Good bye old friend...

Today we finally said goodbye to the Ford Taurus. It was sad to see him go, but we decided that with the baby coming we needed a more reliable and larger vehicle to tote around all the baby gear that comes with having a baby! So we have added a Chevy Equinox to our home. I know, it's not a Ford... and I feel like a bit of a traitor, however I feel the sacrifice was necessary for the good of the baby! :0)

Below is a similar picture of our new vehicle:

Last week in the Second Trimester!

Sunday marks the last week in our second trimester! The time is really going by fast and our due date is fast approaching! I truly feel blessed that our pregnancy has been smooth sailing so far! I pray the the final 12 weeks will prove to be as enjoyable as the first 28!

Ben and I have been busy getting the baby room together and plan on "baby proofing" the house in the next few weeks. The "nesting" is really starting to settle in and I feel like I need to re-organize my whole house!

According to the website www.pregnancy.org the following is going on inside my belly and with the baby:

Week Twenty-Eight:
* Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!
* Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut!
* Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from inside!
* Your baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.
* Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in your womb!
* Lungs are capable of breathing now (but baby would still struggle and require medical attention if born now)
* Talk to your baby often, reading stories, singing songs and more. He or she can recognize your voice now and will often calm to it later on!
* Your baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds (1005gm) and is 14.8 inches (37.6cm).

Pictures...

Many people have been asking to see pictures of me. So below are some very cute (if I do say so myself) pictures of yours truly!

I'll be posting some pictures of Ben too, so when the baby gets here we can compare who he looks like more! I've seen some of Ben's baby pictures and he was absolutely adorable!

Baby Gear!

We ordered the above bath towel for our baby boy from Target. This is the first new thing we bought for the baby. I can't wait to see him in it! We've been very fortunate with family and friends giving us gifts. We've received an almost brand new bassinet with the sheets, a bouncer, clothes from many, sports equipment, diapers, and lots of books.

My brother Joe has a membership with a consumer website that tells you if an item is safe. He's already shared many of the unsafe brands with me and I'm sure he will continue to do so. If anyone has suggestions on either, items you can't live without or items to avoid please share with us. I'm going to start a baby registry next weekend when I visit my mom in Buffalo. We have 14 weeks until the due date!

I promise to post pictures of the baby bump soon...

Childbirth Class!

Ben and I attended a Childbirth Class this past weekend and learned about all the different scenarios that could occur during childbirth. It was very informative and fun. The instructor, an RN in the OB ward, was 8 months pregnant with her 5th child! Ben and I both felt that she was an expert! We got to watch a bunch of birthing videos, which I really didn't need to see, and saw many transparencies of the woman's body during the many stages of pregnancy. I definitely feel more prepared after taking this class, and have some idea of what to expect. I can honestly say that I am not nervous, at least at this point, and I'm even a little optimistic, I told Ben "I really think I'll be able to manage my pain". My mom didn't have an epidural with either my brother or me, and I would truly like to follow in her footsteps. But I'm also a realist, and will determine what's best when the day comes!

The baby is doing well and we can actually see him kick now. It's great! I promise to upload some pictures this week. Ben has taken some pics of me, but I can't say I'm excited to put them up, I mean come on, I'm just now starting to look pregnant, up until now I've just looked chubby!