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Yesterday when I came home from work this was sitting at the front door…
I actually followed the instructions of “Open Together” and patiently waited for Lucas to get home. After we enjoyed a quick dinner out we came back to open our box of goodness.
“Welcome to your baby-shower-by-mail! Shannon & Lucas you two are so dearly loved and although your friends are spread out around the world (literally) we couldn’t pass up the chance to welcome your new little one and celebrate with you during this special time. So, use the goodies in the polka dot wrapping to set the mood and then sit back and be loved! You two are so special! Love, Your Friends”
Our friends Katy and Jeremy Kidwell had put this all together and we were so excited to jump right in. The first gift to open included some yummy chocolates, hot cocoa and some baby CD mixes…with all songs saying “baby” in them. We popped in one of the CD’s and proceeded…
In this package we found some yummy food as well as some cute cloth napkins. Also the tag let us know that the theme of this shower is “Baby’s First Outing”.
So off we went opening presents! I couldn’t resist taking pictures of each and every item so I’ll share them all with you…
From Katie & Derek in Scotland, friends from Regent, my Spouses of Students group and church home group…a cute snowsuit for the little one. We actually just saw Derek and he didn’t say a word about this special surprise coming our way.
From Grace, Josh & Naomi in Idaho, friends from Regent, my Spouses of Students group and church…some goodies to make stepping out easier…a cute hat and mitten set, snack dispenser, links and a reusable placemat.
From Jess, Jeff, Charlie & Lillian in Kansas, friends from Regent and my Spouses of Students group…a wonderful nursing cover and some cute mittens.
From Karen, Nathan, Luke & Caleb in Vancouver, friends from home group at church…a wonderfully soft organic cotton blanket.
From Fran, Andrew & Anica Gorlick in Vancouver, friends from home group at church…a classic Canadian toque!
*I have to say that this next gift was quite the surprise. :)
From Vanya, Ryan & Ciara in New Zealand, friends from church…all natural baby soap and massage oil (Made in New Zealand).
From Katie, Ryan & Gloria in Vancouver, friends from Regent…a warm hat and cute socks.
From Deanna, Ben & Nora in England, friends from Regent and church…a warm fleece suit to bundle up in.
From Ansley, Chad & Charles in Florida, friends from Regent and my Spouses of Students group…some cute cards to use as thank you notes and Works Wonders Salve from Vancouver.
Finally I’ll end with a few handmade items that topped off the evening.
From Shelley, Levi & Avery in Saskatchewan, friends from Regent and my Spouses of Student Group…super cute diaper and pacifier totes! Shelley made these wonderful creations and I was so hoping to receive a handmade gift from her. :)
And finally from the coordinators of it all…
From Katy & Jeremy, friends from Regent…a wonderful baby blanket, brag book and teether.
This quilt/blanket was just too much! I absolutely love it and again I was secretly hoping that Katy might be making something like this. :) What a wonderful surprise!
All in all, we were spoiled to death and felt very loved. It was definitely a bittersweet evening as we enjoyed being showered by friends but we so wished we could be closer to them. We are just thankful to have such supportive and wonderful people in our lives even if we’re now separated by many miles. What a blessing to have met them and to still have them in our lives even if we don’t get to see them very often.
Ok now I’m crying just writing this…the bottom line is, thank you so much for making us feel so loved. You have each touched our lives and we will never be the same. We hope that someday our little one can meet each and every one of you so they can share in this love. :)
-Shannon & Lucas
Again I’m a little behind on posting my belly shot every 4 weeks since I’m now at 29 weeks and 4 days…but better late than never. Everything has been going really well with the pregnancy. I have seriously enjoyed being pregnant and really can’t complain. Just recently I’ve started to get a little uncomfortable when I sit on our overstuffed couches and my ribs hurt after doing so but other than that I’m doing really well.
Lots of movement going on in my belly and I just love it. Thankfully no hard punches or kicks yet but I fully expect them based on the energy Lucas and I had as kids. I’ve even had the baby wake me up in the night one time. Granted it could have been because I had to go to the bathroom for the 6th time that night but either way it was kind of crazy to be woken up by movement deep within.
We’re now seeing the midwife every two weeks and I’ve been measuring well and thankfully don’t have gestational diabetes! Some say they don’t enjoy the drink for the test but it reminded me of orange drink from McDonalds so I was good to go.
