Hard at work on the nursery

Eric and I worked on the nursery much of the Thanksgiving weekend. Eric finished up painting and I washed baby's clothes and organized the closet in baby's room. In addition, Eric and I both have been working on painting some of the wall hangings that will go up in baby's room soon. My mom has been helping as well... sewing table clothes for the two small tables in the room. We are waiting on the glider recliner that we purchased/ordered a few weeks ago- it should be here soon. It has been fun working on the nursery with Eric- lots of work, but tons of love fills up the room already!

Daddy working on putting the crib and dresser together.

Baby's name will go in the stripe on the wall above the crib (wooden block letters).

This was taken last week at 30 weeks.

Baby Shower

Maddy, Liza, Josie, Devri

My amazing, beautiful, and kind girlfriends, Devri, Maddy, and Josie threw the most amazing baby shower for me last Saturday. I truly couldn't have dreamt of a better baby shower... I had such a good time and felt very loved. This was my "friends" shower and soon we will be having our "family" shower. It was so much fun to see all of my girlfriends in one place at the same time! We had such a great time catching up and celebrating the anticipated arrival of this baby boy. I feel so fortunate to have such great ladies in my life.

Devri and I

Two pregnant bellies.

Halloween

My wonderful teaching partners and I agreed to wear our pajamas as our Halloween costumes (this is becoming a tradition); however, little did I know that my 3 teaching partners also decided to add a little weight to their bellies as well. This was the big hit at school with the staff and our students. It was hilarious watching our kids realize that the other three teachers dressed up as me :). I am so fortunate to work with such fun ladies! We have such a good time together and they are truly wonderful friends!

The Four Funky Monkey Teachers

3rd Trimester- Here we come!!!

This week baby boy and I begin our 3rd trimester together. I can't believe how fast it has gone! It seems like only a few weeks ago that I was feeling sick and hoping and praying for the "easy" part of pregnancy. Well, I have had a wonderful past few months. I enjoy being pregnant... it is really an amazing feeling knowing that my child is growing inside of me. I hope this easy part continues as long as possible :).

Third trimester here we come!

Typos

I wanted to apologize for all the horrible spelling, grammatical, and punctuation mistakes in the posts I have made already. I am going to blame it on "pregnancy brain". How long do you think I can get away with that? Is there a such thing as "nursing brain" by any chance?

I'm Pregnant!

It is late May 2007. Eric and I were both sure I wasn't pregnant even though we both were hoping I was! How could we be so fortunate? That really is how we felt. Having a baby is something we both deeply longed for. As I got closer to the day of taking a pregnancy test, I began to feel different. Most of my "symptoms" were not at all usual for me, so Eric started to say, "I think you might be pregnant." I didn't want to get my hopes up so I kept telling myself that of course I wasn't but we would try again.

I was so nervous all the entire weekend of May 19-20th. I was planning to take a test on Sunday morning but not a day sooner. Sunday morning I woke up early at 5:30. I laid awake for an hour just staring at Eric willing him to wake up but that didn't work. I fell back asleep at about 6:30ish and slept for 2 hours but had very strange dreams. Two of my dreams were very vivid and both involved me taking a pregnancy test and in both dreams the pregnancy test came back positive! When I woke up at about 8:30 these two dreams were fresh in my mind and I was more nervous than ever! Eric was awake and I said, "I am going to go test"... he just grunted a little. I went to the bathroom and did my thing then laid the test on the counter and within seconds that second pregnant line was pink! My heart was pounding out of my chest... I picked it up and almost ran out into the bedroom and jumped on the bed. I said, "I'm pregnant!" Eric just grinned from ear to ear and said, "I knew it! "We laid in bed for about 45 minutes talking about how surreal it all felt and how excited we were! Eric came up with a plan to tell the grandparents so we got up, showered, and headed out the door to have breakfast at McDonald's and go to Home Depot.

Pregnant!

May 20, 2007
I have to tell someone...someone special...
Knowing that I was pregnant on Sunday was very strange. I really believed it but really didn't all at the same time. When we arrived home from Home Depot (more to come on that) I took another test and sure enough it was positive too. I couldn't wait to tell my parents and Eric was so anxious to tell his as well but my dad was out of town for the weekend and I knew that if I even talked to my mom on the phone for one minute the news would bust out of me. Eric and I really wanted to wait until we could get all of our parents together at the same time.

However, I really needed to tell someone but I knew it had to be someone really special... that was easy! My best and most special girlfriend in the world, Devri was the obvious choice! We also couldn't wait to tell Tim as well. Eric made me wait a few hours (it killed me) but finally we went over to their house. Devri answered the door and I said something like, "I have some really good news!" She knew what I was about to say and was all smiles! I broke the news and we laughed and hugged. She was amazing as usual! So supportive and truly, genuinely excited for Eric and me. The only bummer was that Tim wasn't home! But the three of us came up with a plan. We would try out the plan we had come up with for telling the grandparents on Tim later that day... Devri was going to help us!

