Updates for Week 21

Last week, I was so excited about announcing we were having a girl that I forgot to do any updates so here are my changes and exciting moments:

*I've only gained 5 pounds thus far which amazes me since my tummy is protruding quite a bit!

*I finally saw my belly move. I kept feeling these big kicks while watching TV so I decided to see if I could see the movement. When I'd focus on the belly, she'd get shy and quit! (Wait, whose kid is she?!? No one in this house is shy.) But, I did a sneak attack and watched out of the corner of my eye while she THOUGHT I was focused on the TV and I caught her in action!

*Grams & Pops are coming to town. My parents fly in on Friday and I couldn't be more thrilled. They've never got to actually see me with a bump and pictures just aren't the same. I'm sure there will be lots of belly rubs and I'm pretty excited about that.

*This is the first week I've not been able to lay flat on my back because I feel unable to breathe. It's an odd feeling but my body pillow is now getting nightly attention.

Not a great photo this week but Luke & I have been making weekly trips to Babies R Us and this week we looked into picking out a glider. Nothing jumped out at us but we did buy the cute little purple bear for Miss Chloe's room.

Well, that's my info for the week. Thanks for catching up with us!

And the gender is.....

*Pink *Girly *Frilly *Sugar & Spice *Female *Purple *Daddy's girl *The new love of our lives

 ~Chloe Jane Gustafson~ 

My heart was racing. The ultrasound started and I could see the heart pumping. Our nurse practitioner and family friend stood on my right with the ultrasound machine. Baby Daddy on the left holding his breath. As she slid the little wand over my jellied belly, she asked, 

"What are you going to name her?"

Her. I caught it. This baby inside me is a GIRL! I look over at Luke who is carrying on a conversation about her name and what we plan to name the baby if it's a boy. Carole and I exchange a glance and she asks again, this time with a little more emphasis, "What are you going to name HER?"

And then, the look. Shock. Awe. Sheer joy from Luke. He has always wanted a girl first. Now, all 3 of us had tears in our eyes. A baby girl. Our firstborn. 

We practically skipped out of the office.... and then went shopping for her. We looked at cribs, gliders, books, clothes, stuffed animals, and toys.

 

Yes, he picked it out  :)

So, now you know!

Blessings come through raindrops...

This has been a tougher week. Disappointments. Frustration. Mood swings. Missing my family that seems a little farther away than usual. Angry customers at work. Just a lot of life has happened. This song has popped up a lot on the radio and I wanted to share:

Powerful.

However, in some ways, this week has been better than most. Let me share my blessing that came through raindrops, my mercies the came in disguise:

**It's been a big hangout with all my friends. The Spycher's hosted a peach party for our Bible study group on Friday. Baby shower on Saturday for Danielle as we celebrated her soon-arriving baby boy. Dinner and dessert with Mama & Papa Carr yesterday with some good parenting advice mixed into the evening. Mommy date with Ariana at lunch today. I'm feeling surrounded by  great friends which makes the lonely days better.

**This baby is KICKING!!!! I've been told that most moms feel the kicks internally first and not this soon but there is no denying that my hand is feeling the movement. This morning, Baby Daddy even got to feel it. I wish I could have captured the look as I watched his eyes light up when he felt the kick. Priceless!

**Luke had shoulder surgery almost a year ago now and today, we got a refund check for over $241 that the insurance covered... Nursery decor, here I come!!

**I am at week 19 and carrying a healthy baby and I've got a super-hubby at home that's cooking, cleaning, and even fetching refills of water at bedtime. 

There is no denying it, I'm one blessed mama. 

-Crystal-

Name Calling & Nubby Toes

This week I've earned a nickname : Rolie Polie. Luke watched a YouTube video about a woman that was pregnant with triplets and she couldn't get into bed by herself. Ever since then, he calls me "Rolie Polie". Although I'm still able to get into bed by myself, he thought it was cute. I must admit, I don't mind the new nickname... Here's my Week 18 picture:

As far as nubby toes go, Luke had part of his right foot toenail cut off. Apparently the pediatrist says that his toenail grows too big for the "toenail bed" and needed trimmed on each side to prevent infection. So, we went and got that cut out too. Unfortunately, this now gives him a "free pass" for videogames for the next few days...

Changes this week:

*Lower back pain from sitting at work... not sure if it's the chair or the baby or too much sitting but something isn't getting along too well.

*Less eating

*Luke has begun talking to the baby about me -- for example, "Mommy is in a mood"... uhhhh, that must stop soon!

*When I refer to the baby as a "he" or "him" in a sentence, Luke will say "OR HER!" It's cute  :)

That's all for this week!! We love to read your comments but please make sure to sign your name. If you haven't figured out how (which I was guilty of for quite a while), choose Anonymous, make your comment and sign your name at the end of your entry.

Thanks for reading.

-Crystal-

Week 17

A good friend and I went shopping this week and I stocked up on maternity clothes that are able to be worn to work. I have so many cute dresses now, I didn't know which one to post my picture in this week!!  As I'm watching my belly grow daily, it doesn't seem like leaps and bounds but those that only see me weekly are saying it been a big growth week. You can decide....

Nothing much else to report from this week-

-Mama C-