24 Weeks on Dec 24th & Christmas 2009!

We hit Kinsley's 24 week mark on Dec. 24th - Christmas Eve! And what a great Christmas! We missed being with Philip's family this year as they were all up in PA - just wasn't the same. But we couldn't make the trip up there with being preggers and Philip's knee surgery that we managed to thankfully squeeze into 2009! So, it was Christmas with my family this year! After a few days of recuperating from the knee surgery last Monday, it was finally Christmas Eve! We went to church with my parents and Dan and Ang, then off to Ted's for dinner before back to their house with our pups to spend the night. As you can see from the Christmas morning pics above, Santa definitely knew where we were staying this year! Don't you just love Christmas AM pics - everyone looks so fresh-faced! We had a great time gift-opening... we even got a special gift addressed "To: Mommy and Daddy, From: Kinsley" for her to use once she's here...and Hunter had a great time opening his gifts, as you can see! And then a family tradition at the Marshall house on Christmas morning: Beignets! I think they are actually better than the ones at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans! I am not sure why I decided to take a bare-belly shot in front of the tree AFTER I had taken down about 6-7 of those beignets, but I am pretty sure that Kinsley thought that they were as delicious as I did! So here's my growing baby bump shot in front of the Christmas tree at 24 weeks - next Christmas will be amazing with her in our life!

23 (almost 24) Weeks!

Philip snapped this photo of me in front of the tree last night after a long day at the hospital for his knee surgery...whew, how I am growing! But that means that she's growing, so I couldn't be happier! I love to read my weekly updates on her growth status, and this week's is pretty cool!

Your Baby
Your baby isn't just sitting around (on your bladder) doing nothing, she's working hard preparing for life outside the womb—perfecting her lungs and packing on the pounds. She'll gain ½ pound this week alone. Other highlights this week:

Things are starting to get a little crowded inside the old womb as baby grows bigger and bigger. Your ribs are probably pining away for the good old days when they didn't have a foot permanently lodged between them. Hate to break it to you, but it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Your baby's ears are fully functional now. And since they are, you may notice that loud noises and sudden movements can startle the little bugger. She's getting used to the everyday sounds inside the womb: the sound of your heart beating, your lungs inhaling and exhaling air, the growling of your stomach because your partner promised he'd be right back with that double cheeseburger and he's taking forever! She'll even be able to hear your voice!

Baby's got a fully developed inner ear now. This means her sense of balance is working and she can tell whether she's hanging upside down or right side up. She can also feel you moving, so go ahead, pop in your favorite tunes and boogie.

Philip's Early Christmas "Gift": Knee Surgery

So we started off this week of Christmas with a trip to Piedmont hospital for Philip's knee surgery. It was actually the first time in the 9 years that we have known one another that he has had to go through something like this. Nothing like an already hormonal, pregnant female going back to kiss her husband goodbye as they wheel him off to surgery. Yep, I teared up quite a bit. But all went really well...better than expected, actually. We were told the worst case scenario would be a titanium screw in his knee if Dr. Royster (who was wonderful by the way) got in there and bone was exposed, and 1-2 nights in the hospital. But instead, we got the best case scenario: the planned lateral release and scope and back at home by later that afternoon. Philip's cartilage was pretty torn-up behind his knee cap - I have both pictures and a recording of the surgery to prove it - but should be all smoothed out now, so hopefully no more pain! And the lateral release of his tendon should keep his knee cap from dislocating again. He will be back to his full-strength, healthy-self in no time!

As for me, I am officially off till New Years from work - what a nice break! I cannot remember a busier December ever work-wise...basically juggling 2 jobs at 5 months pregnant got to be really wearing on me. I didn't even leave the office last Friday until almost 7:00, but well worth it to get everything done in preparation for some time off. I officially took over my new role this past week, with it really kicking into high gear at the first of the year. So right now I am really just concerned about helping Philip recover (and that's a full-time job as he's not getting around very easily yet), resting, and getting last minute Christmas shopping / cards done. Hunter is LOVING having both of us at home...in fact, today's schedule consists of sleeping by the fire and watching the various bad Christmas movies on TV.

Kinsley continues to be doing great and letting me know she's in there at all times of the day - even the early hours of the morning when she thinks it's time to play. :) She is obviously growing bigger everyday as it is becoming even more evident these days that I am very pregnant...I will update with a growing belly shot soon!

The Big 3-0!

I cannot believe it, even as I am sitting here...I am in my 30th year of life on earth. I am so blessed. It is funny - I have told the story a few times today of what I always pictured on my "30th birthday."...nothing short of Carrie and the girls on Sex & The City...dressed to the nines, probably even in NYC, a Cosmo in hand...well, it is a little bit different than what I pictured years ago, but my blessings are so abundant. Even though a lot of family was out of town today, including Philip for work, I did have a wonderful dinner with Mary, Tom, and Kelly...it was so sweet of them to make sure I wasn't alone tonight, and we had a great time and a great dinner! I had phone calls and messages from so many friends and family...it was great. As I sit here, I am reflecting on how lucky I am and how God has blessed me so far...I have an amazing husband, loving family, the best dog ever, a wonderful house to call home, a new job that I think I am going to really enjoy (and my new role became official today, as a matter of fact)...and oh-so-important, a healthy baby girl growing bigger and stronger every day inside me.

