I live in the wrong city!!!

I just found out another one of my friends is having a BOY! :) I am so excited...but a little sad - I live in the wrong city! If I lived in Houston - what a fun play group we could have! JM will be born in May, LG's baby boy to be born in June, LL's baby boy to be born in July, and MJ's little one to be born late August/early September! Oh well...that makes it even more fun for me to go and visit my parents...JM will have lots of playmates! Is it the year of the boy, or what?!?!

28 Weeks...

This week I have noticed that...

• I am having a harder time shaving my legs - and I DON'T like baths...so I don't know how this will work as I get bigger and bigger?
• I felt JM have hiccups for the first time - too fun!
• My stomach is a GREAT spot for resting a bowl of ice cream!
• After I eat (too much, probably) I feel extremely full, my stomach is WAY tight, and I can't breathe. It's a great feeling.
• I am having more Braxton Hicks contractions.
• You can gain a nice amount of back fat in just a few short months, and the elastic waist on your jeans can especially accentuate this look for you when you wear a tight shirt! Who knew?!?
• My sense of balance has become amazing. Just kidding. If I squat down to pick something up, there is a pretty good chance I fall over at least once before getting back up.
• I still go to the bathroom all the time. Prior to being pregnant, I would avoid a public restroom at all costs. Now I am forced to go in them. I hate that.
• When I look down I can still see my toes and feet, but not my knee caps.
• My fingers are starting to resemble and feel like sausages - and there are some days I cannot wear my wedding bands.
• My feet and ankles are swollen by the end of the day. They are "cankles." Gross.
• I no longer have just a "bump" - my belly starts sloping down from my chest area. I think it looks like a weird egg...

I cannot believe that I have reached the start of my third trimester! Supposedly he weighs a little over 2 pounds now, and is around 14 inches from his tiny head to his tiny feet! Justin and I love watching my stomach move at night. What is he doing in there? And what makes him feel the need to move around so much? We have moved the crib and full size bed into the nursery - the bedding looks great! It might look a little cramped, but I REFUSE to lose another bed and only have one bed for guests to sleep in. I found a dresser that I can use as a changing table, we just need to go and pick it up. The next project is deciding whether or not to put up Roman shades, or white wooden blinds in the room...hmmmmm. And I am starting to think about wall decor. All this trouble for such a TINY little person - who won't know or care about these things for the first few years of his life or probably ever, since he's a boy! I still need to finish registering...it's such a daunting process...and it scares me to think of all of the "things" you need. We are truly thankful to have had such a healthy pregnancy so far - we are truly blessed!

Weekend Happenings...

This weekend was a busy one. Friday Justin painted swatches on the wall in JM's room, to see if we wanted to change the color of the wall above the beadboard. Regan and Cason came over to give their opinion (we decided to keep the original color on the walls), play the Wii, and have ice cream sundaes. I know the Wii is supposed to be an "active" video game, but after a long work week, who wants to jump around and be active when you can sit in your seat and play? And yes...she IS wearing her sunglasses. She swears they are prescription...



Saturday we worked on JM's room, and then we got to celebrate Miss Grace Maren's 1st Birthday! Grace is Justin's cousin Elizabeth's little girl. We are lucky enough to live about 15 minutes away from the Percivals, and it has been SO much fun watching this precious little girl grow up right before our eyes! Elizabeth had a wonderful spread of food (which included these amazing little bread crumb covered macaroni and cheese balls - yummmm!) for Miss Gracie's party, and the table was set so cute! Grace has recently started walking - and I love watching her toddle around. I can't wait to see what she thinks of JM!


Here is Justin with Gracie in the hospital at just 2 days old - look at him holding her - he's a natural!


Gracie telling us how big she is! Isn't she the cutest?!?!




Some of the spread...

Yummmm!!!




Late Saturday afternoon Regan picked me up, and we headed to Waco, Texas for the one-and-only All University SING! First we hit up Spice, and Ninfas! After Kappa's great 1st Place performance last year, I was excited to see my little sister and the Kappa Act. Regan was there to cheer on (although I learned she isn't much of a cheer-er) Tri-Delt, of course! Kappa last year was AMAZING and this year...we were birds. Yep - birds!go Kappa!


Exhibit A, My Little Muffin of a Sister, as a Bird (don't kill me Muffin):

ANYHOW...I got a kick out of Sigma Chi's act...it was embarrassing (they were dressed like cave men, Flinstone style), awkward, etc. BUT it was the first act (after quite a few) that JM started kicking around to. I told Justin that it was in protest to what was going on, on stage - but Justin says it is because JM "knows what's up." Whatever that means! Regan and I made it through SING, and after getting some caffeine at Common Grounds, headed back to FW.


