The Smaciak's

Logantales: Hospital Edition...

2012-02-04T07:20:00.000-08:00

This past week has been a rollercoaster... Shawn's dad had a heart attack last Sunday.. He is doing okay but has a very long, struggling road ahead of him... So on top of our normal chaos Shawn took the week off of work and has been with his dad day & night... I have been visiting on my lunch break and then bringing the baby up after school... I know the thought of the baby at the hospital is a little creepy... BUT it is a specialty heart hospital and extremely, extremely clean, not in the whole sterile way but this heart hospital is where it is at!! Anyways, what does a baby do when in a hospital room where he brightens the mood?? He learns new sounds of course!! That makes him over the top cuteness!!

Too Many Toys... Everything gets a lick..

2012-01-24T17:58:00.000-08:00

We had a sick day today.. After going back to the doctors, with the same results... Not in lungs or ears THANKFULLY.. Yet too young for any type of medication.. But little man is still pretty pathetic.. Soo we had a little overstimulation going on to make the boy happy or a couple of minutes, somewhere other than my arms that is.. This lead to attacking everything with a fresh lick.. Wash, Clorox, Sanitize, REPEAT.. Get these germs out of here..

Logantales: Croup Edition...

2012-01-22T17:09:00.000-08:00

I consider us lucky... Logan has been in childcare for three months and so far he had a mild cold and a stomach bug.. BUT we had to bring him to the emergency care because he now has Croup.. It is not a severe case but pathetic just the same.. I'm frustrated because I feel like it could have been prevented... BUT you live, learn and move on!! I love this little boy and it breaks my heart that he is in any pain.. Here is his pathetic little voice:Please get better little man!!

Logantales: Daddy Skype Edition:)

2012-01-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

I was looking through the pictures and videos on my phone today and came across a total gem that I forgot to post way back in December... From when Logan & I were in New York... I love it and think it captures their relationship so well!!

A New Passing of Time...

2012-01-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

Daddy and Logan LOVE to read books... I love to watch them read books:)

Logan Tales: Shots Edition!

2012-01-07T07:01:00.000-08:00

Shots are no fun.. I myself hate shots.. Logan must take after his father because this round of shots he literally whimpered during and after the shot in each leg.. BUT we have definitely developed a pattern.. About five hours after shots little man is in PAIN.. Talk about break your heart.. At one point he stopped shrieking looked up at me with those tear stained baby blues and started immediately shrieking again.. I couldn't take it.. I am putting this boy in a bubble because I will ~~NOT~~ have a very hard time dealing with anything that hurts this little man... It also appears that his shots give him a fever that usually starts about 12 hours later.. His is on his third dose of Tylenol since last night to try and keep it down.. Thankfully it hasn't been above 100.5 but I still don't like it.. But I am going to let Logan tell you in his own words how he feels about it...**Some official stats**Weight: 16lbs 9oz (72 percentile)Height: 26 Inches (76 percentile)Head: (Shawn's pretty excited) 16.9cm (68 pecentile!!)**Some other 4 months facts I forgot to share**You are pretty much exclusively in 6 months clothing..But can still fit in some 3-6... I really hope you stop going up in size because your spring wardrobe is definitely all 6-12 months.. Good thing Nannie and Poppie will be in Florida next month.. That means weekend visits and a hopefully outcome of your spring clothes not being a total waste!!NOW I need to go and give you a surplus of snuggles... I hate the fact of you not feeling good BUT I do love giving myself an excuse of being able to snuggle you 24/7 literally!!

Four Months.. What?!

2012-01-02T17:38:00.000-08:00

Four Months old little man FOUR MONTHS!!!.. Where is the time going?!.. You are absolutely the light of our lives (and many other peoples as well!)... This past month was very exciting for you.. You had many "firsts".. You had your first airplane ride.. You did amazing.. I was a little nervous because daddy didn't come with us.. On the way up to New York it was early morning so you basically slept the whole way.. On the way back it was a little bit of a different story.. We had an evening flight and that has come to be your fussy time.. But all in all you were amazing!! You also met your cousins, aunts and uncles on mommy's side for the first time.. Everyone was extremely obsessed with you!! You loved spending time with all of your family but I must say you 100% missed daddy after about two days without him... When we came back the way you looked at him was heart breaking! You could not stop staring, giggling, and smiling at him.. But along with that you did not let your mommy OR daddy out of your sight at all times for about 2 days... While in New York you experienced your first snow!! I only have a picture of you in the car with the snow swirling through the window (sorry).. You had your first Christmas, YOU LOVED IT.. Santa brought you a few gifts because we didn't ask him for much because we didn't think you would really be into it.. Let me tell you what!!.. You studied each package/wrapping paper/present/toy and then would reach for the prize on the inside!! You had your first cold:(.. That really isn't much fun, the nasal saline spray and the ~~nasal aspirator~~ SNOT SUCKER, just isn't a good time!! For the first time ever I had to use diaper rash cream on your tiny hiney!!.. Another first: This is the first time you have finished a Zantac bottle and I haven't had it refilled.. For like two weeks it has been awesome, do you still spit up Yes but for the most part it is not a lot and it doesn't seem to cause you pain.. Now I do have a little fear that you may have to go back on it because the last two days seem to have been rough on your little body and you seem to be back in some pain after a bottle:( You have started the grueling teething process and so far they aren't brutally painful just a little uncomfortable (at least from what I am witnessing).. We are trying to help you with All Natural Teething tablets and a homeopathic gel..

Now for your stats:Weight: 17 pounds even (although we will know exactly on friday)Diapers: Pampers Swaddlers (Daytime): Size 2 Pampers Dry (Night time): Size 3Bottles: 5 oz every three to four hoursFood: Just starting rice cereal at nightSleep: (For the most part) 9:30p.m.-5:00a.m. and then will go back to sleep until we wake you for schoolLikes: Your Swing, Your new kick and play piano, Your Jumperoo, snuggling with your lovies, Bathy time, Anything with lights or noise, pacis, eating your fists, Teething Tablets, Daddy's beat boxing...Dislikes: The frog on your kick and play mat (You get so mad that you can't get it to your mouth), Not being able to sit up from a lying position, Not being able to stand on your own (slow down little man), The trumpet noise dada makes with his mouth and hands.. You seriously spaz and get so upset when he makes the motion/noise!!, You do not like that fact that Nannie & Poppie are back in the computer and not with you :(, If your hungry you don't know why a bottle is not in your mouth immediately..

We Love you Soooo much and can't even stand the fact that you are growing up so quickly.. We love you with all that we are!!!

Happy 2012...

2012-01-01T05:52:00.000-08:00

We can't wait for the new adventures that 2012 will bring us!! Thanks for keeping up with us from learning about baby s to the fun, exciting, new adventures as parents! As we continue to watch our little man grow I know if we blink he is going to be too grown too fast.. Here's to a wonderful 2012!!

Teething Bites...

2011-12-31T06:20:00.000-08:00

Yikes... Long Road... Double Yikes...

Merry First Christmas Logan Richard!!

2011-12-30T19:32:00.000-08:00

Almost a year ago to the date we found out you were on board little one... The way Nannie and Poppie found out was from a note on our Christmas tree, it read: Please Join me for my First Christmas in December 2011. I Love You Nannie & Poppie!!.. Well as you will come to know very well Nannie & Poppie ~~can't~~ NEVER say no to their grandbabies!!.. So Nannie & Poppie joined us down here to be a part of your First Christmas!!.. We had so much fun. We fulfilled one of Nannie's Christmas wishes and went to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.. We all had a great time but were very tired!!... The morning of Christmas you surprised us by being VERY excite about what was going on with packages/paper/gifts!!.. You had a blast.. The following two days Nannie, you & I shopped until we literally dropped while Daddy & Poppie went hunting (no luck!!).. All in all we (as always) had a great memorable time with Nannie & Poppie and you had an AMAZING First Christmas!!.. P.S. In true Nannie fashion a couple of months ago I told Nannie that you were going to ask Santa Claus for a comfy chair with your name on it.. She replied no need because that is what Poppie & I are getting him.. Fabulous.. Where was your chair Christmas morning you may ask?!.. In Nannie's office in NEW YORK!!.. Oh well little one a Christmas celebration with your chair will be had in February:)

Merry Christmas...

2011-12-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

From our family to yours:)(This was our Christmas card this year)

Oh Cousinly LOVE!!

2011-12-23T20:53:00.000-08:00

A week ago Logan met his cousins on my side for the first time... I don't know who was infatuated wth who more... Them with him or him with them... In true Jenna fashion: "They love Hims so much!!"... That much is 100% clear!!

Three Months..

2011-11-30T16:54:00.001-08:00

Yikes. Just plain YIKES!!... Where is this time going?? Logan man is getting so big like ridiculously big... He is showing more and more of his little personality and that red hair temper is shining through... He is talking (rambling to a high shrieking pitch/scream)... He makes our lives worth living... Every single inch of his beautiful self... He is doing great at night, Sleeping from 9-5:30 and then on the weekends he will go back to sleep until at least 9!!.. Love him for those extra hours!! The little tanker weighs 14 pounds 7 ounces... And you can feel every pound of that weight!! I have officially packed away ALL of his 0-3 months clothing.. He was still fitting into some things (or so I thought).. Until I went to put my FAVORITE outfit on him and I literally couldn't pull it far enough down to snap *tear.. That was when his closet thinned tremendously!!

He is still taking 5 ounces of formula (every other bottle has cereal in it to help with the acid reflux).. Ugh the dreaded reflux, I swear at the end of each Zantac bottle I am so hopeful.. And then without fail with like 4 doses left he starts vomiting uncontrollably again.. It is so frustrating, I have my fingers (and everything else) crossed with this being his third huge bottle of the stuff (given twice a day)... He is still in Size 2 diapers and we have found that the night time diapers really do help him sleep longer at night because of the absorbency!! He is IN LOVE with his swing right now and usually prefers to be there versus our arms:(.. I can say that he does amazing in his crib and loves to wiggle around in his own domain.. As always I will leave you with that lovely temper shining through!!

Still In Love...

2011-11-16T18:18:00.001-08:00

If you remember our ~~craziness~~ excursion of traveling to Charlotte five days after Logan was born, you remember that I was in love with the talent of the ladies over at Dimples and Curls Photography... Well yesterday I got our disc of 25 digital images... and seriously.. FIRST of all break my heart that my sweet baby boy has aready grown up and changed so much but SECOND of all I am still 100% in love with EVERYTHING about that session and the end photos!!A couple faves...

Best Weekend...

