My New Life!

I can't believe Ethan is going to be three weeks old tomorrow! Part of me feels like he was just born and the other part of me feels like we've had him for so much longer than 21 days! We had a doctors appointment on Monday and received the good news that he's still putting on weight - he's up to 5.96, so just shy of his birth weight of 5 lbs. 10 oz. Prior to his appointment, we were having a string of bad nights...he just didn't want to sleep! I knew from reading that babies can't distinguish between day/night yet - and our little man was proving to be a night owl. We're talking being awake from 9pm-5am - yowzers. I don't know what magic occurred after the appointment, but kid you not he's slept through the night every night since. Eric and I have been able to sleep from 11:30-7, 12-8, and 11:30-5. Such a blessing!! 

My days with Ethan consist of feeding, sleeping, getting to know each other better, and waiting for daddy to get home from work =) Ethan usually takes a long nap in the morning where I'm able to either go back to bed or take a shower. We've definitely learned one thing about Ethan - he LOVES to be cuddled and surrounded by as many blankets as possible when sleeping. And right now, the only place he'll sleep is his car seat. So don't judge by the picture, but this is our new set-up. Him sleeping in his car seat in the crib (mostly because that's where the video monitor is). But, hey if this is producing all-night sleep sessions then I'm okay with it!! I've left the house a couple times this week to gain some confidence under my belt! Ya'll would laugh if you had a hidden camera on me though - I literally stopped and checked on him FOUR times the other day while I was driving...and we were only out for about 35 minutes, haha! I can't help it! 

I started pumping this week which will turn out to be a huge benefit in the long run. My goal with pumping is to have enough to take care of one or two feedings a day to give myself a break. Eric fed him his first bottle the other night while I went to bed early and it was a huge success. I'm hoping to build up a supply so others can feed him and also to "free" me a little and give me the opportunity to be away from him for a longer period of time (i.e. actually go to dinner with my sweet husband to celebrate our anniversary and not be worried about feeding Ethan)! 

We gave Ethan his first bath this week! I've been looking forward to this since he was born - probably because of the all the adorable hooded towels I got at my showers! =) Needless to say, he wasn't too pleased with the bath - but, boy was he cute and smell good afterwards! We're trying to do a better job of taking pictures, but honestly all he does is sleep and eat! If anything, we need to record a video of him sleeping. He makes the most adorable sounds while he's sleeping - anywhere from cooing, to little whimpers, to full out snoring! 

I stopped by the hospital today to drop off some thank you cards to the nurses that took such good care of us. Not gonna lie, the trip was pulling on my heart strings! Just remembering that only three short weeks ago, we were there and met our little guy for the first time. It will always be such a special place now =) We still talk about how amazing creating a child is. We honestly feel so lucky - and also feel blessed that we're able to provide Ethan with a stable, loving, protective life. 

 I'm hoping to schedule some newborn pictures here in the next couple days. Jeffrey, Kristen, and Jayden are coming down this weekend for the IU game so we can't wait to spend time with them. Kristen and I are determined to take a picture of the two kiddos in matching onesies (the first of many, I'm sure)! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

{Ethan Perry Graebe}

My last post was made Thursday, August 23 at 8:04pm. When I went to bed that night, I randomly made the comment to Eric, "I hope I don't go into labor." Not ten minutes later, my water broke. It was 11:45pm. It was just one more sign that Ethan was running the show! From there, we woke up my parents, Eric packed his bag, I finished packing mine, and we called the on-call doctor. Thankfully, it was Dr. Stowell who was scheduled to deliver Ethan the following week. He told us to come on in and "think about having a baby tonight!"

The ride to the hospital was surreal. We called my dad, my brother, Eric's mom and dad, and sent texts to our siblings. By the time we arrived at the hospital, I think it was around 1:30am. From there, it all happened pretty fast. All our parents met us at the hospital, I was prepped for surgery, and we were well on our way to meeting our sweet baby boy.

As they wheeled me in to the operating room, they made Eric wait outside and told him the nurse would come get him when ready. Well, that felt like a lifetime (for both of us)! By the time he was allowed to come in, I was pretty out of it because of the spinal block and morphine. Eric was right there with me next to my head giving me support and keeping me updated on the status of baby Ethan's arrival. We welcomed our precious baby boy, Ethan Perry Graebe, into the world at 2:59 am.


I do remember seeing Ethan for the first time, however I don't think it completely registered. I felt like I was fading in and out of consciousness and even remember asking the doctor at one point if I was okay - I told him I wasn't breathing right and he said, "you're right, you're not - and that's completely normal." Meanwhile, Ethan was getting the best care from the nurses and Eric was his #1 fan taking pictures all along the way. I do remember the nurse bringing Ethan over to my face for the first time - again, being completely out of it, I think the only words I managed to stumble out of my mouth were "hi" - haha. But, he must've known he was talking to his mommy for the first time because he kept putting his hands on my mouth...so precious. Eric and I both were shocked when they weighed Ethan and announced he was (only) 5 lbs. 10 oz! Not two days earlier at our ultrasound appointment, they had estimated his weight at 6 lbs. 12 oz!


