Our visit with Santa

It has been cold in Virginia! I think the high today was in the forties. We wanted to take Aiden to do his first pictures with Santa. So I bundled him up in his cutest fleece outfit and put a big bib on him to catch all of his spit up between home and Santa. When we arrived at the mall Santa was on his break, so Jay and I decided to go get dinner while we waited. I was holding Aiden and I could feel him poop. I said "Oh nooooo" and Jay took him to the bathroom to get him cleaned up. Aiden pooped all over everything he had on. His Pamper just couldn't hold it all. Jay returned 20 minutes later looking like this. I laughed so hard I cried.

So we went to Gymboree and bought a new outfit, down to his socks. We then proceeded to wait in line for an hour until 7pm which incidentally is Aiden's bedtime. I thought for sure we were going to get the classic crying baby photo and part of me really wanted that. But we got a good one anyway. And he had on a really cute, brand new outfit.

We are now Virginians!

We love Virginia so far. But, I am not sure if it is a love of Virginia or how everything is just so right. I was forced to quit my job with this move and we decided my time would be best spent with Aiden. God really had a plan for us. I can't imagine not seeing everything this child does on a daily basis. This time is so precious and I am so lucky that I get to witness every moment. Don't get me wrong, it is hard. Unbelieveably hard! I rarely get to speak to an adult and end up in my sweats all day. Hopefully that will change as we start to go out in VA and do more. In fact we are starting a baby gym class and supposedly each week we will learn a new sign. As in sign language. We will see if it works.

He is a sweet baby. He has started to grab things, he can hold his head up pretty well, he can stand for a few moments when you hold him, and he has started to smile at you. His smile will melt your heart. This morning I went to get him out of his crib and when he saw me he smiled. That is what pure joy feels like.

Our little man

Introducing our little man. He is so amazing and we love spending every waking moment with him. Even some of the moments that occur at 3am are so precious. It is funny how someone who has only been on Earth for three weeks can have a personality, but he does. He loves to be held and rocked. He doesn't like to nap during the day, he will fight it until his body hits his swing. When he wakes up he throws both hands above his head and stretches. He doesn't like to be cold and therefore hates to have his clothes changed and even his diaper.

I am attempting to take everyone's advice and cherish every moment right now, because he is only this young once. I am also so thankful that God has led us to Richmond, VA. It is giving me the oppurtunity to spend as much time with him during his first year of life as possible. I would have never done that had God not intervened in our plan.

Here are some more pictures....

Could be my last pregnancy survey

How far along? 38 weeks
weight gain/loss:I will no longer be answering this question. Boo to the scale!
Maternity clothes? really any clothes that will actually fit now. I now realize why some pregnant women have their belly hanging out from the bottom of their shirt
Stretch marks? Still none.. Please stay away!
Sleep: Some nights I sleep and some nights I get none.
Best moment this week: Knowing I will meet Aiden soon!
Movement: He has slowed down a lot. There can't be much room in there.
Food cravings: I have not been as hungry lately.
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: I had some blood this morning. Kind of exciting at this point in pregnancy.
Belly Button in or out? Way out, and it hurts
What I miss: Currently it is bending over
What I am looking forward to: Viewing my maternity pictures and getting my glider in
Weekly Wisdom: Order your glider early
Milestones: Full term....

Virginia is for lovers

Well, DH lost his job at his manufacturing facility here in South Carolina. We have been presented with a wonderful oppurtunity to move to Richmond, Virginia. Which is perfect and exciting except for figuring out how to finish my master's program. I have put my heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears into finishing this program for a year and half. At first, I said to myself "Self, you can just transfer to a university in VA and everything will be fine." Wrong! As I started to research I found out that the one and only university in Richmond that offers my program will only except 6 credit hours in for transfer. I have 24 hours. Not OK. I tried calling and emailing the dean of educational leadership at the VA university. Only to get a reply and I quote "You would be better off to try and finish your program in SC". So watch me, I will finish this program and graduate in May come hell or high water. It will be done. I will not give up. I will move to Richmond and finish my master's program..stay tuned...

Week 34

Yes, I rocked a bikini in Edisto!

How far along? 34 weeks

weight gain/loss:I will no longer be answering this question. Boo to the scale!

Maternity clothes? yep.

Stretch marks? Still none.. Please stay away!

Sleep: What is this sleep that you speak of?

Best moment this week: Having my girlfriends feel Aiden move for the first time.

Movement: He has very active days and loves the left side of my belly.

Food cravings: Anything sweet and chocolate

Gender: BOY!

Labor Signs: I am having random contractions.

Belly Button in or out? Way out, and it hurts

What I miss: My girly figure

What I am looking forward to: My maternity photo shoot and finishing the nursery

Weekly Wisdom: Get the nursery completed early

Milestones: Aiden is estimated at 5 pounds. That means to me if he was a preemie he would do well.

Pregnancy Survey

How far along? 31 weeks

weight gain/loss: Well, the dr. says 18. I say I gained some weight in between finding out I was pregnant and my first appointment. I say 25.

Maternity clothes? yep.

Stretch marks? None yet, I am hoping it stays that way. I know I am fighting a losing battle. But I still lube up the belly daily.

Sleep:Some nights are good, some are really bad. Luckily, I have more good.

Best moment this week: Just feeling him move. I will miss it. I love feeling him move no matter where I am or what I am doing.

Movement: He likes to punch mom's bladder

Food cravings: Does anyone have any pastries?

Gender: BOY!

Labor Signs: None, thank God.

Belly Button in or out? Way out, you can see it through my clothes.

What I miss: The things that I would not give a second thought to doing, like going tubing with the family in the mountains this past weekend. I was really disappointed.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting Aiden.

Weekly Wisdom: Thou shall never think a pregnant lady has it easy.

Milestones: 31 weeks is a great milestone. I feel more confident the longer Aiden continues to grow.