Pregnancy Diaries- 17 weeks

How Preggo am I?
17 weeks, sorry I got behind.

Gender
We find out August 2 at 1:30pm. We are both REALLY looking forward to it!

Maternity Clothes
Well thanks to my mom and dad I am well established in this department. They were so generous to take me shopping and get me all situated. I think I am good for now. I am still trying to wear my regular clothes as much as possible while I can but it is getting more difficult. I can see that leggings are going to be my friend this fall and winter.

Movement
Well this is the most exciting news.. we have movement!!! I first felt it while I was at camp about a week ago and this week it is getting more frequent. This past weekend I actually felt the baby completely move. It was crazy! I told Adam the movement feels like your lower abdomen is twitching. I have not gotten use to it and I hope I don't. It is still really hard to believe that there is a baby inside of me.
Sleep
While I was at camp I slept great which was such an answered prayer. This past week I have been sleeping really well because my mom had me shopping every day for several hours. It was really nice. I am still trying not to take naps during the day so I can sleep at night. It is really hard though. But for the most part I can't complain!

What I Miss
Not much of anything. I can honestly say I feel very content right now!

Cravings
I have to say I'm a little disappointed at the lack of crazy cravings. I bought a jar of pickles thinking I would crave them.. but I haven't. My mom came and cook for me some of my favorites which was awesome. Everything was so good but I think what I liked the most was just her cooking for me. I didn't have to think about food or what I was going to eat which was really a blessing!
I still want chocolate milk and everything has been tasting really salty so I am trying to take salt into consideration.
As I think about it the only thing I have really craved has been ice cold water. I mean freezing water. I have never drank so much water in my life and it's really the only thing I want to drink.

Symptoms
My headaches have gotten less frequent and the Dr. gave me a prescription which has really helped. At my appointment this past week he put me on iron. Other than that I got a great report at the Dr. which I am so thankful for! We heard the heartbeat again and for all those that wanted to know how fast, it was 145 bpm. I could listen to that sweet heartbeat all day! It is the greatest sound!
My stomach has begun to grow faster and faster.. I have had a lot of growing pains over the past 2 weeks and my appetite continues to grow. No other symptoms as of now.

Fears
While I was at camp I had a little bit of a freak out moment. I honestly think it was because I was away from home, I was uncomfortable, and I couldn't talk to Adam. For a moment it all just hit me that my life was going to change completely. I well while I like change.. I don't really like the unknown and that is where I believe we are headed into the unknown. But what is so comforting is that I know the God of the universe who planned this baby before the beginning of time and knows everything about my life and his or her life. That is so comforting to me. What an awesome God we serve and who loves us just where we are at!

Best Moment of the week
Hands down feeling the baby kick. I feel very blessed and am so thankful I get to experience that feeling on Earth! Also having my mom at my Dr.'s appt with me. I love that she was able to be a part of this with me.

Pregnancy Diaries- 14 weeks

How Preggo am I?
14 Weeks

Gender
We don't know yet, but we find out in 5 weeks

Maternity Clothes
I have had to be a little more creative because I started work this week so I actually have to look some what presentable but thankfully just hanging out with kids so comfy clothes are still the must! I did do some shopping this past week and scored big at Old Navy sale rack.. so thankful! I really want to buy stuff on sale as much as possible.. I see no point in buying clothes full price.

Movement
No movement.. I have to say I really CAN'T wait! I am counting down the weeks. My Dr. said I should expect movement around week 18 so I'm actually 15 weeks as I write this so only 3 more weeks!!!!

Sleep
I have been sleeping about the same since last week.. but I like I said I started working in the mornings so I have come home every day and taken a nap for about an hour.

What I Miss
I really can't say I miss much this week!

