Pregnancy Miles....Check!

So as some or most of you know, I set a goal out for myself the day we got the "yes" from the doctor that we were actually pregnant. We planned it out and it was exactly 220 days from that day to November 3rd, 2011, our due date. So I said that I have to walk 220 baby miles before the little man decides to join the world. I got a pedometer and we were ready to walk!

Well, I completed my goal and finished my 220 baby miles!

Michael decided to make me this homemade finish line to celebrate my victory - yes, that is toilet paper, but it is the thought that counts!

Now we are just in a waiting game for the little man to come out and meet us. He has plenty of visitors on their way - Grandma Tina will be arriving next Tuesday (or earlier if needed), and then Grandma Helen and Grandpa Richard arrive on Wednesday. I just hope we aren't all sitting around twiddling our thumbs waiting for him to come out.

Come on little man - we want to meet you!

36 week update by guest blogger Michael Tully

Jenna and I have just returned from the Doctors office for our 36 week check up on junior. Everything went exceedingly well the Dr. is really happy with Jenna, she barely stopped short of high-fiving us as we exited. I can only hope that things go just as smoothly in the coming weeks, months, decades etc.

She predicted that the baby would be somewhere between 7lbs 14oz and 8lbs 2oz which is a bit of a relief (particularly for Jenna) considering that both of us were practically ready to wear adult clothing when we emerged.

As we left the building we both got free flu shots which was nice considering that I feel like there'll be enough hospital excursions coming up. At least I assume they were flu shots. I did type the first draft of this email on the toaster, so who knows.

We're now getting down to crunch time and the baby formerly known as Nordley, has a pretty cozy looking room. Could use a little more decoration, but the furniture, assembled by me (a.k.a. the Allen Wrench Ninja) is all ready to go.

Excitement and nerves are building and we can't wait to meet the new addition to the family.


Either the Baby's face or the Sea of Tranquility on the Moon.


Top of the Baby's head. Braaaiins... braaaiins...


The Baby's arm and shoulder apparently or maybe a butt or something...

2 Milestones in ONE Day

Well......today we have reached two milestones in our lives.

#1 - 4 years of Marriage!

October 6, 2007 was one of the best days of my life - I got to marry the love of my life - someone who understands me, challenges me and makes me want to be a better person. All our friends and family were there to celebrate this exciting occasion, and I could not have imagined a better day. I look back and would not have changed a thing - well maybe I would have put the ring on the correct finger, but it is also something I will never forget.

(Michael had already switched the ring in this pic)

Big things that have happened in the 4 years of marriage:

• We got our first apartment together in Tampa
• We got Michael's Temporary Green Card
• We moved back to Colorado (where we have always wanted to be)
• We got Michael's Permanent Green Card
• We have flown across the Globe 3 times
• We have taken great trips to Costa Rica, Alaska, California, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Georgia, and plenty of times to Florida
• We got a puppy, Ruby
• We got pregnant and will soon be parents

There are definitely TONS of details I could include, but life seems to just be moving along at a quick pace. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful partner to experience it with - I love you Michael James Tully!

#2 - 36 weeks along!

Our little man is almost here! He will be fully cooked next week (37 weeks) and could come anytime.

We have been trying to be as well prepared as possible, but you just never know when it is going to happen - oh the anticipation is going to kill me! We recently just finished our Childbirth Class which definitely opened our eyes a bit that this is definitely going to happen and sooner rather than later.

Funny side story - so last night I went to a Breastfeeding Class. It said when you signed up that partners are optional - me thinking that Michael can't breastfeed, what was the point of him coming, right? Well, I arrive and there are 13 couples and me.....all of the partners attended.....whoops! And to make matters a bit more awkward, I had taken off my wedding rings because they are getting a little tight and uncomfortable. So there I was - all by myself, 36 weeks pregnant, and no wedding rings.....what a sight! So my advice is - if you sign up for a class that has partners optional, bring them along :)

Belly pic at 36 weeks - still on the smaller side, but I feel pretty cramped at times.....

We have an ultrasound next Tuesday, so for those of you who don't get creeped out by the inside the belly pics, we will post what we get and any additional updates that might come along.

Let the day countdown begin........28 days.....

Alaska (finally!!!)

So my immediate family, which included us, my folks, sister, brother-in-law, brother, sister-in-law and niece embarked on an adventure to Alaska a couple weeks ago. All I have to say is....IT WAS AMAZING! It is a beautiful state with sights I have never seen before!

We first started in Seattle and spent the weekend being tourists and visiting family. Seattle is such a cool city....rolling hills that end at the water.....if the weather was a bit more sunny, I could live there. We did all the typical touristy things - EMP Museum (Michael's heaven), Space Needle, Pike's Place Market, the Locks/Salmon Ladders, and of course, met up with a few of Michael's buddies to have a few beers (them, not me). Here are a few pics...

