We received our first piece of baby gear!!

We have not really had the time to shop around and make purchases for the baby since we found out we were pregnant due to Mr. Man's work schedule. However, people have been buying for us. Mostly little odds and ends here and there. But on Tuesday when we got back from Wales, we had several packages waiting on us. One of them was a gift from my Mawmaw. It was the car seat and stroller frame!! I was so excited when I saw it. I just about had a heart attack because I am such a planner and organizer, and all this busy-ness has been driving me insane. I have a hard time getting past the fact that we have done so little for the baby. We have bought one outfit for the baby, and that is about the extent of what we have done (other than rearranging and organizing the house). When I opened the box for the car seat and stroller frame, I was nothing but smiles. I was so very excited. I was so anxious and impatient to put it together, too. I just felt like it would make it seem more real. Poor Mr. Man was sleeping upstairs (because he's on nights), and I was downstairs putting it together - hammer and all. When he woke up, I had to show it to him. I made him push it around a little and play with it, too! We played with it until we figured out the easiest way to put the car seat on the frame and remove it. At first, it was hard for me, but I found a secret to make it easier. I was so proud and happy for that moment!

So after that, I was like, "Yay, we have the most important thing for the baby!" Mr. Man could tell I was so excited about it, so he told me he would get me a baby doll to use in it for the time being! Haha. He's hilarious!

But since I did want to make all of our big purchases before it got too close to the holidays and mail got crazy, I decided to order the bedroom furniture set. I am super duper excited to get that here. It will probably be a bit before we can put it together, but the comfort of having it purchased and in my home is such a relief. Just being able to walk by the room every morning and night and seeing the baby car seat and stroller frame is enough to make it seem so realistic for me.

So now, I am really starting to get excited. It has definitely sunk in, too.

My belly is definitely growing. I went from my stomach measuring 30-30.5 one week to being 31.5 this week! I know I am due to show the next 4 pictures, so as soon as I get them uploaded to the computer, I will share them. Mr. Man says I actually look pregnant now. I am definitely feeling the baby starting to move up in my stomach, too. It's pretty amazing. Last night, Mr. Man wanted to listen to the baby while we watched the football game. I laid down by him so he could listen. I pointed to where the baby was positioned because I knew he/she had moved up from where he/she was. Mr. Man's facial expression was priceless. It looked like he was in shock because he could hear the heart beat a whole lot better, and it sounded like the baby was very close. He was so amazed. He was shocked that I knew exactly where the baby was, too.

Yesterday for the first time I had 4 people rub my belly. So uncomfortable I must tell you, but thankfully most of them were people I am really good friends with. Only one person made me feel super uncomfortable about it, so I told her to ask before she touches. Just so I am prepared. I dread the day that strangers do it. I really do not like people touching my belly unless 1.) they ask or 2.) they are a good friend. Not to mention, I am only 17 weeks, which means I have a long time worth of this belly touching! Yikes!

For now, I am going to go lay on the couch and read. I am just waiting for Mr. Man to wake up, so we can take our pup for a walk.

Until next time..