Building the Nursery

We starting building the nursery this week. I hung up all of Baby Cullen's clothing from her shower and John and I put together the glider and crib. I have been looking forward to this day for weeks and it was exciting to spend time with my little family getting ready for our new addition.

Baby Cullen will be very stylish, thanks to our family and friends from our first shower.

John had to give up some closet space for baby.

John, putting together the crib.

Starting to set up the nursery... the glider and dresser are in. Momma and Sammie are taking a break!

Good job daddy!

We listened to 90s hits on pandora during this... one day Baby Cullen will look back and think we were listening to oldies!

Oh no! Sammie got trapped!

He didn't know how to get out!

He finally jumped the bar! But it took a few minutes of problem solving.

Concentrating...

Crib is together!

Furniture is in... now to move on to decorating in the upcoming weeks.

28 Week Bump Update

25 weeks

26 weeks

We've reached the third trimester!!! How crazy is that? In some ways, I feel like I've been pregnant forever, but then in others, it feels like the big day is approaching quickly. I really can't wait until November is here, but then I am trying to remind myself to enjoy this time with my family of 3 (husband and doggie), to enjoy the excitement in preparing for our darling girl, and just cherish these moments of being pregnant. I haven't had a post in four weeks because I went home to visit my parents and attend a teaching workshop on the Erie Canal. I had a lot of fun feeling like a kid again at home. My mom sure spoiled me and baby Cullen. She surprised us with lots of clothing and diapers. We also had the Cullen family baby shower while I was home. Everyone was so generous and I had a great time seeing everyone and celebrating baby.

How Far Along: 28 weeks along, on August 12th

Size Of Baby: According to baby center: You weight about 2 1/4 lb, the size of a large eggplant, and measure 14.8 inches. You can blink your eyes, which now have eyelashes! Your eyesight is developing and you might be able to see light. You're also developing billions of neurons in your brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Maternity Clothes: I bought a bathing suit top last week so that I can lounge on the beach with John when we go on our Babymoon this week to Atlantic City. I've been really lucky because the only thing that is growing is my belly and boobs!! My legs and arms have stayed thin, so far. Fingers crossed!

Weight Gain:  The doctor said I am up about 11 lbs this week.

 

Stretch Marks: No new ones, thank goodness.

Sleep:  I've been sleeping like a baby this week. (I'm sure this is a phrase I'll stop using once Baby Cullen arrives) Besides getting up to pee 3x a night, I've been getting great sleep.

Best Moment of the Week:  John and I built your crib and glider this week!!! The nursery has all it's major furniture now. We just need to move the computer and dresser out of there, and decorate. I'm looking forward to this project when I get back from vacation.

 

Movement: Baby is sitting low, a few inches below my belly button. The doctor thinks she might be in a 'n' shape and the movements I feel are probably her arms and legs kicking me. A few times they have been a bit forceful and make me jump!  But I still love being reminded she is in there and is ok.

Cravings: John and my new treat is Fro-yo! Yummy. I also have been hungry the past couple of days. So maybe baby is having a growth spurt. The one thing that I crave quite a bit is chocolate cake. Good thing that's not easily accessible!

 

Gender: I hope she likes pink! Her room will have lots of it!

Belly Button In or Out: Still an innie!

Wedding Ring on or Off: Still sporting the ring.

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Nada.

What I Miss: Running. I stopped running at 26 weeks because I had a weird cramp that lasted a day or so. I don't want to hurt little miss in there. She's my number 1. Running will just have to wait until December.

Labor Signs: No. No. No. We don't want that until 12 more weeks!

Symptoms: Still feeling great. The one complaint I have now is that every time I walk, I feel like I have to go pee. But I really don't have to!! It's an awful feeling. But I guess it could be worse.

Nursery: It's getting started!

Emotions: I've been feeling pretty happy and blessed this week. I love my little growing family of John, Sammie, and baby. :)

Showering our Little One: Cullen Shower

John's mom and sister threw me a wonderful baby shower on Sunday, July 28th at their home. It was a bit early, since I am only about 26 weeks along, but it was perfect because I was home already visiting and attending a teaching workshop on the Erie Canal. It was so nice to see John's family and friends and I felt so blessed to have everyone there to celebrate Baby Cullen. I'll let the photos do the talking.

