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27 Weeks

April 28th. Exactly three months from July 28th. That is at once exciting, terrifying, and exhilarating. When I imagine actually holding Charlotte in my arms, actually - I can't even imagine it. Andrew had a dream several nights ago that she was born, he saw her and held her, and the next day she was four years old! Anybody want to take a stab at that interpretation? Mom, it's a good thing you bought all those headbands and bows because he said she was totally bald :) I hope that in between shifting from side to side and moving pillows around to get comfortable I'll dream about her sometime soon.

I got an especially worrisome email from Pottery Barn this week. The bedding had been on backorder until May 27. Now it won't ship out until July 5! Yikes! I haven't found anything else I love, so I'm going to hold out for it. I figure even if she's early, she'll be in the bassinet for awhile before transitioning to the crib anyway. That's reason not to worry, right? Can you tell I need a little reassurance? I'm a little needy these days :)

At 27 weeks. Even though I have fully embraced the roundness, for the record, I don't appreciate overhearing students say, "It looks like she's about to explode!" I will be making an announcement to all my classes tomorrow just to clarify.

My latest engagement session over at Sarah C. Photography.

Maddie and The Chicks

Friday night Dad treated us to dinner (while Mom was bedridden with one of her ever-increasing migraines) at I Love NY Pizza in South Knoxville. It's a bit of a drive, but those garlic knots were totally worth it. Such a fun place. If you're ever out that way, definitely give it a try.

Then Andrew and I met this beautiful girl at the ball park to watch Maddie play softball.

She tried just about everything to get out of this stroller, but she ended up staying in it the entire game. Impressive!

Maddie made her fans proud scoring a run and running a ball in to home plate.

Her team, the Chicks, was really intimidating with their soft pink shorts and Barbie bats ;)

We realized that in five years, we'll probably be at the ballpark cheering for Charlotte - hopefully on a team other than the Orange Crush - could bring back some bad memories for her Mama. Lets hope she takes after Andrew in the athleticism department.

Some exciting developments are coming on the blog - my personal and photo blog will be one and the same. Hope you like the changes!

26 Weeks

Our crib came in this weekend, so Andrew got on it right away. If it looks familiar, it's because it's the same one at Mom's house. In fact, it's the same design as my own baby crib.

I just love the femininity of the spindles.

This guy is so good. (That's not where the bookshelf will go, BTW. We still have to move the desk out of the office.)

He had this thing together in no time.

Milly was a little concerned. She sat on the office chair to keep an eye on things throughout the assembling process.

Here's the progression of the baby bump (and my freakishly fast-growing hair) - from 15 to 25 weeks.

Though pregnancy definitely has its perks as I mentioned in the last post, I have to say it ain't all cupcakes and rainbows around here. My lower back has been killing me the last few days. All of a sudden, I'm irritable and cranky for no reason. I actually apologized to my students today because their nonstop questions about researching in the library about drove me mad. I'm exhausted when I get home from coaching tennis everyday (Rachel, I don't expect any sympathy from you :) At least I'm getting a full night's rest.) Andrew has to run all errands, do the grocery shopping, the cooking, the cleaning, and even the laundry. It's not easy, but it's all worth it. I love nothing more than coming home to Andrew every night and talking about Charlotte, feeling her flip-flop around my belly, and imagining being her parents in three months.

At 26 Weeks. Thanks, Rachel, for the maternity wear on loan!

The Joys of Pregnancy

For those of you who remember my first major Mom mistake, rest assured that the first picture ever of Charlotte has now been found. The public library emailed me to say that our ultrasound picture was returned. As I thought, I had left it in a book after using it as a bookmark. Never again will I make that mistake!

This was such a fun week with the arrival of John Thomas Kirkpatrick. Rachel had a crazy fast delivery. She called me at 8:30 to say she was having contractions. At 9:00 she was on her way to the hospital and by 10:40 he was here!

Read more about this sweet one at Kirkpatrick's Corner.

