23 Weeks

Yikes, I've been horrible about getting my weekly posts up on time lately!  Here's me at 23 weeks:

The belly is getting rounder...and so is my face!  What is up with that?

Baby is the size of: a large mango (about 11 inches long and a little over a pound)

Sleep: Not sleeping quite as well...having trouble getting comfortable in bed

Cravings: MILK! And carrots with Ranch dressing.  Weird.

Symptoms:  Although I can say I've had a pretty easy pregnancy (no sickness), other "symptoms" have been cropping up over the past couple of weeks.  My pregnancy started with lots of headaches and tiredness.  That has mostly subsided...but now I am dealing with heartburn/indigestion, swollen feet, and backaches.  I guess these are all attributed to the fact that baby is taking up much more space these days!

Milestones: I could feel some kicks from the outside this week, but little girl isn't cooperating very well for Daddy.  Hopefully soon he will be able to feel her too!  I also had a dream that we named her "Lydia Grace".  The name hunt continues!  We ordered the crib and changing table this week, so I'm looking forward to those arriving in the next couple of weeks.  The glider arrived this week.  Honey picked it up and brought it home...he assembled in the living room, and that's where it sat for a few days.  It is so comfy!

We have another sonogram a week from today - I am anxious to see the little pumpkin again!

Tonight I worked on baby girl's quilt.  I cut out all the blocks on Saturday night, and tonight I started sewing a few together.  I went for a very easy quilt block since this is my first go at it.

Can't wait to continue working on the nursery!

We moved and organized and cleaned last night to get the guest room *mostly* put together.  Now baby's room is next!

Still need some curtains, maybe a rug for the floor.  All of that will have to come later.  I decorated this room using only things that I already had.  Well, except for the $35 quilt...but that was a steal! 

I went to check the mail yesterday, and just about let out a little scream when I opened the mailbox!  Here's what was wrapped up inside...

The fabric for my sweet little girl's room!  Turquoise, pink, and red.  I LOVE it!  And, it goes with the whole "vintage" theme that is working its way around and around in my brain.  I will use this fabric to attempt my first quilt.  I know I've got the sewing "know-how" to at least get the blocks cut and assembled.  It's the actual quilting and binding part that I'm a little worried about.  However, my aunt (whom we visit every Thanksgiving) is a quilting pro.  I am hoping that if I take my quilt top along with me, she can help with the finishing details.  I also plan to use any of the extra fabric for some other nursery-related crafting projects.  I sure haven't known this baby girl for very long, but she has stolen my heart.....all I can think about is having everything absolutely perfect before she arrives. 

This week is busy, but I'm managing.  The light at the end of my tunnel is my Saturday date with my best friend.  We will have lunch and pedicures.  She is pregnant too, so we can talk baby for hours and not feel guilty. :)  Can't wait!

Weekend Happenings

We had a busy, busy weekend!

First, some progress on Project Get-Ready-For-Baby.  We painted the guest room so we can get the queen-sized bed out of the nursery...

Besides the stuff in the middle of the room, how do you like the color?  It's called "Blonde" by Sherwin Williams.  A warm, golden kind of color.  I'm hoping to get my hubby to move the bed, etc. into the guest room this week.  I'm really happy with how the paint color looks with the floors.  I'm anxious to see how the bedding looks with it.

Next, we spent a portion of our Sunday chasing a naughty, naughty puppy all over the neighborhood.  Our neighbors behind us took out their fence and replaced it with a stack of railroad ties.  Harley hasn't tried to jump over them....until today.  We chased him all over the place.  My dog doesn't "come here", and thinks it's a game when we are chasing him.  The horrible thing is that one block over from us is a very busy intersection.  He kept darting into traffic, then started chasing a motorcycle down the street!  Luckily, the guy on the bike was very nice - he turned around and drove back towards us as Harley ran barking after him.  He was very sweet and assured us "This happens all the time!"  I was just about in tears watching him, thinking "If a car doesn't kill him, then my husband will."  Finally Mark cornered him and carried him home.  He looks more than a little guilty...

He's been locked in the garage the rest of the day...

