Our Angel Baby

"Daddy please don't look so sad,momma please don't cry.
Cause I'm in the arms of Jesus, and he sings me lullabies.
please try not to question God, don't think he is unkind.
Don't think he sent me to you and then changed his mind.
You see I'm a special child, I am needed up above.
I'm the special gift you gave Him, a product of your love.
I'll always be there with you, so watch the sky at night.
Look for the brightest star and know that's my halo's brilliant light.
You'll see me in the morning frost that mists your window pane.
That's me in the summer showers, I'll be dancing in the rain.
When you feel a gentle breeze from a gentle wind that blows.
Know that it's me planting a kiss upon your nose.
When you see a child playing and your heart feels a tug,
Don't be sad mommy, that's just me giving your heart a hug.
So daddy don't looks so sad and momma please don't cry.
I'm in the arms of Jesus and he sings me lullabies!"

Mattie Grace Matthews will now be in the arms of Jesus. She may have left our lives but she will never leave our hearts. I am sad that I never got to hold her or know her but we love her just the same.

Our Little Girl

We were so excited to see our little girl on the 3d ultrasound! I couldn't believe it when the technician told us our baby was a girl! I had thought for the last 14 weeks that she was a boy...boy was I wrong. I kept saying to Josh on the ride home from the office "Is she sure it's a girl?" I was completely shocked. I am so happy I am going to have a little girl! I can't wait to dress her up and put cute headbands and bows in her hair. We are truly blessed and couldn't be happier!

Easter

I had so much fun with my family and friends on Easter. Baby M received her very first Easter basket from her Mimi & Poppy.

She also got two cute outfits from them...

Her Aunt Kiki(Kelly) gave her this adorable hat

I bought her her first outfit and her first pair of gap jeans...

Week 17

IT'S A GIRL!!!

How far along: 17w 4d

Total weight gain/loss: +4.8lbs

Maternity clothes: maternity pants but mostly my reguar shirts still

Stretch marks: still rubbing on the coccoa butter

Sleep: sleeping great

Best moment this week: completing our registry

Miss anything? wine...we went to an Italian restuarant yesterday and I wish I had a glass of wine to go with dinner

Movement: I thought I felt her moving around but I think maybe it was just gas...lol

Food cravings: loving me some fruit!

Anything making you queasy or sick? so thankful that I haven't had any morning sickness

Have you started to show yet? wish I showed a little more...still just looking pleasantly plump

Gender prediction: IT'S A GIRL!!!

Labor signs? no

Belly button in or out? still a major innie

Wedding rings on or off? on...

Happy or moody most of the time? had a little bout of moodiness last week...

Looking forward to? my 18 week ultrasound...I get to see my little girl again!

Gender Reveal

IT'S A GIRL!!!
On Saturday we had our family do a scavenger hunt and look for clues in order to find the big box which would reveal the baby's gender. We had so much fun and I'm so happy we choose to do it this way...even though we kept everyone in suspense for a week!

Everyone was super excited it's a girl! I cannot wait to meet and hold my baby girl!

16 weeks

Baby Matthews is the size of an avocado

How far along: 16w 3d

Total weight gain/loss: +3.6lbs

Maternity clothes: mostly maternity jeans or yoga pants mixed with some regular shirts and a few maternity shirts. Bought a long summer maternity dress..thinking about wearing it on Easter

Stretch marks: nope...so far so good

Sleep: sleeping much better, only getting up once or twice to pee

Best moment this week: finding out the sex of our baby and keeping it to ourselves for a week

Miss anything? real sushi...went to dinner to celebrate and got some veggie sushi but it just isn't the same

Movement: come on baby...start moving around

Food cravings: still just filling up on fruit and fruit smoothies

Anything making you queasy or sick? nope...I think I'm in the clear for that now

Have you started to show yet? just a little bump. I was told that I have a tilted uterus so therefore I am not going to show as much as I would if I had a regular uterus...whatever that means

Gender prediction: Shhhh its a secret!

