Back to Blogging

After much time away from the blogging world, I have returned. I wished I had been more faithful to writing during my pregnancy and Arlee's first year. However, I felt like I was on survival mode and was just keeping my head above water, but what an amazing journey! During my time away from the Blog, I continued to work but life as a Property Manager became very busy and hectic. Summertime was here and Everyone was moving out and we had to  inspect, clean, repair and deal with the return of deposit money. I was wobbling around showing units several times a day in the hot temperature! Whew...But then fall came and with that all the new residents and a new kind of busy set in. I was now at the point of pure misery. I could not sleep at night. The heart burn, leg cramps and contractions were getting the best of me. I continued to wobble into work every day.
At 30 weeks I was having contractions every night. I was now seeing my DR. every week. I would beg her every week to take me earlier than the planned 39 weeks. She would just laugh!!  Finally at 38 weeks out sweet miracle came. And what a whirlwind from there. The Gate's Family of 2 expired and our lives changed forever!

Being a mother has been the most wonderful experience in the world. The love a mommy has for her little pumpkin is unexplainable. There is nothing more precious to me than watching my hubby play with our little man. I cherish the little things like swinging and playing "choo-choo".  The only thing my heart was not prepared for was how fast it all flies by. It is so mind-blowing! Although I thoroughly enjoy every stage our little man is in, it makes me very sad to think that I blinked and 2 years were gone. So, my goal is to cherish it and record it the best I can. I take lots of pics and videos and what better place to store those memories than right here. So, for a little flashback to my pregnancy:

         My 30 Week Pic and My Maternity Pics, I think I was about 34-35 Weeks

                    And now a little flash back to Arlee and all of his sweetness

             Isn't he just the sweetest little FIRECRACKER you have ever seen!!

22-26 weeks

How far along? 26 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: At my Dr.'s visit on Thursday it was 20 pound...OUCH!!!

Maternity clothes?Yes...I feel like every time I get a descent little collection of clothes, I grow right out of them!!!! I am trying not to by anything else but to just wear the stitches out of what I have

Stretch marks? Have not seen any yet.

Symptoms: I have been feeling pretty good.

Sleep: I have been sleeping better, just getting up to use the bathroom

Best moment this week: had some great moments!! Went to Nashville with Dexter and Sarah and we did some serious shopping...found lots of great baby deals.
 I also got to see my brother's little girls, they were in town. I haven't seen them since Christmas. So was extra fun. 
Lee is now able to feel Baby Boy Gates move around and that has been very EXCITING!!!!

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? I didn't do very well on my 1hour Glucose test, bummer, so I had to do the 3hour one..miserable.. my numbers were high but I didn't fail. The Dr. feels like diet and exercise will take care of it.  I have been watching my carbs and sugar (something I always did before I was prego) I feel better, however, I am still craving the carbs (everything POTATO...french fries!!!!) fast food and sugar. But I know it is for the best and was a blessing in disguise because I don't like to eat unhealthy and that is all I have done this pregnancy!!!

Movement: Oh yes...Little Man is all over the place. His long legs are kicking up a storm. I have even seen my belly move...that was WEIRD!!!...LOL

Food cravings: I was on a pita/hummus phase, now it back to fast food fries (cause I am not letting myself eat them and it's all I want)

Anything making you queasy or sick: not really anything


Have you started to show yet: LOL

Baby is a:  Little Man

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time:  I think happy, my Hubby may not agree..LOL!!! I would say just tired.

Looking forward to: getting through this HOT summer :)

What I'm reading: can't remember the name but it is the WEEK by WEEK of pregnancy and that has been really fun to keep up with. We also watch a weekly u-tube video of babies growth progress.

Here are some pics:

 These 2 are from today:
26 Weeks...Baby Boy Gates is the size of a Head of Lettuce

  24 Weeks...Baby Boy Gates was the size of a Cantaloupe

21 Weeks

How far along? 21 weeks (tomorrow 22 Weeks)

Total weight gain/loss: I have not weighed in a couple of weeks

Maternity clothes? Yes.... I can not wear any of my regular clothes now, not even by biggest shirts!! My friend Marianne and I went shopping and I found several cute things and they were all on sale...YAY!!!

Stretch marks? Not any yet, however I am noticing light blue veins on my stomach.

Symptoms: Other that the pain that comes and goes with my large tumor (fibroid) everything else seems okay. I was back on the medicine and rest a few days last week, but feel better now.

