA-our nephew Braxten) trick or treating at Grandma and Grandpa's: His expression when he saw his Uncle "Joe Dirt":     A pose with only the Monkey: The monkey opening his gift bag from Aunt Shannah and Uncle Kevin:   The monkey opening his treats from Grandma and Grandpa (of course Porky has to be in the middle of everything): We trick or treated two houses and he was done for the night (he had already gone around many houses with his parents earlier): Fin...

Sleepy!  So, I haven't posted in a while, mostly due to the fact that I am only up for a few hours a day.  I am so incredibly sleepy, it's almost frightening how bad it is.  I am wondering if something could be wrong.  I do the smallest task (folding the laundry, dishes, preparing a meal) and I feel like I need a nap.  I spend much of my morning sleeping, then take a nap in the afternoon and am ready for bed at hubby's eleven o' clock bed time.  I am very frustrated with myself, not a whole lot getting done around here these days and it makes me feel like I am the most pathetic pregnant woman to ever exist.  Everyone knows what a busy body I am, so this feeling is literally killing me. Sick!  This symptom is not as bad as it could be, so I am going to try to keep my complaints to a minimum!  I am usually the worst in the morning, when I first wake up or after long naps.  I read somewhere that your stomach empties and it's actually your...

My Facebook page reminded me of a fortune I got in a cookie a few weeks before I found out I was pregnant.  I usually don't believe in those sort of things, but this one I must have found particularly touching, as I saved it, even displaying it on the fridge.  It read "Good news is coming your way--it will be here any day."  Could my fortune cookie have predicted this wonderful miracle?  Do any of you believe in that sort of stuff? Before you answer that, let me tell you what my Facebook fortune cookie revealed today.  It read "Get ready!  Good Fortune comes in Bunches."  Hmm, this fortune leaves me sort of worried (especially after talking to hubby's Grandma a few weeks ago--those of you who were there and/or heard about her prediction know what I am talking about).  Does this fortune and my previous fortune relate to one another?  Are we the next Jon & Kate?  Gosh, I am all for miracles, but WOW!  Could you imagine?...

I updated the pregnancy ticker at the top of the page to reflect the due date as suggested by the nurse at my appt. today.  I calculate my due date as two days earlier, but I am not the professional, so no arguing from me!  Guess we'll see....

We had our first visit to the doctor's office today. Nothing too exciting (sorry to disappoint anyone). We met with a Nurse Practitioner who basically interviewed us (mostly regarding our/family medical histories, although we were surprised to find out her son, who is a Marine, joined/replaced Kevin's squadron in Iraq--small world). We also discussed the development of the baby, what I can expect from the doctor/nurses/staff, voluntary tests we may want to consider doing, nutrition, hospital options, classes/tours we need/should take, all of the basics! My due date has been calculated as June 29, 2010, although she seemed to think I would most definitely go over that date (we all joked about a July 4 th Birthday, wouldn't that be fitting?) Or, maybe the baby will share his or her Birthday with Grandma & Grandpa Snowden's Anniversary on July 1st? Or perhaps the baby will share his or her Birthday with the day we celebrated our wedding, July 3rd? Lots of bi...

Today I am answering the questions I am asked most commonly (by those that know about our little addition). How are you feeling? So far, I am feeling pretty good, actually. Although, the past couple of mornings, I have struggled with slight feelings of queasiness, which usually subside after I eat a little something. To resolve this, I go to bed with something I can eat the following morning (crackers, fruit, dry cereal, etc.). I eat the snack in bed, first thing in the morning (after emptying my bladder of course) and this usually helps me find the strength I need to start the morning routine. The book I am reading says even mild queasiness counts as morning sickness, but I know some of you would completely disagree, as I have suffered no where near as bad as you did! For those of you, I leave you with this thought: I am only 5 weeks along, the morning sickness likely has not kicked in to its fullest yet! How is the Daddy-to-Be? Daddy to Be is over the flu and back at work. He ...

I will never forget it.  I took the usual home pregnancy test the morning of Monday, October 19 , which I have become accustomed to taking (and failing) for almost a year now!  Hubby went to work early that morning and our bathroom is set up with two different lights, usually that early I choose the one further away, so you're not bathed in a floodlight-like light first thing in the morning.  I did a quick glance at the test (I've always flunked in the past) and decided I had flunked that one too!  Oh well, I told myself, there's always next month!  I moved along to the rest of my morning routine, which included turning on a better light to brush my teeth.  That's when I noticed another faint line in the test window.  I rubbed my eyes and tried to convince myself that I was dreaming this, I've been wanting to see this for well over a year now, I knew I had to be tricking myself.  So, I grabbed the test and ran it to better light.  Could it...

So, its been a while since I've updated everyone. This is due mostly to a hectic schedule for both Kevin and myself. We've both been working a lot, Kevin even spent most of his weekend at the office. Now, Kevin is sick with the flu (no it's not swine flu, I made him go to the hospital to have that test done). So, he's miserable to say the least. I am doing my best to take care of him and keep myself from getting sick!   Since Kevin was busy with work, I spent last weekend at home with my nephew and family. Here are some photos of me helping him ride his tricycle! He was trying to figure out how to pedal by himself Here I am explaining to him that he has to put the tricycle back in its proper place. We start to clean up He wanted to ride grandma and grandpa's bikes And I finally get him to put his bike back Also, here are some photos of our pathetic furs, enjoying grandma's house (all the pillows, spoiled doggy...