My Tree Frog: 2007

New Year's Eve in the dark!

New Year's Eve was spent at Grandpa Bailey's in Poway with Angie, Teagan, and her finance Drew. The Santa Ana winds were going crazy so we were without power and spent most of the evening in candlelight chatting about our '08 goals/resolutions. When we did have power we watched recorded episodes of Law and Order SVU. Eric had never seen this show so we now have one more show added to our weekly must watch list. Definately wasn't a crazy and wild New Year's Eve, but I guess we are preparing for the many New Year's ahead.

Things, things, and more things

Today we went shopping at USA Baby with Mama Bonnie and found the baby's crib, dresser, hutch, and stroller. Eric was very thorough in his stroller research and literally drove all the strollers around the store and jogged with the joggers. After the sales lady showed us the folding feature on the City Series Baby Jogger we were sold on that one. DONE!
http://babyjogger.com/cityseriesmain.htm

Here is a picture of the crib:
http://www.apindustries.com/en/item-martha-crib-28.html?collection=11
It turns into a full size bed so the way I look at it he is set till he is at least 20!

Christmas Day

Christmas morning was very laid back. It was spent with Bonnie Mama and uncle Keyes opening stockings. Then Grandma Graca, Jan, Aunt Stacie, and cousin Landon came over for a yummy brunch. We already can't wait for baby's first Christmas next year.

The Big Reveal!

Christmas Eve I worked the majority of the day at church and anxiously awaited the evening festivities where we were going to reveal to family if you were a boy or a girl.
Each family (Stacie and Landon, Shawn, Jen, Ashley, Cameron and Addison, Bonnie Mama and Keyes, Grandma Grace and Jan) was given a package. As they unwrapped it they discovered a baby bottle filled with Hershey's Hugs and Kisses with a note attached that said "Hugs and Kisses! Love, Eric, Carey, and baby BOY Bailey"
Everyone was thrilled to hear the news and cousin Cameron declared that he would have another "little buddy!"

Daddy could tell REAL quick!

We were anxiously awaiting this day. The day when we would find out if you were a boy or a girl. (Although, I have said from the beginning you were a boy!) We woke up nice and early since our appointment was at 8:15 a.m. and it takes us about 45 minutes to get there even driving in the rush hour carpool lane. Eric dropped me at the door of the office building and was going to drive around to look for a parking space. I made my way up to the office, signed in, and went to sit down and take out my journal so I could record my thoughts. But, the second I got the pen out and it hit the paper the office door opened and they called "Carroll". I started to panic a bit - I wasn't ready. I hadn't recorded my prayer, my thoughts, and most important Eric wasn't there. I told them that my husband was parking the car and would be in soon. But, that didn't seem to slow them down - they were getting me up on the table. YIKES! I was seconds away from covering my belly and saying "NO! You can't start, yet!" when Eric came whisking in. The nurse was saved from a black eye!
Now the thing that was kinda yucky was that Eric was sick. And his doctor even told him we couldn't get very close to each other till he was better. So there we were about to see our baby for the 2nd time and we can't even hold hands or hug.
The nurse began with the gel and magic wand thing. Eric saw within seconds that the baby was a BOY! I totally missed it because I had no idea what I was looking for. This appointment involved measuring every bone and body part. So it felt like a big science experiment. I think the most interesting part to me was watching the beating heart. They even did a 3-d image of the heart and then sliced through the image... it was fascinating. Finally, she made her way back down to the "parts" region and I could see that the baby was fore sure a boy.
The nurse said he weighed 10 ounces and that all looked good. It was fun to see him again. Eric and I had a fun drive home chatting about baby boy bailey and of course we made sure to keep our distance. :)

Week 18 arrives

We had a basic baby doctors appointment today. Nothing new to report. Heartbeat still at 140. She did tell me I can't sleep flat on my back, but need to be propped up. Hmmm... I have a feeling that will prove difficult.

The decorating begins...

Today we hauled out all the Christmas boxes and began the process. Eric and I share in the tree duties as he likes the branches to look a certain way. Really, it is a good partnership. It was fun to decorate realizing that next year on decorating day life would look much different with 6month old around.

Turkey Day

We spent Turkey Day at Stacie, Ali, and Landon's house. I was really just starting to get over the constant nausea so eating was a bit on the lighter side for me. But, as always Eric participated in the eating festivities with passion.
I did have one odd event occurred that involved ham. You see I don't actually like ham and the idea of honey baked ham usually makes me cringe. But, as all the food was being prepared I began to smell a scent that was so yummy! It didn't take me long to realize that the smell that was inticing me was HONEY BAKED HAM!!! I was shocked. But, not shocked enough to taste it. :)
We spent the night at their house and woke early to get some shopping in.

Week 14 arrives

We had a basic baby doctor's appointment today. We heard the results of the baby's first ultrasound which were all positive. Heartbeat 140. I like going to the doctor's office so I can indulge in reading all the "pregnancy" magazines out there.

We go public!

Now that we had seen the baby through the ultrasound we felt confident about going public with the baby news. Despite my nausea I had managed to keep the news from my co-workers. I revealed to my staff first by showing them the ultrasound pictures of my "new friend" and then made the announcement to the whole staff in our large Tuesday morning staff meeting. It was fun to have people be truly shocked. They couldn't believe I had kept the secret for 12 weeks.
Eric also got the joy of calling family and friends to let them know. What fun it was to have the news out of the bag!

Your first photo shoot!

