The Three of Us Made it Through December 30th!

Today was a very big day in my life! I don't mention it for attention or fame, it is the day that made me who I am today. Because of December 30th, 1998, I am a survivor. I am strong and I believe I can make it through whatever life throws my way ... I have proven that. I beat all odds on that day. Because of that event, I am not a person who backs down to people, I am yet a person who strives to prove people wrong and so far, I have done just that.

Doctors statements:

You will never graduate highschool, much less college. I graduated highschool EARLY with a 3.7GPA and took "College Prep" courses when I was supposed to be placed in "basic" courses and now I am 4 classes away from a college degree and currently have a 3.8GPA

You will never walk again. I beat that one a LONG time ago!

You will never be able to have a decent job. I've had a job of some sort since I was 12 years old and for the past 6 years, they have been "real" jobs (as the doctors would say) ... teacher, office manager, HR manager, etc..

You will not be able to conceive or carry a baby. Today marks 30 weeks of pregnancy with Miss Piper Rae

People with these types of head injuries usually only live 3 years. 11 years and counting

It is because of the doctors telling me I could not do things, that I strive to be the best I can be. It is very tough to hear such discouraging remarks when you are that age but now I can successfully say that I have proved them wrong on EVERYTHING they have EVER said to me and I am very proud of myself for that!

Today I conquered a fear of mine and left the house on this day ... I made it home (in the rain) all in one piece and can now say I DID IT! This is a big step for me, usually I sit in a room and cry by myself all day thinking about the "what if's". What if that had not happened? Where would I be? What does it feel like to be "normal" and not have all of these precautions in your life? What does it feel like to not be in any kind of pain??? I have not had a completely pain free day in 11 years! Brian was a great help this year ... he supported anything I wanted to do and helped me achieve my goal of "getting out the house". I love him so very much!

I am HAPPY to say that I only have 10 weeks of pregnancy remaining!! I cannot wait to have my medicine back ... this has been just awful!!Piper is a healthy baby and VERY active in my belly. We are all suprised that we are 30 weeks along already and everything is going okay comparatively. Piper will be a very loved little girl on both sides of the family .... she has 3 nurseries already :-D She can choose where she wants to live haha. She is perfect! Brian could not be more happy, nor could the grandparents. She is definitly an unplanned blessing!

11 Years Ago I was Dieing, Today I am 30 Weeks Pregnant!

11 years ago, December 30th, 1998, I was fighting to stay alive. Today I am exactly 30 weeks pregnant. To me, this is a miracle and the number "30" is quite coincidental if you ask me! That day was THE worst day of my entire life and it ruined everything. From then on I have been in pain everday and it only worsens, I've had to be on a ton of medicine, go to a ton of doctors, try so much harder in school to get B's and C's, AND it caused a family member whom I love dearly to resent me for something that is not my fault and is a complete misconception on his part. I would give up everything I am and everything I have to delete that day from my life.

My First Big Couponing Day :-)

What I bought:

[1] Iams Hairball Control - Price $10.39
[2] Scrubbing Bubbles - Price $6.98
[3] Quaker Rice Cakes - Price $7.47
[2] Zesta Saltine Crackers - Price $6.38
[1] Tide Due Stain Lifter - Price $6.99
[1] Dawn Liquid Dish Detergent - Price $2.99
[2] Fresh Step Cat Litter - Price $24.30
[4] Glade Candles - Price $15.16
[2] Carnation Evaporated Milk - Price $2.50
[6] Campbells Cream if Mushroom - Price $8.34
[6] Swanson Chicken Broth - Price $6.90
[1] Smuckers Strawberry Preserves - Price $2.79
[1] Crisco Canola Oil - Price $4.49
[1] Crisco Vegetable Oil - Price $4.49
[1] Hungryjake Pancake Mix - Price $2.29
[1] Pillsbury Frosting - Price $1.99
[2] Pillsbury Brownie Mix - Price $3.78
[2] Airwick Spray - Price $1.96
[3] Keebler Ready Made Crust - Price $5.97
[3] Secret Deodorant - Price $14.97
[1] Mitchum Deodorant - Price $3.99
[1] Energizer AA Batteries - Price $4.39
[1] Mayfield Icecream - Price $5.65
[1] Tyson Chicken Nuggets - Price $6.99
[3] Totinos Pizza - Price $5.00
[2] Pillsbury Crescent Rolls - Price $4.30
[2] Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls - Price $3.50
[1] Spreadable Butter - Price $2.25
[2] Sunny Delights - Price $3.90

Total Spent: $96.27
Total Coupons Tendered: $90.31
Total VIC Savings this Order: $59.10
Total Saved: $149.41

Yesterday I went for a few things and cannot find my receipt but I spent $26 and saved $39. I bought 5 pounds of hamburger meat, 1 secret deodorant, 1 gillete shave gel, 1 cream of tarter, 2 mccormick gravy mixes, 1 bag of cascade complete, ... along with some other things.

Hopefully, although this took forever to do, I can keep up with it and save us money every week!

5 MONTHS!!!!

YaY! We have made it [successfully] to FIVE MONTHS! I went for my 20 week check up today and weighed in at 127 pounds which means I have gained only 8-9 pounds. He expects me to gain 1 pound per week from here on out which would put me at 28-29 pounds by the end. Today, Piper's heartbeat was 145 beats per minute ♥ I also received the results from labs and measurements that were taken on October 9th, 2009 [at 18 weeks and 2 days].

