Baby Bump Update!

25 Week Baby Bump!

ENJOY!

25 Weeks Pregnant!

25 Weeks Pregnant

How your baby's growing: Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

I am feeling great but do feel like my belly size has more than doubled in the last two weeks. Thankfully it seems to be mostly the belly growing in size and not the rest of me. We will see how long that lasts! I can tell Channing is growing more and more because my ribs hurt more and my round ligaments are hurting more. Although it is uncomfortable; it makes me happy to know that she is growing and that is the reason! I wouldn't have it any other way!

It snowed again yesterday in Dallas but did not stick around for today. I was hoping it would still be around for us to look at and enjoy but it wasn't. Oh well, it was pretty to drive home in yesterday evening. We have a lot coming up on our calendar. First up, we are going to Brandon and Shelby's for NYE to go out and eat dinner and play games with some other couples at their house. Low key and fun, just the way we like it. Then we will start our registering for our baby showers coming up, working on the nursery, going to a prepared childbirth class at the hospital, my glucose test and next doctors appointment, showers etc etc and before we know it Channing will be here!

Goodness, we look forward to updating everyone on everything coming up! Also, look for an updated belly picture tonight! I swear I am growing by leaps and bounds!

Christmas Presents for Channing and Updates!

'B' Ornament From The Galloway's

Pink Skull & Crossbones Shoes from The Diviney's Brown Flats From Gran & Pop

We had a wonderful Christmas! We started off with Christmas Eve at Chan's parents house with dinner then on to the candle light service at church. We ended the night with dessert and presents back at their house. We received so many wonderful gifts but we thought we would share some gifts than Channing received!

Christmas day was spent at my parents house where we received more presents both for us and Channing! We spent the rest of the day eating and spending time with my parents, brother, uncle Gary, Chan's brother Tyler, and Chan's parents! It was a big family Christmas. It was so great to have everyone from both families (minus the Colorado crew) together. We feel lucky to have both of our families close and we think it will be great for Channing as well!

For New Years Eve we plan on going to Brandon and Shelby's house in Ft Worth! Then the next few things we have to look forward to are: Boy's hunt for Chandler, Girl's weekend for Kels, Doing some more work on Channing's nursery, Glucose Test, Doctors Appointment, Sonogram, Registering for Showers, Maternity Picture Session and much much more! We have a busy schedule until Channing girl arrives but we wouldn't have it any other way! Belly Picture update to come later this week!

Channing's Changing Table : Kelsey's from childhood

'Pink Monster' Costume for Halloween From Gran and Pop

Cute Christmas Shirt from The Galloway's

OSU onsies from Uncle Tyler

Flower Outfit From Grammie & Poppa Scott

Fleece Outfit From Grammie & Poppa Scott

Eskimo Joe Shirt From Uncle Tyler

Merry Christmas

24 Weeks = 6 MONTHS!! A Belly Update!

Your pregnancy: 24 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Dr Update

Last Friday I went to the Doctor. I was 23 weeks along and it really was just a fast and easy check-up. I got weighed and measured and had my blood pressure taken. For all of you nosey people out there; I have gained some weight and let me tell you I am proud of it haha! :) But, the actual amount of weight is for me to know and you to NEVER find out. Hee Hee! Maybe I will tell everyone in the end what I gained as a total... that might be fun! The doctor said I looked great and the baby sounded great too. My next appointment is the dreaded glucose test, which I have recently heard is not that bad at all. I am not really worried about it at all, whatever happens with that happens and from what my doctor says, if I have gestational diabetes we will just treat it plain and simple... although, I do not think I have a big chance of having that. He also said my next sonogram will be sometime right around or after 28 weeks! I simply cannot wait to see Channing again. I want to see how much she has changed in the last few weeks!


Last night I watched the Kendra and Baby show on E! Yes, I totally watched it and yes I felt a little emotional seeing her and her husband get ready and then finally have the baby! It is really just so exciting and to see how happy she was to finally be able to hold him made me want to cry. I can't wait for that moment! One thing I hope that ends up totally different in my story than it did in hers.... the baby weighed almost 10 pounds... good Lord help me!!


Anyway, I am 24 weeks tomorrow and there will be a belly update post! Yes, that means 6 months!!! Although, I did figure out why people say pregnancy is really 10 months... you would think I only have 3 months total left and that is not the case. I am not due until April 13Th or 14Th and that makes it almost 4 months left! Goodness gracious, it is a good thing I am having a fairly good time or finding that out would have made me mad!


Look for the belly update tomorrow!

23 Weeks!

Your pregnancy: 23 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow morning for a regular check-up. I will be checking in after that to update everyone on the appointment. I can't wait to hear Channing's little heart beating; it is such a sweet sound to me.

