Updated baby bump pic!

Don't I look amazing?!! LOL

This poor woman is about to give birth to quintuplets!!

Welcome to the world, Lincoln!

One of our close friends recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Lincoln Alexander. Isn't he precious?!

This just makes me want to skip ahead five months to my baby boy's due date!!

Colgate Class of 2036?!

I couldn't resist picking up some 'Gate gear for Baby Boy L last weekend.

Watch out, Hamilton, NY!!

Never too early...

... to start reading to your baby in utero! I started with these books on Wednesday.

I'm also trying to talk and sing to him whenever possible. We even listened to Mozart together Wednesday night!!

Pics of our newly painted nursery!

Like the green?

My husband was a rockstar working on this for two days -- perfect timing for a holiday and snow day!

We will begin some touch-ups tonight!

Everything looks beautiful!

After endless worrying, Baby Boy L's anatomy scan is complete, and everything looks beautiful!! He is still very active, measuring a bit ahead, and HB is a strong, normal 151. The doctor couldn't have been happier. Phew! 

Looking for nursery tips!

Originally, we were planning on an Under the Sea themed nursery, but lots of the available fish decals started to freak me out. So, our plan has evolved into a baby zoo animal/jungle theme, which we are now both happy with.

I ordered some fantastic animal wall decals, which arrived a few weeks ago and look adorable! We are also slowly accumulating furniture and other decorations for the nursery.

This weekend, I head to my alma mater, Colgate University, for some meetings but will be home by Saturday afternoon in time for a nursery painting extravaganza! We are thiking of a pale green for the walls (There are 3 windows in the room). I've been cautioned to be careful when choosing a green, as the paint always appears one shade darker on the walls.

Neither the hubby nor I have ever painted a wall, so this should be interesting. I promise some fun pics soon!

Oh, and if you have any tips about this process or setting up/decorating a nursery in general, I'm all ears!! :)

P.S. A student asked me yesterday if I was preggers. This officially means I'm starting to show...finally! Yay!!!

I'm officially in love....

....with prenatal yoga!

I started practicing it at a studio about 25 min. away last Wednesday and am HOOKED! I am aiming to go 2-3 times per week. As an experienced yogini, it's an amazing feeling to be in a crowded room surrounded by other pregnant women, also full of love, hope, peace, and a desire to remain healthy for our babies. The feeling was incredible.

I'm also happy to report that the class is actually a good workout too, with amazing stretching and strengthening exercises to tone all parts of the body, all in ways that are safe for the baby.

For those of you in the MD/DC area, I highly recommend Thrive Yoga: http://www.thriveyoga.com/. The instructors are wonderful, and the studio is gorgeous!

Baby Boy L. and I cannot wait for our next class tomorrow night!

How necessary IS a maternity and newborn photographer?

My husband doesn't seem to understand why on Earth we would ever need a maternity and/or newborn photographer. Can't one of our friends or family members take photos? Don't I take enough photos already (The answer to this, of course, is yes!)? Certainly we wouldn't want to do this for any subsequent children?!!

I used to think that this kind of photo shoot was an absolute necessity. Many people do this, and amazing photos and timeless memories result.

The more I think about it, though, I wonder if it really is more of a waste of money. I can't see us pursuing such photo packages with any other children we have, and Lord knows our firstborn will be plenty photographed as it is.

I asked for recommendations of photographers in the MD area yesterday on Facebook, but now I am looking for advice from new moms. Did you do a maternity/newborn shoot? Any regrets? Would you do it again?

I am open to any and all suggestions!!

A priceless face for a freezing day!

Yes, it was -17 degrees outside, school was still in session, and I got to wait outside in these temperatures to greet our students as they entered the building this morning. Lucky me!

Despite this "polar vortex," LaBanca Baby Boy preparation is well underway!

Here's what is currently happening:

1. Our baby registry is finalized and waiting to be published!
2. We are about to book our babymoon in April in the Outerbanks!
3. My baby shower for late April is booked, and save the dates have been sent to most invitees. Woot!
4. Decals were puchased and delivered for our "zoo animal-" themed nursery.
5. Our little boy's name has been chosen. Sorry, it's a secret, even to our parents!

T minus 5 months (almost) to go!

In the meantime, we are also enjoying our newest four-legged baby, Dexter. He is continuing to adjust well  to our home and routines and is such a sweetheart!

Doesn't he look like he's smoking his Dingo rawhide here?!

 

Stay warm and cozy inside today!!!

Babymoon!

Some people, including my parents, think the idea of a babymoon is ridiculous. Why spend money on a vacation before the baby arrives? Wouldn't it be better to just save money for the baby? 

I know, I know. The idea can sound a bit selfish, but oftentimes, this may be the last trip away you will get with your hubby for awhile after the baby arrives. Thus, I think it is doable. 

My husband and I are approaching the matter with an open mind. We want to be realistic but not spend too much. As I will be 30 weeks pregnant at the time of the trip, which has to occur during my school's spring break in late April, flying anywhere may not be an option. A road trip is possible, though, or maybe even a cruise leaving from Baltimore, New York, or Charleston. We had a snow and ice day yesterday, so I spent a great deal of time researching possible options. 

Jamaica is out of the question due to the flight, price, and questionable safety, but a Caribbean cruise or trip to the Outerbanks may be feasible. 

Any suggestions??

Happy New Year!

I may still be sick (Our son is already a handful!), but I am beyond grateful to look back on 2013 and welcome a new year of amazing possibilities and new beginnings.

2014, we're ready for you and beyond excited!!

Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy, and blessed 2014!!