This Unfamiliar Road

January 30, 2012

Babies, Babies...Babies!

I finally got to make it back to Chattanooga to see my favorite babies! I can't believe they are already 5 months old. Time has flown by, and I know it will only speed up from here.

Ashley and I were able to get some quality visiting time in, and I hit her up for advice on all things baby-related. It was interesting to see how she manages outings with multiples (including the inevitable questions from strangers-"Oh! Are they twins?" and "How sweet...a boy and a girl-you can be done now" and my favorite-"Are they identical?"). Some unique challenges we faced included a monsoon, waiting for 20+ minutes to use a handicap fitting room, and how to hunt for bargains with a fussy infant.
I really don't know how she does it all (and remains sane), but she has promised to share all of her secrets on her blog- This Cup Overflows. I am especially excited to read her advice on cloth diapering as we have been considering this option!

OK, I know you came for the pictures...

Sweet Paisley Grace

Mac is quite the flirt!

Happy baby-and lots of personality!

Time for breakfast!

I love how easily entertained she is!

Junebug loved the visit too! S/he was very active the whole time and even kicked Mac when I was holding him. Jealous? haha

January 23, 2012

20 Weeks!

Andrea 4:56 PM 1 Comments

"Ohhh...we're halfway there.."- Yes, Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' has been on repeat in my head all day. Our ultrasound this morning went GREAT! My Mom was able to come and enjoy seeing Junebug in action, and to hear that sound I love so much-160's my friends and strong!
The ultrasound tech looked at all the parts and we got some great pictures. She even managed a glance at Junebug's gender without any of us knowing! Sneaky :)

20 Week Stats:

Size: Cantaloupe (Ultrasound tech measured 3/4 lb)

New Development: Gulping ounces of amniotic fluid daily-and What To Expect tells me that the taste of the amniotic fluid differs depending on what I eat. Also, babies who are exposed to certain tastes in utero are more eager to eat foods with that taste after birth. Guess I need to lay off the bacon and eat more broccoli!

Symptoms: I'm feeling pretty good these days, although I feel like I resemble a whale :)
Junebug has become super active this week, and in addition to the general movement I feel, I have begun to experience what I call "Lightning Strikes"- a quick jab of the arm or leg (I guess) that totally surprises me.

What I'm looking forward to: We have been trying all week to catch the right moment when Ben can feel Junebug move, but the 'lightning strikes" are so infrequent and usually catch me by surprise. We will have to wait until little bug gets bigger and can really pack a punch (yay...)!

# Junebug # Milestones

January 20, 2012

Amanda's Baby Shower

Andrea 9:00 AM 0 Comments

My sister-in-law, Amanda, is due to have my first nephew on February 14 and I couldn't pass up the chance to throw her a baby shower!

Due to the hustle and bustle of the holidays and travel, we postponed planning until after the new year. By then, we only had 14 days to get it together so we kicked it into high gear and threw a great party!
We went with a duck theme (cute and more availability last-minute) and the color scheme was yellow and blue. It was lots of fun and Amanda got some great gifts!

Our spread!

Cake Table

Audra's Diaper Cake

Measuring the belly!

This is apparently a shower game from the 80's

Scoop cotton balls into a bowl with a wooden spoon (while blindfolded)-

I haven't laughed that hard in a long time-most people

(including me) just scooped air!

Emersen wants to play!

Gift Table

Hostesses with Mommy-to-be!

Our family is certainly growing!

# Family # Friends

January 19, 2012

19 Weeks

Andrea 9:00 AM 0 Comments

At the beginning of pregnancy, I felt like each week dragged on as I couldn't wait to reach the next milestone. Now that we are almost halfway there, the weeks are speeding up (especially when I think about all that needs to be done before Junebug's arrival)!

19 Week Stats:

Size: Mango

New Development: Nerve cells for taste, hearing, sight, and smell are developing.

Symptoms: Cravings! Mostly for bacon and OJ. And I still need to make that appointment for a prenatal massage...

What I'm looking forward to: With all of this activity, I can't wait for Ben to feel Junebug move too! I have heard so many variations about when movement can be felt from the outside, so we keep trying!

Via The Bump

# Junebug

January 18, 2012

New 'Do

Andrea 8:55 AM 0 Comments

Call it the "Mommy cut" if you want, but I was very overdue for a haircut. I grew my hair out for our wedding, and just haven't cut it since then! I usually wear my hair short, so I call this "getting back to normal".

This was actually a few weeks ago.

I curled my hair for a holiday party, but it's normally straight

(Took me an HOUR to curl!)

YAY-goodbye ridiculous length and thickness

My hair is unbelievably thick, and most of the cut was thinning and taking out the weight. (They had to sweep 4 times). I would define this as a layered/shaggy bob. It's fun-and easy to take care of!

# About Me

January 15, 2012

Nursery: Where to Start?

Andrea 9:33 AM 1 Comments

Paint! Of course. OK, back up: first we need to find a bedding set so we can color coordinate.

