Happy 13th Birthday, Jaclyn!

Today is her actual birthday but we celebrated this weekend, while Brad's family was in town.  We have a teenager on our hands, people...a Justin Beiber loving thirteen year old.  Pray for her mother : )

Saturday, after our antiquing excursion, the men headed to Lowe's and we hit up TJMaxx.  On our way home, we stopped at T-Bones, an old fashioned grocery store up the street from our house, where Jaclyn picked out a cake...a chocolate on chocolate cake, with chocolate mousse in the center and chocolate shavings on top.  I think the girl likes chocolate : )

We got home and realized we didn't have any birthday candles so we improvised with a pillar candle that was already sitting on the table...ha!

We pretty much devoured the cake, it was so delicious!  Then it was time for us to give Jaclyn her special gift.  Every girl needs a little Tiffany in her life, and what a better time to start her collection, than her thirteenth birthday : )

I love how dainty and delicate the miniature hearts are.  Looks perfect on her. 

The traditional birthday picture of Brad and Jaclyn...

Side note: Brad and his sister are thirteen years apart, which is exactly how many years apart Jaclyn and Charlotte will be.  How funny!

Happy Thursday, people!

xoxo,
meghan

24 Weeks!

Today's date: Wednesday, March 30, 2011

How far along: 24 week = 6 months!

Sex: Girlie Girl!

Maternity clothes: Still wearing most of my regular shirts.  Wore my maternity jeans again yesterday...so so comfy : )

Sleep: Had been sleeping really really well, until I got sick last week Tuesday and have been sleeping like poop since.

Best moment(s) of the week:  Had a really nice visit with Brad's family this weekend, celebrating Jaclyn's 13th birthday.

Movement: She was moving like crazy this morning when I woke up, before I got out of bed.  I love the feeling, despite thinking that it would freak me out.  It totally doesn't : )

Food cravings/aversions: Nada.

Morning sickness: Nada.

Symptoms: Back is in much better condition, and I am so so thankful!

Labor signs: Way too soon.

Belly button in or out:  Its still in, but getting more and more shallow.

What I miss:  Having a kitchen sink and kitchen counter tops.  Luckily both will be in on Friday.  I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I'm actually looking forward to cooking dinner again.  Eating out and frozen dinners got old after about...3 days.

What I'm looking forward to: Erica will be here tomorrow night.  Wahoo!

Size and growth of our baby: Baby is now the length of an EAR OF CORN!

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long, she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball.

Also, at some point between now and my next baby appointment in a month, I have to get the dreaded glucose screening test.  I'm hoping the first one goes well, so I don't have to get the second one.  Cross your fingers!

Antiquing.

While Brad's parents + sister were in town, we decided to explore a few antique stores that are near our house, that we've never been into.  I had (and still have) a pretty bad cold all weekend, so antiquing sounded like a fun, low-key activity for us.  I was kind of surprised when Brad suggested it, but jumped on the chance to go antiquing with my husband (this is usually an activity I do with my girlfriends).  I had no idea Brad loved it as much as I did...especially when he pointed out this adorable little desk he wanted to get for Charlotte (oh, melt my heart).

 

 

I originally thought this little hole was supposed to hold a little pencil cup, but come to find out, its to hold ink for old-school pens.  Pretty cool...although, we'll adapt it to hold some pencils instead :)

I love imagining the treasures she'll hide in here.  Maybe even a little lap top some day.  Wouldn't that be funny...MacBook, circa 2020, meets Antique School Desk, circa 1891 : )

 Brad also found this old desk chair that we ended up bringing home too.  It seems to have been painted at some point, but we love the color and the worn wood showing through.

 It seems to be very solid and well built.

And even has this little metal plate on the back.  It must have been a Duquense Light Company office chair at some point (the picture is kind of blurry, so its hard to make out the words).

