More Housekeeping

It has recently come to my attention that some of you faithful readers have been trying to comment, but haven't been allowed to. I checked the settings and sure enough, anonymous commenting was disabled. I have enabled it (and would just ask that you put the name at the bottom of the post so I know who you are). No excuses -- comment away! ;)

Bump, Week 23

Baby Boy is making his presence known!

At almost 5.5 months, I had to break down and buy some maternity clothes: a dress, a pair of jeans and four tank tops from Old Navy. I'm really glad now that I did because I just feel better and more confident when my clothes fit! Those pieces join a few things my mom sweetly got for me, including a couple of tops and a really pretty green dress.

Baby G is moving less frequently (I'm guessing he's running out of room), but he's still bouncing around quite a lot in there. Just not constantly. His movements are getting a lot stronger too -- there are moments when I find myself gasping or saying "WOW" out loud because he's doing Swedish massage to my insides and it's just sort of surprising. As I suspected, he's still a little shy though... Brad and I made a quick trip to San Antonio this weekend to celebrate Gee's birthday, and I called Aunt Brittney over a couple of times to feel the baby move. As I feared he would, he stopped moving as soon as she put her hand on my stomach. Same with my mom. They both got to feel one or two SMALL kicks, but nothing like the dramatic performances he likes to carry out when it's just me! (You may remember it took weeks for Brad to be able to catch Baby G doing some of his acrobatics.)

He hadn't responded at all to loud noises, despite that some of the popular baby websites say they can respond to noise as early as 18 weeks. I would hammer stuff, vacuum, etc. and no response from Baby G. But the other day I was making a smoothie early in the morning, and when I started the blender he went CRAZY thrashing around in my belly! It was kind of funny.

Other news this week: Baby G got his first toy, a construction belt with play tools, from one of my mom's friends (photo below). I know I owe you plenty of updates on the nursery and other stuff. Hopefully those will be coming soon!

On Sewing

I should be writing a paper, but instead I'm surfing the blogosphere.

This post on Ohdeedoh caught my eye this week: Celebrate the Boy. A group of bloggers noted there are not a whole lot of cute craft ideas or sewing tutorials for boy moms, so they got together and came up with a bunch. My boy's tooth sockets are just now forming in utero, but I'm already thinking about making him this monster tooth pillow.

The thing is, I don't sew. Well, I sort of do. My mom took me under her ever-patient wing when I was younger, teaching me how to sew together squares for quilts, make simple pillow cases, hem, rip seams (I remember getting paid a quarter to rip out a bunch of seams once). I even made sleeping bags for Beanie Babies at the height of the craze and sold them to my friends. But then my mom and I tried to make a dress together, and well, let's just say I thought I knew better than her. I think I'm not much of a pattern follower. A few frustrating hours later, I vowed never to sew again*.

But now I want to. And I have some GREAT equipment. I was recently given a serger and an embroidery machine, and I have a very entry-level sewing machine (though I honestly think it's broken). It seems a shame not to use the great tools I have.

I will be graduating in a little over a month, if I can ever finish the three massive term papers, two oral presentations and four mini papers that stand between me and the end of the semester. Then I'll start decorating the nursery and otherwise nesting in full force. And I'm wondering if I should look for a sewing class. I'd really like to get the fundamentals down before I find myself devoted 100-percent to all things baby. And actually, the serger and embroidery machine were given to me on the condition that I would take a class to learn how to use them. So now that I am facing the prospect of having a free weeknight, I really should live up to my end of the bargain.

*I actually bought and reupholstered an overstuffed armchair when I was in college. A lot of it was hand-sewn, but I did use my mom's machine for the long seams. That was definitely a one-off. I tried to sew a purse when I moved to Dallas, but the fabric I used was too thick and it kept breaking my needles, so I gave up. I love doing projects around my house, and I often think how much I wish I could reupholster stuff myself!  So there are many reasons to learn--baby stuff, house stuff, and just as a creative outlet. Agree? How many of you sew, or wish you could sew?

