Pictures

Here are some pictures of me, my belly, and family.  Also a few of Ash's developing nursery; I'll post more when we get the crib and glider in.  It's coming together!! :)

Looking cute at 22 weeks walking around Garden of the Gods

Taking a quick rest break at Garden of the Gods

22 1/2 weeks at Cheyenne Mtn Zoo

We went to an art fair in Castle Rock over the weekend and couldn't resist this adorable painting of Hobbes.  We'll have to frame it before we can hang it, but he'll be hanging out in Ash's room.  Isn't he cute!?

Dave primed and painted the dresser.  Josh and I painted the red drawers.  Dave & Josh hung the shelves.  I think Hobbes will live right above where he is when we get him framed.

We made a Target run this weekend too, and got the shelves under the window and hamper.  Can't wait to go fabric shopping tomorrow with Shelia to pick out fabric for curtains and accents.

22 weeks!!! Time is flying.

I know I owe you a picture but I forgot to take one yet.  I'll make sure to get one this week (with my in-laws in town it should be easy) b/c I'm definitely undeniably pregnant.  It almost doesn't matter what I wear anymore, you can tell.  And strangers don't look iffy anymore, they know and sometimes ask the typical questions: when are you due? do you know what you're having? etc.


Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 22 weeks

Size of Baby: ~11", ~1 lb

Total Weight Gain: ~16 lbs

Maternity Clothes: I am LOVING the break in the summer weather so I can finally make use of the cute clothes in my closet!  I'm starting to develop favorite outfits already.  I've also discovered the beauty of the bella band for making stretched out hand-me-down pants fit more comfortably.

Best Moment this week: hanging out with Dave & Shelia.  It's hard to be working while they're hanging out at home... I can't wait for the evenings and weekend!

Gender: BOY!  With Dave & Shelia here, we're (they're) going to get the nursery started.  The plan for the next couple weeks is to paint the dresser/changing table, hang the shelves, and order/set up the crib.  Shelia and I are going to have some girl time shopping for fabric and updating my registry.

Movement: He's still just small enough to move without me always feeling it, but his movements are getting stronger and more common.  Shelia was even able to feel him kicking on Sunday night. :)  He loves when I sit down, especially in the car or on the couch after eating.  Or at this very moment :)

Food Craving: raw fish.  I almost ate Josh's last piece of sashimi yesterday, but decided to be a good girl.  Also a mojito... I'm going to have to see if I can find a place that makes both for our first post-baby date! :)

What I Miss Most: feeling rested

Sleep: It has gotten harder and harder to get a good nights' sleep.  I have a feeling this is going to be the story of my life for the next half a year or more.  I wake up every couple hours and I often feel like napping during the day, though often can't indulge the desire.  Now that I'm just watching the baby during the day, I should be able to squeeze in naps when she sleeps from time to time... that'll be nice!!

What I am looking forward to: touristy things with the family... Garden of the Gods and the zoo.  And shopping with Shelia.  And my MASSAGE on Monday!!! :)

Belly Button: same old same old

Symptoms: the reflux as usual, though it's been particularly bad this week.  I don't know if it's getting worse or if I've made some unconscious changes to my diet that are affecting me.  I bought some pregnancy heartburn tea, so hopefully that'll help my daytimes.  Otherwise, I have been having some back aches, especially after walking or standing for too long.  Hehe, I'm pregnant!! :)

21 wks and the end of summer

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 21 weeks

Size of Baby: ~10.5", ~3/4 lb

Total Weight Gain: ~15 lbs

Maternity Clothes: LOVE having a closet full, but can't wait for the weather to cool down so I can wear ALL my clothes and not just shorts & short-sleeves and capris & tanks

Best Moment this week: ultrasound, of course!  I could have laid there forever watching that cutie.

