It's a...

GIRL!!!!

I am pretty sure that cartoon hearts flew from your daddy's head yesterday when he realized that he is going to be the proud father of a soft, snuggly, smell-goody little girl :)

I hope you know that we have celebrated you from the moment you became a reality for us. We didn't care if you are a boy, a girl, green, pink, or polka dotted. All we want is for you to be healthy, happy, and for you to know how much you are loved.

Even though you weigh 12 ounces now, and have existed inside me for the past 21 weeks - I feel like today is our first full day together. Today is the first morning I’ve woken up and rubbed my belly and said “hello in there little lady!” Today is the first day your father has left for work, kissed me on the head and said “I love my girls!” Today is the first day of getting to know you all over again.

A Day to Celebrate

Today (at 21 weeks) we are going to the doctor's for our second ultrasound - our first ultrasound was at a mere 9 weeks. We will get measurements, pictures, and find out if we are having a boy or a girl. Looks like the votes on our gender survey are practically dead even (a few more votes for a boy). Hopefully we will find more clarity at the doctor's today - just as long as our baby isn't being too shy!

today is also my dad's birthday...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

What A Day Of Celebrations!

Whomp!

I was laying here, watching the T.V. and winding down from the day when all of a sudden I felt a serious kick... and then another! and another!

I put my hand on my belly and I actually felt it a little from the outside. I started squealing and woke Tyler up, “Give me your hand. Your baby is moving so much right now”

Of course as soon as I placed his hand on my belly the kicking stopped. I can’t wait for the first time Tyler will actually get to feel our baby moving around. He constantly has his hands on my belly, rubbing little circles and sending good vibes.

All those little wiggly flutters I’ve felt over the past weeks have been really comforting but that great big whomp I got was AMAZING!

It just makes me want to sit here and cry with gratitude. I can’t believe how much I love you already little one!

Tomorrow morning we get to see our sweet pea again on the ultrasound. The anticipation of staring at the screen, seeing him/her move, watching the heart beat, tracing the beautiful curve of our baby's tiny sillhouette… it feels like the Christmas mornings of my childhood all over again.

I was almost asleep and now I’m wide-eyed, happy with my head in the clouds.

The First 20 Weeks with the Doctor

A few of my newly pregnant friends have asked what to expect at the doctor's... when was my first appointment, etc... I thought I would share what I did the first 20 weeks

5 weeks: gave lots of blood - asked questions - received a starter bag w/tons of fun goodies for new moms

9 weeks: got to see our baby on an ultrasound and see the flutter of a heartbeat... our baby looked like a little gummy bear :)

13 weeks: no ultrasound but we were able to hear the heartbeat for the first time - AMAZING!

17 weeks: no ultrasound but got to hear the heartbeat for the second time... just as amazing as the first time we heard it!! We were also given the option to test for Down Syndrome (we declined).

Next appointment: 21 Weeks... we are looking forward to finding out if we have a son or daughter!!

Belly Buds

Thought I would share a cute find.... bellybuds

I think regular headphones would work just fine to wrap around your bump, but if you want to get up and move around these seem fun :) Who knew all the crazy things that I would find for expecting mamas... I am trying to prepare myself for all the fun things I will find for a new baby!

PS - just found out my friend Patty is expecting a BOY!! Conrats Broers family!!

Celebrating Christmas

Even with all the snow, we were able to dig our way out of the driveway and make it to my Aunt & Uncle's house to celebrate with the family! What an adventure!!

PS - my friend Carrie had her second baby - this time it was a BOY!! Congrats to the Diggins family!! Joshua Warren was born on the 24th :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

first ever blizzard warning for Kansas City... tons of snow!

Christmas 2005: engaged for 7 months... Tyler just got home from studying in Budapest, Hungary and I couldn't have been happier to have him back in my arms. By this time next Christmas we will be husband & wife

Christmas 2006: first Christmas as a married couple (4/8/06)! Huddled around our 3 foot mini tree in our one bedroom apartment, we sat wondering what our years ahead will hold in the company of our two spunky German Shepards

Christmas 2007: celebrating Christmas in our first house! We had so much fun hanging lights on the house and swapping sweet treats with our new neighbors. I was teaching first grade and Tyler began grad school to get his masters in mathematics

