Couples Shower and Basement Pics, Week 34-35

Only 4 more weeks to go!! It's so hard to believe. Since our last post, a lot has happened. We had an ultrasound of Grayson at 34 weeks. He was 4 pounds 13 oz (give or take 6 oz), he is in the 44th percentile and he has A LOT of hair! He's doing perfect in there. I feel that he's put on a few pounds since then, and that was just the beginning of last week! The basement was finally finished last Thursday so we moved everything down and only have a few things left to do. As you can see, we don't have anything on the walls yet and just the little stuff is left.

On April 23rd, my amazing work friends threw us a shower. In true Best Upon Request style, there was a CRAZY potluck with all of my favorite dips and treats; way too much food. They surprised me with a cake in the shape of a baby that was in my favorite flavors; red velvet and funfetti. On Saturday, Lindsey, Gretchen and Mandy (and their awesome significant others) threw us a couples shower. We played games; what melted chocolate bar is in the diapers, guess what baby item is in the bag and toss the diapers. There is also a poll going to see who guesses the due date! We have the best support system and words really cannot express how special everyone has made us feel.

I am nesting with the best of them...Grayson's clothes are all washed, our bag is already packed and the batteries are in his CD player- ready to rock! It has been so fun! Time has flown by...until now. I am ready to meet him. I have loved being pregnant but I am ready to see all of that hair and see his face. It's off to the races this weekend- Kentucky DERBY 2010! If any of you are going, I hope to see you there. I will be the one in the black moo-moo with flats on. Love to you all!
CHECK OUT SOME MORE PICTURES AT: http://picasaweb.google.com/mollyzurlage/BasementAndShower?feat=directlink

Maternity Pictures and Updates, 30-33 weeks

I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy! The past few weeks have been great. They weekend of March 19th (30 weeks) started off with Mom and Hugh coming up to help up paint the basement and a maternity photo shoot with our fabulously talented wedding photog, April. We had so much fun...and so did Lucy! As you can see, she is such a ham ;) The "painting crew" grew on Saturday night with Kevin and Vicki coming to help. Through the night and working tireless hours, the basement painting was complete on Sunday night at about 7 pm (well, almost 100% complete). It was a valiant effort and one that was much appreciated.
The next weekend was spent picking out furniture, countertops, etc. That was fun but exhausting! Cecily and I walked a 10K on the 28th and it felt amazing. Easter was also a smashing good time. Saw lots of friends and family, soaked in the sunshine and played outside. Mom's traditional egg hunt proved that Daddy (Nick) may not be the one to represent our family in future competitions and didn't really pull his weight :) But, it was the effort that counts! Happy Birthday's this month to Mom (Nonnie), Dad (Grandpa Bob) and Grama Molly (Great Nonnie)!
Grayson is getting so big and strong. I have been going to the doctor every two weeks now and he is measuring perfectly and doing well. I have loved feeling his little feet and limbs moving around. They are so cute, I cannot wait to get my hands on those little piggies. Nick and I have our prenatal in a day class this weekend and I am sure we are in for a treat!!! Sending our love and best to all of you.

Baby Shower Weekend and Grayson in 3D

The weekend of the 13th-14th of March was filled with lots of love, little miniature things, and soft cuddly snuggly things. Saturday started off with an amazing shower given by Christine and Jef. From the second we walked in the door, there were special touches that couldn't have been any cuter. A wreath with his initials, cookies with his initials, diaper cake with mini sunglasses, delicious cake and M&Ms, alphabet book in the making, etc. Too much fun! We played two games: how many words can you make with Grayson Beck Zurlage and how many jelly beans are in the baby bottle. Then we opened gifts and spent time together. It was really incredible and he is one lucky, already spoiled little tyke. Saturday night was family time which is always my favorite :) Most of us passed out early and called it a day.
Sunday, Mom, Titi, Grama and I travelled to Lexington for a shower at Aunt Katie's. The aroma from Heather's cooking was truly heavenly. The Beck and Zurlage women came from all over the place to spend time and shower Grayson. Everything was perfect; from the food to the stories and games. We played two games; what condiment is in the diaper and how many toilet paper sheets around is my belly measuring. Currently it is at 9 sheets! YEAH! The CATS won as well...which is always a nice ending to a great weekend.
To cap it all off, Monday morning we had our 3D ultrasound back in Cincinnati. (Are you following me?! Went from Cinci to Louisville to Lexington BACK to Cinci ;)) Mom, Grama, Titi, Nick and I all got to see him smiling, moving, giving us the finger (yes, its true) and moving his little mouth. We aren't sure who he looks like! At the beginning, he looked like Mommy and toward the end, he was looking more like Daddy...he looks like Grayson is the best way to explain!! His toes are his Daddy's for sure and he sleeps with his hands by his head just like his Mommy.
His nursery is nearing completion- thanks to the blood, sweat and tears of his Nonnie. We worked hard all day Monday putting the finishing touches on it and we are so proud of the outcome. Visitors are always welcome! More to come this weekend, hopefully. Sending love and thanks to all of our family and friends. There is no way to explain how wrapped up in love I felt this weekend. We are all so blessed.
Check out the link to Grayson's 3D Ultrasound Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/mollyzurlage/3DUltrasoundPictures?feat=directlink

All Baby Weekend!

