Almost Halfway

Black is flattering! The point of these pictures are of course to be showing my growing belly, but wth the light, angle and shirt, I don't look prego in some of them :P

The other news is that NOW I CAN FEEL THE BABY! It's been since the past week, but especially the last 3 days.

19+ Weeks/Registry

I think it is time for a few more photos, but we haven't got to it yet...

We go on Tuesday to meet with a midwife at the hospital for a 'practical appointment.' I am looking forward to it, because I think they should give us a lot of details about our future stay there and be able to answer our questions.

I set up 2 registries, because the stores were having promotions that if I did it now, I got special gifts :) I already showed a photo of the free things I received from one and on Friday I went and picked up 60 euros worth of gifts from the otherstore. I also have a 40 euro photo session coupon and 20 euros towards a photobook.

If you want to take a look (by clicking links to see the photos) at the registry, it is www.dreambaby.be then go to Geboortelijst "birth list" (on the right) and hit Een Geschenk Kiezen "A gift choose" then type :

Lijstnummer: 214825
Paswoord: KPG7363

:)

I'm happy that babycenter.com is happy with me!

"With Moderation"

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20023745/ns/today-today_health/

I keep hearing of things I shouldn't do, but most I've researched and figure if I'm healthy, aware of what I'm doing and listening to my body, I'll be ok! Here was a nice article to back me up ; )

More Free Stuff!

I only had to pay shipping. The sling said originally $48 and the cover was $32.

The Name

We have not agreed on a name for the baby...that is probably the only reason I want to find out the gender (besides so that mom can buy cute clothes :P).

We are thinking an English name, mainly because he has not offered any Dutch names.

I am the 4th generation of L.M.? daughters, so I would LOVE to carry on that tradition with my firstborn daughter, only we are having a problem finding nice "L" names. I like Lydia, but that's my niece, so it's off the list. One I think is ADORABLE is Liberty, but that was vetoed (as well as Libby). I said *if* it happens to be born on the 4th of July that WILL be the name. A hilarious suggestion for the middle name (although it doesn't fit the tradition) is Belle.

Oh, and *I know it sounds like I'm making it up, but I'm serious!* someone sent me the idea of Lael and I thought that was pretty and was considering it an option until on Friday a JAEL was born...

For boy names I have given up on matching the initial of my husband. This was another witty suggestion from my friend: Ephraim (for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction)

Maybe I am better off waiting until the baby is born to think of names, because I get frustrated when I start thinking and come up with nothing. I guess it's a part of my 'plan-ahead' nature that I need to deal with.

After a few deep breaths...

I now can post this with a bit of a smile :P The hubby and I have of course been throwing names around and actually came up with the *perfect* name for if 'it's' a boy...I was so happy with the sound of the name, the initials and the meaning + the 4 people I know with the name are really nice.

So imagine my SHOCK when my nephew was given the same name with a middle name that only differed by 1 letter! I couldn't believe that out of the thousands of possible names, nearly the identical one was chosen for our nephew who will only be 4 months older than its cousin.

Mom said it's because we were in the same channel and the family relations made us think the same. (I know they didn't 'steal' it because we told no one, thankfully, because this way there are no hard feelings!) I think I still am in some form of shock, but have adjusted and have began to look for new names. I took it as a sign of hope that maybe we don't even need a boy name ; -)

Who Likes Free Stuff?

*raises hand* This was my bag of goodies I received from placing a baby registry :) 2 rubber duckies, a rattle, pacifier, 2 bottles, lotion, 2 spoons (one changes colors based on the heat of food), wash cloth, book and a 40 euro gift card for their photography department.

Video: Found!

I found my version of the video of when we told my parents...it is just from a different angle than the previously posted one. I wanted to put it on the internet, so hopefully it is always safe from a computer crash!

17+ Weeks

Here's the latest photos, but they are only of the face. I think because I said I don't want to find out what it is. The bottom one shows it's heartrate, which I thought was pretty cool. The hubby was along for the appointment this time. I'm glad he was there. He filmed the ultrasound for my mom and sister :-) My due date is back closer to what I originally thought. July 21 (the Belgian national holiday), so what I saw on the screen yesterday was that I was 17 weeks and 5 days, so tomorrow is 18 weeks!

17 Weeks

THIS skirt is maternity...the one from last week was not.

Hi

Thanks Stephanie for telling me about the comments...I have not really messed with any settings yet, so any other suggestions? Hopefully I fixed that issue!

I regards to the pregnancy, my hair is starting to grow...well I don't know about the existing hair, but I have tons of short hairs that are kind of annoying...I'm curious to see if my hair will grow alot.

*Mommy ?* Any suggestions on travel beds? What is a 'must'?

Organizing

With all the extra stuff that I have received, I decided it's time to start the major overhaul of EVERYTHING! I've start with 2 projects that were really bugging me. The entry way and the bathroom. Now both are perfectly sorted and hopefully will stay that way for a while. I figured since I was at it, I might as well try to make appropriate spaces for the little one's things. It now has a space in the bathroom and TOWELS (thanks to Auntie E.)

Belly Band Anyone?

Any color I am missing?

Cloth Diapers?

I've thought about trying cloth diapers, but want more info (and to talk to someone who has done it). I keep getting negative comments when I bring up the idea, but on the internet I find lots of good things about them. We also get 100 euros from the city if we buy some, because it is considered 'being green.'I saw this packet on sale yesterday from 34,95. I thought if it was 70% off I would take it. When I asked it was a little over 5,00! So of course I took it...I figure even if I don't go cloth, they might be nice to try or if I run out of diapers a day.

16 Weeks

1. I thing something with this angle makes me look bigger than I am!

2. I think this is more realistic-including the pale face and pimples.
3. We are experimenting with the camera :)

4. Four months!

First Christmas?

Remember a few posts ago where I talked about planning ahead? I bought this bus on Saturday for 'Christmas.' (gotta find a reason)

My brother and I had a Fisher Price bus that we LOVED. I had wanted to try to find it 2nd hand, but decided to spare the effort and buy the modern version. The store was having an amazing promotion. All the sale items were buy 2, get 2 free, so this bus ended up 7 euros and I saw it full price yesterday for 26,95.

I am blessed!

Guess how many maternity skirts I have hanging up in my closet?

Today I started the wardrobe shift...out with the too small, in with the too big. I have 'in-between' piles that still need to be dealt with.

I have way more tops than I normally have, but I am afraid a lot won't fit, since my SILs are all smaller than me.

Of my collection, I have bought 3 2nd hand skirts (12 euros in total), 2 stretch skirts (the turquoise and pink you see-10 euros), a sweater, 2 basic t's, 5 t's, 2 2nd hand tops, 1 belly band, and some underwear + a denim skirt that I found out 2 of my SILs have, so it's for sale :) I figure about 100 euro in total for my contribution...not bad!