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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

39 weeks, 6 days...introducing...

Charlee Jane Spearman, a true baby genius!
mommy and daddy's angel
12/20/12 at 12:57, Charlee entered the world through c-section.  I was a ball of nerves leading up to the procedure, but it literally all melted away when I saw that face (cliche, I know).  She weighed in at 7 lbs even (6 lbs, 15.9 ozs to be exact) and 20 inches long.  She is happy, healthy, and quickly became fond of eating!
We've been home since Saturday, and were thrilled to get to share her first Christmas here at home with family!


 Big brother is still getting used to the idea of not being an only child, but I'm pretty sure he loves her.
"what is this thing??"
She will be one week old tomorrow, I'm already sad at how fast time flies! Thankfully we have spent most of the week holding and spoiling her and spending as much time staring at her as possible.  Hopefully I will update better now that she is here than I did during pregnancy, but don't count on it.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

makings of the nursery : FINAL REVEAL

the nursery is done! as in, every single thing that is going in there, is in there.  and right in time! you've seen the progress along the way, but just as a reminder, here is a before:
before: day 1 of construction 

we were too excited to hang crown molding and wainscoting to take a good "before"
and now, the finished product...complete with a thousand pictures:
 bedding from etsy; hand sewn blanket and pillows by me; string name art DIY by me
 ikea light fixture; poof ottoman from etsy; hand sewn curtains from Charlee's Nana (Martha)
 fabric lamp shade DIY by me; black and white maternity pictures printed by walgreens (mod podged by me)...I may post more on this later...I LOVE how these turned out
 book shelves built, hung, and painted by chuck; bedding from etsy (blanket and pillows sewn by me)
 ikea storage bins currently holding butt creams, hair accessories, and pacifiers; mirror from homegoods (painted by Chuck)
 gallery wall: framed fabric and printouts DIY by me (i need to post some close ups of these)
 
monogrammed lamb from Aunt Allison! LOVE!

and there you have it! a mostly DIY coral and aqua nursery for our little girl.  i approached the project with no "theme" but clearly found some fabrics i loved and rolled with them.  i'm hoping she can love the colors and fabrics in this room for a long time to come.  i absolutely adore every single thing in this room and i can't wait to sit in there with her and rock her to sleep and read her books! if i knew how to photoshop i swear this room is magazine worthy...even if i am biased, it kicks ass!

Friday, December 14, 2012

38 weeks!!

How far along? 38 weeks, 1 day
 
Total weight gain: 27 lbs
  
Maternity clothes? YES! but i much prefer oversized t shirts and sweat pants

Stretch marks? not yet, not sure how

Sleep: starting to wake up several times a night...several
 
Best moment this week:  turning in all of my leave at work for maternity leave...STARTS next week! 
Wedding rings on or off? On! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: pretty happy
Miss Anything? being able to put on socks...

Movement: everyday! 
 
Food cravings:  sweets, all the time. 
 
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope

Gender: little precious GIRL

Labor Signs: not yet, i'm hoping soon
Symptoms: nothing major at this point...just being huge
Belly Button in or out? OUT!!   

Looking forward to: meeting my baby
 
Other: looking forward to having a healthy baby soon!

Monday, December 3, 2012

36 weeks, 4 days...i know i suck at this updating thing

How far along? 36 weeks, 4 days
 
Total weight gain: I have NO clue, i seriously haven't been to the gym in 2 weeks.  It was 27 lbs at the doctor the other day, but I had on boots that I didn't take off...they have to weigh 2 or 3 lbs...RIGHT?!?!?!
  
Maternity clothes? YESYESYES

Stretch marks? not yet, not sure how

Sleep: this is definitely not improving, but i'm still sleeping
 
Best moment this week:  the shower we were thrown at work, i'm continually amazed that people actually like us enough to share in this experience with us....they may not, but they fake it well! 
 
Wedding rings on or off? On! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: I haven't been moody in a long time, i'm just a bit "down" lately...
Miss Anything? being comfortable

Movement: everyday! 
Food cravings:  sweets, all the time. (like the godiva chocolate cake I have been working on since thanksgiving, peppermint stick ice cream, pumpkin spice cookies with caramel frosting....)
 
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope

Gender: little precious GIRL

Labor Signs: Nope, the Braxton Hicks contractions are starting to pick up...i have no clue if that means anything or not

Symptoms: indigestion! (i live on tums), and general discomfort, and BH contractions

Belly Button in or out? OUT!!   

