Baby Shower #1

My first baby shower was last weekend! I still can't believe I just typed that out. The entire time mom and I were down there I honestly couldn't process that we were in Charlotte for my baby shower. When the balloon lady at the grocery store asked if I was having a girl or boy I almost looked around to make sure she was talking to me. I forget I actually look pregnant now. When I was changing my clothes and getting ready for the shower, I almost started crying. I couldn't grasp this was really happening. We've come such a long way in the past year and it's hard to believe now is our time. It's our turn. It's so surreal.

My childhood friend, Carol, was nice enough to offer her house up as a location for the shower. Her house is just about the cutest thing ever and it was so, so generous of her to offer up her time and home to us! My mom, aunt and Ma along with a handful of high school friends attended the shower. We had an awesome table full of food, a table overflowing with gifts for Abigail and hours of great conversation. I am unbelievably thankful for all the gifts and cards and for the time people set aside to come out and celebrate our little one. I know how busy people are these days and it meant the world to me that these ladies set aside a few hours of their time to come out.

All the ladies (minus my mom)

The diaper wreath Carol made! How cute!

The spread! Chick-Fil-A tray, fruit&veggie trays, cookie tray and CAKE! YUM!

The favors-Pink M&M's and pink Starburst candy! The fabric on the top of the jars is the fabric my mom used to make her bedding!

Thanks again to everyone who came out! Abbey scored a ton of stuff off her registry, many necessities, a few out fits, a handmade sweater and tummy time blanket from my mom and a hand made blanket (and a stock pile of diapers) from my Ma. I really need to start on the "Thank You" cards ASAP.

I suppose I should update a few Belly Pics too, huh? I can tell a HUGE difference between Week 21 and Week 25- and I'm only going to get bigger. It's a scary thought!

24 Weeks

25 Weeks


That's all I'm going to update tonight! We hit 26 Weeks tomorrow! Holy Snot! We are so thankful every day for this HUGE blessing and are loving every minute of this pregnancy. We had another great Dr appt this week (more on that tomorrow) and can't thank God enough for getting us this far (relatively) complication free!

25w6d

25 Weeks!

So, I am aware I suck at blogging lately. Between traveling, working and getting things ready for Abbey, I have NO time (not to mention the 4 hour naps that take up my afternoons).

Short Update: Things are going well! Abbey is moving constantly and growing like a weed. I'm sure I had to have gained weight by this point, I have been eating like a mad woman! I'm hungry all the time. Abbey LOVES all fruit and chocolate milk :) I had our first baby shower this week and as soon as I get the pics loaded, I'll post them. The shower was amazing and I can't thank my mom enough for throwing such an awesome party for our Abbey. Everyone who came was so, so generous and really went above and beyond for our little girl. We are so blessed and thankful!

I'll post more later, but right now, my dinner is getting cold and, as usual, I'm STARVING!

25w2d

In Case There Is Any Doubt....

Abigail is 100% Ben's daughter.

How do I know this?

Well...number one, we were so busy with each other when she was conceived, if you know what I mean, I didn't have the time to run around on him, haha.

Number two? She is instantly calmed by Bob Marley, jams to Elton John, loves Ramen noodles (I've had them 3 times in the past week. Hey, my sodium is still low anyway, so why not indulge?), and she is up bouncing around and dancing all night and likes to sleep a lot during the day (Ben works night shift so he is up all night and sleeps all day).


I think I love her more because she seems to be so much like Ben. He drives me crazy and at times causes me to spew profanity but I love him to the core and can't wait to see him with our daughter.

22w4d

21-22 Weeks, Pics and A Video!

Here I am! So sorry for the absence! Is it true though? Did it make your heart grow fonder? I doubt it, so here is the 22 Week survey, 21 and 22 week Belly Pics AND (since you are all so understanding) a link to the video we shot of Abigail's room last night. We got her crib and the rest of her furniture built (Thanks, Ben and Dad!) and a good chunk of her laundry done (Thanks, Mom!). My goal is to have it all finished by Thanksgiving so we can relax and enjoy the holidays with each other and our families.

How far along? 22 Weeks!
Total weight gain/loss:Gained three whole pounds over the past month, but still at a loss overall.
Maternity clothes? Maternity pants every day. Regular shirts are growing less and less common, especially with my recent growth spurt.
Sleep: Still loving it but not neeeeeeding the way I was in past weeks. I think I'm in the "feeling good, second wind" part of pregnancy. I still get the occasional nap, but not as often as I used to.
Best moment this week: Getting ALL the nursery furniture built and celebrating our second wedding anniversary!
Movement: She bounces like crazy and I can't get enough of it. I already know I'll miss this.
Food cravings: Smarties. Yes, the sugary, nasty candy. I love them!
Gender: GIRL! GIRL! GIRL!
Labor Signs: No, thank you.
Belly Button in or out? Getting more and more shallow.
What I miss: Nothing at the moment...
What I am looking forward to: Our next appt November 18 (hopefully with my regular doctor, not her partner-more on that hopefully this week).
Weekly Wisdom: Make the decisions that are best for you and your family, not ones that will pacify others. How you deliver, feed and raise your child is your business. Don't let others opinions sway you from what you feel will work best for your family.
Milestones: Right now, every day is a milestone. I am more pregnant than I have ever been, so everyday is a huge deal. Our goal is 40 weeks, 37 at the earliest, so every day is one day closer to our goal. (Same as all the other weeks, but still how I feel. I know this has been the same pretty much every week, but it's stiiiiiiiill how I feel)
I have to add, RLP and sciatic pain have started over the past few days and they are NO JOKE. Sweet Baby Jesus, it will knock the wind right out of you or leave you curled in the fetal position for a considerable amount of time.


