30 Week Check-up

Today, I am 30 weeks. I had my monthly check-up with Dr. Early today also. My pregnancy is still going good and smooth. Overall I am still feeling quite well. My back on the otherhand has been bothering me - mostly on the right side, up high. Dr. did give me a good "pop" today, hope that helps. I have noticed more swelling in my body within this last month. Dr. Early feels there is no concern with it as my blood pressure is still low (which is good) and my protein levels are in good range. I do drink alot of water and have watched my salt intake so I think that has helped; guess I am just one that is lucky to retain more fluid-(sarcasm)!

On the otherhand, my sugar in my urine test was a little elevated when they checked today. Do you think that has anything to do with my sweet cravings??!! So, tomorrow I will go in and drink that ever so delicious drink I have heard wonderful things about, and have my blood checked for a possibility of gestastional diabetes. I'm hoping that is not the case, but if so, I will switch from candy bars and doughnuts to vegies sticks!! Sorry baby!!

Baby has went from fluttering around my belly to jabbing me with kicks and elbows; quite a difference. I will be sitting on the couch and Jason can see my belly bouncin from across the room. It's so cool! He is very active these days. I'm very anxious now to start decorating the nursery as it had to take back seat for a while til we got the rest of the house finished. I can't wait til he gets here so we can meet him! I have no idea what to expect of him. It's such an unpredictable experience, which makes it all so much more intensifying. I hope he looks like a little Jason, while at the same time, I hope he looks like his mama! What will he act like? Will he be laid back like me - go with the flow, will he be a mama's boy or daddy's boy...will he like to hunt deer??? Whatever he is, I will love every minute as he grows!!

P.S. - NOT A 1 STRETCH MARK YET....I SAID YET, WOMEN!!!

GOAL HAS BEEN MET!!!

We are officially in our new home!! Ahh, What a dream come true~

Our goal when we started building our house was to be in by Labor day this year, and by golly we made it! We started this process on March 1, 2010 and were moving in the first of part of this September - It took us exactly 6 months! We feel we made such progress in these past 6 months - a lot of hard work my husband and many others have put into it. Jason was just saying the other day how he wished he would have kept track of how many hours he put into working on it. Last Friday, we were able to get all of our big furniture moved into the house with the help of Jason's good buddy, Harry. By noon they had everything in the house. My folks and Kalee were here all weekend helping us get everything cleaned, unpacked, and somewhat settled - Life savers!! So we have been in a little over a week, still seems sooo weird that the time is actually here. We are still getting settled in, still have lots of totes to unpack. Hopefully by the time the baby comes, I will have everything unpacked and ready to go! We still have a few minor touches left to finish - I'm sure they will be some fall projects awaiting. Right now, Jason is eager to get our yard seeded down for this fall. We're hoping the weather cooperates.

We feel so lucky to have this new home to start our family in! Sometimes we even feel guilty to a sense that we have such a beautiful acreage and location to live on, let alone a brand new home. I am very proud of my husband and thankful for all his determination throughout these past 6 months! We have had numerous individuals assist in making this effort a success, and thank them all so much - hopefully we can repay them some day! I will post some pictures of our home as soon as we get a little more settled.

Lexee and Lyzee have had quite an adjustment with the move as well. Unfortunately, they will not be living in the new house with us; but at the moment do have the run of our old house and shed. We have been letting them run loose outside throughout the day as well, so far no problems!

Here is Kalee helping put my dishes in the cabinets. She is returning the favor!

My mom washing up the appliances.

"Dad, Dont look so thrilled; listen to the 3 women in your life, and you wont have a problem hanging my vanity mirror in the correct spot!" :)

CLASS OF 2000 REUNION

Last weekend was my 10 year High School Reunion! Boy, how time flies! Friday evening we all gathered at the Dukum Inn for a social evening of visiting. I got to see so many of my former classmates; it was very nice to get re-acquainted with so many of them. Saturday, we had a family picnic at Brashaer Park. There were so many mini-me's wandering around the park; so funny! And then Saturday night we gathered at the Dukum again for a dinner and social. We had the whole upstairs reserved for our reunion which was real nice. By the end of the weekend I was worn out - why Kirksville's class reunions last a whole weekend I have no idea. It was so much fun though all getting together at one time - it needs to happen more often than every 10 years for sure!

Me and my Hubby at my reunion.

Me, my good friend Katie (Williams) Mendez, and her daughter Mia. Saturday was also Mia's first birthday! Happy Birthday Mia!!

Me with my pregnant friend Alaina (Keim) Oliver. Alaina is due November 9th - 12 days before me. We're both having boys - so excited to see them grow up together!