Looking forward to: a normal sized uterus.  meeting this little girl, it is incredibly real now, as in...will happen. SOON.
 
Other: we took maternity pictures a couple of weeks back, I'm hoping to get those back in time to get some christmas cards out, but don't judge me if they turn into New Years/Valentines day cards!  Breech baby watch 2012 still continues...at this point we are hoping for a flip but expecting to have to bring her into the world via c section.

I'll post pictures soon...

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

lots to be thankful for

every. single. time. i check my facebook i learn all the things my friends are thankful for! apparently they are all going to be thankful for exactly 30 things, one for each day this month.  while it would totally go against everything i stand for to participate in that social shenanigan...i do have lots to be thankful for! to name a few:

1) i found myself complaining yesterday because charlee has made a sore spot on the inside of my belly from her incessant punching!! COMPLAINING! good lord, not only have i been blessed enough to create a human being, but she is healthy enough to treat me like a punching bag...no more complaining about that! (and PS, for all those on Breech baby watch 2012, we will have an update tomorrow at 3 pm)

2) family. in the true spirit of the holiday season i get to see a whole bunch of family this week.  the sis and law made an appearance at our house Sunday, and the whole Gianelli brood will be coming through on Thursday.  We hope to see the rest of my crew on Friday for a big ol turkey filled feast!!

3) and speaking family coming into town, i'm thankful we have been blessed enough to be able to own the house that we have so that they can come to! we have spent the last 11 months remodeling, renovating, decorating, and creating the house of our dreams! we love every single room now (some more than others!), and i'm thankful that we live there (i would be more thankful if we could sell our house in florence...)

4) friends.  we seriously have the best friends on the planet.  as if i didn't already know that, i was reminded several times in the last month as they hosted baby showers for us and the bambino!

so there you have it! call me emotional (i blame the hormones!), but we are some lucky people! i can't wait to share the love with this stubborn baby girl! and just because i know you want some pictures...here is a sneak peek from the maternity shoot.  there will be more, believe me...

Thursday, November 15, 2012

34 weeks...my return

ok, i should get this out of the way before i post my weekly update.  clearly, i have been ABSENT lately.  i think i just kind of reached the point in this pregnancy where i am just a little "over it". we have been extremely busy with the basement remodel for the last several months, and while it may be no excuse, i'm just burnt out.  the nursery isn't done (although i vowed it would be weeks ago), i still have no clue whether i possess the "right" stuff for this child, the house is a wreck, none of my clothes fit, i can't ever get comfortable, and i'm just generally a bit cranky these days.  i know i should be thankful that i have had a rather uneventful pregnancy and as far as we know, i am harboring a healthy baby girl; but sometimes it is hard not to be a bit whiny and "woe is me"...so i'm going to try to do better. TRY is the key word here people...here is an update (without pictures, i'll work on that).

How far along? 34 weeks
 
Total weight gain: 25 lbs! which forced me to move the bottom thing on the scale...it was traumatizing...still not over that
  
Maternity clothes? even those don't fit...i find every excuse possilbe to wear sweatpants and chuck's t shirts.  i may start wearing that to work...what is the worst that could happen?

Stretch marks? not yet, not sure how

Sleep: this is definitely not improving, but i'm still sleeping
 
Best moment this week:  umm...the carmel pie I ate last night...or the 3 donuts i ate yesterday...my life is pathetic 
Wedding rings on or off? On! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy this week

Miss Anything? being comfortable, we take that for granted

Movement: everyday! 
Food cravings:  sweets, all the time.
 
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope

Gender: little precious GIRL

Labor Signs: Nope. 

Symptoms: indigestion! (i live on tums) and a big ol belly, and hip pain

Belly Button in or out? OUT!!   

Looking forward to: a normal sized uterus.  and thanksgiving dinner
 
Other: maternity pictures are tomorrow.  the nursery is still not complete (we swear that will happen today...i hope so).  i'm just hoping i don't look like a beached whale in EVERY picture.  maybe they will surprise me, doubtful.  i promise i'll post pictures soon, my size is shocking.  i need to update about our chattanooga shower too...it was AWESOME.

Friday, November 2, 2012

32 weeks

Yes, i know i haven't blogged in 2 weeks! I'm lazy, I'm fat, and now I've been sick for the last 3 days.  And no, there isn't going to be pictures at the end of this, because we haven't taken any...maybe tonight...
 
