Caitlin's Shower

Today I went to my first baby shower, so funny that I go to my first baby shower while I am pregnant! It was for Miss Caitlin who is due March 6th, just 2 months before me. She is having a little boy too and naming him Oliver, I can't wait for him to have playdates with Parker. It was a lot of fun we played silly games like: Guess the Candy Bar (looking/smelling melted candy bars in diapers) and Draw little Oliver (drawing on a paper plate on your head).

She had a great turn out and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. I am so excited for mine to be here! Can't wait to have all my friends together and celebrate little PJ!



Little Flutters

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you'll look back and realize they were big things." ~ Kurt Vonnegut

Today I started feeling PJ moving around. It is so crazy that there is a little boy growing in my belly! I love the little flutters it is just a reminder that he is alive and well in there. So far they have been very small and hardly noticeable but I am sure he will feel like he is going to kick through my stomach before it is all said and done.

I can't wait for Paul to be able to feel him too. I know he will be so excited but for now it is just a little mother son bonding!

20 weeks

Getting Registered

This weekend Mom, Dad, and Britt came down to visit. The girls went to Babies "R" Us to meet with a personal shopper and get baby registering started. We went through the store learning what to register for, Brittany was in charge of scanning the items we picked out. Babies need so much it is crazy! We picked out a stroller, carseat, highchair, pack'n play, bouncer, swing, bottles, breast pump, blankets, burp clothes, clothes, and that is just the beginning. Also we made sure to register for diapers and other necessities since that stuff adds up quick too. It was nice to have the personal shopper to give advice and let us know what we need as well as what the popular brands are, since I have no idea and it has been almost 25 years since Mom did this.

I did buy some maternity clothes; a cute blue dress and a grey & white stripped shirt. PJ is growing so quick I am going to be happy to have these! So far all I have maternity wise is a green sweater, I am lucky enough to wear what I have so far but I know that will change quick. 

After our busy morning of shopping, we had a nice lunch out at Applebee's, which was fun because we used to eat there all the time when I lived at home but Paul and I rarely eat there now. It was like a little blast from the past.

19 Weeks

Thanksgiving for Two!

This Thanksgiving I was excited to be eating for two! Don't look quite as silly getting that second piece of pumpkin pie when you are pregnant. It was a lot of fun to be around the Plugers, this is the first year Leah was unable to make it, since she is all the way out in Cali, but we did Skype with her and had the laptop at the table which was silly but fun.

Olivia was so cute and ate all kinds of Thanksgiving foods. Can't believe next year we will have two little ones at the table! She is also just learning how to walk and broke her record of taking 7 steps to 11 steps. They grow up so fast, it is going to be crazy watching PJ grow. Every time we see Olivia she is so much bigger than the last time and is doing something new. She can walk and is saying a couple words, love to "read" books and has started to develop her personality. It is also going to be fun having the city boy and the country girl cousins.

18 weeks

PJ's Facebook Debut

Today I made it facebook official that Paul and I are expecting. It was fun to see all the comments especially from those who I have not talked to in awhile. I know I have said this more than once but it is so nice to finally have the secret completely out and not have to worry about slipping up anymore. Not hiding it makes it a lot more fun. Now I get to post my baby bump pictures online and show everyone how big PJ is getting.

Paul posted that he is going to be a dad on facebook too. I love how excited he is, it really makes me happy. Plus it is nice to have someone to share the moment with, I do not know how single moms do it, they must be a lot more independent than I am. They definitely have my respect.

I just started my second trimester and as you can see have the beginning of a noticeably visible baby bump!

17 weeks

Great-Grandparents Time

This weekend we told the Great-Grandparents. It was such a good time! We went up to Stuart last night to hang out and spend the night with Mom and Dad, Brittany came up too. Then this morning we had Grammie, Granddad, and Sandy over and told them the same way we told the Plugers, with a framed picture of my sonogram. Grammie was so excited, she opened her frame and was just looking at it, then Mom asked what it was a picture of. Grammie replied "an unborn baby?" then all of a sudden it hit her and she started yelling and getting so excited. Took Granddad a couple seconds to hear what was going on there was too much noise for him to catch what was happening but it did not take long. And then everyone celebrated!

Shortly after we went over to Grandmom's and gave her her frame. She opened it up and gave me a hug right away. Teary eyed she turned to Paul for a hug then back to me for another one. It was very sweet and emotional. We then went over to Grammie's for dinner and Joy called so I was able to tell her the good news too.

Now that everyone in the family knows the secret is finally completely out. Time to celebrate!

16 weeks

Trayanna Finds Out!

