The Home Stretch...

Well my third, and final, trimester has finally arrived - and at lightning speed.  As of today, only about 11 more weeks until we get to meet our little lady!  This trimester hasn't had the greatest start, and I have to frequently remind myself that it will all be worth it in the end.  Some new developments the past month: very little sleep every night due to my growing belly, terrible heartburn, Braxton Hicks, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, leg cramps, little elbows and knees in my ribcage...and the list goes on.  I'm only a few weeks into this last stretch, and I'm already looking for the finish line.  However, I'm sure the next few weeks will go by fast, and I'm so thankful that it has been smooth sailing so far.

You may think that these pictures are in the wrong order, but they are actually correct.  Cody and I both caught the flu last week, so I actually lost a few pounds in my 28th week.  I'm not too worried though - I'm sure I'll catch up in no time!

I feel like I am finally getting somewhere with the nursery.  I started working on a few little crafts for her room, and have a pretty detailed game plan for finishing the rest of it.  I can't wait to share the finished product!  But for now...here's a little sneak peak of what I've been working on:

Above is the color palette I chose for my paintings.

A little sneak peak of one the paintings I finished last week.  More to come soon!

I've had so much fun doing crafts for the nursery!  I can't wait to see it all come together in the end.  My baby shower is a week from today and I can't wait to see all my friends and family and celebrate our little girl!  Pictures to come!

2nd Trimester Thoughts

Most women say they can't believe how fast their pregnancy comes and goes - and now I truly believe it.  My second trimester has been wonderful and full of fun new things, and I just can't believe in just a week it will be over!  As I enter into my last stage of pregnancy, I have found myself a little fearful of what's ahead.  All of the sudden the fact that there is a PERSON inside of me seems very real - and that there is only one way out!!  While that is a little bit scary, I am encouraged daily by Baileigh's little kicks and punches that remind me of the little daughter that I CAN'T WAIT to meet!  

At my last ultrasound, we got a great picture of the little cutie's face.  She was very active, and we even got to see her smile, swallow, and hiccup.  We can't get over how cute she already is!  We were given the final confirmation that she is...a SHE, which was a big relief!  Just a few days after my ultrasound (coincidentally, on our 9th year anniversary as a couple), I went to the fabric store to get the fabric for her bedding....here's a little sneak peak:

These are the "In Progress" pictures...more to come in a few weeks!  Even though it looks like a mess right now, I am starting to see it come together and I can't wait to see the finished product!  Cody and I have had lots of talks lately about what we think her personality will be like.  The one trait we both seem to agree on, is "bubbly".  Of course only time will tell, but for some reason we both think we will have a cheerful little girl who loves to smile and laugh, and is full of life - and behaves ALL of the time...right???  So with that being said - I couldn't image her nursery being anything but colorful!

As fast as the first and second trimester have flown by, I'm sure the third will go by even faster.  Next month I have my baby shower and birthday, then its Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then New Years....then BAILEIGH!  It will be a very busy couple of months for the Nelsons...so keep us in your prayers!  I'll wrap this up with a few pictures that Lindsay took to use for my baby shower invites:

Auntie Kate and Uncle Doug are home!!

This past week was a long time coming for our family!  For the past year, my sister Kaitlin and her husband Doug have been working as teachers in South Korea.  On Labor Day, they safely returned to the U.S.  I am so thankful to have my sister back, and thankful that God protected Kate and Doug for a year and brought them back safely.  Our family feels complete again, and now I'm even more excited for Baileigh's arrival and to see her get showered with love by all her Aunties!  What a lucky girl to have so many great women to look up to - reminds me of one of my favorite few verses in the New Testament: Titus 2:3-5:

" Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

Each one of my sisters, my sister-in-law included, have such unique personalities and strengths and have so much insight to offer our little girl.  Lindsay will teach her how to not take things too seriously, and to roll with the punches that are thrown at you in life; Kaitlin will teach her so much about this world and tell her stories of all the things she's seen and done; Jenna will teach her how important it is to be silly and laugh a lot - and how to be beautiful on the inside and out; and Courtney will teach her how to stand up for herself and be a strong woman.  Above all else, they each have such a great testimony of God's great and never-ending love for us to share with Baileigh.  I know that each one of them will contribute to Baileigh's personality in such a special way, and I am so thankful to have so many ladies love on my little girl.  I look forward to watching her mature over the years and fulfill all the good plans that God has for her.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

We're Halfway There!

