Sweetest Crib in the 'Hood.

We seriously have the sweetest crib in the neighborhood...and I don't mean our house.  We literally bought our baby boy the sweetest crib in town yesterday.  We love it!  I can't wait to officially get started on his nursery.  I'm almost finished cleaning that room out and thankfully, during my napping phase a few weeks ago, Rik got a head start and took down the bed and moved the heavy stuff out!  I love having a husband with initiative!  

I am planning on working up there all day today so I can't write for long.  I'm going to attempt to post a picture of the crib below, we'll see if blogger will let it stand.  If not, click on this link and you can view it that way.  We bought it in dark walnut.  I love it!

More on the nursery building soon!  

My sweet boy's new crib.

To all you Father's out there, both NEW and OLD, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!  I can't wait for our own little one to be here for next year's Father's Day.  :)  Rik is going to be the best.Dad.ever.  

Oh!  If you have any boy names you'd like to throw our way, I'm taking suggestions.  We have a dry erase mirror (our bathroom mirror) with a list of about three or four names we love but aren't sold on just yet.  Let's see what you guys can come up with!

XOXO,

Shannon

Pics from yesterday's post!

Here ya go. Me at 17 weeks. The bathing suit shot is free of charge, unless I blind you, then I guess I will compensate....

Hey-loooo there!

Well, wow.  What a few weeks we've had!


Vacation with the family (awesome pictures to come) and lots to update about the pregnancy.  I always dreamed of doing what I'm about to do so would all of you please stand and applaud the fact that I get to do my very own pregnancy update email/questionnaire!  THANK YOU!


How far along?  18 weeks today!
Total weight gain/loss? No weight gain yet!
Maternity clothes?  Yes, some times when I want to be uber comfy, otherwise, I'm still fitting into most low-rise things.  I am thinking though, that I have worn my favorite jeans for the last time (Sunday).
Stretch marks? None so far. I'm sure towards the end when my rear end explodes (from weight gain) and my tummy quadruples and then quadruples again, I'll be singing a different tune.
Sleep?  Annoying.  I wake up every morning at about 5:15 wide awake.  Always thinking of our little scrip scrap and what he's doing in there and what he'll look like and is this lack of weight gain a bad thing, etc.  It's like my psyche is training me for those early mornings just like my bladder and my constant tossing and turning are training me (as best they can) for waking up all night long w/ the little one.  Yeah right, this won't even compare...
Best moment last week? FEELING HIM MOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!!!!!
Movement?  Last Wednesday, I was laying in the bed on vacation, getting a little R&R between beach trips and the little rascal moved/kicked.  I jumped and then laid very still and waited....he did it again a few minutes later and I just KNEW that was him.  It was two more days before I could feel him again but since then, he's been a regular old show-off.  When I wake up, he is knotted up into a tiny little ball (or something) and he sticks way out - it's VERY weird looking/feeling.  It looks like a growth/tumor!  Anyway, Sunday, he was all bunched up and Rik had just served me breakfast in bed (YES!!!!) when I felt him punch or kick really hard.  Since he was all bunched up, I could feel it so much more.  I grabbed Rik's hand and put it on there and he thinks he felt it too.  :)  I have to say, this was the coolest thing thus far.  Gosh, I cannot believe I am going to have a baby.
Food cravings?  I wouldn't say I crave anything, but I reallllly want the things I cannot have.  Sushi (raw), oysters (I did break the rules on vacation and have a few which I feel HORRIBLE about), soft cheeses, etc.  The mind wants what the body can't have! Vino, anyone?
Gender? Baby boy!
Labor signs? I've got nothing but constant back pain - nothing labor related.  Too early.
Belly button in/out?  Still way in but looking more like a swimming hole than a belly button these days. 
What I miss:   Really just the foods I love and can't have.  Other than that, just being able to move about without having this severe back pain.  Beyond worth it, just annoying.
What I am looking forward to: Next week's ultrasound so I can see him again.  One week at a time, right?
Milestones: Feeling little man move.  It's something I never thought I'd be blessed enough to experience.  Oh, and finally starting to have a bump instead of a pudge.  :)  I'm finally showing and it's kind of sweet to look down and see it.  


