Boy, oh, boy! Week 23

We had another ultrasound this week. They confirmed that we are indeed having a boy, and also that everything looked good. Lots of measurements were taken...different body parts, and internal organs. It's reassuring to get this good news. Thought we'd share the photos...there's no question that he's a boy!

Also this week, my pants no longer fit, as my belly is definitly getting bigger. Our little boy is kicking quite a bit too...especially when I'm trying to go to sleep! We've become quite busy with baby stuff, house rennovation stuff (we should have a new kitchen in next time I post) and now campaign stuff. Nothing like staying busy to help the days go by!

On the Campaign Trail

As of Friday, Aug 24th James is running for Palmerston North City Council standing for the Ashhurst/Fitzherbert Ward. He's been hearing me go on and on about Council and has decided he like to create some positive change for our city. Our City Council needs a change - people to truely represent all parts of the community - people with new ideas, people under the age of 60! Election day is Oct 13th and we'll be busy, busy, busy up until that date. If you'd like to contribute to the campaign, we'd love your help! Please see www.jamesdeeganpncc.blogspot.com for campaign information. We're updating it and adding to it constantly.

Back in NZ

Our last days in Florida were spent taking a mini vacation to Sarasota, hanging out at the beach, shopping, eating all the American Food we could, playing mini golf (James won by 1 stoke...and I think he might have cheated!) visiting aquariams, and spending time at our plush hotel, and winning $10 at the dog races (25 cent beer/hotdogs/sodas - can't get much better than that). 31 hours later with 2 missing bags and $600 less we arrive back to the Palmerston North winter. We we welcomed into our house by the smell of new carpet....it looks wonderful, and the baby will love crawling around on it. We spent the day opening up bills, and getting ourselves sorted for going back to work. As for now, we are watching Shelly's belly grow by the day, keeping ourselves busy at work, and continuing to make rennovations to our house. The biggest news so far is that Daddy felt his first kick this week. I think it shocked James at first, but made a great start to our Friday. Here's a few remaining photos from our USA holiday.

It's a BOY

IT'S A BOY!

Fran organized an ultrasound for us at her work, and we found out what we had been wanting to know for the past 20 weeks....We could now organize ourselves and mentally prepare ourselves for the arrival of our son!

As this is our first, we didn't really care if it was a girl or boy, just as long as it was healthy. I predicted a boy (as I seemed to be carrying it low, and hadn't had any morning sickness) but James thought it was going to be a girl. We're both delighted with the news and can now start thinking about names....don't ask....we're not telling :-) With the news also came a shopping spree where we bought several cute boy outfits, and we're also giving a HUGE thank you to Melissa and Matt for passing down huge amounts of baby Kohen's clothing. You da best!

Erin's Wedding and HOT HOT Florida

Erin's wedding was gorgeous! The weather was perfect, and the everything went as planned... except the baby inside me that has decieded to grow....FAST. No matter how much I asked the little one to stop growing for just a few days, it persisted to get bigger and bigger by the day - and I swear it wasn't just the American food we were eating either! This made fitting into my orginal bridesmaid dress near impossible - but everything worked out in the end. The wedding was great, and we loved the venue and dancing outside near the historic bed and breakfast mansions. We wish Erin and Matt all the best!!!

After Erin and Matt set off on their 7-day honeymoon Love Boat, we headed back to Cocoa Beach to visit family and play golf. Afterwards we went to Tampa with Dad and Fran. The beaches were amazing, and James got to catch up on his tan. I can't even describe how hot it was in Florida....SWEALTERING don't go outside hot! Made it near impossible to do any form of outdoor exercise - except splashing around in the pool or ocean (which felt like a luke warm bathtub with clear clear water, and fine white sand....hmmm....making me wish I was back there right now!)

YES!

While in St. Louis, James and I go out for an after dinner walk one Sunday (need to get as much exercise as I can with my growing baby inside me!) and to my shock James proposes to me in historic downtown Eureka, MO! I was completly shocked (and him dripping in sweat), but of course was thrilled to death. We always knew that each other was 'the one' but I just didn't expect a proposal till after the baby. I can't imagine life without James, he makes everyday better. The ring is gorgeous, and after walking home (James saw his first 'lighting bug' that night) I got to share the wonderful news with Mom and Bob. Unfotunatly no Champagne toast....will have to wait till after the baby's born for that...but we celebrated with beers (my non-alcoholic) and later in Florida we went out to a romantic dinner at the Melting Pot. Ms. Michelle Deegan, here I come! X

St. Louis, Missouri

I spent an unexpected additional 2 weeks in St. Louis with my Mom and Bob while waiting for James to arrive on the 27th of July. I spent my days visiting family, shopping, and hanging out at the pool. The weather was HOT, and a wonderful change from NZ winter. While James was here we took him to his first pro baseball game, and luckily the Cards won in the very last inning. We had only a few days in before we flew to Florida for Erin's wedding, but we spent them wisely visiting family, eating Ted Drews, seeing the Lion King.