A little insight to the waiting...

As I sit here at work and am constantly thinking about the baby, I came to a good description of what it feels like when you are expecting.
Its very similar to the excitement of falling in love and and bouncing with joy all the time. The world could fall apart and it does not matter. One truly understands when their parents say how all that matters is that everyone is healthy and happy, the rest is just gravy! Truly that is all that matters!
A little insight from me the mom-to-be.

Clues, clues, clues....

Just as a reminder, we are still posting baby name clues in each (ok... most of) the messages. They have started out subtle and will become a little more clear as time passes. Here's a gimme... Donna's list is not likely to include a short name.

Third Trimester... and maybe a little more.

Yesterday was the official start of the third trimester and this morning we had one of our routine doctor check-ups (now biweekly). All is going well and Gigi is perfectly healthy. In fact, our little baby Gigi is measuring two weeks ahead schedule. In other words, the doc thinks that she may be a larger than average princess or the doctors simply miscalculated her due date. As you may recall the initial due date was January 18th. If she arrives two weeks before the initial due date then she may be a New Year's Day baby. Assuming the doc miscalculated the due date, dad's rooting for a 2008 tax deduction :) In reality, we are both so happy that she's healthy and we'll be overjoyed whenever she arrives.

Mom is doing well too.. well except for sleeping. Last night Donna nudged me at 3:23 AM to tell me that she couldn't get comfortable. I guess this is just a little practice for the sleepness nights to come.

Baby Class Graduates

Yesterday was the date of our all day baby birthing class. Although we were a few minutes late (not unlike most of the other "students"), we were excited to attend the class because we knew that it would help us get ready for the big day (or two). After about eight hours of learning how to breath and relax (yeah, right, like Donna's going to relax), we both suddenly realized how close we are to Gigi's arrival. Nobody warned us about the very graphic videos that we had the pleasure of watching. The videos didn't hold anything back. While there is much more to learn over the next couple months, we feel better prepared for what's to come on Gigi's "birth day". Oh, most importantly, Donna finally learned exactly what we need to take with us to the hospital. Donna already made one of her famous lists and she can't wait to pack the hospital bags.

A New Niece to Love

We are thrilled to announce that Eva Beth Whittaker made her entrance into the world yesterday at 10:57pm. Baby, Mom and Dad are doing well and over joyed to be new parents! Welcome to the family Eva! We can not wait to meet you!

The joys of pregnancy

I have been so blessed during this pregnancy. As my 2nd trimester is coming to an end I am reflecting more on the time I have had so far with this baby girl and how lucky I am.

My sister-in-law Amanda is 11 weeks ahead of me expecting a Baby Girl too! This entire time we have been fortunate to share and give each other daily updates on the girls! Luckily she is ahead of me, so anything she feels now, I will feel soon enough and know its normal.

So far I have loved being pregnant. It has been the most fantastic thing I could have ever experienced. Jim and I are bursting with love with every move that she makes and dreaming of the future with her, that we can not imagine how wonderful it will be when our little girl arrives!

Then for me the saddness kicks in. As I reflect, I realize there will be a time in my life where I will no longer be pregnant, no longer have a newborn to hold, and all that comes with it. However, not to say that watching our children grow will not be miraculous.

My Mom has always told me how wonderful it is to be a Mom and how much she and my Dad love to spend time with my sister and I and now our husbands. I can start to understand now.

I hope that everyone enjoys the special times in life that we are blessed to have. I know I will be enjoying the last trimester knowing my little girl is with me 24/7, warm and safe.

She has parents anxiously awaiting to raise and love their little girl.

Yumm... Glucose

This week the doctors performed a routine test for gestational diAbetes by asking Donna to drink a glucose beverage. It wasn't as bad as expected and she downed it in record time. She's quite the trooper. Gigi doesn't appear to be a fan of the doctor's heart rate monitor. When the doctor was checking her heart rate, Gigi startled Donna and the doctor with a couple of big kicks (maybe a future soccer player in the making).

As a side note, Gigi's furniture arrived on Saturday. The parents-to-be are happy that the furniture is both sturdy and stylish. Only a few changes will need to made to make it fit for a princess.

Name game....

As you all know Gigi's real name is a secret until she's born. However, to make this more interesting, we may occasionally incorporate subtle hints into the blog that may offer as clues to her name. Feel free to post comments with your guess for Gigi's name. Please, keep all criticisms to yourself. Huuummm... I wonder if there's a hint in this message.
Remember her name is a secret until she is born!
Have fun!

Morning Glory...

Unlike her parents, Gigi's recent baby movements indicate that she may be a morning person. The intensity and frequency of her movements are much more pronounced in the mornings than in the evenings. When Jim and I are up late in the evenings trying to feel her movements, she tends to be reserved. However, early in the morning when we want to rest, she tends to be playing jump rope with her umbilical cord.

Gigi's nursey is almost complete!

After a weekend of nonstop work, Gigi's nursery is almost complete. Jim hung the wallpaper (occassionaly he had the pleasure of recutting and hanging strips when things looked a little funny) and dressed up the plain baseboard molding with a little detail (which will soon be painted white). As you can see, the pink rug was also delivered. We couldn't be more pleased with how the nursery looks. Later his week the furniture will be delivered.

Click me to enlarge
Click me to enlarge

Shake, rattle, and kick! Part 2

For the first time last night, Gigi's movements were strong enough for Jim to feel. Needless to say, he was very excited to finally experience what I've been enjoying for a couple weeks. However, just because it's possible for other people to feel the baby's movements, please ask before touching!