Florida Baby Shower

Sunday afternoon my mom and her friends Jane and Dalia threw us the nicest baby shower! It was great to spend time with family and friends. I especially enjoyed seeing Nonna and my Aunt Mella. Baby b received some really great gifts. Everyone was so generous it is unbelievable. Now is the fun part where we get to start setting up more baby stuff like the car seats and stroller and pack n play.

My Dad is driving up the gifts as well as the family bassinet and cradle this Sunday. The history of the bassinet is that my great grandparents bought it as a gift for my Nonna when she had her first baby. So my Uncle Frank, my Mom, me, and Christina have all been in it. I think one of Nonna's nieces or nephews was in it as well. When I was born my late grandpa (Nonno) redid the inside with a little animal design and added a pink ribbon. Really neat. Now it is baby b's turn to enjoy it!

HWB and family bassinet

As for the wooden cradle, my Dad made that for me when I was born. He carved it himself and routed animals into the wood. It actually rocks and the wood he used to make the spindles are from my parents' first house which they built in Vermont. So a lot of history needless to say. We'll keep the bassinet in our bedroom and the cradle downstairs in the family room. Considering how tiny babies are they sure need a lot of gear!

I will definitely post pictures from the shower later this week. Thanks Mom, Jane and Dalia for all your effort with the planning planning and your thoughtfulness!

29 weeks

Today I'm 29 weeks along in my pregnancy. Baby b and I flew to Florida to visit family for the weekend. We did pretty well with the traveling except our second flight (out of Atlanta) was delayed 3.5 hours which made for a really long night. But in the end at least we're here safely!

On Friday Mom and I had lunch with Nonna. Of course we had cheeseburgers which are her favorite. She looked really good and we took a moment to snap a photo of four generations. (I'll post pictures when I'm back home). Then in the afternoon Mom and I went shopping at some baby stores in town. When we got back to the house there were roses waiting for me and baby b.... my husband is so thoughtful... thanks for thinking of us Blair!

Me and my Nonna

4 generations: me and baby b, my mom and Nonna


My mom and her two friends Jane and Dalia are throwing us a shower on Sunday afternoon. I'll be sure to post pictures when we're back next week.

Here's what baby b is up to at week 29:

Your baby's head is in proportion with body now. She appears more like a newborn each and every day!
Fat continues to accumulate under the skin -- only now preparing for entering the *real world*.
Your baby's brain can control primitive breathing and body temperatures.
Her eyes can move in their sockets. Soon she will be able to follow a blinking light.
Your baby is increasingly sensitive to changes in light, sound, taste, and smell! Various studies show that your baby may indicate preferences (or disdain) for particular tastes or odors at this stage
She is also moving from side to side, but probably still is head up. In the next few weeks, she will move to the head down birthing position. At times you may feel as if she is performing somersaults for a circus act!
Her length is now approximately 15.2 inches and weight is 2.54 pounds

28 Weeks... 12 to go

Blair & I had a productive weekend. We got a lot done around the house and many necessary errands accomplished. We also bought a camcorder so we can be ready for baby b's arrival. Right now we're testing it out on Spence!

On Sunday we went to a Richmond Braves game with Justin and Grady... too bad the Braves played terribly. The food at ballparks are always the best. I love the hot dogs and cotton candy (so does baby b).

I'm 28 weeks along now. Here is what baby b is up to:

-Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!
-Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut!
-Eyes are completely formed now. Her eyes are doing a lot of blinking this week because they're now able to respond to light and dark.
-Your baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.
-Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in your womb!
-Lungs are capable of breathing now (but baby would still struggle and require medical attention if born now)
-Talk to your baby often, reading stories, singing songs and more. She can recognize your voice now and will often calm to it later on!
-Your baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds and is 14.8 inches.

The nursery has been painted!

Baby b hit the 27 week mark yesterday and has moved ahead into the third trimester! I noticed that today is July 15 which means 3 months from today is my due date. Wow! We still have a lot to do to prepare for this little one's arrival so it's time to get moving!

Yesterday Uncle Justin, Auntie Teresa and Cousin Grady came over to paint baby b's nursery with Blair! We picked out a lavender color which turned out really nice. We think baby b will love her new room and that everyone pitched in to help.

Blair & I hung a Winnie the Pooh ceiling fan today-we had to have some Disney stuff! The colors for the nursery are lavender, white, and green, and her bedding has butterflies on it. The dresser and hutch are now in place - maybe next weekend we'll tackle the crib. Thanks Justin & Teresa for all your help on Saturday!!

Before - walls were creme colored



During - Uncle Justin, Blair, & Auntie Teresa hard at work

After - the walls are lavender!

Baby b's dresser & hutch



Winnie the Pooh light and ceiling fan

Ava Virginia Wiederman

Lindsay and Glenn welcomed their little girl, Ava Virginia Wiederman, into the world today at 2:04pm! Ava weighed in at 6 lbs, 10 ozs and measured 19 inches long. Both mom and baby Ava are doing well. Our niece is perfect and sooo cute! Congrats Lindsay and Glenn! Here are some pictures:

Sweet baby Ava approximately 4 hours old

Proud Uncle Blair


Auntie Heather & Ava

Auntie Teresa, Grady, and Ava

Wood Family Beach Week

We just returned from a week at Topsail Island in North Carolina. My parents rented a condo at Villa Capriani and it was very relaxing and fun to all be together. Our family came to Topsail while Christina and I were growing up. It's neat that we stayed at this same resort when I was only 12 and now almost 20 years later we'll get to take baby b (next year)!

Today marks 26 weeks for me and baby b. Some pictures:


Us on Topsail Beach


Christina and Dad under the tent


My parents


HWB @ 26 weeks