What I'm loving...

...Amy Butler Fabric!

With our gender ultrasound less than a month away, I'm starting to narrow down our nursery choices. But today, I'm torn. I'm in love with Amy Butler's fabric on Etsy.

And it's not only the baby bedding fabric I love. I'm loving all the adorable onies as well! 

I mean seriously? How adorable would our daughter look in this next summer by the pool?

I {heart} Owls

And don't even get me started on the diaper bags that I found. A.DOR.ABLE! 

Ok, I'm done obsessing. 14 weeks...and still feeling good. I can't wait until we start on the nursery. Depending on what we pick for bedding...I'm almost positive we'll go with this furniture. It'd be between the cherry or white.

:: That's all for today. Happy Hump Day ::



Belly and Business

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours was mixed with some good and bad. Friday afternoon started off not so good. I left work early feeling under the weather...I felt feverish, achy and tired. I went home, took a shower, put on my PJs, grabbed my pillow, blanket and Nate - and went on the couch. I made some tea and put on Oprah. By Saturday, I felt much better. It could have been an "end of the week" sickness...who knows.

Saturday, Stew and I went to lunch at Chili's...then to the Mall to look at and shop for maternity jeans for me. I found a few pairs at Gap Maternity - but figured I'd start off with one pair and see how I liked them. We got to the register and the sales clerk asked if I wanted to open a Gap card. I, 9 out of 10 times say "No, thanks"...but she got me this time. She said "Today only, we are offering 45% off your entire purchase if you do". I was sold. I gave her my information and we continued to shop. How can you not for 45% off? I ended up getting two pairs of jeans, a long sleeve shirt and an adorable t-shirt that Stew picked out - it said "Creating a bright future". After $168 in maternity clothes, I walked out paying about the price of one pair of jeans. I was beaming from ear to ear! Plus, I got a months worth of 45% off coupons to use in November. Cha-ching! I'm definitely saving the last coupon for baby clothes...once we find out the gender.

Sunday started off normal. We worked out in the morning, then off to the grocery store and a few other stops...including McDonald's. Whoops. We got a call after the grocery store that Stew's grandmother wasn't doing well and was in the hospital. We made a quick stop at home to unload the groceries and drop off Nate. We made it to the hospital around 2:15ish. She wasn't awake, but when she heard Stew's voice, she knew - knew we were there. Stew told her it was OK to get comfortable and go if she was ready. We told her that the baby was there with us...she was in the presence of her great-grandchild. We told her that we loved her. Stew's Nana loved Angels. She had them surrounding her when she was at home, sick. Angels of all kinds...yet, she didn't have any there in her hospital room. I took a napkin from her nightstand and pen from my purse. I drew the best angel I could have drawn and wrote - Angel for Nana. We love you. We placed the napkin on her pillow and told her she now had an angel with her. We kissed her good-bye and left. Within 10 minutes of leaving the hospital - we got the call - she was gone. It was a hard day, but we know she is not in pain and off to see her Husband and the rest of her family. We know we will see her again.

And finally, on to something to smile about...Baby G. I had Stew take a few belly shots on Sunday. Here is what me and Baby G are looking like at 13 weeks 4 days!

{You can see my buddy, Nate looking at me in the lower left hand corner. so cute}



Enjoy this last week of October! 

13 Weeks!

How far along? 13 Weeks

Baby's size? Our baby is the size of a lemon. And ..."Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth."

Weight Gain? 2 lbs

Maternity clothes? Yesterday, I made my first purchase. I found some Liz Lang Maternity pants at Target. Black dress pants...for future events we have coming up. I couldn't resist the price, the fit and the comfy-ness of them. Will I ever go back to regular pants after I start wearing them?!?!

Stretch marks? No!

Sleep? Sleep is good except, I've been waking up a few times - wide awake. Probably due to the fact that I have CRAZY dreams. Like our two-day old baby saying "Hi Mommy".

Foods I am loving? fruit, sweets, and grilled cheese

Foods I am hating? Meat.

Best moment this week? Another doctors apt...hearing the heartbeat 155 bpm. AND seeing this video from my nephew. (yes, I cried)



Movement? No...not yet.

Symptoms? Nothing. Feeling great!

Gender? Still going with Boy.

What I'm looking forward to? Our BIG gender ultrasound on Wednesday, Nov 24th!!!! (day before Thanksgiving)

Weekly Wisdom: "Do what you think is best."

