26 Weeks

• Baby boy weighs 2 pounds
• He measures 9-plus inches
• This week his eyes start to open
• If baby spots a bright light or hears a loud noise near my belly, he may increase his activity (such as kicking or punching)
• His brain is more developed and sophisticated
• Baby is now kicking a lot and moving around quite a bit!

25 Weeks

• Baby now weighs 1.5 pounds and is 13.5 inches long.


• Swelling has started in...my wedding ring barely gets on and off


• Baby's hands are now fully developed and he can feel the sensation of touch


• His arms and legs have grown almost to the size they will be at birth


• Baby's capillaries, the teeniest blood vessels, are now forming in your baby's blood giving his skin a pink glow


• The structures of his spine are now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments...sounds complicated!


• Next doctor's appt is December 20th for my glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes


• Enjoy the belly pic!

24 Weeks

Hey there!

This week marks my 24th week of pregnancy...or you could say 6 months! Everything continues to move along smoothly. It's been a pretty easy ride so far. Our little peanut is about 12 inches long now and weighs 1 and 1/3 pounds. This week alone he will gain about 1/2 pound! Things are starting to get a little more crowded inside the womb as the baby grows bigger and bigger. My ribs have started to hurt a little. Our little boy's ears are fully functioning now. He is getting used to the every day sounds inside the womb such as the beating of my heart and my lungs inhaling and exhaling air. He can hear our voices, too! I have read a couple of books to our baby already. His sense of balance is working now and he can tell whether he is hanging upside down or right side up. He can also feel me moving.

Brian and I are to tour a local hospital tomorrow. It's all starting to get very real! Somedays I am overwhelmed and others I am so excited to welcome this baby into our world. The double baby shower with my sister went well a couple of weeks ago in Colorado. We both received a lot of wonderful things and had a great turn out of friends and family. It felt great to be back home in Colorado for a week over Thanksgiving. The good-byes were very emotional this time...next time I see my family I will be a mom!

My sister and I at our baby shower

22 Weeks

Everything continues to go really well with my pregnancy! Thanks be to God!

The little peanut is moving around more and more every day (or at least I am feeling it more now). I'm so excited to meet him!

Looking forward to my trip to Colorado...3 more sleeps! Can't wait!

Here is a belly pic:

21 Weeks

I am now 21 weeks along in my pregnancy...so far, so good! Since I last posted, I have had my first ultrasound where the sex of the baby was determined. If you haven't heard yet...IT'S A BOY! :) My sister is also due to have a baby boy 1 month before me, so these cousins will be very close in age. We are having so much fun talking about our pregnancies and it's interesting to see how different they are. Everything looked good at the ultrasound appointment. The tech told us that he was 11 ounces and growing strong. It made me feel so much better to hear her say that everything looks great! Brian is ecstatic knowing he will be having a son. The name is a secret though Brian will tell you it is Peyton Manning Flamme. Don't believe him...it's not true. We do have a name picked out and we love it. Once we learned that we were having a boy, we got down to business and registered at Target. We had lots of fun looking at all the baby stuff, though I have to admit, I also stressed out a lot too. It's overwhelming, and you want to make sure you have everything you need for this new life you are bringing into the world!

Next on the agenda is a baby shower hosted by my mom. It is a baby shower in honor of my sister and me while we are home for Thanksgiving. I am anticipating this trip with so much excitement...I can hardly wait to fly out in 10 days!

Finally, enjoy the belly pic! :)

Halfway There!

Yesterday marked my 19th week of pregnancy which means I am halfway there! It's amazing how fast the time has flown and how much my belly has started to grow. It's fun to watch the growth from week to week. Unfortunetly, I don't have a new belly pic yet. My camera is out of juice at the moment. So until I get more batteries, you'll have to visualize me in your head as best you can, lol. I've definitely got a noticeable bulge though. Over this past weekend, I felt the baby move for the first time. It is very slight and you really have to pay attention to your belly. The other day I hadn't felt the baby until Brian came home and we were talking with each other on the couch. Then the baby started to kick-it was SO cute! Here is a little bit about baby this week:
Our baby's sensory development is exploding! The brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that the baby may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to the baby, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. (I have read to the baby once.)
Our baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of the body now. The kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on the scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on the skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
That's all for now. I hope to post a belly picture soon! :)

18 Weeks

Our baby's ears are now facing forward and are completely formed so she can actually hear us talking now. This week is also the beginning of ossification. And while that sounds like some long and involved paperwork you'd have to fill out, it's really a fancy medical term for the hardening of our baby's miniature bones. And that's a good thing. Our baby's nerves are making more and more complex connections. Her sense of smell, taste, sight and hearing are all developing. A substance called myelin, which makes nerve connections travel faster, is now coating our baby's nerves. Our baby now weighs between 5 and 7 ounces and is about 5½ inches long—about the size of a pickle from the corner deli. (I'm familiar with pickles, right? My regular accompaniment to a big bowl of ice cream? Just kidding.)
At about 18 weeks, I have begun to feel a suspicious flutter in my belly. The professionals call it "quickening," some call it "baby's makin' waves!" Within the next few weeks, those tiny bubbly feelings will become more obvious. And soon enough they'll be unmistakably identifiable—especially when I (and anyone within 10 feet of me) can see tiny feet, elbows and knees moving across your belly.

