It's a boy!

So today was a big day! Ellen had her ultrasound and we found out the gender of our baby. It's officially a boy! The nurse who did our ultrasound was very nice and took lots and lots of photos. Most of them are for the doctors benefit, to show how certain organs and bones are developing. Everything she saw she said looked normal, which is good news. Our wee man did moon her quite a lot by sticking his butt at her! This actually prevented her from getting a couple of pictures that she wanted, so Ellen is going back in four weeks to see if we can get a good shot of his spine. Anyway, here are the photos that she gave us to take away. Most of them are labelled in case you don't know what you are looking at :)

Little belly

I know the exciting news is coming tomorrow, but I wanted to show everyone my tiny little growing belly. This me at 18.5 weeks - not too big yet, but big enough that I can't fit into most of my shorts and skirts anymore.  Thank goodness for my sister and friend, Jill, who have given me many, many bags full of maternity clothes. 

Week 18

Well, today marks week 18 and the baby is the size of a sweet potato. Supposedly the baby is very active and I should be able to start feeling it moving around.  Nothing yet! I'm still feeling okay, but I do get dizzy often when I stand up so I have to remember to take it easy.  I'm also having a lot of trouble sleeping, even when I take a sleep aid.  I hope that doesn't last long because I want to be able to get as much sleep as possible before the baby comes and I never sleep again! )
I am most excited for Tuesday because that is the day we find out if we are having a boy or a girl.  I wish I could fast forward until then!

House complete!

Well, we finally feel ready to post pictures of the house to show how all of our work turned out!  The house really feels like home and is ready and waiting for visitors. 

Living room/dining room seen from front door

Living room as seen from dining table area

Built in fireplace

Master bedroom

More master bedroom

Nursery :)

Nursery

Basement living area

basement

more basement

guest bedroom downstairs

Week 16!

Well, today marks week 16 and the little fetus now has 5 more months in my belly!  I read one email that said that the baby is now able to start hearing my voice since the bones inside their ears are growing.  I suppose that means I should stop cursing now? :)
I think I'm starting to get a bit of a baby bump, but really it just looks like I ate a TON of food.  I've started wearing some maternity tops, just because they are more comfortable in general.  I think in the next week or two it'll be much more noticeable that I'm pregnant.  Once you can tell, I will definitely post some pictures. 
Read more about week 16 here: http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-16-weeks_1105.bc?scid=mbtw_preg16&pe=MlVCZVRUQXwyMDEyMDcxMQ..

Guest room

Today, at 12:15, I officially finished painting the guest room! It has been a constant source of frustration given its unwillingness to part with its beloved golf themed wallpaper. It has definitely been the most difficult room to redecorate. A lot of time was spent getting the paper and paste off of the walls, even more time than the master bedroom, and that is saying something! I was so glad to start painting because I knew that the end was in sight. Even painting the room wasn't straight forward as the recessed window made for some awkward nooks to get a brush into. I certainly feel a sense of accomplishment as I look at it now. I just need to assemble the bed in there and move in a few cabinets and I can check that room off as done.
The house is almost at the stage where we can take some 'after' photos so you can all see the fruits of our labour. Watch this space!

Week 15

As of Wednesday, we were officially at 15 weeks.  I had a quick doctor's check in on Friday just to make sure there was a strong heartbeat and there was!   We go back on July 31st for our ultrasound, so hopefully then we'll be able to find out if we are having a boy or a girl.  I am SO excited for that!    I'm starting to not fit into my shorts anymore, so I've started to wear a bellyband with certain outfits.  Bellybands are great (look here if you don't know what it is: http://www.motherhood.com/maternity/belly-bands.asp)  but it's kind of a pain in the butt when you are still making frequent trips to the bathroom.  I have a lot of maternity clothes from my friend Jill, but most of the pants are for colder weather, so I might have to go buy some maternity shorts!
As for the house, it is almost camera ready.   we still have a little clutter that needs to be put away, but it definitely feels like a lived in home now. We finally started working on the guest bedroom downstairs again this weekend and it should be all painted by the end of next week. 
I'm going to leave you with a new picture of Sophia from this week.  She just keeps getting cuter and cuter!!

All moved in!

Well, two days in and the house is slowly coming together.  I would say we are about 75% unpacked, but you wouldn't know it with all the leftover boxes.  The very best part has been sleeping in the air conditioning - I think it's fair to say that the past couple of nights have been the best nights of sleep both of us have had in a LONG time.  I'm going to try to post some pictures of before we moved in and after the painting has taken place.

Living room/dining room as seen from front door

Kitchen - no work needed to be done!

Standing in kitchen looking out at dining room

fireplace in living room

main floor bathroom - wow, look at that wallpaper!

more main floor bathroom

bedroom that will be nursery

more bedroom that will be nursery

master bedroom - that is wallpaper that will end up being a nightmare to take down

basement

basement cabinets

downstairs bathroom

downstairs bedroom, will be guest bedroom. Again, more wallpaper to take down

close up of golf wallpaper :)

AFTER picture - upstairs bathroom

AFTER picture - upstairs bathroom

AFTER picture - nursery. Hard to tell but that is light gray

AFTER picture - master bedroom

AFTER picture - master bedroom

one of our IKEA cabinets

both of our new IKEA cabinets

  I'll post more pictures once everything is unpacked and the rooms have been fully formed.