Milestones: Being in my 2nd trimester.

Emotions: I feel amazing! Happy, blessed and so excited for every day ahead.

**I'll have Stew take belly shots this weekend**

Today's captures

Two things happened on this lovely Tuesday morning. One I celebrated - one I didn't.

1. Celebrated: I woke up and saw a belly in the mirror.

2. Didn't: I woke up and thought there was snow on the ground - it was frost. It was freezing.

Here are the two pictures to go along with both:

{a day shy of 13 weeks}

{at 8:15 this morning}

A fall weekend

Happy Monday!
Can I tell you, this Monday is a rough one. The weekend went by way too fast. I'm tired and do not want to be at work today. Stew and I did have a great weekend though.

Saturday, we ran some errands and then had a lunch date the Common Man...my fav! You would have thought it was 7 pm and we were ordering dinner...no, it was about 1:00 and we were having lunch.  I ordered the "Uncommon Salad" to start...{to. die. for.} For lunch, I ordered the LBT: Lobster, Bacon, Tomato sandwich! Stew said that only a pregnant woman could appreciate that lunch. It was delish! Stew ordered the tuna melt panini which was also good. And...to top that all off, we ended with a warm Tollhouse cookie dessert topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and hot fudge. We were stuffed to say the least.

Saturday night we went to my Sister's to carving pumpkins. Stew and I stopped after lunch at a local farm stand - to pick our pumpkins. And let me tell you - it was freezing out. With temps in the 40s and wind guest in the 30s...it felt like winter.



So, Saturday night we went over to my sisters house for cocktails, food and pumpkin carving! My sister had so much food and non-alcholic drinks for me. It was great. I had everything from chili, spinach dip, kielbasa, chips and cheese and crackers. She had chocolate and strawberry milk and diet sprite. She's the best!

Now...on to our pumpkins:

L to R: Stew, my Sister's, Mine and my Brother-in-laws

**And I do have to say that my Sister did her "bats" free-hand**

Sunday, we did the usual. Grocery store, laundry and football. We bought a ton of football food. Well, "my" kind of football food. Garlic hummus with fresh pita bread (from a bakery in Lowell), a veggie platter with dip and clam chowder. Strange combination...I know.

And now, it's back to the work week. I'm minorly excited though - I have a Dr apt on Wednesday morning...and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to book our GENDER ultrasound! I'll keep you posted. Until then, have a great week!



Are you showing yet?

Hello All! Happy Wednesday. Thank you for all the well wishes and emails.

A lot of people have asked if I'm showing yet...the answer is no, not really. By dinner, I'm bloated and have a little belly, but when I wake up - it's mostly gone. I can notice a belly - simply because it's my body. Everyone knows their body - but no one that I see on a daily basis has said anything. So I guess I don't look pregnant - yet.

We took a few photos at 4 weeks, the day we found out, another at 8 weeks after our ultrasound, and I'll take another today for 12 weeks. Hopefully I can start taking pictures every week, but at this point - you guys wouldn't notice much of a difference and it'd be boring.

So, here is a picture the night (yes, it was at night) we found out.

Nate's going to be a big brother!



A picture at 4 weeks:

 ... and 8 Weeks:

If you scroll down to the wedding I was in...that is a 10 week shot. :)

But, I'll take a 12 week shot today or tomorrow...

Seeing I blog while at work...{whoops}I don't have any of our "Big Reveal" pictures. I do have the adorable Save the Date card I made for my sister.



And just a quick story about the day I told my sister - It was August, so it was warm out - hot actually. Stew and I were laying out by the pool. I had a Bachelorette party to attend later that night - at a Winery! So my sister and her Husband show up...I don't have a beer in my hand - which I normally would while laying out by the pool. I was drinking water. She said "No beers today?" I said "No, I have the winery thing tonight...so I'm not drinking today". From what I could gather - she had no idea what was about to hit her. I think my Brother-in-law did, though. So after a few minutes, I grabbed a small box. Inside there were two pairs of booties. Blue and Pink. Under the cover of the box, was the Save the Date. We have pictures of her reaction. It's priceless. She was shocked. My Brother-in-law on the other hand said "I knew it".

And on a totally different note: I was watching GMA today...balling my eyes out (no big surprise) watching the Chilian miners come out! What an amazing story. As of 12 ET, 15 of the 33 have been rescued. I can't wait for the movie...yes, there will be a movie.



