A Little Behind ...

So I am a little behind in my blogging, but I really wanted to write about my baby shower (which was two weeks ago). It was a wonderful shower and I feel so blessed to have so many people care about me and my little girl. What a great reminder of how good God is and how wonderful friends are!

The shower was at my friend Allie's house and it was decorated so beautifully with all of her Christmas decorations. All of my hostesses (Allie, Laura, Lauren, Meredith, Kristin, and Tara) made delicious food and beverages for us to enjoy. Here is a picture of us (minus Tara, who couldn't make it) in front of the food table. What sweet friends I have!



One of the best things about my shower was that my family was able to come up and share in the occasion. My mom, sister, and niece came up early so we could do some shopping on Friday (yes, I skipped work). I know I spent way too much money but we had a blast! I miss being able to do things with them on a regular basis since we don't live that close to each other. My aunt came in on Friday and stayed at my house for the rest of the weekend. My mother-in-law came in just for the shower since she doesn't have to drive as far. And my best friend from elementary school, Sarah, was even able to make it as well. I know that she isn't family, but we have been friends for so long and she is very special to me and I am glad that she was there. Thank you all for coming! It really means so much to have a family who is always there for you. I know my shower would not have been the same if they hadn't been there.



We got more things for the baby then we know what to do with and right now it is all still sitting in big piles in the nursery waiting to be put up. Once Colin gets the dresser and crib finished, I will start organizing and washing and putting everything up. Until then, it is just going to have to sit there.

I loved each and every gift we got, but I must say that some things were a little more special than the others. Thank you mom and Aunt Pat for the travel system! We would not be able to bring our baby home without it. My sister gave us some much needed accessories and my favorite is the "I love my aunt" bib. I am pretty sure her kids received many of those things from me through the years. We also received quite a few hand made blankets, which are all beautiful and special, but my favorite is the one that my mother-in-law made (see picture below). She learned how to crochet just to make a blanket for her newest granddaughter and it turned out great! I can't imagine all the time and hard work she spent on that blanket. It will definitely be treasured. Look below for a picture of all the gifts! (Of course lots of gifts mean lots of thank you notes!)





The shower was really fun, but so was the rest of the weekend. My family and I went to an ice sculpture exhibit after the shower that was amazing! All of the sculptures were huge and you could even sit or stand on some of them! That evening my cousin and his family came over for a big birthday bash! Ok, maybe it wasn't a big bash but it sure was a lot of people in my small house and a lot of food to make that I am not used to making. We had fun that night celebrating my mom, Colin, and cousin Kris' birthdays. I don't get to be with my mom very often on her birthday so it was nice being able to make dinner for her and celebrating with her. Hope she enjoyed it!

This just in ...

I just got a call from my doctor's office and my test results were NORMAL!! Thank goodness! I always try to watch what I eat, but at least now I don't have to cut the sugar out of my diet. What would I do without my candy and sodas? Thank you to all of those who were praying for me!

Still No Word

I had mentioned a week or so ago that I was going to the doctor for my monthly check up and glucose screening. Well, last week the doctor's office called and said that the results for my glucose screen were positive. The levels weren't high, but it was still a positive. Therefore, I went back to the doctor's office last Wednesday to do the long glucose screen. This consists of having my blood drawn, drinking the lovely orange sugar drink, then waiting an hour to have my blood drawn again. Then they take my blood again on the hour for the next two hours. Let's just say that I got a lot of reading done those three hours I was there. The point of all of this is to mention that they still have not called me back to tell me what my results are. I was glad that I wouldn't find out until after Thanksgiving because I was able to eat what I wanted and not have to think about the effects. However, I am now anxious to know if I have gestational diabetes or not. I am hoping that no news is good news. If it were serious, they would have called me by now. Right?

Other news. Colin and I are steadily making progress on the nursery. I finished painting the walls and he has put up all of the crown moulding and chair rail. Now we will have someone come and paint the trim. He has also sanded the crib and dresser and hopefully will paint it sometime this week. My plan is to get as much as we can done this week since my family will be coming up for our baby shower. I want them to at least be able to get an idea of what it will look like when it is finished.

31 Weeks

Here is what BabyCenter.com says about my baby at 31 weeks:

This week, your baby measures about 16 inches long. She weighs a little over 3 lbs and is headed for a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and is beginning to accumulate a layer of fat underneath her skin in preparation for life as a newborn. As a result, her arms, legs, and body are filling out.

I also read in one of my baby books that she will be growing about a half a pound and a half an inch a week from now until she is born. It is amazing to me that I am actually carrying around a baby in my tummy that weighs about 3 lbs! She is definitely starting to take up more room in there and making me more uncomfortable. Since she moves all the time, she has a tendency to kick or punch all of my internal organs which usually doesn't feel very good. (I am thankful that at least for now she seems to sleep pretty well when I sleep.) I have also noticed that my back seems to hurt more if I am not sitting against something or standing up straight. There just isn't any time right now for my aches and pains since I have a lot to do to get ready for Christmas and for her arrival (9 more weeks!).

Pregnancy Progression Photos

4 months pregnant


5 months pregnant


6 months pregnant

Today is the day

Today is the day when I start recording all the things going on in preparation for our newest addition to our family. Colin and I are so excited that we will be starting our little family in January (hopefully she will wait until then). This pregnancy has gone by so fast and before I know it our little girl will be here! We have been so blessed that so far everything has been pretty smooth. But since so many things have already changed in our lives and will change even more, I want to use this site as a way to share with family and friends the many things going on. Not only do I want to share with others our life, but I want to be able to look back and remember how things were "back in the day". Since I am new to this blogging stuff, please be patient as I figure all of this out.

Things going on right now:
- I am currently 29 weeks pregnant with a baby girl and feeling great! Her name will be announced when she gets here, but I can share that she will have the same initials as her daddy. If you need a name to call her in the mean time, you can always call her Cookie or Candy Apple like a couple of our friends do. My mom just calls her Miss Parker for now and is anxiously waiting to find out her name.
- Tomorrow I go in for another check up to make sure everything is OK, plus I will be doing my glucose screening (please pray that this goes well!).
- On Thursday I have a dentist appointment. Let's hope I don't have 13 cavities like I did last time (or maybe it was 14?).
- I started painting the nursery this weekend but still have more to do. Not exactly sure about the colors yet, but I will have a better idea of how I feel when it is complete.
- Colin has started sanding the crib and will hopefully work on it some more this weekend (keeping my fingers crossed). After he finishes that he will have the chest of drawers to sand and paint.
- My good friend Laura finished sewing the bumper pads and now they just need to be stuffed. They are so precious! Thank you Laura for your hard work on this!
- Just about one more week and it will be Thanksgiving! I can't wait to have a couple of days off work and be able to spend time with family.
- Our little girl moves around all the time in my tummy. She doesn't just move a little, but a lot! I think she will be active just like her daddy. Maybe she will even be a soccer player too!