My Husband is super handy

When I got home from work yesterday afternoon, I was surprised to see that Bobby had convonced our neighbor to help him get the dresser/changing table he re-finished upstairs and into the nursery! I have been patiently waiting to get that gorgeous peice of furniture upstairs so I could get all of the onesies and socks off of the floor, hide some of the baby minitor wires behind it, and just do some general obsessing and nesting. It was a really great feeling to add another big peice of furniture to the room! I'm so thakful to have a hubby that knows how to do handy things like this.

I can't wait until after the baby shower so I can put the changing pad on top and fill up the basket with diapers and other changing supplies! My nesting instinct has turned on full blast hahaha Lets see how bad it gets in the next few months.

Today's Playlist:
Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins
Don't You Evah - Spoon
Let It Rain - Tilly & The Wall

Childbirth Classes

Yesterday night, Bobby and I started the 6-week childbirth courses I signed us up for. When first looking into the program, I was really worried Bobby would miss most of the classes because of his work schedule, but because of Thanksgiving forcing the class to skip 1 week, it works out perfectly and he can come to them all.

I have to say, I was a little nervous, but after walking in and seeing the variety of couples, and meeting the extremely nice instructor, I was really happy that we decided to sign up. The classes are every Wednesday night from 7-9 and are only about a 1/2 mile from our house, so its super convenient and we don't have to rush dinner or anything because of the timing. I feel like most of the material that will be covered in the class is stuff I am already reading about in my baby books, but its a good opportunity for Bobby to learn all the terminology, stages and circumstances without me talking for 5 hours a night and completely annoying the crap out of him, or him having to read a 400 page book haha!

Plus, we get tons of free snacks, and get to sit in giant beanbag chairs, so that makes me happy :]

This week we covered the different stages of labor, watched a video of a live birth (poor Bobby was blindsided by a close-up of someone's lady-parts exploding! hahahah), and practiced breathing exercises. Eventhough I'm really happy we are doing this together and getting an opportunity to bond, it is making everything seem really real and scary. I'm soooo nervous about labor, and even more nervous how I am going to handle being a mom, career woman, wife, and still manage to have a life. Its going to be a challange, but I'm sure once I see my little man's chubby face, I'll have all the motivation I need.

Today's Playlist:
1, 2, 3, 4 - Feist
If You Can't Sleep - She & Him
Runaway - The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Scrapbooking & Official baby name!

Last night I headed over to my girlfriend Jen's house to do some scrapbooking and to use her new amazing Cricut machine. It felt really great to put all of my wedding photos into some kind of order and to use all of the stickers and decorations I have been saving. Jen was awesome enough to start a scrapbook for us before our wedding, and we both finally had time to get the ball rolling.

I also picked out the paper and started the first page of the baby's scrapbook! I figured all of those ultrasound pictures and pregnancy polaroids weren't doing anyone any good just sitting in an envelope in my bookcase.

I guess now would be a good time to reveal what we've decided to name our little peanut... DUN DUN DUN! We have decided to name him Gunner Lee Stovall. We've known for a pretty long while that we wanted to give him this name, but over the past few weeks, we have had a chance to use it and get used to it and we definitely feel like it fits perfectly. We wanted to give him a unique and sort of manly first name, so Gunner seems really natural. Also, Lee is a sort of a family middle name- Bobby's middle name is Lee and so was his grandpa's, and plus, it goes well with just about any first name, so it was an easy pick.

We are really happy with the decision we've made, and are so relieved that one of the hardest parts of being pregnant/expecting is already decided and taken care of. No stress, no arguing, no nothing!

Oh, and I'm 23 weeks today. And GUNNER is a foot long, and 1.1 lbs. Getting chubbier in there!

Today's Playlist:
You Really Got a Hold on Me - She & Him
I Was Made for You - She & Him
Baby Its Cold Outside - She & Him

Going backwards

So I'm 22 1/2 weeks now, and really starting to become large & uncomfortable. Its amazing how much transformation your body goes through in just a few short days and how much bigger and stronger my little guy gets every day.

I've starting getting really bad bachaches and hip/tailbone discomfort lately, which completely sucks. If I sit for too long, I'm in pain. If I stand or walk for too long, I'm in pain. Thankfully, I'm more than halfway there, so I can start counting DOWN the weeks instead of counting up.

Its funny how the first half of your pregnancy you can't wait to start showing, you're anxious for all of the symptoms to kick in, you can't wait to feel that first kick...Then all of it hits you at once and you can't wait to be your normal self again. As much as I am enjoying my pregnancy and can hardly contain my happiness, I have to tell you, its been rough.

I told Bobby that I am DEMANDING that he bring me a shit ton of sashimi and sushi while I'm still in the hospital. And that as soon as I feel up to it, I would really love to have a 1/2 a bottle of Blue Moon and snuggle up on the couch with my 2 boys. Eventhough I know all of these limitations are for a good cause (a healthy baby), I am looking forward to being able to eat whatever I want and have a beer here and there. Trust me, I am super paranoid about drinking while breastfeeding, so I doubt I will be able to finish a whole bottle of beer without freaking out. Luckily there is such a thing as breastmilk alcohol test strips, which will be used whenever I have a tiny sip of anything alcoholic.

