Hi there! Once again, it's Kendall and Bean with some pregnancy updates! I am currently in between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant and since I've last written, there have been quite a few changes. 
First of all, today is the last day of my spring break. It has been absolutely fantastic! I feel refreshed and ready to get these last 35 days of school over with. Yes, I said 35! Now, I might sound enthusiastic now, but we'll see if that changes in a couple weeks, as the kids and Mrs. Vogts get restless and start longing for summer.

Today, Todd and I ventured into Babies R Us for a bit of browsing. This came after a trip with my mom and gram to Buy Buy Baby! Talk about the Bed Bath and Beyond of baby stuff! There was so much to take in. I can't wait to get our registries started, and good news, Todd was surprisingly into it. I anticipated some grumbling or some long sighs, but I think his eyes were opened to the amount of items we would need to purchase for Bean and how many options there were!

​We have also talked about possible names, which is a step in a direction... Yes, a direction. A couple weeks ago, there was no talk, no direction, no input! We have some ideas, so that is very exciting. I am ready to call the baby by its name. Speaking of the whole "it" situation. We will find out the gender on April 10th, as long as Bean cooperates! Along with finding out the gender, I'm ready to see how Bean has grown. I heard the heartbeat a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't seen the baby since that first sonogram, which I had around seven weeks, when Bean was literally a bean.

So far, there has been no movement, that I have noticed. I'm sure that will be coming shortly. I'm a worrier, so that's another reason I'd like to catch a glimpse at what's going on in there. Movement aside, I have had more frequent and intense bouts of heartburn. Along with the frequency of heartburn has come the frequency with which I have to pee. It's a lot... Throughout the day, during the night, anytime I go into a store, before I leave the store... A LOT!

Also, I am to the point where my pants are getting pretty uncomfortable. Like they fit in the legs, and the ones with some stretch to them will still button around my waist. Side note, when I say waist, I really mean stomach. Not because my prego belly has taken over from my waist to my boobs (yet), but because that's where I always wear my pants. Jeans, leggings, you name it, I wear them pulled up to my bellybutton. With a short torso, if I don't, I feel like they're falling down all time time, and my pockets are at the backs of my legs, not on my butt, where they should be! So, back to my current situation. I will start out with the pants buttoned, but as the day goes on, I eat, sit down, etc. Thus, I unbutton the pants. And let's face it, once you unbutton your pants, it's only a matter of time before the zipper works its way down. So there I was today, walking around Dillon's with unbutton pants, secretly hidden under my t-shirt! Needless to say, I have invested in the spandex, maternity band! I'll let you know how it goes!

So, one other update that I have to share... And this is where things could get a little rocky. Not for Todd or I, but for some of you readers. By no means am I trying to start anything. I really hate controversy and I truly think that everyone should respect each other's different opinions. We don't have to agree, or even like the way others do things, but we should respect the choices that they make. So, at 15 weeks, Todd and I decided that we wanted to do Innatal Testing. That is what my doctor referred to it as, but when getting the testing done, the ladies in the lab called it Progenity testing. It is a blood test (my blood) that they use to check and see if the baby has any chromosomal abnormalities. The test checks for Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13, and can also reveal the gender of the baby. I got the call about a week after I had my blood drawn, and all of the markers came back negative. For Todd, a planner extraordinaire, and me, a worrier, this was very good news.

Now here is where the controversy comes into play. There is a lot of backlash, ridicule, and negativity toward the test (at least that I've heard) because regardless, the baby growing in your tummy is going to be your baby. If the markers are positive or negative, it does not change the fact that God has blessed you with a child. You will love it with all of your heart, and you will raise it to be a loving, caring, successful person. And Todd and I completely agree with all of that. There is nothing that would change the fact that we absolutely already adore our baby and our love will only increase, but with our personalities, we really wanted to allow ourselves the time, if necessary, to educate ourselves and prepare for anything that might be coming our way. 