Trayanna and Mack were in town this weekend, so we met them Uptown at Mez last night. It was so much fun telling Tray, we were college roommates so have known each other for almost 10 years, which is crazy. She loves babies/kids and has nannied for years, so needless to say she was very excited. She wants to come down and spend time with us after he is born which will be a lot of fun.

Paul is so sweet, as always, but he is really excited. It is really cute to see him brag about having a little boy and talk about all the things he wants to do with him and teach him. He has been excited the whole time but I think just like it is slowly starting to feel real. It is just so hard to picture such a dramatic change in our lives. After all this is the biggest change that has happen to us - we are going to be PARENTS! 

15 Weeks

Halloween

Last night we went to Ben & Brittnie's for their Halloween Party. I wore a silly shirt that said "I'm not Fat.. I'm Knocked Up". It was fun to be there and get to be excited with my friends about being pregnant. So  happy that it is no longer a secret. It was also very exciting to tell everyone that it is a little boy!

Then tonight we stayed home and passed out candy to the tricker treaters. This was the first year we have done it and was fun to see all the cute costumes. Wonder what PJ (Paul Jr) will be next year. Saw pictures online and Olivia was a little sheep, she was adorable! Ben was a shepherd and Kable a wolf, so fun seeing how excited Ben is when it comes to Olivia, I am sure Paul will be the same way.

I just started my 14th week on Thursday and cannot believe how fast time is going by. I am already 3 months pregnant - Time Flies!

Happy Halloween!

Plugers at the Park

This afternoon we went to Family Weekend for Paul's work, where we got to eat and hang out with his work friends at Freedom Park. It was a lot of fun! It was the first time most of them had seen me since they found out I was pregnant, so everyone was excited and asked lots of questions. It was fun getting to tell everyone that it is boy! Makes it seem so much more real. And I am very excited that now I know I will be buying blue... makes shopping more fun.

Amber was there with her little Kaitlyn who is a little over 1, it was fun to get to play with her and be around kids more. She was so cute and running everywhere. Oh man, can just see my little boy being just like that when he is her age!

14 weeks



Charlottesville Trip

This weekend we are off to Charlottesville, Va to tell the Plugers the great news. I have printed off a copy of the new sonogram picture and framed it for Barbara to open as the way of telling her the news. Ben, Olivia, Jen, and Daris will be there unfortunately Kable has to work and Leah is in LA so they are unable to be here. But will will give them the good news.

We are so excited! It is going to be so hard not to slip up we got in last night but are not planning on telling them until tonight. This morning at breakfast Barbara was already talking about her four pregnancies and deliveries and how much fun she is having being a grandma to Olivia. So funny that we are had this conversation while I am pregnant and she has no idea... yet!

13 weeks

Guess what it's a...

BOY!!!

So today was my 12 week sonogram and it did not go any way like I expected First of all everything looks like it is developing exactly as expected. Second of all it's a boy! So happy I got to find out this early just hard having to tell Paul over the phone, wish he could have been there.

The other thing that was so amazing is how much he looks like a baby. He has little arms, leg, fingers, toes, and even a cute little nose - so different from last time. At the last sonogram at 8 weeks I could not tell anything. The other amazing part was that I could see him moving all around. I was so much fun to watch him move his little arms and legs. He rolled over, covered his face with his hands, and kicked his feet. The other great part is that the reason for the sonogram was to make sure he did not have spina bifida and he does not.

So looks like we have a healthy little baby BOY!!!

Doctor Appointment

Today Paul and I went to the doctor for what we thought was the second ultrasound, but as it turns out they just did blood work instead. Now the ultrasound is scheduled for Friday which is still very exciting just sad because Paul won't be able to make it now since he can't take off twice in the same week. He has not told people at work that I am pregnant yet so they will not understand. Just a little disappointing that he won't be there.

This week is the end of my first trimester and I had gained exactly 5lbs just as the doctor recommended; however, I somehow lost 3 of them over the weekend so now I have only gained 2lbs. I am sure this won't be a problem as I still have a long way to go.

12 weeks

Starting to Find Out

So this between this week and weekend one by one people are starting to find out about me being pregnant. Which is fine just not exactly the way we wanted to tell everyone. I am 11 weeks along and the doctor told me I could start telling family and friends at 12 weeks so I am almost there. After 12 weeks my chance of a miscarriage decrease to about 1% - which is so exciting. Will feel like I can start really getting excited without the fear of losing him/her. Also next week I get to have my second round of sonogram pictures taken which I am really looking forward to because by now I should be able to recognize what I am looking at. Time is flying!

