A Year in Review

One thing I love about keeping up with a blog is that I am able to go back and see how the Lord has worked in our lives. 2008 was an amazing, exciting, but also hard year for the Cox family.

The year started off hard as I was in the midst of a major discipline problems in my classroom. I was constantly upset and frustrated for a handful of males students. Later the situation would escalate and led to many conferences with my principal. She would later give me a poor review and ask a behavior specialists to come in to assist me. This was by far my hardest year of teaching.

January also brought the beginning of Jeremy's job search. We started off by following a lead to Charlotte. Though we were offered the job, we feel very confident that we were not supposed to be there.

February brought the best news of all...we were expecting our first child. The blog the next few months was potporried with updates on my belly and the baby growing inside of it.

May brought a month of graduations. My brother graduated from ASU and Jeremy graduated from seminary. It was a huge milestone for both of them! We celebrated by taking a family trip to Williamsburg, VA.

This year was also the year of weddings. This summer we went to 8 to be exact. We were really excited for all our family and friends but it was exhausting..and expensive!

I spent the summer sewing and preparing for Owen's arrival.

Jeremy searched and interviewed for jobs all year and finally at the end of July accepted a job at Nash Community College. The job was not church related and was back in my home town...totally different than anything we imagined. We were grateful for the Lord's blessings and now can see how His hand worked through the whole process. (Jeremy is now enjoying his new position and have adjusted to life in a small town.)

In July we also celebrated our 4 year anniversary. It was our last one kid-less!

August brought a new teaching position for me. I moved into a specialist role as a technology teacher. It was an awesome position and perfect for the state I was in (big!).

September brought the early arrival of our beautiful baby boy. He is such a joy in our lives and we couldn't imagine our lives without him now. As you know, his birth was easy but the days following were very hard. He is now healthy and strong and growing like a weed!

October 31st we bought our first home! We feel like such grown-ups now! We spent most of November unpacking and organizing.

The holidays were great and we enjoyed all of Owen's firsts!

What an amazing year! We can only praise God for His many blessings and provisions. I can't wait to see how the Lord is going to work in 2009! Happy New Year!

Week 37

I had my 37 week appointment this morning (despite being 2 days away from week 38). Nothing new to report as Owen is in the same place as last week. My feet are starting to swell on a daily basis now and I have a weird pain in my left foot which cause me to limp. I am extremely tired today and feel like I could lay down and sleep for a few hours. According to everyone at school, I am huge and look like I could pop. Thanks friends...way to encourage a person who already feels like a whale! :)

36 week appointment

We had our 36 week appointment with Dr. Campbell today. I have heard he is the weight nazi so I was excited that I had lost 1/2 lb. and he was very complimentary on my weight gain for the pregnancy. He said I only gained around 20 lbs the whole time and it should be really easy for me to lose once Owen arrives. :)

Other than that, he said Owen is measuring right on schedule (so no real growth from last week since now he is measuring 37 and I'm almost there). He estimates that he will about 7 to 7 1/2 lb. when born. He is head down and moving a lot. I am not dialated and I continue to remain around 40 to 50% effaced. Dr. Campbell basically said see you next week.

So Owen's holding on for a while. Thursday marks week 37 and he will be considered full term at that point. Only 3 more weeks!

What the doctor says..

Monday morning I went to the doctor for my 35 week appointment. During this visit, they check your iron levels as well to see if you are a carrier of the beta strep virus. My iron was great and I'll find out next time about the strep test. Dr. Bruton also measured my belly and evidentally Owen is a big boy! I am measuring at 37 weeks instead of the 35 1/2 I should have been. It wasn't enough to warrant an ultrasound (bummer!) but she said that we will continue to monitor it. I asked her if this meant he would come early and she said no...I could just have a big baby...8 or over lbs. if he goes full term. She also checked for dilation...there was none but I was effaced 50%. So Owen doesn't seem to be coming anytime soon. It's ok...he still got some lung development to work on and we'll be glad to have him when the Lord says it's time! We now go to the doctor every week so next Monday we'll go again. We're in the home stretch!!

35 weeks

"Mrs. Cox...you're fatter than you were last week," a lovely 3rd grade student today. "So you're due like any day now, uh?" checkout lady at Wal-mart. "Um no, I have 5 more weeks, thanks!" Yes I know I'm big but really come on people, am I that big?

Owen is doing well from what I can tell. He is moving around, so much so that many people can see him move from the outside of my belly. I can't wait to see what he looks like and meet him.

