Thursday, March 31, 2011

Lil D's 2nd Trimester {Week 26}

Lil D's 2nd Trimester {Week 26}
Thursday, March 31, 2011
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Thursday, 3/31/2011
(26 weeks)
Here is me and Lil D this week:

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HOW BIG IS BABY?

Baby's now the size of an eggplant!
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UPDATE:
I definitely have noticed how round my tummy has gotten more round and Wayne has commented that I now have a "pregnant" belly. She is also moving a lot more and sometimes I feel like she is going to kick right through my stomach. Wayne felt her for the first time last week. She was being active and so I told him to press his hand (somewhat firmly) on my lower ab. It was almost like she was kicking his hand. His face lit up and he was so excited and wide-eyed. He has since been able to feel her a couple more times that way as well as see my belly actually move. 

I have been short of breath more often. I can no longer walk and talk on my cell phone at the same time. I am usually only talking to Wayne or my Mom at that point and just tell them I need to call them back in a bit.

I have not had any Braxton Hicks thus far, but my back has sure been taking a beating. Thankfully I have a wonderful Husband that is willing to rub my lower back when I need it. The last few nights I have been pretty much clinging to my body pillow. I'm hoping that can continue to comfort me and help with my back while sleeping.

I can't believe we only have a couple more weeks until the 3rd Trimester!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Random updates for March {2011}

Random updates for March {2011}
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
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  • I went to a Bare Escentuals Girlfriend Party at the MOA a couple weeks ago with Beth. I had been wanting to find out what all the hype was about, so it was a perfect way to see. There were five of us girls and it was so fun. We got to try all the products (even the skincare products, etc.) and the instructor showed us the correct technique on how to apply all the products as well. I ended up buying the Customized Get Started Kit. It may seem a little pricey, but it lasts for a very long time and let me tell you it works wonders for me and my face. I've always had the problem of "my make-up looks great in the morning, but by noon it's gone and I have to keep reapplying if I want to look half-way decent, which I don't usually have that option." Well, with these products you don't have to do that and it's great! The nice thing is if you are not sure about any products or have questions, you can go into the store at anytime and try them and see what looks best for your skin type. They matched the foundation to my skin type, so I know it's the right one and makes me look my best. Love it!
  • We signed up for Netflix again a few weeks ago. Our local Blockbuster closed and so in the little town of Buffalo there is nothing else. We had it a few years ago, but got rid of it (don't remember why). But we decided to sign up again and so far with all the "instant" options there are, we love it. I am almost done with season 1 of Brothers & Sisters (I started watching the series later on and wanted to see it from the beginning). It's so convenient and we can stream it through Wayne's PS3.
  • It was my last day working at the local gym on Saturday. It is my part-time gig, but with being about 6 months pregnant and us moving in May, it was just time to get my Saturdays back and be done. It's such a relief knowing I don't have to go back there and can have my weekends to myself. Well, until Hailey arrives at least. Haha.
  • Yes, you read that right, Wayne and I are moving. We have been looking for a place to rent for a few weeks now and diligently searching craigslist and networking with everyone we know. After weeks of looking online and touring a few places, we finally found a perfect little house that is just right for us given that we have a baby on the way and four pups to include. We are so blessed and EXCITED beyond belief that we are taking this next step for our family. There are so many reasons why this move needs to happen and there are so many great things about the house we found. I'm sure I will be blogging about this transition for months to come!
  • With us moving we are also going to be transferring clinics/hospitals/doctors as well. It will just be too far to continue at our current clinic once we move and so I rather start now then wait until we actually move. It will be a project within the next month as my next appointment is 4/8 for the glucose screening test and then I will begin going in every 2 weeks. Obviously I have a few nerves of changing everything, but I'm also excited for this as well.
  • We finally got a date locked down for one of my baby showers. So that is super exciting. I can't believe it's all starting to come together. It's not until the beginning of June, but it will be so nice to be able to take all the stuff we get back to our own home and put it away. We will also be able to start on the nursery once we move and I can really start "nesting." I have been putting it off thus far for obvious reasons and it's been killing me, but now I really have something to look forward to! 
  • Today we have officially hit the 99 days left mark. We are now in the double-digits! AAhh!!
Wow! So much going on in the next couple months. Please keep us in your prayers as we make these life transitions!