2011-11-14T20:14:00.001-08:00

Filled with love, snuggles, laughs, peek a boos, patty cakes, food and shopping... Lots and lots of shopping...

Staring Contest...

2011-11-08T16:13:00.000-08:00

You & Me... Me & You...

Ohhh Logantales.....

2011-11-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

He did so well this week!! I am so lucky and amazingly grateful/happy in my life right now! And that little man makes me smile even through a stomach virus!!

Happy Halloween!!

2011-11-02T17:01:00.000-07:00

TWO Months!!

2011-10-31T18:21:00.000-07:00

What a busy busy past couple of days this big two months old has had!! On Friday he went to his 8 week check up.. His Stats:Weight: 12pounds 10ounces (63rd percentile)Height: 23 Inches (55th percentile)Head Circ.(Only because we like to make fun of Shawn): 15 3/4 (80th percentile) Love it!!

Logan started school this morning AND it was his First Halloween!! Which is where his "Two" can be found for his "Two" months pictures (On his booty of his costume!!).. Which also made him Derek Jeter and not just a Yankees player!! He did so amazing at school it is ridiculous.. Honestly I was a little nervous because of all of the cuddling I did with him the past week.. But SERIOUSLY this baby was so happy and content watching all of his friends and staring at the walls... And SERIOUSLY we put him in his crib for nap with the rest of the babes and SERIOUSLY the child put himself to sleep within minutes WHAT THE?! Anways I am so proud of him and myself!!

Logan is officially in his crib for naps and night time sleeps.. His doctor cut him back to 4 ounces with 2tsp of rice cereal because of his Acid Reflux which came back with a projectile vomit vengenance!! It really seems to be helping him and he is so content between feedings which are spreading out too.. It also is helping him at night because he is sleeping a 6 hour stretch which is AMAZING... He has pretty much outgrown all 0-3 clothes and is outgrowing Carter's 3 months clothes.. He is wearing 3-6 months outfits and is probably going to be in 6 months clothes very soon!! One thing we did find out is little man doesn't do so well with shots.. He was extremely uncomfortable Friday evening/night and very whimpering fussy which broke my heart because you are so helpless... He then broke a fever on Saturday that lasted pretty much all day but by that evening he was back to his silly boy self!! We love this little guy so much and can't imagine life any other way!!

Two

2011-10-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

Two days of lounging in the pjs all day:)

Three

2011-10-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

Three more days of loving on this boy like crazy... And loving on him some more... And more... And more because nobody likes shots:(

FOUR...

2011-10-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

Four more days of any time of the days snuggles with my man... I will still get snuggles but I will also have to give snuggles to 7 other little ones in our class:)

Five..

2011-10-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

Five more days of Logan sleeping wherever, whenever he wants... And if that just happens to be in my arms, so be it!!... Because next week we are strict schedule bound!!

Six..

2011-10-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

Six more days of me & my boy:)And I am going to cherish every single one of these smiles....Smiles that only this mama can get from this little man!!

Seven

2011-10-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

Seven more days of Mommy and Logan.. Thankfully I have the luxury of the little man joining me at work... If not, this momma would either be having 24 hours of anxiety OR be jobless... Kudos to all working moms & stay at home moms, both jobs are extremely hard!! And after getting a tiny glimpse at both sides, I feel it is always greener on the other side.. I am just glad that I get to experience both at the same time:)

A Favorite Passtime...

2011-10-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Logan LOVES to skype with his Nannie and Poppie!!... He gets giddy (Well, with mommy standing behind the computer) but stares and stares at the computer... I haven't decided if he's staring at Nannie & Poppie or the blue light on the computer :)... But I do know that either way he loves to hear those voices!!!... Although Nannie & I have decided that sometimes skype definitely isn't enough and that sometimes it just makes us more and more lonesome from each other... BUT the countdown is on, Nannie will be here in T-Minus 19 days:)

Happy Friday:)

2011-10-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

The Boys of Fall

2011-10-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

Someone is loving football Saturday's & Sunday's!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPPIE...

2011-10-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

Bathy Time...

2011-10-18T10:59:00.000-07:00

There has been a witching hour(s) in the Smaciak household and hopefully it goes out the door with the ghouls and goblins of Halloween!!.. But something that breaks those hours up is Bathy time... Logan LOVES it... But it only lasts until the lotion comes out!! Enjoy!

Watch Out...

2011-10-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

For this forocious guy...

When Logan was 5 1/2 days old YES 5 1/2 days, we (myself, Shawn, nannie & Logan) all packed up and headed 2 hours north to the other side of Charlotte... Were we nuts? Absolutely, was it worth it? Absolutely!! The ladies at Dimples & Curls Photography were absolutely amazing... This lion picture was one of MANY pictures taken that day... One of 25 that we narrowed down... One of the shots in a 5 hour session... FIVE HOURS!! 5 days after giving birth!! Every single second was worth it... And it didn't feel like that long because Christine and her mom were that amazing!! I am so extremely glad that we booked this session and that we have these amazing photographs to look back on for the rest of Logan's life... Lets face it those newborn days are gone and only getting farther away.. My smiley little big six weeks old looks nothing like that little man in the picture anymore!! PHOTO by DIMPLES & CURLS PHOTOGRAPHY

Ducks in a Row...

2011-10-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

...He really is going to hate our photoshoots someday!!...

Just Because...

2011-10-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

Who can resist those cheeks, this face and of course the HAT!!

Oh Little Pumpkin!!

2011-10-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

We took you to your very first pumpkin patch yesterday and you absolutely ~~Looooved~~... Lets be real you slept through the entire process, like always. Peope keep asking if you have your days and nights confused because you are constantly snoozing throughout the day but you really sleep well at night too.. As in well I mean from about 8:30-11:30, 12:00-4/5, 5:30-7:30/8... To me I think that is fabulous for an almost 6 week old!!.. Anways event though you slept for most of the Pumpkin experience we sure had fun with you... Aunt Tara & Uncle Brett came with us too!!

SLOW DOWN

2011-10-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

I really just wish time would stand still... I love the baby, baby age but apparently Logan does not... He is seriously ridiculously strong and wants to be so grown up... He is happiest sitting up and watching what is going on around him... He has had excellent control over his head (for small periods of time) pretty much since birth... So combine those two things and we got this:

Just Looking in the Mirror...

2011-10-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

Not only do these two have identical features/profiles but I honestly don't know who admires who more?!.. Their daddy/son bond melts my heart and I am loving every second that I get to witness!!

Oh My Personality!!

2011-10-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

There are alot of times (by alot I mean pretty much always) that you are OH SO SERIOUS... Honestly we laugh because you are sooooo serious, your perfect little scowl:) We joke and either call you an old man OR tell you that you will have scowl lines by the age of two... But let me tell you what!!??... When you aren't being serious your personality SHINES through... You are soooo funny and cute and oh so cuddly... We are constantly laughing at you and trying to get that personality to shine through... Here is your Striped Green Bandit personality shining through:

I Think I Am a BIGGG BOY!!

2011-10-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

He thinks he can sit up on his own!!... Slow down little man SLOW DOWN!!

Calm of all Calms...

2011-10-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

What makes this baby completely 100% go from fussy and thrashing around to a comatose stare monster?!

That would be none other than the fabulous show The Sing Off!! Logan absolutely loves noise but for some reason when The Sing Off comes on he is like silent or more recently he has started to dance and sing along... It really is the funniest thing... We tried it with The X Factor and no such luck!! The Sing Off is the only charmer for him!!

And here is Logan's Video Dancing & Singing Debut!!

Remember....

2011-09-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

This: More importantly that first little Mickey Mouse onesie!!... Well I remember being in Disney so elated on the coattails of finding out that sweet Baby S was on board for the long haul and searching high and low in every single park for the PERFECT gift for the sweet baby... It was extremely hard because we had no idea if we were expecting a little minnie or a little mickey:)... We settled on the Mickey Mouse onesie because let's face it Mickey is in every little boy's AND girl's hearts!! Well break my heart but here is that gift in full effect!!

M-I-C (See ya real soon)... K-E-Y (Why? Because I love you)... MMMMMM OOOOOO UUUUU SSSS EEEE!!Logan is going to LOVE meeting Mickey at some point...

Whoaaaa....

2011-09-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

Something I forgot... And how could I... This little man has a LEGIT temper... I mean TEMPER!!... Seriously he snaps when something isn't going his way... Here are some of those melt downs...

And where is this temper coming from?!?!.. Your guess is as good as mine BUT something I need to point out... Is it true what they say?!?!RED HAIR?!?!!

One Month...

2011-09-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

WOW... Little man it doesn't seem like a month has already gone by... That sure went fast and I am sure that the rest of the months are not going to slow... We have completely rearranged our lives because let's face it this life is now all about Logan and we all live in Logan's World... We wouldn't change it for ANYTHING!! You are the excitement and meaning of our days AND nights!!

You have gotten oh so big in the past four weeks... Mommy has officially put away your newborn clothes, mitts, and small hats:(... That was really hard!! And we don't know when it happened, all of a sudden one morning I put an outfit on you and you could barely move your legs?!.. You were officially out of Newborn diapers pretty much by your 2nd week... You still fit in size 1's but only Pamper's Swaddlers, Huggies Pure & Natural are now too small even though that was all that worked for you for a couple of weeks.. Speaking of trial and errors YIKES on figuring out your stomach... Poor little man, you have a sensitivity to dairy.. We started out breastfeeding and integrating formula at night because big man you were NOT satisfied... From there we switched from Similac Sensitive to Enfamil Newborn which seemed to work... FOR about two days and then we took the next step and switched to Enfamil ProSobee, which is a Soy based formula... We were still breastfeeding as well but the second you switched to Soy you no longer were throwing up EXCEPT when you were breastfeeding SOOOOO as of this past Saturday you are 100% on Soy Formula only and seemed to be doing fantastic... Except for now we are having a problem with the other end?! We feel so bad because of your pain but I promise, once we figure this out you are going to be goooood to go!! You are extremely strong, already rolling from your back to your side and then from your side to your belly... For the past four nights you have been sleeping from Midnight until 5 am and then back down until 8... I never thought that I would say THANK YOU for that outrageous sleep schedule!! You have been very smiley but just a couple of days ago started to smile on command... It melts our hearts and we love it...

