The Nursery - Complete!

Here is the finished product of Addison's nursery. It is finally complete! The letters were made by my friend Courtney. She is so talented and we absolutely love them! Now all we need is our sweet baby girl and we will be a complete family! Enjoy the photos.

Kevin at 7 months Gretchen at 7 months
Who will she look like?

36 Weeks

Today we had our 36 week checkup. Addison had a strong heartbeat between 130-140. She has the hiccups several times a day and still moves like a crazy person even though there really isn't any space left in there.

I also had my first internal (who hoo!) today. I wasn't expecting to be dilated because I still have four weeks to go, however, my OB informed me that Addison's head was extremely low and I was 2 cm. dilated and 65% effaced! She told Kevin and I that most likely she will not make her appearance this week (thank goodness b.c we are not ready!) however, anytime after next week is fair game. Anyway, she is measuring at 6.5-7 pounds and everything else looks great! I couldn't have asked for a better checkup.

Please pray that Addison and I can continue to stay healthy throughout the rest of our pregnancy. Also pray for a healthy delivery and baby. Thanks to you all who have continued to have our expanding family in your thoughts and prayers. They have certainly been working and for that we are truly greatful.

Things being pregnant has taught me...

I stole this post from my sorority sister Megan who just had her first baby girl last month. I thought it was so cute and funny I had to create my own list. Also, for those of you who are pregnant or have been pregnant, I encourage you to jot down your thoughts on pregnancy as well. Enjoy!

1. NEVER, I repeat, NEVER google any symptom you may have. This is something that I had to learn the hard way.

2. You learn the true meaning of family.

3. I never thought I would have a chocolate milkshake for breakfast.

4. I didn't know that bra sizes beyond the letter F existed. Now I do.

5. A 3D ultrasound is hands down a must have. Amazing!

6. Putting on Ugg boots qualifies as an intense workout.

7. Feeling your baby move is the most amazing experience you'll have ever have. It doesn't matter where, or what hour of the night she is kicking me. I have loved it every time!

8. The word emotional has taken on new meaning in the Chan household.

9. Date night, or any night for that matter = movies at home, board games and football.

10. My love for Kevin has become stronger than ever. He is going to be the best daddy!

11. Don't look at the scale when they weigh you at the doctors office. It will never be a pretty picture!

12. The word irritable takes on a new meaning.

13. The saying that you will never sleep again once you have kids is a myth, you stop sleeping about three months before then.

14. Comfortable is a word that I have removed from my vocabulary.

15. I get up to pee so many times during the night that I should take up permanent residence in the bathroom.

16. Women who say they love being pregnant are full of malarkey!

17. I have never felt so happy, scared, nervous, thrilled than I do right now. I can't to meet our little girl and be her mommy!

Christmas Traditions

This is our living room that still, after a year and a half of living here, does not have any furniture.

Please disregard the baby stuff in the corner.

Well it has been a while since I have posted anything. Life has been a little nutty with the Thanksgiving and such. Kevin's family is in Texas for the Holiday and since I am not allowed to travel anymore, Kevin and I celebrated Turkey Day here in Columbus with my mom's family. It was a nice, relaxing day with great food and good company. I am so very thankful for my wonderful family.

As for my pregnancy, nothing too exciting is happening. I am 34 weeks and feeling more and more uncomfortable each day. Sleeping is becoming quite a challenge and so is walking up and down the stairs without running out of breath. January 9th cannot come sooner!! Kevin and I have started to play "name that body part." Yesterday we saw her sweet foot come out of my tummy and sometimes she hikes her little bum in the air and just stays in that position. It's really funny and amazing to watch all at the same time! I am glad she is moving and groovin' around in there and hope she is more comfortable than I am!

Today we decided to start a Chan family tradition that we can continue when Addison arrives. We put up our tree and hung all the ornaments. This is something my family did every year after Thanksgiving. We listened to Christmas music and talked about the significance of each ornament we hung. I loved doing this as a child and hope that when Addison is old enough to remember, she will enjoy this tradition as much as I did. With that being said, I usually go all out with Christmas decorations, however because we will be very close to having a child around Christmas this year, we decided to keep it simple. We will have enough to keep us busy this holiday season. So I leave you now with pictures of our tree and also a question. With Addison arriving within weeks we want to start some unique Holiday traditions with her. What special traditions do you have with your loved ones?

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Couples Shower

This past weekend we had another shower for our sweet girl. This shower was held by all my mom's best friends. It was so nice to be around people who had influenced my mother's life so much. These women were such strong pillars of strength in my mom's life and now have taken on that role in mine and my sisters. We are so very blessed! Thank you Wendy, Jane, Tina, Robin, Ellen, and Lana. You have been so wonderful to my family and I can't begin to thank you enough for our shower. What a wonderful time!