Cravings
So I have decided with Adam's help that my cravings are very spur of the moment. I will see something on TV or think of something and say wow that sounds amazing. So this week.. I had chicken pot pie and lasagna.. both were Divine and very random since it's summer and 80 degrees. I also have eaten Taco Bell.. I know I know.. I'm stopping now! Oh and I drank Chocolate Milk and boy did it taste so good. Adam made me a glass and I told him I don't think I have had chocolate milk since grade school.

Symptoms
I am still having headaches and they come on almost everyday. I called my doctor today and he put me on some medicine that is stronger than Tylenol. My appetite has grown.. I'm hungry all the time. I think the baby is growing because I also have had some pain in my lower abdomen only at night and it really isn't that bad especially when I know it's because he or she is growing. It's a cool feeling. I have had some CRAZY dreams which I have heard is normal. I don't normally remember dreams but these are very real and absolutely insane.

Fears
No fears this week.

Best Moment of the week
Adam and I had a great conversation about the baby and have begun to sort out how we are feeling, things we need to discuss, decisions that need to be made, I really enjoyed the conversation. Also I realized thanks to our church bulletin that Christmas the baby will be here in 6 months! Goodness

Sorry no picture this week. Will for sure post next week!

Pregnancy Diaries- 13 weeks

How Preggo am I?
13 weeks

Gender
We don't know yet, but we find out in 6 WEEKS!!!!!

Total Weight Gain
I don't know and I don't want to know. The doctor didn't say anything about my weight so I assume I'm doing ok!

Maternity Clothes
Still wearing pretty much all dresses most of time and still in non-maternity shirts. I think shopping is going to be in my future!!!!

Movement
No movement as of yet, well I don't think. Call me crazy but I think I felt something last night.. but who knows. I can't wait to feel the baby ... it is the one thing I am most looking forward to!

Sleep
I have been sleeping a little better lately thank you JESUS!!!

What I Miss
I really can't say I miss much this week!

Cravings
No real cravings. I have been cooking some foods my mom cooked while I was growing up. I have to say I am looking forward to when my mom visits cause I wants some home cooking!!!!

Symptoms
I have had some headaches this week which is normal. Other than that everything has been good. I got a cold/cough that was pretty bad this week, but Doc put me on some cough medicine and I'm feeling better. My appetite has become more regular so to speak.. well because the nausea is gone I don't have to snack all the time which is SO nice.

Fears
No fears this week. Still don't know if the baby has become a reality to me or Adam. I think when we find out what it is it will become more real!

Best Moment of the week
By far hearing the heart beat! It took the doctor some time to find it but as soon as he went to the left side there it was! So fast and so awesome. I could of listened to that all day!

And just for your amusement here is Eliah at 13 weeks! His favorite spot!

Pregnancy Diaries- 12 weeks

I am going to try and use this format I saw on another blog hopefully this will help focus me! Sorry for the lengthy post! Enjoy!


How Preggo am I?
12 Weeks

Gender
We don't know yet, but we are planning on finding out

Total Weight Gain
I don't know and I don't want to know. I am struggling with this alot. There is alot of anxiety and fear... so I'm going to avoid it as much as possible.

Maternity Clothes
Well since I don't really leave our house.. I spend most of my time in lounge pants and shirts.. none are maternity. When I go out I mostly wear dresses they are the most comfortable right now and I did buy a pair of maternity shorts and they are AWESOME. I plan on getting one more pair and living in them this summer. As far as tops.. I'm wearing all normal tops as of now.

movement
No movement as of yet. It's a little early but Adam and I were talking about it last night and we both think this will be a pretty cool thing once it happens.

Sleep
I have had a really hard time sleeping. I think this mostly has to do with my schedule during the day. I am trying to stay up during the day and if that happens then I sleep pretty good at night. I am getting up any where from 2-3 times a night to go to the bathroom. Last night I couldn't cool down even with a fan blowing directly on me so I went to the basement and I slept ok.