My gal pals at the picnic:

Brooke(Reed)Eskridge, me, Libby Miller, Katie Mendez, Stephanie(Burger)Byrum, and Alaina Oliver.

April Jamison, Katie, me, Stephanie, Alaina, Libby, Brooke, Meghan(Spase)Sublett.

Here's a few of my guy pals: Always so entertaining!

Nick Martin, Brett Fleshman, John Grossnickle, Justin Johnson, and Austin Hills

Me with my Besties: Meghan and Katie

26 WEEK CHECK-UP

Yesterday was my 26 week check-up. Everything seems to be going quite well. I have had more energy, and have been feeling rather well this past month. Baby is kicking me a ton! He is already a very active little fella. I have experienced the rath of heartburn this past week. I can say that has been about the worst part of my pregnancy so far. I had never experienced such hotness in my throat - thank goodness for TUMS!! Dr. Early had mentioned me taking Pepcid for the heartburn too, so I will have to give that a try. I'm still craving the sweets, unfortunately! I'm trying to limit my intake, but it is so hard! What baby wants, baby needs, right?!! Haha! I have also started to have some swelling in the evenings too. I'm trying to keep my feet up as much as I can, but with finishing up on our house, I have a lot I need to be doing.

The house: It has pretty much come to a finish. The main job left is finishing around our master bath tub. My dad is going to build the frame around it and will tile around the edges! I'm anxious to see the final project. Only tedious things are left to do before we are ready to move in - touching up paint, hanging blinds, remaining lights, etc. Jason is so ready to be done and I can't blame him! He has been such a trooper through this, I know he just can't wait to relax in our new home! I will try to post some new pics of the inside of the house soon! Next weekend we are hoping to start moving in some things - will most likely hit our goal on being in by Labor Day! Yee-haw!!

BABY BOY!!

HERE IS BABY BOY CORRICK AT 22 WEEKS!

FIRST PAIR OF BOOTIES FOR MY LITTLE GUY!

WE HAD OUR 2ND ULTRASOUND AT 22 WEEKS ON JULY 19TH. OUR BABY IS GROWING AND LOOKING HEALTHY! OUR U.S. TECH, JENNY, HAD ASKED US IF WE WERE WANTING TO FIND OUT THE SEX OF THE BABY; WE AGREED TO GO AHEAD AND FIND OUT; I HAD TOLD HER MY INSTINCT WAS THAT IT IS A GIRL. FIRST, SHE HAD CONFIRMED MY THEORY WAS CORRECT, "WE WERE GONNA HAVE A DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL!" JASON AND I WERE SO SURPRISED; I COULDN'T BELIEVE I WAS ACTUALLY RIGHT! A FEW MINUTES LATER, I HAD ASKED HER HOW SURE SHE WAS OF THE SEX, (NOT DOUBTING HER, BUT I WANTED A FAIRLY DEFINITE ANSWER). SHE OF COURSE WAS PRETTY POSITIVE IN HER ANSWER BUT TOOK A CLOSER LOOK. SHE THEN HAD ANOTHER U.S. TECH COME IN: DONNA (WHOM JASON AND I PERSONALLY KNOW - SHE IS FROM LAPLATA). DONNA HAD WALKED INTO THE ROOM, "WELL, YOU'RE HAVING A BABY BOY!!!" WITH NOT EVEN HAVING ASKED FOR HER PROFESSIONAL OPINION YET, SHE HAD THROWN US FOR A LOOP! SHE WAS 100% POSITIVE IT WAS A BOY! JASON AND I WERE IN DISBELIEF! WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK AT THAT POINT. SHE HAD SHOWN US THE PARTS ON THE MONITOR; JENNY THEN HAD AGREED! I GUESS WHEN JENNY HAD LOOKED, THE TOPS OF HIS LEGS HAD BEEN CROSSED, THEREFORE NOTHING WAS SHOWING! OH MY, WE COULD NOT STOP LAUGHING! WE WERE SO HAPPY; NOW I HAVE TO GET BACK INTO MY BOY MODE!!!

WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!

What do their shirts say??

