Babymoonin

So we're off! We've had this trip to Venice, Italy planned for sometime now but it just recently took on the Babymoon name. Originally I booked us a hotel right in the heart of Venice - but after researching online the other day I found an island in Venice! Lido Island. And being that our summer weather in England has been less than stellar I've since canceled our city hotel and have booked us one on the beach in hopes of gettin this baby some vitamin D!! It's only a 20min water taxi ride into the heart of Venice so we still plan on doing all of our tourist duties but we definitely plan on plopping our butts in the sand for a little R&R. Best believe we'll be taking our 18 week picture against the backdrop of Italy - but it won't make it to the blog until we get back on Wednesdsay.

What a week can do

Daddy Excerpt #2: After a lifetime of looking forward to the coming years, things have slowed down to a pace that we're looking forward to the coming weeks. Turns out a lot can happen in a week. As you know, we've been keeping a close eye on Erin's belly, but apparently I must have blinked. To know that we're really pregnant we've gone from pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and listening to babies heartbeat to having a huge bump!! We have talked, read and heard that these days would come, but nothing prepares you. It's such an exciting time, baby is developing and growing so quickly now, but I can't lose sight of all the angles. A big bump means Erin's clothes will stop fitting and she'll start sleeping with more difficulty. Up to now, my involvement has been minimal. Get some water, make dinner, get the bags, hold the doors. Things I'd like to think I always do. This is different though. We'll be great, baby'll be great. I can't wait to be there for her and make this the wonderful experience it is.

More surprises for Baby Hawk!!

Hooded towel & wash cloths

Can't you just see our little baby in this?!

Sleep sack and blue & pink silky blankets

Baby Hawk received a package in the mail today!! Aunt Andrea, Uncle Tim, Oliva & Jerry gave us a few more gender nuetral items :) Freggin adorable

17 weeks!

Well folks the bump has arrived! To me, there is a fairly large change in this weeks pics from last weeks - little lumpy around the edges right now. Which explains why all my regular clothes still fit but fit differently...those lumps & bumps are gettin in the way. A bit frustrating at times-

and a perfect example of those frustrating times I refer to:

I had a little bit of a meltdown/I'm not feeling pretty/I have nothing to wear kind of morning on Saturday. There were tears & about 20 outfits tried on. I was trying to keep it my issue and overcome it on my own so I calmed myself before going downstairs but the minute Kevin walked in the room Mrs. Waterworks started again...not sure if those tears had any reason behind them or if they were just leftover. So a bit of a rocky start but Kevin told me he thought I was beautiful and to focus on the end goal - baby in hand :) And that seemed to help. The day ended with a few new purchases -I now have 2 new pairs of pants, two new tops and a dress ...oh and a pair of fun sneakers :)

Heartbeat - Check
Bump - Check

Hormones - Check

We're definitely pregnant people.

I wore this same outfit in the same location for our first belly pics at 7 weeks...10 weeks makes a big difference !

The bumps got rhythm!!

I have to admit I was a little nervous going into the appointment - after all when you don't have a belly & you feel ''normal'' it's hard for it to really sink in that there is a baby growing inside you. But she put the fetal doppler on my belly & was able to pick a heartbeat up right away!!! It registered between 151 - 156. Kevin wore his pink polo shirt to the appointment to represent what he thinks is growing inside me. So naturally he asked her based on the heartbeat can you determine the sex...she laughed and said typically a girl has the faster heartbeat and that our heartbeat reflected a girl...but she reminded us it's only a guess.

Other than that my other vitals checked out good. My blood results came back - I have no disease or concerns and a 'remarkable iron count' I attribute that to us putting spinach in everything we eat :)

Next appointment September 15th - I imagine Kevin will wear his pink shirt again. Maybe I'll wear a blue one just to mix things up ;)

2nd hand treasures

I was on craigslist the other day and came across this baby hiking backpack carrier for $30 !! Two days later this beauty is ours... thanks to our friend Jimmy to was able to pick it up in Norwich, CT :) Becky & Howie were able to pick up our crib & changing table the other day as well. Slowly were gettin this baby geared up!

Keepin our eyes peeled for a few more bargin treasures!

16 weeks!

4 months down, 5 to go :)

It's kinda been driving me crazy that via ultrasound the doc should be able to tell us if we're having a boy or a girl - but instead we have to wait another whole month...ahhhh. The stores have started putting out their fall clothes and I've seen some pretty cute outfits that I've tried to convince Kevin that we need. But he reminds me that we should wait till we know forsure forsure.

Online it says that in the next couple weeks baby will double in size! Which undoubtedly means mama is experiencing her last couple weeks wearing normal clothes and sleeping on her belly :) We're currently moving down the produce aisle and have upgraded from a naval orange to an avocado.

Wednesday is our appointment with the midwife to hear babys heartbeat for the first time - keep an eye out for that post - we're both super excited for it.

Grow baby grow!

24 weeks until I'm a Daddy

Daddy Excerpt #1: Erin gets a lot of attention at the doctor's offices, the midwife meetings, the prental classes and from the various family phone calls. Of course this makes sense. She's the one the tests need to be carried out on and the one we need to make sure is healthy and happy. Her hair will become healthier, her skin will glow, her cheeks become rosier, all as her belly gets bigger. In the background, Dad sits, stands and smiles : ) I have posted just once thus far, but we have negotiated sharing the keyboard once every two weeks so I can try to explain the fulfilling life of Dad as he sits, stands and smiles : )

I think Erin has told you already that she occasionally sees a 'belly' when the light is just right or when the tides are in. The sonograms were nice. Gave us pictures of what's going on inside, but is it still in there? Was it trick photography? No, it's true!!! I can finally 'see' the first real signs that we're pregnant. Her belly is really showing, so I know it's not the brownies or the pasta or the late night ice cream. The books tell you morning sickness, uncontrollable burps, pallet changes and tenderness are signs of hormonal changes and pregnancy, but none of that becomes real until you 'see' it. I'm going to be a Dad and that little bump is all I need to keep me smiling : )

15 weeks!

A little different approach to the picture this week - my outfit wasn't conducive to a bare belly picture. But sometimes when the wind blows right and I have the right outfit on you can see my bump! You can kinda see it here...it's comin!!!

Also this weekend while walking around I felt a weird tiny little flutter in my lower belly. It would be fairly early to feel the babys' movement but it wouldn't be out of the question. It came and went throughout the weekend & since I don't know what else it could be we're gonna keep thinking it was the baby :)

Me after I felt the first little flutter! I kinda look scary but I swear I'm super excited :)

Baby is the size of a naval orange this week. Next Wednesday we get to hear the heartbeat :)

Since becoming preggers....

• The hair on my head is getting thicker?! - I know, I didn't think it was possible either
• The hair on my legs grows faster - Oh goodie
• I packed away my box of tampons - niiiiiice
• My sweet tooth has surfaced, big time - hello brownies
• I burp involuntarily allll the time - lovely
• I lift my shirt & stare at my belly constantly - :)
• I pee at least 10 times a day - 2 of which are in the middle of the night
• I'd rather shop for baby than myself??! - Don't know if Kevin thinks this is a good thing or not
• I take a nap everyday - Hope this means baby will be a good sleeper
• My forehead is covered in tiny little wannabe pimple bumps - high school flashback