Leah
Monday, March 28, 2011

Being a Mom

Being a Mom
Monday, March 28, 2011
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Being A Mom

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family."

"We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my Daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.

I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.

I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for child care, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.

That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks.

I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say.

Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

Please share this with a Mom that you know or friends who may someday be Moms. May you always have in your arms the one who is in your heart.

Leah
Thursday, March 24, 2011

Lil D's 2nd Trimester {Week 25}

Lil D's 2nd Trimester {Week 25}
Thursday, March 24, 2011
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Thursday, 03/24/2011
(25 weeks)
HOW BIG IS BABY?

Baby's now the size of an eggplant!
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I have noticed that I am warmer than usual. I am normally a chilly person, always needing a sweatshirt or cover-up of some sort, but lately I find that I am OK with just a t-shirt, even in winter.
   I have not experienced any carpal tunnel thus far, but I have 15 weeks left, so we will see.

The extra hair will fall out? That's great news. One more thing to look forward to I guess.
It is definitely taking me longer to get from point A to point B. Even a simple thing as rolling over in bed or sitting up has become a task. I keep telling myself that my belly is not even that big as to what it will be in just a matter of a couple months.
I have my glucose screening test set for Friday, 4/8/2011. I will be 27 weeks. I'm not looking forward to drinking that little clear bottle of solution.
 
Sometimes I feel like everything is going way too fast!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Girlfriends

Girlfriends
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
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So a few weeks ago, and really throughout this whole blog I often talk about different girlfriends of mine. I just wanted to share a little bit of my history with each one. I'll start with the girls from my wedding. They are my best friends.

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Kayla

This is us at my wedding in 2006. She was my MOH.


This is us at Kayla's wedding this past summer (2010).


We have known each other literally our whole lives. Our 4 parents grew up together in the same small town, my Dad and her Mom graduated the same year we were born (1983) and our Mom's were pregnant at the same time and faced the wrath of small town teenage pregnancy together.

We are about a month and a half apart and even have baby pictures together. Our 2 families ended up living and growing up within a mile from each other in Eden Prairie, so we went to school together. I know no matter what life brings me she has my back. She is more like a sister to me than a friend really.

This was me and her daughter Briana, who was 3 at the time of my wedding and my flower girl.

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This was her and I last summer on rehearsal night of Kayla's wedding. She's now 8.

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Imagine our surprise to find out that we are both pregnant at the same time! She is 2 weeks behind me and as this is her second, she's been a great source of information for me to bounce different things off of her and ask questions. I'm so excited to have our kids be so close in age and look forward to the many birthday parties and gatherings to come.

Wendy

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This is Wendy and I at our friend Adam's wedding last fall. We have been best friends since 3rd grade when my family moved to Eden Prairie just a few blocks away from Wendy's family. We rode the same bus all through school and she had a pool in her back yard...you know where our summers were spent. Wink wink! We fortunately dated in the same circle of boys in high school which afforded us to do a lot of fun things together!

Even though a few years ago, she moved to Kansas with her high-school sweetheart, we have managed to stay the best of friends keeping each other in the loop of our lifes happenings and since she has family still here in Minnesota, we try and get together each time she comes home (which isn't often enough I might add).

Anne

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This is me and Anne last summer (2010) at Target Field. We grew to be best friends in High School putting together fondue parties, making chocolate chip pancakes, as well as many other crazy fun times and inside jokes. After high school she moved away to college (Iowa) and then moved FARTHER away to grad school (Alabama), but we have managed to stay friends through the distance and now as we both prepare to become first time mothers to our daughters (yes, she is also having a girl) our friendship has grown even more. She has also been such a great source of information as she is 4 weeks ahead of me and keeps me in the loop as to what I can expect pregnancy wise. I look forward to our daughters playing with each other and becoming life-long friends! 

