33/34/35 Weeks! Getting Closer!

Well, we have been busy....extremely busy!

Haiden is gaining weight like he should...he is around 5.5 pounds now...which doesn't seem that heavy until you put it all in your tummy...then it starts to feel REALLY heavy. He is keeping me awake some nights with wiggling and squirming...but soon it will be with crying and poop so I guess I better be thankful for the little wiggles. Only 2 more weeks then he can come whenever he'd like...and I'd really appreciate it if he would choose that time to be sooner rather than later! My hands and feet stay pretty much in a state of swollen, some days more than others. Getting around towards the end of the day is becoming a real struggle and everything takes much longer than it use to. I guess that's just another way the body prepares you for life with a baby. It's very frustrating for me because my mind works so fast and my body can't keep up with it anymore...I'm not use to that at all! I can't wait to have my body back to myself...I don't mind sharing Haiden! Not too much longer...maybe this time next month we will have us a baby! Wouldn't that be awesome!

A few things that have been going on:

-Tree Trimming Party at Tommy and Gloria's

From The Holidays 10

We all headed to Tommy and Gloria's for the annual tree trimming party which was a blast. Greg made a crock pot full of spaghetti and Gloria made some yummy garlic bread. Then we headed into the living room to decorate the tree. Brett and Ashley headed over later to join the festivities...it was a fun night. We all stayed the night and woke up to a wonderful breakfast. It was a very nice weekend. Then Tommy, Gloria, Greg and I met up at the Ski Club's Holiday party at the Town Center later that night for some dinner and mingling. It was very nice but Greg and I were very tired so we called it a night early.

-A new jet ski :)

From The River

We are trying to sell our EZ-Go so we can get a jet ski for the summer...well one day Greg and I decided to head over to Beach Blvd Power Sports and check out their selection (we have a family friend who works there and wanted to help us get a good deal). We ended up leaving there with a new 2011 model which we love...it's beautiful! We were planning on going down to the river that weekend and Greg surprised me with our new jet ski in tow when he came home from work Friday...I was so excited. We took a short putz that weekend but it was pretty cold and I'm not able to ride very rough so we headed back. I can't wait to see what she's made of! I don't think Greg and Tommy realize the kind of hard core jet ski fanatic I am...guess they'll just have to wait and find out. Just another reason I'm anxious for Haiden to get here! :) I also made my first pot of chili and to my surprise (and I think everyone else's too) it was pretty darn good! I'll have to try that again soon!

-Our last childbirth classes

It's official...we have been educated on childbirth (still don't think we are ready for it though!). I was really thankful we took the class and our instructor was wonderful. We had a fill in one night with a doula named Heather...before meeting her I didn't think a doula would be necessary because we will have so many people at the birth already but after class that night Greg and I could see the reason why you'd want someone like her around. She was so calming and knowledgeable...it sure would be nice to have her there to help guide us. We found out her fee is $600 and includes 2 pre-birth visits, the entire birth and a postpartum visit...she's definitely worth the $600, we just don't have it. It's too bad because we would love to have her there. But we will have all the family and the midwives so we will survive.

-St. Augustine with Mom and Dad, the River, neighborhood Christmas Caroling and Christmas shopping (all this past weekend)

