Belly, mustaches and other things

The latest and greatest in Project New House, the hallway... a bland, and dirty white. We say, do not be afraid of color! We chose the same color as the living room, it is a kinda carmel like shade.

BEFORE DURING

It took us an entire Sunday afternoon, but it was fun.
AFTER

Ah... that is so much better! My plan is to get a hallway runner and fill the walls with family pictures.

Cody sported the mustache for a few hours, personally, I couldn't decide which was more offensive: the "Philthadelphia" T-shirt (although, quite funny, a direct hit on my beloved home town) or the creepy mustache. Sorry babe, just not my favorite look! **wink, wink**
Taylor flew in from LA, for a quick visit. We pretty much laid low, since it was a work week for Cody. We mostly hung out, watched movies and caught up. Taylor was able to get one commission for a portrait while he was in High Point, which was some money in his pocket.
And of course, everyone who has been clamoring for the latest installment of belly shots, here we are at 18 weeks! Belly and booty are about the same size right now. As you can see I graduated to "big girl" pants full time.
Front view! I have just started to feel the babies movements, it is very subtle now. I have to be kinda of sitting quietly in the chair and suddenly it will feel like the spin cycle on my washer is in my tummy.

Week 16 checkup!

I went for my 16 week checkup on Friday, and everything went smoothly. The doctor mostly just asked me questions regarding how I was feeling and if Cody or I had any questions to ask of him. I was mostly concerned with my weight gain, I have only gained a pound so far, and that is after losing 4-5 when I first became pregnant. I wasn't sure if that was normal, many of the women I work with like to lecture me on how I need to "get me some fried chickin' and biscuit!". The doctor said he is very pleased with my weight gain, and I am in a perfectly healthy range. He also told me to tune out what other people tell me, just listen to my body, eat when I am hungry and put good nutrious food into it. Dr. O'Keefe makes me feel really comfortable, we really like him. He's young, energetic and well...Irish! What's not to like?
He hooked up the heart rate machine and we all listened to the pidder-padder of BF's little heart, S/He has a healthy average of 144 beats per minute. If you listened carefully you could also here BF's movements, which sounded like a static and crackling on the speakers. It was pretty cool. I am not sure if I have felt movement yet, but sometimes I feel an odd little nudge that just might be my little buddy, it isn't consistent so I am not sure.
The other part of my visit involved taking a blood sample for the "triple screen". They want to look for abnormalities, such as Down's, Spinal Bifida and some other birth defects. We were really torn about having the blood work done, but Dr. O'Keefe gave us some good counseling on the subject and we went through with it. He also supported us fully in whatever decsion we would make, which was nice to not feel pressured. Ultimately, the descion was made based on a smoother delievery, and more options for infant care in the end. We get the results back in about 5-6 days. Also, being a special education teacher, I felt like it would put my mind at rest.
Some fun facts about BF!
* BF is almost 5 inches long and weighs approx. 3 ounces (about the size and weight of a
bar of soap.
* BF's hair is begining to grow on his head, and nails on his feet and hands.
* The bones are becoming calcified
Fun facts about me!
* I am craving lots of sour things, like lemonade and sweet tarts. I carry a roll of them in my
purse and munch on them all the time. I also am really into pastas, yogurt, fruit and milk.
I use to HATE milk, unless chocolate cake was involved.
* Alot of things I normally love, eh... I could do without, such as, steak, chicken, soda,
peanut butter, and anything fried.
* I am soooooo thirsty!!! Makes middle of the nights trips to the bathroom oh so fun.

We had some wintery weather on Thursday, it was snowing! We are expecting more tomorrow! BRRRRR.....

Our first house guests!

Cody and I had our first house guests at the new house. Uncle Lou and Aunt Pat made the trip down from Jersey to check out the new digs. We had a good time just visiting, and showing them around the Triad area. Flower enjoyed having a running partner for a few days, and deeply fell in love with Uncle Lou, believe it or not it had nothing to do with baked goods.
Uncle Lou wants to retire to N. Carolina in a few years, so we were really talking up the area. He seemed to really like Emerywood, and High Point neighborhoods over Greensboro. Who'd a thunk it?

Sunday, Dennis and Holly came up for the day and stayed for dinner. Lil' Dennis enjoyed getting to know "Uncle Pop-pop" and "Aunt Mum-mum"... hahaha! Here are some cute pictures of lil' Dennis discovering the joys of flashlights with Uncle Lou. He burned out Cody's and Uncle Lou had to dig one out of his car.

