30 weeks!

Wow wee....time is really flying by!  It is so hard to believe that we only have 10 weeks left until our little one makes their debut.  Christmas & New Years have came and gone.  This was, by far, the most laid back Christmas we have ever had.  We had dinner with my family on Christmas Eve in Mom and Wayne's new house, that was really nice.  Christmas morning David and I woke up and had crockpot oatmeal with cinnimon rolls, while watching The Polar Express.  It was really nice and low key.  We actually slept in until 8:40 a.m.!  I know that it will be the last Christmas morning for a LONG time that we get that much sleep.  David bought me new windsheild wipers for the van and I had his front windows tinted in the 4-Runner, that was the extent of our present exchange.  Mom and Wayne got us an incredible camera that we are so excited about.  We can't wait to take pictures of the little one with a good quality camera, we are so thankful for that present!  We are trying to save the majority of our money for the upcoming things needed for the "baby fund".  We still owe Olivia $1000 by the 36 week mark (thankfully we have $800 already!), we start our birthing classes Wednesday ($150), and we have to purchase our birthing kit ($160) within the next few weeks. Things add up so quickly! 

I had an appointment with Olivia on Wednesday Dec. 26th for my glucose screening.  Thank goodness everything went well and I tested negative for gestational diabetes.  I weighed in at 143, putting my total weight gain at 16 lbs thus far.  I am surprised I didn't weigh more, especially with that other batch of puppy chow I made and all of the other delicious food I devowered over the Holidays.  I have been fighing a cough and congestion for the past few weeks, so I have not been to the gym since before Christmas.  I plan on going back full force on Monday.  I miss it.  Olivia said that I was measuring right on track and that my iron looked great.  Yay!  We now are starting to see Olivia every 2 weeks.  Our next appointment is on Monday, I'm thankful David can go with me.  He was unable to go to the last appointment because I had to schedule it for the a.m.  I have been reading my birthing books like a mad woman!  I am trying to prepare myself as much as possible, 10 weeks is no time at all.   We got the crib set up in the nursery, it looks great!  It is really coming together, slowly but surely.  Tonight Mom and Bridget came over to watch the documentary, The Business of Being Born.  I wanted them to get a different perspective on home birth, it is very informative.  They both seemed to appreciate and enjoy it.

I've been feeling pretty good for the most part.  My tummy is growing, and things that weren't hard before are definately becoming more challenging.  My energy level is still pretty good.  My lower back and tail bone have been consistently sore, although I don't think there is anything I can do about that.  My boobs (especially my nipples) have become more tender.  Baby Bailey is still very active, I can feel s/he move all of the time.  I am sleeping pretty good, sometimes when I wake up I have a hard time going back to sleep.  All in all, things are well!  Will fill in more next time, getting ready to hit the sack.  Goodnight!

Tis' the Season!

