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shannon + bamaker . pregnancy journaling {a week by week project}

Thursday, May 10th, 2012
PinExt shannon + bamaker . pregnancy journaling {a week by week project}

Welcome to a little side project I am doing with my sweet, witty and beautiful friend Shannon! :) She is pregnant with her 2nd bambino. I was up for a new project and she was up for some week by week documentation of her pregnancy. Thank you so much for obliging, Shannon! This is going to be so much fun! So, I will let the journaling and the photos tell the full story, but wanted to say we are so excited for Steve, Shannon and Foy with the impending addition to their family! Yay!!

 

Week 26:

WOO HOO!! Third Trimester here we are! I think I have gained about 18 pounds despite the fact that you are only 2 pounds Jett! I have had a burst of growth in the belly and I hear lots of funny comments, “WOW…You aren’t due until August?!” or “You look like you’ve been eating watermelons and sprouted one in your belly!” That was one of my favorites.
The weather is getting warmer and I am hoping the summer heat will hold off for a bit! We are outside a lot these days playing (um, or watching) baseball with Foy. He is having so much fun playing for his first season! He has been playing catcher for most games and he even hit his first in park homerun in his game the other night! He got to keep the game ball and he was so proud!
We also went to Seaside, Florida for a quick family getaway this week. Your Daddy and I have been married for SEVEN years!! We decided the best way to celebrate was to go to the beach for a few days with Foy. We had a blast! We went swimming at the pool and beach. We rode bikes and even went and rode go-carts! (well…I was watching again) We can’t wait to take you there in the fall. We may need to make it an annual trip because it was just so relaxing and so much fun!

Week 25:

At almost 1.5 pounds and roughly the size of a squash, I am starting to feel the aches and pains of adjusting to the new weight of this basketball belly! The same thing happened with your brother about this time. My hips are sore by the end of the day and I need to make sure I am taking time to rest as I am used to being on the go!
Luckily we have our friend Dr. Aaron Russak from Innovative Chiropractic and he helps get me in line again after being on my feet all day! I have had to see him a few more times than usual the past couple of weeks just to make sure that I am adjusted accordingly.
The past few weeks have been very busy because I have been traveling all over to do trainings for the Pure Romance University program. We went to Wisconsin and Minnesota last week and this week is Knoxville and Norfolk, Virginia. I have so much fun meeting ladies from all over and being a part of the training team, but I am careful not to overdo it! I have been taking lots of naps and cut back on work at home to make sure that we are both healthy!

 

Week 24:

Foy and your Daddy finally got to feel you kicking! Every night he has been saying good night to you and many times you would kick in response, but not hard enough for him to feel through my belly. But last night you made it clear you heard him! He felt a good kick and was so excited! Foy has felt you kick a couple of times too, but he is not as patient as Daddy is to hang out with a hand on my belly.
Your grandpa Hanrahan (aka Baba) also felt a great kick from you! We were sitting at the computer going over tax stuff (yay!) and you kicked SO hard you made me jump! I quickly put Baba’s hand on my belly so he could feel and just in time you made another swift kick! Well done!

Week 23:

Foy Boy joined me for my Doctors appointment today and we got to see you moving around on the Ultrasound! Foy thought that was pretty cool. He got to take a picture of you to school to show his teachers too! The doctor said you are growing well and within 3 days of your due date. I have been feeling great and managing to get good sleep and exercise.
According to the pregnancy tracker you are about the size of a mango! Your taste buds are forming and most of your internal organs are formed and functioning.

 

Week 22:

Jett, you are starting to grow quicker and Mommy is showing more and more! You are about a pound, the length of a banana, and you can hear voices when we try to talk to you! Since I have told your Daddy this he has started to talk to you just before we go to bed. The other night he sang to you and you started kicking when he did! It was not quite strong enough for him to feel yet, but I could feel you kicking away!
You have lots of great clothes waiting for you that your big brother wore when he was a baby. We have been going through some of them and it is a relief to not have to buy new clothes for you! However, since you will be born in the summer and Foy was born in the winter there are a few seasonal differences so I couldn’t help getting you a pack of onsies that were too cute! They have a little monster on them and Foy helped me pick them out so we couldn’t pass that up! It was fun to buy the first outfit for you. I cannot wait to see you in it!

 

Week 21:

The name game was tough! Your brother was named Foy because it is a family name (Your “Pam-Peg’s” maiden name) and Patrick is your Baba & Great Grampy’s middle name. We wanted a meaningful name for you too.

