20 Weeks - Halfway There!

Update 6/28: I found my camera! So here are some belly shots from 20 weeks. I just got out of the shower which explains the wet hair and no makeup (and not looking at the camera haha).

Wow, halfway!! It's so weird to me because in some ways it feels like as if I have been pregnant forever (be sure to check back with me when I'm 9 months pregnant, I'm sure I'll laugh at this statement); in other ways it feels like it's flying; in some ways it feels as though there is so much time left before I get to meet Adelaide; and in other ways it feels as though there is not enough time left to prepare!

We have begun clearing out the spare bedroom. And by spare bedroom, I mean the only other bedroom we have besides ours haha. This room served as my personal walk in closet, storage space for items that didn't have a home (the island of misfit toys if you will) and my office. Unfortunately, it will still need to serve as my office although my desk and equipment only takes up the small wall to the side of the door so it's not very obtrusive. I have moved my stuff over to our master bedroom closet which is a walk-in but very small. I have started rounding up the stuff that needs to go to the garage which thankfully Chris cleaned out last week. Everything must go! I am attempting to sell some older clothing on ebay to pick up some spare change but I think that mission will be ending shortly and just give it to Goodwill.

Once we have everything cleared out, the fun can begin! Painting and decorating. We have decided to go with "Owls" as the theme. Cute, girly owls. I have a slight obsession and it doesn't help that there are a lot of freaking cute owl things out there! We are thinking of painting the nursery two different shades of a pale aqua color. I have found some really cute owl wall decals on etsy.com for behind her crib. We will probably go with a white crib. We are taking the furniture from our room and repainting and repurposing it. We'll be adding new knobs and fun colors. Probably splashes of pale yellow and pink. I'm excited for the fun projects but even with 5 months to go, I get nervous about getting it all done! I thinking there must be a slight nesting instinct this early on because I have had more energy to clean and organize than I ever had before! Better put it to good use!

I have a doctor's appointment next Wednesday so I'll have more updates about the baby and me then. Overall, I am feeling great. I am very lucky to have had a smooth pregnancy thus far. I have been pretty by the book as far as symptoms are concerned. My sleep isn't always great but most nights are pretty good so that's fine by me. The biggest news as of late is getting to feel Miss Addie June move about! I had thought I have felt flutters the past few weeks, and I think I had, but they are most certainly baby movements now. I feel little movements that can only be described by saying think of a little person doing somersaults in your belly because that is exactly what it feels like!! That has been a great feeling and I always look forward to the evenings when I lie down and she seems to pick up steam!!

Dear Adelaide,
I can finally say for certain I feel you moving! Although I think I have felt you fluttering around, when I was out to lunch with my friend last week I felt for certain somebody having a little dance party in there. I was sitting down eating pizza so maybe pizza went over well with you? I hope so because your mama loves pizza!! I have to say though one of my favorite moments was the other night when your daddy came home from work and he and I laid on the couch together. He laid his head on my belly and we were just talking, the two of us, and you started moving like crazy! I think you loved the sound of his deeper voice compared with mine and the sound of the two of us talking back and forth. I love to think of how you will know our voices right out of the womb. That amazes me. I try to talk to you more often now and even sing to you from time to time. Your daddy teases me about my singing voice but I know you don't mind (at least that makes one person in this house haha). We are going to make a mixed CD soon - the Adelaide Mix - and I plan on singing the songs to you so you recognize them when you are born. I am so glad to feel you move. It reassures me so much that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing in there. I am glad I am making a good home for you already because I feel like I have a lot more work to do on this side making a home for you! We do hope you like owls, little one, because I'm afraid you'll be seeing quite a bit of them! I look forward to our next appointment to hear your little heartbeat. Until then, keep on dancing away in there!

All My Love,
Mama

19 Weeks... It's a Girl!!!

Holy guacamole, it's a girl!!!

We had our ultrasound done yesterday. More importantly I should note that she appeared healthy and had a good heartbeat (finally got a #, 168) and was moving (eventually) around.

The ultrasound room was wonderful! We had a private room and on the wall they had a big flat screen tv mounted so Chris and I could just sit back and watch the show! Our tech was really nice and funny and outgoing and took her time showing us all the different parts and measurements. Our little girl (who we didn't find out was a little girl until the very end) was quite a modest lady! First of all, we had to wake her up. She was quite comfortable it seems before the tech started poking and prodding. She had to nudge her to get her moving. Then she yawned and stretched!! We were laughing because it seems she already takes after me haha! It took some more nudging and then she finally got moving. But, when it came time to see if she was a boy or girl, she kept putting her hands between her legs covering herself!! Hey, if she stays that modest her whole life, fine by her dad and me! She finally moved those hands and, it's a girl!! Without getting into details for sake of her modesty, they can tell it's a girl not by absence of a you know what but by 3 lines defining her lady bits. I never knew that! That's how the tech could tell for certain it was a girl.

