MORE AND MORE BELLY

31WKS

28WKS

Both Families

MY

FAMILY

JV'S

FAMILY

The Ultimate Gift

This Christmas was the best ever. John Van's family and My family came together for Christmas Eve and we had so much fun! JV's 3 step brothers all came in . His bother Brad with his wife Jodi and son Ben. Then his other two brothers John and Lee. They hadn't been all together in 13yrs. We had the greatest time. Thanks to both families!

Griffin However racked up! He got a huge Einstein super saucer, Baby champ for those stinky diapers, Lots of cute clothes and bibs and his swing that will hopefully help him sleep!
John Van and I both got our own individual pouches to carry him in. Jv got the Bjorn and I got my sprout pouch which you will all get to see. It was my favorite surprise. I then surprised JohnVan with a cocky baby Cd. Which teaches your child how to cheer for the Gamecocks which he loved.

My favorite gift of all was given to me by my wonderful husband. A mommy necklace which is basically a silhouette charm of a little boy on a chain. It's perfect it reminds me of my beautiful baby growing in my belly!

Saving the Ultimate gift for last. Christmas Eve service was great! We all left refreshed with the true meaning of Christmas. How important it is to remember that we are celebrating the birth of Christ! It's amazing when you really stop and think about it God's spirit fills your heart. That's exactly what he did for John Van and I that night.
We left with such great joy and couldn't believe how much God has truly blessed our lives. Great family, friends, a perfect little one growing and most importantly each other! I couldn't ask for anything more!

BIG THANKS TO ALL !

What a terrific weekend! We had one of the busiest weekends yet. Friday night we went to a Christmas Dinner at our friends house, Tara and Jason Newton, where we were surrounded by eight wonderful babies/toddlers. They were so cute. They all exchanged gifts and just had a ball.

Saturday we went to one of my sorority sisters weddings Rachel Arant. Congrats to her. It was a beautiful day. She was a breath taking bride!

Then Sunday we had a christening to attend our friend Deann and Brent their daughter Weatherly got baptized which made John Van and I both cry! She is the most beautiful little girl!
That same night we had the Sunday school Christmas Party at our house. Which ended up being 22adults and 11 children. Wow! It was amazing . John Van and myself are very very blessed to have our church and other friends that have little ones to help Griffin grow up to be the amazing man he is suppose to be.

Overall, John Van and I took a long look at our busy weekend and realized how blessed we really are to have such wonderful supporting friendships. So here is a BIG THANKS to everyone of our friends!! We love you and can't wait to experience many more times together!

The tiny things in life

Griffin woke me up this morning having Hiccups! How much fun! My belly was just a jiggling! I wish I could of taped it. I hate having the hiccups . Hopefully, Griffin didn't mind me laughing at him:). I can't wait till some of you get to experience this. For those of you that have Isn't it so much fun?

Back to Being Postive

So I went to my meeting at 3 and it was a lot better than I ever expected. Thanks for all the prayers. There are a huge amount of women get this and it's nothing I have done wrong just bad genes. (sorry to my family I still love you). I have to prick my self three times a day and pee on a keytone strip in the morning. But the bright side is that I can control it with my exercise and eating habits. Which are not so strict. I actually get to eat all day. I also get to have rice krispy treats and ice cream in moderation of course. So I am pleased.
My doctor said that this diet will give me more energy and I wont gain as much weight in the end. So that is what I am focusing on. As for now I am okay with this. I'll let you know if that positive out look will change.

GESTATIONAL DIABETIES? WHAT'S THAT????

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I eat right drink nothing but water and exercise and now I have gestational diabetes! Yuck! I just got the news today and I am so frustrated. I should of eaten horrible things and not even exercised and I probably would of passed. I am going back up to the Doc's office at 3 to talk with a Nutritionist who will put me on a diet. And now I will have to prick my finger everyday probably 3 times a day. I WILL UPDATE ON SPECIFICS LATER! Keep us in your prayers and that my little one will be just fine! LOVE YOU ALL ! AMY AND GRIFF

Prepearing for Parenthood

John Van bought Our God son Sam a Carolina Football. So he taught him how to throw it . He is starting the Fatherhood off just fine. Don't Ya Think?

What a great Father figure and a cute one a that!

Sam was so excited we kept him the entire weekend. We even had to get him up and take him to church. Needless to say we were late. John Van and I learned our first lesson when you drop your kid off to the nursery bolt after. The longer you stay the longer they cry. When we Picked him back up he had him a girlfriend. He did just fine.

