and of course...ultrasound pictures :)

 Here's Sweet Pea's debut...

Sweet pea's head to the bottom left and belly top right.  Little hands in fists.

Those are sweet peas teeny tiny feet.  2 weeks ago the measured at .59 cm.

I know these pictures aren't very clear...but seriously it was the best EVER to see little sweet pea so clearly.  Moving around like crazy, sort of surreal knowing that I can't feel a thing yet.

Oh My Goodness....I'm PREGNANT!!!

For all of you that didn't know, it's TRUE!

I had a moment two weeks ago at my first doctors appointment that I will never forget. 

A couple of nights before my appointment I had emailed/texted two of my dear friends and asked for some sanity and reasoning.  I was, according to my cycle and consultation with my doc over the phone, 10 weeks pregnant.  HOWEVER, I didn't feel pregnant AT ALL.  I wasn't sick, I was hardly ever tired, I didn't have any aversions or cravings, nothing.  I was so nervous to be telling everyone the 'good news' and then I was going to find out that I wasn't really pregnant...seriously had a nightmare about that moment.

Anyway, I'm in the doctor's office, with the wonderful open-front gown and the awesome bed that if anyone opened the door right now, they would be in for one helluva shocking scene.  I had just told the doctor my fears about this whole pregnancy and I remember she had chuckled a little bit.  She hooked up the ultrasound machine and within seconds, there was my beautiful baby dancing for all of us to see.  Sweet pea moved around SOOO much that the doctor had a hard time getting a clean shot to measure the length.  I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.  I was captivated by the black and white screen.  Then, the cherry on top, the doctor turned on the sound for the heartbeat.  Oh my goodness, I could have died and gone to heaven.  That was the most precious little sound I've ever heard!  I didn't want to leave that room for anything.  I could have stayed there all day.  It was the second greatest moment in my whole life.

I'm PREGNANT!!!

you know it's December when...

I haven't updated anything for 2 weeks plus!  Yikes, well, here's the run down of what's been going on in my life and why I haven't been available...

I get to work around 6:45am every week day morning.  I walk to work so that requires me getting up that much earlier.  I work for 9 - 10 hours, however long my schedule permits and then I'm off to a Dicken's Carolers gig.  I LOVE caroling, but it can be quite taxing and exhausting.  I usually get back to my house (on week nights) around 8:30pm.  That's 14 hours of being "on" either working or singing (which is more work than working! :).  I LOVE caroling...promise...not complaining.  I get home feeling completely worn out and have just enough energy to sort through mail, heat something up in the microwave (hopefully nutritious) and fall into bed! 

Then on weekends I usually spend a chunk of singing or between gigs away from home.  Sunday's are pretty mild but Rolando and I usually go up to the parents house to visit with them and therefore don't get much time at the house. 

So, have the dishes been cleaned?  Has laundry been washed?  Has the grocery shopping happened?  Does the car have gas?  Probably not...and you know what.  I'm okay with that.  This baby of mine needs me to sleep rather than stress about doing the dishes and making myself exhausted sitting at the laundry mat.

Wow, I feel good just saying it.  It's amazing what writing can do for the soul.  Even just the small, seemingly insignificant, blog post.  *sigh* 

Thank God for forgiveness

I find myself daily humbled by well...myself. :)

At least I can smile about it right.  I swore to myself I would NOT be the out of control, emotional, pregnancy-hormone driven, excuse maker, pregnant woman.  HAH!  Then God decided to show my just how humble I can feel.  *blushing*  Thanks, God.

Today was one of THOSE days.  I couldn't take anymore 'real-life' drama so I just exploded at my boss (always a good thing to do, right?)  Since we're in the thanking God mode...thank God for forgiving bosses.  She was so kind and gracious.  Phew!  I couldn't ask for a better boss because, really, I need a lot of grace and patience.  I think my mom jinxed me when she named me Charissa (full of grace).  Why would you do that to your child?  That's just asking for trouble.

I am very thankful for many things but I thought I'd give a shout out to the top three today.

God, grace and my boss.