Alrighty friends and family, that's all for now! Todd, Bean, and I are currently waiting to cheer on our St. Louis Cardinals in their season opener. They're playing the Cubs and our neighbors, next door, are proudly flying their Cubs flag... You better believe that we got our Cards flag out there ASAP! I feel a neighborhood rivalry brewing! I will keep the updates coming your way! Enjoy your week!

Love to Ya'll and our Cardinals, 
Kendall and Bean

Hey there! Kendall and Bean here, once again! We are on a roll these days! I thought I'd update you all on a few things and then share a, long overdo, story! 

Right now, I'm between 15 and 16 weeks pregnant, and still NOT glowing... Anyway, other things going on... Last Monday, I went to an appointment just to make sure things were still running smoothly and I got to hear Bean's heartbeat again. It was 150 bpm. The doctor thought that Bean would have been higher up; no longer down close to my pelvic bone, so when she started out a little higher, and didn't fine a heartbeat, I started to get a little nervous. She moved the monitor down and there was little Bean! I swear, the kid is so low, by the time September comes, he/she better waltz on out of there... I'm talking three pushes or a sneeze and then, "Hello, Baby!" (I know that is completely unrealistic, but I can hope, right?!) So Todd and I will be going in April 10th to see what little Bean's gender is and we absolutely can't wait!
Today, Todd and I took our first "bump" picture... It was like that scene from Talladega Nights where Ricky Bobby doesn't know what to do with his hands... I really don't feel like I have any sort of an actual bump... More like added poundage of mushy, mashed potatoe-ness from below my boobs into my thighs. I'm sure it'll get better...

 Now, onto my story! A few times, in past entries, I've mentioned having blood clots in the past, and having to give myself daily injections of blood thinners... I'll do my best to keep this short! Todd and I got married July of 2015. In early June, I went to the doctor to be put on birth control. The first couple weeks, everything was going really well. I wasn't feeling dumpy, chucky, or moody! I was running with some of the Jr. High and High School kids for summer XC workouts. Towards the end of June, it was getting harder and harder to run. I felt exhausted, I couldn't go a fast or as far, and I was feeling like I could never catch my breath. 
I started to mention this to Todd and my mom, and I complained about having to take the birth control because I was sure the symptoms were caused by it somehow. A few more days went on and I was never able to take a full, deep breath. I'd have to sit down and really reach and gasp to get a full satisfying breath in. Along with that, my back and ribs hurt so incredibly bad, that I thought, somehow, everything was thrown out of whack and I needed to see a chiropractor. 
Todd and I were visiting some of his family, one evening, and I was so fed up (and they were so concerned) I ended up calling my cousin's wife, who is a doctor. She knew something was very wrong. She guess that I had one or possibly more pulmonary embolisms. That evening I picked up a very small perscription of blooth thinners, just to get things started, and the next morning, I was going in for a chest scan.
My wonderful Gram went with me to the appointment. I had the scan. They read the results immediately, and sent me direcly to my doctor back in Minneapolis. I had several, small blood clots in the bottoms of both of my lungs. He was very reasurring that we caught them early enough, the blood thinners would prevent my blood from clotting anymore, and thus allow the existing clots to disolve. The part of my lungs that the blood clots had eliminated the blood flow to would always be "dead" or "dark", however, it wouldn't keep me from running or being active. We just needed to figure out why the blood clots had formed in the first place. Keep in mind, this was July 9, 2015... Just days before my wedding...
After a lot of blood was taken, I began to take the blood thinner, Xarelto, and was scheduled to go to a blood specialist in Salina. All the while, I was told that my honeymoon might be problematic because flying on a plane and sitting for that long would be an issue with the clots. Todd went with me to the blood doctor and there we were told that my blood clots were not genetic! (My dad was and is taking blood thinners for previous clots. Never thought I'd be going through, medically, anything similar to my dad!) We also found out that my situation was not one that would force to me to take blood clots for the rest of my life, like my dad. Instead, I was supposed to take them for about 6 months. The presence of extra estrogen in my body, by taking the birth control pills, acted as a clotting agent in my blood, thuse forming the clots. We also found out that when we were deciding to start a family, we would need to talk with my doctor and get started on a blood thinner safe for pregnant women. 
Once I was able to stop taking the blood thinners, I would get extremely paranoid anytime I got really sick, stressed, or filled with anxiety because that shortness of and reaching for a deep breath would come back. At one point, I was even sent for another chest scan just to be safe. All it showed was that my previous clots were gone, or on their way out! What a blessing!
When I first found out I was pregnant, it was a bit of a scramble to get into the doctor because I knew the blood thinners or at least talk of, should have taken place before Bean was in the picture. My doctor informed me of the plan. I started, am currently on, and will give myself daily injections of blood thinners, once a day. That's right. I give myself a shot! I grab my mashed potato stomach and just shoot it in! When I am at about 36 weeks, I will switch to a different type of injectable blood thinner, and will give myself an injection in the morning and one in the evening. The effects of those blood thinners last about 12 hours and the one I am currently on is about 24 hours. I plan to get an epidural, and in order for my blood to be back to normal, and not extremely thin too close to or during labor and delivery, it is best that I be on the 12 hour dose.
Once I have little Bean, depending how it happens, I will either start up the blood thinners 4 or 6 hours after giving birth. Then, I will continue for a few weeks. 

