The Last Seventeen Days...And Today.

Today Nik and I celebrate our 2nd Anniversary.
I would go into detail about where we went to dinner and all our reminiscing but then I would be going out of order.
I need to catch you up on what happened SEVENTEEN(17) days ago!

It started out like this...

 

...and continued to this.

Happiness.

I will post more...but I need to do it in order.

Next...Tatum's Story.

After that...Our Anniversary

Life couldn't get any better than this!

Remember Bartok?

Yep.

My little blog post about that cute (if that is what you wanna call him) little character

And his wonderful skillz.

Well as of lately, I don't have to lay real still 

And hold my breath

Or even turn off the music

(references to that post above.

go back and read it.

made me laugh.

and the video is pretty cute too.)

The last week I have been in little pains here and there

And I finally found out why.

I was reading in my What To Expect book

And at 33 weeks (which is what I was at last week)

Said this:

Your Baby in Week 33 of Pregnancy
Your baby is still gaining weight (about half a pound a week), and she could grow up to another full inch this week. With that much baby inside your uterus, your amniotic-fluid level has maxed out, which explains why some of her pokes and kicks feel pretty sharp these days. (There's less fluid to cushion the blows.) Antibodies are being passed from you to your little one as she continues to develop her own fetal immune system, which will come in handy once she's outside the womb and fending off all sorts of germs. 

It makes sense!

All this uncomfortableness wasn't just in my head.

I now understand why women just want the baby out

In the last month of pregnancy.

Before I was this far along

I kept saying to myself

"Ah, this is fun, and I'm not sure I want her out just yet."

Well....I now see.

Yes, this has been a fun experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything

But if she could wait to practice her gymnastics

And soccer skills until after she leaves the womb

That would be really nice of her!

=]

It HAS been really fun watching my belly take on different shapes

As she sticks her bum/head (not sure which) out to one side.

She particularly likes my right side.

Maybe that is because I lay on my left side

Or because she knows my bad rib is on the right side

And she thinks she is pretty funny!

But whatever her reason, it IS pretty cute

And fun!

I love to see her whole back pressed to one side

And then I rub her back with my hand.

It makes it feel so real to be a mom.

And to see how little her body is.

This is so cool!

I love this!

She is so cute

And I can't wait to see her.

I have loved all this personal time with her

And am getting anxious to see Nik hold her

And love her,

And give HER raspberries on HER belly.

haha.

They already have a sweet relationship.

(I say that semi-sarcastically and semi-seriously)

Last week Nik was being a goof and we were joking around together.

I made the comment

"You better be careful,

Because she has a good kick too

And you just might get one!"

So I pushed my big belly up to his like we were hugging

And after about 15 seconds

She kicked him!!

It was SO funny.

We couldn't stop laughing.

She is already quite the character, just like her dad!

Dear Baby Berry,

Just thought I should let you know that we are so excited to meet you.

Not only but also your grandma and grandpa on both sides.

And your aunts and uncles too!

Oh, and pretty much everyone else that is related to you!

Auntie Amy wrote this on our Facebook wall

And I told her I would get the message to you...

dear baby girl,
get here now! I'm ready to play!
love always and forever,
Auntie Amy

Mother's Day was awesome!

Last Sunday I was able to celebrate AS a Mother

And I hope that I am everything you need me to be.

We celebrated with the Berry Family this year.

(you'll love them!

their funny stories,

their laughs,

their hugs,

and their delicious food!)

Everyone was wanting to feel you kick or move.

Lots felt your little rump poking out my right side

But that was about it.

For some reason, 

I guess it makes sense,

You like to fall right to sleep after eating.

You go into a little Food Coma

(or that is what I call it.)

And it makes me laugh.

I have loved watching you change

And grow and prepare for this life ahead of you.

Your Mommy and Daddy love you,

You are our "little jewel" and we couldn't be happier!

Love,

Mom and Dad

The Nifty Fifty and Bibs

I can't even believe it!

I have 55 days left.

Well, no more than 55 days.

This little angel will be here on June 22nd,

At the LATEST!

I can't believe it!

It has been so fun this last week or so with her getting bigger.

(yes, I might take back that statement in a month,

but for now I am saying it.)

It just makes it all the more real

To feel her push her rump or head or body

(something big and round)

into my side or up to my ribs.

It is so fascinating,

To know that she is growing and growing

And will be here before we know it!

It is fun to watch my belly move in waves

or get REALLY lopsided as she huddles in a corner.

She is so fun already!

This has been one amazing and fun experience.

I love her.

We love her.

Nik is always trying to touch my belly and annoy her

By pushing hard while wiggling his fingers

So he can get her to kick back.

Typical.

haha.

It is fun!

And she usually does kick back,

Now that she is running out of room 

And her dad is crowding her space.

haha...All I can do is laugh.

I love them both!

Soooo so much!

But as I write about her...

AGAIN...

I need to share a conversation I had with my friend,

Melissa,

On Facebook.

I posted a link to ANOTHER blog post on my page and this was our conversation.

Melissa: crankin' out the blog posts lately.

Me: yep! just to make up for when I don't blog enough in the future. =]

Melissa: oh you'll blog....you better!!....show off your baby

Me: I feel like that is all I talk about right now...pregnancy. but i guess...it is a big part of my boring life.  

Well then...it brings me to what Nik and I found

While registering at Target.

