Friday Faves: Baby Edition

Ok, so I've held it in for 3 months now, and pardon me while I spew baby related things for a little bit (I promise it won't take over everything). But this week I wanted to share some of my favorites since we found out that we're pregnant!

{1} The Announcement
I got the idea from a photo I saw on Pinterest of a couple changing a dog's diaper. I knew I wanted something that would be funny and not too serious. We've had enough serious with the IVF process, and I wanted this to be fun. Plus, Cooper was part of our engagement photos, and it only seemed right to include him in the baby announcement photos. 
My friend came over and took the pics for us that ended up in our announcement. We had a lot of fun, and a ton of laughs, posing Cooper in baby bibs, and feeding him a bottle (which he totally drank the milk from! lol). It took everything in me not to share it as soon as it was done.

{2} The Love and Support
Our family and friends have been incredible throughout our entire IVF process. And then after finding out we were pregnant, we've gotten so much love as well. Baby G already has 2 baby books waiting for him/her in the future baby room (which we've started to clear out from all of our "storage" items), and a super cute picture frame from my MIL, with baby G's ultrasound picture in it. (She's also been DYING to tell the news--we even had to shut her down about 6 weeks ago when she told people at our friends' wedding lol)
I've also really super appreciate my blog girls who have checked in on me, asked how we've been doing, etc. And my fellow IVF friends, who have been here and supported me through every step of this process. It's been incredible to have this support network and people to call and ask questions, freak out about meds, get advice (the pineapple one was key, Owen! haha) or whatever else this process holds.  It's been overwhelming in the most amazing way!

{3} Generosity
We have friends who have already given me maternity clothes for when I need it (not quite there yet, but getting close!), and others who have offered up their old baby things since you quickly realize just how much STUFF a baby needs. For you mamas out there, I'm gonna need some help figuring out what stuff is actually essential, and which things are just extra nice things to have. My SIL got me and MG books about baby (his is a Q&A for dads, and mine is a combination information book and journal to keep track of the process and my thoughts). We are truly blessed.

{4} The Baby Aisle/Decorating
This one sounds silly, but whenever we're at Target, MG and I frequent the baby aisle now. Before, I would pass it by, and longingly look at the adorable little clothes, and picture picking things out. And now, I just love walking through, imagining what our baby will look like, and all of the cute things I can dress him/her up in, which crib Baby G will sleep in...
And then the decor part comes in. We've had "that room" that we never did anything with because we knew it was going to eventually be the nursery. It's the only plain room on our top floor which always felt like a kind of reminder of what we didn't have (but it served us well as a storage room in the meantime). And now, all of the ideas I've been thinking of and finding on Pinterest are swimming through my head and I can't wait to get going with painting and decorating that room! (Pinterest now seems to only suggest pregnancy and food related pins to me...hmm..) :)
{via} Just one of a buuuuunch of ideas :)
{5} Ultrasounds
I've had 4 ultrasounds now since finding out we're pregnant. At the first one, we saw this teeeeeeny tiny flutter on this little bitty blob. That was the heartbeat. I sobbed...like full on sobbed, because it was the confirmation that our baby had a heartbeat and that this was more than just a positive pregnancy test.
 The next time, we saw this gummy bear shaped object with little arm and leg buds, and a beating heart in the middle and tiny wiggles. My mom was there with me for that one since MG was out of town and it was so cool to get to share that with her.
The third one was at my first OB appointment where we got to see the heartbeat again, but not as clearly since it wasn't a transvaginal ultrasound.
And this last one....there was a REAL baby in there, with kicking arms and legs, and a heart beating, and a big old head! (In this one you can see a little tiny foot and toes on the print out!) And we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time instead of just seeing it, which had me tearing up all over again. 
These appointments are magical and I treasure every time we get to see our baby and we seriously revel at how much it has changed in the past few months and weeks even. 

Thanks for indulging me in this today--and thank you all for your messages of congrats on my blog, your sweet prayers and thoughts throughout our journey, and for the private emails and messages you've sent! I can't tell you how much it means to me and how much it has helped with this process! Sending you all lots of love as we head into the weekend!

39 comments:

  1. I could not be any more excited for you Jenn! I know this was such a long and difficult journey for you and I am beyond happy you guys are now at this point! I can't wait to follow along with you and see how you decorate and what you're having! Congrats again girl!! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  2. OMG :) Congrats I am so excited for you guys
    Chelsea @ http://thewilliamsjourney1.blogspot.com

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  3. So beyond thrilled for y'all! I don't think I will ever forget that FaceTime call! And, feel free to pick my brain about baby products anytime!

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  4. Oh Jenn, I'm so so happy for you and MG! You're going to be wonderful parents!!!

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  5. Keep the baby posts coming! Pretty sure nobody is going to get tired of them around here :) I love that nursery inspiration - so clean & fresh looking! It makes me want to add in a wall of pictures just like that somewhere in my house now, haha. Happy Friday!

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  6. Congratulations!! What a blessing - enjoy every minute!

