Karate or Gymnastics?

Josh got to feel her move!  The first time was Friday night, the most active by far she'd ever been.  We've also been enjoying her gold medalist performances the last two nights as well. :)

I'll be 22 weeks tomorrow!  Here are some other pregnancy updates:

-Still no DEFINITE name, although we have a pretty good idea of what it will be.
-No sickness for me since January 1st!
-I'm still sleeping well, no preggo insomnia yet, knock on wood! And I'm slightly obsessed with the Snoogle pregnancy pillow!  AMAZING.
-Cravings: 1st trimester - watermelon slushes and when I DID feel like eating something, it was for a couple of days at every meal (i.e. Raisin Bran, Mac-n-cheese, saltines, etc.)
2nd trimester - so far, SWEETS! Julia's bakery chocolate fudge pie; local coffee shops' (not Starbucks!) specialty decaf drinks (especially from Buckhead coffee shop in Columbia); Double Chocolate Cookie Dough Blizzards; made from scratch chocolate chip cookies and milk; TEA (either sweet or fruit) And not a "sweet" or "dessert," Red Curry from Royal Thai in Franklin and Brentwood.  LATEST: Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jelly Sandwiches.

Have a great rest of the week!  Two updates in one week? We're on a roll!
The Smith Fam

Registry Time!

Josh and I have had a blast the last two weekends getting the baby's registry together!  We went to scope out our options at Super Target in Smyrna and Babies 'R Us in Murfreesboro last Sunday. I have devoted a few hours this week compiling a list of our registry items based on online ratings, magazine ratings, suggestions from new moms and a great book Megan let me borrow, "Baby Bargains" from 2011.  The last 7 days have been very eye-opening on what we thought we want/need versus what is safe and functional.

I had an appointment for a haircut this morning in Nashville and Josh joined me for a the trip.  We walked around Bass Pro for awhile, enjoyed a yummy lunch at Toot's in Smyrna, then went back to Super Target to begin the registration process.  2 or so hours later, we emerged from the store.  We got so much accomplished! It is definitely making everything feel more real. One of our personal "top" registry items, the BOB jogging stroller, is even on sale ($100 off!) online.  Too bad it's not quite baby shower time!

I also have began my online registry at Babies 'R Us - we have duplication on both registries since some people prefer one store over another and we can adjust the registry quickly due to online access.  Some of our biggest items on the registries are "online only," due to our findings in our product research and what each store offers.  I have also included notes at both sites that gift cards are welcome and not to forget gift receipts (especially from Target...the biggest pain to return/exchange).  Technology sure has changed things!

Next job: PROJECT NURSERY!

Have a great week,
The Smith Fam

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

...that's what little GIRLS are made of!  Josh and I are thrilled to announce we are expecting a sweet little girl!  We went to my ultrasound and 20 week appointment on Friday.  The tech told us in the beginning of the ultrasound that she wouldn't tell us boy or girl until the end (of the 30 minute ultrasound) and that she would only tell us if she was 99% sure of the gender (she would never say 100% and if she was only 85% sure, she would ask us if we wanted to know) - she was 99% sure!  Baby Girl was lying with her backside to us in the first half of the ultrasound, so the tech didn't know the sex herself until the last 5 minutes.  And boy, was Baby S active!  Rolling and flipping around, covering her face, crossing her legs... it was quite entertaining for us.  The funny thing is, we had truly thought throughout the entire pregnancy that she was a "she."  He or She, we would have been over the moon, but now we are getting prepared and anxiously awaiting her arrival.

Dr. Jones said that everything about the ultrasound looked perfect!  Her heartbeat was 157 bpm and most of the ultrasound's measurements had her about 2 days early (which pretty much means nothing).  She said that the only thing they didn't get a clear picture was was her profile but since everything else looked good, this was probably my final ultrasound.  Next time I go in, it's my glucose test...I've heard it's really fun and awesome (HA!).  I want everything to continue to go well for me and Baby Girl, so I will be fine :)

We kept mum about the gender for 24 hours, which was a very special time for both of us.  The majority of family and friends thought she was a Boy, so it was fun revealing the big news.  We are dang good secret keepers, too!

We cannot wait for this awesome journey as a family!  Simply blessed.
Only 4 and a half months to go!
Much love,
The Smith Fam

Week 19

It's been a great week!  After a wonderful church service this morning, we went to Murfreesboro to Hobby Lobby (it was closed) and to take care of my Fudge Pie craving from Julia's Bakery (the best I've ever had).  As we were leaving the bakery, we were across from MTMC where my OB is located and Josh said, "Only 5 more days!"  We absolutely could not be more excited to find out if our sweet blessing is a boy or a girl.  Everyone has asked what we want and we could not honestly not care less.  It surprises me that people expect a preference.  I found a cute saying on Pinterest this week that I shared with Josh: 
 DAD: A son's first hero and a daughter's first love.  :)

I enjoyed a Girl's Night Out on Thursday with some friends from FC.  Every month, the flower and gift shop in Winchester called SOULflowers hosts a craft night called Art & Soul.   I've been the last 2 months and it's been a ton of fun. 

