I won! I won!

I am so excited! I had the crib put together with the bumper and mattress and crib sheet but was still missing the crib skirt. I thought maybe I could get by without one but once I put everything together it became very apparent that I needed one or it looked a little unfinished. My second thought was oh, I will just get a plain white one, the matching skirt is mostly white anyway. Well low and behold they don't just sell plain white crib skirts. The only crib skirts I could find anywhere were ones that matched other crib sets (very obviously not matching mine.)

So what to do... what to do... I can't find a plain one, pottery barn hasn't sold mine for years... Enter e-bay! I started searching on e-bay for a skirt to match my bedding. Over the course of a few months I did find a few on E-bay but the problem was that no one just sells the crib skirt. When someone sells their skirt they tend to sell the entire bedding set. Since I already have the rest of the set I didn't want to pay too much and didn't have much luck initially but then I finally found the right set at the right time and I won!!

The package came in this weekend and I took it out and put it on the crib. It is a little wrinkled but much better over all. I need to take everything off and wash it anyway so I figured it would get ironed then.

Speaking of ironing and washing... I am really hoping for this whole nesting thing to kick in soon! I'm waaaaaaaaaitinnnnnnng!!!!! I brought back a bunch of goodies for the baby back from my trip to Texas and not too much has gotten done with it other than a little sorting. The picture below is the nursery pre-nesting. I am hoping to post a picture soon to show you post nesting.

New developments in the 30th week

As you can tell from my last post the baby is definitely growing! My weekly update e-mails this week have informed me that the little guy is now about 3 pounds and around 17 in long! I am becoming very aware of this little growth spurt because I am starting to experience some of the discomfort of the third trimester. The baby has expanded it's home in my tummy up to my lungs and ribs now. This results in me becoming out of breath easily when he is pushing into them. I could just climb up the stairs and have to catch my breath! Also, he sometimes finds a comfortable spot with his (what I assume is a) foot under my ribs. His comfortable spot is not so comfy for mommy. I really can't complain too much.... I am still comfortable the majority of the time but I can definitely tell he is filling up the space in there. The other development is his continued movements becoming more and more prominent in my tummy. I don't just feel him moving anymore. Now he actually moves my entire stomach! The movements feel so big! I can't even imagine over the next 10 weeks he will at least double (and hopefully not triple) his weight! He already feels so big!

Grow Belly Grow!

Here is the 30 week belly shot taken this morning. I have to say I am feeling kinda big. It is funny because at the beginning of my pregnancy I always thought I looked bigger than others thought I did. When I would see pictures I would think, "oh my belly looks way bigger looking down than it does in the pics". Now that I am bigger it has become the opposite. It seems that I don't feel too big and then I see a picture and think "Holy cow! Is that me??" It now looks much smaller looking down at it than it seems to when i look in a mirror or see a picture.

I had another uneventful doctors appointment this morning. The doctor said the baby is still measuring right on track, my weight gain is perfect and the heartbeat is nice and steady. We couldn't ask for much more than that. I did have a slight problem with my tests and have to go on antibiotics for a week but no big deal... It shouldn't affect the baby at all. I am thankful that everything has been smooth sailing throughout!

Belly to Belly

In one of my first posts I told everyone about all my friends that are pregnant. Natalie and I have been friends for sooooo many years and we have really enjoyed sharing this time together. And we are really getting to share it! She is due about three weeks before me, we are both having boys, and we hosted showers for each other both in the same weekend. We had mine on Saturday and then hers on Sunday afternoon... needless to say we were both exhausted!

I couldn't resist posting this cute pic we got of us together at her shower. I am 26 weeks and she is 29 weeks. I have to say the day before at my shower everyone kept telling me I looked so small. All I have to say about that is LIARS! The proof is in the picture! Although mine is lower than Nat's it is definitely sticking out there and looks right on for being three weeks behind her.

I am so looking forward to our boys getting to grow up together and become as good of friends as we have been over the years!

Elbows and knees...

One of the big changes I have noticed over this past week is that the baby's movements are becoming much more distinct. The baby is about 2.5 pounds, the size of a butternut squash, now so I guess he has less room than he used to which makes the movements more distinguishable. For example sometimes he just squirms around but other times I can feel what must be an elbow or knee moving in there. I think I am also just getting to the point where he can kick me in the ribs... oh joy!

It is hard to believe he is THIS big! In reality it is still so tiny for a little person, but it is amazing how they grow, develop and change so rapidly in just nine short months.

Baby's First Bowling Trip

I have been in Pennsylvania all week at a sales meeting for work. Tonight we got to have a team building night at the bowling alley. I thought I matched the bowling ball pretty well, haha!

Where's the baby?

There he is!!!

I have some great girlfriends at work. We don't get to spend a lot of time together because we are in different territories all across the county. We couldn't resist though... we had to get one pic of me with the girls and their "babys".

