Long time no post!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've updated this! I've been quite the blog slacker lately. We've had lots of social events going on between birthdays, baby/bridal showers. weddings, etc. It's been fun but Mike and I are both anxious to take the next 3 weekends and get some baby prep stuff done around here!

Warning: This post is probably going to be a long one so brace yourself!

We recently went to register at Babies R Us and Target. Mike insisted on going with me for the BRU run despite the fact that I told him it would take 3-4 hours at least and he probably won't enjoy it too much. He wanted to be there to help me pick out the big stuff. I thought it was sweet but I knew he'd regret it after 30 minutes. My sis went with us for part of it and it was nice to have her there since she has so much experience with babies, due to her profession. We had fun! Of course I had lists galore of recommendations from my friends. It was super helpful to have those but it still took a while to pick everything out. It made me SO EXCITED to meet Micah! It's so crazy that she will be in the infant carrier that we picked out in 3-3.5 months!! Ahhhh! Mike fell asleep in the glider section at BRU for about 20 minutes while I wrapped up the last few items on my list. I just had to laugh at how low his tolerance was for the detail of registering! I guess my nesting instinct started kicking in and I was a machine running around that place trying to get the best stuff for our little girl. Needless to say we were both exhausted afterwards. My thighs literally hurt from being on my feet that long and my brain was on overload! Mike came home and took a nap afterwards (men!). 

Now that registering is checked off the list it's time to move on to the nursery.

I've been brainstorming, planning and ordering stuff for Micah's nursery for weeks now. We have decided to do her room in a light gray/white and accent with lavender. The theme of the room is whales because we wanted to tie in something from our honeymoon. We went whale watching on the last day of our trip to Hawaii and little did we know that Micah was already underway at the time. Mike and I also thought it would be a good idea to keep the room as neutral as we can so we can use it for the next child and move Micah into a big girl room. Plus my mom did my nursery in whales so I liked the idea of including the idea that she had used for her first daughter.  When it comes to decorating I know exactly what I want and I always have a vision but I just need help getting there...that's where Marsha and Renee come in! Let's just call them my nursery dream makers. I have shared my vision with them in great detail and they have jumped right into painting the nursery. It already looks fantastic! I'll upload pictures as we go to you can see the progress.  Renee, Megan and I ordered all of Micah's baby furniture a few weeks ago from USA Baby out in Kansas. We got her a crib, mattress, two dressers and a glider. The furniture should all be delivered in the next couple of weeks. Although we've done some of the big stuff I feel like we've only scratched the surface of what all needs to be done before her arrival. I know these next few months are going to fly by! 

The border is unveiled!

Papa and Nannie team work!

On a work note: My boss and close friend Laura officially gave her resignation to our VP last week. Although I knew it was coming it was still a sad reality. Her twins were born at 26 weeks at the end of March so she and her husband have been on the roller coaster ride of having two babies in the NICU this entire spring/summer. I'm happy to report that after a long ride and a few bumps both babies are doing amazing! Anna has been home for a few weeks now and Reed is set to come home very soon. She hasn't been able to work the last 4.5 months and doesn't see how she can come back in September with the reality of the care taking of special needs twins setting in. I completely understand her decision and would do the exact same thing if the roles were reversed but I miss her dearly. After she resigned I met with our VP and she informed me that I'd be covering both her role and mine indefinitely. It doesn't sound like there's a plan to hire Laura's replacement before or after my maternity leave. Although it's not the best timing in the world to add another layer of stress into my life (busiest part of the year/beginning in my third trimester), I'm trying my hardest to make the best of the situation and stay positive. Everything happens for a reason, right? You take what life throws at you and decide the kind of attitude you want to have about it, instead of letting it decide for you. I have my moments where I get very overwhelmed with all that is going on with my personal and professional life but then I remember the miracle in my belly and I'm reminded that my family is all that really matters in this world and everything else is secondary!

Whose bump is bigger?



Lisa's baby shower - she's due the week after me!



Brooke, me and Rain enjoying the shower



Placks rehearsal dinner night

Dancing with Micah at the Placks reception

Health update:

We have our 24/25 week appointment this Wednesday with my favorite doctor in the practice (Dr. Angela Spell) and I made an appointment for a 3D ultrasound in 3 weeks on Friday, August 26th (our 6 month anniversary). We can't wait to see the features on her face, count all her fingers/toes and watch her move around for an hour! We've invited both set of parents to come along for the 3D ultrasound so they can share in that moment with us.

For some reason I keep thinking that I am going to go into labor a little early. If I had to bet right now I'd say at least 2 weeks early but then again I was totally convinced that I was having a boy so I don't trust my intuitions as much these days. My mom was 3 weeks early with me (5.1 lbs) and 2 weeks early with Megan (6.1 lbs) so I'm hoping I take after her.  I've gained a total of 16 pounds so far. I figure that's not too bad for being over half way done but then again my appetite increases with each passing week so we'll see where I end up in November. My goal is between 30-40 pounds total. I've been experiencing bloody noses most mornings and I can tell my ankles are starting to swell already. My dad said mom had lots of water weight during her pregnancies so I guess it's going to be the same for me. Oh the joys of being knocked up! 

Micah has been kicking up a storm the last few days. I felt her for the first time at 19 weeks and each day that goes by the movements get more powerful and I'm loving it!  She tends to move more right after I eat and likes to really practice her dance moves when I'm going to bed. She is a night owl like her parents! I've been trying to get Mike to feel her flutters the last few weeks but he didn't have any luck until this week. One night this week I was laying on my right side and she was moving a ton so I grabbed Mike's hand really quick and placed it on the spot. He would smile ear to ear each time she did it and was in amazement that there was actually a real kid in there. Ha! It was a moment that I will never forget with my baby daddy. This morning was the first time she actually woke me up with her kicks. It was the coolest thing!

The dreaded rash has not come back full blown (knock on wood) this month. The last cycle I had was pretty brutal so maybe it's taking a breakout break for a while (God willing). I have it a little bit on my chest, behind my legs and under my belly/arms but nothing like it was and so far I haven't had to do anything to treat it. I just itch it a couple of times a day and then it dies back down. Who knows what's going on with this dang thing. I stopped trying to figure it out and I'm just grateful that PUPPPS is pooped out for now.

Whew....as promised that was a long one. Until next time...