Reed's Room

The nursery is finally done and ready for baby Reeds arrival which is right around the corner!! Keep in mind that this is also our guest bedroom when we have visitors. Hence the pull out couch. We also made due with what we already had, so I won't have a glider but a reclining chair. The glass doors go out onto a mini second floor patio (more like a fire escape) in the back that overlooks our garden.

The only thing left that I would like (but do not need) is the rug that matches the bedding. However, pottery barn kids rugs are expensive! I'm holding off, but I have a feeling it might end up in an online shopping bag very soon.

Crib Bedding

Pictures I made to match the bedding



From the doorway

Belly Business - 36 Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks

Size of the baby: The doctors keep saying he is measuring long and lean. Although I don't know how they would know that considering I haven't had an ultrasound since 30 weeks and all they do every week is measure my belly from the outside. According to the app on my phone he is the size of a Crenshaw Melon? Weighing almost 6 lbs. and 18.5" long.

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained only 1 lb. since my last doctor’s visit at 34 weeks! So I am sitting at 25 lbs. even weight gain. I am hoping to keep the weight under 30lbs, but feel like it is kind of out of my control at this point.

Cravings: Nothing in particular

Symptoms: My legs and feet are continuing to swell on a daily basis. Not good considering the only pair of maternity pants I have are more like leggings and are becoming increasingly difficult to pull on and off. I really don't want to buy a new pair though. I'm going to have to figure something out.

Movement: He is still moving like crazy. I love the movement, but as Reed gets bigger so do the movements and he often catches me off guard making me increasingly uncomfortable.

Name: Reed Stewart Tuel

Due Date Prediction: I was really hoping I might get an inclination at this week’s appointment. However, I was informed that my doctor won't do a vaginal exam until I am full term. She doesn't want to cause any unnecessary bleeding or encourage the baby to come earlier than needed. I completely agree, but I am just so anxious! I won't have to wait long though. I will be full term in just a few days!! Next Doctors appointment is Tuesday, so hopefully I will have more details then.

Cabin Fever

We finally closed!!

Matt and I moved to Boston exactly two years ago in October. I can’t believe how fast the time has gone by. There are so many advantages to living in New England and one of our favorites has become escaping to New Hampshire. New Hampshire offers everything an outdoorsman would love: lakes, rivers, mountains, snow skiing, hiking, canoeing, camping, fishing, “leaf peeping” in the fall, etc. As soon as you leave the city and cross the border you feel the tranquility take over and forget everything else.

Being the real estate junkie that I am, I immediately started looking into mountain land and properties. Long story short, as of October 3^rd, our dreams became reality and we closed on a log cabin set at the foothills of the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Even better, we managed to purchase the majority of the furniture from the sellers for only $1,200. All we had to do was add linens, kitchen supplies and replace the living room couches. There are a couple more large scale projects we would like to do down the road (finish out the basement, landscape, add to the front porch, etc), but for now it is our home away from home.

Matt had Columbus Day off yesterday, so we headed to the cabin for our first three day weekend. It was the most relaxed either of us have been in a long time. The property is so secluded and quiet and you are surrounded by the most beautiful nature. We even ran into our first moose on a hike yesterday. Matt almost had a heart attack and made us turn around. I wanted to follow him so I could get a picture (no such luck). One of our new neighbors Dennis also stopped by and showed us a few pictures of Larry – a black bear that frequents his yard. I can’t wait until we get a peek at him.

Open invite: One of the things that pushed us over the edge to go ahead and buy is now that we are expanding our family we won’t be taking as many big vacations. Other than trips home to see family, this will be our permanent vacation spot. We would love to have visitors! Just pick a season and let us know if/when you would like to come out and see us.

·         Winter: Ski season usually starts around Thanksgiving and lasts through April. The cabin is 10 minutes from Bretton Woods and Cannon ski resorts and just a few more miles from many others.

·         Spring: Late March through May is the best time in Boston! Everyone is excited that winter is over and the city is alive. Plus it is the start to baseball season if you haven’t made it to a Red Sox game. The cabin however, will probably still have snow on the ground.

·         Summer: June through Labor Day you get the best of everything. The city is jumping, beaches are close by or you can head up to the mountains for hiking, fishing and floating (by canoe) the rivers.

·         Fall: Labor Day through Thanksgiving. The mountains this time of year are beautiful and a rainbow of colors. It is also fun to get in the holiday spirit by visiting an apple orchard and pumpkin patch or making a trip to Salem to get spooked out for Halloween.  

Anyway, here are just a few (a lot) pictures of the new place:

Apple Picking - I came home and made fresh Apple Cobbler, Pumpkin Bread from fresh pumpkins, Apple stuffed pork chops and washed it down with some fresh Apple Cider.

Out side patio (after Matt spray painted the chairs - I wasn't allowed to be near the fumes, I hung the lanterns and we added the chiminea)

Kitchen:

Dining Room:

Master:

Master Bath:

Guest Bath:

Guest Bedroom 1:

Guest Bedroom 2:

Living Room (with the Tigers/Rangers game on):

A couple pictures from the outside:

Football Lessons

Matt and I have been so busy over the last couple weeks that we really haven’t had a chance to sit down together and watch a Texas Tech football game this season. This Saturday with nothing on the to do list we were ready to watch our Red Raiders take on the Texas A&M Aggies for one last time at Jones SBC Stadium.