I love finding hidden gems in the midst of a lot of junk : )  Did everyone have a nice weekend?!

xoxo,
meghan

Bump: 23 Weeks

Charlotte's definitely growing :)

And, for a little bump progression series...

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  More on our weekend with the Brad's family and kitchen progress tomorrow!

xoxo,

meghan

23 Weeks!

Today's date: Wednesday, March 23, 2011

How far along: 23 weeks

Sex: Girl Girl Girl!

Maternity clothes: I bought and wore my first pair of maternity jeans yesterday.  Man, those suckers are comfy : )

Sleep: Have been sleeping SO good!

Best moment(s) of the week:  Brad got to feel little Charlotte for the first time on Monday night...such a cool moment.

Movement: She's moving more and more every day.  I love it!

Food cravings/aversions: Nada.  But I'm going to be sad when Clementines aren't in season anymore.

Morning sickness: Nada.

Symptoms: Back pain is still 95% gone, which is SO great.

Labor signs: Way too soon.

Belly button in or out:  Definitely still in but I've noticed in the past week or so that its getting shallower.  I showed Brad tonight and he got a good chuckle out of it.

What I miss:  A clean house : 

What I'm looking forward to: Erica is coming to visit next weekend...can't wait!

Size and growth of our baby: Baby is now the length of a MANGO!

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound, you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Kitchen Reno Update

This is how our kitchen stands as of this morning.

{really bad picture I took in the dark this morning, because the electrical is turned off in there}.

All of the cabinets are in so we were finally able to finalize our counter-top order yesterday.  Hopefully those will be in within the week.  Brad had to move some electrical around, so he was monkeying with that last night.

We have yet to decide on a paint color...six paint color samples later : )  We're going to throw in the towel if we can't find a color we like SOON! {If you have any favorite tans, grays or greens that are on the cooler side, let me know!}

There's still a lot to do, but we're {Brad} is making progress and its looking more and more like a functional kitchen every day.  Hooray!

xoxo,

meghan

Girls Weekend.

I had such a nice weekend with two of my aunts and cousins, in York, PA.  We had been trying to plan a weekend to get together for so long, so we were all excited that it was finally happening.

We were in the company of a Disney Princess loving three-year-old...

...so we spent a lot of time talking about princesses, playing Pretty Pretty Princess & Polly Pocket, watching Cinderella and we even took Avi on her first trip to the Disney store.  I wish I would have had my camera with me while we were there, because she was wide-eyed and so excited the entire time...as were the other fifty-seven little girls running around in there.  Oh, it was so fun!

We had a really nice lunch on Saturday, I got to watch my other cousin, Anna play soccer and I was pampered and showered with good food to the max.  My Auntie M is a really great cook (and hostess, for that matter) and she definitely spoiled us.  I told her I wished I could have stayed all week : )

This girl is a total girly-girl...look at that headband she picked out at Ann Taylor LOFT : )

Happy Monday, people!  Cheers to Spring weather!

xoxo,
meghan

Gas bubble?

Nope!  It was Charlotte!  I'm feeling her more and more every day and its so amazing.  It gives my butterflies.

Honestly, I was really nervous about feeling the little baby that's growing inside of me, because, well, its kind of weird when you think about it and for someone with claustrophobia, it just kind of freaked me out when I thought about it.  But, boy do I feel the complete opposite about feeling her little movements.  Keep 'em coming, little girl!

I made these for our little girl, two nights ago.

22 Weeks!

Today's date: Wednesday, March 16, 2011

How far along: 22 weeks

Sex: Girl Girl Girl!

Maternity clothes: A few items.

Sleep: I've been sleeping pretty good, aside from last night when my back pain could be felt even through the night.

Best moment(s) of the week:  I know this will sound weird to a lot of you, but Brad and I started on our kitchen reno Saturday morning and it was really nice working on a big project together again.  It seems like we used to work on a lot of projects together (key word 'together'), but we haven't lately for whatever reason.  So, it was really fun working together all morning.  Having a fun partner makes otherwise boring jobs, like steaming and ripping down wallpaper...fun!