Here is a closer look:




This surely explains why I have not posted in these past 2 months; although I have definately wanted to, but am just now starting to get the extra energy to do so! :)

Let me now fill you in on these past few months:

Saturday, March 20th - I had a few reasons to believe I may be pregnant. Well, turns out I was right!! Suspecting that I was, I sent Jason so the store that Saturday night to grab a few things. While he was gone, I had taken 2 pregnancy tests - both stating "Pregnant" I was overwhelmed, excited, scared, blessed, nervous all at the same time! I wanted to tell Jason in a special way, so why not include our adorable dogs in on it! I had made them these shirts to show off to him for when he arrived back home. The above pictures show them patiently waiting for his return: Needless to say we were both thrilled, but still in disbelief. With still having a little shock, we dashed to Macon Wal-Mart to buy some more tests - we couldn't believe we were actually having a baby! We got home, I took 3; Jason took 1 of them (just to confirm they weren't all a fluke). My 3 all said "Pregnant" again! What a blessing it was! Only a month before this had we finally decided we would try for a few months - we thought - ok, if it happens within this time, Great, it's meant to be! If not, we will wait another year. Well, it was definately meant to be considering it happened within the first month we tried! We both feel very blessed to have such a special miracle happening to us!
Tuesday, March 23rd, we had an appointment with Dr. Early to confirm the pregnancy! Without a doubt, he had congratulations in order for us! He informed me I was 5 weeks along. My due date is November 21st! - exactly 1 week after my birthday, how neat! Oh, and its the 2nd weekend of deer hunting season - mine always falls on the first weekend! I thought, dang I planned this just right!!...sorry Jason!!! Now it's going to be celebrating birthday parties instead of deer hunting parties!! HaHa!! So the same day we got the confirmation from Dr. Early, we had my parents down for dinner and gave them the news! They were thrilled of course, until I told them they had to keep quiet for 5 more weeks! We didn't want to tell people until I was further along and out of the crucial period. They understood - but man was it hard for them not to tell, especially my mom. They kept there word though, I think!

Symptoms: Well, as bad as I thought I have had it - I do think I have been pretty lucky with not being sick! Only my 6th and 7th week did I really have bad nausea - and it always seemed worse in the evening. I never have gotten sick yet, so let's hope I don't. For the past few months I have been pretty tired though, no energy - a sense of worthlessness! My poor husband has had to do so much work building our house without my assistance. I think he wishes he had my excuse at times. I do feel bad though that I haven't been able to help do more things. I was actually really looking forward to painting the rooms, but obviously I had to even stay away from those fumes!
I have had quite a few headaches lately too. They always seem to start in the afternoon - hopefully they don't continue for much longer!

Cravings: SWEETS...SWEETS...AND MORE SWEETS!!! Gotta have them daily too! I do know that is not good - so therefore I do try to balance it out with lots of fruits and vegies! I find myself wanting foods that I used to love when I was a kid - or it's just that I am now allowing myself to eat them again. I definately do have the pickles and ice cream cravings as well! Luckily, no foods have really made me sick - although the cooking hamburger smell does get to me at times.
So, to sum everything up - I am very grateful for this baby I have inside of me!!! Pregnancy is good and bad - I can't say I love it like some do - the weight gain I have experienced honestly is not fun - especially when it's not just in your belly...it's growing in all parts of my body. I try not to dwell on that cause I do know it's part of it, and I need to enjoy this time, which I do. It's hard at times though when u only see your outer image changing and nothing else. I often wander, "Geez, is there really a baby in there?" That's what I have experienced anyway, until this past week - I finally started feeling some movement!!!!!!!!!! The feeling of your baby moving and kicking at you definately makes this more genuine! It's like a little bubble or gurgle in your tummy!! When I feel that, it makes this pregnancy so much more existant and thrilling!!
This Tuesday is my next OB appt. - I will then be 21 weeks! Tuesday I will also schedule to have my other Ultrasound done - sometime later this week!! We can't wait for that! And it looks like we will be finding out the sex of the baby! I swore I would never be one that would find out - I would wait for that surprise! As much as I would love to stick to my guns, I know that it would be so much easier to plan, buy, and decorate things if we did know. Jason is up for it too! My mom and Kalee keep pressuring me as well - they find so many cutesy things that they have to pass up because they don't know the sex! I have a good feeling already that this baby is a girl! Obviously, I have nothing to base my theory on, only the little tales I have heard! The craving sweets says to lean towards girl and every time we hear the heartbeat it is always on the faster end. Also, we cannot find a girl's name we like, so that makes me think that is what we'll have too. We will wait and see - we do not care either way!
We are just so fortunate to be able to experience this opportunity of having a baby, and be able to start our new family off in our new home! We are both very thankful for what God has given us!

2 MONTHS LATER...

Yep, that's correct; It's been 2 months since my last post...Boy does time fly!! Plenty of changes have happened at the Corrick household! First, I will give an update on the house progression. The entire exterior of the house is complete except for painting the front door (I still can't decide what color to go with). And obviously we won't be able to pour the sidewalk and landscape until next spring. The interior is progressing fairly well also. We have all rooms painted (except for 1). Jason has installed all the hardwood flooring throughout the living/kitchen area. It looks awesome, we love it! My dad and Jason have also finished laying the tile in the bathrooms and laundry room. We are very happy with how everything has turned out so far! Our beautiful cabinets have also arrived - they are an antique white finish - LOVE THEM!! This weekend Ryan has come back here again and helped Jason set receptacles and hang light fixtures!