From The Holidays 10

From The Holidays 10

After a super busy week at work, Mom, Dad, Greg and I met at the Santa Maria restaurant in St. Augustine for our annual holiday trip to the Tini Martini. We ate appetizers and had planned on eating dinner there but were so full after the appetizers we decided to skip dinner and head over the the Tini Martini. It wasn't as cold as it had been the previous year but we still had a good time. It's such a beautiful place (the bar is on the porch of the Casablanca Inn, in case you didn't know). The music wasn't as good as last year but the martini's were the same wonderful concoctions as always (so I was told). Then we headed to a new piano bar next to Scarlett O'Hara's called Rhett's...it was nice but small and very loud! I had some apple pie tart and then we headed back to the car...it wasn't a real late night but we were all exhausted after the very long and busy week and VERY busy day. It was nice to spend time with them. Greg and I headed to the River to move the jet ski to it's new home on the new trailer. We slept pretty well but were up early to move the jet ski before it poured (which it never did). After a short visit we headed home where we relaxed for a little while before heading over the the Carbondale hood for some Christmas Caroling. Greg and I always love this time of year because there are so many wonderful memories we share. Christmas Caroling was the first time Greg and I officially met. We danced the night away, agreed to go on a date (I admit I sort of tricked him into that but I don't think he regrets it) and I gave him my phone number. This time of year is so special to us, and soon we will add our little one to the special winter holiday memories...how exciting! Caroling was cut short this year because it was raining. And after we got back we snacked for a bit then headed home, everyone was just exhausted. Maybe next year it will be back to it's usual loud, fun and crazy glory! Sunday Greg finished tiling the bathroom (I'm so proud of my hubby!), we cleaned the house, took maternity pictures with Eric (can't wait for you all to see them, they are adorable!) and then went Christmas shopping. We were only out until 6:30 (we started about 4) but it felt like we had been out all day and we were exhausted. We came back, ate dinner and I was in bed by 8 while Greg tidied up the bathroom for grouting tonight. He is such a hard worker, I'm so lucky to have him!

-My Rocker to Glider Conversion

I absolutely love the look and feel of my rocker but it doesn't rock as well as I'd like because it's on carpet. I would have loved a glider that looks like my rocker but they are about $800 and no where near as cute....so after doing some research online I've decided to convert my rocker to a glider. I bought a cheap glider chair and ottoman from craigslist and after disassembling the glider and keeping on the glider mechanisms I need I found them to be a perfect fit on my rocker and ottoman. Greg is going to pick up some long bolts for me at Home Depot this afternoon and hopefully by late this evening the rocker to glider conversion will be complete (or at least by later this week). I am very excited! The rocker was such a great deal and the glider we picked up is in great shape...I can't wait to try it out!

That's just a few of the highlights from the past few weeks. Christmas is less than a week away and we can't wait...another week closer to our little man! Plus we like spending time with the family and all of course! We are excited to host Christmas dinner again this year, only we've decided to hold it on Christmas Eve, a renewed tradition from the Bragg side, and one of my favorites. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes! I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

31/32 Weeks! Thanksgiving and Getting Things Done!

Hello!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We sure did! It's been a very busy couple of weeks...we've been working our butts off to get things done.

From Baby Pierce

Haiden is almost 4 pounds now and putting on about 1/2 a pound a week...he'll be ready in no time! He's kicking and squirming all day now...you can even feel a little heel or knee near my ribs. I've been having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions lately and he is definitely head down...but it's all normal for this time...no indication that he will be early...although that doesn't stop everyone from thinking he will be.

The nursery is about 95% done...just a few more decorative items to put up and a tiny bit of touch up...it feels so nice to be this close to completion after so long! Here are the pics...it's just as I imagined!

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce (The closet has actually filled in with a lot more clothes since I took this picture a few weeks ago...can you imagine!)

The living room and dining room are coming along...I just love our new pillows and curtains...they make all the difference. And the crown molding in the dining room really finishes the look (now we just need to finish the baseboards).

Thanksgiving was wonderful, it was so nice to see everyone. And the food of course was an absolute delight...YUMMY!

From The Holidays 10

From The Holidays 10

On Saturday Greg and I went to the Town Center to walk around...it was such a beautiful day. Greg ended up with a new pair of shoes (he definitely deserves them!) and we stopped at Once Upon A Child (a consignment shop for the little ones) where Greg found an Eddie Bauer diaper bag for $15 (regularly $40) and we found a bunch of adorable outfits for our little man. It's a great store and we are excited to be able to buy Haiden some really nice things without breaking the bank. Then when he grows out of them we will trade them in for new items...it's economical and eco-nomical! How exciting!