So what is Abbey up to this week?

Watch what you say -- Abbey is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, she is starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks and as to when they stop and start.

All that^ stays the same until Week 25, so don't expect another fruit picture for the next few weeks!

And now the promised Belly Pics- look for the "Pop!"!

21 Weeks
Annnnnnnnnd 22 Weeks

Someone had a growth spurt...and I can feel it! She feels more settled into my pelvis. I still think she is breech, just like she has been this entire time. I feel her feet waaay down low and less movement up higher. She still has plenty of time to turn herself, so I'm not worried.

And to fulfill my final promise, the link to the video of Abbey's room! This comes with one stipulation- you can NOT watch it if you don't agree to look over the clutter and general chaos of the room right now! If you can agree to that, here is the link: ClickMe.

And that's it! I really am going to try to be more diligent about my blogging this week-I've really slacked off lately! I just need more hours in the day!

A Late Entry...

The 20w (actually the 20w3d) belly pic...posted at 20w4d...I can't win them all, haha!


AND just for being so patient, a sneak peak into Abbey's room (please excuse the clutter!).


The trim work still needs to be done (all the brown trim is being painted white to match the chair rail), then we have to build the rest of her furniture and hang pictures and WE ARE DONE! W00T!


Hugs&Kisses

20w4d


PS-Please note: If you email me, please look to the column on the right! The email addy has changed! My old address was starting to get spammed way too much and I wasn't receiving half of my emails anymore! I love to hear from you, just make sure it's going to the new address!

::gulp::

We (Ben and I) have spent the afternoon on the phone with pediatricians in our area. Our number one pick is not accepting patients. The next two we were debating between were both accepting patients with private insurance (which we have), but only one of them did prenatal interviews. So clearly, we went with them. We go on November 6 for our interview with who we hope to be Abbey's pediatrician.


HOLY COW.

It still hasn't really sunk in that we are having a baby. Even though I feel her move, we are almost finished with her nursery, we are setting up pediatrician appt's and getting more serious about due dates, I still don't believe we are having a baby.

Hugs&Kisses

20w3d

20 Weeks (2 Days)!

I'm late and with no pic. This past weekend was hectic...what can I say? I'll do better next week.

How far along? 20 Weeks! HALF WAY!
Total weight gain/loss: Still down overall. I have been eating like a trucker, so I have likely gained something.
Maternity clothes? Maternity pants every day. Regular shirts with the occasional maternity shirt thrown in. Love them all.
Sleep: Loving it! Sleeping 8 hours a night and sneaking in a 2-3 hour nap every day.
Best moment this week: Getting ALL our nursery furniture paid for and picked up!
Movement: Ben felt Abbey move for the first time yesterday night and it was awesome. She woke me up at 3 this morning and kept me up til about 5:30am having her own personal dance party, but I didn't mind. I loved laying there feeling her bounce around.
Food cravings: MILK! I seriously still can't get enough!
Gender: GIRL! GIRL! GIRL!
Labor Signs: No, thank you.
Belly Button in or out? Getting more and more shallow.
What I miss: Sex. I've been on pelvic rest since JUNE people. JUNE. Ben's being a trooper and not complaining, but I miss it.
What I am looking forward to: Our next appt Oct 21
Weekly Wisdom: Don't let people get to you. Chances are, you are better than them anyway.
Milestones: Right now, every day is a milestone. I am more pregnant than I have ever been, so everyday is a huge deal. Our goal is 40 weeks, 37 at the earliest, so every day is one day closer to our goal. (Same as all the other weeks, but still how I feel. I know this has been the same pretty much every week, but it's stiiiiiiiill how I feel)
AND getting the nursery painted (pics to come) and getting the bookshelf and the desk to complete the nursery (again, thanks to my MIL!). (If you are wondering why we are getting an infant a desk, it's because we are not getting a changing table. We will put the changing pad on the table. I love the fact that there are drawers on the side so I can throw her diaper cream and stuff in there and it won't be a wasted piece of furniture in 6 months time.)What is Abbey up to this week?

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!



AND

Congrats to my brother and his girlfriend on their new Baby Boy, Bryce! I guess I'm officially an aunt now. All negativity and hard feelings aside, I'm glad their baby had a safe, easy and healthy delivery.


Hugs&Kisses

20w2d