Basically, this is what is left to do before move in day:

1. paint and hang all the trim (the biggest job left to do I have been told)

2. hang interior doors

3. finish placing cabinets and countertops

4. set vanities

5. paint remaining bedroom

6. carpet bedrooms

I think that pretty much sums it up - We are still shooting to be moved in by Labor Day, I think were gonna make it!!!

Here's is the most recent picture of the outside of the house.

April Showers, Bring May Flowers

shingles on, windows and doors set

rear view:

bay window is out from our bedroom

east side windows are in the sunroom

Lots has happened these past couple weeks! Shingles are on, house wrap has been placed, doors and windows set, even the wiring is set to go! A big thank you to Jason's good friend, Ryan, who has graciously given up his past 3 weekends to come back here and help Jason get all the wiring done on the house. Thank you, Ryan! They worked night and day to get it all set and ready to go! Now, we are just waiting for this rain to stop so they can get our siding up on the house. While Jason has been busy doing the physical labor, I have been quite busy myself with making decisions on the interior - the mental labor! I always thought "I cannot wait til I can pick this out and that"...what I didnt know is how I have to plan ahead on what goes with this and that. For example: It's hard to pick out bathroom facets when you arent sure what kind and color of vanity you're going with! Maybe a little immaterial as my husband would think, but I don't enjoy makin these "on the spot" decisions - I wanna know all my options before making the wise decision that I will select. We did pick out our kitchen cabinets this weekend - we have ordered them from Tom Marshall Custom Woodworking - Very nice!! Can't wait to see them hanging up in my kitchen!

Beginning To Take Shape!!

It's been a while...Last week the builders were able to get all the trusses set! Thank goodness for nice weather! Our house is finally starting to look like our home that I've been mentally visualizing. It looks like such a bigger space than it did when there was just the concrete floor as well. All the progress that's been made has luckily stayed right on track so far; hopefully that all continues!

Here is the view of our "New Home" as I'm driving down our lane.

Front view with the trusses set.

Back view of house.

Aren't Computers Wonderful!

Well here are the pictures that were supposed to be shown after this following post: but now you will see them before you read...I love it when I have everything ready and then the computer does whatever it feels like!! URGH!!

All walls up!

basement - walkout door is to the west.

clean-up duty!

MAKING PROGRESS...

Busy, Busy, Busy!! Well lots of stuff has been accomplished since my last post, so I will be catchin up a bunch in this one! Delmar and crew finished getting the basement floor poured last week and boy does it look slick!! This past week our framing guys got alot accomplished! "Signature Construction" is who we have hired to do all of our framing. Framing is their expertise! John Troyer is whom owns this construction operation with the help of many hardworking Amish gentlemen. They were here early Monday morning, got the seal plate on, and by Friday, they had all our walls up; along with the garage and front porch that Delmar came back to pour! The walls being up now has really put the layout in more perspective for me! I just can't wait to move in now!! So this week, we should be ready to start setting the trusses!! I am so anxious to see the exterior of the house when it is completed. Jason says by the first of May the whole outside should be finished!! It's so hard for me to be patient in this process, but I'm trying really hard! Jason tells me - actually, he promised me - that we will be in our new home by my birthday(November 14)...although I am pushing move-in day for Labor Day weekend!! That weekend is when we had moved into our present home 6 years ago, so it only makes sense to me to move in that same weekend with this house...Right?!!
I know...I know, Jason, I should just be thankful that we were able to get started when we did, and be glad we are this far ahead this early...AND I AM!!! :)

Background Info.

