2nd doctor's appt.

So today (Dec.9th) was my 2nd baby doctor's appt. It went well. I have come to learn that you get to hear the heartbeat every appointment, and this was my first time hearing it. It was just as fun as I thought it was going to be. It was fast, so assume what you wish, but I'm not going to fall for any old wives tales just yet. :) I could only hear the heartbeat for a few seconds cause he/she was moving around and kicking up a storm. The kicking is louder than the heartbeat, so it was short-lived, yet still exciting! All seems just fine so far. I also turned down the tests for down syndrome and such other disorders because I feel that there is nothing I can do about it now, and if God wants me to have a baby with such disorders, then so be it. I'm just stoked that I am able to have a baby! This is such a blessing and miracle that I'm in awe every appt and I want to share it with everyone, even though I know I'm not the first woman to be pregnant. :) Anyway only about 6 more weeks until I found out what it is!!!!

Dec. 6th trip down south

So this past weekend was my nephew's (Connor) first birthday party. It was held at my mom's house in Arcadia, which was the perfect location. Tracy did a great job of planning food and entertainment for the party. Some of my family and friends were there, and it went off without a hitch! I decided to stay the weekend and go out with some friends that sat night. I went out with Alex, Helen and Candace and had a blast there too. Then to top the whole weekend off, I wake up the next morning and Steve (my stepdad) made my sister and I some yummy breakfast! It was a great weekend with family and friends and I'm going to enjoy those becuase its going to be a lot harder to go down for a weekend with a new baby.

Pregnant!

Yay! Greg and I can finally announce our pregnancy! I will be 11 weeks along this coming Wednesday Nov. 12th. We had our very first doctors appointment today, and it went perfectly! We saw the heartbeat and got some pictures and it was all very fun! The due date is June 4, 2009 and we, along with our family and friends, are VERY excited!
I have been feeling pretty good for the most part. Just a tiny bit nauseated at times and tired a lot. But my worst complaint so far is the sciatic nerve in my lower back hurts pretty bad. But if that's all I have to deal with, I'm a happy camper! We feel VERY blessed in more ways than one! And to those of you who said or thought about twins... there's only one! Greg and I are very happy about that as well :) Well there's the new news, so if you could keep us in your prayers that everything goes as planned, that would be great! Here are some pictures at 10 weeks.

Cruise to Mexico

So for our Christmas present this year Chuck and Dar decided to take the whole Douma family on a cruise instead of the traditional presents. It was so great to be able to spend some serious family time as well as be on vacation together! The cruise went to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada and lasted for 5 days. Also the very first day of the cruise was mine and Greg's 1 year anniversary! What a great way to celebrate it! We got some cards from from family before we left, Greg's parents bought us some flowers for our room that we enjoyed all week, and Greg had our room decorated. It was a great anniversary all around thanks to everyone!

Helen and Rob's wedding

This past weekend Greg and I went to Helen's and Rob's wedding down south. Helen has been one of my best friends for quite some time now and I was able to take part in her big day by being one of the bridemaids. It was a great weekend! Not only did Helen look beautiful but the whole wedding went off without a hitch! It was so great to spend time with friends for a whole weekend too! It was one of the best weddings I've been to, except mine of course :)

Greg's face swells

So as if Greg and I haven't been to the urgent care/E.R. enough lately, two weekends ago Greg's face swelled up. Sorry for the late post, but I've been bust with work and all. Anyway, Greg and I were going to bed (Sept. 21st) and one of his eyes was a Little swollen. Greg was sick of going to the Dr. so we decided to wait until about 1 in the morning to check it again. And sure enough his other eye was a little swollen and his lips and ears were as well. We had no benedryl at that time, so we decided to head off to the E.R. at 1 in the morning just to be safe. He got a shot and some prednisone and we were on our way home, and we got home at about 4:30. We're not sure what made him have this reaction to this day, but if it happens again, we're prepared with benedryl!

My job and Greg's abscess

So I started my new job three days ago and its going really well so far. Not too many people crowding my station yet, but the people and the place are great! Its not only by some shopping, but its by some great food places too! And the people are really nice here. Its been a little dull cause I'm in the waiting around process of building a clientele, but that's what i get for moving. I'm going to try to get some pictures on here soon.

As for Greg, my second day of work was partly spend back in the urgent care taking out his abscess that was in his right armpit! I'm so glad mine was placed where it was, cause he's in some serious pain these days. But the good news is that we caught it early enough, so they didn't have to cut or pack as much as they did mine. It doesn't make it hurt less, but it will probably heal faster. I'm not really sure what the heck is going on up here in Pixley, but I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy! As for Kaweah Delta urgent care, we've seen and know just about all the doctors and nurses and each one has been great!