Blog Update: Adolphus Christmas Parade Pictures!

We Have Crib...

Yesterday Chandler put the crib together! Well, I must say that it was a team effort! I read the directions and he actually put it together. We love how the crib looks and how it works in the room. We also put the rocking chair cushion that Jeannie made on and put the rocking chair in the room. It is starting to look like Channing's nursery and not just a blank extra room. Chandler also put the fan up and it looks perfect. We still have a lot to do with the walls. We are adding some great accents that I think you guys are going to love, but we have to let the paint sit for at least 30 days on the walls before we put the accents up! We are also working on the changing table that was mine as a little baby girl. We are painting it so that is a work in progress right now. We are also buying an armoire for the room and should have that sooner than later! We finally found a rug that is perfect for the room from Flor. I will try to post a picture of the sample we have in a few days. I do not know how well it will show up on the blog until we have the whole rug to post, but I will try. Enjoy the picture progress!!

Pieces and Parts Everywhere!

Setting up for the big 'build' and getting the directions ready!

Note: not the rug we are using... Just something to put the crib together on so we didn't scratch the new floors! Also, the walls will obviously not be bare in a few weeks...

This is how we found Benz in the middle of putting the crib together... He was sitting in Bentley's bed...His bed was only a few feet away, but I think he was pouting because he was not getting any attention!

The rocking chair Chandler's mom gave us and the cushion that Jeannie recovered for it. That is a sneak peak of some of the fabric we are using. There are a few more coordinating fabrics being used in the bedding and curtains, but you will have to wait for those pictures!

And.... The FINISHED product! We love it. Notice the pig in the crib... That was Chandler's piggy bank when he was little, his Granny made it. He put it in the room last night. We thought it went with the decor!

I even went in the room this morning, turned on the light and looked at everything. It is so fun thinking of our little girl sleeping in there in a few short months. We are getting so excited!

22 Week Baby Bump Update!

I know that all of you have been waiting on pins and needles for these pictures so here they are! I am 22 weeks along and still feel pretty great! I have found that the 'Bella Band' is a great invention making my pants work since they fit everywhere else except the belly area! Channing is moving around more and more and Chandler has been able to feel her move a lot lately!

She continues to enjoy the right side of my belly A LOT and sometimes that makes me uncomfortable, but she seems to be growing and doing great in there. We go for my next doctors appointment this Friday December 18th! I cant wait to hear her little heartbeat again!

Its The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

Last weekend was FULL of Christmas cheer! It all started at 'Hacienda on Henderson' a great Mexican food restaurant on Henderson Avenue in Dallas. We met Brandon and Shelby for dinner to start our weekend of all things Christmas. Shelby and I both LOVE the holidays and were so excited! We all ate dinner and visited and had a great time before heading to our next destination...

The Meyerson!!!

We went to the symphony to see the 'Christmas Pops' show! Our seats were GREAT; front and center! Chandler and I had never been. Brandon and Shelby mentioned it so we jumped at the invitation!

The music was GREAT! They incorporated a few old Christmas songs with a lot of popular 'pop' songs. They had a Christmas Pops chorus singing with them on a few songs and a few featured performers as well. They even asked for volunteers from the audience and let one hilarious lady direct the symphony on that song! It was so fun.

We went home got in bed and got up early the next day to go to the Adolphus Christmas Parade in downtown Dallas! We had great bleacher seats in front of City Hall, not to mention we found the perfect parking place. We loved the parade and it was so fun watching all the performers doing what I used to do in high school!

It really got us into the Christmas Spirit and we plan to do it all over again next year! It was so fun to think about taking Channing to the parade with us next year! I just know she will LOVE it just as much as her mom!

A Balch Thanksgiving Picture Update!!!

Chandler's Uncle Jeff sent me this picture of the whole Balch Family from Thanksgiving. It was so great to have everyone together this year!

From L to R: Jeff, Toni, Dave, Cindy, Harley, Blane, Grandmother, PaPa, Me, Chandler, Lynda, Scott, Tyler. Front Row L to R: Clay, Lexi, Macie & Ellie

Chan's mom sent me this picture of all of us from Thanksgiving as well. I love how the pictures turned out. Everyone looks great and it was such a fun day!

Design Dazzle & A Giveaway - $250 Moody Mamas

You have to check out this blog if you need any new decorating ideas for kids rooms or nursery's.

www.designdazzle.blogspot.com

They also happen to be featuring a 250 dollar giveaway to Moody Mamas! Check it out! This line has some GREAT maternity clothes for the stylish mama-to-be!