It was a tough game to watch as we battled it out only to come up short, but the four hours spent on the couch did teach me a couple lessons:

1.       The rest of this season might just put me into early labor. I love college football, and can’t handle the pressure of such an intense game pregnant. Poor Reed could feel my anxiety and was only adding to it as he hooped and hollered at the TV with me.

2.       I need to start watching my language. Especially when I get heated or passionate about something I don’t always say the most lady like things. I was screaming at the TV and appalled at what was coming out of my mouth. I made a strong effort the second half of the game to use different words, but I have a long way to go.

3.       Not that it came as a surprise, but Matt and I are going to have very different opinions on how to raise little Reed. During the second half of the game, the commentators started talking about the “vandalism” of the A&M busses. My response – “What is wrong with people. We make ourselves look bad. Why can’t we just let our actions on the field be enough?” Matt responded by saying – “I don’t mind. What do you expect? If I saw an Aggie bus, I would probably do the same thing.” I couldn’t help but smile at his response as it confirmed that we sometimes approach things from completely different angles and it is going to get interesting. Do you watch Modern Family? That is us - I am Claire and Matt is Phil.

I can’t wait until our little nugget is here so that he can dress up with us to watch the end of this year’s season. He should be here in just a few short weeks and it is all becoming so real. I feel like I am ready to be a mom, but still have so many flaws. Am I really ready? Guess there is no turning back now. That is half the fun of parenthood, right?

Belly Business - 35 Weeks

How far along: 35 weeks

Size of the baby: Honeydew Melon– approximately 18 inches long and 5 ¼ lbs – although Reed is measuring big, so we will see.

Total weight gain/loss: At my 32 week visit I had only gained 1.5 lbs since my 30 week visit which I felt really good about. Unfortunately I gained 4 lbs between the 32 and 34 week visits. I blame that on my visit to Texas which was filled with fast food and Mexican J all well worth it! So as of last Thursday I have gained a total of 24lbs.

Maternity Clothes: I finally purchased a couple of dresses while down in Texas this past weekend, and the most amazing accessory, a pair of maternity spanks! Thank you to the miracle garment for making the dress I wore to the wedding possible.

Cravings: Nothing in particular

Symptoms: Over the last couple weeks my feet and ankles have definitely started to swell. I’ve also noticed it is a little harder to breath and speak at length – making for some interesting client meetings. Other than that, the back pains and heartburn continue. I haven’t really done anything about the heartburn, but the heating pad has become my back’s best friend!

Movement: Constantly! While he doesn’t have much room in there, he makes the most of it and I don’t know that he ever rests. I hear that babies that are active in the womb are generally calm outside. I hope that wives tale is true.

Name: Reed Stewart Tuel

Due Date Prediction: I’m adding a new field this week. The doctors have given me no indication that Reed is coming earlier or later than his due date of November 9^th. However, I have a gut feeling he is going to make an early appearance. Out of my mom (three girls), my older sister (two boys and one girl) and my little sister (one boy) no one has carried full term. So if genetics play into it at all I’m guessing he comes a week early.

I haven’t posted in a while, so here are some belly pics to catch everyone up!

30 Weeks in Galveston

31 Weeks

32 Weeks in Nantucket (I thought I took a belly shot, but they are all straight on)

33 Weeks in Dallas (with the spanks on)

34 Weeks at the cabin in New Hampshire

9/11 – 10 years later

10 years ago today I was just a sophomore in college glued to the TV with the rest of the world watching as the terrorist attacks unfolded. It is hard to grasp that 10 years have already come and gone and today I sit again watching as we remember those who lost their lives.

Only today, I can’t stop crying. I have a different perspective. I am heartbroken for each of the children who woke up on 9/12/2001 without a mom or dad. Even though Reed is not here yet, it is true that motherhood changes you. I think he is better off in my womb today, because if he were in my arms I may squeeze just a little too hard just to let him know how much I love him. I can only pray that Matt and I will be able to live long enough to watch him grow up and see what type of man he will become.  

How can anyone, no matter their intentions and skewed perceptions, watch today and feel proud of their “accomplishment” of the 9/11 attacks?

My heart goes out to all of those that lost their loved ones 10 years ago today. I only hope we can find even ground in the near future to ensure that this never happens again, on local or foreign soil.  

Belly Business - 30 Weeks

How far along: 30 weeks

Size of the baby: Head of Cabbage – we had a 30 week ultrasound today and Baby Reed is measuring in the 89^th percentile. They are estimating him at 3lbs 13oz already! I have a feeling he is going to be one big boy.  

Total weight gain/loss: I weighed in at the Doctors office today and the news was better than I thought – 18lbs total gain. If I stick to the 1lb per week from this point forward it will put me at 28lbs total gain. I can work that off, right?

Maternity Clothes: I really need to buy more. My clothing selection is slim, but I am so close to the finish line I can’t bring myself to spend $$ on clothes I won’t wear for long. I’m going to have to break down this week or next to buy a dress for Matt Johnson’s wedding.

Cravings: Nothing in particular

Symptoms: Back pains and occasional heartburn… still 

Movement: Every day! He was having fun today during his ultrasound squirming all around and then gave the doctor a couple kicks a few hours later. Guess he doesn’t like being prodded. Either way, he is extremely strong and active.  

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

Name: Reed Stewart Tuel

 Out and about after Irene came through