Gender: BOY!  Now it's time to get busy on the nursery.  In the next couple weeks I intend to get the dresser sanded/primed/painted and set up, and maybe buy the crib or shelving system with our Target gift cards.  And we haven't made a purchase yet, but found these cuties online that may make it into the room : http://www.amazon.com/Funko-Marvel-Piece-Bobblehead-Figure/dp/B00533XKLA/ref=pd_ybh_24?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0814ZFP822RE1ETGRSPT

Movement: sometimes I'm too busy to notice, but when I sit down and get still he usually gives me at least a tickle and sometimes stronger.  He also seems more likely to move when I'm QUIET, which doesn't happen that often either ;-D  The movements are gradually getting stronger and some are sudden.  The doc said my placenta is in the back, which means I can feel his stronger kicks from the outside already too!

Food Craving: none... though I would still love a real mojito.... mmmm.

What I Miss Most: eating french fries without feeling sick.  Even with medicine before I ate it, I regretted eating the fries in my happy meal (I ordered apples, but they were making all sorts of mistakes that day).  But like I was telling a friend, not being able to eat greasy or fatty or chocolatey foods is helping me be healthier.

Sleep: I've been having VERY vivid dreams.  I had some stressful dreams Saturday morning and it took Josh stepping in to help me with my to-do list and pointing out I was over-stressed to calm me down (it really is nice to have someone do in 10-15 min what would have taken you hours to do!).  Last night I had a dream that I was driving in a car that had some sort of u/s or x-ray machine that let me see my tiny baby.  He was proportional, but only an inch or two long, and he was scurrying around my insides.  I woke up laughing at that one.  I wonder if he was moving and my brain translated that into a dream... ??

What I am looking forward to:  Dave and Shelia come on Saturday!  I can't wait to see them... it's been 1.5 yrs and we miss them.   It'll also be fun to have Josh off work and relaxed.

Belly Button: same old same old

Symptoms: the reflux as usual. Sometimes when I forget/get too busy to eat, I don't actually feel hungry, but I get lightheaded.  Trying to remember to stop and eat lots, or at least have snacks in my purse for when I'm on the go.

It's a.... !!!

...healthy baby boy!! :o)  Placenta and cervix look good, all the anatomy is healthy, and heart rate was good (148 for those who care).  Poor guy was hopped up on caffeine from my KID SIZED dr. pepper; poor tech had quite a time getting some of those measurements.  Sorry it took me so long to post; wanted to tell our folks on the phone before we went public.  So while I waited for return calls, I scanned a few pics from today too.

Here are some pics to make it worth your wait:

What a cutie!!

Tough guy

This little piggie...

The gender shot

A horrible picture of me when I realized I'd forgotten to take my 20 wk picture again today and asked Josh to snap a quick one right after my shower.

But I found a good one and maybe my favorite pregnancy pic yet - this one was taken by Elijah on Monday (8/15 - 19 wks) when he was taking "pi-churs" at my house.  So sweet.

HALFWAY!! :)

Melissa helped me figure out how to get my ticker at the top of the blog, so I don't have to put it in every post anymore; yay!!  Thanks, Mel! :)

So, I think it's funny that I'm celebrating the halfway point today for a number of reasons.  First, you don't even know you're preggo for a few weeks, so you actually lose a bit of the first half altogether.  Second, you don't actually know you're going to deliver at 40 wks exactly (highly unlikely actually), so what we're calling halfway may actually still be a week or so shy of the actual halfway point.  But thirdly and most importantly, I don't feel like it's already been 20 wks!!  Crazy!

I meant to get pictures yesterday when I was off and forgot, so you'll have to wait till tomorrow for a 20 wk pic.  Yesterday was a busy day with doula interviews and nephew babysitting and watching my chick flick from Netflix.  Tomorrow is a busy day with half a day of work and half a day at the dr's.  Of course I'm exaggerating; it better not be half a day at the dr's.  But I WILL be on the phone/emailing/blogging/FBing all night tomorrow night b/c there are TOO MANY people who want to know what we're having.  I REALLY hope baby cooperates.  I'm running out of time before work, so I guess I ought to just get to it:

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 20 weeks

Size of Baby: 6.5" crown to rump / 10" head to heel, 10.5 oz

Total Weight Gain: ~14 lbs

Maternity Clothes: my big box o'Michelle's clothes showed up on Saturday.  I spent ALL DAY Saturday doing laundry (the maternity stuff plus a week's worth of regular laundry made 5 loads washed, dried and put away!!), but now I have an ENTIRE closet-full of clothes I CAN wear.  Yay!  Thanks, Michelle, for loaning; thanks, mom & dad, for shipping!

