Registering for a baby = EYE OPENING!

WHOA.

WHOA.

WHOA.

That's all I could think and feel when we finally decided to register at Babies R Us this past weekend. Is it normal to have a little bit of a nervous breakdown in the breast pump aisle? If so, then I'm a pretty normal gal.

We literally spent about 3 hours at the place, and we didn't register for some pretty essential things: a crib, glider, stroller/carseat.

No worries though, we already know what we're getting for all those things. We just plan on buying them ourselves, and didn't want to put that on the list.

I don't think anyone prepared me for how confusing and trying this registering thing would be. I mean, you're playing a guessing game the whole time... ESPECIALLY since this is my first baby. I have no idea what bottles she's gonna like, what diapers she's gonna be comfortable in, what pump to milk myself with.... I mean seriously. SO MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS! I thought I sort of had it together, but walking in there totally changed my mind. I have no idea what I'm doing.

All I know is that there is a beautiful little girl growing in my stomach, and all I can hope and pray is that I am the best mother she could ever want or ask for. I hope and pray that I picked the right bottles, diapers, pump...etc. And I know, if I DIDN'T pick the right ones, then it's not the end of the world... she won't remember 18 yrs from now "mommy, I totally didn't want the Tommy Tipper bottle,... you should've known that I would want the Dr. Brown's one".

I'm overthinking this, aren't I?

That's normal, right??

We shall see. I've hit the 100 days to go mark... Can you believe that?? ONE HUNDRED DAYS. Where have these other 100+ days gone??? 14 short weeks.

WHOA.



Letter to Kyli: September 21st

September 21, 2010


Dear Miss Kyli Brooke,

Well little girl, you’re growing like crazy!!! And your mommy and daddy love you even more than ever!
The other night, you were kickin and movin around like a wild woman. You’re so active at night sometimes, it’s funny. Well, I say it’s funny until I can’t sleep. Your Papaw is always joking about “getting a switch” for you.
I’m so distracted at work. All I can think about is you, and I just want to shop online all the time for you! I look at clothes, bows, hats, booties, decorations for your room, etc. I can’t wait to see your sweet face, and give you the sweetest kisses in the world. I can’t wait til it’s just me and you at night, and I’m feeding you, and you’re looking up to me with loving eyes. That might possibly be the best feeling in the world. I do believe I was born to be YOUR mother, little girl …  I’m gonna cherish every moment I have with you. Please don’t grow up so fast!!

So I can’t help but think you’re gonna have the sweetest, funniest personality ever. I believe that everyone is gonna fall in love with you at first sight, and that you’re just gonna be so much fun! We’re gonna bake together, and read books, and get pedicures and manicures done with your Granna, and we’re gonna get Starbucks coffee too!  Well, you will be getting milk, cause you can’t have coffee yet ;)

I can’t wait to see what you look like. We’re having a 4d sonogram in 2 ½ weeks, and it will be our first little glimpse at what features you’re starting to get. Will you have mommys cheeks, and daddys nose?? Will you have a dimple in your chin like we do? Will you have short legs? (Probably so… there’s not much to work with in our genes). No matter what, I know you are going to be absolutely gorgeous!
I can’t wait to hold you
I love you endlessly
Your Mommy

Month 5... feelin good :)

Date night with the hubs :) Sportin the heels...Gotta keep it fresh.

So, 5 months now.... still truckin a long. I'm feelin great actually! Little girl is a KICKIN FOOL!!!

My husband and I wanted to celebrate my birthday by taking a nice date night, and end up at the first hotel we ever stayed at together. We got all gussied up, and had reservations at a restaurant in Dallas called Texas de Brazil.

AHHHHMAZING.

Talking about an "all you can eat" kind of place. It was so much food. Literally, it was hard to breathe after we were done with our meal. Kyli was happy I think. Or smooshed from all the surrounding food bits.

