A place to lay his weary head

After repainting the closet in Tucker's room a crisp bright white, we finally finished painting his room. Alec found the perfect color - pudding! It's a rich creamy color. So of course now that the room is painted, we had to put together Tucker's crib! As soon as Alec opened the box and pulled back the first layer of protective batting, I started crying! Each little thing we do makes this pregnancy more real and seeing where our little baby will someday sleep was just a bit overwhelming for me!


After the crib was put together, we decided to switch out the old brass light fixture with a new ceiling fan! Here's Tucker's room so far:

And his closet full of lots of tiny things:

Now that the holidays are over, I'm ready to nest a lot more and get prepared (or as prepared as we can be) to meet our little boy!

A Holly Jolly Christmas!

We finally finished all of our shopping, wrapping and cooking late Tuesday night! Alec had hung the Christmas lights the day after Thanksgiving and after replacing a few burned out bulbs and every fuse at least once, we finally had about a week of them working perfectly! We held our breath each evening when we turned onto our street and breathed a sigh of relief when we saw our home all lit up!

Our tree is pretty small, but we cover it with decorations that have special meaning. Each year I like to add one more ornament that has special meaning. Between buying a new house, getting married and getting pregnant, we decided starting our family was the most special thing this year. We added a framed picture of Tucker's ultrasound photo.

Lucy and Mango were very good at leaving the presents and tree alone, but Berman just had to explore! The big blue box is a present that Santa dropped off early for Tucker!






Christmas Eve morning we woke up early and headed out to Wynona to have Christmas with my family (Mom, Walter, Grandma, Grandpa and my sister and her family). One last picture of the tree before most of the gifts were gone!

After we had Christmas in Wynona, we went to see my Dad and his family in Skiatook. Then after that, we went to my Grandma Edwards's in Sand Springs! Lots of travel time on Christmas Eve, but this is how it is every year! Everyone was excited about our new family addition and my Grandma Edwards just isn't sure what to do about her growing family and shrinking house!

We woke up early (this has become a habit for us!) on Christmas morning and Santa Claus had came! The dogs' stockings were full.




Mango waited patiently for Alec to open the tube of tennis balls Santa had left her while Berman quickly hoarded all squeaky toys and Lucy just stayed out of the way!




Santa had dropped off a rocking chair for Tucker and Alec got him his first fishing pole! The reel lights up when you press the button!

Alec and I had decided not to exchange gifts this year, but only do stocking stuffers. When we finally finished shopping for everyone else, we put the nix on the stocking stuffers too! That turkey ended up getting something for me anyway! My very own Shakespeare Ladyfish fishing pole! He said it was more of a family gift so when Tucker gets here, we can go fishing together!

Christmas day was spent with Alec's parents and brothers. After breakfast, we opened gifts. Tucker made out like a bandit! He got a fancy bathtub, a mobile, a bib, a blanket, a book and some decorations for his room! He was kicking the whole time we opened presents so I think he was very excited for Christmas! We had a late lunch then went to visit Alec's grandma in the nursing home in Coweta.

All in all, it was a very nice Christmas. We got lots of good stuff, but I think spending time with our families was the best gift of all!

And Today I'm Okay!

So after I sobbed for 1 1/2 hours yesterday and was sure that I would be a horrible mother, Alec calmed me down and reminded me that I'm already being a good momma.

So I'm better today. Alec helped me paint Tucker's room before he had to go off and finish up his flooring job (he's finally finished now!). I cleaned upstairs and did a little bit of cleaning downstairs.

I made some holiday goodies and homemade dog treats - the lollipups are in the oven now! I even managed to squeeze in an hour nap!

What a differnce a day makes! My mind is still running a million miles a minute while my body is just about done for the day. So frustrating! Oh well - I think this is what I have to look forward to for at least the next 18 years of my life!

Alec and I went to one of my favorite stores, Ribbons, a couple of weeks ago and found a canvas of a saying that really struck me:
"Remember when you go into the world to keep your eyes and ears wide open. And be kind. Love one another. Take care of each other. Tell the truth. Always do your best. Listen to the big people and the little people. Explore new paths and have fun. Know that you are loved like crazy. Give thanks for all your blessings. Above all else, love and you will do wonderful things in this world."

