Making Room for Baby

From the time I found out we were having a little girl, I've been ruminating over how her room should look and feel. I wanted it definitely to be a welcoming place to a little girl but not overly so. I didn't want a theme per se, but I wanted the room to be classic, something that could grow with her. When I found the Daniella by Cocalo bedding I was completely sold and in fact, borrowed....ok, stole their design aesthetic. For me, it encompasses everything that I want for Olivia's nursery. I think she will love it too. Here are a select few progression pics.

Simone (my designer friend) doing some prep work

Making progress



On to the next layer of paint.....a true pink



The chocolate stripe is done, now she measures for accuracy before hanging the letters



Which letters should we choose?




The crib goes here. Looks perfect to me!!



Every little girl should have a chandelier in her room, yes? We thought so too!



Things have progressed nicely. I can't wait to bring the crib and dresser in next!!

Stay tuned for the next pics which will be of the complete nursery!!!

<100 days to go!

I'm happy to be at 98 days and counting! Double digits definitely brings the reality home that our baby girl will be here before we know it. We're so excited!!

Above is a picture of me with two of my dear friends over the Christmas holiday visit home. I had such a good time in Sweet Home Alabama! There is no place like home. My friends are so excited for G and I as we anticipate the arrival of our sweet baby girl. Looking forward to 2010 for sure!

25wks and Christmas

We hit 25wks on Monday, Dec 21st and I can tell that Little Miss is growing a lot! Her movements are more pronounced and you can definitely now see them from the outside. I was laying in bed the other night and her movements felt so strong that I decided to take a look to see if they were visible yet from the outside, and they were! It's the weirdest/most amazing thing to see your stomach moving like that. However, in all honesty, I have been waiting for these moments.

I've kinda feel bad for G b/c he doesn't get to experience pregnancy the way that I do but if his timing is right he will soon be able to feel his daughter's karate kicks in my stomach. I love it though and wouldn't trade anything in the world for knowing that my baby is alive and thriving inside of my womb! Sometimes its hard to imagine that in about 15 weeks I'll be giving birth to our darling daughter. I feel so honored to be entrusted with such a precious little one. If God doesn't do anything thing else for me, blessing me with a healthy, happy, little girl is enough for me to ride into heaven on. Pregnancy is such an amazing emotional, spiritual, financial and physical experience. I know that no one woman has the exact same experience as the next, which makes it all the more special. But I do love to converse with other expectant mothers. Its great to talk to someone who can understand and relate to the things you're experiencing. I love talking to G about pregnancy and how good it's been to me, but sometimes I just don't think he gets how much is really taking place inside this body of mine. I'm literally, the host body for our baby until its time for her to be born and that takes a toll. More so emotionally and hormonally for me. I am flighty when it comes to the hormones. One day I want him gone and to disappear from the face of the earth, and the very next day I want to snuggle and be nothing but wrapped up in his arms of comfort. I never knew the hormonal ride could be so dramatic. I have been a drama queen and he takes it all in stride and says stuff like that he loves my expanding hips, he loves me and our baby growing in my stomach. How sweet is that? Yeah, that makes even me snap out of my tempermental evil! LOL

Christmas is in 3 days!!! I'm excited and think it's the perfect ending to a pretty great year. I mean, finding out that we were expecting was probably the best news ever so again, I could ride out on that alone. However, I always look forward to spending the Christmas holiday with my family back home in Alabama. It's not a far drive, but I rarely drive home anymore, especially now. So going home tomorrow is going to be great! My Mama and brother are excited to see how pregnant I've become since they last saw me in October. I'd say it's pretty drastic but we'll see what they think. I don't even think I was really showing when I was home. Most people didn't even believe I was pregnant, but now, oh, there's no denying that there's someone growing inside of me. I love looking pregnant and wearing maternity clothes. They are so comfortable! I haven't worn heels since this summer. Everything that I put my feet into is a flat. Even my winter boots are flat, although they come up to my knee. I just can't do that to my knees or feet b/c the last thing I'd want to do is get a little off kilter and tumble over. Not a good look. I don't have height issues so it's all good and all about comfort. I sometimes wonder if I'll ever desire to go back to my regular clothes. I mean, why on earth did we stop wearing elastic waist pants? LOL!!

Ok, I really need to get some laundry done and start packing b/c if I don't then I won't get on the road tomorrow like I've planned. I'm going to my nail spot to get the mani/pedi done today after work b/c they just don't do as good of a job back home. So that's it for me. I hope everyone has a wonderfully blessed and Merry Christmas!

24 weeks-Happy V-Day!!!

Today marks yet another milestone on my pregnancy journey. Today is my viability day. Meaning, if for some unforeseen reason, baby girl was born this week, the doctors could probably keep her alive and going until she reached her full gestational age. I know, no one wants to think of going into pre-term labor, especially me, but I'm glad to have successfully reached this threshold.