We went to the hotel, and just laid on the bed and talked and held eachother. We talked about everything we had been through, how we first started dating (my favorite topic of conversation!), and just took a stroll down memory lane. It was a much needed and amazing night. I will never forget it!

PERFECT!

The next morning, we went to Home Depot and picked out the color of the baby's room.

"Pink Ballet Slipper". How cute is that???

OMG, how adorable are those shoes?!??!

I just got REALLY REALLY exited.... as if I'm not excited already, geez!

We finally got around to painting the room. Guess what was on her walls before we painted them that wonderful shade of pink? Dark gray paint, and a painting of Buzz Lightyear... sooooo not girl-friendly.

We've got one more coat of paint to put on the walls, and then its done! Thats the hardest and most tedious part I do believe. And then next month, we're buying her furniture! IT'S COMING TOGETHER!

I ordered a devotional book off amazon.com called "Preparing my heart for motherhood". As soon as her room is put together, I will be starting this devotional, and I'll spend that time alone in her room, and, well... preparing my heart for motherhood. I think that will be such an inspirational and exciting time. I'm really looking forward to it! The baby shower is set for November 6th, and we're having it at our house... so I KNOW we will have it all set up before then.

Almost to month 6 now. I can't believe how fast this is going!

Letter to our KYLI

August 4th, 2010




Dear KYLI ,

Welllll, now we know who you are!!! Your daddy and I went to a regular doctor’s appointment this past Monday morning, August 2nd, and got to hear your heart beating. We called the sonogram place where we were scheduled to have our “Gender sonogram” with you, and asked if we could come in that DAY instead of wait 3 more days… (we just couldn’t wait any longer). So finally, we got to go at 1pm. It was awesome because both your dad and I, and your brother and sister (and one of Chelsi’s friends, Cassidy) got to go watch live pictures and movies of you in my tummy.

The moment the woman told me that you were a girl, I bawled like a baby! She asked me “were you wanting a boy??” and I said “no, it didn’t matter, I’m just so happy to know who SHE is”  It was an extremely emotional time for me. From that moment on, I was hooked on all things “little girl”! Greg, Chelsi, and I went shopping immediately after that. Your daddy had to work, so he wasn’t able to come. We bought you lots of cute little outfits.

The next night, August 3rd, my side of the family came over to the house, and your daddy (he’s so creative) put together a little presentation on the computer for everyone to figure out who you were. I will show that to you someday whenever you’re a little bit older. You will think it’s so cool! Everyone thought I was having a girl anyway, which is funny cause I only knew that your Papaw thought you were a girl…. I had no idea that everyone else thought the same thing. I couldn’t be happier!!! We called your Ma and Pa in Goldthwaite, and let them watch the video too… they were sooooo excited and thrilled that they finally knew who you were.

You’ve got so many people that already love you so much. You’re one lucky girl!

I can’t wait to hold you. And I can’t wait to take you to get your little toes done, and your nails done, and dress you up in the cutest little outfits.

We are going to have SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER!!!!

I love you endlessly,
Mommy

Month 4 and GENDER CHECK!

Bump is a GROWIN!

Ok, so this month, we get to find out what the baby is!!!!!!

We had our regular doctors appointment on this Monday morning, and we were of course excited! We were supposed to have our "Gender sonogram" that Thursday at a 4d sonogram place, and we ended up having a conflict with one of the kids being able to go. So we called the place, and sure enough... WE GOT IN EARLY!!! I was 2 hours away from getting to see what my little bundle of joy was going to be!

I was emotional, nervous, excited, and scared. What if something was wrong? What if we weren't going to be able to tell what he/she was? I can't wait any longer!

We get to the place with both Chelsi and Greg and one of Chelsi's friends, and we waltzed back to the room immediately.

I LOVE getting sonograms. I think being an ultra sound technician would be so incredibly rewarding!

Kids are excited!! Chelsi video taped the whole thing I think :)

Waiting...waiting...waiting...

