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!!!

Baby Bump?

Well, it's official...I definitely can't fit into my pants anymore! HAHA! I've put the Bella Band to good use this week (Bella Band is something that you wear over the top of your pants so they can remain unbuttoned and unzipped), but I'm still pretty uncomfortable! Guess it's time to start looking at some maternity clothes, huh? I know not to go overboard with maternity clothes, but I'm looking for COMFORT. I've already been perusing Old Navy's maternity website and I think that's a good place to start.

I still don't feel like I have a true "baby" bump yet...more like "I-had-too-many-doughnuts" bump! But, per several requests, I'll post a picture anyway! =)

I've been feeling better this week...especially with the 70 degree weather we're having! Oh, I had my first baby dream - in the dream, we found out we were having a little girl - only time will tell! We should be able to find out in April.

Just a quick post this week - I'm 13 weeks today! Go back to the doctor a week from Monday to hear that strong little heartbeat =) Hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Hello 2nd Trimester!

I'm officially entering my second trimester tomorrow! Six short months to go! The last week or so hasn't really been the best - I feel like I took a step back in regards to how I'm feeling. The all-day nausea returned, got sick, lost my appetite, etc. I texted Eric on Tuesday and said "I think I'm having my first major pregnancy emotional meltdown." Haha...and don't worry, I've had another since then too =) I think I was just overwhelmed with how crummy I felt. But, all in all, I really can't complain at how the first trimester went! Besides some nausea and the exhaustion, everything else went very smoothly! I'm definitely looking forward to that extra 'burst' of energy people say you gain during the second trimester. I know everyone is different, but I've had several friends say around week 14-16 they felt like a whole new person.

While I haven't gotten addicted to the Pinterest craze (Google it if you need to find out what it is), I did get inspired when I saw a cute picture on there announcing your pregnancy. It was such a simple idea so my friend Alyson came up from Hatteras and took this picture for us. We had obviously told our families and some friends that we were pregnant, but this was a GREAT way for us to surprise everyone else! Let me tell you, all the phone calls, emails, and texts made it SO worth it! There were a lot of squeals on the other end of the phone! =) It melts my heart how excited everyone is for us - this baby is definitely going to be loved! 

Here's a quick update:
How Far Along: 12 weeks! 
Size: just over two inches...the size of a lime!
Development: baby can open and close its fingers, curl its toes, and make sucking movements with its mouth. All the major systems have formed and baby is about to enter the growth and maturation stage, in which its organs and tissues will grow and develop rapidly.  
How I'm Feeling: On a scale from 1 to 10, I'd say I'm a 7. The only thing I want right now is tomatoes and bread! I've always loved tomatoes, but I'm taking it to a whole new level! And anything with carbs sounds good - bread, english muffins, spaghetti, breadsticks, etc. My days right now usually consist of cereal with strawberries, yogurt with granola, tomatoes and cottage cheese, english muffins with peanut butter, apple/banana with peanut butter. And I'm still thoroughly enjoying my naps on the days I can take one! 
Next Appointment:  March 5

Our Little Peanut!

We were so excited to see our little baby again today! The ultrasound went great! Baby has grown SO much in just a short two weeks! Everything looked much more recognizable...we could even see it's little developing nose! Baby definitely put on a show because it was moving around like crazy!! It looked like a mexican jumping bean! It had both Eric, myself, and the ultrasound tech laughing.

One funny thing happened today - I was going in to the appointment expecting to hear the baby's heartbeat (like everyone told me and from what I had read). I'm thinking in my mind that the ultrasound tech will turn on the volume and I'll hear a steady, constant heartbeat and I'll have this moving, mommy experience with tears streaming down my face. Not so much.  She turns it on for literally a second - enough to hear about two beats. I was so focused on the screen and watching the baby that I really didn't pay ANY attention to the sound. So, I pretty much missed it. Eric said, however, that it sounded like a helicopter =) The funny part came when I was in to see Dr. Kling and he was using the handheld machine to listen to the heartbeat. Well, wouldn't you know it starts making these loud beeping noises and its batteries died before we could hear anything!! Haha! He reassured me that at my next appointment, on March 6, the baby's heartbeat will be nice and strong and I won't miss it! 

Here's a quick update on baby:

How Far Along: 10 weeks, 4 days

Size: just over 1 in. long - about the size of a cocktail shrimp and similar in shape =)

Development: vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver are in place and starting to function; tiny nails are forming on fingers and toes; peach-fuzz hair is beginning to grow on tender skin; baby's limbs can bend now - his hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body.

How I'm Feeling: I have definitely noticed the all-day nausea has subsided a little - woohoo! Now, it really only comes on if I let myself get hungry so I'm sticking with eating little meals throughout the day. More than anything, I'm feeling completely exhausted. I never knew I could feel so tired! Some days I even try and sneak a nap in my car during my lunch break! =) Hopefully, I'll get my energy back in a few short weeks. Oh, and don't worry, I'm still hungry all the time.

Our doctor gave us our 'welcome pack' today full of free stuff, magazines, etc. I am really excited to dive into all these parenting magazines and see what the latest products are, tips and advice, and what to expect for the remaining months ahead!

We're Pregnant!

We are so excited to share this special time with our family and friends! Being so far away, this will be a great way for everyone to stay connected and keep up-to-date on little peanut's progress! I found out I was pregnant right after Christmas and was able to tell my family/friends in person when I flew home to Indiana two weeks ago. I had thought of cute little ways to tell each person and it was really exciting (and hilarious!) to see everyone's reactions. To have the support we do is absolutely amazing. 

We had our first ultrasound on Tuesday. I am officially 8.5 weeks pregnant which puts my due date as AUGUST 31! We were able to see the baby for the first time and see its heart beating. It's funny because I was crying before we even went in, and I cried after, but I didn't cry during the actual ultrasound. I think I was just in awe - it's crazy to think that little peanut on the screen is living in my belly! 

Here's a quick update on baby:

How Far Along: 8 weeks, 6 days

Size: just under 2cm -about the size of a large raspberry

Development: webbed fingers and toes are poking out from baby's hands and feet, its eyelids practically cover the eyes, breathing tubes extend from its throat to the branches of the developing lungs, and its "tail" is just about gone. Still crazy to think babies start out like this, right?!

How I'm Feeling: HUNGRY! Haha, my family saw first hand when I was home how my eating habits have changed! I feel hungry all.the.time. But, I also feel queezy about 95% of the time too! I've noticed if I let myself get hungry then I really start to feel nauseous. So, I've been pretty good at snacking every 3-4 hours (healthy snacks, of course)! Saltine crackers now feel like I'm eating cardboard so I've switched to oyster crackers =) No major cravings or aversions, but NOTHING I eat feels satisfying - sometimes it's hard to get a meal down, but I'm just so thankful I'm not getting sick!


We go back for another ultrasound on Tuesday, February 7. Come back and visit because we are so excited to see how the baby has changed in just a couple short weeks!