Size doesn't ALWAYS matter!

Yesterday was our 30 week, sonogram appointment!! I was excited, but nervous going into this appointment. For those of you that see me often, my belly isn't exactly huge, and I hear it all of the time!!  I was super anxious because I wanted to see if Azlynn was on track or not. With all of the problems that I have experienced, I don't want it effecting my little angel at all. I gained a pound, and the doctor told me my belly was measuring just fine, she said it was average- a little on the small side, but still average!!! :) My Mom (who went with me) and Blaine still were not convinced, and all I wanted was to go into the sonogram, and Ms. Azlynn be healthy and on track.
 I am so happy to report, she is doing GREAT! She weighs around 3lbs. 6 ounces right now, and that is perfect for where we are at in this pregnancy. The doctor checked her kidney's, because that is one of the important organs that is suppose to be growing and functioning at this point. We saw her heart beating away, her brain (which is quite big) :), and then she measured her body, head, and again checked her "girl parts" for all those horror stories people have been telling us, and yes, she is still a GIRL! The sonograms are always an amazing experience, and make me cry every time. Her little face is so beautiful, and I am more excited than ever for my little girl to be here!

 Here is a profile picture, and that little foot is felt quite often in my ribs and sides!!

 Another profile picture, this time her little hand by her mouth.... thumb sucker like her Mama??

 This is her face.... you can see the left side really good.

 My FAVORITE Sono Picture. This would be looking up at her mouth and nose. You can see her little tongue sticking out!!! And look at those cheeks! :)

  Her little feet!!

An Update on Nursery:
I was so happy that before I got sick, I finished painting the nursery. The next step was the floor, so Blaine and I went and picked out new- SUPER SOFT carpet!! My Parents bought Azlynn's bed, which is really cool because it is a convertible bed. It goes from a crib, to a toddler's bed, to a full size bed!! Blaine's Parents helped us purchase her dresser/changing table. The furniture is all put together and is beautiful! Blaine and I went and purchased the recliner for her room this week.  There was some drama with her bedding.... the one I had picked out originally was on back order and was suppose to be in by the end of July.... it is the end of July and still no bedding. I contacted the company and they said that it still isn't in, and they are hoping for the end of AUGUST.  I was furious and to say the least, I cancelled my order, but then it was starting over from square one on which bedding to get, but even worse, one that would match the walls!!! I found it, and I think I like this set even more! :) It will be here in 2 weeks. Everything happens for a reason! :)
http://www.cocalo.com/item.asp?id=534&brand=6&g=&coll=&cat=1


An Update on Mommy:
  So after our week long hospital visit, I am doing much better. There are definitely still bad days where my kidney just hurts so badly. But I try to stay as busy as possible, to keep my mind off of the situation. I go back August 5th to get my nuphrostomy tube changed out for the 3rd time. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tour2india4health.com/pic/Nephrostomy.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tour2india4health.com/nephrostomy-surgery-india.htm&usg=__5xzmgwMdRN9UjbGjFA-e1ltKSqU=&h=470&w=354&sz=72&hl=en&start=4&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=IRM3BNF8nRBbeM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=97&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dnephrostomy%2Btube%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1T4ADFA_enUS346US350%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D493%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&ei=bKAxToXhBqXm0QHOqp3qCw   Because of the bacteria that is in my kidney (grows very thick and slimy), the doctors are requiring me to get it changed out monthly, so the bacteria doesn't clog the tube up.
 I took the gestational diabetes test, and that came back negative... but I am anemic and now take Iron supplements.
  Come on 39 Weeks!!!
 

It's a Girl!

My last post was at 4 months and now I am well into being 6 months pregnant (25 weeks)! I will get better with this Blog- I swear!! :)
  As you all have heard- we are having a baby girl. This was a huge surprise for me! I had done the Chinese Calendar = Boy, my Mother-in-Law bought an intelligender test = Boy, and I am married to an "Akin" and the "boy" sperm seem to be dominant within the family- so to say the least, I had 100% psyched myself out- it was GOING TO BE A BOY.
 The day of our doctor appointment- both Blaine and I were like little kids. We had the first appointment of the day- and we basically ran into the hospital, so excited to see our little one on the big screen, and of course, the little factor of finding out the gender of our baby. The technology has come pretty far to say the least. The sonograms are so clear, and to make it even easier for the "Mom and Dad" to see, they have the entire process on the big flat screen t.v.  in the room. This was such an emotional appointment- the doctor started out and counted all of her fingers and toes- 10 each! She showed us all of her vital organs- and showed all were there and perfect. We saw two legs, two arms, a perfect little head- no cleft lip. The whole time she is going through the check list of our healthy baby- Blaine is at the t.v. trying to point out some type of gender give away! During the sonogram we saw her bring her little hand to her mouth (as if she was sucking her thumb), she was a super active baby- moving her little legs a lot! And then at the very end of the appointment- as Blaine is about to go crazy- the doctor finally reveals her "girl parts"! I couldn't believe it! I start crying instantly, and the first words that come out of my mouth, are "how sure are you"?  The expression on Blaine's face was priceless- he let out a huge laugh and clapped, his comment "she's going to be Daddy's Little Girl".  The doctor assured us, she was 99.9% sure it was a girl, and our first stop after the appointment- was North Star mall, the launch of our little girls Closet began!! Here are some of her pictures!!! :)

 Her little hand right next to her mouth!!!