I definitely have to get this for Tucker's room. I just love it! I'm not sure if I'll get the actual canvas at Ribbons - it was a little pricey and won't match the decor. I may just print it out and put it in a nice frame.

I also found this saying online (Kleenex alert!):
"Before you were conceived, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were here an hour, I would die for you. This is the miracle of love."

Ok - now I'm crying again! Kleenex please!

Holy Cow I'm Scared!

I'm up to my usual attmept at Christmas perfection - making candy and homemade dog treats, wrapping gifts just right and still trying to decorate! On top of that, I'm trying to paint Tucker's bedroom and closet and trying to clean the house from top to bottom. My head is going 90 miles an hour, but my body is completely idle. This is so frustrating! I just want to get all of this stuff done, but my feet, back and hands hurt!

The dogs are driving me nuts! When they're in the house, they're right under my feet and when they're outside, they're BARKING! I yelled at them so loud that I'm sure my face was bright red. I know I had to sit down and catch my breath!

I just cried for about 20 minutes because I'm so scared I don't have the patience that I'm gonna need for this baby. I can't I deal with 3 dogs, how am I going to deal with a baby? I'm such a type A person that I can't imagine just letting things go to focus on Tucker. I just keep thinking when he gets here, I'll change. I'll be ok with a messy house or not trying to make everything perfect. But what if I don't change? I just want to be a good mom and someone he's proud of. I just don't know how I'm going to do it all.

Tiny Fists and Fleet Feet

Day after day, I sit and wait to feel Tucker kick. Every once in a while J grabs my hand and puts it on her belly trying to help me feel him punch and kick her, but I never can.......Until Saturday.

J and I were in the process of getting out of bed for the day when she grabbed my hand and placed it on her belly. Before she could say anthing I felt a little thump on my palm.. I felt that little guy kick or punch. I yelled "I felt it, I felt it."
That was the only time I felt him kick. Until Sunday.

We were resting on the couch J said Tucker was pretty active.. so I laid my head on her belly and POW! he gave me a knock right on the jaw.. I turned my head and SMACK.. another blow..

Thanks for letting me share.. He becomes more and more real every day, and I can't wait to meet the little guy and introduce him to you all.

2nd Trimester Belly Shots

My new craving

I think my sugar cookie craving has evolved into Peanut Butter Captain Crunch cereal cravings. OHMYGOSH - I forgot how absolutely delicious this cereal is! And it's not too bad for me either! I went through a box in a week so I had to get the bigger box on Sunday and I think I'll be through with it by next Sunday!

Last night we were watching some show about best bar foods and they kept showing these huge steak fries. YUMMY! It occurred to us that Alec hasn't had to make any special trips to get me anything crazy to eat (yet). I just put those fries out of my head and had some Captain Crunch instead.

I think Alec's had it pretty easy so far. I haven't had any crazy hormonal outbursts (yet) just some crying and bawling every now and then but no rage or anything too bad.

I have noticed people in general aren't very sensitive to pregnant girls. I don't know how many times I'm in public and I'm the one who has to step aside for someone. What's up with that?!? Don't they know that my feet and back are throbbing, my pregnant pants are cutting me in half and I feel ginoromous? I'm lucky to be standing upright and not laying on the floor sobbing.

I promise that after I get through this pregnancy, I will be much much nicer to pregnant girls. I will hold open doors, step aside for them - whatever it takes to make their day a little nicer.

A Boy Named Tucker

The name we chose for our little bundle of joy is Tucker. He's named after Nantucket where we eloped. We actually decided on this name when we were in Nantucket. I think I even remember the exact spot - we were walking back to our hotel under a canopy of redbud trees.

We haven't picked a middle name yet. Some possibilities:

Jackson (which I also love for a first name if we have another boy)
Henry (not after anyone, but apparently it was Alec's great-grandpa's name!)
Kennedy
Clinton

I kinda want a name that means something and isn't just a name. It may come down to just seeing him when he's born and just giving him the middle name that fits him!

News from the belly

Not a lot happening on the pregnancy front. I've been feeling tiny kicks now and then - mostly right below my belly button. They’re not strong enough yet for Alec to feel though.

Alec's parents have graciously bought their first grandbaby a beautiful crib which is still in the box in the middle of the nursery. With the holidays and work being super busy right now, we've put nursery plans on hold till maybe after the first of the year.