What a cutie. Sam asked when the baby gets to come out my belly. He said that he was ready and we need to go ahead and cut the baby out from my belly. and that if it hurt really bad he would make it all better! The things kids say. I'm sure I will hear even more from Griffin!

Thanks to NANA!!!!!!!!!

Wea!!! Griffin and I are going to have so much fun running with this new baby jogger from my mom! THANKS NANA! Watch out, Griffin and I are coming through!

Nursery Pictures

We are on our way! I still need more wall decor but It is hard with out a theme. I am so excited to have found this woman to make the window treatment and diaper stacker. Thanks to my good friend DeAnn. We can't wait to show Griffin his room!

Go Cocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a Victory! We are so excited that we beat Clemson we had to take a victory picture. Griffin has brought us GOOD LUCK! We hope to have many more of these wins as we watch our little one grow.

What a happy mommy and daddy!

GO COCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving ! The holidays are going to be so much fun being Pregnant. I'm sure Griffin is going to love all that good eating!!!!!!!!

Again Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, John Van, Amy & Little Griff!

Love Taps

Griffin is moving like crazy! Everyone is able to feel his love taps! You can even see those precious taps through my fitted shirts. I love to feel him it lets me know he's okay and his way of letting everyone know he loves them. I have had so many people touch my belly and I love it! Griffin has so may people that already Adore him!
My next Doctor appointment is the 29th of November and I have to take the Diabetes test so say a little prayer that Griffin and I ace it.

Watch my Belly Grow!

8WKS (2MO)

16WKS (4MO)

24WKS6(MO)

Griffin's cousin is here!

My little nephew has arrived! I can't believe how well my sister looks! She pushed a total of 5 times and only had 3 stitches! Guess all that aerobic instructing paid off! Go Shereon. What a Hot momma!!!!!!


As for the couple down below. We have exactly 4mo. before our little guy arrives! Can you all believe that we will be a mommy and daddy in less than 18weeks. Wow!

Foster Dean Parks 7lbs 12oz What a beautiful baby boy. Griffin will be so excited growing up with his cousin. They will have a tough time with all the girls! Griffin will have some competition that's for sure what a cutie!

Someone Please Wake Me up

Last night John Van and I just got finished eating and little Griffin was moving like crazy! I called John van over and he actually got to feel him kick 3 times. He couldn't believe it! This is so surreal. Everyone needs to experience this. I have 18 weeks to go before Griffin arrives. I am having so much fun with this pregnancy and it is flying by so fast. I still can't believe this dream has come true. I can't wait till all of you experience it! And for those of you that have I hope this brings back good memories. All my love, amyp

Living Off Peanut Butter and Bread

So I John Van sat down last night talked about our finances and have come to an agreement that we are going to have to sacrifice a lot but that we need to decide on my work load. So guess what? I get to go part time! YEPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will have 3mo. Off and then go back 3days a week. MON, Tues, Wed. So if the Bunco girls don't mind you will have an extra little boy at your playdates on Thursday. I talked to my boss Today and he agreed. What a relief I finally have some plans planned. You no me, the crazed planner! So if you want to hang out with the Pennington's we will provide the bread and water if you guys will bring the peanut butter. Ha Ha. Hope it's not that bad.

Griffin Harris Pennington

We arrived at the hospital around 10:15 and sat in the the waiting room and I was sharing my dream with John Van. In real life I sent cakes squares to the office to let them know what I was having so in my dream last night was that they cake squares had blue booties on them. Then in the waiting room we both said HE instead of she. Little did we know we had a little surprise during the ultrasound. Sunshine is a little boy. We both thought it was a little girl so it was even better to find out that we were wrong. I love surprises and this was the best one!!
So now instead of using sunshine we will use his name Griffin. If not my good friend Angie might disown me. As soon as she found out she said you CAN NOT USE SUNSHINE ANYMORE! I just laughed she is one of those friends that you can't be around without crying with laughter. Love you Angie!
We have got some ideas about the nursery but haven't finalized. If you know me you already know I don't do themes. I think they are cute as can be, just not for me.

Sunshine's Flutters

I felt the baby move! It is the coolest thing! I was actually watching the USC football game. I had been sitting down for a while and we were about to have a tied game until the opposing team fumbled the ball and we intercepted it. At this time I jumped up clapped my hands and screamed. Then there was this flutter on the lower left side . We either have a cheerleader or a football player rooting in there! I felt it again this morning when I sneezed! This is so exciting!

