Sunday, May 6, 2012

Emma's Nursery

Yes, we have finally chosen a first name!  Our baby girl's name will be Emma (and yes, I got that name from Ross and Rachel's baby on Friends).  We still haven't figured out the middle name yet, so if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to let us know!

Last weekend, my parents came down for a visit.  We went to my new favorite baby store, Buy Buy Baby.  It is kinda like an upper scale Babies R Us.  Alex and I picked out this crib and dresser for Emma. My parents graciously bought both the crib and dresser for her, THANK YOU MOM AND DAD! :) We love that it isn't the typical crib color, it is kinda like a vintage gray color. Oh, and it is a convertible crib, so it will turn into a toddler and full size bed so she can grow into it.



When deciding on the color/theme for Emma's room I didn't know where to start.  I knew I didn't want anything pink, it is so overrated!!! This may seem weird, but I actually got the inspiration for the colors from a gift bag wall in Target.  I absolutely love it, and I hope she will too.  The room colors are going to be coral, navy blue, and tan/ivory.


About a year ago, I started learning how to sew (on a sewing machine).  I am getting better with each and every project.  I thought I would give a shot at making Emma's crib bumper since I couldn't find any coral and navy blue ones online.  It actually wasn't too hard, and it only cost me $35!

Baby bumper foam, 3 types of fabric, cord piping, rotary board/cutter, ribbon

Lucky is already jealous and trying to take over Emma's space already :D
(Oh, and my house is a mess! We can't set up the crib/dresser until our other house is done being built) :(
One last project I completed this weekend was wrapped letters to go over Emma's crib.  I got a similar idea from Pinterest, but this is what I came up with.  I got the supplies at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's Craft Store.

Wooden letters, jute twine, hot glue gun, accent flowers

I am glad she only has four letters in her name...it was a little time consuming

I will be 22 weeks tomorrow, yay! Getting closer and closer...

Sunday, April 29, 2012

FYI: It's a....

FYI:  It's a GIRL!




Alex and I couldn't be more excited about our baby girl!  I am sure it will only be a matter of time before Alex comes home with a pink Derek Jeter Yankees jersey :).

This past Friday, we had our second trimester screening and 20 week check up.  We invited my parents to attend my ultrasound so they could see their first grandchild for the first time.  They thoroughly enjoyed it! She even had the hiccups and you could actually see her trying to punch me!  Everything on the sonogram looked great except one thing, she has a cyst on her right kidney :(.  Of course I immediately freaked out, but for right now my doctor said it is nothing to worry about.  My doctor is going to recommend me to see a specialist to have her check up on our baby girl in another week or so.  The worst case scenario with this would be for me to have to deliver early, around 36 weeks.  So, keep her in your prayers and pray that everything will be okay!  I also found out that I have gained 12 pounds since the beginning of this pregnancy journey, and 5 pounds since I was sixteen weeks (ugh!).  The doctor said that was good I was started to gain a little more weight.  She said she wants to see me gain 1-2 pounds each week.

Well, now that we know the gender of the baby, I have been working on accessories for the baby's nursery all weekend long.  We also have a name picked out, but I will wait to share her name, along with some items for her nursery later :D.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Halfway Done!

Well, we have finally made it to the halfway point! I want to personally apologize for my slacking on writing posts.  I promise to keep those of you who want (or should I say NEED) updated at least once a week.  It will be a little easier now that my baby bump is starting to show!  Here is a quick recap of everything that has happened in the last 5 weeks.

16 Weeks:  I have a very good friend who has given me "free" sonograms every few weeks when something doesn't feel right, or I just want a peek inside.  We were pretty sure we could determine the sex of the baby, but I have my 20 week sonogram this Friday, just to double check! I will definitely make sure to post as soon as we know.  Here are a couple of pictures from the sonogram.  First is the profile, and second is the legs.



17 Weeks:  This week was extremely exciting for me! I felt the baby move for the first time.  My doctor, as well as all the pregnancy books I have been reading, said it would feel like butterflies fluttering.  I never had that feeling, so I wasn't for sure what was really going on in there.  But at 17 weeks and 4 days I truly knew what was happening.  For me, it felt like a tickle sensation, but it soon became more of a "knock."  These days it just feels like the baby is kicking or nudging me.  It always catches me off guard, but it is so exciting at the same time.

18 Weeks:  Sleep, what is that?! So, I have started to have to sleep with my Snoogle pillow now that my belly has started to round out.  I was always a tummy sleeper, but now I have to sleep on my side.  Tossing and turning from side to side every night doesn't help.  In a way, it is probably getting me ready for the many sleepless nights ahead of me once the baby is here!

19 Weeks:  Cravings and numerous bathroom breaks started up this week.  I can't get enough of Chik Fil A waffle fries and chocolate milk.  I know, weird combo, but YUM!