Okay Now.. Some of your LOVE's:You LOVE to be on Mommy or Daddy (but we do put you down and your okay with that)...You LOVE your Tummy Time Surfboard& watching The Sing Off from your surfboard!! (Video later)...You LOVE hanging out in your bath...You LOVE to eat (even through your digestive problems you still LOVED to eat)You LOVE to be talked and sang to..You LOVE to sleep on your belly (even though it makes me nervous)You LOVE to take a late morning nap with mommy...You LOVE to take a late afternoon nap with daddy...You LOVE to skype mostly with Nannie & Poppie but you also LOVE to talk to your cousins & others on skype..You LOVE to SCOWL... hilarious!!ANDHATE'sYou absolutely HATE to be cold.. *You seriously FLIP after your bath or if your bummy hits a cold surface...You HATE a wet diaper...You HATE or pretend to hate your pacifier until it is in your mouth for a little bit..You HATE to sleep on your back...You HATE when your food isn't ready the SECOND you want it...You HATE to burp..You HATE to get lotioned down but sorry little man this early educator knows that the lotion rub downs are good for your brain..All of your LOVE's and HATE's make you YOU and we love every inch of YOU...

Mr. Luscious Lips Logan

2011-09-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

These are some serious lips!!.. We love those lips.. Mommy has given you the nickname Mr. Luscious Lips... I am sure at some point in your life I will not like it if someone else, a girl especially, calls you this BUT right now you are my little luscious lips man:)

My First Bath..

2011-09-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

Thankfully the rest of your cord finally fell off a week and a half ago... I was soooo excited because this meant you could finally get a proper bathy!! Which you now get every other night and for the most part you LOVE... You don't like getting in because your MAJOR hate in life is being cold... I mean blood curdling screams if you are in any sense cold!! Anyways for the majority of the time you love bathy time... And the snuggling with daddy in the towel afterwards.. You even like talking to Nannie & Poppie on skype in your bathy:).. You DO NOT like your lotion down after bathy and of course daddy makes mommy do that part!!

What Did You Get From Mommy?!..

2011-09-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well from the second we saw your face on the 4D ultrasound there was no denying that you my dear are your fathers child!! Identical to say the least... The very first moment I laid eyes on you it was like looking at a reflection of your daddy. There have been a couple (by a couple I mean MAYBE two) people that have said "Oh I can see you in him too, Shannon"... I laugh and politely say "I don't think I can agree with you"... But this is okay to me because you are perfect and beautiful to look at always... This is where I come in, there is one minor imperfection.. You my love have been cursed with "The Wright Feet"... I try to say it lovingly but these feet are horrible... You will probably never see Poppie's toes because he keeps those pups locked up in his white socks & sneakers or house shoes... You can thank that man along with his mom, your great-grandma Wright (God rest her soul) for the sad sad excuse of toes that we share:)... I like to say that our toes are soooo ugly that they are sooo cute..<

Catching some Rays:)

2011-09-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

When we left the hospital Logan was borderline on the jaundice scale... We had a check up three days later... What they found was no surprise to this mommy. I had noticed starting the day before that little man was turning in to a little orangey man:) So what did we do??.. We caught some rays!!

Go Gamecocks:)

2011-09-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Your daddy is pretty crazy when it comes to gameday around The Smaciak household... Literally CRRRRAAAAYYYZAAAAAYY.. People tend to think that playing dress up with babies is limited to little girls & big bows... No no no my little man your daddy has succeeded to go overboard with your Gamecock wardrobe... Mommy even had to go out this weekend and get you another hat because heaven forbid you only had one and you had already dirtied it for the day!!.. Here are some of your little wardrobe changes:)

Just in Case You Didn't Know...

2011-09-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

We LOOOOOOOOOOOVE Nannie & Poppie and miss them terribly... One of the worst things in this life is not being able to share everyday with these amazing people... I thought it was bad when I would get homesick... NOW that Logan is here it is magnified by about 120%++++... I hate the fact that as he changes daily that his Nannie & Poppie can't witness it... Skype does ease the pain a little bit but we can't wait for the next visit:)

Welcome Home Logan

2011-09-19T18:09:00.000-07:00

When we got home from the hospital Nannie & Poppie had decorated the house to welcome you... It was so sweet and fun to see the house covered in an array of blue!!

Someone else was waiting for you too... Your big brother Ziggy the cat... He has been so curious about all of your things and mommy/daddy were a little unsure at how he would react to you... WELL we soon found out... He LOVES you!! Well more so at first... The first couple of days every time you made a sound Ziggy would come running to mommy and daddy and look at us like "Hello, are you going to do something for him?!".. Then we found out that with you around Ziggy also liked to be around more frequently... He very rarely hides out anymore and is much more vocal about his presence around us!!... Here is your first meeting with Ziggy the cat!!

Discharged... One Day Early!!

2011-09-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

After we calmed down from visitors and began to get used to Logan being in the room with us at the hospital, we were ready to BOUNCE... Not that it was uncomfortable, honestly it wasn't that bad BUT the every couple hours of vitals and being woken up was a bit much... So to our amazement by Friday after being in the hospital for only a day and a half after having the baby my doctor said "Well, I have a c-section to do really quick and then I will be back to get your discharge papers ready!!".. I was super excited... Well at that point it was like a rush, people were in and out trying to get all the legit things done so that we could get out of there... Everyone that I talked to was shocked that I was getting out so early... At the time I was surprised too but then thinking back I wasn't ALL that surprised... I told Shawn that if I knew that all pregnancies and labors would be the way my experience was I would have ten babies.. Honestly, I kept waiting for the pain to come, and waiting and waiting and waiting... Well thankfully it never came!!.. So we strapped Logan in to his sweet little carseat with his sweet little Sailor man outfit on and his sweet little stuffed lamb and we hit the road!!!...

Our Family:)

2011-09-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

Just because I love these two men and this is one of my favorites right now... One of my favorite things is watching this man be an incredible daddy... I always knew that he was going to be amazing but I didn't know how amazing until about oh IMMEDIATELY after watching him hold his first born child for the first time!!.. There is no one else in the world I would rather have as my partner in parenthood... To be redundent he is AMAZING and I think that our little family is pretty amazing too!!

A Little Break in the Timeline...

2011-09-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

Poppie... There are no better arms to be held in than this man's... (Well except maybe your daddy's)... Your Poppie is infactuated with you and you are with him... There were many days/nights when you first came home from the hospital that you sat with your Poppie for 2-3 hours on end without moving a muscle... Today Poppie went to Burlington for his yearly check-up on the stint he has due to the stroke he suffered 7 years ago... I thank god everyday that he helped to keep your Poppie safe and suffer little damages to his body because of the stroke... His check up turned out great, no movement or blockage!!.. I hope that you know each and every day of your life how special you are to have a Poppie as wonderful as yours... He is one of a kind and would do everything/anything for you and for that you are luckier than you will ever know!!

Visitors... Hospital Edition...

2011-09-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

Sooo many people were so ready to meet you that they could barely contain themselves... You had many people who were waiting the second you came out into this world!!.. By the time we made it to the room mommy had to tell everyone to back up because I hadn't counted all your fingers or toes yet!!... But I didn't keep people at bay for long because they couldn't wait to get their hands on you!!!

Love, Love, Love

2011-09-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

So by the time all of the excitement was over and daddy/Logan were well on their way to the nursery, I continued my stay in the OR talking about delicious food... Which all of us, the doctors, the "good drug" doctors and nurses all decided why are we all talking about this amazing sounding food when very clearly NONE of us would be eating anytime soon... It kept the room cheerful though!!.. I then went to a recovery room which was agonizing because I was by myself and still hadn't held my little man... THEN daddy, the babe & thanks to our sweet nurse Sarah, Nannie & Poppie all came back to join me.. That is where we made it official that Baby S was now Logan Richard.. Everything about this special quiet moment with the four people I love most in this world was indescribable... You never realize how much your heart can expand and when you think it has reached its max someone extremely special enters your life and you are overwhelmed with your heart growing even more... I'm completely 100% sure that my heart can not grow any more after having Logan in my arms... Here are some snapshots of that very special time:)

Welcome to the World Logan Richard Smaciak

2011-09-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

We pretty much are obsessed with this little man... He has filled our hearts in such a short amount of time that it is ridiculous!!... We love little Logan Richard... As for his name: Logan was in the top three names and he came out looking like a Logan, Richard is after his Poppie... This hefty man was born at 4:57p.m. on August 31, 2011, weighed 8lbs 15.9ozs (We don't say 9 lbs because they wouldn't give him the 10th of an ounce...) and was 21 inches long... He came via ceasarean section after almost 24 hours of "labor".. It was not an intense labor because little (big) man did NOT drop at all not even a little bit, I never dilated nor thinned at all... They tried cervadel, pitocin (twice, as in they jump started it after the first time) and then we finally called it quits and said give us the section!!.. That was at 4:10p.m. and I was in the OR by 4:30p.m.... Although throughout the end of my pregnancy we completely felt like we were going to have a section, when the time came it was sooo overwhelming.... Going from a peaceful, quiet day to full on surgery prep put me right over the edge... After saying goodbyes I got wheeled into the OR and they "tried" to place my spinal tap.. OUCH, well that took forever because apparently my "vertebrate are very close".. I personally believe that it was because I had a 9 pound child inside of me and ALOT of fluid on board!! The placement was the most excruciating part of my day.. BUT it was all worth in in about 30 minutes.. With Shawn by my head and talking me through everything, and my parents in the room across the hall waiting, waiting, waiting!!.. Mr. Logan Richard let out those first SCREAMS and it was the most overjoyous moment of my life... It was incredible, amazing, and on and on and on... Story will pick up from here next time!!!

40 Weeks

2011-09-05T13:59:00.001-07:00

Well... We all know by this point that "Baby S" has been here, well & named BUT I will not jip him of his 40 week progress... With that said nothing much to report:) Just some 40 week belly shots and some final shots of our family of 2 with some people we love... Who knew within 24 hours of these photos we would have you in our arms and love you beyond any recognition of love I have ever experienced.... For now: Here we are at 40 weeks, With Ziggy the cat, Mommy & Daddy ready to go, & Nannie/Poppie excitedly ready to meet their first grandson:)... Next post we introduce YOU!!

39 Weeks...

2011-08-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

39 weeks little man 39 weeks!!... Technically by this point we are closer to 40 weeks... Mama is tired love... You just gave us a little bit of anxiety by giving us close to 4 hours of constant, intense, aggressive contractions... And then STOP, hold it.. NOTHING... Nannie and Poppie will be here tomorrow for your impending birth (if you ever come out)... Soooo lets make it quick okay sweet Baby S?!!.. Regardless I was told last week at your appointment that if you are not here by Tuesday that we can pick when you get a little "push" from us and the doctor... Soooo we will be giving you that push hopefully by Wednesday!!! :)... So your choice or not we WILL meet you by the end of this coming week!! We love you and can't wait to have you in our arms, lives and hearts!!