Laura

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This is Laura and I just this past January at her baby shower. I met Laura when Wayne and I started dating because she was married to one of Wayne's friends. We became close and even though they are not married anymore we have continued our friendship. We talk often and meet for dinners to catch up. She just had her third baby boy, Benjamin in February and as it was her third, I have gone to her with many a pregnancy questions and I'm sure there will be a lot more baby rearing questions for this Veteran Mama in the future. She is getting married again in September and I am honored to stand up with her as she marries her sweetie Scott.  

Nicole

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This is one of my favorite pictures of Nicole and I. This was at my wedding in 2006. She is my closest girl cousin and I was so happy she could be a part of my wedding. We obviously have known each other our whole lives and have wWAY too many memories to share. One thing we do love is Edward and the Twilight series.

Jenny a/k/a Lemonhead

This is us the morning of Jenny's wedding in September 2010. We have a ton of pictures together, but this is one of my favorites. We were friends in high school, but lost touch after that as she graduated a year behind me. In early 2007, a few months after my birthday, we found each other on myspace. Haha. Ever since then it has been like we never skipped a beat. She is my #1 concert buddy and we have so much in common its ridiculous!

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Beth

This is Beth and I at a Twins game last April. Even though Beth is actually my second cousin, I call her my cousin and she is more like a friend than anything. We both have a love for the Twins and NKOTB!

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That's a little bit about my favorite ladies.

Leah
Thursday, March 17, 2011

Lil D's 2nd Trimester {Week 24}

Lil D's 2nd Trimester {Week 24}
Thursday, March 17, 2011
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Thursday, 3/17/2011
(24 weeks)
Here is me and Lil D this week:

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Maternity Clothes: I have officially started wearing maternity pants. I had purchased 2 bella bands, which were getting a little uncomfortable holding up ok , but now that I know how comfortable maternity pants are, I think I would have skipped the Bella Bands all together and went straight to maternity pants.

Sleep: Everyday and week is different depending on what I have going on. This week has been hard with daylight savings time and I have been busy with different things. I have been waking up in the middle of the night a few nights the past couple of weeks for 1-2 hours at a time. Those days are worse and it ends up catching up with me eventually.

Best Moment of the Week: Figuring out that maternity pants are HEAVEN!

Movement: I have been feeling her move A LOT. More and more every day and week. I have noticed that she is a lot more active after I eat.

Food Craving: I have definitely gotten some of my appetite back. I am open to more foods and they actually sound appealing. I still like my popsicles/icees though.

Food Aversions: Green Grandma made corn beef and cabbage in the crock-pot last week and the smell made me really nauseous, but other than that I have been really good.

Morning Sickness: None.

Gender: It's a girl! Read that post HERE.

Symptoms: Flatulence and constipation are the major two that continue to stick with me.

What I miss: Bending over and putting on shoes without a hassle. I know it's only going to get worse.

What I'm looking forward to: Finishing up our registry, setting baby shower dates and finding a place of our own just to name a few.
 
 HOW BIG IS BABY?

Baby's now the size of a papaya!
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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday! {03.16.2011}

What I'm Loving Wednesday! {03.16.2011}
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
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I'm Loving that I finally had the opportunity to go maternity clothes shopping last night and add a few things to my wardrobe.I'm also Loving the feeling of wearing the maternity clothes and feeling pregnant with my preggo belly.

I'm Loving that the Hubs and I are going to look at a house to rent this afternoon.I'm looking forward to living in the cities and cutting down on travel time to work, gas expenses, being closer to my church and family and friends.

I'm Loving that I get to see my (2nd) cousin Beth tonight for dinner at Cadillac Ranch and a Bare Essentials girly party!