16 Weeks

It's official! I am now 4 months pregnant! Time sure has flown and by baby bump has seemed to grow by the minute! Here is a snippet about the baby from www.whattoexpect.com:
Your baby now weighs in at a whopping three to five ounces, and he's four to five inches in length. The bones that are now in place in his ears means he can probably hear your voice as you talk to your partner and pals and sing in the car. While he’s getting used to your voice, the tiny muscles in his body, especially the ones in his back, are gaining strength, so he can straighten out a little more. And thanks to his developing facial muscles, your baby is capable of making a few expressive frowns and squints, even at this early stage. (Don’t worry, those frowns have nothing to do with the sound of your voice!) And his eyes are finally working, making small side-to-side movements and perceiving light (although the eyelids are still sealed). Peekaboo!
I will soon feel the baby move....I'm so excited! :) I had a routine doctor's visit yesterday and heard the heartbeat as well as learned I gained a few pounds (but it's for a good cause!). The next time I see the doctor will be for my first ultrasound on November 1, and I hope to learn whether it is a boy or a girl! :) Then it's time to register for the little peanut. Everything continues to go well for me, more headaches lately, but still taking daily naps and putting my feet up often. Thanks for all of your prayers and support.

15 Weeks

Today marks my 15th week of pregnancy!

Our little peanut is now the size of an orange! The baby is 4 to 4 1/2 inches in length and weighs about 1 3/4 ounces. At this time, the baby is starting to wiggle like crazy though I won't feel it for a couple more weeks. It may even begin sucking its thumb!

I myself find my bump growing a bit every week. I have gained a little more energy, though power naps are still wonderful! I am now starting to learn to sleep on my side; it will pay off later as I get better, I hear. I have always been a stomach sleeper so this should be interesting! Something special happening this week...my parents are coming for a visit from Colorado. I am so excited! I cannot wait to see them and show them Ft. Wayne. They will be here for an extended weekend. It will feel so good to have them here. :)

Here are a couple of pictures to share: Enjoy!

14 Weeks

This week marks my 14th week of pregnancy. Here is a little info about the baby:

Baby's now the size of a lemon!
Our adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine, and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys, and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over his/her body for warmth.

Something sad happened this week...my family dog, Bailey, was put to sleep. She was 14 years and 18 days old. Our whole family is sad...and mourning in different ways. My mom and dad were with her when her heart stopped beating, while my sister and I are miles away. I truly don't think this death will impact me until I go home for Thanksgiving and she's not there. She was a best friend and a dear family member, and I will miss her more than words can say. She meant something different to all of us. Each of us had a unique relationship with her. I have been out of the house now since I started attending college, and I have always wondered what Bailey thought. Why is she leaving? Where is she going? Is she coming back? Did I do something to send her away? And yet, Bailey would always greet me with a wagging tail and a million kisses. No matter how long I had been gone or even that I had left. She remembered me. It breaks my heart to know I did not get to say a final good-bye to her. When I last saw her in May...I knew it may be my last but I prayed it wasn't. I know she knows I loved her very much, and yet I feel as if she just didn't understand I had to leave home to live my life. Has any one seen the movie Hachi? The dog goes to the train stop every day to wait for his master to return and one day the master doesn't return because he dies. The dog still goes to the train every single day to look for his master, his best friend. He goes for years and years. Wondering where his master went. That's how I think Bailey felt...wondering where I went and when I would come back. Regardless, I love her and I will miss her and I know she was very loved and very happy while with our family. Good-bye, Bailey.

Welcome 2nd Trimester

I am now officially in my 2nd trimester and it thrills me! I'm ready to feel like myself again and have more energy! Here is a belly pic:

Clothes are beginning to feel even more snug and I change into my sweat pants as soon as I walk through the door! I am so thankful everything continues to go well with me and the baby. Thank you for all of your prayers. They mean so much to me. I can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl in about 5-6 more weeks! :)

We're Expecting!

The secret is out: I'm going to have a baby! :) Brian and I are super excited about having a little peanut added to our family soon. Today marks 12 weeks for me and the baby. Hard to believe how fast time has already flown...seems like just last week I was at the doctor confirming the fact that I was pregnant. To the left, you will see a picture I took this morning of my baby bump. Here are some more highlights of the past 12 weeks:

~My family received a phone call to hear the news(due to the distance factor). Brian's family received bibs wrapped up in gift bags. You should have seen the looks on their faces. :)

~Shared the news with my co-workers at the daycare via a work meeting

~Symptoms? Headaches, nausea, back aches, acne, emotional highs and lows, and fatigue

~No longer tutoring...just working at the daycare

~Plans are in the works for a double baby shower at home in Colorado in November! My sister is also pregnant...due 1 month before me!

