On the go again!

Tomorrow I'm flying into Wilmington to spend a week with my family down at Carolina Beach. My sister has the week off and is driving down from Philly, we haven't spent more than a few days together in years and I'm thrilled to be getting such quality time with all of my family! On Saturday, July 25th, eleven of my wonderful friends are hosting a baby shower brunch in honor of Grant and I at Brooke's house. I'm so excited to be reunited with all of my best friends and I'm looking forward to a week of rest, relaxation and some serious beach time! Please contact me if you're in the Wilmington area at all next week, I want to make the most of the visit and squeeze in all I can while there!

On Wednesday I visited the doctor for my 33 week appointment. I was mainly concerned about all the swelling I have been experiencing. My mother-in-law was worried the doctor might not want me traveling so I was relieved when he said there was nothing to worry about. What I'm experiencing is normal benign pregnancy swelling. It's just unusual to be experiencing it this early which can usually mean an early delivery date. Here's a pic of my swollen piggies after a day wearing tennis shoes in IL. My feet were the ongoing joke all week long. Ron's Dad kept telling me to "cover those things up!" My next appointment will be on July 31st, I'll have my last ultrasound and we should get an idea of how big Grant is. It works out great because my parents will be down here then visiting and my Mom will be able to go to my ultrasound appointment with me, she's ecstatic!

Things on the homefront are going very well. Ron is dissapointed I'm leaving him once again for another week. Last night we talked about how much he left me when he was in the Marine Corps. Ron was gone for six months each of our first and second year of marriage! After all we've been through I feel better when he's the one leaving me, I don't do well leaving him. I worry about silly stuff like what he's eating for dinner and if he has enough clean clothes. Yes, I've turned into quite the domestic diva. I also drive him crazy asking about my fur-child, Riley. "Is Riley eating?" "Did you take him for a walk?" "Are you being nice to him?" I also get Ron to put Riley on the phone nightly and I talk to him and tell him I love him and I'll be home soon! Maybe this is all too much information but I love my little family and worry about them when I'm not around! Ron and I are getting more and more excited about Grant's arrival. I cracked up when I returned from my trip because every now and then I'll walk into Grant's nursery and Ron will have snuck another football into the room! We're still in the process of finding a home for our things since the move and Ron continues to find footballs of all sizes and proudly displays them in "his boy's" room! This time he had put a huge football on one of Grant's bookshelves beside a stuffed animal. He's a proud Dad already and can't wait for Grant to enjoy Football season with him!
Can't wait to see all my Carolina Girls! XOXO- Jena

Trip to IL and MO

I'm finally home again after a wonderful trip with the Yaeger family to visit family in Illinois and Missouri. Flying home yesterday was quite the experience. I was offered an upgraded seat because of my current condition, the flight attendants were very nice and on my way off the plane the pilot handed me two twix bars he said for the baby's "nourishment." Also, I enjoyed riding in the golf carts down the terminals to my gate. Traveling is not what it used to be, I'm moving SLOW these days. I can't believe that this coming Saturday I'm flying out again to NC. I wish I could put Ron in my suitcase... :( It's amazing how nice people are to pregnant women. I wish that the overall public would treat eachother this well on a daily basis. The world would be a better place! Here are some highlights from the trip!

On the farm with Ron's family in Calhoun County, IL. I rode shotgun in the "mule," we later went to pick blackberries.

With my nephew, George

George and I throwing rocks in the creek


My sister-in-law, Lesley and I visited the St. Louis Arch

At the St. Louis Zoo with the fam

Elephants!

The penguins were my fave

On Sunday July 5th, Ron's Aunt's surprised me with a Surprise Baby Shower! You can imagine my surprise when I walked into the local community center to tons of presents and decorations!

The cake, YUM!

Aunt Barb, handing me the first of the presents

Happy Giraffe Bouncer

Grant's first Cardinals outfit

Help opening the gifts from lots of the kiddos

Help from Ella

Jody made Grant a daygown to wear home from the hospital. While on vacation, she taught me to smock and I smocked the center of the gown for my precious little one. I'll post more pics of this later once it's complete!