My rocking chair came in this week and it looks great! It's a bit more difficult to rock because it's on carpet but we will get a mat to set it on. We were also given a Stokke Highchair from Joel. He had it sitting in his hangar and brought it over to us. Little did he know the gold mine he had sitting there. This thing is awesome! It's a European company (think Ikea) and this chair is a HUGE deal in Europe. It's a highchair that grows with the baby. It eventually turns into a regular chair that can hold up to 300 pounds. I don't think I've heard one negative thing about this chair...everyone who has one absolutely adore's it. It retails for $250 new...and that's just for the chair. To use it for an infant you have to buy the Baby Set (why it's called set I don't know...doesn't seat make more sense?) which is about $80 and to make it more comfy you can get a padded seat cushion with a cute design for around $60. It's well worth the investment because if we ever sell it (and most people don't) we will get our money's worth! Most people end up getting a second when they have another child. It's been around since 1972 so my guess is that it isn't going anywhere.

From Baby Pierce

Here is what it looks like as baby grows:

It's been getting harder to breathe, Haiden is taking up a lot of room these days! My feet have been killing me and are starting to swell daily now. I finally had to give in and buy some comfy (maybe not the cutest) shoes. I went with some cute Crocs...not like the original clog ones you see everywhere. These are pretty darn cute for Crocs and they are extremely comfortable. just what I needed. They don't stop the swelling at the end of the day and sometimes my feet still hurt but I can't imagine how much pain I would be in if I was still wearing my regular flip flops or flats...I'd be miserable!

We have only 2 more childbirth classes left and I am learning a lot! It's amazing how the body knows just what to do. It's also really cool learning about all the ways your body prepares you...and you thought it was just simply an inconvenience! I have to say...I might miss the classes when they're done. Our instructor is really nice and very knowledgeable. We were lucky to find such a good teacher!

Well, I must get back to the craziness. The Christmas holiday is fast approaching and there is much to do! The shower is almost done and the bathroom won't be too far behind. I'll get some pictures up soon!

29/30 Weeks! Busy, Busy, Busy!!

Well, as you probably noticed I was so busy I didn't have a chance to write last week! No worries...I will fill you in on all that happened.

Last Monday we had our holiday photoshoot with Eric and the pictures turned out great! We took pictures for our Christmas cards which I will send out in December. I also wanted to start a tradition for us each year so we could see the changes from year to year and the holidays are the perfect excuse. Here are the pics if you'd like to see them.

Last weekend was the baby shower (which you all know about) and it was a blast! We got so many wonderful gifts and it was so nice to see and visit with everyone again. We got home about 11 and Greg headed to bed about 1 but I had too much organizing on my mind to get any rest until 2. Then a restless night of sleep lead me to wake up at 6 to get started on the day...needless to say I was tired by mid day but the peace of mind that everything was organized was worth it. Our house looked like Christmas morning on Sunday but we had everything cleaned by 10...we are pretty efficient! To see the pics from the photographer visit GarzaProductions on Facebook and look at the Baby Shower in the Skys album (I posted a link to it on my profile feed). Here are just a few from my camera but the most are on the photographers page. I will get the disc from him soon and put the pictures up on my Picasa Web Albums.

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

We started our childbirth classes on Monday last week and it was very interesting. We learned about the signs of preterm labor and actual labor and how the growing little one changes the female figure. We also learned some helpful exercises and some more do's and don't to add to the already long pregnancy list. I am looking forward to tonight's class...I can't remember what it's about (thank you pregnancy brain) but whatever it is will be interesting and help ease my mind.