Come on Baby Karnes... show us your stuff!!

ANY GUESSES??????

WE

ARE

HAVING

A

LITTLE

BITTY

BABY

YAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was going in, sorta hoping it was a boy, and when the ultra sound technician told us who we were having, I started bawling like a baby!!! (pun intended).

"Were you not wanting a girl??" is the first thing the technician said... Was I crying because I was sad?? HECK NO!! As soon as she said "I'm 99% positive that this is a girl", all my "sorta wanting a boy" feelings went bye-bye. I was just so overjoyed to know WHO I was having, and I just automatically felt even closer to our sweet little baby girl.

I could not be more excited!!! My precious little girl... I mean, seriously... girls are SO MUCH FUN!!!!

So what's the first thing you do when you find out what you're having? YOU GO TO BABIES 'R' US! DUH!!!! We bought tons of onesies, outfits, etc... It was so much fun! 

So everyone was coming over the next night, and I couldn't be more excited. We nixed the "ribbon/scavenger hunt" thing, and Billy put together this amazing video with the pictures of the sonogram and the baby, and showing all her lady parts on it. It was amazing. The family came over, and to MY surprise, EVERYONE thought it was a girl! haha... I had no idea.

It was an awesome day. We finally found out who our little baby was, and we could not have been more excited!!!



BRING ON THE BOWS!!!

July 20th Letter to Baby

July 20, 2010 (Tuesday)


Dear Baby,

Guess what I FELT TODAY?!?! YOU!!!
I was sitting at my desk at work today, and reading something very intently, when allllll of a sudden… ~thump~… on my belly! I knew it was you. I didn’t have to question it. I immediately felt all this love and excitement, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

You were letting me know that you are ok and you’re just growing and hanging out in my belly. THANK you for that!
I’ve always said I can’t wait to feel you move, and you did it! I’m so excited and proud for you. We also scheduled a sonogram for August 5 at 6pm so that your daddy, me, and your brother and sister could find out WHO you are. I can’t wait!

Everyone thinks you’re a boy (except for your papaw, but I think he’s just partial to baby girls anyway ;) ), and I’ve always thought you were a boy until now… I don’t know why, but I get the feeling that you could possibly be a girl.

We figured out how to tell everyone about your gender! After we have the sonogram, we’re going to have everyone come over to our house for some dessert. I’m going to tie a pink or blue ribbon around my belly with a little gift tag hanging off of it that says your name. I’m thinking about telling everyone that there is a clue in the living room, and they have to look around and find it. And then, hopefully someone will lift up my shirt as a joke, and find the ribbon on it. I’m thinking about having one of your cousins do it. Who knows… we shall see!

Well, I can’t wait to feel you again. I can’t wait to hear your heartbeat, (next doc appt is on August 2nd), and I can’t wait to see if I’ve got a little baby girl or baby boy.

I love you more than you know!
Mommy

Well Hello Month 3

Whoa, is that pregnancy glow, or a lack of sunshine!?

So this is the month I FINALLY get to go see the doctor!!! I was 12 week along, and ready as ever. I don't know that I've ever been more excited to see a doctor before in my life.... and ask my husband, I'm pretty stubborn when it comes to doctors :)

I knew what was in store for this doctor's appt too. I knew that 1) I'd be having my first wonderful sonogram. And 2) I'd be getting a blood test... (womp womp womp....) <------I HATE having my blood taken or drawn. I hate needles. I hate all things having to do with needles inserting into my skin. (Wait,... I have 2 tattoos. Weird).

Anyway, so we show up to the doctor's appointment, and my adorable husband decides he wants to capture every moment :)

This is me, waiting in the doctors office... lol.

Where the excitement takes place :)

Waiting patiently for the doctor to come in. They are so good there... never have to wait long!

Oh Billy... he thought it necessary to take this picture too. The verdict folks? BP is about 100/60 every time :)

Filling out some more paperwork.