This weekend was a BLAST!!! Saturday, the 27th of February was such a great day. After meeting Grayson's pediatrician, we went over to Lindsey and Travis' for a day filled with BABIES!!! Brady, Carson and Dylan were the cutest little men and we had so much fun playing together. They were like celebrities being hounded by the paparazzi with all of our cameras! I think they will get used to that in no time. Then, Nonnie and Poppie came up from Louisville and we started putting furniture together and painting the nursery. It was awesome to see it all come together. We didn't finish everything until Sunday night at 7 pm but it was well worth it. Poppie's meticulous paint job looks so good and Nonnie's attention to detail is unmatched! Thank you just doesn't say enough. We love you both and couldn't have done it without you.

So, the room is now on it's way to being complete! We don't have anything on the walls or anything but it's getting there. Nick, Lucy and I love the room. Feels good just being in there. We can't wait until Grayson gets here and its filled with even more love. Mommy's belly button has gone flat which is too much fun. He is moving and dancing all the time; waking me up at about 5 am usually on the weekends. During the week, he seems to sleep in a bit (like his Daddy). I have loved feeling little body parts and wondering what they are. The 3D ultrasound is scheduled for the 15th of March and we are so pumped!!!! The basement is coming along as well...Drywall is DONE and we are ready for paint!! We hope you all are doing well and are sending love.

Baby Z Gets A Name!

The snow here is finally melting- YEAH!!!! We had over a foot of snow within one week here and it was crazy. We are 26 weeks into the pregnancy this week and Mommy and Baby have been feeling great! Baby Z is a mover, a dancer, and he loves music. We play him some Andrea Bocelli and he gravitates toward the ear phone- it is so sweet. Hopefully, with "cultured" music being played, he will be really smart ;) The basement is progressing well and we think it will be finished in one month. We are still picking out colors for the nursery so more to come on that. Another exciting announcement is that we have given this little bug a NAME! His name is GRAYSON BECK ZURLAGE. Everyday, we are more and more excited to meet him, see him, snuggle him, love on him. Seeing all of our friends little ones growing has been awesome as well. Shout out to all of you that have been so wonderful with your tips and tricks of mommy and daddy-hood. Love to all of you!

More Pictures!

Well, I am finally getting around to adding these pictures! Sorry to say, I have been slacking :) There is a lot going on at the Zurlage house. Nick embarked on his first tiling experience and Travis Wherry has been up here finishing our basement! We are so excited and everything is happening so fast. Some of these pictures are from Benjamin's baptism, Alan and Janelle's sweet little boy. Cory is the proud Godfather- I say, as he would, grumbling his voice to sound like a scary Italian. The next set of pics are from when we found out that Baby Z was going to be a BOY! We had a pizza party and Felicia made 2 cakes; one pink and one blue just in case! It was too cute. The other pictures are of the basement. Travis moves so fast I couldn't even get pictures of it completely unfinished! There has been even more progress than this since these pics were taken. Other than Lucy, who is completely distraught over all of the commotion, everyone here, including Baby Z are doing great. You can see him kicking me when you look at my belly now and its the coolest thing. We don't have a name yet, so keep the suggestions coming. Sending love to all of you.

January 12, 2010-- It's a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S A BOY!!!! Nick and I are ecstatic about having a baby boy. January 12th was one of the more memorable days of our lives thus far and I am fairly confident it will go down in our family history as such as well. Nick and I went by ourselves into the ultrasound room. The technician took a lot of pictures of him moving and dancing around in my belly. Then, when it came time for the gender pictures, we closed our eyes so we could be surprised. She gave us some normal pictures to take home like the head, feet, crossed legs, etc and then sent us home with a sealed envelope with the baby's gender pictures inside. When we came home, our families were there and we all gathered around to open the envelope together. Nonnie, Great Nonnie, Papa, Nana, Uncle Cory, Felicia, Anut Katie, Jesse and cousins Kyla and Carmen. I will never forget looking at everyone before we opened it and the love I felt...amazing. Anyway! We opened the envelope and to my SHOCK, it had BOY parts!!!!! (I was convinced it was a girl :)) We were thrilled and everyone started hugging jumping around and celebrating. After about 2 days, I finally got over the shock that it wasn't a girl. I have always wanted a baby boy and just cannot wait to meet him.

Since the ultrasound, Baby Z (No Name, as I am calling him right now ;)) has been moving like crazy. Daddy is so happy he can feel it and my co-workers have also enjoyed it. Much more of that to come I am sure! So, YEAH, for baby BOYS!

Third Doctor's Appointment --19 weeks!

This week marked our 19th week...we are almost HALF WAY THERE!!!!! Nick and I are ready to know if Baby Zurlage is a boy or a girl. We find out Tuesday, January 12th at 4 pm - tick, tock, tick tock :) In some respects, it seems like this is flying by; and other days we just cannot wait anymore. I am enjoying watching my belly grow and feeling the movement. I feel that it's even grown since this picture was taken on Tuesday! Looking forward to posting the "sex" update on Tuesday. Enjoy the snow!!!!!