decisions, decisions, decisions....

Ugh.....I know I have a million more hard decisions ahead of me, but I already don't like having to make them! Brandon and I are struggling with the decision on whether I should get the flu shot or not. Brandon has never had one, and my sister-n-law never had one while she was pregnant and also has never had my niece or nephew get one. You see, Brandon's dad had Guillain-Barre (a rare syndrome but severe paralytic illness). Rex contracted it from the 1976 Swine Flu vaccine. And while studies are unclear, it has usually been suggested that no one from that blood line get a flu vaccine as they are at higher risk for the illness. Brandon's dad was one of the lucky ones that overcame the paralyzing affects, even though he still struggles daily with tingling in his feet. I haven't had a flu vaccine since I met Brandon. However, in talking it over with our doctor, while she realizes it is a hard decision, and one only we can make, she pointed out that the risks involved with contracting the flu while pregnant can be just as bad if not worse. So, Brandon is worried about me and that baby. I feel like we are flipping a coin, and that is not really how I want my first real big decision involving my baby to be. I have been praying for God to give me a sign, so I hope he does, as I have another doctor's appt today at 10:30!

Nursery Fabric!

Mom and I went shopping yesterday and I think we have found our potential nursery!!! I took swatches so that I could see them in the room itself and compare with accessories we can get at stores (sheets, etc). But, I keep falling in love with it the more and more I look at it ;) I originally didn't want to do a lot of pink and make it too girly. I wanted a neutral nursery. But, in essence, we will still have that since the wall color, furniture, and glide rocker are all neutral in green and white. Curtains and bumper pads can be easily changed. I also wanted something that my little girl could grow into, instead of just being for a nursery.



The walls are already painted Mint Ice Cream. We are using existing white furniture and plan to get a white crib. And our glide rocker is a medium tone wood that will be recovered in the green fabric. Then, assuming we can get everything we need, we are planning on using the other three as coordinating fabrics for the curtains, crib skirt and possibly bumper pads or other crib bedding.

I feel so lucky to have a Mom that is so talented and willing to do this for us!! I don't know why, but it feels so good to customize the nursery just how I want it for our little girl, instead of picking out an already customized theme from a store. I like being creative. And I didn't want something with a theme or over the top. I wanted something she can grow into and won't feel all baby baby. I did surprise myself, because I never thought I wanted this much pink, but I LOVE how it works with the yellow and greens.

So exciting!!!! Now we just hope she doesn't pop out as a boy instead! ;) LOL

20th week pics

We had some fun with the camera last night and took some more belly pics :) I decided to wear my pink tank top this time for my little girl! And we took the pics against her "Mint Ice Cream" nursery wall ;)







We are still working on a name. Mommy has one she likes, but is waiting for Daddy to give his input and make sure we have the perfect name for our little princess! It is such a hard decision!!!

Half-way there! - 20 weeks!!

Well, we have made it to the half-way point! I am excited and anxious all at the same time. It has started to hit me recently how much there is still left to do and I am feeling overwhelmed. However, I know that all will be ok, and as long as we have the essentials that is all that matters. Brandon and I have been so busy, we haven't had a chance to really stop and talk much. On Saturday night, I pulled him into the bedroom and closed the door. We needed to be away from the TV, the dog, the cat, everything. We layed on the bed for what I thought and hoped was going to be a long nice chat, and then I just started to cry. And I mean, I sobbed. I think I have been holding all my emotions inside, and it wasn't until I had some alone quiet time with my hubby that it all hit me. So, we still had a nice moment, but instead of a lot of talking, it was more him just comforting me. As always, he made me feel better, and we were laughing not too long after. I am also very excited on top of all this anxiety. I started looking online this weekend to get ideas for things to register for or get. I picked out my diaper bag - of course Vera Bradley! - and I think my mom is going to go ahead and order it since it is one of my favorite patterns that is being discontinued (Hope Garden). I am already going to turn our little girl into a Vera girl :) Since I have several things in this pattern already, I figure they will now become hers :)

This past weekend, our little AOII legacy also participated in her first Arthritis Walk (AOII's National Philanthropy is Arthritis Research). I met some other AOII Alumnae at Bur-Mil Park on Saturday where we were able to support a cause important to us all. And it was so neat to see that all 100 Elon AOII collegians joined the event as well! I had to be cute, and make a little sticker so everyone knew about our legacy in my belly. Here is a pic as our little girl and I got ready to leave the house :)

It's a GIRL!

We had our 19 week ultrasound yesterday and found out we are having a GIRL! I was so excited and nervous going into the ultrasound. I remember just gripping the table and trying to hold perfectly still as the technician put the first images of our precious girl on the screen. She was ALL OVER THE PLACE! A drastic difference from the last ultrasound where they had me get off the table and do jumping jacks to try and get her to move. It may have had something to do with the Coke I had on the way to the appt :). I was in complete awe the whole time. I don't think I said much. Brandon was super excited and every time I looked at him, he was moving closer and closer to the screen. Later someone asked me if I cried. I remember shedding a tear, because I remember it rolling down my cheek, but otherwise, I really was just in awe. The 3-D images captured were absolutely amazing! I am already in love!!! So, both Brandon's and my predictions were wrong. We both thought boy. But, we couldn't be more excited about our precious girl!! And we get to see her again in a couple of weeks. They couldn't get a good picture of her spine because she was moving so much, so they want us to come back. Darn! :) I will remember not to drink a coke for that appt! When the technician left the room, Brandon and I just looked at one another. I am still in shock that I actually have a baby growing inside me and now to find out it is a girl! So exciting ;) I wore a yellow shirt to the appt and brought a pink and blue one with me, so I immediately put on my pink shirt and wore it proud the rest of the day!! Brandon is really going to be outnumbered in our house. With me, two girl pets, and a baby girl on the way.....but I know he is LOVING it! He LOVES his girls :)

18 weeks

I am 18 weeks today! Overall feeling good. Starting to have some stretching and overall things shifting pain, but not too bad. Still having trouble sleeping, but better get used to that! At least my appetite is back. According to babycenter.com, I now have a bell pepper in my tummy :) Approx. 5 1/2 inches long, and 7 ounces. We go back to the doctor on Monday the 13th for our next ultrasound. Very excited, because hopefully we will find out the sex!! Brandon continues to be amazing. He does most of the stuff around the house, and is also very protective and attentive to me. We are both getting more and more excited everyday. Still haven't felt any movements but hopefully soon!