March into April

Whew! What a whirlwind the last couple of months have been. Let's start with the finishing of the basement.

The spare bedroom has been finished, but now the bed is set up.


We put a bathroom downstairs, too.


And there was much tile, painting, and trim to be done.


The main priority for all of this was to finish a small room which has become Matthew's new office. His desk, printer, and computer have all been moved into this room now.

This is the spare bedroom right now. It is holding ALL the baby stuff I have received so far... actually, there is more because this was before my school shower. Baby girl is already spoiled!

One clean corner of the basement is all I will show you. The basement looks really good. We have a ceiling as of this past week except for the bathroom, but the electrical is all finished.

The nursery is still a work in progress but at least there is a crib! OK. So, we don't have a mattress, but the crib is assembled. :) I will post more pics when the nursery is assembled.

Belly Update ~ 31 Weeks

This is pic #6 because Matthew kept being silly. This is just before the 31 week mark, and baby girl is growing and moving.

Moldy wanted to be in a picture,too, or she wanted to go out or needed food.

I caught my first real cold last weekend. I had taken students up the mountain to Boone, and the change in elevation and dry hotel room exacerbated my already sore throat. I sounded quite sad on Monday, but I managed to take it easy. Needless to say I am feeling much better!

Overall, I am doing well besides starting to feel tired again. My hands are starting to swell, and my belly button may pop soon. Matthew likes to tease me about it.

I am overwhelmed with how everyone wants to give me stuff for the baby! The hard part for us right now is deciding on a crib, dresser, etc. We went to IKEA in Charlotte and saw some potential. Our current thinking is get something light so we can move it into the bedroom when baby gets sick, but we are going to have a Pack N' Play. I looked at the few items at Target. We haven't seen anything that we would want to keep for 20 years. We would rather get something to last 5 or 6 and then decide on something more permanent. I need to look at Babies R' Us again. Don't worry, mom, I'll find something we like. :)

Any thoughts about what you like or don't like? Did you buy something you loved? Regretted? I welcome any advice. Thanks!

Blanket for Baby

Before Christmas, I decided to make a blanket for the baby. I went to the craft store and found a book of different blankets. I was going to knit it, but a friend advised that a crocheted blanket would have a better texture. I had to buy new needles because I have no idea where the last set purchased is located. The blanket has 4 colors: baby purple, baby green, baby yellow, and a veregated white, green, blue.

I don't mind pink, but I didn't want it in the blanket. I have crocheted 9 squares of yellow, green, and veregated. I have 3 purple squares finished, so 6 more to go. When those are done, I will add the edging to each square. You can see it in the pattern's picture.

At first, I had a very tense stitch. You can see it in the yellow. I may end up re-doing some of those. After the edging, I sew the squares together and then add an edge to the whole blanket. This is all new to me because I have never actually made a product by crocheting before. I am starting to get the hang of it, and I hope to learn more stitches. Thanks to Pinterest, I have several ideas waiting for me. I'll take another pic when I have the edging finished. I should be able to start that next weekend!!!

27 Weeks!

So here is the baby update...
I had a doctor's appointment on Monday to do my glucose test and meet another doctor. My appointment was supposed to be Friday afternoon, but that doctor was in surgery. Anyhoo... so I drink my lovely, Sprite flavored sugar drink and head to the doctor's office. I was a little nervous about one nurse who has trouble drawing my blood. Plus she talks to the needle and makes me more nervous/feel like I'm gonna pass out.
Luckily, I was assigned a nurse whom I have not seen since my last "regular" visit. She was excited for me, and she kindly informed me that she would be sticking me which went well. Yay!

While I wait for the sugar to kick in, I get to see the doctor which helps some of the time go by. She was very nice. She got out her little microphone to listen to the heartbeat, but baby girl was being a wiggle worm (I think the sugar hit her, too!). The doctor put her hand on the side of my belly to try and get baby to be still. Instead, baby girl kicked the doctor! Oh dear... we are going to have our hands full! Haha! After recounting this story to Matthew, he said, "That's my girl!"

My appointment went great, and I have not heard about my blood work so all must have been normal! So, yay! Here is a web cam pic soon. Apparently the shirt I wore today makes my belly look pretty large. Yeah... it's the shirt. :)

(By calendar) 13 weeks to go.....

Half Way There

It is hard to believe that I am half way through my pregnancy. The last 20 weeks have been a complete blur! I have been so busy, but luckily all the craziness is finished (for now). I had something going on every weekend since the beginning of October. Some of it fun, and some of it for school.

After 18 weeks of no nausea, baby decides that my stomach is a punching bag. Hello heartburn! It isn't a constant, thank goodness! It seems to be more when I have only water on my stomach (I think). Weird? If I eat a little snack or drink something that isn't water, that usually helps.

And another thing... that whole "pregnancy brain"... yeah, my brain didn't work so well to begin with much less add extra hormones, etc. Oy!

My mom posted a Facebook pic of me at 18 weeks. Here I am two weeks later. I know it isn't a complete side shot (Matthew will learn), but I think I can see that my belly has grown.

Honestly, I have no real complaints. I think the excitement (and fear) of this little one's arrival trumps it all.

It's a...

Girl! Here she is sucking her thumb. I got to watch her stick her thumb in her mouth. :)

Big News

After Labor Day, I took a pregnancy test which was positive! I took another one the next day, and it was positive. I didn't know what to think. Yes, we are excited, but reality told me our world would be turning upside down in 9 short months (in a good way, of course).

I called the doctor and made my first appointment. Matthew went with me. It was the first time we got to see the baby and the little heartbeat. It's amazing. The baby measured to be 8 weeks and 4 days, and my due date is May 9th.

At my next appointment, I was 12 weeks and heard the heartbeat for the first time. Matthew was no able to come with me.

A couple of weeks later, I saw my niece and nephew at a King dinner. My sister-in-law called me a few days later to let me know little Tyler went to the doctor and was diagnosed with 5ths Disease. I called the doc and had to go in to have blood drawn. My sister (nurse) let me know Stephen had it when she was pregnant with Josh. So I didn't worry too much. I went in for the blood work and asked if I could hear the heartbeat while I was there. The first nurse had trouble finding it. "Don't panic yet" she said. She got another nurse who found it, and I was able to record it on my phone. When I got home, I played it for Matthew. He didn't say anything but I could tell he thought it was pretty cool. Oh, I tested negative for the disease but am not immune, so I have to get another test.

Two weeks later brings us to today. I am going today for my 16 week check-up. In the last couple of weeks my belly has popped! I have been very fortunate because I have had no sickness. I had the major fatigue during the 1st trimester, but I am over that hump. I definitely have more energy now but still get tired easily. I have to remind myself to not push it. Last night I wanted so badly to make dinner but had no energy whatsoever. Matthew didn't mind. He had some soup and pimento cheese crackers. Don't tell him I said this, but he has been so awesome. He has especially been a good sport about cleaning 3 litter boxes. Those little boys can fill a couple of litter boxes!

Matthew and I are pleased to announce that we are due to have a baby in May!