Let the busy (in a good way!) weekends begin...

All my weekends are booked until the end of June... time is going to fly by!  The line-up actually started last weekend as we had special visitors.  

The Stephensons finally made a trip to our house!  They came up from Raleigh this past weekend and we all got to catch up.  It was fun hanging out with some good friends and talking all things baby and pregnancy with Faith (they're having a boy!). Friday night we went out to eat, let the boys drink some, and Ray and I had to introduce them to our favorite frozen yogurt place, YaYa's.  We spent Saturday morning in downtown Hendersonville and then did some front-porch sittin' at the house.  The rain held off long enough for us to go down to the French Broad River and fish, but nothing was biting.  Faith and I were standing by the river and this man asked us what our deal was and if we were twins since we were both pregnant.  Haha!  Then, after we told him our babies' names (Parker for their boy) and he said, "Those names are so North Carolina!"  What is that supposed to mean??

Saturday night we went to the Asheville Tourists game and on Sunday morning we went to church and had burgers and hot dogs on the grill for lunch.  After they left (thankfully we'll see them again at the end of May!), Ray napped and I did laundry while we I watched the race. Typical Sunday at the Guys'.  We did get something very special done Sunday evening... see below!! 

Adam (Don't you love his Double Up Outdoors shirt?)

Ray

Best buds

I had to capture Faith's hot chocolate and skittles! 

Fun fun

  

They brought Raleigh some gifts... she's definitely going to be a Wolfpack girl!

Isn't this adorable?

And the grand finale of the weekend...

We Ray put it together in under 30 minutes and no fighting!
I love it and can't wait for the bedding to get here.

Love all around

I have had two baby showers already and they were both so special.  The first was given by some wonderful friends of mine whom I met when I worked at Target.  They hosted the shower at my house, but I didn't have to lift a finger.  It was so fun and we got some great gifts!  

The lovely hostesses, Jordan and Kendra

Soft and silky blanket from Kate - so thoughtful!

Adorable clothes from diva Jordan! ;) 

Infantino carrier from Carly - feels perfect.

We played a baby food tasting game... everything was all right except for the ones with meat!

Carly, Kate w/daughter Alison, Kendra, (me), Jordan (Erin and Deb came later!)

The other shower was given by the staff at school.  It was a joint shower for me and Erin, the social worker at ACES.  She is due to have a girl two weeks before me.  We got tons of fun stuff and I already feel so much more prepared for Raleigh's arrival!  What made it all the more special was that my mom was invited and she came up for the afternoon.  :)

Beautiful AND it was delicious!

My mom and me... that's Erin and her husband in the background. :)

The loot! 

Crocheted blanket from Elena, the music teacher...
it's a tradition she's kept for years at Avery's Creek

Knit booties from Linda McD

Knit hat also from Linda McD - she's so talented!

Count 'em - three pink tubs!  It's a funny story... 

Just love the Peter Rabbit bag and the monogrammed (by Angela) tote! 

This blanket was monogrammed and the burp cloths were made by Angela! 

I'm incredibly thankful for all of the people in my life right now.  Ray and I have so much support, encouragement, and love and I know Raleigh Kate is going to feel all of that as well!     

26 Weeks

Figured I'd post a not-so-weekly update as I'm 26 weeks along today.

Raleigh is as big as a head of lettuce!

26 Weeks on Opening Day... Go Braves! :)

How far along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain: Still about 10 pounds
Maternity clothes?  Need to buy more for work!  Wearing my old jeggings today (picture), but I can't really fit into any of my dresses anymore and definitely can't fit into any of my shorts (tried every pair yesterday!).  Still wearing regular tops, but Ray's mom bought me this Braves T from Motherhood.  :)
Stretch marks? Nope, not yet.
Sleep:  Sleeping well through the night.  Tink (the cat) likes to sleep cuddled up next to my belly!  Pretty sure he knows what's inside.
Best moment this week: seeing her move from the outside - it's crazy...maybe I'll post a video one day.  Oh and of course, having the whole week off for Spring Break!
Miss anything?  Not having to try on 10 different things before I find something that fits...
Movement: Lots!
Food cravings:  Always hungry, but can never figure out what I want to eat.
Anything making you queasy or sick?  The glucose test almost made me faint... and to make it worse, I failed and have to go back to take the 3-hour one!  Thankfully, Ray is going to go with me so he'll be there if something happens.
Also, if I lie on my back for too long (i.e. in bed reading), I get dizzy.    
Gender:  Girl - Raleigh Katherine
Labor Signs: None, but just this week started getting a side stitch when I work out or sometimes when I just walk.  :/
Symptoms: See above... and that's all. :)
Belly button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off?  On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy!
Looking forward to: Getting the nursery set up.