We found a great middle name first…”Hutson.” That was your Great Grandmother’s maiden name (Papa Hamaker’s Mother). Plus we thought it sounded pretty cool!

From there we had all kinds of first names: Finn, Bray, and of course Foy’s previous suggestion of “Biscuit.” Nothing sounded right…not even Biscuit!

One day your Grandma Hamaker (aka Jimma), Daddy, Foy, and I were driving and talking about different names when Foy shouted out, “It’s Jett Hamaker!” We all went silent and I said, “Jett?” and he said, “Yes, the baby’s name is Jett!” After a minute or two we all kind of agreed that that was a fun name. “Jett Hutson Hamaker” did have a ring to it! From then on Foy has been referring to you as “Baby Jett!”

One day Foy was playing with his babysitter, Colleen. I was working in the other room and noticed that they were very quiet. When I went into the living room they had transformed a box into a spaceship that said “Foy & Jett” on the side! Colleen said, “So I hear the baby’s name is Jett?!” Apparently so!

Your big brother has taken such pride in your name that it would be hard to change it now! “JETT HUTSON HAMAKER” it is! With a name like that you are destined for greatness!

 

Week 20:

VEGAS BABY!

Your Daddy and I had a fun little getaway to Las Vegas for the annual Pure Romance Convention. Foy got to stay with “Jimma and Papa” for a few days while we were gone. He always has such a fun time staying at their house and they love having Foy-time as much as I think it wears them out!

It was nice for Daddy and I to get away for a bit to relax, especially since we have both been working so hard! Pure Romance kept us busy with lots of training and events, but we did manage to find some time to walk on the strip, see the Bellagio Fountains (those are my favorite!), and lay by the pool. Mommy was recognized for her sales in 2011 and for making the Senior Board of Directors! This is a big deal since there are only 19 Sr. Board Members in the entire company! It was a fun time to celebrate lots of successes from ladies all over the world. Each year it feels like a family reunion more than a work trip!

I was worried that I would be tired walking so much and attending all the events, but I managed to get good sleep and I felt wonderful! You seemed to like traveling too, especially when we were taking off and landing in the airplane…there was a lot of kicking going on!

Overall we had a wonderful time, but by the fourth day we were ready to get back to see your brother. We missed him very much! When we got back Foy ran up and gave me the biggest hug and kiss and said he missed me…then he hugged my belly, kissed it and said he missed you too!

We have a family rule that if someone goes out of town they bring a present back for the family. Daddy and I found the perfect gift for Foy, a pirate shield, sword, and dagger to go with his pirate costume! He loved it and immediately put on his costume to try out the shield.

Week 19:

YOU ARE A BOY! We found out today and there is no mistaking it! We are so excited!
Your Daddy and I have been patiently waiting to find out if you were a boy or a girl. It was such a crazy experience for us since we didn’t find out with your brother. It was so much fun to wait the first time, though I’m not sure how we did it! The great thing was we received lots of wonderful gifts that we needed and not just gender specific clothing.
With you we decided to find out so we knew how to better prepare Foy, your nursery, and to either keep Foy’s wonderful clothes and toys for you or pass them along. Looks like we will be keeping all those boxes we have been saving! You have got some great stuff waiting for you!
Foy was excited to find out he has a little brother on the way. He didn’t seem all that surprised when we told him though. I think that is because he has been saying you were going to be a boy all along! He keeps talking about how he is going to teach you how to play baseball and football. He also loves to say hello to you and rub my belly often. He is going to be the best big brother!
We decided to celebrate the big news by getting ice cream and walking around town. Daddy had to work so I told Foy that it was “Mommy and Foy Boy time.” Foy quickly corrected me and said, “No it’s Mommy, Foy Boy, and Baby time!”

 

 

Week 18:

We have reached the halfway mark! So hard to believe because the first trimester seemed so long!
There is excitement and anticipation looming in the house because we can’t wait to find out if you are a boy or a girl! We find out in just four days! There are all kinds of speculations…Foy wanted a baby brother at first, but now seems fine with the idea of being a Big Brother no matter what. Both your Daddy and I would love to have a healthy baby whether you are a boy or girl. Friends and family are all taking guesses based on their theories as well.
I do have my own thoughts. My first trimester I was more tired and nauseous than with Foy, although that could be because I am four years older this pregnancy! I also had a dream that you were a girl, but we all know dreams don’t always mean that they will happen.
If you are a boy we have plenty of clothes for you to wear. If you are a girl we have friends that are on stand by with lots of clothes and we will have lots of boy clothes to pass along to someone! Whether you are a boy or girl Bamaker, we will love you immensely and be honored to be your parents.

