80 days!

Just had to point out that this little man could be here in 80 days give or take a few!!!

just sayin' we are a little excited over here in the H house!

cloth diapering 101 my way!

I have spent the past few months researching and when the black friday sales started so did our shopping.  Here is our plan for our cloth diapering adventure.

Newborn:  

All the experts (aka mom's) recommend having 24 diapers for newborns, I have ordered 18 fitted Kissaluvs, so first we will put this little fleece diaper on our little boy.  I ordered natural, but they were out of stock so instead we got these pretty colored ones! 

Since, I ordered the Kissaluvs as a package deal I got three of these old school (like our mom's used) covers.  They are the Bummis Whisper pant which will be a great back up for when the other covers are dirty.

 The covers that we are going to use are:

This morning I got a phone call that I won one of the Black Friday giveaways and would you believe it was something that I was planing on purchasing later anyway!  An $18 value, 12 prefold diapers that can be used on babies 7-17 lbs.  These work great in a pinch when the kissaluvs fitted diapers are in the wash and as burb cloths too! 

The next step will be moving to the Nicki's Best Bottom Diaper System:

So far we have these colors: vanilla, double chocolate, mint chocolate chip, key lime pie and cow print (thanks Amber!).  These are super easy, snap in the insert and put on the baby!

 Click here to go directly to their website and learn more!

We are also going to use cloth wipes because it is just as easy to throw those in the wash too!

Updates and Belly Pic

Here I am at 27 weeks and 4 days!!

Today was an eventful day for Owen and me.  Yesterday, I completely slept through/forgot about our doctor appointment so it was rescheduled for today.  Today's appointment was the gestational diabetes test and an OB checkup.  I selected the orange drink and it wasn't bad.  They gave me a timer and put me in a room to wait for my doctor.  About 30 minutes later I began to feel really sickly.  I started feeling hot and began to pull my hair off my neck and fan myself.  Then I felt like I might puke so I yanked off my nice shirt and in the process felt like I was going to pass out.  I was scared to stand up to try and find someone, so I just laid back and then the hot sweats broke out.  Finally, I was able to cool down and feel more normal.  I think I should have had Chris with me and he WILL be next time!  I can't handle that again alone!  The good news is that we PASSED, no 3 hour glucose test for me!  Whew!

After leaving the dr's office I wasn't feeling 100% so I grabbed some lunch and did a little Christmas shopping before heading back home.  I thought I might fall asleep driving, but I made it home and I am looking forward to bedtime in an hour!!  

lil spark: 27 weeks

How far along: 27 weeks 3rd Trimester
Total weight gain/loss: boring question....who cares!~
Maternity clothes: yes, we are in the 3rd trimester and I think I am begining to look very pregnant
Stretch marks: that stretch mark I thought I found...couldn't find it today :)
Sleep:  about the same, still tossing and turning but sleeping as great as possible in Gin Gin's guest bed!  Thanks girl for letting me stay for almost a week!!
Best moments this week:  all the movement and I think I felt the first hicups!  I didn't know that is waht I was feeling and then I read the weekly update and I KNOW now that is what was going on. 
Belly button in or out?: 1/3 in, 1/3 flat, 1/3 out!! it is so WEIRD looking
Craving: Still cookies and milk....just call me Santa.
What I am looking forward to: ready to get back home and relax, it is really amazing how different being pregnant is and it really does take out a lot on your body, the things I used to do are more difficult and just different.

No belly pic till I get home to my camera....sorry ladies!

Thank you baby center dot com:
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Baby Shower!

I can't say enough thanks to all that came to the shower to help celebrate Owen.  I had a wonderful time visiting a little with each of my friends and family and can't believe all the amazing gifts that we received!  Here are a few pictures of our day together!  There were a few women that seemed to have escaped the picture taking, but all in all I think everyone had a great time!

Sister Robyn, Cousin Weslee and Cousin Julie (my original baby!)

Me and my Aunt Jamie

Me and Owen's Great-Grandmom,  she is so proud to FINALLY be a GREAT!!!  Don't you know ALL her friends are!!

me and the ducky tub!

the mom-to-be chair

the original sisters!  Jamie, Justine and Jeanine (my mom)

the food, one word: YUMMY!

Christie my BFF and my momma and soon to be Neanna

My cousin Weslee and sister Robyn (they were inseparable as kids!)

My junior league girlfriends, Emiley and Megan and Chris' Mom Judy/Owen's Grandmommy!

Bunnykins from Sara!!!  This is a line of children's china that we used when we were little.  Owen got his own set, hand selected with an antique car on it b/c of all of the antique cars that Grandaddy Holmes owns, and Chris' passion for antique cars!! How thoughtful!

My ChiO girls!  Elysha (my big sis) and Mason!!!

What is a cool kid without some cool clothes!

Bathtime fun!  Marcia, KD and Lexi did a bathtime themed gift in this bathtub!

Beautiful Its a Boy flowers!!!