My energy level is decreasing by the day and my ankles and feet starting swelling for the first time this weekend. We're heading into the final stages and we'll go back to the doctor again on Monday so hopefully we'll know more about what's going on.

30 weeks

I'm now 30 weeks pregnant! Only 10 more to go...can you believe it? Last night Jeremy I watched the National Geographic documentary In the Womb.


The documentary uses high tech cameras, along with 3D and 4D ultrasounds, to show the fetus during its 9th month journey. The details and footage they showed were amazing! After watching it, I don't know how anyone could deny the existence of God or have an abortion. So many minute details occur even in the first few moments of conception, that no one other than God could have orchestrated. It is truly amazing! From the moment of conception the cells are a living being with unique DNA.

Overall the documentary was incredible and I would recommend it to all new parents. The documentary made me even more excited to see Owen. I can't wait to meet him...well we can wait a little longer...he needs a little more time to mature. :)

KidsExchange and 29 weeks

My sweet neighbor Anna introduced me to a whole new world today...the world of consignment. Twice a year there is this HUGE consignment sale here in Raleigh at the state fair grounds. Because Anna put some things in the sale, we were able to go today before it opens to the general public. I had no clue what to expect but man were my eyes open quickly.

It started at 9 so we got there at 9...big mistake. It took us over 30 mins. just to get in the door! We realized soon that we were definitely newbies because we were the only ones who didn't have a basket, wagon, or rolling vehicle. Once we got in I was overwhelmed. The room was HUGE and had more baby stuff than I had ever seen in my life. We both had one big item that we were looking for so we quickly went to that section. I got a great deal on a swing....I saved over $90! Anna got an exerisaucer and saved over $70.

We then moved around to the toys, clothes, and books. We finally decided we had all we could carry so we looked for the line. It was wrapped all the way around the building and through these long cattle gates. It took us over an hour just to check out! It was so crazy but I think next year I'll be better prepared. At this time, we have not had any showers or another kid, so I don't know exactly what we still need. I got some clothes, bibs, and hats, but we'll wait on the other stuff. The sale continues until Sunday for those who are interested. You can find out more information here.

I forgot to mention that we had our 29 week appointment yesterday. Owen is measuring right on schedule yet his mommy gained a little more weight than she should. Whoops! The doctor also explained the diet and I realized that I was making it worse than it was. It is basically a low-carb diet where I have just have to be sure to eat less carbs at each meal. Luckily they didn't take away fruits, but there is no more french fries and ice cream. Sad! Thanks for all your advice! We go back to the doctor every 2 weeks now! We've made it to the third trimester!

The results are in..

The nurse called a few minutes ago with my glucose test results. She said that 1 out of my 4 blood tests from last Friday came back with high sugar readings. This means that I don't have gestional diabetes (2 out of 4 would signal diabetes) but I should go on a sugar-free diet. I have my 29 week appointment on Wednesday so I will receive information on what I can and cannot eat then. I did, however, google sugar-free diets and I think this could be very difficult. Did you know how many things we eat have sugar in them? Of course, we all know the obvious like sweets, but it is in fruits, tomatoes, white breads and pastas....all things that I love.

Any of you out there cutting back on sugars? Have any great suggestions or receipes?

PS I posted earlier today too...so check it out.

4 holes in my arm

In case you wanted to know, I now have 4 little holes in the creves (sp?) of my left arm. What are they from you ask? They are needle holes from my lovely 3 hour glucose test that I had done this morning.

You know when you are not supposed to have something you want it more? That is how I was about food. I have had to fast since dinner last night so wouldn't you know that I was hungry at like 11 pm last night. All I could think about was wanting some breakfast. :) I survived though and made it to the doctors this morning by 8. They drew my blood then I had to drink this drink that was like Kool-aid on crack...straight sugar. For the next hour, I sat in the waiting room feeling a little woozy. I was so afraid I would get sick and have to start all over. PTL, I did fine and made it through three more blood tests. At 11:15 I was finally free and able to eat a big ole' lunch at Panera. I will not get the results until Monday morning, thanks to my doctor's office taking a half day on Fridays. Please pray that the results will be negative and I will not be diabetic. Happy Friday!

26 weeks

Many of you who don't live near us have asked for an updated belly shot. So for your viewing pleasure, my little baby bump.

Speaking of my little baby bump, we believe we finally have picked a name. As of right now, his name will be OWEN BRINSON COX. Brinson is my paternal grandmother's maiden name. Thank you all for your votes.

Yesterday we updated our registry now that we have gotten the bedding. We're registered at Babies R Us and Target if you're interested.

