The Beginnings of His Nursery!

I have SO been anticipating this post! Little boy has been becoming more and more tangible to me each day as this pregnancy progresses! I know I have felt some little flutters and as I work my way closer to 20-22 weeks, I know they will only become more and more obvious. I so look forward to those flutters. I wish they happened more often!

Anyways, Nick and I got the urge this weekend to move the rooms around and clear space for the baby's nursery! We basically had one bedroom that was filled with a queen sized bed and 2 dressers ... not to mention this room also stored ALL baby gifts received from the last post, a baby swing, all baby cards I've received, baby clothes, blankets etc. The other room (The office) had a full sized desk, bookshelf and sofa table. In our garage sat a beautiful antique cider oak dresser as well as a rocking chair that needed to be moved into the baby's room ASAP! We received these items as a gift from one of mine and my mom's dear friends. It was such a blessing. You will see pictures shortly. Luckily, my parents were willing to head over and help with the heavy lifting. We knocked it ALL out in about 1 hour! I was SO excited! The nursery is pretty bare without a crib and a changing table, but all in due time! We have a shelf that needs stained to match the furniture, but that shouldn't be a problem either. Here are some pictures of the room from different angles!

This is the wonderful cider oak dresser. The top 2 drawers have these awesome dividers for socks/underwear/diapers/anything else miscellaneous that needs to fit! This is also the rocking chair we were gifted. My mom will be making a seat cushion once we find appropriate fabric and paint colors!

This is the bookshelf that we need to stain and then eventually hang on one of the walls. Not sure which one quite yet! The swing we were also gifted from another one of my friends! SO THANKFUL FOR SUCH GENEROUS FRIENDS!

 This area will be designated for the crib, but for now it is storage space for shower gifts, un-hung said shelf, and diaper basket!

I should have snapped some photos of the new and improved office/bedroom. As strange as it sounds, I like that bedroom better with more furniture crammed in there! Sounds crazy.. but... maybe I am! It's just so much fun to walk by this room, or walk out of my bedroom and glance across to the beginnings of this baby's room. It is finally SO REAL.

On Sunday, my Mom and I went to Buy Buy Baby to create my registry. I doubt any of you really want to view it, but if you do, there's the link! That was way too much fun! I doubt I'll get even half of what I asked for, but it was just fun to get everything that I want on one list! The store sent me home with a goody bag full of fun magazines to read, baby products to try, a bottle, another pacifier. I love those freebies! After that, I had to run some clothes to Plato's Closet and Goodwill and I truly think I lifted too much. I am regretting the manual labor and pray that this boy is still 100% safe inside of me! My last stop for the day was A Pea in the Pod. I scored 4 new work tops, 2 tanks, and a $75 dress for $66 thanks to gift cards, coupons, and cash from the Plato's Closet donations! I was pretty excited about my purchase! Hopefully I can be done for awhile, but lets be honest.. I will need a new wardrobe in time for fall :)

Many of you (or not many of you) have asked/wondered if we have names picked out. The answer is, we are still brainstorming. Right now we have three that are sticking around. Gavin. Brady. Colton. None of them are more likely than the others at this point. Well, actually, I'd like to eliminate Colton, but Nick is still hanging onto that one! In 2 weeks we go to our next ultrasound. This will be Nick's first time to see the little man in action! I can't wait to watch NICK watch the screen. It's just too amazing for words or still shots! Anyways, I'm hoping maybe after seeing the little fellow again, it may help us nail down a name that we want to call him! I'd love to decide soon so that I can start praying for him by name and talking to him by name!

Not much else to report. I am feeling well. I've been able to keep up my running/jogging. I can do about 3-4 miles at 5.5mph right now. We will see how I do at the Peachtree next week! Not counting on record breaking time by any means! Here is the latest bump photo! (18 weeks)

Our First SURPRISE Baby Shower!

I would like to warn the weary readers- this post is FULL of pictures. I couldn't stop myself. I had the BEST baby shower EVER given to me by my whole extended family. Nick and I were blown away by the planning, effort, and thoughtfulness that went into this. First, lets rewind a bit here.

As many already know, we were at the beach for vacation with my Mom's entire side of the family. Significant others, children, etc. NO ONE was missing! It hasn't happened in probably 10 years! And I am already in a mild state of depression without them still with me. We enjoyed long days at the beach, good food, games, ice cream, desserts, you name it! I was looking pretty pregnant in my bathing suit. I didn't allow many side shots while in the bikini this trip!

