Vegas Baby!

Jeff, baby, and I just returned from our first trip to Las Vegas. We really had no idea what we would think of it since we are not huge gamblers, we wouldn't be up late for the night life, and I am preggo. However, we were more than pleasantly surprised at all Vegas had to offer. I am pretty sure anyone could have a great time there. We stayed at the Venetian, which was super posh and beautiful! We felt like total high rollers. In the morning we would sit by the pool, where hotel staff would pass out cucumbers for swollen eyes ( Jeff and I did not require them, since we received plenty of sleep in the city that never sleeps). Then at night, upon returning to our large suite (complete with sunken living room), we would enter a room full of music, low lighting, and even a full bucket of ice. Now that is what I call service! Beyond our wonderful hotel, we enjoyed walking the strip and visiting all the different hotels, where we would play the nickel slots. I won $30.00 on my first try! By the end of the week we were pushing our luck and playing the dollar slots where I got up to $150.00 and decided to let it ride. Oh, I let it ride... all the way to $0. Oh well, we had fun. We also saw the Cirque show "Mystere" and loved it. I think when we go back again we will definitely see at least two shows. All in all, we had a great time and plan to go back again soon!

The baby had a great time on the trip, as well. He/she was always kicking and bumping around, especially on the plane rides. The movements are getting stronger everyday, and now I even notice hard spots on my belly when the baby is sitting in different positions. At this point, the baby is still pretty small ( around 5 1/2 inches long), but is packing a lot of punch. I am nervous to see how active it is and how painful the movements will be when the baby gets bigger. It is pretty emotional and fun having the baby move around in there. I usually say "Hi, baby" or "the baby is awake" whenever I feel movements. I am definitely very attached.

I had my 18 week check-up on Monday, and Dr. Thorton said the baby and I are both doing great! I have gained 10 pounds since my last check-up, and luckily it has all been mostly in my tummy. Jeff and I went to Old Navy last night and bought a couple pairs of pants and a jacket and picked out some more things for my birthday. They have pretty cute stuff and all at good prices. I am looking forward to having some more things to wear soon. I feel like I wear the same things to work all the time. Well, I think that is all we have as far as updates go for right now. More to come...

First time dad got kicked

Well friends, I hate to say it. Katie was right again.

The baby is kicking. Hard. Our Leonard appears to be quite the active little one, as his or her kicks have become so strong that even I was able to feel the latest series of movements and goings on in the womb. Following breakfast on Saturday morning, Katie was startled at the strength of the kicks she was feeling, and she demanded that I place my hand on her belly yet again. Skeptical as I was, I did as I was told (I'm getting better at that), and, to my surprise, I really did feel a kick. I know what you're thinking....but this was the real deal. A few weeks earlier than expected, our child is kicking. It felt like someone had run his or her thumb across my palm, softly. Being an expert on gas at this point, I can safely rule that possibility out, and I am quite certain that what I felt was a legitimate kick. But don't worry...we've told him or her that there will be no headers until at least age three.

Kicks, bubbles, and flutters

Last week was the first time I thought I felt legitimate baby kicks. Jeff was sure it was gas. I am sticking by my belief that it was kicks, and I am noticing the same feelings more and more these days. Anytime I have a little sugar or a sip of some caffeine I feel little bumps against my tummy. Today I had Schooners for lunch, which is pretty spicy, and now as I am writing this I am feeling little kicks down there. I hope the baby doesn't have heartburn like I do! I make Jeff put his hand on my belly constantly because I really want him to feel those kicks, but he either misses them or gets tired and takes his hand off. He keeps reminding me that we have many more months for him to feel movement, and if we are going to get anything done around the house he is going to need both hands to do so. I try to induce the kicks whenever possible with a sip of Jeff's Mountain Dew or a couple Skittles and sometimes I even try to wish them to happen. Not surprisingly my unborn baby is already stubborn like his or her father and refuses to perform on command. Now don't get me wrong, my husband is definitely an "enjoys the lime light type of guy," but he can be stubborn about other things in life. So please don't take that statement the wrong way because Jeff loves to perform, only his performances come without any command or demand. Jeff only performs when his wife wishes he wouldn't, like in the middle of Gap or WalMart or any other public place that has music playing. Although Jeff has yet to feel any kicks, he is hoping we have a little soccer player on our hands. In light of Jeff's recent soccer injuries, the rest of us would prefer that all the kicking relates to our baby being a fast runner so that he or she can compete in a less dangerous sport.

