Cabin Love!

We had yet another wonderful time at the Stowell cabin this weekend! We caught up with about 12 friends and family members as we celebrated Macy's last weekend trip in the womb and my dad's birthday. :)

Regardless of my swollen feet and ankles, I was able to keep up with the usual festivities that take place at the cabin. We played lawn games all day on Saturday and soaked up the sun. We didn't have a drop of rain, which was what the forecast was calling for all weekend. Mother Nature was cutting us a break! 

Sammie Jo and I

Dad, Mom, Jimmy and I

The Ever-Expanding Stowell Family

Jimmy and CJ 

Zeus and his Uncle Jimmy

5 weeks and 5 days to go! 

But who's counting?!

Love!

Ashley 

Crazy Day!

What a crazy day! Macy and I were in a minor car accident on 81. A tractor trailer blew a tire and it came off and hit the front of our new CRV. :(

Fortunately, we're both a-ok! The car... not so much. We'll find out the extent of the damage sometime soon. We filed a claim with our insurance after the police received information from the driver of the tractor trailer.

On a positive note, last weekend Macy dropped into head-down position and she's ready for her big debut! It's hard to believe how time is flying by. It felt like just yesterday we were standing in the bathroom at 4am with a positive pregnancy test. We can't wait to meet our baby girl!

Matt and I are looking forward to a fun-filled weekend at the cabin this weekend! We're having a final getaway before Macy arrives. We're hoping the rain holds off and we can steal a weekend of fun in the sun. My dad's birthday is on Sunday, so we'll be celebrating with my family before heading back to VA. 

My classroom is set up and ready for the 2014-15 school year! I won't be returning to work until after Macy is born, but my classroom is officially ready and waiting for me. It's pretty surreal, seeing as getting my room set-up was my final big "to-do" before Macy is born.

The countdown is on!!

XOXO,

Ash

Happy Eight Months, Miss Macy!!

A Beautiful Baby Shower in Virginia!

Matt and I spent the morning and early afternoon in Crozet, Virginia (one of our favorite places ever, considering it's where we 'tied the knot') on Saturday.  Matt, Joe and Andrew spent the day on the links while the wives and I enjoyed a beautiful baby shower at the Koshansky's home.  Lindsey and Brittany went out of their way planning and preparing a delicious brunch, complete with a homemade vegetarian breakfast casserole, a lush Caesar salad, two different kinds of chicken salad, fresh berries, hummus, crackers and cheese.  For dessert, Lindsey made a decadent tray of brownies and served a variety of homemade tarts from Whole Foods.  The ladies drank Mimosas as we sat around the table, complete with hydrangeas and pink tulips, catching up and talking about the baby.  Austin, Lindsey's almost four-year-old daughter, was my helper for the day, answering the door in her pretty white dress and passing me all of my baby shower presents.  She gave her approval on each of the gifts, announcing that she "had that," "loved that," or would "wear that" herself.  What a cutie!!

After the shower, Matt and I collected the rest of our gift cards and made a final purchase for baby Macy.  All of the final must-haves are ordered and we're as ready as we'll ever be for her arrival.  It's hard to believe that we just found out we were expecting in January and it's already almost August.  Time flies when you're preparing for a little one! 

With the nursery set-up and ready to go, Matt and I are spending some time completing different projects around the house.  We close on our home in mid-August and we're really excited to become home owners in the Valley!  My parents are coming down this weekend to help me wash all of Macy's clothes and blankets and to prepare my hospital bag before the big day.  I finish teaching summer school this week, which has been a wonderful way to pass time and make a little bit of extra money this summer.  When school starts back up, I'll be substitute teaching until Macy decides to make her big debut.  After maternity leave, I'll be returning to my position as a PALS Aide.  It's all coming together- this new life of ours!

Love you all and appreciate your kindness and support more than you know.  :)

XO,
Soon-to-Be Mama Stowell

Oh, baby!

This month has been so crazy preparing for baby Macy! Matt and I's centering classes have doubled, taking place every two weeks. At our last appointment, Macy's heart rate was in the 150s and she was visibly kicking as the midwife tried to measure my belly. :)

We are attending our sixth and final child birth preparation class at the hospital tomorrow. We've watched enough birthing videos to get the idea- labor isn't going to be a walk in the park! During the series of classes we've bathed, diapered, clothed and swaddled a handful of plastic babies and now we're ready for the real thing. At least Macy's arms will move in more than one direction when we try to put her in her onesies. :)

We've got Macy's bassinet set up and ready to go in our bedroom and our next mission is preparing a hospital bag and installing her car seat. This is a full time job already!

