Bedding Update

Well, we figured out the bedding fabrics. What started out as an "ohh, I like that", turned into quite a process trying to find matching/similar fabrics on other websites.

So, we opted for an alternate fabric for the green...My mother-in-law was pretty confident that the one they used for the baby website wasn't kid-friendly, not to mention even just the fabric was costly. So we searched and searched...and searched some more! Lol.

In a way, I was wishing I were the one talented enough to make my daughter's bedding. I know my mom had made some special things when I was born, and I wished I could do the same so she'd have a nice keepsake from me. But I can honestly say that even though I didn't make it myself, I have put A LOT of time and energy into researching and making it nice for her. Plus I'm sure there will be something homemade in there from me.

Anyway, here is the link to the fabric we're going to use to replace the green fabric. (So basically, with the original picture, everywhere you see blue, think lavendar; and everywhere you see the green fabric, picture this new fabric with green and lavender.

Can't wait to see the finished product!

http://www.babybedding.com/lilac-damask-fabric

8-8-10

I am very excited! I think I may have felt the baby move/kick for the first time yesterday. I don't know for sure, but I thought I felt a possible "flutter". I was laying in bed last night reading/relaxing when I felt it. I haven't felt anything since then, but will keep you posted.

In other exciting news, yesterday we were hanging out with this couple who had a sweet little girl a few months ago. They were showing us the baby's nursery, and she had really beautiful bedding--it was custom made and had embroidery. She gave me the name of the website that she ordered it from, so I checked it out for curiosity sake. I found this set I really loved, but it was a few hundred dollars. However, you can order the exact fabric off the website too, so Matt and I asked my mother-in-law, Lisa, if she would be willing to make it for us as her gift to us/Ashley since she makes beautiful things.

I am so excited though!!! I have searched high and low in stores and online for baby bedding, and could not find one that I really loved. I had registered for bedding at Babies-R-Us, but I didn't totally love it, it was just the best I could find. But this bedding we're having made is so nice, not to mention it'll be extra special since "grandmom" will be making it...a special keepsake.

Here is what it will look like, except that anywhere you see light blue, it will be replaced with lavender (in same type of material). I'm also still playing around with other fabrics to replace the green, although I may just stick with it since I like it a lot.

8-1-10 18 Weeks!

18 Weeks...almost 1/2 way there!

First "Girl" Gifts

Baby Ashley already has quite a collection of things! As I mentioned, our friend Laura had pink little girl booties waiting for us for when we got out of the ultrasound. Last weekend Matt and I got together in Charleston with my mom, sister Kristyn, and her boyfriend Jason. Mom already had a couple of gifts waiting...a pink teddy bear/blanket, and a Willow Tree Pregnancy figurine. She and I also picked out a special memory ornament while there. Then at the end of our weekend trip, we stopped at the outlets and had lots of fun going to a couple of baby stores and picking out some items she'll need, and a few outfits that we liked--"grandma" surprised us and splurged on all the outfits we picked out. Then one of Matt's coworkers and clients surprised us with a couple of outfits as well. Below are some pics of her things so far.

It's a GIRL!!!!

We are having a GIRL!! I am soooo excited!

Yesterday I went in for my 16 week check up...Everything looked great. I finally got to hear the heartbeat for the first time, although she wasn't very cooperative and kept moving around. The nurse didn't give me a clear #, just said it was in the 150's. My weight and measurements are perfect--I measured 15-16 weeks (you're supposed to measure in inches the same # of weeks that you are), and my weight is right on track. After the appointment, I scheduled the next appointment for "the big ultrasound" at 20 weeks. Of course, I've been dying to know what we're having and I read you're able to detect the sex in an ultrasound at 16 weeks. We lucked out since Matt happens to work with an ultrasound tech, so she was able to give us a "sneak peek" rather than having to wait another 4 weeks.

So today we went in for the ultrasound. We had to wait a few minutes before going in, and it felt like forever. Luckily we had friends and a couple of Matt's coworkers there to help distract us. They were joking, asking if we were having a "hamburger" or a "chicken leg"...lol.

The ultrasound was so neat. The baby had grown a bit from the 12 week ultrasound, and boy is she one active little baby already. She was moving around quite a bit. I have a feeling I'm going to be in trouble once I actually start to feel her move since she was kicking so much. The ultrasound tech said that she's not God, but she's never been wrong yet, and that there's a 99% chance that it's a girl. I was so ecstatic.

The cool part is that since Matt knew the woman, she took her time and we were able to watch the baby for a few minutes rather than the quick rush through...Also, she realized that all the pics she took came out too light, so she went back and redid them, so we got double the amount of time to watch her moving around.

After the ultrasound, our friend Laura handed us cute little pink booties....she was already pretty confident we were having a girl =)

So...as of now, I'm pretty sure we are leaning toward the name Ashley Grace. We originally had Ashley Irene or Jacob Ryan picked out, but after the medical issues I had and the high odds of possible complications (if I was even able to get pregnant at all), I thought Grace was a nice middle name to symbolize God's amazing work and grace in all of this this. So...it's not set in stone, but we shall see.

Other girls names we like and are still considering are:

Hannah Grace

Emily or Emma Grace

But, we're having a daughter...wow!

7-18-10 16 Weeks!

Today I am 16 Weeks Pregnant. Time sure does seem to be flying! In fact, if the baby cooperates, we will be finding out if we're having a little girl or a little boy in just a few days. I remember when it seemed like forever until we'd be able to find out. We're very excited! With the exception of a couple of people, just about everyone has told me that they think we're having a girl based on the way I'm carrying. We will see! For some reason I think it's a girl, but I could be wrong. Either way I know we'll be happy and blessed.

This week I also completed most of the baby registry--just need to add the nursery items and a few gender items once we know what we're having. I feel very accomplished....I researched a ton of info on Consumer Reports and in the Baby Bargains book (great book), and a couple of friends with babies also gave me personal feedback. Then I went to Babies R Us and registered. I have to say, it was both an exciting but also intimidating experience. I was walking through the store with the "check list" of all the items they recommend, kind of overwhelmed with everything we need and wondering how to use some of it...Lol. We'll figure it out as we go along.

Physically I have been feeling ok...Pregnancy is not for the weak though! Lol. The first trimester I felt most of the pregnancy symptoms, but the worst ones were feeling nauseas and tired 24/7...Finally that passed, and second trimester brought headaches and back aches. I had a really bad headache for 5 days in a row, but thankfully that passed...Now I just have the backaches after waking up, but all in all I feel pretty good. I complain at times, but then remind myself that I am blessed to even be able to experience pregnancy at all. Who knows, maybe one day I'll even miss it!

That's about it for now. Hopefully I'll have exciting news to post in a few days...Stay posted ;)

July 4, 2010--14 Weeks!

Today starts the 2nd trimester! Yay