39 Weeks and counting!

Well, we officially have exactly one week until the due date. We are getting very impatient and anxious to meet the newest member of our family! The pregnancy up to this point has been a smooth one. Last week, Lindsay was sent to the hospital because her right leg and foot were much more swollen than her left. They did an ultrasound to rule out any blood clots and everything came back good. For some reason, the right foot is just retaining more fluid. Just a minor bump in our journey!
Now, with a week left, we are just wanting our little boy to come. We cannot wait to see who he looks like. Will he have Ben's dark hair and eyes or will he be blond with blue eyes like Lindsay? Or... will he be different from the two of us and come out red headed with green eyes?! We joke that he'll come out Asian :-) It's the big question we'll be asking til we see him! All we know is that he'll be handsome no matter what!

We both have done some "nesting" to prepare for Owens arrival. Things on the list:
-Clean, clean, clean!
-Install car seats
-Cook and freeze meals
-Pack the labor bag
-Wash and fold all baby laundry
-Set up all baby equipment
-Oh, and did we mention, clean, clean, clean?

So Owen, we are ready for you. Please don't keep us waiting much longer.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

38 weeks, 3 days

Come out, come out wherever you are!!

Birthday Guesses!

We asked everyone to guess:

What day will Owen be born: What time: Length of labor: Weight: Length: Special notes: Our due date is January 7th!

Your answers are below! If you missed the guesses and would like to make your own, just put it in the comment box. We'll see who's closest after the big day!

Lindsay: January 1st at 12:01 am. The labor will be 8 hours. He will be 7 pounds 10 oz and be 21 inches long. Special notes: he will be perfect!

Ben: December 30th at 7:42 pm. The labor will be 7 hours and 4 minutes long. He will be 8 pounds 2 oz and 21.5 inches long.

Michael Zlotnik: Jan. 5: 2:05 pm, 6 pounds 10 ozs, and 20 inches long.

Melanie Murley: 12/30/09, 8:33 am, 23 hrs labor, 8 lb. 7 oz, 22.5 inches....and you're right Linds, he'll be perfect no matter what!!!!!

Auntie Lynn: 12/12, 12 noon,6lbs.6 oz (Aunties Birthday) Handsome and healthy!

Poppy: Jan 1st 12:01 am 7ib 2oz Sorry no tax break

Cassandra Marshall: Dec 28, 8:30 pm, 7lbs 6 oz.

Jen Tourangeau: 1/1/10 2:30 am 7lb 12oz and 21 inches long.

Sarah Lussier: 12/18 8:30am. 7lbs 8ozs. 22 inches long. I hope for your sake that your labor is only 5-8 hours. I think that he will have a head full of dark hair also :)

Nicki Woods: I'm going to say he arrives on January 8 (Elvis' birthday) :)

Bev Calderoni: Jan 02, 2010; 10:08 am; 8lb 2oz; 21.5"; 10 hrs labor!
Good Luck!!

Lisa Kennard: 01/10/10; 7:38 pm; 9 lbs even; 22"; big hands and feet to accommodate the tall boy he'll become, just like daddy!

Shannon Bernier: 12/25/09 12:30 pm 8lbs 15 1/2 oz...Thats Pipers 3 month b day and her time and weight! Wouldn't that be funny!

Terri Mazza: Dec. 31st. at 1:30 am 14 hours of labor, and he'll come in at 8lbs 3 oz and be 22" long!

Melanie Beddell: January 6th at 10:32 am, Weight at 7lbs 14oz and 21in

Dee Gagnon: Owen will be here before you know it. I predict...January 13th at 3:24 am. 7lbs 14 oz, 21 inches long. I'm sorry I'm saying so late, but it seems like most of the 1st borns I've seen are late.

35 Weeks, 4 Days

Owen is beginning to run out of room! From the books we've been reading, he's estimated to be around 6 pounds and 18 and a half inches long already. He seems to get the hiccups a lot lately, and it is very neat to see him bounce around! There's a real person in there!!

Lindsay went to the doctor today and heard his heartbeat. It was perfect- in the 130-140 range. He didn't like the monitor and kept moving away from it. The doctor had to chase him around Lindsay's belly a bit! The doctors say it looks like everything is going great. From now on, Lindsay will see them once per week instead of every other week like she has been.

Spending Thanksgiving With Family

We had such a fun time spending the week with Lindsay's family! The weather was beautiful and the food was good! We were sad to see everyone leave to head back to Vermont, but it is a sign that Owen is almost here! Next time they visit he'll be here!!