There were so many emotions on this day. It was probably the greatest combination of excitement and nerves I have felt. We arrived at the doctor's office a bit early. They had told me to come with a full bladder so of course I followed their instructions to a tee. When we arrived I felt as if I was going to burst. But, there we sat in the waiting room....waiting, waiting, and more waiting. I didn't think I was going to make it.
Finally, they called our name. YEAH! The nurses first comments were "my you have a full bladder." I was like "well, you told me to!"
The first images were just incredible. It almost takes your breath away. The ultrasound reader said it was a "beautiful" baby! That makes you smile. The baby was perfectly still and was extremely cooperative. The nurse declared it had to be a boy because girls prove difficult from the start. Once they got all the measurements they needed they switched to 3-d images which were AMAZING. You could really see the little person. Eric and I just wept. We truly could have stood there all day watching the baby.

The belly arrives

This picture was taken at the start of week 11. Honestly, I already felt huge at this point... but seeing what my belly looks like now week 11 was nothing. I will have Eric take another updated picture. Just for the record.

Baby's first sound!

Today we had a doctor's appointment in which we were hoping to hear the heart beat for the first time. Honestly, it was nerve racking! So many questions and thoughts. Once Dr. Hahn got to listening she was having difficulty finding anything but the beat of my own heart... of course she tried to reassure me that it was early and we might not hear anything. But, then there it was! YEAH! We recorded it on our phones so that we could listen to it again and again and again!

Week 8 arrives

We had our 2nd doctors appointment today. I sat in the doctor's lobby anxiously waiting all the exciting things that would happen in the appointment - only to be disappointed. They took my blood pressure and then the doctor came in and said "well, your still pregnant!" and that was IT!!! I mean it was good to know I was still pregnant, but I thought many more things would happen at this appointment. She did schedule an appointment to hear the heart beat.

What a birthday!

The day was spent SICK!!! I sat on the couch... Eric, had taken the day off so I felt bad that there was no may I was moving. He did get me Campbell's chicken soup in a pouch (which is the only thing I wanted), ginger ale, and some ice cream. He is a sweetie!

Why in the world is it called morning sickness?

Well, it arrived! The nausea kicked in... and it is constant. Why do they call it morning sickness if it is all day sickness? I don't get it.
Saltine crackers help, mac and cheese is edible, cereal works...that's about it!

1st doctors appointment

Here are some quotes from my journal as I was waiting to go in:

"Sitting here waiting for my first appointment. This is scary, strange and normal all at the same time. Don't think I have even been more aware of my stomach in my life. Every sound, move, and noise it makes."

"Not telling people what is going on with me is hard... Why do you hide it? Is it to save you or them the pain if something should happen?"

"It is hard to not think about being pregnant all day."

The first appointment involved a bunch of paper work and blood work. They gave me a lot of information in terms of what to eat/not eat and medications you can take/not take... Life will definitely be changing.

It is "officially" positive

Even though four home pregnancy tests proved positive... today was the day I saw my doctor to make sure it was real.
After I did my "cup" duties they called me in.
Nurse: Do you already know?
Carey: Not officially
Nurse: Do you want to be pregnant?
Carey: Yes!
Nurse: You are!
She gave me the proof in a plastic baggie.
I called my mama on the way home to give her the EXCITING news. She was excited too. And was proud that she wasn't crying.
Eric, wanted to tell his mom in person but was having trouble being able to see her in the next couples of days and he didn't want to keep it a secret that long. We knew she was headed to the airport to pick up Jan so we decided to "surprise" them. We saw her waiting for Jan outside the security area so we hid around the corner. Jan finally arrived. We thought they would head for baggage, but instead they made a bee line to the elevator. Eric and I had to hustle to get in the same elevator. Somehow we managed to get in without them even noticing us. So there we are all are in the same elevator, but they don't realize it. Once we are off the elevator and they are heading to their car... we finally made our presence known. Debbie is like what the heck are you guys doing here.... Eric said "we just wanted to surprise you and let you know you are going to be a grandma!" Debbie began to scream! I still can't believe security didn't come.
We then headed to Macaroni Grill for some dinner. All the excitement caused Jan to leave his credit card there - Whoops!
Eric, also called his dad and Angie to give them the news. They too were thrilled to hear the fun news.
Of course, everyone was sworn to secrecy!

What a day!

Today I hung out with girlfriends in Carefree...shopping, chatting, and eating. Around 2 p.m. I headed home to get ready to meet my "east side" girl friends for dinner. I knew today was the day that I MIGHT be able to know if I was pregnant. I didn't want to be sitting around just thinking about MAYBE being pregnant so I I decided to stop by the store and grab a test. I was thinking it would tell me no and that way I would stop thinking about it. INSTEAD the test said "PREGNANT". I freaked! I ran back to the store and got three more tests - all different brands. THEY ALL CAME OUT POSITIVE!!!
Eric, was up north so I gave him a call to see when he would be home. He said in the next hour or so... There was this desire to tell him right then and there but, I also didn't want to be one of those cell phone commercials out there. So I showered and got dressed. Once he arrived home I was anxious as could be. I always thought I would tell him in some creative manner - but instead I was just going to spit it out. He proceeded to tell me all about his day... he kept talking and talking and talking as I sat on the edge of the bed. I thought he was never going to stop. :) Finally, I said can I tell you about my day? He said "sure!"
I can't remember exactly how I said it... but I know the words "I am pregnant" came out. He was so excited! I really wanted to stay home and just hang out, but we decided I should still go to the dinner I had planned with girlfriends. Let's just say I may have physically been at that dinner, but was not there mentally.
WHAT A DAY!

Just maybe....

On this day Eric was turning over the keys of his jeep to its new owner. As he was leaving for the day I said "say goodbye to your baby" He came over touched my stomach and said "bye baby!" I was like what are you doing?... I meant your jeep!
But, he is set on thinking that the baby had been conceived. He could be right - who knows!