sweet baby girl

one of my favorite things this week ...

i have a lot to be thankful for this week,

especially family and friends

and a little angel baby girl that is safe and sound.

my sister gave me this wall hanging for the nursery and i love it so much.

thank you ALL for the love, visits, treats, dinners, hugs, flowers, calls, texts, books, groceries ...

the list goes on and on. i am extraordinarily blessed.

and there is no doubt that lucy is loved loved loved loved.

7 Months Down ... 2 Months To Go!

Today I was reading an article at Parents.com and a message flashed that said "There are 61 days left in your pregnancy". This made me really happy but also REALLY anxious. There is still so much to do!

I was also reminded that human pregnancy is really closer to ten months than nine, so it's no wonder it feels like eternity. Regardless, it's a relatively short time to create a tiny miracle baby. I still have a hard time believing Chloe was manufactured inside my belly.

In other news, the baby formerly known as Spook is currently being referred to as Lucy. Lucy Jameson seems to be kicking her way into our hearts. The more people hate it, the more we love it. I know I am overly sensitive in my pregnant state but seriously, what is wrong with people? When you ask someone what name they have chosen for their baby, is it really your right to tell them how horrible you think the name is? It's not your baby. It is VERY rude.

Anyway, Lucy should weigh about 5 lbs now. My cold seems to have finally dissipated and the unpredictable vomiting is less frequent. Things seem to be right on schedule. I'll post an update next week after my doctor appointment. As for those of you who have requested an updated photo, here you go:

Our main goal right now is finding a place to live. I am really anxious to have Nick move down here. Things seem better when he's around. And I am really excited to put together a small nursery. We want little LuLu to have a peaceful, happy place to come home to. It is a lot to think about in a short period of time!

My sweet sister Mindy has helped me start a registry online. And I am IN LOVE with these legwarmers I found at the mall:

Yes, of course there is a matching headband!

Little girls are too fun to shop for! I don't know if Nick knows what is in store for him ...

That's all for today! xxoo

Summer Update

Whoa! I don't know what happened to the month of July! Fortunately we've seen most of you and this blog is only supplemental to firsthand accounts of our little lady. And (ok, I'll say it) I have been a little bit of a wimp this past month. I admit it! I will try harder to do less complaining and more blogging.

Nick and I went to my 7-month check up today. Calamity Jane is doing great. She weighs about 2.5 lbs. now and will grow to 4.5 lbs. this month. My lab results were perfect; no gestational diabetes or iron deficiencies. Her heartbeat was strong and she is still moving around like a wild woman. Some babies start moving "into position" this month, meaning they move their heads down for the duration of the pregnancy. Not this kid. Her head is still resting on my ribcage. She is not ready to hold still for any length of time. It's so funny how her personality is already developing. I can't help but love her little wild side.

I got some antibiotics for my summer cold/sinus infection and plan on getting some rest this week. I hope I start feeling better. This past month has definitely been the most challenging physically.

Nick has been taking such good care of us girls. I don't know what I would do without him. He makes sure we have plenty of water, food, foot rubs, and love. He is going to be an amazing daddy.

Summer has been extra fun as we've been able to spend so much time with our families. Thank you all for your love and support. We love you all so much!

First Pictures of Our Sweetheart

She is sooooo cute!

Right now, she is about 12" long and weighs just under one pound ... the perfect size to bounce around on my bladder at night. She is really active and loves orange juice.

Keep sending your favorite girl names! xxoo

Going Pink

my first "pink" purchase ...


shopping for baby girls is the BEST!

today is the day!

well the results are in ...

BOY 110
GIRL 1

and the winner is ... Sadey!
the only one who guessed correctly that it's a

GIRL!

(mindy, you get honorable mention because she is very hyper!)

It's a ...

Boy? Girl?

It's time to cast your vote!

On Wednesday, June 16, we will have our first ultrasound to make sure Spook is healthy and developing correctly and all those important things. We have also decided to find out the sex on that day. So I thought it would be fun to have a little contest.

Here is how it works... You have one week to post your guess in the comments section below. All comments will be kept private until Tuesday, June 15 at midnight. I'll post them Wednesday morning so everyone can see the guesses with the result. The winner(s) will receive ... the satisfaction of knowing they were right! And maybe something else cool.

If you post anonymously, be sure to sign your name.

Everyone and anyone is welcome to vote! We can't wait to find out!

The Count Loves The National

"The Count" aka "Spook" aka "Little Fella" aka "Mel" aka "The Critter" apparently likes The National's music as much as his (or her) parents.

This past weekend after seeing The National play I felt the baby move for the first time. It's an experience unlike any other. It feels like big bubblegum bubbles popping inside my stomach with an occasional super soft karate chop.

