The Name Game

As we approach the welcoming of our baby girl into the world, Billy and I have of course been pondering names. We've had a list of possibilities since we found out we were expecting, including: 

- Harper

- Elizabeth Grace (Ellie)

- Hayden

- Ella

- Natalie

- Adelyn

There is one name; however, that we have found that we like above all the rest, and we just keep coming back to it.

We really like:

drumroll, please....

Madelyn Grace. 

However, because she's not here yet, we just can't force ourselves to commit (although we're 99.98% sure). But, as we haven't made up our minds yet, are there any names you really like that aren't on our list? We are still open to suggestions - but don't bash our name, as we really like it!

Our Hectic Week

     This week flew by, as most do, with lots of activity. During the week, my team at school had a baby shower for me, which was so sweet. Everyone at school has been so thoughtful and supportive. Here are a few pics: 

   

     How fun! I know I shouldn't be, but I'm somehow still in shock that I'm actually having BABY showers..wow. That means that baby's arrival is right around the corner. 

     We also had to take Sophie BACK to the vet this week. Poor thing, she just isn't doing any better. To the vet 3 times in the last 2 weeks. Last week we took her to get groomed, and she looks likes this now: 

     I think she's feeling A LOT better, although she's not enjoying the FOUR medications we have to administer to her every day. Ugh, there has to be an easier way to give a cat a pill! 

     On Friday, I had a few people over for a Thirty-One party, which was so nice. I always have to reign myself in on buying too much at these parties - everything is so cute! Mom brought over the table she refinished for me this week, which was a nice treat, because it was on our To-Do list. So...I got to cross something off the list! (and I didn't even have to do the work myself!) How nice! I wish I had Before and After pics of the table. Before it was a light honey pine color, and afterwards, it looks like this: 

 

     This is not the best picture, but the table has new hardware and a new mahogany finish. Thanks, Mom! Our new lamps and mirror from Home Goods (love that place!) look great on the table as well.

     Finally, last night, Billy and I went out for a rare treat - a date night. Even though we swore when we got married we would do it every week, and I think all couples should, it's hard to actually do it on a weekly basis, especially with Billy's schedule the way it is. Anywho, we had a real rousing date night in downtown Powhatan, which consists of about 4 buildings on a little street. We had a country style buffet dinner while listening to a blue grass band, followed by ice cream cones at the local creamery, which was just so cute, it made me wish we could own a little place like this:

   ....Quite a difference from our usual date nights in Charlotte, which consisted of pitchers of beer and fried pickles at a local bar, or wine and sushi at a wine bar, but we're adjusting. 

     We finished up the night with an action packed movie, "Battleship". I think baby girl was just as amused with the action as I was - she was so active the entire movie! Her kicks, punches, and jabs sure added excitement to my viewing experience. 


    With the start of my 27th week approaching tomorrow, it won't be too long now (a week) before I'm into my third trimester - so hard to believe! We've just gotta hold on for the ride. 

Happy Mother's Day

"There are two lasting bequests mothers give to their children: one is roots, the other is wings."

    As I'm about to embark on the journey of motherhood, I find myself reflecting this Mother's Day weekend about how grateful I am to have been blessed with the mother I was given, as she is truly heaven sent. I (HOPE) she knows how much she means to me, and I think she does, but my mom is my go-to for any and every challenge I've faced in my 29 years. She has been a confidant, counselor, care-taker, sounding board, and my best friend. She knows my thoughts and fears before I can state them aloud - I am cut from her mold. 

   I look up to my mom so much and value her opinion, as all children do, so much so that  at times I've struggled to make my own decisions and choices, but I believe she's taught me well. The things I've learned to appreciate most about my mother include: her selflessness to her family, always giving even when there was nothing left to give,  her faith, her spirit, her determination, her perseverance, her knowledge...the list goes on and on. Her own happiness is  dependent upon seeing her family happy.