Is this a joke? I feel like I am being punished because we aren't finding out our baby's gender. In my many many searches for gender neutral bedding, I came across 2 categories:

Exhibit A: The Teddy Bear/Jungle/Cartoon bedding:
Just not the look we are going for

Exhibit B: The Designer bedding:

Although a gorgeous option, this beautiful set retails at $480

which includes the crib sheet, bumper, and crib skirt

So I was feeling pretty discouraged about my options. I know...newborns do not care what they sleep in (which is why I'm not forking over $500!) but as with any room in the house, I want to decorate it nicely. I also plan on using this nursery for Baby #2 (down the road), so I want something that I can live with for a while.

Around Christmas, I was at JoAnn Fabrics with my family, and I stumbled across some beautiful fabric. After discovering it was on sale, my Mom bullied me into buying every last bit they had. I was excited about my purchase, but overwhelmed because I don't sew.

Thankfully, Ben's Grandma Starr has graciously offered her sewing talents to help us out!

I love this fabric! Lots of options to bring in other colors

My Mom made this-a nursery Christmas gift!

(It's a dry-erase board)

OK, not nursery related, but I have to include this:

My Mom made this too-a cocoon and hat for Junebug!

I can't wait to watch the nursery come together!

# Home # Home Improvement

January 13, 2012

18 Weeks

Andrea 10:35 AM 0 Comments

Things are becoming real as this baby bump grows! It's getting harder and harder to hide it. Our doctor appointment went great-I am measuring appropriately and we got to listen to a beautiful, strong heart again : )

18 Week Stats:

Size: Sweet potato

New Development: Yawning, hiccuping, sucking, swallowing...turning and kicking (yup!)

Symptoms: Back pain. I think the sore muscle is from before pregnancy, but between hormones, and my center of gravity beginning to shift-it hurts. I think it's time for a massage. Other than that, I wouldn't really even know I was pregnant...except for the kicking, the bump, and the fact that I still cannot eat chicken!

What I'm looking forward to: Our 20 week ultrasound. My Mom will be joining us, and I can't wait to see Junebug in action again-and get some new pictures! If everything is ok, this will be the last routine ultrasound I get. And...in case you are wondering- we are still staying strong and not finding out the gender!

Via The Bump

# Junebug

January 10, 2012

Simple Fix

Andrea 5:44 PM 1 Comments

I love our master bathroom. It is perfect for us, and I knew it the instant we saw this house. One little (or large...) problem we had was the window above the tub:

Why, yes...that is our street and our neighbors' homes you can see. And guess what? They can see you too. Our temporary solution was brown painter's paper. Sorry, no picture but I need to spare you from that nonsense.
Everyone kept telling me to just 'hang blinds' on the window, but I wanted to enjoy the natural light in the bathroom, which would only be possible if the blinds were open, which defeats the purpose.

So, we found this window covering at Home Depot-you apply it like window tint.

I think it turned out quite nicely:

To me, it just looks like a frosted window. Up next: Curtains with tie-backs and we will be all set!

# Budget # Home

January 03, 2012

NYE 2011

Andrea 9:00 AM 0 Comments

New Year's Eve this year was very different for me. Often, I will stay home but spend time with friends cooking dinner and hanging out. Last year, I was working (night shift) so I rang in the new year with my coworkers and a New Year baby!

For 2011, my Mom practically begged me to go to a friend's party. Gulia is from Kazakhstan (where Maya is from) and we have been friends with her for years. We first met her when attending some Kazakh events to learn more about the culture. She throws great parties which resemble a UN meeting- Kazakhs, Russians, French, Indian, Americans, Chinese...you name it and most cultures are in attendance. There is a lot of laughing, stories in languages I don't understand, vodka, and MUSIC!

Disclaimer: Please excuse the pictures of me...I worked all day then went out. I had been up for about 20 hours straight when I snapped these!

Our beautiful hostess

Laurel and me

Maya and me (wow I look huge-my shirt was puffy)

Every kind of instrument you can (or can't!) imagine

2012 will certainly be a life changing year and I can't wait to see what it will bring!

# Family # Holiday

January 02, 2012

17 Weeks

Andrea 9:14 PM 0 Comments

Guess what?!?! I finally felt Junebug move! It was December 31 and I was at work. I had been very busy making my morning rounds (walking a lot). I sat down to chart when I felt it...I guess I would have to agree with everyone and say it felt like a flutter, but much stronger. There was no questioning it-I can just see him/her flipping around in there.

17 Week Stats:

Size: Onion; I have also seen turnip (Uterus=Cantaloupe)

New Development: Cartilage is turning to bone and putting on some fat

Symptoms: Itchy skin! Not sure if it's the cold, dry weather or a growing bump, but I'm not taking chances...it's time to start <consistently> putting on the Bio Oil!

What I'm looking forward to: Our doctor's appointment this week so I can hear that heartbeat again...it is a beautiful sound

Growing big!

# Junebug # Milestones

This Unfamiliar Road

January 30, 2012

Babies, Babies...Babies!

January 23, 2012

20 Weeks!

January 20, 2012

Amanda's Baby Shower

January 19, 2012

19 Weeks

January 18, 2012

New 'Do

January 15, 2012

Nursery: Where to Start?

January 13, 2012

18 Weeks

January 10, 2012

Simple Fix

January 03, 2012

NYE 2011

January 02, 2012

17 Weeks

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