Baby Furniture

Travis and I bought our baby furniture this weekend. We’d been looking on and off for the last few months, and we found a really cute baby furniture store in Hartville, OH called “Baby Tyme.” We ended up getting a crib and dresser from there, and they are so cute! The crib converts to a full bed, and the dresser is full size. They are similar to a cherry color (they are actually called “cinnamon.”) We find out today if the furniture will be here in about 4-5 weeks (hopefully!), or if it will take longer.  I’m really glad to have this taken care of, and so is Travis, because I felt like this was one thing we really needed to do sooner than later. We may look for a bookcase or glider/chair, but we’ll see…since there are so many things that a baby needs!! Once the furniture comes in, I’ll be sure to take some pictures!

Anyway, I definitely feel like I’m at my peak as far as energy goes. I’ve been going to bed later than usual, and waking up earlier than usual. For example, I normally need at least 8.5 or 9 hours of sleep, but last night I went to bed at 11:30ish, and woke up on my own, with no alarm, at 5:45! This has been going on for a little over a week or so, and it’s so weird because prior to this I had been so tired, and I was trying to get extra sleep. People tell me I should enjoy it now though, because it won’t last.  I’m still running, walking and exercising, and yesterday I was able to run for a total of 31 minutes! Now, I did have to take a few walking breaks (my total time was 38 minutes) and I only did a distance of about 2.6 miles, but at least I ran most of it.

Also, I did take some pictures this morning. I'm 23 weeks and 4 days today. I wanted to take them while I was dressed for work, instead of my workout gear (it seems like that’s the only time I’ve been remembering to take pictures.) The baby is definitely growing…there have been several times this week when my stomach has just felt really tight, like it’s stretching all the time. I’m using lots of cocoa butter just in case, but who knows what will happen!  The baby has been moving more and more too, and it’s exciting because it definitely makes this whole thing more real.

Registered!

Now that we know we're having a girl, Travis and I (mostly me) decided it was finally time to register for some baby items. Since I found out I was pregnant back in June, we'd been to" several baby stores "just to look," but we always decided it would be easier to register once we knew what we were having...however, I had no idea what I was getting into. On Tuesday night, we went to Babies R Us to register. We did all of the "paperwork" and set off with the prepared list of things we "need" and the scanner. However, the list that you receive when you go to register is slightly overwhelming for someone who's never had a baby. It's amazing all of the things you need for such a little person!! Also, I'm pretty sure the stores add things to the list that you really don't need, just for some extra advertising. Also, once you start scanning items, you can read all of the reviews, which are totally scary, such as "the wheels broke off my stroller."  Needless to say, we didn't register for any items on Tuesday; instead we went to Dairy Queen and had some ice cream.

I spent the rest of the week reviewing tons of products online, and doing my own research, and we finally registerd on Saturday (for everything except for stroller and carseats...still working on that.) Luckily, I feel a lot more educated and learned about all of my different options for different baby products. I think that's what's so tough about choosing items for a baby...there's no "perfect items" and it's more about what kind of things will fit into your lifestyle, which is about to change bigtime. I'm sure I'll be learning a lot more in the next few months, and even though I did learn a lot, I know I still have a lot to learn.

Still running (sort of..)

Well, as of today I'm 21 weeks and 4 days along. I went for a run tonight, and I've been trying to stick to about 3 miles, which used to be so easy, but it's finally starting to get tough. I'm experiencing the worst calf and shin pain, probably due to the extra weight I'm carrying (which is still the same as last week - I'm the same weight as last week, and I look the same, so no new pics yet.) I told Travis that I finally feel like I can relate to the people on The Biggest Loser when they complain about how much their legs hurt while running (ok, I know I'm not at that point yet, but I'm sure it's close.) I've even had to resort to taking walking breaks in the middle of my run...which I'm trying to get used to. I still want to run for several more weeks, if not a few more months, but I guess I'll have to see. I may have to do some light calf/shin strengthening exercises to see if that works.