We attempted to register but there's just so much stuff to think about! After 2 1/2 hours, we had only picked out 40 or so things! We certainly plan on adding to our registry, but again – it may have to wait till after the new year.

My sister made her amazing deviled eggs for Thanksgiving so I was able to satisfy my November deviled egg craving. My current craving seems to be sugar cookies. Hopefully I can get my fill of them before my gestational diabetes test in a few weeks!

After the first of the year, I think we’re going to be super busy! We’ll begin taking classes (I want to take as many as possible), decorating the nursery, registering and just preparing for our little boy to make his big debut in April!

It's A Boy!

A Bittersweet Day

Today is our 6-month wedding anniversary! Yay! Today we find out if we're having a boy or a girl! Yay?

I was an absolute crying mess yesterday! It started when I was in the shower yesterday morning and didn't end till my mind was finally exhausted enough to shut down and go to sleep last night.

I'm excited to find out if we're having a boy or a girl, but finding out what we're having means we aren't having the other. If we're having a girl, that means we won't be having a boy and vice versa. Since we found out we were pregnant, it's kinda felt like we were having one of each. After today it will be just one or the other. This whole idea makes me very sad. At this point, I wish we were having twins - a boy and a girl!

Oh well - it will be nice to finally begin shopping and decorating for one or the other. And it'll be nice to say "she, he, him, her" rather than "the baby".

More to come...ultrasound is at 1pm!

Uncontrollable Nesting

My name is Jenny and I'm a nester. My nesting is getting out of control. I've painted the front door and the living room and hallway. My hands are completely cramping, but I'm all set to start painting the dining room tonight.

Alec replaced our horrible living room ceiling fan and 2 other light fixtures and hung new curtains for me. I think our living room is finally done...and it only took 6 months - longer than it took us to sell a house, buy a house, get married and start our family!

Here are some before shots:



And during:






And after!




Hopefully the baby will cooperate on Thursday and we'll find out what we're having! Then I can move my nesting efforts upstairs to the nursery!

Three Revelations

I had 3 Revelations this weekend:

1. There's a baby in my belly. I think I finally felt the baby moving on Saturday. It was a weird feeling in my stomach that I've never felt before. Books call it quickening, my sister said fluttering and a friend said like snakes in my belly. I didn't feel it today, but I was busy painting my living room so I didn't have time to really focus.

2. I'm pregnant. I was reading one of Alec's "dad" books last night. The section I was reading was about dads connecting with their baby for the first time. At first, I was a little teary eyed then I was full blown bawling - I mean I was ugly crying! I was wailing and everything. Alec just said "Is this it?" meaning the moment it hits me that I'm pregnant. I told him I thought it was. He hugged me and I moved on to a different section of the book.

3. I'm wearing my mother's bra. Okay - this is more of a fact rather than a revelation, but still...I'm wearing my mother's bra! I didn't want to buy a new (bigger) bra because I'm not sure when these things are gonna stop growing (if ever)! So mom offered up a couple of bras she doesn't wear. Luckily, I don't completely fill them out, but they are a lot more comfortable than my old bras!

I'm over the weirdness of being pregnant - I'm gassy, stupid and wearing my mother's bra. But I'm also glowing, happy and excited to see what lies ahead!

I can barely see my feet!

We haven't been up to much lately. Alec's been helping a buddy of his install floors and fix up a rental house. So I've been putting in a lot of couch time. I had Alec move the treadmill back into the house. I walked on it for 10 minutes 2 nights ago and that was it. I started taping off the baseboards in the living room so maybe we can finally get some color on our walls. I finished taping 1 tiny wall, took a break and haven't started back up...yet. With the time change and the weather getting cooler, it's hard to do stuff. I just want to snuggle under a blanket on the couch and watch TV. I mean, once the baby comes, how often will I get to do that?!?!

Last Friday night was Senior Night at the Ponca City high school football game. My niece is a Histepper - drill team/ dance team. We went to watch her at her last game. I started crying on the way home because she has grown up so fast! What am I gonna be like when it's my own kid?!?

