Feels Like Old Times...

The old times refers to the remodeling/updating projects. We haven't really done any in over a year and it is kinda nice to see a change in the place. Derek has been hard at work over the past week/weekends in the nursery. He has finished the closet system (even the custom shelves i had him make), painted in the closet, painted the walls with two coast of "pale sky", and painted the ceiling. On a side note, we painted the ceiling in there when we moved in 5 years ago and with this new coat of paint i wondered what the hell was going on in there over the past 5 years! Uncle Randy helped out this weekend by trimming down the closet doors (THANKS!) so that we can get those painted and hung. Also on the list for the week is the ceiling fan and looks like this coming weekend windows! It will be so nice to have these projects done and out of the way in time for summer! (i am sure i speak for Derek on the DONE part) He has done such a great job so far!

Yea! Now time to fill it up!

This is what our bedroom looked like for a few days while construction was going on...it even spilled out into the hallway...errr

While he was busy IN the nursery, I was busy getting stuff organized and ready to be put in the nursery. I sorted the mountains of clothes we already have for this little one by size, then washed, and either placed on hangers or folded. I also sorted through the various misc items that a baby amazingly needs and didn't like that it was all going to be placed into the cubbies in the closet. So I got a little impatient and headed to Babies R Us and picked up some canvas totes that go great in the room. Now everything looks much more organized and hidden!

Lookin' good so far!

All this stuff is ready for it's rightful place in the dresser when it arrives

I am reading that the little bambino is about the size of a large banana this week and weighs in at 3/4 of a pound. His eyelids and eyebrows are now present. His skin has gone from translucent to opaque. His tongue is fully formed and strengthening his muscles with movement. He is also now swallowing a little bit of amniotic fluid everyday and getting a taste of whatever I am eating. Hope he likes the menu!

As for movement, I think that I am feeling him for sure. It doesn't really feel like gas bubbles but more of a muscle twitch, sometimes an extended muscle twitch. The books says that since i can now feel him i will start to find out if i have a night owl or morning bird...well so far, he likes both times of day and that's a little scary. :) Here is an updated picture of his home for at least the next 4 months.

One last note. I want to congratulate the Trojan family on the arrival of Brodie Dean on April 23rd. From the pictures he looks just like his older brother!

Half-Way There Baby!

20 Weeks! What an amazing milestone to reach. I am still amazed and feel very blessed to be pregnant everyday. Becoming pregnant was such a dream that Derek and I had literally worked for with all the appointments, ultrasounds, blood draws, and injections. It is hard to believe we are half way through this journey to welcoming our child into our arms.

I had my 20 week OB appointment yesterday and it went well. Blood pressure is good and weight is up again (as it should). Although she is not too concerned with my weight, she hopes not to see a repeat of that number. oops! Baby boy's heart rate was in the 150's and the uterus is right where it should be. When I had lifted my shirt for her to use the doppler, she say's "ooh, what a cute round little belly." I guess I never thought I looked "round". She also discussed the results of the ultrasound and felt there was nothing to worry about. I'll go back in 4 weeks and get my sweet orange drink on!

After the appointment I headed over to Babies R Us to add some items to the registry. I had a plan walking in and well, that all went to hell. I ended up there for 4 hours! I just decided that i kept finding "cute" items and then turning the aisle and find another "cute" item that I would just edit later online. So much for the plan!

Derek has been hard at work on the nursery. He has the first coat of "Pale Sky" on the wall and part of the closet organizer up. He has had two good supervisors!

Baby this week is the size of a small cantaloupe measuring in at about 6 1/2 inches long. Little bambino's testicles have begun to descent from the abdomen. His skin is getting thicker. He is hearing sounds now that are becoming familiar and that may be comforting to him after birth. I do keep telling Derek that I think that baby is going to good friends with Mia because she likes to lay on me and purr away...It will be interesting to test the comforting theory out when i start feeling little bambino more regularly!

Oh and one last thing...I think I may have felt the little bambino. I really don't know how to describe the feeling, but Dr. Young said that since i felt it below my belly button that it most likely was! Yeah! I felt the same thing last night. I can't lie...it does feel a little weird, but reassuring!

Baby's First Brewers Tee...

Derek and I headed to Lowe's today to order the new windows for the nursery and office. Since we were in the area, we decided to stop by the two children's consignment stores just to see what they had. I must say it sure is nice to finally be able to head to these stores or stop at rummages with lots of kids stuff! Derek quickly found this 12-month-sized tee for $3.50 in the Sports clothing section, a "no-brainier", he said. He's still on the hunt for Michigan gear!

The nursery has a new color and Derek is working on installing the closet system. I poked my head in to lend an opinion or two and he responded with a smile, "sure glad my supervisor showed up." Always good for laugh he is! :) More updates coming. I have my official 20 week OB appointment tomorrow in which we will discuss the results of the ultrasound and have an otherwise regular appointment. Well off to conduct some more "supervision!" :)

A Shopping Extravaganza at 19 Weeks!