One thing I'm realizing about pregnancy is how great it is to get so much attention all the time. Need some help picking out a stroller? Mom is happy to help. Craving Hostess Ding Dongs? Husband will toss you one as he walks in from the grocery. Feet tired at band practice after a long day working and coaching? You get the only chair on stage. Want half of two doughnuts at your parents' house instead of just picking one? Not a problem. (That one's for you, honey:))

People at school, at church, at the store always ask how I'm feeling and how much longer I have. Some are surprised at how fast it's gone; others, at how much longer I have. To some I'm smaller than they would expect; to others, they can't believe I'm only 25 weeks. It doesn't really matter what they say, I just love talking about pregnancy and especially about Charlotte. When people ask if I'm having a boy or girl, I always throw in her name. Most seem surprised at a somewhat old-fashioned name, but they act like they love it. Whether or not they're saying that just to be nice, I don't care. I love saying her name. I fall more in love with it everyday. It really gives her an identity. I can't wait to really get to know her personality. I'm a little nervous after she kicked Andrew in the face while he was giving my belly a kiss. Uh oh! Looks like we're in for it:)

Make sure to visit the photo blog for a story about the attack of the Campbell County Cows!

25 Weeks

I'm sitting here now as Rachel has just gone to the hospital with contractions five minutes apart. We were just walking laps around the school about six hours ago, and she showed no signs of labor. Crazy how fast your world can change! I should be meeting John Thomas tomorrow!

I woke up this morning realizing that 25 weeks sure feels like a big number. I'm starting to sense the pressure to get some things checked off the to-do list. Mom and I went to Crib and Carriage to order the crib and glider this week. We're going Friday to Direct Buy to order the dresser. I can't ever do anything the easy way and just get it all at one store. We've probably sent about 20 emails back and forth discussing dresser ideas, but I finally settled on one. I'll save the pictures for when they actually arrive. Oh the suspense!

Today Andrew picked up a crib and changing table from a friend to use at Mom and Dads. I guess this is typical of first-time parents, but we had to go put it together tonight. I don't think Mom minded though :) The bedding she ordered just came in so was pretty excited to get in on the crib. Hopefully she'll blog the pictures soon. No pressure though, Mom!

I had a lovely surprise waiting for me when we got to Moms. Miriam has been a busy bee making some sweet baby gifts.

This is the softest blanket I have ever felt. And contrary to what my family would have you believe, I actually won't fight Charlotte for it. She just better not fight me for mine! The little ribbon loops are my favorite detail. I just know she will love it!

This was the first time I had seen her name monogrammed, and I just fell in love with it all over again. Aren't these diapers beautiful? Thanks, Miriam.

Here we are at 25 weeks. The major milestone today was feeling her hiccup for the first time. This week her lungs are developing so I guess that's appropriate timing!

European Moonpie

It's been a photo full weekend, but no worries, I made a little time for a few treats. I'm feeling free to enjoy them more often (as if I didn't already :)) since I learned Friday that I hadn't gained any weight in four weeks. I'm guessing it's due to the food poisoning over Spring Break and not being able to eat the morning before the doctor's appointment, but still - a good excuse for adding a few calories.

After my Saturday morning session at the World's Fair Park, I headed to Market Square not realizing the Dogwood Arts Festival was in full swing. I braved the crowd anyway. When my stomach started growling and I realized it was just 10:30, I couldn't pass up the opportunity for a cinnamon sugar crepe at the French Market. Just after I ordered it, I looked in the glass display cabinet and saw a selection of French macaroons. When the cashier asked if I needed anything else, what was I to do? I was instantly transported to the Champs-Elysees just outside of Laduree. Remember reading about it?

Anyway, I paid $8 for seven of these macaroons which Andrew called little European Moonpies. I don't think so! In case you're wondering - yes, it was worth it.

I stopped in one of my favorite stores, Bliss, and couldn't pass up this wood block to add to Charlotte's bookshelf.

I saw this Bath Buddy last time I was in there and totally regretted not buying it. I fixed that! Hopefully this will make bathtime, funtime.

Be sure to check out the recent updates on the photo blog.