She's getting bigger by the minute and I'm counting down the seconds until she's here in our arms. <3

Macy's First Beach Week!

Matt, Macy and I spent the past week at Sandbridge Beach with Matt's parents, brother, sister-in-law and our 13 month old nephew, Tucker.  It was so nice to get away and spend some quality time with our family!

The beach was peaceful and quiet and our weather was INCREDIBLE! We spent the majority of our days on the beach swimming, reading, and soaking up the sun. In the evenings, we played corn hole, fished in the creek behind our house, played cards and spent time together on the screened-in porch. The town of Sandbridge had a sweet spot- the Sugar Shack- which we hit up for ice cream a few times this week. Yum!

On our rainy day, Matt and I headed into Virginia Beach and played indoor putt-putt. Like a couple of kids, we spent $20 in an arcade where I hit the jackpot winning 250 tickets! We gave our earnings to a deserving little girl and decided to celebrate with Kohrs Brothers custard. (As you can imagine, I'm having serious sugar withdrawals!)

Macy loved the time that we spent in the sun! She had the hiccups on and off throughout the week, which continues to make us laugh. I've been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions recently, which didn't disappear this week. My feet swelled up for the first time due to the combination of humidity and activity. I avoided sunburn at all costs with a 50 SPF sunscreen, but I walked away with lots of freckles. I wonder if Macy will have freckles...? Only time will tell!

Here are a few pictures from our trip!

Tomorrow we begin week 31! I can't believe how time is flying. I'm counting down the days until we meet our baby girl (64 to be exact!). I can't wait to see her and feel her in my arms. 

This weekend, Lindsey and Brittany are throwing me a shower in Crozet! I'm so excited to celebrate with my Virginia girlfriends!! 

9 more weeks!!

Lots of love,

Ashley

Baby, You're a Firework!

Macy celebrated her first Independence Day this weekend! We rang in the holiday with some friends at our house. At 28 weeks pregnant, I'm really starting to show. Here are a couple of photos of our growing family.

Gypsy Hill Park put on an incredible fireworks show just minutes from our house! We were so close that they we're hurting our eyes. Macy wasn't a huge fan of the fireworks. She's been pretty jumpy lately--just like her mama. 

We spent the majority of the weekend outside. I'm thinking Macy might be a sunbunny- she moves around like a wild woman in the sunlight.

We had another centering meeting this week. Macy's heart rate is slowing down, which is another sign that we're getting closer. She ranked in at a steady 139 beats/minute. We have our first child birth prep class tomorrow at the birthing suite at our hospital. Wish us luck!

Happy 4th!!

XOXO

Hello, Third Trimester!

It's official! We've made it to the third trimester; the last stop on the pregnancy train. Macy weighs roughly 2.5-3 pounds and is the size of an eggplant. Here's a photo from week 28... 7 months!

My fur baby is excited too! :)

This week was a particularly exciting week at the Stowell house! Matt and I put together all of Macy's Graco supplies including her stroller, car seat, high chair, pack n play and swing.

Hank is making sure the stroller is safe for baby Macy. What a sweet big fur brother!

I started a baby sitting position last week and I've been spending time with 14-month old Anthony 5 days a week. He's a sweet boy and he's definitely keeping me on my toes. It's great practice for a new mommy-to-be!

Matt and I put an offer in on the house we've been renting for the last year! It's great for our growing family and the owner is offering us a great deal. I'm so excited to put my feet down and stay in one place for a while. We love the Shenandoah Valley!

We have another centering meeting on Thursday. Now that we're in the third trimester, we meet every 2 weeks. Matt and I are going to begin child birth prep classes this week. It's a 6 class series of classes that will prepare us for the big day! 

My VA shower is coming up at the end of this month and I can't wait!! Lots of love to my girls Lindsey and Brittany who are busy preparing for the festivities. 

Beautiful invites!! 

Happy July!

Ashley (& Miss Macy!)

Macy's 26 Week 3D Photo Shoot!

