Making Progress

We are anxiously preparing for the arrival of Lil' Shaffa and have had several weekends full of hard work around the house.  We've decided to build a new closet attached to the nursery, so we have been demolishing the old and building the new. We are trying to make as much space as possible for our new addition.  Our first project was to build a shed to create more storage room in the house.  I'm posting a few photos of our progress.  Our goal is to have our household projects done by the end of november in order to give us time to nest and enjoy our last few months together as a couple, as we realize our lives are about to change forever.

It's a Boy!

On Friday September 24, 2010 we had our 20week ultrasound.  We were so excited and had been anticipating this day for many weeks.  This was the day we were to find out the gender of our Lil' Shaffa.  Throughout the entire pregnancy I have had mixed feelings about whether we were having a boy or a girl.  I had heard that my food cravings would indicate the gender of the baby, and my boss, who had twin boys had the same cravings for hot peppers, vinegar and oil dressing, olives, and pickles as I have had.  But, another lady that I work with performed the "pencil test" on me which determined that I was having a girl and a third friend that I work with had two dreams throughout my first half of the pregnancy that I was having a girl.  She swore upon her psychic abilities and actually had me convinced.  Apparently it is a good thing she is not attempting to cash in on these so-called abilities. But, to her credit the only other "baby dream" she'd had previously was regarding her sister's pregnancy who actually did have a girl. 

Mike and Brennie were there with me for the appointment and when we were shown the determining view I screamed immediately, "it's a boy!"  Mike and Brennie caught on a few seconds later and we were all so happy.  I think we all cheered at once.  Mike of course had his camera in hand and we were able to capture a few photos before, during, and after our big day. I would like to give a special thanks to the bearer of our good news, Susan the ultrasonographer.

The second we returned to the car, we began making phone calls.  We called Mike's mom, "Nona" and she was thrilled to hear that there would be another Shaffor to carry on the name.  Later that evening we posted the news on Facebook and were pleased to see overwhelming congratulatory comments.  Mike and I truly feel blessed that we have so many people excited for the arrival of our baby.  It has really made this journey a pleasure.

What a Relief!

Last week we made a huge decision.  We decided to change Doctors.  We had been experiencing some reservations all along about the OB we chose, but felt as if it would be too late to change in the middle of the pregnancy.  After a little research we realized that changing Doctors in the middle of the pregnancy isn't actually uncommon.

It is extremely important to make sure that this birth experience is everything that I've always envisioned. I realize that we can't control everything throughout this experience, but I want to feel good about all of the decisions I do have control over.  

Before we became pregnant, we watched a very interesting movie called "The Business of Being Born" which had a huge impact on how we felt our birth experience should go.  The reservations I was feeling toward our current OB prompted Mike and I to rewatch this movie.  After seeing this movie for the second time, our feelings were solidified in knowing that staying with our current OB was not what we wanted.  I definitely knew at this point that I wanted us to go through this experience with a midwife and not an OB. 

Last Wednesday we had our first appointment with the Vanderbilt Midwives.  It was everything I had expected and they are totally in tune with the experience we want to have.  The comforting thing is that I will still have Lil' Shaffa at the Vanderbilt Hospital (and not our home).  I have been hesitant and somewhat scared up until now, but for the first time since the beginning of the pregnancy I am actually excited to give birth.   

We are now at nineteen weeks and our big ultrasound is Friday September 24, 2010.  We will find out that afternoon whether we are having a boy or a girl.

Very much looking forward to the next 21 weeks!

Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth. - Virginia Di Orio

Week 16

We are officially into week sixteen of our pregnancy and well into the second trimester.  I think it's important to document the "not so good" along with the "great" through this journey, so here goes.

Many people have told me that once I entered into the second trimester that I would feel so much better.  Well, I'm still waiting.  Maybe since I had a relatively easy first trimester I'm not quite feeling the reprieve that I expected.  I do have a little energy back, but now that I can't lye on my back to sleep I'm having difficulty getting comfortable throughout the night.  Poor Mike who has to deal with my pregnancy pillow on one side, a pillow for my head, and another pillow for the other side of me.  We only have a full size bed and he's beginning to make comments about being squished out of bed at night.  I'm so sorry Mike.  Maybe one day we will have that king size Tempurpedic that we dream about. 

On a good note, our Doctor called today with the results of our prenatal testing and everything has come back within normal range.  So, Lil' Shaffa seems to be perfectly healthy which makes us perfectly happy. We are looking forward to the long weekend and hope to finally take our first "belly shots".

