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:

Chicago Trip 2011

Thanks to the lovely weather in Chicago this weekend, we decided to cut our trip short.  Thankfully, it didn't start raining until the end of the Cubs-Pirates game so we got to stay and watch our team (the Pirates) win!  Steve is convinced it's because the baby is a good luck charm :)

Baby's first Pirates game!

getting rained on at the end of the game

After the game we went to Table 52 (Chef Art Smith's restaurant).  It was a very cool little place that had the feel of eating in someone's house.  Before your meal they bring you deviled eggs and goat cheese biscuits that are SO good! 

Table 52

 



my pistachio crusted chicken

Steve's raspberry pork chop

delicious mac & cheese

12 layer chocolate cake

On Sunday, we had planned to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo and Navy Pier but the weather didn't cooperate with our plans.  We made it to about four exhibits at the zoo before the thunder, lightning and rain started. But we did get to see the stork and her baby, so sweet!!

we thought this was so fitting for the blog!

getting rained on...again

We checked out the forecast for the rest of the day (rain and thunderstorms all day) and decided we might as well come home where it was sunny and dry.  We were happy to get back to our furbabies and even though our trip was cut short, we had a great time!

Happy Memorial Day!

100 Followers and Baby Pokes

I hit 100 followers today- how amazing!  I remember when I started this blog 5 months ago I didn't even know what a follower was or that I would "meet" so many awesome and supportive women.  I just thought I was writing a blog to keep track of things for myself and to keep family informed while we were going through IVF.  It has become so much more than that.

So, thank you to all of my followers who keep reading and supporting me, I appreciate all of you!

Now in baby news...

Steve got home yesterday after the loooongest 3 day work trip ever.  It's so nice to have him home and baby girl couldn't agree more.  We were sitting on the couch after dinner (well, I was half laying and Steve was sitting) and he had his hand on my belly.  We were watching TV and I felt one of the "pokes" I've been feeling the past couple of weeks, Steve's head whips around to face me, his eyes were huge and he said, "What was that?!?!" I said- "You felt that!? I think that's her poking around!"  I will never forget the look on Steve's face, he was beyond happy feeling his daughter move for the first time.  Then he said, "You're never going to get my hand off your stomach now!" The rest of the night we sat there with his hand on my stomach and he felt her a couple more times, every time that same huge smile was plastered to his face ♥

Happy Friday everyone! I'll be in Chicago this weekend but I will try my hardest to keep up with your blogs!

19 weeks....a day early

How far along: 19 weeks! I can't believe it. Wasn't it just yesterday I was hormonal from lupron shots??


Size of baby: She weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato or mango.  Baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch.  Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Maternity clothes: Maternity pants and a mix of regular shirts that still fit and a couple of maternity shirts. It's getting harder to find regular shirts that are long enough to cover my expanding belly.

Sleep: Steve has been gone for work this week so that makes sleep even worse.  And I have found if I stay in one position too long I get sore, so there is a lot of tossing and turning going on.

Best moment of the week:  Making it to 19 weeks, Steve coming home from his work trip, and our mini-vacation to Chicago this weekend!!

Movement: I think so but I'm still not 100% sure.  Am I the only pregnant woman who doesn't know what the heck I should be feeling here?

Symptoms: Tailbone pain, bleeding gums, swollen feet and ankles- I am happy to have every single one.

Food cravings/aversions: Mac & cheese has been sounding pretty good but I haven't gone to the store to get any yet...maybe I will tonight.

Gender: Girl ♥

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

Stretch marks: Nothing new

What I miss: Pregnancy wise, nothing.  In general, I miss Steve.

What I am looking forward to: Feeling her move for sure, our trip to Chicago this weekend, our 20 week ultrasound, and our upcoming trip to PA in June (for our first baby shower and I get to meet one of my favorite bloggers- how exciting!!)

Weekly wisdom: I won't take one second of my pregnancy for granted.  I was devastated to read that Do I have to be a D.I.N.K. went into labor very early and lost her precious baby boy Gavin.  My heart goes out to her and her husband at this very hard time.  I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through.

Belly pic:  Since my photographer is gone today, this is the best I could do!