30 Weeks - Graduating to Single Digit Week Countdown

How far along: Last day of week 30
What's new: This week we progressed from monthly doctor's visits to one visit every two weeks. I got a passing grade on my glucose test from two weeks ago (which means no issue with gestational diabetes - yeah!).

Total weight gain to date is 20lbs even, no movement on that front in the last two weeks - but the baby is certainly growing!

The doctor also gave me a green light on travel, eating tomatoes and the position of the baby (I was obsessing about the last bit because I can't quite get my head around how the baby turns around in there - but I was assured that the baby has plenty of room to flip around all kinds of ways).

Holly Jean says: OMG - did you know we'll need 600 diapers in the first 6 weeks?

Geordie says: Only if we change them.

Is That A Chicken?

This morning Andy caught a visitor in our driveway. We snuck up to the front window and snapped a shot of the funny looking bird. After careful consideration we decided it was NOT a chicken (which was a possibility given all the farms nearby). Andy is a bird expert of sorts (flying kind of birds that is :)), and he guessed a quail.

Turns out this is a Northern Bobwhite, a type of quail - or at least that's what we think. It isn't quite as colorful as the pictures we found of the Northern Bobwhite, but we think the eye markings match up about right and it's native to the area this time of year. What do you think?

Here's a link to more on Northern Bobwhites at wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobwhite_Quail.

29 Week Update - Nearing The Single Digit Count Down

How far along: Last day of week 29
What's new: Busy week this week! Andy was away in Montreal for business so Holly got together with the neighbors to finish up plans for the neighborhood party this weekend.
Furniture for the nursery arrived on Saturday and Andy put the crib together on Sunday. All went well until Andy twisted his back a touch moving the furniture around. He's still recovering today.
And of course, there is plenty of baby movement and a little heartburn to go along with the growing belly! All is going well.
Holly Jean says: Oh, my back aches!
Geordie says: Oh, my back aches!

The Nursery Furniture Arrives

The nursery furniture arrived on Saturday morning - nearly a month earlier than we expected. It looks beautiful and fits well. Andy got up early Sunday morning and with his assistant Tuxedo had the crib and changing table assembled in no time. Here are some pics of the project...

Andy preparing - parts counted and instruction step 1 studied.

Tuxedo taking a break to inspect the quality and function of of the glider.

The crib, assembled. No mattress yet - but we still have plenty of time to get that ordered and put in place. A shot of the room as it stands today - just about ready for the arrival!

Summers Glen Luau

Saturday was the Summers Glen Luau in New Freedom. There was a great turn out from the neighborhood and everyone had a great time. The decorations were great and the food was delicious (quite a few cooks in the neighborhood!). Here are a few photos of the event.

Andy and Holly (yes we've seen this dress before at Tom's wedding- but how many tropical maternity dresses does a girl really need?!)

Andy and Mark relaxing to the max with a fist full of beer.

Holly and Kim (note no beer in our hands!) - all ready for our September babies. They'll be playmates then classmates!What a sport - Lou outshined the other hubbies in the hula hoop contest. We'll just have to call him Luau Lou from now on!

Watch Out Canada - Here We Come!

Andy and I and baby Cowx all had a big first this weekend. We all made our very first trip to Canada. Baby Cowx was well behaved and made a perfect travel companion (not that he/she has much of a choice at this point!). We saw the Notre Dame Basillica, the Underground, the 1976 Olympic Park, Biodome, and Botanical Gardens. We had great weather, got to ride the Metro and walked around the city a ton. It was nice to get away for the weekend and we had a wonderful time. Oh, we'd definitely recommend the Omni hotel and the Sho Dan Japanese restaurant right around the corner.

Here's a picture of us at dinner.

Note: Andy is drinking an Italian beer out of a German glass in a French speaking town in Canada - of course, American music was playing in the background.

He's quite the renaissance man.

28 Weeks Finished - A Whole 7 Months!

How far along: Final day of week 28, seven months have passed, headed into month 8!!
What's new: Plenty of fun baby stuff this week...where to start!
- Mom can no longer see her feet without leaning over
- The baby has had several cases of the hiccups this week
- The doctor weighed me in this week, total weight gain 21lbs! Mom freaked out, but the doctor said we're all good and right on track.
- Back aches just a little if mom sits or stands too much.
- Constant baby movement, particuarly when mom sits down for a minute or two to relax.
And of course, this week was Father's Day - happy day to Andy, our very favorite daddy-to-be!
Holly Jean says: The baby had the hiccups today!!
Geordie says: You sure it wasn't just gas?

Going to the chapel...

The party was in Gainesville this weekend. Uncle Tom got married and all his siblings showed up for the big event. Tom and Vickie looked great and were super happy. Everyone had a wonderful time wishing the newlyweds well and enjoyed the day (especially the just married Harley bike ride - Vickie was too cute making her get-away with Tom on the motorcycle in her wedding gown!)

Here are some pics from the weekend...

All lined up, my aunts and uncles on mom's side. From left to right...Tim, Gwenna, Ileana (mom), Trudy, Grandma, Rindy, Vi and Tom.

The mom's all together - Grandma, Holly and Mom. Baby Cowx is in the shot too - just hiding under the pink dress.

And the happy couple, walking down the isle at the chapel on the UF campus.

27 Weeks Done, Starting Week 28

How far along: Final day of week 27, week 28 starts tomorrow!What's new: Two trips this month. Holly traveled to Florida for a family visit this weekend. Next weekend we're both headed off to Montreal for a long weekend get away. The weather in the mid-Atlantic was super hot, so it was a great weekend to get away to Florida, where it was cooler believe it or not! Andy wasn't so lucky - he stayed in Pennsylvania and the electricity cut out a few times over the weekend. It didn't phase him one bit - he stayed cool and calm all weekend.
As far as baby, the heartburn has kicked up a notch. So mom-to-be is taking it easy on the spices now which she misses already!
Holly Jean says: Aunt Rindy is predicting a baby boy - she's absolutely positive!
Geordie says: Well, she's certainly has a 50% chance of being right.

A Whole Pound!

Tuxedo had a big day today. A trip to the vet and groomers. He weighted in at 14.5 lbs - a whole pound gained since his last check in about 18 months ago! Needless to say, he'll be going on a lower calorie diet.

Andy says mom feeds him too much - but how can you say no to that face!

Aside from the weight gain, Tuxedo was drugged into a nice little nap for the grooming. Easier on him and far safer for the groomer. While sweet and social at home, he's not big on the dogs, strange smells and overall interruption of his schedule.

Within seconds of arriving home he was back to normal. Well, maybe a little dopey from the anesthesia today, but happy as a clam and super lovey.

26 Weeks Finished - Third Trimester Straight Ahead!

How far along: Last day of week 26, tomorrow starts week 27!

What's new: Lots of baby action, moves every time I sit still now. I've officially outgrown all my work tops, thank goodness for maternity tops and adorable prego dresses.
We also worked on the nursery a little over the weekend. Andy took out the existing closet shelf and put in a great new system to organize the impending chaos.

Holly Jean says: The Mimi Maternity girl said I looked big...do you think I'm bigger than I should be?

Geordie says: Ah, turn it in.