Okay, I must say...I wear blush, powder, and lip gloss - that's the extent of my make-up routine. Well I dropped my blush a few days ago and it shattered into a million pieces, so I have no make-up on in this pic. I did pinch my cheeks in an effort to give my face some color...just excuse the face and focus on the belly. :)
Here's a little info on what's going on this week:
She's about 11 inches long - the length of a spaghetti squash. If you're unsure what a spaghetti squash looks like (like I was), here's a pic. I can't believe there's a little person, the size of a spaghetti squash, swimming around inside my belly! I LOVE IT!
Yesterday was the first day that I was able to feel and SEE her kick. I was just laying there very still, talking to her, telling her that Daddy and I had been married for 13 years...all of the sudden she kicked and I SAW MY BELLY MOVE! Of course, I started crying. I love this baby girl so much. My heart is so full and I can't imagine when she's actually here and I'm holding her in my arms. I won't have to hand her back to someone else and leave the hospital. She'll be mine. I get to bring her home and take care of her and love her for the rest of her life. Seriously, my heart just might explode.
Father God, thank you, thank you, thank you for this precious gift!!
I've started registering for my baby showers and can I just tell you...IT'S OVERWHELMING! There are so many choices on things. I just don't know what's best. For those of you who would like to share...which bottles and baby monitor did you choose? I have a longer list of questions, but will keep it at just a couple things per post.
I'll be having three baby showers. One in August, one in September, and one in October. I'm so thankful for my friends and family that want to celebrate with us by hosting a shower. We have lots of friends and family and this will allow me to invite everyone to one of the showers. I'm paranoid about any of the showers being too large and being too much work for the hostess(es), so having three helps with that.
The crib came in Thursday and we picked it up Friday evening! It's out of the box and ready to put together. Alex has to take the queen size bed down before we can put it together. I have to get something to store that bed in - before he takes it apart. It's a nice bed and I don't want it or the mattress ruined while in storage. The crib is so heavy...very well made. Alex was pleased with my choice for that reason alone...quality is a big deal to him. Ya know, 'cause he's a guy and all. It matches the other furniture in the room perfectly and is so cute...that's a big deal to me! :) I'm going to go get a sample of the paint this week. I want to put it on the wall and stare at it for a week or so...just to make sure I like it. I'm still shopping for a rocking chair. I haven't found fabric at any of the furniture stores that I like, so it's looking like I'm going to have to use an upholsterer and find my own fabric. I did order a cute picture for the nursery and received it last week...need to find the perfect frame and I will share it with you guys!
Have I mentioned that I'm lovin' my life? :)
Love,
22 comments:
Hey Girly! Isn't it great when you can feel the baby move?!? I miss that feeling so much (even though Baby K use to kick me up under my ribs and I would stay so sore). Enjoy it..you will miss it! I opted to use the playtex insert bottles. They are so easy to make and have little clean up. And because I am a nerd and don't want to write on any of his stuff (just incase he has a sibling one day) you can label the liners with his name and date for daycare.
You are glowing--you can tell that by just reading your post. I am so happy for you girl...you just don't know :)
Sounds like you have been a busy girl! Can I just copy your registry??? ;-) I have been in Babies R Us at least a dozen times in the recent weeks and just get so overwhelmed.
You look adorable in your picture and you don't even have to wear make-up. You're just glowing! It's so exciting to hear about your first kick! Have a wonderful week!
You look amazing and happy, as usual!!! :) I am just so thrilled for all you are experiencing...isn't it just the best to see that belly move?!?!? I miss that! But I do love snuggling AK up in my arms for real!
Of course I remember you. We played many, many hours of volleyball together before we were old enough to play on the team. I am excited for you and the new arrival. We had to go to alternate avenues to conceive Noah and let me tell you it was worth it. The next two were surprises from God but I am so glad he chose to bless us more than once. A little advice on the rocking chair. Get one that has cushions on the arms and that is really comfortable. My inlaws bought us our rocking chair and I used it with all three kids. I love it. It is a neutral color so I got to continue to use it. I am enjoying reading your blog and getting caught up with what you are doing.