We celebrated the wonderful Wendi's birthday this weekend uptown. It was a lot of fun and had a really great turn out, which always makes it better. By not drinking once again it is starting to get much more noticeable that something is up, especially at special events like birthday parties. Plus I have my little bump as an accessory, although not that noticeable yet!

Me, Wendi, & Hope

My Hope

So tonight I had dinner with miss Hope at Mimi's Cafe and told her the good news. It was a lot of fun to get to sit down and tell her, she was so excited and very surprised. We had a really nice dinner and got to talk and catch up. With me not going out as much anymore it is fun to get some one on one time with good friends. I feel like I am going to be out of the loop as I am already starting to be with the not going to girls' happy hours and other drinking events. But hopefully I will be able to keep everyone in my life!

As for the little one - still growing! My bump is still barely there but I can tell and it is just the beginning!!!

11 weeks

Little Black Dress & Bump!

This Saturday was Heather and Michael's wedding. We had such a great time! It was a gorgeous wedding and getting to hang out with so many of our friends all at the same place is priceless. Jenn let me borrow a little black dress that was very flattering since it had an empire-waist line and just flowed over my little baby bump. It is just starting to show and it is exciting getting to see a little bulge where our little one is growing. I am 10 weeks along and time seems like it is flying! Can't believe I will be a mom and Paul a dad in only 30 weeks...

Starting to Show

Just started my 9th week and I am just starting to notice a small bump. Other than that I really don't feel pregnant, no morning sickness, just a little more tired than normal. I am a little worried that I will never be the same size as pre-pregnancy but will just have to work hard to get the weight off afterwards, a healthy baby is more important.

I had my birthday party with my friends last night at Aquavina and was funny not to drink. Paul order me a couple Shirley Temples so that I had a fun drink. A couple people may have noticed but no one really called me out and I think most people did not suspect anything. With the lack of alcohol it was a fairly simple birthday, but very nice to see my friends. Have a feeling I won't be having anymore crazy birthdays, but that will be fine will have plenty of other exciting things to look forward to.

10 weeks

Congrats Grandparents!?!?!

Today we told my parents and it was so exciting. Paul and I wanted to do it together so I went up to Stuart, VA a couple days ago and Paul came up this evening. He was trying to get up early but could not get out of work so it was after 8pm by the time he got up.

Since were are celebrating my birthday this weekend we thought it would be fun to put the good news on my birthday cake. Britt and I made the cake earlier today, and we were all sit around the fire outside when Paul got here. Trying to get everyone back inside proved to be a harder task than originally planned but we got it worked out. So Brittany and Paul went to get the cake and light the candles while Mom, Dad, and I sat at the table. They came out singing "Happy Birthday" and put the cake down in front of me to blow out the candles. Instead of saying Happy Birthday Emily the cake read Congrats Grandparents! It only took a couple of seconds for Mom and Dad to notice then it was time to celebrate.

I got to show them the 8 week sonogram pictures and we talked about the due date, May 5th, and everything else we could think of. It was a lot of fun. They are very excited, but it is still a secret since I am not quite 12 weeks yet and we still have to tell the rest of the family.

First Sonogram

I am now 8 weeks along and it is time for my first sonogram. I am so excited! Paul was planning on coming too but is not back from his rafting trip in WV with our old college roommate Rob yet, so unable to make it. He will do his best to be at the other appointments though.

To be honest I am not sure what I was expecting, but cannot make out anything in the sonogram. Which should not be that much of a surprise because my baby is only the size of a raspberry. They said by the next sonogram the baby will be more developed and I will be able to make out more in the pictures. But everything is going great, I am still not feeling sick or anything just a little tired. Also good news the heartbeat is 150 which is perfect for this stage of my pregnancy. So happy things are going so smoothly for us.

9 weeks

BHI

Had an amazing time at Heather's bachelorette weekend! It was so much fun to get away for a bit and hang out with the girls. It was also a lot of fun letting everyone one know that I'm pregnant. First was Jenn, when she came over we hung out and caught up for a minute and then I just blurted it out. She was so excited, it took away all my nervousness about telling the others.

When we got to the island I told everyone right away, then it was over and time to celebrate. Heather and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. We played games and hung out on the beach. I got a little sunburnt, no one had warned to me that you tend to burn easier when you are pregnant. But it was not bad enough to take away from all the fun.

One of the fun things about the island is that there are no cars. You have to take a ferry out there and everyone drives around in golf carts. We had fun riding around and sight seeing. Had a group dinner at the local bar and then half of us stayed and half came back to the house for a movie night. I was in the "earlybird" half. Then after the partiers came back we had Heather's panty party, where we each gave her a new pair of panites, which was really funny.