What I miss
Not having to think about all that I can and can't eat for safety reasons. I miss deli meats which I didn't really eat before but I do now. I thought I would miss caffeine but I really have not. There are mornings where I can't seem to wake up and I think.. wow wish I could have coffee.. but other than that.. not so much.

Cravings
In the beginning I wanted any thing lemon or lime. I don't have anything specific.. I guess I crave anything I don't have to make.. I really have had no desire to cook at all. I really wish we could have someone come and cook for us. There was a week or so all I wanted was a hamburger. That has passed. Oh and I can't stand coffee and chocolate and vegetables. All very not me because I really like all 3 of those.

Symptoms
Well the nausea has stopped.. PRAISE the LORD! I'm happy to say I never threw up! The past 2 weeks I have had a headache almost every day and I am constantly going to the bathroom. My nails are growing really fast.. which is new to me.. I don't have nails. Oh and I have more hair on my stomach.. I know weird. No one tells you that happens.
Fears
Weight gain is a fear.. it is a major insecurity of mine.. I'm trying to overcome it especially because I refuse to pass the insecurity down to my child. Fear of the unknown.. we really don't know what our future is going to hold where we are going to live.. what state we will be living in .. so I guess adding a newborn into that has added some fear. But I have to say there is also excitement in all of it as well!

Best Moment of the week
Just being in my 12th week has been really exciting this week. It is nice to start my 3rd month.

Changes in our Life....

Well here is my attempt to get back into blogging.. I am really determined to do weekly posts will see if I can do it! A couple of things going on in Casa Bayer.. First, Adam's application for the Navy. Most of you know but maybe a few don't about 2 years ago Adam started the application process to become a chaplain in the US Navy. Well there is ALOT that has gone on but we are nearing the end. He only has a handful of things that still need to happen but it all looks like a go. When we entered this process we said our goal was for him to be active duty by his 30th birthday and well.. I think it's going to happen. I don't really want to give to much details on here since this blog isn't private so I will keep you posted as much as I can. Please continue to pray that all of this will happen in the Lord's timing and Adam and I will continue to have patience and peace that only comes from Him!
Another update that most of you know but I will announce it again .. We are Having A BABY!!!! I'm due Dec. 21! Things have been going well.. I am 12 weeks pregnant today! So thankful to be starting my 3rd month.. So as for the first 11 weeks.. here is an update.
We found out we were pregnant I was 5 weeks. We went to our first doctor's appointment at 6 weeks and go to see the little tadpole.. that's what it looked like. I felt nauseous since I found out.. it pretty much put me on the couch. I know a lot of women have it a lot worse for I did so I am thankful.. but I am really glad it is over. I was sleeping well for the first couple of weeks but then started going to the bathroom ALL the time. The best part of these weeks was telling people we were pregnant. As for Adam and I we were really overwhelmed and in shock. It has been hard for me to process this is happening but it all has come about in God's perfect timing and I can completely see that it is the perfect time! Sorry I don't have any pictures from these weeks but for future posts there will be plenty of pics. Until next time!
Jen

Introducing Eliah Bayer

Eliah came into our lives back in May of 2010. We knew we wanted to get a dog but couldn't decide on what breed. For my birthday in April Adam said I could pick what breed we got! I was super excited and we both knew exactly what I would choose... A Golden Retriever. After much research we found a breeder on craigslist and well... this is what got...


This picture is from the night we brought him home. Boy has he changed!!!!! He has taught me so much, how impatient and selfish I am. He has also shown me so much joy and laughter! He has completely become part of our family. Adam would never say this but he LOVES him and Eliah LOVES Adam.. it's really cute! Here are some more pictures sorry for the picture overload but I'm a proud dog owner!