This will probably gross you out

So I totally warned you in the title of this blog entry, I don't want any phone calls asking me what my problem is :)

With that said, I will explain a little of whats going on in these pictures. I had to go today to get the hole in my arm unpacked and repacked with gauze. With an abscess it takes a while for it to drain the pus and blood, so we have to keep it open to allow it to drain. So we keep this shoe string looking gauze in it and stuff it in the hole. Mind you the hole in my arm is so big that you could put your index finger in there all the way up to your first knuckle, its deep. So the doctor pulled out the gauze then they washed it out with water and stuffed the gauze back in. It hurt pretty bad, but not nearly as bad as when they made the hole two days ago. So I wanted to put pictures up so my family and friends (if they wanted) could see what it looks like. So sorry if you think this is wrong, its for my family. Here we go!

I finally got a job!

Also this past week I got a job at a salon in Visalia about 30 north of where I live. Its called Escape Salon. Its small like the last Salon I worked at which is nice. There's 3 men that work there, two of which own it. I would be one of two other women who work there. I do have to start off doing some grunt work, but that's what I get for leaving my full clientele down south. The owner is really working with me and my situation so I hope for a smooth transition because I do have to start renting right away. Which if I don't make rent one week, I will have to pay to work, if that makes sense. So I hope for the best and for walk-ins :) I start on the 4th because I'm babysitting on the 2nd and 3rd, so keep me in your prayers. I will try to put pictures up later, its a cute place!

Family and a Staph Infection

Let me start off by saying sorry for not keeping up with my blog. I'm bad at it cause I feel like I don't have anything interesting to say. :) But I will try harder to keep up with it.

This past week Greg and I had some family in town. I'm not sure if you know yet or not but my father-in-law moved up about 2 1/2 weeks ago about 1 mile away from us. He and my mother-in-law are buying into the dairy. He started working with Greg as soon as he got here. He is living in a trailer by the house that their in the process of fixing up. My mother-in-law is still working down south as a neo-natal nurse and commuting back and forth from that to the dairy. Its already been nice to have some family up here. Anyway, Steve and David (Greg's brother's) do construction work, and they're helping with the house. Adri and Mya (Steve's wife and daughter) joined them for the trip. It was so fun to be able to spend time with my sister-in-law and niece! I got to cut 4 long hairs on my nieces head, although very cute, very impractical. :)

As Adri and I were hanging out we decided to go to a baby store in Bakersfield with one of her good friends Laura and her daughter Kara. Well I had a little bug bite looking thing on my arm for a few days and it didn't itch but it hurt pretty bad. It looks like nothing and I though maybe I was just being a baby myself, so I didn't think much of it. Laura happens to be a nurse and once I showed her she told me to go see a doctor cause it looked liked a staph infection. So I went right after she said that, and sure enough, staph infection it was! I'm on antibiotics and have some 800mg ibuprofen for the pain. I've never had this before but the doctor told me its going around, so be careful cause it can get really bad if left untreated. Well its been a busy week, but it all turned out just fine.

Weekend of company and fun

So this past weekend was super busy and super fun! Late friday night rolls around and in come Amie (my ex- fantastic roomate), her boyfriend Jeff, my brother Jeff, Tracy, Connor and Erin (Tracy's younger twin sister). After playing a few rounds of Wii, we went to bed. The next morning we all got up and headed for the lake. It was a successful lake trip to say the least. I, of course, got up right away. :) Then Tracy went (she hadn't wakeboarded in 2 years), she got up right away. Then Jeff (my brother), who hadn't ever gotten up on a ski or wakeboard did both! We were really impressed, but don't tell him, cause his head will start to swell. And although Jeff, Amie or Erin never got up, they had a good time trying. And Greg did drive all day, but he got to ski once as well. It was a ton of fun and I think I'm becoming addicted to it, cause right when we leave the lake I'm thinking about when we can come back. Anyway that night I made some Porcupine Balls and we chatted, then they left before we knew it the next morning after a 101 on cows and birthing. It was great to have them here!

Its not over, that same day (sunday) Greg's brother, Chuck and his wife Ang and their 4 kids were coming home from their vacation in Clearlake and they spent the night with us sunday night. They are a fun bunch! We never get to see them, so it was great to have them stay a whole night! We made dinner and Greg's parents and Granparents joined for that, so needless to say it was a full house for a couple hours which is nice. I got to cut Anneke and Libby's hair after and I think they liked that. Then we played, and off to bed cause they had to get up super early. So after a busy weekend, we are tired, but also miss all the company :)

And for some good news, my friend Candace (she was in my wedding) is engaged to her boyfriend Chris!!! I am so happy for them!

skiing

So as you all know I have been trying to learn how to water ski a couple of times this summer and yesterday was a success! I was determined to do it, and after about 15 trys yesterday i got up! But it did come with a price. A few times i got up and was so wobbly that i smashed into the water face first. Then I got up and stayed up for like one long tiring minute. And later in the evening my arms started hurting, but that was normal. Well when Greg and I went to go to bed last night we saw some scrapes and bruises. Its hard to see with the picture, but there's a line bruise above my right eye and one on my forehead (mind you i have makeup on) and my arms are really bruised. The picture is my right arm and i have one on my left too! Not really sure how they got there, but whatever, I got up! Greg got me and some of our friends up and did a great job at that. Greg also skied and obviously did a good job too, he's a natural. So we've been going to the local lake once a week and can't wait to purchase our own boat!