Opening my graco car seat stroller, I received the infant car seat, the extra base for Ron's car and the frame for it to snap into to use as the stroller for the first few months, I was thrilled!

I had a wonderful time visiting Ron's Grandparents, Aunt's and Uncles, cousins and their children. They joked that I married Ron to be related to all of them. My time spent with them was wonderful and I can't wait to go back with Grant!

Happy 4th!

I thought I would write a quick update before I hit the sack tonight. Things have been going well this week, there have been some noticeable changes happening. My feet and ankles are very swollen, I've been joking that I look like Fred Flintstone. I tried on a shoe two sizes two big in a store the other day and my foot wouldn't budge. I'm restricted to strictly wearing thong flip flops. My Jack Rogers have retired for the season... :( Sleep also doesn't come as easily as it used to. I was up for two hours last night because I couldn't sleep and when I do hit the hay, unfortunately, I'm up every one and a half to two hours to use the bathroom. It just doesn't stop!! I'm starting to tire more quickly now and find myself having to sit down and catch my breath/rest my feet more often.

The nursery is coming along and I've enjoyed personalizing it this past week. I hung a wall monogram and some shelves, I can't wait to share the pictures!

I'm leaving for St. Louis tomorrow morning to spend a week with Ron's parents, sister, nephew George and their extended family (ie. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Counsins, etc...) all from IL and MO. I figured I better take advantage of this time to myself before Grant arrives and puts a halt to my traveling!

The picture above is from July 4, 2008. I'm channeling my inner skinny and thought I would share. I hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July!

XOXO- Jena

Rock-a-bye-baby

Grant's Rocker has finally arrived! I ordered it a couple of weeks ago from Storkland in Pensacola, FL. Would you believe there are zero baby furniture stores in all of Mobile?! The one they did have went out of business about four months ago. Ron and I drove to Pensacola (it's only about 45 minutes away, yep I'm only 45 minutes from Florida!) on Saturday and picked it up. Ron put it together after a very frustrating couple of hours and here is, the finished product! I couldn't be happier and can't wait to rock my sweet baby boy to sleep in it. :) It needs a pillow, what do you think?

30 Weeks

Only 10 Weeks left! Can you believe it! The time has flown by since moving to Spanish Fort! The pictures above were taken yesterday of Kimmy and I in Fairhope, AL. We met her family there for lunch and a bit of site seeing! This picture was taken at the Marriot Grand Hotel, we couldn't resist the scenery. Kimmy decided this week to not return to her job as a mortgage broker and to stay at home with her little girl, Savannah. I'm thrilled with her decision because now I'll have a Mommy friend to get together with during the day with Grant! Grant is getting bigger and bigger by the day. All of my books say he should be gaining about 1/2 a pound each week from her on out and I should be gaining about a pound a week, oh boy! Last night, Ron and I actually felt a body part move across my stomach. Probably an arm or leg, this movement was much different from Grant's usual quick kicks. It was unreal and exciting! I will be visiting the doctor every two weeks now. I had a dissapointing doctor's visit once again this week, being that I never saw him... he was once again called out to labor and delivery for an emergency and I had to settle for the RN instead. She took my blood pressure and listened to Grant's heartbeat. Doing so she stated, "Happy Baby!" Grant's heartbeat was 165 BPM. He must have been very active at that moment because his heart was racing! I look forward to going back to the doctor next Wednesday, hopefully this time he'll be able to make my aquaintance. Fingers crossed!

Clinton Baby Shower

On Sunday June 14th, I was "showered" with gifts galore by some of the best friends a girl could ask for! Jessica Martin and Emily Greene along with several of my Mom's best friends hosted a baby shower for me at the Shield House in Clinton. Below are some pics from the afternoon. It was great seeing everyone and catching up, it had been too long!

Here I am with childhood friend, Rebecca Hales, and the hostesses with the mostess', Jessica and Emily

Here's another photo outside of the Shield House with the majority of the hostesses plus my Mom, Sister, Beverly, Mom-in-law, Jody, Aunt Jean and cousin, Natalie.


Check out the spread!

