Preparing for Gepetto

I guess I should explain the title to my post before I get too deep into this. When Matt and I finally settled on names for our baby (at the time we didn't know whether Baby G was a boy or girl we had a name for each) we decided we wouldn't tell anyone until the birth. To curb our families curiosities we came up with the two of the most awful names we could think of and decided that's what we would tell them when they asked. Not too long after that we were sitting at dinner with Matt's family when the topic came up. So we proudly told them if we had a son he would be "Gepetto" and if we had a daughter she would be "Zelda". Laurie, Matt's mom, immediately objected but the rest of the family tried hard to pretend like they liked it. For the rest of the meal, everyone politely tried to figure out if we were kidding with them. I've never been a great liar so I was dying inside. By the end though, we had them fairly convinced that in June we would be welcoming a Gepetto or a Zelda Gross. Our original plan was to keep it up until the birth but we did feel a bit bad so we eventually filled them in. Ever since then though, Gepetto/Zelda has been an ongoing joke.

So it's been quite a while since my last post and we were just about to find out if we are having a son or daughter. Well, our gender reveal party was absolutley wonderful (thanks Mom and Doug) and we found out that Baby Gross is a BOY! We are going to have a son! There's so much I look forward to with a little boy- just think of all the sporting events we'll have! Now that we know Baby G is a boy, preparations for his arrival are in full swing. The last couple weeks we have focused on getting his nursery ready. We've only gotten as far as painting the walls, but I love the way its coming along! I have nearly finished staining the crib and changing table the Baker's gave to us. After I sanded them down I was so nervous that I was never going to get them looking good again. I was convinced I'd ruined them. But low and behold, they are looking great! I can't wait to get them assembled and put in Gepetto's room!

Other baby news:

• I can feel my son moving around so much more now. I am learning what makes him active. So far, he likes baths, nighttime, and Fruit Loops.
• Occasionally, I'll pull out a little book Leslie gave me called "Oh Baby, the Places You Will Go" (it's written like Dr. Seuss books and talks about all the different character's baby will "meet" when reading Dr. Seuss). Well, one night I got Matt to read it to my tummy. Talk about a Kodak moment!! I got a chuckle out of hearing him read words like Motta-fa-Potta-fa-Pell.
• I am now 23 weeks along and baby is about 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound. In the next four weeks though, he doubles his weight! Grow, Gep, Grow!

Non-baby news:

• My mom and Doug are getting married! We are super excited and so so happy for them! They want to get married in Colorado so I guess that means we'll have to make a trip out there, darn it! :)
• Matt's good friend Blain married his fiance, Laura, last weekend. We were so happy to see them tie the knot! Plus, listening to the preacher talk about the depths of marriage and the joys it brings was a good reminder to Matt and I during a stressful time. I loved when the preacher would say something that's so true to our relationship and Matt would give my hand a little squeeze just to let me know he caught it too. I sure do love my husband!

Our cake was absolutely adorable!

The "Gross" "Bakers".

He loves my belly.

Finally starting to look pregnant instead of just chunky.

The cake cutting.... it's BLUE!

We were so excited to learn Baby G is all BOY.

Allie was not as thrilled... she wanted a girl cousin. 

My favorite in-laws. :)

Mom and Doug... thanks for the par-tay!

You can't read it but it says "Gepetto".

(Don't judge my post-painting look) My belly is 33.5 inches around!

The walls are done! I love it!

So much to share!

What an exciting couple of weeks! I have a feeling this post may be a bunch of rambling because there is so much to tell! I'll try to start at the beginning...

Sitting in the bath a week or so ago I felt those funny belly feelings again. To me, it felt like someone using a paintbrush on the inside of my stomach followed by some tapping. Until this point I was in denial that I had been feeling my baby (I didn't have a better explanation I just didn't want to get excited over nothing). I decided to just watch my belly. All of a sudden, part of my belly jutted out as I felt the tapping from the inside. There was no denying it- it was my little one! I was so excited! Matt rushed in to see too but baby decided he/she was tired for the evening and didn't give us any more action. A couple days later though, baby was active in full force and Matt was able to see and feel the movements. That was so special! Many belly kisses followed.

As far as baby news, this is only the beginning really. My belly is getting much bigger. It is now 32 inches around my stomach at the belly button. That's a 4.5 inch growth from week 8. I've gained about 8 pounds. My belly button continues to creep outward day by day. My pre-pregnancy pants still fit, but only with discomfort so I have grown to love maternity pants. That elastic waistband feels so good! While at dinner with my mom and Doug one night, Matt brought up the idea of having a gender reveal party. These parties are the super trendy thing to do these days. So after some convincing, I agreed. So even though we had our anatomy scan today, we asked the ultrasound technician not to disclose the sex but to write it down and put it in an envelope. Then my mom will take the envelope to a baker who will bake a cake that is either pink or blue on the inside. When we cut into the cake at the party on Feb 2nd we will find out- son or daughter!

