it's a boy

We saw his man parts even before the tech announced his sex...baby #2 is a boy!  He was pretty darn cute in the ultrasound grabbing his foot and waving it around and being very active.  I started to cry even before they told us what we were having.  It was just so sweet to see our little baby up there on the screen with his perfect little body.  The ultrasound tech kept complementing him on how he was allowing her to get the perfect shots and measurements.  Maybe this will mean we have an obedient little boy on our hands!? ha

All is well and he is a healthy boy!  He is a little bigger than he should be though, measuring in at 21 weeks instead of  20 weeks.  I felt a little validated when the tech said this.  Two reasons...1.) I told her she was a week off on my due date when we went in for our first appointment 2.) I felt like this made up for the fact that none of the doctors listened to me when I told them how big Kash was!

I feel very confident in the doctor's office we go to though and my doctor.  I know she will monitor this baby up until the end and listen to me.  But I have mentally prepared myself for another big boy!  Good thing we make them so cute and it's worth it, right!

It's fun to think about if this baby is going to look like his brother or take more after my coloring.  Either way I know he will be a great addition to our family and Kash will LOVE having a little brother to play with!

Doesn't it look like we just woke him up?  So cute!

baby (bump) update

This pregnancy has been completely different than my first!!!  I was so sick day in and day out with Kash for the first 8 months I wasn't sure I would ever be able to go through all that it again. So when the pregnancy test said positive I couldn't help but think of the puke filled days followed by pushing out an 11 pounder!  To say the least I was scared (maybe I still am).  What they say is true, ignorance really is bliss and so it was with my first pregnancy!

And I think, at first, all of that held me back from truly being excited about our new little babe on the way. That and our lives were so full with Kash I couldn't imagine sharing my love with any other child.  I definitely felt that it was time to have another baby but at our first ultra sound appointment I spent the whole time telling any nurse and doctor who would listen that I had a really big baby the first time and I didn't want that to happen this time around.  I forgot to enjoy the moment and realize that the little bean on the screen was our sweet new baby!  I forgot to take it all in and enjoy the process.

Well you know what happened?  I got a kick in the pants in the stomach from our new little baby!  It hit me right then that this was the real deal!  That this little baby was already a part of our family and he/she won me over right there.  My heart grew and baby #2 found a spot in there that I thought was already so full of Kash's awesomeness that there wasn't any more room.  That's all it took for me to stop worrying about everything and enjoy this pregnancy.  My doctor also told me something that at the time made me want to punch her in the face but now is oddly comforting.  When talking about Kash's birth weight she told me, "I know it's not ideal but the fact that you did it once tells us you are capable of doing it again."  I did do it and I would do it again for this little baby too!  I already feel that I would do anything for this baby the same way I would for Kash. 

I actually really like my doctor despite that comment ha.  She said she would do a 36 week ultra sound to check the baby's weight and she would be willing to induce me at 39 weeks.  All reassuring things for me to hear!

This pregnancy has actually been a breeze...as far as pregnancies go.  I was really tired the first trimester but I feel like I got my second wind and ready to do some thing other than sleep! I have felt really great nausea wise and haven't been sick but a couple of days.  But I do appreciate on my sick days that I have my own little Bob Costa giving me a play by play at the toilet like I'm performing an Olympic sport! haha 

And on to the baby bump.  I actually debated if I should post a belly shot or not, I just can't believe how much bigger I am this go around!!! And I'm kind of embarrassed at how big I am, but I want to document for this child the same way I did for Kash. I'm actually pretty close to my first pre-pregnancy weight but man those stomach muscles aren't anywhere close.

So here I am in all my pregnancy glory.  And yes...plan to see me in a maxi dress possibly every day this summer, although I don't think they do me any favors-they are comfortable and that's what counts! 

Yep, had to do another mirror shot since that's what I did with Kash!  Just keepin' it fair yo!

