99 Days

I can't believe we are under 100 days.  After the first trimester was over this has really flown by.  I have loved the second trimester.  At 25 weeks Mac began to feel heavy.  His heart rate at 25 weeks was 145.  One morning last week Mac woke daddy up by kicking him in the back.  My parents have already gotten him his own stocking and snowman.  YAY!  I feel like I am very behind on getting ready for him.  My mother in law is making the bedding.  I almost have all the patterns picked out.  I have begun my registries and for now it looks like I will be registered at Target and amazon.com.  I have already done the dirty work in finding the sites with the best prices.  Wherever the item is registered is the cheapest place to get it.  We are done looking at daycares and are now on to interviewing nannies and checking out home childcare programs.  Daycares appear to be a lost cause for a baby in this area. 

I am in love with my baby bags and all his adorable clothing that has already been given to him by sweet friends.  I maybe having a little to much fun buying things for him when he is older.  My girlfriends think it is a blessing to my bank account that this baby is a boy.  We are going home to TN for Christmas.  I am so excited to see my family even if it is only for a few days. 

The cord

I wanted to post more detailed information about a two vessel cord.  I did not want to make the last post any longer than it already was.  During the anatomy ultrasound, one of the things the sonographer looks for is the presence of three vessels within the umbilical cord: one vein (which carries oxygen and nutrients from you to the baby) and two arteries (which shuttle that waste back to you, to be processed and disposed of by your kidneys). Instead of those three vessels, our baby's cord has only two: one vein and one artery. Two-vessel cord — also known as single umbilical artery (SUA).   Researchers don't quite know what causes SUA, though they theorize that the second artery disappears at some point during early pregnancy.  I feel the chance of this happening is higher than 1% because sometimes it is not even identified until the baby is born.  When we were all babies they were not able to check for this.  Do not quote me on this, but I think when the cord develops the heart, kidneys, bladder, and GI tract also form at the same time.  That is the reason they look over each part in great detail to make sure the anomaly is isolated to the cord only.  The thing that I hate the most about this is the thought that while he is in the womb he is working harder than he will once he is out.  I am sure he does not realize it.  So I hope that if all is good and developed he will come a little early.  He is measuring ahead of his due date, so we will see.  Once again we are very thankful that all is well. 



6 Months

6 Months

Mac now weighs 1lb 7 ounces with all his measurements at average for his age.  I have gained 9 lbs and have still managed to keep up a workout routine.  He has been labeled as "Super Active" by the past two ultrasounds.  That makes me laugh out loud because everyone that knew me as a child knows I was a wild thing.  This sweet little boy is going to probably give us a run for our money.  I am looking forward to every minute.  Daddy and I can see you moving every night.  The first time you heard music you were going WILD.  I am hoping that it means you will love music as much as I do.  I haven't had any specific cravings and my appetite is the same as it's always been.  My belly has literally sprouted these past 4 weeks.  I sometimes feel that is gets bigger each day.  Mike's first comment to me on Wednesday morning was "babe your front end is definitely bigger than the back end."  Men know how to tell it like they see it. 

We were extra thankful after this ultrasound (US) because at his 18 week US they found out that he only has two vessels in his umbilical cord instead of three.  I chose not to tell many people about this at first because it could have been something and vice versa.  I knew after the 24 week US we would know if lots of extra prayers were needed.  Well, he is perfectly healthy and this is suspected to be isolated to the umbilical cord only.  PRAISE GOD!!!  So baby Mac you have already had one heck of a photo shoot.  On Tuesday you had a level 2 US and an echocardiogram by the baby heart God of DC.  Apparently fetal cardiologist are one in a million.  She told me that the size of his heart right now is that of a marble and I was blown away at how well you could see each chamber.  I am so thankful that I have found this amazing facility and group of doctors to have our baby with.  There is a 1% chance of having a two vessel cord.  I told Mike we should go and play the lottery!!! I really wasn't to freaked out by it because having a medical background I knew that since there were no other issues at the 18 week US that more than likely he was going to be just fine.  Since all is well we are supposed to have an ultrasound every four weeks from here on out to monitor his growth and kidney function.  I am excited to be able to go into an US and just enjoy seeing our baby boy.  Baby Mac you are already one tough little boy! We love you so much!!
XOXO,

