Our Christmas Surprise

I thought I'd go back and tell the story of how we told our parents that we were pregnant. Let me start with how we found out. First of all, we were not trying to get pregnant. This precious child was a Christmas surprise for all of us. The week of December 15th, I had felt really bad all week, especially in the mornings. For about a month or so, I had been experiencing extreme tiredness and just feeling weird. That week, I was having severe cramping in the morning just like it was my time of the month, but my monthly "visitor" had not yet made an appearance. Now I had a slight problem back in October that caused my cycle to get all out of whack so little did I know that I was late. That Friday morning, the 19th, I woke up with an overwhelming feeling that I should take a pregnancy test. (I had a extra one left over from my slight problem back in October) I guess God was ready to let us know. Sure enough, within seconds we had a positive pregnancy test. The next couple of weeks were some of the weirdest, most emotional weeks I have ever experienced. I was totally overwhelmed. I called my doctor and got an appointment for Jan. 8th. But Christmas was just a couple of days away and we couldn't resist the opportunity that presented to tell our parents. I was kinda in denial about the whole pregnancy thing. So 7 pregnancy tests later, I was finally ready to tell our parents. I made them ornaments that said "Grandmother" or "Grandfather" or "Aunt" or "Uncle" and then Fall 2009 on the other side, and wrapped them up. We had Christmas with Steven's family on Christmas Eve so after all the other presents had been opened, Steven handed them their last present. It was the most incredible thing, watching it register on their faces that they would be grandparents/aunt! Pure chaos ensued. Nelene figured it out first and just started screaming, jumped up to run hug me, crying all at the same time. It was amazing! We did Christmas with my family on Christmas day. So early that morning, we get up to do Santa and all that before we head to Hurtsboro. Again, after all the other presents are opened, Steven handed our little secret presents out. They all opened them and Dad figured it out first, but didn't react at all. I kinda looked at him, like what's wrong? and he said he wanted to wait and let mom figure it out before he said anything. So finally mom gets it and she just turns to give me a big hug with tears in her eyes. Again, amazing! Jack and A.J. were cool guys about it. It was so fun to surprise them all like that. I made my family keep the secret from all the aunts/uncles/cousins in Hurtsboro until I went to the doctor. Everyone did surprisingly well with the secret, even Jack! Below are some pictures. I wish we had a video camera. The reactions were priceless!

Beginning to open their ornaments.

Nelene's face was priceless. Too bad Leah's hand is in the way. But you get the idea.

The proud grandparents and aunt.

Mom and Dad starting to open their ornaments early Christmas morning.

Mom's reaction and Dad watching.

Jack opening his ornament.

A.J. opening his ornament.

P.S.- We go Monday for my 18 week ultrasound to hopefully find out the sex of the baby. Pray that he or she cooperates and isn't too modest.

Lingerie and a Drunk Man

What an exciting weekend I had! I'll begin with Saturday morning. So my best friend Stephanie is getting married. YEAH! Me and her bridesmaids hosted her lingerie shower Saturday night at my mom's house so Saturday morning was spent getting ready for that. Stephanie also had her bridal portrait session scheduled for that afternoon at my house. So they arrive around lunch and we being the process for getting ready for pictures. Her friend/bridesmaid/Mary Kay consultant, Kristy, did her make-up while I did her hair. Now, I know what you are thinking. You did her hair? Yes, I know! I had no idea what I was doing, but she liked it and that's all that really matters. Anyway, the rest of the afternoon was spent having pictures made. We had a blast and Steph was sooo... beautiful! Her dress is gorgeous, but you'll have to wait till she's Mrs. Davis to see it. Stephanie had me try on my bridesmaid dress so she could decide on a sash to go with it. Boy, did I look pregnant with that sash around my waist! In 3 weeks, I'll really have a belly to poke out in that dress.

5:30 the shower started. We had homemade lasagna, salad, bread and homemade cheesecake. It was delicious. Then the games, opening of the presents, and all other things lingerie started. It was so much fun. I was exhausted and finally got to bed about 10:30.

