Highlights of 2010

As the end of this year comes to a close, I can't help but reflect on all of the things that happened to our family this year. 2010 has definitely been an eventful, exciting, trying, and amazing year! I am beyond blessed to have an amazing husband, healthy and adorable baby boy, and supportive families!
Here are some of the highlights of our year:

January-- M turned 27!
February--Got a new SUV!
March-- Had LOTS of baby showers and last minute preparations for baby boy!
April--Conner is born!!
May--Sold house in Lafayette, and found house in Westfield.
June--Moved into new house!
July-Celebrated July 4th (and mother-in-laws b-day) at Hoosier Park
August--Started back to work after 4 1/2 (wonderful) months at home with Conner! Conner started daycare! :(
September--Adjusted to life as a working mom! :(
October--L turned 26! Conner started crawling (and pulling up, and sitting up!)
November--Celebrated Conner's first Thanksgiving!
December--Celebrated Conner's first Christmas and enjoyed spending the last 2 weeks of the year at home!

Conner: 1 Month

I can not believe how quickly time flies once you have a baby! It seems like only yesterday I was sitting on the couch, having contractions and hoping and praying to meet you soon! (It may have something to do with the sleep deprivation!) Our lives have been forever changed, and we can't imagine what life would be like without you. Here are some of the things you are doing this month:

• smiled
• laugh while falling asleep
• eating every 2 1/2-3 hrs
• sleeping in crib at only 2 weeks
• wearing newborn diapers and clothes
• rolled over from tummy to back for the first time! (not sure if this was an accident or intentional...but we are on guard now!)
• love your swing
  

Here is a photo from your 1 month photo shoot: (you were a trooper and endured Mommy's obsession over taking these pics...let's hope this continues unlike your Daddy who hates pictures!)

(You put your arm out on the piggy bank all by yourself...I promise I didn't stage that! :)

Newborn Photo Shoot

After many attempts at finding a professional photographer to take our little man's pictures, I determined it just wasn't going to happen! (at least not in my time frame anyways...don't they know babies grow and change SO quickly?!?) So left to my own, I decided to have a little photo shoot of my own. Lucky for me, Conner cooperated...and mommy got some oh-so-adorable pics! Check them out and let me know what you think!

Meet Conner

Conner Jackson
April 15, 2010
3:41 pm
6 lbs 10 oz
20 in

We are so blessed to have this little boy in our lives! We are adjusting to life running on little sleep but wouldn't have it any other way! Enjoying every second and can't wait to see what the future has in store for us!

Happy Due Date!

In honor of my due date, I thought this seemed appropriate for the occasion! I guess the day is still young...

39 Weeks

• How far along: 39 weeks
  

• Weight gain: 25 lbs. give or take a 2
  


• Maternity clothes: Yes! If I get dressed and leave the house. Otherwise...sweats for me!
  


• Belly button in or out: Outtie all the way!


• Sleep: What's that? Needless to say, haven't been sleeping so well. I toss and turn all night, then get up to use the restroom, go to the living room, so I don't wake M up, and lie there wishing I could just get comfortable! If I'm lucky, I fall asleep...until M wakes up to get ready for work at 5 am!
  


• Stretch marks: Unfortunately yes, just between my belly button :(
  


• Food cravings: I had an urge for Dog N' Suds coney dogs yesterday..and I'm trying to eat spicy stuff! (wishful thinking???)
  


• Movement: Definitely still feel the little man moving, but now I have to try to differentiate between movement and contractions. Not as easy as it sounds!
  


• Labor signs: I am 1 cm dialated, and 70% effaced, at a -1 station. To sum that up, it means basically nothing...as I could walk around like that for DAYS or even WEEKS! At the same time, at least it's SOMETHING! I like to think of it as only 9 cm more to go!
  


• What I'm looking forward to: Going into Labor! If you would have asked me this even a month ago, I would've been petrified still! However, now I just want to get this show on the road! We are both soooo ready to meet our little boy!
  


• What I miss most: Laying on my stomach (I can ALWAYS fall asleep like that), SLEEP, having something to do (maternity leave isn't too much fun without a baby), and my old clothes (I don't have many maternity clothes that will fit for this warm weather).
  


• Milestones: The end is near?!.... :hopefully)
  

38 Weeks

• How far along: 38 weeks
  

• Weight gain: 23 lbs.


• Maternity clothes: Oh yes! Although I can still wear some non-maternity tops!


• Belly button in or out: Outtie all the way!


• Sleep: Waking up at least once a night to use the restroom. Then, I tend to struggle with falling back asleep which ends up leading me to the couch for the rest of the night.


• Stretch marks: I think I spotted my first one!! :( Right between my holes from my belly button piercing!


• Food cravings: I guess you could say sweets!


• Movement: He is still movin' and groovin' around in there! There is not much space for him anymore, but that just means it rocks my body more!


• Labor signs: I had some cramping and difficulty breathing a little bit this week! I will have my check-up on Monday, so hopefully there will be some progress!


• What I'm looking forward to: Meeting our little man! It has pretty much taken over my mind all day, every day!


• What I miss most: Fitting in my old clothes, getting off the couch/bed/chair without gearing up to do so first!, and having a beer/wine on the deck


• Milestones: We are FULL TERM! Although this has been the case for a week now, it still shocks me I could have this baby at ANY time!
  

The Nursery

When thinking about creating our little man's nursery, I was at a complete loss at what to do. I knew I wanted something different, more "me" than the usual pastels or animal themes of many nurseries. I searched high and low and finally found some inspiration from the Baby Room Bio site. I knew I wanted to do something with black and white...what's new right?! Well then I found some cute bedding from Target.com that I immediately fell in love with! Much to my luck, I went to our local Target and someone had returned the exact same bedding set I had just been lusting after online!!! And to boot...it was marked down from the online price! SCORE!!!

Then came the furniture...and like everything with this room (and my life for that matter) I was very indecisive! We finally decided on buying a crib and dresser/changing table from Walmart.com. I did a lot of research but they had the best prices and for the quality, I was sold.

I then realized I wanted to add some color to this black and white masterpiece....so I stuck to my favorite combination...black, white, and....TEAL! I recruited my mom and dad to help come tape, paint, and put together furniture!

I absolutely LOVE how it turned out! Lots of more things have been added, and it is 95% finished now. Just need to finish a couple of last minute details and we should be good to go! (Nothing like procrastinating huh??) I will leave you in suspense for the final reveal! :)

Up to Speed

Well as they say "to make a long story short," I'm PREGO! (37 1/2 weeks actually), so technically I'm almost done being pregnant! I have just started my maternity leave from school, and with lots of extra time on my hands before the little man's arrival, I figured I would get back to blogging. I have high hopes of being able to keep this up after he comes in order to keep better in touch with friends and family who don't get to see us on a regular basis. Here is a little update in pictures..

Let's hope I can keep up with this!