Meme, Mom and I headed to a 3D sonographer in Bowie, MD this afternoon! We visited with Macy for roughly 30-minutes where we watched her wiggle, squirm, yawn and smile for the camera. She's weighing in at 2.5 pounds and has a long torso and well-defined arm and leg muscles. She had a head full of hair (thanks, Matt!) and her eyes were opening and closing. 

Her little ears and fingers are so precious! She was touching her face, sucking her thumb and pushing the sonographer as she rubbed the ultrasound wand over my growing bump. Here are a few snapshots from her latest photo shoot. Enjoy!!

We love you, Macy!  

Keep growing, baby girl!!

XOXO,

Your Proud Family <3

Showered with Love!

What a wonderful baby shower this weekend! Thank you to everyone who took the time to come out and celebrate with me and my family and friends in Maryland. 

My mom and mother-in-law really outdid themselves; the "dream team" tackled creative Pinterest ideas, late night cooking and crafting and a couple of months worth of "lesson planning" before the big day. All of their hard work paid off in the form of beautiful pink tulle tables, delicious food and personalized decorations for little Miss Macy.

Thanks to you and all of your thoughtful gifts, Macy's nursery is coming together and the closets are filling up with all of her newborn necessities. Here are a few pictures of her room.

It's hard to believe we're 26 weeks into our pregnancy! Macy is approximately 2 pounds and the length of an English cucumber (roughly 14 inches) from head-to-toe. Every time I open a new baby item (her stroller, high chair, sleeper, etc.) I get this overwhelming feeling of joy. I'm anticipating all of the memories that we'll make in this house over the next year! 

After a long weekend, I was excited to come home and spend some time with Matt. He joined his father on the 40th annual "Old Man Canoe Trip" on the Cacapon River in West Virginia. Macy and I were both pretty tired on Sunday, but she pulled out all of the stops for Matt when he felt her move on Sunday evening. It's almost like she was excited to feel/hear him! 

Here's to another exciting week ahead! Thank you again for an unforgettable shower. I can't wait for Macy to read all of your thoughtful, handwritten notes in her books.

Love you all!!

Ashley

Grow, Macy, Grow!!

Macy's First Concert!

Country girl, shake it for Luke Bryan! Macy attended her first of many country music concerts at Jiffy Lube Live last night. We made the trip to DC and visited with CJ, Vicky, Tonya and Greg for a night of fun and festivities. 

CJ comparing my baby bump with the size of his head. He wins! :)

Matt and CJ and their cut-off flannels. :)

Vicky and I <3

Tonya and I <3

Bromance at its finest!

"That's my kinda night!"

Fetal Fist Bumps!

Macy made her first visible movements this past week! Matt and I watched her in awe as she visibly kicked and pushed from inside of my belly. She's such an incredible little girl. We can't wait to meet her. In the meantime, we'll settle for a few fist bumps from the womb!

Ready for week 23!

XO,

Ash

Home, Home on the Range!

What a wonderful weekend! While Matt was on his canoe trip, the pup and I headed home to spend some quality time with my family. On Friday, my brother and I met my parents for dinner at their house. On Saturday, we met up with my extended family and had a Hill family reunion at Cafe del Sol. The nine of us caught up over lunch and then enjoyed dessert at Rita's (chocolate custard... YUM!).

After Rita's, we headed to the Prime Outlets to shop for baby clothes. The sales were outrageous and this soon-to-be mama made out like a bandit at Motherhood Maternity. My mom, my cousins, and I had so much fun picking out clothes and dressing up my bump. I now have plenty of pretty options for the shower on June 14. I can't wait to see all of my MD friends and family! 

On Sunday afternoon, I met up with my in-laws! Matt's mother and I spent some time at his grandma's house, catching up with her and his Aunt Dottie Ann. We talked babies and puppies- two of my favorite things in the world. :) 

It's weekends like these when I realize how much Matt and I have to be thankful for in life. Our little one is equally lucky to be joining such a loving and supportive family!! 

Love you all!

Ashley

Hiccuping Our Way Through Week 21!

I can't believe we've sailed past the halfway mark with our little girl and we're headed into the 22nd week of pregnancy! My most memorable moment this week was feeling her hiccups. Only lasting for less than a minute, they had me completely mesmerized. Pregnancy is so magical! 