I'm so glad things are progressing perfectly for you. Seeing the baby move is an awesome thing. I think it's cooler than feeling it.
As far as registering, it took me a very long time (because I am anal like that), but I started by going through every baby category at the major stores in my area (WalMart, Target, and Toys R Us). So, for example, I looked at all of the baby bottles available at each store. And then I read all of the product information as far as what all came with it, and I read all of the reviews people had written. This part was huge in deciding what to get or not. For the bottles, specifically, I chose the "Breastflow" version of the First Years bottles. I chose it because it had great reviews and was supposed to be the most similar to breastfeeding, making it easier to switch back and forth. The "Soothie" version is also very highly recommended since the nipple is so similar to the pacifiers hospitals give you. But since breastfeeding is more important to me, I chose the first one.
The baby monitor I have is just one that my mom already had when she was taking care of my ailing grandma. The only thing that stuck out to me about monitors is making sure that you don't have the same one as everyone else on your block. If you do, then reception signals will get mixed up and you'll hear other people or they'll hear you. You can also decide how fancy of a monitor you want, including if you want a video screen or not. Price is the only significance I remember in that.
If you have any other specific registry questions, let me know and I'll try to help.
I hope you enjoy all three of your showers. Soak up all of the love from those around you! You've waited a long time for this miracle, and I love to see you celebrating every single day of it!
Don't you just love feeling the baby move?!?! So exciting.
About bottles... I would recommend getting a few different kinds to try. Some babies need a different type of bottle - my girls liked different ones. I like Dr. Browns and Avent. But my personal suggestion would be to register for a few different kinds (especially different shapes of nipples) and see what she likes best. Then you can buy more of the kind she does best with.
I don't have anything much to say about monitors... I don't like to use them. :) I sleep lightly enough that I can hear anything from my girls' rooms at night.
Hope that helps. If you have a lot of questions you can always email me. :) Love you!
Isaac and Elijah wouldn't take bottles. I used Avent with Noah and Abigail (they both took bottles without issue). David could get Isaac to take an Avent if he HAD to, but that wasn't very often. I used the 'breastflow' with Elijah when he HAD to, but he didn't like that much either. I do think the Breastflow bottles are the best for occasional use. Just remember to squeeze the sides of the nipple so the milk flows back into the bottle if you have to put it back in the fridge for a bit.
Of course, this time, baby will have to take a bottle so my approach will have to be a bit different.
Monitors... didn't use them much. Since our babies are with us for the first year (Elijah for an unintentional 2.5 years!), I don't need them. I've never had a problem hearing them when they wake up from a nap. SO you don't have to worry about our signals crossing :) I had one at one time (I registered for everything the first time around) but it was just a plain jane el cheapo :)
Wow! Time is flying!! Can I ask where you ordered the crib? We have no good furniture stores here, and I want something solid that is convertible up to the full size bed. Good luck registering! I can't wait to start that!!
Prettiest pregnant woman ever. You look amazing. I am so glad you are enjoying this part so much, the second trimester is truly heaven and seeing/feeling her move at this stage is simply divine. I know that feeling so well... it gets even stronger when you meet her and get to know her... I am welling up with tears just thinking about how happy I am you are going to get to experience it all so soon.
I am so glad you like your crib and cannot wait to see the nursery progress! Most fun ever!
We have the Sony BabyCall monitor and love it. It was not expensive and rated best by Baby Bargains. I also got the playtex drop in liners bottle system. I personally think it is very compatible with nursing. I would probably have gone a different route if we were doing formula, so I may not be the best advisor. You can email me if you have any other need for product suggestions anytime, btw!
*hugs*
You look great!!! You will miss feeling her move when she is out, even though it is wonderful to cuddle and kiss her, you still will miss that movement.
I had a hard time with finding nipples on bottles. We are still using the nipples that we got from the hospital, the ones that go on the similac bottles they gave us there. They are probably the cheapest nipples ever, but for some reason the only ones that worked. We just bought bottles and use those nipples on them when we give him a bottle.
