Splish Splash

I've been doing prenatal water aerobics every Monday night. I love it. I was concerned that it wouldn't be enough of a work out, but it is definitely challenging. It has also been great to be able to associate with other pregnant ladies! Now, if only my bladder would cooperate...I swear, the second I hit the water, I want to get out of the water to go to the bathroom! Last week, I was the only woman in the class that had to get out of the pool half way through to use the bathroom. You know I love hopping out of the pool in front of the class in a two piece tankini non-maternity bathing suit that is way too small! Here is a pic of the class:

Showered With Love

Last weekend, my mom and sister had a baby shower for Jen and I. I should rephrase. It was not just "a baby shower." It was seriously the mother of all baby showers! I honestly was feeling choked up on the entire ride back to North Carolina, just thinking of everything that they put into the shower to make it so special. My favorite part of the shower was seeing all of our friends and family come together. My grandmother came from New York to be there and my aunt, Peggy, came too. My least favorite part was the "Guess the baby food" game. I mean, really parents, do you taste what you are feeding your children?! I tried to play along, but after gagging in front of shower attendees, I felt I should hang my hat and simply support others!

The gifts were entirely overwhelming! Poor shower guests! We were both opening presents at the same time to make sure our shower guests did not have to spend the night at our house. I really think they could have been there for hours and hours. Baby sunshine is going to be very well dressed. He got the cutest pair of Osh Kosh overalls, converse shoes, boots and even camo socks! We got a baby monitor, blankets, bath goodies, books, glider/ottoman and on and on. I feel so so blessed and fortunate. I of course, went through everything all over again after everyone left. I then did it all over again the next day when I got back to North Carolina. It is all just so exciting!

The shower far exceeded my expectations. I feel so loved and grateful. It is hard to believe that 7 months ago, we were mourning the loss of a baby and we are now celebrating and anxiously anticipating this arrival! To everyone who continues to support us in this journey: Thank you. Really.

23 weeks!

How far along: 23 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: 13 pounds
Maternity clothes: I just ordered a bunch of clothes from Old Navy. It is exciting to wear new clothing! I'm wearing all maternity clothes for the most part. My shirts still fit, but they are way too short.
Best moment this week: Going to prenatal water aerobics - I just love that class!
Gender: BOY!
Belly button in or out?: Wide Wide Wide
Craving: STILL no cravings! I still have food aversions at night but I'm eating much better for breakfast/lunch. I did have a dream the other day that the government was handing out individually wrapped wine flavored twizzlers that said "vino" on them? Perhaps this was a craving - wine and twizzlers?
What I miss: I'm not missing much right now. I'm feeling very content.
What I am looking forward to: Seeing family and friends at the baby shower on November 20th in Virginia!
Milestones: FINALLY starting to look definitely pregnant. I'd so much rather look like I'm pregnant than like I was in a binge eating competition :)

I had my regular follow-up appointment today. I had been feeling nervous for two days or so, as I had gone through a period of feeling alot of movement and then hadn't been feeling any recently. So what do I do? Of course, I go online and google "23 weeks and not feeling the baby" and read all of these comments about how this is when other women discovered that they had lost their baby. Why do I do this to myself?!

So moving on, all went well. I explained my concern to the doctor and he did find it odd that I wasn't feeling any movements. After checking with the doppler, he was able to find the heart rate instantly and he was also able to hear the baby's movements and a few kicks, even though I still didn't feel them. He said that some people feel the movements differently. He said that some people swear by drinking Sierra Mist to get the baby to move around, if they haven't been feeling the baby. Even though the drink is cafeeine free, he said people say it really works. I'm not at that stage yet.

The doctor measured my stomach and said everything seems to be going perfectly. I was glad to hear that. I have had moments of doubt, particularly when someone tells me on a daily basis that they either 1)Do not believe I look pregnant enough. I have learend that everyone has an opinion to offer when you are pregnant. Take this for example:

I went to get my eyebrows waxed yesterday. As I am leaving, the eyebrow woman says, "So are you having a boy or a girl?" I respond, "a boy." She says, "Oh yes, definitely. I think the boy will definitely look like you!"

Why thank you, woman that has never even met my husband. What an insightful guess! You just may be right and you just may not be right.

Anyways, my next appointment is on Dec 3rd. I also have the glucose testing on that day. I'm feeling relaxed, calm and excited! :)

Sunshine Goes To Carrie Underwood Concert!

Matt and I decided to take a much needed date night. We went out to eat in Greensboro at Natty Greene's and then went to the Carrie Underwood concert. Sons of Sylvia was the opening act. Sunshine wasn't a huge fan and neither were we. We were then surprised to learn that Billy Currington was also opening and we really enjoyed his music. Next up came Carrie Underwood. I now fear that I may be even more in love with her music than before, and that is hard to beat. Not only did she have at least 10 outfit changes, she also propelled above the crowd in a blue truck! Sorry for the picture quality but I couldn't believe how close we were to her! Here are some pics:

Welcome To My Crib!

Last week while Matt was off from work, he decided to put the crib together and move it into the baby's room. E.X.C.I.T.I.N.G! We recently discovered that Dresden has been sleeping on the guest bed in the baby's room. We have no idea how long he has been sneaking in there to catch some zzzz's. Dresden was less than pleased on crib night that a new piece of furniture entered "his" room. I don't think he has been back in the room by himself ever since!

Introducing Baby Boy Farrell...

Yes, it really took me this long to get up the motivation to use our scanner for the first time. I mean, come on now, who has to scan pictures these days?! I should have asked for a disc! Here is Sunshine. We have decided to keep the name a surprise until the birth, however I can let all of you curious george's out there know that there has been no decision on the name yet. We plan on picking out a few names that we both like and will wait until the birth to completely decide. We are excited about doing this and will definitely share the real name for Sunshine as soon as the baby is born!

So without further delay, our son :)