We are painting the nursery!

The cutest card ever!

This is going to be a great addition to a baby journal that I don't have yet. Amy and her mom KC made this card for Mat and I over the weekend. These pictures don't do it justice, it's just as cute as a button!

I just have to share...

I just have to share...the ultrasound went great on Friday.

So Quickie has been wavering all week about finding out the gender on Friday. Yes I want to know. No I don't want to know. Back and forth, back and forth. So we are sitting in the doctors office on Friday and he just breaks down. The doctor told us previously that we had to look away. Quickie wasn't really into doing that. He couldn't believe that we could find out and just weren't. He was bothered by someone else knowing what we were having and he didn't know. Drama! Anyway, he gives a pretty convincing argument in the doctors waiting room. His point being that when the baby is born and is happy and healthy, the fact that it's a boy or a girl is going to be lost. Pretty good point and I hadn't thought about it like that. But he left the decision up to me. So we get called back to the doctors office and we get in room number 8 (which is my favorite number).

The craziness of the day, my niece Courtney's surgery, the fear that something is wrong with the baby, it all over comes me and immediately when I lay on the table and see the baby. I start crying. I think I cried the whole time. It was just amazing to see the little booger squirming all over the place. Note: Pictures are posted on the blog.

So we start at the head and work our way down. Everything looks great which is a great relief. The technician didn't really talk last time so we thought there was something wrong. But she was really great this time telling us everything. So Quickie sat there as we held hands and she asked me the dreaded question...do you want to know the gender? Quickie looked at me with such excitement in his eyes and said--it's totally up to you...so I said...YES! Holy cow! I couldn't believe that I just agreed to do something I hadn't wanted to since day one! Sooooo, the tech flashed us a quick shot and when in for a closer look. From that first flash we both knew right away. She focused in and had us guess and we both knew 100% that it was a GIRL! Holy cow! The tech left and as we waiting for the doctor we both just hugged and cried. Okay, I cried but I think he shed a tear or two. I just couldn't believe it. It was so surreal. So the doctor came in and all looked great. She was being stubborn at this point and wouldn't flip. So we couldn't see the "goods" again and she wouldn't flip so the doctor could see the back of the heart. So we get to come back in 4 weeks for another ultrasound which is great news. I can't wait! It's going to be huge at that point so we can probably see a ton more.

ANYWAY, so after the appointment, we were just in total shock. So we went to Babies-r-us to start our registry. We walked around in a daze. Man that store is HUGE! My list was super ultra helpful and I think Quickie was very impressed with my knowledge of exactly what we wanted/needed. Big-ups to you ladies who helped me with that.

After that we went to our typical post-baby-appointment dinner at Cheesecake Factory and talked about the days events. There was so much happiness and shock. We just couldn't get over it. Finding out the gender totally put an identity on little baby T. It's actually a She now. We already have a name picked out (it's a secret). We decided on a girl name a long long time ago so it's just perfect. We just kept looking at each other and flipping out! You couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces :-)

After that Quickie wanted to get some books on Fatherhood so we headed to Barnes & Noble but not before we call all the parents to let them in on the big surprise. My Mom was for sure it was a boy so she was shocked! Everyone was shocked! Kari, my sister was very happy for us and will keep Baby girl T well clothed through her early teens. She has two little girls as well.

Anyway, Quickie picked up a couple books and is blowing through them like Baby girl T is coming out tomorrow. He is very excited.

I can not possibly keep this a secret for much longer! I just had to share!! So everyone knows now!! Woohoo! I am sure by the end of the week, the Pope might know that we are having a girl!

Courtney in her pretty pink cast!

New car for Baby T to legally drive in!

So we got a new car! 2004 Honda Pilot EX-L. We picked it up on Saturday and I am almost 100% scared to drive it! I am so glad that Mat is home and now he can drive it. So we are a Honda family and I love it! At least we know it's going to last a long time. It fits 8 peeps, had a DVD player and is big enough to fit all my friends :-) Oh yeah, and the baby T too!

Courtney's surgery was a success! Great news for everyone! It was a very long day so everyone seems to re-cooping today. Courtney is in her cast now for 12 weeks. Then braces. She is resting at home today. Kari and Jarrod are hanging in there. Their strength gives me strength...
Please keep them in your thoughts!

