Baby room pictures

We have in only 4 days, set up all the furniture for the nursery. Matt was so great to get everything up so quickly. I am so excited! Our crib and changing table were both in boxes for over a month and sat in the living room until we could get an old desk out and the carpet cleaned. Those were the first two things up. This past Sunday, we went to my parents' house to get a twin bed they are loaning us, which is just wonderful! That was up on Sunday. And today, an armoire was delivered, so everything looks great. It's all white furniture and really pops against the buttery yellow walls. The nursery does need some TLC with wall hangings, a rug, etc, but that will come with time.

Our bedding is being sewn as we speak, but we don't know if it's blue or pink. We had our ultrasound tech write down the sex of the baby and the dr's office mailed it in to Baby' First Furniture, who put in the order (I had already picked out fabric for a both and fabric for a girl). So, there will be pink or blue in that room eventually. It's just going to have to wait until the baby comes. I also hope to put his or her name above the crib, but again...we will have to be patient. It's a lot of fun not knowing, but it sure does make it hard to plan! It's definitely worth the wait, I think!

Halfway there!!!

So, we had a WONDERFUL 20 week appt. The dr. had mentioned it would be a great one to bring GranSam to, so I immediately asked her to join after one of my previous appointments. Among the "I wanna go too" clan, Matt (he is a given), Taryn, and my mom also joined in on the fun! We had a wonderful experience. I went into the room alone, thinking they were going to draw blood and do the regular things they usually do, but then was escorted into the ultrasound room. The lady got the wand ready and I didn't realize she was going to do this without my team who was sitting in the waiting room. I explained my need to have my supporters in there, but she seemed a bit irritated that I was going to have an audience. I persisted and finally the troops came in. I felt so relieved!

So, they all gathered round and watched the wand show them our banana. Baby is already one pound and has muscles like his or her daddy! The ultrasound tech couldn't get over the strength the baby has and how active he/she already is. We saw a nose, arms, legs, feet, hands, eyes, lips and chin. It was an amazing experience and I truly enjoyed each second. Matt got it all on video and I am happy that we are able to go back and see it all over again anytime we want. She printed out pictures, we passed them around, and of course, emailed them to family that was not in attendance.

So, now I think it's a boy and most seem to agree. Taryn, unfortunately, is saddened that she may not be getting the niece that she so badly wants. Maybe next one, T. We of course are only guessing, as we didn't see any "proof" but the suspense is too much fun.

My next appt is in a month, no pictures on this one, but probably just an exam to see my growth and maybe hear a heartbeat. Dad is the next one to go to an ultrasound. He seems excited and I am as well. Should be fun (the next ultrasound is around 34 weeks). Until next time all, thanks for all of your support. This has, thus far, been a very very fun and memorable experience.

2nd Trimester

So, haven't posted in a while. I guess no news is good news. I have been back to the dr. since my last post and it was a good appt. Nothing to report. Doctor took some blood to test for spina bifida and we got great news back! We are in the clear! I always love the calls where we hear baby is healthy.

Matt is off to California this week, so baby and I are alone all week. Hopefully when Matt comes back, baby will be kicking hard enough that he can feel it. I have been feeling these kicks for 2 weeks now, which is a bit on the early side, but that's fine by me. I love the kicks. It seems like baby kicks mostly when I am sitting, which implies that he/she wants me to move. At least, that's the way I like to think about it. We must have an active little kickboxer! I will never forget the first kick. It was a truly amazing experience. Ellen told me to be ready, but I had no idea!

Well, I will update you all on our next appt, which our very exciting 20 week appt. GranSam, Taryn, my mom, & Matt are all going, so it should be a full ultrasound room!

Cheers to you all!

telling the cousins...now this was fun!

I couldn't WAIT to tell Steph, Jenn, Lauren, and Caylin. I was so ready to let them in on our little secret. It couldn't have worked out better!

I called Caylin and let her know first. I was a little worried she'd let it slip, so I asked her to keep it shush until I told all the cousins. She did so, and I was happy to let her know first, since she is the youngest and feels left out sometimes. She finally knew something that her other cousins didn't! It was fun!

So, Steph had called a few days before and wanted to do drinks. Obviously, I couldn't so I suggested a more pregnancy-friendly mexican food dinner. She mentioned I could invite Matt, although Kevin was out of town, so I nonchalantly said he may come. I called Matt and told him that time was up and Steph was going to have to find out that night, since there was NO way I could hide the fact that I wasn't drinking. I had a serious suspicion that she and her sisters already knew, since on multiple occasions I wasn't drinking and they surely noticed it. I had good excuses (bladder infection, stomach aches, etc), but those girls knew things were fishy. I was so excited to finally spill the beans!

