The days are going too fast

So I've been on maternity leave since Christmas and loving every minute of it. I don't want to go back to work in March at all! During the first month of being a new mommy, it was extremely hard adjusting to my new lifestyle and I was realizing new things each day. I can't be selfish anymore, my time is now Connor's time. It was a real shocker for me. Now that we have all been getting on a routine more, it has been great. Connor and I play most of the day, take naps, go on walks, visit friends and family. He sure has changed since he was a newborn and I can't believe he is almost 2 months old. He will be getting his shots finally and we will then begin exploring the world outside! We will definitely be hitting up the gym on a regular basis so I can get back into shape. I've also been looking at triathlons to complete this summer. Connor is finally sleeping most of the nights all the way through - which is super nice. And that beautiful smile of his is popping up all the time - when he smiles I can't take my eyes off of him. In my spare time while Connor takes the few naps he does, I've been doing major spring cleaning to our house and concentrating on my stationary business. I've been designing a bunch of new cards, photo cards, baby name letters, etc. (my-stationary.com) Its been a lot of fun and being a mom is the best thing in the world!

My baby is already a month old!

Connor has finally turned a month old already and he is getting bigger by the day. He outgrew his newborn clothes this week and now is on to 0-3 months. It is amazing how fast they can grow. Connor loves to play on his floor mat during the day and occasionally you will catch a smile from his face. He loves staring at himself in the mirror and swinging in his swing. Connor spends his days letting out huge grunts, stinky farts, and loud burps. He is a messy eater and loves being naked. Connor loves the bathtub and thinks he is just the cutest baby. He is quite demanding and wants his bottle immediately when asked (cries). Nick and I enjoy each day he does something new, funny, or just being his parents. It truly is an amazing experience. Connor goes to the doctor Monday for his first month shots and is a great car rider. We all are adjusting well and trying to sleep often (if that is possible).

Beginning work and other exciting things....

So it is that time of the year again where I must go back to work as a teacher.  Don't get me wrong, I do love my job, but when you have had the first summer off in about 8 years with nothing to do but relax....it is really really hard to go back to work.  This was the first summer I did not have a job, going to summer school, or working on my Masters program.  For once it was just me being me and doing what I wanted.  SUPER NICE!  

So the year started with a bang and ended this first week with an exhausted preggo.  I miss my nap time so much, and boy do I need it.  There are days I will sneak a 30-45 minute nap into my conference time, but it is not often enough.  I have really good students this year and I'm excited how the first semester will go.  Especially since I'm pregnant and not getting smaller anytime soon.  I would say my worst fear right now is my water breaking in front of my class, but I just might not have to deal with that unless Connor decides to come a week early.  

Nick also started his fall semester classes this week and I think he might have a pretty good semester with some good professors for once.  I can tell he is excited, because once this semester is over, it is smooth sailing to graduation next December, or so we hope!  He only has to drive to Huntsville twice a week this semester unlike the past two where it has been everyday.  So yeah for saving gas, and yeah for Nick having more free time between his full time schedule of classes and full time work schedule.  I hope he knows how much I appreciate his dedication to everything he does and provides for this family.  

Other than that we had our 23 week checkup this past Monday and she said everything sounds and looks great.  Baby had the hiccups and would not stop moving when she was getting his heartbeat - which is 158 now.  My next appointment is in 4 weeks.  This next appointment will be a long morning.  I have to have an ultrasound at 8am to see if my placenta has moved into place (I'm excited to see the baby again) and then my regular appointment is at 9:00 and I have to do my glucose testing that day for diabetes and what not.  So it will be time to drink that not so wonderful orange drink in 5 minutes.  This is not small like taking a shot, but more like a water bottle - a little bit smaller, but downing it in 5 minutes does not seem exciting to me when it won't be tasting too yummy!  After my appointment in September I will be going to appointments every 2 weeks for awhile up until due date I guess.  

The upside for this weekend is labor day - one extra day off!  Nick is working all weekend and dove hunting on Monday, so I am spending the weekend relaxing and getting ready for my craft show that I will be in, in November.  I'm super excited I got a booth and hoping that I will do well.  

