Busy B and some Honeybees

With 5 weeks until the estimated due date of our baby, we finally decided to get the nursery ready. Bryan started painting the room and last weekend Bryan's sister, Leslie, came to visit. She helped me make decisions regarding the room decor (i.e. it's better to have a crib set with a baby pattern on it than to have a light shaped like Winnie-the-Pooh). We found a Honeybee crib set that we really liked and decided to purchase accessories that will match the colors (instead of having everything with Honeybees on it ). Using Leslie's experience, we decided which clothes to wash and which ones to wait on since we don't know how big this baby is going to be and how fast he/she's going to grow. And then while they put the crib together, I stayed out of the way (and kept Diamond out of their hair) and cooked dinner and brownies (of course!)

So, now we're down to 27 days to the EDD and the room is about 75% ready. We just need some wall hangings and curtains and we'll be all set. Oh, we need the baby, too! (The baby's coming whether the room's done or not, so I'm not too worried about it!)

8 Months...feels like forever!

So, I'm 34 weeks and bigger than ever! It always amazes me to see the difference from month to month. I swore I didn't get bigger than last month, but after comparing the pictures, there's no denying that this baby is still growing! I had a doctor's appointment today and it was pretty uneventful, which is probably a good thing! The baby's heart beat was strong and the heart rate was in the 130s (according to some, that is slow...so is this a boy or what???). My doctor did advise me not to take the trip to Dallas in two weeks that I was planning. I figured that's what she would say but I was still bummed. I was looking forward to visiting with friends and going to the Smokin' Spirit Party. I guess it wouldn't be worth it if I went into labor mid-flight or while I was there. I'd have to stay at Rob or Michelle or Berri's house until the baby was a few weeks old and I could fly back! I guess I'll just use my vacation days to relax.

Bryan has started painting the baby's room. My dad had offered to come down and paint but Bryan was adament about being the one to paint his baby's room. Even though he works so much and could've taken advantage of having someone else paint, it was important to him to be the one that did the preparations for his new baby. Things like that reinforce what a wonderful man Bryan is and what a great father he's going to be! Once it's done, it's going to look great. I can't wait to see how it looks with the furniture!

We are both getting excited as the due date gets closer! I don't think we realize how our lives are about to change (I know I don't!) but we're looking forward to what's in store! Diamond is also getting ready for what's coming, although she may not know it yet! We're curious to see how she acts once there's a baby around, but I am confident that she's going to be fine. Only time will tell!

Let's Go Ravens!

Bryan got tickets to another Ravens game this past weekend. He called Artie and had him fly up for the game and off we went. I happened to find a purple maternity shirt on Saturday night at Macys so I wore that in support of the team. I fit right in with all the die-hard fans! The weather was beautiful and although the Ravens lost, we all had a good time.

Once again, I didn't check the camera battery before we left the house, so I was only able to take a few pictures before it died on me! (Note to self: check camera battery before heading to the hospital to give birth!)

Celebrating Baby...Part 2

On Sunday, September 28th, Bryan's mom and sister hosted a baby shower for me in Louisville. It was an intimate gathering of friends and family and we all had a great time. Leslie surprised Marsha by planning a few games for all the ladies to play, even though she was told not to! We all had fun and Bryan and I are so thankful to everyone for the beautiful gifts! Oh, and the cake was delicious - plastic picks and all!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

On September 19th I headed to NYC to visit with friends and family. My mom hosted a baby shower on the 20th (more on that later) and I had the opportunity to get together with my best bud, Lilah, and then my cousins, Leah, Danielle, and Jillian. The trip started with me flying to Laguardia. I haven't flown a different airline from the one I work for in a long time, and now I remember why. I had to get to the airport an hour early (I usually show up when they're boarding!) and then the flight was delayed because of Air Traffic delays. Once we took off, the flight was quick and my weekend of fun had begun.


Lilah and I hung out for awhile and then I headed to Manhatten via train to meet up with my cousins. Once we all finally found each other, we went to eat and catch up on our lives. I talk to Leah often, although not as much as before since she got a job and is always working! but I haven't seen Danielle and Jillian for years. It was so nice to be able to get together!

I wanted to vist Magnolia Bakery for one of their famous cupcakes, but we weren't able to fit it into our schedule. After dinner, Jillian suggested we walk to "Crumbs" bakery. We strolled up 42nd street only to find the bakery closed with signs on the door that they were sold out of cupcakes! My quest for cupcakes was not going very well! As we headed back to Grand Central, I noticed a Neuhaus chocolate shop. These are the same chocolates that Bryan brought back from Belgium when he visited two years ago. They are the best chocolates that I've ever had so they were a great substitute for the cupcake I wanted so bad. After picking out a few chocolates, the guy behind the counter did the nicest thing someone could do for a girl on a dessert quest: he gave them to me for free! He said that he had already closed out the register but couldn't turn me away once he saw that I was pregnant! So, the night ended sweetly with me eating free chocolates; what else could a girl ask for!

