Baby Coulter's Bedding

Well, after weeks of anticipation waiting to find out the gender of our sweet bundle of joy, I could not wait to select the bedding and buy it!! Something about being able to visualize what the nursery will look like just is really exciting to me. Brad and I had looked at several types of bedding while looking at furniture and those type of things, so it made the choice a bit easier. We had definitely picked one out if the baby was a boy, but we had a few to choose from for a girl. We sat down yesterday afternoon and looked at the bedding choices for a girl and both of us kept going back to the same one we liked the most weeks ago.....and we bought it!! Here is a picture below of what it is - it is called Cocalo Tropical Punch. I think it will look really good with dark wood furniture since it has some brown in the trim of the bedding. The top picture is just the bedding set that we have ordered, and the second picture is an example of a nursery with every possible element that matches! Be sure to keep in mind that we will not necessarily have every element that this room does (I think it looks a bit busy in this picture but I just LOVE the bedding!) We will probably register for a few of the other items, but not all of it!! I can hardly wait to be able to set everything up now!!

Today Was The Big Day!!!!

IT’S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

December Snow

Well, I thought I was finished blogging for today, but I couldn't resist commenting on all the snow falling this evening! We just got inside from playing out there with Sadie - she is hilarious in the snow. She runs all over the yard at full speed, sometimes digging her snoot in the snow and throwing it around. Here are just a few pictures showing the fun we had! As much as I love the snow and playing in it, I would be perfectly fine if it melted now so that we can make it to the doctor on time with no problem in the morning :)

Baby Items & Funny Snacks

One of my coworkers has a son who just turned 1 yesterday! She brought me the swing that she used so that we can use it too!! We are starting a small collection of baby goods and it makes me so happy. We also have a stroller already, thanks to some of our friends! Now if we can just find out whether a baby boy or a baby girl will be using these items...not too much longer!! My appointment is at 8:30 in the morning, so look tomorrow afternoon for an update!! When I come back to work, I have to go straight to a meeting, so I will be sure to update soon thereafter :) YAY! I can hardly wait...

This is the swing our sweet little one will use!

On a different note, I was hungry and looking around my desk the other day at work, and I had to take a couple of pictures. I had lots of snacks stashed two different places on my desk. I know they are not the healthiest options, but when you're hungry, you're hungry!

Drawer stashed with snacking items...

The good stuff...on my trays on my desk...

More Holiday Fun!

This past weekend, Brad and I also went to see the Rockettes. We ventured out to the Grand Ole Opry House on Sunday afternoon for the matinee. Unfortunately they did not allow photography inside the building, but here is a picture of the outside. The show was wonderful - I love all the music and dancing!! Going to the show was part of my birthday present from Brad - he had a great time, too, I do believe!

Weekend of Fun - Limo Lights Tour

I know it is a few days after the fact, but I wanted to comment on what a fun weekend we had last weekend!! We had the Third Annual Limo Lights Tour that my brother, Will, coordinates. That is his Christmas gift to those that he invites (quite the honor to be on the guest list) and it is so much fun!! We have Hammies to eat and Christmas cookies for dessert - such the tradition. This year we went to some different neighborhoods, including driving down to see our house all lit up and ready to celebrate the season! Here are a few pictures of the outting.

This is Will and his friend Amy! Holy crap - Will's eyes are open!! (only took like a billion tries)

I think this picture is hilarious....Will looks as if he has seen a ghost, Brad looks slightly awkward and I look a bit goofy too!

This is our house lit up at night! Brad worked really hard to get all of those lights set up and it turned out wonderfully!!

Feeling Creative

I just wanted to post a picture of my cute, festive plate. I got it all ready for Christmas last week and was so proud! That was the same night that I got 124 Christmas cards ready to send out the next morning - talk about productive!!

Fun Feeling

Today is the first day that I will be sitting at work and feel Baby Coulter jumping around in there consistently. I started feeling him/her more around the time I ate lunch and have been feeling little movements pretty consistently since then - an incredible feeling for sure. I think it could also be because I was sitting pretty strangely and it probably cramped the space in there for Cletus. Regardless, I just wanted to comment on how amazingly neat it is to feel your baby move inside your belly. I really look forward to being able to feel the movement from the outside so that Brad is able to experience the joy also!!

