Myrtle Beach...We Posed

Great photo opps at Broadway at the Beach!

 (He couldn't resist!)

Week 21...Over the Hump

I'm a little backed up on the posts, due to all the Myrtle Beach fun. I thought I'd better give this one priority, since I won't be 21 weeks for much longer!

At 21 weeks, there are some big changes going on. Baby boy is moving more which is the coolest feeling. It's nice to finally have some reassurance that there is someone in there! Kevin was able to feel him move this week, too! The baby goes CRAZY when I eat ice cream, and last night decided to have a dance party around mommy's bedtime.

While we were in Myrtle Beach, I noticed that I could no longer see the top of my bathing suit bottoms due to my ever-growing belly! Also, I've ordered the custom made baby bedding! We are going with a "Very Hungry Caterpillar" themed room, and I found a very talented artist who will make the baby's bedding with special Eric Carle fabrics. Turns out, her husband works with my brother's girlfriend, and she lives near us...small world!

Myrtle Beach...We Played

On the beach, on a carousel, in the park...we did it all!

Myrtle Beach...We Ate

Last week, Kevin and I went to Myrtle Beach for the annual Pinsky family vacation. This year, everyone was able to go. It was very relaxing, but we still managed to do quite a bit, even though a lot of it had to do with laying around at the pool or beach. I thought I'd split my blog about vacation into different posts, for fear that one post would be way too long. 

One thing we did was eat...and eat...and eat. Here are some highlights of our tasty adventures!

Father's Day

This daddy will be sporting his new Eddie Bauer diaper bag and his little man!! Happy Father's Day to my favorite daddy-to-be!

 P.S - Due to our trip to Myrtle Beach (which you can read about in my next few blogs), I forgot to post this on Father's Day!

It's Official...We're Having a...

BOY!!

I had a feeling, call it mother's intuition, that this was a boy. Add that to the fact that Kevin's family is known for producing boys, and it was a pretty safe bet. We are thrilled about our son, and were happy to learn he is doing well and growing (13 oz..wow!). All of his measurements were on track and proved that we are having a very healthy little boy. 

The little guy wiggled and wiggled, until we needed him to move so the ultrasound tech could check out his spine and his "boy parts". At this point, he decided it would be a nice time to take a little snooze, and refused to budge. After MUCH prodding, he finally (and probably begrudgingly) turned. We joked that he gets that stubborn streak from the both of us!

Here are some pictures of our little man...

 No doubt about it...it's a boy!

 Waving to mom and dad!

 How polite - covering his face as he yawns!

 Thinking, "If I could just get this thumb thingy into this mouth thingy...."

 Thumb + Mouth = Happy Baby

 20 Weeks...where is that 13 ounces hiding?

Baby Books - Secrets of the Baby Whisperer

Recently, a friend lent me a copy of Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. I am not the biggest fan of informational text, but I am trying to read different books that will help me during pregnancy and prepare me for the baby. Therefore, I think I will try to blog about one book a month.

I have only read two chapters, but I'm really enjoying this book. The author's premise is that babies thrive when there is a predictable routine (NOT a clock-watching schedule, mind you). Her method, called the E.A.S.Y. Method, involves four steps: Eat, Activity, Sleep, You. This seems like a pretty straightforward plan, and her logic for the order of these steps makes sense to me. 

For example, she explains that adults usually structure their day so they eat and then do an activity (work, run errands, exercise, etc.). They do not go to sleep right after eating, unless it's Thanksgiving, of course! Babies are human beings, too, therefore it stands to reason that they would thrive on the same routine as other human beings. In addition, she addresses babies' differing temperaments and differences in adults, like whether you are a "planner" or a "wing-it type". 

The rest of the book focuses on reading your baby's cues and details each of the steps in depth. I am interested to read about all of these things. One thing I'm a little nervous about is the "baby wearing thing". I want to get a sling or baby carrier, but I have heard that books such as this one and Baby Wise, which I also plan to read, discourage such practices. I'll have to see how I can integrate that into my E.A.S.Y. plan, I guess!!

Has anyone read this book or tried the E.A.S.Y. method? I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts and experiences!

My First Few Faves

Over the last few weeks, I've been doing quite a bit of shopping for all things maternity. I've noticed a few things. 

#1 Maternity clothes are VERY pricey. They hardly ever go on sale, since there are always pregnant women around to spend crazy amounts of money on them. 

#2 There are few in-store options. Many department stores say they have a maternity section. They use that term very loosely, since what they mean is that in a far corner of the store, they have 2-3 racks with a hodgepodge of maternity items. Some of the guilty stores are Target, JC Penney, Kohls, and Macy's. 

#3 Outlet stores and on-line shopping are the way to go if you are looking for variety. The only downfall with on-line shopping is that you can't try the clothing on.

#4 Buttons, zippers, and any other pant/skirt/dress/short enclosure are NOT my friends. Yes, friends, I have transitioned to maternity bottoms. I don't think I'm quite big enough for them yet, but they are much more comfortable than my normal bottoms, even with hair ties and belly bands. 

That being said, here are some of my favorite maternity finds to date:

Maternity Bra

I tried convincing myself that this was not necessary yet, as I would probably need to upgrade during my third trimester. I don't care if I need to re-buy later, the money I spent on this and her two friends are totally worth the comfort. I didn't realize how uncomfortable my regular bras were (and how much I'd grown) until I tried these on!

Fancy Maternity Jeans

Lots of my formerly pregnant friends have told me that I need to invest in expensive jeans, even if it's just 1-2 pairs. These are the most comfortable jeans I have ever worn. While they come with a hefty price tag, I feel that I will get my money's worth. I might have to get that second pair, too!

Coach Diaper Bag

This was one of my outlet store bargains. Thank goodness for the Coach Factory Store! I thought this color was perfect for me, and would work for either a boy or girl. It even comes equipped with a changing pad, and the salesperson said that women often use them for a laptop when they don't need it as a diaper bag...works for me!

Last but not least, here is my 19 week picture. Stay tuned on Friday. I have my 20 week visit, and you know what that means...THE BIG ULTRASOUND! Vote in the poll at the top of the blog!

30th Birthday Party

This weekend, Kevin threw a birthday party to celebrate my 30th. It was wonderful to see tons of my friends and family! He did a fantastic job...all attendees, big and small, had a blast!

Last but not least, my 18 week picture!

The BIG 3-0!!

Today, I am 30. When I think about it, this is exactly the place I thought I'd be in my life when I turned 30. I'm married to a wonderful man, we have a nice house, wonderful friends, a supportive family, and I'm going to be a mommy. I feel extremely blessed. 

Kevin has put together a 30th birthday party for me this Saturday, and I'm excited to see many of my favorite people and celebrate with them. But today, I am keeping things very low key. 

By Birthday To-Do List 

                 1) Go to breakfast with Kevin

                 2) Shop for flowers and planters

                 3) Have lunch with teacher pals

                 4) Go shoe shopping

                 5) Plant flowers

                 6) Go through my "piles" in the house
                 7) Read my book club book

I know this sounds like a lot, and I should be relaxing, but I've been waiting ALL school year to do this kind of stuff, and I will be taking advantage of the time I have to do it!