Christmas 2008: we had just turned in our paperwork to become foster parents... We got our first beautiful foster kiddo in April and by September 2nd we were staring shocked and excited into each other’s faces as I held a positive pregnancy test in my hand

here we are again...Christmas 2009: sitting and snuggling on the couch watching movies and drinking hot chocolate. Our days left as just the two of us are numbering. Our life is growing and changing again. We are full of anticipation for this new chapter - shared with a child who will be a living, breathing representation of all of our blessings and purpose combined. This year we will whisper more than just our dreams as a pair, but our dreams for our growing family. We can hardly imagine the bounty that awaits us all

Bump @ 20 Weeks

It is Christmas Eve and we have made it to the half-way point... Woo Hoo! What a fun thing to celebrate on Christmas Eve (in my new pjs)!!

20 weeks!!!

Even though this bump is still not noticeable to most under my heavy winter clothing, I am starting to feel like I am finally getting a decent size baby bump

Ho - Ho - Ho

Just thought I would share...

I always look forward to getting cards in the mail from my mom. She is so crafty and makes her own greeting cards (watch out Halmark). This year, in the beautiful card she made, we found folded old piece of paper. When we opened it ever so carefully, I couldn't help but to smile. There was a letter from Santa Clause that I had received sometime between my kindergarten and first grade years.


Santa encourages me to brush my teeth and always listen to my parents. I wonder if I call the number at the bottom left hand corner Santa would still talk to me on the phone for $1.37 per call...

A Mother

"A mother is a person who after seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie."

Tenneva Jordan

I thought this was a cute quote and fit nicely with all the sweet snacks around the house for the holidays

A Sweet Story

Yesterday, as Tyler and I were browsing the baby bedding at Nebraska Furniture Mart, we were approached by an older man with a head full of silver hair. He worked at the store, had a round physique, and a kind face.

He stopped for a second and then smiling, asked “Can I help you find anything?” I smiled back, thanked him, but told him we were only browsing. Then, trying to decide if the bedding we were looking at was specifically for a girl or could also work for a boy, I asked his opinion.

"Do you want to find out if you are having a boy or a girl?" He asked. I said (probably overly excited) that we would know in less than two weeks! He then said, with such confidence "You are having a boy, and yes I think these sheets would work for him."

I glanced at Tyler and he was just staring at me. Curious, I asked "How do you know?" He said back matter of factly, “I have never been wrong.” Then he smiled again and turned his back to us as he walked over to help another couple. Tyler has been hoping for a girl, but leaned over to me in that second and said, "This is the first time I have been really excited about having a boy!"

In the car ride home while discussing our new purchases, a boy name just came to us and we happily agreed calling our little bump a 'he' for the rest of the ride home (we will not be revealing any offical names until we confirm boy/girl).

Well even though I don't agree with him about those sheets working for a boy... and I know that his chances of guessing the gender of our baby correctly is 50/50 - but when he said "boy" he had such a wonderful calmness and confidence about him that our brief conversation left us feeling his same confidence.

This morning I was awoken by Tyler's soft whispers directed toward my tummy - "Good morning little boy - I love you"

Baby's First Movements?!?!?

Right before I hit 19 weeks I was starting to feel what I thought to be my little baby. I tried not to get overly excited because I wasn't exactly sure if it was gas or my little one stretching out. Well, at this point, if there isn’t a baby making those weird fluttery movements in my belly then apparently I ate something with legs.

For the past two hours, I’ve been working on my computer in bed and every 15 mins or so I can feel this little woosh movement in the same spot. It’s definitely noticable and I’ve never felt anything like it!

I’m not trying to make something out of nothing… but I’ve either got a moving baby in there, or my Christmas cookie I just ate is square dancing in my stomach. (I’m picturing a frosted sprinkled star cookie in a big fluffy crinoline as I write this… hahaha)

Now that I think about, I kinda like either one of those scenarios. So dance away Baby Inzer or cookie!

Yummy cookies we decorated this weekend with the family...

What do You Think???

We are going to be able to find out very soon (exactly 2 weeks from today) if we have a son or daughter joining us in May... either way, we couldn't be more excited!! I have NO IDEA what the baby will be - People have asked if I feel one way or the other and I really don't, so I thought it would be fun to see what you think...

Vote here and then check back to see if you were right on December 31st!!

Bump @ 18.5 Weeks

18 1/2 Weeks!!!

Growing slowly...

I Wonder How Much of Our Past Will Find its Way Into Our Future?

