and he has a name.....

After much deliberation, Dave & I have finally come to an agreement on a name for our precious baby boy!

We both liked the first name Cole and the middle name "Ray" to honor family on both sides, however, we didn't like the sound of them together. So, his "formal/full" name will be Colton Ray but everyone will know him as Cole! We are so excited to finally call him by his name and not just "Baby Boy". Now let's hope we don't change our mind! :)

Hurricane Irene!

Well, we survived our first Hurricane in Bridgeville! We stocked up on supplies Thursday night and were SURE we would lose power for at least a couple of days. We were "prepared for the worst, and hoping for the best" as EVERY newscaster told us! Thankfully, our power NEVER went out and there was no significant damage! We did have water coming through the bottom of our front door so Dave was on towel duty the whole night. We were GLUED to the local news station or The Weather Channel ALL DAY and most the night! We did take a few breaks to play the Wii (which we haven't touched in over a year). I also brought home an old favorite game, Mancala, from my classroom to play in case the power went out. We played a few times and Dave beat me (to my dismay) on his first time! As I write this at 7AM the "morning after", Dave is already out exploring in his truck checking on damages in the area (just like he does during the blizzards!). One plus is that he's bringing home some bacon and I'm cooking pancakes! :)

Baby Bump's First Hurricane! :)

Week 30 update

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 30 weeks (only 10 to go!!!)

Baby Stats: 

This week, baby boy is about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

**info. from www.babycenter.com**

Movement: lots of movement still, while I'm at work I don't notice him much but, I think it is just because I'm pre-occupied with the kiddos.

Sleep: some nights good, some bad

Symptoms: having some ankle/foot and hand swelling lately since I've been back to work. Mostly because I am on my feet the entire day and also because it is about 120 degrees and humid as a rainforest in my classroom! :(

What I Miss: My afternoon rest/nap time, not happening now that I'm back in school!

Best Moment of the Week: Meeting Baby Emily! Our friends Anne and Chris welcomed their second beautiful daughter on Tuesday (right before the earthquake)! We went to visit Wednesday night and she is so precious! It felt great holding her and knowing that I will have one of my very own in a few months! "Uncle Daves" also got in on the action and held her for a while too! I was shocked to see how natural he was! The last time I saw him hold a newborn was about 3 years ago and it was like he was holding an atomic bomb! This time around he was a PRO!!!!! I was basically a puddle on the floor it was so cute to see him holding her, I can't imagine how I will be when he is holding OUR SON!!

"Uncle Daves" and Baby Emily :)

ALSO, we finally decided on a name (I think!) haha. We are keeping my mom in suspense though so I will fill you in when we decide to make it public knowledge :)

28 Week Update-Welcome to the 3rd and FINAL trimester!!!!

I can't believe I am even typing the words THIRD TRIMESTER!!!! It seems as though the first 20 weeks moved soooo SLOWLY! But, now they are flying by! I go back to work this week and I can't believe I will only be there for about 2 and a half months before I go out on maternity leave! Here are the stats this week:

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 28 weeks

Baby Stats: 

This week, baby boy weighs two and a quarter pounds and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through my womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

**info. from www.babycenter.com**

Movement: getting more active and more strong! Daddy has felt a lot more movement lately and we can even see it through my shirt at times. He seems to be most active after dinner-before bed but I definitely have started to feel him throughout the day!

Sleep: ughhhhh...I've NEVER had trouble sleeping before pregnancy!! It is quite frustrating!!!

Symptoms: sometimes after the gym my back feels like it is going to break in half because of all the weight I'm carrying out front!!!

What I Miss: Zumba and Hip Hop at the gym, I hear the music every now and then when I'm on the treadmill and I can't wait to get back in those classes! I know I could probably do them now but feel like I would look and feel pretty silly and uncomfortable with a big ol' belly!

Best Moment of the Week: The whole week has been pretty great but I am really looking forward to seeing my family in Elkton this weekend when we go up for a cousin's wedding. We are also registering (FINALLY) on Sunday and hopefully picking up our nursery furniture!!!! Can't wait!


