Excitement and Anxiety!

So we're off to check into the hospital. We'll start the induction first thing tomorrow morning! Everybody answer your cell phones when we call!!

Soon-to-be parents... am I big or what??

AMAZING!

Jelly's face at 37 wks 2 days

Last Wednesday, we had another ultrasound just to be sure of Jelly's positioning. Our doctor couldn't tell with 100% certainty which way he was facing last week. Oh darn...we got to see him again...and got to learn a lot more about him.

First of all, he is positioned correctly for a proper delivery. The bonus knowledge we gained is that he is still a he - he is currently 6 lbs. 13 oz., our doctor expects a 7.5-8lb. baby if he waits another couple of weeks to arrive (perfectly average) - he has hair (no real surprise there) - we saw ribs, a spine, feet, arms, legs, his abdomen and got this fabulous picture of his sweet face...the whole package. Everything looks great and it made us even more anxious for his arrival!

Any day now! We're ready!!!

Our wonderful daddy-to-be...

What a good sport! At childbirth class on Tuesday, our instructor brought out the 35 lb Empathy Belly. Andrew willingly tried it on and, like a good husband, let me take pictures.

What a cute baby belly?!

The instructor had him squat down to tie his shoes, pretend to lie down in bed and roll over (staying on his side) and then simply get up off the floor. I think he was surprised at how cumbersome all that poundage right in front can actually become...I know I was anyway...

One more for good measure...


We're down to visiting the doctor once a week now...won't be long now!!

Our Baby Shower!!!

A special THANK YOU to my mom and Grace Ann who co-hosted a fantastic rubber ducky themed baby shower for us last weekend. Lots of people I love to see showed up, so there was plenty of laughs and good conversation. Grandma Dora made my favorite chicken pasta salad and of course there was yummy cake. We received a ton of wonderful gifts. Many thanks to everyone for their generosity. We rounded out the baby "supplies" on Monday with an order from Target so if he can wait until next Tuesday (and he will)...we might just be ready by the time he decides to make his entrance.

a Boiler fan by default i'm afraid...

grandma lewis made us a baby bath pizza...how creative?!

Don't worry...Andrew, Brian and Gabe were safely tucked away at Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the Purdue game - perhaps I should say, watch Purdue get pounded - during the shower.

That evening, a small group went over to my brother's house for some more good food and games. We all had a great time and certainly appreciated their hospitality.

34 weeks!

We can't believe there are only 6 official weeks left. We met with our Maternity Care Coordinator today at the hospital and basically checked in. It will certainly make the big day easier once we get there for real. We also got a tour of the maternity ward and saw a newborn getting picked up from the nursery. He was sooo tiny! It was really encouraging though. I feel like the staff wants this to be "our" birth...not theirs.

Warning...This next part might be a little gooey...my hormones are taking over.

Andrew needs to some recognition. I am becoming increasingly more uncomfortable and Andrew is becoming increasingly more attentive. He is so good to me. He has made so many accomodations to be able to be involved with every doctor's appointment and class I've scheduled us for. He is going to be a fantastic labor coach, and of course, father to Jelly. I can't wait to watch it happen...I'll probably get all googly eyed at it all...

6 weeks until you all can know what name we're going to give him!!! Any guesses out there??

KC Happenings...

Gabe and Grace Ann at Westport Flea Market in KC.

Gabe and Grace Ann paid us a visit last weekend! It was long overdue and we certainly enjoyed our time with them. We had lots of laughs and I don't think any of us will soon forget the rendition of "The Wind Beneath My Wings" we got to experience. That's all I'll say about that...let your imaginations run with it.