So, I had my 24 week Dr's appt today and learned that I've gained 4lbs since my 20 wk appt. I'm good with that b/c it's apart of pregnancy, that and the fact that I was fat even before pregnancy. Stretch marks and all that other stuff that some moms-to-be fret over are the furthest things from my mind. As long as my baby is getting everything that she needs, I can deal with and overcome the rest. My blood pressure was a little elevated today, something to the tune of 132/82 which that bottom number is way high for me. I normally trail in the mid 60's to low 70's. However, I'm not all that surprised b/c I was upset most of the morning trying to get it together in time for my appt. I need to stop allowing things to upset me, but that's so much easier said than done.

That incident plus the stress of ensuring that everything is in place and everyone is paid for my line sisters and I as we prepare to head to Pigeon Forge, TN to celebrate our Delta Sigma Theta Anniversary. I'm meticulous to a fault, but I really want things to go as I've planned them. I know shit happens, but I don't need it to happen this weekend. I've been working on this trip since March and now its time for implementation. The older I get the less I'm able to deal with things deviating from plan....or maybe that's just the anal Sagittarius in me. I don't know, but I'm looking forward to the bonding time with my line sisters and the fun memories we'll create the whole weekend long.

Christmas is around the corner and I haven't purchased gift the first. I just have too much going on right now. Trying to have my nursery complete by year end, this trip this weekend and the following weekend is Christmas. My plans are to drive home on Wednesday after work. We'll see how this all plays out. I'll definitely be home for Christmas. It's probably the one time a year that I can stand being with my family for 3-4 days w/o thinking, "why did I come here?" I'm honestly not even pressed about gifts. I want to get my godchildren their gifts and the adults, well, if they get anything at all, it may be after Christmas. Besides, the deals are better then anyway. Christmas is for the kids!!!

Back to baby.....excuse the scatterbrains...it's time for us to schedule our childbirth classes, hospital tour and pre-register. I mean, really, I am only 16 weeks from delivery! Where does the time go? 3rd tri starts at the end of this month and that's the home stretch. I still haven't found a dresser that we both can agree on, and I need to order my glider and the carpet in the entire house needs to be cleaned. Stuff to do!

Finally, I did have my ultrasound at the doctor's office on Dec. 2nd (22wks) and they said that everything looked good. I'm happy, and yes, she reconfirmed that she's a SHE! I was a little worried, but not really. My next appt, at 28wks is scheduled for Jan 13th which is my 97th Founder's Day!!! How awesome is that. I'll have my glucose screening at this appt, so I'm going to have to remember to eat eggs and toast w/no jelly that morning. Ugh! I better pass. I don't want to have to do the next stage of this horrid test, which is the 3-hr test which from what I've read requires fasting. Now what pregnant woman wants to fast? LOL.

I'm gone.

Give Thanks!

With so much to be thankful for, it's hard not to look forward to and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. I am truly blessed beyond measure. I have my health, strength, peace of mind, loving family and friends, and a healthy little girl developing inside of me. Happy doesn't begin to describe my Thanksgiving!

This year, we will be spending it with G's family again. It was so much fun last year and I know it will be a good time again this year. I love that his family is all here in Atlanta and all really close. My family is all concentrated in Birmingham, so they aren't thrilled that I won't be home for Thanksgiving, but I believe they've finally accepted that they will have to share "us" for the holidays. As the song goes, "I'll be home for Christmas"

Today I'm feeling good. I'm at work today, the day before Thanksgiving (blah), but I'm thankful for a great management team who are supportive and very excited about my pregnancy and impending motherhood. I do realize that it could certainly be the opposite b/c not everyone has that in an employer. I'm also hoping their benevolence will allow me to skip out of here around say....2pm so that I can go and get a manicure/pedicure. Its the little things that count the most :)

Can I just say how thrilled I am to have 4 whole days off from work. We get Thanksgiving and the day after, and of course the weekend off. It's going to be great! Sleeping in, watching movies and being boo'd up with my man is a perfect way to enjoy this time off. I didn't think I would want to engage in the Black Friday shopping until I saw the Best Buy ad and noticed that they have a HP laptop for $197 and my Dell laptop of 5 yrs died about a month ago, so there is definitely a need. Although we do have a desktop in the house, there is nothing I'd rather do less than sit in front of a computer for 8 hrs at work and then go home and have to sit in front of another desktop to take care of social needs. Nope! Give me my laptop that I can use sitting on the sofa while watching a movie, or in bed late at night when I can't sleep, or when I wake up for the 3rd time to go pee..LOL. I pray that I secure one of those laptops....

Wednesday, Dec. 2nd is my anatomy scan and another opportunity to see my little girl! This will be my first and only "official" ultrasound at my doctor's office b/c they only give you one if you're having problems or didn't' know when your last cycle was. Since she was a planned pregnancy, I knew exactly when I had my last cycle. We had an "elective" ultrasound around 17wks3d to determine sex b/c at the time Dec. 2nd seemed like eons away! I'm glad we did it b/c I've been stockpiling for her every since! She has clothes in the closet, we purchased her crib about 2 weeks ago, and I bought her bedding this past weekend. Dec. 5th her nursery will be painted to coordinate w/her bedding by my oh so fab designer friend. I'm so excited!! However, most importantly, I'm looking forward to seeing my that my baby's development is just where it should be. Oh how I pray for this little girl. I love her so much already! I invited my BFF to come to the anatomy scan w/us. She's thrilled to come. Since she's an NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) nurse I know she'll know all the questions to ask when I get caught up in the thrill of it all.