Macy and Pops talk to Kanga

Turkey's almost done!

Thanksgiving dinner

Stuffed and ready for a walk!

The girls!

Macy is walking like a pro!

The 3 of us

"Mimi & Pops"

Aaron, Amy, & Macy

33 Weeks, 2 Days

The bump is getting bigger!!

Things to Come

We are gearing up for the big day. It's just about 7 weeks away! We're thinking it will go by fast seeing as though Thanksgiving and Christmas are all before then. Lindsay's family will be visiting the week of Thanksgiving and we are so excited. We can't wait to show them Owen's room and let them rub and talk to the belly! We're sure Owen can't wait to hear his cousin Macy talk to him! He'll probably wiggle all around in excitement!
Thanksgiving day will consist of the typical meal; turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, baked beans, and of course, desserts! We're hoping for some good North Carolina weather so we can take Macy Rae to the park afterward! We miss her so much and can't wait to see her play!
Black Friday will be filled with shopping as we join the mobs of people waiting outside stores at 4 am. Are we crazy? It's tradition and so much fun, so why not?
It will be hard to see family leave that Saturday and head back to Vermont, but all we can think about is that they'll be back very soon to meet Owen! We can't wait! January is coming quickly and Owen will be here before we know it!

30 + weeks

30 weeks, 3 days

30 weeks, 3 days

Hanging his name on the wall

28 + weeks!

Well, here we are, just about 11 weeks to go until Owen arrives! We are getting some last minute things done and finally feeling like the big day is just around the corner! We've started to pack the labor bag, make arrangements for Kanga, and put finishing touches on the nursery. Although it seems like it may be difficult without family near by, we have found that we have wonderful friends and "family" right here in NC. Many friends and co-workers have offered their assistance during labor and after the arrival of Owen. We couldn't feel more loved and supported than we do now. Owen is one lucky boy!
Kanga has started to sense that something is up: Aside from showing excitement over the new toys and gadgets entering the house, she now follows or sits by Lindsay constantly and lays her head on the belly. She's anxious to meet her brother!

Before You Were Born

Hello, little Owen, you have yet to be born
But when you finally open your eyes to the world
You will realize all the wonders of being a boy

Everything is blue and soft and cuddly
Puppies are furry and creepy crawlies fit in your pocket
Dirty knees and muddy hands are unavoidable every day of the week

Daddy always has time to play or show you something new
Mommy will look at your fingerprints around the house
She won't see smudges-but kisses- reminding her of you

In the playground, find pigtails, pull one and run away
In the park, swing high, slide fast, put your hands in the air and laugh
On your first day of school, tie your shoelaces tight and have no fear

Make friends, be friendly and be true to your best friend
Love, find love and be lovely on Sundays
Dream, strive and don't let anyone ever hold you back

From baby to boy to teenager to man
Grow knowing you have family all over the country
Who adored you, little Owen, even before you were born

-Written by Owen's second cousin, Nicki.

What a weekend!

We had such a fun weekend with our family in Vermont! Sarah and Steve were married on Saturday, and then we had a baby shower on Sunday. It was a busy few days, but they were all great! Thank you to everyone who shared in the celebration of Owen and for all of his wonderful gifts! He will love them all!

Lindsay & Amy during the wedding reception

Ben & Lindsay

Lindsay & Macy Rae

Opening tons of gifts for Owen!

Lindsay & Linda

Lindsay, Nana, & Kylie

The yummy cake!

24 weeks, 5 days

The belly is definitely getting bigger! Lindsay can now feel Owen kicking all over and ALL the time! He is going to be quite the athlete!

Ben has now been able to feel the kicks, although Owen tends to stop or move away from Ben's hand. He's a tricky little thing already! We are getting so anxious to meet him!

Owen's Nursery

We used Labor Day weekend to make good progress on Owen's room. We finished painting, put up the chair rail, and got the crib and dresser! We even hung the valance over the window! It's really starting to look like a baby's room now!

21 weeks! 19 to go!

Just about half way!

Thanks to Nana and Gampy, Owen has the gift of a place to rest! The pack-n-play arrived today!

19 weeks, 4 days

Ultrasound Pictures!

Our ultrasound pictures from August 4th!

Owen's face:

His whole body (Head is to the right. It looks like he's touching his toes!):

Feet (Both feet crossed in image on left):

Measuring his head and hearing the heart beat:



The moment of truth:

The Big Reveal!