About 90 minutes later, Eric, Ethan, and I were wheeled into our post-partum room where we were met by four very proud grandparents who just melted when they saw him. The first day of Ethan's life is pretty much a blur for both Eric and I. Since we never went to sleep Thursday night, we had been up for hours on end and felt completely delirious. The nursing staff served as our life savers that day - and for the three days after for that matter. We spent our time in the hospital getting to know baby Ethan, working on breastfeeding, welcoming all the visitors we had, eating pizza and breadsticks that was delivered straight to our room from one of our local favorites, and just soaking in the fact that we created life - and a very adorable one at that! =)

We were released on Monday afternoon and have been settled in at home since. I'll make the next post about our first week as a family of three! So, that was a quick, condensed version of our little man's birth! We marvel at the pure sight of Ethan. We study his fingers, his ears, his little button nose, the hair on his head - and realize it's all perfection. Our lives were enormously blessed and changed forever at 2:59 am on Friday, August 24th and we will never be the same. We are so grateful for the best gift we've ever received!

Choosing A Birthday!

It's not too often you actually get to pick your son's birthday! We are happy to announce his scheduled birthday will be...August 30!! (Now, let's just hope I don't go into labor before then)! =)

39 Weeks!

We had an ultrasound done at our appointment on Tuesday because I was measuring small for 38 weeks. It was just to ensure baby is doing well and confirm there is still plenty of amniotic fluid in the placenta. We didn't get too many clear images of him (how do these technicians know what they're looking at?!) because there's not too much space left! She measured his head, his tummy, and his femur - that helps the doctors to make sure he's at a good weight. Dr. Stowell said for us to expect him to weigh high 6 lbs./low 7 lbs. We were hoping to at least see his face, but low and behold, he was turned face down! We just had to laugh because he showed us how 'stubborn' he could be by turning the wrong way and now he won't even show his face...we're convinced he wants his arrival to be a BIG surprise!! I'm at such peace and feel so relaxed now that we have a date set. It doesn't feel real that in one week I'll be holding my sweet little boy.

One of the main reasons for moving back to Indiana was to be closer to our families. We couldn't be happier that (almost) everyone will be there for Baby G's birth (we will miss Eric's brother Chris and his family who are in Texas)! Besides both sets of parents being there, we are also so excited that my siblings (Laura, David, Jeffrey), brother/sister-in-laws (John, Arynn, Kristen), niece (Sydney), and nephews (Aidan, Jayden) will all be in attendance!! It's rare that all four of us kids are together at the same time so for everyone to be in town Labor Day Weekend will be absolutely amazing. This little guy is joining two awesome families who already love him so much!! Look how lucky he'll be - he will have:

- 4 grandpas
- 3 grandmas
- 2 great-grandmas
- 6 aunts
- 6 uncles
- 7 cousins

Not a bad start to his life, right? =) And, hopefully there will be plenty more cousins to add in the future!

The doctor said to anticipate a three-night stay in the hospital so my next blog post could be from my hospital bed...as a MOMMY!! I know I will be one proud mama who is ready to show off her handsome son!

Look at that belly!

What A Difference A Week Makes!

38 Weeks!

We received the surprising news this week at our doctor's appointment that Baby G is breech!! That little stinker turned around in my belly and is sitting very comfortably in the 'frank breech' position (with his head up by my ribs, bottom down, and legs up by his face). The doctor said we could try an external version where they push on my belly and try to turn him around manually. It was definitely something I wanted to try so Thursday we went into the hospital to get the procedure done. It was by far one of the most excruciating experiences I've ever been through, but it was worth a shot. The doctor was able to get him to move a little (and we thought he was actually going to turn), but then he slipped right back into his comfy pocket and didn't budge. The doctor even said we've got "a stubborn one on our hands"!

So, now we are going to schedule a c-section. We have another doctor's appointment on Tuesday where we will be able to talk with the doctor about our options. There is a small chance we could deliver on Friday the 24th, but we'll need someone to go into labor early and free up a spot at the hospital =) Otherwise, we will plan for the week of the 27th-31st and see what availability there is. Either way, he will be an August baby for sure and we're literally starting to count down the days until we meet him!

I feel like everyone is telling me to "enjoy the last days" while I can - go to that movie, eat that milkshake, do whatever I want...so I guess I have been! It's crazy to think that in less than ten days we could have a baby! There is definitely part of me that gets 'sad' thinking about not being pregnant anymore - but obviously those feelings are outweighed by the joy I know I will feel once he's here.

I will be keeping everyone updated after our appointment on Tuesday - thanks for all the well wishes this past week! We have said it before, but Baby G is one lucky guy to be surrounded by such amazing family and friends!

And So It Begins...

I guess you can say my body has officially begun to prepare itself for birth! As of Monday, I was 0 cm dilated and 20% effaced (a percentage the doctors use to show how thin my cervix is getting). Hopefully, those numbers will continue to improve every week and before you know it Baby G will be here! I had a really good week starting off with a great check-up at the doctor. Last night, Eric and I attended our "baby basics" class and learned the ins-and-outs of being first-time parents (haha)! Most of it was common sense and stuff we already knew, but we took away a couple good pointers in regards to techniques in soothing baby, how to swaddle, giving oral medication, etc. Mom and I went up to Indy on Tuesday to return all the duplicate items I received from my baby showers and to purchase the last round of stuff I needed. We are officially set and ready for little man's arrival!! (just need to pack my hospital bag)! =)

The one thing Eric and I wanted to splurge on before baby got here was a nice camera. It was one thing we could invest in that would produce great pictures of our handsome fella. We did lots of research and the camera we wanted was delivered this week. Eric has been hilarious thinking he's the next big photographer about to hit the scene. Every night, he's taking pictures of Max and Paisley trying to learn all the different settings. We are so excited about it though - definitely one of the best purchases we've ever made!