Other milestones for Week 17 include:

- NONE of my pants fit me anymore (except for a pair of black yoga sweats that I pretty much wear everyday)

- The baby loves cheeseburgers

- Mindy is filling in for Brady as my "sympathy-pregnancy-symptom-partner"

- Nick is also eating for two

- We heard the heartbeat for the second time and the doctor said it still "sounds like a boy"

- My first ultrasound is scheduled for June 16

May was a good month. Things are going well. After spending 8 days in Mexico and 5 days in San Diego, I am feeling very spoiled and relaxed. It's hard to believe that I am almost half way through my pregnancy!

Mother's Day

Today it occurred to me that next year I will be a mother of TWO critters instead of just one. My life with Chloe is going to change so much! I guess I always thought she would be an only child ... and I think she did, too. Yet imagining her as a big sister makes me smile.

As I spent today with Chloe and other special people in my life, I really enjoyed the feeling of being a mama. I am so proud of my Chloe. She'll always be my baby -- no matter how old, defiant, mean, tall, smart, grown-up, beautiful or sassy she gets. She is my first baby. I couldn't love her more. When I take time to make the world slow down, I see her huge heart and her big brown eyes ... just like I remember seeing on the day she was born.

In three hours Chloe and I are headed to the airport for her first trip to Mexico. Yay! I have been fortunate enough to get enough freelance work to finally afford a REAL vacation with her. She has been so patient with me throughout my career. She has sacrificed so much time with me and has been so understanding and patient. It makes me sad when I remember the long hours at the office, the missed soccer games, the calls to tell her to go to bed without me, missed dinners, and spending so many weekends away from her due to business trips. She deserves this vacation so much. Plus, let's face it, this will probably be the last vacation with just the "two of us."

I am lucky to know so many mothers that have helped me (and continue to help me) raise Chloe. My sisters and friends are some of the best mamas I know. Chloe will tell you it's my hormones but I get overwhelmed and cry when I think of how many beautiful people are in my life and continue to come into my life.

Anyway, enough mushy mush. Happy Mother's Day and Viva la Mexico!

Got Names?

Whoa. The last week has been ROUGH.

Apparently my center of balance is off because I managed to fall down the stairs while carrying a basket of laundry. Not to worry -- aside from a few bruises and a little soreness, I am fine. It was a little scary because I had been spotting but that too has subsided.

Next, Chloe came down with a crazy stomach flu. Why does the flu always strike in the middle of the night? She started throwing up around 1:30 AM on Monday and it continued every two hours for about 18 hours. We were both exhausted. Luckily, she is feeling much better now and I have not caught anything.

The good news? My appetite for sleep is back. The insomnia is gone! In fact, all I feel like doing is sleeping. It has been amazing for my health but really bad for my career. I have not been very productive aside from setting up a very static homepage. The downside of being self-employed is that you don't get paid if you take a week off to sleep.

Spook should be getting bigger, judging by the size of my butt and thighs. Last week I started spotting and it continued throughout the weekend. By Monday it had stopped completely so my doctor said to avoid lifting heavy things and to get lots of rest. Apparently it is somewhat normal provided it doesn't continue on a consistent basis. Of course I have been obsessing about it, which doesn't help my already elevated stress levels. I am really anxious to start feeling the little monkey move so I can be reassured that everything is okay in there. He/she is about the size of an egg so I try to poke around and see if he/she will kick me back ... nothing yet.
Chloe has been compiling a list of names. Interestingly enough, her choices are all boy names so far. Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments section. I haven't really given it much thought but I listed a few names for each gender that I kinda like, as well as Chloe's favorite (boy) names.

Baby boy:
Greyson Nicholas
(Greyson originates from "son of the count" as in Count Dracula, plus how cool would it be to have G'n'R for initials?)
Remmy Nicholas
Giovanni Nicholas
(Giovanni is my gramps' Italian birth name and has always been a favorite of mine.)
Cash James

Baby girl:
Ada Brady
(Maybe Adaline or Adalene)
Tuesday Jameson
Mabel Sophia
Cadence Jameson
(Mindy, I know you hate the name Cadence! I know, but I kinda like the sound of it - get it?)
Sparrow James
(Chloe's full name is Chloe Jon after my grandpa. My nieces are Adyson Bo and Piper Jae. I really like the idea of continuing the tradition of our girls having masculine middle names. Nick's dad's name is James so I think it would be pretty cool. I don't know how 'Ronald' would flow ... Sorry Dad!)

Chloe's favorites:
Bronson Nicholas
McKay Nicholas
Bryson Nicholas
Bryson McKay

Don't worry -- I am not really in love with any names yet. And luckily, we have plenty of time to decide. Of course, if Spook is born on Halloween ... Spook it is ... or Frankenstein ... or Count ... or Dracula ... or Mummy ... or Goblin ...

My Heart, It Beats For You

Today was a big day; a much anticipated day!

I went to my 12-week doctor appointment for a check up and to (finally!) hear the baby's heartbeat. It was amazing. It took my doctor a little while to locate it and as he felt around, I started to panic. I watched his face for any signs of worry but then ... he found it! I was excited, relieved, happy, and unexpectedly surprised. There really is a tiny, little human in there! Hearing that little "thump thump thump thump thump" made the last three months totally worth it.