Loving when friends visit

So this past weekend was one of the best weekends we've had up here in Pixley. My friend Candace and her boyfriend Chris came up to visit us. They arrived friday night and left Sunday and we wished they could have stayed longer. Saturday was a blast! Greg's family allowed us to take his Uncle's boat out to the lake. Basically we were making sure it still worked well and we through in some water skiing too. :) We went to lake success in Porterville which is only about 25 minutes away. We went water skiing and lounged around in the 107 hot summer sun for 4 hours!. By the way I finally got up on the ski for about 5 whole seconds! It doesn't sound exciting, but it was my 2nd time trying, so it was. Anyway we got back home, watched a movie, had dinner, cleaned up, and relaxed. Then on Sunday we showed them a little more of the dairy (which they were very interested in), took some more pictures, then they were on their way home. They both seemed to have as much fun as Greg and I did, and we can't wait for the next trip! I sure love when I get to see my close friends, so thanks again Candace and Chris!

Another visit down south

So I had another fun and busy trip down south this past weekend again. It didn't start off well with the grapevine being closed. It took me 4 1/2 hours to get to La verne, but I made it eventually. Saturday morning my nephew (Connor) was baptized. They followed with a luncheon, and it was great to be able to spend time with the family and friends. Then my sister graduated Cal Poly Pomona that night! Tracy and I went to the graduation and sat in the way back not being able to see a thing, while Jeff stayed at home with Connor and got a front row seat online. It was great to hear her name being called though. We are all very proud of her and can't wait to see what happens next with that crazy girl!

Then on Sunday, we went to church and came home and had a fathers' day lunch with my dad and Tracy's dad. Following that we went to Allison's graduation party, then I took off for home around 8. And finally I got home at 10:30 exhausted! It was a long weekend but a good one. It really worked out that everything falled on the same weekend for me, but I feel bad for those who had to go back to work on monday. ugh!

Oh ya and Connor said his first word in my presence! Da-Da. Perfect for a fathers' day weekend!

My visit down south

So I'm not sure how many of you reading this have moved away from family and friends. If you haven't had to, you are lucky. Now don't get me wrong, I'm happy up here, and feel blessed to be living in slower-pace town and meeting new people. But there are many times I miss my family and friends. And that has been the hardest part of moving away. With that said, when Tracy called me and asked me to watch Connor (my nephew) for a few days, I jumped on the opportunity. So I stayed with them for 5 days, and during the day I watched Connor and at night I tried to make "the rounds". It was so great to be able to spend time with Connor and watch him get bigger and play (by the way he's such a great baby), but I also got to see some friends and family. Its impossible to see everyone I would like to see, but I try my hardest. This trip I was able to see my beautiful friend Candace and her boyfriend. Some of my in-laws, some of my friends I used to work with(Allie and Nicole), and an old friend from high school (Adeniz). And although Greg is a little lonely without me and I miss him as well, it was a great trip! I need a family and friend fix every now and again, but with these gas prices rising, it makes it even more difficult. In the end, i was so busy that there wasn't much time for picture taking, but here is an adorable picture of my niece (Mya) and Connor. We met at the mall one day and they were coincidently wearing the same outfit. Aren't they adorable?!?!

Sick Doggy

Our puppy, Dakota, has been having issues this past month. We had to deworm her twice, then she went to get fixed at the SPCA and came home with Kennel cough. Kennel cough is like a doogy version of bronchitus. Its been really rough for both her and us. She coughed everytime she took a step and gagged after she coughed! Poor thing did not move for like a week and had trouble eating. But after some antibiotics and cough medicine she's doing a ton better now. She's not fully recovered, but the Aaron and Gina's comforting her while they were here, she's improved!

Family visit

So this past week my brother, Tracy, their son Connor, Tracy's mom Norma, and Tracy's twin sisters came up to visit for 3 days. We had a good time! The girls were interested in a lot of what a dairy has to offer. They did everything from milking a cow to looking for frogs! I got to spend a lot of time with my new nephew Connor! And Greg got someone to hang with (jeff). It was an all around good time and I can't wait for the next trip up here!

new car!

