Decisions are not easy

So I have five different colors of pink painted on the wall to see what I like. There is one that is a close contender but I'm still not 100% sure. I have a paint chip that is being mailed to me from Arizona and that will be the last. If I don't like it then I'll just deal with the color that is now in 1st place.

Speaking of the paint chip from Arizona, Kimberly called me the other day and said she was watching a show on HGTV and love the color pink they painted the person's bedroom. I went on line and found the color they used. The paint was sold by a company called Frazee Paint. They only have stores on the west coast. So I called them and told them what I was looking for and they were happy to mail me a paint chip. The lady was excited that I had heard about the paint color from a TV show. I called on Monday so I'm hoping it will be here by tomorrow. At least then we'll have a decision and can start painting.

I went to Babies R Us yesterday with my friend, Michelle. There were a couple of crib sets that I saw online and liked so I wanted to see them in person. The one that was on the top of the list was there and I instantly fell in love so I bought it. Click here to see what it looks like. It's simple, which is what I wanted, so I can decorate with other patterns etc. I also started a registry, we don't need much since we still have all of Ethan's baby things but we have to have some girly things!

Brennan has been very active and it's been fun watching and feeling her kick me. I'm not really one of those women who love being pregnant but I really enjoy the kicking and moving. I remember after having Ethan that was the one thing that I missed. I can't wait for our baby girl to get here! Ethan is so eager to hold her and so is Stephen. Stephen is finally coming out of his shock and is looking forward to having a baby girl. Only 17 weeks left to go!!!!!

It's a . . .

GIRL!!!!!!! We are in absolute shock. We saw the "hamburger" four times so we're pretty certain there won't be any surprises at the delivery. Ethan is excited and loved looking at her pictures (with a smile on his face!). Everything else looks good, we saw her heart, kidneys, spine etc. The ultrasound tech switched it over to 4D and caught this picture. She really wasn't supposed to give us a copy of the picture but she couldn't help herself.

We've decided her name is going to be Brennan but we haven't picked out a middle name yet. Brennan is my paternal grandmother's maiden name so it is special to us. I've always been close to her so there was no question that our baby girl would be named after her. She is a strong and caring woman and I hope Baby Brennan will be just like her.

Belly Shot & Ethan Funny

This is the latest belly shot (20 weeks). I feel like I've gained a lot more this month than previous months. I can definitely see it in my face now which is not surprising. I remember seeing pictures of my mom when she was pregnant and her face always got fat too (we do have those Fouts cheeks!) Maybe I can get her to scan in a picture of herself for comparison.

The baby has been kicking a lot lately. I think we may have a boxer or kick boxer on our hands!! Stephen actually got to feel the baby move last week which is earlier than when I was pregnant with Ethan, he was really excited. It's still hard for Ethan to feel the baby kick but I'm sure in the coming weeks the kicks will get stronger and he'll be able to feel them. I was sitting on the couch tonight and the baby was kicking like crazy and Ethan saw my belly jump. He thought that was pretty funny! Before he went to bed he was trying to feel the baby kick and was rubbing my belly to get the baby moving. Then he started talking to the baby but he was talking straight into my bellybutton. I told him he didn't have to talk into my bellybutton in order for the baby to hear him. He looked at me and said, "But it's like a microphone."

One week from today we'll know what the gender of the baby is!!! If you haven't voted yet please do so. The poll is located in the top left of this blog. I'll post what we find out as soon as I can on Wednesday!!

Baby's first concert

Stephen, Jason, Kimberly & I went to see Bon Jovi at Phillips Arena last Thursday, May 1. Daughtry was their opening band and all I have to say is the concert was awesome!! I was really looking forward to Chris Daughtry and he put on a really good show, I would love to see him again at a smaller venue. I was a Bon Jovi fan back in the day but I really don't know a lot of their newer stuff. They put on a great show and played for over 2 hours. When I was pregnant with Ethan I went to a couple of concerts (but I was further along) and he kicked me a lot during both shows. He actually likes both of those bands now, so maybe that is saying something. Since it's earlier for this pregnancy I really didn't feel the baby kick much but maybe he/she will be a Daughtry/Bon Jovi fan later in life!!

17 week appointment

I had my 17 week appointment today and so far I've gained 8 lbs. Ethan & I got to hear the heartbeat again and it was really strong and really fast. I was supposed to have the AFP testing today which tests for Downs Syndrome & Spina Bifida but Stephen & I decided that we were going to decline the testing. If anything were to come back positive the next step would be an amnio which I would not do because it can cause a miscarriage. My doctor told me that they would be able to see these defects at the 21 week ultrasound. Speaking of, we will hopefully be finding out the sex of the baby at my next appointment, May 28th!!! I'm praying that the baby cooperates and won't have his/her legs crossed. :)

Such a good big brother

Ethan has been really interested in the "baby in my tummy". He named it Ms. Teddy Bear and he talks to it or kisses it almost every day. He often asks me if the baby is awake. He started this game where he tickles my belly and I make a funny noise (he thinks it's the baby) and then he says that the baby is awake now. I've been really surprised at how interested he is about the baby, he's going to be a great big brother!!

Nothing much has changed except my belly is growing a little more. I'm still wearing my regular pants but mostly wearing maternity shirts. Some of my pants can still button but most don't so I just rig it with a ponytail holder. It's better than wearing maternity pants!! I think I've felt the baby move a few times. It seems to happen when I put a little pressure on my belly (like holding Ethan or something) I'm sure the baby is trying to tell me that I'm squishing him/her! Hopefully soon I'll be able to feel the baby move more, that is my most favorite part of pregnancy. I really can't wait until Stephen & Ethan can feel the baby kick. Ethan is going to love it!

We find out in about 6 weeks what the gender of the baby is. We can't wait!! Then I can start referring to the baby as him/her instead of it (or baby). Or if we can settle on a name then I can call it by name.

13 week appointment

I had my 13 week appointment today and everything went well. Ethan & I got to hear the heartbeat, that was cool and comforting. My blood pressure was 100/60 and I think I gained 3 lbs in the last month. The doctor told me to keep doing what I was doing and I'll go back to see him in another 4 weeks. Stephen had to miss the appointment because he's on a business trip in Vegas, I know he would have probably liked to have heard the heartbeat but hopefully he'll get to go to another appointment soon.