Here I am 15 weeks pregnant with Kash.  And to think, I thought I was SO HUGE then!

 

baby time

That's right baby #2 is cooking away as I type and should make "it's" grand entrance some time early to mid September!

We are pretty excited...now.  I only say that because the baby making process happened real quick this time around.  After trying to get pregnant with Kash for three years we thought for sure the second baby would take some time, nope not the case.  So when the smell of Blaine's mint gum and the feeling of pure exhaustion after a day full of nothing occurred I knew right away I was pregnant (and by right away I mean I was only about a week pregnant-making this the longest pregnancy known to man).  We were just a little overwhelmed when the home pregnancy test read positive and I had quit my job just a few days earlier.  That's a lot of big changes in just one week!

Obviously we know if you are trying to have a baby it will eventually happen, please take back the "those idiots" comments you made earlier in your head, but like I said I just thought we would have at least a few more months to process the idea.  But as the idea sank in we became very excited.

I'm totally ready to:
Have the doctor place a little newborn in my arms, newborns are my favorite
To smell baby #2's sweet skin and kiss it's little toes
To swaddle baby and rock it to sleep (ps-I hate calling the baby an "it" but until we find out what we are having I guess I will have to get used to it)
To watch Kash become a big brother
To feel my heart grow more than I thought possible--people keep telling me it's possible
I'm ready to watch baby #2 grow and develop and learn new things
I'm ready to spend all day, every day with this new baby!
I'm excited to watch Blaine become a new dad all over again.  My favorite moment in my life was when he held Kash for the first time!!!

On the nervous list:
Taking two kids to the grocery store or really anywhere
How Kash will fair with sharing the love
Waking up every three hours or less all night long
Having two kids sick at the same time
Feeling like I may never get another moment to myself

At least the ready's out weigh the nervousness right?

Bring it baby #2...Team Turnbow is ready to add another player to the roster.

Update on pregnancy to come...

Happy Birthday Kash!

Our baby boy is one today.  Last night when I tucked him in and kissed him goodnight I whispered to him that this would be the last night that he was my "baby".  Maybe I cried a little, ha.

As much as I've loved to watch him change each month it's hard to watch your baby grow up so fast.  My two best friends have had their own little babies in the last month and it's taken me back to the day Kash was born.  The first 48 hours was a whirlwind.  This precious new life was ours to take care of.  I kept thinking how Heavenly Father delivered him to us as a perfect little baby and now it was our job as parents to try and mess that up as little as possible.

While we haven't been perfect parents we sure have given Kash all the love we have to give.  And on his special day I'm not worried about his milestones or his growth chart, I just want him to know I LOVE HIM!  I feel so honored to be his mom, I love being his mom.  I love the sweet "love pats" that he gives me.  I love his laugh and his cheesy smile.  I love the excitement in his eyes when dad comes home.  I love peeking in on him while he's sleeping.  I love everything about him and feel, once again, so blessed to have this little spirit in our home.

Happy Birthday Bubs!
We love you!

And a special thanks to my sister-in-law Rachel who has taken Kash's pictures professionally every three months since he's been born.  These pictures mean the world to me and I wouldn't have been able to have them if it weren't for her!  Thanks Rach!

(actual 12 month post to come)

one year ago today...

...we were anxiously awaiting our little boy. By this point last year I thought I had every last detailed prepared, but I don't think you can ever fully prepare mentally for becoming a parent. This time last year I had no idea that in a week I would have an 11 pound NEWBORN! I had no idea what labor and birth would actually be like. I had some idea, but didn't fully realize how much I would love that little boy until he came.
I can't believe it's been a year and we are fast approaching Kash's first birthday. I've been extra weepy lately thinking about his first year of life. Words can't describe how much love I have for my baby boy, so I'll just stop here. And leave you with this little reminder of the big ol baby in my belly, one year ago!

