misc

Wow...the last time I wrote was just after my Atlanta baby shower. So much has happened since then. I could pick up where we are today, but I want to tell you about some of the fun things we've experienced since then.

After the Atlanta shower came the Nashville couples' shower, hosted by Amy Smith and Wendi Powell. They have been so much fun throughout this whole experience. The shower was at their house, but it was really just a celebration and a party. A small group of friends gathered and just enjoyed being together. Instead of this one being as a typical baby shower would be, we decided to make it all about Dad. Many people brought gifts for you, as expected, but many brought fun gifts for "Daddy survival"...everything from rain ponchos, latex gloves, scuba masks, toy water guns, books on how to change a diaper, etc. It was truly a blast. The next shower was the weekend before Thanksgiving in Nashville. It was hosted by Tiffany Benken, Sandra Westerman, Misty Brown, Courtney Cuden and Dionne Dismuke. It was fun, too, but again, went by too quickly. Sarah and Drew came in from Connecticut to be there, and Grammy Bev was here from Atlanta, of course.

We spent Thanksgiving in Virginia. I have to say that the 9 hour ride there was a little different for me being so pregnant. Todd went up early to get some work done on the farm, and I rode up with Tyler, Lizzie, and Savannah (she's too old to leave at home). It was a nice time. We saw the barns that Pippa is building, and visited with the animals a good bit. We also did some filming for the TV pilot we are working on for Todd's show. At this point, we still don't know what's going to happen with that, but it sure was funny to see an 8 1/2 month pregnant woman out there with the video camera on farm filming Todd on the tractors and doing his thing. We also got to see Grammy...she was telling that she hoped after the baby was born that we could get up there so she could meet her. Of course we plan on doing that as soon as possible, as she is the only living Great-Grandmother.

Next came Christmas. Mom and Steve came up to spend it with us, as I was not able to travel that late in the pregnancy. I was due on New Year's Eve. Tyler was also with us. Lizzie had gone to Ohio to be with her family, and Uncle Tyler stayed here as he didn't want to miss the birth of the baby....just in case she came early. I have to say that it was a very enjoyable and relaxing time. I was less stressed than ever before. I had purchased and mailed all of the out of town gifts early and got to just spend time with family and relax.

After Christmas, the real excitement began....

Atlanta Baby Shower

I had such a good time in Atlanta this past weekend!! Saturday was Nai's shower (she and I are due on the same day). She looks adorable pregnant...she's so petite and all belly. It was great as the shower was held at Aunt Glenndolyn and Uncle Donnie's house, so I got to see both of them as well as visit with Scott for a bit. The shower was beautiful.

My shower was Sunday...amazing. The girls did such a wonderful job hosting it. The hostesses were Veleta Greer, Staci Felt, Courtney Smith, and Jana Warren. Everything was "baby bird" themed. There were paper birds, cupcakes with "bird eggs" on them...even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the shape of a bird (I think that was my favorite). The whole thing was just wonderful....I couldn't have asked for more. I was surrounded by so many friends and some family and felt very loved. I just wish it all didn't fly by so quickly...its so tough to catch up with everyone in such a short time.

After the shower, Mom and Steve drove me back to Nashville with all of the gifts...we barely got them all in the car...what an adventure! I know that Mom enjoyed the shower, too..she's going to be a fun Grandma!! Steve is on the mend from his surgery. He has a good bit of discomfort (and who wouldn't with such a major surgery?), but seems to be handling it ok. The healing will just take time. Mom and I dragged him to Joann's to pick out dust ruffle fabric...I'm sure he was thrilled about that! Ha! We got all of the gifts put away for the most part and started washing EVERYTHING baby related. This is gonna be one clean little girl!!

Here are some pics from the shower:

32 Weeks

I'm now at 32 weeks and I'm in Atlanta for my first baby shower!! I can't believe how the time has flown by! I've always heard people say that their kids grow up so fast, and if this pregnancy going by fast is any indication I think I'm starting to get it. The shower will be at Allen and Therese's house, and it's hosted by Veleta, Staci, Jana and Courtney. It's a pretty special time for me with all of my longtime friends coming together.

We had a doctor visit with a new doctor this past week...Woodall...we liked her. Everything looks good with the baby...heartbeat was 143 and the measurements of my belly looked good as well. We've now met 3 of the 5 doctors in the practice...so far we would be ok with whichever one happens to be on call on our special night...whew!

A lot has happened in the past month...let's see...we had a little "scare" and had to go to the emergency room. It turns out that all is fine with the baby and I will have to have an outpatient surgery after our little one is born. I have a diverticulum that will have to be removed...something to look forward to, right? The upside to going to the hospital is that we got to meet another one of the doctors....Osburn. She was great, and we saw how their "system" works there. Todd and I were very impressed with the swiftness and urgency that they had when we arrived at the hospital...what a relief to have one less worry when our time comes to head up there to deliver.

Also, Steve had surgery to remove a tumor from his lung a couple of weeks ago...whew! He's got a road to recovery, but seems to be doing ok right now. It was major surgery, but thank goodness he has nurse Beverly to take care of him...she's the best, you know.

Todd had a couple of shows in Dallas, so our little tadpole made her first trip to Texas...no boots yet...the shows went very well. I was able to visit with Tina for a couple of days as we stayed at her house while there. We also made a trip to Virginia this month. I sat in a tree stand for the first time. Yes, there is nothing sexier than a 7 month pregnant girl in a tree stand...oh good times. I didn't have much luck getting very high in the tree though....who knew I had NO abdominal muscles AT ALL right now!? Pretty sad. It was kind of neat to see Todd in his "element" though. We didn't see any wildlife to speak of this time, but the experience was a good one. We'll be returning to Virginia for Thanksgiving if the doctors give me the ok to travel at that late time in the pregnancy, but don't count on me hopping in anymore tree stands!!!