38 Weeks....

2011-08-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well little stubborn baby boy!!.. I wonder where you get your stubborness from?!?! It's not like you come from a long line of stubborn people... Or do you?! I suppose that you did NOT like the birthday of August 17... I guess it was wishful thinking!!.. You sure had us going though, with two nights of contractions (braxton hicks) for six straight hours but never got any closer than seven minutes apart... Even though they never progressed we were very hopeful that SOMETHING was going on down there... That was until Mommy & you went to the doctors yesterday... A big fat NOTHING... You hear that Baby S NOTHING!!.. We are so excited to meet you and everyone is waiting on pins & needles waiting to hear of your pending arrival and you give us a BIG OL NOTHING!!... Not that we don't love you just the same but mommy was very frustrated... You have been head down for weeks now but will not "lock" in to place... The doctor thinks that you are trying to but she can't deny the fact that you still have not dropped... During the exam (which was pretty excruciating) she felt your head bouncing in and out of the pelvic area... She then took a quick look on the ultra sound machine to make sure that it was in fact your head... Sure enough your butt is pretty much on my boobs, with your feet in my ribs and your "big ol' head" (her words) is in fact the object bouncing up and down... She estimates that you weigh between 7 & 7 1/2 pounds... Oh and I am only close to a centimeter dilated.. I was a little frustrated with the results that I was being given so I asked if you happened to make it to your due date when do we start talking options on getting you out... I mean I love you inside of me but Baby S we want to meet you so bad, like so so so bad... We just want to hold you in our arms... Well the response that I got was a little depressing... She said that if you make it to that point that your eviction papers will be served on SEPTEMBER 6th... SEPTEMBER!!!.. I am a little disappointed with this.. You are supposed to be here in AUGUST... So little man please make your appearance soon!! Like in August!!.. On another note Daddy & I celebrated our two year anniversary this past week... You were there to celebrate with us!!

81711

2011-08-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby S,
Today we hit 38 Weeks... (More on that after our doctor appointment tomorrow)... I believe that August 17, 2011 would be a PERFECT birthday ;)wink wink;) Seriously, it's a great number, even one of daddy's favorite numbers... He wore the number 17 for baseball!! That would be fitting as well because one of the "set's" for your newborn sessions is a Yankees theme!! (Of course)... As if it isn't hard enough already to rip your daddy away from anything to do with sports, I have a feeling that I will be in double trouble with you as his partner in crime... Now back to 8*17*11, I think that tonight/tomorrow is FABULOUS for you to make an appearance!! Mommy is having a hard time doing, well, pretty much everything... I am 99% positive that today was my last day of work (bittersweet)... I'm just done, I hurt and am very very tired!!... And lastly man oh man these contractions are getting Paaaretty intense!!.. Last night I had them for about 5-6 hours straight but never got any closer than 8 minutes... Today was a little better but I can feel that you want to come out too, so COME JOIN THE PARTY LITTLE MAN!!.. We love you and I will see you soon (very soon) okay?!
8*17*11.. OKAY thanks love!!

Best Baby Daddy EVER!!

2011-08-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

You see a long time ago I was at a Bridal Shower and while there I was maybe 3 months pregnant.. There were about three other pregnant women there and the topic obviously got brought up... Among the ladies there happened to be a female doctor there whom started talking about different things she sees in the hospital... At first it was funny and then I started thinking YIKES she's kind of picky and THEN I started getting mad and wanted to say EXCUSE ME have you ever been pregnant or even have a child?!?! As my pregnancy has gone on, obviously almost 38 weeks now, I get soooo mad thinking about this "girl"... Some of the things that she really talked about was how "mad" she gets when females go into the hospital in labor and have not 1. Shaved or 2. Gotten their toes painted... I am particularly urked because now I am paranoid at these things... For real hardest task of the day: Shaving yikes I can barely see my toes, let alone reach the base of my legs!!... Painting my toenails: COMPLETELY out of the question... I have stayed up to date on pedi's but was holding off because I wanted to get one closer to my due date (Which I did this past Friday)... SOOOOo last week when I had a doctor's appointment I looked down and OH NO JACKED UP toenails... But NO FEAR... Why? Because I have the best husband/Baby Daddy because he said no problem!! I got you!!...
Oops!!... How do you work this wand?!

How do they NOT get it on the skin?!

Okay, I got it...

TA DA!!!!

37 Weeks...

2011-08-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

THIRTY SEVEN WEEEEEEEEKS... I don't believe it!! Congrats little man, WE MADE IT!!... You are now considered full term!! Although I guess technically you were already considered full term like 2 weeks ago!! Little big man, we can't wait to meet you!! We are secretly hoping that it is sooner than later... We know that you will come on your own will but man oh man this last week has been one of wishing, hoping, pleading you out... We tell you every night "Little Baby S, We love you so much & it is okay to come out, we want to meet you oh so much"... We also talk to your "big brother" Ziggy about you... He is ready to meet you, always so curious about all of your gear... He may be jealous of you at first but give him a chance, he is going to be your guard cat!! Anyways, Mommy is trying very, very, very hard to stay positive but these last few weeks are pretty brutal!!... And quite frankly the waiting game is absolutely miserable!! We love you little man!!

4 to go:)

2011-08-03T19:33:00.001-07:00

Weeks that is... That's right 36 weeks is here & on its way out... What did 36 bring us?! Well some up and down things... We had our growth ultrasound and the technician had me FREAKING out... According to her at that time I could give birth to Baby S like yesterday... YIKES!! All of his measurements ranked him at 37 1/2 to 38 weeks... YEAH, scroll back up, I am only 36 weeks... So with the measurements I had some questions... What does this mean? Do you think they will induce me? Is he really that large?... Among her responses: "Definitely will see you again to check on his size", "Sweetheart, there are babies in the nursery right now that are smaller than the baby in you", "One word: Epidural"... SOOOoooo after we left I was very anxious/excited/emotional/nervous/happy/SCARED!!... Then I had to return to the doctors that afternoon to start my actual weekly appointments. AND did the doctor CERTAINLY burst my bubble... She claims that he isn't "that big" that on a normal scale he is in between average & too big... Sooo ladies & gents I think little man is planning on staying the remainder of is stay & probably will then decide to overcook!! Seeing how he looks EXACTLY like his daddy, he will probably like being overcooked & continue to put on the pounds to at least match his daddy's birth weight of 10-4!!... Anywho regardless, some other things that have happened this week is the fact that I am seriously having a hard time getting around... For real I am having a hard time standing and when I sit back down it takes about a full minute to adjust to the weight in front of me... He is head down but don't be fooled, he has not dropped nor have I started dialating yet!!.. I am 50% at this point though?!... One more tidbit: I am REALLLLLLY going to miss feeling this incredible movement inside of me!!.. It is so intense and although sometimes it is uncomfortable & painful, I LOVE every second of it... I love that Shawn love this too... It is the best sound in the world to listen to Shawn as Baby S moves & grooves beneath his hands!!.. Sometimes it is a giggle or two and sometimes it is a "WHOA" and then another giggle!!.. Love it and I love both of these men in my life with all of my heart... Anywho... Here is Baby S inside & out!!

35 Weeks..

2011-07-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

**It is Hot**
**I am Huge**
**He is Huge**
**It is uncomfortable to sit down**
**It is uncomfortable to stand**
**His foot is constantly in my ribs**
**This week I am very forgetful**
**This week I have twice put all my makeup on but no mascara!?**
**This week I am very emotional**
**This week I have become anxious/scared about the arrival**
**Baby S' bag is packed**
**My bag is ready to be packed**
**Braxton Hicks have kicked up a notch**
**He/I have measured large, therefore we need a growth ultrasound**
**We start our weekly appointments tomorrow**
**I am Ready**
**Shawn is Ready**
**I want him to be ready!!**
**After all of the complaints, I am now going to try to be positive**
**We LOVE this little man with all that we are**
**I will endure all of this & more for him as long as needed**
**Can't wait to see him**

34 Weeeeeeeeeeeks

2011-07-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

So can blogs be done in bullet form?! Okay great, awesome!!

*Baby S is getting really big!!
*He is still extrememly active (usually fun to watch!)
*I feel like I am picturing what he looks like in my mind & he is sooo CAAAA-UTE!
*He is the weight of a cantaloupe/honeydew.
*He is almost 18 inches apparently?!
*His nursery is 95% done
*We finished purschasing the necesseties for him!
*Sweets? What sweets... Anything with sugar was pretty much my diet this week!
*I have been pulling doubles all week!
*12 hour shifts... yikes
*Hence the swelling that started today..
*Fingers & Toes look like Sausages & Snausages...
*I love this baby more than my life already!!
*I am in complete, utter trouble when he enters the world!!
*I wish everyone would stop saying that I am "for SURE" going early..
*(Above) You aren't a doctor nor my body stop with the lies!!
*Although our due date is August 30th, the date in my mind is September 3rd!!
*I'm tired!!

33 nudges per Minute...

2011-07-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

33 weeks has brought some changes to the pregnancy... I swear Baby S has found a boost of energy somewhere in this 110+ degree daily weather... He is CONSTANTLY moving, sometimes it is amazing to watch & feel... Other times it is painful & takes my breath away!! I love watching the movements, Shawn prefers to feel the movements, so sometimes there are arguements over a hand on the belly or not... Today when I was trying to take a nap I kept feeling this jabbing sensation so I looked down and SERIOUSLY there was a protruding part coming out of my stomach, I started to laugh and yelled to Shawn.. He ran up the stairs and I refused to let him feel, I just told him to watch.. He was glad that I did because Baby S carried on for about 5 minutes, parts protruding everywhere, it was insanely AWESOME!!... Soooo what these protruding parts make me realize?!.. This baby is getting HUGE!! I mean HUGE... According to the "facts", experts say he is the size & weight of a pineapple (which had Shawn confused, "Why is he prickly, I don't get it", Oh man the lessons to be learned!!) which is over 16 inches in length and over 4 pounds!!.. What this means to me??... I do not care in the least the changes my body has taken on. My skin is stretching like to the max, I am out of room and starting to pack on the poundage!!.. Although up to this point I have gained 18 pounds!! Pretty excited about that because prior to becoming pregnant I thought I would be a whale for over 9 months!!... The only issue is stretch marks, do I care what they look like?! NO, let's face it I haven't shown my belly in public since about 5th grade, the last time I wore a bikini... But seriously these things HURT and are excruciating in the pain and have completely spread like wildfire... It is seriuosly insane but I guess the small price I am paying for this little miracle!! So sweet Baby S: Please keep growing (not toooo big okay), keep up the protruding parts (we love to see you) and keep not waking me up at night (hopefully you will follow your sleeping pattern after birth)... We love you so much and can not wait for 6 & 1/2 weeks to fly by and to have your sweet precious self in our arms!!