Let the posts celebrating Kash's first life begin!

kash anderson turnbow

Well Blaine and I are officially parents! Yesterday our sweet little boy was born! I'm not going to go into details of the process of getting him here...just know that he was ELEVEN lbs. and he was delivered vaginally-enough said!

He came out a little bruised and puffy (it was a rough ride for the both of us) but we love him so much already. He gets cuter every second! And he's already such a good baby! Not to mention he's the talk of the hospital. Every time a new nurse comes on shift she'll be checking us and then it will hit her oh this is the 11 pound baby everyone in the maternity ward is talking about!! I still can't believe it myself. He won't even fit into all of the new born clothes or diapers we have. That's okay this just means I get to buy more things for him!

Introducing our perfect little boy:
Kash Anderson Turnbow
born on 1.19.10 at 10:50am

11 lbs 1 oz 22 inches

He's made Team Turnbow a million times better in just two days. I already can't imagine my life without him and love him more than I ever thought was possible! And can I mention that I fell in love with my husband all over again once he became a father. Blaine is the perfect dad. He cares about his well being so much and makes sure he's always okay!

I could go on forever on how happy we are. We're in love!

40 weeks with child

I wasn't going to post any belly shots after 38 weeks, because frankly I feel disgusting right about now. But today a co-worker couldn't stop laughing at how big I looked and felt the need to snap this picture on my phone because "I just had to send it to my mom to show her how 'huge' I am!" Well I figured if it was entertaining to said co-worker that maybe you would enjoy it as well. Plus I'm hoping it will make me feel a little better post pregnancy when I'm sad that I still can't fit into my pre-prego jeans but grateful that I'm not this big!

So here I am in all my pregnant glory.

"You know your belly is big when YOUR boobs look small!"-again my lovely co-worker

3 more days right??!? haha, yeah sure!

nursery tour

When we found out we were pregnant, living in our little apartment, we had two options on where to put our baby. One being our enormous closet under the stairs or our office. We decided to go with our office to try and avoid people calling social services on us.

This room makeover has seemed to consume our weekends for the last six months. Hours of searching the internet, DIY projects, shopping, garage sales, etc. I made all my friends and family do all of the above as well (thanks guys!). Sad thing is I feel like it's still not 100% complete and I have a few more projects to finish, but since our little boy doesn't seem to be in any kind of rush to make his big debut I might just get it all done before he arrives.

So here's our office before it was transformed into a nursery.
And the after. Don't mind the poor lighting. Obviously the pictures would look better if taken during the day but I'm never home when the sun is out!

Don't mind the lamp cord, we plan to hide that...just another one of those things we haven't quite gotten to yet!
But I hope we get to that project soon because looking at it in these pictures it is sure bugging me!

So that's it. Simple. Clean. Nice. I like it. It's not exactly what I had envisioned (the blue in the bedding was hard to match and I ended up going with brighter blue accessories than I wanted) but I think it turned out pretty cute in the end. Now all that we need is a baby to go in it!

36 weeks

Since being pregnant I haven't really had to buy many maternity tops (pants since week 20, but tops not so much). I guess it's because I already feel huge and then to put a maternity top on really does make all of those "are you having twins" comments seem justified.

So last week I was running out of the house and threw on my old trusty USU sweatshirt circa 2002. Well after catching a glimpse in the mirror of this hilarious sight maybe it's time I buy a maternity shirt or two!
I mean I know I'm getting big but it wasn't until I saw myself in this sweatshirt that I was like...dang girl you really are 9 months prego!!! I couldn't stop laughing, I still can't-I think this is the funniest picture ever for some reason! I don't know if it's the fact that it's my college sweatshirt and I'm sure that there were many of times bored in the dorms where Sayward would stuff her bra and I would stuff my belly (in this same sweatshirt) to see what it would look like when I got pregnant (weird I know) and now that vision has come to life. Or if it's that guy at church who thought he was so funny when he said, "how did that basketball taste when you swallowed it?!!" actually has me laughing now because that's exactly what it looks like.