Tori, Kimber, and Maria at Parkway Lanes

Another Doctor's Appointment

Back to South Carolina and back to the Doctor! I am 28 weeks today and went in for my scheduled appointment. It was pretty routine and everything looked great. I have to say I did catch up a little on the weight gain after the holidays and coming straight off of two Thanksgiving dinners and a full weekend of leftovers! I am still "in the zone" as my doctor put it so no worries there. We heard a nice strong heartbeat and I measured perfectly. While the doctor was measuring the baby showed off some of his acrobatics and was pushing my stomach all around!

At 28 weeks I am now in my third trimester. It is hard to believe that I only have 12 weeks left! Time sure does fly. The pregnancy has been really enjoyable since the morning sickness stopped. I have been trying to savor these last weeks since I feel good and am still not too big! At 28 weeks he is about 2.25-2.5 pounds and 14.5 in from head to heel. I can definitely tell he is getting bigger. I can really feel him moving around now and it is very obvious, many times even through my clothes, when he is working out in there. My stomach just bounces all over the place. As a matter of fact I think he knew it was his first Thanksgiving because from the moment I woke up he was excitedly bouncing around in there.

Getting Ready!

I have great news! I got a new camera! Thanks to an early early morning and some Black Friday shopping I got a new camera and can now update the blog much more often.

I arrived back from my holiday travels to South Carolina last night and have been going through and sorting everything I brought back from my shower. I wasn't the only one who got lots of stuff over the past week... My friend here Kendall had a big shipment of baby hand-me-downs sent to her from her sister-in-law and happened to get two crib mattresses so she let me borrow one!


I have been so anxious to get the bedding put together so it will look more like a crib so I went home and put it all together. I think it looks pretty good except for the fact that we don't have a crib skirt yet. I am still working on that one. Anyone know where to get a plain white crib skirt?


Here is it all put together. Note the cute little cloud sheets I got at the shower. They go so well with airplane bedding! So far so good!

Baby Shower- Texas Style!

I had a wonderful time visiting Texas this past week. Some of my dear friends, Natalie, Brooke, and Jenny threw me an incredible baby shower! Everything was perfect. I feel so blessed to have had so many friends and family come from near and far to celebrate this baby. We got so many wonderful gifts and are much closer to being prepared for his arrival now.

Me before the shower with my 27 wk baby bump

Everything was perfectly themed in Airplanes... Daddy would approve!

And Natalie made this AMAZING cake herself! WOW!!!

All of my wonderful friends and family

My Mom hand made a beautiful quilt for the baby to match his bedding

All the food and goodies... Everything was DELICIOUS!


Me with the wonderful hostesses.

Brooke, Natalie, Me, Jenny

26 Week Belly pics!

Here are a couple of pics my mom got while Ihave been visiting inTexas. My tummy is definitly getting bigger as the little guy grows! He is about 2 lbs now so he is slowly taking over my stomach area. The funniest thing is when you feel your stomach growl but it is o longer growling where it should be... it has been temporarily relocated to much higher!

23 week Ultrasound... a little late.

So here I am almost 26 weeks and just now getting the pics posted from my ultrasound at 23 weeks. I have lots of excuses but the best one is that our scanner is REALLY hard to use and so I dread it and put it off as long as I can usually. The ultrasound went really well. I am still on track and the baby is looking happy and healthy in there. The sad news is that as long as everything stays looking good, there will be no more peeks at Baby M until his birthday.

Halloween Fun!

Happy Halloween!!! I got to go to a fun Halloween party Friday night with a bunch of the girls. Unfortunately I had to make a costume on the fly since Delta lost my bag with almost ALL of my maternity clothes other than the work clothes I was wearing inside. I went through an inventory of what I had left and came up with a pair of white maternity pants. Pair it with a white maternity shirt add a halo and you have one pregnant angel!

I started out the evening with a fun group of girls, Candice, Kara, and Branda. We went to dinner at Sumter's finest restaurant Hampton's dressed as you see above... one angel (minus the halo I hadn't picked up yet), one cowgirl, and two lady tigers. I think Hampton's was very happy when our uniquely dressed group left!

Kara, Randee, Kimber, Larissa, Charlotte, and Candice representing the 79th!

My good friend Sarah (next to me) announced her great news at the Halloween party dressed as a pregnant lady with her shirt that said "Baby makes my belly go round!" Kate (next to Sarah) made a fantastic red neck and her and her husband Kevin won best costume... Yay Croftons! Missy (at the end) just announced that she is expecting also! She is about 16 weeks along and looking great! I couldn't be happier for these two! The baby boom continues!

Firsts!