Well I guess this brings me to the end of my thoughts.  Hope everyone has a fantastic three day weekend!!!

18 week check-up

Nick and I went to our doctor's appointment to get the results of our ultra sound on how the baby is growing and doing.  She said everything looked great, heartbeat was 162 and then of course me being the planner had all these questions for her.  She was like wow you are on the ball, we were going to discuss these later, but since you are asking....

The only thing that did not go well in the appointment and I'm not sure how to react to it, because I don't know if it is a common thing or not.  I have a low lined placenta, meaning my placenta is not really in the right place it should be.  She did not seem to be worried about it yet, because it was not covering my cervix or within 2cm of my cervix.  Therefore her hopes is that as I continue to grow and the baby continues to grow it will push the placenta back into place.  So I will be required to get another ultrasound when I'm 26 weeks to see if that has occurred or not.  Good thing, I will get to see our baby again.....bad thing, I will have drink loads of water and suffer the need to pee during the ultrasound.  

If all looks good, she says I will not get another ultrasound until I'm 36 weeks, so she can prepare for delivery.  Please pray for our family that God works a miracle and places my placenta in the right location and everything else goes smoothly. 

Baby Connor's new room

This Thursday and Friday my mom and I slaved over doing Connor's new room, so I could have it ready before I go back to work in three weeks. I know many people are like wow that is early, but with my sister getting married this fall and work and getting bigger it HAD to be done, lol.

Nick and I decided to go with a modern but fun baby room. We were not into all the cute-z baby stuff and picked a color theme instead. The colors are lime green, navy blue, and light blue. It happened to work out great because the room was already done in browns and blues, so I just had to switch out the browns for navy. There are still a few things that we are not done with.

A. The wall with the changer is going to have a quote that goes on the wall over the changer....that will come later

B. We want a book shelf made for his books

C. There is a glider in the room but I had stuff all over it so you'll just have to come on over to see it all put together.

My mom and I had a lot of fun, but are very exhausted....
Enjoy!!!

Baby name meaning

Baby Connor's meaning behind his name:  (and is alot like his daddy's)

Connor Michael Bryan -

The name Connor Michael Bryan reflects drive, a pioneering spirit, leadership, independence and originality.  The energy behind this name is strong and forceful and promotes an unconventional, innovative, and decisive approach.  Highly focused and self-reliant, the name Connor Michael Bryan carries with it an unmistakable "can do" attitude.  It reflects confidence, energy, strength and perseverance.  There is a definite sense of danger and risk-taking as well.  The name Connor Michael Bryan does not inspire patience and sensitivity, and does not promote cooperation or a diplomatic approach to problem solving.  Think of this name as a masculine, aggressive, creative force.

Connor Michael Bryan's most positive characteristics:  Strength, originality, courage, imagination, creativity, confidence.  Good for competitive, high-risk ventures.

Connor Michael Bryan's most negative characteristics: Pride, intolerance, excessive aggressiveness.  Not good for people-oriented ventures or healing, counseling and retail businesses.

It's a.......

its a BOY!!!

Nick and I went to our 17 week ultrasound today.  I was sooo nervous, because we wanted to find out what we were having and I wanted the baby to cooperate.  Oh did he cooperate all right.  Baby was moving all over the place and playing with new found objects, lol.  We were able to see his heart beat, and all his body parts.  It was an amazing experience and I could of sat there and watched him all day long.  By the end of the ultrasound baby was putting his hands in front of his face, telling us no more images, lol.  We go back to the doctor on Monday, July 28th for our 18 week checkup.  The doctor will go over all the ultrasound images and talk about the baby's growth with us.  The ultrasound tech said that she thinks my due date is more like December 23rd now.  Nick and I are super excited and can't wait to see this beautiful baby.

We have decided to name our baby boy, Connor Michael Bryan.  Connor is after my dad (his middle name) and Michael is Nick's dad's first name.  So baby Connor will be one active child and we can not wait to meet him.  Pictures of the ultrasound are posted below.