26 Weeks Looks A Lot Like 24 Weeks Did...

Many have asked, "where are you registered?"

We have registered at Target, Baby's R Us, Baby's Room (in Rogers) and Bella Jacks (in Fayetteville).

It was Chris's job to pick out the stroller/car seat (since he likes to research things like this) and we have decided on the following...

Quinny Buzz 3 Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Carseat

Unfortunately, it isn't something that you can just walk in a local store and pick up.

Upcoming Events

A few of my girlfriends from Fayetteville are throwing Liam a "Rock Star" shower, on THURSDAY, November 13th from 6 - 9, at Vanessa Miller's house.
My sister, future sister-in-law, and neighbors that have always been like family to us are putting together a brunch, in honor of Liam, on November 22nd, at Anne's house. I'm so thankful to all of these people for making it possible for other loved ones to come and share in the joy of welcoming Liam into the world (and into our family).
Be on the look out for invites and hope to see you soon!!

Beaver Lake

My girl friends from highschool (some even grade school) always try to plan at least one family vacation a year (in addition to the occational wedding, baby shower, high school reunions).
This year we ended up at Beaver Lake. 5, of the 8 of us, made it, despite bad map quest directions, and dark & curvy back roads. Kate, Sydney, and Tina were missed, but it is understandably way to difficult to break away from an orthopedic medical residency in Chicago, Portland OR, and a busy life, with a new baby girl, in Memphis, respectfully. We have got to figure out a way to make things more logistically possible for these girls!!
Jenny (our planner), Rachel, Erin, Candice and I enjoyed a weekend, with our husbands, that was full of passing Carter around, chasing Ethan (Mickey Mouse) around, cooking, eating, sitting by the lake, fishing, games, lots of laughing, a little political talk (which just can't be avoided, with the election less than a month away), and LIAM'S FIRST OFFICIAL BABY SHOWER. Thanks to all of you for thinking of us!!

Check US Out!!

At least my belly button hasn't popped out yet. Can't say the same for my booty. Oh who am I kidding...I have always had a bubble butt.

My belly seems so big, to me. I guess in reality and in pictures, that just isn't the case. But...strangers are starting to ask me if I'm pregnant (without looking too afraid of how I'll respond)...which I love.

So What Has Happened Since?

June 12th, was our first ultrasound (at which time they changed our due date from 1/29/09 to 2/4/08)...check out the first, of many, pictures that this child will have taken of him.

July 18th, we got to hear his heart beat for the first time. It was fast...exactly 160 beats per min. We were told that baby's heart beats typically range between 120 and 160 (120 - 140 most likely being a boy and 140 - 160 most likely being a girl...kind of an old wives tale). Chris said, to Dr. Seale, "so Lindsey...are you promising us that we are going to have a girl?" Like he was going to hold her to it if she said "yes." But she wouldn't confirm or deny. At this point, we are liking the following names: Girl...Hazel Anne Stinson, Boy...Liam Scott Stinson.

August 12th, Dr. Seale did an ultrasound for us, just for fun and free of charge. Parkhill must have been slow that day, since she let us look at him for a good 15-20 min. It was amazing...we got to count fingers and toes, check out his back bone, etc., but we were unable to figure out the gender...he was being modist (and it was pretty early to try to figure such out). I was in such amazement that I didn't look at Chris once...I just couldn't take my eyes off of that screen.

Our friend, Taylor, just couldn't stand it that we didn't get to find out if we were having a boy or a girl, so as a gift...she set up another ultrasound for us, with one of her clients (who is an ultrasound tec. @ Washington Regional). On August 21st, Chris, Taylor girl, and I got to watch him for almost 45 min. It was at this time that we figured out we were having a boy! Chris was giving everyone high fives, Taylor cried a bit, again...I couldn't stop starring, and we ended up with a roll of ultrasound film about 7 feet long.

Have I mentioned yet, that scanning and uploading ultrasound pictures is anything but easy!!

September 10th, we had our offical ultrasound, at Parkhill. They gave us a DVD of the ultrasound, which is more than cool...we can watch him move, hear his heart beat, etc. Note to expecting mothers...watch your ultrasound DVD...it isn't just copys of the still pictures. Liam's most recent picture is to the right.

September 19th, I felt him kick for the first time. Chris hasn't felt him yet, and jokes that I'm rubbing it in that I can feel him, and that Liam and I have our "own little inside joke," but really truely...I want so badly for him to experience this, too.

October 8th, I had to drink that yucky orange sugarfilled drink...results came back that OUR sugar levels are normal. My first thought was that Freddie (my brother-in-law) would be so proud!

Fabric and Cording

Too Bad Babys Can Only See Black and White

The scan of the paint swatches came out pretty good...but that yellowish color is actually a light apple green.

Liam is destin to have a vibrant personality with colors like this in his life, among other contributing factors (his dad's genes...).

I am the painter in my house...I love to paint...it is time that requires very little thinking. I'm so use to painting that I don't even notice the smell. Chris walked in Liam's room, after I had been hard at work (but no where near finished) and pointed out the fact that I am crazy for trying to paint. I quickly opened the windows and door, but really didn't think anymore about it, until I saw one of the nurses from Parkhill, at the grocery store, that night. She among many others have given advice...but what do you think...to paint or not to paint? And if I'm not suppose to paint...who wants to come over and help me finish this project?

Where to start?!?

I know...I know...this is something that I should have started a long long time ago.

Now that we are nearly 6 months pregnant, I have been thinking to myself..."where do I start?" I have decided that I'm just going to start at the beginning, using e-mails to family and friends to jog my memory.

My thoughts on May 30th...

I took a pregnancy test the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (afterall I had to figure out what to pack for our weekend at the lake). I then I kissed my husband and sent him on his way, to go fishing, with a buddy (Taylor Sutton). I headed back to the bathroom, to tidy up, and picked up the pregnancy test out of curiosity...they were normally negative, so I wasn't expecting anything out of the norm...but there it was...a faint pink line. In nothing but my robe...I ran through the house, out the door, and down the driveway, waiving the pregnancy test in the air, in an effort to get the guys to stop and double check that I wasn't crazy. They did stop and confirmed my thoughts, but still went fishing!!

At first, Chris was shocked and trying not to be too excited (since he didn't want to get his hopes up). But since we got the official word from the doctor, on May 29th, we are both on cloud nine and admitted to ourselves that "this is real."