Nursery... quite the process!

Hooray the crib and bureau are all assembled and in one piece. Joe and I worked together and completed the projects in three hours and we didn't screw up once! Of course we tackled the project after the gym so don't mind our work out clothes!

Now our next task is picking a bedding set. It is so overwhelming! Joe is really excited and eager to start decorating! Hopefully I narrow down the bedding set list soon!  If you see any bedding that would go with our room feel free to share. We're learning towards pinks and light purples.

Madison's Room in Progress

 Here are some photos of Madison Anne's room..

Little Miss

Today we have reached the twenty four week mark! It's crazy how quickly time is flying by and in less then four months Joe and I will have two beautiful eyes looking and depending on us.  


As a elementary school teacher, wife, and student I have always had patience for processes and others. Pregnancy has definitely taught me how to be patience towards myself. Every week and sometimes each day I have learn to accept and dress a new body. At first it was daunting and frustrating but I had to teach myself how to let go and listen to my comfort. Not like I am a fashion diva (as you all know) but I do have my comfort clothes and not being able to fit into them made for difficult mornings. Every morning a new shirt or pair of pants would be added to the no longer fits pile to be put into storage. Add some snow and defrosting your car's windshield makes for a long morning. So you gotta learn how to be patience and plan for the daily road bumps!


I am not an overly emotional person. On my wedding day I believe I was telling people to put on their game faces. However, with pregnancy your emotions are no longer always your own. Some songs on the radio now make me tear up. I miss my cycle classes and grabbing drinks/wine with friends. I understand that these things are temporary and Madison  is well worth the little sacrifices but some days  my emotions take over and create frustration. Luckily I have an amazing husband who just gives me my moment and then I'm back to normal again. It takes great patience to let your heart be upset when your brain knows it's just a moment in time.


I am so excited to meet this little girl.. It's amazing how I love her so much but have never laid eyes on her. I feel her presence constantly since she loves to make herself known. I read that most babies are more active at night but she seems to enjoy moving with me during the day time. Her heartbeat read a strong 150 which is always relieving for me because I am still hitting the gym and I never truly know how my workouts impact her.  Luckily my doctors all tell me that exercise is important for a great pregnancy,  I am looking forward to April when we will walk around the Arnold Arboretum and Castle Island in the stroller.


Also, Madison received some great Christmas presents from her Aunt Chrissy, Uncle Jay, and my Aunt Beth and Uncle Mike. She is going to be the best dress baby who is surrounded by so many people who love her!!

Creating Madison's Room

So Joe and I decided to start filling Madison's room~ Off we went to Jordan's Furniture and we bought a beautiful six drawer bureau with mirror.  We figure we can attach the mirror when she gets a little older. Until then we will use the top of the dresser as our changing table. 

Then we moved onto the cribs! We went on Amazon.com and read over a hundred reviews as well as went to Barnes and Nobles to read Baby Bargains. Yes we were those people who didn't purchase the book rather we sat there and read for what we needed. We ended up purchasing the Graco Victoria Non Drop Side 5 In 1 Convertible Crib. We hope that it will last us through multiple little feet! We also got a mattress but I can't remember what brand we went with.

The furniture should arrive next week and then we will start to set up Madison's shop. It will be nice to wash her clothes and put them away in a drawer instead of a box. She is already so much apart of our lives so it will be great to finally give her a special place in the house!

As far as Madison goes she has been quick an active lady. These last few days she has been moving around a lot! Joe was even able to feel a kick or it could of been a high five. It is so reassuring to feel her in there and that everything is alright. Joe plays music for her nightly. It's never to early to try to start a bedtime routine  ; )

Next week is our 23 week appointment! It's crazy how quickly time is going by! I am so glad it's moving quickly because I can not wait to meet her!

Well Madison's closet is already starting to be filled with clothes thanks to my Mom and Aunt Beth  (and Uncle Mike  and Abby of course).  My Aunt Beth and Uncle Mike starting sending over clothes and toys that Miss Abby has grown out of! We are so thankful for the great hand me downs! We have also received many beautiful knit blankets and sweaters.