Some of my "after" college girlfriends:  Erin and Kim

lil spark: 26 weeks

How far along: 26 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: boring question....who cares!~
Maternity clothes: yes, though I can't decide if I am hot or cold in this weather
Stretch marks: .........truthfully.....yes...... :(  small ones on my right hip/side near my old ones
Sleep:  about the same, still tossing and turning
Best moments this week:  The receiving our first shower gift came in the mail from Jena!!!  So much fun opening that box and seeing the little boy stuff and the baby shower!!!  
Belly button in or out?: 1/3 in, 1/3 flat, 1/3 out!! it is so WEIRD looking
Craving: .  Carmel Apples from the Xmas show!
What I am looking forward to: organizing and putting away all the wonderful gifts from the baby shower!

This is me at the baby shower!!

Baby shower pictures coming soon!

Baby.center dot com:

  "The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take two to three days." 

Chris got a kick out of this!! 

lil spark: 25 weeks

Wow, time is flying and now that I seemingly have more time on my hands I am busier than ever.  This could have to do with my never ending running lists in my head.  I seem to come up with more "to do's" everyday!

How far along: 25 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: really, did my Dr really tell me not to eat those cookies?  I can't remember......crunch crunch, ops is that some cookie crumbs in my keyboard?
Maternity clothes: yes, though I can't decide if I am hot or cold in this weather.
Stretch marks: nope, though Karen (SIL) gave me a little lecture on using the lotion twice a day, if I use it once a day I am lucky!  I may regret this later!
Sleep:  about the same, still tossing and turning, did get a new pillow for my legs and now I am thinking I need a new one for my head. 
Best moments this week: working the Greensboro Christmas show and all the little Owen things that we made for displays!!  (there might be a lot of other Owen's out there...but don't tell me about it!). 
Belly button in or out?: 1/3 in, 1/3 flat, 1/3 out!! it is so WEIRD looking
Craving: still just cold milk and cookies...brownies are always good too. 
What I am looking forward to:  The upcoming baby shower on the 13th!!

Bare belly shots are over...belly's out there enough!  Look how tired I am!

Nursery Progress: Part 5

The changing table is here!  Thanks Kristy!!  A major fun project is planned for the wall space above the changing table!  Stay tuned!

I've had this since high school and it always seems to come in handy.  The Black Rock-n-Roll Piggy Bank is from Aunt Kristy.  The teal piggy bank is from the other Aunt Christie (my BFF who is a bank manager).   The picture frame is of me, my mom, my grandmother and great-grandmother.  I hope I get to get a similar picture once Owen is here!  The lamp was from my office desk and works perfect in the room.  The baskets are already filled with soft books, and baby toys all hand-me-downs (of course they have been through the washing machine or dishwasher and are clean ready for fresh baby drool!).

Here is Chris' childhood dresser and the letters we need to hang on the wall.  I was thinking of painting them, but I am kinda thinking the white is so fresh and bright.

Think this boy has enough clothes?  These are all hand-me-down clothes that are washed, sized and ready to wear!

This side may not seem organized but it is.  There is a container of blankets, one with Chris' old onsies, and more clothes that need to be sized and hung up.  Oh and check out the breast pump in the corner with bottles and accessories!! Yippee!!  (is it weird that I am excited about a breast pump?)  I guess I am more excited about having other items checked of my list!!!

You have to see these cute pieces!  My great aunts on my dad's side of our family hand made this little vest.  Years ago I rescued it from the trash pile and have been waiting for a little boy to put in it.  Next is Chris' sweatshirt from his first day of 1st Grade. I mean he was already rocking some awesome clothes (remember this was 1986ish); don't worry there is a matching pair of pants!  Lastly, is a hand made overalls from Grandmommy Holmes, Chris wore these when he was little too!

  Check out the valance!  It is up! Thanks to Daddy Chris!

Bedding is complete except for the bumper and sheet that are on our registry.

Nursery To Do List:

• organize changing table and station
• put away baby clothes (this is a never ending project!)
• put liner in drawers of the chest of drawers (awkward sentence!)
• sew seat cover for rocking chair (pick up rocking chair from mama holmes after Christmas!)
• need little table for under window for next to rocking chair (might be painting one that is in the basement)
• artwork for the walls
• hang the "OWEN" letters on the wall

Seems like a lot left to be done and I feel like I have done a TON already!


So excited that this little boy is on his way to my arms!!!!!!!!

lil spark: 24 weeks

How far along: 24 weeks V-day~viability!!!  Wow I really can't believe we are here!
Total weight gain/loss: doing a little better with the calories
Maternity clothes: yes, though I can't decide if I am hot or cold in this weather.
Stretch marks: nope
Sleep:  about the same, still tossing and turning, thinking it is time to upgrade my pillow.
Best moment this week: organizing all his little things and getting ready for when he gets here!
Belly button in or out?: half in~half flat
Craving: still just cold milk and cookies
What I am looking forward to:  The upcoming baby shower on the 13th!!

Beware bare belly bump and no makeup!!  We had to take a quick picture before bed!  

According to the bump, baby Owen is the size of an egg plant!

Thanks Baby.center dot com:
Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.