Best Moment this week: doula interviews yesterday, and knowing already I've found "the one"

Gender: TOMORROW, TOMORROW, I LOVE YA, TOMORROW

Movement: I've had nothing like the spectacular fireworks (which Josh says only felt like gas bubbles from the outside), but a few tickles here and there from time to time.

Food Craving: none, really.  Starting to drink coffee/tea again, even though it's still highs in the 90's!  And I can't wait for pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks, but that has NOTHING to do with pregnancy... that's a yearly craving :)

What I Miss Most: being able to run.  I can barely walk without getting winded.  I fake-run chase Elijah around, but even that I can only do in spurts.  I see folks out running on the streets and it makes me want to put my shoes on, till I remember I can't climb the stairs without huffing and puffing

Sleep: I'm up to 2-3 full-sized pillows at night.  2 is a good night with one under my head and one between my legs.  3 is a reflux night with 2 under my head to keep the acid out of my mouth.

What I am looking forward to: ULTRASOUND! 

Belly Button: same as always

Symptoms: the reflux as usual.  Nothing new to report.

19 weeks already??

Wasn't I just doing this?  I feel like the past couple weeks have flown by!  I guess that's what a week-long trip to FL in the middle of your two week vacation will do to ya.  And I've posted pics on FB only b/c I was having trouble uploading them here.  I've got ones from my camera and some stolen from Michelle too.


Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 19 weeks

Size of Baby: avg size: 6 in crown to rump OR almost 10 in head to toe, which will soon become the new mode of measurement as baby can now stretch his/her body to its fullest

Total Weight Gain: steady ;)

Maternity Clothes: I spent some more time this weekend trying on and putting away some of my old clothes.  It's 100% maternity now, except a few "long and lean" stretchy tanks I bought at the beginning of summer at Target b/c I knew they'd accommodate my big ol' belly.

Best Moment this week: see "movement"

Gender: 1 more week to wait!!  I can hardly contain myself. :)

Movement: I've been feeling little flutters and tickles inside almost daily at random times (usually relaxing on the couch or lying in bed), and that has been fun.  Sunday night I was lying on my side pressed up against Josh with my belly against his arm/hand, and started to drift away to sleep.  Suddenly there were FIREWORKS in my belly.  It was almost like the craziest muscle spasm ever, only it wasn't my muscles.  It felt so strong, I asked if Josh could feel it on the outside against his arm/hand, and he said YES!  So the first time I felt really strong kicks was also the first time Josh got to feel the baby move.  What a special moment!  I wish I could somehow have recorded it and play it back when I want to... but so far baby has shown no desire to do more than tickle me since. :)

Food Craving: apples and milk and burgers... the cheeseburger happy meal at McDonald's is always good for fulfilling multiple cravings at once :)

What I Miss Most: lying flat on my back or my stomach.  Lying on the floor flat on my back is how I usually stretch out my back and relax my body, but that's a no-no unless I want to cut off blood flow.  So I can do it for a few seconds, but that's not long enough to relax.  I keep forgetting and lying down and remembering and having to roll to my side... not nearly as relaxing.  I'm also a stomach sleeper and miss being able to comfortably lie flat on my stomach.

Sleep: still waking every 2 hrs (give or take).  I wake up in the morning and eat breakfast, and if I don't have places to go or things to do (which happened a couple times this week) I like to lay back down and sleep for another couple hours.

