Week 21_Almost Week 22

Hooray for a wonderful, yet tiresome weekend! This weekend Spencer, Baby, and I went to our first Pickering Family Reunion as a family. It was wonderful to see everyone and to catch up before our lives get a bit more hectic. My cousin, Megan, even gave us our first wall decoration for the nursery! It's a blue ceramic cross that says "Sweet Baby." We've temporarily picked out a spot above the changing table/dresser, although I might put it closer to the crib.

After coming back from Collins, Mississippi, Spencer and I decided to make a quick trip to Babies R Us to pick up our stroller and car seat combo. It was a significant purchase for us, but we're pretty sure it's a necessary thing to have with a baby.

This is Spencer putting the stroller together. We did learn it is best to read the directions.

This is Spencer trying out the stroller. It works! Doesn't he make a good almost daddy?

So far, I have not felt any real kicks and neither can Spencer. I have felt him head butting me and putting pressure on me (the baby, not Spencer), but that's about it. I've also been getting terrible leg cramps- especially in the middle of the night. I don't mean to but I do wake Spencer up when I scream in pain. Once he even had to massage the cramp out because it just wouldn't go away. This is an unexpected result of pregnancy! Also, my appetite has come back! It's nice to finally eat again, but I know I'm going to be gaining weight more quickly now. Ugh...more I'll have to lose later. Luckily my friend Catherine is getting married next April and I've got her bridesmaid's dress to fit into! That's great motivation and I'm sure she's getting married just for my benefit! :)

Spencer continues to talk to our son and rub my belly. That's probably one of the best moments of these nine (actually ten) months. When Spencer and I first talked about trying to get pregnant, I knew I had to take the parenting thing very seriously and consider what life changes would occur adding a child to our lives. What I did not consider was the nine (ten) months leading up to the addition of a baby. I'm sure it's God's way of practing for life changing, but it's not really fun to have to carry an extra 10-40lbs around with you at all times. Gracious! It's exhausting! I feel like I'm carrying Sally dog attached to my waist every day.

Anyway, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our baby boy and we are grateful to God everyday for blessing us with such a special gift. Thank you for your prayers.

Week 21_Remember to Read Spencer's Blog Below

First of all, please read Spencer's new blog below this one. His is funny as always, but mine has pictures and updates.
Now, being self centered, I have included a new picture of me. Actually, it's a picture of the baby but I happen to be carrying him so it's also a picture of me.

I know what you're thinking: "Wow, Teresa's hair and tan look great!" Okay, so that's probably not what you are thinking, but I know it's hard to notice anything other than that large cantaloupe under my dress! Oddly enough- Baby Cooper/Andrew/Henry/McDaniel/Alan/Thomas/Jr is about the size of a large cantaloupe right now. I don't particularly care for cantaloupe so I hope he grows a bit more before coming out.


Next is a picture showing off how amazing my husband is. On the exact 20 week mark, Spencer woke me up with a kiss and said "Thank you for carrying my baby half way." I asked if he wanted to trade off, but he said no. He also surprised me with a bouquet of a dozen red, pink, and white roses. It was such a lovely surprise and he is such an amazing husband! But sorry single women, Spencer is taken!

And my final update is that Baby Boy Shell's grandmothers are already spoiling him! Mimi Drew has begun picking up necessities at Wal-Mart each time she goes and if she goes as often as she did when I lived at home then we'll have all things necessary by July. :) Grammy Shell (I think that's what she wants to be called, but someone correct me if I'm wrong) has helped ensure that Baby Boy Shell will be dressed to perfection for the first year of his life, right down to an adorable bathing suit! Below are two of his new outfits.

I looove smocking, but Spencer and I have agreed that after age 2, I won't make him wear smocking (unless I can train him to ask for it by then!).

So those are the less entertaining, but more factual updates of our pregnancy. We've both been pretty sick for about 10 days now and I've bleached every surface in the house to get rid of our germs. Tomorrow we go to the OB again to get another Ultrasound and to have the baby checked out. I know I'm supposed to be enjoying every minute of this, but honestly I'm tired of being tired and tired of my stomach hurting (which I think is the baby headbutting me!). I know Baby Boy Shell will be worth it though- especially if he turns out like his Daddy!

I'm sure we'll keep everyone updated with the results of tomorrow and thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. We are on the downside now and continuing to count the weeks! 19 to go!