♥ Amniotic Fluid - within normal limits
♥ Femur Length - 18w3d
♥ Abdominal Circumference - 18w3d
♥ Head Circumference - 17w5d
♥ BPD - 18w2d
♥ Fetal Weight - 233 grams [8 ounces]
♥ Intracranial Anatomy - Normal
♥ Spine - Normal
♥ Fetal Face - Normal
♥ Ventricular Outflow Tracts - Normal
♥ Four Cham Bered Heart - Normal
♥ Three VC - Normal
♥ Stomach - Normal
♥ Bladder - Normal
♥ Kidneys - Normal
♥ Extremities - Normal
♥ Sex - Female
♥ Cervix Length - 3.3cm
♥ Appropriate Growth - NORMAL
♥ Down Syndrome - Negative
♥ Cystic Fibrosis - Negative

Today my stomach measured 20cm from the top of my uterus to my pubic bone which is right on target because it is 1cm per week of pregnancy ... which also means that by 40 weeks, that number will have doubled :-( I don't see how in the world that is possible!

This morning was marvelous!

Soooo, this morning while getting ready for school, I sat down to email my momma. I was wearing regular jeans with a belt. While typing to her, I felt something in my lower abdomen ... it felt as if a hampster had thrown it's body against the front of my stomach. Where as past feelings were written off as pregnancy gas, there was no mistaking what I felt this morning! It was quite amazing actually; it certainly brightened my day from yesterday (a little) :-)and made gaining weight worth while for once hehe.

On another note; according to my health instructor and classmates, I am either super in love or flat out crazy?! While in health class discussing 'healthy relationships', we were asked "if you had a bad day and/or are upset, who do you confide in? Your best friend or your lover?". Of course the instructor called on me (without my volunteering) and I replied "well, Brian IS my best friend AND my lover so I am unable to answer that". This apparently disturbed a few people (well, the whole class) because afterwards, an argument arose. Apparently 95% of people would rather confide in a best friend versus a family member or lover. I personally do NOT confide solely in anyone other than my mother and Brian and I certainly would not talk with anyone about anything in which I had not already spoken to Brain about. Their theory in this was that you can trust your "BFF" more than your "lover". If this were true, why be with your lover? Are you not supposed to choose a mate for whom can also serve as your best friend?

According to the TEXT book:

Friendship is: Enjoyment, Acceptance, Mutual Trust, Respect, Mutual Assistance, Confiding, Understanding, and Spontaneity.

Lover is: Fassination, Exclusiveness, Sexual Desire, Giving the Utmost, and Being a Campion or Advocate.

Do these definitions not seem off to you?!

Another thing that was stated was, and I quote, "men are UNABLE to give advice and/or sooth a woman." This was something I felt the need to debate because while some men are completely ignorant, not all men are! When I am overly stressed or upset, I specifically call Brian because he knows what to say to calm me down. He may not always know the "fix" to things but he knows how to calm me and rationalize with me.

I find this class to be focused on the relationships we had in highschool and not in the real world! On Tuesday we are discussing Pregnancy, Contraceptives, and Abortion ... I cannot wait to see what some idiotic person says to make me angry in this one!!!

19 Weeks!

Today we are 19 weeks pregnant with baby Piper Rae Biggers!!! One more week and we will be 5 months pregnant, can you believe it?! I sure can't! Never in a million years would I have thought that October 14th, 2009 at the age of 23, I would be almost 5 months pregnant. I always invisioned being pregnant with my first child around ages 25-27 but I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and we are going to get through all of this. As Brian constantly tells me "Ashlee, you should know by now that we always take the roads full of curves and bumps but somehow we always come out on top. This will pass too." :-) He says we compliment each other and he is correct, we do. I pick up his weaknesses and he picks up mine ... better yet, he helps me get through mine. My weakness seems to be stressing out over every little thing. I just feel like I've fought so hard over the past 11 years and I am waiting to reap the benefits whereas other people breeze on through life without a care in the world knowing that someone will be there to pick them up and get instant satisfaction.

I learn more and more everyday what I have always been told, which is, "life is tough" and I now wish I could take back all the times I wanted to grow up so badly! It's really not as great as you people made it seem :-/

Hope you guys have a great week! Keep your fingers crossed that I will be able to feel Piper one day soon!

Pictures of Piper

Here is a link to a photo album of all of the pictures of Piper Rae!

Piper Rae Biggers

I Love Him

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I started this blog so that family & friends who didn't have a myspace or facebook could keep up to date with our pregnancy and watch me grow. I hope you all enjoy.

At our last doctors appointment Friday, October 9th, 2009, we confirmed that the stubborn little thing is in fact a girl!! I know you are all very excited about that b/c we have a lot of boys! She weighs around 8 ounces and is 6 to 7 inches long! She is growing normal, looks normal, and has already flipped upside down to get ready for birth! Talk about planning ahead!! :-) Piper's heartbeat is 145, which is pretty low for a girl but I guess that goes to show you cannot go by wives tales! Our next doctors appointment is October 22nd at 4:15pm.