37 weeks - three more to go! Heading to the doctor on Tuesday - will keep the updates coming!

9 Months!

Can you tell how much baby is growing?? Look at this belly! =) 36 weeks down - staring at the homestretch! As previously mentioned, we start going to the doctor every Monday now for a quick check-up. This past Monday, the doctor said she thinks we're going to have a "small" baby - around 6-7 lbs. I've had a couple new experiences this past week as the baby decided to lie on my sciatic nerve one day - ouch! I stretched and stretched and stretched trying to get him into a different position. Well, apparently that position was up underneath my ribcage! It feels like I have a broken rib in my back and makes things very uncomfortable, but hey - it's all part of it. Not too much longer with all these aches and pains!

We have an exciting week coming up - childbirth classes!! We've got one Monday night and one on Wednesday night. I think it'll be great - definitely won't hurt to get an in-depth look into what to expect! I'm actually getting really curious about labor - not nervous, not scared...just curious. I wonder what it'll feel like. Will it be as painful as you imagine? How long will it last?  Will it be a breeze? Haha! We shall find out soon enough!

Have a great weekend! Hopefully, I'll have my first progress report on Monday!! =)

Sweet Summertime

FIVE weeks.

Another week off the calendar and I can't believe I'm staring at the home stretch! While there is a small part of me that thinks "sad, I don't have that much longer to be pregnant..." - let's be serious, I'm ready. I feel like it's written all over my face. Baby is definitely running out of room and making mommy very uncomfortable. His kicks, his jabs, his hiccups, his head butts - everything is so much more intense. And sleep? Forget about it! =) It's a never-ending battle. Our bed has been taken over by an ever-growing number of pillows and I just flip-flop side to side all night. I know it'll all be worth it though - I just need to keep my thoughts positive and stay focused on the end result - a sweet, healthy baby boy!

Some good news came our way last week when Eric accepted a job here in Bloomington! He'll be working for Lincare, a company that specializes in respiratory care. Essentially, he'll be selling respiratory equipment to hospitals, doctors, and in patient homes. We are really excited about this opportunity and I'm so proud of him for making it happen this quickly! Now, I just need to find something to occupy my time in the next five weeks! Everyone keeps telling me to relax, enjoy the time, etc., but that's so hard to do when you're used to being BUSY! I worked a lot in the nursery last week and started to put things away, wash clothes, and organize. My friend, Jessica, is going to come down next week and help me decorate a bit - something that's definitely not my forte! I will be certain to put some pictures up once things are finished. 

This past week was a good reminder of what an amazing husband I have. Eric has been my number one supporter through this entire pregnancy and nothing has gone unappreciated. Whether it was taking care of me this past week while I was sick (bringing flowers home like a gentleman), coming to every single doctors appointment, making me laugh during my emotional breakdowns - he's been my rock no doubt. I'm sure I haven't always been the most pleasant person to be around in the last part of this pregnancy, but he always makes me feel like number one. I definitely feel like one lucky gal! =)

Hope everyone has a great weekend - excited for the Olympics! GO USA!

Home Sweet Home!

We are officially back in Indiana and couldn't be happier! We arrived last Tuesday and have done a good job feeling as "settled" as we can. Eric is busy on the job hunt and I'm busy getting things prepared for baby! I finally went through all my gifts I received from both showers and have made a list of what I can return, what we still need, etc. Thankfully, my list of "still need" is very short thanks to everyone's generosity! Eric put the crib, changing table, stroller, and other fun baby items together so the nursery is starting to take shape!

34 Weeks!

We had our first doctors appointment on Monday at Southern Indiana Physicians. It is a practice of four doctors and we will rotate meeting with them until the delivery. I hadn't been seen in three weeks so I was relieved when baby's heartbeat was beating strong and fast (and he even gave a little kick to the microphone to say hi)! The doctor said I'm measuring normal for 34 weeks and the baby should be around four pounds already! I'm definitely growing! Just in the week I've been in Indiana, I've gotten a lot more r-o-u-n-d! We will go back in two weeks (July 30) and then start going for weekly check-ups. I know everyone tells me not to expect him to come early, but I can't help but think about how soon he could make an appearance! We are getting so anxious to meet our little guy and I'm sure the anxiousness will just continue to grow as the days fly off the calendar!

Now that we're finally back, it just confirms that moving to Indiana was definitely the best (and right) choice for us. We are so blessed to have (most of) our parents here and have enjoyed the time spent with them so far. There's nothing like going to church and seeing old friends, going to Target and running into old college buddies, going to the pool and seeing your first cousins, seeing people from high school when you're out to eat, etc. Our hearts are here and we know we are right where we should be.

Hopefully, I'll get back into a routine of posting every Friday. We are heading up to Indy tomorrow to see Jeffrey, Kristen, and baby Jayden...and I also get to meet my friend Jessica's baby, Lilly, for the first time! Have a great weekend!