Here's my sister, my niece and me:


My belly is getting ginormous. I probably need to be eating better, but cookies are so good! I think I'm carrying the baby "all over" as they say because my rear is getting huge too! This is my view of my feet:


Alec's mom bought us our first baby outfit! I think it already fits!
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We took the dogs upstairs to check out all the baby stuff. Now Berman sits at the bottom of the stairs and whines! Cookies and couch take me away!

I'm like a bird

I've read about how my nesting instincts will kick in, but I didn't think I could nest more than I already do! I normally clean and organize on a regular basis, but last Sunday, I cleaned the house for 4 hours! And that was just downstairs!

I think my nuturing instincts are starting up too. Last week, we had a chocolate cake incident - Berman took a big ol' bite of my made-from-scratch chocolate cake! I had to rush him to the animal ER where they made him throw up everthing he had eaten. Then this week, he had another seizure. Our vet decided it's time to put him on Phenobarital to help keep the seizures at bay. Needless to say, I can't stop kissing or snuggling my baby boy! I think he's absolutely exhausted from my all my mothering!

This morning, I found a yellowjacket buzzing around our dining room window. I wasn't scared for me - I was scared for the furkids! I mustered up all the courage I had and killed it with a flyswatter! Normally when I try to kill a spider or wasp, I shake so bad that I usually miss whatever it is altogether! But today I was brave - like a momma bear protecting her cubs!

Oh - and it still hasn't hit me that I'm pregnant and we're having a baby. I'm hoping that realization will hit me once the baby starts kicking...which should be any time now!

Adios, Flu Bug!

At our last appointment, my OB/GYN was adamant about me getting a flu shot. Now, I've never ever had the flu and I've never ever had a flu shot. In fact, I'm rarely sick at all. I told her all of this, but she didn't care - I HAVE to get a flu shot!

After we left, I got to thinking - I can get a flu shot, but I can't have a bologna sandwich?!?! I Googled flu shots and pregnancy and found quite a few sites that mentioned something called Thimerosal. Basically, Thimerosal is mercury and it's used in immunizations as a preservative. I checked both the FDA and CDC websites and neither said there was a risk to get a good ol' fashioned flu shot with Thimerosal. However, I found several other sites that linked Thimerosal to autism in children. I also found out that when I get a flu shot, the immunization carries over to our baby and our baby is actually safe against the flu for up to 6 months after it's born. I found out that children should receive Thimerosal-free vaccines and pregnant women should request Thimerosal-free flu shots.

I called my OB/GYN's nurse and asked her if I should get a Thimerosal-free shot and she said that was an excellent question and yes I should! So I scheduled an appointment with my regular doctor then called back today to make sure they have Thimerosal-free flu shots. They do not nor did they know anyone who did. They suggested the Visiting Nurses Association, but didn't have a phone number for them. I called the health department. They have Thimerosal-free shots, but only for children - for for adults - not even pregnant adults! Now if my flu shot carries over to my baby, wouldn't that be the same as giving a baby a Thimerosal contained flu shot?!?!

So I had to decide - no flu shot at all and risk my health and our baby's health or get a regular flu shot and risk our child having complications. Rock & hard place!

I called my OB/GYN's nurse again and asked if she knew anyone who offered Thimerosal-free shots. She read to me the findings of the FDA that there is very little evidence that Thimerosal can cause problems with unborn babies and that there was a much larger risk with getting the flu. She even told me how she used to break open thermometers when she was little and play with the mercury and she's ok. What the heck?!?! Yeah - and I used to steal my dad's beers when I was little and drink them, but just because I turned out ok, doesn't mean I'm going to drink beer when I'm pregnant! I was not a happy camper.

I finally found the phone number for the VNA and they offer Thimerosal-free shots! For pregnant women! Yea! So Alec took me to get my flu shot and then to Braum's for a hot fudge shake! The flu shot hurt, but I have peace of mind and a fully belly now!

Maternity Jeans Hurt!

So all of my maternity jeans have this 2 inch elastic waist band that hits just below my belly button. Well anytime I sit or bend over or move, the band rolls in half or in thirds and squeezes the begeezus out of me! I ordered some belly bands - these tube things that fit over your maternity pants that help smooth out your belly and (hopefully) keeps everything in place!

We didn't have an ultrasound today because the doctor thought it would be too early so now we have to wait till November 20 to find out if we're having a boy or girl!