The most amazing diaper cake given to me by Pam Griffin. It came complete with two monogrammed blankets, John Deere Tractor toys (which were Ron's faves!) Baby Rainbows, Baby booties, Teether Toys, Peter Rabbit and much, much more...

Here are all the gifts before I tore into them...

And after... Grant sure is a lucky little boy. We got some great stuff!

Monogrammed burp cloths from Mrs. Patsy Rouse

Beautiful Monogrammed Blanket from Mrs. Jan Butler

Decorative "G" Canvas made especially for Grant's nursery by my friend Kim Chapman

Catching up with best friends, Jessica, Ashley and Ms. Nancy

The shower was a blast and I still can't believe all the wonderful things I received! Grant will be very well dressed his first year of life and even has his own set of luggage! We also received a lot of the baby basics, bath stuff, diapers, wipes, bibs and burp cloths! Thank you to all who were able to come to the shower and to all that helped host. I truly appreciate your kind generosity and for helping Ron and I prepare to welcome Baby Grant in a few short months!

Sweet Carolina

I returned late Tuesday night after spending a week in NC. Riley and I got started on our roadtrip in Auburn after attending a wedding the night before. Riley loved his new carseat his Grandma sent especially for the trip. He was able to sit up high and look out the windows and didn't go flying into the dashboard everytime I slammed on brakes!! Eight hours later we arrived in Clinton where I spent a few nights with the folks...

Tuesday of that week I headed to Greenville, NC to visit all of the lovely Pi Ladies who still live in the area. I was able to meet my friend Lauren's new addition, Ivy Caroline, what a doll! Ivy is seven weeks old and looks just like her Daddy!

That night I met the girls out for dinner at our fave restaurant, Chico's. We had a great time catching up and talking about the good 'ole days! They all mentioned after we took this photo that it would probably end up on my blog. You're right ladies! Here it is, sorry Jackie and Meagan for blocking you in the pictures. I'm large and in charge these days! Later, I spent the night with Brittany and managed to go out to lunch the next day again with a majority of the girls. Oh, how I miss you all...

On Thursday I cruised to Wilmington as planned to visit with Brooke even though Maggie had chosen to not yet make her appearance. Brooke's due date was June 9th and I visited her on the 11th. She called me right before I got to her house and asked if I could please go get her a reese's blizzard from Dairy Queen. Gotta love those cravings, I obliged and of course, treated myself! Here is Brooke at 40 weeks and me at 28, the difference in our bumps is amazing. Ron said, Wow, I thought you were big. (Thanks, Dear.) Brooke ended up going into labor later that night and welcomed Magaret Grace Hooks into the world at 1:10 am on June 12th. If only she could have come one day earlier! After visiting Brooke I had a blast shopping around Wilimington with my great friend, Kim. Check out her blog, Chapman Chattings on the right side of this page.

One must see store in Wilmington for the expectant Mom-to-be is Peanut Butter and Jelly. They have great baby furniture, clothes and maternity boutique. Imagine my shock when I decided to try something on and walked into the fitting room to find this...

Yep, that's Brooke all right! Brooke, please don't get mad at me for posting, you're beautiful! Brooke agreed to "model" for the photographer who took her son's first year pictures, he's trying to break into the maternity photo biz and thought Brooke was the perfect candidate to lure in all those expectant Mom's. I have to agree! They turned out so great, he's put her pic all over town! You can check out her blog as well on the right side of this page.

On Friday, one of my childhood best friends, Lauren, came to visit me at my parents house. She was in town for her younger brother's high school graduation and was not going to be able to attend my shower on Sunday. I got to meet Lauren's little girl for the first time, Claire. Claire is 16 months and her son Ethan is 4. It was great seeing her and her Mom and catching up on the last few years!

On Saturday my brother, Jeffrey and sister, Beverly both came to Clinton. It was the first time in a long while we had all been together. We celebrated Jeffrey's birthday and Father's Day early that night. It was great for all of us to be together again. We took a ton of photos on Beverly's camera which I shall post later, once she sends them out. My baby shower was on Sunday and what a fun time that was! So much so, it deserves it's own post. Stay tuned... Grant is one lucky little boy, he really racked up!