Thursday, October 30, 2008

Presents!


My family is way too cute - especially my dad and my brother. They are so excited that we are having a little boy they have both been shopping for him. My brother has been online finding awesome onesies that only an uncle could pick out. They have hot rods and motorcycles on them - which I love (and my mom thinks are awful!). He also found the coolest baby blanket for our little guy. It has black faux fur (the photo shows leopard print) on one side and vintage tattoo print fabric on the other. It goes perfect with the tattoo art mural in the baby's room! I guess you can say that we aren't too big on the traditional decorating! Our little boy is going to dress like a little rock star and have a room to match.



And yesterday my BOB stroller showed up - compliments of my daddy!!!! The funny part is that my dad's name is Bob - so Bob bought the BOB! Too funny! I am so excited though - it is such an awesome stroller! I'm one of those people who LOVE getting presents almost as much as I love giving them to people so this whole process is pretty fun!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Name Wars

Okay... the word "wars" might be a little strong. Andy and I do not agree on our number one choices for a name. I have tried really hard to be open-minded and to give his number one a shot but I just can't do it. I really dislike it. He likes mine - just not as much as he likes his own! I never thought it would be this difficult to come to an agreement.

Before we found out that we were having a boy I only had girl names that I liked. There wasn't one boy name that got me excited. Now I have a boy name that gets me excited but I am having trouble getting the husband on my team! Ugh!!!

In case anyone would like to cast their vote - the names are Marek (pronounced like Eric with an "M") or Porter. I won't even try to sway you by telling you which one is my favorite. Just let me know what you think!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

It's A Boy!!!


Yep - he is definitely a little boy - no mistaking it! I have to admit that I was shocked - I really thought I was having a girl - but I am so excited to be having a son! The ultrasound was amazing. He was moving around and sucking. We could see all 4 chambers of his little heart beating and he looks great. He is weighing in at 14 oz. right now! The tech said his measurements put him right on track with my doctors due date of March 1st.

Andy thinks I am being mean by saying this - but does anyone else notice a resemblance to Homer Simpson in this child's mouth area?! Seriously! I'm sure that he won't be born looking like Homer but this ultrasound photo is making me just a little nervous!

We spent the whole day (and night) on the phone with friends and family. Everyone is thrilled. Now we get to start the battle over names and circumcision - YIKES!!!

Monday, October 13, 2008

BIG week!

This is going to be such a great week for us! Today I am exactly 20 weeks pregnant which means I am halfway through my pregnancy! Wow. I can't believe that we are halfway to meeting our little monkey!

Wednesday is going to be a SUPER exciting day. The Petunia Pickle Bottom outlet sale starts on Wednesday :). I have a serious love of all bags. Andy has been making me wait until I was pregnant before he would let me buy a diaper bag. Now that I am pregnant I have been waiting for the outlet sale before getting one. Wednesday is the day. And even more exciting is that on Wednesday we have our ultrasound!!! With a little luck we will find out if we are having a boy or a girl! I could literally burst from the excitement!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Car Seat Cushions...




Check out this great little find! I thought I had seen it all - but this is brand new to me. You wrap it around the handle of the car seat so your arm doesn't hurt when you carry it. At www.lilypod.com!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The BIG ultrasound and our little monkey

My BIG ultrasound was just scheduled for next Wednesday! I can't wait to find out if we are having a boy or a girl! I found the cutest onesie the other day too! We have been calling the baby "monkey" for a while now and we love Paul Frank clothing for babies. I think I might have to buy this even if it is a girl! Fauxhawks ROCK!!!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Do Unto Others...

I'm always amazed at how life's journey brings new friends my way. I started reading as many "adoption blogs" as I could find when Andy and I were told we might not be able to have a biological child. Now that I am pregnant I have met some great ladies who are also expecting through this crazy world of blogging. Some of the people who write those blogs have become amazing influences and inspirations for me over the past year. I would like to introduce you all to one in particular - her name is Steffany.

Steffany and her husband recently adopted twins from Ethiopia. Her journey to bring her children home and get them healthy is an amazing story that I think everyone could benefit from reading - but it is not the real reason I want you to know about her. While she was in Ethiopia she met a woman named Gadese. Gadese is an ex-Olympic athlete who was hit by a car and can no longer run. She and her husband lost their first baby when she was 8 months pregnant and developed pre-eclampsia. They are now expecting their 2nd baby and they were terrified about losing it as well. Steffany and her family (with the help of another family) decided to bring Gadese back to the United States for the remainder of her pregnancy to make sure that she had good healthcare and to give her baby the best start possible. Talk about an amazing family!

Here is a little something that Steffany has to say about Gadese: "She is such a strong and courageous woman. I am learning so much from her. Imagine flying across the world with someone you don't know, who doesn't speak your language. Leaving your family, country, the man you love for a chance to give life to your unborn baby. Imagine the strength of her husband to ask a stranger in a different country that speaks a different language to take your wife home for the chance to give life to your unborn baby. Now imagine being the one blessed enough to call this couple your family."

I can't image losing a baby - especially at 8 months. I can't imagine the things that Gadese and her family struggle with on a day to day basis. I am so lucky to have the life that I do. Gadese is due to give birth soon and she will be returning to Ethiopia with her baby so that her family can be reunited. She and her husband not only take care of her sisters but they also have two "adopted" children they took in whose parents died of AIDS. They don't have much and they struggle to survive. With Steffany's permission - I have decided to collect whatever useful items I can for Gadese to take back to Ethiopia with her. If you have any clothing or baby items that you are no longer using and would like to send them to me to include in the care package please let me know. Steffany has said that anything and everything can help.

If you would like read about Gadese and Steffany (and see pictures of their beautiful families) you can go to http://toliveloveandlaughtoday.blogspot.com/.

If you would like to email me for information on where you can mail items - I'm at kamisparks@yahoo.com