24 weeks pics

Here are this weeks pics. I thought it would be funny to wear the same clothes from week 6 to see the difference. In putting on these pants, I notice how big my butt as gotten. Holy cow. I think the chest speaks for itself...

This one cracks me up. Since I sucked it in at 6 weeks, I tried to do the same. Not so effective and a lot of effort (as my face clearly shows...)


My belly was really moving last night. Not the crazy rolls that are yet to come, just some kicks but its still funny to see it moving on its own out of the blue.

Jeremy has started to say good bye to the baby in the mornings before he leaves. Then he waits for a kick and is off. I like that he's doing this. I dont want my belly to be the focus all the time but I like that he is starting to bond with the baby and gets responses from him.

This week I have also decided to stop wearing my rings. :-( They go on just fine but within a few hours are pretty tight and at the end of the day, they are getting hard to take off. I would rather give it up a few weeks early then have them stuck. I had a little panic attack the day after the wedding when I couldn't get them off and would not care to go through that again.

Got my first, "Haven't you had that kid yet?" comment yesterday. Um, Im not that big and I dont look like I could pop but thanks.

I have my 24 week check up tomorrow. One more 4 week appt then I go to every 2 weeks. Something about that seems awfully real. The birth classes help the reality a bit too.... I realized this week that I dont fear the birth. I understand whats going on and have faith in myself and my team to get me through it. What Im not looking forward to... is vomiting. I seriously pray nightly not only for a smooth labor and safe delivery but for no vomit. I cant handle it. I will fight with everything I have not to let myself do it. I believe this is why God blessed me with no morning sickness. I talked to the teacher this week and she did relieve my fear a little when she said she isnt a puker either but in labor, all bets are off. You cannot fight it no matter what you think. If its going to happen, it will. I have been very afraid that I would hold that tension in fighting the urge and would slow my own progress which isn't good. Her comment, while it still sucks, makes me feel better that I wont be my own worst enemy when it comes to this part.

We are meeting with a doula next week, Heather, to see if we click. After a lot of thought, I think the support will be great for both Jeremy and me. At first, I thought we would be ok with just the two of us. Since then though, we have decided not to call the families as we leave for the birth center. We want to wait until well into transition. I know myself and know I will feel the need to "entertain" them or talk to them and will feel guilty for not being able to and just having them sit in the waiting room. I plan on being in the tub a lot and knowing me, I'll be nekkid, even when Im just walking around the room. I have very little modesty but I don't know that I want my father in law watching me like that, my own mother either for that matter. So, waiting to call it is. That means Jeremy wont have someone to support him while he is supporting me. I really like that aspect of a doula. She in no way will take over for him or lessen his role. If anything, she will guide him to be a better partner for me. When I snap and he says he doesnt know what to do for me, the doula will know. If he needs a break, which is totally understandable, I will have someone there and not be alone. The midwife will still be there but not right by my side the whole time. I dont expect them to be and like the fact that they are not intrusive. They are just a step away though and I like that too.

Sorry about the long post. I dont seem to be able to do these whenever I think of things so it all comes out at once.

23 week pics

These were taken yesterday at my in-laws before we left for the funeral. I promise, I did have make up on.... Now I have a sunburn along the v-neck and my arms. Good times. Baby is moving around a lot now. We saw the sheets move for the first time last night. I admit it was a little strange but then I just wanted to watch longer. Im getting to where I can feel the lump that is "him" when he curls up. Cant tell a butt from a head yet but that will come. Pretty sure we felt a foot at the lunch after the funeral yesterday though. A heel at the least. I have to remind him that my belly button is not a portal for exit.
Still hanging in at 10 pounds gained. Although, as much as my chest is growing lately, that will go up here before too long!

Big hugs to my cousin Emily. Her cat passed away this week. She had MauMau for many years and I know she misses her kitty =( Love you Em!

New Registry

This has been a less than productive day! I found a site that lets me add things from any web site to my registry. Much easier than having 4-5 for different things. I now have some cloth diapers so I can tryout different brands, baby's room decor, GT stuff, etc. How fun!!!
Here is the link to the new one. I left all the things at Babies R Us there since we get a completion discount.

Let the naming game begin!

Since Kathleen Marie is clearly not a boys name, we are back to square one. I asked my grandmother before she passed if she liked any boys names knowing I would likely use it in her honor. Her response was not to have a boy b/c they were too much trouble. While its a funny story, it did not help me in my early name search.
We have a book of a bazillion names and have narrowed it down to the following 11:

Andrew
Benjamin
Collin
Charles
Christopher
Ryan
Nathan
Gregory
Nicholas
Travis
Spencer

Benjamin had been a front runner until this weekend. I threw out Spencer thinking Jeremy would not care for it. The next morning, he says he thought about it and really likes it. So, this little guy may end up a Spencer. On to middle names... Spencer David? Spencer Charles seems a little uppity. I think I like Spencer Andrew too. Collin Andrew has been my own personal favorite for a while but I dont think Jeremy is sold on Collin. Nathan Christopher sounds nice. Nate is a nickname I could live with.

