Some of the Nursery

Some of the nursery is done! For some reason I wanted to wait to get the crib until the very last minute because it was exciting thinking about buying it...but obviously I caved in. Andy, Stacy, and Alaina came to visit over the weekend (pics to come later) and Alaina has a very similar crib so I figured it would feel more comfortable for her to sleep in the crib versus the pack n' play. We have looked at the same crib at Target, Babies R' Us, and Baby Depot and only ever saw a honey-colored one and a white one. I am more a dark-wood fan myself but figured that we would settle for the honey one. I was so shocked when we walked into Babies R' Us and saw the Cherry Expresso one, my pregnancy hormones almost got the best of me but I was able to hold back the tears. They didn't have it in stock but the Toys R' Us down the street did (wasn't aware that they had baby stuff). Then we drove to Target to get the mattress (I have to get the best deals possible!) I was extremely nervous about this for some reason maybe also delaying my decision to buy the crib. I just want the crib and mattress to be as safe as they can. So needless to say, we have a crib! It was really easy to put together, I had visions of putting desks and bookcases together but so much easier and quick!

Kyle actually read the directions (that is what he is looking at). Almost made me cry again, definitely goes to show that he wants the crib to be set up perfectly and wants our baby to be safe...he never reads instructions!!!

Putting some more pieces together, I did help a little too!

The finished product. We got one sheet at Target for the weekend, multi-colored polka dots. And no, we won't have the blanket hanging over the crib when the baby comes (it was just for decoration right now)

We also finished the changing table awhile back. That was probably the biggest pain of the nursery. The changing table was the same one that my parents used and needed some work. We wanted new hardware and paint but unfortunately the thing is so old that the hinges that were on it were the only ones that would work. Also unfortunate that we figured that out after we purchased new hinges and attempted to get them on for a few hours. The top has edges that come up and space to put a changing cushion.

Before

After

And last but not least, here is the 26 week bare belly picture. I am sure that my belly button is going to come out any day now. Kyle hates maternity pants!

26 Weeks

How far along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Around 15 pounds...ugh!
Maternity clothes? I am even growing out of some maternity clothes, I blame it on my dryer
Stretch marks? Not yet...
Sleep: The baby is starting to wake me up at night but sleep is still good
Best moment this week: We bought a crib!!! (pictures later)
Movement: Feeling and seeing lots of movement. Sleep-wake cycles are becoming more apparent.
Food cravings: Braeburn Apples
Gender: No idea...I am starting to think girl again.
Labor Signs: Nope!
Belly Button in or out? Kind of sticking out
What I miss: eating three meals a day instead of all day
What I am looking forward to: registering tomorrow and making some baby things
Weekly Wisdom: Don't listen to some people
Milestones: 28 week appointment and then they are every two weeks!

Avon Walk, WE DID IT!!!

WE DID IT!!! Big 'Thank You!' to everyone who donated their time, prayers, and financial resources to the Walk. We started off Saturday morning around 7:00am. The first few miles are a little slow while everyone gets their pace and spreads out. Plus we were walking the Lakefront Trail for a good portion and battling cyclists and other walker/joggers (a common complaint heard by many Avon Walkers); we were almost killed a few times by crazy cyclists. My mom took a little stumble in the first mile where their was a little dip in the path so for the rest of the walk we shouted out the cracks and crevices to her (we enjoyed it more than her I think). The weather was great for the most part with only rain for small portions, good thing we had ponchos. I made it to about 20 miles on the first day before my feet, ankles, and knees started to cramp up but we slowly made it through the last 6 miles. Sunday we were able to start a little before 7:30am and walked 13.1 miles. We were still a little sore but made it all the way and were very grateful for another day of nice weather. I think that the baby enjoyed the walk too. He/She was nice to me and didn't kick my bladder too many times which makes me start to think that it is transverse instead of breech now.

Signing our names.

Ready to get started. Feeling good!

All finished!!! You can see that I have a little bump in my shirt but it is a bad angle. Since Breast Cancer effects women every three minutes, they passed out pink sashes to women every three minutes along the route. My mom was passed one as she nursed her blisters at one rest stop so she had to wear it the rest of the walk.

The motorcycle crew. They stood at the crosswalks to help us get across so crazy Chicago cabs and motorists wouldn't hit us.At Closing Ceremonies watching (a.k.a. crying) as the Survivors paraded in. They are carrying the white pom-poms.

Potluck of Information

Here is the 24 week picture. I took a picture with this same shirt at 15.5 weeks and you can see a small difference from 9 weeks. Our doctor appointment on Friday went great. Everything is still looking good and I have gained 15 lbs (seems like a lot but she said that I am right on track)! Next appointment is 28 weeks and then after that we start seeing the midwife every two weeks, the end is coming! The best thing about the appointment was that I don't have to write a birth plan. I was told from several people that I would have to write a birth plan if I wanted to get my thoughts across. The midwife informed me that everything I would write on my birth plan would be done anyways but that we would discuss more later in the pregnancy. For instance, they always place the child on your chest following birth to breastfeed, they will help you have a natural birth and exhaust all options before resorting to interventions, etc. The only thing that I want to double-check on is that the child sleeps in the room during the night instead of the nursery and no pacifiers (since we are breastfeeding and I would like the baby to get used to that first). The next appointment is also the Glucose Test which I am excited and nervous about. I really like sweets but have heard from several people that the drink is really good if you like really sugary things! I have been tempted to drink it on several occasions now and need to hide it before the appointment so I don't.