How far along? 32 weeks, 1 day
Total weight gain: no clue, because I don't think I have been to the gym since the last time I posted...over 20 I'm guessing
 
Maternity clothes? YES, and even those are starting to get tight.  it is too cold here to live in dresses which is hindering my wardrobe...(note to self for next baby, if there is a next baby, plan 8/9 months for fall or spring)

Stretch marks? not yet, not sure how

Sleep: sleeping is getting worse, i have to wake up and pee at least once a night now, which somehow i had avoided up until this point.
 
Best moment this week:  there aren't too many to speak of..I've been sick, and it's been cold. she has been super active which is always nice.
 
Wedding rings on or off? On! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy this week

Miss Anything? food in general, i haven't been able to eat anything in 3 days

Movement: everyday! 
Food cravings:  sweets, all the time. would still kill for a cold turkey sandwich, on white bread, with mayo
 
Anything making you queasy or sick: uhhh everything...

Gender: little precious GIRL

Labor Signs: Nope. 

Symptoms: indigestion! (i live on tums) and a big ol belly.

Belly Button in or out? OUT!!   

Looking forward to: finishing the nursery...like really done. and our shower in Chattanooga this weekend.
 
Other: my goal for the nursery to be complete was 32 weeks..WOMP, WOMP!! we are close, but there is still stuff left to do.  my new goal is 34 weeks (before maternity photos).

Monday, October 22, 2012

the best kind of shower...

the kind of shower that involves cake and presents!!! saturday my amazing friends teamed up and threw me a kickass baby shower! they seriously went all out and i have been kicking myself for 2 days for not bringing my camera to prove it.  thankfully mom did get some pictures on her iphone so i can prove that this shower did happen and that it did indeed kick ass...but i wish i had more pictures! i even got a diaper cake for goodness' sake...who doesn't love a diaper cake!! (too bad i would rather stare at it than use it's contents...i'm not sure how long chuck is going to let it serve as our dining room table centerpiece...)


the party started with food...lots of food.  there were at least 10 different appetizer options, cake, cookies, oreo balls, and tons of candy to graze upon.  i must admit, i probably ate more dessert than i did regular food...no regrets here! check out this cake Mary had made for the event...her baker even mimicked the fabrics i am using in the nursery on the frosting...(ignore the fact the Spearman may or MAY NOT have the R in it...)

after food, all the guests took turns painting customized onesies for Charlee.  they turned out really good, and the event did not fail to entertain! next we played a quick game of "who knows mommy best"...it shouldn't surprise anyone that my own mommy took home the grand prize....i think i woud be a little hurt if she hadn't.

next up was gifts! we got so much stuff! thankfully many of these girls know WAY more about parenting than i do and hooked me up with all kinds of goodies! charlee got toys, books, clothes, and all kinds of other stuff.  i was so excited Sunday, i washed all her clothes and assembled her swing (our house will never be the same).


i can't thank everyone enough for throwing me such an fantastic shower! my friends never cease to amaze me with their awesomeness! all we need now is a BABY!

75% complete...

 
How far along? 30 weeks, 4 days (30 out of 40...hence the title...)

Total weight gain: 20 something pounds... 
Maternity clothes? YES.  

Stretch marks? not yet, not sure how

Sleep: sleeping pretty good
 
Best moment this week:  my baby shower hosted by some amazing friends
Wedding rings on or off? On! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy this week

Miss Anything? turkey sandwich (jimmy johns in particular)...STILL

Movement: everyday! 

Food cravings:  sweets, i had a random pimento cheese craving that i fulfilled at lunch today

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope

Gender: little precious GIRL

Labor Signs: Nope. 

Symptoms: indigestion! (i live on tums) and a big ol belly.

Belly Button in or out? OUT!!   

Looking forward to: finishing the nursery...like really done.  we washed all the clothes yesterday, now i just have bibs, blankets, towels, etc left to wash.
Other: we had our first shower on saturday, i am reserving a whole post just for that...it was AWESOME! i got to see lots of friends, ate lots of yummy food and cake, and everyone showed so much generosity to our little angel  baby!

since i am a slacker and haven't posted 3d pictures yet, here is a teaser.  I must note that due to an unfortunately located placenta, we really didn't get that great of pictures.  we are actually going to try again this friday at our appointment, so if we see better results I will post more.  regardless, she is still the cutest thing in the entire world and no one can tell me otherwise....

and yes, i do have a CD full of the actual images, but this is a picture of a picture taken by my phone...sorry!