Without Further Ado...

I've been sick this week and have been holed up at home which is no fun but I finally found a way to get a couple of the 4D ultrasound videos uploaded (I think). I ended up recording the video using my camcorder and uploaded them since I couldn't figure out how to get the actual clips off the DVD. Therefore, the quality is not the greatest.

I could watch these all day but I'm sure it's because I'm the Mommy. Because you are not the Mommy, I've included two videos...one is a short version (under 1.5 minutes) and one is a long version (little over 4 minutes). You can take your pick as to which to watch depending on how much time you have. Make sure you pause the blog music because it'll interfere with the video music.

Hope you enjoy watching our little angel!

Seeing Pink

Well, I have been working away on Brinley Marie's nursery and it's slowly coming together...in all its cuteness. Here are a couple pics of the decorations I have created.

First up is a cross I painted at a local pottery place.

Next, there is a vase I painted at the same pottery place so I'd have a cute way to display her flower clips. 

I think these clips are SUPER C-U-T-E.

Last, here are some metal cans I wrapped in the border that matches her bedding to make them perfect for displaying flowers.

I just love how it's all turning out. I've also painted letters that spell out her name to hang on the wall and have a couple other things I want to do as well. Once it's all done, I'll share more pictures.

In closing, here's a current picture of me and Brinley. It was taken at 31 weeks 3 days.

It's amazing to me how much I love my pregnant body but I do...I love it...but not as much as I love what is growing inside.

30 Weeks

Earlier this week I officially hit the 30 week mark. Last night, we had our last elective 3D/4D ultrasound appointment and it was nothing short of AMAZING! I'm constantly amazed at how adorable she is with "cooking time" still left. Her cheeks are so cute and puffy already that I'm wondering where another 10 weeks of plumping is going to go!

Anyway, here's a slideshow of some of the highlights of last night.

I'm trying to figure out how to get the videos of the appointments uploaded so you all can see her in action. I'll have to play with it this weekend to see if I can figure it out. The photos are amazing but the video is even better! We are so blessed!!!

Baby Showers

The first weekend of February we were so blessed to have two showers thrown for us in Texas. On Saturday we had a nursery rhyme themed shower in Dallas with my Mom's side of the family and our Dallas friends. On Sunday we had a Superbowl themed shower in Brownwood with my Dad's side, Brad's family and our Brownwood friends.

At both showers we announced we're having a...

GIRL!!!

I figured the best way to share the news would be Texas Tech inspired outfit...complete with a red and black tutu because every little girl needs *at least* one tutu.

We really enjoyed the time with everyone and got a lot of gifts for our coming daughter. A thank you to the hostesses of both showers is an understatement. We really appreciate your thoughtfulness as well as the thoughtfulness of all who gave gifts. Below are some pictures from both showers.

Did I mention we're having a GIRL?!?!

Dallas Shower Pictures

Brownwood Shower Pictures

28 Weeks & Loving It

I love being pregnant! Our little one is growing and so am I and honestly, I love my growing tummy. How big of a tummy is it? Here is what I look like these days.

I'm still feeling great and our little one is getting stronger and stronger by the day. How do I know, you ask? Well, the visible jumping and bouncing of my tummy throughout the day is one way I know. Also, every little movement our baby makes is noticeable now and Future Dad has enjoyed feeling the movement from the outside. I'd love to trade places with him (only for a couple minutes) so he could feel the kicks, punches, jumps and movements as it's truly an amazing feeling. I wouldn't trade places permanently though...it's too cool of an experience. Have I mentioned I love being pregnant?

January

Monday was the day for our monthly check-up. One more, next month, and we go to bi-weekly appointments. It makes me feel like the end of the pregnancy is approaching and I couldn't be more excited. I can't wait to meet our little one!

The check-up was largely routine. First, the nurse took my weight. I'm still 5 pounds below my starting weight even though my stomach would make you think otherwise. Then she took my blood pressure which was good. Next they took some blood for the glucose test to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes. I drank an orange drink that is the sweetest thing I've ever consumed before the appointment so they could complete the test. They said it would take 1 day to get the results and no news is good news. It's been 2 days and I haven't heard a peep from the doctor's office so the news is clearly good news.

The doctor then came in and asked me about our little one's movement. I let him know the baby moves all the time. Then he measured my stomach and it was good so we listened to the sweet heartbeat which never gets old. Then we took some time to discuss some of our preferences as to how we'd like the delivery to play out to make sure he didn't have any major issues. I'm planning a natural birth so there's some things that are very important to me during the birthing time. He seemed to have no issue with any of it. He's pretty cool so I wasn't too shocked that he had no issue being on board with everything we discussed. I am working on a birth plan (for the labor and delivery) and a baby plan (for how the baby is tended to while we're in the hospital) and hope to have it all completed soon.

The most shocking thing we've dealt with lately is finding day care. We knew it would be expensive but it's way more than we anticipated. Apparently MO daycares feel like they are worth more than VA and TX daycares because I almost had a heart attack when I started getting their rates via email. I was also amazed how many places don't have an opening until September or later. Seeing as how our little one is expected in late April, we figure sometime in August is when I will return to work if I stay home for 3 months. We realized we better get serious if we wanted to find a good place for our baby so we took off Monday and went to visit/interview a few. We found one we love more than all the others and they (thankfully) have an opening. They are super close to the house and also very accomodating with some of our desires such as cloth diapering, homemade baby food, etc. so we are happy with the outcome.

We have another elective 3D/4D ultrasound in a few weeks. I will be sure to post pics so check back. Until then, I will be enjoying the feeling of our sweet baby moving all around in my belly. I already love this child beyond words and we're so blessed to be the parents of what will, undoubtedly, be the sweetest little baby.

25 Weeks in 3D

Tonight we had one of our elective ultrasound appointments and our little babe felt like we should see arms and hands so the face was covered most of the time. However, the ultrasound technician was able to get a few shots in when an arm would move a little. The orange tint photos are 3D images and the black/white images are 2D. We were quite surprised to see such full lips on our little one...maybe it's because the rest of the face hasn't plumped up yet. Anyway, we hope you enjoy the pics of the little angel growing in my belly. We think they are super sweet!