Sunday Justin finished the touch ups in JM's room, and we were able to clean it up and put the baby bed back together and in his room. It is going to look so cute when everything is finished. Then we sanded an antique full size bed that we bought for JM's room, so that Justin could start painting it tonight. I also sanded a plate rack that I am going to use for a book shelf/rack (you will see it when it's finished - it makes sense, I promise). We cleaned up around the house, and all sorts of other fun chore-like things, allll in time for the Academy Awards. I was awake long enough to see the Best Supporting Actress award, and then I fell asleep on the couch.

Here is a sneak peak of JM's room - with the new white paint on the bead board. Poor Justin...it took one coat of primer, and three coats of paint -ugh! And look at my precious little dog basking in the sun! ;)

I Jinxed Myself...

What did I say about my glucose doctor's appointment? "I am not really worried about the possibility of anemia or GD - so this was a quick, easy appointment!" Way to jinx myself...I got a phone call from the doctor's office yesterday morning, and my favorite nurse was on the line. Apparently my glucose test results came back 4 points higher than normal. I immediately panicked and thought about having to sit in that horrible waiting room for 3 hours to do the 3 hour glucose test, but THANKFULLY she said Dr. K doesn't think there is a problem with me, and all she wants me to do is do another fasting blood test at my next appointment, and if those results don't turn out to her liking, then I will have to do the three hour test. I am super annoyed at my results - I didn't even eat the morning of my test, nor did I have anything especially sugary the night before. Sheesh! I am thankful though - I was talking to a girlfriend last night whose results were identical to mine, and her doctor made her do the 3 hour test right away. I love my doctor, but HATE the waiting room. It's too small. Some people actually wait outside in the hallway atrium. I also don't like sitting next to strangers, and I ESPECIALLY don't like sitting next to people who look/act like they have the flu, who clearly are not pregnant, but who STILL come to a doctor's office where they can give their flu virus to otherwise healthy people. Oh well! I am just praying that my blood cooperates at the next visit - and I will NOT jinx myself this time and say that I am not worried about it! :)

Tonight's Convo

Let me preface this by filling you in on a few things. Justin is a healthy eater. I am not. Justin loves fruits and veggies. I do not. He likes vitamins, supplements, etc. I do not. He avoids sugar like the plague. I do not. He refuses all carbonated beverages. I do not. You get the picture. Because of this - he has taken to obsessing with what I put into my body, now that I am pregnant. (My Mother greatly appreciates this).
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Here is the conversation that took place around 9:30PM tonight:

E - "Justin...will you take me to DQ? I think JM needs a Blizzard..."

J - (Nothing is said at this point. He just gives me "the look.").

E - "Justin? Justin? Did you hear me?"

J - "What about that Dulce de Leche?"

E - "I ate it."

J - "How about some almonds?"

E - "Nooooooooooooooo." (I want ice cream, for Pete's sake...not almonds, you nut!)

J - "I can give you an Andes mint."
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IS HE SERIOUS?!?! He makes me laugh though...and I love him.

26 Week Bump, Valentine's Day & Doctor's Appointment

26 Week Bump

I would have to say that the BIGGEST belly growth spurt has occurred between 24 and 26 weeks. Oh my...it's getting bigger and bigger (to be expected, I suppose)!!! If you compare this pic to my 24 week pic - it's scary! These were taken last Thursday - the first time we tried to see our little one!

The 26 Week Bump & Yea for Added Weight to my Face Pic...

Justin and I before the first scheduled ultrasound...

My sis and I laughing/making fun of couples who do belly shot/professional pictures. (No offense).

Valentine's Day 2009

I think that Justin and I would both agree that Valentine's 2009 was the best yet out of the 8 Valentine's Days that we have celebrated together - we were finally able to get a glimpse of our little man's face, and his chubby cheeks! I cannot wait to kiss on those!!! While he didn't fully cooperate with us on Saturday (he still kept one hand, and one foot by his face at all times, and the placenta/cord - yuck - kept getting in the way) he did give us some pretty decent pictures, and showed us some of his cute antics. He was constantly trying to suck on his hand or foot - and he was successful quite a few times during the 20 minute u/s. And...as if I wasn't worried/stressed enough before...when she panned over his face - what did I see? His umbilical cord hanging around his neck. Sometimes it looked like a noose, other times it looked like he was wearing a lei...lovely. I took a deep breath and promised myself not to think/worry about it until I spoke with Dr. K at my appointment on Monday. Ugh.

Here are a few of the pictures...they aren't the greatest...and they definitely look better on the print outs we have.

Here is a profile shot, with his hand in a fist by his eyes/forehead:

Here is a face shot with his little open eyes and you can see the lovely cord wrapped around his neck, and hand in the face, of course...

