Grateful (Part 10 of Many)

Chris' mom is very artistic. She is known for her cute little envelope balloon people. I love this year's birthday card with the newest addition of little Chicken Fry balloon baby ;)

Thanks a million for all the cute baby book stickers! I know what I'll be doing in between all the fun diaper changes and feedings this summer ;)

Grateful (Part 9 of Many)

MUCH THANKS for some MUCH NEEDED, MUCH LOVED early bday gifts from this bday girl. My wonderful mom, aunt, and best friend pretty much bought out the entire maternity line at Kohl's and Target. I don't think I'll need another top until it reaches 70° plus, or until I pack on another 20lbs, whichever comes first! Either way this bump will be sporting the best of the best ;) Thanks you all!

Pomegranate Pooh Bear

Today Chicken Fry is 23 weeks and counting. One more week and I get to hear the most wonderful heartbeat ever again! I love visits to the doctor; it's so nice to have that extra reassurance that everything is a-okay inside. Our next appointment is Monday, February 20th - President's Day. No ultrasound at this one, but still a goodie. I've started to worry a little more here and there, because all last week Chicken Fry was super perky - kicking around like crazy - and this week our little future soccer player's been a lot less Beckham and a little more Pooh Bear hibernating just in time for tonight's expected snowfall. I do feel small kicks here and there, and I'm sure babies go through phases when they are still this tiny, but it will definitely ease my mind to hear that heartbeat once again.

Chickie's Nursery (Part 3)

Last weekend we got a lot more work done in Chickie's nursery. Chris - along with some of his friends and my dad - finished painting the two doors in the room. The french doors are completely in, and we are finally totally finished painting the room. Saturday morning, a Luna representative came over to the place and helped us pick out new carpet for Chickie's nursery so that we can eliminate the whole Christmas theme we currently have goin' on in there. The carpet we settled on is called Foxfire Suede ... it's a pretty neutral color ... very VERY soft! The softness is what sold it to us. Just by feeling the sample square, we could definitely picture a certain cutie pie having tons of fun rolling and crawling around in there. The carpet is also "green" making it completely safe for infants. That was also a definite plus. This is the first carpet we've ever purchased, and little did we know that they only cost a small fortune?! Chicken Fry won't even be here for another six months and he's/she's already digging into our checkbooks (must be a girl) ;) ... The carpet is scheduled to be installed on the 17th, and we can't wait to see how it looks!

Here are some pictures of our work in progress ...

The Kitchen Looking into the Nursery

Cooking Countdown!

4 months!

Perky Papaya!

22 weeks down! - that's a whole 9 weeks into our second trimester, and I'm still feeling pretty good overall. I made it to the gym twice this week (maybe three times if I get off at the right exit after work today ... we'll see what the day brings!), and even though doing 45 minutes on the elliptical takes a lot more out of me than running 6 miles around the track ever used to, I definitely love that surge of energy I get after completing a workout.

Chicken Fry is taking after Mommy and getting a little workout these days, too. I've been feeling some tiny kicks pretty much daily now, which is definitely a good thing. I love knowing Chickie is awake and kickin' along with us. The kicks are still so light that Chris hasn't been able to feel them yet, but whenever I sense a lot of action all at once, I'll usually warn Chris so that he can have his fair try.

Today Chicken Fry is measuring somewhere between 10 and 12 inches long - the size of a ripe papaya! He/She's still coming in at under a pound, but we're looking forward to crossing that milestone in the near future ...

Happy Friday! February is finally here!

BANANAS over Chickie ;)

One week into the second half of our pregnancy, and Chicken Fry is measuring in somewhere around 10.5 inches long ... the size of your average banana. I pretty much eat this fruit every morning, and now it's almost like our little Chickie is more like our little Chiquita(o) banana. I guess the saying, "You Are What You Eat" somewhat applies here. In fact, the book I am reading mentioned that Chicken Fry should be starting to actually taste the foods that I'm eating through the amniotic fluid, so I better start making more of an effort to consume my fair share of fruits and veggies each day if I want to promote a healthy lifestyle early on.