Aunt Pat and Dennis had a lots of fun bouncing on the ball! He enjoyed it so much, you can see him signing "more".
And still, signing more...
We all just relaxed after dinner and watched the poor Chargers get spanked by the Patriots. It's okay Charger fans, my Eagles suffered a heart-breaking loss too.
In other news, I bought my nursery funirture today. I got a fantastic deal, USA Baby was having a store clearance and I bought a beautiful set for 60% off. I wasn't seriously looking, I just kind of stumbled on to it, and there was a set that was exactly what I have had in mind. I just could not pass it up, it is being delieverd on Thurday.

Here is the link if you want to check it out: http://www.behrsfurniture.com/pali/pali-16.htm
We got a dresser in place of the armoire and the finish is a dark cherry. It is beautiful!

belly

we had our first fancy grownd up dinner party. we forgot to take a picture of the table all set and nice, and our guests, and the food. i know you all like to look at pictures of heathers cookin.















but since you can't see heather's fine cookin you can check out her belly. she's 15 weeks and hardly shows. she was measured by her trainer the other day and has lost inches on her hips, thighs, and other spots. and gained 3 inches on her belly. her body fat also went down. being preggo is good to her.
















we started some home improvement projects.
we figured with a little one arriving we should probably cover open electrical ciruits. kids ruin all the fun!!

Heather built this fancy shelf. i only helped a little. i cut the board, and placed the brackets, and screwed it in, but heather painted. isn't it nice?

soon you will get to see pictures of our painted bathroom. so check back soon.

Happy New Year!

We celebrated the coming of 2007 with Dennis, Holly, lil' D, and Holly's parents. The four of us headed out for an early dinner in Charlotte at BLUE. It was deliciousness, as Dennis would say.

Holly and I wanted to get one more wear out of our party dresses from Damien and Karen's wedding.Cody looked daper in his party shirt too! After dinner, we came back to the house and made chocolate fondue with all the dippers. It was a great way to relax and ring in the new year. I always found that going out and drinking at a club or bar was silly and for amateurs. Frankly, I enjoy PJ's and a board game with good company and wine; Instead of, crowded, smoky bars, and restroom lines. Call me old, that is just fine.

Dennis and Holly enjoying fondue, YUMMO!

The Fielden family resolutions:

Cody- To give up drinking soda, so long Coke and Dr. Pepper!

Heather- To read 10 more classics, and remember family/friends birthdays. BTW, if you all could just send me an email with those, that would be great. Please include children. Sadly, just because we are related or have been friends for over 10 years does not mean I know your birthday. Personal flaw I am trying to remedy. rupunzelrupunzel@hotmail.com

B.F.- To stop giving mommy heartburn everytime she eats a french fry.

Visiting friends,Christmas Eve and other jolly stuff....

It has been taking me awhile to post the rest of our Christmas trip to Philly, but I finally have got it together. After the wedding we headed into the city to visit Lora, Dave and the lil' Munchichi. I can't believe how big Jake has gotten! I feel so old just saying that, but he is bright and beautiful, just like his momma. We also checked out Delt, Cody's old frat house. It was kind of sad and empty... hard to believe it was once filled with a bunch of crazy boys who blasted Guns-n-Roses, played pool till all hours and just plan caused chaos and mayhem. Cody craved an authentic Philly Cheesesteak from Pat's and much to my better judgement, I also indulged. I should have heeded Lora's warning, I paid for that cheesesteak. Paid.... PAID... PAID!

Apparently, Tristan has the "Midas touch", after a short backrub, Jake fell asleep standing up. Lora wanted to keep him.
Cody couldn't help himself and wanted to snuggle with him. I think he practicing for later on.
Jake woke up bright eyed, and bushy tailed. The hat speaks for itself.
Christmas Eve was mellow at the Hauck household. We were all pretty tuckered out from the party the night before. We watched the "Snowman", the best Christmas movie ever. Dennis loved it and sat through the whole thing with me. The family shuttled off to midnight mass, and Tris stayed home with the sleeping babe. The mass was pleasant until the incense caught on fire and filled the church up with smoke, everyone was coughing and choking. I had to leave the room, it was so bad.
Cody and I are putting together Dennis Christmas present. More practice for parenthood.
Christmas morning... we were blessed by a visit from Santa Clause. Strangely we couldn't find Pop-pop anywhere!
Cody bought me a new Coach, it was just what I asked for. He such a good listener.
Dennis loved his lil' car we got him. He still seems to enjoy it at home, especially opening and closing the door.
Karen and Damien stopped by on their way to the honeymoon. They headed up to the Poconos.