Gender Reveal: Introducing Baby BOY Greyson!

We felt like we waited FOREVER to know the gender and now we've known for almost a month! I can't believe it! Our anatomy scan was on June 9th and it was amazing! I really had no clue what the "anatomy" scan was....I knew that you found out gender at this appointment, so in my mind, "anatomy" was the polite way to say "gender reveal scan".  The anatomy scan actually revealed more than just the, well, "anatomy" if you will.  The ultrasound was able to show our baby's development in his heart, organs, brain, spine, etc. It was amazing! At one point, he raised his little hand and waved it back and forth.  I about lost it at that point.

And we got an amazing picture of him sucking his thumb. Ok, at this point, I did lose it. So sweet!  

There ultrasound tech didn't really give us a drum roll or anything when she told us he was a boy.....she just kept looking around and said...."Oh, and it's definitely a boy!"  We were so excited.  We really didn't care what it was, but it sure is fun to know now.  

We told a few friends and family members, but my parents were scheduled to arrive a few days later and they wanted to find out in person. My sweet Grammy has been holding on to these 2 crochet blankets for over 20 years...one is pink, one is blue. I had called her the day we found out the gender and she [double] wrapped up the blue blanket and sent it to Texas with my parents! I couldn't believe they spent 9 hours in the car with the blanket and didn't look! So when they got here, they [ripped] opened the BLUE blanket! They were thrilled! It was too fun! 

The next day we spent preparing for our gender reveal party! I had all hands on deck! Dad was stuffing goodie bags with cookies, mom was in the kitchen, and Amy was putting together our pinata stuffed with blue goodies.  Everything came together beautifully! 

Props to Amy the Artist for her work on the pinata!

Dad was so proud of his shirt!

We LOVED having all our friends over to reveal the gender! Everyone was asked to wear blue or pink to cast their vote.  I would say we had a good mix of both! The pinata was not quite the "Pinterest" moment I was hoping for (imagine that).  I had envisioned the pinata busting open and a darling picture of me and J standing under the blue confetti falling down around us.  Well.....the boys treated the pinata like it was the home run derby........

The pinata flew off the tree with a KO by Stephen....

Therefore, Matt bravely offered to hold it until they just beat it to death....

And here was my Pinterest reveal moment......oh well, it got the point across!  IT'S A BOY!

Good times were had by all!

My sweet Bible study friend & fellow Mommy to be! Natalie and I are about 8 weeks apart.

My Junior League girls!

And our Community Group...couldn't do Dallas without this crew! 

Mom, Dad and Amy stayed behind for a few days and helped paint the nursery! After much debate about color, we decided on 3 taupe walls with a yellow accent wall.  I am a very neutral person when it comes to paint color, but I figured I could step out of my box with the nursery. So while Mom and I trimmed out, Dad started with "Warm Caramel Honey" on the accent wall. I freaked out a little when his brush hit the wall.  But we all agreed to wait for it to dry and it would probably calm down.  Well, 6 hours later, it was still School Bus yellow.  So the next day, we painted over it in a safe, neutral taupe. A million thanks to CC and Pop for their hard work! I really enjoyed having them for the week, we had a great time.

As soon as the gender was revealed, the name game began. I was not dying to figure a name out immediately, but at the same time, I didn't want this baby to be "Nugget Wells" until delivery day. My parents, especially my dad, enjoyed participating in the potential naming of our child. He started going through the 100,000 + Baby Name book I borrowed from Mary and suggested some very interesting names. Unfortunately, unless you name your child something really weird, most normal names will remind EVERYONE of somebody! It was actually a lot harder than I though.  Some names we liked just didn't sound right with our last name, like "Max Wells" (it almost sounds like one word) and "Wyatt Wells".....well, just try to say that 3 times fast......

This week, I threw out the name "Greyson" and Jeremie really liked it! We agreed that it sounded good with "Thomas" (our definite middle name), didn't remind us of anybody, sounds good as a young or older name, is easy to spell, and easy to pronounce. We sat on it a few days and a dinner one night J revealed that he'd already created a gmail account for "Greyson Wells" so he could save the name. So that was that! We both agreed we loved it and now we have name for the little nugget....

Greyson Thomas Wells.  My heart melts every time I say it! 

 Just about 16 weeks left until we meet him! We can't wait! 

29 Years and 22 Weeks

Well folks, the night has come.  I have about an hour and half left in my 20's!!!  I cannot believe that I am rounding up this decade! I feel like it has gone by very fast. It doesn't really bother me (yet) mainly because it's just been a joyful time with the baby and all.  I feel like I should be doing something special to commemorate my last night in my 20's, but frankly.....I don't feel like it! I'm happy enough in my stretchy pants watching 24 with my hubby! But wow, how different things look  heading into the 30's than the 20's. This time 10 years ago me and my roommate were just getting ready to paint the town red! In fact, here's me and Jeremie on the night of my 21st birthday.......

