Wow… 5 ½ Months Remaining

Are we ready?  That seems to be our new question to each other. 

The past month has been riddled with Jill volunteering a majority of her non-work time with the Junior League and their annual American Girl Doll runway show.  Jill graciously volunteered to coordinate all the models and serve as a co-event coordinator (she made this challenging commitment months before knowing we were expecting).  Jarrett has crossed the northeast 2 or 3 times during the past month with travel for work and we both traveled to Kentucky (Louisville area and Carlisle) for Thanksgiving with a mini-trip to Pigeon Forge, TN for black Friday shopping at the outlets (essentially began and ended Christmas shopping during this trek)… It’s been a busy, busy month!

Somewhere in there we had the monthly check up with the doctor where we again heard the sound of LillyMilly’s heart beating 150 beats per minute.  Everything is on track with LillyMilly and his/her mommy.  At the check-up visit Jill had gained just 4 pounds total and her stomach is measuring where it should at this point in the pregnancy.  We were not expecting Jill’s tummy to be measured, so when the doctor pulled out her measuring tape (yes it looked just like one you find in your tool box only smaller) we were both a little curious what she wanted to measure.

Next month’s check up is the big one…. We learn on December 20^th if LillyMilly is Lillian or Mills.

The nursery furniture has been ordered.  You can see in the picture a couple of the pieces that will be in the nursery. 

The furniture will arrive at our home in mid-February, which leads us back to if we are ready?  Hopefully the nursery will be fully painted and ready for furnishings by early January.  Jill is working with family to plan baby showers in March and we are narrowing in on childcare options.  Aside from other small preparation items, we are paying special attention to how parents, parent.  We now take a closer notice when in public places or around other family and later discuss what we witnessed.  There have been many great parenting examples that we have noted and a few outrageous parenting examples that we wish not to duplicate.  In our attempt to not say, “our kid won’t be like that or our kid won’t do that”, I must admit there are a few things we have seen that make us say “boarding school is in our kid’s future if they act like that”.

Are we ready?  We doubt it!  From what we hear from those of you who are parents, you are never really ready for what’s to come.  We would like to hear from you concerning what you learned in the early days to toddler years that you wish you were ready for.  Post your comments or send us messages with your stories and suggestions.

Above you read that Jill has gained only 4 pounds total… THAT WAS AS OF THE LAST CHECK UP!  While in Tennessee over Thanksgiving Jill had to unbutton her pants for the first time while shopping when she became uncomfortable.  Thankfully, she had packed a few maternity and elastic waist items for the trip.  Just today she wore the “tummy sleeve” for the first time, which for those who don’t know, is a stylish way to wear your non-maternity pants leaving them unbutton while the sleeve acts as a bridge holding both sides of your open pants together enough so they don’t drop to your ankles.  (Editor’s note:  You may recall from an earlier post when Jarrett questioned new shoe purchases for pregnant women.  We are happy to report that Jill did purchase new “flat” shoes to replace her 3 and 4 inch hilled shoes while pregnant.)

Tomorrow begins week 17!  The time is going quickly.  Keep praying for a healthy LillyMilly and his/her mommy and daddy as they enter parenthood.

We hope each of you are taking time to enjoy this special season of love, joy, and peace. 

Two Weeks and One Pound

For many, reading this blog entry may be your first time learning we are expecting.  Below you will find a few early entries we blogged.  This is our first time going “public” about our good news.  We decided to wait to share with everyone until the pregnancy was far enough along to be considered in the “safe zone”.   Actually, right about now Jill is informing all her colleagues we are expecting.

This morning was the second doctor’s appointment where we once again heard that wonderful sound… the heartbeat.  Beating at just over 160 beats per minute and moving around vigorously in the safety of mommy’s womb the doctor assures us LillyMilly is progressing wonderfully.  To listen to our baby's heartbeat click here.  The due date has also been revised, we are now due May 14th.

Speaking of LillyMilly, in about 45 days or so, we will learn if LillyMilly is a Lilly (Lillian) or a Milly (Mills).  People have asked which gender we hope for.  Aside from the cliché “it doesn’t matter as long as the baby is healthy”, we are honestly indifferent about having a boy or a girl.  So until we know more we continue to prepare the nursery and shop for anything that doesn’t concern the gender.

Starting week 13, how is Jill feeling?  It is great news to report the nausea has subsided.  The appetite has remained steady, however trading Taco Bell and McDonalds for more healthy selections.  You may remember from an earlier blog entry that vegetables were not appetizing.  Just this week Jill found herself eating a salad and really enjoyed it.

