Gardner Wilson

The nursery is starting to really come together now. Dad did come help me build a bookshelf (well, I just helped by painting and by changing drill bits....he wouldn't let me lift a thing!). It looks amazing, like it was custom built into the room. Ken's mom ordered the khaki-colored rug that will fill up most of the hardwood floors....it should be ready in about a week or so. The crib is on its way....it's expected arrival date is next Monday, but we'll see. Dad's custom watercolors that match the baby bedding are hung on the walls....wow, words can't explain how beautiful they are! Heading towards my 32-week mark, I am really starting to feel the effects of the weight of the baby. I feel like my entire body is being pulled forward (well, it is.....), and my back over-arches to compensate. I have been giving out of all energy about 2:30 or 3 each day, and sometimes my catnaps turn into 2-1/2 hour slumbers. All this makes up for the tossing and turning I do...

I am nearing the 31-week mark, which means in about 1-1/2 weeks, I will be in my eighth month. Wow, I can’t believe it is getting so much closer to the birth. I think I’m getting to the stage now where I just can’t wait much longer….the anticipation and excitement is growing, and I am starting to long to hold him in my arms. As he grows stronger daily (and I can tell by how much harder he is kicking, shoving, and stretching), it makes him that much closer to my heart, and I realize that he is nearly to full completion….this long, 9-month road of God weaving together our son inside of me is almost at its end, and the promise of a baby in our arms is nearly materialized!! I am feeling like I’m sticking out so far now! Well, I am, actually! That’s normal! But whenever I catch a sideways glance of myself in a mirror, I still have to catch my breath when I see that huge beach ball-shape preceding my body! I have never felt clumsier. Ken loves to watch me in the kitch...

Just wanted to say that we attended our last lamazda class on Thursday evening. Well, the last class for this baby, anyway. Meg, in her infinite wisdom and discernment, noticed that our instructor seemed to be, well, nicer to me. I think she's kinda fond of us, now. Who knew? Glad to leave on a happy note. Little "Oliver" is misbehaving again. He used Meg's bladder as a punching bag once more this week as we were out for a walk. I suppose we should get used to that for the next two months. Not long now... And baby shower #2 is this weekend. Looking forward to getting some more goodies... uh... for the baby... of course. more later, ken

I am 30 weeks....finally! What a great feeling to know that I am now 3/4ths of the way to the point where I can hold this baby! The baby can now open and close his eyelids, and see light from the outside. He also began pushing more upward on my lungs this week....especially when I lie down....and he has officially begun the quick kicks to my ribs! What a strange feeling. The baby weighs about 3 lbs. and is about 14 inches from head to toe. Most of the length is already on the little guy....the next few weeks will be spent just padding his little body with fat for warmth. Within the next 4 weeks or so, he should slowly turn downward into the proper position for birth. Heartburn is now a relatively common occurance for me nightly....I have gotten used to sleeping elevated on three pillows now (when you're really tired, it doesn't matter!). I am still able to exercise....it just has to be broken up into shorter sessions throughout my day. For one, I tire out mu...

We found the baby a doctor today!! First pick...my intuition and discernment led me straight to the pediatrician that we think will be perfect for us and the baby. We had an interview with him, Dr. Dale Treash, this morning at his office, and within 10 minutes Ken and I were convinced that we'd found our place. Why? Well, the thing that stood out to us the most was his obvious dedication to Christ. Veggie Tales character draped all over the shelves in his office.... I spotted a book on his shelf that was entitled Doctors Who Choose to Follow Christ. A painting hung above his desk called "The Servant" that portrayed Jesus washing the feet of a very tired and disheveled businessman hunched over in an office chair. And a recently-read copy of Max Lucado's Study Bible sat on the corner of his uncluttered desk. Upon getting to know him better, he was very talkative and very open....very direct, as he self-described perfectly. His views on breastfeeding, disci...

(post from Ken) So, in the world of baby-land, here's the latest that's been happening. (1) Tonight is the next-to-the-last La-mazda class. Yeah. I've learned a lot, but I still think our instructer hates me. Not sure why, but she has it in for me. (2) We bought baby furniture today from Wood You. Corny name, all wood dresser. Or is it a "chest of drawers," or do they call it a "chester drawer." I don't really know, I'm not good at that stuff. But it's wood, it's big, and it's currently taking up residence in the back of my Jeep until I can get it out. (3) Meg had a doctor's appointment today. Everything's A-0K perfect. Not the slightest deviation from what's expected. That's good. Everything else is pretty even-keel. Nothing exciting to report. Thanks for reading. Ken

I am at 27 weeks today! That means only one week left in my 2nd trimester...wow. The baby now weighs 2-1/2 lbs. and is about 10 inches long from crown to rump....almost the perfect size for cuddling! It won't be too much longer! I took the routine glucose tolerance test yesterday morning. Armed with a light breakfast and a dutiful husband at my side, I was a trooper as I gulped the super-sweet orange-flavored, carbonated liquid within 5 minutes' time as directed. It wasn't nearly as bad as I'd expected. I'd heard horror stores about having to drink super-thick, chalky liquids on an empty stomach....oh, yuk. Thanks, Sherry, Suzanne, and Emily, for giving me a realistic and on-target description of what the whole process would REALLY be like! Within minutes, I was hyper, and so was baby! After waiting for an hour, I was called back to have 2 vials of blood drawn. Again, I did not pass out, and it was relatively painless (it always seems as if you rememb...