Our Secret Journey to Baby G

{Secret Posts}

Our Secret Journey Timeline:

January 26, 2010: Our first pre-pregnancy consultation

January 27, 2010: Start pre-natal vitamins

January 30, 2010: Purchase "What to Expect Before You're Expecting" book

May 1, 2010: Stop birth control
June & July: Enjoying Summer ...

August 1, 2010: The official start to our baby making journey

August 17, 2010: two POSITIVE PREGNANCY TESTS

I. AM. IN. SHOCK! Not, because of any other reason EXCEPT for "That was quick". I mean, we were ready. We were prepared. We just didn't think it would happen that fast. The first month of trying. I pray for a health pregnancy and healthy baby! I cannot wait to share the news with our family and friends. So stayed tuned and buckle in - for what will probably be the most exciting 9 months of our lives.

August 19, 2010: "Hi, my test was positive"

I went to my first OB appointment yesterday, the exam went well and everything looked good. We booked my very first 8 week ultrasound. How am I supposed to wait another 4 weeks?!?! Don't the Dr's want to see me every week? Huh...I know that's not true...but it's how I feel.

August 23, 2010: 5 Weeks - "I'm one cloud 9!"

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him." - Samuel 1:27

I am so in love with this child that I have only know for 5 days. Stew and I told his sister via Skype (she lives in Florida) and we told my sister on Saturday. I'll post all the big reveal pictures once this is public. Until then - I feel like I'm on top of the world. I feel so good and so blessed.

August 30, 2010: 6 Weeks - "I'll have a Sprite, please!"

One wedding down - one to go. This past weekend I was in my girlfriends wedding. You know the type of wedding - champagne in the limo, cocktails during pictures, and a bunch of late 20s - early 30s type of guests... ALL OF WHICH DRINK! Well, my plan going into this was to order a drink that looked like a cocktail. I went with a diet Sprite with a lime. Could have been vodka and sprite - no one knew. I actually had someone at my Husbands table say to me "How are you still acting sober?" I laughed. It was hard drinking all those sprints, I'll tell ya. Stew and I were dancing at one point and I whispered..."I can't jump around anymore...this soda is sloshing around in my stomach." But it was worth it. I'm 6 weeks on Thursday...still too early to be letting everyone in our little secret. But boy, I'm getting excited to start telling people.

My sister-in-law sent Stew and I some great books that we've I've been reading. I picked up a PregnancyFit magazine - which I love. Great food choices and tips.

After our wedding weekend, we came home from the North Country to 90+ degree weather. We headed right over to the pool. My Dad was funny, he said "When will you get a belly". I think he wants to see me with one...to prove that I'm really pregnant. And that's funny, because I do occasionally have that sense of "Is there really a baby in there?" But hopefully, after our 8 week ultrasound, I'll feel better about it and trust that there really is a baby in there. There is no need to fill up on Sprites this Labor Day weekend. We have not plans...except for a maybe a hike up north, pool time and a BBQ - all with family. I still have a Jack & Jill Party, Grand Opening Party and Wedding I"ll need to swig down some Sprites...but again, that's OK.

September 7, 2010: 7 Weeks - "I love steak, I hate steak"

This past weekend was LABOR DAY! An amazing - yet, tiring 3 day weekend. Stew and I did some major house cleaning all day on Saturday, then did a much need grocery store run. We bought our first pack of diapers too! We plan to buy some every week. Why not stock up now, right? On Sunday, we painted the foyer. That was a project I wasn't ready for - physically. I am already exhausted - then add painting our foyer on top of it. We also went shopping for "Mums" for the yard, porch and walk way. By Monday - I was done. We went to my parents for a family BBQ and some much needed pool time. It was a great time, but the food?!?!? Not so much for me. I'm having major food aversions. One minute, I'm chomping down some yummy green olives, the next minute I can't look at them. Same went for the ribs, steak, corn, baked potatoes and salad at the BBQ. It was all on my plate...and after about two bites, it turned my stomach. I'm craving and loving fresh fruit and veggie platters. Any juicy fruit (not the gum) is working for me. Or I could always go for a Lobster Roll, Clam Chowder, Bloomin' Onion from the Outback or a meatball sub.

Other than all that...things are going well. On Thursday, I start my 8th week! Then the following Thursday we go for our first ULTRASOUND! I cannot wait. I wish I could fast-forward to that day. See, I get this feeling of "am I really pregnant? Is there really a baby in there?" I just can't wait to see Baby G! I also can't wait to tell our friends and family member. (Our immediate family knows).