Week 21_Spencer Learns the Meaning of Fathers Day

Yesterday was my first official Father's Day. Ok, so technically the kid will not be born for another 19 weeks, but I think that is a technicality and I am at least entitled to Father's Day gifts. I have to admit, I never really "got" Father's Day from a father's perspective. Sure, I have always enjoyed spending time with my Dad on Father's Day and letting him know how much I appreciate him, but I can't say I ever said to myself "I can't wait until I am a father so people will celebrate me on Father's Day!" Let's face it, you don't decorate for it like Halloween or Easter and you don't get nearly as many gifts as you do on Christmas. There aren't even any special Father's Day foods like turkey, or ham, or even Easter eggs. Seems like a low rent holiday from that perspective.....at least that is what I thought until yesterday.....

You see, we spent yesterday celebrating at the Concord Cafe in Concord, GA home of the world famous..., well home of the Concord Cafe I guess. Here I was standing in line at the all you can eat buffet when I overheard a guy in a "Friends Don't Let Friends Fish Sober" shirt talking to his wife. He was simply commenting on the lack of black eyed peas and how there wasn't enough sugar in the sweet tea when suddenly he said "it." Like some redneck version of Solomon he opened his mouth and said "Baby, I like Father's Day cuz I don't half ta do a dang thang you tell me all dang day." And that was it. My world grew silent and in the distance I could hear the rustle of wind. It was like that moment in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" when the Grinch hears all the Who's down in Whooville singing and his heart grows five times bigger. I suddenly understood the meaning of Father's Day. IT WAS A FATHER'S DAY MIRACLE!!!

No, stop. Before you start the hate mail, I am not saying Teresa orders me around alot or asks too much of me or that I need some sort of vacation from her. Quite the opposite in fact, she went out of her way to make my day a little more special than she makes every other day. I think what Cletus the Slack Jawed Yocal was trying to say is that Father's Day is special because it is a day in which our loved ones go out of their way to make that one day special for us and on that one day they are willing to put up with our immaturity and countless other faults.

So, to Cletus I say Happy Father's Day buddy have a Budweiser on me, and to my wonderful wife Teresa, thanks for giving me such a special day!!

Week 19_Hooray!

Hooray for almost being half-way! We are in our 20th week now! When we got pregnant all I could imagine is the beautiful, cheery look that Hollywood shows us in movies. You the the image, the cute little basketball belly with the perfectly fitted wardrobe and perfect hair and makeup and that stereotypical pregnancy "glow"! Well I'm half way done and I look nothing even close to that. I have a tiny baby bump, clothes that are either too big or too small, hair that would look better if I had the energy to do it, and the more likely pregnancy look -fatigue! I'm still sleeping a ton- 15 hours last Sunday-but I think working a lot is also a contributing factor.

This weekend we had another family run! Spencer, Baby, and I went for a 3 mile run together. I'm so glad we can still do this even if we do run a bit slower now. Hopefully Baby Boy will enjoy running like we do!

Another new thing is that I have absolutely have no appetite. Each morning I make myself eat a breakfast to start the day off on a good note. Then around lunch time I usually buy a bagel. For dinner I either drink some V8 juice or a smoothie (with some candy thrown in throughout the day). I've actually lost a little weight, but I think I have enough fat on my body that the baby will be fine.

Today I purchased the fabric for the crib bedding. I found someone online who sews crib bedding and has agreed to help create my bedding. I am using a light blue quilted fabric and a solid navy blue fabric and I found this AMAZINGLY PREPPY RALPH LAUREN fabric!!! It's called Yacht Club which I think is a good sign considering that is where I grew up! I know that as our son grows there is a small chance that he does not become a preppy dresser so I'm taking charge while I can! Luckily Spencer has been so busy planning our Babymoon Vacation that he doesn't really care what the bedding looks like.

This is the fabric I'm using. I promise it looks good in person- if you like the yacht club prep look!

Spencer has also been busy doing more yard work. I secretly think he is creating the perfect outdoor play place for our son to throw or kick a ball around with him. He's going to be such an amazing father. He already talks to our son/my belly every night so that our son will recognize his voice. Spencer also does more things around the house when I'm too tired or already asleep at 6pm. He's so good to me and I can't thank God enough for bringing him into my life! I know our little boy is going to be just as much a blessing to our lives and I'm so glad that Spencer gets to be a father!