Aunt Rachel's Visit / 89'r Day Parade

My sister Rachel came to stay with us this last weekend, and it was a BLAST! The kids were all over her, and competing for her attention every moment. We did several fun things, like the OU Museum of Art (of which Leah tolerated all but the last 25 minutes of....then at that point the ELEVATOR was the only exhibit she was interested in). We also went to "Pop's" up in Edmond and enjoyed a wide variety of overpriced Soda's from across the country ($12.93 / 6 pack!). We visited the OKC Bombing memorial as well. So much to see, so little time! One of the highlights of the weekend was the 89'r Day Parade on Saturday. Rachel did not know it, but we were participating in it this year, as part of the Arvest Bank (and families) entry. We got all of us cowboy hats, kercheifs, and turned our little red wagon into a prarie covered wagon (Yes, thank you I sewed it myself!). It was a great surprise, and Rachel was a great sport! She usually doesn't wear a cowboy hat and walk up and down Main street. We all had a great time. It was a little hotter than I thought it would be, but we made it! Leah (who HATES having the sun in her eyes) was upset that the parade route was facing directly east, and so she sat with her pink cowboy hat on top of her face basically the whole time. (Sorry, no pic of that...I was too busy with the dog on the leash, and supervising Isaac in passing out candy.) She refused to act cute and wave to the onlookers. Once the parade was over and we turned South, she immediately wanted to get out of the wagon because the sun was no longer in her eyes. She started throwing candy with all the enthusiasm in the world....although there were no people there. She threw candy to the street-side anyway! We had a great time!
The kids were sad when they woke up Monday morning and Aunt Rachel was gone. :o( But she is a busy girl, and has to get back to her busy life. Did I mention that my sister Rachel is a wonderful artist? She recently had an art show. You should check out her paintings!!!

Aunt Rachel, Isaac, and Leah ready for the Parade!

Leah in her CUTE covered wagon!

Fat pants.

No this picture is not of me...I'm not that daring. It is just to reinforce my question here.
So when do you give in? When do you say "Yes, I'm pregnant, but can I really get away with wearing maternity clothes when I'm ONLY 11½ weeks pregnant? C'mon now! Baby is the size of a lemon....so why am I expanding at such a rapid pace. And as you can see by my ultra-sound pics below...there is only ONE in there. Could it be that I EAT all the time (to beat the nausea back hour after hour)? Or is this just "how it is" with the 3rd pregnancy? You body says "Hey, no holding back. We are pregnant, and so let's LOOK it RIGHT NOW". SO not fair! My tummy is tender all the time (you know how when you're nauseated you don't want anything putting pressure on your abdomen?). I can't stand to have anything restricting on me. So, do I surrender to the maternity clothes, or would that be just far TOO ABSURD for a woman who is only 11½ weeks pregnant?

Hi Guys! I'm in here!!!

We had our first Prenatal appointment yesterday with the Midwife. It was great! She talked with us for over an hour, and didn't make me feel "rushed" like I was just another patient on the list of appointments to get through today. I loved it! She is so knowledgable, and so involved in my care as far as my nutritional decisions, my lifestyle, and wanting me to be safe in all I do. She brought in a little ultrasound machine on a cart (like a mini laptop computer!) and we got to SEE THIS LITTLE BABY! It was amazing. Although only the size of an egg, and to many who see this, perhaps not so impressive appearance-wise...to us it was AMAZING. He/She was holding fairly still, probably sleeping. But you could see the two little arms, and the skeletal structure as the little face was facing us straight ahead. And the amazing little heart beating 160 bpm. It is so cool to KNOW that he/she really is in there, and that I'm feeling so miserably sick for a reason. And now we have SEEN it! It was so very cool! So I wanted to share these pictures. I hope they scan-in well. The baby's head is on the right.

Hubler Baby #3

Yes, we are going public!
For those who have not heard, I am indeed pregnant (explains the glazed over look, and constant nibbling if you've seen me lately). I think as I ate cereal all through church on Fast Sunday....some had grown suspicious. As of today (4/4) I am 10 weeks pregnant. Sick as a dog. Excited, and just hoping for the day that I make it beyond this stage of nausea and exhaustion. Only 4 more weeks of this. The 2nd trimester is my "Celestial Trimester". No more nausea, a renewed strength, feeling first fetal movement, getting the ultra-sound, FINALLY an excuse to wear maternity clothes, etc. Then during the 3rd trimester I'm pretty much as large as a house, can't breathe, suffering outrageous heartburn, and back to being not-so-useful to society! AH THE FUN! As the days slowly pass, I sit on my nasty couch (our new ones are on order...HORAY) and look at my pictures on my mantle of my two precious little babies. Isaac and Leah's newborn pictures are the only thing that keeps me thinking "It WILL be worth it in the end."
So....a BOY or a GIRL???? What will it be. We actually plan on a delivery room surprise. Mikey wanted a surprise back when I was pregnant with Leah. But I HAD to know, so in case it was a girl (and yes it was) I would be prepared. Now that we have boxes of both boy and girl stuff on hand....it really doesn't matter what this one is! So I am graciously allowing Michael his "delivery room surprise". Isaac and Leah are at odds. Isaac says it's a boy because he's never had a little brother. Leah says it's a girl because she wants to "Be a big sister, just like Dada" (I don't understand her logic in that! But she's 2, so what do you expect?). My maternal premonitions are telling me more-so that this is a boy. But it is REALLY early on, so WHO KNOWS.
We have also made the decision to go through a Midwife this time around. Ann Stewart is our Midwife up at OU Medical Center. It is the only Hospital in the state that has a Midwifery program. I am thrilled!!!! After two induced labors where I felt managed, pushed into decision making based on speculated risks, and overall being just another part of the medically managed business of being born, I am excited to manage my own delivery with my husband at my side, and for the first time, trust birth. I also have a Doula (professional labor coach) flying in from California. Her name is Brenda, and she actually is a LONG TIME friend of Michael's. When he was a missionary, he and his companion lived in their basement for a long time, and developed a bond with that family that has carried on over the years. Brenda is kind enough to have reserved for us, the last week in October and first week in November for my anticipated delivery, where she will fly here to be at our side.
After the research and preparation I have put into this....and will yet put into this pregnancy and delivery, I am SO SO SO EXCITED for this experience.