One of the big highlights was watching her attempt to suck her thumb. She tried many times unsuccessfully, bringing both her hands up to her face and opening her mouth, until finally she got her little thumb right in there and all 3 of us (the tech included) applauded and yelled and poor little girl got startled and dropped her hand quickly out of her mouth. Too much commotion for her liking! It was just so amazing to see her movements. Some of them already so human which is so amazing to me since she has no one to mimic. The stretching and yawning and the thumb sucking that are all natural instincts, really cool. We saw her in 3D as well but that was a bit freaky haha. The tech warned us it wasn't going to be cute. She hardly has any fat on her so she appears somewhat skeletal which is not how you like to picture your little bundle of joy! Still neat seeing some of her features more defined though. The tech even complimented her adorable nose haha! We received a dvd of 10 photos (a few are above) and we just really enjoyed our time getting an inside look at our baby's temporary home!

Now that we know it's a girl we can finally reveal her name to all! We are so confident about our name that we don't mind telling anybody who will listen. Her name is Adelaide June. Adelaide is a name that Chris and I have liked for years now. It's the name of a song by the band Anberlin. We also used one of their songs for our wedding song. Seems fitting that our daughter's name comes from them as well! It's funny because I had really been wavering in thinking it was a boy the past couple weeks. I kept being less and less certain. And I kept thinking of the lyrics in the song, one of them "Adelaide, you really had me going this time." And I couldn't help thinking that our little girl really had us fooled she was a boy! Guess it was a sign after all! Her middle name, June, is in honor of her aunts Katie & Sarah. We wanted to find a way to honor both of them but we didn't like any combination of their names so we finally figured out a way to do it - they were both born in June and June is such a pretty name. Plus, we loved how it went together so Adelaide June it is!


Dear Adelaide,
Adelaide! We get to call you by your proper name!! The joy that gives me is unbelievable. Your dad and I are completely and utterly OVER THE MOON! A precious baby girl. A princess. Daddy's Girl! When the ultrasound tech told us, we just stared at the screen in amazement. A girl. More importantly - a daughter. I will just never forget how we felt yesterday. Your dad and I went out to lunch after we found out and I think we barely could concentrate on anything but thoughts of you! Our whole lives seem to flash before our eyes in the best possible way. What will you look like? Will you look like your mama with a mass of dark hair? Will you be tall and thin like your daddy? A song came on at the restaurant, one they play at weddings quite a bit for the Father/Daughter dance and my head reeled with the thought of you some day dancing with your daddy at your wedding. I thought of all the special times I had and still have with my dad, your Pop-Pop, and thought of how you will have that special bond with your daddy. I thought of you and I shopping together with your Aunts and Grandma's (on both sides haha!). I thought of so, so many things. It is amazing how one moment can define your life like that. Your daddy and I have always said that having children is where you get the enjoyment from in the second part of your life and that couldn't be any more true. It's as if I feel my new life separating from my old one. I foresee so much happiness and joy that your little self will bring to everyone around you. You are already so very loved. We area already so blessed and you haven't even arrived yet! So many wonderful things await you on this side. I only hope I can teach you to be a strong and independent woman like my mama has taught me. That every man treats you with respect the way your daddy treats me (the way he was taught by his mama). So many things I hope and dream for you my Adelaide!

All my Love Precious Daughter,
Mama

17 & 18 Weeks

A busy 2 weeks! The first shot is of my mom, sister and me in my parent's backyard over Mother's Day weekend (17 weeks) and the others are from 18 weeks before taking my mother-in-law out to dinner. I am wearing my brand new pair of maternity shorts that I would probably live in if someone let me. Why don't all article of clothing have stretchy bands?? Sure, we'd probably get huge and fat without realizing it but dammit we'd be comfortable!! Oh and the second picture is me with Mr. Max, one of my furry babies. He thinks he is a human child. Man, he is going to be in for a rude awakening!

