It's Offical.....I am a Crazy First Time Mom!

On Tuesday of this week I began to worry because I hadn't felt the baby move much. Initially I wasn't too alarmed. I read in my "What to Expect When Expecting" book that not feeling consistent movement before the 24th week is completely normal. However, I began reading various websites and began self diagnosis......which is never a good idea. I got myself so worked up that something terrible had gone wrong that my rationalization skills went out the window.

I ended up calling my doctor and I told them my concerns about not feeling the baby. They were VERY understanding and told me to come in right away. Once I got there, they immediately took me to the back where they weighed me (yikes!), took my blood pressure and tested my proteins. Next I heard the best sound in the world.....it was the baby's heart beating strong at 142 beats per minute!!! I almost lost it when I heard the "whoosh, whoosh". It was instant relief!! Needless to say, I was super embarrassed for my overreaction and apologized a million times to the doctor. She assured me that it was ok and she's glad she was able to ease my mind by having me come in.

I guess this is just a glimpse of what's yet to come.......I will be the stereotypical first time crazy mom!!

I Have Come Up With a Solution Regarding the Windows

After a week of research and brainstorming I have come up with a solution regarding the windows in the baby's room. I (or shall I say my mom) thought of a much cheaper solution that will look great. We decided we are going to purchase Levolor Blinds from Lowes and build a frame out of trim to be placed around the window. I figure the trim pieces will help mask the fact that the window coverings are actually blinds and give the windows a more finished look. This will take some ghetto magic to pull off but it's worth it given the fact we will save over $1,000.00!!

Here is a picture of the Levlolor Blinds:

What's great about these blinds (other than the price) is they can be cut to a custom size while you shop!

We Purchased the Crib!!

I was really bummed a few weeks ago when we tried to order the crib I wanted from Babies R' Us. We were given an automated message that the crib had been discontinued but we would receive an email when the updated version of the crib was in stock. We entered our email but I figured the updated crib wouldn't hit the shelves before my due date. I decided I should start looking for alternate cribs but nothing really caught my eye.

I am happy to report that we received the email that the crib has been restocked!! Jason just called to let me know he purchased the crib and it should arrive in the next week. I am blown away by his willingness to buy the crib without me nagging him for weeks on end. Like I said in a previous post, the baby has found a place in his heart!

Here is a picture of the crib again:

19 Week Poll!

How far along? 19 weeks and 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: I think I am at 9 lbs. Although, I haven't weighed myself in a few days.....I'm scared!
Maternity clothes? Yep, I have decided not to buy anymore unless I am forced to
Stretch marks? I think I am getting a few more on my hips :( I'm sad because I still have at least 15 more lbs to gain. Jason has told me after everything is said and done, I can get the laser surgery for stretch marks.
Sleep: Good but I keep sleeping on my back which is not good!
Best moment this week: Feeling the baby. Everyday the connection I feel to the baby just gets stronger and stronger.
Food cravings: Italian subs and Italian Ice. Hmm, maybe I should move out of South Texas...
Gender: Good question
Labor Signs: Nope, not yet
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Not being fat
What I am looking forward to: Seeing our baby
Weekly Wisdom: I am starting to really enjoy being pregnant. There is NOTHING else I would rather be doing

I Purchased a Diaper Bag!

Diaper bags never really got me excited like other baby items have. To me they always seemed ho-hum. Today I was randomly searching Rue La La and came across the Petunia Pickle Bottom Boutique. I found a cute diaper bag (and a great price too) that will coordinate with the stroller/car seat we are planning on buying. Here's some pics:

This is the stroller/car seat combo we are considering:

I was planning on splurging on a designer diaper bag but after the headache I am going through trying to find cheap window coverings I have reconsidered. This diaper bag will do just fine!!

Perhaps Roman Shades?

I have come to the conclusion I am going to be disappointed in my cheap plantation shutter search. I just can't justify spending $1,200 on window coverings!! I have started searching for other options and there is not much other there that I like. I did come across a blog today that had roman shades which I thought added a nice touch to the room. I have requested a few quotes and hopefully they come back cheaper that the $1,200 for the plantation shutters!!

Nursery Inspiration

I came across this nursery on HGTV.com's Rate My Space and I fell in love!! I love the wainscoting and the paint color. I plan on using this as my inspiration!! It is just the look I am going for in our nursery.

Why do my windows have to be so BIG??!

I am currently on the hunt for plantation shutters for the baby's room that don't cost a fortune!! Unfortunately, the baby's room has two huge windows that are 5 feet x 5 feet. That equals pretty penny when pricing custom shutters. I have gotten quotes from about 10 different places and I definitely have sticker shock. I am hoping one day in the near future to have shutters that resemble this:



I have been talking with Jason regarding the quotes and surprisingly he is entertaining the idea of custom shutters. I guess you can say our little baby has already found a place in his heart!! I would be willing to bet that if I brought up the idea of custom shutters pre-pregnancy, it would have been a definite "NO" from him! Ahh, I guess this is just a glimpse of what is yet to come - our baby will be spoiled!!