Wow, time is really flying!  I can't believe that we will be meeting our little one face to face in approximately 13 weeks!  Holy smokes.  I am getting ready to enter the last and final phase of this pregnancy, the third trimester.  I am still feeling really good!  My energy level is still the same and I've been making sure to still hit the gym at least 5x/week.  Sometimes when I wake up in the mornings I forget that I'm pregnant until I look in the mirror & think, "wow, look at that belly!"  I'm definately growing...every single day.  I don't feel too big yet, although there is no doubt that I am pregnant.  I am still enjoying this time, I think the 20's (of weeks, that is) is going to be the best time of this pregnancy.  Baby "Kicks" has to be the most active little one on the entire planet.  S/he lets me know that they are alive and well numerous times during the day and night.  It is still so foreign to watch my stomach contort in ways I never thought possible when "Kicks" is changing positions or throwing me an elbow.  It is simply amazing.  My weight was 139.8 this morning (yay!  still in the 130's!)  That is putting my total weight gain, thus far, at a little over 12 lbs at 27 weeks. I can't complain about that!  Sleeping has been pretty good for the most part, sometimes it is hard to get comfortable.  Thank goodness for my Boppy pregnancy pillow, it makes side sleeping more bearable.  I'll be looking forward to sleeping on my back after little one arrives.  I have been having some severe cravings lately!  First of all, the thing that I crave more than anything, is puppy chow.  That shit is like crack.  Not the puppy chow dog food, but the Crispix cereal coated in butter, peanut butter, and chocolate and then shaken in powdered sugar.  It's crunchy, sweet, and freakin' to die for.  This baby LOVES it.  I swear I can taste it in my mouth now, but I refuse to make it.  I've already made 3 batches and I haven't even began baking any of my other Christmas sweet treats.  I'm sure before it's all over and done with, "Kicks" will get some more puppy chow goodness.  Also, I am in love with Horizon 1% organic chocolate milk.  I could drink about the entire half gallon in one sitting, but I try and refrain.  It just tastes so delicious.  Those are about the only serious cravings I have.  I could care less about ice cream or pickles, just give me the chocolate milk and puppy chow and no one get's hurt.  : )  Have I mentioned lately how wonderful my husband is?  I seriously do have the greatest husband on Earth.  He steps up to the plate more and more everyday without me even asking.  He cleans, cooks at least 2 meals per week, and takes care of me (rubs my feet, brushes my hair, rubs my back) all without complaint.  What did I do to deserve such a wonderful husband?!  I am just BEYOND thankful for him!

Side note: The floor is DONE in the baby's room!  It looks so good!  Everything is cleared out and the oversized rocker has found it's permanent home in the there.  We are waiting to pick up the crib this weekend.  We need to get to work on refinishing the dresser, but that will most likely happen after the Holidays.  We also found a bookshelf at Target for $89 that we might just have to have.  I can't wait to see the bedding that Lisa and Mrs. Terry are working on, I know it's going to be just right.  After that arrives, then I need a rug and some throw pillows to pull it all together.  No rush, I've still got 3 months of "putting it together".  Will try and update the blog with pictures in the very near future.  P.S. - glucose test is on Dec. 26, fingers crossed all will go well!  Merry Christmas!

Almost 25 weeks!

Baby Bailey is growing by the day!  It is truly amazing to watch my belly get bigger and bigger as each day goes by.  This little one is still so very active.  I call s/he "baby kicks a lot" because that is exactly what it does!  I'm loving feeling all of the movement, it is a feeling that is undescribable unless you have had a human growing inside of you.  This part of pregnancy is just awesome.  Big enough to be showing, not too big to be uncomfortable.  I better enjoy it while it lasts!

We went to see Olivia last Monday when I was 23 weeks 3 days.  I weighed in at 138, total weight gain of 11 lbs.  I wasn't that terribly surprised because I have been eating out of control.  I was measuring right at 23.5 weeks according to the tape measure, which is great.  Anatomy scan of baby Bailey came back perfect.  Heartrate was 160 bpm, everything looked just right.  I scheduled my next appointment & glucose test for Wednesday Dec. 26.  I better watch what I eat on Christmas so my blood sugar isn't too sky high.  Thanksgiving has already come and gone.  We went to visit Cathy & Gaylon for the holiday, it was nice.  Always nice to get away and take some time off of work.  Christie & the kids came, we got to visit with Jimmy & Melanie a lot, it was nice.  I spent time cooking, reading, and relaxing.  And eating...did I mention eating?  I have not been eating as well as I should be.  I have good days and bad days.  I weighed yesterday and figured I would have hit 140 lbs.  Some how, by the miracle of God, I was 137.  I don't know how, but I will take it! : )  Christmas is right around the corner, I can't believe it.  We are really having a low key Christmas this year, keeping the spending down to a minimum.  I am just looking forward to spending time with family and friends, and being thankful.  That is what it's all about.  It's hard to believe that next year we will have a 9 month old crawling around.  9 months?!?!  Wow. 

