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Our little boy has a name!

September 10, 2012

Cullen Todd

Todd is Corey’s middle name, so we knew we wanted to use that for our little one’s middle name if he was a boy.  Turns out he is! 🙂

Cullen is a name I heard during a Clemson football game.  It was the quarterback’s name a couple of years ago, and I really liked the name, so Corey and I added it to our future kids name list.

We were set on a middle name for both a boy and a girl, from the moment we found out we were pregnant, but we could not seem to agree on a first name for either one.  We made a short list of girl and boy names and decided to leave it at that until we knew which one Little Sprout was.  We continued to discuss names, but mostly boy names since I really felt we were having a boy.  Corey was stuck on Cullen, and I kept coming up with alternative choices.  Each one Corey shot down.

Then this past week we found out Baby M is definitely a boy.  Corey immediate said Cullen should be his name.  I liked it (of course…I mentioned it first), but I wanted to think it over some more before we made a final decision.  I started looking at the meaning of Cullen and Todd.  According to most baby name websites, Cullen means ‘handsome’ and Todd means ‘fox’.  Our son’s name would mean ‘handsome fox’.  That sealed it for Corey.  I agreed, and it was decided. 

I can’t wait to meet our little Cullen!


Doctor Appointments Sharing the News

Baby M is a…

September 6, 2012

BOY!!!!!!!!

My ‘Mother’s Instinct’ was right.  Of course!  Here are a few of the pictures we got at our ultrasound yesterday.  Isn’t he precious?!  


























I will refrain from showing you the ‘It’s a Boy’ pictures.  I know I would be mortified if my mother had posted pictures of my “parts” all over the internet, so I will not do that to him.  Let’s just say that he is without a doubt a boy.

It continues to amaze me how God prepares you for what is coming next.  Corey has wanted a boy from the start.  I, on the other hand, have always dreamed of having a little girl first.  I am a very girly girl, so I wanted all of the pink, lace, frills, bows, and barbies.  Above all, I really wanted a healthy baby, but my preference was for a girl.  If I am being completely honest, I was worried that if we found out we were having a boy I would be devastated.  

At about 16 weeks, I started having this gut feeling that our Little Sprout was a boy.  I started daydreaming about what a boy nursery would look like, going to pee-wee football games, and having Nerf gun fights in the back yard.  I got really excited about having a boy; I was starting to hope for a boy instead of a girl.  And I was thoroughly convinced that Baby M was a boy.  I didn’t even think about pink anymore or entertain any girl name ideas.  Then at the ultrasound yesterday, it was confirmed.  Corey gets to have a sports buddy, and I get to have that special mother-son bond I hear is so wonderful!

Now we have to get started on the nursery, decide on a name, and get ready for our little boy!

Weekly Update

20 Weeks

September 4, 2012

My baby bump at 20 weeks from the side:



And from the front:


























Total Weight Gain: No change this week.  I’m still down 6 lbs so far.

Movement:  Little Sprout has been super active this past week. I feel those sweet little kicks all day long.

Boy or Girl? We get to find out tomorrow!!!

Food Cravings: Nothing new, I just want lots of sweets.

How I’m Feeling: Still pretty great.  I love feeling our little one move, and I feel good overall.  I have gotten to that point where I can’t sit in the same spot without getting uncomfortable.  It makes work and church very interesting.  And I have had a few nights where I can’t get comfortable enough to go to sleep, but it will all be worth it.

Size of Baby: Large Mango (6.5 in, 10 oz.)

Baby’s Development:  By this point, baby’s boy or girl outside parts have formed enough to tell the gender, and his or her inside parts are almost fully developed as well.  It’s hard to believe that this little one is that far along already!

Best Part of this Week: Feeling little kicks more often.  It makes me smile every single time!

What I’m Looking Forward To: Seeing our little one again!  Tomorrow! I am so excited!!!

