Happy Halloween!

Greetings from Wilton, Connecticut! My family and I are up north to celebrate my cousin Tricia's wedding. Even though she actually got married two years ago (by eloping), they are finally having a ceremony and reception so we can celebrate together. Tricia and her husband Greg are stationed in Puerto Rico with the Coast Guard so we're very excited to see them! She also invited my entire extended family (both father's side and mother's side) so it's like we're having one giant family reunion!

Bulldogs Maggie and Buddy dressed for Halloween!

In a few hours we'll drive to Mystic- where the wedding will be held. Now if only the rain would hold out so we can enjoy the rest of the day!! In the meantime, we're having fun playing with my aunt's bulldogs and seeing them dressed up in their costumes! Happy Halloween everyone, hope you're having fun and enjoy some treats later today!

Trick or Treat from Lil and Buddy!!

Casual for the Cure

Every year my school does a fund raiser for Susan G. Komen called Casual for the Cure. Everyone who participated was allowed to wear jeans to school (a huge privilege!!) and pink! We raised over $600, which wasn't record breaking, but every little bit makes a difference! We all donated in honor of our music teacher, Kelly Barnes, who is currently undergoing chemo. She is so brave, and a tough little cookie who showed up to school wearing her pink bandana. Only a month after receiving a mastectomy, she is back at work part time and we're so happy to have her there!

Still a Boy!

Our twenty week appointment went really well yesterday and Baby H is just trucking right along. Before our 3-D the tech suggested drinking some orange juice to wake him up. It didn't work then, but oh my goodness did it work this time! Our poor ultrasound tech was getting annoyed because he was a little too mobile and wouldn't stay still for her measurements! He finally calmed down and she was able to see what she needed. All the major organs are present and accounted for and are growing and developing nicely. His heart rate was 150bpm, which she said was a little high, but considering how active he was being it made sense! My midwife put our due date back between March 11-15th, but I am sure he will just come whenever he is good and ready! The pictures we got were awful because he was swimming all over the place, but here is one of the most decent shots. And yes, we did get confirmation for him being all boy, but for Baby H's sake I won't post that photo!!

Here are a few measurements I was able to write
down as we went through the check up:

Head- 20 weeks 5 days
Legs- 20 weeks 2 days
Belly- 22 weeks!!
Weight- 15 ounces

I was worried his head would be massive, but now it looks like we just have a little piglet on our hands! Thankfully my midwife says his weight is perfectly within range! Next big check up is the one hour glucose test and I came home today with the lovely orange flavored goo. Not really looking forward to that one, but I have a month to get over it!

Checkpoint

Have you ever played the car racing game at an arcade where you hit the halfway mark and the woman shouts "Checkpoint" in a very excited voice...? Well, that's what I imagined hearing when I woke up this morning and realized we were at the halfway mark. Twenty weeks!! Five months?! How is it possible I am already half way done cooking this little baby? Unbelievable!

According to BabyCenter Baby H is around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana (or about the size of a cantaloupe). I just learned that for the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.) He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and we'll see it in his first soiled diaper.

I gained four pounds this month, which is right on target and am officially in maternity pants for good! They are just so comfy and I couldn't bear to squeeze into my regular pants anymore-- even with the Bella Band. I had a major growth spurt in the last month and am now visibly pregnant. Strangers are commenting and it feels good! Now people don't have to wonder if I'm just fat ;) I am still playing tennis a few times a week and walking with my buddy Robyn as often as we can. Sleeping continues to get more difficult, but my sister Alex loaned me her body pillow and I managed to find a comfy enough position last night where I only woke up twice! That's a huge improvement!

I didn't want to keep taking bare belly photos, but it really is the best way to see how much I have grown and since I keep this blog more for myself than anything else...here goes! My mom and sister took a few pictures of me last night and even though they are technically 19 weeks 6 days, I was too sleepy this morning to set up my camera and try again! The shadow is a bit dramatic in the second shot, but you can see how I am definitely filling out! I'll try and get another pic today after our Dr. appointment!

Alex, Me, and Baby H...................................and a 20 week Bare Belly!

And because I am a dork and just couldn't help myself,
here is one last photo of me and Baby H.

Happy Halfway Point Baby Boy H!
Can't wait to "see" you in a few hours!

T2 Playoffs

So, apparently Linc and I are already in round two of our T2 play offs for this season. Somehow I missed that when we were playing our match today! I was thinking it was a make up match and didn't really matter since we were going to the playoffs anyway. What I didn't know until afterward was that, that was round one of the actual playoff games! Ooops....blame it on the pregnancy brain!