Mom & Dad    

O Christmas Tree

 The Rigby "Blue Spruce" Christmas Tree

 My handsome lumber jack husband ;o)

I have never ever had a real Christmas tree until now.  M was so excited to share that experience with his preggo wife.  Soooo on Saturday we road out to a Christmas tree farm in a beautiful quaint town in VA.  I love the countryside here.  It is so beautiful with the rolling hills and old homes.  Once at the farm we searched high and low for our perfect tree.  M also introduced me to Blue Spruces last year and I knew that it was what I wanted for my first real tree.  The tree really is the perfect shape.  Last year we didn't decorate because we were about to move, so I was glad to get all my great decorations out for our last Christmas with just the two of us.  The only downside to a real tree is it will not stop shedding and between my hair, the dogs' hair, and the tree I am a sweeping maniac. LOL

Give Thanks!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

This year has been quite the adventure for M & I with moving, new jobs, and approaching parenthood.   We are very thankful for our healthy family, friends, jobs, renters, clearing debt, our dogs, and baby Mac.  I can't describe how excited I am to meet this little guy.  After our 18 week ultrasound it hit me like a ton of bricks.  To have gone from never really knowing if I wanted children to falling madly in love with this little boy we haven't even met is very emotional.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for our lives.  He is in charge and I am so thankful he blessed us with this opportunity.  M & I are staying put for  Thanksgiving and will have dinner with his parents.  The news just said that they expect 900,000 travelers on the road in this area.  We will make the 13 hour trip home for a sweet TN Christmas!!!  I hope each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

The Good and Bad Buys in Hair care of 2010

Good Buys

Twisty Bobby Pins

I saw these on TV and had to try them.  These hold my hair up in many different styles all day and they do not make my head hurt.  If you know me then you know I have super thick long curly hair. I bought mine at Target.

Kerastase Shampoo and Conditioner

(the best in hair products you will ever buy) I promise!!!

I am very picky when it comes to hair care.  I color/highlight my hair every 2 to 2.5 months because of early grey. ERRR  Since I spend so much on that I feel that I should use good products.  I have tried many different brands because I was trying to find a less expensive one, but this is the best.  I am done shopping around and will stick to what I know is good.  It's a bit pricey, but more concentrated so it lasts longer.

Bad Buys

Bumble and Bumble Alojoba Shampoo and Conditioner

I have tried many different Bumble and Bumble products and this was by far the WORST!!  I have never been pleased with any product from this high end brand. 

Organix Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner

TERRIBLE!!!!!! This was one of my shots at a cheaper hair product and what a waste of money.   I thought maybe since I am preggo that my hair doesn't detangle as well as it used to, but when Amy came to visit she used this and reported the same thing.  I have never put so much conditioner on my hair in my life and once it is rinsed out I think there are more tangles than before.

Garnier Shampoo and Conditioner all in One

You guessed it another shot at a cheaper product.  I will make this brief.  It gave me an awful painful case of a dry scalp.  I had to have 2-3 deep conditioning treatments at a salon before I had any relief.

Cheers to Beautiful Hair!! XOXO

What's in a name?

Malcolm "Mac" Raylynn Rigby

is our son's official name!

A couple of years ago we came across a book written and illustrated by Mike's paternal grandfather Malcolm Rigby at the age of 9.  At that moment we thought that is such a strong name for a boy.  His grandfather was brilliant and even Amelia Earhart's weatherman.  We also both loved the fact that we can call him "Mac" for short.  Malcolm is from Scottish origin and the name of four kings in Scotland.  I love royalty! Raylyn is a name we came across and it works out great because my father's middle name is Lynn.  Naming a human being is one tough job.  We wanted a strong classic name that would represent him well throughout his life.  It is crazy all the opinions people will throw your way with names.  I would love to know about your name or childrens' names.