My Mom couldn't help herself and invested in a monogrammed bib and socks as well as some onesies! They are all so cute! I can't wait until she is here and wearing all these beautiful clothes!

We have also opened a mutual find and started saving for Madison's college (well it was opened last February, you can never start too soon). College is super expensive but critical and Joe and I hope to be able to foot the bills for college like my parents did for me.  I am so excited to open up her first bank account; it would be done if I they could just give me her social security number early (haha). Yes I love watching money grow; my second career would have been a financial advisor.

This week we have to start shopping for a rug and dresser for the room. We already have a white bench (the time out bench)  in her room so we are going to stick to white furniture. 

This week I am starting to show a little- ya I'm not really the belly poser picture kind of girl. I am starting to bring out the maternity pants. I got a great deal from craigslist. for a grand total of $130 I have over 13 pairs of pants and about 19 tops. Some pants I can wear now and others I assume I'll grow into.  Maternity stores are not going to take advantage of me! $35 dollars for one pair of pants I wear for only a couple months. Although I did buy a couple shirts and a sweater just for some staples. But boy I sure love to beat the system! 

Stocking up on diapers is also another item on my list. I have heard that Pampers are the best, so if you have any coupons or see any great deals let me know! 

Doctor's Appointment

Went to the doctor's yesterday and was happy to hear a nice strong heart beat~  My doctor was very pleased with Miss Madison progress and all testing came back with no concerns! I love hearing her strong heartbeat. I am so glad and relieved she is strong and healthy! 


I bought her first book (well I bought it a few months ago) Dr. Seuss's The Places You will Go. I first heard this book read at a North Carolina Central University graduation as a graduation speech.  It is so moving and honest. There are days when Madison will be on top of the world and days when she will need to find strength to overcome. Better to prepare her and us from Day 1. Definitely worth reading! http://www.teamhope.com/seuss.htm


We have decided on the nursery colors of peridot (our wedding color) and lavender for the nursery. Luckily for us, the nursery was already painted peridot. We plan on putting up my childhood porcelain dolls on high shelves in the corners of the room.  


This week...   Madison weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on her scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Her brain designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Madison should come with a Babies R'Us.

So now we know it's a girl and I'm a week away from the halfway point, I have started looking at Babies R Us. Who knew there were a million types of gadgets and brands of everything (well of course I did but it was never a concern of mine until now)? So I have started my research with my Baby Bargain book of course and Consumer Reports, and asking everyone with a child to form a list of your must have's. (Mom's: Please feel free to share with me your five must have's)

Being the frugal and clutter free person I am, I have begun a wish list for Madison which will highlight the must-have's. I figured this was a good starting point before trying to make a registry. It leads me to a lot of questions: What will Miss Madison like to be carried in this? Is she going to play with a mobile? Will music be her thing? Will she tear down decorations in her room like I did? What type of formula will she drink if we chose to go that way? Will she work best with Huggies or Pampers?  So many questions of who this little girl is! I can't wait to find out!

It's a girl!

On November 16, 2010 Joe and I went to the big ultrasound! We were both excited and nervous at the same time. I was praying that all my working out didn't hurt this little life inside of me. I was so relieved to see this little baby with the cutest nose and ten fingers and ten toes. She was doing knee-ups with full forth! Thankfully, I didn't feel the pain of her workout because she was really breaking a sweat!

Just like the last ultrasound she did not cooperate when it came to measuring her neck and head. She enjoys keeping her chin to her chest and covering her head with her hands. They actually made me get up and do some laps and jumps to see if she would budge! Of course she didn't. That's my girl!

At first, I worried about all the things I can't do- give fashion advice, do hair, perfectly apply make-up..  But then I got to thinking of all the things I can offer her and it made me feel much much better. She may not be nurtured to be a fashion diva but she will know all about love, hard work, determination, and what is really important in life.

Joe and I are both looking forward to giving our best to this little girl who at times may be an angel one moment and a challenge another! We also know she will be truly loved by all that surround her. We are so blessed to have a wonderful support system.