I used the bathroom before we left for our appointment then realized I needed to give a "sample" so I gulped down a bunch of water. Needless to say, I was able to provide more than enough for a sample and was not quite as neat as I would've liked to have been in the bathroom!

Oh and our doctor is ademate about me getting a flu shot! First of all, I've never had a flu shot and second of all, I've never had the flu. But now I have to have a stupid flu shot! Great!

We did finally get to hear the baby's heartbeat so that was nice. Except for that, today is not a good pregnant day. I want comfy pants and a couch. STAT!

Daddy's Little Girl or Mama's Boy?

Tomorrow we may find out if we're having a boy or a girl! We're not scheduled for an ultrasound, but we may try to sweet talk the doctor into giving us one so we can find out what we're having! If we can't find out tomorrow, we'll have to wait for our 20 week appointment toward the end of November!

At first, I really thought we were having a boy. Then I had 3 different dreams that we had a girl. Alec also dreamed we had a girl. The 3 other people in my office who are expecting are all having boys so that made me think we're having a girl.

We tried a couple of at old wives's tales tricks to determine the sex, but one told us one thing and the other said the opposite!

We went to Eureka Springs for the day on Saturday to do a little shopping and to take in the Ozark fall foliage. I was hoping to pick up a few baby things like a quilt and some toys but everything is so gender specific! All we ended up getting was a t-shirt for me and a few Arkansas black apples.





So hopefully tomorrow we'll know what our baby is made of - sugar and spice and everything nice or snips and snails and puppydog tails! I told Alec we'd have to go back to Eureka Springs after we find out the sex to do some real shopping. I think once a year is enough Eureka Springs for him!

We Have Energy!

We walked around all day yesterday at Oktoberfest in Ponca City then went to the TU game last night. I was so exhuasted by the time my head hit my pillow! I was sure I'd be on the couch all day today. I'm not sure if it was Alec's big Sunday breakfast or being in the 2nd trimester, but I started out with a ton of energy! I cleaned both downstairs bathrooms, dusted, vacuumed and swept. I managed to go to a couple of stores then it hit me. I was so tired and drained! I had to mosey on home, have a cheese and veggie sandwich and sit for a minute.

Alec was super energized too! He moved a shelf downstairs, moved my old toy chest to a closet, moved our little TV upstairs and the big TV downstairs and moved the treadmill out the garage. He also ran a new cable line down another wall in our bedroom. This required the weekly trip to Lowes and many trips up to the attic.




Alec redirected the cable in the game room to our bedroom. Then he had to run a new cable for the game room. There were lots of other steps involved, but since I wasn't allowed in the attic, I'm not quite sure what they were nor did I get any pictures. I got to help by pulling cables from the attic down the wall then out the new hole in the bedroom. Now we are able to move the TV in our bedroom to the opposite wall! This opens up the space in front of our bedroom windows for the bassinet and glider.

The nursery will be upstairs. We almost have it all cleared out!

We plan on using the game room as a play room! We've already gotten a ton of stuff from family, friends, garage sales and consignment sales. We love going to garage sales on Saturday mornings and mostly pick up books, games and toys. We bought Dr. Seuss's Oh the Places You'll Go! at a garage same for 50 cents. We then saw it at Barnes and Noble for $18 brand new! That's crazy!!!


I like classic toys and books like See and Say and Little Golden Books. I'm not a big fan of Disney though. For some reason, Disney got me all riled up a few years ago and I haven't like them ever since. I can't remember the reason, but I'm pretty sure I don't like them! We like Sesame Street (though Elmo is a little annoying) and we've bought a few games like Hungry Hungry Hippo, Operation and Hi Ho Cherry-O (very boring game!). Again,these games go for around $15 or $20 brand new and we got them at garage sales for $1-$3 each!

The nursery won't really have a theme - I'm not about themes. But we did find a fabric that we love. It's a toile and the design is nursery rhymes. I like it because it's neutral and classic and different. Alec's mom has offered to make a bumper and blanket for us - one side toile and the other chenille (really it's called Minky dot, but it's chenille-ish).

Time for dinner before I crash! I LOVE having all this energy! Finally!

Oh - weird pregnancy cravings? I'm kinda on a bratwurst and kraut kick right now. Yum!