Fall into DC

Amy Love Smith came to visit me this past weekend!  This wasn't her first visit, so we did not have to do quite so many tourist things.  It was very different from our previous trips because of this new stage of life I have moved into.  We had such a great time.  When she arrived we hit up Georgetown to shop and of course pay a visit to the famous "Georgetown Cupcake."  The apple caramel cupcake was a hit.  We also got in on our third reality tv show together while there. LOL  Our agents must have notified them. ;o)  Friday we went to the "Newseum" and the Capital.  Fall is my favorite time of the year and it's even more breath taking at our nation's capital.  Friday night we went with my girlfriends here downtown DC for a delicious dinner at "Central."  Saturday and Sunday were our days to just be like we used to back in graduate school.  It is always so hard when we say goodbye, but with little man on the way I know we will see each other several times this spring.  I thank God everyday for placing such amazing people like Amy in my life. 

"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves." Edna Buchanan

The top of the "Newseum"

Mac's first visit to our nation's capital

"Georgetown Cupcake"

Reveal Party

We decided to do a "Reveal Party" for our little baby Friday night after our appointment.  It wasn't as hard as I thought to keep a secret from family and friends here because I still got to tell sooooo many people back home.  You are welcome to laugh at my cake.  It was my first time to bake a cake (no Mike did not marry me for my domestic abilities), but it was surprisingly very easy.  I made the inside blue and the writing looks so ghetto because I did not know I needed tools with the icing.  I then tried to make it look better with polka dots, but by the time we got to Mike's parent's house they had melted on the cake.  Mike's Aunt Cyndi was in town from Seattle and his best friend Scott was in town from Fl.  Lots of family and friends gathered at his parents house for the party and dinner.  As soon as we got to the house his mom came running toward the cake with a spatula.  She was NOT going to wait any longer.  She was really hoping it was a girl, but now she has 6 GRANDSONS!!!  Mike and I are still debating names, but I think we are close to deciding.  I never knew it would be this hard.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  I think you can tell how super excited we all are about this sweet little boy!!! XOXO

I am a BOY!

  I surprised Mike with daddy gifts!

                                                            Mike with his parents

                                                

                     Mike's oldest sister passed down that sign that reads "Mother's of little boys work from son up to son down."  I am thinking this has a very good chance of being true.  I have been feeling him on the go since he was 18 weeks.

Chapter 3: What memory?

I have learned the past couple of weeks that a common symptom of pregnancy is memory loss.  I even read where there have been studies of women while pregnant vs. postnatal with significant differences.  Well, ladies and gentleman I definitely have this symptom.  This gets real interesting at work when I am trying to help my patients with memory loss. There are really not to many symptoms I haven't had. lol  Knock on wood for now most seem to have gone away! YAY!  M has even called me crazy pregnant lady because of the forgetfulness.  I have forgotten where I placed my drink, if I put mousse in my hair, if I took my prenatal vitamins, driver's license, sunglasses, keys (while in hand),  and many more that I have already forgotten (you get the picture).  I will try to post when I have these moments.  Most of the time it is pretty funny. 

This story pertains to me forgetting my license.  This Tuesday M and I went to a dinner theater.  I have NEVER been carded at a MOVIE until I am almost 5 months pregnant.  The gentleman at the door would not let me in without my license. I told him I was pregnant and swore I would not be drinking.  His response "you can be 14 and pregnant." M said "I would not be married to a 14 year old."  Needless to say I drove back home and had to get my license.  I guess maybe it's a compliment that I don't look 18.??.... I like to look young, but didn't think I looked that young.  Hopefully this brought a smile to your face! Happy Thursday Everyone!!

IT'S A BOY!!!!

Yesterday's appointment went well.  It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.  Our baby is doing great and measured one day ahead of schedule.  We saw him sleeping, waking up, yawning, waving, and smiling.  The two words used were stubborn and feisty!!! That is definitely a mix of mom and dad.  Just for those who look at this the Chinese calendar was wrong for us!!  Before the lady announced the sex I saw it very clear.  We had a reveal party last night with family and friends.  I will post pictures later.  Now we have to decide on the name!! I love you sweet little boy!!!

