Plantin' and Paintin'!

Woot!  Wow baby, can you believe it was just a short time ago that we were at the beginning of this journey?  It seems to be going rather quickly, even though I am so anxious to see you and get you outside!

Funny how these fruit and veggie size comparisons are matching up with things on the outside right now.  Eggplants are ready to be planted!  Usually in this area we wait until after Mother's Day, but we've had a weird, funky winter and a dry and temperature fluctuating spring.  Speaking of planting... We prepped the "farm"!

it looks small, but you'd be surprised how much can grow!

We're planting tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, lettuce, carrots, another kind of beans, radishes and strawberries! Hopefully, the strawberries will get strong and we can pick them together next year! I kept telling myself to keep it simple this year and grow only a few things... I don't have as much energy as usual, work is going to be a bit hectic... I have a BABY coming! But, in the end, we borrowed a tiller from work, and because of all the hard work we put in last summer getting the weeds under control and putting the ground "to bed" for the winter, it was actually pretty easy (Daddy may not say that, but he seemed to like running the tiller A LOT!) In that box over on the right, I seeded in carrots and radishes. This week, we have the tomato, pepper and strawberry seedlings to put in and then a few days after that, we will plant the cucumber, lettuce and bean seeds.  By the time you are ready to see it, it will be overflowing with beautiful, tasty food which we will then can, sauce, pickle and freeze for winter and make into yummy baby food for you and tasty meals for Daddy and I.

I took my first "Holistic Birthing" class on Sunday; it's the first of 4 classes and  and the last one Daddy will come to so he will know what he needs to do when it's time for you to come.  There were about 9 other ladies there in various stages of pregnancy and we talked about our Momma Bodies and all the things that are happening inside as you are growing, kicking and getting yourself situated. I learned how to keep my lateral abdominal muscles in shape so I can help get you out when its time and also to help me get back in shape afterwards!

We also started painting your room this week:

your crib will be in this corner!

A cute little pond!

We have some detailing work to do, get the decals in place and then start assembling your crib and all the other fun stuff that will be your new home.  I hope you like it! So... VERY busy since we got home a little more than a week ago. It's been A LOT of work and some other things have been pushed aside... like house cleaning and school for me... not good things :(.  But, this is all important and I know in the next 3 months, I'm going to have less and less energy and time to get everything ready for you, so I'm getting as much done now as I can.  I'm sore all over, but happy.

Love you, kiddo!

23 weeks!

First, the good stuff:
Look how big you've gotten!

not only have you been getting bigger, you've been getting CUTER (how that is possible, I have no idea)!

We've been getting baby gear deliveries all week... I can't wait for you to see your new home! We already have a nice stash of clothes to dress you in, a car seat and stroller so we can take you out into nature and the world, plus adorable bath stuff! I've designed the walls of your nursery; a big tree with jungle creatures and a pond with lillypads and frogs plus a nice big sky with puffy clouds.  It's going to look so great with your new crib and all the great blankies and sheets. I'm going to have a painting party when we get back from out trip home to North Carolina! I hope you are ready for all the yummy food that you get to taste while we are down there!

YUMMMY!

Now for the not so good...
It's been a tough week, baby.  You are kicking up a storm, expecially at night so I've been having trouble sleeping.  I've also devloped some serious self-image issues that I didn't take too much notice of for a few weeks, but has since come to my attention.  When I was younger, I always felt kind of awkward and weird but I was able to project confidence to the world.  Now, I am not able to... I just want to hide away in the house and not go out in public. I'm not sure if its fear of stangers touching me and making inappropriate comments or people just looking at me and thinking whatever they are going to think.  But, it's really bothering me.  Plus, I've been a little neglectful of daddy :(

Work has been very busy also, and there have been a few snafus that I can feel my emotions getting the best of me.  I feel weak, I can't lift as much as I used to and I am out of breath after one flight of stairs.  I'm having a hard time just letting people do things for me that I was able to do myself just a short time ago. I feel tired and a lack of the energy I'm usually so full of. I'm also scared about labor and delivery.  I know that my body is built to be able to handle it, but I'm scared that something bad will happen.  You move around so much, I get scared that you will get tangled in your umbilical cord and choke, or you'll start being born the wrong direction. All taken, just been a brain monstery week.