We both got a pretty good laugh out of this one!

Well, Melissa, looks like she already IS the star of my blog

And I guess I better keep it that way!!!

=]

You'll see plenty of posts when she is here.

My First Quilt. Her First Quilt.

Yep!

I did it!

I used a sewing machine for the first time

And made a quilt for my Little Jewel.

The only down side to having this quilt for her...

....I wanna wrap her up in it

RIGHT NOW!

I hold it so tight picturing her in the middle.

Agh!

I love it

I love her

I love life!

I took this class at Scrapbooks, Etc.

Love that place!

They have fabric and scrapbook supplies.

It is awesome!

The class was Friday night.

Started at 5pm and lasted until 11:30pm.

Let me tell ya....that went FAST!

When I got to class the instructor explained how to make the quilt.

The first step was to make the X's in the squares to bind all 3 layers

And then to sew the squares into rows and the rows into a blanket.

Well, I am a bit OCD about some things.

Especially permanent things I make.

So I spent the first HOUR drawing X's with a straight edge ruler

Onto the top layer so everything would be perfect.

Little did I know....

....it is much harder for an inexperienced sewer to sew straight lines.

haha.

So that HOUR was wasted.

No straight lines

Whatsoever

But I love it!

I spent an hour or two cutting the fabric

Then from 5-11:30pm sewing.

Went home and showed Nik the unfinished quilt.

I still had some energy and was on a roll...

so I pulled out my machine again and sewed from Midnight to 1am.

After that, Nik and I went to bed.

The next morning I spent 3+hours cutting the edges to make it raggedy.

Washed it a few times...

....and this is what I got!

(and you can't forget the 2+hours I spent trying to pick out the fabric

while my Grandma Allred was ever-so patient with me.

Just a LITTLE indecisive sometimes.)

Look Ma, I can sew!!!

My Little Jewel's first quilt!

I LOVE IT!!!

Front

Back

And then here are some pictures of me the same day.

Haven't had any belly pictures in a while

So I figured it was time.

 31 weeks 3 days.

 Dear Baby Berry,

I hope you love the quilt I made for you.

You dad and I love it.

It was made with you in mind

And I can't wait to wrap you up inside it.

Or to take you to the park and let you play on it.

You are getting so big and time left is getting so small.

I love how you kick and move so much more every day

Even when it hurts me.

You get the hiccups at least once a day

And last night your Gma and Gpa Berry got to feel them

And so did your Auntie Amy.

I know you might not have liked the hiccups all that much

Because sometimes they do hurt

But it was fun to feel each little one.

And it is fun to feel you wrestle around trying to get rid of them.

Your dad gets hiccups bad too,

So you aren't alone in that aspect.

I just want you to know that

I love knowing that you are my little girl and I am your mommy!

That your daddy is so excited to make you laugh

With raspberries on YOUR stomach.

Oh, and can't forget about next Easter.

Gma Berry is excited to have another little one decorating eggs.

Your Uncle Sam and your daddy are good at it.

They can show you are the cool tricks.

And the Easter egg hunt at Nanu's is a BIG DEAL...

....you we will need to get you some good running shoes!

We need to be the first to find the Purple Polka Dotted egg, k?

Then we win!

Just giving you a heads-up on the awesome family you have!

Everyone is so excited to meet you in 8ish short weeks!

Love,

Mom

WEIRD!

Yesterday I had my Glucose testing down at my OB office.
I had the Fruit Punch drink...which tasted just like Hawaiian Punch.
It WAS AWESOME!
I woulda asked for more...but I'm sure all that sugar can't be good for me.
=]
So Dr Beck measured my belly and said everything is still on track
And that I will be going in every 2 weeks now
As opposed to the 5 weeks in between.
So that was crazy!
2 WEEKS?!?!
That is gonna make time fly!
And then he said after 2 of those it will be
Every week!
WHAT?!
And that we will talk about Labor and Delivery.
AGH!
Serious?!
This is actually coming to an end.
I will see our little girl in NO TIME!
It was so weird walking out of there with an appointment scheduled for the beginning of May.
WHOA!
I am so excited.
WE are so excited!
9 weeks and 1 day left...
IF she doesn't come earlier...
Now THAT is weird to think about.
haha.
I mean, 9 weeks isn't that long...
But what if she decides to come in 7 or 8.
Whoa Nelly!

p.s. As I am typing up this post I am eating my lunch.

It is a simple PB&J...those have been so delicious to me lately.

I'm usually not a big fan.

But did you know....I cannot eat the last bite, the corner of the sandwich?

Can't do it.

It is disgusting to me.

Don't know why

But there will always be one small bite left of my sandwich

From the bottom corner,

Usually the bottom right corner.

Just one interesting fact about The Preggo

Although it has been that way my whole life

No matter what type of sandwich it is.

Just sayin.

Baby Names

Nik and I bought a book of baby names and I've had some fun this weekend looking through it.
I have started a list of names that I find in there to be interesting.
We want to have a couple names to choose from when she gets here
But it hasn't been the easiest to agree on any.
Nik seems to like the traditional names
But I would prefer something different so they don't go to class with 2 other "whatevers."
I mean, not off-the-wall different and weird...but not the usuals.
Hope that makes sense.
I never went to school with another Dawna or Donna
But Nik has always had to deal with other Nicks.
So far we have agreed upon one name...
Ayrika
I saw that name from my Stake President's daughter and have loved it ever since.
Her middle name will be
Genette
Just like mine and my mom and grandma.
That will be passed down and we agree on that 100%.
As for the other names...we are still working on more.
But let me share one awesome name that just might trump them all!