Sleep: Some nights are good and other are rough. The position of the tumor makes it hard to get comfortable.

Best moment this week: At 20 weeks we had the gender reveal party. I was amazed by all the love and support we had!!! My Parents came in from out of state and surprised me!!! My husband was thrilled to find that his Team Blue won, we are having a boy!!!! {Thus the blue writing this time...lol}

  My Parents were on the Blue Team. The have 2 granddaughters and are ready for a grandson....they are showing of the stickers for the Blue Team.

And me and mom spent my first mother's day together. First time I have been with her on Mother's Day in YEARS!!!! It was very nice.

We also put the baby furniture together before the party so family and friends could see the nursery. It use to be the Paris Guest Room. So we left all those decorations up (I was hoping it would help out with having a girl....but it will all go and Ole Miss Baseball comes in) Yes, Molly had to try it out!!!!!

 Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Sleeping and exercising!!!

Movement: Yes, the first signs of movement was at night after work. I had a very long and busy day and I was hurting due to the tumor. I was sitting in my "NEW RECLINER" with my feet up, holding the bottom of my stomach, trying to relieve some of the pressure of the tumor. When all of a sudden I felt the tumor move. I waited a second, confused as to why my whole hand had just moved and why the tumor was moving when it moved again. Then it hit me, BABY BOY was kicking my tumor!!! I didn't know if I should laugh or cry cause of the pain. I was happy that he was moving but of all places to kick!!! Since then I have felt him move around, it has been exciting to feel those little feet and little arms moving around.

Food cravings: Doritos Chips make me happy 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not as far as food goes. I do still have acid reflux and heart burn from time to time.

Have you started to show yet: Yes, and people give me the the "AW!!! Poor Girl" look or say "Girl you are going to die this summer!!!"...yes, I know :)

Baby is a: BOY

Belly Button in or out: in

Wedding rings on or off? still on

Happy or Moody most of the time: tired, happy and trying to enjoy this little miracle

Looking forward to:starting to decorate  the baby's room!!! and I would like to schedule my maternity pics soon, that way I'm not to HUGE and hot and  miserable to enjoy taking pics.

Baby Boy Gates is now the size of a Banana

15 Weeks

How far along? 15 Weeks today...tomorrow..16 Weeks..YAY!!!

Total weight gain/loss: I'm trying not to weigh...lol

Maternity clothes? Yes. I went to a consignment sell this weekend and loaded up on dresses, bottoms and tops. They were mostly from Motherhood Maternity!!!! I was really excited. I love to find bargains and this was like a gold mind..lol!!!!

Stretch marks? not yet, I'm faithfully bathing in my coca butter...if anybody has any other suggestions, I'm all ears.

Symptoms: Lower back aches and I'm tired in the evenings.

Sleep:  Not going good, toss and turn, but that is due to my ever growing fibroid and the position it is at.

Best moment this week: going shopping with Robin and finding all those maternity clothes!!!!

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? I grew up playing sports and have always been active with exercise. This time of year when the weather is so pretty, I just want to break into a run....but that is not happening. I tried to walk a mile on Sunday and nearly died of exhaustion!!!!!

Movement: Not yet...hopefully soon

Food cravings: Subways 6inch tuna sub!!!! YUM.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Brushing my teeth...I gag every time.


Have you started to show yet:  Yes, there is no question I am PREGOS!!!!!

Baby is a:  not sure yet

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time:  1st trimester I was more pouty than anything. I don't like feeling sick. It shuts me down. Now I feel good and more like myself. I am able to eat healthier and have a little more energy!!...so for the most part I would say HAPPY!!!!

Looking forward to: Feeling the baby and our Gender Reveal Party!!!!

What I'm reading: Baby Wise and What to Expect when your Expecting....I am having a hard time reading though. Which is so strange for me...I am a Book Worm. I am trying to first make sure I read my Bible. I am reading 11 Kings.

Baby Gates is the size of an APPLE:

Molly wanted to be a part of the picture...she is so sweet!!!! Oh, I look pail  and washed out cause I had not put on my lipstick....FASHION NO NO..don't tell Lindy!!!!!


Thank you for taking the time to read. If you have any comments or advice please feel free to write :)

14 Weeks

How far along? 14 weeks (I'll be 15 weeks tomorrow!!!)