December Wreath-Making Project (it's still in our foyer)

I found the Dove applique idea on Pinterest.  I did the best I could drawing it (without a stencil!) and cutting it.  The saying is something my Daddy always said.  Very special piece :)

Since I've had people asking about baby showers, I've been researching what to add to a baby registry.  Lindsey H. has been awesome - she sent me an email that I'm sure took her 2 hours at least to compile of registry ideas.  I am absolutely open to all suggestions, especially the "must-haves."  I can't believe it's already time to begin planning baby showers, but I am just two days shy of the 1/2 way point!  Plus with Spring being such a busy time, my friends are wanting to nail down a date, so here's to planning! Cheers to you dear gals!

I've had some requests for belly pics.  I'll give you one from 6 weeks and one from 19 weeks, 5 days.  My, how times have changed!  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  LOVE.

6 weeks

19 weeks 5 days (5 months)...almost half way there!

Thank you all for checking in on us and sending us well-wishes.  The love and prayers you all are sending to our sweet baby is beyond amazing and he/she won't be here for 4 1/2 months! 

Much Love and Thanks,

The Smith Fam

18 Weeks - Baby Happenings

I am 18 1/2 weeks pregnant and it's been a big one...I felt Baby Smith move this week!  I actually think I've been feeling the movement for a week or so, but wasn't 100% sure.  What an amazing feeling.  God is so good!  Only 2 weeks until we make our big announcement...will it be PINK or will it be BLUE?  :)

I have been doing some nursery planning via Pinterest a lot in the last week.  If you don't know what Pinterest is, you are missing out!  It's wonderful website for planning for home decorating ideas, fashion/beauty ideas, do it yourself (DIY) projects/crafts, yummy recipes, workout/healthy food planning - you name it.  My teacher friends adore it, as well as others planning for babies and weddings.  Really, though, it is awesome for everyone.  HIGHLY recommend.

The overall simplicity of the nurseries I've been drawn to in pictures have been the same for a boy or a girl:  neutral colors, not a lot of "stuff" going on within the space, but obviously the accessorizing will be different.  For a boy, I've picked up on some cool, rustic details and for a girl, more feminine and classy decor'. We can't wait to really start planning once we find out the gender.

Besides that, I have already been getting phone calls regarding baby showers, which is so exciting and making it more "real."  It's so hard to believe we will be parents in less than 5 months! 


Cheers,
The Smith Fam
xoxo

Katie's First Hunt and A Smoky Mountain Welcome to 2012

What a wonderful Winter Break!  We have enjoyed some much-needed relaxation and now it's almost time to get back to the real world.  Last Friday, I ventured to Alto with Josh for his final deer hunt of the year and my first-ever experience.  We climbed up the treestand at about 2:45 in the afternoon and he got one around 4:40! (Sidenote: No matter what he tells you, I did not shoot that deer!)  To be honest, I actually enjoyed myself (to my complete shock) and was really excited that I was the one who spotted the deer!  I think the best part was how happy it made Josh - not only did I actually finally go with him, but he told me several times it was his favorite deer he'd ever killed since I was there. 



"Who says you can't kill deer with perfume and diamond earrings on?" -Josh speaking about Katie (Note: I took off the earrings)

The next day, Josh, Layla and I set out on our roadtrip to The Smoky Mountains.  I had found a cabin in Pigeon Forge for us to stay in for two nights, including New Year's Eve.  We had a great time relaxing, shopping at the Tanger Outlets in Sevierville, browsing around Gatlinburg and just enjoying the ambiance of the mountains.  And what a PERFECT spot we had (both the location and the cabin itself)!  It was the ideal size for two people (plus our fur child), it had fabulous views, a secluded hot tub (though the preggo couldn't enjoy, but it was still cool), it was well-maintained, had a full kitchen and comfy furniture for it's renters to relax.  And boy, did we relax!  We arrived around 5:00 pm on NYE and I think we were in PJ's by 5:03.  I couldn't have possibly envisioned a better way to bring in the New Year, especially with Baby S joining us in about 5 months!

The Alpine Rose

Our Sunset Arrival

Enjoying a beautiful January 1, 2012

Layla reclining before an afternoon nap

Couldn't have asked for a better location...

...even from the couch, the view was amazing!

We cannot wait for the great blessings that 2012 will bring us! We can't wait for our most precious gift to arrive this spring!  Josh and I hope that many, many blessings come your way this year as well. 

May 2012 be your best year yet, but not the best ever. 

Much love,

The Smith Fam