HERE WE GO!!!

Finally! What you have all been waiting for me to post...The Russell blog!! :) Sorry it has taken me FOREVER to get this started! So, here is a long post to get you updated to where we are now.


As many of you know, we are adding to our family soon!....No, not another dog :) I am pregnant!! :) We found out Nov. 29, 2007 when I took a home prenancy test that showed us a (+) sign and then it was confirmed with a doctor's appointment that next week. I was 5 weeks along when we found out. We are very, very excited! We were trying, so it wasn't an "accident" for us :)





Soon after we found out, the "morning sickness" hit with a vengance!!!! Why they give it the name "morning" sicknees, I have not a clue! Mine was ALL DAY LONG sickness!!!!! The nausea never eased up and the puking came about every 3 days or so! The doctor told us that "nausea equal healthy baby", so we were o.k. with that :) Scott would always remind me of it! Food was just yucky for a while too, but at the same time I still wanted to eat something. It was the wierdest feeling. So, needless to say, all I wanted to do was sleep and lay around the house when I wasn't trying to get through an 8 hour work day. That's why the blog got put off until now! :)

I have been feeling a little better each day now for the past 3 weeks, so now I'm getting to the blog that I've been telling everyone that I would do :) There is so much stuff to update on, so I'll do my best to hit the high points for everyone.


Well, along with expecting a baby...which is due July 31st....we will also be moving to Charleston, SC this summer! Yes, that's right, we will be moving and having a baby about the same time. After many interviews at different places by Scott, many discussions between Scott and I, and lots of prayer, Scott and I feel that Charleston is the place for us to be right now. Scott accepted a job as a faculty member in the Emergency Department and The Medical University of South Carolina. He will be done with his fellowship in June and then he starts his "real job" as he calls it :) We realize that there will be a lot going on at one time, but we are keepin' our heads held high and taking on the challenge, and we are excited about all the new and wonderful things that are happening in our lives. Yes, we will be further away from family which made the decision that much harder to make, but are very greatful for the support our family...and friends...have shown us through this process. I, as well as Scott, am very sad to have to say good-bye to our friends here in B'ham and close by! We are excited, though, to be able to have any of you come visit us and our precious little one in Charleston once we get settled in. So, I will also keep ya'll updated on how things are in B'ham and our moving process. We have been in contact with a realtor in Charleston and are keeping an eye out on houses, but it's still too soon for us to be picking out a house at this point. We are planning a trip to Charleston again in March to look again at houses and maybe narrow down what we are looking for. There are so many wonderful places in Charleston, it's hard to narrow it down. Scott and I both love the city, though, and look forward to showing the visitors we have around the town as we learn the town too!


So, back to pregnancy real quick. I'm 15 weeks along now. Baby Russell is growing and coming along just fine! I like to think I'm starting to show, but people keep telling me I'm not! So, when I do start to show, I'll post some pics of me and baby for those who are asking for them. I have done pics of my belly to watch it grow, so it's kinda exciting for me. I know it's crazy, but I'm enjoying the whole process :) The last ultrasound pics I had done were at 13 weeks, so that's what these are posted (sorry they are so small....I will have to work on that one). The doctor has said that the baby's heartbeat is strong, and everything seems to be coming along as planned. It's such a joy to hear the heartbeat and know things are still going well after I've been to the doctor. I think I get nervous with each doctor's appointment just cause I'm scared of something being wrong, even though there has been no reason to have such thoughts. I'm very blessed to have this miracle growing inside of me and I thank God each night for giving Scott and I the privilege to be parents to this innocent child!


Well, I think that's all I have for now. Scott and I are going to Atlanta for the weekend, so I will update again sometime next week. I will do my best to keep up with the posts and keep all of you informed. We love all of you and appreciate all the support and love we get from friends and family. Please keep us updated on how each of you are as well. We would love to hear from you all.



We love you!