Just an update on things :)

House stuff ...

We're coming along with the renovations, moving May 14th! :) 

CANNOT wait! 

Don't get me wrong, staying with Bonnie & Larry has been GREAT! 

They have been so good to us & I am SURE I will be over all the time anyways :)

But, it's going to be nice in our own house :)

Ariel's room is coming along too :)

It's so much fun to decorate a nursery.

We still have TONS to go & things will have to wait 

until after the move, sadly.

But nonetheless, I couldn't be more excited to be getting into 

the house we've worked so hard to get.

Bless my wonderful hubby -- he works on it ALL the time, all by himself.

I'm pregnant, so of course I can't do a lot of the work that needs to be done. He has help

on the weekends when people are off, but mostly he has done everything by himself.

I'm talking, installing sheet-rock, painting, new ceilings, plastering, wall paper removal, ect.

I'm so blessed that he does what he does for me.

Just a preview(dining room). This was AFTER a wall had been ripped out & the sheet-rock went up. He was mudding & taping at this point(stage 1). Stage 2 -- sanding & primer done. Stage 3 -- paint was going on the walls. The window, door & all floor molding had to be put back down after this(new floor first, not pictured here). You really can't see the new ceiling either. He has replaced 2 ceilings so far & they look amazing, especially comparing what they used to look like.

This is just ONE room. So he's worked really hard.

In other news :)

Ariel's Update

My second ultra sound gave some concerning information.

I was told that I could have Vasa Previa(if your not familiar with the term, please read up!)

I was also told she had a pretty common "cyst" on/in her brain or what they call a bright spot 

& a calcium deposit on her heart.

They assured me that they see these(cyst) 8:10 pregnancies & that they normally go away within week

24-28 weeks of gestation. I was a mess. Just to hear everything was all so scary.

So I had to have something  called a "Quad Screen" done. They test for all kinds of things, another 

I was told I would have to see a specialist in Asheville, basically a

a more in depth ultrasound with a better reading.

So I went, my first stop here was the geneticists -- this woman -- AMAZING!

She just talked with us for a minute & told me the results of my "Quad" screen ...

Everything came back FINE! :) Completely normal!

I can't tell you how great that was to hear. To know I had worried all that time for nothing, was just 

simply great! :) She had no worries about Ariel's over all health & her function. They do these screens

a precaution, but it's enough to scare you into oblivion!

Next stop -- ultrasound.

I had 2 technicians & an OB, all women :)

My techs were awesome! I was so comfy & not nervous. As they scanned my belly, 

we got to see Ariel moving around & it was just amazing.

She tells me that the "cyst" or bright spot, was GONE. Just like Dr. Pendelton said :)

Next she told me about her calcium deposit, basically what this is, is just they way tissue connects to

ventriclein the heart cavity. They see these 9:10 pregnancies. They are common.

This does not effect the way the heart function & they don't call it a defect. They just have to 

tell you they see these things. They check the heart brain & other major organs for all sorts of things.

Apparently, they are so common people have them & don't even know it until they have an 

MRI for some reason later on in life.

She is perfectly healthy in there :)

The OB came in(whom by the way I LOVE) & spoke with us for a long time

(the entire ultrasound itself was about an hour -- yes 

that is a long one! 

She did confirm I DO have Placenta Previa(a condition where the placenta is low lying).

Managed via c-section at 37 weeks.

She couldn't confirm, Vasa Previa(a condition concerning the cord & where it attaches to the 

placenta) just yet. The treatment for Vasa is more serious. 

I go back for another visit in a few weeks to see if they can get a better look & follow up

(because they can look different every time).  IF I have Vasa, I be admitted to the hospital at about

31 weeks & they will take her at 34 weeks via c-section. 

Either way, I'll have her between 34 & 37 week, it's a little scary only because she won't be "full 

term". I'm prepared for that, even though most doctors consider you full term at 37 weeks. But at 34 

weeks ... she might have to stay in the NICU for a couple days, depending on her size :( 

But it's wonderful to know she is going to be healthy & fine.

I feel SO blessed to be having her, I am already in love with her.

I have some pics I am going to add, but unfortunately I don't have my scanner with me here in 

Carrabelle. Check back soon for those!

Carrabelle & St. George Island, FL April 2011

Just a few pics from Carrabelle & St. George Island Beach.

We LOVE to travel & of course with Winter just passing you HAVE to go south ;)

We figured we'd better go on a vacation before little miss arrives at the end of July,

first of August, the renovations with the house & some other things going on  ...  it may be our last for a while lol.

So that is just what we did, we headed south to a new place to lay on the beach for a week,

For more pics from our trip, you can find them on Facebook! :)

This is ME, take it or leave it.

I have a STRONG opinion, some people can't take it & that's ok.

I'm head strong & straight forward.

I'm blunt & sarcastic.

I'm not afraid to tell it like it is, some people can't handle the truth.