Our match lasted a little over two hours and after we lost the first set in a tie breaker, I was a little concerned that this "make up match" was a lot harder than I was expecting! I finally figured out my serve and we came from behind to win 6-7, 6-2, 6-2. The people were really nice and made a joke about it being three against two but we managed to hold them off and walk away with the victory. Linc made a comment about how round one was a lot more difficult than he had anticipated and then had to sit there and explain to me that we had just played our first playoff match. I'm glad I didn't screw things up for us by goofing off too much!! Yay for advancing!!

SYTYCD

If you are not familiar with what those initials stand for, then perhaps you have been missing out on the greatest TV show of all time. So You Think You Can Dance is on its sixth season and continues to blow me away with the incredible talent displayed each week. If you like dancing shows and have never watched it, it is time to tune in!

This past week Linc surprised me with tickets to the live tour where we got to watch the top 12 contestants from season five dance some of their best routines. We were 14 rows from the stage and really enjoyed the performances. We had gone two years ago for the season 3 performers, but this show was absolutely amazing! The tricks that these dancers can do were breathtaking and I just cannot believe how talented they are. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire show and almost lost my voice from screaming so much! I have over 300 pictures from the event, but here are a few of my favorites!

Opening Number- Season 5 Top 10 (plus two special guests!)

Disco with Brandon and Jeanette

Hip Hop with Phillip and Jeanine

"The Butt Dance" with Randi and Evan

Classical Pas de Deux with Ade and Melissa

Bollywood with Jason and Kaitlin

Top 3 Girls- Melissa, Kayla, and Jeanine

Wow!! Kayla during her solo!

Group Number- right before intermission

I Know You Want Me [Calle Ocho] by PitBull

Jazz with Brandon and Kayla

Ballerina Melissa during her solo

The Russian Folk Dance- everyone joined in this time!!

Season Five Winner Jeanine

These girls sure can fly!

A sparkly Finale with Brandon and Jeanette showing off some tricks!

If these pictures haven't got you hooked, Season 6 is already under way and is shaping up to be even more incredible! Thanks Linc for such a great surprise and I hope we get to go again next year!

You Say Tomato

Tomatoes just happened to be my first food aversion but thankfully it seems we are past that stage in pregnancy!! I have been having a lot of growing pains this week and staying asleep through the night has proven to be a bit tricky. I know it's only going to get worse though, so I am trying to get as much rest as possible in the next few weeks! This post is a little late because we haven't had internet at work all week long and I haven't remembered to type it once I got home. We have had a BUSY week and I am hoping to catch up with my posts this weekend-- I can't wait to tell you what Linc and I did on Tuesday!

According to BabyCenter: Baby Hami's sensory development is exploding! His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that he may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to him, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces (apparently Baby H is a little ahead of schedule- we were 10.6 oz last week!!) and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on his skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

We have our 20 week appointment on Monday and I cannot understand how I am about to be halfway done with this pregnancy! It is flying by and March will be here before we know it! Hopefully Baby H hangs in there for a while (like closer to April...?) since we don't get maternity leave, instead of early March like everyone is predicting! I'm excited to see how much he has grown in the last two weeks and will hopefully have some better pictures of his sweet little face!! Happy Friday everyone!

The Legacy Continues

Thanks to those of you who cast your vote last night! I didn't give it much time in between, but we announced the sex to our family today and wanted to get a post up before word spread like wildfire. Anyway...here's some quick background about the title of this post!

At my school there have been 10 babies born in the last three years. Every single one of them has been a boy. The last woman to have a girl actually had twin girls (three years ago) and apparently she would be the last! We joke that there's something in the water-- and I am beginning to think it's true. Our school must be in charge of populating the next generation of boys and this EJES legacy definitely continues for our family! That's right...

Baby Hamilton is a BOY!!!

We found out we were pregnant at four weeks and I immediately thought boy. At twelve weeks we had an ultrasound and I was still convinced it was a boy. Last night we finally got our confirmation when little Hami rolled over for the camera!! Linc and I are SO thrilled and cannot wait to actually meet HIM in person! Now the real work begins and the great name debate of 2009 will commence! Feel free to leave your suggestion(s) on the comment page!

PS- just couldn't help myself and gave the blog a little facelift =)

Patience (or lack thereof)

Being an elementary school teacher I like to think I have a lot of patience when it comes to most situations. Today on my way home from work though, I absolutely HAD to see our baby again. I could not wait another day-- let alone 10, which is when our 20 week appointment and gender reveal was scheduled. I don't know what came over me but as soon as I got home I asked Linc to check into some 3D studios nearby. He agreed that we could go early (they just happened to have an opening) and we headed over to First Impressions Imaging Studio!