Housekeeping

You might think the title of this post alludes to nesting. While we've been making great progress on baby-readying our house--including converting the office to an office-slash-guest room, finishing the living room redo, cleaning the garage, emptying closets in the future nursery, selling and replacing furniture and more--that's not what I'm going to write about right now. (I'll probably do a BIG post later once all these projects are complete.)

I wanted to point out a couple of small changes I made to the right-hand column of the blog. First, I made it easier for those of you who aren't typically blog readers to subscribe to my posts. You can enter your email address in the field to the right and get these blog updates by email instead of having to click on the blog itself to see if I've posted anything. Just don't let that serve as an excuse not to comment! ;) You will not get any spam as a result of submitting your email. It's just for convenience's sake.

Also, I had mixed feelings about adding links to my registries, but so many of you have called or emailed to ask where I'm registered, so again, I thought this might just be convenient. Please don't misconstrue the addition of the links as anything but a resource for those who have asked for such things.

Thanks, as always, for reading!

This Week in Pictures

Yesterday was Brad's and my five-year "meetiversary." Next week we'll celebrate our four-year "engage-iversary." I'm finding myself just filled to the brim with gratitude. God has been so good to us in so many ways, not the least of which is this blessing we're expecting in July.

I just cleared some pictures off my camera, so I thought I'd offer a photo update on our lives over the past week.

Brad priming the red wall in the guest bedroom. No more red! Hooray! This weekend or maybe sometime in April we'll paint the whole room. The beginnings of a nursery!

Brad admiring the registry gun while relaxing in a rocker/glider at Babies 'R' Us. Read about that visit here.

While registering, I asked Brad if he thought we should get a "soft friend" for Baby G. Our choices were a monkey or a giraffe. I held up the giraffe and said, "This is kind of cute," and Brad balked and said, "What is that? A koala?" He had me rolling! How does this giraffe in any way resemble a koala?! I thought Brad needed to seriously brush up on his zoo animals until Brad pointed out the tag...

The brand of this stuffed animal is called Koala Baby. Which led Brad to believe that it was a koala. My man is pretty cute. ;)

Brad proved he is the champion mini-golfer on our date day (read about that here). We weren't keeping score, but he was undoubtedly winning. Here he is illustrating a fancy "between the legs" shot.

Wearing a work dress after spending a couple of days in San Antonio. My bump is getting bumpier! (And I know, what a cliche - barefoot and pregnant. At least I'm not in the kitchen!)

St. Patty's bump. Took this picture today. Baby G is part Irish, since I believe we have some Irish ancestry on my dad's side. Also, I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was waiting for the awesome "pregnancy hair" everyone raves about to kick in. I think it finally did! I'm noticing it's thicker and growing faster. Hooray!

Brad and I are going to a nice steakhouse tonight, Bob's Steak and Chop House, to celebrate our meetiversary, engage-iversary, and the fact that it's spring break right now, so we actually can enjoy an evening together. Usually, we don't see much of each other during the week because our schedules are so opposite. 

Again, so much to be thankful for!

Random Updates II

Just a quick post with some more random updates.

No "Bump Chronicles" update today -- I'm in SA for some meetings and left EARLY this a.m. It felt even earlier because it's the day after Daylight Savings Time. My pregnant self is going to be VERY tired by about 3 p.m. On the positive side, I haven't seen my parents since the second week of January, so it will be nice to catch up in person this evening.

Brad and I had a fantastic day together yesterday! Early church, then a trip to IKEA for a few baby-related items. After that we decided to use a gift card for an Italian food lunch, then mini golf and a movie! Saturday night, I managed to drag a reluctant Brad to Babies 'R' Us to help with the registry.

