IT'S A GIRL!!

Well we went to the doctor yesterday and found out we are having a little girl! Hannah Morgan Bankston will be here hopefully no later than October 6th. YAY!!! We are so very excited!!!

Waiting...........

So as we wait for our doctor’s appointment on Monday to find out the sex of our baby, I am reminded of how precious this time has been of not knowing. I am extremely anxious and nervous about finding out what we are having. For so long, we have been referring to our baby as an “it” or as “he/she”. I am going to have to get used to calling “it” what it officially is. My prayer this week is that the Lord will just bless this time Jordan and I have together taking in the last few moments of the unknown, and that everything will be okay as far as growth is concerned as we look at the ultrasound on Monday. I cannot believe I have not seen my baby since I hit the 9 week mark. The past few appointments have just been heartbeat visits which are just as important and exciting. I find myself feeling a sigh of relief everytime I go to a heartbeat appointment and hear how strong little peanut’s heartbeat is. But I am super excited to actually see my baby again!!! Don’t worry, I will update all you readers out there on Monday when we find out. So stay tuned:)

And We Have Cleared The First Trimester.....

I know I am way overdue for a blog update. Ever since Jordan and I found out we are pregnant, it has been non-stop, and I have no idea why. So some baby updates are in order. First of all, 2 weeks ago Jordan and I went to the doctor to hear the heartbeat for the first time. We actually saw it on the ultrasound last time so we heard it this time, and honestly, I have never felt so relieved. I was so excited to hear peanut’s heart beat!! On top of all that, the heartbeat was beating really fast which is normal this early in the pregnancy. Our nurse told us it will be interesting to see if it slows down or if it is the same for the next appointment. We go to hear it again in two weeks so I am anxious to see if it is just as fast or slower. My sister found out yesterday she is having a baby boy so now we are itching to find out what we are having. That appointment is scheduled for May 18th so we have a while. Then again, I know those weeks will go by super fast. I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy is going already. I just want to let all you readers know that I do intend to post baby bump pictures this weekend. Jordan and I have a couple of events to go to this weekend so I will be taking some pictures. I haven’t posted any so far because honestly, I have not looked all that pregnant yet. I just now started showing in the tummy so next blog belly pics will be posted. Thanks for hanging in there with me and being patient as Jordan and I were transitioning from our big news!!

What a week!!: Week 7 of pregnancy.....

Well, it’s week 7 of my pregnancy, and so far I am experiencing morning sickness in the worst way. The past two mornings have been 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. throwing up sessions. My sweet husband has been so nice to get up with me and get me a cold, wet washcloth. For some reason, these throwing up moments have woken me up out of my sleep, and then it’s quickly grabbing the trash can. Thankfully, I have put a trash can by my bed out of fear that I won’t make it to the bathroom in time. I am sure it is going to get better. My doctor offered to give me some medicine for nausea, but I have decided to stick it out for a couple of more weeks since he reassured me most women get over the sick part at 10 -12 weeks. My doctor also said the medicine he would prescribe is a little expensive with insurance so another reason why we have decided to stick it out.

On to some good news, Jordan and I went to the doctor this past Monday and saw our little baby’s heartbeart. Of course, being the emotional person that I am, I started to cry a little bit. Jordan thought it was funny so he laughed. I have no idea why he thought it was funny. More than likely, it was a nervous laugh. I got my first picture of our little baby, and I must say it is so cute even though it looks like a little peanut right now. I am extremely curious to see who our baby will look like. Some couples have similar characteristics that favor one another, whereas, Jordan and I have no characteristics that are alike. We are seriously like night and day so I am anxious to see which one he/she looks like. I will go ahead and answer the big question for everyone, we are going to find out the sex of our baby. We talked about not finding out for a little. In fact, Jordan was the one that did not want to find out, and I wanted to. After we saw the heartbeat, Jordan said, “I wonder what it is” since God has already determined the sex of our baby. So we have decided not to be surprised and find out what we are having. I think after seeing the heartbeat made everything so real that it got our curiosity going. Stay tuned for more updates. I will not put any pictures of myself up until I start showing because right now, I just look like I am getting fat and no baby bump…haha!! I am definitely in the awkward state where I feel pregnant and am just getting the chubby tummy not so much the baby bump. So stay tuned, baby bump to come soon!!

and we're cooking.....

