Sunday, February 22, 2009

Houston, we have a kicker

This past Wednesday marked 18 weeks for our little Mustard Seed but this week also proved that Baby Wogs is bigger than a mustard seed! While going to bed one night, I felt a tap..tap..tapping going on. Not sure what to make of it, I kept hoping and asking myself "Was that the baby??" Right as I was about to doze off, in the exact same place, with the exact same pressure, the tapping returned. Almost every night since, right as I am getting ready to fall asleep, Baby Wogs reminds me that he/she is ready to play. This new development makes me eager to go to bed every night! :)

Speaking of going to sleep, we are sleeping much more soundly now. Last weekend we had it with our old bed. When we first got married, we found a king bed at an extremely cheap price and thought we couldn't pass up the deal. Well, we got what we paid for, and that was two and a half years of less than quality sleep. For anyone who has been pregnant before, you know that sleep does not come easily. Top that with a cheap mattress that squeaks at every move, it is not a good situation. Saturday we decided it was time for a new bed. We went to LOOK at Homemakers and came home with an entire bedroom set, which we had never had before, a new mattress set and a renewed sense of hope for a good night's sleep.

Our new room was delivered yesterday and with that, Matt decided we needed new wood blinds and a few other updates. We slept SO well last night and baby was thankful too! While we spent a little more than we ever would want to on ourselves, we decided it was now or never...soon enough, Baby Wogs will be running the checkbook.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

17 weeks!

Tomorrow marks 17 weeks for us! It seems that in just the last two weeks, my “baby bump” has gone from nearly unnoticeable to pretty much un-hide-able! :) I went through my closet last weekend to see what I could still get away with wearing and the results were sad. I took out two entire Rubbermade totes worth of clothes that don’t stand a chance of fitting this body until at least August. Well, ok, maybe they could fit, but you wouldn’t want to see them fit!

Matt and I have decided to have a doula help us during delivery so I am starting to do some initial interviewing of potential doulas. If you haven’t heard of a doula before, don’t worry, it is a relatively new trend. A doula is almost a mix between a midwife and a birthing coach. The doula won’t do any of the medical procedures but will be there solely to provide physical, emotional and mental support to Matt and me. Doulas are trained in massage and different birthing techniques so they can advocate for trying different options before asking for pain meds. What I personally really like about having a doula is that she will be able to give Matt a break if he needs to get something to eat, update anxiously awaiting family members or just needs to leave the room for a while. I think that will allow for a little less stress for all of us. Less stress in my world = a much happier world for EVERYONE! If you've never seen me completely stressed out, consider yourself to be very blessed and lucky :)

I have been told at 17 weeks, the baby can start hearing sounds, so bring on the belly headphones and Michael W. Smith cds. If anyone has suggestions of good baby music, let me know. We’re also going to start reading to our Mustard Seed next week, so I can finally bring back all of my favorite children books. This baby will be a genius by the time he/she makes the grand entrance into our world.

One more side note…my best friend from childhood is due today with their first son. Please say a prayer for a wonderful delivery of Baby Wyse. Jenny and Ryan will make wonderful parents!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Almost Sixteen Weeks

Wednesday marks the start of Week 16. It doesn't really seem real yet that in less than 6 months, we will have a third person living in this house! At the same time, it seems like a lot longer than 4 months that Baby Wogs has set up camp in me :)

We had a wonderful trip back to Harvard this past weekend, one on which I finally broke down and started wearing maternity jeans for. I figured they'd be a lot more comfortable on a 5 hour car ride than my old ones. I loved them so much that I wore maternity jeans all weekend. Somehow, my body must have known that I had made the switch for the weekend because I now have stretch marks..everywhere! My mom warned me that your tendency to get stretch marks is hereditary and therefore, I need to look out... GREAT!

And if that wasn't enough for the weekend, how about we throw in my sappy emotions that also seemed to present themselves! We were in Rockford and as soon as my parents left, I started bawling. What's up with that?? We get home turn on the Superbowl and I started tearing up at the Budweiser clydesdale commercial. I was warned that these tears would come..but geeze.. a clydesdale commercial? What a fun 6 months is left to come :)

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Babymoon

Matt and I have come to two conclusions: First, we are spoiled. We have been spoiled by having friends who have condos in wonderful places like Hawaii and Florida that we have been able to retreat to over the past 5 years. Second, We realize that our tropical excursions are probably going to come to an end in the next few years. Something about having a child makes you find other ways to spend your money on diapers and such, instead of the perfect swimsuit to wear on the beach. It's all worth it :)

Because we are just not quite ready to let go of our tropical retreats just yet, we have decided to take one last trip this Spring, which many call a "Babymoon." Along with our previous flights all over the place have come frequent flyer miles which has caused for us both to receive free flights coming up. So, we are looking at going a cruise..possibly to Mexico. With the hit the tourist industry has also faced, we have found amazingly priced cruises which makes it all the more intriguing. Does anyone else have other fun ideas? We are up for anything....bed and breakfasts, cottages, cabins, etc...the only requirements are that it has to be in March, somewhere above 70 degrees and with water. That shouldn't be too hard...right ? Any thoughts?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Daddy's Third Post

It's hard to imagine loving something so much that we have yet to see. That's exactly what is happening with Baby Wogs right now. We talk about Baby Wogs all the time and baby is already a big part of our lives, it's mind blowing.

I am also thinking about parenting responsibilities. There is always some doubt in your own abilities isn't there? Will I be able to provide all the resources our family needs? Will I be a good dad as our child grows and be able to teach them, be patient with them, and yes even learn from them and my mistakes?

Maybe that's my first mistake, it's not me and my, it's we and ours. Tiff and I are in this parenting role together not as individuals. I don't remember many times when either of my parents were disappointed at any of us kids and I hope we can be the same. My parents were pretty damn good to us; I don't remember really needing anything growing up. I just wish my dad was here to celebrate with my mom in our excitement but God had other plans for him. I guess maybe the best way for me to show my gratitude for having a great father is to try to be one myself.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Daddy's Second Post

It is the beginning of week 14 and the start of the second trimester. I am sure the other 26 weeks will go by very quickly and before we even know it Baby Wogs will be here and boy oh girl our lives will change forever in an unbelieveably AWESOME way. It's been so exciting to tell family and friends to see their reactions and for them to share in our excitement.

We've been praying for Baby Wogs for quite some time...before we knew we were pregnant. We pray for all of our family and friends daily and we ask that you continue to pray for all of us too. Never underestimate the power of Gods love and prayers in all of our lives.

-Love Matt

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Welcome Second Trimester!

According to most books, and my incredibly wise doctor, I have made it to my second trimester! Some sources say that it isn't until you reach week 14 that you can really celebrate, but I figure I'll just celebrate twice.

For those of you who are inquiring as to where my "belly pictures" are, sorry, you'll have to wait a few more weeks. Even I really can't decipher my true baby bump from well, all of my usual bumps :) Is it weird to hope that I do start showing in the next month or so? Keep watching and waiting..someday, it just may appear.

If any of you are particularly creative, we could use a lot of help with the nursery. For those of you who have been to our house before and have seen the "red room" also known as our office, that is going to be the nursery. Matt really liked the idea of having an ABC theme and I really like the idea of having a Noah's Ark theme. Thanks be to Target, they had one that combined both!! So, now at least we know a theme for the room but don't like the wall art or the border that goes with it. So, here is my call for proposals (nice continuing ed lingo, eh?) Does anyone have any suggestions for a red nursery with the above mentioned theme? You can see what we think we are going with here: http://www.target.com/CoCaLo-Alphabet-Soup-Collection/dp/B000EOM5IC