 

 

 

Week 17:

This week you are the size of an orange Bamaker! According to my “Baby Bump” app on my iPhone you also have eyelashes, fingernails and toenails. I am almost positive that I felt you move when I was settling in to go to sleep one night! I can’t wait until you are big enough for your Daddy and Brother to feel you kick and move!
We had a fun trip to Nashville this week. We went to see our friends, The Lewis’ and they took us to a super cool place called the Lane Motor Museum. They had all kinds of cars from all over the world and throughout history. Foy and Daddy were both in heaven! Foy got to play with his friend Nolen and they ran around looking at all the cars.
After our visit in Nashville we scooted over to Oak Ridge to see “Pam-Peg & BaBa.” (Your grandparents that Foy creatively named) Daddy and I both had to work some so Pam-Peg and BaBa hung out with Foy. They took him on a hike and to the movies. I know they can’t wait to do fun things like that with you too! You are very lucky to have two sets of grandparents that already love you so much and can’t wait to have you here!

 

 

Week 16:

FALFY IS HERE! Your Aunt Falfy has been on an “adbenture” (as Foy calls it) since the fall and has been living in California with our cousins. She came back for a visit and we had so much fun! We spent the week catching up with Falfy and playing as much as possible! Foy had missed one of his favorite playmates so he was SO happy to see her. I was also happy to see her not only because I missed her, but because she was a big help with Foy. I was able to get some things done and of course, get my 1:30pm naps in! Even though you are just the size of an apple, my belly is much more noticeable these days. I am running out of breath quicker too!

Week 15:

Happy Valentine’s Day! Whew…what a busy week! My 1:30pm naps were crucial since I had five Pure Romance parties and one training! It is always busy for Valentine’s Day, but I have had even more parties so when you get here I can spend as much time with you as possible. Good thing I love my job and I always have a lot of fun. BUT not as much fun as I will have next week when Aunt Falfy comes to visit next week!

Week 14:

With the help of Foy we have come up with some pretty creative names for you Bamaker! The other night I asked Foy what he wanted to name his baby brother or baby sister and he at first said, “the Doctor will tell us the baby’s name.” He said this so matter of fact as if everyone knows that. I told him that we get to name the baby and his eyes lit up and he started coming up with names. This is what he came up with:
Boys – Sport, Storm, Diego, Biscuit, and Water
Girls – Princess, Sunshine, Madyson (after his best friend), and Fay
It took a while for the girl names because he seems to be convinced that you are going to be a little brother. We shall see about that!
Overall I am feeling well this week! I think the sunshiney days that we have had are helping…that and my daily naps at 1:30pm! No matter where I am I have to lay down, even if for just 30 minutes. It is amazing because I will wake up after a short nap and it feels like I slept for hours! I also have had some serious cravings that were unable to be curbed. For example, there is a restaurant right down the street that I couldn’t drive past yesterday. It is called Champy’s and they have THE best friend chicken and beef tamales. Your Daddy was super excited when he came home and saw the big Champy’s spread for dinner. We all gobbled it up and then sat around and groaned and moaned, it was wonderful! Don’t worry, we will take you there someday!

 

 

Week 13:

Bamaker 2.0, pregnancy is a beautiful thing and nothing short of a miracle. Most hear about all the wonderful things that benefit a mother when she is pregnant: the glowing skin, the strong nails and shiny hair. I must however shed some light on the not so pleasant things of the maternal months. In the past week I have had some of these un-pleasantries. Take for example the random black hair that I found on my chin! In talking with some other Moms the hormones sometimes cause unwanted hairs in random places. Yuck. Apparently this varies with each pregnancy because I don’t remember this happening with your brother! Either way, it is well worth the discomforts and un-pleasantries to be able to hold you in my arms in August!
Foy turned 4 and we had a fun birthday party for him! Your cousins Ian and Audrey and some of Foy’s close friends came over for a costume party to celebrate! Foy loves to dress in costumes and wears one just about every day so he was in heaven! He wore his Iron Man costume and everyone loved it! There was also a Tigger, a couple of princesses, Bat Girl, Super Dog, and Woody the Cowboy! Everyone had a great time and Foy got lots of fun games and toys to play with.
We also had Foy’s 4-year check up and he even wore his Spider Man costume to the Doctor’s office! He was a big hit and we definitely think the costume gave Foy some superpowers for when he had to get his shots. He was a brave boy and you are so lucky to have a big brother that will protect you!

