Tuesday, June 24, 2008

It's a BOY!!!

Sam with Jose's Sweet Pepper after the Championship Stake

Ron, Justin, Sam, Shock'n Y'all, Bob, and Mr. Odie after the Amateur 15.2 Championship

Bob after his NCWHA win on Shock'n Y'all

Sam and Jose Dot Com- Open Specialty Champs






You can see his hand beside his face in this one.



Showing his arm.

Showing his arm and hand again.


Hi everyone, and thanks for checking in on us. We've had a busy last few weeks and they are about to get busier! I guess the big news is that we found out yesterday that we are having a little baby boy! Before I get into that though, I'd like to brag on my husband a little bit. We went to a horse show in Lexington, VA a few weeks ago and Sam & Mr. Bob did really well. Together they won 8 blue ribbons, 2 reserves, and 2 thirds. The showgrounds were absolutely beautiful and the show management and spectators were really warm and welcoming. It really reminds me of how blessed we are with our "extended" horse show family. I included some pictures above of a few of the classes they won. Mr. Bob won a championship class and was able to carry out a wreath of roses for the first time in his life. I think that was pretty special for him. Sam won the championship stake class too and I was really proud of him. I know I probably say this a lot, but I really do have a wonderful, hardworking, dedicated husband.
So about the baby news....yes, it's a BOY! My Mom and Aunt Sissy (Celia) were right all along. They have believed from day 1 that he was a little boy. I had been trying to come up with a name for a little girl and just could not settle on anything. My Mom told me that there was a good reason for that...because it's not a little girl! I guess she was right! So, it's official, little Samuel Rowland McLaughlin, III is on the way! I am really and truly excited and I just can't wait to hold him in my arms. I just found out this week that, not only will he be named after his Father (Jr.), Grandfather (Sr.), and great-great grandfather (Samuel Rowland) on Sam's side, I also have 2 Samuel's on my side of the family. My grandfather, John Jeffcoat, had a paternal grandfather named Samuel Odom as well as 1 brother named Samuel Jeffcoat.
I had a doctor's appoinment today and she confirmed that all of the ultrasound photos and measurements are completely normal. She listened to his heartbeat and the little rascal was moving around so much that she had a hard time keeping it. She did finally get it though and that was normal too.
I first felt him move sometime last week. I wasn't positive that I was feeling the baby at first, but it did not take long for that to change. It seems like once he started, he doesn't stop! The little fellow twists and turns ALL of the time now. Overall we are doing well. I am feeling much better now that the morning sickness is over. I find myself being a little more tired than I was before, and excessive heat sometimes makes me a little sick, but those are easy fixes. The only craving I have is whole milk. I drink it all the time now.
Sam is happy to be having a little boy. He came home the other day and commented that he will have someone to help him at the barn, feeding horses, etc. This little boy is going to have a great Daddy! I can't wait for the two of them to meet.
Well, that's about it. Thank you again for checking on us and I will update again next month sometime. To our horse family and friends- we'll see you next week in Shelbyville!
Love,
Sam, Jenny, and Baby Rowland








Thursday, June 05, 2008

17 weeks

Tons of you have asked for a picture of my baby bump. Sorry to inform you, but I do not have one yet! Here is a pic from this morning...I took it with my phone so it's kind of blurry.


I had a 17 week check up today and we are doing just fine! I heard the baby's heartbeat again and the doc says that it is strong and healthy. I weighed in today and I was 1 pound lighter than my weigh in last month. I'm still around -5 lbs, but my doctor says as long as I'm eating normally that she's not worried. She also assured me that in another 4 weeks I would begin to show and see some weight gain. Overall, she is very happy with everything, thinks we are very healthy, and she smiles a lot. If she's happy, I'm happy. I have a prescription to have a 20 week ultrasound so we should definitely know if this is a little boy or a little girl soon.

I recorded the heartbeat on my phone today and Sam got to hear it for the first time. He just gave me a really big smile... He is going to go with me to the next ultrasound.

That's it for now. I'll check back around July 4th week...hopefully with news!

Love,
Sam, Jenny, and Baby Mac



Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Goodbye morning sickness!!

Finally, I am back online and can give an update on what's been going on around here. Hmm, where do I start. After the last post my morning (all day) sickness increasingly became worse. I won't candy-coat...it was the worst I've ever felt in my life...but I kept telling myself that surely there were worse things. My doctor prescribed a medication that worked for about a week and then did absolutely nothing for me. She then prescribed something different and it essentially just put me to sleep for about 6 hours. It really didn't do anything for the sickness itself. At my appointment, May 1st, I weighed in and had lost 7 pounds. Sam's mom was in town to visit that week and joined me at the appointment. Together we heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time. The doctor asked to see me back in a week to make sure that all of the morning sickness did not have me dehydrated. My mom also came for a visit the week after Sam's mom. I was very grateful that they came and helped me out so much.

Fortunately, I think the morning sickness has completely subsided. For the last 2-3 weeks, I have felt really good! At my last check up, May 8th, I asked my doctor if riding horses were at all possible...I was thinking at least maybe I could dog-walk. The minute the word "horse" came out of my mouth, her face just cringed. She said she was very sorry, but absolutely not. I miss it, but it definitely isn't as important as getting this little one here safely! Anyway, I weighed in again and had gained 2 pounds. We heard the baby's heartbeat again, which sounded normal and wonderful! My doctor measured me and said that I was right on track.

Lately my days have been good. I went to Babies R Us to get an idea of some of the things we will need. I go to the barn often and spend time there. Sam helps me with my horse fix by letting me ride with him when he carts a horse. I really enjoy the ride and the sunshine. He has been so patient and understanding with me. I am very blessed to have such a great husband. I still have not felt the flutter of a baby's movement yet but I'm sure I will in a few more weeks. I am supposed to have another ultrasound at the end of the month to find out the sex of the baby. I am really not showing yet. All of my regular clothes still fit me comfortably. I go for my next check up this Thursday and I'll be interested to see what I weigh.

We know for sure that a boy will be Samuel Rowland, III. Row for short. We are still stumped on a little girl's name. Some names we have thrown around are- Elizabeth (I really like this one), Karen/Kay (my mom), Harmon, Julianne, Lillie (my great-grandmother), and Cecelia. We're still open for suggestions.

Well that's about it for now. As a sidenote- GO BIG BROWN!! I am so excited to watch the Belmont race this weekend and hope for another triple-crown winner! I love Big Brown...I think he is magnificent...so thrilling and exciting...and I really hope he wins! If you haven't seen him, you really should watch this weekend. Thank you for checking in on us and I will keep you posted as I learn more.

Sam, Jenny, and Baby Mac