Our New House!

I am so excited to share that Mike and I have bought a house!! And we are so very excited!

We knew we wanted to get a house before Baby VerSchave came, so we started the house hunting process this summer.  We probably saw around 20-30 houses and were not sold on any of them ~ none felt like "home."  While Mike was growing impatient, I tried telling him that our house was out there ~ we just needed  to be patient. After getting pregnant took a little longer than we thought it would, I've learned that everything happens for a reason and at the right time.  God has a plan for us and it will all work out.

Finally, we found it.  Our home! Where we will bring our baby home, watch him/her take his/her first steps, and where we will welcome future children and build countless memories.  I cannot wait! This house is perfect for us.  As we walked around the night we saw it, Mike and I just kept looking at each other like "wow!"  I fell in love with the remodeled kitchen, Mike loves the finished basement.  I love all kinds of things about this house and cannot wait to make it "our home."

Our closing is one month from today, on September 28th and it will give us plenty of time to get it all ready for Baby VerSchave's arrival!  I'll have my two week break in October to get lots of nesting done (hopefully with the help of my mama!) We'll be able to get the nursery all set and have everything ready!  It will be fall (my fav!) thus not too hot (hopefully) for all the moving we'll be doing ~ baseball season will be over, the school year will be in full effect ~ see...God's plan!  Perfect timing for Mike and I!

Not only am I excited to bring baby home, I am so excited to be done with apartment living!  Don't get me wrong ~ I've been so lucky with the amazing apartment I've called home for the last 6 years and I will miss it once I'm gone.  But the idea of not having to schlep laundry back and  forth to my parents, have kitchen cabinet/counter space, and central air is so exciting.

In the weeks leading up to the closing, I get stressed with all the emails, paperwork, inspections, etc. but then I start to dream about the months after the closing and the stress lifts away.  Decorating for fall...our first trick or treaters...bringing home baby...the holidays...being cozy warm on a snowy winter day...

can.not.wait.

Week Twenty-Six

Week Twenty-Six

Due Date: November 27, 2012

How Big is Baby: He/she is the length of an English hothouse cucumber! (Whatever that is!)

Total weight gain:  +15 pounds (can't change it until after my next dr.'s appointment)

Morning Sickness: None! 

Cravings: Anything sweet ~ Oreos, peanut butter granola bars, etc.

Sleep: Getting better each night ~ might have something to do with the fact that I'm back at school and second graders wear me out!

I can't live without: Water, maternity clothes, comfy shoes

I miss: Same as last week: sleeping on my belly! Comfortably bending over while sitting - this belly is starting to get in the way!

I am looking forward to: Finishing our baby registry this weekend ~ can't wait to get that checked off my to-do list!

Milestones: Baby's eyes are beginning to open! 

Movement: Lots more every day ~ even during the school day and at all kinds of times. Mike's getting to feel more kicks too!

Gender: Still thinking a boy, but we'll be surprised!

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!

Week Twenty-Five

Week Twenty-Five

Due Date: November 27, 2012

How Big is Baby: He/she is the size of your average rutabaga!

Total weight gain:  +15 pounds

Morning Sickness: None! 

Cravings: Oreos and Wheat Thins

Sleep: Good and bad, depending on the night!

I can't live without: Water, maternity clothes

I miss: Sleeping on my belly! Comfortably bending over while sitting - this belly is starting to get in the way!

I am looking forward to: Continuing to plan for the next few super exciting months!

Milestones: According to babycenter.com, baby's getting more fat and hair is beginning to grow.

Movement: Moving at different times of the day and they are getting stronger!  I love when I'm just sitting at work, especially if my students are at lunch or prep, and I'll just feel a kick! It's like baby is saying "Hi Mommy!"

Gender: Still thinking a boy, but we'll be surprised!

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!

Dear Baby (Letter #2)

My dear baby,

The last letter I wrote to you was a long time ago!  Boy, have you grown since then (Mommy has too!) You are all kinds of fun already and we haven't even met you yet.  You are moving more and more every day and I absolutely love to feel you!  You love to move when I'm laying down or if I lay on my left side.  You'll move around at other times too, but those seem to be your favorite times.  And just in the last couple days, I'm starting to see you move too!

Everybody is so excited to meet you!  Your grandmas and aunts are busy planning a baby shower for you and I just know you will get showered with all kinds of wonderful gifts and love.  I know the next few weeks and months will go by so fast and I cannot wait!  Until then, Daddy and I will continue to get ready for you ~ buy stuff, read, take a hospital tour, etc.

I love you little one and cannot wait to meet you!

Love,
Your Mommy

Week Twenty-Four

Week Twenty-Four

Due Date: November 27, 2012

How Big is Baby: He/she is the length of an ear of corn.

Total weight gain:  +15 pounds

Morning Sickness: None! And the random bits of nauseousness is slowly subsiding!

Cravings: Anything sweet and Wheat Thins

Sleep: Good and bad, depending on the night!

I can't live without: Water, maternity clothes

I miss: Sleeping on my belly! Comfortably bending over while sitting - this belly is starting to get in the way!

I am looking forward to: Continuing to grow and for a few fun happenings in our lives ~ will share in time! :

Milestones: According to babycenter.com, baby's brain and taste buds are growing.  His/her lungs are developing "branches" as well.  At our 24 week appointment, baby had a nice, strong heart beat of 145 beats/minute!

Movement: Moving at different times of the day and they are getting stronger!  Mike finally got to feel the baby kick!!  We were laying bed on Sunday and the baby was moving so I grabbed his hand.  Every kick I'd look at him, but he wasn't feeling them yet.  Then there were two little thumps that he felt but ended up convincing himself that it was my pulse or his (???) A few seconds later, baby gave two strong kicks and Mike said, "OH!! What was that?!?!"  Baby!!  

At our 24 week doctor's appointment, my dr. went to listen to the heartbeat and as soon as she put the monitor on my belly, baby kicked it!  Baby was kicking away as she was getting a heart rate ~ she even had to move over some because of all the movement!

Gender: Still thinking a boy, but we'll be surprised!

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!

Week Twenty-Three

Week Twenty-Three

Due Date: November 27, 2012

How Big is Baby: He/she is the size of a large mango

Total weight gain:  +6 pounds (Going to keep this until my next dr. appt)

Morning Sickness: None! And the random bits of nauseousness is slowly subsiding!

Cravings: Nothing new

Sleep: Getting better!

I can't live without: Water, maternity clothes

I miss: Sleeping on my belly! I think this is probably my least favorite part of being pregnant.

I am looking forward to: Picking up our crib next week, adding more to our registry, 24 week Dr. appt.

Milestones: According to babycenter.com, baby can feel me dance! And the loud noises he/she hears (aka, Mike and Wrigley!) are becoming familiar now so he/she should be used to it by the time he/she is here!

Movement: Still lots more movement at various times of the day, mainly when I'm laying down or just sitting.  Mike still can't feel any kicks yet, but I assured him he will soon!

Gender: Still thinking a boy, but we'll be surprised!

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!