Dawnika
(African American)
meaning: dawn

How AWESOME is that?!?!
hahaha.
Ok, we just think it is funny and cute and silly and really...kinda cool
But we won't name our baby girl that.
That would be weird.
Honestly....can YOU do that with your spouse?!?!
Make one real name using both names.

We joke about naming our girl
Nikole
and our boy
Donald
But that is just fun talk.
And whenever we talked about kids in the past we always called them
Our little Nikawna or Dawnik just to be funny.
And then to see our names combined FOR REALS!
hahahahaha.

Honestly....if you can do that with your names...I wanna know about it!

Dawnika Genette Berry.
Has a nice ring to it, eh?!?
haha

A Kid at Heart

Dads are fun, right?!

They like to make their children laugh and giggle.

They like to play around with their children and let that kid in their heart loose.

Well, although Nik hasn't been able to hold his daughter in his arms just yet

Or been able to look at her pretty face

He sure has begun this Fatherly Love.

Saturday morning I was laying in bed just after waking up

And Nik thought it would be funny to play around with his little girl.

See, most times when I feel her kick and tell Nik to get his hand over to feel her

She stops!

He doesn't find that to be very cool.

But she, nonetheless, is like her Father...

...not wanting to put on a show.

If Nik does something or says something funny

And you ask him to do it again for laughs,

He won't.

And guess what...

She does the same thing.

Only some of our family has been able to feel her kick and move

Because of this.

Oh well, only 9.5 weeks and then they can all hold her and feel her kick!

 

Geez, guess I really went off on a tangent there.

Back on topic!

So, Nik wanted to play around with her.

He decided to lean over to the right side of my belly and blow a nice big Raspberry.

After about 2 seconds

I get this nasty big push on my left side,

Exactly opposite from where Nik is making noise.

I take it she didn't like that

And wanted to get as far away from that obnoxious sound as possible.

Man, she pushed as hard as she could.

It WAS kinda funny,

But can you imagine what that could possibly sound like in that big ocean she lives in??

SCARY!

So I push him away as he laughs and we promise not to do it ever again.

Don't wanna scare her before she gets here.

Nik is adorable to her already.

He is so gentle to me and makes sure that I am comfortable

Knowing that she is with me at all times.

He is going to make a great Father.

I am so excited to see him in action!

That little kid in his heart is gonna bust out and go crazy!!

3rd Trimester...Ready or Not, Here We Come!

Wow.

Is this really happening?!

I cannot believe it.

I remember being in my 1st Tri begging for it to be over

and that 13 weeks took FOREVER!

Now I only have 12 left?!

agh!

I say I have 11 weeks and 6 days left

because it would be awesome for our Baby Girl to arrive on June 22nd.

If she comes early, fine by me, but here is my silly reason for the 22nd.

I was born September 22nd.

My next sister, Carrot (Caren), was born December 22nd.

Then Bagel (Baylee), the next sister, was born November 22nd.

And then the failure begins...

...ok, it was because of the doctor,

And it would have worked but things were overlooked at the time

So, Boog (Hannah), my last sister, was born July 26th...

...although the doctor admitted she could have arrive on the 22nd because she WAS full grown.

WTHeck!?!?!

Wanna know how we know...

...July 26th she arrived at 9lbs 11oz.

HUGE!

Well it just so happened that my "official due date" is June 24th

But I told the doctor,

Because he is the same one that delivered me and all my sisters

and knows the "tradition"

I told him if she is still not here by June 22nd, I want her then.

He smiled and nodded, saying he can make that happen!

=]

Silly??

I don't think so.

Just so happened that way!

People do fun things with names...

like get this...

I just so happened to be born on the 22nd

and then Caren just so happened on the 22nd as well.

According to my mom, that just worked out that way.

So when she was having the next one, she tried to have Baylee on the 22nd as well...

...walking around the mall the night before and such.

So our names went D - C - B - and then that was it because we couldn't agree on an A name.

So Hannah is as close as we will get to an A name.

Anywho...people do fun things with names, and if it so happens I can have our children on the 22nd

of any given month....you better believe I will do that.

Silly? Yes.

Fun? You bet!

Anywho....enough with that sillyness.

This has been one fun ride.

How I only have 83ish days left, I have no idea!

Our Little Jewel has been getting stronger and stronger.

It has been fun and uncomfortable all at the same time.

But I am so happy to be here experiencing this.

Last night I was on the phone with Nik as he was driving home from work

And She had the hiccups.

It was so cute!

You could see a steady beat right on my belly.

It lasted just over 3 minutes.

It was so cute.

I interrupted Nik real quick to tell him and he just laughed and smiled.

He is so in love with her already!

Oh, and not sure if you remember me mentioning my lower back and hips always hurting...

...well Nik and I bought a mattress topper and it has made a HUGE difference.

I no longer wake up in pain.

It is wonderful!

Wish we would have gotten on sooner

But we didn't. Oh well.

I'm happy now!

And Nik says his back hasn't hurt as badly either.

YAY!

But now I have a question...

...and if you are still reading this, yay!

Does gravity effect the baby while in the womb?

Honestly.