32 Weeks...

2011-07-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry, sorry, sorry... 32 weeks was VERY busy for us!!.. We spent it with our sweet three little girls and celebrated a wedding of our dear & close friend Michelle!!.. She thought that it would be HILARIOUS to make my large and in charge 8 months pregnant self a bridesmaid!!.. I guess I deserved it since two years ago I did the same thing to her (except I figured it out and she was only 7 months!!).. This was the third wedding that I have attended pregnant and you would think that it would get tiring... We (as in Baby S & I) were wild animals and didn't make it home until close to 2am!!.. We had a great time although I believe that time was stretched by daddy who was having a fabulous time!!... Now on to Baby S & his development.. Well he is apparently close to 4 pounds and almost 16 inches long.. Although mommy feels like he may be a bit larger.. I feel like I semi hit a brick wall this week because I am WIPED out!! I feel that I have LOVED being pregnant and this week just NOT so much!!... We love you baby s and please keep growing big & strong but please lay off the rib & bladder shots, they hurt!!.. Here are the last River Belly Shots!!

31 Weeks:)... (That's a real smile this week!)

2011-06-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

Thirty One weeks sure has brought on some adventures. I think that Baby S has loved every second of these adventures because do you want to talk about crazy movements?!.. This little guy has not stopped moving in about four days!!.. Well as you can see from our (unfamiliar location!!) pictures, we are on the St. Lawrence River!! This is one of our most favorite spots on the whole earth... Hands down!!.. I grew up spending every summer on this river and we plan for you to as well!! We were a little bit nervous about traveling, I mean with you due in only NINE weeks!! You and I both did GREAT!! I was a little bit uncomfortable on the plane but that happens!! Although we plan on relaxing the ENTIRE time we are here, it sure does seem like time is flying by already!!.. We are really excited for this weekend when your cousins Mak, Lil & Jenna Bo Benna arrive!!.. And then we have a Northern style shower for you on Sunday!!... Something else really exciting took place this week.. Someone very special to us did an amazing photo shoot of us (you included)!! Misty is daddy's cousin and a long time friend of mommy's!! She did such a wonderful job that I have no idea how we will ever pick our favorites!! And when I say that I am not yanking any chains... We saw a quick preview and I couldn't control my excitement!!... Many times when I feel large and in charge with you, I just start laughing because I don't really care!! You are the most amazing thing ever!! I don't know how I am ever going to let anyone else even look at you, let alone take you out of my arms!!... Your daddy and I love you so much and are seriously having a hard time waiting on you!!

30 Weeks :):):)

2011-06-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

Just keep smiling, smiling, smiling... That's what I tell myself... I have not many days at all that I just am done with it all... Today is not one of those days, I am so over it... It's been a rough day... Just very agitated with anything and everything... I think part of the reason is that it is my last work week for two weeks, as we make a quick trip north... The other part is Baby S was doing some crazy things that quite frankly hurt me and scare me at the same time... After that passed, I just feel defeated today... I had a pout session and have pretty much carried that through tonight... BUT when it is all said and done and we watch this little man moving and shifting around I can't help but feel quilty for feeling this way... I have LOVED being pregnant, each day seems like an actual new day/feeling/sensation!!.. Nothing beats when I start feeling and seeing him move and then Shawn runs over and watches and smiles and talks to him and rubs him, NOTHING beats that... I am totally going to miss those moments because I know how lucky I am to experience them... So with that said am I wishing the time away NO, I cherish it all, some days are just easier to get through than others.. Am I sick of the odd pains & of being scared of something, absolutely... I am even more sick of hearing, "Not too much longer", my response OKAY well if you consider two & a half more months "not much longer" in 100 degree weather than you are nuts... And could I just literally karate chop someone to the throat if I hear "WOW you're huge" one more time... What completely surprises me about this statement is the fact that every single one has come from a woman... Soooo not girl code!! Anyways no baby facts this week, just don't have it in me... He's doing great and very active and draining me... That's it, just done today!!...

29 Weeks:)

2011-06-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

Well hello belly how are you?!.. There is going to be little to no substance in this post but I wanted to get something up before our very exciting weekend!!.. This weekend is our first Baby Shower and we are soooo excited to see all of our beloved southern friends!! This is the beginning of everything Baby S!! So many people love you already!! I think they are going to love you even more when they see your framed 4D ultrasound picture! I mean I know that's what happened to me.. I saw your sweet baby face and you are going to be one beautiful baby!! You were stubborn but we finally got to see you.. It has made me want you in my arms in such a big way it is ridiculous!! BUT we will wait another 11 weeks because you are only 3lbs and I want you to be so much bigger so I can squeeze your chunkiness!!!.. We love you so much it hurts!! Beautiful baby boy we can NOT wait to meet you!!

So apparently I can't add a picture from my phone... So the ginormous belly I was talking to at the beginning.. I will add later!'

Third Trimester....

2011-06-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

Oh third trimester how we have been waiting on you!!... What did you bring us?! You brought us an ever growing little baby boy still cooking!!... Baby S is the size of "Chinese Cabbage", weighs approx. a little over 2 lbs & is over 14 inches long!!... It is very, very apparent how big baby boy is getting daily!! He has flipped himself head down (which would make the punching/kicking in two different spots make sense!!) and is active as EVER!! Seriously this boy is constantly moving and we are starting to feel whole body parts!!

What else did 28 weeks bring us?!... A sinus infection, not being able to breathe (refer to baby S now head down), and a cancelled 4D ultrasound (dang it)... The sinus infection is on its way out, thankfully... I literally feel like Baby S is squeezing all of my insides and decides when I can take a breath!!... It isn't all that bad thought because with his position movement MY BACK PAIN IS GONE!! For the most part I should say, because after a long day I still do ache but nothing compared to the past 6 months!! The ultrasound, daddy was so mad!! After a rough couple of weeks we were soooo looking forward to seeing you!! We haven't seen you since we found out you were a boy!! The good thing is that we were able to reschedule it for Monday, so only a two day wait from here!! Oh one other thing that is slowly sneaking its ugly head into our lives is SWELLING... I thought a couple of weeks ago was a fluke because I had done too much in one day but pretty much happens to my feet & hands if not every day, every other day!!.. I would like to add that my face is swelling as well and I'm not thoroughly impressed with this fact.. Oh well, just a small price to see you soon little man... SOOOOooo with the sinus infection/swelling you will notice there is no side picture this week... Sorry it just was not working!!... Instead you will see the shirt with a logo that you will soon know very well, little man!!.. PS Daddy bought you a baseball glove today but was very apprehensive about it because he doesn't want to force you to be right-handed, he wants you to explore it on your own!! (Your daddy is a little crazy!!!...) But I know your Aunt Tara would be happy if you were left-handed just like her!! Either way, Welcome to the Big Leagues little man, only 12 short/fast weeks to go!! We love you oh so much!!

TWENTY SEVEN!!!

2011-05-31T12:23:00.000-07:00

Well we made it little one!!... We are now in the last week of the 2nd Trimester!!.. You are getting so big and we love it... You have begun kicking/punching/stretching in two completely different spots at the same time... I never know where the jiggle is going to be!! Nannie has pointed out that she can't tell what the fruits/veggies are... (We will be nice & not poke fun) BUT this week's picture is a head of Cauliflower (more for your weight and not length!!).. Last week was a "Hothouse Cucumber?!".. These strange little foods are coming up because The Bump (where I was getting photos from) just isn't cutting it for me... They have had you as an Eggplant for like 4 weeks now... No thanks!!

The 27th week has brought some new things into our lives... The number one best thing ever a POOL (at Grandma's house) is all set to be enjoyed... And did you and I ever enjoy it... This past weekend it was heaven to float in that things hours on end.. Seriously heaven.. All that pressure you are bringing me completely disappears when we are afloat!!... I have also realized that there are very few (by few I mean NONE) days that I can make it without either a Sonic Grape Slushee or a McDonald's Strawberry Banana Smoothie.. You and I pretty much live on those things... I for one don't want to know the sugar content but all that matters is they make the two of us happy... I know this because you kick(punch,stretch,move) after the first sip!!... Another must have these days is CEREAL.. Any cereal really we were hooked on Multigrain Cheerios and Raisin Bran Crunch for a while, BUT Sunday night I NEEDED some Apple Jacks (or so I thought)... Daddy brought us to the store but once I was in there I couldn't decide SO on our counter right now we have our choice of: Multigrain Cheerios, Raisin Bran Crunch, Apple Jacks, Special K with Berries, Reese's Puffs, & Cookie Crisp!!... Hey don't judge there could be worse things!!:).. Oh and the last thing Daddy painted your nursery today and it looks AWWWWWMAZING!!.. Seriously just amazing!.. He rocked out his skills and I love it.. We hope you do too!!

Keep growing big and strong we love you oh so much!!

26 Weeks!!

2011-05-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

Wow!!!.. We have ONE more week left in the second trimester!!.. Although I am starting to feel pregnant forever, I still feel like this is going extremely fast!!.. This week has been better on me than last!! I am not as tired as I was last week!!.. We are in the middle of transitioning to new classes at work so today was a little strenuous... As in I realize now that I did WAY too much and that my body just can't take it anymore... As I predicted when I left work, after my 30 minute car ride home, I literally could barely get out of my car... Back pain beyond belief, Major belly pressure, ciatic nerve (causing me to gimp around with a hunchback), and my first preggo Kankles, YIKES!!... But I took a warm bath, a couple tylenol and the belly pressure & kankles are officially gone... Hopefully my bed & sleep will take care of the other two... On other terms, Baby S is doing UNBELIEVABLE!!

He is getting so big, literally, so big!!... Almost reaching that 2 pound mark!!.. He is getting long and definitely running out of room in this mama!! I am trying very hard to pack on the lbs for him but it just is NOT happening!! I thought it was last week my total poundage from original weigh in was up to 10 pounds! (Six of those gained in just the one week, yikes!!) BUT then out of no where lost them again... Total weight gain: 7 pounds!! Something I like about this, I can really feel and see him moving... It is beyond words to describe this... I LOVE it!! I always catch myself staring at my stomach as it shakes and shimmies!! I will never forget the feeling!! Can't wait to meet this little man!! We love him oh so much!!