We're making plans for Gracie to come for a while when Jelly arrives (remember, that isn't going to be his actual name). I couldn't imagine Andrew and I experiencing this kind of joy without Gabe and Grace involved. How lucky will Jelly be to have such a wonderful Aunt Gracie and Uncle Gabe! As long as there are NO SAILOR SUITS! haha

So our whirlwind of pre-natal travel begins next weekend with a trip to Florida. We'll be there for 5 days and will include Andrew's cousin, Elizabeth's, wedding. Andrew, Brian, and Little Eric will be standing up with Elizabeth and I know "the boys" will look really handsome in their tuxedos. We're really looking forward to one of our last vacations as just Andrew and I. Let's hope the airline will give me some water as soon as I get on the plane or I'm going to swell up like a balloon. It took me a long time to find an outfit I feel good in for this event...I'll be a bit upset if I can't get into my shoes once I get there. But, I digress...

It is definitely a year of weddings and babies in our families this year. Four of our cousins have already got married this year and we'll be in Indiana in Septmeber for my sweet brother's wedding reception. Here is a picture of him and his fiance, Kerry. This was Christmas 2004...hmmm...I think I need some more recent pictures.

A week after that we'll be back in Indiana for Purdue Homecoming.

Two weeks after that well be in Indiana again for our baby shower.

After that...no more travel for us for a while.

In baby news, we went for a doctor's appointment last Friday. I had my blood drawn for a standard diabetes test and I DIDN'T PASS OUT this time. It was ridiculously exciting to me. Jelly's heartrate is at 150 bpm and my belly is meauring right on target. So...all is well. We start going every two weeks now and we'll be attending some childbirth and parenting classes very soon.

That's all for now...

Not a lot to report...

My mom came out for a long weekend a couple of weeks ago and we had fun. Plenty of shopping...for Jelly. Funny how things change.

Last weekend we went to Des Moines for the last hurrah. Eric and Cynthia should be completely out of their house by now. We got to see Dana too. She promptly parked her hand on my belly. What a funny girl. Andrew worked hard on Saturday and we went to Lake Ponderosa in Montezuma on Saturday night and Sunday. We rode around on the boat and went swimming in the lake. It was a nice change from our norm.

I feel like there is so much to do before Jelly arrives. Pediatricians, day care, assembling the "goods", figuring out how to keep some sort of bubble around him so nothing and no one can hurt him or his feelings. Is that unreasonable? Of course it is...but the thought has crossed my mind. Jelly moves constantly now. You can see the "bumps" he makes on the outside and Andrew has been able to feel it. We both enjoy his "workouts" (mostly in the evenings). Oh, and, my belly button is on the way out...wierd.

Gabe, Grace and hopefully Brian are coming out this weekend (fingers crossed). We haven't seen them in soooo long. Even though it will be a short trip, I can't wait.

This is out in our front yard. Jelly is at 24 weeks...the start of month 6.

Moving right along...

We've decided to go geometric and high contrast in our nursery bedding. There's some leaf green, turquoise blue, and navy going on here and we love it. Many thanks to Grandma Lewis for this perfect crib set. Not to worry...stuffed animals will be removed before Mr. Jelly arrives.

Speaking of Jelly's imminent arrival, we had a doctor's appointment today. With a heartrate of 153 bpm, everything looked and sounded great to the doctor. She said my belly size is progressing as normal, but I've gained almost 6 pounds in 2 weeks! Seems like a lot, but Jelly is growing as he should for a baby at 23 weeks. Our next appointment will include a glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. That means I get to drink some serious sugar water and blood will be drawn. I'm a bit nervous about that. Things didn't go so well for me the first time that had to be done. After that appointment, we'll start some classes and going to the doctor every two weeks.

His kicks are becoming stronger now and he sends me running to the bathroom more than once a day. I think he's just "fluffing his pillow" in there. Who knows, but really I don't mind it at all. Andrew is anxious to be able to feel it on the outside, but his activity is very unpredicitable and not quite strong enough yet. It will happen soon enough.

My only problems at this stage are: #1 - the EXTREME heat we have here in KC. It's too much to be outside for even a minute...it's like you're breathing peanut butter or something, and #2 - formal maternity wear doesn't exist without a deep V-neck and an empire waist. I feel like I'm exposing way too much and wearing a circus tent all at the same time. That doesn't work for me. OK, so these aren't really problems at all...just minor annoyances.