Telling Tim was just as fun. We got to try out the "paint plan" and it was fun to see him figure it out after Eric said, "Well, we have 9 months to figure it out." Sunday evening, Devri and Tim arrived again at our house with gifts... they are so sweet and thoughtful! They bought me two books, What to Expect When Your Expecting and Belly Laughs (Jeni McCarthy). Both have been wonderful books to read and I truly appreciate Devri and Tim's thoughtfulness. They also bought Eric a book titled, So Your Going to Be a Dad!. We had a good time reading little parts of each book that evening and reveling in the fact that I was really pregnant.

May 21, 2007
Telling the grandparents... and Uncle T.J....
Well, this was the most fun of all! Like I said before, Eric came up with a great plan for telling our parents that they will soon be grandparents... so much fun! As I explained before, on Sunday morning we went to Home Depot and bought a little pink paint and a little blue paint. When we got home Eric painted a section of the baby's room blue and another section pink. His plan was to ask his dad and my dad to come over and help him "move something" out of that room where we have been storing some furniture. Eric also asked if they wanted to eat dinner with us as well, and of course bring our moms! Of course they said they would be there to help. My mom arrived first, and then Les and Theresa but my dad was late (no hard feeling dad!). It was killing Eric and I. We just wanted to break the news so badly. Finally, my dad arrived with my brother... this was an added bonus for the evening.

Our original plan was to tell everyone before we ate. I was so nervous that I thought that maybe I could actually eat dinner if we told them first. Well, everyone was starving by this point so we ate dinner first. We ate dinner then sat around and talked... I was going crazy. I just wanted Eric to get the ball rolling. Finally, Eric asked the "guys" to come upstairs with him to help him move the TV cabinet out of the extra bedroom into our bedroom. Eric and Les started planning the move before they even started upstairs. I thought that was funny because the plan was not to really move anything at all really. As the guys headed upstairs I asked my mom and Theresa to come upstairs as well so I could "show them something Eric put up on the wall upstairs". As we got up the stairs the guys were in our bedroom still planning out how to move the TV stand so I ushered both of the grandmas into the baby's room before the guys. When we walked in I pointed to the two colors on the wall and asked, "So what color do you think we should choose?" My mom instantly yelled, "Are you pregnant?". I said yes and then we were all laughing and hugging as the guys walked in. Les, T.J. and my dad all looked a little confused but figured it out quickly. It was fun to see the grandpas take it all in! My brother was smiling from ear to ear. As we all hugged and they asked me how I was feeling I felt like it was all happening to someone else. Could it really be happening? Little did I know I would feel this way for a long time to come. For the rest of the evening we talked about the joy that was about to enter all of our lives. T.J. had his camera (of course!) so he took a few reall good photos. It was meant to be for T.J. to show up on this night. It made the night even more special for me. It was wonderful sharing the news with our parents... they truly are the most important people in our lives and we need their love and support more now than ever.

May 23, 2007
Telling Gram (Grandma Jackie)...
A few days later I had the chance to tell my Gram that she is going to be a great grandma! We were in her apartment after one of Liz's school choir concerts and I just said, "Well, I have some good news for you... I'm pregnant!" She gave a whoop and jumped up to hug me. She said, "I really am going to be a GG!" That is what this baby will call her, "GiGi". How sweet is that?!

May 25, 2007
Telling Uncle Shon and Aunt Alicia...
Just recently we received wonderful news from Shon and Alicia... they are getting married! We couldn't wait to share our wonderful news with them. We decided to tell them by using the photograph of the positive pregnancy test that TJ took when at our house on Monday. Eric printed it out and put it into a frame. We were going to dinner with them so when we picked them up we handed them the framed photo as they were sitting in the back seat. It was so fun to see them figure out what they were really looking at. Alicia didn't disappoint me one bit with her wonderful reaction... she squealed and hugged me as we were driving down the road. Shon was just as excited but he didn't squeal! We talked about it all the way to dinner and then all the way home. They are going to such important people in the life of our baby.

June 17, 2007
Telling Khyd and Chris and the "kids"...
Finally, we had an opportunity to tell Khyd, Chris, Matt, Liz, and Charlie that we are having a baby! My mom, Eric, and I went over to their house on Father's Day just as they had returned from Church. Chris was sitting on the couch with a pile of homemade Father's Day cards next to him. Eric picked one up and read it aloud and we all smiled at how cute it was. Then Eric looked at me and said, "I'm going to be getting one of these really soon. Like REALLY soon!" I was smiling from ear to ear waiting for someone to get it. Khyd said, "Your pregnant!" and hugged me. Liz just smiled big, Chris jumped up to hug us and then we talked about all the details. So much fun! It will be so special to share this will them.

June 22, 2007
First OB appointment
Our first prenatal appointment was on Friday June 22, 2007− Eric's 28th Birthday! Eric took the day off so that he could go with me. The appointment was very long... about 2 hours. I got poked and prodded all over... what fun! All blood work came back normal and we were scheduled for an ultra sound on July 2nd (10 weeks along). We just can't wait to see our baby!

