Preggo Pictures

A couple weeks ago, we took our maternity pictures. Jason loved it! (I say this VERY sarcastically). It was fun! Cayla Rynerson took them, and she did a fabolous job. Thanks again Cayla. There is also a new post below, that some of you may not have read yet, it's pretty new, but I wanted to get these up. She took tons of picures, but here are some of my favorites...there are a lot of them! Five more weeks. I can't belive it. I will post pictures of her room very soon. Jason is doing a wonderful job on it! I am feeling pretty good these days, just starting to get uncomfortable by mid day...but well worth it! I am also just starting to swell, but not too bad if I drink plenty of water! So many thoughts are going through my head, and I can barely sleep. So many things to do and buy still...ahhh!!! But, I can't wait until she gets here, and I can just enjoy her and our new family!

It's a tear jerker

My friend e-mailed me this, and I fell in love with it. It made me cry...multiple times...although many things do that to me now! I can't wait to feel all of these things...only five weeks left! We took our maternity pictures, and I will try to post those by this weekend! It's long, but take a quiet minute and read through it...you'll be glad you did.

Being a MOM...

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of starting a family. 'We're taking a survey', she says half-joking. 'Do you think I should have a baby?' 'It will change your life' I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. 'I know,' she says, 'no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations.' But that is not what I meant at all.

I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, 'What if that had been MY child?' That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is,becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of 'Mom!' will cause her to drop her best crystal without a moments hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood.She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there,in the midst of the scattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child.

I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts. My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. 'You'll never regret it,' I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

Updates and 3D Ultrasound (It's a long one)

I hope everyone's Christmas was good! We had a fabolous holiday. I had to work on Christmas day...unfortunatley the babies do not get better for Christmas, so into work I go. It wasn't too bad though. My family did Christmas on Christmas eve and it was a good time. My wonderful in-laws came to my mom's house and we all ate and exchanged gifts. My mom and dad got Jason and I a video camera so we can videotape all the action that will be our little Carlyn. Jason's mom and dad got us a rocker recliner, chocolate brown microfiber suede, so that we will be able to rock our little girl to sleep. (I may be sleeping in it this in a month or so, when I can't breathe at all when I lay down). I am very thankful to both our parents for these gifts! We love them, and needed both! Jason and I are already looking forward to the day we will be able to spend the holidays with our little one! I came home Christmas night, and Jason and I sat on the couch, and there was a comfortable silence. I then realized, in a good way, that in a few months, our house will NEVER be that quiet again. It is an overwhelming feeling! One that I wouldn't trade for anything!

I am now 30 weeks. Only 10 more to go, and I know this next 10 weeks will go by very fast! In my doctor's appointment this week, she said I am measuring perfectly for 30 weeks! We ordered her crib and dresser, and are starting to paint her room. The closer I get, the more excited and nervous I get. I can't wait to see what she looks like and am nervous for all of the unknowns. I am also starting to read (by the dog whisperer) how to introduce the dog to the newest member of our family. I am thinking Rosco will be very attentive to her, but also jealous! I am feeling really good these days, and love feeling her move all the time. She is a very active girl! She has recently discovered my side, and loves to shove her feet in it. It is not the most comfortable, but I gently push her feet back in, and she cooperates well! It is amazing to feel her little feet, you can actually feel them! It's crazy. Warning, there is a belly shot below, and it is not small!

We got a 3D ultrasound last Friday. It is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. It's just a miracle to see this little girl moving around, yawning, smiling, sticking out her tongue, and sucking her fingers while she's still inside me. Technology has come a long way. The pictures are clear and you can see everything. She still looks like Jason, most people have been saying. Let me know what you think. I put a picture of me and Jason up when we were 5, so you can compare. I couldn't find any pictures of us as babies at the moment. Little miss Carlyn already has hair too. You could see it on the ultrasound, and there is quite a bit of it too, and she has 10 weeks to grow more!

The Grayson Wedding!

On November 1st, two of my good friends got married!!! It was a beautiful wedding, and I wish them the best! Here are a few pics from the wedding. I was 23 weeks preggo, and must say being in a bridesmaid dress that pregnant is not much fun...but I was so glad to be able to do it for these guys! I am much bigger now also...she keeps growing and growing (a good thing) and so do I!

Picture Challenge

I was challenged by a couple people to do this! So, here we go. I had to go to the fourth album on my computer, pick the fourth picture, and write four interesting things about it!1. This picture was taken on Jason's 26th birthday!

2. Jason was trying to give me a kiss, a big wet sloppy one, and I was trying to stop him, all while someone happen to have my camera!

3. Jason can never take a normal picture...never!

4. This picture is why I love this man...he can always make me laugh!

So, now I have to challenge four people to do the same thing! It's fun to see what picture everyone comes up with! So, here we go.

I challenge Farrah, Jessica, Carlie, and Liam and Lucy!

Family Pictures

A few weeks ago, my family got together to take our annual family photos! Of course, like always, Jason and my dad hated every second of it! But, thanks to Nick Narducci (http://www.nicholasmatthewphoto.com/newblog/), they turned out great! We took them at Tempe Town Lake, and when we first got there, we realized it was the same weekend as a big triathlon. Lucky for us, Nick found some great spots to take pictures. I know I posted a lot of them, but I liked so many, I couldn't decide which ones to show! Thanks again Nick, and thanks Becca for the referral!

It's Official

So, it's official...her name will be Carlyn Faye Newman! I am so excited to get to call her by name now. We went to the doctor a couple of days ago, and she said everything looks great. I am measuring perfect for 24 weeks, and the heartbeat is nice and strong. Carlyn is growing and growing, and we are getting more and more excited...and stressed!

We are starting to work on her nursery. Jason and I picked the bedding out together, although he was extremely picky and said that this was the ONLY one he liked. We are thinking about painting the room a tan color on three walls, and pink on the other. Then, Jason's idea again, painting dark brown paw prints on the wall! I think it will be very cute! We are going to get the bedding, the lamp, and the hamper, we are debating on the mobile. What do all you mom's out there think?!

I am feeling great these days with the exceptions of a few uncomfortable pregnancy pains. But, I can't complain too much. After working today, with an extremely sick infant who was born at 25 weeks, as old as Carlyn is now, it brings into perspective that the uncomfortable pains I am feeling are nothing. I can't imagine how it feels to see your one and a half pound baby lying there sick and in pain. It is unbearable to even think about, and my thoughts and prayers are with that family.

We are also starting to look at all of the different items we will soon need (sooner than we think)! I have been looking at strollers and travel systems. I have heard that the Chicco travel system and the Gracco systems are good too. I'm not sure where we are going to get our furniture at yet, but I've been looking around. I think I want the convertabile crib, so she will be able to use it for a while. I think I want the swing that swings both ways. It is a bit overwhelming shopping. There are so many different brands and items out there, I don't know which ones are better!!! Ahhh! So, moms out there, give me your advice. Which items do you love and would you not buy if you could go back?!