I'm at the end of my 27th week now and things are great. Todd and I just took our last beach vacation as a two-some. It was fantastic!! The weather couldn't have been better! I've included a few of those photos on here. We did get to visit with Dad a few times while we were there, so that was nice. I just dug a hole in the sand for my belly and enjoyed laying in the sunshine. It was quite relaxing and I look forward to taking our little tadpole there next Spring sometime.






We have a doctor appointment today. They'll do the glucose test for gestational diabetes (and we'll see if Dr. Mullaly is pleased or disappointed with my weight gain....yikes!) I think I'm doing ok with it honestly....the best I can anyway. I'm still having a few symptoms that are definitely making sleep a tough thing. I can't really remember the last night I got a good sleep, but as I said, I should get used to that :). I'm still dealing with the numbness in my hands, and also some minor pain in my hip, but I'm learning that all of these things are pretty standard for pregos. It will all be worth it.

After our appointment, we're heading back to the studio...Todd started a new batch of demos yesterday, and we'll get the recording done by tomorrow. This new group of tunes is fantastic! Gotta make the music to make the money to feed the baby bird!!!!

More later...

She's a wiggle worm!!

Well it's been about a month since I have written on here...shame on me. So much has happened, the most exciting of which is that I am feeling her move. I've been feeling little scoots for a few weeks now, and today Todd got to feel her move, too. It was amazing and you could see in his eyes how excited he was...we both were. So much fun!!

I'm 24 weeks now. We went to the doctor's office last week and heard the heartbeat again...it was 160 and the doctor seemed pleased with how everything was going. She told me that she tries to encourage her patients to only gain 15-20 pounds with the pregnancies. I looked at her with this confused face and said..."total?!". She's pretty extreme (and also pretty skinny). She said that 30 was a little more realistic, so we'll go with that for now. Ha! I like ice cream too much to gain only 15-20 pounds!!

We're still playing the name game. We have a short list of names we like, but haven't agreed on anything yet. We'll get there. We've had so many people sending us names that there is certainly no shortage of choices (thank you Mom, Jenny, Karen and Aunt Sherry!).

Another fun fact is that I've been thinking for a few weeks that something is wrong with me (no comments, peanut gallery)...actually my hands and circulation. I wake up multiple times each night with numb fingers, and my hands just ache. Todd and I couldn't figure it out...thought I had bad circulation and might need to visit a doctor.... until today...I read online that 25% of pregnant women get Carpel Tunnel syndrome. Who knew? The water retention and swelling in your arms and body presses on some nerve that affects your fingers and hands and causes discomfort and tingling/numbness. Well ain't that something!? At least now we can all rest easy and know once again that I am completely normal. ;)

In other news, Jenny got engaged! She and John Michael plan to be married in March of next year...Mom has a lot going on in her life right now! Congrats to them!! We're so excited (all 3 of us!)!!!!!

Here's a belly photo from 2 weeks ago...at 22 weeks.

It's a GIRL!!!

We are sooooo excited that we have found out we're having a little girl! Todd predicted it on the way to the doctor...he looked at me and told me very matter-of-factly that it is a girl. Guess my "mother's instinct" hasn't kicked in yet since I thought it was a boy without a doubt! The doctor's visit this week at 18.5 weeks was so much fun. The ultrasound technician spent about 1.5 hours with us while we got to see 10 fingers and 10 toes, all of the internal organs, the strong heart beating, a straight spine...all of the things that make you feel reassured that your baby is going to be healthy. We have been praying for a healthy baby and that doctor visit was helpful in thinking it might be working. After we were told it was a girl, it was difficult for me to concentrate on anything else the technician was saying....I was overwhelmed with a happy, surprised feeling and couldn't quit crying (like a baby). Todd was pretty quiet during the visit. When we got in the car I looked at him and asked him to just "say something". He was going through the phases of her life in his head and he said "it will be ok...nuns aren't allowed to date!" Oh goodness! Next he got to the phase of her life where he was thinking that whoever is in my belly would be someone he walks down the aisle one day...that's when I think he almost passed out! Ha! Karen reminded him later that he would also be paying for that aisle! Both Grandmother's are excited and I'm sure hitting the malls right now. I did go shopping yesterday and bought 2 little outfits...it's just hard to believe that those tiny clothes actually fit on a person!

I can't wait to see how the rest of the pregnancy goes, and we can't wait to meet her. Now we've got to work on the name game...that's a tough one! Good thing we have 5 more months to work on it!

We feel very blessed. I feel especially lucky to have such a wonderful husband and dad to my little girl. Life is good.

4 months in....

So it's week 18 (photo was taken in week 16) and we are doing great!! I am feeling good, but the pooch is growing like crazy! It's pretty wild, and sometimes Todd and I just sit and look at my stomach in disbelief that this is really happening. it's so wonderful. We've had a busy week...Todd had 6 shows this week and one of them was at a new club in Murfreesboro. Even though he was sick and not sure how is sore throat would get through it all, he was a pro and the new club wants him back...that's my boy! We got to meet Melissa Etheridge at her concert last night at the Ryman...she seems like a down to earth girl and has such a unique and amazing voice. Today Todd is golfing to get in some time on the course before his shoulder surgery in August. Tonight is a cookout with friends. Thursday we have another doctor appointment for the second half of the genetic testing (cross your fingers that our little tadpole is healthy!). We get to find out the sex of the baby next week!!! We can't wait! I think reality will REALLY set in then when we start buying things and get started on the nursery. I have a feeling in my "gut" that its a boy, but we'll see. Mom is also predicting a boy. Either way will be wonderful.