Before we get too far ahead in our new house building process, I thought I would give some insight on our present living setup. While we were making final wedding plans in the spring of 2004, we were also beginning to build our first home together. Jason's parents (Eldon and Donna) had owned a 40 acre farm just east of LaPlata on Hwy. 156 since Eldon was in his early twenties. When Jason and I were discussing our plans of where we would settle and make a home together; we decided we would locate ourselves near LaPlata (where we can stay close for the deer-hunting of course). :) Eldon had generously given us 5 acres of his farm to someday build us a home there. Rather than throwing away our money on rent, we had decided we would construct ourselves a temporary home that we would live in for a few years until we were able to really build what we wanted. So we decided to build a small house out of metal, that we would later transform into a garage/shop for Jason. It was a very hard concept for me to visualize, but I finally agreed to it. I kept thinking, "I'm gonna be living in a metal shed!!"...what will the inside look like?...will it be cold concrete?...will I hear the pit-patter of the rain when it hits the metal roof and siding?" Low and behold, would I ever have thought in a million years that is one of the most tranquil noises I would strive for - a hard pouring thunderstorm - What a serenity!! So with the help of Eldon(whom built houses for 20+ years), my dad who finishes great interior work, and lots of faithful buddies; we were able to design and fabricate the 900 square foot home that we would live in. We started building it in March 2004 and moved in on Labor Day weekend that same year! We furnished the inside exactly like you would a new home, which was quite the fun part for myself! It is an open living room/kitchen area floor plan with our 1 main bedroom and 1 bathroom/laundry room. It has been quite ideal for the two of us for our first years of marriage; let alone a very wise financial decision we made as well. We have made many memories here, and will be very hard to transform this into a "shop" later!!

Here is our present homestead: as I like to call it: "Corrick Estate!" LOL

(Jason hates that)

Our present Home!!

Where the front window is; we have already framed in for a garage door when it becomes the shop.

Here is a picture of our yard and amazing Oak Trees to the West side. Our new house will set just in front of the big oak (south side).

WHAT A FIRST WEEK!!!

FINISHED CONCRETE WALLS!!

JASON AND I STANDING ON OUR SOON-TO-BE FRONT PORCH!

WALL FORMS OF BASEMENT COMPLETED!

WOW!! THE FOUNDATION CREW GOT THE ENTIRE WALLS POURED AND FINISHED WITH CONCRETE THIS PAST WEEK; NOW READY TO START THE CEMENT FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT! I JUST CANT BELIEVE HOW MUCH THEY GOT ACCOMPLISHED IN 1 WEEK. JASON KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THE BEGINNING OF THIS IS WHAT GOES THE FASTEST AND NOT TO THINK IT WILL ALL SHOW THIS MUCH PROGRESS THIS FAST AS WE GO ON. I DO REALIZE THAT, BUT WHEN I SEE HOW MUCH IS ALREADY DONE, I CANT HELP BUT WANNA START BUYING CURTAINS!! THIS PAST FRIDAY I HAD TAKEN OFF WORK FOR THE DAY (WAS HEADING TO KANSAS CITY TO KALEE'S FOR A GIRLS' TRIP FOR MY MOM'S UPCOMING 60TH BIRTHDAY!! THAT'S RIGHT, SHE IS DEFINATELY SENIOR CITIZEN MATERIAL NOW! HAHA!! WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME - MANY OF MY AUNTS AND COUSINS ON MY MOTHER'S SIDE WERE ABLE TO COME VISIT FOR A SHOPPING TRIP! IT WAS NICE TO ALL GET TOGETHER AND HELP CELEBRATE MOM'S 60TH!! WHILE BEING HOME FRIDAY MORNING, I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE MEN AT WORK AGAIN - IT IS VERY INTERESTING WORK TO SEE DONE - I WAS ABLE TO WATCH THEM REMOVE ALL THE FORMS AROUND THE CONCRETE WALLS.

Day One - Movin' Dirt!!

ON YOUR MARK...GET SET...DIG!!!

JASON OVERLOOKING OUR NEWLY DUG BASEMENT.

HERE IS ONE PICTURE I TOOK THIS PAST WEEKEND OF OUR HOUSE NOW (JASON'S FUTURE SHOP) BEFORE ANY WORK HAD BEEN STARTED. WHAT A NICE SETTING FOR OUR NEW HOME!

Today our foundation man, Delmar, and his brother-in-law(haven't got his name yet), and Menno(spelling?) all showed up early this a.m. We were expecting them at 7:30am; they arrived at 6:30am!!! ...they must have sensed I'm anxious to get moved in ASAP!! They got right to work: let me remind you we have just previously had 8+ inches of snow on the ground. Delmar and his crew started working right away - I've never seen one of those bob-cats move snow so quick!! It was amazing - he had the whole yard uncovered by 7:05am!! - YAH!!! They plan to scoop out all the dirt work and have the whole basement dug by the end of today!! We have definately got a head start!! Alot are probably wandering why we would even fathom the idea of digging a basement when there is this much snow on the ground - the fact is, digging while the ground is hard like it is, tends to be alot easier to move and less messy than it would if we were to wait til all the snow melts. So hopefully by the end of the week (depending on weather of course) we will be ready for pouring concrete. Let the journey begin!! I will soon try to post some pics I took this past Saturday of our house now and layout before the bull-dozing began, and afterwards!