Who's Your Daddy?

Big Papi here. Thanks to you, blog users, for your interest in our unborn child. We are very excited about the impending addition to the family, and we are currently about four weeks away from finding out the gender of the newest Mavros. Stay tuned to the blog for the latest in doctor visits, Baby's health, Katie's health, Jeff's annoying habits that are driving Katie crazy, and maybe some stuff about Buster. Or at least for the newest news on Baby Mavros (or Leonard, as Katie has taken to calling him or her). We're so sure that you'll like these updates about Leonard that we're offering free blog service at blogger.com to anyone who doesn't. So check back in on Leonard every so often. You'll be glad you did. And we'll see you on January 30.

First Gifts

Baby Mavros has already received his or her first gifts from the grandparents. Mimi, as my mother has decided she would like to be called, gave the baby a very cute wall hanging for the nursery. Grandma Mavros picked up some great Hilton Head items on her last trip. She purchased a children's book from a local author and a Salty Dog bucket hat that will be perfect for the little one's first trip to the beach.

This past weekend, Jeff and I purchased a very informative and much-needed book that Chris and Beni recommended to help us figure out what we will need to buy before the baby arrives. The book is called "Baby Bargains" by Alan and Denise Fields, and, as the title implies, it gives information on deals to be found on the many purchases that we will be making in the near future. In addition, the book highlights all the best brands and safety ratings, as well as tips on just what purchases are unnecessary. The authors give great advice on where to find the best brands at a discount. We will try our best not to go overboard with frivolous items, but seeing as this is our first baby, I think the grandparents and I--and potentially some others--may have a hard time not wanting to get every cute thing in sight. Luckily and unluckily, I have a husband that will probably keep me from going way overboard, but hopefully he will let me go just a little crazy ( I think I will being doing that with or without his consent, but we will let him try).

Pilates

I started back at Pilates today and it was great! It felt so good to be back and it made me realize how much I missed it. Kathy, my instructor, is so knowledgeable and is going to help me do pilates through my whole pregnancy. Right now she has a lady coming in that is 7 months pregnant. I can't imagine doing pilates with a big belly, but apparently it can be done. I am feeling really good these days and have had very little morning/afternoon/or night sickness. I had my 14 week appointment on Monday and the Dr. said everything looks great and the baby's heartrate was perfect. In September we get to go in for our sonogram to find out the gender of the baby and we can't wait! Jeff will be painting the nursery two days later no doubt. The whole thing gets a little more exciting each day. It seems like it has gone by pretty fast so far (knock on wood) and now that I am feeling well I am really starting to enjoy being pregnant. It is fun to have my belly get bigger and it is one of the only times in your life, besides when you are a baby, that being chubby is cute. So I will enjoy it while it lasts for sure. So far I haven't had too many food cravings. I did have Jeff go and get me french onion dip and ruffles chips last night and I had a 8:00PM craving for La Bamba the other night as well, but I really haven't had too many weird or interesting cravings. I am sure I will soon! At this point, our sleeping arrangement is the only thing that has been making me uncomfortable. Jeff and I switched sides of the bed so I could lie on my left side (the side you are supposed to sleep on when preggo) and face out of the bed b/c I felt claustrophobic facing in on my left side. Anyway, it is really weird for both of us to be sleeping on the opposite side and has taken some time to get used to. However, I did purchase a body pillow this past weekend and that has help. Buster for some reason has taken a weird liking to the body pillow and has made that his spot on the bed when he gets up there, which looks absolutely silly and is amusing per Buster's usual.

August is going to be a busy month for us with our wedding anniversary on the 7th, Jeff's 30th b-day on the 10th, soccer tournament the 11-13th, American idol concert on the 20th, and Vegas on the 23rd-26th. Having so much to do this month will hopefully make it go by quickly and get us closer to our sonogram date in September. We will be sure to update you on anything that comes up between now and then as far as the baby goes, but for right now we are going to enjoy some end of the summer fun!

* Belly at 14 weeks