8 Weeks To Go!

Wow, has it really been two weeks since I wrote my last post?! Time is flying by! I'm officially 32 weeks - only 8 more to go! I flew home to Indiana this past weekend for my baby shower and let me tell you - it was a fabulous weekend! We kicked off the festivities with my family renting a pontoon boat on Lake Monroe on Friday. With it being 104 degrees outside, the lake felt awfully nice!! Saturday was the day of my shower, hosted by my best friend, Jennifer, and my sisters Kristen, Laura, and Arynn. I loved every detail from the personalized "baby graebe" banner, the baby wish lists everyone got to fill out, and the yummy food for lunch! Baby G and I were absolutely spoiled rotten and received so many nice things - again, everyone's generosity just blew me away. I felt so blessed looking around the room at who was there - family, childhood friends since kindergarten, family friends that were at my mom's baby shower when she was pregnant with me, sorority sisters, in-laws, etc. Just so lucky to have them in my life as my support system! I feel so much more prepared now that I've had two baby showers. I definitely have all the essentials I'll need right away - crib, changing table, car seat, stroller, swaddles, sleep sacks, bottles, etc. The nursery is ready and waiting for us to get there so we can decorate it and make it feel like 'home.'

My sweet family

My wonderful hostesses!

My beautiful sorority sisters

Four generations!

 So, the big move back to Indiana is TUESDAY - as in, five days. It has really snuck up on me. July 10 felt so far away and now I'm staring straight at it. The majority of the packing is done, but there still seems to be a lot left that you have to wait until the last day or two to pack. My "to-do" list triples about every day, but everything will get done. My last day of work is tomorrow, Jennifer flies in Saturday, we're having a get together with our friends on Sunday, last doctors appointment and picking up/loading the truck on Monday, and hitting the road first thing Tuesday morning! My, oh my, oh my. It's been an absolute bear trying to tie up everything with the Coast Guard - the stress has been indescribable. Every day brings a new challenge or bump in the road...feeling like nothing can swing our way. But, we keep saying if we can just get through this part, our handsome reward (literally) will follow soon enough =) 

"And God is faithful; he will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear. But, when you are tested, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Our last doctors appointment with Dr. Kling is on Monday. Thankfully, I was able to schedule an appointment with a practice in Bloomington a week later on July 16. I can tell the baby is growing because the movement and squirms are definitely getting stronger! Baby should weigh about 3.75 pounds and measure 16.7 inches long (according to the all-knowing babycenter.com)! I should be gaining about a pound a week, half of which goes right to the baby. In the next seven weeks, he should gain a third to half of his birth weight as he fattens up and gets ready for his big debut - I'm so curious about everything he's doing, who he's going to look like, how much he'll weigh, etc. I know people say the last couple weeks can really drag on, but I'm hoping I'll be distracted with all the excitement we have going on! 

Next post, we will be official Indiana residents again!!

30 Weeks!

A double post for today - whoo hoo (see below for my TN shower recap)! We had a good checkup this week with Dr. Kling - he started me on prescription Nexium for my acid reflux because I've been having some issues with it. I think a lot of it is stress-induced (don't know why, right? leaving work, moving, not sleeping well, baby?), but I definitely think this medicine will help. Baby's heartbeat sounded great and he said baby is actually already head down and in position - so let's hope he stays that way! He is laying more on my right side which explains why every night when I roll over to sleep on my left side, I feel a ton of movement (aka, it feels like he's boxing in my stomach). It's kinda fun picturing him in there now that I know where he's located =) Soon enough, I'm sure I'll start feeling his "love taps" in my ribs!

Flying home in six days for my Indiana shower and cannot wait!! As usual, my weekend is completely filled with family festivities and visiting as many friends as possible. The whole fam (minus Eric and Jeffrey) will be renting a boat down at Lake Monroe on Friday - looking forward to giving my little munchkins (Aidan, Sydney, and Jayden) a big squeeze from their Aunt Jamie! I miss them!

Will give the full shower update when I get back!

Showered with Love!

My baby shower in Tennessee last weekend was a great way to kick off my baby festivities!! My girlfriends were so sweet and did an amazing job making baby and I feel extra special. I am so lucky to be surrounded by such a great group of friends - we've gone from engagement parties and bachelorette parties to weddings and now baby showers!

One of the first things I noticed at the shower was the fireplace mantle. The girls had printed off every bump picture I've posted on the blog and hung them in order by clothespins. It started with the very first ultrasound at eight weeks all the way up to my week 28 picture. Not gonna lie, it definitely got me choked up! Another cute idea was the diaper basket - diapers were set out in a basket along with a sharpie so as guests arrived they could leave a surprise message on the diaper. Just something fun because you never know what funny diaper you may pull out during a 2am feeding! =)

The afternoon started off with the yummy spread the girls prepared - veggies/fruit with scrumptious cream cheese/marshmallow dip (oh yeaaa!), goat cheese crositinis topped with tomatoes and basil, black bean and feta cheese dip, cupcakes, and chocolate chip cookies - a perfect afternoon treat! Then, it was time for presents!! I was truly overwhelmed by everyone's generosity - it made my heart melt with every gift I opened. Just knowing that all this is for baby makes me feel so good. Thanks to all our friends in families, we're going to be more than prepared for little man's arrival!