On Saturday, about 25 women gathered to celebrate Baby Martin. We ate awesome Italian food (I always love visiting NY!) and then I opened LOTs and LOTs of gifts. As expected, the majority of the clothes we got are green and yellow. They are all SO cute, though. We have plenty of time to add to our baby's wardrobe so the abundance of neutral outfits doesn't bother me. My grandmother crocheted a few blankets and sweater sets. I can't wait to put all the great stuff to use! Only a few more weeks...

The following day, my dad and I packed up his car and headed down to Maryland. There was no traffic and the weather was great for driving. I'm glad we were able to bring all the gifts home. I had fun showing everything to Bryan. I think the realization that there will soon be a baby in our lives is starting to set in...it's scary and exciting all at the same time!

Shortly after arriving home. Bryan and I headed downtown to the Ravens game. The weather was perfect for being outside and our seats were awesome. We were only 7 rows back from the field! It's interesting the things you see when you're that close (i.e. the amount of "treatment" the players get from the team doctors).

I am still exhausted from the exitement of the weekend but it was all worth it. I have the best family and friends in the world! Thank you all for making my baby shower perfect!

7 Months...officially counting down...

Okay, so I've officially started counting down. I have 9 weeks and 3 days until my due date. I know a lot of first-timers actually pass their due date but Bryan seems to think I'll be having this baby early. He doesn't know how I'm going to make it another two months! I'm still feeling good and don't realize how big I've gotten until I see my reflection or look at pictures like this one! At my last doctor's appointment (last Thursday), I had gained 27 lbs. My doctor says I can gain up to 40 lbs since I was underweight to begin with. That makes me feel better but then I realize that all the weight I gain has to come off. My days of eating homemade brownies (the CocoLoco brownie recipe from Rachel Ray is AWESOME!) and Cold Stone for dinner (okay we only did that once!) will have to come to an end...oh, how that makes me sad!


We finally started clearing our wedding gifts out of the baby's room-to-be. We figured there's no need to refrain from using the new toaster and pots and pans we got. I'm not really sure why we waited so long; I guess we thought it would be less to pack if we sold our house. So we have new, wonderfully fluffy towels and 440-thread count sheets. It's like heaven! (Bryan doesn't exactly share my enthusiasm of the new goods. I guess I wouldn't understand since I don't have the lint from the towels getting stuck in my five-o-clock shadow!) So, anyway, we are slowly clearing out the room and will have it ready to be painted just in time for Leslie to visit! ;)


My mom is having a baby shower for me this weekend and Bryan's mom and sister are hosting one the following weekend. I am really looking forward to visiting with family and celebrating this child that we're anxiously awaiting the arrival of!


As always, I feel so blessed to have Bryan (and Diamond) to share this experience with. I thank God every day for giving me such a wonderful family and for this baby, who reminds me of what a miracle life is everytime I feel movement in my belly.

Six months...Whoa, Nelly!

Well, folks, there's no denying the fact that there's a baby in there these days! And I thought my belly grew a lot last month!

I went for my monthly appointment last week and I gained 10 lbs, yes TEN POUNDS, since last month! My doctor didn't seem concerned so that made me feel better. I'm just hoping the next few months aren't so drastic! I'll look like a weeble and have to roll around to get anywhere!

Other than the dread of having to figure out what clothes I have that fit and are appropriate to wear to work (wouldn't it be nice if I could just wear my comfy clothes!), I've felt really good. There's been a few days of lower back pain but nothing that lasts more than a day. I'm trying to stay as active as possible and still taking the stairs instead of the elevator everywhere I go. Diamond and I still go on our nightly walks but it's been getting dark earlier so I've had to shorten the distance we go at night. I actually feel SO good that most times I forget that my belly is about the size of a basketball and I try to bend over or get out of bed the way I normally would. I'm quickly reminded that I just can't bend that way anymore!

We do not know the sex of the baby and I'm glad we've waited to find out. We're still trying to decide on names but we won't be sharing those until the baby is born, so don't get excited if I say that we've come up with one!

The baby kicks and moves around all the time. I just sit with my hand on my belly waiting to feel the next movement. It's still amazing to me that there's a baby growing in there. I just can't wait until we meet! I am so blessed and owe it all to Jesus Christ. He is responsible for all of my happiness!