Monday, August 2, 2010
22 Weeks
I hate posing for "artsy" photos. I'm sure my wedding photographer can agree. Anyway, this is us being cheesy, but it's the only picture I have from week 22.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
A very productive weekend...
The weekend we celebrated our 18 month anniversary! We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Soby's on Friday night with my mom as our guest. She came into town for the weekend to help do a few projects around the house (clean utility room, iron, etc.). Aren't moms great?!
While she was here we had plans to purchase the crib, which we did, along with the dresser that we will use as a changing station. Imagine the picture of the crib above just a shade darker, almost black.
After dinner we went to Sears and bought the car seat. We had a change of plans on the orange one posted about earlier :) cause I read in some customer reviews that it doesn't fit in a grocery buggy. I think the one we picked out is still universal enough to be used for boy or girl, which is definitely a consideration with all our purchases since there will be a few sibling on the way.
After dinner we came home and jumped on the computer to try and do a little more baby bedding shopping. I am so indecisive when it comes to things like this. I just can't find the right fabric combination and I'm not creative to pick out stuff on my own. After about an hour on the internet, we looked at the bedding at Pottery Barn and deciced on the madris pattern. This has all the colors I was looking for without being "themey." AND Chris approved! WhooHoo. I have attached pictures of all of the above purchased items.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Baby Lack-Update 5
Week 23-Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb. Although I will say that I haven't been dancing much, I'm pretty sure this baby will love him some country music.
Week 22-At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.
Week 22-At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.
Our first Craigs List Purchase
I wish I could remember how Chris and I first heard about this contraption, but I don't. Anyway, this is an alternate to the stroller "travel system." It is compatible with our carseat and is a lightweight alternative. Once the baby is out of the car seat, then we plan to get a nicer version of an umbrella stroller. These are currently priced at BRU for $79.99, but we were browsing through Craigs List and found one listed here in Greenville for $35. We decided to go check it out, why the heck not? It hardly even looked used. This was our first purchase for Baby Lack and first purchase on Craigs List.
We have been trying to save $$$ through this baby process and really be conscious of all the spending that could possibly happen. We have been visiting some consignment stores and thrift stores looking for a dresser and/or changing table and/or baby swings, etc.
Have you had any luck at consignment stores?
Gift for Baby Lack
Today I had a sweet surprise waiting on me at work in Columbia. The recruiter that covers the other half of the state had brought a cute blue gift bag full of fun boy things including some yummy chocolate. Notice that the actual chocolate inside the candy bar wrapper is gone. She got the chocolate at Sarris and it was delicious. Thanks Kristina for the precious bag of goodies!
We registered!
On Tuesday night right after Chris got home, we went to Babies 'R Us to register. It only took up about 45 minutes, thankfully. We were in and out! Thankfully one of our sweetest friends met us on Friday and did a quick run-down in the store of must haves, maybes and not necessary items. That was a tremendous help! Thanks Jennifer!
Check out our registry and see if we have left anything off. Yes, we do know two things are missing...1. a stroller: we haven't picked on out. The stroller that goes with our car seat is really cute but the idea of a "travel system" is too much. Too heavy, too much for me to move in and out. We are looking for another option. 2. breastpump stuff: I just don't think it belongs on a registry for all the world to see. As of now, I plan to borrow a pump and buy an accessory package which my mom can go get with me.
Remember to use Greer as the city on the registry, not Greenville. :)
Check out our registry and see if we have left anything off. Yes, we do know two things are missing...1. a stroller: we haven't picked on out. The stroller that goes with our car seat is really cute but the idea of a "travel system" is too much. Too heavy, too much for me to move in and out. We are looking for another option. 2. breastpump stuff: I just don't think it belongs on a registry for all the world to see. As of now, I plan to borrow a pump and buy an accessory package which my mom can go get with me.
Remember to use Greer as the city on the registry, not Greenville. :)
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Baby Registry Etiquette
All of you that know me well know that I am always concerned with the proper way to do something. Well, the time has come to register and I've been curious as to the do's and don'ts of a baby registry. Although the tips are not lots and hard to find any good ones on the internet, I've listed some things below if you have been curious yourself.
Do your research. The vast variety of baby products available in stores can be intimidating for the first-time mom as she begins to pick things out for her baby registry. Before you even go to the store, look online and read reviews of different strollers, bouncers, and any other items you want to include on the registry to help you decide exactly which products you want.
Include plenty of choices within a wide price range. Consider all the people who will want to shop from your baby registry -- your family, friends and co-workers as well as your husband's family, friends and co-workers. You want to be sure there are enough choices in different price ranges. This lets everyone feel as if she can afford to get you something you want.