Derek and I are getting more and more excited everyday to be having a boy. Still no for sure agreed upon name, but between you and me I think my favorite is starting to sound better and better each day to a one Mr. Umnus. But, it still is a long ways to go, who knows i may even hear another name that i like and change the whole game plan! It is a woman's prerogative you know.

Well, after we found out the great news on Thursday, I took off to Eau Claire. I know I know...we just found out this great news and away i go! But as plans would have it, it's how it worked out. I was off to meet my mom first at the Dent and Bents in the middle of the state and then to the pre sale for Here We Grow Again children's consignment sale. All I have to say is HOLY SMOKES! Women are crazy...I should know because I am one of them. We arrived about 2 hours late and there was soooo much stuff and sooo many women. The prices were pretty good for the most part. My mom, i mean, Grandma, was so excited to be having a grandchild she treated to whatever i wanted from the sale and what she found too. It is soooooo very appreciated beyond what words can describe. Derek and I are just so very thankful and grateful! Thanks Mom!!!! Well, i mainly went looking for some larger items, but most were sold by the time we got there. So here is a look at what we got! Warning! Warning! Warning!

Okay so, it wasn't all from the sale. We hit up some Rummage sales in Eau Claire on Friday and Saturday as well as Once Upon A Child in Onalaska. Derek was a bit surprised to say the least when he came out to the car to carry everything in the house. There is soo much there and hard to believe that we still require so much more! But i think we are good or pretty close on clothes through the 12 month mark!

My most exciting item picked up was the bedding set. I saw it on Thursday night and loved it but didn't get it because of two reasons: 1. I wanted Derek to see it and get his feedback and 2. i didn't want to make an impulse buy because it was the first set that i had seen that i liked. Well, when we went back on Sunday for the 50% off sale i had figured it was meant to be if it was still there...and it was!

While I was away Derek had his little "Honey Do List" and was a champ! He has been working on the nursery prepping it for windows, paint, and closet system. So he finished up the demo (what little there was), hole patching from the nails, and painting the closet! We got all the needed items last night from the trusty Home Depot for the closet system, paint, and ceiling fan. I just hope i like the color of the walls! We tend to have a habit of painting a color and then going back for a different color a few days later! The best quote of the night at Home Depot came from Derek..."that looks like a cart full of projects for me." to which i responded "yes dear." Soon as the closet system is installed I can start to organize....YEA!! He also got all the molding painted and ready for install. He is so wonderful that he even did another little project that has been on the project list for a year...he painted my chalk board so it will fit in better with the kitchen...so sweet he is!

Also while I was away, the in-laws flew back from North Carolina and brought back our stroller system with two bases with them! Not sure how many funny looks they got since there was no child with them, but we wish to extend a big thanks to them for doing that! And an even bigger thanks to the North Carolina branch of Umnus's for allowing us to use the system! It works perfect and we won't have to put on hot pink wheels since we found out it's a boy! Again Mia seems to think that it her's! I have even found her sleeping in it. But to be fair we had borrowed the Herbst's cat stroller awhile back...so maybe she thinks if she sits in it long enough we will take her for a walk!

Derek's mom also took Derek to pick up a Father/Son item at Kohl's over the weekend too! Now they can match on game days!

At 19 weeks baby is weighing in at 9oz or little more since that is what he was a week ago and is measuring 6 inches in length. His permanent teeth buds are forming and overall body growth will start to become rapid now. He is also starting to store iron in preparation for making his own red blood cells. The most amazing thing that baby boy can do now is dream in REM. I am not sure how "they" know this but it's pretty cool! No movement felt yet either. During the ultrasound, it showed that the placenta is attached in the front of my body, so i was informed it may take a little longer for me to feel kicks and punches...bummer. Here I am at 19 weeks...Derek said after not seeing me for a few days that I looked bigger...I then promptly schooled him on words not to say to a pregnant woman. :) I feel like I am carrying all the weight up front and can't imagine how much bigger i am going to get...now i understand why pregnant women say they feel like a whale towards the end!

Sorry this post has been a few days late. I had started my new job at the Rehab Hospital and spent a few days in orientation and it wore me out! It's okay to laugh at that because i hadn't needed to use that much brain power in awhile or get up that early! But I must say I am excited and already have a lot of dates set for the month of May to come in! I like the being around adults during the day and Derek will like the paycheck! :) Talk to you all real soon!

It's a ................BOY!!!!!

Here is out little one's handsome profile!

