It's beginning to look like a baby lives here

Hayley's nursery is complete! At least, the parts that can be seen. We're still missing a few things, but it's basically done. And boy (or should I say girl?) is it cute. We've got lots of great decorations on the walls and shelves, her crib is ready to go, and even the bed for sleepy parents is looking nice. Note the many international touches throughout (namely of French and Irish origin). Also, bonus points if you can spot the mistake in the room.



(The above picture is from before Xmas, the below picture shows the most recent additions.)





(Again, above picture is from before Xmas, below is after.)

Did you see that?!?

Hayley has been very active lately and she's starting to form a fairly reliable schedule. She gets active around 5:30 every morning and doesn't settle down until I eat breakfast. The longer I wait to eat, the more she kicks. She's maybe, just a tad, impatient. I haven't a clue who she could have gotten that from. She acts up again around lunch time and again calms down once I eat. In the evening she's all over the place from about 5 on. Geoff reads to her every night around 9 or 9:30. If he's much later than 9:30, she has a little fit and kicks A LOT until he starts. It's the sweetest little temper tantrum I've ever seen.

Yes, SEEN. Hayley has grown so much that she's strong enough for it to be visible when she moves/kicks/punches inside my tummy. Most of the time it feels sort of like an involuntary movement, like a muscle spasm, but sometimes she'll do a little belly flop which can be really uncomfortable for a moment. Just recently I've been able to feel her drag a foot or hand along my stomach, which is a very odd feeling.

I can't help but love this new development. Often times I break out into giggles over it, as if she's tickling me, and I feel like such a proud mama. I love that Geoff can feel/see her movements consistently. I like to sort of show her off; I'm so proud of her. She has a little personality and attitude that is becoming apparent and it's so amazing to finally grasp that there is a real, live, little human in their. A little human that happens to be our beautiful daughter.

Most of all, I just love the constant reminder that I'm carrying my little buddy around with me.

Hayley's first (in utero) Halloween

Friday night we celebrated Halloween at Marsha's house, as usual. Stephen's "haunted house" (it's really just A Nightmare Before Christmas come to life now) was his best yet. I had lots of candy but Miranda limited herself to some mini M&Ms (for Hayley, of course). Aunt Kati was there, too, with her BF and another friend. There were some good costumes, but I have to say ours were the best. Check us out:



Yes, we're a baker and the devil. In case you're not quite sure why I went as a baker, perhaps my bakery logo (made by none other than the devil you see above) will explain it:



See, cuz I've got a bun. In the oven. Right now. Get it?

Miranda's pregnant.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to next year when we actually get to dress up our little girl. It will be hard to settle on a costume though. Maybe we'll just get a bunch and keep changing her costume throughout the night.

I hope everyone else had a fun Halloween this year! Here's another pic, just for giggles:

Hayley's ultrasound video

Hayley is now on YouTube! I've embedded the video above. If for some reason it doesn't work, click here.

As you watch, look for the following: a big healthy brain; no cleft lip; a healthy, beating, 4-chamber heart; girl parts; a whole lot of bones; Hayley saying hello by waving a little and opening and closing her mouth.

Yes, she does look a bit scary at times. That's just how the ultrasound was set up. As Miranda is fond of saying recently, Hayley is going as a skeleton for Halloween this year.

Lookin' good at 22 weeks

In case you couldn't tell already, we're having a girl! Confirmed by ultrasound, Squirtle is now officially known to all as Hayley Olivia Tuttle. I don't think I could possibly be more excited. We're really having our little dream girl!

Now the real fun begins. We're going to make your room perfect for you and get all kinds of cute clothes to fill your closet. In fact, we celebrated the day of the ultrasound by buying several adorable outfits and ordering your crib and dresser. Also, now that you can actually hear us in there, we're starting to read to you and play music. I hope you like what you hear.

We love you so much, Hayley!