Week 12:

YAY BMAKER!! We are almost into the second trimester! And judging by the size of my belly and how much it has grown this week you can tell!

I am so ready to have the belly that is out and proud showing Bamaker 2.0 is on the way! As fun as a prego belly is there are a few adjustments that I am having to make:
1. My favorite jeans are about to be put up for the winter. It is tough to find pants that are fitting without going to maternity pants so I have been wearing a lot of baggy drawstring cargos and dresses!
2. My skin is so DRY! Thank goodness for Good Fortune’s Shae Butter! I lather up every night before I go to bed so I don’t itch! Your big brother loves it too! He calls it his “ssage” (that is short for massage) lotion and he gets a “ssage” after his baths!
3. This is the best side effect of showing more…both your Daddy and Foy are showing more love towards you. They often rub the belly and say hello. Tonight before Foy went to bed he rubbed the belly to say goodnight to baby!
Foy also thinks you are going to be a baby brother so we shall see about that! Either way he says he is going to be the best big brother and the best helper. He told me that if I ask him to change your diaper he will do it! I am definitely going to hold him to that!

Week 11:

Foy and I had fun going through his old clothes and picking out ones that we think you might like. Foy has some yellow rain boots with monkeys on them that he had been wearing every time it rained, but when we tried to put them on the other day his toes were smushed because his feet have grown! He got excited and said, “Mommy we can save these for the baby!” He thinks you will like them as much as he has.

Foy also took the picture of you from your ultrasound to show his friends at school. He was SO proud walking up the ramp to school. He held the picture high and couldn’t wait to show his teachers. I could hear them squeal with excitement from the bottom of the ramp! Foy’s teachers love him so much and have been excited that he is going to be a big brother.

The other fun thing that happened this week is I went to my friend Tobi’s house. (She is adopting a girl named Ivey who we just know you will be great friends with!) She had a fun Girl’s Night where we set goals for 2012 and wrote them in a pretty book that we decorated. Luckily your Daddy and I had talked about what we want to do for the year so I was prepared! Here is what we came up with:

1. Have You!
2. Family Ski Trip in late February
3. Have a Family Date once per month
4. Have a Mommy-Daddy Date Night once a month
5. Family Beach Trip
6. Complete Sexual Health Education Certification
7. Take Yoga classes in my second trimester
8. Daddy wants to run the RAGNAR Race again
9. Move into the house on Lawson St by the end of June

We have a lot to do this year Bamaker, but it is all centered around you and your arrival! You are already such a blessing to us! Thank you for making us want to better parents for you and Foy!

Week 10:

What a crazy week of working, traveling, and planning! I went from 0 to 60 mph once January 1st hit and I think it was a bit much for you Bamaker! I was excited to get to CrossFit for the first workout of the year called, 2012. It was a series of exercises that equaled 2012. Lots of fun, but tiring!

Then I had my first Pure Romance party of the New Year on Tuesday and while I was so excited to be there I was so tired by 9:30pm. The ladies were so helpful in carrying my products for me and everyone was excited to hear that there is a baby in my tummy!

Then on Wednesday we headed to Crossville for an overnight Pure Romance Leaders Meeting to plan the year. We stayed up late talking so I didn’t get quite enough sleep. When I got home on Thursday night I was exhausted from the week…even though it wasn’t even over yet! Just before I went to bed I started having some cramping pains because I think you were tired too and telling me to slow down. I had a hard time sleeping because I was so worried about you! The next morning the Doctor was able to squeeze me in because they were a little worried too. Daddy came with me and when the Doctor did the ultrasound to see what you were up to we saw you wiggling around and heard a healthy heartbeat! We were so overjoyed and thankful you were okay! We even got a picture of you waving at us like you were saying, “what’s up Mom and Dad?! I’m fine!” We could see your little arms and legs moving around, just like your big brother did when he was in my tummy!