Last, here's my 22 week belly photo.  I kept forgetting to take a picture the past couple of days, so here's a quick one from after my bubble bath tonight (hence the jammies and messy ponytail...)



This week will be BUSY at school.  I'll finish up my report cards, then it's Open House night this week and getting ready for parent/teacher conferences next week.  I'm going through craft withdrawal -- maybe I'll squeeze it in one evening this week?  Stay tuned!

21 Weeks

How far along: 21 weeks

Baby is the size of: a banana (lengthwise, anyway)
Sleep: Still sleeping pretty well, although it is getting more uncomfortable
Cravings: still fruit -- oranges, apples, bananas, watermelong....this week I found fresh pears on sale at the grocery store.  Yum!
Milestones: Best moment this week was finding out we are having a baby GIRL!  Don't ask me about the name....we don't know yet!  And I've been asked about 500 times in the past week "What are you going to name her?"  I don't know!  Should you have a name picked out at 21 weeks??

Think Pink!

What a wonderful day today was!

I was SO excited and anxious all day about our 4:00 sonogram this afternoon.  I couldn't sleep last night, and kept dreaming about baby boys and baby girls.  At one point, I even had a dream that there were six little round baby heads on the sonogram screen!  The mind can play funny tricks on you...

Today was a day of waiting, and it took all of my patience to stay focused on my work and not look at the clock too often.  When 3:30 FINALLY rolled around and I packed up my stuff to leave, I couldn't help but smile.  And I haven't stopped smiling!

Mark met me at the doctor's office right on time.  When I walked in, the tech was waiting for me and immediately ushered me back into the room.  I was so relieved that I didn't have to wait any longer.  Partially because I had one full bladder, and partially because I had been waiting all day.

I haven't had a sonogram yet because my insurance only pays for one in the course of my pregnancy.  I'm not high-risk or anything, so I've had to be very patient waiting for this day.  It was literally one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.  To know that this precious little miracle is growing inside of me just takes my breath away, and I am totally in love with this little girl!

I had such a sweet ultrasound tech, and she explained every detail of our little baby with such care and love.  She started by showing us the profile, and the baby's face.  Then she asked if we'd like to know the sex.  We both practically shouted "YES!" and she continued to move the wand around until she could find the right angle.  Of course, I didn't know exactly what she was looking for, but she stopped and said (slowly, I might add)..."Well....it looks like you have....a baby girl!"

Well, it was all over after that.  Tears and kisses and hand squeezes and dozen of prayers sent up to an amazing God who has trusted us with this baby girl.

She continued to show us baby girl's kidneys, bladder, heart (all four chambers), brain, spine, and all the yummy little body parts like fingers, toes, tummy, knees, etc.  She was kind of curled up in a ball most of the time, but she did cross and uncross her legs, and reached her hand behind her head.  It was amazing to see her moving around!

All along, I know Mark has been dreaming of having a boy - and I hope I can give him one some day.  But today, he was all smiles as he talked about the new little girl who we will be meeting some day soon. :)  And she will be a daddy's girl, I just know it.

Isn't she cute already?? :)

We went straight to my sister's after the appointment.  I had to tell her in person and see her face....she thought all along that it was a girl, and was very excited to hear that her prediction was right.  She, of course, had a gift all wrapped up for me upon my arrival.  It was the night light that my Granny made that my mom used in my nursery.  Then Sis used it in Grace and Nick's nurseries when they were little.  I can't wait to find a special place for it in our baby girl's room.

Lastly, a picture of the so-happy, so-in-love, so-thankful parents-to-be!



20 Weeks

Half-way through!  I can't believe it!

How far along:  20 weeks
Baby is the size of a:  canteloupe! (a small canteloupe I guess, I don't feel like I'm big enough to have a canteloupe in there yet!)
Sleep:  Still sleeping well -- my nightly bathroom break is now around 2 every morning
Cravings:  Nothing in particular, but this is the first week that I just feel hungry all the time.  I'm trying to not eat everything in sight....
Milestones:  Still feeling little, slight movements...still anxious to feel them stronger and more regularly.  Also had my first question about due date from a stranger.

SONOGRAM IS ON MONDAY!  Check back for the big news! :)