Anyways, on Saturday, my Aunt invited us over to her house they were renting for breakfast. It seemed totally normal since it was going to be our last morning together and we hadn't been to their house yet. Unbeknownst to me ... a surprise shower was in order! When we walked in, the whole family yelled SURPRISE and the house was decorated FULL FLEDGED for the shower.

A Diaper Cake was Front and Center on the Food Table.

The Wonderful Shower Planners and Food Spread

I'm sorry, but I had to get a picture of the plates and napkins!

Last, but not least, Nick and I were given sashes that said MOM TO BE and DAD TO BE. and there were cute little monkeys hanging around the house!

After eating some breakfast and having some Mimosas (mine was virgin of course!) we got to move onto my PERSONAL FAVORITE: Shower Games!

The first game they had planned was the coolest idea EVER. They took EVERYONE'S baby pictures and made a handout. You had to guess who was who as a baby. I did AWFUL. Couldn't even find myself in the mix. Nick, however, WON THE PRIZE for guessing the most right! 

Next, we played the baby food testing game. I came in second place on that one. I love baby food!! I got all the "doubles" right which I was very proud of! (Strawberry Banana and Apples and Apricots). YES MA'AM!

Next came the gift opening. We were blessed beyond belief with great gifts for this baby boy! I cannot even express how much joy came from opening gifts for my own child to be! Here are some highlights:

Baby play mat: Ocean Themed. There is even a little stuffed whale to help the baby practice Tummy Time! Love it! This gift brought to us by Mom and Dad (Grammy and Grandpa)

This awesome gift pictured below is a baby bottle drainer/spinner. My cousins Megan and Josh got this one for us and I am STOKED to use it. I can hardly wait 5 months to get some bottles going on it! It drains RIGHT into your sink!!

This is a homemade fleecy blanket for baby boy. My sister-in-law is a woman of MANY gifts. She has made me sugar scrub from scratch. She has made me a beautiful butterfly art picture frame from scratch. And now this sweet baby blanket. I can't wait to see this boy all snuggled up in this soft sea of blues and greens!

This may turn into the best thing since sliced bread. It is a portable sleeper/rocker/seat for baby. It can fold up and be carried EASILY when mommy needs to move it. Once it snaps open, it can rock, you can buckle baby in, its on an incline so baby can see whats going on. Oh its just delightful. I already set it up. Actually, it was set up within the first 10 minutes of unpacking from vacation. No lie. You can ask my husband!

This is the bathtub for baby boy! It's in the shape of a whale. Alex and Leslie bought us this along with a cute little Rubber Ducky that tells you if the water is too hot for the baby!

Not pictured are adorable sets of clothes, story books, gift cards to Target (WOOT!), and pacifiers! Not to mention the stash of newborn diapers when you disassemble the cake!

I truly could not have asked for a better first baby shower. I was so worried my family wouldn't be able to make it down for one this summer (if I even had one!) It was just the best feeling to know that this baby is already so loved by this many people. They selfishly gave of their time, money, and BEACH TIME to throw this wonderful baby shower! 

On another note, I realized this week how much we love Daddy. I went to the beach solo because Nick has minimal vacation time due to his recent job change. At first I thought to myself it would be a breeze because I would be surrounded by family. And it was fun to be with family, don't get me wrong, but there was just something missing until he flew in on Friday. We missed him more than expected! Once we got home last night, while laying in bed, this little baby did some significant moves inside of me and it was a wonderful feeling. I look forward to the next ones and I REALLY look forward to when Nick can feel what I am feeling from the outside. We have another ultrasound on July 11th and I am hoping Nick can come. There is just NOTHING like watching that baby move in front of your eyes!

That's all for now. Just truly enjoying the memories and warmth of family and the unconditional love that comes from them. Can't wait for this boy to feel the same love I've felt my whole life!

Last- my Mom sent me a verse that she thought would be a good one to add to the mix of baby verses. It comes from Psalm 78. I have included verses 1-8 below, but it instructs us on how to raise and foster the generations to come after us and what our responsibility is to them:

¹ My people, hear my teaching;
   listen to the words of my mouth.
² I will open my mouth with a parable;
   I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
³ things we have heard and known,
   things our ancestors have told us.
⁴ We will not hide them from their descendants;
   we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
   his power, and the wonders he has done.
⁵ He decreed statutes for Jacob
   and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
   to teach their children,
⁶ so the next generation would know them,
   even the children yet to be born,
   and they in turn would tell their children.
⁷ Then they would put their trust in God
   and would not forget his deeds
   but would keep his commands.
⁸ They would not be like their ancestors—
   a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
   whose spirits were not faithful to him.