Mother's Day was on Sunday and I had quite a few strangers comment on my growing bump! I'm finally past that "is she fat or is she pregnant?" phase. :)

I'm headed home this weekend to celebrate the news of our little one with some of my extended family. I'm excited to catch up and share all of the mini-milestones that we've reached along the way!

Baby shower invites are in the mail for the celebration in Maryland! I can't thank my mother and mother-in-law enough for all of their hard work. I'm a lucky girl (and so is Macy!). Save the date for June 14th. I hope to see you there!!

XOXO

Sneak Peek!

20 Week Anatomy Scan!

The big day has finally arrived...we're halfway through our pregnancy (20 weeks)!!

My mom came down last night to join Matt and I for our early morning appointment with the sonographer.  At the anatomy appointment, we confirmed that we're having a healthy, little girl!

 

She is in the 52nd percentile- a very average-sized baby (just like her mom and dad)!  She weighs 12 oz., so just short of one pound.  Her heart was pounding away at 164 beats/minute, which is faster than it's been lately, likely due to the two glasses of orange juice I drank this morning.  :)  She was wired and wiggling 100 miles per hour.  It took her a little while to simmer down after all of the excitement and I was able to feel her dancing away in my belly the whole way home.  She must be exhausted!  :)

 

Happy Tuesday!

Momma Stowell

Macy Moves for Matt!

How's that for alliteration? It finally happened! Matt felt Macy move on Tuesday. She was particularly wiggly as we watched Jeopardy on the couch. I asked Matt to put his hand on my belly and sure enough, within seconds, she moved! He felt it several times over those 5-10 minutes. What an exciting moment!!

Introducing...

The hubby and I have decided on the name Macy Elizabeth for our sweet little girl! Macy is the female version of Matthew in French and means "happy and upbeat" in America. Elizabeth is Matt's mother's middle name, which makes it extra special and meaningful to us!

Welcome to the world, Macy Stowell!!

XO,

Mom

Oh, Baby! What a Weekend!

It was another baby-filled weekend at the Stowell House! On Saturday, Matt and I sat down with a wonderful lady who will be helping us with child care beginning in November. This was a HUGE weight off of our shoulders, as she lived up to all of the lovely things that we had heard about her from my co-workers. We feel very confident leaving our little one in her hands!

To celebrate our victory, we headed into Charlottleville for the day. We stopped by Old Navy's maternity department and I loaded up on some mommy-to-be essentials like t-shirts, maternity jeans and, of course, a sweet outfit for our sassy little girl. :)

After Old Navy we spent 2 1/2 hours creating a baby registry at Babies "R" Us! It was exhausting, but VERY exciting! We registered for everything from crib bedding to nipple cream. :) I can't wait to start filling up the nursery with all of our little girl's precious belongings. 

After registering, we met up with a few friends on the downtown mall and enjoyed a delicious dinner at Fellini's #9. One cup of cookies and cream fro-yo later, we were on the long road home. 

What a day!! See ya later week 18. :)

Ashley

We're having a little...

GIRL!!

Can you believe it? I've been SO WRONG this WHOLE time! I received the results from our Harmony Test yesterday afternoon when my doctor called and informed me that our little one is both healthy and lacking a y-chromosome, i.e. female. Yahoo!! Matt and I are thrilled to be welcoming a little girl into the Stowell family. 

We shared the news with our families last night and afterwards, I prepared for our creative gender reveal (thanks, Pinterest!) by visiting, oddly enough, Dollar General and Ace Hardware.

Early this morning, we took these photos and sent them to our friends. Although it was a bit hectic, having to take the photos by ourselves on a timer, it was well worth it! The t-shirt is currently drying and I'm hoping to hang it in the baby's room this weekend. Fun stuff!

It's taking me some time to wrap my head around the idea of a little girl after swearing up and down that I was carrying a boy- but I'm SO excited! Now I just need to work on referring to my growing bump as she and her, instead of he and him. :) Here's a picture from yesterday, at 18 weeks and 1 day. (I wore pink to the gym to reveal the baby's sex to my Zumba ladies!)

Many of you asked, so I will have you know that Matt and I are still playing the name game... but Harper is still at the top of our list! We'll let you know as soon as we decide.

Sugar, spice and everything nice!

XoXo,

Ashley