Epidural or no epidural

This is something I keep going back and forth on. I do not want to take an epidural from side effects that could occur, but at the same time I don't want to feel the excrusiating pain.

I simply write to get opinions and experiences from other ladies. Even if you have not given birth and have heard stories from friends and family I am open to hear why women take an epidural over not taking one. I do not want to take it just because it is available to take it, I want to take it for the right reasons.

Open discussion is wanted!!! :)

New Car

Last week we sold my old red sunfire, and we bought us a new Honda Civic. It will be good on gas and more reliable than my old car. Justin is quite proud. The color is so pretty. We thought having a baby on the way, having two cars with four doors would be more convenient. This is the first brand new car we have bought together as a married couple. It was a big move on our part, we got a good deal, we got 0% interest.

Then ofcourse I had to upload an updated picture of the growing belly. I am FINALLY looking pregnant. :) She is getting sooo active, when I am counseling on Tuesday nights she likes to get her move on. It can be distracting, I guess she is trying to help out. :)

Joy of the Father

Picking your child's name is no easy task. You have to think of what type of nicknames friends or bullies may give them, what their initials spell out, and will it be a mature adult name....
We have put a lot of hard thought into what our little girls name is going to be. We believe a name is very important, so we sought out a name that had significance.

Her name will be Abigail, which means, THE JOY OF THE FATHER. In Scripture she is known as wise and beautiful. We pray our daughter will live out her names meaning.

Her middle name will be taken from me, Elizabeth, which was my grandma's middle name also.

Her little kicks sure are getting strong, today when I was reading on the couch, I saw my book move. :)
Parenting is something that Justin and I plan to not take lightly. We have already discussed the importance of me being home with our child the first couple years. I do not plan to get a full time job right away, but more than likely a part-time counseling position.
We want to be the one that raises our children and to be there to see the first time they crawl, walk, talk, and the list goes on....

Easter

Justin and I were able to go home over Easter, which was a blessing. I wanted my family to be a part of me being pregnant. All they ever get to see is pictures of my belly growing, it's just not the same. I will be going home the last weekend of May for my baby shower. I should be much bigger by then. Then, the next time I go home, which I have no idea when that will be, I will have my daughter!

I didn't get any studying done, however I did attempt to. But, when your with family that you don't get to see very often you want to soak up every minute of it while you can.