 My little girl was so spoiled with presents of pink, pink, and more pink! She will be one well-dressed girl.

 My sis-in-law ran the games.

 

 

 The cake was from Tops (how perfect- where John and I met!) It was half chocolate/half vanilla. And the chocolate was the hit (and not just among myself!)

 My beautiful mom and me.

 A present from little brother Sammie!

 A really soft blanket, knitted by John's mom.

 My mom surprised me with some 'Cuse and Bills fan gear. John will LOVE dressing the baby in these.

 After the shower, my mom and I had lots of fun going through all the presents and sorting the clothing by size.

I had one last surprise that weekend. My Aunt Kathy left me a giant package- our jogging stroller!! What an awesome aunt:)

Bump Update: 24 Weeks

 I'm so excited to reach the big 24 week milestone!!! Baby can now survive outside the womb! Although, we plan on keeping her in there for a good 16 weeks still, right baby girl?

23 weeks after a 3 mile run

How Far Along: 24 weeks today, July 13

Size Of Baby: According to baby center: Little Peanut is growing!  1 1/3 lbs, and 12 inches long, about the size of a corn on the cob!  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.

Maternity Clothes: I'm on the hunt for  a shower dress that is cute and flattering. So far, I have been unsuccessful. My first shower is in two weeks and since I'm travelling home for my NEH teaching workshop, I will have very little time to shop! Also, John has been using my car to drive to work this week, since his is getting fixed at the shop. I have one more shopping trip planned this week. Hopefully I am successful:)

Weight Gain:  Peanut is certainly growing! At least I like to think that's where the weight is coming from. hehe I am up about 9 lbs from my starting weight. 133.4.

Stretch Marks: Boo. I hate this question. No new ones, thank goodness.

Sleep:  Sleep has actually been pretty good lately. *knock on wood* Except for a calf cramp last week and having to pee 4 x last night, I've been getting a good night's rest. 

Best Moment of the Week:  Going to the doctor and hearing baby's heartbeat. She is growing nice and strong and I am so happy that we are 24 weeks along. I am wishing the weeks away because I want to meet her, but I know I should try and savor these moments. It was also exciting to buy the dresser and crib last week. We are picking up the dresser this week ,but the crib is here in a HUGE box! I can't wait for John to set it up.

Movement:  Little girl has been having active days on and off this week. Today, she's been very active. But I was a bit worried the past two days when she stayed quiet around her usual 7pm dance party. She did wake me up those two nights though, squirming while I was trying to sleep. It made me smile, though, even in my sleep. I'm glad to know she's in there and doing well.

Cravings: Well, I just returned from a impromptu Walmart trip to get chocolate chip cookie mix. Enough said.

Gender: Pink all the way:) I showed the doctor the ultrasound picture to confirm and she said it looks like a girl too!

Belly Button In or Out: Still an innie!

Wedding Ring on or Off: On.

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Nope.

What I Miss: Running fast and without worry. I'm still going on 3 mile runs, but I go really slow to make sure I don't fall. I also don't get the runner's high feeling anymore. 

Labor Signs: Nope, and none for at least 15-16 weeks I hope!

Symptoms: Feeling good! I really can't complain. The only continuous 'symptom' I have is a growing belly:)

Nursery: Just working on John to set up the nursery. He wants to wait a few more weeks so that Sammie can continue to enjoy his spot on the couch, looking out the window. Once the nursery is set up, we will have to get rid of the couch to make room for the computer.

Emotions: Up and down. I'll be happy one moment, down the next. Hyper, then tired. But nothing too crazy.

Bump Update: 22 Weeks

With school ending, it's been a busy 3 weeks. I have updated since we found out baby's gender 2 1/2 weeks ago! Since then, my belly has grown, baby's movements are increasing, and my love for her grows each day. We have a name picked out, I've begun ordering nursery items, and I am playing piano and talking to baby as much as I can.

How Far Along: 22 weeks as of June 29th!

Size Of Baby: According to baby center: Baby girl weighs about 1lb and is 11 inches, about the size of a spaghetti squash.She 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.

Maternity Clothes: I bought a pair of capris, shorts, and another tank top from Old Navy this week. I'm pretty lucky that this pregnancy falls over the summer, when I won't have to invest in any expensive work clothes. I lounge around the house most days in shorts and a tank.