About 1:45a.m. that night, my brother, Jack, woke me up getting something to drink in the kitchen. A few minutes later, I heard him go into mom's room and wake her up. Jack: "Mom, get up! There's some drunk man on our porch!" What in the world? I am wide awake now. Mom starts to get up to go out there and I stopped her. Who knew who this guy was or what he was packing. She calls 911 but the dispatcher doesn't sound too concerned. This is Shorter we're talking about. Where was my dad, you ask. Well, Dad and Uncle Eddie were out of town on the annual guy's golf weekend trip to Florida. Uncle Dickie was also out of town on a cruise. So all the Segrest men were gone. So we called an old family friend, Hal Noble to come over. In the meantime, the drunk man is sitting in the chair on the front porch, talking to himself/us, saying "Hey, you *bleep* people in the house! It's *bleep* cold out here, I'm a *bleep* child of God too. Let me in. It's so cold out here. I'm just a child of God!" Sometimes he would just talk and others he would yell real loud. We went into the den and were hiding by the piano at the side door listening to him. We heard him get up and I told Mom that he was about to try to break in that door. Sure enough, he walks over to the door and jiggles the handle. I ran back to Mom's bedroom to look down the road to see if I could see Hal coming. No headlights. I ran back to the den and the guy is now beating on the door, shaking it, trying to get in. Cussing us out about letting him in the whole time. Mom tells me to try Hal again. Mrs. Vicki answered and said he was on his way. About this time, we see headlights pull in the driveway. Hal gets out of his truck. Talks the guy into sitting down on the steps. Hal makes sure he doesn't have a gun or anything. The guy claims is name is something Sanders and that "they" just dropped him off here. He didn't have a car or anything. We don't know how he got there. Hal then offers to give him a ride home. So finally, they leave. However, all our nerves are shot and I had trouble getting back to sleep after that. What a night! Of course, something like this would happen when all the guys were gone. But thankfully, the Lord kept us safe.

March 2nd......

is the day we will find out if Baby Sirmon is a boy or girl! I'm so excited. I thought I was going to have to wait till 20 weeks (which is 4 weeks from now) but Dr. Williams said we could do the ultrasound 2 weeks early so that Steven could be there. My checkup went great. Everything was fine and the baby's heartrate was just right. I LOVE getting to hear the heartbeat. It's so reassuring. So that's all the baby news for now.

Steven started his last EVER rotation today! I can't believe it's almost over. 4 years has gone by so fast even though there were times when we thought it would never end. Thank goodness it's over (almost)!

Congrats Steven!

Steven won an award last night from the Vet School! Last night was the Vet school's annual Honors Night where they recognized all the scholarship winners and donors and also hand out a few awards. I say a few, but really it was a lot because between the scholarships and the awards, the event lasted 2 hours. He won a Clinical Proficiency award in the area of Opthalmology. It has a fancy name but I can't remember it right now. He was pretty surprised and I was extremely proud of my husband. Just one more rotation (ie- 2 weeks) and he is completely done with clinics! He'll start his preceptorship on March 9, which lasts for 8 weeks and then graduates on May 5. He's already passed his boards so this milestone of being done with clinics kinda feels like we're done with vet school. Anyway, the evening was completely wonderful except for the fact that they promised food, but didn't serve it till AFTER the program. So this pregnant lady didn't get to eat till 9:00 last night! And it was that rabbit reception food, you know, fruit and crackers and little triangle ham sandwich bites. I was a bit cranky. And I think my nausea this morning is because of it. Anyway, enough about the food, or lack thereof. CONGRATS Steven! I'm so proud of you and I love you!

In baby news, I go to the doc on Monday for my 16 week checkup. Hopefully, I'll schedule my next ultrasound then! I'll let you know how it goes. Lately, I've been feeling a little pressure spot at different places on my belly. I think maybe I'm beginning to feel the baby some. That's what my mom says anyway. I hope so, because I'm dying to be able to feel the baby. I hate this not being able to see or feel the baby. If I can't feel the baby, I would at least like to see it. Which I could do if my husband would do an ultrasound on me. I've only talked him into doing that once though. I ask him everyday though. I know I'm driving him crazy.

Beginnings

So I've decided to give this blogging thing a try. I love being able to keep up with friends and family through their blogs so I thought maybe it was time to try my hand at it. Now, I'm no writer. Any creative writing skills I had left me a long time ago in a little class called Legal Research and Writing, so please bear with me. Here's to new beginnings.

And man, have there been some new beginnings in our life lately. The biggest new beginning came on December 19, when Steven and I found out we were expecting our first child. Now we were not trying to get pregnant. That Friday morning, after feeling like something was going on all week, I woke up to God telling me to take a pregnancy test. Sure enough, PREGNANT! Steven handled the news much better than I did. I was totally overwhelmed with emotions. Happy, scared, worried we weren't ready to be parents. But after that first ultrasound, I have been just giddy ever since. Baby Sirmon, originally thought to be due August 30, is now due August 4 (just 3 days after my birthday) Below are some ultrasound pics for you to enjoy.