Prenatal Testing

On August 12 at 2:30 Mike and I had our visit at Tennessee Maternal Fetal Medicine for our first round of prenatal testing.  During the visit, we had an ultrasound which measured different aspects of Lil' Shaffa to make sure that development was within the appropriate range.  To our surprise, the ultrasound lasted about thirty minutes.  It was great to be able to watch and visit with our baby for that long. 

Lil' Shaffa, it seemed as if you were quite cozy and keeping yourself completely occupied which made us very happy.  You flipped and flopped all over, you were opening and closing your hands, which we like to believe you were waving to us, and you were bouncing all around.  At the end of the ultrasound we believe you may have even been sucking your thumb.  The ultrasound tech said that you didn't have the ability to suck your thumb yet, but your dad and I are convinced that you are simply an overachiever. I just want you to know how excited and proud your dad was while we were watching you.  We heard your heartbeat and called your Nona so she could listen.  Your cousin Chloe was there and was also able to listen.  This made them both very happy!  After the phone call, your dad took two or three videos documenting your movements.  We can't wait to show you this some day.

We love you and are looking forward to our next visit with you on September 24, 2010. 

The Black Keys

On August 12, 2010 Lil' Shaffa attended "his/her" first show.  The Black Keys played at the Ryman Auditorium with The Morning Benders opening the show. 

Mike and I were so excited that Lil' Shaffa's first show was going to be such a memorable experience.  We feel so privileged to live in Nashville with such great opportunities to hear good music at good venues.  Music has always been an important part of our lives before we met and also as a couple.  We feel that it is important to pass along our appreciation for music to our little one.  It was a family affair.  Brennie and Grandbob drove to Nashville to attend the show with us which made it all the more special.  We have seen The Black Keys three times and every time with Brennie and Grandbob. 

There were 160 limited edition show posters and Mike was so excited about getting one of these numbered posters for Lil' Shaffa.  Unfortunately we arrived to the Ryman a little late and were at the back of the line to purchase the poster.  Mike gave me the money and I went to the front of the line and explained to this nice couple that we were trying to fetch a poster to commemorate our baby's first show.  They were delighted to help us out and purchased poster number 34 for us.  Hooray!  We did it!  Now we have a token to always remember Lil' Shaffa's first show.  The show was great and we had a wonderful time.

Belly Rubs

This weekend was filled with seeing some of our closest friends.  By now, all of our friends and family have heard the good news of our pregnancy, but we have yet to actually see a lot of these people in person.  So, on Saturday we began our journey to Bowling Green to visit our dear friends Charles and Rondell.  We told them the news several weeks ago, but this was the first time to see them since the announcement.  As soon as we met, both boys hugged us and rubbed my belly.  Now, I was warned about how people completely disregard personal space when it comes to a pregnant belly and I had my first experience with this over the weekend.  I may get tired of it by month nine, but I must say that I felt on top of the world and was proud to show off my little baby bump. It truly reminded me of rubbing a "Jeannie Bottle" with Lil' Shaffa having the power to grant wishes. By the way, the Boogas (Charles and Rondell) are already scheming on how they are going to spoil Lil' Shaffa.

We spent our evening in Louisville with our friends Shannon and Charles.  They just moved into a new house, so it was great to see their new space and visit with them and their wonderful little girl, Renee.  Charles and Shannon told Renee that I had a baby in my belly so she immediately came up to me and started poking me in the belly.  It was so cute and refreshing to see how a child reacts to pregnancy.  We had a great visit, went out for pizza and took a walk around the Highlands after dinner with the three of them.  It made for a late night return to Nashville, but was well worth it.  We can't wait to see them again. 

This morning I met my friend Weslea and her little girl Lyla Q., Weslea's sister, mom, aunt and cousin for breakfast at Monell's.  Let me just say that Monell's is the perfect place for a wonderful pregnancy country breakfast.  I was in heaven surrounded by great food and great company.  When I arrived, everyone congratulated me and Weslea of course, rubbed my belly.  I think she's even been known to rub my belly in the past, but only after I had eaten too much, so this time was much more special.

Lil' Shaffa, you are already so loved by so many people.  All of our great friends are so excited to meet you.  It is definitely going to be hard to wait six more months for you. I'm soaking this up because it has to be one of the best feelings I've ever felt.

I'm so thankful that Mike and I have such wonderfully supportive friends. We truly feel the love. Thank you!