winter 2010

Its been a while... I feel like not much has happened. We had ALOT of snow this winter.. snow that A and I were not use to. In Feb. A got hired by our church as a ministry intern. The internship is for about 15 months and you may wonder then what???? Well now that are parents know our plans for the future I can tell all of you.. and when I say all of you all the 3 people that read this Ha Ha ha..
This fall A is going to begin the application process to become a military chaplain. We are not sure what branch yet still in process about that but feel that this is the Lord's plan for us and our future. We are excited about the next chapter of life.. I kind of feel like life is in waiting right now cause we know Columbus is temporary but trying to keep those feelings at bay. So A works most of time at church and still moves boxes in the mornings. I am still in the social work field.. I don't believe I fully comprehend what I do for a living. It still takes my breath away of how God has worked in my life to bring me to this point. We had a visit from my parents this month and it was really great. I really enjoyed having them in our home..I felt like a grown up making breakfast for my parents... it was fun!
We are heading for vacation on Saturday really pumped about that... I will have pictures to post when we get back.
Here are some pictures from the winter.. I attempted some new recipes which was fun .. I have many more on my list I am excited to attempt them this spring.
Signing off for now.. blessings to all of you..





I believe this recipe was mexican bbq chicken.. not sure it was really good.. 2 things happen when I cook.. I make a HUGE mess (which you will see below and the smoke detectors go off..)








Finished product!!!!!

paint or not to paint that is the question...

Ok so I have to say that I am a little nervous to post these pictures because my house is a mess but I told my parents I would send emails and since I know my family are the only people who read this.. there is grace. Below are pictures of the current situations going on in our condo. We have finally decided we are painting this weekend..I have officially been put on a home decorating budget and I have over spent already by 2 months... ummm we have a problem Houston.
I will keep you posted on how decorating goes.. I am counting on my mother when she comes to town to help me... so if you are reading this get ready mom!



The living room


Eating area


yes I know it says fat but really it's suppose to say EAT


1/2 bath


upstairs bath


master bedroom

It's been way to long!!!!!

Well well well... it has been too long blogging world. A lot has happened.. decisions have been made, living arrangements have changed, hair color has changed... but at the end of all the change... the Bayers are still here..excited for the future.. thankful for a Glorious GOD who LOVES US!
After living with some dear friends of ours for the past 7 months we moved out the first weekend in Jan. We traveled almost every weekend in December... and decided to just go ahead and move the very next weekend our travel schedule slowed down. It was a long weekend but I'm thankful we went ahead and did it.
Below are pictures I found on my camera I found unpacking boxes. Adam surprised me for our anniversary in July with a trip to Hocking Hills, OH. We had dinner at a local joint.. we both thought the food was ok.. we stayed at a cabin in the woods.. hung out in the hot tub and then went hiking the next day! It was perfect and we really enjoy the time alone.

















More updates to come...
J

Yes... we are still alive

It has been almost 3 months.... I would say life has been crazy but it really hasn't. We have kind of gotten into a routine here in Ohio.. it has been nice. I thought I would have more of a difficult time not traveling but it has been a really easy transition. I don't miss being on an airplane at all... I do miss my blackberry.. but my new job is busy.. it's a different kind of busy but nonetheless I have plenty of work to do.. so it hasn't been that bad. Adam is working a ton somedays I feel sorry for him starting his day around 4am and not ending it until 8 or 9pm.. He is hanging in there. We are still in waiting mode.. waiting for the Lord to unfold His plan for our life. We have had many doors close which has been awesome.. I have been praying for closed doors and a BIG one OPEN. :) I feel some days I have a grasp on contentment in this stage of life others are harder.. I think Adam feels the same way. We use to talk about our future all the time but it got really discouraging.. so now we talk about it very briefly, he usually updates me if he got an email or a phone call and we usually sit down and have a serious conversation every several weeks. This has helped me tremendously not get consumed with thoughts of "what the heck are we going to do".
I am posting pictures from our move, I planned on doing a huge post on the whole move but I'm just going to show pictures. We stopped at my parent's house for a night to see my family it was great to see everyone, especially the new baby of the family Nita!!! She is a doll and I can't wait to hold her this Christmas!