Feel free to make your own suggestions. I dont even know who reads this....

what a week...

I'll start with a funny story. Last Thursday, we were laying in bed starting to talk about names. Jeremy put his hand on my belly like usual and the baby gave a really good wallop. Jeremy's reaction was "Wow, he must really be going to town on that little pecker" I started laughing SO hard that it actually hurt. I rolled to my side thinking it would help but it didn't. I had tears coming down my face from it hurting but continuing to laugh at myself b/c laughing hurt. It was a vicious cycle.

Friday was fine and good, even took off work early. Talked to mom who stopped by the local cloth diaper shop and found all sorts of nifty things. She has been encouraging of this decision since she CD me too but had NO idea of the new CDs out there. Since Friday, she has been on a ton of different sites learning everything she can. I think I have created a monster!

Sadly, Friday we also found out that a close family friend of Jeremy's family took his own life. He was our flower girl's grandfather and like a 2nd dad to Jeremy growing up. It was a very sad day and will be again Wednesday at the funeral. Jeremy has been asked to play Taps on his trumpet. I hope it helps him say goodbye. Mr. Fountain was a good man and his void will be long reaching.

My grandfather also had to be taken to the ER Friday. He had a colonoscopy that day and when he got home, couldnt pee. They cath'ed him and drained 30 oz!! He seemed to be fine though and will follow up with his doctor today.

Knowing we were going to have to leave town but not knowing when, we got a lot done this weekend. Saturday we ordered our glider and stroller. The glider is all upholstered and I think it will be very comfy. It was a little more than we wanted to spend but I kept hearing over and over that the one thing people wish they spent more on was a comfy chair. So, we went with it. It will be able to transition to the rest of the house too. Now, hopefully it won't look like it hogs the room. Oh well if it does... haha We made a final decision on the bedding too. Haven't purchased it yet but at least the decision is made.

Sunday we went to mass, which the baby either loved or hated. Moved the entire time. Went to Lowes and got fertilizer and got it on the lawn. We feel so official now as new home owners! Went to a bird show that ended up getting me upset so we left. Why would you bring a plucking bird to a loud show??? Like it isnt clearly stressed as it is? Then we saw people trying to sell hatchlings with clearly deformed beaks. Those babies need a home with special care, not just some joe-schmo. Anyway, I was very upset.

Lastly, we have gotten down to the business of picking names. I will save that for another post.

Let the swelling begin!

Last Thursday, 21 weeks 3 days, I came home from work and put my feet up. I looked down and saw what I was hoping not to see: sausage toes. Damnit! The tops of my feet were swollen too. Nothing tragic, just not what I wanted to see. My mom was swollen like a balloon with me so I have been praying I didnt get like that. So far, I am no where even close. I can tell a little in my neck and wrists but again, nothing someone would look at and give me a wide-eyed OMG reaction.



As of today, 22 weeks, I am up 10 pounds. I am ok with that weight so far. At a pound a week, I could look at 30 pounds total but I also know I have been eating a lot of crap. If I can make the switch from canned to fresh or frozen peaches, that would be huge. Im not really watching the scale, more out of my normal curiosity. I have weighed myself daily for years. I am down to about 2x a week in an effort not to think about it as much.



We ordered the crib this weekend, the bottom one on the picture below. It was on a better sale than we were expecting so we went for it. We got it in a classic chestnut finish since it appeared to go with the majority of bedding choices. We are still stumped in the bedding department but at least we have some time there. The crib takes 3 months-ish to come in so we had to get a move on since I start my 6th month today.

Today also starts our birth prep classes. They will be for the next 6 weeks from 7-9pm at the birth center. We are excited to get started and should get a lot of our questions answered. I think the more time I spend at the center, the more relaxed and comfortable I will be when the day comes for the birth. Somehow, starting classes and ordering a crib makes this little guy pretty real. Not that the kicks dont, but in a way he is still a mythical creature inside me. Having a plan for his arrival and a place for him to sleep means he is real! Its very exciting and scary at the same time.

The heat of pregnancy

I am officially hot all of the time now. I didnt think it would effect me as I am usually pretty cold-natured. Sunday night, about 2am Jeremy got up to go to the bathroom. He came back to bed to find I had stripped myself and was sprawled out on top of the covers. I woke up enough to beg him to turn the fan on. Like a good husband, he did and went back to bed. In the morning, I saw the AC had been set at 72 and I was still roasting. So now poor Jeremy has to sleep in long sleeve shirts and socks just to stay somewhat warm.