What I am looking forward to: ULTRASOUND!  Aug 24th is 8 days away, not that anyone's counting ;-D

Belly Button: it's getting closer and closer to the flat cinnamon bun I had in high school, except stretched side-to-side a little :-)

Symptoms: the reflux as usual, and all the same old minor complaints: easily winded, easily full, feeling stretched and squished... I don't think any of this is going to change during the whole of my pregnancy.  I have yet to experience any of the skin discolorations that are common with pregnancy or some of the other side effects that my pregnancy apps say I could be having... overall, except for my big belly, you'd never know :-D

18 wks and more to come

I've got pictures from my trip, but haven't uploaded them to the computer yet.  I'll get them posted by next week.



Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Size of Baby: avg size: 5.5-6 in

Total Weight Gain: undisclosed... I just got back from vacation, so more than I should have gained in one week and more than I'm telling you! ;-D

Maternity Clothes: What an exciting find... Michelle's maternity tub.  She had a HUGE tub full of her old maternity clothes and let me go through it.  I probably spent 2 hrs trying on clothes.  Caleb was born in January, so most of her clothes overlap with the fall/winter wardrobe I'm going to need, and I walked out of there with 3/4 of her clothes.  I only didn't take a few dress pants (I don't need those) and a couple pieces that didn't fit quite right.  Shipping a huge box of clothes across the country is still cheaper than buying a new wardrobe!  I doubt I'll ~need~ to buy a single thing besides what I already have and what she gave me.  LOVE hand-me-downs from friends.

Best Moment this week: HAH, it's impossible to pick only one!  Seeing friends and getting to spend one-on-one time with many of them.  Lunch with the adorable Benders.  Beach with Michelle and kids.  Beach with Jeanna.  Relaxing with mom.  Intimate Jax shower.  Fun Bton shower.  Having friends hang out longer than they intended just b/c they miss our family silliness.  Being completely myself and completely loved.  Getting TOTALLY spoiled all week long - barely paid for a thing, opened a door, helped with a chore or lifted a thing all week!! :)  Seeing my dear hubs after a long week apart.  Puppy lovin'.  The oh-my-goodness-I-missed-you excitement of Elijah when I got back and had b-fast with him and Lindsey.  It's been an incredible week FULL of memorable moments... I'm grateful for all of them.

Gender: undetermined for 2 more weeks (if baby cooperates at 20 wk u/s... Aug 24th!!).  I can't wait to see my baby again!!  Josh is excited to see something that looks human; he says our ultrasound pics so far are a grain of rice and a gerbil. :-D

Movement: maybe!  In the still of the nighttime before I fall asleep, there have been moments I was pretty sure what I was feeling wasn't gas or blood pulsing through my abdomen.  Nothing so distinct as a "kick" yet, but that stereotypical "quickening" feelings of tickles and popcorn.

Food Craving: an apple a day :)

What I Miss Most: FL loved ones and the beach, but not the heat & humidity! :)  Also, celebrating this little one did make me miss blueberry and poppyseed a little too.

Sleep: waking up every 2 hrs with hurting hip/shoulder/ear and numb/tingling arm (time to roll over), and/or the need to pee.  Sleeping with a full sized pillow to put under my leg and supporting my growing belly.  I went shopping today for a cheap pillow so I can put the one I've been using back on the guest bed since we'll be having guests almost every month from Sept till spring.

What I am looking forward to: Dave & Shelia coming in a couple weeks.  We've got plans to do the touristy stuff with them, and maybe some fishing, and a spa day for us girls (massages and pedis!).  I've missed them and can't wait to spend some quality time with them.  Plus I'm going to commission help from Shelia to paint the dresser, so I'll finally start putting things in their places in the nursery!! :-D

Belly Button: it's getting closer and closer to the flat cinnamon bun I had in high school, except stretched side-to-side a little :-)

Symptoms: the reflux as usual.  Additionally I feel sore in my abs every other day or so (and after big meals) from all the stretching that's going on.  Also, after I pee my round ligament hurts, but my mom pointed out that once your bladder is empty your uterus can descent a little further, putting strain on the ligament.  Smart mom, I think that's why!! :)  I've also been uber-emotional, tearing up at the slightest thing... which has only been compounded by the hellos and goodbyes and lack of sleep a busy week in FL brings.