These are exciting times for us right now. I've been so consumed with pregnancy that I've almost completely neglected the fact that my birthday is in exactly 2 weeks. Dec. 9th!!! The only thing I'm sure I'll be doing is working a half day and spending the rest of my bday doing something fun. Not sure what just yet, I guess I'll see if G has anything planned since he's going to be off too. Did I mention that I love the holidays? Yep, I'm a holiday kid so naturally this time of year excites me. Our Christmas tree and decor went up last weekend. I was tired of waiting and think that waiting until after Thanksgiving is silly. My tree is a beauty to behold and after all that work I deserve to enjoy it a little longer than most people will. While most folks will be scurrying trying to get their trees purchased and up this weekend. I will be home sitting in my living room, enjoying my beautiful decorations, on my new laptop!! Score!

Happy Holidays to all!

20w2d

Today I had my 20 week appt and all was well. Baby girl gave us a really strong heartbeat of 158 bpm and she's been moving a whole lot more now, which I love. There is nothing like the peace of knowing that your baby is alive and thriving inside of you. I always wondered what it feels like to have someone inside you moving around. Well, the best way I can describe it as this stage is that it tickles mostly and honestly feels like someone is popping you from the inside. Today, she was moving so much while I was in the most boring, valueless conference today and I started to giggle a little bit. It was so cute and so on time. It's like she senses when I need to feel her. She's already reassuring me! Love it!

My cousin is coming to visit this weekend b/c like me, she's ready to shop for Miss Olivia. Shopping is fun in and of itself, but shopping for my first child and a little girl to boot, it's going to be soooo much fun and tiring. It's wonderful to have such an awesome support team. All of my family, friends, sorors, coworkers are soo happy for me. It's exciting!

Now I just need to complete her nursery before the year ends and all will be right in the world, or at least my world. I'm totally confident that this can be done. My friend Simone is doing the painting/design and all I have to do is supply the goods. I can't wait to see her little domain start to take shape. Who am I kidding, the entire house will be her domain :)

I love this little girl so much and I've yet to lay eyes on her. The fact that she's my baby, my daughter, my Olivia makes me the happiest mama-2-be ever! What a privilege and honor! Wow....God never ceases to amaze me!

19 weeks!

Today I'm amazed that I'm nearly half-way through my pregnancy. It's truly been a great pregnancy. If this is how pregnancy is going to be for me then I want to have at least 4 children. So I'm certainly expecting labor to be just a easy breezy. Now for the good news, on October 29, 2009 we had an "elective" ultrasound done at Stork Vision here in Atlanta. She was able to determine that we're having a little.....wait for it.....GIRL, it's a GIRL!!! We are soo excited! The good thing is that although we were both thoroughly convinced that we were having a son, we did pick both a girl and boy name, so now that we know we're having a girl, her name is Olivia Gabrielle! Isn't that a beautiful name! I didn't want my child to be tagged with anything fadish, but to have a name with a real meaning:

Olivia means "truthfulness, peace, dignity, beauty"
Gabrielle means "God is my strength"

A good wholesome name that we can certainly live with and I'm sure our little girl will certainly live up to. I'd be remissed if I didn't mention that I have been shopping and stocking my little girl's closet. It's so much fun! Her closet is the only thing in her room that's taking place right now. I think we've decided on furniture but we're trying to wait it out to see if we'll get a better price around the holidays. The room hasn't yet been painted b/c I haven't decided on bedding just yet. I hope to have that done by the end of the month. My friend, an interior designer, will be designing the room and I trust her to fully manifest my vision. She's good like that. My goal is to have the nursery complete by the end of the year. My own personal goal. I'm a planner by nature so I won't be waiting to the last minute to get things done. I'll start my registries around Thanksgiving so if people decide they want to get things early, they can. My friends asked me when I would like to have my shower and I told them late January. That will give is 2 full months to get whatever else we didn't get during the shower. Although we will be purchasing big ticket items ourselves, (i.e crib, changer/dresser, rocker, etc.) I know our parents will want to make a big contribution towards their first grandchild. My mom has volunteered to purchase the travel system which is easily $200in most places. Either way, our little girl will have everything she needs, plus!

Next Wednesday is my 20wk appt, which is normally when most women have their diagnostic ultrasound. During the diagnostic ultrasound the doctor will be looking at and measuring her heart, lungs, head/brain, length, arms, legs etc. This ultrasound is less about finding out the sex and more about making sure that everything is developing as it should be. That's why we elected to have one done on our own to determine the sex of our child. Besides, mine isn't scheduled until Dec. 2nd, which now doesn't seem so far away but it did especially going through Thanksgiving not knowing whether we were having a girl or boy just wasn't going to happen. Yep, We're impatient like that. Why would I want to miss out on all the holiday deals that will be rolling out? No way, Jose'!! :P

Ok, that's all I have for now. Until the next time...