Baby Belly - 15 Weeks

We tried to get my 15 Weeks belly picture with fireworks in the background but my camera and the fireworks just wouldn't cooperate. Instead you can hardly see my belly but trust me it is growing!

This week baby is the size of a Naval Orange! Our little orange is continuing the march towards normal proportions, baby's legs now outmeasure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Baby is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb but its still a bit early for me to feel the movements. Hopefully next week I'll be able to feel my first little flutter!

Saturday, July 4th

We started off the 4th with a fantastic family BBQ at Uncle Ken & Aunt Linda's house and then made our way back downtown for the Padres / Dodgers game! Definitely a day of fun! I finally got to meet the rest of Trav's cousins including the newest addition to the family, Jules (now 1 1/2 yrs old) at the BBQ...adorable = ) We even got to participate in a chili cook-off until we had to leave the party for a little baseball.

The Padres game was a blast! Not only did we beat the Dodgers...take that all you LA kids...but we had the most amazing seats compliments of Steve & Joyce! No one sitting in front of you...no one sitting behind you, I have definitely been spoiled = ) And if you thought the $5 deal was at Subway you are wrong! Petco stadium has a 5 for $5 deal that includes a drink, hot dog, popcorn, peanuts, and a chocolate chip cookie for 5 bucks...definitely the best stadium deal I've seen.

Friday - July 3rd

You know its a good Friday when the boys go golfing and the ladies go shopping! I knew I was in trouble when Pea in the Pod was on the itinerary, but I had no idea just how much trouble! That is one amazing maternity store = ) First, I must state that maternity pants/jeans are the greatest creation! A pair of jeans that you just pull on like they are sweatpants...phenomenal! Who knew my first pair of Sevens would be maternity jeans...completely worth the cost b/c I plan on living in them for the next several months! I have no idea how I'm supposed to go back to zippers and buttons when this whole pregnancy is over = )

We capped of this fantastic day with a pre-Fourth of July party at Aunt Susi's house. This crew definitely knows how to throw a BBQ = ) We hadn't seen the fam since Christmas so it was so much fun catching up and it was the Lemon's first San Diego BBQ!

Our New Important Date

Exciting news...we have officially booked our next ultrasound to find out the sex of our little bundle of joy!! Yes, we are finding out in advance b/c there is no way I can wait 9 whole months for this juicy detail = ) August 5th is the big day!!

Also exciting is that on August 5th we will at least be able to eliminate approx half of our baby names! Our list is huge and instead of narrowing down we continue to add = )

Happy 4th of July

We are all packed and ready to head out to San Diego this evening! A 4th of July full of fireworks over the Pacific Ocean...I think I can handle that = ) We have a couple of BBQs, a Padre's game, golf, beach time, and possibly a little shopping on the schedule. This will be our little lemon's first trip to San Diego...next time will be a bit more work bc instead of carrying everything in my belly we will be traveling with baby and gear!

Classics for Baby

I am currently processing orders to the beautiful sounds of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Rondo alla Turca. Anything for Baby = ) As the CD says...I am letting the music of Bach, Mozart, Grieg, Albeniz and others enfold our baby in a warm, nurturing cocoon of sound.

Its better than the usual sound of cars driving by my home office window. Equally as fantastic as listening to Remi dream while I'm working = )

Today's Dr. Visit

We had a fantastic visit today and I really like our new doctor! He went over the entire practice with us and explained what we should expect throughout the entire pregnancy including specifically delivery day = ) I forgot that he not only was our #1 recommendation from my former GYN but also he's a good old Texas boy! That pretty much makes you an amazing doctor in my book! He did his residency at Parkland which Michael, Shae, and Bri are more than familiar with.

This is for all you Old Wive's Talers out there...or anyone just looking for more ways to confirm we're having a baby girl...

Our little lemon's heart bpm today was 160! Baby seemed to be on the move so it took some time to catch that little bpm, but its so amazing when it comes across the doppler! If you are not familiar with this old wives tale, a low bpm means boy - a high bpm means girl = ) And in the scientific world, it just means that you have a baby in there and you have to wait for your ultrasound to find out the sex!