17 weeks and FL bound! :)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 17 weeks

Size of Baby: avg size: 5 in

Total Weight Gain: ~10 lbs

Maternity Clothes: I borrowed a bunch of cute dresses from my preggo friend (thanks, Nikki!) that will accommodate my bump through the rest of summer and look super cute too.  I'm excited to have a whole new summer wardrobe right before my FL trip!

Best Moment this week: time spent with my hubby.  Since I'm leaving Wednesday at the butt-crack of dawn, I've been appreciating all the time I get with him before I go.  I'm going to miss that guy!

Gender: undetermined for 3 more weeks (if baby cooperates at 20 wk u/s).  Three weeks?!  That sounds almost doable.  Especially since one week is my vacation, then it's only 2 weeks... ok, ok, I can do this :)

Movement: none.  yet.  I'm lying in bed trying to feel it at night. :)  Every once in a while I think I might be feeling something, but I'm not claiming anything I can't differentiate from blood pulsing in my abdomen.

Food Craving: cold water; it's been hot here, so my water bottle only stays cold for a little while, and I'm always wishing later it was cold again.

What I Miss Most: being able to eat a whole meal without feeling miserable afterwards.  Josh is always laughing at how breathless I am, especially after I eat.

Sleep: not too bad except the morning I woke at 2:15am and couldn't get back to sleep till 4:15am.  Fortunately it was on the weekend.  Otherwise, I've found a position that's comfortable for now and am making it most of the night, except potty break.

What I am looking forward to: I can't wait to be in FL with my friends and family.  I'm going to get to enjoy some of my oldest and closest friendships, plus I'll get to go to my brother John's birthday dinner, on top of having TWO baby showers with lots of FL loved ones.  And I'm also looking forward to coming back home to my husband and pups after a week of being away; I love those guys the bestest.

Belly Button: normal (in).  I read this morning that the top of my uterus is supposed to be 2" BELOW my navel at 17 wks.  Mine is at least 2" ABOVE belly button.  So when they said I'm carrying high, they're not lying!!  But I've got good pics this week to show I ~really~ am pregnant :)

Symptoms: The reflux is still a regular problem during the day, but I'm trying not to take the max allowable amt of the meds unless I REALLY need it.  Like the day I woke up feeling yucky and we were going Cajun for lunch; yeah, I took zantac morning and night that day. But otherwise I'm toughing it out during the day and just taking it for dinner/bedtime relief.  I've also been short of breath a lot.  Even though I don't look overwhelmingly pregnant, b/c I'm carrying so high I'm feeling the organ-crushing most women get a little later in their pregnancies.  My lungs and stomach just don't have their own space anymore.  Also I've had some back pain lately too, I'm assuming from growing breasts and belly, coupled with straining something during exercise or movement.  But other than those and generally tiring out quicker than "normal", I have to confess I really am enjoying the second trimester like they say you should.  I'm enjoying showing and looking forward to feeling movement without the intense discomfort of 3rd trimester.  Enjoying each day as it comes. :)

16 weeks and counting....

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Size of Baby: avg size: ~4.5-5 in

Total Weight Gain: ~10 lbs

Maternity Clothes: I'm wearing more and more maternity clothes.  Plus I bought new (bigger) underwear and will be borrowing some bigger bras from a preggo friend who can't wear her old ones right now.  But I still hardly look pregnant.  I've had two people (a friend and the RNP at my appt) say that I'm carrying high already.

Best Moment this week: my dr's appt Friday when I got to hear baby's heartbeat again, and got some questions answered.  Nothing like peace of mind.

Gender: undetermined for 4 more weeks (if baby cooperates at 20 wk u/s)... the weeks are dragging when I think about how long 4 weeks seems :)

Movement: none.  yet.  I'm lying in bed trying to feel it at night, though. :)

Food Craving: none this week.