*Notice "blue" choices in the photos... We have made our choice but will wait until our final product before sharing!!*
**PPS the bassinet mentioned below made its final arrival today!!! LOVE IT**

DROOOOL... Out of my mouth!!

2011-05-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

Back before Shawn & I were married we did the whole registry thing.. AKA pain in the behind!!.. We registered online with Crate & Barrel. While paroozing on their site I realized that they also have a sister baby store.... DING DING DING, I am a sucker for anything cutesy, babyish ANYTHING!!.. I would spend hours just looking at sites... I can say that this became worse after we got married and tried for the amount of time we did for the sweet baby angel growing now... I honestly think that I spent more time surfing baby sites than wedding sites... Which may have been the reason I let the Bonster take the lead in most wedding plans!! From one of my very first sites aka the whole sister store to Crate & Barrel, LAND OF NOD, I found the first thing I knew I HAD to have when I became pregnant... It was my one and only splurge for Baby S but there was no way I was not getting this.. No WAY!!.. So I had to wait for perfect timing... Which with my previous financial troubles were a little problematic (ie. credit being stolen)... BUT guess what?! This weekend was the time!!... I ordered my 3 year obsession!! And I hope I stop drooling over it at some point.. Probably highly unlikely especially when I see that sweet baby boy doing his own drooling snug as a bug in the bassinett!!

Mini Craft Session...

2011-05-21T18:40:00.000-07:00

Still tired... BUT I am way too uncomfortable to stay in one position for too long... On top of that I am starting to randomly clean and tidy up the house at random times throughout the day... Hmm nesting maybe?!.. Anyways I took on a little craft project... Tara & Brett got us a sign that we love for Christmas and I wasn't able to find the perfect spot for it, until a lightbulb went off... Our diplomas have been completely off-centered for ohhh like four months... We also have a beach photo from 3 years ago that was randomly place on a wall and then a beach picture from last month that my mom took... The problem? They were two different sizes.. My solution? Look Ahead:

25 weeks...

2011-05-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

I am starting, scratch that... I am just not interested in posting a blog right now... Although Baby S has been completely 100% perfect this week I just feel run down... Soooo he is the size of an Eggplant, continuing to grow, I feel huge, I am getting more and more uncomfortable but love every moment of it... It has been a long work week... I'm spent, here are the pictures:

24 Weeks!!

2011-05-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

With 24 weeks came my Glucose test... I was extremely, extremely nervous!! I have heard horror stories about #1 the actual test and #2 the outcome of a positive test... I am very nervous around needles (something I have yet to get over even with the shots and bloodwork with pregnancy!!).. I feared that I would have to give myself shots daily.. Not a good time for me... Then after the one hour test they informed me that they would get in touch with me at the beginning of the week... What that meant for me?! Sugar induced weekend for the fear of no more sugar... Thursday night I went to Dairy Queen got a chocolate ice cream sundae with hot fudge AND peanut butter topping and then add on reese's peanut butter cup pieces :) THANK YOU!!... Well Friday the doctor's office called and guess what?! Glucose and Hemoglobin tests came back at perfect levels!! I was pretty ecstatic.. Now detoxing from the high levels of sugar I put into my body!!... As for Sweet Baby S, he is doing fantastic!! He is a very active little guy and daddy and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching my belly start to bounce up and down!!.. He measured perfectly and his heartbeat remains constant in the 140's!! My back pain has eased, so that is exciting!! Little man still wedges himself on my left side, in fact when the doctor was looking for his heartbeat, she found him within one inch of where she started, directly to the left of my belly button!!

This week we have also started zoning in on names.. We don't want to "officially" name him until he is born but our top names aren't a secret!!... We call him all of the names and I personally have found it funny because he responds to one of my favorites the most!! One three weeks left in this trimester!! YIKES that's pretty scary, along with the fact that I made the rest of our doctor appointments all the way up to our due date!! Exciting times!!

Short & Sweet 23!!

2011-05-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

This week we have hit 23 weeks. I was supposed to have my glucose test on Tuesday BUT it was rescheduled for next week... Just to add to the nerves of it!! Anyways this week just short and sweet: Like a little Mango!!

Some highlights: I have gained ONE pound!! woohooooooo!! I am feeling great (minus the back pain, just need to deal!!)... Little man kicked right through me this week and daddy was able to feel him... That was a HUGE event and very special... He also received his very first sporting equipment from The LaRose's!! Very exciting... Tired & Done!!

How Sweet It Is....

2011-05-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

May 1, 2011... A day that will forever be remembered in the lives of Americans... A day that will also always be remembered by our little family of two and a half right now... Last Thursday Baby S' kicks, punches, swooshes, and movements started getting very deliberate and punctuated... All weekend I would yell to Shawn come here quick, put his hand where I could feel the kicking and then wait with a smile on my face.... The result: NOTHING!!... Last night we were just going to bed after a fun filled weekend of a beautiful wedding, planting flowers and spending it with our favorite Nannie & Poppie, and I started feeling the movement... I KNEW that these were the most intense movements yet... SHAWN "right here, just use your palm and push down..." About 30 seconds: NOTHING and then: A great big smile on both of our faces "Is that him?!"... Of course... And then he continued to put on a show for about 5 minutes... Those were some of the best minutes I have witnessed in my entire life... Smiles and giggles turned into smiles with tears... It was amazing... What this made me realize!?... This little man is going to be oh so lucky... Shawn is going to be an amazing AAAAAMAZING daddy... I've known this from the minute I met him long ago BUT REALLLY he is going to be the best... He has so much love, guidance, heart, knowledge, funnies and smiles to give and I believe Baby S will know all of this the second he looks into his daddy's eyes!!... Another thing I realized!?... I may need back up in the delivery room = My husband is going to be a wreck :)

The Social Event of the Spring... :)

2011-04-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

So I am beginning to stress a little bit... About the upcoming summer? No.. About being pregnant? No... About a baby almost being here? No... Let me set the scene for you, my very crafty, random, unique friend "Queen Bee" & her husband "King Bee" throw a Kentucky Derby Party every year... Go visit her blog "The Beehive Times" ... It is hilariously awesome.. She is very quirky with her writing and very, very talented with her many different projects that she always has going on!! Okay back to the point: The Derby Party... I have heard about this party for three (possibly four) years... About how amazing it is and how much fun it is... AND how amazing it is that it really feels like being at the Derby... I mean full on attire (including hats, dresses, bowties, etc..), the REAL mint juleps, betting and of course the two minute race on the television... There are prizes for different things (so I have heard) but am not sure of the categories!!.. MY PROBLEM!?!?!: I usually am on top of things like this: Right up my alley... Dressing up & creating a hat HECK YES... Welllllll, I am 5 1/2 months pregnant and not getting any smaller... I could care less about having to find another huge dress to wear... Definitely do NOT feel like wearing heels (I can barely walk by the end of the day as is)... Nor do I feel like doing anything remotely creative ie: making a sweet hat that can win a prize because let's face it why am I going to make a hat unless I'm in it to win it!! haha.. So there's my dilemma... I have ONE WEEK to get my rear in gear!! I definitely don't want to get removed from the list for next year when I can REALLLLLY enjoy it for being the most ridiculously slack guest this year!!... Whew let's just hope that I can pull off the whole trashy preggo lady role with some either flannel or camo... JK JK!! I just need to get some motivation!!

The Man In The Fam...

2011-04-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

The little stud is receiving lots of love from Auntie Emily & the three girls... Right in the middle of my horrible week, where nothing was looking up... We received a second package from three sweet cousins... After shopping for those princesses for the past 8 years Emily couldn't pass up the boy, boy, boy madness of clothes!! :)... He certainly is going to be one stylin' and profilin' little man!!
THANK YOU AUNT EMILY, MAKAYLA, LILY & JENNA

***Side note: While in Daytona this weekend seeing the little sweeties, their excitement for Baby S was one of the cutest things ever.. They kept wanting to feel my belly and for me to "show" him things that we were doing. (I would then have to literally hold "xyz" up to my belly)... They were very curious if Baby S liked the things that I ate and if he was eating at that time too!.. They kept me on my toes for sure... One of the funniest things was right after they picked me up from the airport, Makayla & Jenna were saying how excited they were that it was a boy... Lily (my little side kick/was attached to my hip all weekend) was very quiet... I said "Lil, are you excited?!".. Straight faced, looking out the window: "Eh, not really Aunt Shan I wanted a girl"... Love it!! My girly girls I miss and love them soooo sooo much each and every day!! I cherish the few but greatest times that I spend with them!!

"I'm Going to Need A New Visual"

2011-04-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

This was the response that I received this morning from Shawn when one of the facts that I gave him was "Baby S is now the size of a Papaya!"... He said "What is a Papaya?!".. I said "I'm not exactly sure but I am assuming a rather largerish fruit".. Response: "Umm, yeah I am going to need a new visual!!"... So the rest of my day was spent trying to find something else... WELLL I did and what I found was a Spaghetti Squash, at that point I decided to just drop the subject knowing it would be a pointless response and also knowing that by this point in the day Shawn has already forgotten that he needs "a new visual!!"...
22 weeks= 18 weeks left... That makes me really giddy...
This week has brought out the worst in my back pain.. I mean pain so badly that the reference I made today was "I feel like I am 90".. Shawn was dying laughing but then for the rest of the night has died laughing every time I have bent over... I didn't catch on to it at first but finally I said "What are you laughing at".. "Hahaheehee, You're bending over like your pregnant"... No response needed because DUHHHH hellllllllooooooo... To add to back pain, I also am having some major growing pains across the front side... Baby S is telling me to move over this is no longer my domain!! That's okay Baby S take alllll the room you need... We love you sooo sooo much!! Keep baking and growing really really strong...

PS: 23 weeks brings my glucose test Eeek.. I am really nervous about this and just hope that every thing is peachy keen.. Please keep me in your thoughts next Tuesday!!

21 Weeks

2011-04-21T18:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, there we go BACK ON TRACK!!... Baby S is doing AMAZING!!... I am much better then Week 20:).. Although nothing has changed on that front, I decided "Breathe and Let It GOOOooooo!" Even that nasty person whom stole so much money from me... 1.2.3. BREATHE!!!... Baby S is the size of a banana THAT IS CRAZY to me!!