Mat and I are off to buy a new car! Well, a new-to-us car! Then he is off to Boston for the weekend. So I get to play with the new car. I'll post pics of the new car asap!

20 week ultrasound!

Everything went fabulously! Baby looks great! They didn't get to see all angles of the heart so we go back in another 4 weeks for another super-duper ultrasound. Works for me!



I think I cried the entire time we were in the room. It was amazing seeing it move around so much!!




In this last picture, the baby is looking right at you! Baby T's right eye is highlighted by the lens in her eyeball. Kinda creapy but pretty darn cool!

Courtney Elizabeth...

Some of you remembered that Courtney is getting her hip surgery done Friday. She is scheduled to go at 7:30am. Mom & Dad took tomorrow off to be with them.

Please keep her in your thoughts as Kari, Jarrod, Chloe and little Courtney go through this tough time. Kari is staying positive and so far, keeping it together. I'll keep you posted as I get the updates.

Update: Courtney is done with the tough stuff and they are putting on the cast now. Kari and Jarrod are doing well and are happy they don't have to spend the night at the hospital!

Update: I just talked Mom again. After the CT scan, it seems that the hip is back in place. No cutting was needed. Kari was in tears but I think it's from the initial shock of the cast. The cast is from her chest down to her toes. It's bright florescent pink which is perfect for Courtney. I guess the cast makes her SUPER heavy. I told Mom to tell Kari that she can incorporate Courtney with her workout routine...hopefully that made Kari smile. Mom said her legs are set like 2 feet apart so she kinda looks like she is straddling a horse. They go to a class this afternoon on how to change the diaper and such.

20 weeks / Half Way Done!

Yesterday marked 1/2 way done! Woohoo!
Next doctor's appointment is tomorrow where we could find out the gender if we wanted...but we are not! At least we get to see the little booger swimming around. I'll post more pictures as soon as I get them!

My new hair cut

19 weeks and 6 days

I had a doctors appointment yesterday. I have only gained 7 pounds which I am quite proud of. I have been working out 5 days a week and not eating like a hog. So that was good to hear. So yesterday was just a simple check for the heartbeat and any questions we might have. I was in and out in no time. Next up is our big 20-week ultrasound this Friday. We could find out the gender if we wanted but we aren't. We might register for baby stuff if the appointment goes well.

Mat says that I have grown since he has been in Costa Rica. Still no movement yet but the doctor seemed to think that was okay. It won't be for another couple weeks.



We had a bad storm and part of our roof got torn off. Mr. Fix it/Mat was able to tack it back down.

Stoked to see the Stokes in Atlanta!

Sonal came to visit this weekend and we had a great time. Oh yeah, Bruce was there too! We had a lovely time. I had to stop Sonal from flashing her growing baby bump to everyone we met. She was a little outta control!! Just kidding! Sonal is about a month behind me. She is due on August 21, 2008. We had a great dinner with about 11 of my good friends on Friday. Saturday we went shopping, dinner and a movie. They had to leave on Sunday, boo! But it was great to see them! Next time we see each other, we will have some babies.

19 weeks today!

Well, we are 19 weeks today! My back kinda hurts but it always kinda has. Last year I went to the chiropractor alot but I am not really sure that helped. So I need to work on my back daily when I workout but I don't. I'm lazy. I am still hitting the gym about 5 days a week and that is still feeling great! No bump yet and still not feeling any movement. We go to the doctor on Monday for a regular OB appointment and then on Friday for a BIG ultrasound. It's the one where we could find out the gender if we wanted to.....but we aren't! Mat's friend Hutch's girlfriend Melanie is an OB and she was poking around at me on Saturday. She said the baby is about right underneath my belly button which is pretty cool. I guess it is a bit "harder" there but I still don't notice anything.

Anyway, Mat's in Costa Rica. He is going horseback riding on the beach today. He got to see monkey's yesterday so he was pretty pumped about that! This is a picture of some sort of sloth that Mat got to see. He gets back on Saturday. Hope all is well with you!