I hate when people play the victim ALL the time. Get over yourself already.

I hate a KISS ASS.

I love to debate, but that doesn't mean I don't like you if I don't agree with you.

My Facebook page is MINE. Not yours to dicate & judge.

IF for some reason I am having a private conversation that circles around trust & privacy, then I expect you to NOT share it with the world.

I don't like lairs.

I don't like fakes.

I'm loyal. I love my friends.

I stick up for what I think is right.

I'll admit when I am wrong.

If for some reason you are privilaged to MY personal information -- DO NOT share it with anyone who is NOT.

I will respect you -- IF you respect me.

MY trust is EARNED.

If you break it -- well it's pretty much done.

I don't appreciate name calling. Leave that for school children.

I HATE HATE HATE when someone talks about being mature then turns around & acts like a child by name calling & stirring the pot.

If your an adult, please act like it.

Don't talk about my daughter or my parenting skills. ESPECIALLY if you have no children of your own.

If you don't like me, then find your way out of my life. Chances are you won't be missed.

We're having a GIRL! :)

WHOA!

So I guess you've heard! :)

It's a baby girl in there.

The ultra sound.

Well, I was so nervous. I am not even sure why.

I guess the element of something going wrong.

Or not being able to see what she was(which almost happened).

I get there & I am so nervous, I mean my hands are sweaty, my heart is racing,

I can't even think straight from all the anxiety..

Everyone assures me that is will all be ok :)

So I get on the table & the tech puts the jelly on my skin -- which was wierd.

After a few swift motions of the scanner, there is a baby!

I was so shocked, I mean we all knew I was pregnant -- but I guess it hadn't actually set in yet.

The baby was turned where we couldn't see what it was, she had her feet right under her heiney lol.

So after a few minutes of trying to get her to move, she did. SO he got a good shot.

My mother-n-law, father-n-law, my sister Amy & of course Brian were all there.

I had told them before we went in, don't tell me if you know what it is before he says lol.

So he stops the screen & looks at us & says, "Well do you know what you're having yet?"

We're all like "NO". He says "It's a girl!!" And shows us what we are looking at :) Non of us had a clue as to what we should be looking for or what it was we were seeing. But now after knowing & looking at other ultrasound photos, it's very clear to me it's a baby girl :)

I am over the moon with excitement. I coulnd't feel more blessed than I do right now. How can you look at that tiny life inside & not think there was a God?

It was so amazing to see her moving, sucking her thumb, he little heart beating away -- which was 154 BPM! It was amazing. I did cry. Just tears, no noise, just silence. There was nothing to be said, I just wanted to take it all in.

It's DEF a girl :)

Her name is Ariel Spring.

Nothing can describe that feeling of knowing I have a daughter.

I want to teach her things & show her the world & protect her.

I want her to be kind humble. But to stand up for whats right.

It's all very overwhelming, but I am up for the task.

I can't wait to get our house done, which my wonderful husband Brian is working on as we speak!

I can't wait to get her in my arms & love her for the rest of my life!

Thank you, Lord! For all you've blessed me with... I am so lucky!

3D ultrasound pics, sucking her thumb :)

I am in love with my child!



Naming A Baby With Love ♥

This has been a long time coming.

Wow -- can you believe all the names out there!

After thinking about this DAILY for months & going over & over again with the names

that we actually liked, we finally came up with what we will name our baby as of next week

(we find out the sex).

Mind you, naming another human being is NOT like naming a pet.

You go through different emotions, you say these names over & over in your head.

You try to make them rhyme with not so fun words ... LOL.

What the initials spell, ect.

A lot goes into this process.

After waiting 25 years to finally take the plunge to have children, many of my friends & family already have kids. So what does this mean? It means that most of the names that you probably like have been taken!

Being different & trendy ... Everyone wants to -- but seriously we have to give our children a STRONG name that they can be proud of for years to come.

I wanted something easy to say. I didn't want people CONSTANLY mis-pronouncing the name.

&

I didn't want people to mis-spell it either.

So where does that leave me!?!

Well, I'll tell you :)

It has left me with 2 VERY beautiful names for my child! :)

We are over joyed about learning the sex of our little one.

Either way, boy or  girl, we will be ever so excited!

So here they are ....

For our Baby Boy -- Kale Emerson Lawson  ♥

&

For our Baby Girl -- Ariel Spring Lawson  ♥

We've researched the meanings, the different origins & the considered alternate spellings. These are what works best for us.

We are aware that some may not like our names, that not everyone has our style & may have an opinion about what we should name our child, with that said. Please keep any & all negitive feedback to yourself.

If you have children then you know how opinions from people can be ;)

Thank you to all who have supported us in picking these names & for those who support is on the way :)

Ashley & Brian

Our Trip to the Carribean :) Counting my blessings..

I took this picture in Nassua ♥ It was pure Heaven..

God has blessed me soo much..More than I think I deserve.