Scary :(

However, baby I want you to know, NONE of this is your fault.  These are just my old demons being dredged up and I have to be strong and fight them back.  I want to prove I can do it, so if it comes up for you later in life, I can help you fight them too. I'm not sure why it's all coming up now, maybe so I can beat them all down and be ready for you when you come.  I'm sure everything will be fine and you will be the most beautiful, smart and amazing baby this world has ever seen. I just have to be a good mom and be strong.

baby, baby baby oh baby

Well, we certainly had a whirlwind week! Most of it was spent making sure everything was ready for the baby shower and working. You were kicking up a storm earlier in the week, but it seems you have tired of the poke, poke you kick game... I keep trying, but you don't seem interested.  We've been playing music for you, which makes you swimmy!  Friday, Daddy and I went to school and picked up a bunch of plants to give out to our friends and family to thank them for coming.  We also walked around Philadelphia putting up posters for the beer store.

Not looking my best, but Batman doesn't seem to mind

 Before we knew it Grandma Iline  and Aunts Dani and Aimee had arrived and we were off to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner. Chef Robert made us a delicious Pastrami burger, but you and I had already filled up on amazing pork belly and octopus fried rice! Apparently, all the foods we are introducing you to will help you be a good adventurous eater.

Saturday, Daddy and I were getting the final preparations for the party; he stayed up late to get the pork smoked just right, we orbdered buffalo wings and all the items Jodie and I bought were brought up to be placed out. But... we were so ready... we had lots of time left over! So, Grandma and your two Aunts and I had some time to sit and relax, we made signs for the soda and beer and soon, people starting arriving.

Baby, you are such a lucky kid... we have the BEST group of people who are so excited to meet and play with you.  Everyone commented on my pretty dress that Aunt Dani gave me (so comfy!) and how good I looked and what an awesome kid you are going to be.  Your daddy and I are so proud to have such good friends who love and support us. Oh, and we got so many amazing gifts! You are going to be the most stylin' kid!

Soon, Jodie and Erica and I will start painting your room... it'll probably take two days, but it will be really great.  I already have it planned out; big blue sky with puffy clouds and a big tree and a pond with lots of animals. Makes me want to paint something fun for Daddy and I to sleep with too!

It's mom's birthday!

Hey baby!

Just wanted to share that it's my birthday today and my greatest gift ever is you and Daddy. I hope you enjoyed the massage this morning and our new "tap tap, kick" game that we are playing.

It was a really busy week, but one of the highlights was getting to play with these guys

Baby chicks!

 aren't they adorable?  you will get to meet some chicks someday too, baby.  I also planted lots of potatoes at my friends farm and had a lot of meetings.  I'm getting pretty busy and so these posts are hard to get to sometimes, but I'm making the time now for it.

It is so beautiful outside, I wish you could see it.

our Magnolia tree

This is the first year I haven't been sick on my birthday in quite a while, so I'm quite happy about that. I hope you enjoy dinner tonight, and I'll talk to you soon.

20 Weeks!!!

It's a milestone baby!!! We are halfway there :)

You are the size of a cantaloupe!

Everything is as it should be according to the doctor, although you were pretty stubborn; curling up and turning your back on the ultrasound technician while she was trying to measure you, tsk, tsk.

That top right picture looks like you are planning something...

Anyway, the rest of this week's post is going to be pretty pictures I took during a trip to Morris Arboretum. I was playing with some filters on my digital camera, and I think they came out rather interesting. 

                

                  Cornus officinalis Japanese cornelian cherry

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood

Crocuses

Mermaid with Scarf and Mittens

 

I can't wait to take you there!

And now for the weather...

You are the size of a Mango!

A-lo-ha!

How fortuitous, because this just happens to be the week of the Philadelphia International Flower Show and the theme is Hawaii! See? Already, you are right there with the trends!



I am feeling you kick! Or rather poking at me! Especially when we play music or Daddy taps a rhythm on my stomach.  It mostly just feels like "poke, poke" but it's still reassuring, and now I can tell the difference between gas and a kick. We have another ultrasound in a week, and we cannot wait to see how much you've grown. I definitely have a "bump", but since I am still wearing jeans and sweatshirts, it's not too obvious to the general public.  Which is nice, because I am NOT looking forward to perfect strangers offering me unsolicited advice and touching me without permission!

Seriously...

Also, as you may or may not know, we bought a new (to us!) car-- a 2004 Honda Element! Perfect for hauling babies, plants, beer supplies and animals around. We are counting down to Baby Shower here with our adopted family and then the trip home, I know I will need the refresher before the Markets start up at the beginning of May... so excited about that!  I have worked out a leave of absence from work and hopefully afterwards, Daddy and I will be able to take turns taking care of you while also taking care of the brew store, the markets and all our other responsibilities! We are also still thinking up names... we've FINALLY made a list and will be whittling it down (ooh, whittling! Can't wait to teach you how to whittle, squee!)

Anyway, just a quick(ish) update on all that is happening.  I know I haven't been updating, but there isn't as much to tell the Internet world as there was in the beginning... things are just moving along at a nice, steady pace... which does not make for interesting blogging!