August 21 marked the official half-way point of my pregnancy!  I can't believe how fast time is flying by, and that I am already at 20 weeks!  I definitely thought I would have a lot more accomplished at this point, and it's a bit daunting to think of everything we need to do before Baileigh arrives.  Luckily I have a great husband who will happily complete any task that I ask of him...which will be happening more and more in the coming weeks.  His project for this upcoming week is to get all the furniture out of the guest bedroom, in preparation for the crib which should be arriving any day now.

As for the nursery theme, I am still a bit undecided.  I know for sure that I do not want an official "theme", but instead a palette of 4 or 5 colors.  As for choosing those colors...that is the hard part!  I found a lady through the church that is going to make my bedding for me, so as soon as I figure out what colors I want, I can go to the fabric store and get that project started.  I am hoping to have that done in the next month or two...so stay tuned!

The most recent development in my pregnancy is that I can now feel Baileigh moving around and kicking everyday!  I have felt her moving for about a month now, but the kicking started at about 18 or 19 weeks.  One of my new favorite things to do is lay down, or sit on the couch, and just wait for her to kick.  Unfortunately her timing hasn't been very good, and Cody still hasn't been able to feel her.  I think he is starting to feel a little left out!

The past two weekends Cody and I have been able to get down to the beach, which has been such a blast.  Two weekends ago just the two of us went, then last weekend we went with my mom, Lindsay, Jenna, and Jax.  We all had such a blast.  Baileigh got her first taste of the ocean while I was floating in the waves!  The weather and the water were perfect!  I'm hoping to make lots of beach trips with her next summer!

As usual, we both took advantage of our time with Jaxson, and got lots of "Mommy" and "Daddy" practice.  You may not be able to tell from the picture, but Jaxy had a blast playing in the waves with his Uncle Cody!

Last weekend I also had the chance to meet up with my best friend/college roommate Liz in Orange County.   She was so thoughtful and bought Baileigh the cutest little dress!  We don't get to see each other very often, but when we do, we are able to pick up right where we left off.  Liz is busy preparing for her wedding next year and working on her Master's at USC.  It's funny how we have both chosen such different paths since graduating, but we still share such a great bond.  I am looking forward to her wedding next September...it will be an exciting year for us both as we become a mother and a wife!  

It's A..........

GIRL!!!!!!!  Yup that's right!!  We are still in shock.  Cody keeps saying, "I can't believe I'm going to have a daughter!"  I just can't wipe the smile off of my face.  Although, there is a little disclaimer.  The ultrasound tech said that she, personally, doesn't ever say the gender is 100% until 18 weeks.  I had the ultrasound today, at almost 17 weeks, so she said she is only 80% sure.  At first Cody and I were pretty bummed about this.  However, after the tech took a few good looks at the ultrasound, she seemed pretty sure of herself....so we are going with it!  I guess you truly never know until you get to meet them in the flesh, but we are going to go with Girl for now!

I'm writing this at 7:45pm, and let me tell you, it has been a very long day.  I woke up early to get a head start on my "gender reveal" cupcakes, took a shower and got ready, went maternity shopping with Lindsay (and found some GREAT stuff), then hurried home to meet up with Cody and head over to the imaging center.  As soon as the ultrasound was done, we hurried over to order pizza, got some Starbucks while we waited for the pizzas, hurried back home so I could stuff the cupcakes with pink frosting, skyped with Aunt Kaitlin and Uncle Doug in Korea (their reaction was awesome), then quickly cleaned the kitchen (to hide all evidence of pink frosting) before the whole family came over for dinner.

Once everybody arrived, it only took about 30 seconds until everybody had a cupcake in hand, ready to take a big bite to see what was inside....

For someone who doesn't eat carbs, Lindsay sure was eager to eat that cupcake!