Lately I have felt her feet on my right side

and when I lay on my right side (just for a little bit)

she gets her tap moves on like crazy...

...or so it feels like.

And it REALLY hurts!

Such a weird feeling.

So I will then roll over to my left and I stay that way 95% of the time.

Well, is she landing on her head with a headstand or what?

Might be a silly question,

But I really wanna know.

So...let me know what you think or if you really know the answer.

I guess that is all.

Thanks for your attention.

So excited to meet this little girl....but right now I gotta go feed her.

Yay for breakfast!

*And sorry I don't go through and proof read it before submitting it

So hopefully it makes sense.

Just what is happening in this Pregnant Brain of mine.

=]

Loves!

First of Many

So last night was the first night I have experienced what so many other mothers talk of and dread...

NO SLEEP!
Our Little Jewel decided she wanted to play around...all night long.
Before this, she would be quiet and if she played around, I had no idea.
Occassionally she would wake up with me around 3:30am on my potty break, but that was it.
She was as light as a feather when she would move.
Well, not anymore. She is one strong little lady.
I could not for the life of me get more than 30 minutes of sleep at a time.
Didn't help that her and her daddy decided to tag-team and keep me up all night.
I guess it was warmer than usual in our room last night, so Nik would not lie still.
But then again...neither could I...BECAUSE the two of them kept moving.

I laugh at it now...but maybe it is just because I am super-dee-duper exhausted!
lol.
And I am very very happy that everything seems to be healthy and right on schedule...
Just part of learning how to deal with this completely different part of life.

But on a different note...my mom and I play our own Scrabble Game on FBook.
Now, this is very unusual because the family isn't the biggest fan of playing that game with her...
...because she is SO DARN GOOD!
She jokes about reading the dictionary when she was younger, but I swear she did.
In fact, if I close my eyes REAL hard I can see her from my spot on the clouds in Heaven doing so.
True story.
;-)
Well, we started a new game, because I actually won last game.
THAT, my friends, IS RARE!
So it's my first turn on this new game....and in 2 minutes I find a word using ALL my 7 letters...
...giving me the 50pt bonus! I was super stoked! I couldn't stop laughing...not that I was rubbing it in, because I know it will eventually be her winning....but I was just sooooo happy I got a good score and was in the lead.
And the funniest part was how the word directly relates to my pregnancy - CRAVINGS. lol
Well, my next hand of tiles were A A A I I U T.
CRAP!
What am I suppose to do with that?!?!
See, this game is not about strategy at all...it's about luck and knowing weird words.
Well, I guess a little about strategy because you don't want to play somewhere next to a DW or TW to allow the next player that spot. But other than that, just takes brains.

Now onto the BEST part of the night....Cherry Swirl Coffee Cake

FORGET about DINNER!!!
Bring on this bad boy!
Just found this on the Betty Crocker site....and made it in a jiffy.
You should try it out.
Looks almost like the Entenmann's Coffee Cake.
If it is a similar match...I'll be in heaven.

Well, that is all for tonight, folks!
Have a good weekend.
Loves!

Precious Moments

Your Baby: Month 6

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes (cute!!).

-www.TheBump.com

 

So we tried this last night.

I was getting ready for bed and remember reading this earlier in the day.

So I asked Nik if he wanted to hear something cool.

He was up for it.

I told him to put an ear on the baby and to listen closely.

He had to move around a couple times and finally found it.

He lifted his head with the sweetest smile of one happy daddy

and said he could hear our daughters beating heart.

He put his ear back to her and closed his other ear so he could hear better.

He was soooo cute!

I wish I could hear it without a monitor...

...but that's not possible...

...I have a huge baby in the way.

lol.

I asked him how fast it was beating just to make sure it wasn't mine he heard.

He mimicked it perfectly.

About 155 beats per minute.

(At least that is what the doctor said on Monday).

Awww....such a sweet moment.

I was afraid it would be too soon to hear it but I guess not.

Such a precious moment that I had to document it.

It is the little things in life that make us smile.

I don't ever want to forget this.

Dear Baby Berry,

I haven't written you in a long time.

Sorry.

I just want you to know that I can't wait to see you!

13 short weeks left.

Can you believe that?!?!

You will be here before we know it.

I also want you to know that you are so precious and special

to your mommy and daddy already.

We love you so much!

This has been such a fun journey

getting ready for your big debut.

You have changed your mommy and daddy's lives so much

and it is all for the better.

You have so many friends and family members

that love you so much already,

without even meeting you face to face.

Your Auntie Amy and Uncle Tim

got married 12 days ago.

You were so cute during the ceremony,

kicking around and making your presence known.

Auntie Amy loves you so much and gives you a special hug

every time she is around.

You even made it in the wedding pictures.

Just you, me, and her.

She was so pretty that day,

I'm sure you will love that picture!

Your Grandma Allred asks about you every morning.

Sometimes you would think I don't matter anymore...

...at least not as much as you,

but I know that isn't true.

She loves us both.

When you get here...you should ask her about

The Owl Quilt.

You could get a good laugh outta her with that one.

She was just so excited to be a Grandma,

she got started early!

She loves you so much!

Nanu is always excited to have you around.

Don't be surprised when soccer season comes around

and you are out on the field.

Don't worry,

we will all be there cheering you on.

You might have actually heard her a time or two

talking to you.

She loves you so much.

I know she will make a wonderful Great Nanu!

