I think I'm 28 weeks, maybe 29... And a Big Belly Button

I haven't been very good about documenting milestones during my pregnancy. I can't even remember how many weeks I am. But that doesn't mean I'm not really excited about this little boy! I'm just not sentimental enough to write down every detail, although I know I'll probably regret it some day. I have, however, reached a milestone worthy of documentation: my belly button popped. Yep, it sticks right out. Especially after dinner and when I stretch. Last week at my doctors visit I was told I needed to take it easy with the eating. I have never really been told that before. It kind of surprised me, but she's right. I gained nearly 15 pounds in 2 months. I think there might have been an error with the scale or I was just weighing really heavy that day because I'm down 4 pounds. I have been eating vegetables like crazy and staying away from sweets as much as possible. I also reached another milestone: up-sized in underwear. I have been meaning to go get some for awhile but it was my blogger friend who unknowingly motivated me. I love new underwear. Have you heard of "cheeky" before? They are the new style of underwear at VS. I thought they would be perfect for me; being "cheeky" surely meant they were for people who were a little more cheeky than usual... no. They SHOW more cheek! If I wanted to show more cheek I would just keep wearing the ones I have that I've nearly outgrown. I went for the ones they only display in the back half of the store; there is NOTHING wrong with comfortable coverage when you are pregnant! Or any time for that matter.

Baby's Blanket

Here's pictures of the almost finished baby blanket for the nursery. I just got it back today. I paid someone to top stitch it. That's when I found out I had to do the edging by HAND. My finger tips are killing me, 2 hours later. I still have about 1/8 of the edge to do before I can go to bed. I lost the cable for my good camera again, so the pictures are horrible.

U.P. Snowmobiling

Last Wednesday we got out of work early and headed north to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. For those of you who haven't been there, you're really missing out. Michigan takes first place for every category of snowmobiling except luxury resorts. Which doesn't surprise me; the U.P. wasn't designed to cater to the pampered. There are over 6000 miles of groomed trails in MI. This is the second trip up north this year; the first was with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and their two girls. (I didn't pull my camera out once and I'm regretting that). This time my brother and his two boys drove from up-state NY. I wasn't going to blog about it, (because I'm lazy) because I didn't really get good pictures, but my sister insisted that I post the ones I took, so here they are.

Oh yeah, Adam's friend Justin came too. In case you're wondering who the other guy is. (p.s. if you zoom in on the picture above, it looks like Justin is smoking a cigarette...??? he isn't, but what was in your mouth Justin? Just have to note that for the record)

Lake Superior - on a very calm day.

Lake Superior - Log Slide: Back in the day, they used to roll logs down the sand dunes and into the lake, where they would haul them to Chicago. It was far more impressive than it appears in the picture.

Stuff for the Baby's Room

I haven't decorated the baby's room yet, but I have been busy collecting and making different things I want to go in it. I dropped off the quilt to have it top stitched on Tuesday, so I can't show you a picture of it yet. I finished painting last weekend... it was horrible. I hate painting. Thankfully I finished. I just need Francie to come out here and help me put it all together some weekend. She is much better at decorating than I am. I still need a lot more cute stuff, but at least I've started. Adam has an orange surfboard that he wants to hang in there. Not sure how that's going to look but I'm trying to stay optimistic that it will look cute. Plus, there is a lot of orange in his bedding. I'll keep you posted when the bedding is done. I might have to get started on the bumper this weekend. Wish me luck. Why do I still rely on my mom to make the curtains? It's not like I'm not capable. I made his pillows and bedding and plan to do his bumper for goodness sakes, why don't I feel like making the curtains? It doesn't help that I saw the perfect ones in potterybarn that are way too expensive (even if I was rich, it would be a waste of money). This boy is really stretching my belly out. I have felt really good this whole pregnancy until I got front heavy! Now I feel like I'm going to burst at the seams. I still have a long ways to go. He still has to get much bigger! I'm so glad there is only one in there. I still feel great, don't get me wrong, it's just so strange to feel so full and crowded all the time. I feel kind of like I do after Thanksgiving dinner times 2.

It's a Boy

100% sure of it. It's been confirmed; and I'm thrilled about it.

Baby HaHa

Today I'll be 18 weeks and two days or 4 1/2 months. Oh yeah, I've gained 8 pounds. I asked the doctor if that was too much too soon and she said no, I think she's a liar. I've been feeling the baby move for a couple of weeks now but it hasn't really been that exciting because it doesn't feel like much. I expected it to feel a little more like a baby kicking rather than a cotton ball floating around. Three days ago I saw him kick. It was very pronounced. That was pretty exciting. Adam is still nervous. He's crunching numbers for college and worrying about work. He is not as easy going as I am when it comes to worrying. Might explain his full head of grey hair.

I've finally decided which room the baby will go in. For those of you who have been in my house... it's the brown room. It will get painted bluish seafoamish green. (the same color as the blue fabric, although it looks more blue here) I'm making his bedding out of the cutest fabric that I got from fabricworm.com (above). I'm going to applique a surfer on it per Adam's request. I wanted to do his room in airplanes, it would be so fitting but Adam insisted on a surf theme. I don't really like the whole Hawaii theme, so it's going to be fish and surfers... close enough right? I took the fabric with me to lunch with the grandma's yesterday and Adam's grandma Ann was like.... "THAT'S different". Why is it so hard for old ladies to lie? Just say you don't like it or say you love it. "that's interesting" means you think it's horrible. But that's OK, she'll probably never have to look at his room anyways since it's on the second floor. If it turns out ugly I'll just buy something last minute.
This baby still has no name. We know his middle name, 'Adam' (family tradition-Adam's side). It's a great first name, but not an easy middle name to work with. The only name we both like is Harlan and I've gotten very little positive feedback on it. I don't want the boy to be embarrassed to tell people what his name is when they ask. Oh yeah... and his future wife will probably not appreciate that she has to work with the middle name "Harlan"...!! I have to state for the record that Adam wants to name his first born son Tully, Hunter, Gunner, Skylar, or Dax. This kid might appreciate Harlan once he hears the alternatives. I'll keep thinking.

80/20

Last night my sister did a spur of the moment ultrasound at her office. Myself, my mom, my three sisters, my two nieces Katya and Kristen and my nephew Jack were all crammed in the room. I wasn't going to say anything because Rachael said she was only 80% sure, as it was still very early to tell and the umbilical cord was right there in the way. But we all thought we saw what would make it a boy. I'm very excited. Adam is unsure, but it will grow on him I know. He loves his nieces Leah and Lily so much that he feels he relates better with girls, but what he doesn't realize is a boy will benefit his agenda later in life. Just about all the vacations we take are more guy oriented. Camping, sand dunes, snowmobiling, etc. I am a little disappointed that I won't get to use the cute potter*y barn bedding I had picked out or buy cute little dresses, tights and bows; but on the bright side I will probably save money, as boy stuff is not as luring. My mom suggested the names Max and Nathan, which I really like. But I don't like "Nate" and I know his friends will call him that. Rachael said Max is a popular pet name. His middle name will likely be Adam, as that is tradition in his family. I also like the Bible names Isaac and Ezekiel. But I have to remember there is still a 20% chance this kids a girl. Maybe we will find out for sure next weekend.