Good News!

I had my follow-up appointment on Friday to review the amniocentesis results and for another ultrasound. The amniocentesis results came back within normal ranges showing no signs of Down Syndrome. It looks like everything is ok with our little girl! The amnio confirmed it was a girl as well. So no turning back now, I am in full decorating mode!
The ultrasound was quite amusing. Lou has extremely long legs. Where she got them, I have no idea. The ultrasound tech even commented on how long the legs were. Lou is measuring right on and almost a week ahead in leg length.
Our prayers were answered. Our entire family, friends, and co-workers have been praying for us since the amniocentesis was done two weeks ago. Our healthy girl is on her way. Just about 20 more weeks to go!

Let's Get Cookin'

So this morning while trying to sleep in (not successful I might add), I began thinking of what to have for dinners this week. I like to plan ahead, even though these days being pregnant it is not always the best idea.
I had the time this morning to shop and cook since we are going to the fall picnic service this afternoon at church. Landon even went with me to the store and was my little helper. Of course he got something out of the trip for being so good.

I guess I had a sudden burst of energy because this is what I cooked:

-Italian pasta salad (for the picnic today with enough extra for lunches this week)

-4 spinach and ricotta cheese quiches (2 for us and 2 for work for a belated bosses lunch since my manager decided to go out of town last week)

-Homemade creamy tomato basil soup (this is enough for now, one to freeze, and one for work as well)

-2 applesauce cakes, which are similar to spice cake-the frosting is maple cream cheese (one for work and one for home)


I am sure the energy will peter out soon. But it has been nice to cook again without the thought turning my stomach!

Clothes, clothes, and more clothes...

After finding out our new bundle of joy will be a girl, I am in clean out mode. Not clean out and throw out, but cleaning out to sell. I have my eye on a few special things for Lou! It is unimaginable how many clothes you can rack up over two years or so for a growing child. We have gone through preemie clothes, newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months-2T, and even some smaller 3T items!
We are sorting, counting, taking pictures, and bundling the items together to list on craigs list and a few other online sites.
Not only that, we are re-arranging the upstairs so we can move the office to the guest room, then Landon from downstairs in the nursery to upstairs (where the office was). The guest room will be in limbo until another small loft type room can be finished (it is storage for now).

I made the decision that I wanted to go all out for this little girl and re-do the nursery theme in black, white, and hot pink (boutique style complete with high heel and purse mobiles-adorable!). It was a pretty neutral cream and green toile print for Landon. Anyone who knows me knows I am obsessive about matching everything. So the bedding, the high chair, bouncer, bassinet, pack and play, diaper bags, etc all matched. I went as far as to get custom bedding so that everything would be similar for my little guy. Needless to say we have all this extra and need to sell it. So again we are washing sorting and taking pictures.

I have made my first purchase for Natalee Lou and am so excited. It is her new Quinny stroller, car seat, and bassinet or carry cot for the stroller (all so worth the investment). I opted for red for these. I cannot wait to get it! Now to order the bedding from etsy.com. I am so in love with this site! I have found nearly everything to outift the nursery, decor wise from etsy. The cool thing is that most of it is one of a kind and made by some talented individual, too cool!

I guess my break is over. Back to sorting, taking pictures, and bundling. We have a lot to do and belive it or not, less than 130 days left to do it in!

Dennis' Adventures in Plumbing...

Our weekend started out at the University of Memphis football game on Friday night. This was Landon's first college football game. I haven't yet been brave enough to take him to an Ole Miss game for fears of him learning the not so clean version of the Ole Miss Hotty Toddy.
We had a lot of fun with Bob and Becca (two of Landon's and our favorite people). Friday after I had the amniocentesis done I asked my OBGYN if it was ok to go to the game. She said it was fine as long as I sat down. I followed doctors orders and had a great time watching Landon dance around and cheer with the crowd (even though he clapped for both teams, it's ok).

Saturday we ran errands in the morning and I came home and crashed. The lack of sleep from worrying over the tests on Friday must have caught up with me.

Sunday we went to church and then halloween costume shopping. We had no luck though. So I guess we will be ebaying it. Anyways, after coming Dennis decided to fix the kitchen faucet which had a leak well , more like an annoying drip. Though he thought the water was turned off completely I guess it wasn't as when he went to test the new part for the faucet, water squirted out of the top and got all over the kitchen. It kind of looked like a geyser going off. At the time not so funny, but now a little humerous. After all of that, my dad came over to see why the faucet when both knobs were turned off water still was running. He came up with a few things. None fixable with the new part. So off to Lowes. We opted for a new faucet all together instead of trying to replace the two parts my dad thought were the issue. We will have Lowes install it, so no stress Dennis!

Dennis did put on the new rain shower head I also picked up yesterday. It really is nice. So thanks honey! Sorry your first go at fixing the sink was bust. Better luck next time (if there is another one).

We are thinking....

PINK! That's right we are having a girl! Natalee Louise will be making her debut in March of 2009.

We came about this exciting news in a not so fun way. I received a call from my physician last night at 6pm that one of my blood tests came back as high risk for Down Syndrome. I was scheduled for an ultrasound this morning for screening (to check anatomical features that may represent Down's) and an amniocentesis.

The ultrasound went well with no physical findings consistent with Down's. The amniocentesis, though a little painful went well. We will have to wait 2 weeks for the final results of the test. Dennis, me, and our families have been praying that things will turn out ok. However, we have both (Dennis and me) decided if our little girl has Down Syndrome that this is our challenge and the path God wants us to take. It won't be easy, but our little Natalee "Lou" is such a blessing already and we wouldn't have it any other way!

The New Addition...

No, not the baby! A few weeks ago we said goodbye to Dennis' car. His mazda had seen better days and needed to be completely retired. After much research and a couple of test drives, Dennis decided on a new car.

Since the car dealerships are overstocked with SUV's and trucks, new inventory in Memphis was hard to come by. We were looking for a crossover, which is not technically a car nor a SUV. We settled on the Nissan Rogue.

The catch was to get what we wanted at the price we had

budgeted, we needed to take a road trip. So off we went one Saturday to Savannah, TN. The 2 hour or so drive wasn't terrible. It was, however, filled with very small towns, very low speed limits, and interesting if not quirky town and creek names. This at least kept me entertained. Such as a business outside of Savannah, "short bus enterprises". I got a laugh out of that one.

Anyways, I digress (pregnancy brain). So after all the "i's" were dotted and "t's" were crossed we had our new car. Dennis is so proud. Of course, I have stolen it a time or two on shopping trips.

So here is the new addition:

I know most people are thinking to themselves and some asking me if I will be turning in my precious Mustang convertible for a more kid friendly vehicle (aka-mini van). The response is a resounding "No". Not that I am knocking mini vans. Those that have them love them, but they are not for me. And most people who know me can say I (or at least I think they would) that I am not a mini van type of gal. I can barely see the end of the hood while driving my mom's SUV (vertically challenged is a word).

I love my car. I am short. My kids, well at least the 3 year old, is not mammoth. For the one still cooking, well that is to be determined. I can still be a cool mommy even though I am a mommy. I am sure most mommies would agree! Hubby so lovingly washed my car this past weekend, so I must show a picture of it.

All in all it has been a busy couple of weeks with doctor's appointments and other activities. Nothing to thrilling or entertaining to report at this time though!