Our second Doctor Appt

Today JohnVan and I went to see Nurse Larrimmore to check on little sunshine. We got to hear the heart beat and let's just say we had a little scare. It felt like 10mins of searching for the heart beat. Finally, we found the heartbeat. She said the baby was moving like crazy. So we have a busy bee on our hands! So another good check up! The most exciting news was that she wants to see us back in 3 weeks for the next ultrasound. This time it will discover the sex! Yeah!! So I will know on Oct. 5th. Right before my girls trip!!! John Van and I are so ready and can't wait to see which one of us guessed right.

Sunshines first 10K

Me and My friend Amy set out over the Holiday and went to visit our Bible Study Leaders
They left us in June and we decide to go and visit them. Mary and Don had Margarita Mix ready and waiting. Boy they know us so well! Of course mine was Virgin. And of course both Mary and Amy had to rub it in about how good there's was. There house was so beautiful and Amy and I Both realized how much we really missed them! They were a hug part of our lives.

Amy and I got to shop at a near by mall and I had the best experience! I was treated like a Queen! I had more attention and more fun trying on maternity clothes than I did trying on my wedding dress. I really felt like the part in the movie Pretty Woman where she goes shopping and all the clothes were brought to her! The only difference was that I didn't get to order pizza. Maybe next time. I bought some really unique things. Now I just want to wear them! I don't think it will be too much longer! My pants are finally getting a little snug. Yea!!

Don and Mary were the best Hosts the picture below is a picture of us at 5am. Which Don and Mary both woke up to take us and cheer us on. I signed up for this race before I knew about little Sunshine. The real funny thing was that I found out that ,when we got there,I signed us up for the Hardest 10k in AMERICA! So Amy ran the race and did great! Sunshine and I walked up the hills and ran down them. It was a great experience and it will be my first challenge after Sunshine arrives.

My first shopping experience

My first outing to shop for sunshine was this morning. My friend Crissy, who is also pregnant and just found out she is having a boy, and I went to the mom's yard sale at the First Baptist Church. It was so much fun! I bought three dresses. Can you believe that? I just couldn't resist. I know I am going to find out in October that I am having a boy but I can give them as gifts to other moms having a girl. And No I will not be disappointed if I have a boy. They were just too cute to pass up!
My mother-in- law also went and she bought some things as well. She was more practical and bought clothing that was unisex.
I didn't realize how much fun it would be. Can you imagine when I do know the sex? I will be one of those crazy moms that can't stop! All in all, we got some great bargains and I will definitely go back next year. If anyone is interested let me know. All the money raised went toward mothers with multiples which is definitely needed.

Happy Tears

Yesterday, I had another Dr appt. Everything seems to be "A" Okay! All my blood work came back clear and they have changed my due date to Feb.28th. So Sunshine might arrive earlier than we thought. Which suits me just fine.
John Van is getting more and more excited everyday which just makes me so proud. I am very emotional this week and have found my self having so many happy cries. Out of no where he will say " I'm so excited I didn't realize that I would be this excited." You can imagine why I cry happy tears.
Next week the baby will be able to hear my voice through sound waves. It will be muffled but I can't wait to talk to my belly and know that Sunshine can hear at least the tone of my voice. They say your baby will recognize your voice immediately when he/she is born. How great is that?

Love at First Sight

Can you believe this is in my belly? We visited the Dr. Office today for the first time. I had my first ultra sound and we heard the heart beat for the first time! It was the most increadible expierence. It made it so real for John Van. He really thinks it's a girl know because the heart beat was so fast.

We got the ultra sound on a DVD and I have watched it 20 times today and will probably watch it 20 times every day. We got to see the hands and feet. The heart moving like crazy! Sunshine has a strong heart and is officially 3.84 cm. The size is like a medium olive. WOW!

My next Doctor appt is Monday. I will update again then! Yeaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God Is Good

This week has been a pretty good week. I am 9 weeks now and feeling much better. I still get nauseated but not as bad as 6-8 week. I am actually wanting food now! I don't have cravings yet but I hope they come.
I get to see Sunshine for the first time Monday and can't wait! This is so amazing. Can you all believe I actually have another human growing in my belly? God is so Good!
I will update you on Monday.