A Great Find!

My cousin was recently in town and we discovered an awesome shoe store down the street from my house.  This is like finding buried treasure because I am obsessed with all great shoes.  I bought these Boots and they are Rachel Zoe's pick, comfortable, and they fit a wide calf.  I have muscular calves so it's a big deal to find a boot that fits them and jeans.  I hope everyone is having a great weekend!! 6 days until the big REVEAL!!!!

Chapter 2: DECISIONS

At this point I am officially 4 months pregnant!  I haven't gained any weight yet, but that is because I initially lost weight from food aversions and morning sickness.  I am also still working out 3-4 days a week.  Morning sickness stopped at 13 weeks and I was so happy to tell it goodbye!!  Everything else has gone great! We heard the heartbeat on 9-15-10 and it was 160. 

We find out what baby Rigby is in 12 days.  I cannot wait!!!!  I do not see how people wait because I have tried buying gender neutral things and it is slim pickings.  I am thinking of having a gender reveal BBQ.  What are your thoughts on that?  Has anyone done it before?  I was thinking it would be a fun way to tell the surprise and hang out with friends. 

My first baby purchase was a Kate Spade baby bag that I had been eyeing for about a year and I LOVE IT!!!  It is more of a casual one, so I am going to get a really nice one that looks like a purse too.

I should be feeling this little baby sometime soon.  I am not real sure how I know if it's the baby or not. Feel free to give me clues readers!!

 

Now on to the grown up decisions for baby Rigby:

DECISIONS DECISIONS DECISIONS

My MIL and I went shopping for the first time about 3 weeks ago and WOW!!  I was worn out from just looking.  How do mother's know all the things a baby needs?  I need a manual for this!  I would like to pick everything out based on styles, but I know I have to read reviews to get the safest things.  Since we live in this area picking a daycare has to be done ASAP!!! I hope we are not already to late.  I had no clue that daycare would be more than most college tuition's.  You would die if you knew how expensive it is here.  M is really working hard to have some big plans in action when baby Rigby gets here, so if I do not want to return full time I have the option.  I do not think I am the full time stay at home type, but would LOVE LOVE to work part time and PRN.  I am so blessed to be in a field where that is super easy to do.  We learned at our last appointment that we have to pick a pediatrician.  I am glad they told us because that had not crossed our minds once.  M told me the other day that he doesn't think we are going to have any trouble with this newborn....... I immediately signed us up for a baby class. LOL  M is going to be the best father.  He rubs my belly and talks to the baby all the time.  I feel this whole process has us falling in love even more. 

Thanks again GOD!

Stay tuned for the big REVEAL!

XOXO

Belly pictures below:

                                                                            16 Weeks

                                                                            13 weeks

                                                                    12 Weeks



9 Weeks

The Horse Beach-Chincoteague, VA

My birthday weekend at the end of August I went with my in-laws to the beach.  This isn't your ordinary beach because wild horses roam all over.  The weather was perfect and my favorite part was the drive only being 3 hours.  The beaches were very clean and the town is probably the most quaint beach town in the country.  For more information Pony beach

 Picture from: Erin Dunham

Uncle Mike making our New Jersey nephew a guido (HAHA)

"Beat that beat up"

Beautiful Horses

Hillary and James's Wedding!

"The OFFUTT'S Wedding Day"

"The gift of happiness belongs to those who unwrap it" author unknown

Hillary and James had a beautiful wedding on August 21, 2010.  Hillary is a wedding planner at "Union Station" so I didn't expect anything less.  The entire weekend was very detailed and organized.  My husband and James are childhood friends, so he was one of the groomsmen.  Thursday night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at Dante's in Great Falls, VA.  The wedding venue was at Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria, VA.  The ceremony was outside and followed by cocktail hour with Hors d'oeuvres and seated dinner inside the country club.  James surprised Hillary with a 20 minute firework show that was just as nice as the 4th of July National fireworks.  I am so happy for you guys and can't wait for all the fun memories our families will share in the future.