So, what do you think?  Is this little one a boy or a girl?
Weekly Update

19 Weeks

August 27, 2012

My baby bump at 19 weeks from the side:



And from the front:


























Total Weight Gain: I gained another .5 lbs this week!  I’m still down 6 lbs so far, but at least I’m starting to gain weight.

Movement:  I definitely felt some little kicks this week.  I am feeling them several times every day now!

Boy or Girl? Only 9 more days before we find out!

Food Cravings: Nothing new, I just want lots of sweets.

How I’m Feeling: Pretty great!  I love being pregnant so far!  

Size of Baby: Mango (6 in, .5 lbs)

Baby’s Development:  Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone.  All these upgrades combine to give baby more control over limb movements.

Best Part of this Week: Feeling those first little kicks!  I love knowing that our little one is moving around in there.  I can’t help myself from smiling every time I feel a kick!

What I’m Looking Forward To: Seeing our little one again!
Weekly Update

18 Weeks

August 22, 2012

My baby bump at 18 weeks from the side:



And from the front:

























Total Weight Gain: No change this week.  I’m still down 6.5 lbs so far.

Movement:  I think I have felt a few little flutters, but still waiting on definite movements.

Boy or Girl? Two more weeks ’til we get to find out!

Food Cravings: Nothing new.

How I’m Feeling: I’ve been feeling pretty great lately.  Nothing uncomfortable other than a few headaches and some round ligament pain.  

Size of Baby: Sweet Potato (5.5 in, 5 oz)

Baby’s Development:  Baby has now mastered the art of the yawn.  He or she is also working on twists, rolls, kicks, and punches.  Nerves are forming more complex connections.  Those in the brain are further specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing.  

Best Part of this Week: This week, a few strangers have noticed that I am pregnant.  One person only whispered something I wasn’t supposed to hear, but that was probably only because you never really want to ask someone if they are expecting.  It’s good to know that I actually look pregnant enough for people I don’t know to say something.

What I’m Looking Forward To: Our next ultrasound…only 14 more days!
Letters to Baby

Dear Sprout,

August 17, 2012

I feel like a lot has happened since the last time I wrote you a note.  Last week I went to the doctor again and got to hear your heartbeat and your sweet little kicks.  We also scheduled the next ultrasound.  Are you a boy or a girl?  We should know in about 3 weeks!


We have also done some more planning for your nursery.  I think we have picked out the perfect paint color.  We got your crib last week and have decided to use a family rocking chair.  I can’t wait to rock you in it and read lots of books!  I have the supplies to make your mobile and have picked out the fabric for your bedding.  Once we know if you will be into pink or blue, Daddy and I will start getting everything ready.

I can’t believe you will be here in just a little over five months!  It seems like you will be in our arms in no time.  I get more and more excited every day!  I love you so much already, Little One!

Love,
Mommy
Weekly Update

17 Weeks

August 14, 2012

My baby bump at 17 weeks from the side:



And from the front:

























Total Weight Gain: I gained .5 lbs this week.  That puts me back to only being down 6.5 lbs so far.

Movement:  Nothing definite yet.  I think I may have felt a couple of little flutters, but it’s hard to be sure.  I can’t wait until I know for sure that I am feeling little kicks!

Boy or Girl? We will find out on September 4th (hopefully)!  I really feel like we are having a boy.

Food Cravings: Nothing new…but I finally got some pretty amazing apples this weekend!

How I’m Feeling: Pretty great!  I finally got some yummy apples.  I’m sleeping better thanks to a body pillow that takes up half of the bed.  I have the energy and motivation to finally get the house organized…maybe the ‘nesting’ everyone talks about has made a little appearance.

Size of Baby: Turnip (5 in, 5 oz)

Baby’s Development:  Baby’s body fat has started to form and will continue to accumulate through the end of the pregnancy.  Baby is almost certainly listening up by now.  In fact, loud noises will actually startle baby.  Baby’s eyes are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light.  Within the next week or so, the pads on baby’s fingertips and toes will become adorned with completely individual swirls and creases (aka fingerprints).

