The Halsey Family

We have a baby boy on our hands!!!!  Many predictions were confirmed today, but many were shocked (Auntie Nat) that we will have a little boy, Andrew Broxton Halsey!!  I am thinking, Allie may be a little devastated when she learns that we are not having a girl, but I am sure we can dress up Andrew in all sorts of fun outfits.  I bet Treysen will be over the moon to have a little boy on the way. I have been searching the internet all afternoon & evening for cute baby boy clothes... a hard quest, but I will prevail! We are so excited!   The doctor called and reported that everything looks perfect & the baby is growing well.  Andrew was a little uncooperative & shy today about showing us his gender, but with a little effort, we were able to find out today.  Clearly, he doesn't take after his dad with the shyness factor.  This is the best day!!!

5 more days until we know if we are having a baby girl or baby boy!!!  We can't wait!!  I am still feeling very well & loving being pregnant.  I have eased off the Panera breakfast sandwich & mango smoothie.  I am down to just 2-3 times a week, which I feel like is a huge improvement from the previous daily visitation.  The workers still know my name in the mornings, but I feel less ashamed & I hope that my weight gain will reflect the cut back this upcoming appointment.  

Well... I have to say that we have some of the most thoughtful family in the entire world! Our baby had their first baby shower at Ocho Cascades.  Gail, Larry, Justin & Shannon trucked all the adorable decorations & gifts from Danville, just to honor us & our new addition.  We were shocked when we opened the door.  It was truly a great surprise & made us feel extra special. The surprise occurs!!!!  Look how happy Joshua looks :)  Love that smile!  Okay, that was mushy & lame, but can't help it. Is it a puppet??? Enjoying our family & predicting boy or girl :) Later that night... LarBear & Josh talking finance in the pool.  I think this may be one of the only pictures of Larry from the trip. What an unforgettable evening this was!  Thanks you all for such a thoughtful party :)  xoxo

Our 7 day beach vacation was spent at the El Dorado.  It was perfect.  We had the card table set up for us card sharks, Josh had his recliner so he could relax in the sun and read & Larry had his shady set up for reading all day.   Hearts were played!!  The "flu" was going around & the person with the "flu" usually lost that day... We termed hangovers on the trip the 24 hour flu. hahaha! Josh had an AH-HA that when we both aren't drinking we save one heck of a lot of money!  I took my booze savings and had two massages!  I did indulge in some virgin Pina Coladas & mango virgin margaritas. Wish we were back in PV right this second!  Can't wait to plan our next trip.

The baby bump is getting more & more evident by the day.  I am feeling great. Theses past couple weeks I have been craving carbs, fettuccine alfredo, & breakfast from Panera everyday!  I would really like to start craving salads & fruit, so maybe that will happen this week.

We had our 16 week check-up today!!  Everything is going well.  The baby's heartbeat was 156 beats per minute, and that sound still gives us such an amazing feeling.  I was convinced to get a flu shot for the first time... all for the baby!  We got to schedule our anatomy scan, December 20th at 10 am.  I seriously, don't know if I can wait that long. We are loving our doctor, Dr. Garg, or as Auntie Nat would call him, Dr. Gargoyle.  So far, most still say boy, but Allie & Auntie Nat are saying girl.  The countdown in officially on.

7 nights at one of the most magical, unique & relaxing places we will ever go was just what we needed. Not to mention this is where we went on our honeymoon & we had not had a vacation in over 3 years!  Working 12 hours days on the reg, while being pregnant definitely is tiring stuff!  7 days of NO work for both of was perfecto. I mean, come on.... it does not get better than this view everyday. Notice everyone else drinking their beer & wine, all the while I have salami in my hand & a large glass of delicious water.... The life of being pregnant on vacation!  Eat your heart out & get a double.... massage that is :) Vacation would not be complete without playing drinking games, so of course king's cup was played! Josh enjoying the view... He was so relaxed this trip!  It was wonderful to see :) Breakfast at Le Bistro/Jazz Cafe on the River with the fam :) Usually we can see Iguanas (Yuck) from the deck, but not this time.  T...

We had chile rellenos, enchiladas, beans and rice for Thanksgiving dinner this year.  We traveled to Puerto Vallarta on Thanksgiving Day to spend a week vacationing, relaxing, drinking (beer for Josh, sparkling water for me), playing cards & reading.  We were able to spend Thanksgiving & the week with Gail (Nonnie), Larry (Poppie), Justin & his girlfriend Shannon.  Thanksgiving day was exactly 14 weeks & one day. I am starting to grow outward & my jeans are a little tight.  I felt the baby for the first time (I think) on Monday the 26th in the morning.  It felt like a little flutter & wow what an amazing feeling.  I have felt that same feeling twice since then, and I am excited to start feeling more and more movement of our growing baby.  Many bets are currently that Baby Halsey is a boy, and the countdown is on for week 18 when we find out if I can start buying girly bows for her hair & lace onesies, or hats & Polo...

Here is Sloan with the very first ultrasound pictures.... Can you tell she is excited to be a big sister?!?!?  Haha!!

So as of November 7th, we had officially made it to through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.  A great milestone that we were all eager to reach.  The baby is growing well & at our 12 week ultrasound we could see our baby doing flips, then immediately falling asleep.  Haha!!  I am wondering if this means our child is going to be very energetic, a gymnast, or a swimmer?!?!?  The heartbeat was 156 on this day's visit.  I was surprised the heartbeat was not higher with all that activity.  We could see two legs, two arms, and the most precious profile ever!  Clearly, I am biased. It was probably the most amazing feeling we had ever felt seeing our growing baby.  We have already been so fortunate with all the love from our family & friends!! Our baby already has their crib, thanks to Auntie Nat & Uncle Steve, not to mention their month by month onesies thanks to the Thrasher family!!  Mimi & Papa got us an adorable frame...

So... We are pregnant!!!  I am going to document the growing baby bump here for our friends & family who do not live close by.  Here I am 8 1/2 weeks.  We went to our first doctor's appointment and heard the little peanut's heart beat.  158 beats-holy cow was it crazy to hear that wonderful sound!!  We could not be more excited! Hearing the heart beat made it "real" for Josh... which is good because this is really happening.  It has been real for me with all the fun side effects of being newly pregnant.  I hope you enjoy watching us grow :)

Josh and I completed the half marathon this January in Carlsbad! It was a fun and exhausting experience together... We are thinking about doing another one in a few months, I guess after we forget how hard it was!  Our friend, Ryan & his girlfriend Jessica met us at the finish line with some much need tall cans.  It was the best beer we had ever tasted.