He is getting so big in there and we can totally tell!!.. Sometimes throughout a week I repeatedly ask Shawn "No seriously, do I look pregnant or just fat?".. I then start laughing because sometimes I catch myself in the mirror and say oh definitely pregnant but no lie from the view above sometimes I just feel ridiculously huge!!... Crazy, yet the truth.. At the end of this week I do feel more pregnant mainly because of Little Man's movements, it really is amazing. His punching/kicking/whatever it is, are really becoming more distinct and that excites me.. I make Shawn feel my tummy all the time just because I feel like he should be able to feel it!! Haha.. Soon enough.. Exciting fact of tonight: As I was making Shawn do the above action we definitely have a guess of where Baby Boy S's head is... I have always known that he loves my left side but for real while he is relaxing (which he was at the time) his head is like equal with my belly button!! We were pretty excited... Another fact we have caught on to is little man's sleep pattern... Not toooo bad, definitely awake on my way to work, sleeps pretty much all day (wedging himself, not comfy), Awake for dinner (around 6/7), Back to sleep... WIDE AWAKE about 10/11 pm (The least likable for awake time!!)... Either way we are loving the weekly changes!!... We are over the hump and have now begun counting DOWN the weeks!! 19 weeks LEFT!!! Wooohoo... We love you sweet, little Baby S so much!! Can't wait to hold you in our arms!!

Yikes....

2011-04-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

I guess when I started the whole week belly shot/ the happenings of that week I didn't expect to have to FULLY keep up with it.. But as of THIS Tuesday Nannie surely made it vocal that she was NOT impressed that Baby S was now 21 weeks and STILL NO 20 WEEK UPDATE... YIKES sorrrrrrry people!! Week 20 hmmm.. Baby S has been very good, Mama S not so much... Couple things happened: Found out Summer Work Hours were cut (double yikes, not impressed), Bank Account Number got stolen (Currently still sitting on a WOOOOPING NEGATIVE $832 because of the dirtball thief... Bank can't process until they have a Police Report= Police aren't sure their report will help because it didn't technically happen in their jurisdiction... Oh yeah did I mention that there were over $2,000 of charges within an hour AWESOME) Found out Daddy S has to have outpatient surgery (no biggie) on June 1st which may or may not leave him in an uncomfortable state for weeks or MONTHS... Do the math people that puts us into AUGUST!! Triple Yikes... And then Daddy's phone bit the dust on Saturday... Part the clouds please... BUT like I said Baby S did great through it all.. One big change I did notice was that I have never ever in my life been able to tell the changes that happen to my body due to blood pressure or anything else for that matter... WELLL let's just say I now know... Baby S had some serious reaction when I knew that I was getting worked up about something.. I would start thinking/stressing/venting/cursing/get over it... And Baby S would SPAZZZ, I'm talking flips upon flips upon flips... So by Friday I said screw it... Nothing that is going on right now is worth risking ANYTHING for this little man... Sorry Little Guy for causing any excess heart pumps last week... I will try very very hard not to make you ever feel that way again:).. We Love you So much and already you make our lives brighter...

One more.. To the Halfway Mark... NINETEEN!!

2011-04-06T17:36:00.000-07:00

This week we hit 19 weeks in the pregnancy... WOW!! One more week and we are halfway there little Baby S!! I feel like I have been big with you for forever now.. I guess because I was in maternity pants OHHHhhh by like the beginning of week 5!!.. BUT seriously I woke up yesterday (after two days of pains) and Nannie and Daddy both said HOLY COW LOOK AT THAT BELLY... and then we took your weekly belly shots.. and I had to agree.. You really shot out this week baby and it makes me smile.. We want nothing more than for you to be healthy little man... We love you so much and can't wait for you to be here...

Speaking of which, you are going to be one stylin' little dude!!.. The weather hasn't been very cooperative, but I think even if it was, we would still be doing shopping... Nannie and Poppie have been SPOILING you (along with spoiling your three cousins, Mak, Lil & Jenna)... They love being Nannie & Poppie and you will realize the second you meet them how lucky you are to call them yours... They are amazing in every way!!... On another note I have found out that I can't do what I used to with you baking inside of me... That & your "big brother" Ziggy has NOT been cooperative at night.. I went three nights with little to no sleep and no naps during the day.. THAT didn't work and crashed down on me quick last night with a migraine that made me leave dinner without eating a thing and then sleeping for 12 hours straight!! PHEW, let's not do that again okay?!... And something else I realized this week, you don't like a lot of food right now... EVERYTHING sounds amazing but then it's in front of me and you are like NOPE!!... Two foods you DO love: Subs/sandwiches & Ice Cream < which is a tricky one because you don't like dairy right now!!... Oh well, I guess the doc was right when she said Don't worry that you have not gained but lost weight so far, because those lost pounds you will find and exceed very quickly!!...

FAIL...

2011-04-05T04:45:00.000-07:00

So I have been trying to be good, scratch that I am trying to do OKAY with what I consume with Little Baby S growing inside... I stay away from the soft cheeses (although I LOVE all cheeses), fish, out of control sugar (you find me a pregnant woman that stays away from sweets alllll the time), I even cut major excess caffeine/soda from my daily life... BUT COME ON THOUGH... How much of it MAJORLY effects babe there are sooo many clashing theories it makes my head spin... It wasn't until a month ago that I found out "TECHNICALLY" I am not supposed to consume large amounts of peanut butter/peanuts... WHOOOPS so I guess bagels pretty much every morning with peanut butter is a bad idea?!... So it all came to a head yesterday when at lunch I had a Diet Pepsi (also not supposed to have diet because of Aspartime) and Shawn said well you're not supposed to be drinking soda at all... WELL that sent me over the edge, I'm sorry but I can only handle so many 100's of ounces of H2O a day... And then I thought about it and was furious, my response: When you do research and can give me alternatives I will listen to you.. Then I stormed to the pool... (Hormones much?!) So I decided screw it, whatever no more caffeine (which means grouchiness from me, and major headaches...)... Water it is and major healthy eating from here on out... UNTIL this was a part of my Week 19 email update and I lost it... WHATEVER I am doing the best I can and a little caffeine/soda/cheese/tuna/peanut butter(alot of) and whatever else is okay as long as it isn't in excess...

O...M...G... Melt My Heart!!

2011-04-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

This makes me giggle uncontrollably, tear up, full out cry with joy, makes my heart hurt because of how much I miss her (and her sisters)... It was the cap on my birthday and nothing will ever beat this face and her words... I LOVE IT... Plain and simple it is downright amazing!! Enjoy..

**Sorry if sideways... Only the words and her eyes matter!!!**

Oh Boy, Oh Boy 18 WEEKS!!

2011-04-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

Eighteen weeks, eighteen weeks... I feel like this week FLEW by!!.. Many things happened... We started the first day of the eighteenth week by finding out what sweet baby S is!!... At first I was secretly cursing Shawn in my head... The reason being: Up until this point Shawn had remained adiment that the little one was going to cover all parts (or lack there of) and we would not find out what it is... WELL for the first three minutes of the ultrasound the little one was sitting with hands covering the lower region!!... Then low and behold the tech said "Well there we go this little one definitely has outdoor plumbing".. YAY!! A little boy!!... I was completely convinced that it was a girl so I was in shock when she told us... Nannie was with us and she let out a Woooohoooo... Shawn and I just sat in wonderment... we are thoroughly excited that a sweet little man is going to be joining our family... Trust me the closet that was pretty full of yellow and ducks is NOW becoming filled with lots of blue and little manny clothes!!... Oh baby boy S we are so excited to meet you!!..

This week has been very good to me... I feel great, probably the best I have felt throughout the whole pregnancy... you are getting so big and growing perfectly!!... The only thing that I ask is please stop wedging yourself on my left side... Your daddy thinks that it is a great sign because he believes that you are going to be left handed!!... Your Aunt Tara would be so excited about that... I don't care either way but leaning to my left all the time is awkward!!... Speaking of requests, your daddy was SOOOOO excited when the measurements were matching up perfectly the way they were supposed to... There was only one area that you measured larger than average... AND IT WASN'T YOUR HEAD SIZE!!!... What a relief for you daddy, although I believe you have plenty of time to grow a large melon and I would love you all the same!!!... Your largest measurement were your LEGS!!... Your Aunt Amy had said that she thinks you are going to be a tall little guy!! So far she is right!!... Anyways the ending of week 18 has brought us to Daytona Beach... Don't worry you will see this place soon enough... We love it here and love spending time with Nannnie and Poppie!!... You will love it here just as much...

The Luck of 7's!?

2011-03-27T06:22:00.000-07:00

Shawn's birthday 7/7... This week I hit 17 weeks and also turned 27!!.. So does this mean that the babe may come on a date ending in 7?! Hmmm, might be reading into it.. BUT I will certainly take August 17, or 27th but please sweet ever growing Baby S let's try to stay away from September 7th!!.. I will be pleased with any date but the further into September the closer you are going to get to your daddy's birth weight of 10 lbs 4oz.. Oh I am going to love you so much but a 10 pounder YIKES!!... Your car seat says that at 11 pounds we have to remove the teeny headrest... Oh no does that mean your head will bobble leaving the hospital?! Let's just keep that little growth under the 10 pound mark okay?!... Anyways, 17 weeks?!

I am starting to feel like I am actually getting my sleep. Am I sleeping through the night? Absolutely not.. BUT I am every 2nd night, when I wake up four times a night for a potty break I go right back to sleep!!.. Then on that second night BAM wide awake.. Oh well, I do find that I don't feel like I need a nap every ten minutes so I will take it!!.... We are getting closer little(ish) Baby S!!... Next week is going to be so much FUN, OH BOY or GIRL!! We are hopefully finding out what you are sweet little babe... Your daddy thinks that you are going to show us your little bum and be just as stubborn as you can be!! Anywho... Stay tuned folks!! Next week!!

At LEAST six months (or so)...

2011-03-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

Before I can ever go back to the movie theater...
First of all... $46 total for the hubs and I YIKES..
-2 tickets to see Hall Pass
-Popcorn, Sprite (for Shawn), H2O (for me)AND a Cherry Slushie for me as well:)
-FORTY SIX DOLLARS.. That is ridiculous!
BUUUT that is not the reason I won't be going back... Seriously $46 later and I was the most uncomfortable I have ever been in my life. I really have had an amazing pregnancy thus far but am starting to get some MAJOR back pain along with spasms.. Not fun.. Usually the seats at the theater we go to are amazing.. I mean huge and reclining seats.. I literally could not sit still for more then two minutes at a time.. I didn't even enjoy the movie.. Shawn thought that it was a hilarious movie.. Maybe I would have if I wasn't switching positions every minute... I really am not complaining, HONESTLY I love being pregnant, it is an amazing experience.. The thought just keeps going through my mind "Wow I am only four months pregnant right now, I hope that I am strong enough to endure the next five months".. I certainly will try my best to stay stong especially mentally BUT I do know one thing for sure... This is about to be my new best friend:
TIME WARNER ON DEMAND
I have always been partial to watching movies in the comforts of my own home but now I KNOW that I will be way more COMFORTABLE!!!!...
Which reminds me of the Time Warner commercial of the pregnant woman and her husband switching rooms to "get comfortable" and the whole time she drags her huge bottle of Tums with her!!.. I LOVE it.. Shawn thought I was crazy when I cried from laughing at that commercial.. I don't think he will be laughing when that actor is him in another couple months... Hehehehe..