18 Week Poll!!

How far along? 18 weeks and 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: I am still up 8 lbs (well 8.8 but I am not ready to say 9 lbs yet!!)
Maternity clothes? Sigh, I think I am starting to grow out of some of my pants already :(
Stretch marks? Just the one I found last week. I haven't found any new ones THANK GOD!!!
Sleep: Sleep is good for the most part. I hate sleeping on my sides but there is not much I can do.
Best moment this week: Feeling that baby move more often
Food cravings: Italian Ice
Gender: Again, I really have no idea.
Labor Signs: No, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: I miss having a cold beer on a Friday night!!
What I am looking forward to: Getting the baby's room done
Weekly Wisdom: Keep working out and get a jump on the decorating and renovations that need to take place before the baby arrives

The Baby has a New Ceiling Fan!

About 3 weeks ago Jason and I made a trip to Lowes and purchased a new ceiling fan for the baby's room. Of course I picked out the most expensive fan Lowes had on display. I thought it would be perfect for the baby's room - and my baby deserves nothing but the best!! FINALLY Jason put the fan up last night. I am a little worried though, we have a bunch of left over parts. At least the fan is up and running.......for now! The picture is hard to make out but it is a palm leaf fan which will go great with the rest of the decor.

I am 17 weeks and 6 days pregnant.

How my life has changed.....

Now that I am 17 weeks sober, excuse me, pregnant, many things in my life have changed. I was thinking this morning my life is hardly recognizable anymore! I started compiling a list in my head and this is what I have come up with so far:

• I can no longer sleep on my belly. It feels like a water balloon is about to pop in my stomach if I do so.
• I can no longer sleep on my back. The pressure I feel from lying on my back is unbearable.
• Sleeping on my sides are a pain in the ass. Every morning when I wake up my hips are sore.
• The hair on my legs is growing 75% faster than my pre-pregnancy days.
• I think my ass is growing at a faster rate than my belly......which is not good - the baby is not in my butt!!
• I am giving Dolly Parton a run for her money......my boobs are getting enormous! I have noticed creepy men checking out my chest now.
• My fingers now resemble sausages. It won't be too much longer before I can't wear my wedding rings.
• I think I am getting a ::gasp:: stretch mark on my hip. Say it isn't so!!!
• I can't stay awake later than 8:30 on a weeknight or a weekend.
• I eat like a pig.
• I don't work out. Although I am doing my best to start up again.
• I can't walk as fast as I once did.
• I now lie in bed wondering how I am going to pay for things.
• And lastly, I no longer drink anything but water. My Saturday nights are not as eventful as they once were!

As you can see, big changes have been made in my life. Some good and some not so good!! Even with the bad, I wouldn't trade anything for this experience!! I am so excited to meet the little one growing inside me that has already turned my life upside down!

17 Week Progress

This week is an exciting week for my baby!! He/she is officially the size of a onion.....yes, an onion!

This week the baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now and is around 5 inches long from head to bottom. He/she can move his/her joints, and his/her sweat glands are starting to develop.

17 Week Poll!

How far along? 17 weeks and 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: I am up 8 lbs....yikes!! I have vowed to start exercising this week
Maternity clothes? Yep, I think my wardrobe is now complete
Stretch marks? I *think* I am starting to get some on my hips :( Again, I plan to start exercising this week to help prevent them
Sleep: I have slept good this past week
Best moment this week: Hearing the baby's heartbeat at 154
Food cravings: Hmm, not too much these days
Gender: This week I am kinda wishing for a little girl.....but I would love to have a little boy too!
Labor Signs: Nope!
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Sleeping on my back or my stomach
What I am looking forward to: Confidence that what I am feeling is indeed the baby moving
Weekly Wisdom: Start working out. What I do now will only make my life easier in the end!!

Fun Facts about Baby Jason

Here are some "fun facts" about little Baby Jason....

• Baby Jason's due date of December 12 is the 346 day of the year and 19 days are remaining in the year
• Baby Jason's birthstone will be the Blue Topaz
• Baby Jason's sign will be Sagittarius
• Baby Jason will be born in the Chinese Year of the Ox
• Baby Jason will start Kindergarten in 2015
• Baby Jason will be able to get his/her drivers license in 2025 (YIKES!)
• Baby Jason will graduate High School in 2028
• Baby Jason will graduate College in 2032

I Have Fallen in Love With These Pictures!!

I have fallen in love with these pictures for the baby's room! I think they would be the perfect addition above the crib. Plus, they would go great for a girl or a boy, which is important since we have opted not to find out the sex. Unfortunately, they are a little pricey :( I think I will start buying one or two a month and hopefully by the time the baby is here my collection will be complete!!

4 Month Checkup

Today I had my 4 month check up and as usual I was pretty nervous going in. The nights before my appointments I can't sleep because I freak myself out something has gone horribly wrong. And like always, my doctor reassured me I am on track for a healthy pregnancy!

I was able to hear the baby's heartbeat, it measured at 154 beats per minute. It's such a relief when I hear the gentle whosh, whosh sound from the doctor's doppler!!! Nothing important happened at this appointment but I did schedule my big 20 week ultrasound. It will be Thursday, August 6th. This is the ultrasound where we will be able to find out the sex but since we have opted not to find out we will just get to see our sweet baby once again. I am kinda sad to know that will be my last ultrasound. We will have to go 20 weeks without seeing the baby before we meet the baby on his/her birthday in December!!!