Viral Video

I think this couple did this just so that they can get some free gifts/$$ from people like The Today Show, etc.  Good for them!  I only caught it on our local news this morning, but I'm sure it will hit the national morning shows soon.  

Sucker for Giveaways!

Thanks, Anna, for showing me this Giveaway!  Here's to hoping one of us wins a Skip Hop tote!

22 Weeks

I'm so bad at blogging...and taking belly pictures! I will hopefully remember to take one this Friday, when I'll be 23 weeks.  

How far along? 22 weeks

Total weight gain: 9 pounds

Maternity clothes? Still wearing most of my dress pants to work...they zip, but don't button...  I wish I could wear my leggings and UGGs pajamas to work every day!

Stretch marks? None yet... using Mustela cream every other night.  

Sleep:  wonderfully

Best moment this week: Feeling her kick; seeing Charlotte friends for Carly and Mark's engagement party last night; finding out that Adam and Faith are having a boy!
Miss Anything? Being able to drink with everyone else (examples: watching the State/Carolina game yesterday; at C&M's engagement party where there was a Yuengling keg!) 

Movement: Feeling lots of little kicks!  :)  

Food cravings: Not really 

Anything making you queasy or sick: No

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None

Symptoms: My chin keeps breaking out... yuck!  I get full quickly, but then I'm hungry 20 minutes later.  

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! 

Looking forward to: Spring break! 

I think I "popped" this week because when my students saw me on Tuesday morning, many of them said "Whoa I can see your belly!"  A lot of other staff at school also mentioned that I'm showing now.  Ray told me on Tuesday afternoon, "You look really pregnant today!"  But, I think strangers are still wondering, "Maybe she's pregnant, but maybe she just ate too much for lunch." Ha!  

Our little blessing!

We can now pray for our baby by name.  Meet Raleigh Kate! 

We found out at my 18-week appointment on Feb. 9.  

We could not be any happier about having a girl!  

I'm 19 weeks today and feeling great! I have been lucky to have not gotten sick at all, with the exception of one night a couple of weeks ago, but I don't think that was prego-related.  My worst symptoms have been a lingering headache (toward the end of the first trimester) and random breakouts on my chin and under my nose.  I haven't had either of those in the past few weeks.  I am so grateful!  Besides a few weeks of fatigue in the first trimester where I wanted to do nothing but sit on my butt, I have been trying to keep up with my muscle pump class and get some cardio in at least twice a week.  

Here are some quick notes and belly pictures if you're interested

     

                                                    

                                                             15 weeks 

17 weeks, 2 days
(at the bowling alley!)

18 weeks, 4 days
(Going out for Valentine's dinner!)

How far along? 19 weeks

Total weight gain: 6 lbs

Maternity clothes? Loving some maternity pants, but still trying to wear my normal work clothes and tops.  My favorite jeans just started being too uncomfortable to wear last week.  I think my butt is getting bigger!  What? Baby's NOT in my butt!  

Stretch marks? None (yet)... using Mustela cream every other night.  

Sleep:  I think my body wakes me up a few times during the night to get me off my back.  But, I haven't had to get up to pee like so many people told me would happen.  Sleep is good!  

Best moment this week: Finding out she's a girl and sharing the news with family and friends!
Miss Anything? WINE... watching the Bachelor does not help.  

Movement: She was moving like crazy during the ultrasound!  She kept grabbing her feet and then playing with her tiny hands.  I think I've felt her a little bit, but I haven't convinced myself that it's not other kinds of bubbles if you know what I mean. Ha! 

Food cravings: Subway - turkey sandwich w/pickles, jalapenos, and mustard; pineapple - which I haven't been able to give in to 

Anything making you queasy or sick: not really, but I don't like to look at or smell raw meat (but I was like that pre-pregnancy, too!) 

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: I'm not even halfway to that point yet. 

Symptoms: Heartburn!  Staying away from any triggers after experiencing a full day/night of heartburn on Monday.  I never knew it could be so bad! 

Belly Button in or out? In - I wonder if it will pop out, it's pretty deep! Haha

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Ray would say moody... actually, his words were "like a pendulum." Haha... I'm happy most of the time, but the house not being perfectly clean really brings out the worst in me! 

Looking forward to: Really feeling her move!