Overall we had an amazing time and everyone really bonded. There was a great mixture old and new friends and everyone got along perfectly. Couldn't have asked for a better get away or better friends!

7 weeks

Dry Bachelorette Party

Tomorrow I am off to Bald Head Island for Heather's bachelorette party and it is not going to go as originally planned. First of all this will be my first dry bachelorette party and second of all I am going to have to let the girls in on my big secret. After all they will notice the lack of drinking especially since we are going to be there Thursday through Sunday.

I am nervous about telling them and not really sure why, I know everyone will be excited. Also Stephanie is going and she is pregnant, and I just found out Caitlin is too. Three preggers at the party is probably not exactly what Heather had planned, but I know it will be fun. I am very excited to get to go I have never been to Bald Head before but have heard great things, and especially excited about a week with the girls.

The good thing is that Jennifer is coming to my house in the morning to pick me up. So I will be able to break the ice and tell her first. Plus she would kill me if she was not the first to know!

Heather, me, and Jennifer

Secret Round Two

This weekend we are in Stuart, VA at my parents' house and once again not able to share our secret yet. I am starting to get headaches but this is the only side effect so far, I have always had trouble with them so nothing new. The only problem is I am unable to take anything with ibuprofen in it, and everything that my parents have seems to have that in it. So off to the store Brittany, my sister, and I go.

This is the first time that we have been alone together and I can't wait 6 more weeks to tell her it is too hard. We get in the car, down the driveway, onto our road... "Brittany, I'm pregnant", she laughs at me. Then upon realizing that I am in fact serious gets very excited. "But you can't tell anyone yet, not even Mom and Dad." Brittany hates keeping secrets even more than I do, and I did this to her about our wedding too, because I asked her to be my maid of honor before Paul proposed, so she is not as excited about being in charge of such a big secret. But finally I have someone to talk to about it and I feel so much better!

Sorry Britt!

Shhh it's a Secret...

So this weekend we are in Charlottesville, VA visiting Paul's parents and we have to keep a big secret. I feel like everyone can tell even though I know there is no way that they can, I am not showing yet. And luckily I am not having any morning sickness or side effects, yet.

This is so hard I want to tell them, especially over breakfast when Paul's mom is telling me about her four pregnancies. Paul did let his brother in on the secret, since Ben told early about Kable being pregnant it was only fair that he had a heads up. Plus I think Paul was about to explode! He has been baby crazy since we found out Ben and Kay were having Olivia back in April 2009.

Olivia is so cute, she is now about 9 months old and already getting teeth and crawling around. We only get to see her about every three months so it is amazing how fast she is growing. I am sure everyone will feel the same way when our little one gets here.

It is also crazy how much Olivia looks like Paul!

You can tell she's a Pluger.

Getting Excited!!!

So now that the shock is beginning to wear off, I am getting really excited!!! Can't believe I am going to be a mom and Paul a dad. Seems like we are still kids ourselves! Even though I will be turning 28 later this month, I just feel like we are 21 year olds dreaming about our future... hard to believe we are living it.

When we were 21 we talked about how we wanted to have 2 kids by the time we were 30. With the big 2-8 quickly approaching this was seeming like an unrealistic expectation at this point. But now it is possible! Definitely will have one at least, will see how that goes first and go from there.

We both want a little boy although girls are great too. Paul wants a boy so that he have a little buddy to play sports with. I want a boy because girls kind of scare me, I think that a little boy will be an easier first child. Plus having a big brother would be great for our second child whether a boy or girl.

We are waiting until I am 12 weeks along before we tell people... this is going to be really hard! My doctor recommended not spreading the good news until I am past the first trimester as a precautionary measure. This is going to be so hard with us being excited already!

Two Pink Lines....

So, here I am in the bathroom, looking down at two pink lines. Now what? Well... I do what any logical woman in my situation would do, throw away the evidence. As I walk around the corner my husband sweetly says "what are you doing, baby?" Crap, busted already maybe that was not as smooth as I thought. Now I mutter the three words that will forever change my life "honey, I'm pregnant..."

He of course is excited, I am confused and in shock. We look at the stick together and he gets even more excited, I still don't believe it and need more evidence. I call the doctor and make an appointment, luckily they can take in right away. The waiting room has got to be the longest time I have ever had to sit still in the same chair, more realistically it is only about 15 minutes. I am taken back and it is quickly confirmed yes, I am pregnant. 5 weeks along to be exact.

Oh, Baby!