We had our appointment this morning at 8:30am. We are sooooo thrilled that we are having a boy. I had been leaning that way and so was Derek. So when it came time to see boy or girl i asked the technician to just show us the view and let us guess first...Well there was NO mistaking and i blurted out BOY without giving Derek time to respond..oops! I do however think our son has my personality. She was trying to get a better look at the heart and he kept moving his arm and putting it in the way. She would wiggle my stomach to try and try to get him to move it and it took some time. The same happened when she was trying to get a better look at the left arm/hand. He was just chillaxing with his arm up and hand behind the head...ironically the same way i was laying! His heartbeat was 160bpm and strong. He is weighing in a hefty 9 ounces and is measuring right on track...except for his head. His head is measuring about a week ahead of schedule but nothing to worry about, he just has a big head like his father! oye vay! Delivering that should be fun!

So here is an unmistakable view of son's wee wee! He's not shy!

She also took a look at my ovaries to see she what kind of shape they were in. She couldn't even see my left ovary because the uterus had pushed it out of the way so much. So it obviously is not even large enough to be pushing back. My right ovary she was able to find and noticed a cyst with measurements of 2.1...but nothing to be concerned with...MUCH smaller then a few months ago!

We have now officially tied up the Dinner club count again...3 boys and 3 girls. And according to Lauren we were going to have a boy and name him Bruce! We will have to keep that name on the list i guess! :)

So now the fun begins! Shopping for blue, blue, and more blue!

It's a....girl? boy? kangaroo?

Sorry, you'll have to wait until Thursday like the rest of us to find out! Well, this coming week is going to be an exciting one! Only a few more days until we find out if our little one is going to be wearing pink or blue!!!!

Hope everyone had a great Easter! Ours was pretty low key with some family over for a lunch meal on Saturday. I did try to imagine a few times during the weekend what next Easter will be like with a little one around to spoil. I think it will be a whole new and amazing experience!

We had really got a good start on the nursery this past week. We now have all the molding off the windows and the base boards, closet is empty and ready for a little demo and paint (on Derek's to do list this weekend), we moved the bookcase downstairs for the time being, took down the ugly ceiling fan, sold the couch (yea!!!), took out a window to measure for replacements, and now have correct measurements of said windows thanks to the father-in-law!

having a little fun with the window pulled out...with the weird look on my face, i am serving Derek his Dr. Pepper he ordered through the window! :)

Dave hard at work and Derek...well...not so much! j/k...he was a good helper!

Window back in for the time being..but looking like a work in progress!

The room is looking big again without anything in it! I have already gone in there several times and sat on the floor imagining what it will look like and be like to hold our little one in there in 5 short/long months!

I also (with the help of aunt Kris and my mother-in-law) took a drive to the land of amazingly awful and rude drivers (excluding you Angela!)...aka Illinois on Friday to pick up an awesome deal Derek and I found on Ebay...our baby swing!

Love it and the price!

We got it used, but looks almost new from a guy who had twin daughters. A great deal for $100 off the retail price! That was less that half price! Derek's favorite feature of the swing is that we can hook up his Zune to play music! Boys and their baby's toys! We also stopped at IKEA since it was only a 10 min drive from there. I found a bookcase that i really liked for the baby's room but they were all out. The guys offered to have it shipped to us but when shipping alone is $249...i think i will just head back to IKEA another time!

As for how I am doing at 18 weeks....same as last week but with more excitement as Thursday draws near! I have been noticing a lot more of the round ligament pains...those are just annoying, but i know well worth it! My appetite has waxed and waned a little this past week. I usually am most hungry in the morning...sometimes eating supper leftovers (that i had planned to eat at lunch) around 10:30am, of course this is after i ate breakfast at 8 or 8:30am! The appetite does start to fizzle by the afternoon and picks back up again later after supper! Last night a few hours after supper was a whole package of strawberries! mmmm tasty! So happy those are starting to get closer to in season! I am still enjoying the teenage angst of acne, but i suppose most people are starting to look at the budda belly instead of my face anyway...so that is a good thing! The only other thing is the sleep...i know i know it is not going to get any better, but i am pregnant dammit and can complain about it all i want! :) I do find myself waking up on my back alot even with those pillow nicely stacked around me....this might be a battle till the end! Here is picture of said buddah this week.

Still able to "fit" into 1 & 1/2 pairs of jeans, but i bought about 8 shirts that I can wear now but will be able to grow into this summer. I love that they are non-maternity shirts...i just don't see many maternity items that make me wanna wear them.

As for the our little one...he/she is now about 5 1/2 inches long and "growing like a weed" ...funny, i imagine saying that phrase for many more years to come! The uterus is the size of a cantaloupe now, so the baby should hopefully have some play room. The baby is weighing in at a hefty 5 ounces (about the weight of a boneless chicken breast)! I haven't been able to feel it yet, but baby is developing/practicing yawning and hiccuping skills. Also, his/her unique set of finger prints are making themselves present now.

just a funny picture i wanted to share...our neighbors are remolding their bathroom and there was lot of action outside...so like father, like son...they got a closer look from the comfort of our living room couch! too funny!

Well, that is all for now...check back Thursday for the big announcement...will it be a boy, girl, or kangaroo!