So Greg and I were not expecting to buy a new car when we went "looking" for one. We just went to test drive this dodge Charger when before we knew we fell in love. It ended up to have some great deals AND rebates so we went for it! As you well know I had a two door Scion TC that wasn't very large and eventually we would need a bigger car. Not to mention that Greg didn't fit really well in it. So we traded that in for a lager car and we love it!

Our Honeymoon!

So as you all know, Greg and I had to delay our honeymoon because of work circumstances and that we moved our wedding day WAY up. But finally after 4 months of marriage we got to enjoy our honeymoon! We went to Cancun Mexico at an all-inclusive adult-only resort. It was amazing! We enjoyed swimming with the dolphins, the spa, the pool, drinks and sleeping! Thats all we did and loved every minute of it! We would love to do it again in the future and recommend it to anyone who wants a relaxing vacation. The place was beautiful and so was the scenery. Except for the traveling part of it, everything else was a dream!

But before we went to Cancun, we got the opportunity to stop by and see some family! We went to visit with Tracy and Connor, missed Jeff :( but it was great to see how big he's getting and all the new things he's up to! Connor not Jeff :) He's doing great and lookin good! We also got to meet our newest niece Mya Grace Douma, Adri and Steve. And if you haven't seen her yet, she is beautiful! It was great to meet her although she slept the whole time 2 1/2 hours, and we didn't get a peek at her eyes. But she looks like an angel when she's sleeping! We're truly blessed that our family is growing so fast and all are happy and healthy!

Tag I'm it, but its all about Greg

What is his name? Gregory Alan Douma
How long have you been married? 4 months
Who long did you date? It depends cause there was a break, but over 1 1/2 solid before we got married.
How old is he? 29
Who eats more sweets? Me for sure!
Who said I love you first? I hinted at him that I loved him, but he never caught on. But he said the actual words first :)
Who is taller? He is
Who can sing better? He can
Who is smarter? Greg of course! I don't even think he knows how smart he is!
Who does the laundry? Me, it's my job :)
Who mows the lawn? The guy who grandpa hired
Who pays the bills? Me
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I think I do, but it depends cause is the right side looking at the bed from a standing position, or from laying down. Tricky question.
Who cooks dinner? I usually do, but every now and then Greg gets a wild hair and cooks something for me!
Who drives? We both do, but I like it when he drives.
Who is more stubborn? I am by far.
Who kissed who first? I kissed him first, as everyone knows... he's a little slow at that kind of stuff :)
Who asked who out first? Once again I think I did
Who has more siblings? Him for sure!
Who wears the pants? ummm me ;)

Our New Life on the Dairy

As you all know, we got married just three and a half months ago, and our lives have changed dramatically. Not only have we moved 3 hours away from our family and friends, but our occupations have both changed drastically.



Greg is managing the dairy that we now live on. He is enjoying it and, comes to find out, has a knack for it. He has caught on to the many different things there is to know about running a dairy. For those of you who don't know him very well, this doesn't suprise any of his family or friends. Greg is extremly smart, and can do anything he puts his mind to. His hours are a little strange. He works on and off for the good part of the day. Some days he works 6 hours and other days he works 10. It all depends if something goes wrong or needs fixing. He loves being outside, and the odd hours don't bother him at all. We are thinking this will be a permanent career!



I (Megan) have also kind of changed my work. I am currently not "working" at the moment. I did hair down south, for those of you who didn't know, and succeeded at it. After the rush wedding planning and the big move i needed a break. Now I am really enjoying being a housewife. I still do hair and am gaining some clients, but I do it at my house now. When i am not doing hair, I do a ton of laundry, clean house, cook, and keep the house running smoothly. Its difficult to live so far away from everything (about 25-30 mins), so running errands is an all-day task. Anyway, I love it and Greg does too :)



At Christmas time we decided to get a puppy! Her name is Dakota, she is half lab and german shepard. We have been training her, and she gets better with every day. She goes out with Greg every morning and is very playful. She is adorable and we enjoy having her in our new little family!



For those of you who don't know this part, Greg has 5 brothers and I have 1 brother and 1 sister. Greg's #2 in his lineup and his older brother lives in New Mexico with his wife(Angie) and their 4 kids (Breanna, Bryce, Anneke and Elizabeth). It is great having neices and nehews and we have more additions! My brother and his wife Tracy had their beautiful baby boy (Connor) on Dec.24th! He is doing great and growing fast! Steve( brother #3) and his wife Adri are expecting their little girl any day now! Our family is growing and it's such a blessing!



So to wrap this up, we are enjoying our new life! We keep in touch with our old, great friends and are making new ones as well! Thank you all for the love and support, and we look foward to keeping you updated on our new lives!