I'll start off with the doctor's appointment last Monday. Everything was nice and healthy. Heard the heartbeat loud and clear. The doctor put the little microphone thingy (not a technical term I'm sure) on my belly and got the heartbeat on the first shot! I didn't get the official # and although it sounded much quicker than mine it didn't sound like it was racing. Not sure if that helps anyone in the boy vs. girl debate. I actually weighed in at only 4 more pounds so go me! I was telling my mom my appetite is not really all that different (or should I say not that much increased) and I had read in one of my books that you are usually hungrier with a boy. She said her appetite stayed the same with both my sister and me. Could it just be me? Could it be a sign? I was at 100% boy but now I am wavering a little, I won't lie. I digress.

The rest of the appointment went well. I met with a new doctor who patiently answered all of my questions and reassured me that taking Claritin everyday really is fine, my sleeping issues are normal and tylenol pm is perfectly fine and all of my previous blood work came back normal. He then gave me one of the things I was hoping for the most - the order for the ultrasound!! He asked that I wait a couple weeks and I obediently said yes and of course scheduled it almost 2 weeks to the day from when he gave it to me haha. Our appointment is next Tuesday (the 17th). I'll be polling everyone I know before then!

I flew up north on Thursday to visit my family. I would like to say that I had a very uneventful flight but that would be a lie. We had a terrible and turbulent descent & landing and I got horribly sick (without being graphic, no I didn't just FEEL sick; I WAS sick). The wonderful woman across the aisle from me handed me tissues and gum and was very sweet thank God. Of course I threw my pregnancy card on the table because you can't (well morally speaking) be mean to a pregnant lady. Other than that rough start, I had a fabulous weekend and it was SO great to finally see my mom and dad and give them great big hugs and have them rub my belly and give love to the baby. I got to spend so much time with my sister and nephew too. My nephew would pat my belly and say "hi baby" over and over again. It was one of the most adorable things I've ever witnessed. He is a freaking riot and I miss him already. It's so exciting to think of our baby and him playing together and in the future going to "Cousin Camp" (my mom's hilarious idea). Katie thinks if we have a girl that she'll be the boss but I don't know; Charlie bear has a pretty strong personality so we'll see! My mom, Katie and I went up to NYC to see my sister-in-law dance and Sunday, Friday was maternity shopping and Sunday went to Babies R Us and my sister gave me a ton of info on everything which was awesome. I wish I could have gotten to see some more friends but I did get a lot accomplished on my trip and came back happy but exhausted! It was just so great to spend so much time together. It always goes too fast.

Chris picked me up from the airport on Monday and we had our own little mother's day celebration. We went out to lunch and he gave me a really funny card and a beautiful necklace he picked out. We ran some errands and then went home and relaxed. All in all I had an absolutely perfect first mother's day! I can't wait until next year when I actually get to have the baby too haha.

The rest of the week is now flying by and here we are at 18 weeks, crazy! I can't believe in a couple weeks I'll be halfway through my pregnancy. Unbelievable. At the same time it seems like it is flying, it still seems so far away that we'll get to meet this little peanut. My pregnancy now is starting to be more and more enjoyable (physically speaking). I am still not sleeping 100% but it's much better than it was. I feel more energy. My belly is rounding out and looking actually pregnant. My hair looks so nice and healthy. I feel a bit more like myself! I am really enjoying being pregnant. That brings me to my letter...

Dear Baby,
I got to hear your heartbeat again. That always makes your mama so happy. I think from time to time I might feel you moving but I'm not sure if it's just wishful thinking. I have your daddy lay his head on my belly and I ask him if he can hear anybody haha so far not so much! I wonder when you like to move the most. I wonder if you're sucking your thumb like some of the books say. I cannot wait to see you again on your ultrasound so I can see those adorable arms and legs and that precious noggin. Of course we're hoping to see (or not see) something else too so please don't get too modest on us! We really cannot wait to call you our son or daughter instead of just "the baby." I was talking to your Aunt Katie the other day about how emotional it made me to think of you as my son or my daughter. It made you so very real. It made me proud of you already! I imagine I'll probably be that embarrassing mom in the bleachers yelling for you the loudest. You won't mind, right? Well, maybe when you're a teenager. Geez, a teenager?? I don't want to jump that far ahead. I am content to just think of you as a wee little thing snuggling in my arms. I like to just think of the time when you, your daddy and I will all be together. Our own little family. Your daddy said he really missed us when we were gone. I like that there is an "us." I love having you with me as my companion. Well my little one, I'm sure the next letter to you will be about how excited we are to find out if you are a little girl or boy. Until then I'll savor the anticipation of it all!

All my Love,
Mama