More to come...check back here often!

IT'S A BOY!

It is official. The technician was looking...looking...and OH...there it is! Andrew exclaimed..."It's a boy!" while I lay on the table grinning from ear to ear. I haven't been able to really feel any movement yet, so it had to be the best moment of this pregnancy so far. We celebrated by going out for dinner and heading to babyGap for Jelly's first outfit; a blue jumpsuit in case you were interested. Someone please tell me why there is a pocket on the fanny of infant pants...is it for their wallet??? ha ha...

Jelly had his hands up by his face a lot today (no thumb sucking though) and we could see fingers and toes. We also saw him actually swallow. Currently, Jelly weighs 9 ounces. The technician said that everything looks great and we are right on schedule for a November 13 due date. She took quite a few pictures today, but I'll only post a couple. We'll leave the "money shot" up to your imagination. Enjoy!

Hands are up by his face...one under his chin, the other up by his eyes.

This is when we saw him swallow. Its a good profile shot.

1 week from today...

This time next week, and if everyone cooperates, we will know if Jelly is a boy or a girl. I should preface by saying that we're calling the baby "Jelly" until he/she is born. We got tired of referring to "the baby"...so we came up with a name...temporary of course.

So we love to hear predictions...please let us in on your thoughts if you have a guess! Little Eric is SURE it is a boy...Gracie is POSITIVE it is a girl. I'm afraid someone is going to really disappointed next week...who will it be???
Anyway, we're really excited to find out so we can start buying things that aren't in the gender neutral section. Of course we'll keep everyone posted.

This weekend we're going to Des Moines, Iowa. Eric and Cynthia are moving to the Chicago-area not too long from now so it might be the last time we go for a long while. We'll be attending a dinner reception in Eric's honor this evening and just visiting for the rest. It should be enjoyable.

Hope everyone's weekend is wonderful!

16 weeks today. The bump has begun to show.

This will be a post of BIG news...this is your warning.

First of all...WE MOVED! Yes, we finally moved into our house on May 19 and as you all might suspect that was a serious endeavor. Cleaning, deliveries, and chores in general have taken up most of our time. A week later, things are put away and pictures are on the walls, so we have a few moments to breathe. Patti is loving her "kittytainment center", all the windows, and adjusted to the new environment quite well. As you can see here, Link likes the linen closet.

We got to plant some flowers in OUR yard and wash our cars in OUR driveway this weekend. It was liberating...no more apartment living for us! On that note, the guest bedroom is ready and waiting for visitors. Have I thrown around enough hints about this yet???

So...here's our second bit of BIG NEWS! Andrew and I are having a baby! We're due November 13. We decided to start a family at the beginning of this year and about 2 weeks after we closed on the house, we found out we were pregnant! Good timing? Right now we are at 16 weeks...with 24 to go! Our first trimester was as pleasant as you could hope for. I didn't have any morning sickness and other than being highly emotional and more tired than usual...nothing unbearable. We're in our second trimester now and I crave fruit and lots of it...as well as Taco Bell. I try to keep that one to a minimum though. We've started some pre-natal yoga classes and they are great! We had an ultrasound from the doctor in week 13...this is what we saw. I added a few little "cheats" to the picture so you all could see what things are.It was unreal to be able to see this little one moving around in there; of course he/she is still too small to feel anything. We saw and heard the heartbeat, 152 bpm, and the doctor said so far this baby gets an A+. Our next appointment is June 16 and then we'll find out if it is a boy or a girl. I have given up on non-maternity pants as my belly is starting to show a bit of a bump. Some day I do my hair, we'll take a picture and post it. We could not be more excited about the expected addition to our family. We'll keep you all aprised on the goings-on as they come about.

Didn't I say this was going to be a big year for the KC Witherspoons?