And just for fun...today while we were outside our cute little neighbor came over. Isn't she precious?

I'm going to miss them when we move and/or they move. We have to move at the same time so that neither one of us has to be here alone, right Alyson? :)

I failed...

Yesterday was my 26 week appointment with the ob. Part of the visit included my glucose test for gestional diabetes. For this test, you have to go in with an empty stomach and drink this 50% sugar drink and they test your blood an hour later. They draw 3 tubes of blood and send it out to the lab and they said they would call me with the results. After my test, I met with the doctor and she said everything looks great!

The nurse called me this morning and said that I did not pass. Evidentally your sugar level should be 140 on this test and I was slightly above at 146. :( Therefore, I have to go back in 2 weeks and take a 3 hour test. This time I will have to go in after fasting for 12 hours and they will test my blood. Then I have to drink a 100% sugar drink and they will test my blood every hour for 3 hours. What makes it worse is that you have to sit in the doctor's office for the whole 3 hours! I'm hoping that because I was on slightly above the limit that this test will reveal that I don't in fact have diabetes.

Needless to say, I am less than thrilled. Please pray that the next round goes well and I will in fact not have diabetes. I really don't need another stress factor right now with everything we have going on right now.

On more fun note, my family is coming over tonight for the Wake Forest 4th of July festivities! Fun pictures to come!

All Things Baby (well for baby)

In the last post, I told you that Jeremy wanted a new camera. Well miraculously, we sold ours on Craig's List and picked a new one all in one day. This afternoon, we are meeting the people to give them ours and nn a few days, we will be the proud new owners of a Canon Digital Rebel XSI 12MP Digital SLR Camera. We are going to have some awesome pictures of our new baby boy now. :)

A couple weeks ago, the travel system I registered for was recalled. Evidentally the LATCH system had some difficulties so they took it off the market. I was very sad as I was obsessed with this carseat/stroller. Now that I'm out of school, I have time to research baby products and update the registry. I found another travel system that I like though I secretly hope that my other one comes back. We went to Cary last night to see it (for some reason, only USABaby carries it) and we liked it. Here is the pic of the new one. Because we didn't want to register there just for a stroller/car seat, I have created an Amazon registry that includes many items you can't get on our other registries. Here is the link. If you care, we also are registered at Babies 'R Us and Target.

Are you sick of hearing about baby stuff yet? Too bad... Jeremy's one request was that our diaper bag not be girly and that it would be something he would actually carry. I have searched and searched for manly and not super expensive diaper bag for weeks. I read many message boards and one lady said she used a TimBuk2 bag as her diaper bag. It was roomy, waterproof all over, and something that her husband would carry. I checked into them but they were pricey. REI.com was having a sale and got this cute one for half price! We went to see it in person last night and Jeremy approved so we now have our diaper bag.

Ok I'll stop boring you with all the random baby stuff. The moms out there will care. :)

Also I need a project to occupy all my new-found free time. I thought about pulling out the sewing machine again since I have time, but I need suggestions. So all you crafty folks out there, send your suggestions.

22 weeks and 4 days

Today marks my 22nd week of the pregnancy. I went to the doctor this morning and she said everything looks great. I only gained 2 lbs. and his heartbeat was strong and fast. :) She said he was moving around a lot...great my child is going to be hyper. Next appointment I will have to do the glucose test to see if I have gestional diabetes.

4 days left of this school year!! I am swamped with endless paperwork, where I have to document everything for every kid a million times. It is really dumb and monotous. I'm on the last part which is report cards, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If I can just keep the kids from killing each other or my nerves, we will be golden.

Jeremy leaves tomorrow for Indiana to work the Southern Baptist Convention. He'll be gone for a week so I'll be home all by my lonesome. Luckily I have a wedding in RM this Saturday so I'll go to my parents for the weekend.

Many have asked about Jeremy's interviews. He got email this week from the agency in Durham and they said they really like him and think he will mesh well with them, but they would like another work sample. He created another sample and sent that yesterday afternoon. We are waiting now to hear back from them. Please continue to pray for this situation.

19 weeks

Today marks the 19th week of my pregnancy. Some of my friends have asked for a side view belly shot. While I'm not a huge fan of profile shots, I realize that it's the only way to see how I'm growing. Boy am I growing! My appetite has increased this week and I've got to be really careful not to gain too much weight.

In other news, Jeremy had a job interview on Tuesday afternoon. He should find out by the end of the week if he has a call back. The job is for an art firm here in Raleigh and would be a really great opportunity for him. Please pray that the Lord's will be done in this situation. Graduation is next FRIDAY!!!

