Connecticut River

Matt and I wanted a quick city escape this weekend, so we packed our bags and dogs and headed up to the New Hampshire - Vermont border. We set up camp at a state park in Vermont and on Saturday morning rented a canoe to float down the Connecticut River. We spent 6 hours on the river before heading back to camp for dinner. From the pictures, you can see why we love New England.

Belly Business - 24 Weeks

How far along: 24 weeks
Size of the baby: Ear of Corn (about one pound and nearly a foot long)

Total weight gain/loss: Last doctors visit was at 22 weeks and I had gained 13 pounds total. I think I have only gained a pound or two since then. Doctor says I’m on pace to gain about 31 pounds.  

Maternity Clothes: I can still wear some of my old shirts and dresses, but pants are a whole other story. I am embracing maternity clothes and can’t wait to get back to Boston where a box of clothes from my sisters was delivered yesterday.

Cravings: Sweets… or at least I am letting myself eat more sweets. I love ice cream!

Symptoms: Heartburn, back pains and the realization that I am getting slower and burn out faster.

Movement: He is active. Squirming and kicking all the time. Mostly after meals, but there isn’t much that keeps him quiet and I LOVE IT!  

Gender predictions: No need to guess, it's a boy

Name: Reed Stewart

23 Weeks

24 Weeks

You guys not only get to follow the growth of my belly, but all of my hotel journeys ;) I think I only have one or two pictures from home. Here is another good belly shot from this past weekend while camping in VT.

Gifts from Mommy and Daddy

Everyone has told me not to buy anything for the first baby until after the showers are over, but I just can’t help myself! As soon as we found out it was a boy I ran to Target and picked up his first set of sport balls. I know it says for ages 3 and up, but how can these really hurt him?

I also couldn’t pass up the cute footed onsies, especially the New England one in the middle what says “Who’s Crabby?”

Of course I had to make sure he has a nice warm Tech outfit, although I couldn’t find anything for Newborns or 0-3 months. He will still need a warm outfit Feb-April.

This past weekend we took a day trip up the coast to a town right at the boarder of New Hampshire and Maine called Portsmouth. It was a charming little city with some of the cutest shops. One of the shops we popped into had a Christmas ornament I fell in love with. Every year, my mom gives each of us girls a unique Christmas ornament- usually an angel- so I have decided to pass on the tradition and start with this one for Reeds first Tuel Christmas.

I saved the best for last. Matt made his first baby purchase this weekend too. Matt is nearly 100% Irish and spotted a Celtic store in Portsmouth he wanted to check out. Here is what he found (it reads "I drink me milk by the pint"):

Belly Business - 22 Weeks

How far along: 22 weeks
Size of the baby: Spaghetti Squash (1 lb and 11 inches)

Total weight gain/loss: Not sure… haven’t stepped on a scale in the last two weeks. I head to the doctor tomorrow, so I’ll know the official weight gain then. I’m guessing 10-12 lbs total??

Maternity Clothes: Some! The good news is the clothes I ordered before vaca came just in time. The jeans I purchased are amazing and can be worn after pregnancy too. I wore my maternity work pants for the first time this week and they were so comfortable. I can get used to all the elastic. Alex – you were right on the gap shelf tanks. They are amazing!

Cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary – this week anyway.

Symptoms: Heartburn, go away!

Movement: All the time, he is one strong baby boy. I skipped right past flutters into full blown jabs and kicks. He is most active after meals and conveniently when I’m trying to fall asleep.

Gender predictions: No need to guess, it's a boy

Name: Reed Stewart

Today:

21 weeks in Cabo:


Reed Stewart Tuel

Some women dream about their wedding day from childhood. They picture the dress, the venue, the guests, the flowers, and the food all down to the last detail.

Their weddings dreams were my baby names. This gave me the false sense of calm going into baby name “negotiations”. I thought it would be a fun and exciting process… boy was I wrong. We quickly agreed on a girl’s name, but the boys name proved to be more difficult. Too bad we have no need for a girls name, yet.

Going into our vacation last week we were determined to settle on a name for our little jumping bean. After a couple days relaxing on the beach, Reed Stewart Tuel won out. Not only do I love the name, but it also honors both of our families. Reed is my mom’s maiden name and Stewart is Matt’s dads middle name.

How did Matt come around? He said the name Reed was growing on him and it sounded better than all the other names I had thrown out there ;) Strange enough, when I got home and checked my email, the name genie (a website that sends a name suggestion every day) had send an email on July 1st for Reid Robert. It was fate.

Our Mexican Jumping Bean has officially been upgraded to Reed Stewart - aka baby Reed.