Ok, when we found out what we were having, I posted this quick little update and then we were so busy getting ready for vacation, doing ball tournaments, etc that I haven't had a chance to even breathe for three weeks.  It's been chaos.


The ultrasound tech didn't make it super special or anything and was in a crappy mood (airing dirty work laundry with a co-worker kind of mood) and so it wasn't exactly as made for television as I had imagined in my mind, but still....we got the news and it was very exciting.  We didn't get to see him move as much this time b/c she was in a hurry but he was adorable and sweet and we got a great shot of his personal business so we know for sure he's a boy.  The other really cute thing is that in all of our ultrasounds, since he's had legs that is, he's had his legs crossed at the ankle for at least a portion of the show.  It's like he's all kicked back, doing his growing thing and doesn't have a care in the world, regardless of the fact that I'm in a constant state of worry and paranoia!  (he just bumped me to let me know he doesn't appreciate me talking about him like he's not here...hmmph!)  Anyway, this last visit was very adorable b/c he had his legs crossed and wouldn't let us see his business.  She had to poke me (too hard, I might add) with the wand thing to get him to move around and eventually, he opened them up for us.  It was really cute.  I know that's what they do, cross their legs and such, but it was just cute to imagine him being all chilled out and relaxed like his Daddy always is.  That's clearly all changed as much as I have felt him today.  :)


I hope you all are doing well, I have a ton of catching up to do and can't wait to get to it so here's a pic of me at 17 weeks to show you my little bump!  :)  

And because my sister in law is sadistic, here is another one with a tiny shield to hide me a little bit....yes, I'm whiter than the sun, leave me alone.  :)

**stupid blogger won't post the pics, sorry!**

Till next time, 

Shannon

It's a........

BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are so excited!!!

14W6D

Ok, let's see....Update time, yes?

I am finally starting to show.  If you didn't know me and saw me, you'd think I should probably lay off the burgers and fries.  If you know me, you can probably tell I'm a little bit with child.  It's really only started showing these past two weeks.  I haven't gained any weight yet, but I did lose 4 lbs, 3 of which I have gained back.  The doctor said this is all ok considering I gained about 12 lbs between August and February on the fertility meds.  Now that I'm off them, eating a pretty good diet and drinking a gazilion gallons of water a day, it's to be expected.  These next few weeks should show the needle on the scale inching upwards.  We'll see how that goes.

Tomorrow, we have our anatomy ultrasound and we find out what we're having (if the little scrip scrap cooperates).   I am beyond excited.  I just keep thinking that tomorrow is the ultimate day for me so far....I will find out if I am going to have a SON or a DAUGHTER.  That's amazing.  After all the hurt, the worry, the frustration, the tears, the anger.... I get to finally imagine what our life might look like in a few months.  I know my wildest imagination could never come up with even a glimmer of how wonderful (and terrifying) this will be, it's still lovely to try.  Let's just hope the little stinker cooperates and remembers what mommy had to do all those times in the stirrups....SPREAD EM!  

In other news, Rik got a part in the movie "42" as a featured extra.  Basically, Harrison Ford's movie about Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball is partly being filmed here in Chattanooga at Engle Stadium.  Engle is a very old baseball stadium that hasn't been used in almost 30 years.  It's historic and beautiful and perfect for this movie.  Rik auditioned for a part, didn't get it....then got called back to do the camera blocking about a month ago and then got called back last week to actually be in the movie as the Cincinnati Reds 1st baseman.  Today is the first day on set and it's been raining off and on all day long.  He's in an old school WOOL uniform (he claims it's like sweatpants pajamas) and using an old timey mitt and cleats.  He looks pretty cute!  They even cut his hair into a more time-appropriate style. HA! He is loving every minute of this and it's definitely going to be something cool to tell the kiddo someday.  Thank the LORD, he managed to be off tomorrow.