I can’t believe that the real countdown to Nacho’s arrival is getting so close but I’m just so excited to meet our little one. Speaking of the name Nacho…we’ve pretty much moved away from calling the baby Nacho. Now that the little one is squirming about and we know there is a full baby in there we’re kind of dropped the name. Plus we have a solid boy name and girl name picked out…and no we’re not sharing :)…so really we just call the baby little one, or baby, or a combination of either the boy or girl name.
So on to the point of this post…these shots were taken before we fully decorated so excuse the somewhat bare tree in the background.
-Shannon
Ever since finding out that Nacho is on the way I’ve felt like I should be making something for my little one. I finally decided to settle on a baby blanket after realizing I just couldn’t bring myself to making a gender neutral scrapbook or something like that. So I picked out some colors of yarn and have been knitting a bunch of squares that I will then sew together to make a baby blanket. So far I have a stack accumulating and especially after this long holiday weekend it is now much bigger.
-Shannon
Gathering baby music has been something I’ve loved preparing for our little one. I’ve created lists songs and have gathered a few CD’s through gifts. Lucas even made me a Baby Songs playlist on iTunes. But the other day all my baby music dreams were surpassed when I received a package in the mail from my friend Kerry.
Kerry and I have known each other since junior high. We have always shared a love of music and throughout high school we would get together to sing and write songs. Kerry has a great voice and I always loved singing with her. One of our favorite singer/songwriters was Jewel. We were both pretty much over the top with her and loved her music. I still listen to some older Jewel stuff from time and time and I still love to play some of her songs on the guitar.
Once baby came into the picture and I began collecting music for the little one, I stumbled upon a lullaby album that Jewel made. And in case you don’t know, Jewel has one of the best soprano/lullaby voices I’ve ever heard. So I knew she had a lullaby album but I hadn’t been able to add this to my collection.
Along comes Kerry’s gift and inside is this…
I as so excited to have this CD and then a look a little closer and notice this…
It’s signed by Jewel herself!!! I just couldn’t believe it! I started screaming a little bit and Lucas was definitely worried that I might be losing my mind but I was just so excited. Recently Kerry met Jewel and had her sign this for me and baby. What a wonderful gift!
Hopefully someday when we’re back in Missouri our little one will have the pleasure of hearing mommy and Kerry singing together again…maybe we’ll even bust out an old Jewel song.
-Shannon
I feel like there are lots of movements happening with my body right now. Obviously the biggest thing is feeling the baby move! I’ve been feeling movements for almost 2 months now but I’m still in awe of them and it always brings a smile to my face. I love feeling the baby move around inside of me and I love it even more when Lucas can enjoy the movement with me. He has felt the baby several times but he is still waiting for the all out punches and kicks to begin. He already wants to play with the baby. :)
One thing that has surprised me about feeling the baby move is how low in my body it started out. I always thought of pregnancy as a growing out of the belly but really so much of it is a deep down inside you process. Of course the movements keep traveling further up my belly but I’m still surprised by the low movements deep within me.
I’ve definitely enjoyed feeling the baby but this past Saturday I also saw the baby move! I knew there was movement going on so I stared at my belly and saw it moving! That has to be the coolest thing ever! It didn’t feel weird or foreign or like there was an alien inside of me at all. I just knew that’s my child in there moving around and I love it! Lucas even saw a slight movement but I think we’ll have to wait a little bit longer to see the full fist or elbow moving across my belly.
One of my favorite things about the baby’s movement has been the realization that it happens over and over at the same times. Ok that sentence is confusing so let me explain. I know that every night when I lay down to go to bed I will feel the baby move. It must be the shifting that happens but the baby is almost always active right when I go to sleep. Thankfully it’s not enough movement to keep me awake although I won’t count on that forever. Another time that I almost always feel the baby move is when I lead worship at church. Whether it be practice or Sunday mornings I can almost always count on feeling the baby moving around. I love this! Of course I’d love for our little one to enjoy music and it just boggles my mind to think that our baby already knows how I sound when I sing and play music. I love sharing this with my baby.
