Ultrasound Video

The video in the last post didn't load so hopefully this one works!

Ultrasound Photos

I finally put my ultrasound pictures and videos on my computer, so here on the better ones and even a video of the baby wiggling around!

Power Outage

Last Sunday at about 3:30 a.m. Andrew and I woke up to a major storm outside. We didn't think anything of it and decided to go back to sleep. Little did we know that right in our backyard the transformer was blowing out from a tree falling on it and cords were flying everywhere in the 60-70 mph winds! We really should have been in the basement where it was safe, but instead we decided to sleep the night away.

Thankfully I woke up at 6:45 a.m. and realized that the power was out because Andrew had to get up to lead worship at church that morning. We figured the power would be back on in a couple hours, but here we are 2 1/2 days later and we JUST got power back! On Sunday night we decided to sleep in the basement on an air mattress so we could stay cool. I was very anxious and paranoid because I know how many bugs are down there so I really didn't sleep well. I woke up Monday morning feeling awful and had a horrible back ache. I vaguely thought I might have been feeling contractions as well because I was unusually crampy in front. I took it easy at work and tried to do lots of stretches but even today I am still really sore. We slept in our own bed last night because it was cool enough with the windows open, but this morning I woke up and had some shooting pains on the front, left side of my tummy. I'm hoping it is just my digestive system acting up and not really anything serious with the pregnancy.

Today I got home from work and the power was back on! Yay! However, after two days with no power that means we have to dump everything in our refrigerator and freezer (it was pretty nasty). Ice cream had melted all over the freezer and there was definitely some meat in there that was a little too squishy. The good thing is that I had been meaning to clean out the refrigerator for a while now and this was a good excuse for me to do that. Now that the power is back on, I am taking full advantage of no longer being Amish! Got the TV on, put the candles and lantern away, and I am now (obviously) catching up on the internet!

Baby Boy Potratz

It's hard to believe that in only 15 or 16 weeks Baby Potratz will be here! I am utterly shocked at how fast this pregnancy has gone...it seems like yesterday I was taking all of those pregnancy tests and now I am making baby registries, organizing the baby room, and searching for any clothes that will comfortably fit me! At 24 weeks I'm probably not as big as some women get but I am getting bigger, to the point that I can't comfortably fit into anything unless it is stretchy! I also have a hard time getting out of bed and out of chairs (I told Andrew this morning I needed a handicap bar next to the bed)!

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have been praying about jobs and what God wants me to do before or after the baby comes. I have felt called to leave my Youth Director position in Des Moines and will have my final Sunday there tomorrow. I will then be going full time at the day care unless I find a job closer to home. The good thing about me staying at the day care is that I will have cheap day care once the baby comes-only $80/week for full time day care! Plus, there is a possibility that I would be getting a raise. However, I have applied for a few jobs in Ames and would greatly prefer these jobs if they offered a decent pay, benefits, and if I could find cheap day care. I had one interview last week and will hopefully have the second interview next week. I am very nervous about not being hired because I am pregnant (but I can totaly see why anyone would feel uncomfortable hiring anyone so close to the end of their pregnancy). I have been trying to put everything in God's hands and only hope that He is in control of everything!

Either way, I am anxious for Baby Potratz to get here! Our ultrasound revealed a baby boy (there was no hiding...he had it laid out for everyone to see)! The baby weighs over a pound and is actually a week ahead of schedule (but the doctor's refused to change my due date). We are very excited about having our little boy and have decided on the name. It took some thought but I ultimately approached Andrew with the name and we agreed it was the right one. No one will know baby's name until he is introduced into the world! I can't wait for that day! He has been kicking a lot and it bring tears to my eyes because I just can't wait until I get to hold him in my arms :) We are very blessed!

Vacation Pictures

I am finally getting around to adding some vacation pictures to our blog! This is a very small amount compared to the number we took and some may be repeats from my previous entries about our vacation. Just to remind you, Andrew and I went to Charleston, South Carolina in May. We both agree that Charleston is one city we would actually live in! It's not horribly big and it's right on the ocean! We have been to the ocean only once before this trip and we wanted a final outing before the baby comes. So, here are some captured moments from our trip! These pictures include: The Biltmore Estates, The Boone Family Plantation, The Charleston Bridge, and views of the ocean from our hotel. Enjoy!

Baby Shopping Time!

On Wednesday this week Andrew and I will be having the ultrasound! Hopefully we'll be able to find out the sex of the baby. So, I'm opening it up for guesses on what you think it is...boy? girl? twins?!?

With that, we'll be starting our baby registry in the next month and I would like suggestions of what to put on there. What items are necessary? How much clothes? How many of each size? Brands? Types of strollers, carriers, car seats? Tell me EVERYTHING!

1/2 Way There!

I am just about 20 weeks now and I finally have a belly to show for it, even if it is small! I have been feeling pretty good so far, I've only had a few moments of nausea and vomiting in this 2nd trimester. The doctor changed my acid reflux medicine and since then I haven't had any random moments of having to throw up. However, this weekend was a different story as far as the vomiting goes...

Andrew and I headed to a wedding out of town last weekend and I was feeling really great! We went to the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner and I was still feeling great. But as soon as I laid down for bed I felt like crap. It took me forever to get to sleep and after only 2 hours of sleep I woke up and had throw up. My stomach was in so much pain and I ended up throwing up all night long! Not only that but I had problems with the "other end" and that certainly did not make me feel any better! By 7 AM I had no sleep, was constantly vomiting and I couldn't even keep water down. I called my mom (she's my "go to" nurse for everything) and she suggested I go to the ER just to make sure the baby was OK and see if there was anything they could do for me. Andrew was so nice to take me in and stay by my side as they shot me with morphine and gave me Zofran to stop the vomiting. Thankfully the baby was fine! I attempted to eat some stale crackers and drink some flat Sprite but unfortunately couldn't keep those down. When the ER could do no more for me they sent me home to rest and wait for it all to pass (they said it was the stomach flu). I went back to the hotel and finally got some sleep, but I continued to suffer the rest of the day. By late afternoon I was able to sip on some Gatorade to help get me re-hydrated and by 9 p.m. I was able to eat a little fruit. I didn't really get to go to the wedding...I got all dressed up and waited in the bathroom until the ceremony was over, took my pictures with the bride and groom, then headed back to the hotel. It was one of the most horrible weekends ever, more so because I was terribly sick in a hotel room and I had to go to the ER for the first time ever!

Now that I am better I feel like I am always eating. I eat 2 small breakfasts in the morning, lunch, 1 or 2 afternoon snacks, dinner, and then a bedtime snack (which is generally large enough to be considered a 2nd dinner)! I've only gained 1 or 2 lbs. so far and I'm thinking I will start putting on more weight here shortly.

We are only 3 weeks away from our ultrasound! We will be finding out the sex of the baby and announcing it to everyone when we find out. The name will be kept a secret until the baby comes. I can't wait!