I'm Loving the warmer weather this week and that hopefully winter is officially over. You never really know in Minnesota.

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I'm Loving that I am feeling Hailey more and more everyday moving in my growing belly. Such a great feeling!

What are you loving? Go over to Jamie's Blog to link up! 

Leah
Thursday, March 10, 2011

Lil D's 2nd Trimester {Week 23}

Lil D's 2nd Trimester {Week 23}
Thursday, March 10, 2011
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Thursday, 3/10/2011
(23 weeks)
I can definitely tell my feet are changing and sore more in the last few days. I will need to go shoe shopping at some point.
 
HOW BIG IS BABY?

Baby's now the size of a papaya!
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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday! {03.09.2011}

What I'm Loving Wednesday! {03.09.2011}
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
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I'm Loving that I got my hair trimmed last night (finally) after over 2 months. Feels so much better.

I'm Loving the adorable baby gifts that we have received for Hailey in the past week since finding out we are having a girl.

Her first baby doll from Green Grandma.

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 Twins onesies and a pink puppy from our friends John and Jess.

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A Twins dress and the same pink puppy from my awesome co-worker Nancy B.

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A bunch of cute things from my most fabulous boss Nancy M.

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Hailey's first pair of shoes, along with a summer outfit, a super cute hat and a pink onesie that says "Hot Babe." 

I'm also Loving that everything is pink!

I'm Loving Rihanna's new song S&M and the video.


I'm Loving all the Easter candy that is out in stores. To me it is a sign of SPRING! I especially love these:
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I'm Loving that the last two Sunday afternoons have been day dates at the movie theater with Wayne. 

Go link up with Jamie for WILW!

Leah
Monday, March 7, 2011

Stress

Stress
Monday, March 7, 2011
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20 Things not to Stress About While Pregnant
From: babycenter.com

"Don't stress if you can't get everything done that you had planned each day. The baby won't know if the housework isn't done!"

"It's okay to tell co-workers that you're not interested in their advice. Every pregnancy is different."

"Remember, every problem has a solution, and confiding in someone who's close to you or who you think can offer help or support is a step forward. Don't be afraid to talk to your partner, OB, or midwife."

"Don't stress about how you look. You're performing a miracle — growing a person inside of you — and that's a fantastic accomplishment."

"If you trust your OB, let her do her job and follow her recommendations; if you don't, find a new doctor who you do trust. You should never be afraid to call your provider with big and small problems."

"Don't stress about tough times with your partner. A baby tests any couple's relationship."

"Don't stress about things like food or weight. Just be sensible. There's no need to give yourself an anxiety attack over the pint of ice cream you just finished. Take it as your special reward for everything you've accomplished so far in your pregnancy, and move on."

"If you're doing everything in your power to make healthy choices, don't worry so much. Women have been having babies since well before we knew what to do and what not to do."

"Mothers-in-law don't know everything!"

"Don't stress too much about things in the environment you think might harm your baby, like standing too close to the microwave or pumping gas. Remember, the vast majority of babies are born healthy."

"Don't worry about labor. It is what it is. Just educate yourself on your options, and be ready to make informed decisions. Beyond that, just take a deep breath and go for it. It's not as bad as you think it'll be."

"Don't stress about how the baby is fending in the womb. It's a roll cage, but your baby is probably comfortable in there."

"Every little twinge doesn't mean something is wrong."

"No matter what decisions you make, someone will always disagree. Try not to let the negative comments upset you, and if you're really worried about something, talk with your doctor or a nonjudgmental friend."

"There's no such thing as a stupid question, especially for first-time mothers. Being pregnant and birthing a child are unique experiences, and a woman will never know what it's all about until she's actually done it herself."

"It's okay if you don't have everything ready for your baby. Newborns don't need a whole lot in the beginning."

"When I accepted heartburn, back pain, lack of sleep, and moodiness as a normal part of pregnancy, they didn't seem to bother me as much anymore."