All Pictures by: Shaily Jariwala

My hot groomsman aka "baby daddy"

"Clueless" Mom to be Chapter 1

So I thought this would be a fun way to journal this amazing life changing experience!  To start things off M and I would have never been that couple that would have "officially" decided to try to have children.  We are always on the go and so scared to change our ways.  Well, God had other plans! If you ask any of my best friends they will tell you this is exactly the way I wanted to get pregnant aka by a "SURPRISE." 

Day 1

7-12-10: 

I thought I might have been late, but not really sure because the monthly process was always off.  I bought a box of tests at Walgreens on my walk home to the metro. I had no symptoms and really did not think I was pregnant.  I almost took the test in "On the Run" bathroom, but did not because it was soooo nasty!  Thank goodness I didn't because I don't know if I would have made it home.  I ran upstairs opened the test and it was a digital one (fancy).  I did my thing on the stick and an hour glass popped up.  It was taking to long so I sat it down and came back to it a couple of minutes later "pregnant."  I yelled OMG and M ran up the stairs immediately started asking if I was serious!  Once he saw it he brought me water to drink so I could take another test.  After that he immediately wanted to go tell his family.  I on the other hand was on the couch in shock and crying about all the needles I would have to face. HAHA  When your husband is jumping up and down so excited you get over that real quick.  We then called my family and told his family by using a curtain story.  Everyone was soooo excited and his parents took us to dinner. 

Day 2:

I CAN'T FOCUS at WORK!!!!!!  The only thing I wanted to do was get on the Internet and figure out what I was supposed to do.  I learned real quick that I knew even less than I thought about babies and pregnancy.  I thought when you took a pregnancy test that you were then 1 week pregnant. WRONG?!?! lol

Day 3:

Insurance/Short Term Disability breakdown

Day 4:

Getting so excited, trusting God, and still feeling good.

2 weeks later

7-30-10:

 MORNING (on and off all day) SICKNESS has begun, but hey I have finally lost those last 5 lbs.  Who knew that getting pregnant would get me there.

8-6-10

First doctor appointment and now everybody knows! YAY!

Recap of first visit:

I have never been so scared in my entire life.  M was being supportive, but had know idea how terrified I was until right before we left the house when I started bawling.  I was so scared of the baby not being okay, the unknown, and the BLOOD TESTS!!! I have only had my blood drawn one time in my life and I had 5 people holding me still.  If you don't believe that story ask my dad.  I had so many people praying for our family.  Once in the office I immediately felt the power of prayer.  I was very thankful that I already knew my OBGYN from previous appointments.  M seemed to like her as well.  The hospital is literally 5 minutes from our house.  The appointment went well and then they needed blood.  I had already planned out how I was going to handle it.  My entire body was shaking like crazy.   The girl was super sweet and once she realized how scared I was she said let's just do this quick and I will worry with the paperwork later.  It really did not hurt and I felt so brave after it was over.  The doctor had not planned on doing and ultrasound today, but M and I wanted one.  I am a very visual person and needed to see our baby and that heart beat.  They scheduled it for that afternoon.  We get into the waiting room and they call me back.  The lady handed me two gowns to change into.  She said take off you underwear and pants.  I was immediately confused. "Why in the world did I need my pants off?  I only knew of one kind of ultrasound and it did not involve my pants being off!"  :o)  Before I did that I stuck my head back out and asked.  She asked, "How far along are you?" and then after my response said "oh that's why."  She still did NOT answer my question.  M and I go back to the dark room and the lady did the belly thing.  M immediately spotted the baby.  I could not look until she said the baby was ok.  Next comes the answer to my previous question:  "Okay please insert this until I say stop. WHAT?!?!"  Nobody had warned me about this.  The lady then explained it, so I went along and got to see our baby's sweet heartbeat. 

This is an incredible experience and I feel so blessed!  Look forward to many more chapters of this book.  I hope it will give confidence to other mom's to be one day.  I am one clueless future mom who never really knew if I was meant to be a mom.  I am sitting back enjoying this crazy ride and thankful for each day.