YES! The moment of greatness. Seeing our baby on the screen for the first time. I thought I was going to cry at this moment, but all I could do was smile. I could not stop smiling!!

There's our baby! And there's mom's acne'd up face. Can you guess what I'm having??

Proud Daddy :)

So after it was all said and done, we walked away even more excited! This was ACTUALLY happening!! We got pictures from the sonogram, and they are about the cutest little pictures I've ever seen. I still have the picture in my wallet :) (Yes, I will be one of those moms that stops you to show you all the latest and greatest pictures from her child's birth. Be prepared people! You will see them, and you will LIKE them! :)

Then it was on to the blood test. I had a lolly pop in my mouth the whole time, and I made Billy talk to me and get my mind of the nastiness that was taking place on my left arm. The technician that took my blood was pretty phenomenal. She didn't hurt me, and I didn't even get CLOSE to passing out! Thank you kind lady!

12 weeks seems like so long ago. And at the time, it seemed like we were going to have to wait forever for this baby to come. Ohhhhhh, how time flies by!





On to Month 2

Man... I remember thinking "I already look so fat!" when I took this picture. Hindsight is 20/20!


Well, month 2.... What do I say about you? (yes, rhyming was intentional).

Still hadn't seen the doctor yet. You had to be between 8-12 weeks to get in with the doctor, and I was going in on week 12! Talk about suspense.

For whatever reason, I felt like I was having a boy. I can't explain it.... I just KNEW I was having a boy.

(P.S. you can't see the "Baby" and arrow pointing down, but this is the costume/shirt that I wore to tell the families about our impending babyness :)

I remember being so tired this month! I was also an emotional wreck a lot of times.... I wasn't very talkative, and I felt like I had PMS a lot. Lordy lordy.... that doesn't sound fun does it?

One night, pretty soon after we found out that I was pregnant, I had an emotional breakdown. I was so nervous that something was going to happen to this baby, and I feared the worst possible thing that could happen in those crucial beginning months: Miscarriage.

I cried to Billy... I cried HARD.

My mom and grandma both had miscarriages with their first babies, and I know that stuff isn't hereditary, but that doesn't mean that you don't THINK it can be hereditary. You think all sorts of things, and worry all sorts of worries when you are pregnant. It's just what you do.

One day, I decided that I was going to just put this in God's hands. Should've done that a long time ago right...? Maybe save me some tears and sobs and save Billy a wet shoulder, chest, cheek, hand, etc.

So how do you tell God to just take over? You pray. You pray a lot.

I came up with a prayer. I'm quite the poet when the mood strikes me just right, and so I wrote it down on paper.

(Interesting side note: I used to write books of poems when I was a kid… that was a “fun” thing for me to do. I once told my mom “I can write a poem about anything! Tell me what I should write about”. She was in the kitchen, about to start cooking at the time. She said “write a poem about frozen chicken”. And yes, I wrote a poem about frozen chicken. I’ll have to whip out some of my mad skills on this blog someday…. You all would be impressed ;) And have a good laugh at the same time).

The poem/prayer literally took me about 7 minutes to think of and write it all out. It just CAME to me. I was speaking the words of my heart, and I was speaking exactly what I wanted God to do in me, and Billy, and our baby.

Our Baby's Prayer

Now we lay us down to sleep,

God bless our baby's precious feet,

Their eyes, their ears, their cheeks and toes,

God bless our baby as they grow.

Give them a heart as strong as Yours,

For our love for them now steadily pours,

Guide us as we trust in you,

And let us know that we'll pull through.

All these things we ask right now,

Show us your grace as we bow down,

Keep growing, Dear Baby, as we grow in love,

And thank you God for this gift from above.

Amen

Billy and I pray this prayer over my stomach every.single.night. We both place our hands on my tummy, and say it in unison. It's the way we end our evening.