Update!

Last week, we spent BOO-Koos of time in a baby store looking at all the stuff we are supposed to buy for you.  Cradles and toys and books... whew!  I don't know... you seem pretty happy just floating around with skin cells and some music.  We picked out a car seat and stroller, a beautiful crib and a pack and play so when we go visit the family down south, you have your own little place to be.  We are leaning toward a jungle theme for your room... hope you like monkeys!

That's your monkey counterpart! But, your bed won't be hay... probably

 We are going to go to thrift stores and garage sales to find you some books and toys (ones that can be cleaned and are safe, course!).  The best news? I found MY baby blankie and teddy bear!  Hopefully you will love them as much as I do.  One of my co-workers is going to make you a blankie as well!  SOOOOO many people are excited to meet you!

I felt you kick the other day! We were talking about names and we came up with a really silly one... you kicked, what I can only decipher as, your disapproval. 

Grandma Iline sent us a package of home-made cookies which you seemed to like... which is great because cookies are delicious... but not too many!  Speaking of food, you seemed REALLY happy with the pho I had for lunch one day and the crab feast we had on Thursday! Yay! Pho and seafood are two of my favorite things. Grandpa Mike can teach you how to use chopsticks (he taught me AND your two Aunts!) and as soon as you can manage crab legs and all the tools you need to crack 'em, we'll be sure to take you.  There is a WORLD of yumminess awaiting you, kiddo! :)

it's YOU sized!

 That's about all that's been happening outside. I'm glad everything has been going so well.  I'm proud of how you are growing and getting your bones formed and all your parts in the right places.  We don't know if you are a boy or a girl, but it doesn't matter.  You are a special baby, and Daddy and I love you very much.  We'll see you again in a few weeks and we are excited to see what else you've managed to grow.

Plugging away

Well baby, here we are in week 17. We're just moving right along now, you are now the size of an onion! You are growing so fast!

Things have been really busy around here, the bathroom is almost finished, Daddy has been working really hard on it and it's beautiful!

Just a short note to let you know that no matter how long it's been since we've talked, I love you so much and I think about you constantly. If you need something, just give a little kick and if I can decipher it and I'm able to, I'll get it for you.

You are the size of an Avocado!

That's pretty cool, becasue I LOVE avocados (as you've probably noticed by the way I've been gulping them down!)

not quite ripe yet!

And, apparently, your ear bones are forming so you can hear me! The ear, specifically the middle ear, consists of 3 bones known as ossicles. Since the human body has 2 ears, there are a total of 6 middle ear bones.These bones function in transmitting sound waves to the inner ear.  Interestingly, ossicles are the three smallest bones in the body.

3 little bones are we!

What else?  Well, we've been talking about names.  If you are a boy, we have a name all ready for you! But, if you are a girl, we are having a bit of a harder time with it.  Not to worry, we won't let you go to school with no name, I think once we are closer to the time you are ready to see the world, we'll have it figured out.

I can't WAIT to get started on your nursery! I'm excited about spring because that means GARAGE SALES and I can't wait to see all the cool stuff I can pick up and repurpose for you.  I hope that you are into that idea, because I'm feeling like being pretty crafty.

Also, I am planning a nice little party for you in a few weeks.  All of our friends (your soon to be aunts and uncles) are going to be there, just to celebrate YOU! It's a tad early but we figured it would be okay due to how awesome it's going to be.  AND... as if that wasn't enough,  we are heading to our homestate for ANOTHER party and lots of family time soon after that! Of course, you are the major topic of conversation already but by then, all the family will be busting at the seams (it's a Southern thing, you'll see soon enough)!

Ok, baby... there's really no new news out here, other than you are now at about 14 weeks (though I think you are farther along), I've had to go up TWO holes in my belt and a lot of my pants don't fit anymore. I hope you enjoyed me playing music for you the other day. You seemed to like Tribe Called Quest, which is great because they are one of my favorite music groups. Soon, I'll introduce you to Beastie Boys!

I've been looking at all sorts of cute things for you, like your first bacon!

"I'm bacon!"

 You see, little pistachio... bacon is a wonderful food.  I'm sure you will love it.  See all that cuddly fat and yummy meat? It comes from a magical animal called a piggie and piggies make all sorts of yummy food like bacon, pork chops, pulled pork sandwiches (the bread comes from grains like wheat and flour, but that's another post) Someday, you will meet some piggies and we will make bacon :)

Plus, I've picked out some colors for your room! I hope you are doing okay in there and you are excited to see the world when you come out. I know it's going to be quite a while, but I am just so excited!!!