Baby Shower

Last weekend was my baby shower, and it was wonderful!!  I had such a wonderful time, and my hostesses went above and beyond!  It was beautiful day, and I had so much fun visiting with everyone, and we received some great gifts for Baby Payne!  Thank you to all who came, and all of you who made it happen!  I think some pictures will do it better justice than I can in words.

Beautiful Decorations, by Leigh.  Yummy food including a Fruit Salad, BLT Dip, Lettuce Wraps, Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, Cheese Round, & Cookie Dough dip with Graham Crackers!!  All so yummy!!

Mimosas, wine, and tea, and the cutest cups!  They had the birds from the invitation and Baby Payne on them!  Loved them!!

Diaper Cake!!

Whoa!!  Baby presents Galore!  Notice the swing, from my lovely hostesses!!

And here are a few of me opening a couple of gifts:

Diaper Bag!! 

1 of 6 adorable onsies from Oh Little Rabbit on Etsy.  Thanks Mom!!

Uppababy Vista Stroller!!  Love it!!  I was so surprised, Kevin's parents and my mom got it for us! 

Kevin's Aunt Joan, his grandmother, Mamaw Mac, and his mom, Brenda (Gran).

Hostesses!  Trisha, Leigh, me, Virginia, Rachel, and Nancy Jane.  Best friends a girl can ask for!

My mom, Kelsey, me and Melody.  Who would have thought Mel would be in the hospital a few hours later.  Glad to report she is recovering well and should be discharged today!!

Love this shot!!

Thank you to everyone who made this such a special day!!  I can't wait for Baby Payne to meet all these wonderful people!



31 weeks!

So its been a while.  I am 31 weeks and 4 days today. I have been feeling pretty blah since hitting the 3rd trimester, but I am starting to feel a little better.  I guess that is good since I hear the last month can be a bitch.  I'll spare you the woe is me list of ailments I have been expereincing.  No one needs to hear me whine (thought I am sure many of you have). 

Everything with baby is going well, I am up to appointments every two weeks now, and measuring right on track for my due date.  Baby has been doing lots of moving and streching lately, which is fun, excpet when I am trying to sleep.

Here is a picture from last Saturday at 30 Weeks 5 days:

Happy Valentines Day! & 25 Weeks!

Happy Heart Day to all!

Today I am 25 Weeks!  Baby has been moving around a ton!  He/she was doing somersaults last night, and Kevin was able to feel the movements some.  My mom was able to feel the baby kick and squirm a lot on Saturday.  He/she put on quite a show for Lady.
We enjoyed a wonderful weekend at the lake.  It was so nice and quiet and relaxing.  Pretty much all we did was sit around and read, and eat of course.  Mom really enjoyed coming with us, and we enjoyed having her.  Bishop and Bailey had a blast as well, they ran around a bunch and spent a lot of time lying in the sun.

So whats new this week:
Weight Gain: My best guess is that I am up around 15 lbs now.  I hope to only gain 30, but we will see!
Stretch Marks:  Still nada!
Linea Negra:  Yep its there, noticed it this morning more than I have before.
Sleep:  About the same, waking up to flip over a lot, but I am getting used to it.
Cravings:  Well I satisfied a long time craving Saturday night.  We went to Port au Prince on the lake, and it was soooo yummy!  I love their catfish, but mostly I love their pickles!!  Yes, I did buy a jar to bring home!
Belly Button: So far still an innie!
Best Moment this week: So far its having mom and Kevin feel the baby moving.  Also I have started being able to see my stomach move when the baby really gets going.
What I miss:  Booze, yep so cliche.  I would just love to have a cocktail!
What I am Looking Forward to:  Well the bedding is done, and we are just waiting on the mattress to arrive to bed it all on the crib.  I can't wait to see how it looks!

Friday!!!!!!

It's Friday!!  This week has flown by.  I can't believe how quickly time is passing now. Ever since I found out I was pregnant I have wanted time to go quickly.  I just couldn't wait to see the baby grow on the ultrasound pictures, feel it kick, get started on the nursery, and of course meet the baby, but now I want it to slow down a bit.  I am finally feeling the baby kick and squirm about consistently.  That has left me with the realization that the next 15 or so weeks will be the last time all these moments will be truly just mine.  Once this baby gets here I am going to have to share, and share a lot!  There are so many people waiting to meet him/her, and smother him/her with love.  This is one lucky baby to have such wonderful family and friends to love him/her.