Movement: I've been feeling her more and more!  And every time I do, I press my hand on my belly to see if I can feel her with my hand too...usually to no avail.  But, yesterday when I felt her while at work, I pressed on my belly and felt her!  It was a quick little "blurp" (that's the sound effect I use, even though there is no sound involved) and I only felt it that once.  Brad can't wait until he can feel her : )

Food cravings/aversions: Nada.

Morning sickness: Nada.

Symptoms: As of this morning, the back pain is gone!  I know this can be controversial, but I went to a chiropractor this morning and I feel about 95% better.  Its amazing.  I can walk, sit, stand and move without pain.  This chiropractor was referred to my by a good friend and I really really liked him.  Conservative Catholic :)

Labor signs: Way too soon.

Belly button in or out:  Definitely still in.

What I miss:  A clean house : )  But I know that things have to get messy before they improve.

current condition of our dining room, which extends into the living room, too.

What I'm looking forward to: Girls weekend in 2 days!

Size and growth of our baby: Baby is now the length of a SPAGHETTI SQUASH!

At 11 inches and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside her belly, her pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Bump: 21 Weeks

As some of you may have noticed, there wasn't a 20 week bump post because...well, we forgot.  We were in Michigan last weekend and just completely forgot.  We might start doing bump pictures every other week instead, since there is more of a noticeable difference after that amount time time.  We'll see.

Here's what I'm looking like these days...

And a little side by side comparison with 19 weeks.  I can finally see a difference...can you?!

Happy Sunday everyone!!

xoxo,
meghan

Mad chaos.

This is the state of our house right now.  We're in the middle of a few projects...

that chair does not belong there...nor the camping equipment

see that purdy white tall thing against the wall...that's one of our new upper cabinets.  weeeee!

Pittsburgh Winters.

Now having lived in Pittsburgh through another winter, a more typical winter, I'm a little disappointed.  Last winter when Brad and I were living in Squirrel Hill, we had the most magnificant snow storm I've ever experienced.  It started snowing on a Friday afternoon...

...and continued all through the next morning, which resulted in TWO FEET of snow accumulation at once. 

When we walked out our front door that Saturday morning, it was literally like we were living in a snow globe.  Cars were buried in and wouldn't have been able to get anywhere even if they weren't, so Moose was able to run around the streets a free dog.  He loved it and we loved it.  I was like a giddy child that just woke up on Christmas morning.

I think I was snowed in from work for the entire week...or at least that's the excuse I used.  You all know how much I loved working for Lockerz : (

Anyway...the point of this post is that this winter has been NOTHING like last winter.  I feel like we've had more rain than snow and that's just not what winter is all about!  So, to my surprise this morning, I woke up to a few inches of snow this morning.  The kind that sticks to the trees and makes everything look beautiful...like you're in The Polar Express.  I am a happy girl today!!

picture of part of our backyard as I was getting in my car this morning.

Cheers to at least a few more days of what winter is really all about :)

xoxo,
meghan

21 Weeks!

Today's date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011

How far along: 21 weeks

Sex: ITS A GIRL...and her closet already shows it : )

Maternity clothes: I've started circulating a few maternity things into my wardrobe.  I think I'll be able to get away with regular shirts for awhile still, as my bump isn't too prominent and a lot of my shirts are pretty forgiving.  Pants on the other hand...I think its time for my first pair of maternity jeans.  The whole hair-tie thing has gotten pretty uncomfortable.  Where to find decent looking maternity jeans?  Suggestions?

Sleep: I've actually been sleeping really really well...surprisingly not even getting up to go pee.  Maybe that means I'm not drinking enough water...?

Best moment(s) of the week:  Definitely being with my girlfriends this weekend.  Such a dose of happiness for me.