I was given the chance to travel to the Bahamas this past week, the farthest from home I've ever been.

The more I think about what in my life I should be thankful for it becomes more clear to me just how

lucky I am. Sometimes life is hard & take it out on people who have nothing to do

with my bad days ... For this I am truly sorry. To think of my blessings make it all seem to fade away.

My husband ♥

Why was I so lucky to be given him? He could have found someone along the way thousands of

times before, why did he pick me? He loves me so much & I just can't understand why.

The kind of love that I didn't know exsisted. He would love my to the ends of the Earth if I asked..

While he's gone, when he's here with me ... I'm so lucky.

He loves to travel & we get to. We've visited lots of neat & beautiful places & we are so lucky

to be able to do this. Thank you Lord!

With the blessing of our baby that is on the way, our bond seems to only be getting stronger.

With every second passing by it clear to me that he was placed in my life for reasons that I can see.

But what is not clear is why the Lord has choosen to bless me soo, because I am so undeserving of all his

blessings, but I am soo thankful that He did.

In our stateroom on our way to Nassua ♥

On the beach in Nassua .. Him so handsom ♥

More often than not I forget to thank God.

I lay my head down & pray, sometimes I fall asleep saying thank you & asking for forgiveness

& wake up thinking I forgot something :)

I have an amazing family who loves me. Granted not perfect & thats ok, because we're family & that is all that

matters to me.

Paradise Island, the far end (we are on a ferry headed to the port to explore)

Nicolas Cage's home

Atlanis!! This was AMAZING to see!

Going to Atlantis :)

Getting closer!

The beach at Atlantis on Paradise Island -- just down the beach from Nicolas Cage!

Water so clear & blue ..

I had an amazing time in the beautiful Carribean & can't wait to go on our

next adventure in the near future!

For more photos of our trip to Nassua, Paradise Island & Freeport -- check my Facebook page :)

I enjoyed my vacation -- BUT, I am so glad to be home in the USA!! I love my country!

FuN FaCtS

** In the Bahamas the legal drinking age is 18 & doesn't require an ID -- Money is your ID

** The locals LOVE American's.

** Most of the people on the Island are Native American's & sound Jamacian.

** You can see the hospital where Anna Nicole Smith had her daughter & where her son died.

** Nassau has the biggest port in the Bahamas, holding up to 6 large cruise ships at once.

** The biggest cruise ship in the world (Royal Carribean's Oasis of the Sea) Docks at this port.

**They eat Conch out of the shells .. ick

**The Conch shells they find, well lets say you can't find them in America -- Glad I brought 5 giant ones home!

**The official name of the country is the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is an archipelago, consisting of more than 700 islands <---- WHOA!

**You can tour the island & see where all the stars live -- pretty cool!

**Some people we met on the boat found a dead body!!

**Don't forget your passport there -- chances of returning home are slim!!

**Freeport was sad & abandoned. But the ocean was clear clear clear.

**Try the straw markets in Nassau if you go -- you'll find all sorts of neat things :)

A Baby On The Way ...

Yes you see it right! I'm expecting!

I just wanted to share with those of you who keep up with my blog my exciting news & how we found out :)

My mother when she was age had ovarian cancer & had some other issues. I was so positive that I was NOT pregnant that it was something else.

After work one day me & my wonderful husband brian went to the CVS, I just wanted to rule out pregnancy so I could move on to another answer. I took the first test around 3 p.m. in the day. Which those of you who have ever been pregnant know that is always best to test EARLY in the morning because the HCG is not as strong in the afternoon & can sometimes give you a false negative. Well I knew this but I took it anyways.

We waited  ... the FULL 2 minutes LOL. Even though sometimes it shows up instantly.

We both at the same time saw the + sign in the window ... It was SHEER shock.. I was so sure I was right.

I mean how did this slip by me? How could I have not known lol.

I was in such shock, I started laughing ... then the tears came. But they were tears of joy -- it was sheer happiness. I can't describe that feeling you get when you first learn about your pregnancy.

I was kind of in disbelief so I decided to take another test about 2 hours later. As soon as I took it I looked at it. It was positive.

I made a doctors appointment right then, because I wanted to confirm it for sure.

The following day I went to the doctors & it was confirmed, I was in fact pregnant & I my expected due date was August 30th 2011.

A lot runs through your mind when you learn about pregnancy. You start thinking of names :) Which I must say is so much fun. You start thinking of nursery ideas & themes. You start noticing a lot of things about your body, that you would normally dismiss.

You start thinking of what kind of parent you will be. What your child will look like... Tons of things are running through your mind. It's just a wonderful feeling & thing to get to experience.

This was DEF unplanned & was a surprise -- but the BEST gift the Lord has ever given me & I feel more blessed than I ever have. I have the GREATEST husband, a blessing on the way, great family & AWESOME friends. A relationship with God that makes all this possible. What more could I ask for?

Thank You, Jesus!