36 wks

We made it!  Here we are at 36 wks and still cooking.  This week we had what is probably our last ultrasound on Tuesday, April 16th.  Everything went well.  Fluid levels and bloodflow are all looking good.  Baby B was as feisty as ever and still refused photographs.  She's a little camera shy and Mama will have to work on that with her after she is born. We also learned that she is estimated as just a little nugget at exactly 6lbs right now.  She is running in the 44th percentile on her measurements - although in reviewing the ultrasound video we discovered that her head is running bigger than the rest of her body and closer to the 87th percentile.  Mama says, "of course!"  If she continues in the 44th percentile the doctor said that would make her 7lb 12oz on her due date.  We shall see...

The bets have started rolling in for when she'll be born.  With my Mama brain it's hard for me to keep track so I've created this for us:



Each guess you enter allows you to pick your day, time, and guess baby's weight.  Have fun with it or if you are a betting person, we will be collecting $5 per each guess.  Drop one of us an email after you make your guess and let us know if you want to put money on it.  The winner or paid participant who is closest to winning will take the cash.  If you don't put money down you still can have the glory of winning but won't get the mula.  We plan to lock the pool on May 8th so get your bets in early!  Enjoy!

In lieu of an adequate profile shot from the ultrasound here's our 36wk belly pic:

 

Baby B's Nursery

It has been quite the project transforming the office (or as David prefers, manroom) into a fully equipped nursery for Baby B. Once the furniture was moved and consolidated into the “blue”/multipurpose room we got started painting. First, we primed the dark brown wall and then painted the two tone (tan on top, white on bottom) effect. Project Manager, Grandpa Braun was kind enough to help us measure, cut and install wainscotting in the room. After a final coat of paint the place was really starting to come together! Now on to decorating…

We wanted a nursery that would be versatile and not gender-specific. The skip hop treetop friends bedding was perfect, cute, colorful and not super girly. We tried to build off of the colors in the bedding and add some personal touches. Auntie Laura, Uncle Brad and Cousin Max purchased the banners for our baby shower and they made a great addition to the long wall of the nursery. The red dress hanging on the wall was Gina’s when she was a baby. Grandma and Grandpa Braun gave us the uber comfy glider and ottoman and the special little orange stuff animal on one of the wall shelves. B’s closet is well stocked and includes plenty of cute outfits from Cousin Annika, Auntie Heather and Uncle Keith. The final perfect addition to our colorful decor was the handmade in Brooklyn rattle we received in a package full of goodies from the Oko’s. I think we’re set! Now we just need to meet little B!

The Process

 

Before

After

 Before and After

Belly Pics!

Belly pics: 22wks, 25, 29, 32 and 34

 

Baby Shower

We have such great luck with weather in March! It was a gorgeous sunny Saturday on March 9th when my sister hosted a fabulous baby shower for little B. All of the most special ladies in our lives came out to celebrate. The food was delicious, the company was fantastic and we were more than spoiled by the plentiful gifts. It was such a wonderful time and we truly cherish all of our thoughtful and generous friends and family.

 

Announcement Video

In early November we used this video to announce our big news to our immediate families. The video was posted to Facebook for our friends and extended family to view on 11/12/12.

 

It's a Girl!

We opted to have CVS performed at about 12 weeks and were thrilled to find out that our little bee was chromosomally healthy. We also learned that it’s a girl! Again I learned the big news while David was at work so I put together the lamb to give to him when he got home. The blue bag was to throw him off.

Our 20wk ultrasound just after Christmas confirmed that she was still a girl and physically matched what her chromosomes had told us earlier.  

 

Pregnant!

I remember the day well…September 5, 2012. We decided a few months prior that we were ready, or as ready as you can be, to start a family. It was a Wednesay and I had tested the few days prior with negative/no baby results. I thought maybe I would go ahead and test again…a few minutes later my life changed. Is that a second line!? It looks like a second line! Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. So what does one do? Take a second, third, or fourth test…and sure enough we’re pregnant! David wasn’t home yet so I ran to the store to come up with some type of creative way to tell him. I bought a photo frame that said “I love daddy” and put this picture inside. He unwrapped it, asked me twice if I was serious and then we celebrated.