Can't forget about your Grandpa Berry.

Every time you are around he is making sure you are good and healthy.

One time he gave me a whole plate of strawberries...

...just because "his granddaughter needs her vitamins."

It was very sweet.

Hope you liked those!

I sure did.

Grandpa even got a nasty scrape all along his forearm while working.

I made sure to bandage him up and take care of it

before it got any worse,

because we all know he needs that arm to hold you.

Especially when it comes time for you to go out hunting with the Berry Boys.

Don't worry though...you will look cute in all that hunting gear,

bows and all!

;)

Trust me...everyone else is so excited to meet you too.

Auntie Carrot has even set up a website and clothing business

so she can give you cute little clothes.

She sure misses you while she is in Utah but she will be here in July to visit.

Be careful though, she might squeeze you to pieces!

Auntie Bagel and Boog love you too.

They count down to your arrival with me.

They are having so much fun.

Your Uncle Sam is excited to teach you how to play ball

and is very sweet to let me have the soft seat in the house

so you and I can be comfortable.

Uncle Jake always checks on you,

just like a good big uncle would do.

And we can't forget about your Grandma Berry.

She loves hearing all the cute stories of what you have been up to lately.

Your Grandpa Allred is sweet and excited for another girl...

...I mean, heck, that is all he knows.

All your other Great-Grandparents and other friends

are so happy to have you joining the family.

You are going to have loving people around you all the time.

I guess for not writing in a long time

I can become a chatterbox.

I'll let you get some sleep now.

I love you,

my Little Princess.

You make me smile.

Love,

Your Mommy and Daddy

Pregnancy...Still Happening

Well, I guess I ought to let everyone know I am still alive.

Not much has changed since I last posted...

...other than the fact I am getting bigger.

I don't feel like I LOOK bigger

But I am definitely growing.

I finally had to break out the box of Maternity shirts from my friend.

BriHo is so nice to let me borrow them!

I had to go find another pair of bottoms to wear

Because all my basketball shorts are finally too small.

This is all becoming more and more real to me.

I am so excited!

While I was at Kohl's the other night buying my pants

I just ended up in the baby section.

GOSH!

That stuff is so cute...

....and I almost wanna say cuter than Target.

Look at this!

My sister, Caren, is in LOVE with Giraffes and so I sent her the pic too.

I about died from cuteness

The cutest little jumper...everrrr!

I had to immediately turn and walk out of the section or I was gonna lose my self-control.

I went home and told Nik what I found but that I had the self-control to NOT buy it right away...

...to wait for it to go on sale,

And he was very proud of me.

Got a good pat on the back!

yay!

Other than that....our little girl had hiccups for the first time that I could recognize.

Yesterday morning the same rhythmic pattern lasted for over a minute.

It was so cute...little tiny hiccups!

And then she decided to do a full, sprawled out somersault....and made me nauseous.

I had to laugh after I gained my composure...it was quite the trip.

I have loved my pregnancy thus far and am so happy to have this opportunity.

June 22nd is only 16 weeks from today!

Wow!

THAT.IS.NOTHING!

Chocolate, Cheese, and Cherished Memories!

Last Saturday (February 5th) Nik and I had our Valentines Date.
Yes, a little early...but it was cheaper that way.
We had a coupon* and some gift certificates to this lovely little place we call...

...THE MELTING POT!

Oh how we love that place.

When we got there there was a little 2-seater booth available for us
Curtains
Candles
And lots of Romance.
It was perfect.

It was nice have that curtain so we weren't distracted by all the people outside.
Just me.
Just Nik.
Just love.
Just Us!

Well...we went about the cheese entree and then the salad...
...and then as we were waiting for the main course,
the most beautiful thing happened....

...Nik felt our little Baby Girl kick!

I hadn't really been able to feel her kicking while I was sitting up, but just that day she started to get stronger.
She was loving the food and decided to make her presence known.
So after a few strong kicks I had Nik reach over and put his hand on my belly...
...and he felt her!
It was now even more real to him.
The expression on his face was priceless.
I had tears in my eyes.
It was beautiful.

THAT was OUR Girl saying Hello!

We had our main course and then the chocolate...
...but the best part of the evening was Nik connecting with his Baby Girl.
Gosh!
I can't get over how sweet he is and how much of a great Father he will be.
I love him so much!

Now wait...it gets better!

Just last night he and I were laying down watching our movie.

She was moving around a TON!

I wanted Nik to feel but she was being so jumpy.

She would bump over on my left side

and then down

and then to my ribs

and then to the right.

Just a bump here and there.

So I didn't have him waiting to feel a little bump.

Figured he wouldn't feel much, if anything at all.

But he wanted to try.

So he placed his hand on my belly button...

...and the coolest thing happened!

She started kicking so hard...RIGHT THERE!

She was giving her strongest movements right where his hand was.

His eyes would get so big with every little move.

And she was doing it one right after the other.

She was saying Hello to her Daddy.

After about 2 minutes of that, he took his hand away.

She then started kicking randomly like earlier.

He waited about 10 minutes and then wanted to see if she would do it again.

And.

She did!

It was so cute!

Her strongest kicks were all in a row, right where he waited.

It was so awesome and beautiful and amazing!

I can't wait to play with her in my arms.

And to see her daddy squeeze her so tight with all his love!

(sidenote: she is about 10inches from head to toe.

so big in there!)