Since I go back to work this Thursday (Booooo); I finally got my act together and finished up some of my "summer projects". One of my projects was to sort all of our wonderful hand-me-downs we have been blessed with by size and get them washed!!! Here are some pics of this project :)

Once we decide on a name, I'd like to add his initials. Any other suggestions?

Filled an entire 20 quart tote with newborn-3 month clothes!! This is a pic of half of the tote.

The other half of the tote!

Not done yet, here is the 3-6 month stuff and other misc.

Don't forget about the closet!!!

 

 

 

I think it is safe to say we are set with newborn-3 months size clothes! We are very blessed and thanks to all of you who gave us hand-me-downs! I hope he isn't huge and can fit into all of it!

Amy's Baby Shower

My cousin Amy and I have always been very close friends growing up. We are only a year apart and have a lot of similar interests. I have many fond memories of Amy and I as kids: sleepovers with her and Lauren, trips to the beach, having modeling shows in the living room, singing to Ace of Base and Paula Abdul, and many other embarrassing tidbits :)

You can click on the picture to see the embarrassing old photos even larger ;)

We have remained close even though we have grown older and have made new memories as adults! That being said, it is only fitting that we would both be pregnant with little boys at the same time! When Amy called to tell me her news I had just found out that I, myself was pregnant the night before! I HAD to tell her! Months after that phone call we both found out we were having BOYS! This will be new to this side of the family...we grew up having all girl cousins! :)

Last weekend was Amy's baby shower! Because we live a few hours apart, we hadn't seen each other with belly bumps! I couldn't wait to see her and catch up. It was so great being with family and sharing that special time together. I know she will make a wonderful mother and I can't wait for our little boys to be buddies just like Amy and I!

Buddies in the making :)

Nannie with her great-grandson and great-great-grandson! :)

Week 27 Update

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 27 weeks

Baby Stats: 

This week, baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now (this blows my mind!). Any tiny rhythmic movements I feel may be a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on.

**info. from www.babycenter.com**

Movement: still unpredictable but more active first thing in the morning and at night (could be because that is when I'm the least active so I notice it more)

Sleep: still having trouble finding a comfortable position

Symptoms: sometimes have sore feet and legs at night

What I Miss: the beginning of summer, I only have a week left till I go back to work:(

Best Moment of the Week: Watching the progression of the nursery! Dave has been working SO HARD and it is looking great! It won't be long now before it is all done! I've included some pictures below. I also enjoyed my cousin Amy's baby shower, more on that and pictures to come in another post. :)

Woah! Getting big!!!!

One of the nursery walls!

Accent wall with side wall :) Looks so good with the brown carpet too!

Close up of the trim work, just need to fill in nail holes and its done! :)

Week 26 Update

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 26 weeks

Baby Stats: 

The network of nerves in baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both Dave and I's voice as we chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

**info. from www.babycenter.com**

Maternity Clothes: still in pretty much all maternity clothes, however my gym clothes are getting more and more uncomfortable

Movement: a little unpredictable

Sleep: getting harder to sleep through the night, up for the bathroom a lot and having knee, hip, and shoulder pain

Symptoms: some back pain at the end of the day (this makes me a little nervous with school starting soon)

What I Miss: sleeping through the night but I guess my body is getting me ready for the first months of being a mom!

Cravings: chocolate this week

Best Moment of the Week: Had a check-up on Tuesday, hearing the baby's heartbeat never gets old! Doc said "you have a strong, healthy baby in there" :) It was also nice that I was in and out of the office in under 25 minutes!!! Usually it is over an hour! I'm sure it will go back to a long wait time once school starts and I have to go in the evenings again!
Also, Dave started painting the nursery this week!!!Ever since we found out we were expecting, he has expressed that he wanted to do a wall of different colored squares in the nursery. It just so happens that the bedding we picked does have parts with a square pattern so this fits perfectly! He finished painting the squares tonight and is going to outline each square with trim (will look similar to the wall in the picture of the bedding). Here is a sneak peek of what we have so far:

Each color will still need one more coat after tonight :)

The other three walls will have a white chair rail with the same color blue on the bottom half of the wall. I think all of this will look great with the chocolate brown carpet that is already in the room and our white and espresso nursery furniture! I can't wait to see it all together! :)

The squares will be trimmed like the ones above the crib in this picture.