Labor signs? no

Belly button in or out? hopefully it will still be in when the pool season hits

Wedding rings on or off? on...dreading the heat and swollen fingers

Happy or moody most of the time? I am beyond happy! I love my little family

Looking forward to? Revealing the baby's gender on Saturday! I can't wait to see everyone's face and post pictures! 

Old Wives Tales

Old Wives Tales Tested

*swisha swisha swisha swhisa*
goes baby's little heart
already full of love for you right from the start,
But if you wish to use it, to help you see your fate,
you will need to look at baby's sweet heart rate!
Is heart rate below 139 or above 140?

GIRL

 Take a needle or wedding band and tie it to a thread.

Hold it over your belly while you are lying down.

If the needle or the band swings in a circular motion

then you are having a girl. If it moves back and forth,

then are you having a boy.

BOY

 High or Low? Which way does baby go?
Are you carrying high as the sky?
Or is your baby resting low?

BOY

 If you are craving sweets during your pregnancy, you are having a girl.

If you are craving spicy and salty foods, then you are having a boy.

BOY

 When you wake in the morn are you green at the gills?
Unable to rise from your bed without being ill?
Or are you a lucky one who morning sickness has missed,
and you spend your mornings in a state of happy bliss?

GIRL

 Congrats, mama!
Looks like it's a girl!Congrats, mama!
Looks like it's a boy!

Chinese Gender chart predicted a GIRL

 Mayan Tale The Mayan tale adds the mothers age at conception and the year of conception. If the result is an even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way!

26+2011=2,037

BOY

 HandsWhen the pregnant woman is asked to show her hands, it’s a boy if she keeps her palms down and a girl if she shows her palms up.

GIRL

Week 15

Baby Matthews is the size of an orange

How far along: 15w 3d

Total weight gain/loss: +3.9lbs

Maternity clothes: some maternity pants, some regular jeans, and my bella band

Stretch marks: so far so good

Sleep: I was away this weekend and didn't sleep very well, but once I was back in my own back I got a great nights sleep

Best moment this week: seeing my best friend at her baby shower...picture of us below

Miss anything? mimosas....so sad I can't have any this year for Easter. I guess I will be having regular O.J. this year

Movement: still waiting....

Food cravings: lots and lots of fruit, satisfied my hibachi craving this past weekend

Anything making you queasy or sick? no

Have you started to show yet? a little belly bump...it was popping out a little more this past weekend

Gender prediction: 3 days until we find out...10 until we let everyone else know :-)

Labor signs? no

Belly button in or out? in...not looking forward to my belly button sticking out

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or moody most of the time? Happiest ever

Looking forward to? my 3d/4d ultrasound to determine the gender of the baby on Saturday!!!!

Sherrie & I at her baby shower

14 Weeks

Baby Matthews is the size of a lemon

How far along: 14w 1d

Total weight gain/loss: +2.7lbs

Maternity clothes: a few maternity pants mixed in with my regular shirts...maternity tops are still too big on me

Stretch marks: no, and I am hoping it stays that way

Sleep: It's so nice to have my energy back. No more 8:00PM bedtime.

Best moment this week: booking my 3d/4d ultrasound to find out the gender of the baby

Miss anything? craving sushi, can't wait to go to my favorite hibachi this weekend with my friends

Movement: none still....can't wait for that

Food cravings: still fruit of all kinds, especially Cara Cara oranges

Anything making you queasy or sick? nope

Have you started to show yet? a little belly bump...still feel bloated and fat

Gender prediction: 2 weeks until we can officially find out

Labor signs? no

Belly button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or moody most of the time? Still so very happy

Looking forward to? Leaving today to go to NJ for my best friend's baby shower

Angry Birds

For quite some time my husband was addicted to Angry Birds. Every night after dinner he would be on the lap top playing Angry Birds. For Christmas this year my in-laws sent us matching Angry Birds t-shirts.  I came home this evening surprised to find an Angry Birds hat for the new baby made by my mother in law. It is so super cute. I can't wait to put it on the baby. Now we can all match!!

Week 13~Second Trimester

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Baby Matthews is the size of a peach

How far along: 13w 5d

Total weight gain/loss: +0.9lbs

Maternity clothes: wore some maternity Capri jeans today! So comfortable

Stretch marks: no, still slathering on the cocoa butter

Sleep: I believe my energy has come back...made it to about 9:45-10 3 nights in a row!