On to the anatomy scan! Even though we didn't find out the sex today, there was plenty else to see! We got to see each body part individually and watch our little one move about in my tummy. He wasn't particularly cooperative for the head and face shots but we managed to get a couple. Our technician even gave us a few 3D shots! I pretty much melted when I saw that little nose. I really couldn't believe it- that was my child's face! The best part of the appointment was hearing that all Baby G's measurements look great and all organs are functioning. I could even see five little fingers and five little toes!

Okay, on to non-baby news. This past weekend was our niece Allie's 4th birthday party so we drove up to celebrate. We sure do love that precious girl! Luckily, Matt's mom got a new camera for Christmas so she got a bunch of great shots of the party! We had such a good time!


Other great happenings recently: I got to visit my honey at work for lunch and he showed me around his new fancy building, we got to visit the Bakers in Ardmore (in addition to Allie's party), and I got a smokin' deal on some nursery furniture. Needless to say- we have lots of pictures to accompany this post!

Uncle Matt sure is popular!

Meeting Mr. G for lunch.

2D profile view of Baby G!

3D picture of his/her face. Look at that little nose!

3D profile view of our baby... and our kitten?

Hello 2013!

2012 was a wonderful year for Mr. and Mrs. G! With our vacations, relatively new house, marriage, and pregnancy it’s hard to imagine that this upcoming year could be any better. But, even if the only significant event that happens this year is the birth of our little one then I must admit, it will surpass 2012 on the greatness scale. Matt and I rang in the new year in our living room. Originally we had plans to celebrate but I cooked too big of a dinner and Matt insisted he was in a “food coma”. I was right there with him so we decided to stay in. Matt was sweet enough to drink apple cider with me so I didn't feel alone in my sobriety. It was actually one of the best NYE celebrations I've had in recent memory.

Now that the holidays have come and gone the weeks seem to be going by more slowly. I am 17 weeks and 4 days today, but still don’t look particularly pregnant. This whole pregnancy thing is mind boggling, really. I never realized how tough it would be to simply trust that my body will care for our baby properly. I read about the significant changes that are supposed to be happening at a given time and it’s hard to put my faith in my body to automatically do those things.  Once my little one makes their debut I think I will owe my body a great big thank you!

Although the recent weeks haven’t given me any exciting baby news, the weeks ahead certainly will. For starters, I am right at the point when Mom’s start feeling the baby move. I haven’t had this experience yet but  that doesn't stop me from trying to stimulate my baby to move. Every day before Matt gets home from work I take some time to either read or talk to Baby. Then, at night, I put my phone on my belly and play soft music. I try to play the same few things in a cycle. Some studies have shown that babies recognize sounds from the womb (mother and father’s voice, specific songs or tunes, etc) after they are born and that it can be very soothing. I don’t want to be one of those over the top parents who follows every study to a tee, but this one is fairly easy and helps me bond with Baby so I go with it. Another exciting thing coming up is our anatomy ultrasound. This is scheduled for the 24th and will tell us the sex of Baby (who will finally get a gender specific pronoun!). We had planned on keeping the sex a surprise until birth but this Momma caved and decided we need to find out. What can I say- I was born to plan!

Oh and one more thing I realized this week that I thought was super neat- our baby is due on Father's Day. How special for Matt. :)

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Workin' on my baby bump!

                                                    The video I made for Matt since he couldn't be there. 

Merry Christmas to all!

Mr. G and I drove up to Texarkana after work on Friday and celebrated Christmas with the Gross family over the weekend. Since we were all together, it was decided that everyone would just tell the kids that Sunday was Christmas so that we were all together to watch them open their presents. Christmas is so much fun with little ones around. Plus, its fun to see other family's traditions. One big difference is that in Matt's family, "Santa" presents aren't wrapped, they are set up all around the tree. So there were train sets, bikes, dolls, trucks, and a trampoline all in the living room. It creates quite a scene for the kids to wake up to. I think this tradition is one Matt and I will incorporate with our kids. Pretty neat!

After the Christmas celebration wound down Sunday, Matt and I headed back to Arlington. I was on call Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so I had to get back. Christmas Eve we spent with my mom and Doug and did our gift exchange. All of our family definitely spoiled us, as they always do. We sure are a lucky couple! Matt and I did our gift exchange later that night. Every major holiday we set a limit on how much we will spend on each other. And every year, we both completely disregard it. If we spoil each other so much, our baby is in for a treat!

The plan for Christmas was that ALL the Grosses (and my mom and Doug) would come to our house for the big meal. Mother Nature decided that wasn't going to happen. Snow, ice, and wind meant driving was much too dangerous. So instead, Matt and I had a quiet Christmas just the two of us. We went outside and played with the dogs in the snow, watched a couple reruns of Breaking Bad, had a snowball fight, and made snow angels in the front yard. We lost all desire to cook, so instead we drove aimlessly around Arlington looking for the best fast food joint open on Christmas day. I can have fun doing anything with my hubby!