In other news, check out the expiration date on this cheese (9/19/09)...hurry up September!

The changing table is FINALLY completed after some interesting mishaps, pictures to come soon.

23 Weeks!

Around 6 or 7 weeks...I forgot how small I was in all areas

People keep telling me that I don't look 23 weeks pregnant or I can't be pregnant, heck the majority of people that I work with at school don't even know I am pregnant...but I AM growing can't you see!!!

How far along? 23 weeks, 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: Around ten pounds but we will find out later this week
Maternity clothes? Just pants are a necessity but dresses and skirts are coming in handy
Stretch marks? Not yet...
Sleep: Good
Best moment this week: Watching the baby move from the outside of my belly, it kicked Kyle in the face and Kyle finally starting to paint the changing table (I will post some pictures later but we need another coat or two of paint on it)
Movement: Feeling and seeing lots of movement.
Food cravings: Anything on the grill! Good avocados
Gender: No idea...we are both starting to second-guess ourselves (I might be thinking girl again and Kyle might now be thinking boy; we call it him though) I figured it would be better to call a girl a boy then a boy a girl
Labor Signs: Nope! I thought I had some Braxton-Hicks contractions after moving but the midwive said it sounded more like gastrointestinal problems which is very common during pregnancy
Belly Button in or out? Getting so close to popping out
What I miss: my old bladder, I can barely walk two miles anymore without having to potty
What I am looking forward to: 24 week appointment this week, registering one of these days
Weekly Wisdom: Sure am glad I don't have to go through labor and birth like many people that I work with did in the olden days, I don't want to hear their horror stories
Milestones: 25 weeks, Avon Walk...next week, eek!

Denial

I am in denial, I have been for quite some time and realize that I need to step back into reality. I am in denial about two things: actually being pregnant and that the baby will have to come out. Sometimes I actually forget that I am pregnant which I heard is quite common (thinking that I can do things that I shouldn't be doing, like lifting heavy objects) but sometimes I think that I am just making up the entire thing and there is no way that I can actually be pregnant. I just don't understand how we could have possibly created a little being in my tummy. It doesn't make sense to me, we tried for awhile with no success and then one month we just decide to try once, just ONCE to see if it will work...and I get pregnant. Everything about it [the conception] makes me realize that God had everything to do with us having a baby and deciding when the timing was right. Now on to the other reason I am in denial: the birth...ugh! I was unfortunately watching the Baby Story on TLC this morning (which I really shouldn't and will save that rant for another day) and was watching this lady go through a rather painful labor and birth. The entire time I was thinking, 'sucks to be her', not realizing that in three and half months, I will too will be going through the same thing! I just envision myself with a child but somehow all my fantasies skip over the 'getting out' process which could contribute to the delay in registering for childbirth classes.

In other news: Kyle had a rather interesting dream last week that I would like to document for future entertainment. Earlier in the night I had been complaining that he did not give me enough back and foot rubs (a common complaint heard in our household). Anyways, his dream entailed us removing the baby from my belly and Kyle swallowing it so he could experience the movement of the baby in his tummy. He said that it hurt really bad when the baby would kick him and that he could see imprints in his stomach. We then realized that the baby wasn't getting the proper nutrients in his body so he puked the child out and I swallowed it back. (Yes I know that it is kind of morbid and he will not be happy that I posted this on the internet). But...the first question after he told me about my dream, "Was it a boy or girl??" It was a boy, my intuition may be correct! Second question to him, "Now do you understand that sometimes it hurts when the baby kicks and that you should give me more back and foot rubs?"

Want a Good Laugh?

There is this website that lets you upload pictures of people to determine what their babies will look like...I am not so sure about this!

Ultrasound Pictures!

By request...

Profile 1

Profile 2

Profile 3

Posing or thinking?

Posing again

Long legs, great for kicking

Foot, five little toes

Face shot, these are always kind of eerie

Busy Week!

21 week belly

I am back from my week sabbatical in Iowa. It was really weird waking up this morning and not being surrounded by people and having an action-packed day planned. I saw this little survey on several blogs and thought that I would join in the fun. Things are still going well with the pregnancy. I was a little nervous preparing for the Avon Walk with my mom this past week. We walked around 20 miles on Friday and then 9 on Saturday on top of walking a little each day but the baby did just fine only making me go to the restroom on the trail twice after kicking me in the bladder. I think that he/she enjoys me walking and getting tossed around in there because when I stop it kicks really hard telling me to get off my lazy butt. I still need to get the ultrasound pictures scanned.

