Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Mirrors: Pregnancy Reveal

Well, this is a few months overdue, but I wanted to share how we announced we were pregnant to our families and of course their reactions! Since we found out we were pregnant on November 27, 2012 and did not see the OBgyn to officially confirm the pregnancy until December 19th, we decided it was too close for us to not surprise our families at Christmas. It helped a little bit that we had already planned a cruise vacation for December 8th-15th but MAN, that was a VERY LONG month keeping the huge secret held in. There were so many times I just knew one of us were going to "slip up" and let it out, especially when the numerous times that I felt nauseous and felt like my face and body were just screaming "I'm pregnant!!" to everyone around me. 

Justin and I have started a little tradition of sorts where we take the photos and video clips from our vacations and make an iMovie set to music out of them. We always have our families over and show them highlights from our trip and it's been a fun little thing we've done since getting married. So, we thought it would be appropriate and only fitting that we continue the trend with our cruise and incorporate some "baby" slides into the movie for the big reveal. We were SO nervous to pull this off, but it was so fun and exciting to see them all react to the news. 

I will include a short snip of the iMovie and our families reactions below but first a quick note to explain why we revealed the way we did, since its somewhat an inside joke.... [disclaimer: this next portion might be rated PG-13]. 

When we arrived home from our honeymoon, one of the first things we decided to do was show our families the photos from the trip, naturally. And since we had just purchased a really great, large, 60'' flat screen TV for our apartment at the time, what better way to show off our beautiful beach photos than on the big screen. No big deal, right?! So, we inserted the SD card straight from my camera to the TV and everything was going swimmingly until we came across a photo that brought tears of laughter and soon therefter, tears of horror. 

You see, Justin and I, were being typical goofy "honeymooners" and decided to take some ridiculous pictures of each other in the hotel one day that we sort of forgot about. But before your mind goes there...know that they were not ridiculous as in rated "R" type photos....just funny pictures of us doing things in the room. All things of private nature were concealed, as in: Justin would hold up a champagne bottle to conceal a 'certain' area and I would hold up two rolled towels to do the same....Austin Powers type stuff. Make sense? Yea, probably not, but nonetheless...rest assured that there were NO completely inappropriate photos on the camera. Hence, though slightly uncomfortable showing our parents...these photos were not much different than those of us in swimsuits....or so we thought...

Seems that we made a slight tactical error when one photo shot up on the big screen and we heard the room freak out and soon cover their eyes in horror at what they saw. The photo shown that immediately caused chaos and panic was as such:  me, appropriately covered, posing on our in-room hottub with a rose in my mouth. And then, there it was. As bright and clear as day we saw what the uproar was concerning: a large camera flash at the top of the mirror behind the hot tub I was perched on and as we slowly panned down the mirror.... there was Justin, the oblivious photographer...not so fully covered. At all. Staring right back at us in the mirror that was now on a 60'' flat screen tv. 

[Enter panic. And red faces. And the "I want to curl up and die" feeling. And the need to run out of that apartment, get in the car and start driving to never look back.]

How could we overlook this?! How??? Not sure, but we sure did. Rookie mistake, Greshams. So, just learn from us: when you think you're taking "appropriate" funny pictures....be on the look out for mirrors that you might be seen in. Or maybe edit your photos before showing family. Or don't show them on a huge flat screen. Or be comfortable in your own skin around your families (pun totally intended). Either way: we learned our lesson. And it has now become a running joke that our families LOVE to poke at us and they're always on the lookout for that one "inappropriate photo" from all of our vacations. Hence, why you will see references to this inside joke. 

And hey, at least we got any awkwardness out of the gate year one and are fully known and loved by our families now ;)

Enjoy ;)

[Note: my sister's reaction of thinking we were having 4 babies because of the photo I included of 4 positive pregnancy tests. Love her. :)]

The reveal portion of the video. 

Starnes family reaction 

Gresham family reaction 

33 Weeks

How far along: 33.5 Weeks. It's gettin' real, peeps. Really real.