Goodluck on the registering, that took forever I remember!!! I read so many reviews on EVERYTHING I registered for! haha.
I can see why you are loving your life so much =) Wow, she is getting big! You look gorgeous, as always, Jill. Looking forward to seeing the crib and how the nursery is coming together!
it's official... you are beautiful inside AND out! i love that picture and wouldn't have even guessed you were lacking makeup.
those kicks are incredible. it's some of my favorite video footage to watch, make sure to record it at when she really gets moving!
as for bottles we used avent tempo with adelaide, but i would check with your pediatrician to see if they have a preference before you open and wash any. we were going to use a different kind, but a's doctor was very passionate about that kind and you never know what kind your doctor might suggest.
I've been reading a while, though this may be my first comment. Love your story!
I have two girls myself (ages 3 and 1) and I agree that baby girls are the best :)
My advice on baby gear: Someone once told me that all you really NEED are some diapers, a car seat, and a bassinet. And that's so true! Of course, you'll want lots of other things, but if you keep in mind that you don't need all that much, it keeps the panic level low. You can just focus on picking out things that you want...that you think are pretty!
I also do advise, however, on getting a good stroller. Make sure you "test drive" it a bit -- I think you said you are tall, so you want to make sure you are comfortable with the handle height.
As for bottles, I have used the Playtex nursers for my girls when I was out of the house. But really, my only and best advice in this regard is to nurse your baby and don't worry about bottles. Best decision I ever made and one I will never regret.
Have fun picking things out!
Sara
YAHOOOOOOO.......thank you GOD!! for our baby girl!! I am so thankful and excited!! give her a hug for me and sing her a song for me, I sing the nana's gonna buy you a diamond ring and if that diamond ring dont shine nana's gonna get you a shiny dime and if that shiney dime dont shine nana's gonna buy you a nurery rhyme and if that nursey rhyme dont rhyme nana's gonna buy you a ?????? get the drift:))))
Yeah for 22 weeks and how cool that you felt her move!!! I am sure she was repsonding to your telling her about waiting for her for 13 years! Everything just sounds so awesome, you indeed have so much to be happy for and enjoy! xoxoxoxoxo
I recommend reading the book Baby Bargains for some ideas. As for bottles, I highly recommend getting a few different kinds and seeing what the baby likes. My first born was rather picky (didn't like the platex ones) but then one of his sisters loved playtex.
I'm so excited for you.
I loved my fisher price papasan chair for my youngest child (5). It was a treat to have it for her.
Happy belated anniversary. OH, the reason I commented is that the container store has cases to put the mattresses in. If you don't have one near you or if it's hard to order from online...email me, I'll get one and send it to you.
Wow you look so pretty, and happy! I am flipping out a little on what to get and register for as well. We walked through BRU the other day and had sticker shock! It will all happen though, God will take care of it all!
Hugs
Such a happy post! So much fun!
Love it, and you! and her! Oh joy, joy, joy!
I am using the Sony Baby Call monitor. It is not real expensive and works great. Playtex nursers (the new ones with the clear nipples) are super great! My little one had trouble with the ones at the hospital but went to town when he got his Playtex nurser at home!!!! Have fun and enjoy picking out all the neat baby stuff.
You are beautiful and I am SUPER excited for you. It makes me cry to read your posts! I understand the LOVE! It is SO amazing!
ok, I used Dr. Brown's Bottles because ALL of my Avent bottles leaked after a few washes. I used Avent first and then took them all back and got ALL new. I LOVE Dr. Browns...they are WONDERFUL! No leakage. I nursed for 13 months so I didn't really use a bottle all that much. :) Don't stress if you are going to nurse. :)
I LOVE my monitor...it is handheld with a screen so I can see them and carry it around the house during naptime. :) It is GREAT! I think it is called the Summer infant day and night hand held monitor. It is kind of expensive, but worth it. :)
Let me know if you need any other favorites!!!
this is my first time here. i'm from arkansas too! congratulations on your pregnancy.
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