Saturday, September 5, 2009

Back to Reality

Long time, no see! So many new developments, I don't even know where to start...

We had a wonderful babymoon in Key Biscayne. We relax
ed, relaxed, relaxed. We spent each day at the pool where I read my share of Sook.ie Stackhouse novels while lounging or sitting in the glorious salt water pool. I got some sun, but I was diligent with the sunscreen, shade and drinking my water. We scored some nice upgrades along the way, including an oceanfront suite with a kitchen because our room was not ready when we arrived. The kitchen was great - we went shopping the first day and stocked up on lunch stuff, snacks, soda etc... It ended up being a big budget saver. The hotel also gave us a lovely welcome basket since we were celebrating our anniversary and babymoon - 2 hats, a beach bag and a Mama Mio pregnancy relaxation candle. We had a wonderful spa pampering day too! I really enjoyed all the down time with Sean. We talked and dreamed and planned what the next phase of our lives will be like and imagined how vacation with a little one will be. It was just what we needed and I am so glad that Sean surprised me with a trip.


Another major highlight of the trip is that Sean & I got to meet Christi and her sweet baby Cate from "Our Journey". Her blog is private now, but I know many of you "know" her and her long journey to parenthood, made possible by the miracle men and women at CCRM! We met at Pan.era for a few hours and it was such a treat! Christi and I connected in the spring of 2007 during my first IVF and her 2nd. She has been a huge support of advice and support for me and it was really incredible to finally meet someone I consider such an important person in my life.


Ever since the 20w point, I feel like time in flying by! I cannot believe I am now 24w2d pregnant-that is 6 months, folks- and I have just over 15w to go! It has been a serious reality check. I think there was still some level of disbelief that I was actually having a baby any time soon, but now, I feel movement all the time, Sean can feel movement daily, my belly is growing large and you can see it move and jump and all of the sudden it just feels so real. Add on to those tangibles the fact that we start our 5 week hypnobirthing class on Thursday, we have an appt set up to interview a pediatrician, my baby shower invites go out this week, we registered the other day and the fact that the calendar reading September and I find myself in awe most days that this is my life!

While we were registering at BRU on Thursday, I was all smiles - beaming, in fact! I kept saying, I can't believe it is our turn! I can't believe we are pi
cking out things for our baby. I can't believe in a month our home is going to be filled with baby gear and then shortly there after our very own, real live BABY, our son our daughter!!!! When did this happen? Someone pinch me please?!?!

Speaking of registering, after spending countless hours searching the internets for gender neutral bedding that fit my style, I finally picked a set from www.babybedding.com and I looooooove it! The pattern is sage damask and our nursery colors will be sage green and chocolate brown. I think the damask is feminine, but the colors and accent stripes are masculine and I
am confident I can make it more of one or the other once we know if Ralphie is a he or a she. The walls in the nursery are already a khaki color and it matches quite nicely, so we have decided not to repaint at this point. Although, I must admit, visions of a sage green top wall with white chair rail and chocolate brown below the chair rail dance in my head, it really is not necessary, especially since we are leasing this home and have no idea how long we will be here. I am so excited to get started with decorating, but my furniture is still a few weeks out and my shower is not until October 25th. Patience, patience, patience!

My mom is doing an incredible job with the shower planning & I am so excited for the big day. She is using the chocolate brown and sage as the colors, my invites have a sage damask background and she has all kinds of cute ideas for centerpieces and favors. 7 weeks from today - eeek!!! Again I say, someone pinch me, please!!!

So, for your reading pleasure, my 24w update!

How am I feeling? Wonderful! I have zero complaints right now. This is definitely the honeymoon stage of pregnancy for me. I also feel really good in my own body, I am not self-conscious about my weight or how I look and that is such a great feeling. One that I have not had in a long time, thanks to my IF weight gain. I really like my pregnant body!


Milestones: 24w - otherwise known as viability day and although I take a teensy bit of comfort in that, it is not really a milestone to celebrate in my mind. We hope and pray that Ralphie stays safe and sound for many more weeks... The belly is moving from the outside! One night on vacation, we put the remote control on my belly and Ralphie was bouncing it all over the place. It was very cool :) Oh - I passed my 1 hour glucose test!!!

Cravings? Still not really having any, but I have been more interested in sweets than I was early on.

Aversions? Still have not been brave enough to try to eat chicken, although with football season upon us, some wings may be in my future!

What do I miss? A glass of wine - especially while we were on vacation.

What am I looking forward to? Our hypnobirthing classes, which start this Thursday! My shower - 7 weeks and counting!!! My first official appt with the midwives at the birthing center at the end of the month!

Weight gain - officially 3.5lbs according the the scale at my Ob's office.

What do we think we are having? Still thinking a boy. We say "he" with such certainty you would think we saw boy parts on the u/s!

So, that is what has been going on in my world. Still feeling very blessed and overjoyed. I have lots I need to say and plan to try to put it all down in the coming weeks...

13 comments:

'Murgdan' said...

Such an exciting time! I'm so happy to hear you're happy. :-) Sounds like an awesome trip btw...love the idea.

Barefoot said...

So glad to hear you had such a great trip!! You look fantastic.

sweetpeanme said...

THIS IS ALL SO EXCITING!!! Love the baby room decor...adorable! You look absolutely amazing! Your little miracle will be in your arms soon!!! AMAZING!!!

Petrucia said...

what a lovely trip. A babymoon seems to be a fantastic thing to do. :) So you two can have some down time together as well before the baby comes. You look wonderful! And I love the descriptions of how you were feeling when registering for you shower. ;) you are six months already! wow. :)))

kayjay said...

Your babymoon sounds like it was the perfect time away. I remember so well when you announced your pregnancy that I am having a hard time believing you're so far along!!!! That's awesome!!! You look terrific too BTW. I was wondering if the nervous feeling ever goes away when you start picking stuff out for YOURSELF...I'm still not brave enough to do it yet but I'm many weeks behind you. Your soon to be nursery looks great and the colours you've picked are beautiful. A very exciting time indeed!

Meant to be a mom said...

I'm glad you guys had a great time on your vacation. Your looking great. How fun that you got to register. Its all so real now I'm sure. Its only a matter of time now.

Our Family Blog said...

So glad you had a great vacay and that you are feeling well. I am glad all is progressing so well! Love the bedding too - great choice. You look amazing!!!

Kara said...

3.5 pounds is all?! MAN, am I jealous! :)

Love the bedding you picked!

And your vacation sounds WONDERFUL! I need to take one of those, just because! :)

Maria (MKC101103) said...

Look at your cute little belly!!!
And I just love the baby room bedding!

Christi said...

I LOVE LOVE that bedding, I've never seen it before!!!

It was awesome meeting you too! I can't wait until we can do it again!!! next time with all the babies!

M. said...

Emily, you look gorgeous! I'm glad you and Sean had such a wonderful trip. Hope that Ralphie stays put and that everything continues to go smoothly! Happy 24 weeks :)

P.S. Can't wait for tonight's season finale of True Blood!!

Kelly said...

I LOVE that bedding! I can't wait to see pictures of your decorating!

Carrie said...

IT sounds like everything is going GREAT!! :) So happy to hear so much good news out of you, lady. :)

Thanks for all the positive vibes over here. I love 'em!