Side note -- Registry stuff STRESSES ME OUT. I have done quite a bit of research on the best car seats, strollers, high chairs, cribs, baby monitors, etc. for the money, but there's so much other stuff -- socks, onesies, diapers (we're going to do cloth), changing pads, noise machines, humidifiers, hand mixers and steamers for baby food, a Medela pump, etc. that I feel like we'll need, but I don't know what to choose or if anyone will even buy it. I start to have mental panic attacks when I think of all the STUFF we'll have to procure in the next four months to get ready for Baby G's arrival. Don't take that as a pathetic plea for stuff -- that's not what I'm saying at all -- it's just that I don't remember feeling this way when I was registering for our wedding. Am I the only one who has faced baby registry anxiety? Please say no. I know babies really don't need much, but it feels like life will be so much easier if we have certain things.

Fortunately, I have already gotten some VERY GENEROUS donations (***MARTHA!!!***), so we have some biggies taken care of (including a baby swing, co-sleeper, extra monitor and pack and play, and more), so I'm super grateful for that.

Anyway, Brad was hesitant to come along on Saturday, but once I gave him the registry gun, he was having a great time. It was so fun to see him get excited about baby clothes and learn what his tastes are. I even took a cute picture of him lounging in one of those fully upholstered gliders, but my camera is in Dallas. Oh, and he Kilz'ed the red wall in the guest room for me! What a guy. :)

I have been fortunate to not yet have to buy maternity clothes (full disclosure, I bought a top on clearance at Target but didn't try it on and decided I hate it, so I'm not counting that), but I have a feeling that's about to change. I'm wearing my pre-pregnancy dress pants today, and they are awfully snug. Give me another week and I bet I'll have to pony up for some banded pants. I feel lucky to have been able to wait until now, though. I've heard you pretty much want to burn all of your maternity clothes at the end of nine months, so the longer I can put that off, the better.

Thanks for putting up with a stream-of-consciousness update. I'm off to a meeting now!

Bump, Week 20.5

There's another gnarly shadow on this photo. But Baby G is settling right in, kicking LOTS, and I think I'm starting to feel rolling movements too. It is so bizarre. Last night I told Brad it feels like the little guy is trying to be born through my belly button. He is kicking SO HARD, right in the middle of my tummy!  A lot of the time, I'll wake up in the morning and there's a giant lump on my right side and pretty much nothing on my left side. I think the little dude likes to snuggle with my appendix while he sleeps or something. And then I put my hand on the lump and it slowly melts/dissolves as he stretches back out. Makes me think about how fun it will be to go collect him in the morning once he is here!

Baby Boy Gaultney Nursery, Take 2

Yesterday's news has me thinking about a nursery!

I mentioned in my last inspiration board post that I was re-thinking the Baby Boy Gaultney room because I need to go with a lighter wall color. I thought it would be a good opportunity to use some colors I don't normally decorate with, like orange and yellow. Not too blue, even though I love blue, and not too babyish. Here's what I'm working with today. I may change my mind before I actually start buying stuff and putting paint on the walls. I did order about 20 fabric swatches from a Canadian company, Tonic Living. I can't wait to put the fabrics to use in curtains, floor cushions, book slings, etc. I still want some punches of fun and whimsy, but these are the basics.

It's sort of an "adventurer room" and reflects Baby G's parents' love of travel! 

[click on the photo to enlarge]

Sources:

Chalkboard Globe, Etsy
Zigzag Rug, West Elm
Magnetic World Map, Future Maps Co. (already own)
Nutmeg Flags, Tonic Living
Remo Camel Sailcloth, Tonic Living
Pedigree Linen, Tonic Living
Jefferson Denim, Calico Corners
Poang Rocking Chair, IKEA
Brown Microsuede Armchair, already own
Paint (Forest 3 and Lazy Days), Valspar
Uncle Goose Hebrew Alphabet Blocks, Magic Beans
Sailing Ship Sketch, Anthropologie
Wonders Never Cease print, theblackapple (Etsy)
This is Texas travel book, Amazon
Ram head, Z Gallerie
Junglie Gorilla, Hanna Anderson
Jellycat Cordy Roy Lion, Hanna Anderson
Boppy Crib Sheet - Pinstripe Tan, Target
Skip Hop Mod Dot Fitted Sheet - Light Green, Target
Tiddliwinks Safari Fur Blanket, Target
Solid Chocolate Brown Box Pleat Crib Skirt, BabyBedding.com

Ultrasound Video, 20 Weeks

This ultrasound, while exciting because of the big gender reveal, didn't yield much in the way of figuring out what Baby G looks like. He was just squirming too much, and this doctor's ultrasound equipment wasn't as sophisticated as the last doctor's (click here to watch the ultrasound at 13 weeks). But if you're interested, I've embedded a video below for your viewing entertainment. Again, I "narrated" it to try and make it a bit clearer what we're seeing.