So before we were to meet for dinner, Steph called to see if Jenn could come. PERFECT! Two cousins with one stone! This was working out great! So, Matt & I show. The two girls were already on drink #1 at the bar, and our table was ready, so we immediately sat down. I knew I couldn't order a drink, so I had planned on telling them before the waiter came. I had a dr appt that day, and we were fortunate enough to be able to record the heartbeat on a recorder (which will be used as the "heart" on baby's Build-A-Bear soon) so I knew the girls wouldn't recognize the actual recorder. I placed the the recorder on the table right when we sat down and they both looked puzzled. I was trying to play cool, but digging in my purse for something and distract them from seeing my face and expressions, but I just wasn't sure what they'd guess what that thing was. I told them to push the button and listen, and if any of you know, a baby's heartrate in the womb sounds very fast (like a racehorse) so the girls didn't recognize the sound. I asked for their guesses on what they thought it was, and Steph was the most puzzled. I really expected her to guess, since she is a NICU nurse, but I guess she wasn't putting two and two together. After their puzzling looks and confusion, I told Steph she really should have guessed it right away, and then their blue eyes got real big and Jenn yelled out "BABY!" Their arms went in the air and we all laughed. It was a great moment! It was perfect!

Too bad Lauren was in College Station, but I did the same thing over the phone with her and she thought it was a machine gun. I let her in on the fact that it was a heartbeat and she was so happy. It was sweet.

I then called Tante Karen and immediately played the sound and told her that her girls didn't do too well guessing, but Karen knew instantly. I laughed and chuckled and she did too. It was fun!

Telling is a lot more fun that I thought it was! Luckily, I have a supportive family that is happy for us!

Ultrasound at 11 weeks...

Baby is healthy! YEAH! Baby's heart is a beating! We were at a healthy 166 and our followup from last week's appt told us nothing but great news. Our risks for Down Syndrome are low (pheww!) and everything looks great. We can't be more happy or excited about it all!

Telling the great grandmas!

I was finally able to get Oma Storz on the phone while at mom's a couple weeks ago and spilled the beans. She sounded very excited and even said that she was waiting for the call. She has been having some health troubles and I think this really helped her get out of her "rut". I immediately called Ellen thereafter and she really showed her excitement with a big scream!!!

GranSam was a fun one too! I had written a poem for her that she read out loud at Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad's. I don't think she was expecting to hear this news, but it sure was fun to see her eyes light up. When she got towards the end, she couldn't finish reading it, so I stood by her and helped her read the last lines asking her to be a great-grandmother to our little sweet pea. It sure was fun to see her expression and realize that she is going to be a great-grandmother for the first time.

Here is the poem I wrote her:

*****************************

GRANDMOTHERLY LOVE


You are graceful, you are kind,
You are definitely a special find.
We are so very lucky to have you,
And you’ll find we brag about that too.
There’s one thing that we need
To change something about you indeed.

Hmmm, Well…..

You are a terrific grandmother to me,
But there’s one thing that you have yet to be.
Today is the day that you’ll find,
Some news with you in mind.
We know that you’ll agree,
That you will definitely be
A great-grandmother to our little sweet pea.

*****************************************************************************

Things are really taking off! Now, hurry up 1st trimester and let's get moving to the 2nd!!!

I am still in here!

So yesterday, Mom and I went to my 8 week appointment with Dr. McClosky, who just reaffirmed why I love her so much! She spent so much time with me. It was great! My appointment was at 1:00 and luckily my boss allows me to work from home when I need to, so Mom and I met for lunch and then headed to our appt.

Our little circle has become a little baby!!! It was so exciting and amazing to see what he/she is starting to look like.....a baby and not a round circle! Baby's heartrate was a strong 177. He/she is growing fast and looks healthy. We are still a bit small, but definitely fun to see the form of a baby in that belly of mine.

Baby was sleeping and not really moving, so the dr. pushed on my tummy a bit and baby did a little jig, which is what the dr. called it. It was a great sight! Too bad Matt wasn't able to go, but I think he realized he missed out, so he has signed up to be at the next 2 appointments. Can't wait to go back. It's addicting to see our little peanut!