Tyler B

Marcie J

Dear Baby...

There are times when I worry that I am not going to be prepared enough to take care of you when you arrive. I’ve found myself overwhelmed with the what ifs of providing you with everything you’ll possibly need. Am I old enough, smart enough, capable enough to be the caregiver of another human being? Can we afford to do this?

And then I look at our cozy little house and see that we managed to hang our pictures straight and the milk in the fridge isn’t expired, your father, our two dogs, and our cat all are in good health… and me, I find time to put fresh flowers on the dining room table and not scuff up my favorite red shoes too much. We pay our bills, sock a little away in savings and usually have a few bucks left over to treat ourselves to a little dinner out or a bargain shopping spree. When it comes to raising you… we won’t have it all… we won’t know it all… but we’re going to give it the best shot we can.

I think about my own parents… the stories of my upbringing… My mom and dad worked extra hard on managing their money so that my mom could stay at home. I don’t remember ever being without anything because there was always so much love. I know your daddy's house was filled with that same love too.

And for you, the same surplus waits. You won’t enter this world with your college tuition already paid, or all the newest and greatest toys, and we are going to work hard on making it as a single salary house-hold. But I’m guessing you’ll never notice… because the really good stuff in life can’t be found on a store shelf. It doesn’t wait within the walls of banks, or under pretty wrapping paper.

I can’t promise we will be able to give you everything you’ll ever want, but we measured our worth and counted our blessings and I can promise you this little one, we’re down right wealthy in the things that you’ll need most.

Wildflowers

“You belong among the wildflowers, You belong in a boat out at sea, You belong with your love on your arm, You belong somewhere you feel free ”
Tom Petty

Now when I listen to this song, I not only think of Tyler's and my journey together – but of the one we are making with you. We’ve actively sought out our definition of happiness, wrapped our arms around it, and have done our best to cultivate it into a life together. Now our task is to raise you with the same desire to seek and find those people, places, and experiences that will define your own personal joy.

I promise that we will always support your journeys and opportunities for self discovery - be they in far away places or in our backyard. I play this song for you over and over in the hopes that these words are already seeping in and growing with you.

When you are ready, sweet baby, the whole wide world will be waiting for you.

What I've Been Reading

Thanks to my generous mother-in-law I am off and reading another pregnancy book. She surprised me for a lunch out and this awesome book!! It is co-authored by Dr. Oz

YOU: Having A Baby

The Owner's Manual to a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy
A tell-it-like-it-is pregnancy book. I like it because it does a great job of explaining all the medical stuff that usually just flies over my head. There are also funny cartoon pictures and facts. Did You Know... We have 50 percent the same DNA as a banana?

Baby Bag

I have been trying to decide on a diaper bag for a few weeks now. The Requirements: Stylish, large, and lots of room to cram bottles, toys, diapers, and a random assortment of baby clothing, accessories... and things I haven’t even thought of yet.

I narrowed down my choices and have finally picked one that I really love!!
2009 Fall Vera Bradley Microfiber Black Baby Bag - The inside has a cute zebra print and is fully laminated so it is easy to clean (I know the picture is small, but it was the only one I could find).

I am planning on adding a silk scarf to tie on the strap in either pink or blue. Tyler has approved!!

Loving My Body

If being pregnant has taught me anything thus far, it’s taught me that you really have to have a sense of humor. Being pregnant means you are 50% Victoria’s Secret Model and 50% beer-bellied old man. Here I am with nails and hair that are as thick and shiny as they have ever been… BUT WAIT I’m also burping more than I ever have in my life. And this lovely pair of boobs that I’ve now found myself with are accompanied by an equally round belly that rivals those of the fellas at the local pool hall.

I’m learning to embrace the new, rounder me - because let’s face it - the female body is downright AWESOME for its ability to grow a new person. So even though I barely fit into any of my pretty underthings - and I’m squeezing myself into my favorite pair of jeans - my body is proving itself worthy of praise far greater than the kind you get for posing in a swimsuit catalog.

Cravings??

Before I was pregnant I wondered if I would have cravings... OR... If I do, how would I know that they would be any different than when I craved a certain meal or food pre-preggers?