We had a 22 / 23 week check-up yesterday: Kinsley's heartbeat - easily detectible this time...no more hiding in there - was still loud and strong at 140 bmp, she is estimated about 1.25 - 1.5 lbs (it's about time, since her mamma has put on well over that amount), and the "size of my uterus" is where it should be...and much to my amazement, that means over my belly button...seriously, they measured my belly with measuring tape. Crazy! I am really, really starting to notice the changes in my body, especially over these past few weeks. She is moving constantly - which I L-O-V-E. Somersaults, kicks, punches...she is having a party in there. And when I feel her moving about, I feel like everything is okay. Kinsley is already changing my life...changing our life. She is going to make my 30th year the most memorable yet.

The first weekend of December!

It was a great first weekend of December 2009! Started off Friday night with our annual AXO Christmas party, which was held at our house this year! It was great to see everyone (although there were quite a few that couldn't make it and were sooo missed), and there were actually 4 of us there that were pregnant! It was fun to be able to talk with the "experienced" mommies about their new babies and to the other expectant mom's-to-be about everything that we are going through together!

Then it was off to the mountains on Saturday with a group of friends. Lot's a great photos below of my growing belly and beautiful mountain views in the freezing cold! It was a great time to get away and relax. You know your defintely in the full swing of pregnancy when you actually look preggers in a sweater!!! Ashley and Lauren even kissed my belly in a photo (underneath that big bulky sweatshirt) for good luck! Kinsley is going to be blessed to have so many people excited to meet her in April!

21 Weeks and Kickin'!

We are 21 weeks today, and last night was big night for Philip...we had just finished up dinner and I was sitting on the couch when Kinsley starting kicking away. I placed my hand on the outside of my belly, and there was no doubt I could feel her kick against the palm of my hand! I called for Philip to get in here, muted the TV (not sure why - maybe I thought the sound of TMZ in the background would be distracting), placed his hand where mine was and asked him to be patient while I barely moved a muscle...then she kicked...hard...twice! (I think she is going to be a soccer player...Philip thinks dancer because she moves a lot when there is music around). He felt some little flutters and then the two strong kicks right to my abdomen! His facial expression was priceless...a HUGE smile. My favorite thing that he keeps saying to me is, "I cannot wait to meet her"...well that, and asking every time we chat over the phone at work, or when we are getting ready for bed, or waking up in the morning: "how are you, babe...and how's our little Kinsley?" This is one daddy-to-be that cannot to meet his little girl...although I think I might have scared him last night when I asked if he thought she would be an avid shopper like her momma... :)

Kinsley's Nursery!

Wow, we got so much done this weekend! I feel like we are so on-the-ball! But with the holiday's approaching and not knowing exactly when Phil might have his knee surgery, I would rather be ahead than behind on this one! Last Sunday, Philip and I picked out Kinsley's baby bedding pattern, and we were blessed to receive Pottery Barn Kids crib and changing table from our friends, The Scully's. With baby pillow in hand, we went to Home Depot on Wednesday evening to get our paint for the nursery, and here it is, Sunday night, and we are well on our way to completing a perfect bedroom for our baby girl! Everything...the colors, the furniture...is falling into place. BUT, we could not have gotten this done without help from our dads: my dad helped Philip paint on Friday and Philip's dad helped him assemble the crib on Saturday. I was able to add the bedding and some small touches in the room today, including painted letters with her name above the crib. I am unbelievably happy with the outcome so far! Is it normal to just sit in your future baby's room and just like that - it becomes the most pieceful, quiet, comforting, and favorite room in your house? Philip and I are loving every memorable step of this journey, and this weekend was a big turning point in making everything about this pregnancy sink in a little more!

Halfway There...20 Weeks!

Well, we hit the 20 week mark on Thursday, Thanksgiving. I celebrated by eating lots of delicious T-day food! :) It's amazing that we are already halfway through this journey, and so looking forward to what's to come. Kinsley is moving around a lot more these days, and I hope that we are only a short time away from Philip being able to feel her kicking and punching as much as I do. We are constantly talking to her like she is already in the room. I have also discovered how much fun it is to sing to her. She tends to move around more when there is music in the air, so it is not uncommon to catch me singing Christmas music to her in the car!

My belly is also definitely starting to show more, especially at night. This picture is of me holding up one of the pieces of her crib...wow, what a difference a few weeks makes, huh? I swear that the old saying is true..."the camera adds 10 lbs"...and 10 inches to my waistline, for that matter. It doesn't help that I had just eaten another huge Thanksgiving-leftovers dinner and was wearing a tight shirt...but the camera doesn't lie - Kinsley and I are definitely growing!