Last week was super busy even on my day off. Wednesday I had several errands to run so I took the day off and took Gloria around on all my errands with me, or rather she took me on all my errands! I dropped my van off at the dealership to have new tires put on (Greg fought hard and won on an upgraded tire). Then we dropped off his dry cleaning, dropped off my pants at the alterations ladies and headed to Walmart to buy a few essentials (dog food) before my midwife appointment. Gloria got to meet Sharon and hear Haiden's heartbeat which was very special and a bit teary. How exciting!! Then we dropped off the dog food at the house and headed to the Town Center for lunch where we ate at Maggiano's and it was delish! Then we headed over to Babies R Us to return some duplicate items and stocked up on some much needed baby equipment like bottles, a changing pad for his dresser, a bath sponge for him to lay on and the trash can for the nursery. While we were there we found the perfect welcome outfit for Haiden...just what I had been looking for! It's a white cotton gown (think sleeper not Christening) with silver moons outlined on it and a matching hat. We got some adorable white socks to complete the ensemble, I can't wait for him to wear it!! Then we headed to Costco to buy the crib mattress but they only sell them online so we headed back to get my van. Then I went to the Chiropractor and went home. I was so exhausted from my busy day running errands that I made us some dinner and was in bed by 8:30. But that busy boy Greg was on a roll cleaning up and painting the hallway (which looks so much better now...thanks hun!).

I also made a trip to Burlington last week to try and get 3 more baskets (to match the ones Aunt Kathy bought for the shower) to put on his book shelves but I was out of luck in that department...but I found some adorable couldn't live without clothes and great deals for Haiden so it all worked out.

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

We have been busting our buns to get the house in working order...finally finishing some of those small yet tedious tasks and our to do list is finally shrinking! By Sunday, we had the french door panel installed and the back door painted, the crown molding up and painted in the dining room plus touch up, we installed and hung the curtain rods and curtains in the living room, Greg tiled the master bathroom shower and floor and we painted and installed Haiden's closet. By Sunday night we were exhausted!

We've also been busy the last 2 weeks working in Haiden's room to get things organized and ready. We have all the bedding on the crib except the sheets because we are still waiting on the mattress to arrive. I've got the books on the book shelves and toys in the baskets. The diapering area is set up and ready for use and the curtain rods and curtains have been hung and look adorable. Here are a few sneak peaks.

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

I can't wait for his laundry to be finished so I can organize and put away everything. I still need to see what kind of organizing baskets/bins I will need for the closet before I go buy them. And I need to find 6 baskets for his book shelves or the matching 3 for the ones he already has (which would be ideal since they are so cute and so perfect).

After the tile is put up on the walls for the shower I can start cleaning the office and moving the dogs into their new room...I don't like them being that far from us but there isn't really anywhere else for them to go and sleeping in our room just isn't an option (we tried it and they are just too noisy and they keep us up). Slowly but surely the house is coming along and I'm sure Greg and I will be ready for a remodeling break when Haiden get's here...just in time!

From Baby Pierce

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

28 Weeks! 3/4D Ultrasound!

From Baby Pierce

Well...here we are...7 months! Thank goodness...I'm ready to hold my little angel! He's 2.5 to 3 pounds and about 15 inches long from head to toe. His eyes aren't fused shut anymore and he's practicing opening and closing those babies! He's moving a lot these days...kicking my mug of hot chocolate as I rest it on my belly...it's cute. He twists and turns, I'm interested to see what kind of knots he will be tied in! :) He moves a lot especially after I eat something sweet like brownies...a boy after my own heart...he loves his brownies! It's really neat to be able to watch my belly move and take on different shapes as he practices his gymnastics.

Friday night a group of us went to see Haiden for the 1st time in a 3/4D ultrasound...and it was amazing! I can't believe how much you can see and how cute he is! It was so neat! Here are a few of the pics...there were 84 in all so I just selected a few of the better ones. It was so neat to see him smile and open and close his mouth...he doesn't look like an alien anymore! We got the session on DVD so if you want to watch it (which I'm sure everyone is just jumping at the chance to do) you are welcome to! Of course my opinion may be slightly biased but I think he's the cutest baby ever! I can't wait to hold him in my arms! After the ultrasound we went to dinner at European Street and had a wonderful night. Mom got us some adorable preemie outfits (I've been told by multiple people that they are usually too small for newborn clothes the first few weeks so I should have a few preemie items on hand).