And there you have it. The short version (if you can believe it) of quite a long story! I have a picture that I wanted to share with you. I know, I am supposed to dispose of these... and I certainly will, but after seeing many pictures of other womes going through the same thing, and also pictures posted by women who have struggled with infertility and have been blessed with a sweet baby, I wanted to post a picture with my story. By posting my own picture, I am by no means trying to steal the thunder of or discredit those other women's amazing stories. So, 15 weeks, and three bottles later...

I know what you're thinking, "Two in one month? This can't be right! Someone is forcing her against her will and..." I'll stop you right there! It really is me, Kendall here! I have some updates that I thought I would share before they become way, way old news! 
I'm sitting here on this cold Staturday morning, in my robe and pajamas, (the usual everyday garb, after 5:30 p.m). Yes, on a nice day, if you drive by my house, you might catch me outside, moving the watering hose around in my robe, pajamas, and slippers. Yep, this lil' mama don't give a darn! That little snip should give you a clue as to the material you are about to read. I'm keeping it real. One thing that I think my students appreciate, in the classroom, is that I keep things real. I tell them how it is, how it's going to be, and we have a fantastic understanding. So, I'm going to do that with you! Here are some of the very REAL and BLUNT things that I've been experienceing lately, at 14 weeks pregnant.

1. I am NOT glowing. I've heard about the glow. I think I've seen the glow on other pregnant women. But the only thing I am radiating is the always has been, always will be oil pit that is still my face. (Thank you Perry genes.) 
2. When hyderated, I need to pee very frequently. I am so thankful that at certain times during the day, I have a para in my classroom so I can sneak away to the restroom. My 5th hour kids have definitely caught on. "Class, we are going to go to lunch a couple minutes early today because..." *Students in unison* "You have to go to the bathroom!" Also, in the middle on the night, I will get up to pee anywhere between one and three times a night. THREE!
3. I am to the point in my pregnancy where I don't really know what's going on with my body. Am I showing? Am I chunky? Do I need to wear spanx under this dress to smooth out my back rolls? For those of you who know me and have seen me, you will understand. My torso is about six inches long. When I gain weight, you see it from my jowls to my thighs. So many times, I have joked that in my pregnancy prime, I will look like Viollet from the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. To take me anywhere, Todd will have to roll me on my side, grab a stick, and engage in a rousing time of hoop rolling. I just know that by the end, I'll need to be juiced before I explode. I've added some pictures for visuals, down below... You'll see Todd and the neighborhood children practicing their hoop rolling skills, and then right, there is me waiting to be juiced.