How far along? 21 Weeks, 3 Days
Total weight gain/loss: According to the Midwive, + 9 pounds
Maternity clothes? I can still fit into some clothes but it appears that maternity clothes are going to be a must soon!
Stretch marks? Not on my belly yet...
Sleep: Good
Best moment this week: Our 20 weeks ultrasound
Movement: Since around 17 weeks, other people can now clearly feel as well
Food cravings: Kyle thinks that I like mustard, but I really like grilled hamburgers!
Gender: Jamie: boy; Kyle: girl...but last night he said boy
Labor Signs: Nope!
Belly Button in or out? Getting closer to sticking out
What I miss: I have been having urges to jog, weird!
What I am looking forward to: Looking noticeably pregnant and not just chunky
Weekly Wisdom: Not everyone is the same, appreciate your differences
Milestones: 25 weeks, Avon Walk!

This year was also my first MOTHER'S DAY!! I told Kyle that however nice/fun he made my day, I would make his day on Father's Day. He did really well, I have a great husband. He bought me 'What to Expect: The First Year', a little blanket for the nursery that I love, and some receiving blankets. Hopefully we can start to make some progress on the nursery in the next few weeks but we are rarely home at the same time and when he is, I just want him to grill for me...hehe!

On Sunday, we celebrated Olivia's Baptism. It was fun to get to see a lot of family in one place and it was the first time that Kyle and I were able to be sponsors for a baby.

20 Week Ultrasound

We had our 20 week ultrasound last Friday. Everything looks great and the baby (gender still unknown, yeah!) is in the 53% for size. We got a bunch of pictures that I will scan later. I went straight to the airport after the appointment and headed to my parent's house to spend the week. Kyle is going to meet me this weekend for a wedding and Olivia's Baptism. I think that my belly is starting to grow a little more, when I wake up in the morning it is still sticking out, Woo hoo!!!

Updates...

1. I am officially done with my Spring Semester!!! With the move and working on finals, I really haven't had time for anything else so that is why my blog has not been updated recently.

2. Still no pictures of the apartment. We are starting to work on getting the final things done and pictures hung on the wall. We are going to try and tackle the baby's room later on because Kyle still needs to paint the changing table and we need to buy a crib (I am so excited!).

3. 20 week ultrasound on Friday!!! We are both so excited to see the baby up close and personal and it won't be a little yolk sac this time we see him/her. Hopefully the ultrasound tech can keep the sex a secret from us. Please pray that things are developing nicely and baby is growing!

4. 39 days until the Avon Walk. If you would like to make a donation, please click on the link:
My personal page.

No Longer City Folk!

We are officially moved as of Sunday! My dad and Kyle's mom and sister were able to make it this weekend and help us get everything moved. We just have a few more boxes left and then have to go through everything to get the baby's room ready (which will be my summer project).

Things are going really well here. I was a little nervous for my first Metra ride into the city but was pleasantly surprised at how smooth it went. I wish I could have rode that thing when I was in my first trimester: everyone was quiet, no one smelled, a lot smoother, and I didn't feel like someone was sitting on top of me. It is really quiet out here (which is amazing!) and we haven't heard a single ambulance, police, fire truck, etc...

Re-design of the blog with pictures coming soon.

18 weeks!

We will reach 18 weeks tomorrow and are excited about our ultrasound in two weeks. I figured that this weekend we would be busy with moving and having family in town so I would post the picture a little early. The belly must be popping out a little because the 'Street Wise' guy at the grocery store said Congratulations to me!! Woo hoo!! (For those who don't live in the city, 'Street Wise' is a magazine that many homeless or recently not homeless people sell to make money).

My "things that you don't tell a pregnant woman list" is increasing, here are a few:

1. You must be having a girl because you are carrying a lot of your weight in your butt.

2. I can tell that you are pregnant in your face and she was not implying that I had a pregnancy glow- I was only 4 lbs. up at my 16 week appointment so apparently at that time it was all in my cheeks (either butt or face), maybe that is why I make Kyle cut my face out of the pictures.

$15 on the 15th AGAIN!!!

I thought that I would give this another try especially in lieu of the 15th being Taxes Day.

This year I am participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Over two days, I will walk 39.3 miles in Chicago with my mom and one of her friends. Although I will be 25 weeks pregnant, I hope to complete as much of the walk as my body can handle. But...I need your support!! By June, I need to have raised $1800.00 in order to walk at the event. So on the 15th of each month, I am challenging my readers to donate $15.00 to support the cause.

You can make a easy online donation by clicking here: My Personal Page and then clicking on the pink button that says 'Donate Now'.

As of right now, I have reached 32% of my goal and would like to see that number raise before my stress levels start to raise! Thank you for any way that you are willing to contribute!

Little Visit to Iowa

Kyle and I were able to make it back to Iowa for a short little visit on Friday and Saturday. We had an action-packed time visiting Ethan and Olivia and then having Easter Brunch with both sets of parents in Grimes. Here a few pictures from our time.

Kyle tickling Ethan

Ethan's 'Cheese' Face

Ethan's 'Silly' Face

Getting a little practice

Olivia

Go give a little shout-out to my friend's Erik and Ashley on their blog, they just had their little baby boy!!!