The Doctor told me I to be careful, get lots of sleep, and not to overdo it. I learned a lesson and your Daddy made sure that I got plenty of sleep the rest of the week. You are one lucky baby to have such a wonderful Daddy! He let me sleep in and has played with Foy, done the laundry, and cooked a lot to take the pressure off of me! Next week I will take it easier on your Bamaker, I promise!

Week 9:

What a fun week of traveling and adventures we had! Your Daddy, Big Brother and I piled in the “Mom Van” and headed to Memphis to see your Uncle Mike. We don’t get to see Mike as often as we would like so he was thoughtful enough to make a cardboard cutout so that he can always be with us on special occasions! He is such a funny guy! Cardboard Mike was even at the hospital when Foy was born so I am sure he will make an appearance to meet you in August!

While we were in Memphis we went to the Zoo and saw all kinds of animals. Foy’s favorite was the Polar Bear that was playing with a plastic snowman in the water. He was so much fun to watch! Then we went to lunch at a Thai food place in Memphis because I had such a craving for Thom Ka Ghai Soup…my favorite. After a much needed nap we all went downtown to see the Peabody Ducks swim in the hotel fountain. Foy loved seeing them and going on top of the hotel to see the sunset on Memphis.

We can’t wait to have you with us on our “Big Ad-Bentures” (that’s what Foy calls them). We have so much fun on our travels and know that with you it will be even better!

Oh, and one more exciting thing Bamaker 2.0, you will be so proud of your Mommy and Daddy! We have worked so hard to set goals for the past year. On the way back from Memphis we talked about all that we have accomplished in 2011. Here is what we are proud of:

1. We are most proud of conceiving YOU!
2. Daddy startedLetterpressing more for a hobby
3. We took our Family Road trip to the Northeast for 3 weeks
4. Daddy’s business is successful and he doesn’t have to rely on anyone else!
5. Mommy made Sr. Board of Directors for Pure Romance!
6. Mommy stopped biting her nails!
7. Mommy did our taxes successfully – this was a huge task because she always said she was bad at taxes until she took the bull by the horns. We even received money back this year!
8. Both Mommy and Daddy lost weight and feel healthier than ever since starting Cross Fit in August.

We started setting our Goals for 2012 and will share those with you next week Bamaker. Many of them have to do with you!

This is going to be the happiest of New Years!

Week 8:

I am a little late on this entry because, well…I forgot! I would definitely say that the “Mommy Brain” has kicked in this week! We went to a restaurant and I left my debit card there! Woops! Then I went to the gym and left my water bottle. Lots of little things that I am normally on top of have gone by the way side. The reason I have “Mommy Brain” is not because of flightiness, but because I am consumed with thinking about you Bamaker! I have been thinking about how much fun we will have as a family and how we can’t wait to meet you!

The other exciting thing that happened this week is that we finally told Foy that he is going to be a big brother! He is very excited and asked how you were going to get out of my belly. Daddy and I told him, “very carefully.” And that Dr. Barker was going to help us. Foy got a special early Christmas gift from Santa that says, “Big Brother” on it. It looks like a football shirt, which he loved!

Week 7:

Wow, Little One! Even though you are just the size of a pea, I am feeling SO tired and queezy. I have been taking lots of naps and your Daddy has been very helpful in taking care of Foy and the household things that need to get done. We sent our Christmas cards out this week that announce your due date! Everyone is so happy and excited about you. Your grandparents can’t stop talking about it! You are going to have the best big brother too! Okay, I have to go lay down now….

Week 6:

We could not be any more excited about the news of you entering our life! I found out two days before Daddy’s birthday so I wrapped up the pregnancy test and gave it to himfor his birthday. It was the best birthday present ever, he said! Our daily thoughts have been consumed of what life will be like in August of 2012 whenwe finally get to meet you! We are going to move back to our old house in Stuart Heights where you will have your own room. Your big brother, Foy will have a backyard to play in and we can all go to the pool together. There is a lot to do to get ready for you and our move!

I have been preparing my body for you for the past year, knowing that I wanted to be ashealthy as possible to carry you for nine months. Your Daddy and I have been working
out and eating very healthy so we can keep up with you and Foy for many years! As a result of that I feel great! I can’t even tell I am pregnant! I am having a hard time sleeping
on my side, but I know I will get used to it. I went to the Doctor this week and all is well. He said that everything looks great and heis anxious to meet you too!

PinExt shannon + bamaker . pregnancy journaling {a week by week project}