After the shower, we grabbed dinner at one of our favorite Mexican places in Knoxville - then topped it off with some frozen yogurt! For me, this was just the perfect weekend to spend with my girlfriends. I miss them so much and look forward to all the opportunities we'll have to see each other now that we're moving back to Indiana. Next time I see my Tennessee crew, I'll have a baby!!! =)

My wonderful hostesses!

We racked it in! (kitty not included - paisley was just really curious!)

Third Trimester!

Can you believe I've already hit my third trimester? Time is flying by! We had another great check-up on Friday and will see the doctor now every two weeks. Our doctor was disappointed (but not surprised) when we told him we were moving. Living in a military area, I'm sure he's seen plenty of patients come and go. He did request pictures once baby was born though =)

I've definitely developed some "unpleasant", but normal, third trimester symptoms. Acid reflux being one and restless leg syndrome being another. The restless leg is certainly the most uncomfortable. The onset is right before I'm about to fall asleep or when I wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep. It's just a feeling of tingling, crawling, and the urge to move my legs at all times. As you can imagine, it's caused some sleepless nights - the doc said it's okay to take Tylenol PM - but that'll be a last resort if needed. I tend to fall apart at the seams when I don't get a good night's sleep so I'm trying to stay positive about it and just focus on doing everything I can to "rest" well.

Baby should be weighing about 2 1/2 lbs. now and measuring around 15 inches. I was shocked at my last appointment when they said I only gained two pounds in the last month. I thought for sure since I had "popped" that it would be normal if I saw a 4-5 pound weight gain. To date, I've only gained 12 lbs. which I'm so happy about. From here on out, the weight I do gain will be all baby!

I am getting so excited about my first baby shower this weekend in Tennessee!! I really appreciate all the thought and work my girlfriends have put into this shower - it means so much that I can travel back to Knoxville and spend some quality time with them. Other than stopping through one night over Christmas last year, I think it's been a solid two years since I've had a weekend back in Knoxville. I can't wait to see everyone and will have plenty of pictures to show next week!

Born To Be A Hoosier!

"...miles and miles of backroads and highways

connecting little towns with funny names,

who'd want to live down there in the middle of nowhere...

they've never drove through Indiana..."

Jason Aldean's current song, "Flyover States," gives major props to Midwest living - especially in Indiana and I'm so proud every time I hear it on the radio! As most of you know, we will be moving back to Indiana mid-July and could not be more excited. While it's been fun living at the beach for a couple years, we certainly are anxious to get back to our home state where we can start planting our roots =) We've always had a desire to move back closer - it was just a matter of when that opportunity would present itself. Now is the perfect time for us and we're happy baby G will be born an official Hoosier! 

 

I'm 27 weeks today and growing little by little every day. I didn't know how I would feel pregnant - didn't know if I would feel that "glow" or if I would be counting down the months to have it over with. I can honestly say I'm really enjoying being pregnant (thankfully, it's been an easy pregnancy). I find myself feeling protective of him now - and I feel proud that he's growing like he should be. Since I've just now "popped" in the last two weeks or so, it makes me proud of my belly because that means he's putting on weight and growing into a healthy boy! It's also a nice confidence boost that I'm doing a good job - eating well, taking care of myself, etc. I think it's so easy to get caught up in the "do's-and-don'ts" of pregnancy - my doctor told me from day one not to read anything (haha) - just use common sense! So far, that's worked for me! 

This past week, I've really been wanting something "bad" and unhealthy. I've always been a pretty healthy eater, but let's face it, after a while a blueberry just isn't going to satisfy your appetite anymore!! I didn't have a specific craving for anything in particular - just wanted something I normally wouldn't eat. So, I'm at the grocery going down every aisle getting tempted...do I grab a box of powered donuts? Nah, I don't really like donuts. Do I make brownies? Nah, too much work involved. What do I settle for? Chocolate poptarts. Haha, which for those who know me know back in the day I would eat chocolate poptarts every morning for breakfast. So, this was my big "splurge"...chocolate poptarts was the most unhealthy I would allow myself to get. What makes this story even better is the fact that I opened the box on the way home and ate one =) (And just for the record, this has not curbed my "craving")! 

Going to the doctor next Friday so will have another update then!

Beach Baby!

Hello! 

Baby and I had a great trip to Seaside, FL this past weekend for my friend Julie's wedding. She was such a beautiful bride and it was great to see all my Tennessee friends again! I had a funny moment on the way there because this was the first plane ride for baby since he was only six weeks old. About ten minutes into the flight after we had taken off, he was kicking so hard he was making my shirt move! It was cracking me up - I had to tell the guy next to me since I was laughing and rubbing my belly =) Baby either loved the airplane ride or hated the altitude change!

I woke up one morning in Florida and was like, "Whoa! I have a belly now!!" People told me it would happen overnight - and it sure did for me! I even took a picture in the mirror and sent it to Eric! It was funny because when we saw each other on Wednesday (after being apart for eight days), he definitely noticed my expanding tummy! And everyone else seems to be noticing too - every day this week I've had customers say, "I didn't know you were pregnant!" And then they're shocked to find out I'm 6 1/2 months along! 

I'm 26 weeks today and feeling great. No major updates, changes, or cravings to report (although, no more eggs)!  We've narrowed down a couple of our favorite names, but no final decisions yet. I think we're still trying to decide if we're going to reveal the name before baby comes or just wait. Attached are my 25-week picture and my 26-week picture. Glad my baby is growing! =) 

Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend!