For your amusement

A Million Months Later....

I finally would decide to blog. Trust me I have wanted to sit down and do this for SO long but to be honest it has been a little overwhelming. There has been a ton going on and dealing with a lot of stuff so blogging and writing it all down has been the last thing I have wanted to do. Finally I think I am ready.... so there are so many stories... first we moved... well I moved first...then Adam moved... while moving for the second time with all of our stuff in the 27 ft. truck we rented we hit and killed a dog... yep it was great.. I mean yes I LOVE dogs but it was really funny I mean it was around 4:30am in the sticks of Tennessee. We had stopped at my parents house to see the family and had to leave early in order to make it to OH before it got dark. Anyways.. we made it to OH safe and sound and have been settling in. I am not going to lie and say it is all been great and such a happy time.. it has definitely been the most uncomfortable time of my life. Change is very difficult for me and every aspect of my life has changed within the last 2 months. To make a really long story short.. trying to see the Lord in all of this and I know he is here I know he is, I just have to remember to keep my eyes focused on Him. Is that difficult for anyone else???

there are many more stories to tell oh about how we are living with some great friends of ours.. that were really Adam's friends but have become very dear friends of mine.. I was hit by a cop on the highway who was trying to chase after a horse that had gotten loose..yep and I was found guilty.... Adam and I both passed our driving test in the state of OH, Adam got another article published in a magazine and got paid for it... oh yes and we are still waiting on the Lord to let us know what he wants us to do for HIS kingdom... WOO ok enough talking... til next time...

Peace in our TIMES!!!

Finishing up in Dallas....

I'm just sending a quick update for you all... as of today April 27th I'm finished with Women of Faith, my last day was actually my birthday the 23rd, Adam is finished with school today (we are in the computer lab right now so he can finish a paper), and I move in 4 days. I know I know I know... A LOT is going on!!!! I honestly feel like I'm just being carried through this... sitting watching it all fly by. Amongest all the chaos there has been incredible peace that can only come from the Lord. I am in awe of what it feels like to be lead by Him!
I am sending out today an email updating all of our families and friends of our contact information as some of it has changed.
Here are some things you can pray for us during the coming days, weeks, month.
1. Rest- we have both been extremely busy the past couple of weeks
2. Quality time together before I leave
3. A job for Adam
4. Wisdom and peace for me next week when I start my new job
5. Safe trips to Columbus and Dallas over the next several weeks
6. An easy time saying goodbye to friends here ( I think I am in denial still)
Thank you for all your prayers they are SO appreciated!
We love you all !!!
I will update when I can
A and J

P.S... We just found out Adam has 2 devotionals being published in a magazine!!! Pray that they will be used by the Lord in a mighty way!!!

Update on the Bayer's Future

Well I mentioned earlier that we had a lot of changes... so here is the update. In Jan. right after the holidays Adam and I decided that the Lord was calling us to move back to Columbus, OH after school. There are positives and negatives to the move but we are embracing all the change one day at a time. Positives.... we get to be near friends, we like Columbus, we enjoy Ohio (obviously this is where we both call home), Buckeye football, close to family, and the most important it is where the Lord wants us :). Negatives, we are far away from Jen's family (please pray for them.. this has been very difficult for them), snow, snow and more snow, leaving good friends in Texas, and did we mention the cold weather. As of Feb. Jen's job was ok with Jen working out of columbus... which was really exciting... until oh 3 weeks ago. To make a long story really short, the Lord opened a door for me to work with the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP)as a family case manager, in columbus. This job is a dream for me, my passion, and I can NOT wait to start. So as of April 24th I will no longer be working for Women of Faith I will be moving to Columbus before Adam and starting my job at NYAP. Adam moves May 23rd after he is finished with school. Oh yes he is finished with school in 19 days (we have a countdown started) it can't get here fast enough! When he is finished the job search will start for him, please pray the Lord will open a door for him to do what he is created to do!

