18 weeks and counting!

17 weeks 3 days

I can't believe how fast my pregnancy is already going, almost half way through and I still don't even quite believe that I'm pregnant! I feel like I'm finally starting to actually have a little bump and not just look like I let myself go, which is helping it feel a bit more real! We go back for an appointment with our midwife next Wednesday and will get to schedule the big ultrasound then. I’m hoping we won’t have to wait too much longer as I’m growing more and more anxious to “see” our baby! I don’t know how women did it before ultrasounds!

We’re really enjoying our birthing classes. There are 8 couples, most due in July & August, but one other couple due in early October (like us). The instructor is fantastic, she took the class herself 12 years ago with her first pregnancy and has been teaching ever since. She is also an ER nurse at Fairview Hospital so it’s interesting to get her insight on the behind the scenes of hospitals as well as her input on how to avoid feeling pressured into any unnecessary procedures. We really hope to be able to do a completely natural birth and this class is definitely helping us prepare both mentally as well as physically as we’ve already learned some exercises and relaxation techniques that Brad is doing a wonderful job of reminding me to practice every day :-).

We've also kept ourselves quite busy recently researching baby gear. One of Brad's favorite hobbies right now is visiting Babies R Us on the weekend to test things out. I think we had a 3 week span when we were there every weekend (to be fair, at least one of those times was to buy a baby shower gift for a friend). Anyway, we're having a great time preparing and are looking forward to the upcoming months!

Ace

We're lucky enough to get to dog sit for my sister and her husband, Mary & Justin while they're in China visiting my brother and his family. We love having a dog around again, especially Ace, he reminds us SO much of Woody. Not only does he always have to be wherever you are, whether it's curled up next to you on the couch, or sitting behind you as you wash dishes, he also has many of the same mannerisms of Woody. We've had a great time with him so far and will have a hard time giving him back...

Helping me fold clothes

Chewing on a ball on his playdate with Ralphie & Gertie

Keeping watch - one of Woody's favorite spots

All tuckered out after playing so hard

nursery ideas & birthing class

Everyone who knows me knows how much of a planner I am and how impatient I can be. Brad is wondering what the rush is, but I can't wait to get the baby's room painted and decorated. In fact I was all set to start painting this weekend, but the weather doesn't look like it'll cooperate so we'll have to put on hold for now. Nonetheless I will give you a sneak peak of what we have planned.

We plan to paint the walls a brighter avocado green and keep the white trim. The furniture will also be white which will help keep the room bright and fresh. We're getting our crib from Brad's brother (yay for hand me downs!) and I'm thinking of ordering this dresser...

I absolutely love this pattern from Gap's organic mix & match collection - I wasn't in love with paying $95 for it though. Luckily I found it along with the bedskirt, both new, on ebay and was able to get them for a fraction of what the bumper alone cost from Gap! Can't wait until they arrive.

I found these wall graphics a while back on one of my web browsing escapades - God only knows what I was looking for, but I bookmarked this page knowing one day it'd come in handy. I just received them in the mail today (in white) which is why I'm anxious to get the room painted so we can get them up!

See above explanation on when I probably found this too. In all my time spent looking, I haven't found a mobile I love. Enter this idea. Seems easy enough...my best friend said she'd help me sew them. I hope it turns out!

Oh, we had our first session of our birthing class tonight and we LOVE it! We're doing the Bradley Method of childbirth - it goes for 12 weeks and we'll meet every Wednesday night for 2 1/2 hours. Initially I thought it seemed like a bit much, but after going tonight, I can't wait until next week!

Baby Hutch...

...is scheduled to arrive October 1, 2010. Brad and I are absolutely ecstatic and can't wait to meet him or her! Despite some grumblings from family members :-), we want to be surprised and plan on not finding out the gender until the big day!

I made it through the first trimester and have been enjoying the nausea free, more energetic first few days of the second trimester. The first day of my second trimester coincided perfectly with the first beautiful day of spring here (actually more like summer weather we've been having!)...couldn't have been timed better. I'm really appreciating being back to my normal self and being able to be out and about after the painfully long winter we've endured.

14 weeks 4 days

Here's the first official picture we've taken of baby hutch. I wake up each morning not being able to see a bump at all, but by the evening I seem to grow a little one, not sure where he/she goes during the day, but he seems to be a little busy body. At our appointment with our midwife (Colleen) when we got to hear the heartbeat, we were listening away to the sound of the heartbeat, then all of a sudden THUMP, and Colleen said "ah that was a kick!"...he seems to be causing trouble already!

That's all our news for now!