So today was the first time someone totally unprompted asked me if I was pregnant! I flew in to Pennsylvania yesterday and stayed at my regular hotel. My favorite thing about staying at this hotel is that it is by what I rate as the best bagel shop in the world. I know for sure it is the best in PA, and although I haven't been around the globe as far as I am concerned it is the best in the world!

So anyway, I lived in this area when I moved to PA out of college and used to go there all the time. The same girl that was working there then still works there and I have been buying bagels from her for almost 6 years now whenever I am in the area. It is one of the only places where people actually just know my order! So even though I only get to go a few times a year now they still remember me and give me a warm welcome. I had almost finished getting my order and turned around and then the girl says "Oh my gosh! Are you pregnant!?!?!?" Yup I sure am and finally big enough for people to know now i guess! I guess its not too bad for being 23.5 wks along!

Another Doctor's appt down!

I had another fun doctor's appointment today. The downside was that I did have to get a finger prick but the upside was that we got to have another sonogram. I had a quick check up and am measuring 25 cm. They start measuring you at 20 weeks and the general rule of thumb is that you are supposed to measure one cm for every week you are so at 23.5 weeks I am actually a couple of cm ahead. So for all of you who keep telling me I'm little, apparently I am not, I am actually big! I just carry it well :)

I haven't had a chance to scan in the ultrasound pics yet but will probably get them up and done this weekend. It is still a boy so no surprises there! Everything continued to look good on the ultrasound and the baby was moving around for us. It was weird to see the baby move on the big screen and feel it at the same time. He was even giving us a laugh because he was taking his hand and pushing out at us like "Why are you poking me??? Let me out of here!!" The tech said he is positioned head down with his body curled on the left side of my abdomen and the hands and feet to the right. I think he has been like that most of the pregnancy because I always seem to think the left side of my stomach looks bigger than the right.

Baby boy is getting bigger. At 23 weeks the baby is 11 in long and a little over a pound. Our fruit of the week is a large mango. As I have mentioned I can feel him strongly and often. I can not only feel him moving inside but also outside if I put my hand on my stomach when he is moving. Sometimes when he makes big movements I can even see my stomach moving!

I will try to get the ultrasound pics up this weekend so check back soon!

Belly Shot

I am excited to be able to finally be able to update the blog with another belly pic. I am about 22.5 weeks in this photo, so a little over 5 months. I am starting to grow and see my belly poke out little by little.

I had an exciting week... I won the H1N1 vaccine lottery and got selected as a high priority candidate to come in and get one of the 100 doses that came in. Yay me! My arm is a little sore and yes, I am still scared of needles, but I made it. Now that I am regular and swine flu vaccinated maybe I can avoid getting stuck again for awhile.

Baby Stuff Galore!

I have been so excited ever since we found out that we were having a BOY to get a flight suit diaper bag made. I think they are so cute and perfect for the airplane theme! I was a bit concerned because there are a few different places on the web that make them but since they are all custom made they are understandably very expensive. Lucky me though, a good friend from our days in Ohio just started the cutest website that sells all sorts of baby accessories that her and her sister make. They are extremely talented and they were able to custom make this diaper bag for me for a price that fit much more comfortably into the budget. You can see all of their stuff here: http://www.poppysnaps.blogspot.com/

Front

Back

Inside

It is still in the mail but I am so excited to get it and see it. It has plenty of pockets all over for all the baby stuff! I hoping that it might be almost manly enough so Brad won't be too embarrassed to carry it! I also can't wait to get a patch with the baby's name (still to be determined!) on it to put on the front of the bag just like a real little pilot! Thanks Brittany for making this so special for me.

22 Weeks!

We are officially 5 months in... 22 weeks and counting! Our baby boy continues to be an active little one. He is especially active at night which does worry me a bit, both for when he gets bigger later in my pregnancy and for when he is born and needs to learn night time is for sleeping! I am still banking on the fact that he will be like his daddy and sleep anytime, anywhere!

This week we reach a big milestone... He weighs about 1 pound! For over half the pregnancy he has been measured in ounces and now we will start measuring in pounds. At 22 weeks the baby measures 11 inches and is about the size of a spaghetti squash. He's definitely getting bigger, huh?



I go back to the doctor again next Wednesday. It should another fun appointment since they didn't get all the pictures and measurements they needed at the last ultrasound, I will get to have another next week! I am also looking forward to spending time with family this weekend and hopefully starting our baby registry. The later I expect to be slightly overwhelming so we will see how it goes!

20 Week Ultrasound

Today after a LONG flight home I raced to the doctor to make my appointment. Since I was in such a hurry I forgot to drink a little caffeine like I did last time and the baby was much calmer. He moved around a little bit but it was just small movements and he mostly remained curled up in a ball. This was by far the most fun ultrasound so far. It was longer and the tech took a lot of time to explain every little thing.

They measured the head and femur, and looked at the heart, brain, kidneys, spine and all of the different organs. The one thing she wasn't able to see well was the tail bone so she said we will do another short ultrasound the next time I some in, yay!

