23 Weeks

I've officially been called out for not updating my blog in a timely manner. I apologize for the delay. To be honest, I think of it when I'm sitting on my couch at like 9p, and don't want to get up and do it. Then, I forget the next day and so on...

Here is the 23 week picture. Someone asked me last week if I had gone back and looked at all my pictures from the beginning of my blog to present. Well, now I have, and HOLY COW! I know I'm getting bigger, but it's interesting (and a little shocking) to see it happen in pictures.

I don't have a ton of updates this week, as a lot of things are still in progress. Jason is plugging along on getting that new shop built. Bless his heart. First it was 115 degrees outside and now it wants to rain.

I purchased two...well sort of three more letters for the alphabet wall this week. I now have D, E, U, W, K, J and the & symbol (to go with Z).

Carla and our moms are planning the first baby shower, so that's super exciting. Much of it will be a surprise, and I can't wait! I'll be sure to post lost of pictures and a recap after (that won't be until November). The KKLJ (Katie, Katy, Laura, Jill) crew are also planning and have a date on the books as do the ladies at my office. That's THREE showers! We are so very blessed (see blog about being overwhelmed) :-).

And, the question most popular question: "Have you picked a name?"

Nope. We have a list of possibilities that we're considering and we're staying open to new options as well. We can't decide if we are hesitant to pick one of the names on the current list because we like them all or because none of them are THE name....what if THE name is still out there and we haven't even considered it yet? This is a big decision, but as soon as we have made our choice, I'll let ya know.

Mandy

22 Weeks

This weekend marked the 22 week point in our journey to meet Baby Boy Keyes. We're more than half way!! Things are slowing coming together. Here's the update on a few things I've been working on (as well as this weeks pic):

Cleaning Out Baby's Room
I've made progress on cleaning out the junk that's in what used to be our spare room (now the baby's room). I've reorganized some things, and I've thrown some things out (I might have been a little hasty when I did this as I have already had a few regrets :-).) The problem is the room is now fuller than ever because I have boxes and boxes of baby clothes from my sister (Tina) and Carla. I'm pumped to have the clothes, but holy cow where am I going to put it all!?!?!?

The Shop (i.e. cleaning out the baby's room cont...)
As some of you may know, Jason is going to build a new shop, which will ultimately lead to more storage space out of the baby's room (really Mandy space to be honest). There has been much talk of this alleged shop, and this weekend Jason and some friends made some progress.

The old shop has been demolished!!! Jason hopes to have all the rubble out of the yard by the weekend.

Registries

We are officially registered at two of three places on our list. Jason went with me for one, and I ventured out to do the second by myself yesterday while he demoed the old shop. One more stop and we're good to go. Carla is going to go with me to spot number three, so that will be a fun lunch trip!

Photography

I've officially scheduled my maternity picture shoot for the end of October! Jason and I hope to come away with some great shots of us (including my huge belly) and maybe even some fall leaves. I've also officially booked a newborn photographer for the week Baby Boy Keyes arrives. SO EXCITING!

Decor

I mentioned last week that the fabric for bedding has been purchased (check!) Now have five letters for my alphabet wall! Only 21 to go!! :-) Katie first showed me a picture of this concept, and I loved it. Here are sample pics of what I have in mind.

If you have suggestions of where I might find just about any size/shape of letter, let me know.

I realize this is probably enough information for more than one post, but there it is just the same. I'll keep you posted on any new developments. Perhaps someday soon we'll have a name!

Mandy

Fabric Shopping

Some of you may know that I went fabric shopping on Saturday with my oldest pal Carla. It was a highly productive day! We found pretty  much all of the fabric for Baby Boy Keyes' bedding. Below is a picture that inspired the design and a picture of some of the fabric:

The bedding will follow this design in many ways, but the color scheme will be different.

We are using these prints on bedding and the diaper stacker and accenting with cream (curtains), brown and blue (on the bedding).

If you've spent any time with me at all you've heard me talk about my pal Carla and how FABULOUS she is. Well, she's proving it again because she is making the bedding!!!! Have I mentioned that she's AWESOME? Once it's all finished, I'll post pics of the nursery (which still has a whole lot of junk in it right now...).

Mandy

20 Weeks

I've made it past half way!! Hooray!!! As of this post, I'm at 20 weeks and five days. We had a doctor's appointment and ultrasound this week, so I thought I'd share what we learned.

Baby Boy Keyes (still no name, but we're working on it...and are open to suggestions) is growing and is healthy. He weights about 14 ounces and is like 10 inches long! I just can't believe how big he's gotten...or how much bigger he will get :-). He is still due to arrive January 14, 2012. I am feeling his movements more and more every single day, and I LOVE it! We purchased a DVD of the ultrasound (best $3 we ever spent), and I just love watching it and seeing my little boy moving around. It's crazy to know he's in there right now moving around. What a miracle!!! I thought about having someone show me how to post the video on the blog, but decided I will spare you all (although if you're interested, just say the word...I never get tired of watching it.)