Last night we toured the Anderson hospital during our childbirth class. Just as I expected, it created a strange mingling of relief AND trepidation within me. Relief that everything was a lot nicer than I'd pictured in my head (everybody tells me that Greenville is much more "posh"), but trepidation simply because I realize that in 13 weeks or so I will be there myself. I did not get lightheaded when all of the equipment and monitors were shown to us, but as the evening crept on I just wanted to go home. Too bad I won't have that option once labor sets in! The nurse showed us the monitor that tracked each room's laboring patterns....there were 4 women in labor last night while we were there. She showed us how that uncomfortable bed on wheels converts into about 400 positions with a few clicks and snaps. We saw the room we want to request, the biggest one with a shower, room # 6. We saw the nursery with 6 tiny babies sleeping away. And we even saw the tr...

OK, so I have now attended TWO (count 'em, two) official Lamaze classes. Last night's was better from a social aspect (at least HALF of the couples were married, as compared to only 2 of 9 couples the first night). I think the median age was around 26, whereas it was around 20 on the first night. We labored (ha ha) over the details of (uh) labor, and how to tell whether it is real or not. "Ken, were you paying attention?" you ask. Well... the definition of true labor is (1) consistent contractions that do not go away, AND (2) a cervical change. I will not define a "cervical change" for you. If you've been through class, you know. And if you haven't, well, go to class when it's your time. The best part of the night, by far, was when the instructor had each of us get up and massage our wives' (or girlfriends, in some cases) neck and shoulders for a minute, to simulate what we're to do during her labor. Why was that the best pa...

Another doctor's visit today! I saw a different doctor, Dr. Herbert. Dr. Herring was called out right beforehand to a delivery! How cool. Ken and I both really liked Dr. Herbert. Next month I am scheduled to see Dr. Nordeen. This is who Suzanne had and she can't say enough good things about him (he's also a member of our church). I figured seeing all of them and getting comfortable with how each operates will make me less disappointed if Dr. Herring happens not to be on call when I go into labor. It's nice to know I'll be so well taken care of either way! Well, my first "complication" of pregnancy has been diagnosed....I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand/wrist. I had suspected that's what it was, and my suspicions were correct. Turns out 1 out of 3 pregnant women develop it during gestation. Who knew!?? It has to do with the swelling and extra blood volume in the veins. Makes sense, though. At least there is a good chance th...

We had our first baby shower thrown for us this past Saturday, given by my mom's side of the family. It was so much fun! There were fun and silly games to open it up, and then we had a blast opening so many precious gifts. This baby shower (and most likely the ones to come) reminded me of how I felt after our wedding showers, just 4-1/2 short years ago. When I saw the dishes, sheets, towels, and so on, it only made me want to marry Ken that same day and start our lives together. And as I sat yesterday and surveyed all of the little sleepers, creepers, socks, gowns, and wrist rattles, I realized even more than ever how I just can't wait to hold him in my arms. To try all of these little clothes on him, to feed him, to wrap him up securely in his soft fleece blankets and sing him to sleep.... :0) meg

What a great week this has been! We were able to get some more cute little pictures of our little Oliver! We had an ultrasound done at Greenville Tech on Wednesday....it was for training purposes, so a student performed it while her supervisor/the nurse stood by. It took about 45 minutes, but hey, it was free! :-) And we have six or seven more adorable screenshots of our little man. When they did the u/s, he was sitting up straight in my belly, and his bottom was at my hip bones. His feet were folded right up in front of his face....boy, he's flexible! :-) I have been feeling lots of kicks on my left side, which is now explained now that I know that's where his toes are pointing. He has the CUTEST little button nose and the cutest shape to his lips and mouth. I can't wait to see him in person. Mom was able to come along to the u/s with Ken and I....she was amazed at seeing it first-hand and live....much different than a video you can watch later. I was glad...

I am now in my 23rd week, and I'm feeling great (still). Only minute little side effects of pregnancy bother me right now....aching tendons, fatigue, sore back, heartburn. But for the most part, I feel wonderful. I am actually sleeping really well at night now, and sleeping 9 hours a night at that! I have been feeling lots more movement from our baby recently. I even felt him hiccup last week. It was unmistakable....rhythmic little pulses that lasted about 5 minutes. I felt sorry for him....I know that frustrates anyone to have hiccups. :-) The baby is now about 8-1/2 inches long from head to tush and will reach a full pound in weight in the next week. I have been watching my belly grow in size exponentially the past 2 or 3 weeks! This is when the real growth starts. We have a second ultrasound this Wednesday morning....stay tuned for an update afterwards! Our baby got another aunt in his family yesterday....Ken's brother Jason married his soulmate, K...