Baby Bailey's nursery is getting ready to be "put together" in the very near future.  Mason is coming over next weekend to put in the floors.  Lisa and Terry are working on the crib skirt this coming weekend.  The crib is waiting on us to be picked up. We bought a dresser that we are going to refinish on craigslist for $65.  Any deal we can find, we will take!  I can't wait until it's all put together, when that happens I will know that meeting my sweet baby is just around the corner.  Looking forward to all of the wonderful things that 2013 has to offer!

Finally, a new blog!

So much has happened since my last blog!  First and foremost, David and I had our first ultrasound of our baby Bailey.  It was amazing, to say the least.  I could not believe that the image we were seeing on the screen was OUR baby growing inside of me.  It is completely surreal.  The ultrasound took longer than I expected, we were in there a full hour getting measurements of the baby's limbs, images of the 4 chamber of the heart, etc.  The ultrasound tech was nice enough to turn the screen away when she was getting measurements on the lower extremities, so needless to say, we did not catch a glimse of him/her.  The baby was measuring at 19 weeks 3 days, putting the projected due date at March 17, St. Patricks Day.  According to my period, baby is due on March 15.  I could care less, as long as he/she comes sometime in March. : ) She gave us a CD of some images of our baby Bailey & we took them to CVS drugstore to print out immediately.  One picture is just perfect.  Baby Bailey looks so fully formed in this profile pic, with the sweetest lips and nose a mama could ever imagine.  : )  We have that picture hanging on the fridge so David and I can catch a peek everytime we go to get something out.  When I look at the picture, I think "it" has the profile of a girl.  I see a girl in the picture.  But lately, the past two days, I feel more like I'm having a boy.  I really have NO idea.  I love that!  I have had 3 specific dreams thus far about the gender of baby Bailey.  In the first two, I had a living, breathing, healthy, baby girl.  The dream skipped over the labor part, thank goodness, haha! In the third dream, I went back for another ultrasound and baby Bailey lifted "his" leg to show us his testicles.  Hilarious right?!  I love hearing all of the guesses from my girlfriends also, they all have different guesses.  I would have to say most people are guessing 60% boy, 40% girl.  I try and imagine my life with either one, I picture David holding our sweet baby girl and I can also picture him holding our handsome little son.  We will get to find out in approximately 18 more weeks!  OMG, I only have 18 weeks to go?  I just thought about it and we have SO much stuff to still get done. 

Also, breaking news, the baby is moving A LOT!!  I felt the baby move for the first time on the outside at 20 weeks 5 days.  David got to feel that little guy/gal the very next day!  I was sitting on his lap in the rocking chair on the front porch, and the little one gave a nice "thump" right below my right breast.  David was like, "you did that!"  I said, "honey, I can not make my belly jump like that!"  It was an exciting, memorable moment for the both of us.  Now, since I'm 22 weeks today (based on period), that kiddo rocks and rolls pretty frequently.  Yesterday, 3 of my girlfriends got to feel him/her within a 2 minute time period.  It was awesome for all of us.  So glad I have an active (which I'm assuming means very healthy) baby growing everyday inside of me.  A stranger mentioned something to me for the first time this past week, saying something to the effect of, "aww, look at your little pregnant belly".  I am without a doubt showing.  I feel really big, but I have to only know I will be getting much bigger.  I'm happy that atleast I'm looking more pregnant now and less "chubby".  I am enjoying everyday of this part of my pregnancy.  It is such a blessing to be growing an individual inside of me.

Our appointment with Olivia went great!  I weighed in at 132 on her scale at 19 weeks 3 days.  That was putting my weight gain at a total of 5 lbs.  Baby's heartrate was in the 150's, beating strong and healthy.  We talked about choosing a pediatrician and also a birthing class.  She gave me information on two different classes, which I haven't had a chance to look into yet.  We return back to see her in 1 week and 3 days and I can assure you that I have put on some extra weight!  Since our camping trip, which was AWESOME by the way, I have not been nearly as focused on my diet as I need to be.  With Halloween just passing, I can not seem to get enough chocolate!  I wasn't really much of a "sweets" person before, but lately I've been killing it.  It seems I have to have atleast a bite of something sweet everyday.  An oreo, a kit kat mini, anything I can get my hands on pretty much. I figure what the hell, I am 22 weeks pregnant!  I'm sure I will pull it together soon, espcially when I step on Olivia's scales in a little over a week, eeeek! 