Total weight gain/loss: 5lbs as of today!!... I know it looks like alot more, but that is due to my good ole friends the fibroids.. I have 7 and they are growing with the baby!!

Maternity clothes? I am in maternity clothes but can wear some of my dresses still

Symptoms: Lots of acid reflex and heart burn, lower back discomfort if I sit a lot, more shortness of breath if I am moving around a lot 

Sleep: not sleeping well :(... I can't get comfortable and I have to go to the bathroom several times during the night. Oh and I am HOT, HOT and more HOT. Even with a fan blowing straight on me.

Best moment this week: Easter Sunday. I wore my first maternity dress that I purchased. ( I have been borrowing my friends clothes!!)

Miss Anything? sleeping thru the night and working out at the gym. I just don't have the energy to exercise like I use to!!!

Movement: Not yet...can't wait!!!!

Food cravings: spicy fries and fruit

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really anymore

Have you started to show yet: Most definitely!

Belly button in or out: still in and hoping it stays that way!!

Have you told the family: Yes...they all know

Gender of the baby: Don't know yet, but we are planning the gender reveal party!!!

Baby Room: Still waiting to find out the gender before I get started. I do have my themes picked out though!!!!

Baby Names: Girl- Tabbitha Faye

                        Boy- Robert Lee after his daddy...not sure what we will call him though!

14 Weeks and Baby Gates is the size of a Lemon....to bad my belly isn't....haha!!!!!

I found several of these comfy dresses....I will be living in these this summer!!!!!!

13 Weeks

(This is a few days behind, So I can recap the Week )

Size of the Baby: baby is the size of a lime

Maternity Clothes: Oh Yeah!!!!

Stretch marks: none

Weight gain: too much!!

Sleep: Toss and Turn and have to use the bathroom a million times thru out the night

Best Moment of the Week: Birthday Club  went to the Butcher Shop in Memphis 

Food Cravings: No cravings really, still getting over the food aversion hump. But definitely loving that I can eat most foods now!

Gender: Not yet.

Belly Button in or out: In

Anything making you queasy or sick: Certain smells get me at times.

What I miss: My jeans, Salads and Veggies...lol

What I am looking forward to: finding out the gender of the baby

Nursery: Got the baby bed and changing table!!!!

Emotions: Pretty good, I think :) 

(This is our Birthday Club)

 My 13 week Dr. visit

First comes Love, then comes Marriage then comes a Baby.....

A couple  of years ago my hubby and I were told we may not be able to have children. Of course, we were disappointed but we both decided that what ever God had for us in our marriage was His perfect plan. We made a decision to put it into God's hand and trust Him. If we couldn't have children, then we would be the happiest married couple around. Maybe later down the road we would even consider adoption. Deep down though, I still long to be a mother. I didn't talk about it and for the most part we just told people we were happy not having children. But then, I would hear of another friend that was expecting  their 2nd or 3rd child.I would have a little sinking feeling in my heart knowing  I may never get to experience the same joy for myself. For the most part, I had peace and contentment, but to say I never dreamed or long to be a mother would be a lie. So, I began to ask God to take the desire away...but, He didn't!! Instead the longing seemed to increase. My heart even began to break because I had so much love that I wanted to share with a little one. This went on for a couple of years. Finally, my hubby and I decided it was time to get the final verdict from my OBGYN. If I could not have children then we would start looking into adoption. We set an appointment but it was 6 months down the road. About 3 weeks before my set Dr. visit I started noticing some strange things going on with my body. I thought there was something wrong with me.My hubby also noticed some changes and was very concerned. We both decided I needed to go to the family doctor. My hubby mentioned that perhaps I should take a pregnancy test to rule that option out. I told him no way!!! That would just make me more upset seeing that is was negative. However, my husband is not one to give up. So, finally I took one. Immediately, it showed POSITIVE!!!!! Could this be the reason I had been sick? A visit to my family Dr. confirmed that yes, indeed, this is why I had been sick and had experienced changes in my body. I left  the Dr. feeling shocked and overjoyed. I called my OBGYN and told her I needed to change my visit to a prenatal visit. She couldn't believe it. She told me that it was a miracle! Yes, it is!!! I love it when God does the impossible. He is still in the miracle working business!!!!!

 This is me at the family Dr.'s office. I was 5 weeks

This is me at 7 weeks....I started showing very quickly!!!!