Although life is really hectic right now we are Praising God for his goodness, faithfullness, and blessings He alone has brought into our lives. We could not be more excited to start this new journey together!

I thought I would give you a picture of us... this was taken on our Honeymoon... July 2005.. wow almost 4 years ;)

Girl's Trip 2009

Some of the girls I have worked with over the past 3 years decided we needed a vacation. So we used our airline miles and 5 of us flew to St. Maarten's the end of Feb. My parents were gracious enough to lend us a week of their timeshare... it was an incredible week. Literally my week looked like this.... Get up around 8 or 9, get coffee at the french bakery, lay on the beach from about 9 or 10 until about 3pm, go in take a nap or read Redeeming Love(if you haven't read this you are MISSING OUT!), go to dinner be in bed no later than 10pm. Wake up the next day and do it all over again. You don't realize how exhausted you are until you go on vacation and are in bed every night by 10pm. All in all it was a great week, I loved spending time with my girl friends, and of course getting a tan. Here are some pics of the week!

Clares, me, stenz, shells ... all of my nicknames for them!

Wags and Stenz

Sarah and I

there was a street carnival on the French side of St. Maarten's it was interesting

View of our beach and resort!

Christmas 2008

It has been a really long time since I last posted... ALOT has happened in our life... I begin to attempt to catch you all up! Here it goes..

Christmas 2008, this year was the Cobb Christmas. I was really looking forward to Christmas at my parents, it had been a long time since I had the pleasure of my mom's cooking, plus it was the first time my mom's side of the family was all together since our wedding. So like 4 years... it was a great time! Before we went to Mississippi we had Christmas just the 2 of us. Here are pictures of us on Christmas morning and our tree.

The Last of My Travel Chronicles

Well this is the last entry of my travels.... WOO HOO! It has been over 2 months and has come to an end. I am back in Dallas and really happy! I remember when this city did not feel like home but when I got in my car this past Friday and started to drive on the busy highways it felt like home. What a blessing to feel at home and full of peace, some many times I take it for granted but I think these past months have made me realize to never take "Home" for granted. Here are some pictures of my last 2 trips. First is from Nashville, TN I went to eat at the Pancake Pantry which is this famous place to eat. I got their blueberry pancakes but they are in no comparison with Papa's. I also went to J. Alexander's which is an OH restuarant I love and saw Trent Lott there... pretty cool. Of course I did a little shopping and went to this really cool vintage store. All in all I LOVE Nashville and told Adam Bayer we could live there if we needed to :). My last trip was one of my favorite cities in the USA.... DENVER, CO!!! I can't express how much I love this city. The pictures do not do it justice. I drank about 3 liters of water everyday because of the altitude, yes I get really effected by it and I drank Caribou coffee like it was going out of style. :) I met some amazing people and got to see some old friends. It was a great way to end my 2 months of traveling!

Dessert at J. Alexander's it was amazing!



The last 2 days I was in Denver it only got up into the 20's and it snowed about 3-5 inches... It was COLD!!!!

Although this isn't from my trip, this was taken in Atlanta, it just shows my love for Caribou!

Things we are pondering right now...

Well for me (Jen) it has been a whirlwind of a month, I have been all over the country and have met some amazing people and seen some amazing things. In the next couple of months we are going to have a lot of things to decide on and a question came to my mind today, I am still pondering it now but thought I would pose it to whoever the heck reads this :) mom it's just you and I : ). Do you have the faith to move mountains???? Being in Denver this week and seeing mountains everyday and how massive they are this question came to mind. While I was thinking it this verse came to mind...
"Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Matt 7:20

We have no idea where the Lord is leading us... but my hearts desire is that I will have enough faith in HIM who created us and gave us life that he will lead us in him timing.

Please pray for us during this time, we really need your prayers. Pray for direction, passion, and our families (they are affected in this decision as well). We appreciate it!

Til next time
Adam and Jen