Weight Gain:  Baby girl has grown and so has my belly! I am up 6 1/2 lbs. They are finally starting to add on, although I hope they take their time.

Stretch Marks: No new ones! *crosses fingers*

Sleep:  I've figured out my pillow trick of stacking my body pillow on top of my little pillow. It elevates them both and allows me to cuddle up. I'm also needing a nap a day to survive.

Best Moment of the Week:  I am loving feeling baby move!  She has been blessing me with her little squirms multiple times a day now, and I just love every second of it.

Movement:  See above.

Cravings: Anything that anyone mentions, I will immediately want. I try to avoid watching food commercials.

Gender: A sweet little girl.

Belly Button In or Out: In I hope it stays there!

Wedding Ring on or Off: On

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: No.

What I Miss: Not much these days. I'm still running and started a new workout routine on DVD geared towards pregnant ladies, titled "Expecting More." So far, I love it!

Labor Signs: N/A. But I was nervous last week when Baby girl was kicking my cervix and causing some sharp pain down below!

Symptoms: I'm getting hungry more and more often. I feel baby girl moving multiples times a day. And, oh, my belly is growing :)

Nursery: I've been researching nursery items on ETSY.com this week and think we will be going with a pink and grey theme, with elephants. I'm very excited to get the nursery started. We even ordered our crib this week! Always ahead of schedule; it's the teacher in me.

Emotions: I love to feel baby girl move about. I am waiting in anticipation for the moment to come when John and Sammie can feel her too!

Letter to Baby #2

Dear baby girl,
We found out that you were a girl a few weeks ago and the day after the reveal, I felt you move for the first time! Since then, my heart has grown 10x bigger. I imagine you in there, squirming about and doing flips, and I wonder what you will look like when I meet you in four months. I'm not going to lie, I also am feeling a bit nervous. Will I be a good momma to you? Will I teach you to be confident, respectful, empathetic, and kind? I want so much for you and I hope that my mothering skills will grow so that I can always protect you and give you every opportunity to succeed and be happy.

I hope that I can guide you to be strong and independent, but I also hope that we will be more than mother and daughter, but best friends. Now that I know you are a girl and can feel you moving, everything feels much more real. I'm working on your nursery, and I wonder if you will approve. I see little girls twirl on t.v. and I dream about you at age five, dancing and smiling in pig tails.

Your daddy and I love you so much already. Even Sammie has been snuggling up to my belly more and more. We can't wait to meet you in 4 months and we hope that you will be as happy to see us as we will to meet you.

All my love,
Mommy

What you need to know about your Daddy

Dear baby,
I thought it might be useful for me to share with you some facts about your daddy.  I know that over the years, you will learn these things yourself, but I think it might be fun to tell you how your daddy is now, as I, your mom, know him. At 29 years old.

1. Your daddy may be a procrastinator, but he is one of the smartest guys I know. He can hold an endless use of facts in his head, and really should star on Jeopardy. He especially knows everything about sports. 
2. He's a medical doctor and he helps people get better everyday. But he's very modest. He doesn't brag about being a doctor and he doesn't even refer to himself as Dr. Cullen on letters and such. He doesn't need to announce to the world his accomplishments. He is confident in his capabilities and that is enough for him. I love this selflessness about him.
3. Your daddy LOVES sports and video games. After a loooong day of work at the hospital, the place he relaxes is the couch, either watching a Syracuse Basketball game (he already has plans for you to go to college at SU) or with controller in hand, playing a video game. I can have whole conversations with him that are one-sided, of course, and he won't know a single world I'm saying if a game is on. I hope you, baby, don't adopt this trait :)
4. Your dad has an obsession with shoes. He's a simple guy and doesn't get too excited over gifts. But, take him to the shoe store and he is in heaven. I think his shoe collection is even larger than your momma's!
5. Your daddy will love you to the end of the world. He won't show it through gifts or large acts or displays, but he will show you this when he lets you have the last french fry or gives you the window seat on the airplane each and every time. He will show it by giving you a kiss each night and showing up at every race or sporting event and cheering you on. 

Your daddy's heart grew bigger the moment he knew you were in my belly and I just know that his love will grow more and more for you each and every day.  You are one lucky girl.