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!