 I think she is going to have Blaine's legs.... which I have always wanted- over my thunder thighs!!

 These are her little feet!!

Her precious little profile agian!! :)

  NAME????  Azlynn Claire Akin.  We have had a first name for a girl, picked out for over a year! Blaine and I went to the Ritz Carleton, Dove Mountain Golf Resort last spring break. We met a young couple at dinner one night, and they had an adorable little girl. We started talking with them, and when they told us her name- both Blaine and I knew- if we ever had a little girl, she would take on the name of Azlynn.
  This pregnancy has truly been wonderful- I have not been sick, I feel good (besides the weight gain), and I am more ready than ever to be a Mom!  I haven't had any crazy cravings yet- I LOVE pickles, and the one food that I request as my dinner quite often is a hamburger. I can feel and now see movement- which is so super cool! She moves around A LOT, especially after I work out or swim!
  The construction of her room is underway. I have finished painting and we are currently waiting on the carpet to be installed. Once the carpet is in, the next phase will be her furniture. My Mom & Dad are buying her crib, and Charlin and Banks are buying the dresser. I have ordered her bedding, and here is a picture of it! My goal is to have her room 100% finished by the time I go back to school!

Week 16~ 4 Months Pregnant!

I went to the doctor last Tuesday, April 13th. At the appointment, they checked my weight (the worst part of every doctor visit), blood pressure, and THE BABY'S HEART BEAT! It was as strong as ever and it is always such a relief, to hear that swooshing sound!
I also had the quad- screen blood test.  The quad screen measures high and low levels of AFP, abnormal levels of hCG and estriol, and high levels of Inhibin-A. The results are combined with the mother's age and ethnicity in order to assess probabilities of potential genetic disorders.
High levels of AFP may suggest that the developing baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly. However, the most common reason for elevated AFP levels is inaccurate dating of the pregnancy. Low levels of AFP and abnormal levels of hCG and estriol may indicate that the developing baby has Trisomy 21(Down syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) or another type of chromosome abnormality. So as you can see this is a huge deal and I was super nervous waiting for the results. Praise the good Lord, everything came back negative (which is good), and is such a relief!
  Blaine and I will go back to the doctor May 10th, for our next sonogram- and you know what that means- we will find out if it is a BABY BOY OR BABY GIRL!!! We are  both so excited to hear the results- and although we really don't care what the sex is- we still can't wait to find out!  Look out Baby's R US!!!!!!!!
  We hope all our family and friends have a wonderful Easter! Next year- we will be able to celebrate the holiday with our Baby Akin!!! :) Can't wait!

Where our Story Begins

I can't believe that it has already been almost a year, since Blaine and I started our life together as husband and wife. So much has gone on, in such a short amount of time!

  Blaine still has his oil company with life-long friend Kyle Cooper, and "A& C Oil" is doing great! On top of this, Blaine has recently went to work for EOG Resources, where he has formed another company, "Akin Gauging", and is working as an independent oil producer. This job definitely keeps Blaine extremely busy- and some days I know he is 100% exhausted and would like to go back to his old lifestyle, but he is working so hard, to give us and our soon to be family, the perfect life! I don't know what I would do with out this man, and I thank God every single day- for blessing me with such a wonderful person!  

  I have almost reached the finish line, in my 3rd year teaching at La Vernia Jr. High. I am still teaching 8th Grade Pre-Algebra & 7th Grade Pre-AP Math,but I must say, that this has been one of my most trying years as a teacher. Ultimately, I love my job, and can't imagine doing anything different, (except: maybe a stay-at-home Mom...... one of these days- wink).

  In August, 2010- Blaine and I purchased our first home together. It was an older house, that needed some major improvements, but after a lot of hard work and sweat- it has turned out pretty nice. There are still major things that need to be done, like landscaping, and painting the exterior.... but for what we have accomplished.... I couldn't be more excited and pleased with the improvements.  I will post some before and after pictures below! It's pretty amazing!

  Another very important part of our life- is our dog Caesar! He is an English bulldog, and we purchased him in July, 2010. Caesar is the best dog ever!! He has such a sense of humor, and just looking at this cheerful dog- can turn any one's day around. He is great with children and he is loved by many- including his cousin's, Cade and Callie. We love calling the kids- just to check in and see what hilarious story Callie can share with us for the day... and guaranteed, the first words to come out of her mouth are, "Where's Caesar??"

  I have to say, with so many great things going on in 2010-2011, I didn't think life could get much better. Then, to my amazement it did. In the middle of January, Blaine and I found out we were going to be adding a member to our family.... and no, I am not talking a companion for Caesar- but a little BABY AKIN!!!!! We were ecstatic when we found out the great news. I am currently 13 weeks along, and will be going back to my doctor in the middle of April for another check-up on our little-boy.... or girl?? :) 

Hopefully now, I can keep everyone posted on the pregnancy, and then of course, when our miracle arrives... keep all family and friends, who live near and far, updated on everything!

Here are those Before.... & After pictures of the House!

                                                   Kitchen- Before

                                                   Kitchen- After!!

                                                    Living Room- Before

                                          Living Room- After!!

                                          Master Bedroom- Before

                                          Master Bedroom- After!!

                                          My "Closet" Room- Before

                                         My "Closet" Room- After!!