On the note of the pronouns.  I just can't say "it" about the baby, so I will continue to type him/her until she/he arrives and we know the gender.  Also, on this same note I finally had a dream about just that, and in my dream the baby was a... BOY!  I still have a 50/50 shot, and since Kevin thinks the baby is a girl, we know at least one of us is right.  :)

For a quick weekly update.  I am almost 25 weeks.  Not much has changed since last week, with the exception of the arrival of heartburn.  Oh joy!  But maybe the old wives tale is right, and this baby will have some hair.

In nursery news, the bedding is finished!  Just waiting for our mattress to arrive so we can put it in the crib. 

Happy Friday to all!

Snow Day 2011!!!

Woke up this morning to what looked like just a little snow on the ground, but little did I know there was a layer of ice under it. After trying to leave for work, and skidding a few times, I checked my e-mail to see one from my boss saying we could take a snow day if we chose.  Since I live 30 minutes from the office, and  am carrying precious cargo I decided to take a snow day.
I turned right back around, and then could not get my car back up the incline into our garage.  So it is sitting out on the street getting covered in ice and snow, but at least I am inside all warm.
Kevin went to work, but no one was there, and he decided to come home and spend the day with me and the dogs rather than risk getting stuck at his office,  I am so glad he is here, it has been a nice relaxing day so far.
Here are some pictures from our few adventures outside with the dogs this morning.  (Doggies are now sufficiently tuckered out and snoring in their beds.)

the House:

Bishop is not quite sure about it:

Bailey looks like she blends in nicely:

Dogs chasing Kevin:

Hope all of you are warm and safe!!  Happy Snow Day to all!



23 Weeks

So I am now 23 weeks, I meant to post this earlier this week, but I slacked off.  So since I am at home due to a snow day today, I'll catch up a bit!

Weight gain:  I am guessing that I am up about 12-13 pounds now, but really I don't know.
Maternity Clothes:  Yes
Stretch Marks:  Nada :)
Sleep:  I was not getting very good sleep, but **knocking on wood** the past two nights have been pretty good!
Cravings:  I was craving Yeero Yeero the other day.
Belly Button:  Still a shallow innie.
Movement:  Movement has picked up, and Kevin finally felt the baby again!  Also the baby had hicups the other night, pretty cute, but I hope it doesn't happen for too long at a time, because it could get annoying.
Best Moment of the Week:  Probably Kevin feeling the baby again.
What I Miss:  Being able to walk with out a shooting pain in my rear end.  This has not been fun, but i think it is getting a little better. Still not sure if its a pulled muscle or siatic nerve pain.
What am I Looking Forward To:  Still looking forward to watching the nursery come together, slowly, but surely.

Here is picture from last saturday night at 22 weeks 6 days:

And here are a few more nursery in progress pictures:

I am very pleased with the way the paint treatment turned out!  I think it looks perfect.

22 Weeks

I am now 22 weeks and 2 days pregnant.  Whats new?
Weight gain:  up about 10 lbs.
Maternity Clothes:  Yes, but thankfully still able to wear a few non-maternity items.
Stretch Marks:  Nada
Sleep:  I wake up every hour to readjust, and try and get comfortable.
Cravings:  Just food in general, my appetite has increased exponentially.
Belly Button:  Still a shallow innie.
Movement:  Baby has been much more active the past few days.  While watching True Grit yesterday Peanut was kicking up a storm, Melody tired to feel it, but she couldn't.
Best Moment of the Week:  All the energy I suddenly have!  Also the painters came finished up the nursery, pics to come...
What I Miss:  Well since Abita Strawberry brew came out this week, that's what I am missing.  I would really love to kick back with a few of those and some crawfish.  Luckily Kevin was very sweet and bought a case so that I can enjoy it this summer!
What am I Looking Forward To:  Getting the baby bedding!  All the fabric is in, and I am dropping it off for V at Louise's to get started on it.  I hope it turns out like I have pictured it!

In other news, they announced the Oscar nominations yesterday.  Every year we have an Oscar party with a small group of friends, and every year I come in last!  Well I have decided this year to actually try and see all the movies.  So far I have seen, The King's Speech, Social Network, The Kids are All Right &True Grit.  We are going to see Black Swan on Thursday.  I have a ways to go!  As always though I am just looking forward to the party!