The name game...

I thought for sure when we picked a name for our baby girl, that would be that.

Well....I spoke too soon.

We keep finding names that we like and our name list keeps growing!  The only thing we know for sure is that her middle name will be Bonnie.

Thinking about what we will call our little girl for the rest of her life is a bit daunting.  Nicknames, name meanings, initials, there are so many things to consider!!

So for now, we are back to square one...

Nursery pictures

We had a busy day of painting and hanging pictures in baby girl's room today!

Before paint....

Steve prepping the walls






















Mid-paint...

After paint....

Our flower picture wall that Steve worked so hard on.... (we still have to get two pictures printed and the hummingbird print is on the way!)

I'm pretty sure Steve had a smile on his face the whole time he was painting, what can I say- he's amazing! We are a little nervous about how bright the walls are (although you can't tell in the pictures) but I think once we get the furniture and everything else in the room it will be ok (I hope). 

21 Weeks

First off, I have to admit (even though I am ashamed) I watched Basketball Wives this week and I was ready to come unglued when I heard one of the "wives" say she was going to do IVF so she could have twins.  Um, really?  There are just no words.

How far along: 21 weeks

Size of baby: Baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. Her initial fluttering movements have now turned into full-fledged kicks and nudges. In other developments, baby's eyebrows and lids are present now and her womb is now stocked up with her lifetime supply of six million eggs (the number will drop to around one million by birth).

Maternity clothes: Almost all maternity clothes at this point.

Sleep: Oh sleep, how I miss you. I think no sleep during pregnancy just prepares you for no sleep after the baby is born.

Best moment of the week:  The 20 week ultrasound was awesome!  It was so nice to see her again and know that everything is ok  ♥

Movement: Movement is getting stronger and I love it, I feel like it's her way of saying hi to me.

Symptoms: Still getting swollen feet/ankles when it's really hot, I have veins everywhere, and my tail bone still hurts.

Food cravings/aversions: BLT's are my favorite thing to eat right now- yum.

Gender: Girl ♥

Belly button in or out: Still in

Stretch marks: Nothing new

What I miss: I guess non-swollen feet but I can deal with it.

What I am looking forward to: Our first baby shower in a couple of weeks and meeting my wonderful blogger buddy at Journey Through IF :)

Weekly wisdom: hmmm, I don't have any this week.

Belly Pic:

nursery plans

I know I mentioned our nursery plans awhile ago and now that we are about to get started I thought I would share our ideas with you.  We are so excited to start decorating the space that will be our first baby's room!!

We decided the theme is going to be flowers.  We have asked our parents, my siblings, and a few other friends to take pictures of a flower or flowers to hang in the baby's room.  We have received so many great pictures- it was hard to choose just one from each person! We are working on getting them printed now and then we will pick out frames to hang them in a collage on one wall in her room.  In the middle of the collage will be this picture of a hummingbird, in remembrance of my mom.

Here are the flower pictures we have gotten so far - are they beautiful or what?  I absolutely love that our baby girl's room will be decorated with pictures taken by family and friends, I think this is a very special way to show her how much her family loves her. And each one is so different and unique!

photo from Steve and I

photo from my best friend Courtney

photo from my Dad and Regina

photo from Steve's parents

photo from my sister Kelsey

photo from my sister Niki



The walls will be sage green and we will use pink for an accent color (rug, blankets etc.).

This is a picture of her bedding (that is on it's way to our house thanks to Grandma and Grandpa G.)

I just know she will love it!

Perfection

I'm so in love!!  Today was our 20 week ultrasound and I think I held my breath the whole time.  I can't accurately describe the feelings that come with each ultrasound I've had...nervousness, anticipation, fear, excitement- all rolled into one big ball of emotions.

I had wondered for a long time if I would ever be in this place...20 weeks pregnant and looking at my very own little girl on an ultrasound.

It is truly amazing how much she has grown since we last saw her!!

We got to see the four chambers of her little heart, her kidneys, the hemispheres of her brain, her spine, stomach and of course the cutest little face, hands and feet I've ever seen!  

I think she's smiling :)

tiny hands and feet

beautiful!

Although this journey has been a tough one so far, I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I know that sounds a little crazy but I have so much appreciation for this little life and the science that helped make her possible. We are blessed to have parents who helped us get here and we are forever grateful. 
I also can't thank Steve enough for keeping me calm (and sane) through everything that has been thrown at us.  He always knows when I need to be reminded of what great parents we are going to be.  I know I have said it before, but he is going to be the most patient and caring dad in the world.  I know this because that's what kind of husband he is; always reassuring and kind. 







Spring Cleaning!

There's nothing quite like the feeling of completely cleaning house.

This weekend has been all about spring cleaning for us.  We had a ton of junk stuff in our basement, garage, and guest room...all of this needed to be cleaned out and rearranged to make room for baby girl.

So who do you call when you can't lift anything and you know your husband (no matter how amazing he is) can't possibly move furniture by himself?  Your family of course! My dad and his wife, Regina, came to our rescue today and helped us clear out the garage, move tons of furniture and empty out our spare bedroom (now known as the baby's room).  We cannot thank them enough and we couldn't have done it without their help- that is for sure. (Steve can already feel the soreness setting in, my legs and ankles are swollen to the max and I'm sure my dad and Regina are hurting too- but it was all worth it!)

Next project on the agenda will be to paint the baby's room and I cannot wait!!

20 weeks!

How far along: 20 weeks, we are half way there and beyond grateful. 140 days to go (give or take a few).

Size of baby: Baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now, the size of a cantaloupe! She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against her torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of her head to her bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, she's measured from head to toe.)

Maternity clothes: Almost all maternity clothes at this point. Has anyone found a maternity swimsuit that they like?  I ordered one from Old Navy but the bottoms seemed too small and the top is a little short (maybe I should just stick to being fully clothed this summer).

Sleep: Still tossing, turning and getting up to go to the bathroom.  For some reason I get the best sleep when I take naps, so weekends are my favorite!

Best moment of the week:  Steve being able to feel her kick. Feeling her move and kick is the best feeling, it's comforting and it makes me smile ♥

Movement: I feel like this happened over night!  All that movement I was unsure of before was definitely her- it is amazing.  She is most active when I'm hungry and after I eat- she goes nuts in there!

Symptoms: On really hot and humid days I feel swollen all over- it's going to be a fun summer! 

Food cravings/aversions: Nothing new this week, still loving fruit, especially melon.

Gender: Girl ♥

Belly button in or out: Still in but getting shallow.

Stretch marks: Nothing new

What I miss: Nothing, I am beyond happy.

What I am looking forward to: Our 20 week ultrasound!! It feels like it's been so long since I've seen her.  I just hope everything measures how it should and she is growing big and strong in there.

Weekly wisdom: Don't stay out in the sun too long- on Monday I sat outside while Steve mowed, for about an hour or so and I was so dizzy and exhausted afterwards.

Belly picture: