Precious and Pregnant

Brandy at 26 weeks

Cribs, Dressers, Boppies and Bumbos, Registries, Classes, Onesies and Pumps!

TIME OUT!

Five years ago I realized I desired to have children. Six months ago that desire became a reality. That point onward has been a whirlwind of emotions, dreams, and studious work! And though we've blogged our experience, I feel there is one very important element that hasn't been given it's proper acknowledgment; our Beautiful Mother.

Brandy, now 26 weeks pregnant and right on track, amazes me every day with her determination to not only create life but prepare for it. Making lists and marking them off, consuming information, laundering baby clothes, and building a nursery to name a recent few. All of this while maintaining the everyday. Working, cleaning, teaching, supporting me, and socializing to name a very few. Did I mention that she is creating life? A feat tiring in and of itself!

I don't mean to sound patronizing or to imply that a woman couldn't do all of these things at once. I simply want to express my profound appreciation for the woman in my life that I am forever in awe of.

Brandy Nicole; pushing through the aches and pains, kidney stones, and contact rejecting eyes. I am so proud of you as the spectacular woman that you are! I can't wait for the day that we get to meet our daughter. I look forward to the days we share as Mother and Father. And for every day here and into the future...I Love You.

Addy's Room

In just a few short months we will bring home our sweet baby girl. To prepare we thought it would be nice if she had a place to sleep. Eddie did much research and we finally reached a decision on the nursery furniture. We received a call a few days ago to let us know that the furniture was here! It is so exciting to start the process of carving out a space for her in our home that is all her own. Up until now it has appeared that Babies R Us had blown up in every room of our home.

I will post some pictures of the move in below. A big thank you goes out to Granny W. who so generously and lovingly purchased Addison's furniture. I can't wait to tell her about the day that Granny helped pick out her crib. I have not decided on whether or not to include the part were Daddy and Granny ganged up on Mommy about which set to buy :) We are truly blessed to have so much love and support.

On to the show......

Ziggy plotting how to take over yet another room in the house.

Marley and Bonnie stepped right up when we needed to fill the Quality Control positions.

Mommy pretending that she did more than twist an Allen wrench.

Aunt P saved the day when she volunteered (um..got roped into) moving this 140 lb. dresser up two flights of stairs. Uh yeah...she kicks major butt!!!!

Daddy performing one of many shake tests.

More pictures to come once we start decorating!

What's in a name?

This sweet baby girl has affectionately been called by many names. Peanut and sea monkey seemed appropriate when looking at early sonograms but we have decided that it is time to give our little girl her official name.

Addison Nicole Gillot

Addison is a very special name and has been at the top of our favorite girl names for some time. Nicole is my middle name and we decided early on that we wanted to pass along a family name. Addy will make her grand arrival in 17 weeks. Can you believe it? She will be here before we know it.

Here are some pics of Addison's parents at 21 weeks.

Eddie is taking the sympathy pains a bit too seriously.

Active Baby

Ever since Brandy felt little Baby G moving around for the first time a week ago I knew that it would only be a matter of time before I would feel her. The sonogram tech at the doctors office quelled my fears that I might hurt the baby and told me to press firmly. So, every time Baby G goes on a moving fit I rush over to Brandy to try my luck. She places my hand and I wait...and wait...feeling a bit ridiculous because it has to be too early.

But last night, August 23rd at 11pm, I did feel our little girl. She gave a few hard kicks to the palm of my hand. Brandy said that it was the biggest movement she has felt. I think she was just pumping my ego. :) Nevertheless, I felt my child for the first time!! Today feels like a beautiful day! I can't wait to meet you, Baby G.

Spoiler Alert

I have had a Stevie Wonder song running through my head all day! Check out the lyrics below.

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she But isn't she lovely made from love

That's right...SHE!!!! Baby G is a girl and she is truly lovely. She has a strong heartbeat and is measuring right on schedule. Our due date remains January 3, 2010. Eddie is ecstatic and already talking about all the moments that he is going to share with his daughter. I am so very blessed to have married such a wonderful man! He is going to be a wonderful dad.

The title of this blog is Spoiler Alert but perhaps it should be Spoil Her Alert. This little girl is already so very loved! . . . I can't stop crying while I write this . . . so on to the pictures!

She Has Her Mom's Nose ;)

The Sonogram Tech Was Looking For A Hamburger. Do you See it?
Evidently If It Were A Boy We Would Have Seen A Turtle Head.

Small Wonders!

Last night was a long one. I found myself in a lot of pain. There have been good days and bad days while dealing with this kidney stone and last night can definitely be filed in the bad pain folder! My spirits were down and overall I just felt exhausted. I was sitting on the couch trying my best to breathe through the pain.

And then the most wonderful thing happened!

On Monday, August 17, 2009 I felt my baby whirl and twirl inside of me. As I type this I am tearing up. It was truly the most magical experience of my life. I have read numerous books and listened attentively as many extraordinary women described this experience. It was unlike anything I expected. It was pure bliss. For a moment I felt connected to all life.

I instinctively wanted to share this experience with Eddie as I do with most things in my life. I began to describe what I was feeling and then I realized that I couldn't. Not because I didn't have the words but because this was between me and our child. This moment in time belonged to us. A feeling that I know he will one day experience himself. This is the beginning of a million moments and memories. How beautifully simple and yet so complex.

I will be thrilled to hold this beautiful baby in my arms but I am truly honored to carry this child in my womb for now and my soul always!

Who names this stuff?

Are baby companies intentionally mocking me? As I make progress with the registry I find it difficult to say the names of some of the items more than once. Are they preparing me for words like wee wee and poop?-not to mention all of the names that parents assign "private parts".

I challenge each of you to say boppy or bumbo 10 times without rolling your eyes or laughing. These are not made up words. Feel free to Google if you don't believe me.

By the way I am positive that Baby G will not develop into a healthy adult without owning both a boppy and a bumbo so we will be registering for both. However, I will refer to them as a pillow and plastic throne!

As evident from the rant it is apparent the my hormone levels are healthy and/or I need a nap!