4. POOPING, at times is extremely difficult. Miralax has become a very good friend of mine. And to quote Tom Hanks as the ever-lovable Forrest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that." (If you didn't read it in his accest, try again!)
5. And finally, along with the interesting changes my body is going through, my boobs have, and I'm not over-exagerating, have surpassed about 3000 pounds each. Sleeping, had become a bit of a difficulty. See, I like to sleep on my sides; however, when sleeping on either side, it's as if the extreme weight of my boobs, combined with the corresonding arm being flopped over my body, my shoulders and chest crumple inward in a way that causes some extreme back and shoulder pain, which after some sluething, I discovered could have been the cause of the four-day headache catastraphe. Anyway, I came up with a solution. I chose an extra poofy, yet smallish decorative pillow. When sleeping on my side, I place it up by my chest and neck. Really, I wedge it in between my boobs. That way, one boob is supported by the weight of the matress, the other, as well as my arm are supported by the poof of the pillow. Thus, no crumpling, no collapsing in on myself, and no back or headaches! I consider myself a genious! Todd on the other hand has let me know that it's...slightly annoying. "In order to sleep on my back, I have to lift the pillow and slide my arm under it." To which I reply, that is more than okay with me!

As they come, I'll fill you in on more of the subtle updates... Again, for those of you who know me, you gave a little chuckle as, there is not much from me that comes across as subtle. Have a fantastic day, family and friends.

-Kendall and Bean

Holy Neglect! I have clearly NOT been on top of my game. Is it true that the last time I posted on here was my last day of school last year?! I need to get better at this! Todd and I's summer was a blast, and went by way too quickly. We visited family, lounged around our, then, very new house, and took an anniversary trip to St. Louis to see our beloved Cardinals play!

Since then, A LOT HAS HAPPENED! Todd and I both started a new school year. I am in love with my classes. Even the turds aren't too stinky. Of course there are days when my head wants to spin around and explode, or I just look at my kids and bat my eyes at them over something ridiculous they said. But the 125 students I see, everyday, are the absolute best! Todd is in the middle of acquiring his second Master's Degree. He really wants to be able to teach at the college level, and this is helping him stay on the track of getting there! I am super proud of him. As I fall asleep on the couch at 8:30, most nights, he is getting ahead on his assignments.

We are still loving our new house! As of late, we have started clearing the crap out of our upstairs crap... I mean guest room, and are considering painting it. "Why?", you ask! Todd and I are expecting a baby in early September! A couple days after Christmas, Todd and I were going to celebrate the holiday in Minneapolis with my family. I had a sneaking suspicion that I might be pregnant, and I really wanted to find out for sure because during the Christmas season, our local liquor store had some yummy cranberry wine, and I really wanted some. I had Todd grab a test, I took the test that evening, and it was no wine for me.

As far as my health goes, the pregnancy has gone really well. I've had a sinus infection, a small tummy bug, and now a headache for four days, but besides that, it's been great. I really didn't have morning sickness, and I'm still sleeping comfortably. I really don't think that I've been moody, and if you ask Todd, he'll probably say I'm still as annoying as I was before! At the beginning of the pregnancy, there was some concern about being pregnant, and my history of pulmonary embolisms, due to extra estrogen in my blood. We got that figured out, and now we are smooth sailing. (Later, I'll devote blog post to that and fill you in a little better.)

On a less serious note, I sometimes really struggle with thinking of the right words to say. And I think I've called every holiday the 4th of July because the names of things don't come to me. Also, a couple weeks ago, there were days in my classroom where I could just smell the kids breathing. Oh yeah, and my kids still don't know. I'm 13 weeks, today, and I'm pretty sure they just think I'm getting chunky!

And now for your enjoyment, a list of the ridiculous questions I've asked my mother and sisters, since becoming pregnant.
1. Can I eat shrimp?
2. Can I still take stuff for heartburn?
3. Will taking all of these pills at the same time be okay?
4. Can I eat a hot dog?
5. Can I still go to the chiropractor?
6. I swallowed a bug on my run, is that going to hurt the baby?

Yes, I know I am absolutely ridiculous; however, these are the things that I really don't know! Thanks to my sweet nephews and sassy niece, I feel comfortable with caring for a baby, and I fully understand that Todd and I will figure certain aspects out as we go, but those silly, simple things are what get me. I often tell some of my smartest kids, "Not to overthink things. It really can be as simple as it seems." Or... I'll keep calling my mommy for ridiculous advice.