Well, I can say that I have had one true blue pregnancy craving. And yes, I fell into the masses of those who crave pickles. Although, it couldn't be just any pickle - no - I was craving the giant ball park pickles! I say pickles (plural) b/c I ate 5 in one sitting when Tyler brought home that glorious jar of floating cucumbers. I feel that this was a legit craving b/c nothing I've eaten had ever tasted that good (at that moment) while realizing that they were just pickles. After that night, the jar never really interested me again and has been sitting untouched in the fridge.

* I have been eating apples like crazy!!! (usually 2 a day)
* Most meats do not appeal to me much at all - this is a big change!
* I admit to dipping raw broccoli & carrots in peanut butter... and enjoying it
* Loving some grilled cheese sandwiches :)
* I can always eat green beans... and sweets

Driving Along in my Automobile

This is the new (rental) car I get to drive around town!!


I was driving my Hyundai Sonata the other day when, all of a sudden, it wouldn't automatically up-shift. I was going 15 mph on 119th street with cars flying by me. I pulled over with dollar signs spinning in my head thinking it must be the transmission.

Fortunately the sport shifter fuse blew and all it took was ordering a new part - which is why I have the rental car. They ordered the fuse to come in overnight and should be fixed today. After stressing about car troubles it was all-for-not when we found out I was still under warranty. *sigh of relief*

I must say this new car is so nice a roomy... I think they upgrade your rental on purpose so you can enjoy the life of luxury making you want to trade your old car in for your rental. It worked for me, however, it is not working on Tyler... better sick with my good old Sonata (I do love that car).

Woosh Woosh - A Tiny Beating Heart

We got to hear the heartbeat again yesterday and it sounded BEAUTIFUL!!! 150 bpm

Even with my bribes, the doctor would not squeeze in an ultrasound so we could peek in on the baby - HA!

Looks like we will get our BIG ultrasound on my dad's birthday (December 30th) to get measurements and find out if we are having a boy or a girl :)

We had the option to test for Down Syndrome, but figured it didn't matter either way so we decided not to do the test.

I weighed in 2 lbs less than last month - which I thought was odd with a Thanksgiving dinner in the mix! I am sure I could fix those 2 lbs pretty easily with a Chipotle Burrito!

If the Shoe Fits, Wear It

My love for shoes has already trickled down to our little one... and he/she isn't even here yet! This pair I found particularity adorable.

I think it is the little bluebird that got me hooked.
Bugaloo Baby Shoes

Fun Baby Resources

Today I thought I’d share some fun pregnancy & baby related resources with those of you with your own little bun in the oven (or those of you who are thinking about getting knocked up in the near future) These are the online resources that I have found to be valuable as we navigate our way through pregnancy and into parenthood.

* My favorite “What the heck is going on with my baby this week?” website: ivillage pregnancy guide. Some of these week by week website are down right silly (comparing my baby’s brain size to that of Paris Hilton’s, I mean - come on!) or packed with advertisements. I like this one because it is consistent, has pictures, interesting facts, and pertinent information. Another website that is pretty similar: Pregnancy Today.

* My favorite “I want to check out some cool baby stuff” website: Ohdeedoh. I love this site - full of nursery inspiration, cool kid toys, projects, and general baby/kid related coolness. I check it often and have found a lot of great ideas and products.

* My favorite “I need some comprehensive pregnancy advice” website: Ask Dr. Sears. This website offers info on pregnancy stages, labor & delivery, breastfeeding, infant care and more. I am love checking this site and the information available here.

* My favorite “Place to shop online for gorgeous baby stuff” website: Fawn & Forest. Totally enamored with everything on this site - the handmade offerings, their eco-friendly commitments, the gorgeous furniture, toys, clothes, etc - all of it.

* My favorite “I want to talk to other pregnant ladies” website: The bump. Every now and then I just get the urge to chat it up with other preggos about things only pregnant women care to talk about like eating an entire box of fudgesicles.

* My favorite “Cloth diapering resources, recommendations, & helpful info” website: All about Cloth diapers. Cloth diapering is a lot easier than you think! Economical and WAY better on the environment. Top that off with the wide availability of super cute, colorful diaper covers instead of plain ‘ol plastic diapers and you’ve got an ideal diapering option!

* My favorite “Babies are expensive. Give me a good deal!” website: Baby Steals. It’s baby products deals and discounts. Everyday they email you with a special or discounted baby related item.

These are just a few. I’d love to hear what websites and resources other ladies have found to be helpful for them. Please feel free to share in the comments below.