The Baby Essentials!

As promised, thought I would show ya'll some of the things we registered for as we prepare for baby! Registering for a baby is so much more fun than registering for a wedding - let me tell you! I was so overwhelmed and stressed out with our wedding registry - even managed to walk away with a funny story about having a complete meltdown in the towel section! I think the difference between the two experiences is shopping for yourself vs. shopping for your sweet little baby. Knowing the little guy is going to be solely depending on Eric and I to take care of him, I wanted to pick only the best things for him. Things that would keep him safe and happy! Overall, I am thrilled with our registry...I really like everything we picked out and can't wait to put everything to good use!
Crib:

We went with the Graco Lauren Signature Convertible Crib in the French Vanilla color (aka creme). I like both the dark wood and white wood, however I wanted something cozy and warm for the nursery. This color is exactly what I was looking for. Cribs can be so expensive - so this is a great mid-range brand that doesn't compromise safety for price. As the name states, it's convertible and will convert into a toddler bed, daybed, and both a full size headboard and footboard. We also registered for the matching changing station that is featured in the picture. 

Car Seat/Stroller:

This is probably one of my favorite things on the registry - maybe because I know it's one of the things I'll use the most! We decided on the Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat - this is what baby will use till he's roughly 30 lbs (or too long to fit)! Chicco is a wonderful baby brand that emphasizes safety and convenience. I'm also happy we found a neutral color scheme - I think it's real sharp looking for our handsome little man! We registered for the matching Car Seat Carrier Stroller...all we do is simply click in the car seat and we're ready to roll! The cool thing about this stroller is the one-handed folding system - no lie, Mom and I tested this in the store and it works great....and it's extremely lightweight and will fit perfectly in our small cars =)

Bottles:
We received good advice from several people that bottles are pretty much a trial-and-error process with baby and you won't really know what works until he's here. That took some pressure off because there are so many choices! The majority of bottles we registered for come from the Tommee Tippee brand. These bottles are designed with a super-wide nipple that naturally flexes and stretches like a breast and the natural shape lets babies latch on easier. They also have an anti-colic valve that lets babies feed at their own pace with reduced risk of gas and colic. We will give it a whirl and see what he likes!

Everything Else:

My favorite thing to register for was all the cute bath stuff - I mean, is anything cuter than little hooded towels?? Eeekkk!! There were even Finding Nemo hooded towels - one of my favorite movies! =) With the burpcloths, bibs, pacifiers, crib sheets, video monitor, sleep sacks,  and swaddle wraps, I think we are as ready as we'll ever be for BABY!!!

Walking On Sunshine!

24 weeks! It feels great to hit the six-month mark and am embracing my round little bump! My mom was here this past weekend and we had a really great visit. We went to the beach, ate lots of yummy food, and bought a whole bunch of flowers for our house. She also treated me to a whole new maternity wardrobe!! Kristen was kind of enough to pass down all her maternity clothes so I was off to a great start, especially for summer. But, I was still in need of basic staples for work and had SO much success at Motherhood Maternity. I was able to find a couple pair of dress pants, a nice pair of jeans, two dresses, and a few shirts...I feel like a whole new woman! Being comfortable is 100% the most important thing...and now that maternity clothes are so cute it's a win-win.

How Far Along: 24 weeks!
Size: Baby is now measuring around 12 inches and weighs about 1.3 ounces - about the size of a banana!
Cravings: I've put my tomato fix to the side and now I'm all about EGGS! Little background, I very much dislike eggs. Always have. One day last week, I saw an egg bagel sandwich on a food blog and thought, "I have to have that...NOW"! So, I proceeded to the grocery where I picked up eggs, bagels, and cheese - and have since had an egg bagel sandwich every single day. Haha! The simple pleasures =)
How I'm Feeling: I am feeling great - hard not to when it's 80 degrees outside! It's been so nice having family visit the last couple weeks...thanks to Aunt Kristen and Ginka, little baby already has a start to his ever growing wardrobe! Next weekend, I'm flying to Destin, FL for my friend Julie's wedding and I cannot wait to be reunited with all my Tennessee girlfriends! Julie is going to be absolutely beautiful and I'm so happy I can share this special time with her.

Thanks to everyone who's been following the blog! Hope everyone has a great Mother's Day weekend!

Quick Update!

Today will be a quick post as I don't have too much to update everyone on - that's a good thing, right? I'm 22 weeks today and doing great. Kristen was here this past week and we enjoyed lots of lounging and couch time =) We were both getting over being sick so it was nice to relax. She was a HUGE help on Saturday as we headed up to Virginia to start our registry at Babies-R-Us! She was able to tell us what we needed, what we could wait on, her experiences with certain items, etc. Very, very helpful - there is so much stuff to choose from!! I think I've gone back and forth about the car seat we bought a hundred times...I just have to keep reminding myself, the baby doesn't care what style of fabric or design you have! Now, we're gearing up for my mom's visit next weekend!

I can feel the baby move more - mostly in the mornings and at night. We go back to the doctor May 1 for a quick check-up. Will check back in with everyone soon!