September 16, 2010 - 8 Weeks "SHOW ME THE BABY" 

Words cannot describe the way I feel right now...at 9:18am on Thursday. Today, we have our first ultrasound. I cannot believe we are going to get to see our baby! But I'm nervous. Did I mention that I did a little too much reading in the weeks leading up to this momentous day? Yeah, I did. Although, I'm not completely consumed with fear...I'm only half consumed. I just want the baby to be healthy...with a strong little heart beat. Is that too much to ask? I obviously wasn't thinking when I made our appointment for 3:00. Why would I do that? Next appointment will be first thing in the morning. Trust me. So here I sit...with butterflies...

September 21, 2010 - Week 9 "We saw the BABY!"

And heard the baby!

You'll notice a "nervous laugh" in the background. That'd be me of course. What a surreal feeling. Seeing your baby for the first time, hearing that precious heartbeat. It's truly an indescribable feeling. I wanted more. I couldn't get enough. So, Baby G was measuring at 8 weeks 1 day. She was going to move my due date to 4/27/11, but seeing we have said 4/28 from the beginning, I kept it at 4/28. Baby G's heart rate was 173 bpm. I cannot wait for our next ultrasound!

September 27, 2010 - Week 10

That sound never gets old! I went to the Dr's on Thursday for some routine blood work and while I was there, they Dr was able to pick up the heartbeat on the Doppler! I was so excited. Stew didn't come with me, just because I thought it would be just blood work. What an awesome surprise! And even more of a surprise...the Dr. said "She sounds great". I said "What?" and she replied "Just my gut". Interesting...but I'm still going with my gut...BOY.

Today, I sent an email out announcing our pregnancy to a few close family friends. And tonight, I Stew is telling his college friend, Mike. Every day it's something new and we enjoying every minute of this. This past weekend - I had a hankering for Chinese food. If you know me - you know I hate Chinese food. But, Stew was thrilled to place the order! Today on the other hand, I couldn't even look at Chinese food, but hey - I'll take it. And I'm happy to report that I'm still feeling great. I haven't had one day of sickness. My next appointment is October 20th. I can't wait.

October 6, 2010 - Week 11

Ahhh. Week 11. Another wonderful week. Things are about the same. I still feel great, nothing to complain about here. I popped into my Dr's office today and heard Baby G again. The heart rate was 156. As "he" continues to grow his heart rate should stay around the same.
I started looking at nursery furniture and we found a set at JC Penny. I'm in love with it. I'll post pictures once we start on the nursery.

Other than that...all of my weddings are now over, except for the one that Stew is in...in November. But I'm happy that mine are over. Both were beautiful weddings...but now, on to the fun fall stuff...like baby shopping!

October 12, 2010 - Week 12 "Good-bye First Trimester. Hellllooo Second"

I'm feeling good today, as I have been throughout my pregnancy. The word is now out and all of our friends know that we are expecting. It's funny, once you do let the word out, you find out that some of your own friends have been keeping the same "Big" secret too. One of my girlfriends has the same due date as us...but with Twins! Another friend is due 10 days prior to us - another due in March, another due in the beginning of April. Lots and lots of babies will be born in 2011.

Nothing else to report. Things with me are the same. No maternity clothes yet, no complaints either. They say that I'll start having more energy in my second trimester, so that makes me happy. I hope I'll start to like steak and chicken again too. We'll see.

And...seeing the cold weather has made it's debut in New England, my sister gave us their treadmill. Stew set that up for me along with the TV in my work out room.

******

Thank you for reading - assuming you made it through the three months of posts. I'll start posting regular updates from this point forward.

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Thoughtless Thursday

It's Thoughtless Thursday over at Life in the Fulmer Lane ...

... so my "Thoughtless Thursday" is going to be simple...yet exciting:

We have a new blog header!

My weekend...in pictures

Due to my insanely busy schedule at work, I need to keep this post short and sweet. I will say though, we had a great long weekend...tons of fun, food and events.

So here was our past weekend...in pictures. Enjoy!

Thursday Night - Rehearsal Dinner

Friday Night: Ally's Wedding

Introduction: Jason and I

Mr & I

Saturday: Deerfield Fair

Sunday: Red Sox v. Yankees Game

My sister and I

Wicked awesome nachos on Lansdowne St.

I hope you all had a great weekend as well!