After we say the prayer, Billy leans over to my stomach and just talks. Sometimes all he'll say is "Good night sweet baby, your mommy and daddy love you". Or sometimes he'll go on and on and just talk for a good couple minutes... (those are my favorite talks to "eavesdrop" on).

And guess what? After we started praying this prayer, my worries seemed to subside, and I was able to just be EXCITED about the baby again. I knew that God had our precious little seed in His hand, and that He was going to take care of it all. He was going to ease my worries, dry Billy's shoulders of my tears (for the most part), and take care of it all.

I literally do not know how someone that is carrying a precious little baby doesn't feel like the baby is a miracle. A miracle straight from God. How thankful I am to Him!!!

A letter for you, My sweet little blessing....

I decided early on that I was going to start writing letters to the baby. I wanted to write letters about anything.... big moments, small moments, what I was feeling, etc.

I still haven't decided WHEN I will give these to our baby... maybe I will read them when the baby is born and I'm rocking them to sleep. Maybe I will save it for when my baby has a baby... or maybe the baby will read all of this in thin air one day, when we have flying cars and computers are as ancient as record players... :p

Here's letter #1


5/26/2010

Dear Baby,
Guess what? Mommy is 7 1/2 weeks along, and you're about the size of a raspberry now. Your little heartbeat is ticking at about 160 beats per minute, and this week, you're growing hands and feet out of your arms and legs. You've got a sweet little button nose, and an upper lip that I just can't wait to kiss! You've got sweet eyelids on those precious eyes, and I can't wait to stare into them as you stare into mine. I'm truly in love with you!

Mommy is feeling very bloated and fat these days. I start thinking today about what I've been eating, and in turn, what you've been eating. And I have not been a very good mommy to you. You deserve all the fruits and veggies, complex carbs, whole grains, dairy, and lean protein in the world... Not the 2433543 grams of sodium that I've been craving every day, because "it's the only thing that will settle my stomach".
You also deserve a mommy that will work out... Because when I work out, it helps you get stronger, and you will have an all over healthier mommy when I introduce you into this world. There's no reason I can't go for a walk, or a small jog, a few times a week AT LEAST.
I've always been the person that believes there is NO reason to gain an excessive amount of weight when you're pregnant (if it is physically possibly not to do so). I've talked to our doctor (he'll be the first one to hold you when you make your grand entrance), and we've talked about weight watchers, and how the plan has the exact guidelines I should be following when I'm carrying you around. Please realize, that I am not trying to lose any weight with you sweet baby, but I am now more aware than ever that what I eat, YOU eat. You do not need a 6 piece fried chicken platter w/ potato wedges and lots of ranch from Buffalo Wild Wings. Although it sounds delicious, (and it was yesterday), I just simply cannot allow this to be a common occurrence anymore. Sure, I will get cravings for bad foods, but I need to realize that these cravings do not come from YOU, they come from my brain.


The doctor said that I only need to eat an extra 300 calories a day for you. What I've been consuming is probably way more than that, and I'm truly sorry. I already feel like I'm getting larger, (by the way my pants are fitting today), and this tells me that since you are only the size of a raspberry, I am gaining weight too fast. I will keep an eye on this from now on, I promise you that.


I love you more than words can say, and I want you to be the healthiest newborn ever. I want to be the healthiest mommy ever FOR YOU, and for myself, because that is what we both deserve.

I can't wait to meet you,
Your Devoted Mommy

Month 1

First Month picture. Thinner and tanner :) Still have that "wedding glow".

The first month of pregnancy was very exciting! Lots of great news to tell everyone!!!

I remember RIGHT BEFORE my wedding, my boss announced that she was pregnant. She then proceeded to joke around with me and tell me "now Christy, I know yall are gonna start trying soon after you get married, but maybe give it a couple months... that way we don't abandon our department and both be on maternity leave at the same time".

Oops. My bad.

