Dear Baby (21 weeks, 5 days)

Dear Little Lady,

That's what I've been calling you ever since we found out you are a girl.  Your dad and I already know what your name is but we plan to keep it a secret.  Your dad likes to use your nickname when he talks about you which is just too cute. 

I bought what I think will be your coming home outfit this past weekend.  Of course it is pink with little pink elephants on it.  I just can't get over how cute you will look in the onesie and hat all wrapped up in the matching blanket.  I sure hope you love elephants because your nursery will be covered in them.  Your dad and I have been collecting elephants for years... it's kinda our thing.

We are going to focus on resting for the next couple weeks, ok?  I have been really exhausted and on the verge of getting a cold so I think it is time to slow down just a bit.  Do you get tired in there when I don't rest enough?  Do you feel yucky when I feel yucky?  I often wonder if you feel what I am feeling or if you are just blissfully floating around in there.  You usually get pretty active when I lie down at the end of the day so maybe that is your way of saying "woohoo, resting makes me happy mama!"  I am definitely making more of an effort to take it easy and be kind to my body.

Keep kicking and punching and growing!  Your dad and I treasure every single movement we feel.  We love you so much!

Love,
Mom     

Pregnancy Update (21 weeks)

(our little lady at 20 weeks, 1 day)

How far along: 21 weeks today.

Baby's size: Baby weighs about 3/4 of a pound and is approximately 10.5 inches long.

Boy or girl: It's a GIRL!

How am I feeling: Really tired.  I just feel tired all the time.  I cannot tell if I am not getting enough sleep or if it is just normal pregnancy tiredness.  I've taken the last couple weeks off from working out because we have been so busy and I know I need to give my body a break because it is working hard growing our little lady.  It is definitely hard letting go of the guilt of not working out... this is something I have always struggled with.  I will get back into working out soon and hopefully this tired phase will lift a little. 

Maternity clothes: I cannot wear anything that isn't stretchy.  It is certainly convenient that I can wear dresses and stretchy skirts all summer though the heat is not so pleasant (and I assume it will only feel worse as I get bigger).

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well but obviously getting up a couple times a night to use the bathroom. 

Baby movement: I am feeling her kick all the time now.  I can feel her moving around before she gets a good kick in too.  It is so cool to feel the movement building into a kick.  She definitely is most active after I eat and in the evening, especially before I go to bed.  Her kicks can be felt from the outside and I have even seen a couple kicks.

Food cravings: Absolutely noting.  I've actually been having a really hard time coming up with stuff I want to eat.  I just don't seem to be interested in food at all.  It isn't that I have any aversions to foods its just that NOTHING sounds appealing.  I just need someone else to tell me what to eat.  This is driving Kevin crazy!

Food aversions: None.

What I miss: Not much actually... I am feeling pretty content these days.

Best moment: Finding out that Baby Fournie is a girl, obviously!  Also having my parents feel her kick.  It was really special that my dad got to feel her kick for the first time on Father's Day.

What I am looking forward to: Getting to spend time with lots of friends in the next couple months and sharing this little lady (and her kicks) with everyone.  I also cannot wait to get in a bikini on the beach and soak up some rays... hmmm not so sure I am looking forward to everyone seeing me in a bikini but the sun will be nice!

(picking her nose)

to the Dads in my life...

Yesterday was Father's Day and I wanted to give a little shout out to all the Dads in my life...

Kevin - you are going to be the best, most loving and FUN dad ever.  Our little girl is so lucky.  I cannot wait to meet her with you for the very first time.  I am so blessed to be on this journey to parenthood with such an incredible man.  I love you!

Dad - I can't even write a couple sentences about how much you mean to me without getting teary.  You have been my biggest cheerleader, always believing in me.  I find it really hard to put into words just how much you (and mom) mean to me.  When I think about my family I can't help but smile because I am so blessed.  I have to most loving, most supportive and coolest Dad ever!  I cannot wait to watch you become a Grandpa to my little girl.  I love you so much!

Big Tom (my FIL) - Thank you so much for raising Kevin to be the man he is today.  I know he will be the best father because of you.  Our little girl is so lucky to have you as a Grandpa.  I love you!

Happy Father's Day!

It's a...

It's a...

(20 weeks, 1 day)

GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are thrilled and a perhaps a little in shock because we both went into the appointment thinking she would be a he.  I cannot wait to watch Kev bond with his little lady.  She is gonna have him wrapped around her finger in no time.

(wearing pink for my little lady)

More Asheville photos!

I just wanted to post some more photos from our trip to Asheville.

Photos from our hike up Craggy Gardens...

(Merrick and Will)

(Naomi... so beautiful!)

Portraits and candids from our Saturday night BBQ...

(Tom)

  

(love these two!)

 

(Nick)

(Will)

(Kev)

(Seriously I could not love these two more!!!  I am such a lucky big sister and this baby will have the coolest uncles!!!)

(p.s. don't pay attention to how super preggo my face looks in the photo...)

 Photos from our walk at the bird sanctuary...

 (Me and Naomi)

 (Will)

(Third Nature... in nature)

We had the best visit and we miss everyone already!  Getting to spend time with family is something I really treasure and will never take for granted.  I have been blessed with the best family I could have asked for (and married into an incredible family as well).  This little baby is going to be so loved by the greatest aunts and uncles... eek I am so happy I could cry!

Baby's first Cardinals game

Last night Kev, Josh and I went to see the Cardinals play the Mets.  It was Baby's first Cardinal's game.  I know Kev is really looking forward to taking our little munchkin to many games in the future. 

Kev thinks Baby is a good luck charm because the Cards kicked ass, beating the Mets 9-2!

(19 weeks, 6 days)

I gave Kevin his Father's Day present after the game since it seemed like the perfect way to cap off a Cards win.  He is gonna be one cool dad with his Cardinals diaper bag from Diaper Dude.

Halfway there!

 

(19 weeks, 3 days at the Biltmore in Asheville, NC) 

Today I am 20 weeks pregnant... halfway through this pregnancy (assuming baby comes on his/her due date... yeah right).  Tomorrow we find out if this baby is a boy or a girl and we can't wait!