I had forgotten how precious it is to hear the heartbeat for the first time.

After listening for a little while, my doctor pulled a tiny baby out of his pocket that replicated the exact size of a 12-week-old baby. It was hilarious and adorable. Spook is about the size of a small pickle.

Before he left, I asked my doctor if the heartbeat sounded like a boy heartbeat or a girl heartbeat. After all, he did guess Chloe was girl on the first try. He said, without hesitation, "Oh that's a boy's heartbeat. It sounds like a boy to me."

Nick's mom, Julie, has a feeling it is a boy but Sadey still thinks it's a girl. Is it okay for me to say I hope it's a boy? I will be happy either way, obviously, but I already have the world's best daughter.

I guess we'll just have to wait two more months until we have an ultrasound. The important thing is that there is a healthy heartbeat. I needed the reassurance. And now, I am ready for the second trimester. Let's go, baby!

Cemetery

i took this picture of my mom at the cemetery:


haha!

<3 chloe

Sisters + Pedicures

Sadey, Tawny, and I went to get pedicures and dinner on Friday night. (Thanks for the invite, Sadey!)

Turns out, it was excellent medicine for this pregnant lady. Tawny even tried to make me feel better by unbuttoning her pants when I had to after crab stuffed mushrooms, bread, salads, pork chops, lobster ravioli, and lemon passion cake. Later, at Sadey's, Teresa made me a virgin Bloody Mary that was super delicious. We all ended the night happy and full with beautiful toes.

The best part of it all was spending time with my sisters. I sure love them and am proud of them. Next time, Mindy better make an appearance!

Week 11

I love you, Spook, I just wish I wasn't so sick.

The last time I was pregnant was 14 years ago! Things are a lot different this time. With Chloe, I had morning sickness every morning and every night for all nine months. I remember throwing up A LOT. From the moment I found out I was pregnant I knew "she" was Chloe. I always just knew I was going to have a girl. We told my family on April 22 (my grandpa's birthday) that we were expecting and I was due December 7th. Chloe was a traditional pregnancy. I was young, I ate Big Macs, I broke out, I had horrific hair styles, and I started nesting 2 weeks before her due date. But I was never a good pregnant lady. I didn't want to be pregnant. I wanted Chloe to come out! I couldn't wait ... I begged my doctor to induce me at every check up. Of course she was 8 days late and they FINALLY induced me. Ahhh, she drove me crazy with excitement.

This time is much different. I am 35 ... not 21. I don't know if it's a boy or a girl and I don't have a strong feeling either way. And I am worried about EVERYTHING there is to worry about. Paranoid, nervous, anxious, concerned, and worried. I am still not a good pregnant lady. I am sick all the time but not in just the throwing up way. More in the "I'm too old for this" way. It's a little more painful this time around. And the 7-day cold I have is rrrreally annoying.

All that said and realizing this is probably the last time I will ever carry a child in my body, I am determined to enjoy this pregnancy. I am determined to avoid the fashion disasters I experienced 14 years ago (luckily I have Chloe to help me with this one) and I am going to limit my Big Mac intake. I am crossing my fingers that next week, at the end of my first trimester, I will miraculously start feeling better and get that pregnancy "glow". I am going to revel in the miracle that pregnancy is and not worry about rushing things along.

I never thought I'd be able to carry another baby. In fact, I was told my chances were about .01%. So this little miracle growing inside me, well, I am going to enjoy him/her. No matter what!

Today's Top 3's

Thanks to a terrible cold (in April!) I am confined to my bed. So why not make some lists?

We'll call this collection "Today's Top 3's".

Top 3 Favorite Foods
1. Pickles
2. Cool Ranch Doritos
3. Chocolate milk

Top 3 Favorite Sayings
1. What if you were pregnant?!
2. Mommy?
3. Tina Fey's hips are huge.

Top 3 Annoyances
1. Heartburn
2. Sore throat
3. Bladder
(in that order!)

Top 3 Spook Developments
1. I think I felt that bubble sensation when the baby first moves.
2. I had a dream that the baby was a girl.
3. My favorite jeans have been temporarily retired.


In just 10 days I get to hear Spook's heartbeat. I am very anxious to know that everything is okay in there. So exciting!

Thats a lotta food for such a little fella and a lil' mommy!

According to BabyCenter.com, at 10 weeks, spook is barely the size of a kumquat! as of today Spook has 208 days left and will keep growing like crazy. Thats a lot of food for a kumquat, Mommy! What's Spook gonna make you eat in a couple weeks when he doubles size? We're gonna need a membership t0 costco ;) <3 DADDY

hungry. always hungry.

things i have eaten today (so far):

1 bagel
french toast
orange juice
chocolate milk
1 ham sandwich
too many fritos
whopper eggs
12 pickles
2 gallons of water
1 cheeseburger
french fries
1 frosty
2 donuts
1 7up

and i haven't had dinner yet...

sigh.