Movement: I think I felt her for the first time yesterday as I was laying on the couch!  I can't be certain but it felt like a few little gas bubbles...only there was no gas that accompanied it : )  I felt her again at work today.  Unbelievable!

Food cravings/aversions: Nada.

Morning sickness: Nada.

Symptoms: The back pain is still around.  I've noticed that it feels the best in the morning, when I get out of bed, but as soon as I get out of my car after my drive into work (20ish minutes) its bothering me again.  Sitting must aggravate it.

Labor signs: Way too soon.

Belly button in or out:  Definitely still in.

What I miss:  I miss all of the people I just saw in GR.  My trips back there are too few and far between.

What I'm looking forward to: A weekend in York with some of my Aunts and cousins.  Another girl weekend...can't wait!

Size and growth of our baby: Baby is now the length of a CARROT!

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

Best Friends.

Brad and I ventured to Detroit this past weekend and were even able to make it a little further, to Grand Rapids.  We were both able to spend Friday night with friends that we love and miss and I think it was rejuvenating for both of us.

Brad hung out with his old work buddies on Friday night, which included a couple different bars, one of his friends getting punched in the face and that same friend puking in the cab on the way home.  GROSS!

My night was quite the opposite!  I spent the evening with four of my best girl friends...Molly, Steph, Jenny and Kaylee.  Steph and her husband just moved into a new house and I was dying to see it, so we hung there for the night.  Jenny cooked us a delicious meal: rotini pasta with homemade alfredo sauce, sauteed veggies and garlic bread.  I love when she cooks for us...such a treat!  Another fun part of the night was the newest {and littlest} addition to our clan, Bella, Kaylee's four month old little peanut.  It was my first time meeting her little cutie and it was so fun having a baby around for the night {a little taste of what my life will be like in 4+ months...yikes}!

We laughed, ate, drank {them, not me} and caught up on each other's lives...it was a much needed girls night and they all SPOILED me with teeny, tiny pink goodness for Charlotte.  Oh my...are you ready for this!

 

This little girl is going to have so many fun options in her closet...how will I chose each day!?  I'm so lucky to have such supportive, excited and giving friends.  Thanks girlies...don't know what I would do without you.

xoxo,
meghan

P.S. I apologize for not having a 20 week belly picture up.  We're a little late, but we're going to try to take one tonight.

20 Weeks!

Today's date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011

How far along: 20 weeks - halfway there!

Sex: ITS A GIRL!!!  Feels so good to finally be able to fill in this category...and to refer to our baby and "she" and "her"...instead of "it"!

Maternity clothes: Starting to wear a couple maternity things but a lot of my pre-pregnancy shirts are very flowy, so they still work.  I put on a pair of pre-pregnancy jeans today, for the first time in a while, and their getting a little snug.  I think its time for a Bella Band...or some straight up maternity jeans.

Sleep: Have been sleeping really well.  I don't think I've even gotten up to go pee during the past couple nights.

Best moment(s) of the week:  Most definitely finding out the sex of our little baby.  Brad and I were pleasantly surprised to find out we will have a daughter.  Her name will be Charlotte : )  {middle name, TBD}

Movement: Haven't felt anything yet but my Dr. assured me that's normal and it could be anytime in the next month.

Food cravings/aversions: Nada.

Morning sickness: Nada.

Symptoms: Pretty bad back pain, but I don't think its pregnancy related.  Just some rough housing with Augie & Avi in the snow a couple weekends ago : )

Labor signs: Way too soon.

Belly button in or out:  Definitely still in.

What I miss:  I miss normal winters.  Its not supposed to rain in February, which is did all last week.

What I'm looking forward to: A weekend in MI starting tomorrow!  Can't wait to see my girls...and finally meet Baby Bella!

Size and growth of our baby: Baby is now the length of a BANANA!

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel. For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against her torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of her head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, she's measured from head to toe.

She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

(The "shes" and "hers" are intentional from this point forward!!!)