Oh, and this week our little one is a foot long and a full pound!

Today's Playlist:
One Chance - Modest Mouse
Furr - Blitzen Trapper
Crooked Teeth - Death Cab for Cutie

21 weeks

Just a mini update: Over the weekend Bobby was able to feel the baby move for the first time, which was pretty awesome. I think I was a little more excited to share the bond I have 24/7 with my little man than he was, but hey, I'll take any kind of affection I can get.

But I do have to say, he has been really supportive and helpful lately. He reminded me to take my 20 week pregnancy polaroid picture, which had completely slipped my mind. He even caught me all dressed up and looking cute before we walked out the door to meet my mom & nephews for a bday celebration, which was perfect timing! Thanks babe :]

Also, I ordered some super cute baby clothes from Old Navy, bought some fleece for making blankets and ordered the fabric for making the crib skirt, curtains and pillows for the nursery. I have a bunch of sewing/ projects ahead of me, and it feels great to be making progress. Last month was filled with pre-booked weekends, and we didn't have any time to just be normal people who take care of themselves & their homes on the weekends. We are definitely looking forward to just relaxing from here on out.

My little man is supposedly 10.5 inches long and 13 ounces today. Such a huge jump from last week! I definitely feel him getting stronger: those kicks are starting to wake me up at night.

Today's Playlist:
Once in a Lifetime - The Talking Heads
Rocket Man - Elton John
Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones

Alien/Baby

It seems like every week there is a brand new and increasingly special milestone in my pregnancy.  At first it was hearing his heartbeat. Then seeing the first ultrasound. Then finding out he's a boy. Then feeling my little guy kick for the first time.

Last night was probably the most insane/memorable milestone yet. Its one thing to hear and feel your baby's presence. But SEEING is a completely different story. It brought things to a whole new level, reality-wise.

I was laying on the couch after dinner, just watching tv and snuggling with the kitties (Bobby had already gone to bed). I felt my peanut start kicking, like he always does right after a meal, and looked down at my stomach and SAW my belly pop out and pop back in. I seriously did a double take because I couldn't believe what I had just seen. Luckily the baby decided to give me an encore, and kicked/punched 3 more times, and I could see different parts of my stomach popping in and out. It was so bizarre!

Even though I know how big he is, it didn't really hit me how much of my body I'm actually sharing with him until last night. He's about 7 inches long, which is as long as my hand palm & fingers. When I lay my hand across my belly that takes up almost the whole thing. Its so cool to sit there and vizualize what he must look on the inside.

Anyway, I sat there and laughed and cried at the same time for about 10 minutes because I couldn't believe what had just happened. It was really amazing to bond with my little guy in this new way. I can't wait until he comes into the world. I know nothing will be the same, and its going to be amazing.

Today's Playlist:

Fidelity - Regina Spektor

Ice Storm, Big Gust & You - Tilly & the Wall

The Past and Pending - The Shins

Halfway there

So this week marks a pretty special milestone in this baby-baking process... I've made it to 20 weeks and it feels pretty darn great. To know that in 20 short weeks (or less) I am going to have my first child is equally exciting and terrifying. I know that my maternal and problem solving skills are awesome, but as the weeks pass, I am definitely thinking about all of the skills I lack or need to work on. Like flexibility. And patience. And not being foul-mouthed. Plus about 800 other things I can't think of right now.

I know that being a mom is a journey, and you're constantly growing and learning, anf if you don't have everything figured out the minute your kid pops out, its not the end of the world, but I think it would be stupid not to be scared just a little bit. A child is a huge responsibility, one that I am looking forward to, but one that I am taking very seriously. Now that my little guy is moving around a lot more, growing bigger every day and basically taking over my whole life (I love it by the way!), things are sinking in and I am really REALLY hoping I have the sanity, strength and stamina to pull it all off.

Luckily, Bobby has been nothing but supportive, kind and generous throughout this whole process, so it makes the idea of SHAPING THE YOUNG MIND OF AN INNOCENT BABY a little less scary. I know that whatever skills or virtues I'm lacking, he will more than make up for it and vice versa. I'm just trying to turn these anxious feelings and worry into productivity. We have the nursery all planned out, a few supplies bought and a long list of "to-dos" which will be finished in the very near future.

For now, I'm just relazing that I would be completely abnormal and  crazy NOT to be worried and cautious. I'll just make sure to ease my mind with plenty of baths and frozen yogurt, and take my agression out with the sewing machine and the oven :]

P.S. Little man is about 7 inches long today, and weighs 11 ounces. Big 'ol melon baby!

Today's Playlist:
When the Sun Don't Shine - Best Coast
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths
Letter to Elise - The Cure