 

 

 

Now staying up past midnight seems impossible! (Sounds like I'd better tap into that college energy in about 4 months though because I'll be having' some late nights with Baby Wells). I admit, the 20's were FABULOUS....I had a blast at State, met my future husband, got married, had my first REAL job (not picking cotton or scooping poop), got married, moved to Florida, moved to Texas, bought our first house, and got pregnant! But I look forward to all the things to come in the 30's.  I told Jeremie that I was just gonna go by how many weeks I am, so that means I'm still 22......he quickly replied that would mean in 4 months I'll be 40.....so we'll scratch that.

 

Oh well, CHEERS to a new decade! 

Bump That: Week 17 & 18

So the nugget definitely made some "progress" this week! While I realize I have a looooong way to go, I feel like I did "pop" these past couple of weeks. (This may or may not have to do with the fact that we were on vacation all week and I ate like a CHAMP.)

Week 17: We got to take this bump pic on Kennebunk Beach, Maine! I will be blogging in more detail about our trip later! It was fabulous!

Week 18: Back at the ranch! Nothing major to report other than the fact that the nugget has graduated to the size of a sweet potato.  The cocoa butter is being used generously and my jeans have been retired until post baby. (Or more realistically, Fall of 2015.) We find out the gender in 13 DAYS and we cannot wait!!!!

Preggars Post Part 2

Now for the fun (and somewhat scary) part! Tracking THE BUMP week by week. At this point, I can still "hide" the bump with loose shirts for the most part. (Not that I want to hide it, but at the moment, it just looks like I have gained weight.) But I can feel it! People keep telling me: "Oh, you don't look even look pregnant!" And I want to reply "If you only knew I had the top button of my pants undone...."

I will try to post week by week, but for now, we'll play catch up:

Week 9: This was my first "official" bump pic since I didn't know how far along I was until Week 8. Nothing much to note for this week other than the fact that I just wanted to nap ALL DAY.(This carried on for several weeks. Now I'm just tired at the end of the day.) I did sort of have the uncontrollable giggles a lot this week. At one point I told J: "When I look at you, I just want to laugh!"......He didn't know how to take that.

Week 10: Well, let's just say the giggles and sparkles were over. I was the most emotional/moody/grouchy person!!! Poor J really kept his distance. Still really tired so I think we had grilled cheese like every night this week. I absolutely hate this picture, but the way I look is pretty much the way I felt!

Week 11: Back to my normal self! (Well, emotionally, that is.)

Week 12: Had my second appointment this week! Finally got to hear that little heartbeat, which was amazing!  It was around 155-160. (Go ahead, make your gender predictions.) Still no bump, but I could feel the waistline ship leaving the port.

Week 13: I was randomly nauseous this week and discovered that the Nugget DOES NOT like carrots. Yikes. We loved spending Easter weekend with J's parents!

Week 14: Hello second trimester! Although I'm not Rip Van Winkle anymore, I'm still waiting for the burst of energy everybody talks about in the second trimester. Headed to MS for a wedding and baby shower this weekend and let's just say the 9 hour drive did not treat 'lil mama well. My tail bone paid for all the sitting. But we had a great time with all our family and friends.

Everybody except the one holding the baby is pregnant!

The very proud Grandmother "CC"

Kelly thought this picture was unfair but I reminded her that when she is skinny with a new baby, I'll be the one with the big bump!

Week 15: Hello nosebleeds, face break-outs, and 4 a.m. snacks!!! This baby must be busy! This week was back to the giggles. Jeremie and I also celebrated our 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! He took me to an amazing steakhouse where I took DOWN a filet mignon. And a loaf of bread. And some potatoes and spinach and dessert. Other notable this week: The Preggle. The body pillow for pregnant people, although I may never part with it. It's amazing.

Week 16: Third doctor visit! I was able to record the heartbeat, and I listen to it every day! Heartbeat was around 164. Nothing too crazy other than the fact that I am STARVING like 4 times a day. In fact, it's 9:50 p.m. and I'm probably about to go eat some waffles.

And that's all folks! Next appointment will be gender reveal! Can't wait!

Preggars Post Part 1

Yay! I'm so excited to finally be blogging about our little adventure!  It feels like time has flown since we found out we were pregnant, but on the flip side, it feels like I was keeping it a secret FOREVER!  So I'll start from the beginning.....