I announced that I was pregnant that Thursday after the wedding, the day that I came back to work. I couldn't help it!! I was just so darn excited!

My boss was getting sick a lot. I felt SOOO bad for her. We knew something was up before she even told us she was pregnant. Women just sort of KNOW these things sometimes...

I can count my lucky stars that I never really got sick... I just had to keep food with me at all times so that I could make sure that I had something on my stomach.

If I didn't have food... then momma wasn't happy. Well, momma wasn’t happy cause momma was nauseous.

I always packed snacks and needed food. I'm not talking like burgers and brownies and cakes and pies.

I'm talking like granola bars, crackers, fruit, dry cereal... SOMETHING. I wasn't able to eat real rich foods. I only got sick about 2 times I believe. One of those times was simply because I was brushing my teeth... what.the.heck!

I wasn't able to drink coffee all of a sudden. These were not doctor's orders, these were "oh my gosh... the smell of that nasty coffee might make me upchuck".

I ate pizza one night, and at about 3am the next morning, my stomach decided that was a bad idea, and didn't want any part of that pizza ever again. Ewwwww. And you're talkin to a girl that LOVES her some pizza!

It is strange how certain foods you LOVED, are now foods you can't stand the thought of eating. But atleast it was "bad" foods that I was no longer craving.

I was soon to find out that pregnancy changes EVERYTHING!

The Day(s) the World Found Out

I last left off where we told the kiddos about their new brother or sister being on the way... Now, to tell the rest of the family!

I had called up my family and asked them to go over to my brother's house on Tuesday evening, because I wanted everyone to "see the wedding pictures for the first time along with us". My sister in law, Kortney, took the pictures, and she had them ready to view anyway.

Well, before Billy and the Kids and I loaded up and headed down to my brother's house, Billy made a shirt for me that says "Baby" with an arrow pointing down towards my tummy. The plan was for me to change into the shirt after we had actually viewed the pictures at their house. Kinda slick, huh?

So after arriving at their house, I suddenly became nervous. "What if they aren't excited about this? What if they think it's too soon?"

That thought literally lasted about a second, and then I realized "This is my family here! They are going to be thrilled no matter what! It's a fresh, brand new, exciting, loveable baby!"

Everyone was there. My mom, dad, grandma, sisters, brother and sis in law... etc. This was pretty great timing.

So we viewed the pictures together. Kortney did a great job! But I all of sudden had to go "pee"...

This was it! This was the great costume change... I was sooooo nervous and excited all at the same time!!

As soon as I walked down the hall, my sister in law Kortney picked up on it first... "Oh my gosh, are you serious???"

Dad comes up to me, looks me square in the eye, and says "Are you serious? You'd better not be joking. This isn't a joke, right???"

"No dad... this is not a joke."

And love and laughter and excitement filled the house! Hug.. after hug... after hug...

"Well that was fast!" my grandma says... She doesn't skip a beat :) Love you Grandma.

 NOW ON TO THE GOLDTHWAITE FAMILY!

Billy, the kids, and I headed down to Goldthwaite the next day. Same excuse. "We want to view the wedding pictures with you guys".

Same costume... Gray shirt with "Baby" and an arrow pointing to my still somewhat flat tummy.

We show up to his parent’s house. We invited his sisters to come over, but one was out of town, so just Jana and some of her kiddos were able to come over.

We view the pictures. I again, ehemmm, "need to pee". Costume change it is!

I walk out the bathroom and into the room, and again... lots of hugs and congratulations, and love and laughter. Man, babies are kind of exciting huh?? :)

My First Post: A little bit of background....

So the Adventures of Motherhood, huh? Soo... why are there a chick and a dude on their wedding day on the first post???

Well.... to be quite honest, it was the best day of my life. I married the man I am head over heels for (and have been for almost 3 yrs at this point)... My better half, my best friend, my world. I married into a wonderful family, and I gained 2 great "bonus kids" (we don't use "step" around these parts).