"If you're worried about being a good mom, you probably have nothing to worry about. My husband keeps telling me that bad mothers don't worry about whether or not they'll be good moms."

"I had never really been around children, and I made mistakes, but as long as you love your baby and are careful with the important stuff, you can't harm him or her with small mistakes. You'll soon get comfortable with the routine."

"Don't stress too much over all the "rules" pregnant women now have. A bath warmer than lukewarm won't lead to disaster. If you accidentally eat a soft cheese you're not sure is safe, there's no use worrying after the fact. Our mothers had fewer restrictions than we do, and we turned out fine."

After reading this list, I just thought it was too good not to post. I have thought about EVERY single one of these thus far and I think I came to a point where I had to start letting things go.

I have told Wayne that we are bringing a life into this world. We are doing something bigger than anything else. Take it one day or one week at a time and everything will work out.
Thursday, March 3, 2011

Lil D's 2nd Trimester {Week 22}

Lil D's 2nd Trimester {Week 22}
Thursday, March 3, 2011
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Thursday, 3/3/2011
(22 weeks)

Me & Lil D this week:

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I have been so scatter brained this past week with different things such as forgetting my phone at home or my nook for the bus. Really the list could go on and on. I saw this cartoon at the end of one of my babycenter emails that I thought was just too appropriate.
 
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HOW BIG IS BABY?

Baby's now the size of a papaya!
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I have been feeling her kick now for about a week. It's a few different times of the day...usually at about 4:15 pm and 3:00 am and sometimes in the mornings after my OJ. It's crazy to think that she is in there sleeping, sucking on her thumb, yawning and moving about. I'm looking forward to feeling her kick more and more as the weeks go on.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011

It's a Girl! {2011}

It's a Girl! {2011}
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
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It's a GIRL!

Hailey Jo
Photos taken: February 28, 2011
At: 21 weeks

Her spine

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Her face

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Another face shot

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Her feet

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Her profile

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Her sucking her thumb

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And my favorite...her yawning or as I like to think...laughing

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On Monday we had our ultrasound. Baby was in a pike position and was hiding the goods for awhile. After a few minutes of Dr. E pushing the wand all over my jelly topped tummy, she moved enough to the point where the Dr could tell it was a girl, but couldn't quite get all the different measurements that she wanted to. So now we go back Friday, March 11th for another ultrasound to finish the check-up and hopefully confirm AGAIN (for sure) that she is in fact really a she.

Everything that Dr. E saw on Monday was right on schedule. She is weighing in at about a pound and all the different measurements were ranking her in the 50th percentile.So yay!

It's taken me these last few days for it to sink in and not call her an "it" anymore. I can call her a her or refer to her as she or call her by her name...Hailey Jo.

To see what our boy name was look HERE.

What I'm Loving Wednesday! {03.02.2011}

What I'm Loving Wednesday! {03.02.2011}

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I'm Loving that we found out we are having a GIRL and we have new pictures of her! I'm also secretly loving that she was in such a weird position that we have to go back next Friday (March 11th) for another ultrasound (more pictures) to complete the Dr's check-up. Everything thus far looked GREAT though. New post with the new ultrasound pics and update coming soon.

I'm Loving that I am going through pregnancy with a couple of my very best friends in the world! I'm thinking about doing a "Girlfriends" post so that I can brag about the lovely ladies below as well as a couple of other besties.

Kayla & I
She is two weeks behind me.

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Me & Anne
She is 4 weeks ahead of me.

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I'm Loving the show "One Born Every Minute" on Lifetime! I'm also loving that Wayne likes to watch it with me now every week. 

I'm Loving these cute things from Motherhood Maternity.


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I'm Loving my wonderful Husband! He has been so helpful and selfless during this pregnancy thus far with only being half way there!

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Go link up to Jamie for her “What I'm loving Wednesday” weekly post.

What are you loving today?

Leah
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