I think I've covered everything that has been happening lately.  I hate that I haven't had a chance to blog until now, I've just been busy playing catch-up from the vacation.  Also, on my weeks that I'm home at night, the bed has been calling my name between 8:30pm & 9:00pm.  I'm absolutely spent after the day is over.  I guess that is how it's supposed to be when you're growing a little one.  : )

It happened!

It happened!  Tonight is the first time I am almost 100% sure I felt my little one move!  I have been anxiously awaiting for that first "flutter" & tonight during the end of one of my favorite movies, Meet me in St. Louis, it happened.  It was similar to a gas bubble feeling, but it was about an inch lower and to the left of my belly button.  Two quick little "bump bumps".  Wow.  I'm hoping now that it will actually sink into my brain that I AM pregnant and I AM going to be a Mommy to this little person growing inside of me.  : )  Alllll smiles right now!

One week today we will get to see our little guy or gal on the big screen!  I am looking forward to that adorable profile picture of our sweet baby Bailey.  I am going to very sturn with the technician about making sure we do NOT find out the sex.  We really want a surprise.  That is going to be one very exciting day (both next Wednesday & also the day our little one makes a grand appearance into this world).  We see Olivia in less than a week, looking forward to that as well.  I am proud to say that my hard work with nutrition and exercise has payed off.  This morning I was still holding steady at 131 pounds.  I am not dieting what so ever, I am just being really cautious of what I am putting down my throat.  I have cut out almost all processed foods.  I eat a salad every day.  I am eating something healthy every two hours.  It feels good to know that I have been "clean eating" not only for my health, but to make sure that I can give this kiddo the best possible start to grow a healthy brain and body.  I am one very happy Mama right now on so many levels.  : )  Looking forward to blogging after our camping trip next week.  I wouldn't rather be spending my 20 week half-way mark doing anything else, there is nothing like hiking and camping the Great Smoky Mountains.  : )

It's October, I love this time of year!

Man, this is my favorite time of year!  I love when the humidity is dropping, cool nights by the fire, and the beautiful changing color of the trees.  I am currently 16 weeks & 3 days pregnant and I feel GREAT!  I am at that in between stage of really not looking pregnant & really not feeling pregnant, but obvioiusly I'm pregnant.  : )  Still no big changes in my bi-weekly "bump" pics, but I'm OK with that.  I know soon enough that it will be very evident that I'm expecting a little miracle.  David and I met with Olivia last Monday & everything looked pretty good.  I weighed 135 on her scale, but I've came to the conclusion that was due to retaining water and being constipated.  On Mrs.T's scale today I weighed in at 131.  I am going with 131 as the more accurate weight for me right now.  : )  That puts me at gaining a total of 4 lbs. thus far.  I am definately OK with that.  Baby Bailey's heartrate was 140 bmp & s/he was moving around like crazy!  As soon as Olivia would get a good heartbeat on the doppler, that little one would move right out of the way.  I still haven't felt any movement yet, but sometime between now and 20 weeks I should feel some sort of "bubble" or "flutter".  I'm waiting for that...maybe then it will hit me that all of this is real.  : )  It truely does feel completely surreal.  Olivia also mentioned I should be kicking up the protein & veggies, so that's what I've been doing.  I am opting to snack on pieces of pepperjack cheese, cinnamon almonds, or greek yogurt as opposed to apples or other stuff filled with more carbs & sugar.  I never thought I'd be able to eat a piece of cheese without a cracker, but I have definately mastered that now.  Nuts really weren't my thing either, but these cinnamon almonds are incredible!  I'm still eating every 2 hours, this baby growing stuff makes you hungry.  I'm not half as hungry as I was in the beginning, but I still know when it's time to have a snack.  I usually eat oatmeal with craisins & cinnamon for breakfast or my oatmeal, greek yogurt, chia seed, PB2 powder, banana blend.  They both fill me up & give me the energy for my morning workouts.  Monday, Wednesday, & Friday I do atleast 30 mins of cardio on an eliptical.  Tuesday & Thursday I do weight training to keep from losing muscle mass.  I love doing squats & lunges, nothing like feeling the burn.  I am confident that maintaining this active, healthy lifestyle will not only benefit me & baby in the long run, but hopefully will also shorten the labor & delivery process (a woman can dream right?) : )  David and I have also been looking into childbirth education classes.  I think we are going to go with the Bradley Method, which puts emphasis on the Father playing the primary role as caregiver/support for the labor.  Also, the method encourages going "all natural" & encourages breast feeding.  All of which I am interested in.  The course is 2 hours per week over a 10-12 week period.  I had no idea we would be spending that much time in a class, but the more information David and I can gain, the better off we'll be!  A lot of exciting things are going on in October.  We have our next appointment with Olivia on the 22nd, our ultrasound on the 24th, and we leave for our mountain camping trip on the 25th!  I am looking forward to all of those things : )  On an end note...still need to figure out how to upload pics!

