The Verdict Is In!

I really wanted to post the results of the ultrasound yesterday, but with all the phone calls, texting, and celebrating it was too late (in my opinion) to worry about posting so I saved it for today. We had our appointment at 1:30 pm CST. As soon as we were called back and got situated in the ultrasound room, the tech let us know that the ultrasound is really for measurement purposes and there is a chance we might not see what the gender is if the baby isn't positioned right. The tech started prepping my belly with cold jelly and not even 20 seconds later she says "Oh, do you want to know the gender now?" so we of course say "yes!" Baby was in the perfect position at the right time. So she tells us...

After all the excitement, the tech continued on with the picture taking, measuring, etc. on the ultrasound machine and then proceeds to tell us that our baby boy is perfectly healthy and is growing at the perfect rate! Thank you Jesus again! We are so excited and couldn't be happier for our little one that will make his debut sometime around December 12th.

30 Day Photo Challenge Q&A

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I've had a couple of people ask me some questions about the challenge so I thought I would blog a Q&A post to make sure everyone saw the answers.

1. Do we have to show them everyday on our blog or just at the end of the month?
I am posting a photo to my blog everyday. For example, day 1: self portrait. I will take a self portrait and then post it on my blog for day 1 of the challenge which is, August 1st.
2. Would you mind if we posted this graphic to our sites, linking you of course?
Not at all, in fact I was hoping everyone would do that so they can let their readers know of the challenge. The more that joins, the merrier! It will also be a quick check off list and you won't have to come to my blog everyday to see it.
3. What if we are going on vacation in August?
If you're going on vacation like I am, I plan to take Instagrams on my iPhone and blog from my phone as well. If you are using a different phone or a point and shoot you can post them all once you get to a computer.
4. What if something happens and I cannot do the challenge on one of the days?
No day is predictable so of course, there might be the chance that you just cannot get to this project. That's ok! It's called a challenge not a requirement. This is all for fun!


I've created a button for you to put either on your blog or on each photo challenge post. Feel free to take!

<center><a href="http://www.sherryturley.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb306/sherrylynn87/photochallengebutton.png" /></a></center><textarea>PS- We go for our anatomy ultrasound this afternoon at 1:30 CST. I'll be back with the results later today!

Anyone Up For a Challenge?

My friend Jennifer and I are hosting a 30 day photo challenge for the month of August. It's pretty self explanatory, but basically days 1-30 there is a certain photo you take for that particular day and post it to your blog. I think that this challenge can be very inspiring to your readers as well as yourself. This is just a simple way to catalog each day in a different way, you could use Instagram on your iPhone, your instax or just a point and shoot digital camera. I've seen several ideas for displaying them or showing them off on your blog. A couple that I have stuck in my mind at the moment is Rachel's "A Month of Instax" series found here or displaying the photos after you take them with a frame like Meredith did here. Below is the list of photos to take for the Month of August, I hope you'll join us!

Who's in? I'd love to know in the comment section of this post.

DIY: Chalkboard Tray (Menu)

I saw this on pinterest and I just had to paint a tray with chalkboard paint. I then thought of making it a mini menu board for my kitchen art wall. This project only cost me a total of $4 since I already had the ribbon and chalkboard paint. I found the tray at Dollar Tree.

I had Paul paint the tray with gray primer and then chalkboard spray paint. I then let it dry for 24 hours and then hot glued the ribbon to the back. You could even place it on a plate stand in the corner of your kitchen counter if you didn't want to hang it.

20 Weeks

Baby's now the size of a cantaloupe!
"Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!"-thebump.com

Over the Weekend, Briefly

This weekend was spent shopping and staying indoors because it's been up to 107 around here. I picked up a few random items from the dollar tree and Michaels to work on some new projects...finally!

We went to Target to buy some stretch mark lotion and I also picked up this adorable bib for only $1. Oh, and yes that is the quilt that I never completed. I'll get back on that eventually...

What did you do over the weekend?

19 Weeks

Baby's the size of a mango!

"Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature."-thebump.com

18 Weeks

Baby's now the size of a sweet potato!
"Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon." -thebump.com

Let's Play a Guessing Game!

We went to the doctor yesterday and found out that they schedule ultrasounds separate from appointments. We had just a routine checkup yesterday and heard the heartbeat, it's at 155. I've gained 2 lbs. and everything seems to be healthy. Our next appointment is August 3rd, but the doctor let us schedule our ultrasound for July 28th so we can find out the gender as soon as possible. I'm counting down the days already. Paul and I don't have a preference on the gender, we just want a healthy baby. I thought since our ultrasound isn't until the 28th we could have a little guessing game here on the blog just for fun. Anyone want to join in? Boy or girl?

17 Weeks

Over the weekend I bought a few new outfits and I turned a pair of jeans into a jean skirt. I was starting to not fit into any of my non-pregnancy clothes anymore so it was time to go shopping. I had a little difficulty when making this jean skirt, but in the end it turned out perfect (in my eyes anyway). Here I am at 17 weeks (a day late).

Baby's now the size of an onion!

"Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints." -thebump.com

Over the Weekend, Briefly

This weekend was full of driving more than anything. We started out by driving to Arkansas to be with my in-laws on Sunday afternoon after church, then on Monday we got up and drove about an hour and a half to see Paul's mema for what would have been her 74th birthday. Since she passed we hadn't visited her resting place yet. We got back to my in-laws house and I had to have a nap because all of my energy was drained. After about an hour we left to go to Paul's grandpa's house for fireworks and a picnic which is 45 minutes from my in-laws. Then, of course it was the drive back to Oklahoma. So it was a very fast, eventful weekend, but we had a great July 4th with laughs, chatting, and all of us wearing the same 4th of July t-shirts.