A Manic Monday & 20 Week Stats

I had my 20 week apt. this morning, a few days early thanks to my snuffly sinus' and suddenly strange and mysterious rash outbreak. Three hours, two new appointments, one extra co-pay and a new dermatoligist later, it turns out that A)My head cold turned sinus infection is well on it's way out the door and B) The rash which was first suspected to be Shingles was demoted to severe hives. An exciting Monday morning to say the least :/

The best news is that baby boy remains active and healthy. Here are the 20 week stats:

Weight Gain-2 pounds! Up to 114 and counting now
BP-80/49 (A normal dip for the second trimester)
Temp-96.1
Baby's heartrate-149
Milestones-We 98% sure that we have found the perfect name for this little guy, and I am 100% excited about it. And name games aside, perhaps the most important milestone is that we've officially reached the halfway point!

According to my babycenter updates, the little man is likely the length of a bannana, and just under a pound. From here on out he'll grow like a weed, and I'll be piling on the pounds myself!

Thanksgiving in PA

This year Chris and I went to Pennsylvania to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with his family. We came, shopped, spent quality time with family, celebrated an early birthday for Chris, stuffed our faces with Thanksgiving goodies, saw how chocolate was made at Hershey park, and ate, ate, and ate some more! Our plane trip was painless, and a luxury really considering the alternative-driving through DC the day before Turkey day-no thank you! It was a great little vacation away from our Raleigh hustle and bustle.

A few highlights-Robbing "The Childrens Place" of winter wear on black Friday(figuratively, of course), enjoying Italian food and ice cream cake in honor of Chris' b-day, being treated like a queen of a guest(thanks Sharon!), and eating tons of yummy food. Oh, and Tim's Turkey hat made for a good laugh too:-)

Although Thanksgiving has come and gone, we hope to keep the spirit of thanks and gratefulness fully fueled year round. We have been so blessed in this past year and look forward with bright hope for tomorrow.

All of that said, I'm so glad to be back and ready to kick off the Christmas season. We are decorating our home this weekend, and are beyond excited that Christmas music is officially a go go. :-) Below is my favorite picture from our trip-in front of a big, bright & beautiful Christmas Tree at Hershey Park.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's a...

Boy!!!!

Chris and I found out this Wednesday that we are having a healthy little baby BOY! No polka dot bows and stripey tights for this little man.

Imagine my surprise when the sonogram tech said "Your having a boy!" I was totally taken aback, as I had 110% believe I was carrying a little girl. Not disappointed, but VERY surprised; I think I asked about 3 or so times if she was absolutely sure. The answer? "99.9%" I'm getting more and more used to the idea everyday, and will just have to replace the idea of princess dress up with soccer cleats! I also think it's very neat that if we do have a girl next, or in the future, she will have a big brother to look up to. Now if we could only agree on a name...

We are both over the moon with news of our little gentleman, and praise God for this new blessing. :-)

18 Weeks

Here we are at 18 weeks:

Chris and I had a great weekend and are now savoring our last few hours of Sunday. After a fruitful morning at church we shared an Italian lunch with my parents and sister in Wilson-a wonderful treat! Yesterday was productive productive productive-full of work, chores, shopping and baking. I was also able to check off my list of weekend goals and more, thus decluttering my ongoing and every growing mental to-do just a tad. All in all, another weekend gone by way too fast...and gorgeous weather to boot!

In just 3 days we will have our ultrasound and find out whether we're having a girl or a boy. I'm so excited and feel like this is going to be a huge turning point...like somehow things will go even faster from here, and that knowing the sex will bring the reality of it all so much closer to home and attach deeper meaning to our baby conversations. Wednesday is the big day, a milestone so close I feel like I could trip over it! Any guesses?

Weekend Goals

• Enjoy a nice Christmas shopping and dinner out date with the Hubby tonight.
• Make Pumpkin bread
• Deep clean bathrooms and scrub the tubs
• Raid Gap/Old Navy friends and family sale for Maternity wear
• Continue working at consolidating closets and clearing out the once upon a time guest room.
• Eat lots of fruits and –ahem-veggies
• Catch up on some correspondence to encourage, thank, and congratulate :-)

Pumpkin Pie & Christmas cards already? Oh my!

Once again, time has run away from us. Although I am thoroughly enjoying our mall's Christmas decorations and holiday music, I can hardly believe it’s that time again. Between work, school, church activities, keeping up the home and planning for baby on the way, time is zooming by.

The upcoming weeks on my calendar are full of things to look forward to-traveling for thanksgiving, Christmas shopping, birthdays, doctors appointments, and of course graduation! Chris has endured a crazy schedule this last semester; needless to say we are both counting down the days till December 16(Graduation day!), and anxiously anticipating a new chapter of our lives that does'nt involve schoolwork, studying and tuition. So what next? God willing, a new job, new home, new city and new life are on our list for next year-wow, this is starting to seem like a whole new book rather than chapter for us, lol! For now, I’m happily nesting with my new “one day at a time” attitude and enjoying the present busyness of life-all to the tune of some wonderfully warming Christmas music.

On Baby Books...

Just a few short months ago, I was reading "The time traveler's wife" and "Water for Elephants." And just recently I had finished "Shopping for time" by Carolyn Mahaney.

Today, both on the bookshelf and in my current wish list you will find:

"On Becoming Babywise"
"Shepherding a Child's Heart"
"365 things every new mom should know"
"Husband Coached Childbirth: The Bradely Method"
and the proverbial "What to Expect when your Expecting"

Talk about a new stage of life! I think it's safe to say I've got enough reading material for the next few months! :-)