Best moment this week: Realizing I am now in my second trimester

Miss anything? frozen mixed drinks....especially on these super warm weekend nights

Movement: can't wait to feel him/her move

Food cravings: eating lots of fruit and addicted to Naked & Bolthouse Farms fruit smoothies

Anything making you queasy or sick? so glad I haven't had morning sickness

Have you started to show yet? a little belly bump...some days its more prominent than others

Gender prediction: 3 weeks until we can officially find out

Labor signs? no

Belly button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or moody most of the time? Probably the happiest I've ever been

Looking forward to? Traveling to NJ for my best friend's baby shower and seeing all my close friends & family

Week 12

Baby Matthews is the size of a plum

How far along: 12w 5d

Total weight gain/loss: +1.7lbs

Maternity clothes: bought a pair of maternity jeans and LOVING them

Stretch marks: no, still slathering on the cocoa butter

Sleep: sleeping much better, actually stayed up late a few times this week

Best moment this week: surprise ultrasound this week!!!

Miss anything? lunch meat

Movement: still no movement, but the baby was going crazy on the ultrasound screen

Food cravings: nothing out of the ordinary...still like salty things

Anything making you queasy or sick? none thank goodness

Have you started to show yet? a little belly bump

Gender prediction: will find out in a few weeks :)

Labor signs? no

Belly button in or out? in....my normal belly button still looks weird to me without my ring

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy Happy Happy

Looking forward to? My best friend's baby shower!!! 

Our little squirmer

Today was my second O.B. appointment. My husband was able to come with me this time. The midwife came in said we would hear the baby's heartbeat with the doplar. She was trying super hard to find the heartbeat but the baby was so low in my pelvis that she said this little baby wants to be seen on the ultrasound machine. So off to the ultrasound room we went. I was so nervous that she couldn't find the heartbeat but was relieved when we finally saw the baby on the screen. The baby was flipping around like crazy. The midwife kept telling the baby to stay still so she can get the heartbeat lol. We have a very active little squirmer on our hands. It was so neat to see. I'm glad Josh got to hear the heartbeat and see the baby! 4 more weeks until we get to find out the baby's gender!

Baby Registry

I never knew how many things a baby would need when they come home. Even though I don't know what the gender of the baby is yet, I do know I want to go with the Fisher Price Snugabunny line. They have the cutest rock n play sleeper. bouncer, and swing! I like how they are a soft light tan.

 

Week 11

Baby Matthews is the size of a lime

How far along: 11w 5d - only 199 more days to go!

Total weight gain/loss: +0.3

Maternity clothes: wearing stretch pants, sweatpants and my old jeans with the belly band

Stretch marks: no, bought some palmers cocoa butter
Sleep: having trouble getting comfortable at night

Best moment this week: my sister in law Jenn came to visit with her bf Henry and 5 puppies they rescued from New Orleans

Miss anything? SUSHI

Movement: none yet...can't wait for that

Food cravings: still drinking tons of water and eating lots of fruit

Anything making you queasy or sick? nothing at all

Have you started to show yet? was told by 3 different friends that I have popped out a little

Gender prediction: I'm still thinking it's going to be a boy

Labor signs? no

Belly button in or out? in....took out my belly button ring out today :-(

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or moody most of the time? I'm extremely happy still. I'm having a great pregnancy so far.

Looking forward to? my next O.B. on Thursday...Josh will get to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time

Week 10

Baby Matthews is the size of a prune

How far along: 10w 5d

Total weight gain/loss: -1.2

Maternity clothes: wearing stretch pants, sweatpants and my old jeans with the belly band

Stretch marks: no

Sleep: was sick this week with a sore throat and runny nose, bought a humidifier and that seemed to help some

Best moment this week: when Josh finished our fence in the backyard. I can't wait for our little one to be runing around out back.

Miss anything? WINE, going to a party today with my cup of water....