Kevin and I were completely overwhelmed by the love and gifts that everyone brought for Addison. I guess trying not to spoil her is not working out so much and she is not even here yet!!

The food was delicious, the atmosphere was inviting and the people were so loving! Thank you everyone who came to celebrate the soon-to-be arrival of our little girl.

My sisters & I

Alyssa, myself (the marshmallow), and Kelly

The spread

The amazing hostesses

Feeling her kick!

Big Brother

As I came home from work today and opened the door to find my sweet dog greeting me as I walked through the garage, I realized that some of you may not know that Kevin and I have a dog named Titus. He is a black lab, German Shepard mix and just the sweetest dog you will meet. He looks very scary at first, however, inside he is just a big baby!

Titus will be 10 this March (gulp!) Kevin and I picked him up at the local animal shelter during the summer of my freshman year of college, and Kevin's sophomore year. He lived with Kevin at Miami for four and half years and was spoiled rotten and was loved by all who met him, including all of Kevin's roommates.

When we got married, Titus became the protector of the house and has been that way ever since. He is extremely sweet and kind with children, especially my nephews so I have no doubt in my mind he will be wonderful with Addison. Now, I know he will be VERY jealous but I also know he will love her and protect her just like he does for his mommy and daddy. Kevin and I love this dog very much and think he is going to be a great, loving, caring big brother.

Family & Friends Baby Shower

Family and Friends at my shower. Novemeber 8th, 2009.

The Spread.

Yesterday I had my first baby shower thrown by my sister's Kelly and Alyssa. We had such a great time and I was completely overwhelmed with all the wonderful gifts! I have so many amazing, caring people in my life and I am so thankful for all of them.

We had a great mix of loved one's attend the shower. My aunts, Kevin's aunts, my best friends, my mom's best friend, Kevin's mom, lots of family friends, and Addison's great grandma!! We played a couple of games - measure the belly and guess how many m & m's are in the baby bottle. The food was great and the weather was perfect! Addison is one loved little girl! I am so excited for her to get here so she can use all the awesome gifts that we got yesterday. When I got home from the shower and Kevin had to unload the car he was a bit taken aback by all the gifts, cards. and love we received for our baby girl.

Thank you again for all of you who came. It was so great seeing all of my family and friends together celebrating the upcoming debut of our daughter. Thank you also to my wonderful sisters. I honestly don't think I could get through this without the love of my amazing family! I love you both so much!!

Here is a picture of the beautful blanket my best friend Laura made for me. She made it before I was even pregnant! It is pefect and beautful and I can't wait to snuggle my baby up in it!

Gotta have some Buckeye gear!

My friend Carrie's baby girl Charley.

30 weeks & stockin' up!

I had my 30 week appointment last Wednesday and everything is looking good! Addison's heartbeat was a strong 140 however, it took my OB a while to pick it up because every time she put the doppler on my belly, Addison would kick it! She packs a mean punch that girl! I will now be going to the doctor every two weeks for a check up. I am still measuring a little ahead of schedule ( a week and a half) however, my OB said that really doesn't mean I will deliver early, it just means she is growing right on target.

I am starting to get more and more uncomfortable. I guess that is about right since I have a mere 30 extra pounds of baby/body weight attached to me. Getting up out of bed has become quite a chore and Kevin knows to put his hand on my back in the middle of the night to launch me out of bed so I can use the bathroom for the 20th time! I know all of this will be worth every minute this baby lives in my belly but there is a reason that men don't go through this - they just couldn't handle it! Although Kevin always tells me he would dominate pregnancy! Right!!

I made a little trip to Target last week for some diapers and wipes because they were on sale and I had coupons and I figured I would need them sooner or later. I bought both Huggies and Pampers brands because I am not sure which is better. If you have experience in the diaper field, I would appreciate your input. I also bought some baby lotion, Butt Paste (aka diaper rash cream) and some cute little pink shoes that I could not pass up. They were 3 bucks!

Gettin' Ready for Addie!

Kevin getting the last of the paint on the walls. He is such a gem!

Here at the Chan household we are slowly starting to get ready for our little girl. She will be making her debut into this world in 68 days! The weekends are when we paint, hang, shop, tape, etc, etc. So that is pretty much what we have been up to lately.

I really shouldn't take any credit for any of the work that has been done around here. I have been the person who has been barking orders (imagine that!) All the credit goes to my wonderful hubby and sisters Kelly and Alyssa. They have been constantly there for Kevin and I throughout this journey and I don't know what I would do without them. I am so lucky to have such great people in my life.

