Sunday, January 16, 2011

Honorary Husband of the Year

With Dan and Leah's permission, I would like to grant an Honorary Husband of the Year Award to David Sparks (valid from January 16, 2011 to January 15, 2012).  David and Leah are two friends of ours here in Corpus.  David has been the lucky one to get phone calls from Dan asking if he can come help move a recliner...put some tubs of clothes in the attic...and today's project - install a new under cabinet/over range microwave.  Dan helped David put up a shelf in their garage a few weeks back, but I think it's safe to say that the scales are tipped way in our favor given the hours he has helped us finish little projects that I can't do in my pregnant state!  And let's be honest, the microwave wouldn't have been completed by me in any state! :-)

Over the past 3 years, we have slowly been replacing all of our kitchen appliances from the white that we bought the house with to black.  The house is over 10 years old, and the appliances came with the house.  The refrigerator was the first to go (because it actually died) in 2009, last year we replaced the dishwasher (which was on it's last leg), and this year we did the stove (which, actually, was still in excellent shape - so we sold it on craig's list!).

The beginning of the project...

Dan drilling some holes...

David measuring...

I then went upstairs to finish cleaning out the soon-to-be nursery so we can start working on that!  When I came downstairs at little later - I got to see the finished product! (I love it!!)

THANK YOU, DAVID, FOR HELPING US FINISH UP OUR "BEFORE WE HAVE KIDS" PROJECTS!!!  (in orange and navy for your Eagle-Tiger National Champions! - and the Broncos)  I promise (I think) this is the last one!  We'll bake you some pumpkin bread in the new oven! :-)

Saturday, January 15, 2011

For Those Who Have Asked...

A lot of you have asked us where we are registered, and we have been waiting to find out we were having a baby girl to finish everything off.  So here it is, if you wanted it!

Babies 'R Us:  Search for Dan or Stacey Gaines (Registry #46330718)
OR
Target:  Search for Dan or Stacey Gaines (Registry #014033500002870)

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

It's a Girl!

We had our 20 weeks appointment today, which is the appointment with the anatomy ultrasound.  First, that was just amazing!  I was such a kinesiology dork sitting there watching our baby on the screen and being fascinated over the different body parts.  But even more so, just in awe of how intricately and perfectly we are created!  It's amazing how words like, "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13) become so much more meaningful when you really have a little someone being knit together by holy hands in your womb!

We also found out that we are having a baby girl!!  Somehow after today it all seems more real.  As if the 12 weeks of morning sickness, current pregnancy insomnia, and amazing tiny flutters aren't real enough!

I am so anxious and excited to meet this precious princess growing inside me!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

20 Weeks: The Halfway Point

Today we hit 20 weeks!  I can't believe this is the halfway point, I feel like it was just a few weeks ago that I peed on that little stick that changed our lives forever!  I am definitely feeling, and apparently looking, more pregnant.  Not that the first 13 weeks of morning sickness and crazy pregnancy symptoms didn't make me feel pregnant.  I mean the, "OK - my belly button is now inside out," and "I can't squeeze through that space anymore" kind of I feel pregnant.  I just told Dan when he took this 20 weeks belly shot, "holy cripes, I'm getting big!"

I guess this may be why people I don't know can feel comfortable with asking, "when are you due?"  I have apparently passed the is she pregnant or just a little fluffier than normal point.

I am beginning to understand those women who love being pregnant.  This second trimester business is MUCH better than the first!  The only real negative symptom I am dealing with is siatic pain.  I have been seeing a chiropractor, which is starting to help, along with doing a number of stretches.  I am really hoping to be able to start walking/swimming in the next couple of weeks if this keeps helping.  I think one of the hardest things for me has been not being able to work out at all because I'll get shooting pains up my back!

I have definitely felt the baby moving on a much more regular basis over the past few days.  From about 2 weeks before Christmas until last week, it was here and there every day or two (or four).  But lately, it's multiple times a day and for extended periods of time.  The baby's location of choice lately has been tap dancing on my bladder...can't wait for that to continue for the next 4 1/2 months!  We are so excited to find out on WEDNESDAY what we are having!!  This Mommy needs to start planning a nursery! :-)