This weekend was the first time I had people tell me I was "showing". As excited as that made me, I really just look thicker than normal. There isn't any roundness to my belly. So to a stranger, I don't look pregnant, just a little bigger than I actually am. My new goal is to look pregnant by my birthday- and I think I will! Hooray! This week (15) the baby is the size of an apple or an orange, depending on which website you read. January 24th is our next big appointment. That's the day we have our anatomy ultrasound and they tell us the sex of the baby if we want to know. Regardless what we decide, it will be great to get another picture of our little one now that they look more baby like.

Isn't he cute?

I love our first home!

Hello 2nd Trimester!

They say the second trimester is the easiest, but I had a pretty easy first trimester so we’ll see. Nothing is really new on the baby front. I am at the end of my 13th week, the baby is nearly the size of a lemon, and it’s pretty much smooth sailing until the third trimester. My belly has gotten a little thicker but my pants still fit and nobody except Matt and I can tell a difference. I got to hear our little stinker’s heart beat again this week. This time my doctor was in charge and he let me record the sound. It took him about 15 seconds to find it and I was not prepared for this delay so I began to worry. I tried to look calm on the outside but on the inside I was freaking out. That little lub-dub sound was music to my ears! The heart rate was 160 this week. He/She is working so hard!

My hubby was out of town this week for work. I always hate when he leaves, but I do believe that absence makes the heart grow fonder. My mom and I took advantage of his trip and spent a girl’s day shopping for baby stuff. I normally hate shopping, but shopping for your baby is quite fun! Plus, now I have more ideas on how to decorate our gender-neutral nursery. I am glad Matt and I are not finding out the sex of Baby Gross but it sure does complicate things sometimes!

Before he left, Matt got our Christmas lights hung so our Christmas decorating is complete. It’s such a relief to have it all done but in the back of my mind I realize it all has to be taken down in a few weeks! Now we are gearing up for many different Christmas celebrations we have coming up. It is certainly going to be a busy time for us but we can’t wait to spend it with family.

Christmas tree and Matt's presents. 

Christmas living room!

Mr. Gross, Mrs. Gross, and Baby Gross

The four legged children's stockings. :)

13 weeks. Belly: 30 inches.

Thanksgiving and More

I have been slacking on my blog these last couple weeks. A lack of pictures, news, and motivation all play a part. I am ready now, though!

I love the holiday season. I love getting together with family knowing that next year it will be us +1. It’s fun to think of all the “lasts” we are having. Our last Halloween admiring how cute everyone else’s children look. Our last flight to AZ for Thanksgiving before we are “those people” who brought their baby on board. Our last Christmas without a visit from Santa. I often daydream about my life a year from now. I will lie quietly on my bed and try with all my might to feel my baby move. Of course, it’s much too soon for that but sometimes I think maybe, just maybe, I have a Hulk baby that will sock me so hard I actually feel it this soon! I try to remember not to rush through this process, as it is a beautiful one in itself. I am just so ready to meet this bambino. I am sure once the baby is here, my life will be different than anything I have conjured up in my imagination.


Matt and I have been so busy lately. We celebrated Thanksgiving early with his family. It was wonderful and we had a great time. Thanks to the Hutchinson’s for having us!!

We flew to Arizona the day before Thanksgiving to spend the long weekend there. I always love going home. It’s the little differences that make it feel like home still. The traffic lights are all vertical. There are mountains in every direction. Seeing old places where I have memories attached. Driving on roads that all run north/south or east/west. Most of all though, is the people I love there. It’s so nice to catch up with family and friends. With the wedding, I was extra spoiled this year and got to see everyone 4 or 5 times! It’s so nice that Matt loves going back with me. For some reason I don’t understand, he likes the desert. I think it’s the geologist in him. I, however, think it is ugly as sin. If I never saw another Saguaro Cactus, I would be just fine. We did go on a nice little hike in Payson to see the Tonto Natural Bridge which we all enjoyed. Once we got under the bridge, we had a Subway picnic. How fun!

Sunday we tagged along to the Cardinals game with my dad and brother’s usual crew. Tailgating with them is always a hoot. My dad and a friend bought a short bus that they are making into a Cardinal’s Tailgating bus. Needless to say, tailgating with them is no little fiesta. My brother had gone dove hunting the day before so Matt cooked up some Dove Poppers. I chose mine without the jalapeno and ate 6 or 7 of them! Stay tuned for pictures of the bus!