At the EMP Museum getting ready to have our own concert!

We also got to hang out with my aunt Judy, uncle Rich, cousin Lindsey and her boyfriend, Ken. They took us to an amazing sushi place....Ken is a foodie and he ordered for the entire table.....he definitely got a good mark in my books.

The cruise left port on Sunday from Seattle - after the schlepping of luggage and checking-in with 9 people, we were finally aboard our Alaskan adventure on the Norwegian Pearl! Cruises that I have been on the past are lying next to the pool getting a tan all day while drinking cocktails....this is definitely not that sort of cruise (especially since I can't have cocktails). It was definitely an "older" crowd, but the ship had lots of activities to keep us entertained.

Day 1 - At Sea

We were busy eating, playing trivia, taking naps, eating, going to shows, did I mention eating? Also, Michael discovered his new favorite sport - Shuffleboard....although, it is a little tough with wind and being on a ship, he wanted to play everyday!

Here is Michael showing off is juggling skills at the Martini Tasting.

Day 2 - Juneau, AK

We arrived in Juneau around 2pm and headed off to the Mendenhall Glacier, the biggest glacier in the USA! Once arriving and taking in the amazing site, Michael and I went off on our own for a 3-mile hike through the rainforest to get some exercise and get off the beaten path a little bit. It was raining and we both managed to step in mud puddles up to our ankles, but the scenery was beautiful and it didn't bother us much. Also, while waiting for the bus, we got to see a black bear cross the road in front of the bus stop....it didn't seem to notice there were 100s of people around and just went on its merry way.....I wasn't too quick with my camera, so no pic :(

Side note.....even the Gators represent in Alaska! We were out wandering through the shops in Juneau when we came across a Russian shop with Matryoshka dolls, and look what we found! It has 5 of the players inside (of course starting with Tebow) from the National Championship year. I would have totally bought it, but just couldn't get myself to pay $65, so instead we took this nice picture of it.

Day 3 - Skagway, AK

Skagway is a cute little town with a population of less than 1000. Right when we got off the boat there was a group of harbor seals just catching their lunch - they are so cute! We ended up taking a gorgeous train ride up to the top of a mountain and rode bikes 15 miles down the Klondike Highway. The crazy thing is that on the the train you cross over into Canada, so we had to go through US Customs on the way back on a bike! It was crazy how much the weather temperature changed from top to bottom, but it was another beautiful ride with waterfalls and even a little bit of sunshine!

Day 4 - Glacier Bay

Wow oh wow is all I can say. Glacier Bay is a protected National Park that is only accessible by boat. Each cruise ship only gets a certain amount of time in the park before they have to leave. We hit Glacier Bay around 7am and spent most of the time on the balcony of my parents room just "Oohing and Aahing". The boat got pretty close up to the glaciers and you could hear and see the ice breaking loose into the ocean. The pictures below don't even show how beautiful this park is, but just an idea of how much there is to see!

We also got some whale sitings in - you really can't even fathom how large of animals they are!

Day 5 - Ketchikan, AK

So everyone knows that fishing is a big thing in Alaska, so once we arrived in Ketchikan, we headed off on two small boats to catch ourselves some salmon. The weather this day was pretty dreary, rainy and cold, but once we started catching fish, it didn't matter! Michael, me, my mom and dad were on a boat together and caught about 20 salmon of all different varieties (there are 5 different kinds in case you were wondering)....it was super fun! You also can get your fish shipped to you (fresh or smoked), so if anyone is near my folks house in Florida, they have 30 pounds of salmon to eat!

Papa Frank looking over his catches!

Day 6 - Victoria, Canada

Victoria was the last port, and we were only there for a short amount of time. We wandered the city for a little bit, and then found a cute little restaurant to have some drinks and some food. The big hit was "Poutine" - French fries covered in gravy and cheese curds - man, this is SO GOOD, but also a heart attack on a plate.

Day 7 - Back in Seattle

With 7 days at sea behind us, we ended up back in Seattle. After tons and tons of food, lots of laughs, and plenty of amazing surroundings, we headed back to Colorado.

Overall, this was an amazing trip that everyone needs to experience!

The time is flying....34 weeks!

Ok, I really can't believe this....we only have 6 weeks (or a little less or a little more) to go! Just crazy to think that our family is going to have a new addition so soon!

We headed to the doctor on Tuesday and all is looking good. Little man is in the right position with his head down and butt up in the air. We get an ultrasound at 36 weeks to see him again - am really looking forward to that!

We also got great news that babies can go up to the mountains (a higher altitude for those of you at sea level) around 1 month old - skiing here we come! The mountain actually opens on November 17th, but we can wait a few extra weeks just to make sure the little guy can handle it.