This is what they have to say about the giveaway: Moody Mamas is an exclusive fashion line with a focus on selling stylish maternity clothing and gifts featuring Fierce Mamas designs by Christian Siriano. If you’re wanting to look like a star while you’re pregnant, you’ll love Moody Mamas. They have the best in nursing lounge wear, evening maternity dresses, long maternity dresses, maternity clothes for work, maternity gifts, and maternity cover-ups. Moody Mamas is proud to have capsule collections featured at www.target.com and www.nordstrom.com. The collection also transitions seamlessly to everyday wear after pregnancy. Moody Mamas is offering one lucky Design Dazzler reader $250 in Fall/Winter maternity wardrobe - your choice!Just in time for the holidays, millions of moms-to-be across America can now follow in the footsteps of trend-setting celebrity moms Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, Ashlee Simpson, Tori Spelling & Laila Ali who are all fans of the ultra-popular high-fashion maternity line Moody Mamas, by scooping up the brand new, affordable, capsule collection just debuted on Target.com.Moody Mamas is revolutionizing maternity fashion by giving it a hip, stylish, sophisticated make-over with inspiration straight from the runways.

Go check it out to see how to enter!

A few pictures from Thanksgiving I forgot to put on the Thanksgiving post.

Chan's Aunt Toni, Cousin Lexi & I at Thanksgiving lunch!!
Chandler's Grandmother gave us one of the most special gifts we have received yet! Above we are posing with her and her baby quilt from when she was a little girl! She thought Channing could enjoy it and we think she will for sure! What a thoughtful and sweet gift! We are honored to have this blanket for our little girl! Thank you Grandmother!

Just a picture of my mom & I. I thought it was cute so I wanted to include it!

This is just a quick little post for everyone this afternoon! I will be posting an updated belly picture either tonight or tomorrow. I know you guys are just sitting on the edge of your seats for that!

Also; soon to come; a post about our festive weekend so far! It includes the symphony and the Adolphus Christmas Parade with Brandon and Shelby!! Such a fun way to kick off December!

A Carrot?!

21 Weeks!

Your pregnancy: 21 weeks:

How your baby's growing:Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

Updates:

I am certainly feeling little Channing girl move a lot. I am starting to realize when she is most awake and when she is sleeping! She is sleeping at the same time I am right now so I am trying to enjoy that! I know it won't last forever. She seems to LOVE hot chocolate because she moves and moves around after I drink a cup! She seems to favor the right side of my growing belly and that has started to make this mom a little uncomfortable in the rib area on my right side. At night I have been waking up with horrible hip pain and have started sleeping with a pillow in between my knees to try to alleviate that discomfort. It helps a little bit so I am sleeping a little better! Other than that I am really feeling great. My belly seems to be growing which means Channing is growing away in there!

In other news... My mom came to help me paint the nursery last night while Chan was out of town at a business conference. We got the whole room done and it looks AWESOME! I can't wait to see everything come together. I will post a few 'sneak peeks' of the progress very soon! I will also post another belly shot probably tomorrow... when Chandler is back and can help me take the 'usual' picture!

We have a lot to look forward to this weekend: the Symphony on Friday night and the Adolphus Christmas Parade on Saturday morning! It has been very chilly this week, it even snowed yesterday! We are starting to feel like it really is winter time around here! We are going to be bundling up and taking our hot chocolate to the parade! Woo Hoo!

Things for Channing Layne...

Below are some more things we have either bought or been given for our baby girl. I wanted to share them with you guys so you can be just as excited as we are!!
The day we found out we were having a girl my parents sent freshly baked cookies for us to my office from 'Tiff's Treats' oh man are they just about the best cookies ever! They come warm ready to be eaten. They are awesome! Note the box... 'ITS A GIRL!'

Pink Furry Booties... I found these for Channing, what little girl doesn't need pink furry boots?

I bought this before we were even pregnant... just thought it was cute no matter boy or girl... now Channing gets to wear it and be 'rad like dad'

Chan got this as part of his birthday gift from my parents before we found out it was for sure a girl... we had a feeling! Glad we were right hahaha!

Part of Chan's stocking from the Hufstedler Christmas. I heart Daddy.... that's so cute!!! Also, the 'ITS A GIRL' balloon that came with the cookies my parents sent!

The BEST daddy went and bought his little girl her first pair of earrings and bracelet! Pearls... what better way to spoil a little girl!

Little Flower Shoes

Sweet PINK flowers Chandler's aunt Toni gave me on Thanksgiving! In honor of Channing girl.

The CUTEST owl shoes!

I hope you enjoy all the little girl things we are accumulating! It really is SO much fun! Thanks to everyone who has given already to our little girl... She will have so many fun toys, stuffed animals, and cute things to wear!