THE CAKE REVEAL!

Well, for those who haven't heard yet, we are indeed having a little boy in November. We were able to get an ultrasound from one of my mom's friends who works at the Hope Center in Woodstock, Ga. First of all, that is the neatest facility/ministry and I hope one day I could volunteer at a center like that. They have a little baby store next door where they sell gently used baby items. I got the two outfits below for only $4 total!

Anyways, back to the task at hand! The Ultrasound was the most amazing and miraculous experience of my life so far. I realize all of that will change come November! This little boy moved NON-STOP. He arched his back. He had the hiccups. He turned towards the ultrasound wand, and then turned his back to us. He sucked his thumb. He smiled. He went from all curled up in a little ball to stretching completely out. I could see arms and hands with 5 fingers. I could see knees, legs, and feet. I could see a little baby belly in there already. I realize he is so tiny still, but he looks so big on that screen! The strangest of all was the fact that I couldn't feel any of his movements. I know I will soon enough, but, oh how I wish I could already. After the ultrasound, my mom's friend prayed over me and our son and she said something that has stuck with me from that moment on. She talked about my womb being the "Holy of Holies" right now. Only God is doing the work inside of me to grow this baby and knit him together as he promises in Psalms. It is a holy place indeed and how could God be any closer to this baby than when He is actually creating him? It's an incredible thought.

Well, as a boy would, this one chose to expose himself, no questions asked. I guess it was an answer to prayer for many. It was my prayer to find out what gender this baby was so that we could have a big cake reveal party with my whole family. It was my cousin's prayer as well, however said quite hilariously. (See comments on previous post). Nick could not have been happier when I told him the news. I showed him those 2 outfits the night after I found out. He is happy to know that we have secured the family name already on baby #1! I must say, I am most nervous about telling Jackson. He has called Fenwick a girl all along. I'm not sure he will fully understand that I am having a boy until he sees for himself in 5 months!

Here is a picture of the reveal cake. The inside frosting between the cake layers was blue.

This was such a fun idea. I do indeed plan to do this with all my children. It's so unique and so different from anything else I've ever seen or heard done before! Thank you to everyone who has patiently waited to hear the announcement! And thank you to everyone who has shared in the excitement of this baby! We are so grateful for all of you! I have added a link to the cake reveal video below if you would like some entertainment!

Cake Reveal Video

15 Weeks and an Ultrasound on Wednesday!

Well hello again!

I find myself writing this quite later in the day/evening than usual. Work has been unbelievably busy and crazy and time just does not allow for much else. Answering emails consumes my spare time! Oh the joys of small businesses! I wonder what all of this will look like in about 5 months... hmmm!

Anyways! We are 15 weeks 3 days along now and heading for an Ultrasound this Wednesday! If this baby is laying in obvious ways, we should know whether to expect a boy or a girl! I probably won't post anything until our 17 week appointment .. JUST to be safe, but I sure cannot wait until I hear the news! I so look forward to adding colored beads to my Pandora bracelet depending on what gender baby we have!

Unfortunately, I don't have too much news. Oh wait.. I gained 3 pounds .. no comment. No movement still. However, the bump sure has popped out a good bit since last week. There is no "hiding it" in bigger clothes. It sticks right out. Can't imagine what I may look like by the end.. yikes! I did have an extended birthday celebration thanks to the Yastros/Penrods! I got more gifts when we went up to Cumming this weekend to visit family! Always fun to drag those big events out, in my opinion! My biggest motivator to get through this week is the fact that we are leaving for the beach Friday for almost a 10-day stay! Will ALL my mom's side of the family. It doesn't get much better than that! It used to be a tradition but had gotten lost over our college years (The kids that is). So glad its back. Family beach trips are the best and sweetest of all memories! I can't wait for us to take our own kids on these kinds of trips!

So, verse of the week is Isaiah 40:31

But those who (chose your word depending on translation: hope, trust, wait) in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I so love this verse. Its always been a favorite. I pray that our child will wait, hope, and trust just as this verse describes and truly renew their strength in their Heavenly Father. This life verse is going to be tougher than I had originally thought! If anyone has opinions, leave your comments please!

This is short and sweet, but.. I've been on a computer all day and I'm basically OVER IT. Who knows, perhaps another post later this week if things are extremely obvious...! If nothing else, PICTURES!