20 Weeks - Halfway There!

We're at the halfway mark! How fast did those five months go? Since we found out we're having a little boy, I feel like the whole pregnancy has changed. It's nice to talk about boy names, look at boy clothes, and know it's a little "him" growing inside! We hit a big milestone this week when I felt him move for the first time! I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep and I felt the same "flutter" twice in the same area. It felt like a quick heartbeat pulse. I wasn't quite sure if that was him or not, but then I felt it again the next day too =) Now, I can't wait to feel him more and more as he grows bigger.


Someone at work told me that it's good luck to buy something for your baby by the 20-week mark. So, I just HAD to go buy the first little addition to his wardrobe. I wanted to keep it simple and keep it small...so I found the cutest little bucket hat for our days on the beach! It's adorable and I can just picture him wearing it playing in the sand =)

We've got lots to look forward to in the coming weeks. Kristen is coming out next week to spend a couple days and I can't wait! Since she's a brand new mommy to my sweet nephew Jayden, she's going to help me start a registry with all the must-haves. We'll also have plenty of fun sister time and hopefully some warm weather for the beach! Then, Ginka (my mom) is coming out the first weekend in May. Ginka has already spoiled baby G by sending two cute onesies that I'm sure he'll love! Oh, the fun begins!!! =)

Boy, Oh BOY!

Tuesday probably ranks as one of the top five best days of my life! We are SO EXCITED to welcome a little BOY in August!! We had a wonderful check-up and the baby is measuring right on schedule. Our last ultrasound was ten weeks ago so we were very excited to see baby again. We got to see arms, legs, kidneys, brain, all the working parts of a little human! It was so cool to even see the little bones in his fingers!

While we wanted to find out the sex, we didn't want to find out right there in the doctor's office. So, the night before I decorated two cards - one boy, one girl. I handed them to the ultrasound tech and told her to put a check mark on the envelope so we knew which one to open (she had us look away during that part of the ultrasound so it wouldn't ruin the surprise). Afterwards, we went to the beach where we planned to open the card. We were so nervous! We closed our eyes and Eric pulled out the boy card...I'm pretty sure he screamed "YES!" and I screamed "REALLY"?! I thought for sure it was a girl! And Eric "knew" it was a boy! =) I seriously think Eric feels more macho knowing he reproduced a boy...haha...he is sooooo stinkin' proud!!!! We wanted a cute way to share the news with our family and friends so we collected shells on the beach and spelled out "b-o-y" in the sand. The rest of the day was filled with phone calls to our parents and siblings and lots of texts from our friends. It really does bring me so much joy sharing this whole experience with everyone. I've had plenty of friends tell me "boys are the BEST" and "little boys just love their mommies so much"! We are so happy we found out - it feels completely different. Now, the fun part begins - NAMES! We've always had an on-going list stashed away of names that we liked, but we said we didn't really want to talk about names until we knew the gender. We will (most likely) keep the name a secret until baby arrives!

 I'm 19 weeks tomorrow so almost halfway through! I'm feeling great - this week has been full of nothing but love and encouragement. I don't think either of us has stopped smiling! 

Boy or Girl...What will Baby G Be??

We are beyond excited to be finding out the sex of our sweet little baby on Tuesday! The long anticipated wait will be over soon! I think I'm more excited just to see the baby again on the ultrasound. We haven't seen him/her for 10 weeks so I'm sure we'll be surprised by how big baby has gotten!

It has been really fun getting everyone's guesses on the sex - at first everyone thought it was a girl. Lately, all the votes have turned to boy so it's about 50/50 right now. I literally have no idea (haha so much for the motherly instinct, right?!) I will say this though - I know about nine other ladies who are due in July/August and everyone is having GIRLS! Could just be the summer for girls! Honestly, it's cliche, but we'll be happy with either a boy OR a girl - we're going to love that baby no matter what!

To have a little fun, I decided to test out some of the old wives tales to help determine the old fashioned way if we're having a boy or girl. Below are some of the highlights:

#1: The Telltale Carry
Tale: If you carry low, you are having a boy. If you carry high, you are having a girl.
Verdict: What do you think? Here is my 18-week picture. Everyone thinks I'm carrying low - BOY.

#2: Crave It
Tale: If you are craving sweets, you are having a girl. If you are craving sour, you are having a boy.
Verdict: While I'm not really "craving" anything, I'm all sweets - GIRL.

#3: Jewelry Speaks
Tale: Hold a ring on a string over your belly. If it swings back & forth, it's a girl. Swings in a circle, boy. 
Verdict: Eric thought I was crazy when I laid down and told him to hold my wedding ring over my belly. Uhhh, it didn't move. Haha. What was I thinking - that hormones would magically make the string move?!

#4: Mayan Tale
Tale: Add the mothers age at conception and year of conception. If the number is even, it's a girl. If it's odd, it's a boy.
Verdict: 28 + 2011 = 2039 - BOY.

#5: Baking Soda Gender Test
Tale: Pee in a cup of baking soda. If it fizzes, it's a boy. If it does not fizz, it's a girl.
Verdict: Yes, I did this. Why not? I'm gonna say there was no fizz - GIRL.

Final Verdict: 2 votes boy, 2 votes girl, 1 undetermined =)

Every time I think about Tuesday, I get butterflies in my tummy! I'm sure it will start to feel more "real" as we can start talking about names, thinking about nursery ideas, etc. And it will definitely feel more real once I feel baby move for the first time! Thanks for all the well-wishes and notes - it's been so much fun sharing with everyone! 