Movement: none yet

Food cravings: just super thirsty....drinking tons of water

Anything making you queasy or sick? nothing really bothers me...still have a great appetite

Have you started to show yet? super bloated feeling still

Gender prediction: I'm thinking it's going to be a boy

Labor signs? no

Belly button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or moody most of the time? extremely happy

Looking forward to? my sister in law and boyfriend will be here for a night next week.



Maternity Clothes

I never thought maternity clothes shopping would be so hard. There isn't much stuff out there that is super accessible or super cute. I went to Kohl's last week since I had a coupon and decided to buy a few things I might need later on. I found a bathing suit and decided to buy it just in case my belly isn't that great to look at in a bikini come May. Let me know what you think...

I've also been checking out diaper bags. At first I really wanted a coach diaper bag but then I came across Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags and they are fabulous. Plenty of pockets for diapers, wipes, toys...they even have compartments for pacifiers and a clip to keep your keys in place. I have set my eyes on this one below.

Week 9

Baby Matthews is the size of an olive

How far along: 9 weeks, 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: +1 lb

Maternity clothes: actually wore these black maternity pants that were super comfortable...I think everyone should wear maternity pants! I love them!

Stretch marks: no, bought some cream....hope it works

Sleep: still getting up a lot to pee

Best moment this week: Valentine's Day and Saturday (Date Night)

Miss anything? my energy

Movement: none yet, I can't wait until I can feel the baby move around

Food cravings: MOVIE THEATER BUTTERED POPCORN...I made my husband take me to the movies just so I could get some

Anything making you queasy or sick? getting a little queasy but the preggie pops seem to help

Have you started to show yet? super bloated feeling

Gender prediction: I'm thinking it's going to be a boy

Labor signs? no

Belly button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or moody most of the time? extremely happy

Looking forward to? my next appointment...Josh will get to hear the baby's heartbeat

Week 9 is also Valentine's Day! Josh bought me some flowers. We didn't do much that night but went to the movies on Saturday and saw This Means War. I got to have my popcorn and the movie was pretty good too! Happy Valentine's Day.



Last belly pic!

This is a belly picture taken at 9 weeks. I wish I would've taken one when I first found out I was pregnant. I don't really feel that my belly has changed at all yet. I am still debating when I am going to remove my belly button ring.

Week 8

Baby Matthews is the size of a raspberry

How far along: 8 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain/loss: 0lbs

Maternity clothes: Not yet...I have used my Bella band to hold up my jeans

Stretch marks: no

Sleep: sleeping through the night but rolling onto my back a lot

Best moment this week: seeing our baby and hearing it's heartbeat. I love it already!

Miss anything? having a glass of wine with dinner

Movement: none yet, I can't wait until I can feel the baby move around

Food cravings: fruit...of any kind

Anything making you queasy or sick? nothing so far, although I threw up for the first time yesterday morning...I think it's because I woke up and didn't eat for about an hour.

Have you started to show yet? feeling super chubby...I don't believe there is a bump yet

Gender prediction: I'm thinking it's going to be a boy

Labor signs? no

Belly button in or out? in...debating when to remove my belly button ring

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or moody most of the time? extremely happy

Looking forward to? My best friend Sherrie's baby shower.

I decided after my first doctors appointment that I wanted to buy something for the baby. I bought him/her a Sophie the Giraffe. I have heard from several people that this is a life saver...especially when the baby starts teething.

I also haven't been sleeping that well due to my back bothering me. Apparently I have been laying on my back which is causing me to snore loudly and therefore waking Josh up. I decided I needed a new pillow.

I used my new pillow last night for the first time and I think I slept pretty well. Josh said I didn't snore at all. It helped me to be more comfortable on my sides. I'm looking forward to sleeping a lot better! It's also great to use just sitting on the couch!

Baby Matthews' first picture

February 8, 2012

The day of my first OB appointment. I was excited, nervous, and happy. I was hoping that I would either get to see the baby or hear the baby's heartbeat or both! My husband was supposed to meet me at the doctors office but he had a meeting that was 45 minutes away and wasn't able to make it. I was happy when the nurse told me that we are now just waiting on the ultrasound room! After meeting with the midwife she showed me what our baby looks like. I was so happy to finally see it.

