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.

Todd's birthday

Well, since I spoke of Todd's birthday in one of the last posts, I thought I would include a few photos. It was a great day. He had a songwriting appointment in the morning, and the 'birthday mailbox' met him under his truck after his appointment, instructing him to meet me at Flavour to pick out some new stage clothes. Man, that boy can shop!!! That night, we met Tyler and Lizzie at Saffire for dinner and enjoyed a quiet evening. The next night, we kept the celebration going by meeting Mickey and Shannon and Tiffany and Tony at Zanies comedy club. What a blast that was! I always forget about comedy clubs but definitely should do that more often....laughter is good for everyone.

Showing for sure!!

Ok, so in the last week and a half, the "pooch" has decided it would definitely make a debut! I'm down to 2 pairs of jeans that still fit and am using a ponytail holder to expand the others....classy, I know. I'm living in yoga pants for now, and life is comfortable. Right now, Todd and I are in Virginia visiting Karen (that's "Grandma" to you, Tadpole). Todd is working hard over at the farm, and we're both getting to enjoy the company as well as the beautiful scenery. I've gotten to start a couple of my mornings with a walk down 810...so pretty! I'm doing what I can to keep in shape (and counteract my ice cream and popsicle addiction). We went to Aberdeen Barn with Karen one night, which is always a fantastic meal. Todd and I also got to have lunch with Grammy yesterday, which was so nice. She seemed very happy that we were all able to get together, and she's getting around just fine with that fancy walker of hers! She was worried that she may not get to meet the new baby, but we assured her that she would meet her great grandchild...no matter what. She's the only great grandparent that is still with us, so she's pretty special. Coon went to the farm with me yesterday, and Karen, Jackson and I met Todd for lunch over there today and enjoyed a nice break on the porch of the brick house. Tadpole has been in good spirits since we got here...being sweet to me and keeping me feeling good so far. I've been so lucky.

Before I made it to Virginia on Monday, Mom and I journeyed to Orlando for Stacie's baby shower. We got to go to a 4-D ultrasound with her...so amazing! It's always nice to visit with family. We had to spend the day in the airport on our buddy passes, I was sick all day, but having Mom there made it okay and we finally got to Atlanta at 11:30 pm Sunday night. Whew! I spent the night with Jenny and met John Michael, her new boyfriend. He seems very nice...as long as he's good to her, we will all welcome him. :)

We're heading home to Nashville tomorrow morning. Today completes week 16!! More belly shots to follow....

Doctor visit June 28, 2010

We saw the doctor on Monday (it's Wednesday), and got to hear the heartbeat for the first time!! It was so amazing! It was beating so fast...sounds like Tadpole is running laps in there! Todd was with me and we both enjoyed it, even though the appointment went by very quickly. Our doctor seems quite busy...hopefully that's a sign that she's just that good and everyone wants to see her. We also found out that our early genetic screening results were good...the doctor used the words "very reassuring", so we're going to hang on to those happy thoughts.

I feel like my tummy is starting to show to other people...Todd told me yesterday that I am showing, and our alterations girl also said so...yikes! It does seem that the pooch is pooching a lot more this week all of a sudden...guess that's the way it goes! Let's just roll with it! I'll hold off on buying prego clothes as long as I can.

Yesterday was Todd's birthday...the heartbeat and the good test results were a great early present for him. I think he had a great day. He had a songwriting appointment, after which I met up with him to take him shopping for new stage clothes...let's just say that was a very successful shopping outing! He looks good in everything he puts on, so we HAD to get it all! ;) Last night we went out to dinner with Tyler and Lizzie at Saffire in Franklin...very nice. Tonight we are going to Zanies comedy club to finish upt he celebration with Mickey and Shannon, and Tiffany and Tony...Todd doesn't know they will be there...another fun surprise.

Our next appointment is at the end of July...it's difficult having to wait so long to hear or see the little one! It's so exciting when we do get to that I just want to do that all the time! In the meantime, we'll both try to keep going to the gym regularly and stay energized and in shape.

End of the first Trimester, June 25, 2010

Wow! I can't believe we are past the first trimester...that time flew by! Mom was here this week to help with some baby "stuff" and go to the doctor visit with me. I had a genetic test done that included an ultrasound and blood test....it was soooo amazing to see the baby moving!! The second it came up on the screen, Mom started crying, which in turn made me cry (of course). Tadpole looked like a little person in there...I can't believe that is inside my body!!!

I have gained 4 pounds to date, but feel like I've gained 15. Puffy...that's the word I use to describe the feeling. Shirts are feeling a little more snug than I would like. Luckily, I have many shirts with a high waist that are "roomy" and lots of yoga pants to save me, so no prego shopping yet...I'll resist that as long as I can.

While Mom was here, we went to almost every baby store in and around the Nashville area I think. It was so much fun! We got some great ideas on cribs and nursery colors that are gender neutral (at least for now). Anyone who knows me knows that I will most likely change my mind 5 more times as far as nursery color ideas, so we'll just not worry too much about that right now.

Other than the bloated feeling, I have a little cramping, but doc says its all normal. My skin is making some not-so-fun changes as I look like I am back in high school with these big pimples on my face...lovely, right? I feel so lucky that I haven't been sick very much...I sure hope that stays that way!!!

Week 14 begins today...we see the doctor on Monday (Todd wasn't able to be there this past week for the genetic testing but will be here this time). I hope we get to see the baby again...I want him to experience that. More to come...