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

Saturday we headed to the river for the FL/GA game and had a nice time. The Gators won of course but it was a close game till the very end! Amazingly I stayed awake until 10:30...I think watching Haiden wiggle and squirm kept the sleep at bay. Greg didn't sleep very well, his acid reflux was acting up, but we slept until 9 which was very unusual for us but very nice. We hung out for a little while longer on Sunday and headed back home. We stopped at Papaya so I could exchange a couple items I ordered online and got a few tops that I think will work perfectly for the Nautical baby shower...which is this weekend!!! Yay!! Then we headed home, relaxed for a little while and headed to Phil and Loretta's to watch the trick or treaters. We had a great time but I was so tired so we headed back and crashed.

I am so excited about the shower! I can't believe it's this weekend already! Time is flying so fast! I'm ready to continue my nesting and after the shower I will know what I still need to get...as a planner that makes me very happy. Haiden's room is done except for minor touches and the wall decorations. What a relief! As if there isn't enough going on in the next few months, we will be finishing up the nursery and hopefully it will be finished by mid-December. We are also in the middle of our master bathroom remodel and hopefully that will be done in the next 2-3 weeks. We just don't know how to function without multiple projects, do we? :)

From Baby Pierce

Well, I think that's all for now...all I can think to share anyway. I hope the rest of your week is fantastic and I can't wait to see everyone at the shower!! It's gonna be so much fun!

27 Weeks! Progress!

Greg and I have been very busy this past week...making lots of progress!

Last week, we hung the wallpaper but ran out with about 6 feet of wall left...I should have stuck with my original figures when I had to reorder from Home Depot...something I would have done if all my brain cells were working. We bought the chair rail and stained it the same color as the furniture...it looks good. Billy came out Sunday and cut all the corners and each piece so all we will have to do is nail it up on the wall after we finish the wallpaper installation and painting. We have to paint the wallpaper because the blue shows through, but it's not a big deal...a coat or two of white paint isn't too much work...we have to paint the base boards and the crown anyway. The last roll of wallpaper should be here Wednesday and the crown should be here Thursday...so maybe we will be done by this weekend!

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

From Baby Pierce

Saturday Greg also started the demo on the master bathroom. We will work on that a little each night and will hopefully be finished in a couple weeks. Until then we will be in between our master and guest bathrooms...it's not as bad as being out of the house for a week...we can deal with the bathrooms! I can't wait to see the finished product!

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

From Singapore

Greg and I will be meeting with the doctors at Progressive Pediatrics tonight. We have heard some great things about them and they have been recommended by several people to me. I am very excited to meet them! Hopefully it will all work out great! Can't wait to tell you all about it! We also have a midwife appointment on Wednesday...maybe she will be able to help explain the right side pains I've been having.

I can't believe we get to see our little one Friday! How fast time has gone by! Greg and I are so excited to see him again, it's been 11 weeks since we last saw him (at the gender ultrasound) and that was only 2D...we are so excited! I wonder who he will look like and whose features he has...so many questions and thoughts. I can't wait to see our little gymnast!

The place is called Sneak Peek Studios and it is located at 2720 Park Street at the intersection of Park and Kings in 5 Points. The studio is upstairs in the shopping center across from Walgreens on Park. You will need to be buzzed in but I will try to have someone downstairs to open the door for you until everyone has arrived. Once you are in the building you go up the stairs (or elevator if you prefer) and to the right. It will be on the right hand side just after the stairs. The appointment is at 7pm so try to be there about 5 minutes before so we can get started on time and get to dinner before it gets too busy.

We tried to find a place nearby for dinner afterwards so we wouldn't have to lose our parking spaces...the closest place is European Street. It's across the street and down a block. There are coupons for But 1 Get 1 Free in both the Money Pages and Mint Magazines. If you would like to go somewhere else just let me know, we are open to suggestions.

If you will be coming to the ultrasound and/or dinner please let me know so I can be sure we have enough seats and so you don't get stranded downstairs. So far I have: Mike, Cindy, Mackie, Gloria, Aunt Kathy...any one else I need to add?