Be realistic. Putting a $1000 crib on your baby registry is probably not the best idea. Nor is asking for a tricycle. Keep your requested items to reasonably priced items and things your baby will need in her first nine months. Even though you are asking people to buy you gifts, it doesn't mean you should take advantage of the opportunity. Stick to the basics and think about the following categories when picking out items: baby hygiene and diapering needs, baby nursery items, baby safety and health, baby toys, and infant clothes or layette items. Leave personal items for yourself such as nipple cream and hemorrhoid pads off your baby registry.
Don't register at more than two stores. Choosing to do a baby registry at a major retail chain like Target or Walmart allows your friends and family who live far away as well as the ones who live nearby to easily shop for a gift, whether or not they like to shop online. These stores also offer a wide variety of items in a large price range. BabiesRUs is another popular choice for baby registries. If you register at more than two stores, it can be confusing for your shower guests to find a gift. You also risk getting duplicate gifts if you have more than two baby registries. If it is impossible for you to find everything you need at only two stores, consider using a service like MyRegistry, which allows you to add things from any store you want onto one registry.
Remember it's the thought that counts. Realize that not everyone is going to purchase a gift off your baby registry. Some people are going to buy you whatever they want, and that's okay. Be kind and gracious when accepting these gifts, and be grateful for gift receipts if the item is truly something you do not want.
Know any others?
Do your research. The vast variety of baby products available in stores can be intimidating for the first-time mom as she begins to pick things out for her baby registry. Before you even go to the store, look online and read reviews of different strollers, bouncers, and any other items you want to include on the registry to help you decide exactly which products you want.
Include plenty of choices within a wide price range. Consider all the people who will want to shop from your baby registry -- your family, friends and co-workers as well as your husband's family, friends and co-workers. You want to be sure there are enough choices in different price ranges. This lets everyone feel as if she can afford to get you something you want.
Be realistic. Putting a $1000 crib on your baby registry is probably not the best idea. Nor is asking for a tricycle. Keep your requested items to reasonably priced items and things your baby will need in her first nine months. Even though you are asking people to buy you gifts, it doesn't mean you should take advantage of the opportunity. Stick to the basics and think about the following categories when picking out items: baby hygiene and diapering needs, baby nursery items, baby safety and health, baby toys, and infant clothes or layette items. Leave personal items for yourself such as nipple cream and hemorrhoid pads off your baby registry.
Don't register at more than two stores. Choosing to do a baby registry at a major retail chain like Target or Walmart allows your friends and family who live far away as well as the ones who live nearby to easily shop for a gift, whether or not they like to shop online. These stores also offer a wide variety of items in a large price range. BabiesRUs is another popular choice for baby registries. If you register at more than two stores, it can be confusing for your shower guests to find a gift. You also risk getting duplicate gifts if you have more than two baby registries. If it is impossible for you to find everything you need at only two stores, consider using a service like MyRegistry, which allows you to add things from any store you want onto one registry.
Remember it's the thought that counts. Realize that not everyone is going to purchase a gift off your baby registry. Some people are going to buy you whatever they want, and that's okay. Be kind and gracious when accepting these gifts, and be grateful for gift receipts if the item is truly something you do not want.
Know any others?
Monday, July 5, 2010
Baby Lack-Update 4
Week 21-Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as his initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know him better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.
I am definitely able to feel Baby Lack kick and sometimes I can even see it. Chris has been able to feel the kicks too. The movement seems to happen when I'm relaxing on the couch or right before bed. Sometimes if I tap back, it will kick back.
Week 20-Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)
He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).
Week 19-Your baby's sensory development is exploding! His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that he may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on his skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
Chris has started singing to the baby now and has brought his guitar down from the mountains to start playing songs. I'm sure Baby Lack will do a little dance.
Week 18-Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.
I am definitely able to feel Baby Lack kick and sometimes I can even see it. Chris has been able to feel the kicks too. The movement seems to happen when I'm relaxing on the couch or right before bed. Sometimes if I tap back, it will kick back.
Week 20-Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)
He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).
Week 19-Your baby's sensory development is exploding! His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that he may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on his skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
Chris has started singing to the baby now and has brought his guitar down from the mountains to start playing songs. I'm sure Baby Lack will do a little dance.
Week 18-Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.
The long wait...
Waiting for over a week to share the news of what Baby Lack will be, was so hard but we enjoyed having a little secret just to ourselves! We had such a fun time anticipating the reveal and of course reading all the sweet messages on facebook and the texts we received all within just a few minutes of the show airing. I've attached a picture from that morning. Don't you love the tiger paw? Chris had that idea.
