And it's a..........

BOY! Yes, the majority of you were wrong! We had the sonogram done today, and there was absolutely no doubt that we're having a baby boy! He was moving a lot! We even got to see him yawn- which was so cute! My doctor said everything looked perfect & all the measurements were on track.

Here are a few of the pics that they took! Well I'm off to the grocery store & then home to start finalizing my fabric options for the nursery! We are both so happy to finally know what we are having, and that he's as healthy as can be! Shane is beyond excited that it's a boy, and I'm thinking "a boy... this is going to be an adventure... but a great one!"

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful trip to Victoria, TX to visit Shane's family for Thanksgiving! I didn't get many pictures- but wanted to post these two. Sorry for the red-eyes... I don't know what is going on with our camera!

The drive down on Wednesday was typical- very frustrating because of the traffic. Have I said how much I hate driving on I35? We arrived in time to eat dinner with Shane's sister & mom (his dad was working & our brother-in-law couldn't make the trip because of work.) On Thursday we headed over to Maw Maw & Paw Paw's house (Shane's grandparents) for our annual grazing. I was beyond stuffed! On Friday we ventured out to brave the crowds at a few stores, but thankfully made it back in time to watch the Longhorns get beat. I was so disappointed- but at least we didn't have to watch them get beat in person like we did last year!

We headed home yesterday- in traffic yet again. The only thing that made it better was that I knew the crib had been delivered & was waiting for us at home! We took it out of the box & will probably put it together today- I love it!

Today we'll be watching football & moving some stuff up into the attic. Anything to make this day go by quickly because tomorrow can not come soon enough! My sono appt is at 1pm followed by my dr appt at 1:45! I will be making a few calls & then posted the big news online when we get home! Any final guesses? :)

Successful weekend & busy upcoming weeks

First of all, thanks to all of you who commented on my last post- it definitely helped! We went to Babies R Us on Friday night for several hours and picked out a lot of the big ticket items that we are going to register- I feel so much weight lifted off my shoulders now! On Saturday we went Christmas shopping (since the Longhorns weren't playing.) I'd say I'm about 70% done with my shopping- and I even wrapped all of my gifts yesterday! Oh, and I ordered the crib and changing table yesterday... I can't wait to see them in person! I'm still on the search for a cute neutral color rocker/glider for the nursery because the one I like has shipping of over $100!!

Well, the official countdown in on- only 1 more week until we find out if our little one is a boy or girl! I'm so excited and nervous about it! We have a lot to get done in the 5 days after finding out! I will be ordering the nursery fabrics & having it shipped to my mom (she will be making some of the bedding- and wants to get a few things done before Christmas.) We also have to get the chair rail moulding purchased and painted because Shane's dad will be here that weekend to help put it up. Immediately after that we need to pick out paint colors & Shane has to paint before my parents get here for Christmas.

And in addition to all of that....we have to finish Christmas shopping, clearing out the nursery (put stuff in the attic), decorating the house for Christmas (inside & out), registering at Babies R Us & Target...... my head in spinning! I literally cannot sleep at night for the fact that I have so much running through my head (plus the fact that I'm starting to get a bit uncomfortable!)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving & safe travel! We will be heading down to Victoria, TX to see Shane's family- it is the first time for them to see me since I've been pregnant! I'll post pics from Thanksgiving this weekend, and then the "big news" next Monday!!!

Needing some advice

I wanted to let everyone know that the results came back on the quad screen test- no problems at all! So thanks to everyone who was praying for us!

I also decided to post a new picture- with clothes on my belly this time! In the last few days, several people have mentioned that I look more pregnant than in the belly pics- which is what I've thought all along! So here is a picture that I just took in my pajamas! So was I right?

Finally, I need some advice from the mothers out there (esp moms that have had babies recently and know what products are currently on the market since they change so often!) I am starting to research and pick out everything that I will need to register- and I am beyond stressed about it! For example, do you get a travel system stroller with a carrier that fits into a base (and then later buy a larger carseat), or do you get a conversion carseat that is good from birth- 60lbs? And then what about when you have a 2nd child? Do you switch to a double stroller? So feel free to leave comments about your favorite strollers, carseats, pack and plays, monitors, bottles, and the list goes on and on! I've been reading the Baby Bargains book and researching tons online, but I think that has just got me more confused and overwhelmed! I thought this was supposed to be fun? HELP!?!??!

Homecoming at Harding

This past weekend, Kristen & I jumped a Southwest flight to Little Rock to meet up with 3 of our dearest friends from college- Brooke, Karie, & Jean! We also got to meet Brooke's little girl, Sophie, and Jean's little girl, Lauren! Both are so precious!

After arriving, we settled the babies into the hotel & then stayed up late talking- of course! The only thing that would have made the night better is if we had all been sitting around with bowls of Blue Bell Light & mini chocolate chips (one of our favorite treats.) After staying up late, we had an early start to the day. Now 7am seemed early to me because I don't have children yet, AND I sleep in every day because this pregnancy thing is wearing me out! But to the mom's, it was like sleeping in! We headed to Searcy for Homecoming festivities! While I wasn't very impressed with the number of alumni from our years that decided to return, I was impressed by how much the campus had changed! It had been since 1999 when I last returned- and a lot can happen in 8 years! It was great to walk around campus and check out all of the new buildings and improvements that had been made! We walked on the front lawn and I found our brick- the one that Shane used to propose to me with! That's a much longer story that I'll tell at another time! But it is very special to me that our engagement will be "memorialized" there forever! FYI- Shane was the first person to ever do that on campus.. he's so creative!

We ate lunch at an old favorite (Dixie Cafe), and then headed to the football game. We obviously didn't watch much of it- just visited! After that we headed to Frozen D's for milkshakes- goodness those were good! How did I NOT gain the freshman 15??

We headed back to Little Rock for dinner & then returned to the hotel to put the babies down so we could continue chatting! Kristen & I left Sunday afternoon to head back to life here in DFW!

Being around those girls made me realize what a wonderful time I had in college! It makes me excited for my future child to experience that! I hope that he/she experiences wonderful friendship like I did- people that know you better than you know yourself. People that you can pick up with after a few years of not seeing one another in person! I love you girls and can't wait until our next get together (when we will have at least 2 more babies in the group!)

Week 20 Update

I'm sure you've all been on the edge of your seat waiting for the next belly pic- so here you go! I feel like I'm actually starting to get an obvious bump- especially when I wear maternity clothes! Still, people never ask unless I'm wearing my "Mom To Be" necklace! Most of the time I forget I'm wearing it & get all excited because I think they can tell that I'm pregnant- evidently that's NOT the case... yet!

I actually felt the baby move for the first time today. I'm sure I've felt it before, but wasn't sure until today. I was watching my stomach at the same time and saw it move! It was SO weird!

Everything went well at my last appointment (this past Thursday.) I had a blood test for the quad screen testing, and will hopefully get the results back soon. Please pray that everything comes back okay and that the baby is healthy! In addition, the sonogram is scheduled for Monday 11/26! I can't wait to find out if it's a boy or girl!