The wait is over...

and we couldn't be more excited!! After sitting Indian-style for the first part of the ultrasound, our little one finally opened his legs to reveal that he is a boy! Seeing how just about everyone we know is having a boy, we weren't really surprised but were still excited. Everything is going well and he looked great! He's measuring a little bigger than he should for his due date but we are still looking at 10/9/08 as his birthday.

Our families are excited as well and of course added their opinions about what we should name him. We have a few we are throwing around but nothing official. We'll let you know when we do.

(Lindsey, I know you made this for Kari but it was too cute not to borrow! I didn't steal her sign just your picture. :) )

Anxiously..

waiting on Friday! Friday is finally the big day in which we will find out the gender of baby Cox and I can't wait!! I'm hoping that he/she is turned the right way and we can see "everything" clearly. Many have their predictions but what is yours? Take the poll over to the right if you haven't before.

Friday is extra fun because we are going to register after our doctor's visit then head to Boone. It's a big weekend full of celebrations! Brandon graduates from college and we'll celebrate our mothers as well as our niece's and Jesse (J's oldest brother)'s birthday. Hopefully the next few school days will go quickly.

Speaking of school, the next 24 days can't go by fast enough. The children are getting Spring fever and we're trying to prepare for end of grade testing. Pray that we make it through. :)

Hope everyone else is doing well. :)

The Cat is Out of the Bag

The little baby bump is starting to make it's appearance so I thought it was about time to finally tell my students my news. They were eating snack and I went over to the board and told them we were going to play hangman. Of course they were surprised because we never play hangman. The children took turns guessing a letter, when one of my jewels raised his hand and screamed out, "Mrs. Cox is having a baby!" The room exploded with excitement and I had a hard time quieting the kids down. They were so cute and of course had tons of questions: When is it coming? Is it a boy or girl? What are you going to name it? The best was...when is your baby shower? I laughed and told her that I don't know because I can't give my own baby shower. Many of them were truly bummed that they would not be in my class anymore when the baby comes. They were like, "So you mean we'll have to come back from 4th grade to see it?" Like 4th grade is so far away...it's 2 doors down. :)

Of course, the kids had to tell everyone they met along the hall or whoever came in my class. All the teachers knew already so it was no big secret. One kid got so confused that he thought that his teacher was pregnant and ran back to his class and told them that his teacher was pregnant. This of course caused an uproar in her room and she had to reassure them that it wasn't her but me. The kids continued their excitement all the way home; many parents emailed me with congratulatory messages telling me it was the first thing out of the child's mouth when they got in the car.

So the cat is out of the bag but I'm sure the excitement will continue to the end of the year. The kids are already taking bets on the gender...put in your two cents while you can...see the poll on the right. :)

UPDATED: 13th week

Today was my 13th week appointment. The doctor said everything was going well and I got to hear the heartbeat. We are scheduled to go back in 5 weeks for my next appointment and my ultrasound. That means MAY 9TH we'll find out the gender of baby Cox!!! Woohoo! What a fun Mother's Day present for the grandmas (and me)!

The Flu stinks...

So I caught it...the dreaded flu. We saw my parents on Sunday for the Selection show and Dad was complaining that he didn't feel well. So I tried to stay away from him. Monday Mom emailed me and said Dad had the flu. Great!

Tuesday afternoon I was feeling puky but I thought it was just a pregnancy thing but my mid-afternoon I had the chills. I came home and went to bed; I woke up the next morning feel icky so I stayed home from school. I felt better during the day but after lunch I took a turn for the worse. So again here I am today on the couch with chills, a fever, cough, and chest congestion. I went to the doctor today to see what I could take but I don't feel like it is helping. Please pray that I would heal quickly so we can go to Boone to celebrate Easter with the Coxes.

Thanks!

I'm a guinea pig..

Yesterday the Wake Forest Pregnancy center needed volunteers for the ultrasound training. They just received the machine and wanted to train their staff so they needed pregnant women. Being that I am one (and I will also enjoy seeing pictures of my baby). I signed up.

It was really fun to be part of their learning experience because they talked through everything in such great detail and time and I felt like I really got to know a lot more information about my body and the baby.T

he pictures are so amazing! The baby was kicking and moving its arms, looking like it was having fun putting on a show. The nurses were super sweet and kept telling me how great the baby looked and how it was right on schedule.

Jeremy and my mom were able to come so that made it even more special.Below are the newest pictures, its amazing how much the baby has developed since the last pictures just 3 weeks ago. God is amazing, isn't He?!