Morning Sickness

Good news on the morning sickness front! I think that week 14 is my miracle week! I've noticed yesterday and today that I am no longer getting nauseous every 2 hours if I don't have something to eat. I don't want to jinx it but hopefully this means my energy is about to come back also! Thank goodness b/c my treadmill and bike have missed me!

Saturday, June 27th

Trav's parents, Steve and Joyce, were in town this weekend and we put them to work! Well first, we wined and dined them at Farina Pizzeria and Wine Bar - downtown ABQ. They have some delicious funky pizzas! Then Saturday morning they sent Travis and I out to run errands while they painted our guest bedroom = ) We have been talking about painting our guest bedroom for more than 2 yrs now...

It turned out fantastic! We went with a Colonial gray that had enough undertones of brown to keep the gray warm. Next paint project...baby nursery!! Joyce has already offered her painting services for that job also = ) I usually enjoy a good paint project but I am now learning that coming home to a freshly painted room is a nice little change! Yay for pregnant women not being allowed to paint!! How Travis piggy-backed on to that excuse...I don't know...

Baby Belly - 14 Weeks

Our baby is the size of a Lemon this week! Our little lemon is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys, and spleen continue to develop.

Big Baby moment of the weekend - we braved Babies-R-Us for the first time! That is one insane store that has absolutely everything you could possibly need! It was mainly just a recon mission but we found some good furniture and definitely some good strollers = )

Time to Research Maternity Leave

I'm a little behind on my checklist so this week I need to research everything on Maternity Leave and Paternity Leave. It seems so surreal to be researching this since my due date isn't until December but this checklist is all about preparation! I received all of my documents from HR and now its time to prepare all of my questions, submit my forms, and take care of financials. Hopefully Travis' firm has a decent paternity leave...crossing my fingers!

The Peach and I played our last sand volleyball games of the season last night. My team took 3rd place...not quite what we were aiming for but it was a fun season. Next season will be my last for a while so I plan on taking full advantage. I'll be playing on a 5's team at Stoneface and a 4's team at Sneakers. I've never played at Sneakers so I am really excited to get one season under my belt before baby!

Disney World Recap

Enjoy if you are interested in all 237 pictures of our adventures at Disney World!

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0CZN2rRs2bMWMt

You can just click on the pictures...no need to actually sign in to shutterfly to view = )

A few memorable mishaps and experiences:

Day One - With a little bit of magic, we got Shae and Michael into the Magic Kingdom without their tickets! Little mishap...

Day Two - Travis gets asked to participate in the Lion King Extravaganza...declines! Danny takes his place on stage.

Day Three - Staci makes it to the top three of the American Idol Experience at Hollywood Studios! One major accomplishment including backstage hair and makeup and then performing in front of a full house!

Day Four - Dad smokes all kids at the Buzz Light Year Astroblaster...but is immediately taken down a notch by Mom at Toy Story Mania!

Honorable mentions - Shae doing the splits into the resort pool, Mom and Dad not making it back to San Angelo via plane, and Dad leaving his cell phone in the Midland Airport.

And the magic factor - Travis and Beth score a free funnel cake! It may not be ideal in the heat and humidity but we enjoyed every free bite of deliciousness!

Baby's First Onesie

Shae surprised us with this little gift on the drive to our Disney World Resort! Adorable...On My First Trip to Disney World I was This Big (the week of the Plum)! And I say little gift b/c newborn onesies are so itty bitty, I can't even imagine Travis and I producing a baby that small! Can't wait for this to be our baby's first outfit! And I love the long sleeves for our Winter baby!

The Magical World of Disney!

Baby Belly - 13 Weeks

Baby is now the size of a Peach! Our little peach is forming teeth and vocal cords. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy. (Much more convenient)

I'm not sure what my family did (or maybe it's the Florida water) but my belly definitely doubled in size over this weekend! I packed two cute regular tops for evenings at Disney (by regular I mean non-maternity) and they definitely fit differently on Thursday than on Sunday! I think its safe to say we officially have a baby bump!