Baby Hami was in a particularly sleepy mood- despite the soda I had just had to try and force some dancing around! The heartbeat was a strong 154bpm and we are measuring a bit ahead of schedule. The tech put as at 19 weeks 4 days (according to the doctor I am 18 weeks 4 days) and said March 1 might be a more realistic due date. Yikes! We might share the same birthday after all! She was also able to get some measurements and Baby Hami weighs 10.6 ounces. This is right on track for our doctor given due date- so maybe Baby H will just be long and skinny instead of the giant 10 pound bowling ball I am predicting! We got some great pictures of the feet, Baby H yawning, close up of the face, and little hands that loved to rest right over the eyes.

Baby Hami yawning! Look at that little button nose!!

All tucked up and waving a skinny little arm!

Baby Hami says, "Enough already! It's bedtime!"

Oh...and did I mention we found out
what Baby Hami is...? Yeah, that's right!
Inside this envelope is the sex of our little one.

Are you just dying to know?
Cast your vote now in the comments section!!

Movement?

BabyCenter says Baby H is the size of a bell pepper, TheBump says sweet potato. Either way, we've hit week 18 and are growing, growing, growing!! Both websites say now is about the time Baby H will start making his presence known with some flutters, kicks, and punches. This weekend I was sitting in my car (stuck in traffic) and I could have sworn I felt the first little hint of movement. I second guessed myself so much though, that now I am not sure. My midwife was surprised I hadn't felt him already since Baby H is measuring in the 98th percentile, but I will keep concentrating and will hopefully be able to distinguish between baby movement and tummy rumbles very soon!

Moving right along...this picture just about sums up my morning! Today I woke up a pound lighter than last week, but could not for the life of me button my damn pants!!! Thank goodness I had already bought a BellaBand so I didn't have to rethink my entire outfit at 5 o'clock in the morning.

It makes me a little sad when my scale at home registers a good 5 pounds less than at my doctor's office each time I go to visit. I always take my measurements first thing in the morning, whereas when I go to the doctor I have already been up for a good 11 hours and have probably eaten about three times! Most people don't see me when I first wake up, so I did a morning bump vs. night bump photo so you can see what I look like when I first wake up and what Baby H morphs into after a few hours. The two pictures were taken about 14 hours apart on the same day.

Yikes!! No wonder Linc's reaction every time he comes home is "Whoa! Check out that belly!" But oh just you wait Linc...you ain't seen nothing yet!!!

SG Baby Shower

No, not for me! The other night two of my small group girls hosted a baby shower for fellow member Kerri who is due in 3 weeks! She is having a little boy named Jack Weston and we are all so excited for him to arrive. We got a chance to decorate some very adorable onesies for him and had a blast talking, relaxing, and watching Kerri open her gifts. We must have all been on the same wave length as she received tons of Huggies diapers!! What more could a girl ask for?! hahaha Apparently a knack for painting baby clothes runs in our family because my "What dirt?" onesie was a huge hit! I had so much fun and can't wait to see baby Jack wear it!

Baby Jack's new hand painted onesies and a few gifts to open!

Small Group Ladies
Alexis, Kerri, Jessica, Me, Karen,
Becky, Dawn, Lynn, Belinda, and Nancy

Comparing tummies
Me 17 weeks, Kerri 37 weeks! She is SO tiny!!

Doggie Camp

When Linc and I go out of town we usually have a couple come dog sit at our house. I swear we keep these people in business!! Unfortunately, the one weekend a year they travel is the same weekend we have my cousin's wedding! I have been searching for an alternative and came across a doggie sleep away camp that sounded like a good choice.

Westin and Tessa had their first "interview" and trial run this morning and seemed to really enjoy it! They both came home completely exhausted and curled up for a nap right away. We were able to watch them on the camp's web cam and I captured a few photos of them playing. I liked being able to check up on them while we were away and the pups even got a report card at the end of the day telling us how they did. We may have found a permanent replacement to our in-house dog sitters since the cost is just about the same.

Wessy was so brave and climbed
the slide to play with some pups!!

This was in the middle of a chase between Tessa
and the little spaniel on her right. So cute!

It only took Tessa a minute when we got home to find these blankets and curl up!

Westin thought he might like a little snuggle
with his baby before completely passing out!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
and yes...Westin really does snore!