She's Named!!

Baby Van Zandt is named, and we are sharing with the world!! I apologize that this wasn't posted "tomorrow," as previously stated, but I just cannot stand to scan things into my computer. Those of you who know me well know that if I don't like to do it, I avoid the task at all costs. Without further ado ....

 Caroline Blair Van Zandt

20 weeks, 6 days.

23 Weeks

Hello 23 weeks and blog-deprived friends who still faithfully read!! There is most certainly a little one growing inside me, and I love, love all that is happening to show that she is healthy! I began to really "pop-out" two weeks ago. At that time, the additional tummy was cute if you knew I was pregnant, but questionable if you didn't .. some may have thought I'd had a few too many sweets. Fortunately, now I am gaining a pregnancy shape, and enjoying every minute of it!

Fun Facts:

• I wore my first pair of maternity pants today, and they were oh.so.comfortable. Notice them in the pictures below.
  
• I feel great. Aside from getting tired some afternoons, I really feel like myself.
  
• Baby girl is MOVING!! Feeling her move is the most bizarre/miraculous thing ever. Tyler finally got to feel her move last weekend, and that was really neat.
  
• We have bought one, yes, just one, thing for our sweet girl. Not that we want to deprive her, but Tyler and I have been blessed with extreme self-control in purchasing goodies for our babe.
  
• Together with Tyler, my mother and grandmother I have begun planning sweet girl's nursery!
  
• Baby girl is named and we're sharing ... tune in tomorrow for that special announcement!

I'll leave you with a few pictures of how we are growing! Happy June ... only four more months to go!

Beginning to show from the front, too!

 
Baby Bump at 23 weeks!!

We're Seeing Lots of ...

PINK and smocked dresses in our future!! We could not be more excited. More than anything, we are super excited about how healthy our little one is. The ultrasound technician was awesome; very personable and informational (not really a word in this context, but go with it!) about what we were seeing and what he was doing. Technology these days is pretty sweet ... he took about 60-70 pictures for different doctors to check over, and I feel like we've seen sweet girl from every possible angle at this point. Although the tech. isn't supposed to give "results," he said that she looks super healthy and was pleased with her cooperation today!

We go to our doctor next week to hear the results/have another appointment. Although I've known that there is a baby inside me for the last 20(ish) weeks, everything became much more real this afternoon. Now, more than ever, I cannot wait to meet her and plan for her, and just enjoy this time. I know it will go by quickly, but at times it seems to creep by.

Stay tuned for a "belly" update. I just started to pop out at the end of last week ... I do have to say, it's super fun!

We're Taking Bets

Tomorrow (Monday) is the big day!! We find out if our baby is a boy or girl Monday afternoon, and we could not be more excited! Tyler and I are praying that the baby is still moving and grooving in there, and that (s)he lets us know what it is. We'll keep you posted on what it is, but until then, place your "bet" and let us know what you think it is! Happy Monday.

May Mix 2011

Yesterday a package from my sister arrived in the mail. I knew that she was sending me the most recent Chi Rho CD, and it was wonderful, but upon opening the package there was a CD entitled "May Mix 2011." Honestly, without my sister, my music selection would be the size of a small pea...it is sad. She has most certainly always been more "up" on entertainment news and sweet tunes. I am so thankful for her fun mixes and I have many that live in my car now. Isn't it fun to put in a CD sometimes and just kind of go old school with entertainment?

Anyway. She had told me recently of the song "That's What Soldiers Do," and you guessed it ... she included it on the mix. The song is a sweet story of a conversation a dad would have with his son about going to war. The song ends with telling his son how he is a soldier too, that he needs to stand strong in Jesus and go to war for Him. It is the least cheesy, most heart-filling soldier song I've heard in a while. Click the video below to listen.

 ***If you are in a particularly weepy mood, you might want a tissue.***

Veggies are Back!

Let me tell you ... there is NOTHING better than fresh, white corn. I know, in reality there are many things better, but I LOVE fresh corn. Yesterday at Fred Meyer I paid $6.50 for 5 ears of corn, my Daddy croaked, but it was money well spent. Fresh corn combined with butter beans, and my dinner was complete.

I cannot wait to get more and more fresh fruits and veggies here. I'm also thrilled that our summer trip home perfectly coincides with harvest season in the Carolinas. Can't wait.

Surprise!

This morning, Tyler and I had our second baby appointment. I was super excited about going this morning because honestly, I have been a bit fearful that the baby was not healthy or even there. I know this isn't the way I should think, but I'm not gaining weight and I don't feel the baby move, so sometimes I just wondered.

Well, this morning we got a fantastic surprise!! When the doctor tried to hear the heartbeat, the little one moved away from her. She tried and tried to track the baby down, but we'd hear the heart for a second or two and then we would hear kicks and movement coming through the speaker as s/he tried to out run us. Finally, the doctor said, "Okay, I'm tired of chasing him, you're getting AN ULTRASOUND!!" 

If only you could have seen the smile on my face when she said that. We quickly trotted down the hall and got going on the ultrasound. This little person is moving and grooving in me!! (S)he flipped and turned and faced us all while we watched attentively on the screen. We could see its spine, the flutter of its heart, its limbs and it's little profile. Aghh ... the ultrasound was the most wonderful surprise ever! Here's our little one at 16 weeks 1 day:

We can't wait to meet you wee one!!

Pink or Blue

The infamous question for every expecting couple, "What do you want; a boy or girl?" I am guilty of asking this question multiple times, and every time I got the "Just a healthy baby" answer, I would say, "Really, you must want something." Now, I completely understand. All I want is a healthy baby, all I pray for is a healthy baby. Seriously, I now understand what I thought was a "cop out" answer.

Secondly, I thank God everyday that I do not have to choose whether this baby will be a boy or girl. I cannot imagine having to choose what this baby will be. Regardless of it's gender this baby will be loved more than we can possibly imagine at this point.

Next week after our 16-week appointment we will schedule the BIG APPOINTMENT to find out what our baby is. Yes, we are going to find out ... we'll keep you posted!