Boy, oh, Boy!

By now you have probably heard that we are having a BOY! I must already have this little one pegged, because I KNEW in my bones that it was a boy. And he was not shy about confirming my suspicions, either! We had just started the sonogram, and I was mid-sentence talking to the ultrasound tech when she interrupted me and said "WOW, you are definitely having a boy!" and then kept making jokes about what a proud little boy he was, etc. Photographic evidence is below; see the middle sono pic for the proof!

All in all, we didn't get to see a whole lot of the little babe. The ultrasound tech seemed like she was very to-the-point... nice, but not really one to play around. I asked if she could do the 3D/4D scan, and she said she could but she wasn't going to because it would freak me out to see how skinny my baby looked. Apparently babies look very scrawny until 26-28 weeks. I convinced her to do it for just a second, but the baby was moving SO FAST and OFTEN that it was hard to tell what we were looking at. The tech mentioned how much the baby was moving. So out of the five ultrasounds I have had, four times the technician/doctor has made a comment about how the baby was unusually active. The only time he wasn't bouncing around was before he had arms and legs!

We did get to see two tiny, sweet feet with beautiful toes, the mouth (which looked like Brad's) and the nose, which looks more like Brad's than mine (but really looks like neither of ours, exactly). I know he'll change a lot between now and 37-40 weeks, but it's so fun to feel like I'm peering int a window of who that little boy is!

The baby weighs just under a pound -- exactly what he's supposed to weigh at 20 weeks -- and is as healthy as can be. No signs of any abnormalities (other than possibly hyperactivity -- just kidding :). Placenta is in the best possible place, umbilical cord looks fantastic, brain, kidneys, bones, heart - all ideal. My weight gain is right on track too. I was a little worried at the number I have been seeing on the scale, but the doctor encouraged me and said he wants me to give nutrition classes to his other patients (haha). Obviously, we like Dr. Norwood!

We got a video, which I may try to put online later. It's just that you can't really tell what you're looking at, and the tech kept forgetting to hit "record."

Sadly, this may be the last glimpse we get of Baby G before he enters our lives in the flesh! Unless there's a medical reason to do another one, insurance won't cover it. I'm not sure I can go 20 more weeks without a peek at that little punkin, so I may think about paying out of pocket. But maybe not. Babies are 'spensive.

Now on to the nursery and the registery! EEEEEEEE!

Random Updates

Picture I posted to Facebook of my bump at 19 weeks. 

 
Just a random update from the past few weeks. 

I've been feeling definite, strong kicks since before 16 weeks. Some days I think Baby G is practicing to become Lord of the Dance in there, and I love it. (Although in the interest of full disclosure, I finally admitted to Brad that the long Riverdance sessions, reassuring though they are, can get a little annoying when I'm trying to concentrate or sleep. But I know deep down I would not want them to stop.)

I kept trying to get Brad to feel the baby move, and there were a couple of times when he thought he could, but I didn't feel anything at the moments he thought he did. But yesterday I was watching my tummy -- YES, I can see the baby moving in there -- and there were like some solar flare baby movements. Really dramatic kicks that you could see CLEARLY just by looking. So I called Brad over, and he felt the baby for sure! Exciting milestone!

I was also having REALLY bad pain at my navel yesterday. It woke me up at 4 a.m. because the pain was so sharp, and it lasted for most of the day. I couldn't lay on my side without feeling really strong stabbing pains at my belly button. It was so bad at one point that I had to stop working and just lay down. I Googled it (frenemy) and learned that pain like that is normal at this stage. It could be just growing pains, or worst case it could be a herniated navel, but since the pain has let up today, I'm going with the former. Probably just the little pup making room.