I'm actually 37 weeks now and I'm sure I'm bigger! But at this point the unnatural form my body is taking is something you truly have to laugh at.

Speaking of 37 weeks, the baby is full term! He could come tomorrow and be a health bouncing baby boy! But knowing my luck I'm sure he'll make his debut sometime towards the end of January...I'm sure by then I won't be laughing any more!

32 weeks=8 months=8 more weeks

I felt like my last post was a little negative. So what better way to cheer people up than a belly shot and a fetus poem? Who doesn't love that combo?!

I don't want to give the wrong impression that I hate being pregnant. I mean don't get me wrong it's not my favorite thing in the world but it has been an amazing experience overall. To think that I'm trusted enough to carry this little baby and to bring him into this world is just an overwhelmingly awesome feeling!

Watching my belly wiggle and to feel our little boy kick makes up for the restless nights and bruised ribs.

The thought of all the joy and happiness he will bring our family makes up for all the ridiculous pregnancy comments.

Having a little boy and the bond he will have with his dad as they do boy things makes up for all the times I laughed too hard and peed in my pants a little! :) ha ha

The tiny toes, the small hands and the irresistible adorableness that will soon call me mom makes up for the constant stream of snot coming from my nose since becoming pregnant.

I know it will all be worth it!

I can't believe how much I already love him and feel a connection with him. Every time I get something out of the fridge it warms my heart to see the little sonogram of him sucking his thumb! I've waited for a long time to become a mother and I can't believe the time is so near. And to start a family with Blaine makes it even better than I ever dreamed of!

knock it off already

If one more person says any of the following to me...

"Wow, you know what you are really pregnant today!" (in which I want to say...you think you freakin idiot, I happen to be 31 weeks really pregnant and I'm well aware of how pregnant I am!!!)

"You are huge!" (Thanks, I'm growing a human!!!!!!!)

"You could pop any day now!" (I'm gonna freakin pop you any day now!)

"I can't imagine you getting much bigger!" (well start imagining it because I still have 9 more weeks to go)

"Are you having twins?" (no but thanks for making me feel really great today!)

"I don't think you should wear that shirt it makes you look really pregnant" (oh good job genius I am really pregnant!)

...I swear I will slap them. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I'm not a girl anymore that doesn't care about her weight/looks and that doesn't have feelings.

Maybe I need this shirt?

ice ice baby

Since being pregnant I haven't had any real cravings...until now. And of all things I crave ice! The weird thing is that I hated ice before this. It always hurt my teeth and was more of a nuisance than anything to me.

This craving has not only turned me on to something I used to not care for, but it has turned me into a ice snob! The hard, big, not easy to chew ice my fridge was making was not good enough anymore. I would go to different gas stations and restaurants looking for the perfect ice...asking the drive through person if they had crushed ice. Then I remembered that Sonic had small crunchy-perfect ice! I would buy a large drink, dump the drink out and just chomp on the ice. Then I found out you can BUY A BAG OF SONIC ICE! I had no idea until one day I was having such a bad craving I felt the need to research where I could buy my own Sonic-like ice...who knew that I would be able to buy it at Sonic of all places! :)

Turns out craving non-food items is called PICA and it's actually not a good thing. The doc tested my blood and put me on an iron pill...blah, blah, whatev! Still love ice. I don't crave it as much as I used to now and for some reason this makes me sad. I've also tried to cut back a little because I think it might have been damaging my already crappy teeth.

This is going to be a tough winter though to resist the cold stuff. With the big snow storm last week every time I see snow I think about ice and start to crave it. I know I'm a freak (can you believe I just wrote a whole post about my love for ice? weird!)

oh baby!

Last week my family and friends threw me the perfect baby shower...with stuffed french and all :)

People from all over the country flew in for what I didn't think was that big of deal but was so grateful they felt that it was and that they came.

