Our Life...

When it rains it pours, huh? Well then the last month in the Moen house has been one heck of a storm. Moving to a new city, finding a house, selling our current house (this one even produced a tornado and baseball-sized hail), packing, leaving a job I enjoy and moving....all while 7+ months pregnant. As of now, all of our belongings are in the St. Louis house (in boxes and piles spread throughout the house). We're currently sleeping on an air mattress at our home in Lawrence, which we close on this weekend (woohoo!), Dr. M leaves for a week-long conference Saturday morning and I'll be house-sitting for a friend next week to complete my last few days of work......on top of it all, our digital camera broke last week! I know, I know, you're anxious to see big belly pics, but you'll have to wait until we purchase another camera (this week, hopefuly).

Do you feel sorry for us yet? Well, don't. Though it may sound like there's a little black rain cloud following us around, the truth is we've been incredibly blessed. It's true. We found an amazing home in St. Louis, we were able to sell our house (which, in this market is amazing), Dr. M has the job of his dreams, our friends and family have been SO generous and supportive and we'll soon welcome an amazing miracle into our lives, baby M.

"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." - Dr. M

29 weeks!

Newton: "I'm mom's golden shadow and protector."

Our new house in Maplewood, MO

27weeks!

Graduation!

Dr. Moen is official - square hat, tassel, gown, hood and all!

25 and a half weeks!

SOLD!

With a huge sigh of relief our house sold last week!

Ready or not, here we come, St. Louis...

...all 5 of us!

Mother's Day

Sunday was my first Mother's Day. It was an amazing feeling. Though Dr. M was in Spain for the week, he thoughtfully left me a card with specific instructions not to open it until Sunday. I received several cards and well wishes from family and friends all weekend, which I spent at home with my own mother. It was one of the first Mother's Days I can remember that I actually got to spend in person with her. We celebrated the day early, on Saturday, went to the Farmers Market, shopping (new maternity clothes for me!), had lunch and just had fun hanging out together. As my mom said "Mother's Day will have a whole new meaning to you next year...."

24 Weeks

We're Registered!

We've finally registered for all sorts of fun, cute, practical (and non-practical), green baby stuff!! Though it took us three hours, several websites and a few heated discussions it's finally done. I'm sure we'll think of things we forgot or can't live without, which we'll add along the way. Please keep in mind that we will not find out the gender of the baby until it decides to come out and show the world. So, please keep items non-gender specific (we love the color lime green). We also want to be as environmentally "green" as possible and plan to use cloth diapers (Bummis Brand), natural skin care and avoid plastics (and BPA) as much as possible.

With that said, we're registered at the following sites:

www.babiesrus.com

www.target.com

www.rei.com

23 weeks...

At 23 weeks I may not appear to have the big belly you (or I) thought I would....however, it must look bigger to strangers and people I hardly know. That's right, I'm already getting the random, unsolicited belly rubs, tickles, touches and comments which always seem to catch me off guard. The other day an elderly man asked if I was retiring soon, when I looked confused, he pointed to my belly and smiled. This weekend a woman (mother of three) who stopped on a walking path to let her daughter pet Newton, said "good for you to be out exercising." I've had countless work colleagues and acquaintances pat or rub my belly, but no complete strangers...yet (I've been warned). Good thing I'm a social person (even when it comes to strangers) and I don't really have personal space issues, so the touching doesn't really bother me either. Bring it on....I've got over 3 more months of it :)

23 weeks

Pants

Okay, so I finally broke down this weekend and bought maternity pants. Yup, the kind with the big elastic waistband and stretchy thing that covers your entire tummy (no, they are not available in regular sizes, just maternity). Finding pants that I like and that are actually long enough for me has always been a struggle. So, after 4 maternity stores and LOTS of pants I finally found some that work (Capri's!). My regular clothes, however, still fit and I plan to continue wearing them as long as possible. I assume I'm not the only pregnant woman with a hatred for maternity clothes. I've recently discovered an amazing invention called the Bella Band. It's like the stretchy thing in maternity pants, but not attached to pants - just the band. I wear it over my unbuttoned, unzipped pants and it holds them up and gives my tummy some support - I love it! I'm looking forward to summer skirts, dresses and tank tops...and the pool.

22 weeks

20 weeks!!

Half way there!!!!!

Just 20 more to go (sigh)

Our New home:

Wash U campus!

A Perfect Little Human Being

Wednesday, April 1st was our very first ultrasound. An experience neither one of us will ever forget. We sat in the small, warm and dark room, almost in tears as we were able to actually see the little one for the first time. My belly exposed, covered in some sort of jelly and the ultrasound technicians magic wand scrolling across my abdomen, we watched the images appear on a large, flat-screen tv on the wall in front of us. We saw the brain, the little heart pumping, tiny bones, the stomach, spine, kidneys, little feet and hands. At just about half a pound and the size of my hand, we were surprised at how it looked like a "real" baby. When the wand stopped to take a photo we saw the little one kicking, rolling and waving it's arms around. "A perfectly active baby" said the technician. (Truth is, I think the baby likes my yogurt - it always seems to move after I've eaten it). One of our favorite moments was seeing a little foot and a tiny hand appear that reached up and grabbed the toes, pulling them down. The baby seemed so happy and alive in there. The sonographer said that everything looked wonderful and healthy and that we had made "a perfect little human being." (I couldn't have said it better myself).

The first glimpse of Baby Moen

Our first ultrasound!

Truly an amazing experience.

19 weeks - almost half way!

Mr. M:  "That's one scary looking baby!"

Mr. M:  "Whoever they are, they're destined for greatness."