Ken and I just celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary yesterday! Wow, I can't believe how time has flown by! It has been the best 4 years, though....we spent much of yesterday in Greenville just reminiscing our dating and early married years. I once again saw how a day spent entirely goofing off with my best friend is one of the greatest types of days one can have. :-) We ran into a couple of stores, namely consignment, while we were out and about. The ladies in one particular store were so ecstatic and excited when we told them we'd just found out it was a boy. We spent over an hour in there, the ladies oohing and aahing when I came out of the dressing room with various tops I was trying on....Ken giving them advice on internet service providers....advice on buying clothes on sale that will fit the baby next spring and summer....etc. and so on. Ken and I were pleased at how pleasant and helpful they were! It really makes shopping a pleasure when you have experienc...

Another doctor's visit yesterday confirmed that baby is growing and doing just fine, despite a horrible bug I was plagued with last weekend! His heartbeat is still strong, and my belly measured the perfect amount of centimeters for my week. 21 weeks today....19 more to go! A wonderful friend of mine, Pam, gave me a beautiful Jenny Lind changing table this week. I plan to paint it shiny white and add storage baskets to the shelves underneath to hold all of his little hats, blankets, and bibs. She also gave me her Diaper Genie and a couple of other storage essentials for the nursery....so generous! As I washed all of his little things in Ivory Snow for the first time yesterday and gently folded it, I really realized that in just a few short months he will be wearing them. We have started moving things around in the nursery, as well as looking through patterns of beddings... Ken and I agree on 90% of them, which is great. As soon as we pick out our bedding, we'll ...

And here's a post that a Daddy can be proud of: The results from little Oliver's (working title) first photo shoot since he grew a head and limbs (and something else... you'll have to look through the photos for that). After a lengthy belly-massage, we were finally able to get him (yes, I said HIM) to turn over and reveal his true identity. The first Wilson child will be a son. Here's the full profile: There's no mistaking what HE is here: And another profile: And (yet) another profile: You know how parents can get with a camera:

Seeing blue! Seeing blue! We found out yesterday that little Olive is really little Oliver....that's right, it's gonna be a boy!! We are so excited, and shocked, and tickled all at once. :-) Just knowing that it's a "he" has put a whole new perspective on how we anticipate his arrival. It made it ten times more real! And now we can shop for a crib and clothes and all that fun stuff with DIRECTION! :-) Everyone we've told so far expected that it'd be a boy.....only myself and Grandma, I believe, were wrong in our guesses! But I really couldn't be happier....what a new experience! The ultrasound tech was incredibly funny and personable; it made the whole experience that much more enjoyable and memorable. After 30 minutes of prodding and poking, and me rolling from one side to the other, we finally got the little man to turn over so we could see! And the video keepsake is amazing....he has a little button nose, and he yawns twice......

I know I just posted, but another update is in order.... The baby is now at 18-1/2 weeks. It measures about 6 inches long! He/she can now hear sounds outside and can even throw its hands over its ears if it hears a sudden, loud noise! The eyes/retinas are developing now, and I read that it can detect light if you hold a flashlight up to your belly! The finger pads are forming, which means soon he/she will have fingerprints. Yesterday I "woke the baby up" by placing Ken's alarm clock radio on my abdomen and turning it to a rowdy radio station! Within seconds the baby was doing the tango, the samba, or the electric slide....at least, that's what it felt like! It was so cool. Hope he or she has more rhythm than Ken or I do!! :-) heh, heh, heh.... meg

Ken was able to feel the baby move with his hand on my belly! We'd tried it before with no luck (I think the kicks were too weak), but this time we sat absolutely still. I had just had a milkshake (sugar does it again!) and the baby was very active. The first time it moved, Ken jumped back. I don't think he was expecting to feel it so clearly! This was last Wednesday night....ever since then, he has been asking me over and over when the baby is moving so he can feel it again. I am so glad he was able to experience it in his own way! I still wish he knew what it felt like for it to be happening INSIDE, but that's the gift that God gave us women alone. I hope to never complain about the agony of giving birth.....there are plenty of other wonderful, amazing things we can experience, such as kicks and punches of our tiny little ones! :0) We will soon find out whether Olive is a girl or a boy, and we are so ready! I am itching to know what to shop for and to start s...

Another doctor's visit today revealed that I am still having a "textbook pregnancy!" (using Ken's terminology) We were able to hear the heartbeat this morning...."strong and healthy," she said. We weren't expecting to hear the heartbeat again so soon, so we were delighted! If only we'd brought the video camera this time! All of the bloodwork results from last Friday came back normal.....no diseases or presence of any proteins or abnormal sugars. She gave us a referral form so we can to go Greenville Tech for our big ultrasound (thanks to the Nixons for giving us that tip!). 18-20 weeks is the optimal time for determining gender, so that means we'll pick a date between now and May 7th.... We were excited. We weren't expecting to do this for another month or more. Even if they determine what it is, I will still be a little cautious about pulling tags off of anything....just in case! There are often cases where there is a big surp...