Nursery - 30 Weeks

Friday marked 30 weeks! Which means we now are less than 10 weeks away from holding Baby P! I can not believe how quickly time is going.

This weekend we prepped the house for Baby. Initially I didn't think we were going to put a room together. I figured the baby would be sleeping in our room for the first three months and depending on how good of a sleeper the baby was, He/She may just share a room with Eliza. But of course as time ticked away I felt really strongly about having a space for Baby P. So I guess nesting does kick in for Intended Parents!

This weekend I put together a dresser and the crib, moved the glider into the room and picked up some formula and diapers. I also ordered a bed frame (the room is also our guest room) and new area rug. Those should arrive in the next couple weeks and then I'll have to decide on any prints or decor I want in the room.

I've already found myself stopping by the room every time I'm upstairs. Eliza has also already climbed into the crib twice "to sleep" and asked if she could sleep in the room and said she misses "her baby brother/sister so bad". I tell her we will meet them soon. I just feel so lucky and happy and the room gives me some peace. So countdown is on! Less than 10 weeks to go!

29 Weeks

29 Weeks! Where has the time gone?! I can not believe we have potentially less than 11 weeks left or about 73 days!

Originally I didn't think we were going to set up a nursery. I had planned on waiting until the baby was here and see if it was a boy or girl and if was a girl, put the crib in Eliza's room. But now I'm thinking I want a space that is the baby's. So I have been purging and reorganizing the guest bedroom. The guest bed will remain in there but I'm hoping to add some updates to the room, bring in the glider, set up the crib and provide a quiet space for baby.

Carmelo and I have also started to get more serious about trying to figure out names. I think we've landed on a boy's name, but have been struggling with a girl's name. We have a list but nothing that has really given us that "YES!" moment.

So much to do! And we are so excited!

29 Week Bump!

Making Lemonade

"When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade"

This post is long overdue but back in July, Carmelo, Eliza and I went out to Stephanie and Eric's home to support the boys' Lemonade Stand. This was the second year that Stephanie and the boys had a lemonade stand where the proceeds went to a charity. This year Stephanie and the boys picked "Bikers Against Animal Cruelty" and they raised $772!

It was truly inspiring to see how the community came out to support them and continued to reinforce how amazing Stephanie is and the impact she has on other's lives.

Carmelo's Family Meets Stephanie

This weekend we had family over to meet Stephanie and her family. Since the family was all going to be there we also decided to buy some balloons and a cake and make it's Eliza's Birthday Party.

The evening went perfectly. Everyone absolutely loved Stephanie. Eliza and her boys continue to amaze me how much they just naturally get along.

Eliza is also starting to make the connection of Stephanie's belly and her sibling. She couldn't get enough of Stephanie's belly. Touching it, hugging it and giving it kisses. It made my heart so happy to see how natural it was for Eliza to interact with the baby.  I continue to feel so thankful and blessed to have found someone to help us grow our family. There are moments of wishing that things could be different. Wishing Eliza would be able to interact with the baby belly everyday. Wishing it was my belly growing. But I know that is not our path and this is what was meant to be. And I continue to focus on that moment of holding our baby for the first time. A moment that would not be possible without my amazing doctors and Stephanie.

So Happy (early) Birthday Eliza! I hope you had the most amazing day! Love you Bunny Boos.

Half Way There

I can't believe we are officially 20 weeks! Half way there! We are getting so excited for this little one.

20 Week Bump!

One way that Eliza has been able to feel connected with the baby is with a bear we purchased from Build A Bear. It was actually Stephanie's idea. She has done it with each of her boys. But she picked up the recording device from the store and brought it with her to one of our appointments. While there we recorded the baby's heartbeat on it. After we brought it home and then took Eliza to pick out a bear (Well she picked out the bear's dress. She really wanted a Paw Patrol stuff animal, but I quickly vetoed that. Maybe next time kid).

Anyway she now has her baby siblings heartbeat with her whenever she wants. She carries the bear around talking to it like it's her baby sibling. It's really become quite adorable and I am so thankful for Stephanie's idea to do this. Truth be told, I find myself squeezing the bear's hand quite often to hear the heartbeat and feel the baby's presence.

His Plan

"Sometimes our plans don't work out because God has bigger plans for us"

I stumbled across this picture of Eliza. She was 11 months old at the time. I had taken this picture to send to my closet friends and family letting them in on our secret. We were pregnant. And although the idea of having two under two was overwhelming, the thought of them being so close in age and being "best friends" made me excited. As we know God had other plans for us.

Now Eliza is 3 years old. And although her sibling and her will not be as close in age, I know she is ready to be a big sister and she is eagerly awaiting her "best friend". I'm thankful for the three years I had with just Eliza. Our simple life. Our lives will be more chaotic now. Another sibling, Eliza is starting soccer, dance and a new school. So although I would give anything to have our baby that was due in May 2015 I am thankful that the loss allowed us to slow down. Appreciate the moments.

Announcement

So we announced today on Social Media today. Carmelo asked if we could wait a couple more weeks, but I was ready to share the news and after showing Carmelo, Stephanie's growing bump he got a lot more comfortable with it.

So here it is! We are just so overwhelmed with the comments and support we have been receiving!

"Carmelo, Eliza and I are thrilled to announce that I'M NOT PREGNANT but OUR SURROGATE IS! Baby set to arrive January 2018. We couldn't be more excited for this miracle and blessing (and science)."