The good news is everything measured right on track and it's still a boy! She took lots of pics for us since Daddy wasn't able to come. The profile shots are some of my favorites!

Profile

Another profile shot- Sorry upside down!!

Little Hands!

Baby boy shot- looking up from his bottom

Face

Face

Fist- "Go Dad!"

Top of the head and legs

One foot- 5 toes!

Other foot

Half way there!

I am 20 weeks today! For those of you that aren't "in the know" on all matters pregnancy your due date is at 40 weeks so I am officially half way there! It is pretty hard to believe actually. It seems like 20 weeks doesn't sound so far but it is half way. Hard to wrap my head around sometimes. I am still not too big. I haven't quite gotten the camera situation figured out yet so still no updates on the growing belly. I can tell my stomach is getting much harder which is just me feeling the baby growing in there! I promise I will have some pics to post tomorrow after the ultrasound, but they still won't be of me they will be of Baby M! I am sure he will get the lion's share of the photos from now on anyways :)

Today I found out that at 20 wks he is is about 6.5 in long from head to rump or about 10 in from head to heel. The fruit of the week this week is a banana! He is about 10.5 oz - so over half a pound! I think he knows I am writing about him because he is moving all around right now... or it could have been the super spicy Thai food I had for dinner just now making its way to him!

I am very excited about the ultrasound tomorrow but not so excited about the flu shot I also have to get. Until tomorrow!

You know you're pregnant when...

You get mexican food and donuts for dinner and it is REALLY good!!! Welcome to my world!

Big Kicks!!

Since Brad has the camera right now I can't post as many update pics but I thought I would still keep you updated on Baby M. I am feeling the baby pretty much every day now! It is exciting. It has gone from just a little movement every few days a couple of weeks ago to lots of movement every day! The kicks are also getting bigger. At the end of last week Brad was determined to feel what I was feeling so we sat there for a couple of hours with his hand on my stomach. Finally on Friday the baby gave a great big kick and Daddy got to feel his little soccer player!

The baby is still most active when I am sitting and I usually get some movement after meals. As a matter of fact, I had donuts this week for the first time since being pregnant and the baby was very excited! He was jumping with joy over the donuts. I think he thought I had been holding out on him all this time!

19 Weeks!

I am 19 weeks today and feeling much better... FINALLY! I had my 4th doctors appointment today and everything is still moving along perfectly. I am measuring right on track, feeling the baby move, and as the Doctor put it "You tested negative for everything we wanted you to test negative for." I guess that is from all the blood work at my last appointment. I am having some round ligament stretching which I feel as a sharp pain in my side when I stand up too fast or sneeze. No biggie... just means everything in there is stretching out. I get to go back next week for a more fun appointment. My second trimester ultrasound and screening. They will look at everything and make sure it all looks normal. If so it might be the last time we get to see the baby until his debut!

The baby is starting to grow more rapidly now at this phase of the pregnancy. He is roughly half a foot and half a pound! On average at 19 weeks a baby measures 6 in from head to rump and weighs 8.5 oz. This week we are a large tomato!

It's really hard to believe that in just a few months we have come from here:

To a giant tomato! It only gets bigger from here!

Pop goes the baby!

Most people that see me from day to day comment that I do not look pregnant, or they thought I would look bigger by now. Well funny as it might seem, I found out what a good pair of maternity jeans will do for you... Make you LOOK pregnant! I have still been wearing all of my normal clothes although they have been getting a little snugger in the past week or so. I guess the cut of normal clothes vs. the cut of maternity clothes can really change the way you look! Just what every pregnant woman wants... clothes that make you look even BIGGER!

You might remember this post from earlier this week. I am wearing my regular clothes. I still look semi normal.

Then put on a pair of maternity jeans an POOF! Pregnant lady! Who knew?

This pic was taken at 18 wks 5 days. My next appointment is on Monday at 19 wks so I will keep you posted!

Baby Bedding

Guess what we got for baby bedding??? Airplanes! This is actually an old Pottery Barn collection that I found while we were living in Ohio a few years ago. I don't have all the pieces just a bumper and a couple of shams but I plan to just be creative and coordinate the rest of the room right along.

There are several different primary colored airplanes on the bedding. I am hoping that I might be able to paint some pics for the wall copying this design. We will see how creative I really am.

This is a full size pillow sham. Obviously not so functional for a nursery so we might hang it on the wall or find some other creative use for it.




This sham is much more useful. It is just a throw pillow size so I can use it to decorate the crib or toss it in a chair.


I really love the bedding. I think it is perfect for our little boy. There is a lot of white, which I am thinking isn't ideal for a baby and all the things that come out of his body, but we will see how it goes... I am looking forward to bringing all the details together and having fun decorating.