Santa Claus' Gmail Account Exposed

You have to click on this to see it larger...it is hilarious...Enjoy!!

Bump Update - 18 weeks 1 day

You will have to excuse the lack of makeup, as well as the bra straps. Yes, I did wear this to work today...and yes, I did wear a hoodie over that tank. I just figured you could see the bump better without that extra layer!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year...

I have to first start off by saying that I absolutely love Christmas. I love the decorations, the music, the togetherness, shopping for others, and the time off work, of course! We decorated our house the day after Thanksgiving, and here are a few pictures of the fun!!

The finished product!!

Me & Cletus decorating the tree (I am 17w4d here)

The first ornament on the tree - Brad gave it to me last year :)

Sadie was supervising us

Brad and Sadie pausing to smile for the camera!

Family Photo

Since it was the first time that the majority of the family was together (we missed Will!), we got my aunt and uncle's neighbor to come over and take a picture of all of us! I thought it turned out pretty well, especially considering the folks in it :) Here is a pic of my dad's side of the family!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sadie!!

Sadie's birthday was on Thanksgiving Day this year. Because we would be leaving her all by herself all day while enjoying all the fantastic food, we took her to the new Bark Park near our house. Here are a few shots of her resting after running around with some other dogs!

I Should Know Better....

My mom gave me quite the hilarious gift for my birthday. It is based on a very embarassing story from my youth that I will not get into right this moment. Anyway, she wanted to go on and give it to me even though wearing it likely won't happen anytime soon. She asked me to model it (on top of my clothes, of course), so I thought I would post this as a funny belly picture as well :)

So here it goes - me in Santa lingerie over my clothes, 16 weeks pregnant!

Better Late Than Never

Well I know my birthday was a few weeks ago, but I just wanted to take a moment to comment on what wonderful family and friends I have!! I was able to celebrate for almost a week - dinner with friends, dinner with my dad and brother, celebrating at my mom's house, celebrating at my mother -in-law's house, dinner and a movie with Brad...oh and a celebration at work!! It's hard to believe that this was my last birthday as a daughter, granddaughter, wife, employee, friend...and not a mother. This time next year I will have a 6-monthish old son or daughter, and I can hardly wait.

Below are a few pictures from my birthday celebrations!! Enjoy!

The Group Shot!! What fun :)

Melinda & Jonathan (the newlyweds)

Katherine & Ashley

Whitney & Cat

Best cake...EVER!! It is from Darlene's in downtown Nashville...I highly recommend that place!!

Count the Visits & Update

I added a counter on the bottom right of our blog so that we can see how much traffic our blog actually receives!! Should be fun to keep tabs on :)

As far as an update, there really is not a whole lot - I am 18 weeks today and that is so hard to believe. The bump is continuing to grow, which makes me happy. That tells me that Cletus is growing too! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and really enjoyed getting to visit with family. We also really enjoyed some much needed time off work which allowed us to decorate for Christmas and work on shuffling things throughout the house. We are still working on emptying out the office turned into nursery and re-organizing the bonus room and guest room closets. Look for more pictures and updates soon to come!!

One of my favorite parts of Christmas!

Iron Bowl

I just have to say, even though the odds are against us.......

WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

17 Weeks

Well I got an email this morning letting me know what goes on at 17 weeks (seen below). Let me just start by adding that good grief, my appetite is back with a vengeance!!!! It seems like I eat a full meal and within 30 minutes I am ready for more! I guess Cletus is going through a big growth spurt right now - that is what I am sticking with at least. Needless to say I am so thrilled about the food involved with Thanksgiving. Of course it will be wonderful to see all the family and catch up, but I am pumped about the food too (this year more than usual)!