New day...new me

After much coaxing from my fabulous friends, I started wearing maturnity-type shirts. It's a big step for me and I feel good today. I am really going to try hard to do it at least once a week till I actually get a belly and am forced to!
Thank you to my girlfriends! They are the best!

Back Bedroom (soon to be nursery)

Old Back Bedroom: This is going to be the baby's room. We cleaned this room out almost completely.


We aren't going to use this map but it's one that we picked up at a yard sale. Sorry I will take a better picture of the cleared out room when I get everything out!

Front Bedroom (guest bedroom)

Old Front Bedroom: We still want to keep this room for guests (like Sonal this weekend!). We got rid of bed and moved in the bed from the back bedroom.

Here is the new! I brought in the lamps from the piano.

Did anyone see Bobby Cutts fake cry on CNN yesterday? It was quite pitiful. There aren't even tears! Just a bunch of fake crying. There are no words I have for this jerk who killed his pregnant wife and child. The other attorney just started questioning him and says "Do you have a cold Mr. Cutts? Cause I see no tears!"


Good find of the day!
I have been looking for a bike trailer even though I know it's forever away until I could possibly use it. And someone on my message board suggested a bike trailer / jogging stroller. It's two in one!! Genius! Too bad it's super expensive but it's still something that we can save up for! Genius!

17 weeks and 3 day Belly Pics!

Am I getting any bigger? I little bit above the belly button.
Mat is looking good! His pants are starting to get loose so it's all good news at the Tainow house!

How cute is this!

Thank you to Amy's mom KC Faessler! So cute!

Day Care (Vol.1)

Okay, sorry no baby belly pictures yet. Since there is no real change, maybe we will do this every other week to see if there is a difference.

So Mat and I went to a couple daycare centers on Friday. Here is the low-down.

Central Presbyterian Church
So we show up on time and walked right in. I saw a keypad near the door but we didn't need it. We just walked right in. Mat was looking all around the place. Going up and looking in all the kids in the classrooms. I was looking for the person who we were meeting. We found the person who we were meeting and she began the tour. The daycare was really nice. It was not new, kinda old fashioned. It was a Church after all. There were 3 teachers for the nursery alone so the ratios were really good. They have a nursery, 1 year-old toddler room, 2 year-old toddler room and then they go upstairs with the bigger kids. They do daycare till 5-years old. In the nursery they wrote down when the kid pooped/peed, each feeding and when a diaper was changed. That goes home with each parent. It seemed helpful. Each room had a schedule that they followed. Outdoor time, reading, naps, etc. Everything looked good. No tv's in the classrooms. So after the tour I whipped out my list of questions. I started off with asking why we can just walk into the building without anyone stopping us. She said that this is not the norm and a parent must have not shut the door behind them. I guess parents have a key code specifically to them. And that's what they use to get in the building. We will have to go back and check on that again. Otherwise I liked it. She answered all my questions. The location is really, really convenient for both Mat and I and it's about $350/month cheaper than turner. On our way out, we spoke to a Dad who had 3 sons. We asked him how he like it. He said that all 3 go there and they love it. They are members of the church and drive quite a distance just to go there. He said the teachers are sooo nice. So that was nice to hear.
Sooooo, overall I liked it. We will probably sign up on the waiting list.

CNN/Turner
This was the place that said they could only offer a tour from 10-2. So we said screw that and we went anyway. They let me in cause I had a CNN id and then followed other parents in. No one was at the front desk so we went and found the director and he was totally cool about giving us a tour. He showed us all around. It amazes me that they allow 9 babies in the nursery for the 4,000 employee's at this company. It seemed much like the church only more high-tech. Newer toys. A bit newer/nicer facility. Anyway, the director said there is nothing we can do about the waiting list. Blurgh. On the way out we talked to a mom about how she liked Turner. She said she LOVED it. But said that her daughter was 6 months before she got in. She had another newborn but I didn't ask her about the sibling policy. I should have. Anyway, we are on the waiting list there.

Mat said that I need to be more direct in my questioning. He said that I would start out asking a question and then ask 5 others in the mean time. I guess I was nervous and getting jumbled. So I am going to work on that.