DONE with the 1st trimester!

I am so very happy that my first trimester is coming to an end.  I'll be 14 weeks in just 2 short days!  I have been feeling SO, SO, SO much better!  I cannot stress how much better I've been feeling these last few weeks.  All of the nausea has gone away, what a relief.  Now I can understand why women have more than one child, because that nasty nausea feeling that was just there a few weeks ago is so easily forgotten.  I feel like a million bucks, really!  I have been able to pick back up my gym regiment 4-5 times per week, which has been great.  I actually (usually) feel like going to the gym and breaking a good sweat.  I haven't participated in many classes since I found out I was pregnant, but the elipticals & some mild weight training have become my new best friends.  My eating is primarily under control for the majority of the day, but come 4-5PM, I am STARVING!  I mean, I could seriously chomp on some cardboard.  According to the scale at the twins house this a.m., I'm up a total of 5 lbs.  : /   Not feeling so great about that.  I know I'm going to gain weight, I am just having a hard time with the thought of it.  I feel like I've worked so hard to lose 40 lbs before becoming pregnant & I just don't want to "let myself go".  I need to work on giving myself a break and being a happy, healthy, mama to be.  So what if I gain 40 lbs., that's what I need to keep telling myself.  I know I can get it off.  I just need to remember smart food decisions, working out, & giving in to some of the cravings.  I have to find that balance.  I'm just an extremeist, I'm one extreme or another.  Either I'm 100% on the wagon or 100% off.  I have to work on the balance for my sanity and health, as well as the health of that little bambino growing a million miles a minute inside of me.  Screw the weight talk, let's talk about my little precious Baby Bailey!

That sweet little kiddo is already the size of a peach.  S/He is starting to produce urine from the working kidneys, which becomes part of the amniotic fluid.  Crazy to think little one swims around in its own pee, but that is exactly what happens. : )  My belly is starting to feel stretched out & tight, sort of like I went to the gym and did a ton of ab excercises & I'm "sore" feeling.  I don't, per say, have a "bump" yet, but it will not be too much longer before it will be visible.  My boob tenderness has backed of some (yes!) which is a relief.  I haven't had any lower back pain lately, which I am thankful for.  More positive news, I've had a lot less insomnia!  I am so thankful these days to get a good night's rest.  A good night's rest still involves 2-4 middle of the night bathroom trips, but that's no biggie.  All in all, I am feeling so great.  The fact that the weather is changing & I can spend a lot more time outside definately adds to the happiness I've been feeling.  We see Olivia in a little less than 2 weeks, can't wait to hear little ones heartbeat again. : )  I am going to try & figure out how to post pictures soon.  This blog is not complete without some "bump pics" : )