Baby Kicks and Nurseryland

Well, the kicking is really in full swing! I'm 23 weeks and for the first time, Ned experienced a kick, too! We were hanging out in our room at the Beach House (up in Hermosa for Neddie's work), and all of the sudden on the sofa, baby started going crazy. I looked down and could literally see baby moving my belly with the kicking, and Ned saw it too! I was so happy. Later, he felt a very small kick when we were getting into bed. It seems like baby's kicking all the time now, which is awesome - lets me know everything is going good.
We made some progress on the nursery this weekend which makes me feel accomplished. Baby will be sleeping in our room for a while for sure - the only free bedrooms are downstairs - but I'd still like the room to be set up for baby and be able to accommodate the majority of the baby stuff, most of the clothes, toys, etc, so all that stuff has a home.
Of course, I want it to be super cute so I've been started to think about decorating. I'd really love to have an old refinished dresser - something vintage but repainted in a lime green or bright yellow. A hip throwback kinda vibe. Additionally, I've been picking up some stuff at estate sales when I find them: some old early readers from the 40s and some cute homemade animal needlepoint. I'd like it to feel established, homey and vintage, and not just buy all new stuff.
I'll definitely be getting some new stuff - otherwise it would take me like three years to bring everything together. This week for some reason I've been fixated on rugs. Here's two I like:

The "Letterpress" rug from CB2 is very cool - definitely not too baby-ish, but still appropriate for a cool kid's room. $300 plus shipping, which isn't awful, but there's a lot of stuff to buy and if I could save $150 and get the rug below, maybe that's a better idea:

This one is very well-reviewed at overstock, and is just $158 - plus overstock only charges $3 shipping! I like the simple shapes, bright colors and the reviews all say it's very soft, just right for baby. Anyways, just keeping them bookmarked until I get some more ideas together :)

Big Baby

The baby is getting big! According to Babycenter, s/he is now nearly a foot long (haha like a hot dog!) and a bit over one pound. It's beginning to become noticeable when the baby shifts around, like if I am laying on my right and stand up, I can feel baby hanging out over there, and then he'll settle back into the middle after I'm up for a bit. Totally strange. Kicking is definitely starting to get more pronounced, although still not strong enough for anyone but me to feel I think.
We go in for a routine check-up on Thursday, and then hopefully we can sneak in for a sonogram again in a few weeks, I'd love to see how much baby's grown!
Going to go soon to Ikea to check out their nursery stuff - a lot of people recommend skimping on the crib (although of course getting something safe and sturdy) and then splurging on a nicer mattress and glider for breast feeding. Here's the crib I want to check out, the Gulliver from Ikea:

The price is definitely right - only $139 and I think there's a matching changing table for like $70. It scored very high on a Consumer Reports thingie and I've looked online and it seems well-regarded and happily in use by many parents. I like the simplicity and lack of frou-frou-ness. I think it will look great in our room with some hip, modern bedding! Have to check it out :)

Sonogram Pics!

There's our little guy or gal :) These were taken three weeks ago, at 18 weeks. Our sonographer (and friend and neighbor) was nice enough to let my parents come along to view their new grandbaby, it was so cool to watch him/her swimming around, moving their little arms, etc. First pic shows a great profile (I really can't believe how much detail you can see), then second are some little footies, and finally a perfect little spine!
I'm 21 weeks now which means we're past the halfway point. I can't believe in just a few months we'll be bringing baby home. So much to do and learn! I signed us up this week for some additional classes - a Childbirth class that runs for six weeks, as well as a Baby Care Basics and a Sleep Strategies class. Also next weekend Ned and I have a Doggies and Babies class to give us some information/help on introducing new baby to our spoiled fur babies.
Baby is kicking and moving around more and more and I finally had to give in and buy some maternity wear. Thank the Lord for Old Navy - nothing's better then cute, inexpensive options for clothes I'll only be wearing a handful of months :)
Well, we're off for a walk and then maybe do some housework, I've got to start getting baby's room ready!