We went for our ultrasound today at 9:00 am. They measured the baby first (the head is about 3cm right now and baby is about 5 inches long!). This ultrasound is neat because the baby actually looks like a real person now! We were able to see all of the bones, including the spine, arm, and leg bones. The face was the best though!

After looking over the baby to make sure everything looked good, it was time to find out who was in there! It wasn't as easy at it sounds! Baby had it's legs crossed! It took a few minutes- a few coughs from Lindsay to startle it, and the doppler being bounced around on the belly with the hopes of making the baby squirm. But it was sound asleep with a hand up near the face (so peaceful!). The technician was quiet but persistent on getting a peak. She had been told that the baby's grandparents had just flown 800 miles for this moment! "Do I see a pee pee?!", asked Lindsay, who had been studying other ultrasound images over the last few months. "That's what I'm seeing." said the technician. She looked a few more times, and there it was! Definitely a baby BOY! "How sure are you?" asked Lindsay's dad. "Well, if I were you, I'd be going out and telling all my family members that we're having a boy!" We all shared some tears and hugs, and then went out to celebrate!

His name? We've kept it a secret up until this point, but we're ready to share... He will be called Owen Patrick. We are so excited and can't wait to meet our little boy!

17 weeks, 2 days

What will it be???

Just a few more days til the ultrasound! We can't wait to find out who is hiding out in here! We'll let you know on Tuesday (hopefully he or she cooperates)!

I'll have a soy patty with that!

So the big question lately has been, "Are you having any cravings?" Lindsay's answer has been "No," but recently we've been seeing a pattern. At least one meal a day ends up having a Boca soy patty with it. It sounds strange, but what pregnancy craving is normal? It doesn't matter the time of day: breakfast, lunch, or dinner- a soy patty always sounds like the best choice.

"Any food aversions?" Trader Joe's cereal, "Joe's O's." Eww. Ben is no longer allowed to eat them on the same floor of the house that Lindsay is on.

Oh the joys of pregnancy!

Baby gear!

Thanks to Auntie Amy, Uncle Aaron, Cousin Macy, Mimi and Poppy, we have our first bit of baby gear! The stroller and car seat arrived today. It was fun putting it together and watching Kanga as she questioned the new toy on wheels!

Once in a lifetime...

We received the best news this weekend. Lindsay's parents bought plane tickets to come down to NC the first week in August. They will be here for the ultrasound appointment when we find out if we're having a baby boy or girl! This is such an exciting time for us and it only happens once, so we feel very fortunate that we can have someone here to share it with!

Baby update

Lindsay went to the doctor today for a routine appointment. The doctors and nurses said everything looked great. Lindsay was even able to hear the heartbeat, which the doctor found easily with the Doppler. The doctor said the heartbeat was very strong!

They scheduled Lindsay for her next appointment, which includes an ultrasound. We find out the sex on Lindsay's birthday, August 4th, at 9 am. We can't wait to know who is inside there and share our news with everyone!! 4 weeks to go!

Belly pics!

Too much ice cream, or the beginning of a baby bump? You be the judge.

14.5 weeks

13 weeks, 2 days

5 weeks

How did we tell family?

We went to New England for a family reunion on Lindsay's side. We arrived to Lindsay's grandparents house on Thursday night. So did her parents. It was so late in the evening, that we decided we should wait until Friday to share the news. So we waited... and waited. Amy and Aaron were to arrive on Friday so we thought, we'll just wait for them, then tell everyone at once. Well, they didn't come until about 11:00 am. After everyone arrived, the chatter was high and there was a lot going on. People were in and out of the house, so we weren't sure when to break the news. Finally, we decided to just do it. Lindsay went upstairs and put on a shirt that read, "It's a girl... or a boy." She came downstairs and sat in the chair. Amy was the first to read it. She and Lindsay ran into a room to celebrate because no one else had seen it, but when they ran in, Lindsay fell and they began to laugh loudly. Everyone came in, wondering what all the noise was about. One by one they read the shirt and learned of the wonderful news!

We drove to Ben's parent's house in New Hampshire a few days later. Once again, Lindsay wore the shirt. Linda read the shirt right away and said, "Are you pregnant?!"

We were so fortunate that the pregnancy happened right around the time we were expected to see our family. It would not have been the same sharing the news with everyone over the phone.

First ultrasound

Today we had our first ultrasound. We are 8 weeks along now. It was so much fun to see the pictures of our little peanut and hear the heartbeat!

We're expecting!

After one year of trying and a round of fertility medication, we are finally able to say, "we're pregnant!" We are so excited and can't wait to tell our family when we see them in June!