20 Weeks:  Good news, I am halfway done! Bad news, migraine headaches started up this week.  I have never had headaches like these before.  Blurred vision, flashing lights, sensitivity to light, and a pounding head is what I have felt lately.  I have been drinking some caffeine to try and help with the pain.  Hopefully they will go away soon.  Here are some recent bump pictures for you to enjoy...I am getting fat...or as Alex tries to say nicely, "You are just pregnant sweetie."



We are looking forward to Friday to find out if Baby Gifford will be a boy a girl! More to come this weekend! :)

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Baby Gifford's New Home

When we found out Baby G was coming into our lives, we knew we had to start house shopping.  Unfortunately, everything on the market wasn't what we had in mind.  So, our realtor gave us the option of building a house...yes, building a house.  Are we crazy to be building a house when I am pregnant?! Probably, but it sure has been fun!  So far, we have picked out anything and everything for the house.  Interior, exterior, land, and all!  It only took us three hours with the house designer to pick out everything we "wanted."  Then it took us a few days to figure out what we could live without so the house would be able to appraise.  Alex and I had to compromise on a few things, but we have some of the same tastes so it wasn't too hard.  Right now they are working on getting the permits to build the house...it seems like it is taking forever!  They tell us the house could possibly be built by Memorial Day weekend, but I'm not getting my hopes up.  I just want to make sure it is done so I have time to paint and decorate the baby's room!

         Exterior of the house
Cabinets, tile, granite, paint color and trim, and stone around the kitchen island
  Sneak peak of what the kitchen will look like!

Yes, We are Still Alive!

Of course I would wait over a month for a new post, and of course I am going to blame it on being pregnant! Well, today I am 12 weeks and 4 days, almost done with my first trimester. Yay!  The time goes by so slow when you are going week by week, but thinking back to when we first found out we were pregnant seems like an eternity ago.  It is definitely a relief knowing I am almost one third of the way done with my pregnancy.  So, how am I feeling?  Much better now, but weeks eight through ten were pretty brutal.  I have know idea why they call it "morning" sickness.  It is more like a 24 hour "constant" sickness.  Now the nausea doesn't begin until about six at night, usually after I eat dinner.  My life savers have been "Preggie Pops" (the sour flavors) to help with my queasiness.  Sometimes I think they work, and other times I feel like it is all in my head! I can't complain too much, because I know I don't have it nearly as bad as some brave ladies out there!

I want to take a minute and make a shout out to my wonderful husband, Alex.  He truly has been absolutely amazing throughout my pregnancy.  Helping out more around the house, trying to keep our dog, Lucky, off of me, and getting me anything I may need are just a few things I am very thankful for.  Oh, and he recently just booked me an afternoon at the spa (while he goes and plays golf, of course)! So, thank you, Alex, I love you more than anything! You are going to be such a great daddy!

Here are a couple of pictures:  The first is me at the end of my second month and the last is a sonogram of the baby at 10.5 weeks.  Enjoy!


  

Friday, January 20, 2012

First Ultrasound, Check

Well, yesterday was our first doctor's appointment! Everything went extremely well, even better than I thought it would.  My nerves and anxiety had been building up for awhile, and it was finally nice to hear the doctor tell us that the baby was healthy, and in the right spot.  It was also nice to hear that there was only one baby in me, since I had a dream that we had found out we were having quadruplets!  The ultrasound measured me at exactly 6 weeks and 4 days, and the expected due date will be September 10.

The first ultrasound is something that Alex and I will never forget.  We could actually see our little baby's heartbeat going up and down, and even heard it for the first time!  Baby Gifford's heart was beating at 123 beats per minute.  It amazes me that something so small can have such a strong heartbeat.

Some of my new symptoms this week include mild morning sickness, sense of smell, and food aversions.  The morning sickness hasn't been bad at all, thankfully, just some nausea here and there.  As long as I make sure I eat 6 to 8 times a day and keep my stomach from being empty I am fine.

Only 6 more weeks until my first trimester will be complete! Have a happy week, everyone!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

1 Month Down, 8 to Go

Sunday was the last day of my first month!  It definitely went by slow for me.  I think the days creep by for Alex and I since we are so anxious.  But I know we should embrace this time as a couple while we can.

Well, this week, Baby Gifford is weighing in at the size of an appleseed, about .13 inches!  It amazes me how much my body can change in such a short amount of time.  Alex has been great at dealing with my "moodiness" and how exhausted I have been lately.  It is kinda sad, but I am in bed no later 8:30 most nights.  I guess it comes with the territory, but I don't mind as I am such an excited mommy-to-be.  :)

A week from today is our first doctors appointment!  It couldn't come soon enough.  We just want to be reassured that the baby is healthy and growing at the normal rate.  I have been reading that we might be able to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time.  I will be 6.5 weeks by then, so hopefully we will be able  to hear it.  I have started making a list of questions for the doctor, as this is our first time and everything.  I am probably being too cautious than I should, but it's better to be safe than sorry!  I hope this week goes by fast!