Sugar and Spice, and Everything That's Nice (Doctor's Visit No. 4)...

...that's what little girls are made of! We found out this past Monday that we are having a little girl!

Meet Annabelle Noel Aldrich

It's a Girl!

I was totally surprised at the news! I just knew they were going to tell me it was a little boy. I had thought so the whole time, and really convinced myself it was a Max! I had his room planned out, and everything...but I'm thrilled that it's a girl and I can't wait to meet sweet Annabelle. Monday afternoon was a whirlwind due to going to the doctor, finding out the sex, rushing home to make dinner for mine and Austin's family, and make t-shirts to announcing the sex! It was such a fun night. We had all of the family there and they were super thrilled at the news! The Grandmother's were the most elated, and you can tell from the pictures! However, Grandpa was glowing, too! The weekend before I had this idea to make t-shirts saying, "It's a Girl!" or "It's a Boy!" on the front, and the Grandparents' names on the back, and this being the way we told them what the baby is! Then they could store the shirts away and pull them out when the baby is born and where them to the hospital. Although, I was in a rush to get them finished before everyone came over, because I couldn't make them until the day of. It was a fun idea and it turned out super cute! Below are pictures from the night and they really capture the happiness that filled the Aldrich house that night. We are very blessed to have such such a wonderful family!

Getting the iron-ons ready to make the shirts.

I wanted to wrap them up, but I totally ran out of time. Austin had the idea of folding them and leaving them with their names visible so they could just grab them and wait for the cue to open them up.

All the Grandparents holding their shirts getting ready to open them up and find out what we're having!

My mom's face - classic!

They were so excited!

Nana can't stop smiling!

One happy Grandpa!

I wouldn't tell my sister-in-law what we were having until she got to the house. She stopped at the store and picked up cupcakes with blue AND pink icing!

Sweet Alice, got this cookie cake and had it personalized!

We let the Grandparents "reveal" the news by putting on their shirts and turning around to show Dustin, Alice, Anthony, and Ashley. I love their faces!

Priceless!! Aunt Ash was very excited!

Uncle Anothony knew it all along!

Even though Joe-Joe predicted a boy, he was ok with the baby being a "gril," as he calls it!

Fun Uncle Austin giving the nephews the "bear claw!"

Sweet.

What a fun night!

Mommy and Daddy with latest picture of Annabelle.

"Patience is a Virtue"

Hello from Florida! Austin and I arrived yesterday, and so far it's been wonderful, but wet, too. We spent all day today shopping at the most WONDERFUL outlet mall here in Destin! Let me tell you - there was an OshKosh outlet, Children's Place outlet, and the Nautica outlet had the stinkin' cutest baby clothes ever! Patience?? What's that?? I preach it and teach it all day long to my five year olds, but it's hard for me to remember this virtue as I'm trying desperately to walk away from these adorable baby clothes! It was T-O-R-T-U-R-E walking into those places knowing I can't buy anything because I don't know if I should buy for a boy or a girl!! However, my intuition is telling me to buy for a boy...so, as I'm heading over to the most adorable little man Polo's, khaki's, and hats I've ever seen (in the Nautica store), I still couldn't bring myself to buy them since I don't know for sure. Austin's intuition is telling him it's a girl...but I keep telling him he's not the mommy! :0) I don't know we'll see. I guess it's a good thing for our pocket book that I don't know the sex, seeing as that I could have bought so many cute things today! On the other hand, I was able to splurge and by myself some wonderful things today...a Coach wrist purse (for ONLY $25 I have to add!!!), a new pair of Reef's (nothing like going to the beach and getting a new pair of Reef's), a new pair of Nike running shoes (ha - not like I run, but they were too cute!), and a Destin shirt. I'm told once the kiddo comes along, that spending money on myself will be a rare thing. So, I guess it's good I could spoil myself a bit - or really, Austin was the one doing the spoiling. To say the least, we're having a fantastic time in Florida and it's good to be here with my wonderful hubby getting some "us" time. I'm still counting down the days til we find out what Baby Dub is, because when I do...look out cute baby clothes - here I come! Florida pics to follow...

Jennifer :0)

Month Four

February

We ended this month with Baby being the size of an apple. It's crazy to think of the growth in just a month. Next month's pic. we'll be able to call Baby by name! Boy or Girl? We shall soon find out!!

Doctor's Visit No. 3

Even though this was my third doctor's appt., it was my first appt. with my new doctor. After some thought and prayer, Austin and I decided that my last doctor wasn't the doctor for me, so we switched. I really enjoyed meeting my new doctor today and we really like her - I felt at peace with my decision. I'm told that after the many monthly, and sometimes weekly, visits that we will make to the doctor during this pregnancy, I will feel like I'm married to this person, so finding a doctor that suites me is a big deal. She called Austin and I into her office and we sat down and she spent quite a bit of time with us going over her pregnancy "philosophy" and taking the time to answer my many questions. I informed her I'm quite the "worry wart", and she assured me she would do everything to help me understand what I can be expecting and to call with any concerns I have. That was music to my ears! After our consultation we were able to hear the heartbeat and she told us some wonderful news...we will be able to find out the sex in about three and a half weeks (March 23rd). This thrilled Austin and I because my last doctor told me he couldn't tell us until 22 weeks! What a wonderful suprise to find out nearly a month sooner than I had anticiapted! The heartbeat was fast and strong and the best sound to an expectant mommy and daddy's ears. We are so blessed and continue to pray for a healthy baby. Thanks for all the prayers out there!

- Jennifer :0)

Baby, is that you?

I'm not for sure, but I think I felt baby Dub move today. After a very long day, I laid down for a nap. I was about to doze off, and I felt two little "spasms" right below my belly button. It's still hard to say if that's what it was or not, but I'm hoping. In my weekly emails about the baby's development, it says that he/she is kicking like crazy, but it will still be hard to feel it. It's so fun to imagine those teeny tiny legs kicking - the sweetest little legs, ever! Just another exciting moment in the life of a pregnant woman - what an adventure!

My Best Friend's Baby Shower

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of having a baby shower honoring Nicole and sweet baby, Audrey. I had so much fun planning and preparing for this shower. I even got brave and decided to make a diaper cake as the centerpiece for the table. It didn't quite turn out like the ones I saw on the internet, but I didn't think it was too bad for my first try. The hostessess and myself tried to make this as girly as possible and I think it was a success. Nicole and Audrey were "showered" with tons of wonderful gifts. These are some blessed girls, let me tell you! Nicole looked stunning and just glowing with happiness. It was so much fun watching her open her gifts and know that very soon, she is going to be a mom! It is so awesome that we get to have the opportunity to be pregnant at the same time (even though she is quite a bit further along than I am). Nicole and I were four years apart, but we were still very close and were raised together - almost like sisters. It's great to think that our kids will be almost the same age and will get the same opportunities as we did! It was such a fun day! I can't wait to meet this precious Angel that will be here in April! I love you both!

Doctor's Visit No. 2

Today was my second Dr.'s appt. We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat today - wow! It was the sweetest little sound I've ever heard! It's still hard to imagine there is a little person in there, but hearing the heartbeat just makes it all that more real. It was a wonderful visit, and we're just still praying for a healthy baby!