I have one more movement to share and that is the journey my belly button is taking from the inside of my body to the outside. I know this will sound funny but before I was pregnant I was fairly terrified of my belly button moving to pop out of my body. I thought it would hurt really bad and that my belly button would ache all the time. Don’t ask me why I was scared of this…I just was. But I have to say that watching my belly button change has been one of the best things. I just find it amazing how my body continues to grow and change.
So enough about movements…that was definitely longer than I thought it would be. :)
-Shannon
Well here we are in all our glory at 24 weeks. Actually this was taken on the first day of 25 weeks but I’m still going to count it for my 24 week photo shoot. :)
I’ve been feeling really good although I’m quickly realizing that getting up off the couch is only going to get harder as the weeks go by. But other than a few minor adjustments in the movement area all is well.
Nacho is moving around even more and Lucas even felt his first kicks a few weeks ago! He was quite upset that Nacho was kicking him but he is slowly getting over it.
Not much more to say other than things seem to be going well and I know these next 15 weeks will go by so quickly. Let me know if you have any dying questions and I’ll be happy to write another post all about Nacho. :)
-Shannon
P.S. Note to self: Wait for nice days outside to take belly shots. There is no good place inside.
After enjoying my baby shower we brought all the stuff back to our hotel suite and began the daunting task of packing it all. First we had to show my dad each and every item :) and then I got to work packing it away. On my flight to MO I didn’t check any bags and lightly packed my carry-on. I also packed an extra duffle bag for my return flight. So on the way back to NJ I packed my roller carry-on to the brim and then filled the duffle bag with all sorts of other stuff. I ended up only having to check one bag and left only the bouncy seat with my parents to send at a later date. There were a few other items I left with my parents since they fell under the category of cute but not necessary for the first 3 months of Nacho’s life.
Of course I had to showcase all the goods so here they are…
We have the feeding section…
The bath/toiletry section…
Gotta love the Burt’s Bees…
A sweet baby book my parents bought for Nacho…
The clothing section…
Lucas even went to our neighborhood clothes swap while I was gone and picked up lots of great clothes and a manly diaper bag!
The diapering section…
We plan to use cloth gDiapers once we move back to Missouri and don’t have to pay per load for laundry. I was thrilled to receive our first little gPant and cloth inserts! Seriously one of the best presents ever! :)
My diaper bag my parents bought me when they visited this summer…I think we might be going with a green and brown theme…
And now we move on to the gear section…
A surprise gift in the mail from my cousin Nate and his wife Haila…I also have a sling I plan to use a bit but I’m sure the carrier will come in handy especially for daddy carrying times.
We already had a car seat from when our friends Ryan & Vanya visited with little Ciara but now Nacho will be nice and bundled for a February arrival…
And our stroller!
My parents bought this for us when they visited this summer but at the shower they outfitted with Bob with a warm and fuzzy liner and a double cup holder attachment. Pretty soon the Bob will be worth more than our car. :)
What a wonderful treat to be showered by friends and family. It definitely helps to feel a little more prepared for Nacho’s arrival although I know our world will inevitably be turned upside-down when this little one arrives…and we can’t wait!
-Shannon
The whole reason for my trip home to Missouri was for a baby shower! My parents flew me back and my friend Mandi, Aunt Shirley and Mom put the shower all together. I couldn’t wait to see some Missouri friends and to enjoy an afternoon together. Of course I wish I could have had an entire afternoon with each person but I’m thankful for the time I had.
Mandi made all the wonderfully delicious food…shrimp wontons, crab dip, chicken salad sandwiches, shortbread cookies and tuxedo brownies…
And the beautiful cake…we went with a green and brown theme…
Party favors/prayer candles…a wonderful idea picked up from friends in Vancouver…when they hear I’m in labor they’ll light the candle and pray…
My mom with one of the prizes…green and brown chocolates!
Kristy, Emily w/ Hunter on her lap, Julianne, Hannah & Olivia…
Mandi & Jennifer (who is due 2 weeks before me!)