Congratulations, Ashley! You're 17 Weeks Pregnant. Your baby measures about 4.4 to 4.8 inches from crown to rump and has doubled its weight in the last two weeks to about 3.5 ounces. Fat begins to form aiding heat production and metabolism, the lungs are beginning to exhale amniotic fluid, and the circulatory and urinary systems are working. Hair continues to grow on baby's head and his eyebrows and eyelashes are filling in. You're showing more, with an obvious swelling in your lower abdomen. A five- to 10-pound weight gain is typical by now. You also may be noticing an increase in appetite.

Decision Made!

Well, I decided to stick with the crib, a regular dresser (so it can be used as a changing table early on), and a bookcase (we have to have somewhere to put the toys and books!). I have begun the cleaning out process and good grief, we have a LOT of crap!

Changed my mind already!

Well we bought those two items yesterday and I have already changed my mind - figures, right? I am calling this afternoon to tell them that I don't want the 5 drawer chest - instead, I want a dresser. I really want a place in the nursery for diapers to be changed and clothes to be changed. I am trying to decide whether to do that and then get the bookcase in a few months or to keep the 5 drawer chest and buy the dresser and a hutch for later on (instead of the bookcase). Oh gosh...decisions, decisions!

On a different note, Brad is going out of town today. This means hopefully I will be more motivated to clean and organize Cletus the Fetus' room - I really should do before and after pictures - it has got a long way to go!

On yet a different note, tomorrow is my birthday! Hard to believe that I am almost a quarter of a century old - sounds old (though I know that 25 really isn't that old..)! We celebrated with friends on Friday night, and we ate at Sperry's with my dad and brother last night. I love spreading out the celebrations to create a birthday week! :)

Let the shopping begin...

Today Brad and I went and looked at more furniture at a store called The Baby Crib. We ended up heading back to USA Baby, which is where the furniture we liked is. They were having a good sale on the furniture we loved, so we bought a crib and a 5-drawer chest.

Next on the purchasing agenda is a bookcase (same bedroom suit) and a glider for the room, and the bedding of course. We will buy the rest of that stuff sometime next month. The bedding and glider will have to wait until we find out the gender. Below are pictures of the kind of glider we want (also is a recliner...and we get to pick the upholstery!) and bedroom suit (crib and 5-drawer chest pictured - we won't get that other piece - we will get a bookcase). YAY!!!!

Belly Update: 15 Weeks

This picture was taken 2 days ago at a work-related conference. I think I am going to start taking the pics with a sign indicating how far along I am so that I can remember! What a bright idea! Anyway, I am 15w2d in this picture (and looking a bit goofy - it had been a long day!!).

And the big day is....

December 12! We go in that morning for an ultrasound and then the dr appointment following. So we will know whether Cletus is a boy or a girl in just a matter of days :) YAY!

They Just Get It

I just wanted to comment on how great it feels to be with people that 'get it'. You like to associate with fans that share passion about your team or with other moms or with people that you just share common beliefs with, right?

I got back last night from two different conferences - both of which were for adults that have sibs with disabilities. We were talking about how great it is to see eachother, even if it is once a year. You can just walk in the room and let your guard down because you know that everyone in the room understands the challenges and celebrates the victories. It doesn't matter if you are 22 or 62, being around other adults, regardless of place in life, that have similar life experiences is such a great feeling.

The first conference was the national meeting - the 2nd Annual Sibling Leadership Network meeting. It is refreshing to be around people who want to advocate on behalf of sibs - to make sure that we as sibs are supported (which research shows leads to more support for our sibs). I had met a lot of the people that were there, but this year just allowed me to strengthen those relationships.

It also gave me the energy I needed to continue planning the First Annual Tennessee Adult Brothers & Sisters (TABS) conference that will be held April 3-4, 2009. I got a lot of wonderful ideas at the statewide Ohio conference that I stayed for (after the national conference). Hopefully some of the friends I made in Columbus will be able to come to Nashville for our conference - I'd love the chance to see these folks more than once a year!!

I know I don't typically write about work-related issues, but this is also extremely personal for me. I just wanted a chance to reflect on how refreshing it is to go out with a bunch of sibs.....amazing.