As the title of this entry suggests, Jill has gained 1 pound since our last doctor visit 2 weeks ago.   Jill was surprised to learn she gained only 1 pound as all her regular clothing is beginning to feel much snugger for just 1 pound.  She predicts the first maternity clothing will be worn soon.

If you are just joining our blog, thanks for reading.  We are anxious to read your comments and hear your stories and thoughts.

We will blog again soon.  In the meantime, mommy will keep the baby safe and healthy and I will return to working on the nursery… right after a little UofL football this weekend.

A Baby’s Heartbeat

We have made it to week 11. Last Friday (October 15^th) we met our doctor (Dr. Udrea) for the first time and were able to hear one of the most amazing sounds… the baby’s heartbeat!

At 167 beats per minute LillyMilly appears to be growing healthy.  Mommy and Daddy were elated to hear the beating heart and also see the first image of LillyMilly during the ultrasound.  Now at approximately 3 centimeters LillyMilly is growing quickly each day and according to aunt Jen, the teeth are developing.

You can see Jill below modeling the latest fashion in paper gear at last weeks appointment.

During the past several days Jill’s appetite has continued to grow.  My attempts of getting fruit and liquid in front of Jill have been met with resistance of cravings for Taco Bell and McDonald’s.  Jill is quick to assure me she is eating fruit and drinking plenty while she is at work… it’s convenient that she magically desires the healthily foods when I’m not in sight.

The shopping has begun…. Not for the baby, but for Jill!  Maternity clothes is the new fall fashion in our home.  Although she is buying larger clothing, Jill is secretly excited because she gets a new wardrobe from head to toe.  Does a pregnant lady really gain weight in her feet?... because Jill insists she needs all new shoes too.  I’m a little suspicious.

By now, most of our family has heard our good news – thanks to LillyMilly’s grandmothers.  The news is spreading viral among our friends thanks to Facebook.  It’s great to have all the support from our family and friends.  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Week 12 starts on Saturday!

Sniff Sniff… What is that Smell?

That is right, Jill is passing gas at both ends quicker than a ruptured gas line.  But the iPhone app says this happens in week 8.

Nothing too new to report this week.  It appears the nausea comes and goes with varying intensity.  Food is my friend and sleep is my best friend. 

Jarrett has been away on work for a few days this week… so I found myself taking lots of naps in the evening.  Speaking of sleep, Jarrett doesn’t know it yet, but I’m considering acquiring a bed pan to prevent all my early AM visits to the bathroom.

MillyLilly has received a first travel gift from daddy!  Jarrett picked this up while in the Charlotte, NC airport. 

The hormones have gone mad!  I met Jill for dinner after landing back in Pittsburgh.  While at dinner I could tell, just being gone for a couple days, her face looked different and during conversation Jill describes how her clothes are beginning to get a little snug.  So I say, and must first point out this was the wrong thing to say, “Your face looks more plump.”  All along I am thinking in my mind, “hey she is pregnant, she is supposed to gain weight, I think it’s cute”.  This set off a tirade of exploding emotions, much like fireworks, you don’t know what was coming next.

After a couple more bites of food she was laughing at herself because she realized it was the first time she has been hormonal.

7 months to go….

Week 9 begins tomorrow.  Check back next week for the latest on The Eggo is Preggo! 

Welcome to our pregnancy blog.

Yes, we have been diagnosed with pregnancy! 

It was recently brought to our attention by Nana (a.k.a. Peggy Hardwick) that we should write a blog about our pregnancy experience.  Nana is convinced the child will enjoy reading this later in his/her life. 

We agreed a blog is a great idea to capture the experience of life… So here we are!

Currently, we are ending our seventh week of pregnancy, so we believe.  I say “believe”; because we have not been to the doctor (first appointment is scheduled for October 15^th).  However, with the great invention of the iPhone app What To Expect (from the author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting) it has calculated us to be in our seventh week with a due date expected on May 14, 2011.

Now, we have seven weeks to catch you up on… (Queue the “going back in time” sound bite.)

From the beginning:

It was a mild summer evening and we just returned home from a romantic al fresco dinner at a local establishment where we shared a bottle of imported red wine and dined on lavishly prepared….. <a screeching interruption>

(Jill): Jarrett, we are not starting at the very beginning.
(Jarrett): Why?  It’s part of pregnancy.
(Jill): Just NO!
(Jarrett): Okay. Okay.

Okay, well I think you get the idea.  I will just skip to when we found out the big news.