Best Part of this Week: Finally getting some pretty delicious apples.   Baby M and I have thoroughly enjoyed them!

What I’m Looking Forward To: Our next ultrasound…only 22 more days!
Doctor Appointments

16 Week Appointment

August 10, 2012

Yesterday was my 16 week appointment with Dr. H.  Since this appointment was going to be just like the last one, I went by myself so that Corey wouldn’t have to miss work.

This was my shortest appointment yet. I was in and out in 20 minutes.  This one was just as great (and nerve-racking) as the others.  I am always so nervous before any appointment that something will go wrong.  I guess that’s normal though…and just the start of my worries as a mom.

Everything was perfect though.  Our Sprout had a heartbeat between 150 and 155.  Dr. H couldn’t get a perfect number because our little one kept kicking.  It was so sweet to hear the little thumps of his or her kicks mixed in with the wonderful sound of that little heartbeat!

I also scheduled our next ultrasound.  September 4th we will get to see our little one again and find out if Sprout will be a he or a she.

I can’t wait!

Weekly Update

16 Weeks

August 7, 2012

My baby bump at 16 weeks from the side:



And from the front:

























Total Weight Gain: I gained one lb this week, bringing my total weight loss so far to 7 lbs.  I hope I have finally stopped losing weight.

Movement: I thought I felt a little flutter or two last week, but I haven’t felt anything since.  Could have just been wishful thinking.

Boy or Girl? Hopefully we will schedule that ultrasound at my appointment this week.

Food Cravings: Apples of course.  I think we are going apple picking soon though!

How I’m Feeling:  I feel pretty great until it’s time to go to sleep.  I can no longer get comfortable.  I am going to buy a body pillow today, so hopefully that will help.  I am also hungry all the time.  I have to eat at least every 2 hours, but I can’t eat very much at one time.

Size of Baby: Avocado (4 to 5 in. and 3 to 5 oz)

Baby’s Development:  Tiny bones in baby’s ears are in place this week, making it likely that he or she can hear my voice.  Baby’s face now has both eyebrows and eyelashes.

Best Part of this Week: We ordered the crib this week, I ordered supplies to make the mobile, and I have picked out the fabric for the bedding.  I am so excited to be working on the nursery!

What I’m Looking Forward To: My 16 week appointment this week!
Weekly Update

15 Weeks

July 31, 2012

My baby bump at 15 weeks from the side:



And from the front:


























Total Weight Gain: According to the scale, I lost another 2 lbs this week, putting me down a total of 8 lbs so far.  I have to start gaining weight soon, right?


Movement: I haven’t felt anything yet.  It’s probably still too early, but occasionally I find myself concentrating really hard looking for those first little flutters.


Boy or Girl? I can’t wait to find out!


Food Cravings: Still apples.  I look for good ones with every trip to the grocery store.


How I’m Feeling:  Pretty good overall.  I love having a pregnant belly.  I can eat like a normal person again (or at least as well as I ate before.)  And for the most part, I have my energy back, unless I stay up too late, which is happening a lot lately.  Thank you Olympics.  My only complaint is that since the Little Sprout is squishing everything, I get uncomfortably full after lunch, no matter how little I eat.  I don’t mind too much though, it usually doesn’t last long before I’m hungry again.


Size of Baby: Navel Orange (4.5 in and 2 to 3 oz)


Baby’s Development:  Baby is now constantly practicing breathing, sucking, and swallowing so he or she will be ready to survive after birth.  By now, baby’s ears are positioned properly on the sides of the head and the eyes are moving from the side of the head to the front of the face.


Best Part of this Week: It’s not baby related, but the Olympics started this week.  I am super excited!  In other news, I feel like I am really starting to look pregnant now, not like I ate too many cookies!


What I’m Looking Forward To: My next appointment is next week.  I love having that confirmation that Baby M is doing well!