Little Baby Matthews measuring at 8 weeks - the size of a raspberry. I love our baby already! My due date September 19, 2012! I also got to hear the baby's heartbeat. The midwife gave me a picture of that also.

It was so neat to hear the baby's heartbeat swooshing about! The midwife said it was beating at 164bpm! I can't wait for my next appointment and for Josh to be able to hear the heartbeat.

Week 7 & Superbowl XLVI

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

We decided to have a few people over for the superbowl since no one was going to have a party. I was excited that the Giants made the superbowl and won, however my husband was not. 

Baby Matthews is the size of a blueberry

I also decided after this picture that I need to buy a new Giants jersey...this one was a gift from my best friend Sherrie in 1997.

Week 6

Baby Matthews is the size of a sweet pea!

This weekend was special. Charlotte has a Queen's Feast twice a year. It gives you a chance to sample the best dining in Charlotte. We made reservations for a steakhouse called Ruth Chris. I couldn't wait to go and was hoping that I wouldn't have any morning sickness so that I could enjoy my filet mignon. The food was amazing but I was feeling a little left out that I couldn't enjoy a glass of wine or a martini. I asked the waitress if the bartender could make a shirley temple in a pretty glass. It wasn't so bad not to have a drink afterall.

I started to get nervous that I was going to get morning sickness so I went to Babies R Us and bought myself...

I am just hoping that these help!

More tests and my first pregnancy picture

When we had gotten home from skiing in the Poconos I decided that I needed to take another pregnancy test...and then another. I still couldn't believe that I was pregant.

I scheduled my first OB appointment for February 8, 2012. I was so annoyed that I had to wait almost a month until I could have my pregnancy confirmed by a doctor, but I guess that's how it works.

I decided I wanted to document my pregnancy and had my niece Kassie take my first picture. I had seen some really cute pregnancy blogs and thought it would be a neat way to share my pregnancy with family and friends in NJ.

Baby Matthews is the size of an appleseed.

I received my first congratulatory gift in the mail. I got these beautiful flowers from my friend Nicole.



SURPRISE

January 12, 2012....I had missed my period. They were always regular and right on time. We were leaving to meet some friends in the Poconos to go skiing that evening. I was going to take a pregnancy test over the weekend but I had decided that I couldn't wait another day!!! I bought a 3 pack of pregnancy tests. I took the test and 3 minutes later....SURPRISE!!! I picked up the test and it said PREGNANT.

I had taken a few pregnancy tests before but I never expected it to actually say Pregnant. I was super shocked! Now I knew I had only a few hours to figure out how I was going to tell my husband before we hopped in the truck for our 10 drive to Pennsylvania.

 It wasn't until I was about 10 minutes away from home that I decided I would tell him the same way he proposed to me. He had put a ring on a figurine that my mom had given me for an early Christmas gift. After thinking that the ring was a joke, my husband Josh told me that "I won". I wasn't sure what they meant until finally I realized that he was proposing to me.  

I got home about 20 minutes earlier that day. I walked in the door and immediately went into the living room where he was sitting on the couch. He asked me why I didn't call to tell him I was on my way and I told him it was because I wanted to surprise him. I told him I had something to tell him. He asked what and I told him "he won". After several times of asking what he won, I said a baby! He seemed shocked, confused, scared, happy, excited, all at the same time. Then we had to get in the truck and drive.

We arrived in the Poconos around 2:30AM. We decided to wait to tell our friends that were there until the next day. The next morning while I was eating breakfast my friend Dan asked if I was pregnant. I couldn't fathom how in the world he could know already so I said no. He explained that he had a dream that I was pregnant and just thought it was weird. We then got into our ski outifts and headed to the mountain. I could hardley contain myself. I decided that I would ride the lift with one of my best friends, Jen. The first time we rode the lift I was too nervous. The second time I decided to tell her. I told her Dan's dream was actually true. She couldn't believe it. For the rest of the day I starting telling everyone one by one. I told Josh he should be the one to tell his 2 brothers that were there. Later that evening we called the rest of our close friends and family. This day just felt so surreal.