I went to a wedding this weekend also, and noticed that I had to take a few breaks from dancing because my calves and shins were really hurting more than usual (of course I was still wearing 4 inch heals...that may have something to do with it.) I did continue dancing with no shoes for about the last hour, and luckily I've been able to convince Travis to give me a nice foot massage or two in the last few days. The wedding we went to was really fun because it was some friends who went to Allegheny with us, and they got married at Allegheny! It was nice to let everyone know that we're having a girl, and we even got a few small presents.

One more exciting thing is that Travis and I have started looking at baby things, and will probably register at a few places in the next week or so! It's exciting to be at that point, and to really start thinking about how cute the baby room will be.

It's a Girl!!

We had our 20 week ultrasound today, and found out we’re having a little girl!! We went into the ultrasound room and the ultrasound technician checked with us right away to find out if we wanted to know the gender (which of course we did!) She started, found the heartbeat right away, and let us know it was at 147. Then right after that, she said “it’s a girl.” We didn’t even know what we were looking at, but she showed us the “three white dots” which normally show for a girl. I saw the white dots, but it was still a little confusing to look at because when I had looked at what the ultrasound might look like ahead of time, normally you can see the legs in the picture. Apparently, our little girl’s legs were up, kind of in a “v” toward her head, so you couldn’t see them in that picture at all. Anyway, it was really exciting for me, because I was kind of hoping for a girl, even though I would have been happy either way.  Travis is excited too, and also a little nervous, probably because I said something like “just because we’re having a girl doesn’t mean we have to do a pink princess theme…” haha. I think he’s thinking more along the lines of “pink camo” and “Barbie fishing poles.”

Everything else in the ultrasound and the rest of the appointment went well too. The baby looks healthy so far, and weighs 13 oz, based on the measurements taken today.  To date, I have gained 9 pounds, which feels like a lot, but really I’m right on track for 20 weeks and 4 days.  When I got on the scale today, I noticed that the numbers only go up to 50, and I asked the nurse “what happens when you reach 150, do you have to go on a different scale?” She said “Yeah we take you in the back room for fat people only.” For a second I believed her, but then she showed me they just move the bottom part of the scale (which is in 50 lb increments), and Travis made fun of me of course (a lot.)  They should know that I’m a little sensitive about my weight right now (even though I know it’s mostly baby, or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.)

So, here is a picture of our little girl. This is a profile picture, that also shows her foot in the air. Her head is on the left hand side (you can see her little nose facing up,) and her body on the right. Enjoy!!

Halfway Point!!

Today I am 20 weeks pregnant! It seems a little longer, especially because of the date changes, but at the same time it seems like it's going by more quickly now.

This week has been a week full of ups and downs. My good friend Marissa, who's been pregnant with me all along so far, had her baby last Thursday. She had a little girl, Giavonna, and I was so excited for her and her husband, Joe. Unlike me, she didn't find out ahead of time what she was having, so when I found out she had a girl, I immediately went out and got some adorable pink outfits for her (which she's already worn!) It's been amazing hearing about her first week as a mother and all of her experiences. Congratulations Marissa!

On the downside, Travis had a cold last week (and is still recovering) and as much as I tried to avoid it, my body gave in. I'm totally congested and I looked on the sheet that my doctor gave me about safe medications, and there's not much I can do. I'm drinking lots of fluids, and trying to get some rest in order to beat it.  Additionally, it's been a really, really stressful week at work, which hasn't helped. Here is what did help - this is what was waiting for me at home after a very stressful day from my wonderful husband...he knows me so well!!

Fortunately, Travis and I are excited to find out the gender FINALLY on Monday morning!! I got the "confirmation of appointment" phone call from my doctor today, so it's really on! This past weekend Travis and I went to "Baby Tyme" which is a family owned Baby Furniture store in Hartville, OH, and they had the most adorable furniture, bedding, and display sets. It made me even more excited to find out what we're having so that we can start planning the nursery.

Since I've made it 20 weeks, I took some more pictures! One of my coworkers commented today that "I finally look pregnant" which I'm taking as a compliment. I think you'll see from the pictures that she's right...I definitely have a baby belly now!