Needless to say, everyone was ecstatic to see the pink frosting!  We are all very excited to have a girl in the family.  Cody and I can't believe we are going to be the lucky parents of a sweet little girl.  We love our little angel already!  We can't wait to meet you, Baileigh Dawn!

One down, two to go!!

Well my first trimester is officially over.  I still am in shock of how fast it came and went!  Although I really did feel great the entire trimester, I have noticed the past few weeks that I have more energy.  I am thankful to be feeling up to making dinner and cleaning the house again.  Cody was doing way more than his fair share for quite a while there, so I am happy to resume my duties and start taking better care of my man!

I officially told the pastors that I work for the news last week.  I had been nervous about this for weeks.  I thought that they would be disappointed in me and upset that I would be leaving so soon.  They all were bummed, but more excited for me than anything.  I really had no reason to be nervous.  I had been praying about it, and just like He always does, God took care of things.  I am beyond thankful to be working at High Desert Church.  It is a truly unique work environment, where family comes first in everyone's life.  All the pastors were more than supportive of my decision to be a stay-at-home mommy.  They all expressed that they wouldn't want it any other way for me.  It has been such a relief to not be keeping that secret anymore, and lots of fun too!  Most of the women I work with are around my parents' ages, so I am blessed daily with their wisdom, advice, encouragement, and support.  I couldn't have asked for a better place to work.  Although I am eagerly looking forward to my new job as a mommy, it is going to be very hard for me to leave my job.

Today I had my 14 week appointment.  Cody was able to go with me again.  Sylvia, my nurse practitioner, had a hard time getting the heartbeat.  Every time she would find it, the baby would move or fidget and she would have to find it again.  She joked that she was having to chase the baby just to get the heartbeat!  Now Cody and I are anticipated an active baby!  I think Cody got a real kick out of our feisty little baby.  My first ultrasound is scheduled for July 27, which means the next time I update this blog it will be to announce what we're having!  We can't wait!!

I'm a little embarrassed about my 14 week photo.  Instead of a baby bump, it looks more like a baby roll in the picture.  Oh well.  As Lindsay would say, "I keep it real."  Cody takes these pictures right before I leave for work, so there is usually not a lot of time to take a lot of shots.  Hopefully for my 16 week photo I will look pregnant and not chubby!

10 Weeks

Time is just flying by...only two more weeks and I'll be done with my first trimester!  I can't believe it.  I feel very blessed to say that so far, I have had a great pregnancy.  I feel pretty much myself, except for my growing waist.  The last few days at work I have had to wear a longer shirt with my pants unbuttoned!  I think it may be time to look into some pants with a little more stretch!

This past Thursday I had my second doctor's appointment.  Cody was able to go along as well.  The doctor said everything looked great, and we even got to hear the heartbeat!  It was such a special moment.  As soon as I heard that "swish-swish" of our babies heart, the tears started rolling down my cheeks.  That was the moment where this all started to feel very real for us.  We left that appointment with big smiles on our faces...with Cody saying, "HE has such a strong heartbeat," as I replied, "Yes, SHE does."

Unfortunately we won't be able to end that debate for 2 more months.  My doctor said if I really want to know the sex on the first ultrasound, we should wait until 18 weeks.  That seems like an eternity right now.  I just have to keep reminding myself how quickly the past few weeks have gone by.  I think everyone in the family is eager to find out the sex...so we can start buying stuff for the baby!  Every time I am out at the store I have to refrain from buying all the cute little girl stuff I see!  I am also eager to get a head start on the nursery.  I have tons of ideas running through my head...most of them involving a little girl's room!

Well that's all for this week.  I'm happy to say there is not much to report.  Cody is doing well, for those of you who are curious.  He has been extra helpful around the house and very patient with his often-cranky wife.  I am a lucky girl.  He is looking forward to celebrating Father's Day this year!  We will be heading to Arizona for two days to visit his dad as well as take Hot & Spicy out for the first time of 2012.  Other than the short ride to the beach, I won't be riding in the boat this summer, so Cody will have to take her out solo. But I am looking forward to floating in the water all day and giving the baby it's first taste of the river!