Finally, I'm waiting for that awesome head of hair everyone talks about during pregnancy! One friend wrote on Facebook, "If God makes us get fuller and thicker during pregnancy, at least he lets our hair do the same!" Early on my hair was falling out a LOT. I've stopped losing hair, but I still feel like I can't do much with it. Might also be because I got a bad haircut in December and I just need to let that grow out. The result has been lots of ponytails and buns, which is meh, but Brad likes it when I have my hair in a ponytail (he requests it for special occasions - cute, no?), so at least there's that.

It's getting hard when I'm out running errands not to want to buy stuff for the nursery. I'm really waiting until we know if it's a boy or girl (click here to see the nursery inspiration boards I came up with), but I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday to get a mirror for our dining room, and MAN, they had awesome baby stuff and other objets marked 80% off! If only they could do that again next week! I've been hard at work clearing out the guest room. I sold an armoire through Craigslist yesterday, donated my mattress and box springs, and disassembled the bed. I'm now just trying to Craigslist a chair and ottoman, but I have NO TAKERS WHATSOEVER. Maybe I just need to slash the price to nothing (it's currently listed at $50). This weekend I hope to Kilz the red wall.

All in all, this baby is being VERY nice to me. I am grateful. I can't wait until Monday when Dr. Norwood's office does the full anatomical scan.  They'll check the brain, heart, spine, amniotic fluid and more. The gender reveal will be fun, but since it's been eight weeks since we last saw the little one, I'm aching for another glimpse!

Boy v. Girl: What the Old Wives Say

Image via Getty Images

It's a close one in the boy v. girl poll (in the right column)! Six to six. Last I checked I think it was 6 for girl, 4 for boy, so perhaps the boy mojo has grown stronger in the last couple of days. Just for fun, I'm going to do a run-down of how I compare to the old wives tales. We'll know for sure on Monday!

Old Wives Tales Comparison 

(Adapted from Smonk You and With Two Cats)

The baby's heartbeat was clocked at over 140 = BOTH (click here and here for heartbeat posts)
According to the Chinese gender chart = Boy
Sleeping on left (boy) or right (girl) side = BOTH (No matter which way I start off sleeping, I end up on my back. No lectures about sleep positions, please.)
Short time to conceive = Girl
I feel no nausea = Boy
I'm not craving citrus = Boy
I am gaining weight = Girl (this seems like a weird question, because at 20 weeks, of course I'm gaining weight)
I'm breaking out a bit = Girl
I'm feeling clumsy = BOTH (I have always felt clumsy, so no change)
No weight gain in my face (I hope) = Boy
I'm craving salty and sour stuff = Boy (I'm not craving anything, but I'd rather have pretzels and cranberry juice than cookies or cake)
I'm not moody = Boy
I'm carrying high (girl) or low (boy) =  Girl (I'm not sure I'm carrying a whole lot of anything right now, but one person told me I'm carrying high)
My hair has become thinner and dull = Girl
Hair on my legs is not growing faster than before = Girl
Feet are not colder than before I was pregnant = Girl
Brad has not been gaining weight = Girl
Craving fruit or meats and cheeses = BOTH (again, no cravings, but I'll eat any of these.)


Grand total:
Girl = 8
Boy = 6
Either = 4

At least two of the girl ones I take issue with (gaining weight and carrying high or low), but nevertheless, it looks like the old wives tales have us paying for a wedding in a couple of decades instead of a rehearsal dinner. Of course, that doesn't take into account parental intuition. Brad would love for it to be a boy to prove those old wives wrong, and I've been saying all along I think it's a boy. We will be OVER THE MOON excited either way. Truly.

I can't believe we'll know for sure in just a few days! Then I will get to start REGISTERING! I already asked Brad if he wanted to stop at a baby store on the way home from our doctor appointment Monday, and I didn't get a lot of enthusiasm. I'll let you know what happens. :)