      Even in the face of being diagnosed with the chronic condition of Lupus and dealing with the exhausting side effects for years, she has never let it slow her down. She pushes on and lives her life to the fullest in spite of how she may be feeling on the inside. She has made countless sacrifices willingly because she's just that kind of a mother. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and never holds back her love for family and friends. She is my inspiration.

     

    This Mother's Day I just want my mom to know that when I become a mother in a few short months, I will be trying every day to fill her giant shoes and give my little girl the love, devotion, faith, hope, opportunities, and best possible life, as she gave me. It is a tall order, but I know that she will be by my side, helping me every step of the way, as she's done my entire life.  When I found out I was expecting, I secretly wished to have a daughter in hopes that we would be able to have the relationship shared by my mother and I. I will strive every day to be half the mom she's been to me.

    

    Of course, I am also blessed to have three other WONDERFUL mothers in my life as well that deserve to be celebrated- my awe-inspiring Nanny, my devoted Mema, and my beautifully spirited mother-in-law.

    Nanny - you have left a lasting legacy not only through your beautiful family, but also your beautiful words. You were such a huge part of my life growing up and I thank you for that support you've always given, even now. Your love means the world to me, and I'll forever cherish our memories together of writing, shopping, reading, etc. You are so so so special to me. I love you always and forever.

    Mema - you've raised five beautiful children and loved beyond limits. You are a beautiful, faithful, strong, inspirational woman and you are so loved!

   To my wonderful mother-in-law, Pam: You are so strong and kind. You always think of others and want the best for your family. You have welcomed me into your family with open, loving arms, and I thank you for embracing me. You raised an amazing man who I am so lucky to have married. Thank you for everything you do. Love you!

I hope you are able to spend some time with your fabulous mothers this weekend! To all those mothers out there - THANK YOU and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

25 Week Ultrasound

     I was in much better spirits heading in to see the specialist today for our ultrasound as opposed to four weeks ago. The mood in the room was so much lighter and the tech actually explained all the measurements she was taking as she went. 

There she is!

    The best part is watching the baby in 4D on the monitor. This week we could definitely tell that she is filling out in her body and face with that scrumptious baby fat we can't wait to cuddle, pinch, and squeeze. We again concluded that she will definitely have Billy's nose, and my chubby cheeks!  We even saw her yawn and smile - adorable! BUT baby was being shy today. Although we attempted multiple times to get a good shot of her face, she was being mighty stubborn and kept her hands in front of her face the whole time. She also had her face pressed up against the placenta (you'll notice that it is directly above her head in the pictures.)

    The doctor came in after checking the baby's measurements and put our minds more at ease. The baby is weighing in at 2.1 pounds today, which puts her in the 66th percentile for her weight - above average! This means that her risk of having Trisomy 18 is reduced, because almost 100% of babies with Trisomy 18 develop underweight. 

    When we asked if the Chloroid Plexus Cysts had decreased in size on the brain, the doctor told us he was dodging our question because the size of the cysts is not what ultimately mattered - what mattered was the level of fluid on the brain. The cysts are not harmful for the baby, but the brain needs to continue to be monitored in case excess fluid develops on the brain and does not drain properly. 

     The fluid levels on the brain today and at our 21 week appointment were normal, but the doctor would like to have another ultrasound in 8 weeks, when I'll be 33 weeks along, to see if any fluid has accumulated on the brain and not drained properly. In the rare case excess fluid has developed, we can then devise a plan accordingly to help relieve and remedy that situation, but, positive thinking - we won't have to worry about this scenario! 

    So, again today, we were blessed to have great news. The two things the doctor wanted to see are developing normally: 
1. the baby is growing at a healthy rate/weight
2. the fluid levels on the brain are normal

   Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers you've sent our way. 
Much love, 
Billy & Steph

Below are the 4D pics. They are hard to make out, but look carefully and you can see her!

In this pic, she is pressing her head right against the placenta. She is holding the back of her hand up to her lips.