Jeremie and I found out we were expecting on Thursday, February 20th! I really didn't think I was pregnant because I was feeling the usual "crumminess", but after a couple days of waiting, I picked up a box of tests.(The makers of these things must know shocked a positive result makes you because they come in a 2 pack.) I had decided to wait until J got home before I took it, and I tried SO HARD not to think about it all day.  He finally got home and didn't even change clothes. I got everything set up and told him to be the timekeeper. (Test results take 3 minutes.) So I took it....and we waited...it was the longest and most awkward 3 minutes of our marriage. What in the world do you do/talk about while you wait to see if you're gonna have a child? Oddly enough, we nervously talked about my pantry makeover, what we were having for supper, etc. The timer went off and I bolted to the bathroom! When I saw the two lines I started screaming/crying/freaking out and J joined me. (Well, maybe not AS dramatic as me.)  I made him look at the test like 50 times to make sure I wasn't crazy! (I still took the backup the next day to make sure I was "still pregnant".  

JUST FOR FUN...I took my first "belly" picture that night. I can't decide if I love myself or hate myself for taking this...look at that flat belly.......that ship has already sailed....

That weekend, I immediately went out and bought these 2 books.  What to Expect is like the Bible for pregnant women. I have heard a lot of gals say this book was overwhelming to them, but I just read a little at a time about what stage I'm in.  I feel like it really helps to "affirm" some of the pregnancy symptoms without freaking you out about every little thing. I ONLY refer to this book because it covers everything. I do NOT Google. Because we all know what happens when you Google a symptom. So I highly recommend this book.  The other book is more girly and fun with lots of colors and fun facts. A quick but informational read. 

Now the hard part began! Since it is my first pregnancy, I wanted to wait until our first appointment to tell our families and close friends. Unfortunately, what should have been a 2.5 week wait was a 3.5 week wait because my doctor was out on Spring Break for a week.  When I called to make the appointment the little teeny-bopper receptionist was like "Okay! Got you on the calendar! We'll see you in 3 weeks!"  And I was like "Wait just a second....I'm pregnant. I've never been pregnant. What do I do between now and then? Isn't there some kind of Starter Kit?!!"  I know she rolled her eyes like she does at every first time mom, but she graciously had the doctor call me to answer my questions. 

I immediately started a countdown on our chalkboard at 22 days! I was SO EXCITED when it said "0" on Monday, March 17th! 

Our first appointment was a whirlwind. I was a mix of frozen/emotional mess. The FIRST thing that kicked off the appointment was the sonogram! No weight, blood pressure, etc, to warm us up.....we immediately walked into this room with the big chair, big machine, and big monitor on the wall and I about had a heart attack! I started crying before I even got in the chair! About 30 seconds later, we saw this......and we were both amazed....we got to meet our 8.5 week old little Nugget! (Oh, we also found out on this day that our due date is October 26th.)

And now the REALLY hard part began! We wanted to tell our parents, but my dad was on a business trip all week and I just couldn't tell them separately. And we didn't want J's parents to have to keep the secret all week.  So on Friday, we FINALLY got to share the news with our families!  We used this picture to break the news. We actually got to Facetime my parents (I made up a reason I needed both of them in front of the screen) and it was a hoot.  I could hear my mom scream from Mississippi.  

And when SHE got to break the news to her friends (after our 12 week appointment) she sported this shirt.  Really wish she was more excited.  ; )

In regards to the pregnancy itself, it has actually been really good.  I only got sick 3 times one day when I was about 7 weeks and that was it! (I am totally fine with the one and done method.) I have had some general nausea, but nothing a Ginger Ale didn't fix. Other than that, I have experienced the exhaustion that everyone talks about. I turn into a pumpkin about 5:30 every day. (This has resulted in lots of grilled cheese sandwiches for supper.) As far as food, I pretty much want to eat everything in sight. At this point, I crave savory/hearty/carb-filled stuff like pizza, Mexican, french toast, concession stand nachos, bread, chips, etc. I actually find myself dreaming about food. (I sorta think I did that before I was pregnant though; I love food.) Jeremie has done an incredible job of taking me to the restaurant/craving of my choice each week. (Let's face it, I'm sure it's not torture for him to go eat pizza and hamburgers) These items have especially made the A++ list: 

Even though we don't know the gender yet, I of course have indulged in some baby shopping. I sorta have a crib and nursery chair picked out. The chair was so comfortable that I spent like 25 minutes in it the other day while chatting with another pregnant mama at Babies R Us. And I couldn't resist these little items; they were like $5....if it's a girl, I'll just give away the little outfit on the right.  (For those wondering, we will find out the gender in June.) 

I will post my belly progress pictures in the next post. I am not really "showing" yet (to the general public) but I can definitely tell and feel my belly rounding! Some stretchy pants are already just not stretchy enough! We are SO excited about our little nugget and the blessing it will be to be parents. Thanks to all who have been praying us and our little one through this first trimester! 

(This was Baby Wells' first baseball game where I indulged in above mentioned nachos.)