My sisters and I have always been close, but since our mom passed away, we have formed an extremely strong bond. They are truly my best friends and love spending time with them. I know that when Addison arrives, she will surrounded by so much love from her aunt's. My mom would be so proud to see the love her daughter's have for each other.

ADDISON'S NURSERY
We still have a lot to do in here but we thought we would get the essentials in now.
My good friend Courtney who is expecting her second baby will be making wooden letters to put above Addie's bed. She is so talented and I am very excited to see what she comes up with. Thanks again Court!

My sisters Alyssa and Kelly putting together the crib.

Cincinnati Visit

Lindsey, Merhin, Lori and Cecily at Molly's.

The momma's - to -be!
Lindsey, me and Lori.

Kevin and I went down to Cincinnati yesterday to visit some of my sorority sisters from UK. I had not seen them since Molly & Nick's Wedding (September 6th, 2008) That's a whole year!! The boys were sent over to Travis and Lindsey's house so us girls could catch up.

Molly, Cecily, Merhin, Lori, Lindsey, Jenna and I ate an amazing dinner at Molly's. We had a lot to talk about and celebrate since the last time we were together. Lori (Compton) Kreyling and Lindsey (Burgheim) White and I are all due with our first children in January! Lori and I are due the same day and Lindsey just a couple weeks later. They are both having boys so Addison will have a group of good looking gentlemen to choose from when she gets older.

Being together with all my friends made me realize just how truly blessed Kevin and I are. We have such wonderful people in our lives who love and care about us. It seems like no matter how long we all go without seeing each other, nothing seems to have changed once we reconnect. I love that feeling!

Because I will not be able to attend Lindsey or Lori's baby showers due to my own shower conflicts, we were able to exchange gifts for our little one's. I got the cutest things for Addison! She is going to be so spoiled by her Kentucky Aunties I can already tell.

This truly was an amazing weekend! We had delicious food, even better dessert (chocolate covered carmel apples dipped with sprinkles!) and great company. Thank you girls for a wonderful time! I am so lucky to have such kind, caring friends in my life. I can't wait for Addison to meet you all. I know you will be such a blessing in her life!!

Congrats again Lori and Linds! What an amazing time in all of our lives!

26 Weeks and diabetes test

Glucose Testing drink - Yummy!

26 weeks pregnant.

Last week was my 26 week checkup along with a glucose screening test to rule out gestational diabetes. Everything went well except for the fact that my OB told me I would no longer have any ultrasounds! I guess that is a good thing because in her eyes everything in this pregnancy is going smoothly (knocking on wood!) but I still have a whole trimester left and I would like to see what Addison is up to in there!


For my glucose test I had to drink a orange, flat pop sugary beverage as fast as I could. It was not bad at all and within a day, my nurse called me back with results that I tested fine. No diabetes!

Addison's heartbeat was s strong 150 and she weighs about 2 pounds now! She is still head down which is where we want her from here on out. I am also measuring three days ahead of schedule. She might be a December baby after all!

In non baby news, this past Thursday, Kevin and I celebrated our four year wedding anniversary. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. We celebrated last night with a little shopping trip to Babies R Us and then out to dinner. Nothing too special, however, we did sleep until 9:30 this morning which NEVER happens. It was heaven!

Wedding day. October 8th, 2005

Well I am off to get moving on my scrapbook. I am working on a scrapbook of my mom. She passed away three years ago and I told myself I would have this thing finished before Addison was born so I could show and teach her about her Me Ma. My mother was an amazing woman and an even more amazing mother. I only hope that I can be half the mom she was. I love and miss you mommy! I promise our Addison will carry on your legacy.

My mom and I snuggling. 1983.

My mom and I on Spring Break 2000 in Paradise Island, Bahamas.

More 3D pictures

L Legs, arms, bum

Yawning


a little smirk - LOVE HER!!

3D Ultrasound 25 weeks!

Here is a shot of her sweet face. She looks just like Daddy!

Arms crossed

Waving

Today we had our 3D ultrasound. It took an hour and half and it was AMAZING! We got to determine that she will be Addison Cynthia Chan and we got to see how much she has grown. She is measuring in at the 79th percentile in height (thanks Daddy!) and 50th percentile in weight. She weighs 1 pound 9 oz and she has all of her Daddy's best features like his mouth and his nose. She was really squirmy at first, however, the ultrasound tech did a couple of things to get her moving (i.e. putting me on my hands and knees!) and it worked! Her head in down which is good and resting comfortably on my bladder!! We can't wait to meet her. This was truly an amazing day!!