This one is very hard to see, but again, her hand is pressed against her lips

Just LOOK at those chubby cheeks...ahhh! Just like her momma :)

Before and After

     Today is all about before and afters. After all, we are constantly in the process of change and making over our life one day at a time. 

First, let's start with Ms. Bella. 

SO much better. You can tell she loves it, too!

Before

After

 Today we began working on painting the nursery. I pulled out my old ruined painting clothes that I hadn't put on since the Fall, when we feverishly painted half of our downstairs before moving in. I went back and found some pics of me painting:

Before

What a difference a few months makes when you're preggo!

After

  








The most important "before and after" today was the painting of the nursery, of course! 

During

I'm loving the green, but wasn't so happy with the pink. We don't have money or time to keep repainting; however, so I'm still thinking about what we can do. (I had envisioned a lighter, more subdued pink - I DID NOT want cotton candy, and that's exactly what it looks like.  

Overall, we really like it - it is a little girl's room, after all! 

 And, I think it goes great with the bedding we've picked out.

I can't wait to see more "before and after" makeovers with the nursery! Thanks mom and dad for all your help today!!! xoxo

What a day

What a day! Have you ever had one of those days when you feel as if you're running on a hamster wheel but getting nowhere? (Why is it that the majority of days feel like that!?) Well...today was one of those days. The good news is that Billy and Scott were able to move in the nursery furniture - yay!

Here is the crib in the nursery. The green paint on the walls is the color we're going with - what do you think? (The lighting is terrible in this picture)

The bad news is that Sophie the cat has not been adjusting well to our life changes, and, after trying EVERYTHING under the sun to help her be a less anxious kitty, we are going with the vet's recommendation and beginning doses of kitty Prozac immediately - I'm not even kidding - they have Prozac for cats. What is this world coming to!?

Pets are me and Billy's training for kids. Billy and I love Sophie and Bella as if they are our babies - it's a little ridiculous, actually. I'm so glad we have been through raising the cat and dog together because I know how great he is going to be as a father. 

On to Bella and her issues...one of the things I LOVE about buying our first house together is the joy that I get when I sit on our front porch and watch Bella run and play in the front yard. She is just so CUTE. 

One of the things I hate about living out here is the fact that Bella is such an adventurous tomboy and loves to go explore. Today, after five minutes of being out in the woods, she returns, looking like this:

Now, I don't know if you can truly see it in this picture, but her face and ears are covered in chiggers. And that's not all:

This little ragamuffin literally has HUNDREDS stuck all over her body. No matter how hard I tried, I haven't been able to pick them out. So, we have an emergency grooming session for her in the morning. 

As you can see, Bella agrees - it's just been one of those days!

6 months!

     Wow! So hard to believe that we are at the 6 month mark. It puts so much into perspective - like how little time we have left! (I mean, have you SEEN our to-do list!?) Here is an updated pic of me at 24 weeks - holy moly. This week I've started to become uncomfortable when trying to sleep at night. My tossing and turning has definitely increased. I've started using pillows to try and help, and eat lighter meals at night. Billy felt the baby give a nice big kick last night, the strongest one yet. Everyday I feel her more and more.

Baby Stats:

This week, my uterus has risen above the belly button and is the size of a soccer ball! (It looks like it, too!)

Length: Foot long (length of an ear of corn)

Weight: Approximately 1.4 pounds

The facial features are pretty fully formed, (she even has her eyelashes!) and she will begin growing baby fat soon. At our ultrasound next week, we should have an even better picture of what baby girl will look like (she'll be beautiful, duh!) :)

    I guess I can finally say I really look like I am pregnant when I go to the store and hear a little girl announce to her mother, "Look, Mommy! That lady looks like she has a baby in her tummy!" Although the mother was mortified, I silently chuckled inside.
     Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment, followed next week by another ultrasound. I'll keep you updated, but I'm praying everything will go smoothly!