This is becoming more and more real to me everyday.

Sometimes I forget I am pregnant,

I just feel like I am getting huge,

Until I feel her moving.

I have yet to feel and understand her hiccups...

...and for that day, I can't wait!

She is so sweet already!

She is OUR little Baby Girl.

I love her so much!

21weeks 0days

Running out of shirts to wear.

Don't wanna get Maternity shirts yet,

Cuz, well, I am not THAT big just yet.

Probably in a month or so.

Trying to make what I have work!

 

This is the only picture I have for this whole post

:(

We pulled out our camera...

...and it was dead!

Shouldn't have been,

But oh well.

We have the memories in our hearts.

Dear Baby Berry,

Your Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

We are so excited to bring you to this earth.

To be a family.

To be friends.

To be together for Eternity!

We have enjoyed every little kick and little bump.

Yes, sometimes I hurt from all the changes, 

But I just remind myself that you are healthy

And that this will all be worth it...

...to be your Mom.

Can't wait to see you.

If all goes well we will see you in 18 weeks and 5 days!

Yes, June 22nd.

Let's make that happen!

Unless you have a different plan,

and that is okay.

Whenever you are ready!

We love you!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy Berry

 

 

 

*Courtesy of Entertainment Coupon Book,

Bartok?

Who remembers the Disney movie Anastasia?

One of my favorite Disney lines comes from that movie.

I don't usually upload videos but this is just my favorite!

Well, what am I getting at....I felt my baby girl move and kick for the first time yesterday!!!

It was amazing!

I was just laying down in my bed listening to the radio,

TRYING to get up for the day when I felt these weird 'muscle spasms' on my lower stomach.

I muted the radio immediately

(As if muting the radio would make me feel any better?? lol)

 and just laid there,

holding my breath so I could pay better attention. 

(As if holding my breath would REALLY produce better results??)

I put my hand just below my belly button and there were little movements.

Little movements. Little bumps and jabs.

Little movements from a little baby!!!

My eyes got real big as I realized what those were.

That was OUR baby!

There was a little kick on one side,

and then another,

and another,

and then nothing would happen for a minute or two and then I felt the bumps and kicks

moving to the other side.

Now, I don't know, and I actually doubt that my hand felt any of that.

I am pretty sure it was just under my skin that I felt it

and that I was just wanting my hand to feel it so I made my mind think it.

I still think the movements are too small for Nik to feel, but I am anxiously awaiting that day!

It was amazing! I couldn't believe what just happened.

I don't feel it every day or all day just yet

...just when I am really still.

I am so excited to meet her and to continue our little family.

It's A Girl!

Yesterday was QUITE THE DAY! Let me tell you a little story, k?

December 20th was a day of GREAT IMPATIENCE. Nik and I heard about this little urine kit that would be able to determine the gender of the baby after 10 weeks. Well, I was past that at 13 weeks and figured it would be a little more accurate being farther along and caved into the idea.
I mean, wouldn't it be fun to find out a little earlier what the baby is going to be?
So I took the test and it was suppose to read the level of testosterone or estrogen in my urine as I am supposedly passing the baby's urine as well. The test came back CLEARLY a BOY.

Yep, a boy! 

I had a feeling it would be a boy and when looking back through Nik's line, there is a majority in boys. So, I was going to have a boy. FUN! Totally new to me but a piece of cake for Nik. I only know girls....that's all I have, 3 little sisters and 0 little brothers. And majority of my cousins (that I know) on both sides are girls. But a boy would be fun.
Nik and I both talked about how this test could be wrong and that we weren't going to plan plan plan for a boy until the doctor confirmed it. It was fun talking about boy names and passing on the Berry name. Fun seeing all my friends that have boys and to wonder how mine was going to be. 

Well, my mom, so anxiously excited to be a grandma, started in on a quilt a little early. Just 3 weeks too soon. See, we had told a few people about the urine test we took but we also made it clear that the test wasn't 100% positive...that this is just a good starting point but that was it.
Back to grandma...she started on the cutest little green and brown owl quilt for Baby Berry. It was and still is adorable! I feel in love with the collection from Scrapbooks Etc and she ran with it. Oh, it was so fun planning the placements of the patterns and the little elephant she sewed on the front. So adorable.

Yesterday comes along and she has me come with her to pick out the backing for the quilt. She had just completed the whole top the night before. So down to Scrapbooks Etc we went and picked out the last of the fabric. I left her there for her quilting class and I went to my doctor's appointment.
My dad was the only one of both families that didn't have work and I wanted someone with me when we found out the gender. Nik couldn't get work off, my mom had her class, my father-in-law was in California, and my mother-in-law had work as well. So my dad came with me to the appointment and I was excited and nervous, still thinking it was a boy, but knowing this appointment could change everything.
I even called my cousin, Eden, the hour before the appointment and told her how nervous I was, that she could end up being a girl...which would be exciting, SO EXCITING, but a complete 180 from what I've been thinking.
Anywho, we get in the room with Dr. Beck and he checks around.
THERE IS A BABY IN THERE! It was amazing! I mean, of course there is but the last time I had an ultrasound, the baby was still a peanut.

I mean, of course that's a baby, but that was all I had seen since November...and my belly has ever so slowly grown, making it feel like "am I really pregnant?"

