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 ;)