~Milestone: Last week, Brian and I heard the baby's heartbeat! Simply amazing...

~This weekend I bought my first maternity item for my new wardrobe at Kohl's and today shopped online for new pants due to my expanding waistline :)

The first 12 weeks have all in all been fine. It was not as bad as I was expecting, and I wasn't as sick as I thought I would be. Brian has been a great support system and is there when I need a shoulder to cry on (for no reason at all of course!). We're very excited about having a baby and we appreciate all of your prayers. We do hope to find out what the sex of the baby is eventually. Then I can go shopping! :) Our due date is March 25.

More updates to follow in the coming months...

June/July Happenings

Sarah Jacobsen and I on the 4th of July at a Tin Caps baseball game in Fort Wayne

It was HOT!

At the end of June, I attended "Wedding Daze," a seminary wives' event where we got together to talk about all things wedding! I finally put wedding pictures in my scrapbook to take along. Here are some snapshots of my book:

Welcome Summer!

Summer is upon us! While Brian and I are happy that it is warmer around here, we are overwhelmed with the heat and humidity lately. Highs in the 90's with the heat index making it feel close to 100. No relief in sight for our forecast. This is a much different summer than when we first moved to Fort Wayne one year ago.

Brian has started his new summer job as the Summer Greek course tutor at the seminary campus. He works with the guys taking the summer greek course which is 10 weeks long. He took this course last summer himself. He also continues to work in the mail room on campus. He is keeping busy but still finds time for those darn video games. :) It's hard to pull him away from them sometimes. We still enjoy playing the Wii together, too. He did play on the seminary softball team for a short time, but that has seem to have ended already. He was hoping it would continue a bit longer, I think.

I am still at the daycare with the 3 and 4 year olds. During the summer, I sometimes am moved to a different room depending on how many kids are in my room. The ratio is 10 kids to 1 teacher, so if there are only 10 kids then I am usually moved to another room with more kids. It's been interesting but I enjoy getting to know the other kids and teachers better. :) I am also continuing to tutor. I have 4 different students right now and I am luckily able to do it earlier in the day now. I have more time at home in the evenings now which I like.

We continue to attend Zion Friedheim Lutheran Church in Decatur, IN. It is Brian's fieldwork church. He has preached twice and will preach once more this summer and then he will also be preaching at his home congregation in Greenwood, IN (near Indianapolis). We like attending a church in the country away from Fort Wayne on Sunday mornings. :)

Our activities so far this summer have included Germanfest and Tin Caps baseball (both are downtown). There is a lot to do here in the summer and a lot of it is free. We still enjoy our Friday night date nights (or another day of the week if we have to do something on a Friday evening). We make it a point to do something just the two of us one night a week. We started off our summer in Colorado for my sister's wedding! We had a wonderful time, the week flew by, but I am so glad I got to be there for the special event. Here are a couple of pictures:

Have a great summer!

Welcome February!

Today is the first day of February! I love this month. January just goes on and on and on. Well, finally it has ended. We are one month closer to warmer weather around here. :) This quote was on my daily flip calendar...

"Today is a good day to pay homage to the military men and women serving our country. Send a note, mail a box of homemade cookies, or give them a phone call to let them know how much we appreciate their sacrifice."

Another good quote...

"Not everyone can be a hero because someone has to sit on the curb and clap for them as they walk by."

If you know me at all...you know I have a HUGE heart for the military. Always have, always will. God bless our men and women serving this great country as well as their families. Thank you all for your sacrifice.

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

This verse certainly gives me much comfort. I have gone through a lot in the past couple of years. I got engaged in November 2007 and planned a wedding for a year. I married my husband, Brian, in December 2008. Days after returning from our fabulous Hawaiian honeymoon, I moved across the country to Indiana to make a new home with Brian. Months after moving to Indianapolis, we packed up and moved again to Fort Wayne. They say the 3 big stresses of one's life are: Moving, Marriage, and Having a Baby. Well I experienced two of those back to back. I have to say, I was an emotional wreck at times. But God, my amazing husband, my fantastic family, and great friends have gotten me through my stressful and hard times. This verse always comes to mind when I am having a hard time, anxious about something, or just need some comforting. God is always there. Not when it is convenient for Him...but all of the time. He is available 24/7 and I am so unbelievably grateful for that. What particular verse gives you comfort and encouragement?

"You can do all the planing you want, but if you don't take action, all your planning will be in vain and nothing you do will flourish."

I often make plans. I am a huge planner. My personality requires me to plan ahead if I am going to be a happy camper. Usually, I also take action. I like to see my To-Do list get accomplished...it lifts a huge weight off my shoulders. However, there are certain tasks that I plan and plan and plan for but nothing gets done. I may think I have run out of time, but in reality I have time to do those things I have planned months for. For instance, I have planned and planned for several scrapbook pages that I have yet to sit down and "scrap"! It's just silly. What do you plan and plan and plan for yet don't accomplish or even take action towards?