You can see a foot in this shot - and him trying to suck on his hand:

27 Week Doctor's Appointment & Glucose Test

Today I had the "dreaded" glucose test - BUT, I have to say, this was the best appointment yet! I thought the little orange drink tasted good, and for once, I was seen right on time since they have to draw your blood exactly one hour after finishing the glucose. I am not really worried about the possibility of anemia or GD - so this was a quick, easy appointment! I brought up the dreaded cord to Dr. K. She just smiled, shared with me some statistics (like 25% of babies are born with the cords around their necks) and told me that in four weeks she would see me again and schedule another u/s during that appointment to give me "piece of mind." I LOVE her. Love her.

And the appointment stats were:

• JM's heart rate - 133 bpm (perfect sounding!)
• E's total weight gain - 18 lbs (thank you Haagen Dazs Dulce de Leche!)

4D Sonogram Day...or Not!

I have been looking forward to today for a while! I have had several friends who have had great luck with their 4D sonograms, getting amazing pictures of their little ones in their belly. The thought did run across my mind that JM might not be in the optimal position for that perfect picture...but I quickly dismissed it! Surely my little one would cooperate! He moves ALL the time...and besides - my Mom and Sister came up from Houston for the big event. Well...NOTHING could get this child to move today. My only positive thought out of the event is that maybe he will be this relaxed outside my belly? He was face down, folded in half, with his legs crossed, and his hands covering his face!!! Being that he was folded in half...not only were his hands in front of his face the whole time - so were his little feet. Silly baby. Twenty minutes of her prodding, me rolling from side-to-side, her playing his heart beat loudly (133 today)...NOTHING would convince him to change positions. He would move his hands and feet - but that's about it! I saw his ear. That's it. His ear. Of course...right now...he is moving and flipping around like crazy. I am keeping my fingers crossed for Saturday. She is going to let us come back again for one more try! Wish us luck!

Labor of Love, or - What We Justin Did This Weekend...

When we moved into this house, we knew which room would be the nursery. It's my favorite bedroom in the house and has great windows and great light. I have had the bedding and bed picked out for a while, and I had not a clue what to do with the room. What color to paint it, etc. I knew that I wanted to keep it light - because I love how light it is in there right now. Regan suggested putting up beadboard, and after a while - that sounded like a good idea! J thought that sounded like a simple enough task, and he and Cason had planned on putting up the beadboard together all day Saturday. Well...poor Mr. Cason got the flu, so it was just me (ha! ha!) and J. I helped him glue a few boards, and hold a few things into place while he used the nail gun, but mainly it was him all day long. I left him for most of the afternoon while I went to a baby shower. I came back and was so impressed! I have to admit that I was kind of nervous when he decided to take this task on...I mean - I haven't ever seen him work with a saw, or put up trim/molding before, sooooooo I was just the tiniest bit apprehensive that things wouldn't turn out as perfect as I wanted. BUT, by 12:30AM he had put all the beadboard and trim up, cleaned up the mess, and swept the floors! And it looks amazing! I also have to mention that because our house was built in 1923, the walls are crooked, the trim is crooked, and not one window has the same dimensions so it was harder than just measuring underneath/to the side of all four windows and making identical cuts. I married a handy man!!! Today we have spent some time caulking and covering up the nail holes. Well, mainly J has been doing it. I have a lovely pain in my groin that only allows me to squat and bend for so many minutes at a time. Tomorrow we will sand it all down, and sand the trim, and hopefully get started painting the trim and beadboard (white, of course) sometime this week. Again, it will be Justin doing the painting, since I am not supposed to be around the fumes, I think? I am not sure yet what color we will paint above the board, but I will figure that out when I get there.

Here are a few pics from early this morning before we started patching. The lovely sheers you see were left over from the previous owners. And those aren't orbs in the pictures, it isn't a haunted nursery...just something nasty on my camera lens that I can't get off. Nice.

Here is the view from the doorway...

And THIS is my little buddy, who has to sit in my lap while I attempt to patch the nail holes.

Sic 'Em Bears!!!

Thanks to Regan and Cason and their fabulous connections...Justin and I have been able to enjoy a few Baylor basketball games from some amazing seats - third row, on the floor! I may not know much about football, but I do know basketball - and love watching it - especially college basketball. Last night Regan, Cason, and Justin picked me up from work and we drove straight to Waco. Unfortunately, there was no time for George's or Ninfas, so we hit up Rudy's, which was surprisingly crowded. A nice surprise was seeing my little sister for 2.5 seconds before she and her roommate headed to SING practice - I loved seeing the look on her face when she saw my expanded waistline - she hadn't seen me since Christmas, and her eyes were as big as saucers. Too cute! Unfortunately, the Bears lost, but it was a fun game to watch! Thanks R & C!