Ok ok, back to this wonderful ultrasound. Dr Beck checked and the baby has all 4 limbs moving like they should, the brain looks properly developed, and there is not cleft palate...the baby looks great!
Then he looks for the gender. He keeps moving the little instrument all over my belly just looking and looking and looking some more....then he says
"Well, looks like we have a girl."
Now I swore to myself that I wouldn't say what I was about to say...but it just fell out. In shock I asked "ARE you SURE?"
Gosh, I felt so dumb! OF COURSE he is sure...he's the doctor, been doing this for over 22 years! Duh, Dawna.
I started to cry...little tears of joy. I looked over at my dad and he had little tears of happiness in his eyes too. It was such a special moment.
NIK AND I ARE HAVING A GIRL!!!! A GIRL!
I kinda felt silly for doing that little urine test and getting my hopes up so high on a boy but a girl is just as great and something I am a little more comfortable with anyways. I don't want her to ever feel that she was not wanted because we thought a boy for so long, because that just is not true. We are so excited to have her in our family an can't wait to meet her.
Yes, it is fun saying HER and SHE. Oh, so surreal. This is REALLY happening!

 I won't add the picture that proves she's a girl...because heck,

I can't even tell that well.

So we'll just take Dr Becks word on it.

She was moving around so much during the ultrasound. Her hands were up to her head and then down to her feet and then back up again...like she was having her own little dance party in there. Then the cutest thing happened...she gave this GIANT YAWN. It was so precious. I couldn't believe it. All of a sudden we could see her jaw bones open so wide in a nice long yawn. She's real. She is really there, growing and moving around. Oh, how wonderful that appointment was. I wish I could have gotten that on dvd but maybe Dr Beck doesn't do that or maybe he does it later on. I am not too sure but how real that moment was to me.

I am in love. Ya know the feeling? I haven't even met her in person yet and I love her so much. I didn't understand and couldn't comprehend how possible that was. How was I going to find room in my heart that Nik as already filled up? How was I ever going to make room or feel that real love for anyone else? Well, it's happening. It's real. Nik and I have this little family. We are her parents. She is here because of our love, our love that will last through the eternities. She is ours and we are so excited to meet her.

Well, I finished up my appointment and went to tell the families. Hannah came with but I made her stay in the lobby because this was a special moment of my first baby and just wanted it to be me and my dad. But as soon as I got out to the lobby you could tell she was just DYING to find out what the baby is...and so I told her and showed her the pictures. Her eyes got so big and she jumped up and down. Hannah does this really cute thing when she gets really excited, she folds her arms so tight almost as if she is going to burst from excitement. She did just that and I could tell she was happy to have a little niece to play with even though I know she would have been just as happy with a nephew.

I called my mom as she was still in her quilting class and told her that that quilt was going to have to sit in Grandma's Quilt Stash a little longer. lol. She screamed and laughed all at the same time "IT'S A GIRL?!?!" It was such a funny moment and one that will go down in history. So, onto picking another collection for another quilt! Then I texted my sister in Utah and I could tell she was screaming cuz her texts came back in all caps. haha. I let my Aunt Lisa and Uncle Colby (my dad's siblings, Allreds) know and Lisa replied "Girls are all we know to make ;-)" and Colby said he called it, which he did.
See, on the Allred side my grandpa is the only boy with 4 sisters. Then there is my dad who has 1 sister and 1 brother and then for grandchildren there are 10 girls and 2 boys. Let's add in the babies of that generation and so far there have been 2 girls and then my girl to add to that. So, girls are the majority of what us Allred's know how to make.

We waited to tell Nik's family until they all got back in town or off work and then we met up last night. I showed the pictures to my mother- and sister-in-law, Randee and Amy, and they tried to guess what it was. They guessed a boy cuz heck, how are we suppose to read these grainy little pictures? We aren't doctors. haha. So then I told them it was a girl and everyone screamed. It was so fun! Nik keeps telling me she can be a girl but only as long as she knows how to hunt and camp and play sports. I just laugh and tell him that is fine because that is just what the Berry's do! It is going to be so fun!

 Here I am the day we found out.

January 17, 2011

17weeks 3days

So, that is our wonderful story of finding out the gender of our little baby.
IT'S A GIRL! YAY!
In the poll I posted, there were 12 Girl votes to 9 Boy votes.
Next time we'll just go off the votes rather than a urine test.
lol. 

Dear Baby Berry,

We are so excited to have you in our future,

and right now as you play around in mamma's belly.

Being a girl is so much fun!

Your daddy is so excited and has already been plotting

his threats to any boys who do you wrong.

You are going to be so pretty and have lots of pretty girl things

but daddy wants to make sure you know how to hunt and camp

and do all the Berry stuff...cuz after all, you ARE a Berry now.

Don't worry...you can still look cute while you do that, it's okay.

And mamma is excited to pass on her middle name to you.

This has been a tradition for 3, going on 4, generations.

You are so loved and we are excited to meet you

and your sweet personality.

I sit here waiting for you to make some sort of movement

that I can make out is you, but I will wait as long as it takes.

I've heard you can be pretty forceful in there as you run out of room,

so take your time making your stay known.

Just about 5 more sweet months until you are in our arms...

and can we please talk about the 22nd of June?

It would be pretty rad if you could be born on that day.

Just letting you know.

I'll explain when you get here.

Can't wait til you come out!

Love,

Your Mamma

Boy or Girl?