Here is me for those of you who want to see - still on the "smaller" side (though I feel huge), but I am starting to feel cramped and having a bit more trouble bending over...just keep telling myself, 6 more weeks, 6 more weeks.....

Michael and I have also started our Childbirth Classes - I now know why they tell you to take them when you are close to giving birth - def puts things in perspective and you cannot turn back! We have gotten lots of info to help me "relax" during labor, but seriously, I have no idea what I am going to want at that time until it starts. With how much we joke around, our instructor has already said "we are going to be a handful in the delivery room". I am just glad we can laugh through things....

The nursery is slowly coming together - who knew one little person could have so much stuff! Will post pics once it is ready!

Baby Shower!!

So the second weekend of September, I ventured to Florida for my baby shower. I had some great company for the flight across the country - my sis-in-law, Jenn, my 20-month-old neice, Harper, and one of my bestest friends, Ashley!

My shower was on Saturday, and three of my other very best friends drove up from South Florida to attend - Kelly, Tara and Tricia. My sister also drove down for the event, so we had a BIG slumber party at my parents house - it felt like college all over again.

Here is us before the shower - Kelly, Momma T., Jess, me, Harper, Jenn, Tricia, Ashley and Tara - love all these ladies!

We got some amazing presents at the shower - and the little guy will NEVER be clothes-less. I don't know what it is about baby clothes, they are just so cute and when you see them, you just have to buy them!

Baby T even got 2 homemade quilts!

This is my Grandma Mary who wasn't even supposed to be there (surprise!) - she made the quilt to match our wedding quilt she made Michael and I 4 years ago. Baby T is going to cherish this for a long time to come! Also, our family friend, Ellie, made an adorable doggie quilt for the little guy. They are both just gorgeous and we can't wait for Baby T to be able to use them.

And then there is my mother - who totally outdid herself! As most of you know, I am a HUGE University of Florida gator fan, and my mom figured that needed to continue onto my son. She made me an ENTIRE basket full of ALL gator essentials - clothes, socks, booties, plates, utensils, frames, piggy banks, light switches, the list goes on - you name it, Baby T now has it! It was incredible!

My mother also decided that if I get a Florida basket, then Michael should get one from his school. Since there isn't a great deal of University of South Australia merchandise available she got him a heap of things themed for Australia - yes including Vegemite. He was very excited.

Another amazing gift was from my sister, Jessica - she spent hours and hours creating a scrapbook for Baby T - it has every milestone in his first year of life with a blank spot for a picture when the event happens. Here is just the cover, but it will be filled with plenty of pics of our little guy and something that will be cherished forever. I also can't forget to mention by Petunia Picklebottom diaper bag - oh the stress she went through to get it, but it will be used for a long time to come! Thanks big sis - you are the best!

I have to give a HUGE shout out to Mary Beth Bustle, Julie Bustle and Savannah Bustle for putting on such a wonderful shower - thank you for opening up your home and hosting it!

After the shower, was more festivities. All the girls created their own onesies for Baby T - once he starts fitting into them, I will be posting pictures - they were very entertaining!

Fortunately, we planned all the baby festivities for the morning, so we were in time for the Gator Football Game. We all suited in our "gator gear" and were ready to watch the game (yes, that says "Future Gator" on my Tshirt - love it!) Even Jenn (a Texas Tech Red Raider) and Harper dressed up for the game.

Harper now says "Go Gators" anytime she sees a gator logo - such a quick learner!

Sunday was relaxing by the pool and lots of laughs.

Overall, it was a great weekend with amazing family and friends who are the most generous people in the whole wide world! I can't say how much I appreciate everything you gave us for our little guy! He is so lucky to have all of you in his life! Thank you again!

30 Weeks....another milestone....

For all of you avid Tullymundo readers, sorry we took a bit of a hiatus...we have been in Alaska for 11 days and then had to get back into the swing of things! I will blog about our Alaskan adventure soon, but this is a baby post for an update on how things are going.

We have made it to 30 weeks - almost to the single-digit week countdown. I really can't believe how fast this pregnancy has been going. I headed to the doctor this week and he says everything is right on track - size, weight, my size, etc - so good news all around. Doc says I am carrying high and have a long torso, so that is why I haven't ballooned outwards - he just says to be thankful and I certainly am.

The little man has been kicking up a storm everyday and started getting hiccups recently - it just reminds me that there is really a little person in there! Michael did a little bit of singing to him the other night - no reaction to Lionel Richie's "Hello", but he did start kicking when he started Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb". Michael is happy that his taste in music appears to be on track.


We have decided that the name Nordly is sadly to be retired this week, so we will put more effort into coming up with an actual name. If it is too difficult to come up with a real name we may just resurrect it though ;)