I am staying healthy too. No complications. Praise the LORD! Everything is going well. I'm feeling great these days too. I've gained another three pounds (for a total of nine since my first appointment in late May). Here are this week's pictures:

I'll have new belly pics next week, and hopefully I'll have fabric for the bedding. Carla and I are going shopping on Saturday!! And, eventually, we WILL have a name too.

Mandy

Really????

This story was too good not to post. Here is a run down of what just happened in my office (to really understand this, you neede to know that I have stopped wearing my wedding band because it's pretty snug and I don't like the idea of having it cut off.My three stone anniversary ring is usually worn on my right hand, but that's getting snug too, so it has been relocated to my left hand with my engangement ring.):

• I realize I only have one ring on my left hand. My engangement ring.
• My heart starts to race because I just KNOW I put two rings on my left hand this morning.
• I turn my office upsidedown looking for the missing ring.
• I ask Sherry to come look and see if she can find it. Perhaps I'm just overlooking it because I'm freaking out.
• Sherry turns my office upsidedown (including going through my trash...she's such a good friend :-)).
• NO RING.
• Sherry looks by the begals we had in our office today just in case I left it there.
• NO RING!
• We decide maybe I didn't put both of them on today, so I try to calm down.
• I backtrack to the bathroom scanning the floor then search the counter in the bathroom just in case.
• NO RING!
• I mention said missing ring to a couple other co-workers who are very concerned (one of whom prays I will find it).
• I sit back down to work and tell myself if I don't calm down by lunch perhaps I'll drive home at lunch and see if it's there.
• Then I start to type and realize there is one place I didn't look: MY OTHER HAND!!!!!!!

Yep. You guessed it. I caused a mild panic in my office and nearly gave myself a heartattack because I lost my ring on my other hand. I have officially lost my mind and should not be allowed to go out without supervision. I'm a dangerous person.

Darn pregnant brain!!!

Mandy (I think...though sometimes I do good to remember my name too.)

19 Weeks

I know these pictures are a little late (considering I'll actually be 20 weeks Saturday), but it's been a busy week. Baby Boy Keyes has been moving around more and more...well, I've been able to feeling him moving around more and more. I have a doctor's appointment next Wednesday where we'll have the 20 week ultrasound. I'm excited to see my little guy again (too bad I can't just get an ultrasound machine to have at my house :-)).

I'm getting bigger and bigger all the time. I can only still wear a couple of pairs of regular pants (a size bigger than what I normally wear) with my belly band. So, maternity pants, here I come! :-)

I think I've worn this pink dress in some of the previous pictures, but I'm okay with that because it is SO comfortable!!!

Until next week,

Mandy

Blessed

Have you ever been so overwhelmed with God's blessings in your life that you can barely speak without crying tears of joy and you're just not sure how to show your gratitude?

This has happened to me more times than I can count. At my 30th birthday party, when I looked around and saw all of my friends and family and the Elvis impersonator (yes, Elvis impersonator :-)), I was overwhelmed. What a blessing to celebrate a milestone in life with people and music you love!! It was supposed to be a joint birthday party with my sweet friend Lora, but in true, selfless, Lora fashion, she managed to make it mostly about me. Did I mention I was overwhelmed??

Sometimes when my niece hugs Jason and me so tight I can barely breathe and she shouts, "Addi sandwich! Addi sandwich!!" I'm overwhelmed.

When Jason is just Jason and says just the right thing at just the right time, I'm overwhelmed. He calls this me being a sap, but I'm just grateful!

Well, it's happening again. Since I announced my pregnancy, I have had five groups of people (friends, family, co-workers) offer to host a baby shower in honor of Baby Boy Keyes. FIVE!! I. AM. OVERWHELMED.

God has blessed me with some of the most phenomenal friendships in my life, and I thank Him for those blessings as often as I can.  Carla, Lora, Katie, Katy, Laura, Jill and Amy you are too sweet to give of your time and yourselves! I cannot thank you enough!

He has also blessed me with a great job and wonderful co-workers. Two of the sweet ladies in my office asked the day I told them I was expecting if it was too early to start planning a baby shower. They even brought me a ultrasound picture frame and "What To Expect When You're Expecting" the very next day. Thank you Bea and Beth! Another friend at work manages to listen to every little baby conversation or comment I have EVERY DAY. And, she still seems interested. She tells me how cute my growing belly is everyday too, which is fantastic after struggling to find something to fit and wear for the day. You're the best Sherry!

I could go on and on. I say all of this for a couple of reasons. One, to brag on my sweet friends and how wonderful they are. None of them would ever seek recognition for any of this, but they deserve it none the less. Two, to brag on God and His goodness. I don't deserve any of the blessings He sees fit to bestow upon me, but He does it anyway!

So, in case you missed it: I'm overwhelmed with blessings and more grateful than words could ever express.

PS As I was typing this, Baby Boy was going a little nuts. I think he's overwhelmed too!!! :-)

Mandy