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  7. So very happy for you Jenn! Becoming a mother is such an amazing feeling! Enjoy your pregnancy and do all the cliche fun preggo things you can! It just flies by so quickly. Seriously so happy for you after this long journey! my baby suggestion is a boppy lounger. You need it. I talked about it on my blog. It was the best thing we had for baby to chill on :)
    ~Tiffany

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  8. seriously i cant even contain my excitement for you guys! such a long journey but so worth it. i cant wait to hear more about said journey. all the love!

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  9. I'm still so excited for y'all! Jess at Just Jess

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  10. I am so beyond thrilled for you, sweet friend!! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns or just want a late night buddy to chat with. I'm here for you :) I can't wait to hear more as Baby G gets bigger!! Hope you're feeling well, sweets!

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  11. Cannot wait to read all of the baby posts!! I'm so excited to keep following along your joinery!!

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  12. I and SO STINKING happy for you guys. I'm so happy everything worked out, when I saw your announcement I got the biggest smile on my face!! You indulge in all the baby things - you deserve it!

    Xoxo
    Amanda Kids and Cabernet

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  13. Girl, you are soooo entitled to talk all things baby for all long as you want!! Been smiling over your news and Baby G is going to be beautiful like you!!!

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  14. congrats again; such an exciting time for you guys. hearing the heartbeat for the first time is mind-blowing, right? just wait till you feel the baby's kick/movements...you'll be equally as floored!

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  15. Congratulations!!! This is so exciting. Enjoy this precious time and experience. So very happy for you! Beautifully Candid

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  16. Gahh-- literally in the middle of my conference meeting area crying about this post!! So so so so soooooo happy for you two!!! Yea for Baby G!!!!

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  17. I am so incredibly happy for y'all! That announcement was the best idea, and I can't to read along as you put together the nursery :)

    Meg, Borrowed Heaven

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  18. Soo happy for you! I know it was a crazy ride to get here so enjoy every minute. Can't wait to follow your journey!

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  19. Keep the baby posts coming!! And seriously, hearing the heartbeat is the most amazing sound in the world. Even more so for you guys I'm sure after what it took for you to get here. Check out the book Baby Bargains! It's awesome for deciding which products are best for your needs!!

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  20. oh the excitement of the heartbeat and the ultrasounds- I love that!!! Girl, you go on and on about your baby & pregnancy- you deserve to!!!

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  21. I don't think you should ever stop talking about this baby news because it is so exciting and I couldn't be happier for you!! That's so special that your mom got to share an ultrasound with you, I'm sure she appreciated it! Love that nursery inspiration. I totally longingly walk past the baby aisle at Target and just can't wait to finally shop in it for myself.

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  22. Tears, Jenn. Tears. I'm so excited for you guys and I love that you're sharing these unforgettable moments with us. You will have so many more in the future, and I can't wait to follow along with you for all of them! Have the very best weekend! XO

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  23. Busting for joy for you guys! Congratulations again! Have a great weekend.

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  24. Yay!!!! That is so awesome!!! Congrats to you both!!! Hope you talk about everything baby related for the entire pregnancy because you deserve it!! So exciting & I'm so happy for y'all!

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  25. I have no idea how I got linked to your blog from another but I want to say CONGRATULATIONS!!! We did IVF also and were successful so we know how that goes. It's so much fun when you get to the point where you look at all the baby stuff knowing you now get to buy it for your very own baby! yay!!

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  26. This is just so exciting, reading through all this. I cannot wait to see what you do with the nursery - and I love that you included Cooper into your announcement. He has been your baby for so long it's just perfect!

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  27. This is so so awesome!!! There is nothing quite like seeing your little one the screen. :)

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  28. So, so happy and excited for you! Congratulations!! And please don't apologize to anyone about spewing baby goodness. You deserve it!

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  29. Again, congratulations! I am so happy for you and your growing family. Sending you all the positive vibes and prayers for the remainder of your pregnancy!

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  30. You post all you want about this baby!!!!! You deserve every moment of pride and I love reading it!!!

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  31. There is absolutely nothing to apologize for, we're all so happy for you!!

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  32. I'm so excited for you guys! You and MG are going to be amazing parents! I would go crazy in the baby aisle...I don't blame you!

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  33. Oh my goodness! Congratulations! That nursery, I know it's just an idea but it is just so perfect. The colors and everything!

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  34. seriously all the congratulations your way. so happy for you.

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  35. Yay I love hearing all about your pregnancy and the news. So cute. I have maternity clothes too that I can send you. Just let me know your size and I will see what I have. Congrats again!

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  36. Beautiful nursery! 😀
    Congrats
    Michelle

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  37. So fun!! I love when you get to the point of having ultrasounds. IT really is amazing how much they change week to week. Decorating nurseries is one of my very favorite things to do. Can't wait to see what you come up with :)

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  38. I think we must be super close together! I'm due May 1st. I'm so glad your baby is alive and well and you don't have to go through anymore IVF stuff for a quite a long time.

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