We were in Kentucky for the first UofL game of the season against state rival UK and visiting family.  It was during this weekend (and before any tailgate drinking began) that we learned the joyous news! 

We decided to keep it a secret for a while.  For the weeks to follow we shared together in the enjoyment of planning for what is to come. 

And what is the first thing any woman wants to do when she learns she is pregnant (or any other time for that matter)? You got it… SHOPPING!!!

On our way back to Pennsylvania we stopped at the Prime Outlets near Columbus, OH for some shopping at Pottery Barn Kids and Motherhood Maternity.  This is where the first pair of maternity pants were purchased along with a pant extender/I still want to wear my regular pants/my pants are unbuttoned but this black band holds them together thingy. 

While at Motherhood Maternity the overly friendly, loud speaking sales clerk gives us a quick tour of the store after learning we have never shopped there and shows us what becomes Jarrett’s favorite aspect of the store… the strap-on baby bump women can use to see how the clothes will look when they are greatly showing their own baby bump.  Yes, Jill did try it on!  After making clothing selections, but continuing to browse the store the same overly friendly, loud speaking sales clerk from across the opposite side of the busy store shouts to Jill… “We have Shea Butter over here; you need to be using lotion on your stomach and breasts like yesterday.”  We kindly nod trying to disguise the fact she is talking to us.

During the next week, we begin to gather nursery ideas.  We e-mail each other ideas throughout the day and begin to devise a plan.  First, we have to get what will become the nursery free of boxes and miscellaneous items from our move earlier in the year.  Immediately it is determined a yard sale is in order (planned for the first weekend in October). 

The next weekend we make trips to USA Baby, Target, and Babies R Us.  We have decided to buy the bedding and furniture ourselves and be most determined not to buy anything else until after the baby showers…. Right Jill?

Nursery Theme:  Dr. Seuss

We looked at many nursery and bedding themes, never getting very excited about anything we saw.  Last Saturday, we decided to look at Pottery Barn Kids online and immediately we both knew it was the “one” (kind of like I knew Jarrett was the “one” when I first met him at Miller Hall on UofL’s campus our freshman year --- just to note Jarrett added this comment) when we first saw the picture.  The colors are more bold and uni-sex which was our goal to achieve.  It’s made even better that the theme is all about reading, which ties directly with our strong believe about the power of education (okay I had to get a little philosophical).  We purchased the bedding immediately and it arrived this week.

Names.

This has been the easy part.  For a while, we have had both a girl’s and boy’s name chosen. 

Lillian Marie Stull (will be referred to as Lillian and/or Lilly)
Jarrett Mills Stull (will be referred to as Mills)

Where did we get these names?  Jarrett’s great grandmother was named Lillian and Jill’s middle name is Marie.  Jarrett wants to use his name, as it is a family name.  His great great grandfather was named Jarrett.  Mills comes from Jill’s family; it is her mom’s maiden name.

We quickly found ourselves referring to our child as “it”, “he”, or “she”.  It was decided in place of using generic terms to describe our incubating child that he/she will be referred to as LillyMilly – I think you get the combination of names.

We have also been exploring child care options for LillyMilly.  Any family members want to move to Pittsburgh and become a baby sitter?  Wow, child care is very expensive and comes with many options.  For one child the monthly cost appears to be somewhere between $800 and $1,200.  Child care is as much as or more than most mortgages.  I never realized my option was to have a kid or buy a vacation home.  Soon we will begin to do site visits with private sitters and educational child care centers.  Most centers have a waiting a list; therefore we need to add our name to a list soon.

Pregnancy Week 6:  I am not in control of my body.  (Want to see what the iPhone app says is happening this week just click on the link “Week X”.)



Week 6



Beginning at week six (right on queue with what the iPhone app says will happen in week six) I become and stay nauseous.  At the end of week seven the nausea is still much the same.  Constantly eating and I literally mean constantly.  Food helps relieve the nausea for a while.  I never realized you could literally become tired of eating, but this is the feeling experienced by the end of the day from snacking in the morning until I go to sleep.

Pregnancy Week 7 (a.k.a. Ta Ta Week):  My body is still out of control.



Week 7



This week the iPhone app only discusses all the changes I should experience with my breasts…. And trust me I am feeling the pain.  Jarrett insists on calling me Boobs McGee.  I think he is trying to see how much he can get away with or test how hormonal I am.  So far, he is still allowed to sleep in the bed.

Tomorrow begins Week 8 and an entire new list of firsts for us.  Stay tuned!