Baby’s size: 19-ish inches and about 4.2 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Kinda the same answer as before, yes...but still trying to utilize dresses & real people clothes as much as possible :) 

Sleep: Going strong!! Forget the alarm clock in the morning, my new indicator it's time to "rise and shine" is baby hiccups. Every, single, morning. :) Steady and strong and beckoning me to get my lazy arse out of bed and eat breakfast to feed him ASAP. 

Best moment of this week: Celebrating and showering Baby Hayes on Saturday at an ADORABLE shower thrown by some incredible friends and family. It was just about the cutest thing I've ever seen, we were BLESSED with generous gifts and it was just a joy to be in the same room as so many that I love. I'm still in somewhat shock and overwhelmed at the love and support I felt that day. Waiting on a few pics from that day and I'll soon post all the adorableness. It was insane. :) I'm so, so grateful.

Miss anything: Bending over to put on shoes, get dressed, pick something up, paint my toenails, etc. without grunting like a fat and lazy dog. I guess this is why you should strive for a wonderful, patient and adorable husband like mine who will glady give you a pedicure when you're feeling less than capable. 

(In case you're wondering....he did a fantastic job ;) and I'm hoping he doesn't kill me for posting this pic. Pretty sure he doesn't read the blog, so don't rat me out ;))

Movement: Still movin' and groovin' in there!! He never lets me question whether or not I'm pregnant :) Thankful.

Food cravings: Uh, sweets have taken a high priority in the food chain. I'm all about the afternoon ice cream, popsicle, cookies & milk....sheesh. 

Queasy or sick?: Besides faithful heartburn/reflux issues - no sickness. Sleeping upright is FUN! ;)

Have you started to show yet?: Si

Gender: Boy ~ Hayes Austin Gresham

Belly button in or out: Hope it goes back in. Can it go out any further?! It's starting to creep me out. Can't look at it. 

Wedding rings on or off: Seriously considering this to be the week they come off. With the heat and swelling...I'm thinking they are on their last leg :/

Happy or moody most of the time:  Full of joy and gratitude. 

Looking forward to: Celebrating my little sis and her upcoming wedding this weekend at her bachelorette party and just enjoying these last 45 days with my man until the littlest man is here. :)

32 Weeks

How far along: 32 Weeks...weekly countdown is in the single digits now. :-O

Baby’s size: 19 inches and approximately 3.75 lbs ~ Dr. also said that he is measuring to have a long torso...no surprise there!

Maternity clothes: Yes but still loving and getting away with wearing "regular people" maxis and dresses like the one above. 

Sleep: Still going pretty well! Only getting up once a night and the best part is the new maneuver I've discovered in making getting out of bed easier!! We have a big wooden/leather headboard and before getting up, I reach both arms above my head, put them on the headboard and literraly catapult myself up to sitting position. It's....awesome. Because I have a lot of round ligament pain in my hip-"ish" area, this takes the pressure off my lower body and is quite entertaining, especially when Justin is awake to watch the event. 

Best moment of this week: Getting a good report from my doctor - everything is progressing perfectly! Baby Haye's heartbeat is looking strong, he's measuring on-track and dr. said he looks so good we could wait 3 weeks for next appointment instead of the scheduled 2. PRAISE be to God who is beautifully crafting His child inside of me as HE sees fit. So grateful Hayes is looking to be healthy. 

Another highlight this week was baby prep class #2 and watching Justin's face as they showed us a video of a live birth. THAT was entertaining ;)

Miss anything: Some of my shoes are now taking the back burner due to some swelling issues ;) Nbd.

Movement: Still a very active, wiggly little guy! He's been in the same head-down position for several weeks now with his little feet being right below my right ribcage. So, everynow and then I get some sweet little kicks and jabs to that set of ribs, which sometimes feel like he's tickling me and other times I kind of want to scream :) Oh, and he gets the hiccups a LOT! 

Food cravings: Not a lot of new updates here, either. Popsicles and anything frozen are sounding great, though. 

Queasy or sick?: Nope!!