We flew back to Texas on Monday. We set up our Christmas tree and a few decorations we bought. I’ve never had a fake tree so I am trying to warm up to the idea. Being the paranoid safety freak that I am, I like that it is safer than a real tree. I do miss the smell of pine in my house though, but once I find some pine candles that should do the trick! I’ve decided that when the baby comes things are going to need to be way more festive. For now though, I am happy with our understated Christmas décor.

Things don’t slow down for the Grosses in the coming weeks. This weekend we are hosting our kickball team’s Christmas party. Next week is my work party. Then Matt leaves for work for a week (so sad) and I have yet another doctor’s appointment. When Matt gets back we have his work party. Then an early Christmas with the entire Gross clan. And finally, Christmas in Arlington! Whew!

Before our early Thanksgiving 

On a rock. 

At the natural bridge.

Dad and Julie

On a big ol' rock.

In front of a huge fountain in AZ.

Matt and I in front of the bus.

The entire tailgating crew.

Matt cooking dove.

Sonograms and Date Nights

We got our first peek at our little bambino this week! The sonogram wasn't quite what I was expecting but a wonderful experience nontheless. Matt was right there, holding my hand, as we looked at the screen and saw a peanut shaped blob (the baby) in a sea of black (my uterus)! I must admit, I think our blob belongs on the cover of a magazine. In all seriousness though, it was truly an eye opening experience. I often wonder "Is there really a baby inside of me?" Logically, I know there is... but I don't look pregnant, I don't feel pregnant, and I am not sick. I read about all these changes going on inside me and sometimes I wish I could just see in there to verify everything is on track! It was nice to see our baby so clearly and know that I really DO have a baby growing inside me!

I wasn't super crazy about the nurse who did our sonogram. Matt and I were so excited to see our baby that we were just babbling on about how perfect he/she is when the nurse flipped on the sound for the heart beat and then flipped it off again. Looking at the sonogram, she only let it go long enough for seven beats. At 165bpm (our baby's heart rate), that's about 2.5 seconds worth of sound. It was over before we really knew what was going on. I was a little bummed we didn't get to soak in the sound of our baby's heart, but in the end I am just thankful that everything is on track and our baby seems healthy. 
 

After the sonogram, we went "fully public" with our pregnancy. Originally, we had thoughts about waiting until we finished our first trimester but word was spreading pretty rapidly anyway. It's been a blessing to receive so much support from everyone. While most of the reactions have been very joyous and right on track with what the "normal" reaction would be some have been quite interesting. I work with about 70 men; some of whom haven't mastered the art of filtering their thoughts. Here are just a few comments: "So that's why you had to get married!", "Oh, I didn't know you were polluted!", and my personal favorite, "It's a good thing you got married because nobody is going to want you after you've popped out a couple babies!" I know the guys mean well so I just take it with a grain of salt and a chuckle.

Other than the sudden increase in phone calls and text messages asking how the baby is doing, everything is business as usual at the Gross house. Matt and I are trying to make sure we go on plenty of date nights since date nights will soon consists of watching Dora the Explorer and scrubbing spaghetti sauce off the floor. Last Friday, we went to Dave and Buster's for dinner and some fun. One of the highlights was drinking my first Dr. Pepper since being pregnant. Oh. my. God. It was so good. Once we hit the games I let Matt win more tickets than me, just to be a good wife. We walked away with a beer mug that we'll never use and a night of smiles. I'd say that's pretty darn successful.

The following day (last Saturday), we went to the Dallas Mavericks home opener. Although it was fun, I was reminded that basketball is certainly not my sport. My exhaustion kicked in at halftime, but I managed to make it through the 3rd quarter before we left.

This weekend we had wanted to go visit my sister-in-law and her husband but my boss was out of town and I felt like I needed to hang around town in case all hell broke loose in Mansfield. So instead of heading to Oklahoma, we went to Olive Garden on Friday and came home and watched Shark Tank. Saturday we had dinner with my mom and Doug and I dominated in Yahtzee. Now it is Sunday, and Matt and I are making lunch and waiting for the Cowboys game to start. It's the only time I enjoy watching my husband's excitement get crushed. Sorry, honey!

We also finally started taking pictures and measurements each week! We take them on Wednesday since that is the first day of a new week! This week Wednesday marked the beginning of week 8. My belly was 27.5 inches around at the belly button. Since I don't have a baby bump quite yet, I just feel awkward in my pictures, especially when I think about posting them on this blog. I think it will be fun though to look back on where I started once I am about to pop!

Oh, and one more quick note- I did finally notice a change in my body. My belly button isn't as "innie" as it normally is. When I noticed I called Matt into our bedroom and we both sat looking in the mirror, oogling at my new belly button. I am infatuated with this first physical sign of Baby Gross.  I took pictures (which I will not post). It's the little things.

At the Mavs game

8 weeks

Model Baby.

Cute bib we got from future Uncle Nick!

From my mom and Doug and their trip to Disneyworld.

The back- so cute!