July 2nd, 2007
First Ultra Sound
Our first ultra sound was on July 2nd, 2007. As soon as the tech said, "There is baby, right there," I smiled from ear to ear! I couldn't stop. I looked at Eric and he was just staring in amazement at the screen as we watched our little one kick and punch and turn all over the place! The heart beat was fluttering like crazy... that was the best thing I could ever see in the world at that moment− our baby was really there, really growing, really ours!!!

9.5 Weeks... just a little gummy bear.

July 20, 2007
Growing Belly
Well I knew I was going to get big when I was pregnant− I knew my belly would grow and I couldn't wait for that baby bump! However, it is strange and somewhat scary to see your body change so much in such a short time. I started taking pictures of my belly at the beginning of the month we "tried" to get pregnant. Then once we got our positive pregnancy test I started taking a picture every two weeks. WOW− have I grown!

August 23, 2007
I felt baby move!
Feeling the baby move was something I just couldn't wait for! Friends of mine who are pregnant or who have just had their baby told me it would happen around 16−17 weeks and sure enough− it did! I was laying on the couch on my back and felt a pop, pop, pop. I was just so excited... I smiled big and yelled for Eric to tell him I felt the baby move. From that point on I would lay still so that I could feel the baby move− at first it was very erratic. I would feel the baby one day and then not again for several more days but oh wow... it is such an amazing feeling! Grow baby, grow!


August 29, 2007
Daddy felt baby move!
Well, baby has been moving around much more lately (17−18 weeks). In fact, on 8/29 (exactly 18 weeks) I was lying in bed and started to feel the baby move. Usually it will move once or twice and then I won't be able to feel it again for a few more days but that night it moved for about 5 minutes nonstop. I was laying very still and Eric walked in the bedroom− I whispered, "Eric, the baby is moving a lot!" He came right over and put his hand on my bare belly and sure enough another poke, poke, poke. Daddy's face lit up and he said, "I feel it!" Then yesterday (18 weeks and 1 day) the baby move ALL DAY LONG! I couldn't believe it but it was really happening. Eric felt the baby again that evening while I was standing in the kitchen. Eric was saying that maybe we have a real handful coming our way! I guess only time will tell.

September 11, 2007
20-week ultrasound
Eric and I waited for this day for 20 entire weeks! We couldn't wait to find out if we were having a little girl or a little boy. The day finally came on September 11, 2007. We went to the ultra sound and thoroughly enjoyed every second of it! The ultrasound tech showed us every detail of baby. I fell in love even more with our sweet little one. At the end of the ultrasound the tech finally told us− girl or boy!

We hurried home with our video of baby in hand. Our family came over for dessert and to find out if it they would be holding blue or pink come January. Everyone gathered around the TV and Eric played the video. Eric and I pointed out all the parts− face, hands, arms, feet, spine, etc. Finally, at the end of the video a very clear picture showed that we are having a...



BOY!

Eric and I are both so thrilled to know that we are going to have a son. We can't wait to watch him grow, learn, and enjoy life.

What a cutie!

September 14, 2007
Daddy went to Europe
Eric left for Europe on September 14. He went with Shon for 17 days. London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Germany were all on the itinerary. I missed him terribly but it helped to hear his voice each night on the tape recorder that he used to record himself reading nursery rhymes to baby boy. Daddy will have many stories and experiences about Europe to share with baby when he is older.

October 7th, 2007
The joys of pregnancy sleep... or lack there of
Well, I thought I would do a little writing since I am up on a Sunday morning at 5:30 a.m.− not the norm for me at all! I usually sleep until at least 8:00 on weekend mornings. Well, my body has decided to do new things and sleeping soundly has been kicked off the list for me. I guess this is just part of training my body and mind for all those sleepless nights to come when baby is here. My back aches most of the night so I turn from side to side, my nose is stuffy (not as bad as if I had a cold but enough to be annoying... it has been like this since I first became pregnant− 5 1/2 months now with 4 1/2 to go with the stuffy nose I guess), my mind is racing with strange dreams and lists of things I need to do (I know I am weird!), and I am up usually two or three times to go the bathroom. So, I guess you could say I am tired but can't do anything about it!

22.5 weeks... over half way there.

Part 1 The Nursery
I have already purchased baby's nursery bedding... it is so cute! The colors are red, different shades of blue, beige, and white. The theme is muscle cars (fits well with Daddy!). Yesterday Eric and I went to Home Depot to pick out a few paint samples. We are hoping to have the nursery painted and set up by the end of October but that is coming fast so we'll see. Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Nursery.

October 14, 2007
Baby hiccups...
Well, baby boy is moving around most of the time. I LOVE it! The more he moves the better in my opinion. Feeling him move helps me feel more connected to him somehow. Well, I think he has been hiccuping lately. I feel a pulsing- pretty strong one- every 15 seconds or so for about 5 minutes. Then it goes away and then it happens again a few more times before I don't feel it again. I don't know if that is what is really happening but it sure feels like it

Pregnancy Journal

As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I started journaling . I knew that I wanted to remember it all! The following post is quite long only because I am attempting to post everything I have written so far in my Pregnancy Journal. I hope you enjoy reading it and keeping up with our journey as "parents to be".