My mom and Blaine's mom hosted the perfect party to welcome our new baby boy into the world. I know that they worked really hard to make everything look and taste just right-and it did!!! And thanks to Rachel and Juli who also spent a lot of time on the party planning committee as well!

I'm not a big fan of sitting in the middle of a room and opening tons of presents (I know kinda shocking...but I'm serious). But our little baby was truly "showered" with gifts last Saturday so it was worth it, and Blaine and I can't thank everyone enough for all the gifts!

Now we just can't wait for the little guy to get here so we can try out all the stuff he got!

My aunt and cousin came from IL too but somehow I didn't manage to get a picture of them!

23 weeks

We started working on the baby's room this weekend. It looks awesome already and all we have is the paint on the walls (thanks to Blaine).

I can't wait till there's actually a little boy to sleep, cry, play and laugh in that room!

guess what came last night...

Baby Turnbow's bedding! I was so excited I squealed and then called my mom. Can't wait to get working on the nursery now!!!

baby t

Just look at that sweet little boy sucking his thumb. I can't stop smiling since Friday's appointment. What an awesome experience! I can't wait to meet him!

we're over the moon

5 months later...

(don't mind my pink jacket clashing with the red curtains!)

...and I look like I've swallowed a cantaloupe. My weekly pregnancy emails actually said it's more like a 6" Subway sandwich now. I can't believe the baby is that big or how HUGE my stomach has gotten in the last few weeks (and I'm only half way there, yikes)!!! But I don't care how big the baby wants to get, okay that's a lie I do care, but as long as I'm not puking. So far the 2nd trimester has been a dream! I mean my body still reminds me that I'm carrying a little bambino around, but I feel so much better than I did the first four months of this adventure.

And the baby seriously moves all the time now and it is the coolest part of pregnancy thus far. I will just be going through my day, maybe talking to a co-worker and I will feel the baby kick, get so happy inside and totally zone out. I eventually come back to reality and pretend like I was totally listening. I love it--not the ignoring my co-workers part, the baby saying hi part. I love this little baby (have I said that already?!?!)!!! I keep wishing Blaine could feel the tiny kicks. I make him put his hand on my belly all the time to try and feel it, but I think we are going to have wait a little longer till he can feel the baby.

Next Friday we find out what it is. So place your bets now--boy or girl?? Loser has to change a dirty diaper!

pickles pickles...enough with the pickles!

Being pregnant everyone just assumes you are craving pickles! Where do these wives tales come from? Because the thought of pickles right now actually kind of sicks me out. But I swear someone asks me at least once a day if I'm craving pickles.

So, I was a little disappointed today when my weekly pregnancy update email came today and compared our little baby to a PICKLE (comparison in that it's as long as a pickle now)! Ugh, enough with the pickles already! Of course it had some cheesy line to follow, "You're familiar with pickles, right? Your regular accompaniment to a big bowl of ice cream." No, actually that sounds sick! Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I want to eat sick combinations of food!

Despite the cheesy one liners and the ridiculous comparisons to food, I love getting these emails! I love seeing how our baby is growing week by week, it makes it so real! My heart just feels up with joy on Wednesdays when I see the Your Pregnancy email appear in my inbox! I can't believe how much I already love this little baby of ours, and I can't wait to meet it (and can't wait to find out what it is so I can stop calling it it!)
PS-I've been feeling it move all week! What a cool feeling!!!

ms. dunkin donuts 2009 or 15 weeks prego???

It is a toss up right now!

You're probably like, "Great now that Erica is pregnant all she's going to post about is being pregnant like every other Mormon girl in her 20's"...YOU BETCHA (well I'll try to keep it to a minimum)!

So here's the cheesy-blurry-over done-myspace mirror picture of me with a babe in my bell. Sayward keeps telling me to post a picture of my belly and I knew if I asked Blaine to take I'd end up with a picture of my feet--turns out my pictures aren't much better, I'll see if I can get him to take the next one.