Hmmmm....

2011-03-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

I would say that my purchases from Target yesterday surely makes it safe to say that I am in full swing of Nesting... And/Or Spring Cleaning with this gorgeous 85* weather we are having... Either way this house is getting a deep clean, fresh air and the amazing scents of Spring!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!!

2011-03-18T17:59:00.000-07:00

With love from Baby S!... The super low little one that rests on mommy's bladder all day & night!!! Wouldn't have it any other way!!

16 Weeks!!

2011-03-15T15:56:00.001-07:00

16 weeks wiped out the GI virus I had!!.. YAYYYYY!! No hospital needed (phewww).. Saturday made me wake up with a vengeance of eating everything and anything in sight.. I have not gained any weight, although after this virus wiped me out, I think that is ABOUT to change!!.. In fact after the virus I was down to my Biggest Loser Winning weight (scared me a little bit) and at the doctors I was 1 pound down from my initial weigh in.. I am however a little confused about it because my mid-section is NOT decreasing in size!!.. I love feeling the baby moving and as I talked to my sister in law Amy she said SHEESH are you seriously getting this child on a schedule in the womb... Baby S only moves during the day right now and when I am lying awake (EVERY NIGHT from 1:30-4:00) I try to mess with the babe and so far NO movement between those times.. I won't hold my breathe!!..

I started a little Tuesday tradition in about Week 8... Every Tuesday in the early A.M. after Shawn leaves for school I look up some stats and text the daddy to be some funny info and always include the fruit/veggie/object that is best associated with baby S' size that week... My "joking" side included today that starting this week if the baby is poked and pushed then it will start reacting to the movement... Daddy thinks this is hilarious and feels that it is necessary to poke EVEN if he can't feel the movement for a couple more months!!... Funny/cute yet I feel it may lead to annoyance on some days :)... Anyways, another fact was that the "bobble-headesque" shape of the head has now started to shrink... This is another issue that we hope to be true although will not believe it until we see it... I am very, extremely sorry little one(and a wee bit scared of delivery)because according to everyone/anyone who has ever seen a glimpse of your daddy, claims you will have a record breaking large head... That is okay with me, I will love and cherish you as my big head baby!! We love you oh so much Baby S big, bobble-head, avocado sized little one!!
One more close up!

Ohhhh 15 weeks...

2011-03-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

15 weeks?! I can't believe it... I feel like I have been waiting to get to this point for a long time but now that it is here YIKES this is flying by.. 15 weeks what did I think about this milestone I thought YESSSS I am going to start sleeping through the night, I am going to eat everything in sight and I for sure and just going to kick back and enjoy this next month where I am the only one in the world that can feel this little darling moving!!.... BUT in reality what did 15 weeks bring me?! Literally to the hour at about 12:30 Monday night I started to get extremely sick until about 4:30... I immediately thought "oh no".. I am going to be a weird one that starts pregnancy symptoms in the second trimester instead of the first.. But by the time I got sent home Tuesday from work I knew something was going on.. We had our 15 week check up on Wednesday and low and behold I have a GI virus... Not fun.. Strictly BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce & Toast) althought my body has decided the only thing allowed in and staying in are more like the P(popsicles) A(applesauce) T(toast) diet... Every time I think oh I feel better (maybe it is just my stomach SCREEEEEAMING that it is starving) I try a little something and then about an hour later I know for sure it was just the belly talking... Cheers to some Pedialyte!!! Anywho some miracles HAVE happened this week..
(Absolutely NOOOO belly shot of 15 weeks sorry Baby S)
15 week check up:
Oh little Orange!!!

Baby S has a heart rate of 155 and is VERY VERY active... We heard many thuds (for kicks) and even the little sweetie had hiccups!!! The day after on Thursday I felt Baby for the first time, it was purely amazing... And pretty much since then there are very few moments throughout the day that I don't feel them!!.. (Like I said very active!!).. The doctor EVEN gave us a little tease that from her instincts and based on the heart rate/ activity level... She is guessing a boy!!.. We will see in two weeks!!... I personally think girl but what do I know?!

Growing Pictures...

2011-03-07T15:26:00.000-08:00

I am not really into the whole belly shots thing BUT I felt like if I didn't do them then I was missing out on my expanding midriff and they are kind of funny... Sooo EVERY Tuesday we make the trudge up the stairs to your nursery and start the photoshoot... I should add at this point that your daddy is a horrible photographer (who takes pictures sitting down, looking up at the subject.. HELLO triple chins!!).. And he sometimes gets jealous with the attention mommy's belly gets!!... So here are some shots...
11 WEEKS

12 WEEKS

13 WEEKS

14 WEEKS

Daddy's Jealous Shot...

Just so you know I was a little weary about posting the growing belly after a conversation with my friend Jill... Thanks Jill!. Ha... And secondly you will notice the changhing background of the walls of the nursery!!.. That will be a post soon but we are still waiting for finishing touches!!

Cousinly Love...The Best!!

2011-02-26T05:06:00.000-08:00

Baby S received its first package ever last week!!.. It came en route from MAINE!!.. Three little girls worked very, very hard on a gift to their baking cousin!!!.. To back track a little bit, I think that those three little girls had THE single most best reaction to the news of baby S!!.. I emailed Nick a picture of the ultrasound and had the girls on the phone.. When all was in place I explained that the littttttle, tinnnny ball in the picture was going to be their cousin this summer.. That Aunt Shan had a baby growing!!.. To say these girls were excited would be to say the sky is green.. It from "Huh's", to "OH MY GOSH", to "YESSSS", to yips and yaps and giggles and little feet running!! It was AWESOME.. Immediately, the oldest Makayla screams "It's A Girl, I know this because I am always right at guessing". The next in line Lily giggled, "NO It's a boy, hehe".. The spitfire and youngest of the group, Jenna couldn't decide who to agree with so she followed up with "It's a boy, no It's a grrrl, no Boy, grrrl".. Although I must say I think her verdict now is a girl because when I talked to her last weekend she referred to the baby as "You can talk to hrr and laugh and tickle hrr"!! I love her voice she kills me!!.. Anyways back to the package.. I will do a photo montage of the gift it describes it beautifully!! ALTHOUGH you must know their mom taught them how to sew and each heart was made personally by the inscriber on it!!

Nannie & Poppie Came for a Visit!!!

2011-02-20T10:46:00.000-08:00

On their way down to their yearly trip to Florida, my parents stopped in for the weekend... I knew it would consist of shopping, shopping and more shopping... Mainly because this would be their first visit since finding out about Baby S.. Apparently NANNIE had to contain POPPIE on their stop in Virginia, as he tried to purchase an outrageous stroller AND Highchair... Well on Saturday we went to a glorious Baby Furniture Store and got our Crib and Dresser/Changing Station

We LOVE this set... It converts into a toddler bed then a Full-size bed!! After this we went to Buy Buy Baby!!.. Which is now my favorite store everrrr.. They are owned by Bed, Bath & Beyond and have EVERYTHING.. Shawn & I went in with intentions of scoping things out.. Nannie & Poppie had other ideas... Poppie had the box for the stroller in his hands before our decision was even made on what color we wanted, apparently his mind was made up!!... Nannie on the other had a cart full of blankets, clothes and random gadgets!!... We are soooo very thankful for everything and are so lucky to have these two people in our lives to share this moment with... Baby S surely is going to be one lucky little gal or guy to be able to call these two people their Nannie/Poppie!!...

UNBELIEVABLE....

2011-02-15T17:55:00.000-08:00

We got a new computer... With a camera built in (apparently we were in Jurassic Park age with a logitech that wouldn't skype)... I log on to my blogger and say to myself this is going to work.... IT DID!!! I got my font changed and all!!.. Sweet I'm excited!!... And excited to really get the blog on course baby and all!!

Christmas Came Early...

2011-02-13T18:49:00.000-08:00

For Christmas Shawn and I took a journey south and spent the holiday with Mickey & Crew!!.. We had one of the best times we have ever had at Disney!.. We got there the day before Christmas Eve and left the Monday after Christmas.. We hit all the parks and experienced things we never had before... To say we had a "Magical" Christmas would be an understatement... Now my frustrations with the blog.. I will, Will, WILL be blogging more and more frequently therefore I need my blog the way I want it... As for Christmas coming early, it did, actually it came 5 days early!!.. On December 20, 2010 Shawn & I found out that we are expecting our first baby!!.. It has been EXTREMELY hard containing our excitement as this brought a 17 month stretch of negative tests to an end!!!.. I feel that 17 months of tears, frustrations and stresses took a toll on us, which is funny because the big guy upstairs had plans for us all along!! The month that we looked at each other and said ughhh this sucks and made that call and were supposed to have an appointment on December 28th with our doctor to see our next steps, was actually the month that this little miracle came into our lives!! We feel extremely blessed and take each day of this pregnancy as a true miracle!! This Tuesday we reach our 12 week mark!... Soooo I am a couple days early posting but this weekend just got us super excited!! (Spending the whole time with a VERY excited Nannie and Poppie will do that!!).... Please keep us in your prayers for the next OHHH six months or sooo, just to help Baby S cook properly and fully!! We can NOT wait for this next chapter and are enjoying everyday of little baby S growing in a safe home!! I leave you with our little souvenir from Disney.. We couldn't resist!

Frustrations....

2011-02-13T18:31:00.001-08:00

I am trying extremely hard to change my blog up and am COMPLETELY frustrated... I can NOT get and/or figure out how to change my fonts to match my new background and to say frustrated is understated... I am ready to throw my computer against the wall... I remember how to do it the old way and then the template designer made it easy NOW any template I pick it says that the designer won't recognize.. I feel that I should delete and start fresh... YIKES...

The Streak is GONE!!!.. Beware PETA members :)

2010-11-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

Of many countless hours spent in the woods without any reward for Shawn!!... This very morning I woke up to a picture text of my husband the 8 point slayer!!.. I am very proud of him and also VERY please that I will not have to buy hamburger meat for the coming year!!... Another pleasing aspect... Maybe I will get my husband back on the weekends!!!