Baby Bump 31 weeks

Me and Leslie after dinner

Busy Little Baby

I know it has been along time since we have last posted! We have had a lot going on. Here is a quick recap...We rented our house out, YAY, thank you Jessi for helping! So we had to go and get it rental ready! My sweet friend Leslie came down that weekend to help us out, as well as Mom and Kane. Thanks to ALL!

The next week I had to get ready to visit my grandparents up in Pittsburgh, I traveled with my Aunt Chris and Mom. We had a wonderful time but very busy, lots of loud talking and repeated conversation and not to mention some amazing homecooked food!

We came home after 4 days and the next morning baby and I had a check up! I have been feeling a little winded at times and a little nauseated. My midwife said that is normal especially if I over exhurt myself, and she recommended I keep drink plenty of fluids as well as eat more small meals during the day. But Baby Boo is doing great, growing fast and moving all around!

Justin and I are getting very excited to meet the little one! We still have a lot to do but it is going to be an amazing summer!

Lots of Love,
Mandy and Justin

The tolerance test

Yesterday I met with my midwife and had my glucose tolerance test (GTT). First off I would like to warn you all that this post maybe a little TMI for some of you. But I will reward you with good updates at the end about the baby.

So it all started last week when I went to take my GTT, I ingested the lovely sugary fruit punch beverage they make you drink and headed to the office so they can take my blood. When I was about to leave I felt a little funny, like I was about to get sick, I thought it was nothing so I got in my car and started driving. Well it wasn’t nothing and I did get sick. Luckily I was able to pull over and yak in an empty grocery bag I had in my car. Needless to say I was unable to take the test since it becomes invalid once you throw it up. And to top it off, I was sick the rest of the day.
So we had to reschedule the test for this week, I was working with the nurse to come up with an alternative to taking the nasty drink that made me so sick, because I knew it would happen again. She said when I come in for my next appointment she will have something for me. I signed in for my appointment and the nurse I was working with was not there, and they said I would need to take the drink again. I almost broke down and cried. However they gave me a new flavor, lemon-lime, and said I could drink as much water as I wanted. I was trying to think positive and will myself not to throw this up because I need to get this test over with. I had to hold back for 45 minutes, I had some close calls in the waiting room but I stayed strong, they got my blood sample and I was able to leave. I left less talkative and a little green, I knew what was coming next as it was just a matter of time. Thank God I had another bag in my car because even though I was praying and hoping I could make it home before my sickness took over, that did not happen. On the brightside I now know I can drive and yak in a bag several times. I was just glad I made it home in one piece and I had Justin to help me get cleaned up and take care of me.

Ok, since you made it through my TMI moment you all deserve a great update about the baby. While I was waiting for them to take my blood I had my check up with my midwife Gwen. She was very pleased with my belly growth, my weight and baby Hancock’s heart beat. We also talked more about our birth plan and she made me feel very at ease about all the questions I had. Besides my negative experience with the GTT, this has been a wonderful journey and we can’t wait to meet our little baby. Baby bump picture will come next week.

Love to all,
Justin and Mandy

Time is flying

I can’t believe we have less then 80 days left till we meet our little angel! We still have so much to do before the new addition arrives in July, and the “before baby arrives” list seems to keep growing and growing. It doesn’t help that my energy level is not running at maximum capacity but Justin has been helping me out a lot and I am so very thankful! The baby is getting so big and so is my growing mid-section, he or she is also very active and is responding to talk and touch, a very cool experience to see and feel!

Justin’s parents came to visit for a few weeks, it was nice to see them and show them our new area we live in. Grandma and Grandpa Hancock are very excited to meet there grandbaby!

I have my next appointment with the midwife tomorrow so I will write an update after!

Love and Hugs,
Justin and Mandy

Crib

We finally found a crib we loved and ordered it as soon as it was back in stock.

Justin put it together this past weekend!

The Finished product!

Baby Bump Update: 25 weeks

I can't believe I am 30

A few weeks ago I celebrated my 30th birthday and had a fantastic time with family and friends. To kick off the birthday weekend I headed down to New Smyrna to visit mom and Kane. On my way there my “pregnancy brain” kicked in and I got lost. Now the trip from Tampa to New Smyrna is very easy and I have made this trip several times before. However that still did not stop me from getting lost…oh well it was I nice impromptu road trip, and I finally made it!

On my birthday we had a nice spa day at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, the day was perfect. I had my Mom, Aunt Chris, Shannon, Lisa, Pam and Justin (last minute sub) join me. The baby and I enjoyed a prenatal massage and a pedicure with a yummy veggie burger for lunch. After our treatments we went up to the room and watched a beautiful wedding outside our balcony and played a round of taboo (one of my presents from Justin). For dinner, Justin and I went down to the restaurant at the hotel, sat outside and listened to Jazz music and had an amazing meal. Mom joined Justin and I later for a glass of vino, I looked on extremely envious as they enjoyed their bottle of La Crema.

The next day my dad hosted a birthday brunch for me. There was so much delicious food as well as some virgin bloody mary’s and mimosas for the birthday girl! I was surrounded by amazing family and some dear friends I have not seen in a while. The food was amazing and so was the company. (Photo Caption: I was a little nervous with my makeshift candle)

It is crazy to think that on my next birthday celebration we will have a new addition hanging out with us to enjoy the festivities. Can’t Wait!

Love and Hugs, Mandy and Justin

"Sweet springtime..."

The past few weeks have been amazing! Spring is finally in the air, which means flip-flops and sundresses have arrived! I am pretty happy we are expecting in the summer so I can enjoy all the advantages of wearing the long and short flowing dressing that are in season. I have only needed to purchase one article of maternity clothing, jeans! Everything else I just get in a size up.

Baby Boo has been super active and growing these past few weeks. He or She has past the one pound mark and is healthy and strong with a heart beat around 154. We are 24 weeks today and only have 16 weeks left; I can’t believe how fast it has gone by. We have been keeping very active with our yoga classes and lots of walking.

Some of my sweet Jacksonville friends made the drive down to visit us last weekend, Kellie and Lisa came down for a fun girls weekend. The weather was perfect on Saturday when they arrived so after lunch we headed to the pool for the first time this spring. Then went out for a late dinner on the causeway, Lisa and I sipped our virgin cocktails and I was a little envious of Kellie’s spicy tune roll. The visit was great and much appreciated as I was getting a little home sick.



"Sweet springtime is my time is your time is our time for springtime is love time and viva sweet love. " -- e.e. cummings

Love and Hugs, Justin and Mandy