My Favorite Month!

March is off to a GREAT start! First of all, it's March Madness. And in our household, that's a BIG DEAL!! Eric and I are both in three different bracket challenges (including one against each other) so our eyes are always on these fun tournament games! Secondly, March has been the month of babies!!! So far, baby Steele, baby Lilly, and baby Hayden have made their debuts. Now, we're just waiting on baby Caroline! She can come any day now (and I know mommy Natasha is dying to meet her)! I'm partial to March babies...they are being born in the BEST month!! =)

How Far Along: 16 weeks!
Size: 4.5 inches long and weighs 3.5 oz. - about the size of an avocado
Development: Baby's legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. The patterning of his scalp has begun too! He's even started to grow little tiny toenails. A growth spurt is on the horizon - baby is supposed to double his weight and add inches to his length in the next few weeks.
How I'm Feeling: I'm feeling great! I don't feel like I have that "burst" of energy most talk about in the second trimester yet, but I certainly feel better than the first! The warm weather has definitely helped in getting out and taking walks/jogs. It feels so good to accomplish a workout (especially because before I was so exhausted and out of breath)! As you can tell from my bump picture, it's starting to poke!! (This is one of three attempts we took at this picture - and I'm pretty sure the bump looks the biggest in this one)!! As everyone tells me, I'm trying to "embrace" my new figure, but it's hard right now in this awkward phase! I'm just ready to be 7-months pregnant with a nice, round belly =)

In a few short weeks, we'll be finding out the gender!! It's been a lot of fun getting everyone's guesses...and their reasoning behind it! We are so excited to find out what this little peanut is! Have a great weekend!

15 Weeks!

Just a quick update:
How Far Along: 15 weeks!
Size: Baby is now measuring 4 inches and weighs about 2.5 ounces - about the size of an apple or orange (yummy)!
Development: Baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck her thumb! She can now officially move all her joints and limbs.She is forming taste buds and can now sense light from inside the womb. (I'm just using "she" to make baby sound real - we'll find out the sex later!)
How I'm Feeling: I'm feeling really good! I have definitely noticed not being AS tired, not being AS hungry, etc. Having said that, I won't even disclose how many pieces of pizza I had for lunch today...haha! But, they were thin crust and it was free =) I'm still waiting for my first "craving"...nothing too unusual so far, just still eating an un-godly amount of tomatoes! Watch me never eat another tomato after this pregnancy!

We had a doctors appointment on Monday and got to hear the heartbeat. I'm so out of touch - I wouldn't have even known that I was hearing the heartbeat until my doctor told me. I just thought I was hearing soundwaves. Oh, the expectations in my head were WAY off! I was expecting some loud, clear "thump, thump" and it would be all emotional, blah, blah, blah. Guess that's only in the movies =)

We go back the first week of April to find out the sex! We're having a lot of fun taking everyone's guesses so if you haven't already, let me know what you think we're having! So far, the majority of people are definitely leaning in one direction...but I won't disclose that just yet! =)

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Looking forward to Selection Sunday - best time of the year! Can't wait to see where the Hoosiers will end up! 

Happy Saturday!

I'm learning several new things as I journey through this pregnancy! Here are a couple fun tidbits I've picked up in my short three months:

1. Your first trimester is actually over after week 14. I always thought it was week 12 so I posted a little premature last time! As of today, I am 14 weeks and 1 day...and feeling good!

2. Did you know that the baby's intestines make their home in the umbilical cord until the body cavity has enough room for them? How cool is that? When the baby is ready, the intestines will move into their correct place and start functioning normally. Just another reminder of how incredible human life is!

3. Kitties (and pets in general) can sense your pregnant. Since very early on in my pregnancy, my sweet kitties have definitely changed their behavior, indicting to me they knew something was up! I went to the all-knowing Google to find out if cats can sense your pregnant and it is absolutely true. They pick up on mood changes, if you're laying on the couch more (yes!!), and your overall demeanor. Max has always been my cuddle kitty - he has always gravitated towards me while Paisley has always gravitated towards Eric. But now, Paisley will jump right up on the couch and lay right on my tummy almost every night =) Usually, they would be our alarm clocks on the weekends and wake us up when they were hungry. But again, ever since I've been pregnant it's like they know I need sleep and they don't peep a word! I think it'll be fun to see how they react when I actually have a belly...I can honestly see Max using it as a perch for a little cat nap! I couldn't help but post some pictures of them...they are the best gift I ever received (Eric surprised me with a trip to the animal shelter last year on my birthday)!!


4. Some people have no filter when it comes to you being pregnant! I was definitely warned that people will feel like they have free reign to give their advice and opinion on your pregnancy and I had my first dose of it last week at the bank. Keep in mind, I had just posted my "bump" picture at 13 weeks - not that big right? I literally go to work and one of my customers, in all seriousness, said, "Good God, you've popped!! I mean, geez, are you having TWINS?? Ugh, that would be horrible." And she went on...and on...and on about how big I looked. Ummmm....wow. I just laughed it off because it was so outrageous.

We go to the doctor on Monday morning - getting so excited! Hope everyone's having a great weekend - ready to cheer on the HOOSIERS tomorrow night as we finish out the regular season with a big W!!!