MONDAY JANUARY 17th.
The day is FAST approaching!
I can't believe it is right around the corner.
SOOOO excited!
So....in the top left corner of the blog is a poll...go cast your vote of what you think we are having.
=]
Wow! This day is almost here.
          [p.s. don't forget to vote before 1/18 in the top left corner
           on what you think we are having! fun stuff!] 

Dear Baby Berry,

I hope you cooperate so we can start the planning!

If you are a girl I am so excited to dress you in the cutest dresses

and the cutest little hair bows

with the most adorable little flowers and bracelets and shoes.

To see your Dad wrapped around your little finger

because YOU are his Princess.

And if you are a boy to pass on the Berry name,

I am so excited to dress you in cute sweater vests for church

and little polos for the playground

and spike your hairs in little fauxhawks.

To picture you out in the yard throwing a football with your Dad

and him teaching you all you need to know about camping and hunting.

But mostly I am just so excited to be a mommy and hold you

and kiss you and cuddle you

and to know that you are the next step and continuation of an Eternal Berry Family.

We have been waiting for you and long for the day you are here in our arms.

Your Mom and Dad love you so much already.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy Berry

Salsa, Anyone??

Sometimes I make these posts more for myself to look back on than for your entertainment...so bare with me for a minute, please.
Thanks.

I heart Mexican food!

HEART IT!

I love and crave chips and salsa on a regular basis (pre-pregnancy as well).

But one very sad thing has happened since I became pregnant...

No More Chips and Salsa (at least the Red Salsa). =[

Since I have been pregnant I have had Mexican food THREE times.

TWICE I had Red Chunky Salsa, the norm.

ONCE I have had the Green Salsa from Tia Rosa's.

TWICE I came home and shared all my food with the toilet bowl.

ONCE I didn't share one bite!

So....I have come to the conclusion

(because this never happened before in my life and really only one thing has changed)

that I cannot eat Red Chunky Salsa for the next 6 months...

unless I want to share again. 

But....I'm not much of the sharing type...at least not voluntarily.

So much sadness has been brought to my belly as I came to this conclusion. 

Let me just say...

once this baby is here to hold and love and kiss and cuddle....

I'm chowin' down on some sushi and salsa! 

You better believe it!

Well, if you survived this brutally honest post, I need some help...
...The only Green Salsa places I know of are Gecko Grill (amazing) and Tia Rosa's (amazing) so let me know if you know of any others, please!!! I'd like to keep some sanity.

Coming Soon to a Couple Near You - June 24 2011

Yep, this is REALLY happening!

We are going to be parents around June 24th, 2011

(although I want to have it on the 22nd)

All the families know and are excited.

My mom and dad teared up,

My Mother-In-Law almost fainted,

And all my sisters screamed, Amy included!

Oh, and can't forget our brother, Sam,

who is excited to be Uncle Sam soon.

It was a shock to everyone but we are Soooo Happy!

=]

Hinting

So I was at work yesterday with these new clients. We are writing some new business and enjoying each others company. They had just celebrated 50 years together and were telling me about their lives and how much they treasure their four children, who have now given them grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

The husband said that those years of raising their children were the best years of their lives. I don't hear this very much from parents nowadays. I have been hearing a lot of "these were the mistakes we wish we could take back" or "hold off as long as you can until you get some common sense not to" or "boy, did we wish this never happened."

Yes, times are rough,

 things are going to be hard,

 and life will forever be unknown....

but THAT'S LIFE!

(Nik is much better at this than I am.)

You are still alive

and you are still alive, right?

But didn't things happen that changed everything?

I guess one way to make yourself miserable

is to make everyone else happy.

(ok, enough ventation, Dawna)

These all make me sad even though sometimes it might look as if they were just joking, I don't know that.
I don't know if you are joking or serious. I hear this stuff more than the happy stuff.

I will say that a friend posted on FB "I love when my little girl falls asleep in my arms. Motherhood is the greatest gift of all." This made me SO happy!
Motherhood IS a blessing, a hard never-ending job, but a joy as well. I am excited for this...to take on this new role.
And Nik can't wait to be a father. Whether it's a boy to throw a ball with or a girl to treat her like a princess (although he says she is going to be one cute tomboy. lol).

Well, back to the old man. As he was talking about his children he said
"So I take it you have kids, (paused), or you will be soon?" (as he pointed towards my stomach.)
I was thrown back.

WHAT did you just say?!?!

I was trying to suck in as much as I could but I guess sitting down really emphasizes everything.
Luckily I could tell him that "Yes, we are expecting our first."

But still, he was LUCKY!

It could very well have just been some weight for the winter.
But oh well, guess this cat has to come out of its bag sooner or later.
When I stand you can't really tell, and I have been trying to wear shirts that flow, but let's just be realistic - Nik and I really can't keep this secret in much longer.
Okay, maybe just me....but I'm sure he's dying to say something too.

So, with Thanksgiving right here....it is perfect because we wanted to say something at this holiday of Thankfulness (a word? it is now) and everything seems to be going well. I will be 10 weeks....and we think this is good enough, especially since all our family will be here at one gathering, it couldn't be better.

(except for Caren and Gma and Gpa Allred....we'll just have to Skype them)

OH....And I'm always exhausted! I went to bed at 8:30 last night and slept til 5:30.

I hear I better catch up on these hours for they quickly dwindle when Lil Berry arrives.