Knees in the ribcage :)

So I should be finishing up on organizing and putting away all of our gifts, but I'm feeling a little unmotivated at the moment... one reason being this David Tutera marathon on WEtv.


We had a good Christmas, super busy and overwhelming, but very good. We had a Christmas on the 23rd, four on the 24th, and two on the 25th. By Christmas morning I was totally overwhelmed and had a little meltdown before we left the house. I just couldn't handle any more at that point, so unfortunately I missed one on the 26th.

The stress of the holidays on top of being very pregnant although extremely exhausting (and hoping I never have to go through it again), was also exciting in that this was the last Christmas we will be a couple instead of a family. We’re so ready to have the holiday become fun and magical again. It’s crazy to think that this year she wasn’t here and next year she will be around 10 months old! The next time these mostly old and handed down decorations are put up will become something new and eventful.

Her room is starting to look more and more like a nursery! We now have the crib! Although there are plenty of things I have to add or finish before she gets here, some major stuff is now done. We got the crib on Christmas Eve (an early baby shower gift from Brett's parents) and the boys brought it in, took it upstairs, and put it all together in a matter of like 15 minutes!






Brett's younger brother Cole is super, and I mean SUPER allergic to cats. Not sure who came up with this idea that day but it actually worked! We're so glad we found a way he can visit!

It was very exciting and a huge relief to have the last, and most important, piece of furniture set up and in it's place. We still need all the furniture accessories you register for (crib sheets, matress pad cover, changing pad etc.) and make some decisions on bedding, but at least I feel a little more prepared and closer to the point of feeling ready to go and just relaxing, waiting for her arrival. Can't wait to be at that point. Can't wait until we have a little girl to wrap up in these blankets and put these cute tiny outfits on.






The gorgeous mobile that Uncle Cole got for her!


Hadley still needs a middle name! And we are having a little trouble deciding. I like Jane but we haven’t completely settled on it. I need some ideas. I don’t want a “filler” middle name... like one of those middle names that 7 out of 10 women have (Marie, Sue, Lynn etc.) but I don’t want something that overpowers Hadley either. Grace is pretty but I just think it’s becoming new generation “filler” too. I know I definitely don’t want Dawn, Lee (obviously) or Rae, but any other suggestions are welcome... and needed!


Ok, now back to this Christmas mess...

Naming frustrations

I'm finding baby names are one of those things (right along with wedding planning) that seem so easy and fun to come up with when you're a teenage girl and bored during study hall, but are a complete headache when it's the real deal. I guess the fact that Brett has to OK each selection makes it far (and I mean FAR) more difficult. I always just figured my future husband would agree to any name I wanted. HA! Who knew he would be as picky as me?

Brett has been super excited and eager for just about everything throughout our pregnancy, except baby naming. He has only missed one of my doctors appointments so far (even the 5-minute listen to the heartbeat and "do you have any questions?" appointments - he loves hearing her heart beat). He has had an ecstatic, hands on, let's-get-it-done approach to everything so far with the exception of what may be the most important part... naming our daughter. Bringing up the subject just seems to stress him out or maybe even scare him, to the point where he can only hear a few and then he's done, watching Gangland or Overhaulin' and saying to me, "we still have plenty of time, we'll talk about it later."

There has only been one name he has actually brought up himself, waaaay back in the early weeks, a dated boys name to which my first thought and only response was simply, "Why?!" He then listed a few like names to apease me (that for the record weren't any better), until he noticed my facial expression of 'no way' hadn't shifted. And that was that. "I guess we still have a long time, we can talk about it later."

However, since we have found out little one is a girl I haven't gotten any ideas out of him. I will send him the random text while he's at work and I find something that I toss around for hours making sure it's the "perfect" one before sharing with him. But so far, I haven't come up with anything he's really liked or even so much as said is okay. It's a pretty gruelling process really, thinking I have something and then getting the big fat N-O. Right now it doesn't seem like we will be able to easily find one that we both agree on, let alone love, and I'm scared that we will be in the hospital staring into our little baby girl's eyes thinking "ummm..."

And of course, our baby name book was one of the first things he packed for our move. A month in advance.

I guess we still have a lot of time though, so we'll just talk about it later.

22 weeks

5 months down and I still...

-fit into my jeans. Sure there's a little bit (okay, quite a bit) of muffin top action going on but they still button! I don't wear them though because I've always thought jeans were uncomfortable, and being pregnant hasn't changed my mind.

-climb (and fit) into the sink when I get ready. It is getting harder every week though.

-haven't bought a single piece of maternity wear and I will go as long as I can before doing so. I'm hoping I will be able to just get away with leggings and oversized shirts/dresses this whole pregnancy. Looking at maternity clothes stresses me out... I'm gonna get THAT big??

-feel that I'm growing more (and faster) in the chest department rather than the belly. And I HATE it.

-can do most everything during dance class. My balance is a little wonky now and arching backwards just won't happen, but I still can do all the ab work and pushups (and yes grandma, my doctor okayed this). Putting my nose between my knees is now impossible however.

-haven't had any weird cravings. Somewhat disappointed.

-haven't gotten asked if I was pregnant or even had somebody assume. Makes me feel like I play the "fat girl" part well. Thanks guys.

-haven't gotten Brett to agree on one of my perfect, super cute names for her. Currently working diligently on this.