Have you started to show yet?: Oh yes

Gender: Boy :)

Belly button in or out: Definitely out

Wedding rings on or off: On but wondering how much longer I'll be able to say this, considering how I'm swelling at the end of work each day

Happy or moody most of the time:  Thrilled :)

Looking forward to: Seeing some great friends I haven't seen in a while this weekend and continuing to put final details into the nursery - almost there and will post some pics soon! :) 

TYPSDWP - Part IV

Back again, with more cautionary tales of a preggo. 

Without futher adieu....things you probably shouldn't do while pregnant. Part IV. 

1...get a pedicure and put the spa chair on any setting other than something gentle and smooth. Or possibly don't even choose a setting at all! Notice the diagram does not account for a protruding belly and that will become a distraction to the nail technician if you choose anything labeled "knocking," "pushing," "pounding" or "tapping". Trust me. Avoid the awkward eye contact after catching her staring at your belly shaking like a bowl full of jelly.

2...follow all advice found in baby books, no matter how sentimental or sweet it sounds. In your mind (that is a sea of hormonal & sometimes crazy emotions), it might momentarily convince you to head to Hob-Lob, grab some plaster and actually dip your stomach in a bathtub full of plaster and paint it gold. Sleep on this one before making any rash decisions and save that 40% off coupon for a more useful Pinterest DIY craft. Where do you even hang a bronzed belly, anyhow?! Inverted as a fruit bowl in the kitchen? Ok, now that I can visualize, maybe I changed my mind.... 

3...go fishing in a small boat with a weight capacity limit. You'll forget that you have gained all those extra LBs. This way, you won't be embarassed when you are asked to maneuver around the boat to "keep you from getting splashed or wet", which we all know really is a nice way of gently encouraging weight re-distribution in order to keep the boat from stalling (which it may or may not have done several times with you sitting in the back).

4...think you won't enjoy the blood glucose test drink. Because you might. And you might ask for another round. And you might get shot down. 50 grams of sugar to start out your day while preggo?! What are you trying to do to me?!

5...expect to be upset when you order the yogurt with granola and they accidentally give you the yogurt with cookies. It will secretly be the highlight of your day and you'll internally bless the sweet soul that "messed" up your order. (please happen more often)

6...eat copious amounts of Krispy Kreme donuts and chocolate milk. Oh....WAIT a second.........yep, this is another one of those things I'm telling you 'not' to do but you should actually read this as YES, DO THIS. DO IT NOW!!! There's much less guilt involved in this activity when you're pregnant...and wearing the paper hat. 

(Hope all you candy-crushers out there notice my sugar rush reference. What has my life turned into? Can't even eat breakfast without thinking about how to get my next life.)

7...look down at your feet very often. There's a good chance you won't be able to find your ankles, your toes will look like puffy cheetos and you'll consider using them as defense weapons should you be in need. (Ok, don't judge my socks, here. I have no idea why I didn't notice BEFORE my neighborhood walk that my "ankle" socks turned into knee-highs.)

8...when you see a swarm (literally, hundreds) of baby frogs while you're out working, try to chase them down and catch them in cups to give your frog-loving niece. While in heels and work attire. While very pregnant. A nurse in an account you call on might be watching you out the window and might come outside to ask what you're doing/offer assistance (because clearly it is needed). Which, of course, you'll take her offer and have her taking photos with your phone in no time. Also, you probably shouldn't try to transfer frogs to other containers while IN the car. One might jump out onto your floorboard and send you on a wild frog chase frantically looking for the tiny sucker. Before you go into premature labor thinking about how bad a dead frog in your car would smell while you're already in extreme "nesting" mode, avoid this activity. Don't frog-hunt while preggo. Just don't. 

9....pretend like you know how to respond to questions like "Is what you have contagious?! Can I catch it??" or "Do you know how you got in that predicament?" or "Did you swallow a watermelon??" Honestly, no one knows how to answer those questions in a normal manner. Just smile, rub your belly, and feel thankful that you will never see that person again. (hopefully!)

10....do things you'd regret while at the beach such as: contemplate attending naked foam parties or let your husband utilize your womb as a beverage holder. Or take the bottom two pictures, ever. 

That's all for now. Do as I say, not as I do: make good choices, friends. 

:-)