We've decided on a name (and the spelling)!

We have officially decided that our little girl will be named: Kinsley Elizabeth. We went back and forth about changing the "ley" to "leigh," but have decided on the more traditional spelling (for a not-so-traditional name) of "ley." K-i-n-s-l-e-y. We love it...and love calling her by name these days! We can't wait to meet our sweet girl on April 15th. :)

Kinsley's First Photos at 19 Weeks!

We're having a GIRL!!!

Look out world! Baby-GIRL Stanford is on the way!!! What a perfect day. A great doctor's appt! Not only did we find out that we are having a baby girl, but she is healthy and growing at a great pace so far! At 10" and 10 oz, we got to see her profile, her fingers, her toes, her feet, her heart...everything...and wow is she an active little thing! Moving all around in there the entire time they were trying to measure everything! Now I know what all those little flutters are...those arms and legs never stopped moving!

I will post her ultrasound photos later once we get them on email (the hard copies of them are amazing and hanging on our fridge...all 11 of them), but for now, here are some great photos of Philip and I at the OB office after the ultrasound, and some more from our "Reveal The Gender Dinner" with our family tonight! Everyone got gift bags (neutral colors of course, as not to give anything away) with a photo of one of her profile photos in a "It's a girl" frame! Right now, we are thinking Kinsley (or

Kinsleigh) Elizabeth for the name..we'll see!

18 Weeks!

He's my belly shot (a few days late) from our 18 week mark a few days ago! Getting bigger! And please disregard my horrible choice of incredibly baggy sweatpants...they certainly are not the most attractive things in the world, for sure, but I wasn't thinking about that when I took this shot...I was just thinking about how comfy and oh-so-inviting they looked when I got home from wearing a dress, pantyhose, and heels all day at work. :) Kind of a "milestone" today...someone at work who I do not know (and who definitely did not know I was pregnant beforehand) actually asked me when I was due?! I was a little shocked...guess I am officially looking preggers now and showing a bit more than I thought!

So, BIG week this week! We find out the gender this Wednesday!!! We have our 19 week ultrasound appt where we not only finally find out the gender of our little jelly bean, but we are also prayerful that we get a good report on the baby's health and growth progression so far.

Will our next blog post be in PINK or BLUE!?!?!?

In the 18th week...here's what is happening!

Your Baby
Your baby's ears are now facing forward and are completely formed so she can actually hear you talking now. You don't need to abandon your potty mouth just yet, but you might want to start thinking about it! Other highlights this week:
This week is also the beginning of ossification. And while that sounds like some long and involved paperwork you'll have to fill out, it's really a fancy medical term for the hardening of your baby's miniature bones. And that's a good thing.
Your baby's nerves are making more and more complex connections. Her sense of smell, taste, sight and hearing are all developing. A substance called myelin, which makes nerve connections travel faster, is now coating your baby's nerves.
Your baby now weighs between 5 and 7 ounces and is about 5½ inches long—about the size of a pickle from the corner deli. (You're familiar with pickles, right? Your regular accompaniment to a big bowl of ice cream?)

17 Weeks!

We are 17 weeks as of this past Friday - here's a look at my growing baby bump! As of today, we only have a week and a half left to go until we find our the gender of our little one! We got LOTS done this weekend around the house - ahem, my sweet husband, dad, and some other helpers did, that is! People always told us to get the little jobs around the house completed BEFORE the baby arrives or they'll never get done, so that's what we did...2 new toilets, new garbage disposal, new ice maker, trees chopped down, backyard hedges pulled up, tons of dirt added to the side yard of our house (no more flooded basements we hope)...you know, the glamorous stuff! But Philip got a bunch crossed off our our "honey-do" list!

I also had to add this picture of Hunter to the blog...I came downstairs to find him sleeping on not 1, but 2 of his dog beds and curled up around his favorite red pillow. It was TOO cute not to grab a photo! He is the best pup...I love every ounce of him. I can only imagine how strong our love for our new baby is going to be, when we love this "baby" so much!

In the 17th Week...here's what's happening!

Your Baby
Speaking of packing on the pounds, that what it's all about for baby this week. He's adding fat stores that will keep him warm and cozy after he's born. Your baby's weight will increase approximately six times over the next four weeks. Good to know you're not the only one tipping the scale. Also this week:Your baby is hard at work honing his sucking and swallowing reflexes—all the better for eating that 2 AM (and 5 AM, and 8 AM ...) meal in a few months! The finger- and toenails are beginning to grow from their nail beds, which would explain why he'll need them trimmed almost as soon as he's born! Your baby weighs nearly 5 ounces and is a little over 5 inches long—about the size of a baked potato (load on the butter and sour cream, please).

16 week belly shot!