What do you think?
I was so excited Chris was off this weekend. We were busy running errands on Saturday and then had a family reunion on Sunday. In between our errands we ran into BRU just to glance real quick at car seats and strollers. We found our favorite car seat. What do you think?
If you know of anyone that has this car seat and loves it/hates it, please share your comments. and YES, it is orange! Would you have thought any different? :)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day
Me and Dad at the Clemson/Citadel game 2009Today was a great day with Dad. My parents came up from Columbia to spend the day. We all (minus Chris) went to California Dreaming. I think this is becoming a yearly tradition. After lunch Mom and Dad came back to our house for some banana pudding, naps and to watch the baseball games. Unfortunately the game was on a rain delay. Yes, I'm talking about the S.Carolina vs. Oklahoma game. What? You didn't know we were Oklahoma fans? Today we are! :)
It was a great day with my sweet dad...the man that has such a heart to serve and love others.
Happy Father's Day!
Baby Lack-Update 3
On Thursday, we had the ultrasound to find out what we are having. The Baby Lack (BL) looks healthy and was pretty active. We were able to see it's precious feet and hands, arms and legs, a frontal view of the face, the spine and a healthy heart. Praise God!
We have been really pleased with the new OB practice that we switched to. This practice is a little bit smaller than the other one (4 doctors vs. 8) and it's much, much closer to the house (within 1.5 miles). I really had been anxious the entire week, not necessarily about finding out the sex, but more so finding out if the baby was growing healthy. I'm sure most pregnant moms experience these concerns, but the ultrasound is the true confirmation that things look good. On Thursday, I got home a little before the appointment and Chris was sleeping since he is currently on night shift. I decided to lay on the sofa for a minute to say a prayer for Baby Lack (and my anxiety) and fell asleep. What in the world was I thinking? There has never been a time in my life that I haven't fallen asleep even within a few seconds of laying down on the sofa. Next thing I knew, Chris was waking me up just minutes before our appointment. Whew-good thing it's so close! Anyway, we made it about 5 minutes late. How could we have gone to NY and not known. ;)
BL currently weighs 10oz. and so far I have gained 4lbs., although that actually feels more like 10. I wore some black maternity pants for the first time this week to work and it felt so nice! I look forward to the weekends much more than before because I can wear a comfortable cotton skirt and be totally comfortable instead of trying to squeeze into my suits, although the belly band has been a big help.
On a side note: Thanks to the friends that tuned into the Today show on Saturday to look for us, but we will be on the 26th.
We have been really pleased with the new OB practice that we switched to. This practice is a little bit smaller than the other one (4 doctors vs. 8) and it's much, much closer to the house (within 1.5 miles). I really had been anxious the entire week, not necessarily about finding out the sex, but more so finding out if the baby was growing healthy. I'm sure most pregnant moms experience these concerns, but the ultrasound is the true confirmation that things look good. On Thursday, I got home a little before the appointment and Chris was sleeping since he is currently on night shift. I decided to lay on the sofa for a minute to say a prayer for Baby Lack (and my anxiety) and fell asleep. What in the world was I thinking? There has never been a time in my life that I haven't fallen asleep even within a few seconds of laying down on the sofa. Next thing I knew, Chris was waking me up just minutes before our appointment. Whew-good thing it's so close! Anyway, we made it about 5 minutes late. How could we have gone to NY and not known. ;)
BL currently weighs 10oz. and so far I have gained 4lbs., although that actually feels more like 10. I wore some black maternity pants for the first time this week to work and it felt so nice! I look forward to the weekends much more than before because I can wear a comfortable cotton skirt and be totally comfortable instead of trying to squeeze into my suits, although the belly band has been a big help.
On a side note: Thanks to the friends that tuned into the Today show on Saturday to look for us, but we will be on the 26th.
Baby Lack-Update 2
Week 17-Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.
Week 18-Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.
Week 19-Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
Week 18-Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.
Week 19-Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The big reveal
As mentioned earlier, we are planning to go to a taping of the Today Show while we are in NY. We arrive in NYC on Thursday. We are planning to the avoid the entire Rockefeller area on Friday morning because of the concert series that the Today Show hosts. Watch for us on Saturday morning, June 26th. Will we be wearing pink or blue? Yep, that's how we will make our big announcement! I just bought our pink and blue shirts today (with a 90 day return policy for the one we don't wear). Pray for a healthy ultrasound on the 17th and good weather on the 26th. We hope we can keep our little secret for 9 days, but we did do good keeping baby Lack a secert all the way to 12 weeks.
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