I just wanted to inform all my readers that Jordan and I found out last week that we are expecting our first child. WE'RE PREGNANT!!! WOOHOO! We are so excited! We have our first doctor's visit next Monday so I will update you on what the due date is and all that good stuff. I ask that you be in prayer for us as we all know that the first few months are very crucial on carrying the baby. Thank you so much for your prayers thus far. I know several of you were praying for me and this experience in my life. I just wanted to let you know God has answered your prayers and mine. What a wonderful God we serve!!

Waiting.....

Well, I know I have not written anything since Christmas, and there have been so many reasons why, but I wanted to post something for this month. The only thing I can really think of is what has been on my heart lately. I really can’t share it in detail. All I know is God is trying to teach me something, and I don’t quite have an understanding of what it is. But I know He is faithful, and I am reminding myself of that everyday. My sister gave me a song that ministered to her during her difficult time she faced two years ago. I can’t believe how it completely describes where I am so I wanted to share it with you because maybe some of my readers are going through a difficult time as well and need some understanding or maybe even some peace. I for one am needing both peace and understanding. I hope it speaks to you the way it has spoken to me. Right now, this is the cry of my heart.

“In the Waiting”

Pain

The gift nobody longs for, still it comes and somehow leaves us stronger When it’s gone away.

Pray

I try and pray for Your will to be done, but I confess, it’s never fast enough for me.

It seems

The hardest part is waiting on You

When what I really want

is just to see Your hand move.

I want a peace beyond my understanding

I want to feel it fall like rain

In the middle of my hurting.

I want to feel Your arms as they surround me

And let me know that it’s okay

To be here in this place

Resting in the peace that only comes

In the waiting

Time

Time to let it go and just believe

Trusting in what no one else but You can see

Free

Freedom from the fears that close me in

When I can’t get beyond where I have been, but then

Again

The silence doesn’t mean that I’m alone

As long as I can hear that I am still Your own

our first year....

before we went to eat

Okay, I know I am long overdue for an update so here we go. Last Monday, Jordan and I celebrated our first year of marriage together!!! It was a lot of fun! Due to the fact that we are saving a big down payment for our house come next May, we decided just to go out to eat and spend the “big one year” in Birmingham. Jordan made the day extremely special! Unfortunately, my husband’s wallet gets hit big time for the month of December. Our anniversary is December 15th, Christmas of course is December 25th, and then last but not least my birthday is December 31st. Needless to say, my poor husband goes broke on just buying for me for the month of December. Okay on to what Jordan got me for all these days…haha!! Last year, when I received my wedding set, Jordan and I had decided that we would upgrade it eventually not knowing that it was going to come this soon. So Jordan re-made my wedding set into a completely different setting for my anniversary, Christmas, and birthday gift. He upgraded the center stone for me as well. He is just too sweet and too much!!! So needless to say, for everybody that knows me really well, knows that I absolutely LOVE my gift!!!! I know a lot of you are questioning how he surprised me with this, and to be honest, I knew he was doing this, but I did not know what to expect nor how it was going to look. I absolutely LOVE and ADORE my new wedding set!!! I posted pictures above of the anniversary night:) Now onto more important things and what Christmas is really about. I think it is absolutely fitting that Christmas follows Thanksgiving. I don’t ever want to forget to give thanks to our Savior that was born to take the sins of the world upon Himself so that we can spend this time to reflect and share with family and friends. I am so thankful for my family and the time we have to spend together over the holidays! I do hope all of you readers out there have a very Merry Christmas! And don’t forget the real reason why we give gifts at Christmas because the greatest gift of all gifts was given to us (a Savior which is Christ the Lord)! Merry Christmas:)