Oh, before I forget...  I had NO idea that pregnant skin burns a lot easier than just plain crappy white skin.  To you ladies who knew this information and chose not to share it, you are in the dog house!  I rely on you, Girlfriends, to share all the crucial survival tips of getting through 9 (10) months of Human Greenhousing!  I was out in the overcast, dreary, grey day last Saturday for a total of 1.5 hours.  I squeezed (literally) myself into my bikini from last year (imagine a freshly popped can of biscuits) and set up shop at my friend's pool to relax and enjoy the warm day.  Little did I know, I was baking myself and my rascal to a flaky crisp!  The burn (to put it mildly) hurt for SIX DAYS!  I am still shocked I ended up that sunburned, but goodness!  I had no idea that would happen.  So, since none of you dahlings warned ME, I'm putting it out there now for all the up and coming pregnant tanners pasties, WEAR SPF 100 SUNBLOCK WHILE PREGNANT BECAUSE YOU WILL END UP LOOKING LIKE CRISPY BACON OTHERWISE!!!!  Ok, there.  I feel better.

Who knew skin could itch like this, by the way.  I am going through an insane amount of lotion here on  a daily basis trying to avoid scratching the first three layers of skin off my stomach and my tatas ... I've always heard not to scratch but goodness, it's nonstop itching.  Even my legs have joined in on the action today.  I have a feeling a growth spurt is under way.  :)  In other skin news, my epidermis is enjoying being pregnant and I haven't had a single breakout in three months.  How crazy is that?  It's like magic.

Rumor has it my little tot is about 4 inches long right now.  All the weekly updates I've read don't match up so I'm just going to assume 4 inches is about right.  The fruit this week is an apple.  Last week, a lemon.  Why do they use fruit?  Why not a tennis ball or a dessert plate?  I think the baby sights use those subliminal messages to try and get you to eat less mexican pizza and more fruits and veggies.  It works.  I think I've eaten my weight (laughable) in fruit in the past three months.  I'm trying to eat healthy and make good choices.  I am not always spot on, but I am proud of myself for doing so well.  I always ask myself, "What nutritional value is this offering my little one if I eat it?"  If I can't come up with at least a few, I don't eat it.....usually.  That's been tough.   Sometimes, I just want a cheeseburger.  Luckily, my good friend Emily and I set up a double date for us and our hubby's last week and we did just that.  We went to Tremont Tavern and had ourselves a Jalepeno Burger that was very tasty!  Fries on the side!  She is four weeks ahead of me and it's been awesome having her to go to for tips and to find out just what's coming next.  She even felt her little girl move last week for the first time!  So exciting.

My Mom has officially gone baby bananas.  It's so cute.  She has already spent way too much money on this baby (and me).  She bought me a ton of maternity clothes that I can't wait to wear (I may regret that comment in 5 months).  She has also already bought her own car seat, swing and play yard to keep at her house.  She's even moving the tanning bed out of her office so that she can set up a little nursery area for the baby.  Out with the fake bake, in with the crib!  She has signed up for the weekly updates so she always knows what's going on with her newest grandbaby and baby.  I love all the excitement my family and so many of my friends have about this pregnancy.  They all know how much we wanted this and how happy we are with this blessing.

Now, I need more advice from you mommy lovelies.  Two things:  

What is the ONE baby item that you can't imagine living without?  

What is the ONE baby item you haven't used and think is a complete waste of money?

I'm going to make a list so I can make sure I don't miss out on the goodies!  

Love to you all!

Shannon

Chiropractor....I love you.

So, I am sitting here at the chiropractors office waiting to get cracked.  It's been a help so far, I have to say.  I was miserable two weeks ago! The guy I see is a specialist in maternity adjustments (no idea what that's called). He even has a funny table with a place for the belly to pop down in. :) 

I am 14 weeks today. I can't believe it!  We find out the gender next Tues.  I am so excited! What do you think? Boy? Girl?

Quick pic. Promise I will write soon!

It's been bananas around here so I haven't had time to write! However, here is a pic of my stinker as he/she was one week ago.

Sexy side profile & a cute shot of the tootsies!