Getting stronger

My dear little Aly is getting stronger and stronger with each passing day. Up until now, I wasn't sure if I could feel her moving from the outside, but now I know I can. 

Last night, I was sitting on the couch trying to listen to her heartbeat with one of Mom's stethoscopes, and my sweet girl decided she didn't want me to hear her. After a few seconds I felt the stethoscope get pushed away and was totally surprised. I moved it over a little towards where I figured I would find her chest, and she just pushed it away again! She did this four times; it was so amazing!

Sheesh, I'm so in love. It's hard to believe how much I can love someone who hasn't even been born yet, but it's true. I can't wait to meet her!

Registry Fun!

Friday evening, a few friends from work and I all made our way over to Buy Buy Baby to register me for all sorts of fun baby stuff. I requested two scanners so we could divide and conquer, but what I didn't expect were 42 pages of items! That's the equivalent of just over 300 items. 

I had one of the scanners at first, but I gave it up when I went to the bathroom and never asked for it back. I figured I'd be headed back to the bathroom over and over (and I was right, of course), so I just kept holding things out when I wanted them, and the ladies had fun scanning all over the place. 

Because I don't have 300 friends and can't imagine needing everything on the list, I cut it by two-thirds over the weekend. I mostly removed clothing and blankets because people will get me those types of things whether or not I'm registered for them, and the ones I really want I can just go back for and buy myself. 

One of my favorite items though, which I left on the registry, was a pair of furry boots for the winter time. They're $38.99, but I really hope someone will buy them. There are so many items on my list that I also really want, but I just can't pick my favorites. Maybe this adorable elephant humidifier that Lauren told me I just have to have. Retail price: $34.99. Or this chocolate diaper messenger bag for $109.99. Oh, I definitely want this sage baby papasan swing, which is $89.99. Hmm... either I have expensive taste, or preparing for a baby is expensive! I'm gonna go broke unless my dear friends and family are feeling very generous.

Anyway, you're welcome to view my full registry and buy me all the expensive things you want. I also have a registry at Babies R Us, which has around 40 things I need as well. Happy shopping!

Introductions

So, introductions...

I'm Katie, and the baby in my belly is Aly.

I am naming my sweet angel for my grandfather, who passed away in July 2002. His name was Alfred, but we always called him Aly. He was truly one in a million, and I miss him every day. I only wish that my little Alysse Vienne could have known him as I did. If only he had lived to be 120 like he promised me. I will be sure she knows him though, through photos and of course his memoirs and Emond Stories. (I really do need to get around to editing those.) I hope she will understand what an amazing person he was and why she was named for him.

I learned I was pregnant with Aly in September after I got home from Ireland. I had just broken up with her father, and I was in a bit of shock the morning I took that pregnancy test. I let him know about her, but it seems he won't be involved in her life. I'm going to be a single mother, and I'm okay with that because I have an amazing support system in my family. I am living with my mom at the moment, and she's excited about becoming a daddy. She can't wait to have a little fairy princess in the apartment!

My sisters Rachel and Jenni are also pregnant. Rachel is having her first, a boy, and she is due June 3, just like me (twin cousins!). Jenni is having her second, also a boy, who is set to arrive around July 8. It's a baby boom in this family, and we can't be more excited! Little Aly will be the first granddaughter, and I'm so thrilled about that.

Okay, what else do you need to know about me? I'm 27. I live in Maryland, where I was born and raised. I have a bachelor's degree in public relations and journalism (blech) and a master's degree in publications design. I work for Goodwill Industries International as a production specialist and editor, and I absolutely love my job. Oh, and of course the most important fact of all: I can't wait to be a mommie! I've wanted this my whole life. The circumstances aren't ideal, but what will be will be. I'm already in love with this little girl, and I can't wait to meet her!