Yes, it was a perfect day. It was the best day of my life... SO FAR.

The next day got a little bit better.

Let’s push back a couple weeks. Billy (the husband) went on a camping trip by himself, followed up with a camping trip with some more boys for his bachelor party. All in all, he was gone for 4 days, and I missed him like crazy. I hate being away from the guy! True story.

When he returned, we decided "what tha heck".... let’s go ahead and start trying....trying to have a baby. Yep.  We're getting married in a couple weeks, and he was on some medicine that could potentially prolong our chances of getting pregnant, so we thought "what’s the harm??"

Fast FORWARD again to our wedding day. Now go one more day forward. The day AFTER our wedding day. We spent a "mini-moon" (aka: a short honeymoon) in the exotic lands of Austin, TX, and we just wanted to take it easy all day long. Billy had the idea of getting a pregnancy test. It wasn't quite time for a pregnancy test, so I wasn't that anxious or excited about it.

Long story short, I took the test, and we both laid their anxiously waiting on our hotel bed. 1 minute....2 minutes...3 minutes... do we look? Sure.

I wasn't particularly nervous or excited about it. I mean seriously, what were the chances of a getting pregnant on the first try?

Billy held the test in his hand and hid the indicator screen with his fist. We counted again... 1. 2..3...

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (as we fly out of the bed screaming)

We looked at each other and I started crying pure tears of joy. Billy's eyes got all watery, and we just held each other and laughed/cried. It was an experience that I will absolutely never forget.

This, my friends, was the happiest day of my life.

 This was the taken right after we found out. Can't fake those smiles!! :)

I had just married the man of my dreams the night before. I just gained 2 beautiful, wonderful bonus kids. We were blissfully happy, as any newlywed should be, and we just found out that our love was creating a tiny little human being.

No way. This can't be true.

Well, let’s take some more tests....

Ladies and gentleman, I ended up taking FIVE PREGNANCY TESTS. And with each one, we grew more and more certain that yep.... there's a new Karnes on the way!!!

Yep... those are the quintuplets. We didn't realize that after a while, the "pregnant" would disappear, so a couple of them went bye-bye.... But TRUST ME. They ALLLLL said pregnant!

So, although I was only like 2 weeks pregnant, I immediately felt this sense of love rush over me, like I've never known before. I was in love with this tiny little ball of cells that was smaller than a pinhead.

I couldn't WAIT to tell the family!!!!! This was Sunday afternoon, and we weren't getting back until Tuesday. The suspense was going to kill me, I just knew it.

So where do you go when you first find out that you're pregnant???

DUH! BABIES 'R' US OF COURSE!!!! Every pregnant girl needs the "What to Expect When Expecting" book!

I called the doctor first thing the next morning. I went to our primary doctor and had a "pee" test done, and yep... the 6th and FINAL pregnancy test confirmed that there was a little bitty tiny itty witty baby growing inside this tiny little girl.

Well, Billy and I thought and thought on how we were going to tell the kids! Of course, they were the first people we were going to tell. So on the way home, Billy and I thought about making "birthday invitations" and having them sit in the mailbox when they got home. One for each of them.... The birthday invitations went a little something like:

You are invited to the birthday of:

Kyli or Cooper Karnes

DOB: January 2011

Please bring: Lots of love, hugs, smiles, and kisses.

First question out of my bonus son, Greg's, mouth... "Who are Kyli and Cooper"? We had always discussed those names, and so "Cooper" and "Kyli" were definitely names they had heard before... he just wasn't putting 2 and 2 together. 

And then Miss Chelsi, my bonus daughter, screamed! 

OH MY GOSH, ARE YOU SERIOUS??????

I think they were a little bit of shocked, excited, nervous, and confused all at the same time. Who can blame them??? We had said we were going to start trying as soon as we got married, but never did anyone think that we could make it happen THAT FAST!

And thus....Mommyhood begins....