Bonnie (Lucas’ mom), my Mom & Angie (sister-in-law)…
After food and mingling it was time for some games. First we played a guess the baby food game…
Jennifer & Jess sniffing it out…
Our other game was hilarious. When Mandi and Jesse visited us recently, Jesse filmed Lucas answering some questions about babies and fatherhood. Lucas’ answers were not the most serious but they were funny. :) I might try to post the video on here sometime but for now you’ll just have to enjoy the screenshot…
After the games it was time for presents…
Hunter decided to help me with them…
Quick story behind this next picture…first of all I’m bawling my eyes out and that is why I’m hiding behind the frame. :) My mom made this when she was pregnant with me. She has now passed it on to her first grandchild and wrote a little note to the baby on the back. I was really hoping she would pass this down to me and it was so touching to read her note and to remember what the stitching says…I still have it memorized after all the years of seeing it…
“Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow, for babies grow up we’ve learned to our sorrow, so quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep”
Once the cry fest was over we took a group picture…Back Row Standing L-R: Aunt Shirley, Kristy (friend from church), Alexandra (friend from church), Jennifer (friend from college), Mom, Angie (sister-in-law), Emily w/ Hunter (friend from church), Mandi (friend from high school & college), Bonnie (mother-in-law), Abby due Nov. 22! (married Lucas’ best friend and now friend of mine) Front Row Sitting L-R: Cindy w/ Lena (high school Pom coach and now friend), Jess (friend from grade school on), Julianne (friend from church)
And finally me with all the hostesses…Mom, Aunt Shirley and Mandi…
Besides enjoying the wonderful shower, I also enjoyed staying in Springfield the entire time. Normally when I visit MO I end up going to West Plains where my parents now live. But my mom and dad splurged a little and we got a 2 bedroom suite at a Marriot. My mom and I got into town on Thursday and then my dad came up on Friday evening. In between some shopping with Mandi on Friday and getting ready for the shower we enjoyed lots of yummy food…Steak N’ Shake, Pasta Express and even Nakatos on Friday night. And I was able to see all of my family minus my sister in Boston!
It was such a great trip and I’m so thankful for all the love and support!
-Shannon
Everyone needs a place to rest their head and with the upcoming arrival of little Nacho we debated what to do in our little apartment. With a move to Missouri only three months into the little one’s life, we didn’t want to get anything too substantial for our time in Princeton. Plus we needed something that could be multi-functional. We were thrilled when we came across a wonderful Pack n’ Play with bassinet and changing table. We placed it on our registry but we’re preparing to buy it ourselves since it was a big ticket item.
About a week ago I came home from work to find a large box from Target.com by our door. As I looked at it I realized it was our Pack n’ Play! I didn’t know who it was from but as I opened it I saw it was from my sister, Megan! I couldn’t believe it!!! I immediately set it all up and have now begun to make a space for Nacho is our apartment. We’ve decided to use our dining room area as a little nursery and to push the dining room table into the living room. It all makes sense in the space and I can’t wait to add little touches to the new “baby room”.
I love the new addition to our space and who wouldn’t want to sleep here…
Off of the changing table is a little organization section and I couldn’t help but stock it with some diapers and what few toiletries I already have…
Sometimes I look over at it and realize that soon enough there will be a little one laying there. I can’t wait for that day…
Thanks Aunt Megan! :)
-Shannon
Well we’re halfway there! I can’t believe I’m already at 20 weeks! On one hand it feels like the time has flown by and on the other hand it still feels like this little one will never come…ah the joys of patience. I have been feeling great ever since the 2nd trimester kicked in. I am in the wonderful stage of high energy while I let my belly grow. Some weeks I can feel my muscles stretching every day and other weeks I feel no changes.
After what seems like forever I have started feeling the baby move! It started with little flutters and has grown to larger movements. This past Monday we had an ultrasound and Nacho was kicking and turning around! It was amazing to not only see a pictures of our baby but to see this baby actively moving inside of me. I definitely teared up while I was laying there watching this life inside of me. At one point the ultrasound technician was checking out the legs and as we are watching the baby started pointing and flexing its foot right into my bladder. :) I’d like to think we have a little dancer on our hands or maybe a future soccer player.
This ultrasound would’ve been the time to find out the sex but we held strong and didn’t find out. Instead we found out that our little one has a beautiful profile…
So after a look inside I thought I’d also share a few looks from the outside. I feel like I’ve been showing for awhile but once we had the 20 week mark in sight I figured I’d wait until then to unveil the belly…
Lucas has to constantly convince me that I don’t simply look like I’ve eaten a large meal. But after having the ultrasound it just reminds me that I’m growing life in there and it’s not just a storehouse for chocolate and cheese. :)
-Shannon