What I Miss Most: my clothes; more than half my wardrobe has been set aside.

Sleep: has gotten so much better this week thanks to my new bff - ZANTAC 75!!  Finally I can sleep on one pillow again without burping acid into my mouth.  I have an ulcer in my mouth for the first time in my life b/c of the stupid acid.  So glad for something that takes care of it finally.

What I am looking forward to: I leave for FL in just over a week, and I'm getting SO excited about seeing family and friends.  And I've been DYING for the water lately... the beach, a pool... I'm not even feeling very picky :)

Belly Button: normal (in)

Symptoms: Since I started taking the Zantac, I've been feeling so much more normal.  I'm still more tired than I should be.  Weeding (in the hot sun) took ALL my energy this weekend, and I've been crashing mid-day for naps.  But otherwise the nausea is GONE (after weeks without B6 I'm ready to claim it), the reflux is under control, the peeing has balanced back out to just slightly more frequent than normal.  The round ligament pain is only occasional now that I know to be super careful about every movement, cough, sneeze, and laugh. :)  Basically, I'm starting to feel the peak they call 2nd trimester.  Now I just can't wait to start actually showing...  Here's my pathetic little baby bump.  You, my friends, recognize it, but strangers still don't know.

16 weeks

15 weeks

I plan to take pics next week.  16 wks seems like a good time for pics :)  I'm still not much bigger than I have been.  Belly looks huge to me when I look down at it, then I look in the mirror and realize that strangers still wouldn't know the truth.  *sigh* :)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 15 weeks

Size of Baby: avg size: ~4-4.5 in

Total Weight Gain: ~10 lbs

Maternity Clothes: my bottoms are almost exclusively maternity; a couple looser pre-preg pairs I can wear with the bella band.  My tops are almost exclusively still regular, though I've had to set aside some of my shorter and/or tighter shirts till next year; I'm looking forward to the days when I can wear the cute maternity tops and fill them out :)

Best Moment this week: Harry Potter 7b was a great way to start our Saturday.  Also when I realized it had been 24 hrs since my last B6 and I was still feeling fine. :)

Gender: undetermined for 5 more weeks (if baby cooperates at 20 wk u/s)

Movement: none.  I was reading on some message boards about women feeling things this early, but I haven't noticed any yet.  I'll probably start paying more attention in the upcoming weeks, though.

Food Craving: I wouldn't call it a craving, but coffee/tea has started sounding good again lately... though my new Keurig could have something to do with that ;-D

What I Miss Most: my clothes; at least half my wardrobe has been set aside.

Sleep: most nights I'm so tired I can't even remember when I get up to pee if I've already been up or if I'm remembering the previous night.  The past few nights I've started having hip pains that wake me up/keep me awake.  Yuck!  And I'm still having VERY vivid, semi-realistic and bizarre dreams each night.  I only remember them the moment I wake, though, usually.  And half of the ones I do remember I'd never tell anyone anyway ;-D

What I am looking forward to: Friday is my "16 week" appointment (a little early b/c dr's on vacation next week).  Josh was able to get off work and is coming with me!  It's just a listen-to-the-heartbeat appt, but I am looking forward letting go of the worry that gradually creeps in on me between visits.

Belly Button: normal (in)

Symptoms: The week started out nauseous, but I have hardly taken any B6 for the past few days!!  I've started actually getting rumbly-tummy-hungry from time to time too.  I almost felt "myself" a few days this week, with energy levels closer to normal.  I've also been feeling a lot of stretching aches low near my hips and have occasional pain in my hips.  It may be time to make stretching part of my nightly routine. AND I've been having to pee way more often this week.  A lot of what I've read said that was supposed to get better 2nd trimester, but I just feel like there's a rock sitting on my bladder!!  It's ridiculous that you can be walking out of the bathroom and feel like you need to go back again.  And yes, I'm doing all the lean forward, make sure you emptied your bladder tricks b/c I'm SICK of being in the bathroom.  But it doesn't seem to matter.  Silly baby, get off my bladder :)