Sunshine and Foster

My mom , sister and Dad I had to tell in person as well. So I waited till that Friday, since I only work a half of a day. I told my dad and he was very excited. He went straight home and ordered Sunshine a toy. My sister is also pregnant and is having a little boy Foster in October. He had bought him a remote control car that can go in the tub. He couln't leave out little Sunshine. So now, Sunshine's first toy on the way.
When I arrived in Columbia I went in and told my sister and my mom that Foster was going to be so excited ! They just looked at me in confusion and I said " Becasue he's going to have a little cousin!" My sister didn't get it at first but she blames that on pregnancy. We all know she should of be born blonde. Up until reacently she would say home run for a touchdown at a Foot ball game. (Sorry Sheron still love ya!) She finally got it when my mom got up and hugged me and started to cry. They will only be 4 months apart. This is so exciting we have always wanted our kids close in age.

The picture that talked

We got back and the next morning we went straightover to see Donnalene and Richard which are Jv's parents. They have just moved to town and are only three minutes from our house. We went there to have lunch and visit. Unlike John Van, wanted to tell them in a creative way. We sat around visited for awhile and ate lunch. We then said we need to take a picutre since it was the Fourth of July and because we haven't taken any pictures in there new house. So we got up.Me in the middle and them on each side of me. John Van taking the picture. He says "Okay on one, two, three say Amy's pregnant!" They said it turned toward me and asked if it was true? My mother in law, whom I absolutely adore! Went crazy. She screamed, jumpped, cried all at the same time. They both couldn't beleive they had only been here a month and a half and already had a grandbaby one the way.

BUN IN THE OVEN

I finally got the call from Amanda and she thought something was wrong because I always leave a voice message. I knew if I left one I would give it away. So I got to tell her. She went bolistic! As she says, She Blew Out my ear Drum! It is so amazing to have such good friends that can share the joy with you and be as excited as you.
We also got to Arkansas and shared the news with his dad and Uncle Don. Boys are so funny with anouncing the pregnacy. Jv said "Well Pop Amy's got a bun in the oven." How funny? Girls go out of the way to come up with creating ways to tell everyone.
John was very excited to be a grandpa. He will be called PAPA JOHN. How cute huh? We also shared it with his cousins which are like John Van's siblings,seeing he was an only child. We then, got to share it with his beautiful grandmother. Which was so excited to hear that this would be her 5th great gran. She thinks I am going to have twins. We found out on this trip that twins run on JV's side of the family. He had 2 great uncles that were twins. So who knows maybe there are Buns in the oven?

Am I really Pregnant?

This was the day I got our little sunshine confirmed. I knew it was real but there is nothing like hearing from a proffessional. I had taken this day off because we were leaving to go to Arkansas to visit Jv's family. As soon as it was confirmed I picked up the phone to call Amanda. One of my closests friends. We had pinky swared about two years ago that as soon as one of us got pregnant that we would call one another before anyone else. We have always wanted to be pregnant together. But of course no answer. So I called my husband and let him no he was an offical daddy.
That day around 4pm we hit the road for Arkansas. We were so excited to be able to tell them in person. Since they don't live close by we decided that it would be neat to share the news in person and also let them know first. For those of you who remember my engagement this was the Grandmother who gave JV the ring, that I now wear on my finger. She is 97 years old and still so beautiful.

The Moment I Will Treasure Forever

This was the day I took the actual pregnancy test. I had taken one every month since Febuary and always bought the box with two. This time I was so certian that I was pregnant I only bought one. I went straight home and John Van was working late. I couldn't wait. Not just because I was so excited but the whole way home from Hartsville I guzzled down about 30oz of water. So I went into the bathroom took care of buisness. (Which I was a pro at seeing that I had taken8 prior to this.) The window turned postive within seconds and I couldn't believe it. I cried, screamed and ran around the house. I had never had so many emotions run through my body at one time!

John Van took for ever to get home. I was like a little kid waiting on Santa Claus. I paced back and forth and peeked out the window a thousand times. Not to mention I called twice to see where he was but just asked stupid normal questions like: what you want for dinner? etc.

Finally, I peeked out the window one more time and there he was! I stood at the front doors and I heald the pregnancy test like a bouquet of flowers. I had a death grip on it as if almost to make sure it was real. He walked through the doors and and I cried "Your Gonna Be a Daddy!!!!" I had tears fill up in my eyes and all I could do was grab him and smile.

I was so amazed at how excited he was. He couldn't believe it. Eventhough, he actually got sad in the months prior when the test were negative. He then rubbed my belly and sad "That's my little girl in there" For some reason he thinks God is going to give him a house full of girls to worry about because of his past. After this, He went into the nursery so excited and started listing all the things we needed to do. I knew he would be excited but who knew this much. It's a moment I will treasure forever!