What a Week

I am not going to lie, this has been one of the hardest weeks I can recall. It has really taken a toll on my mental health I think, but it is Friday and we will all survive. Earlier this week, I had a breakdown and began having some very real fears of postpartum depression triggered no doubt by my return to the workforce, but I think that just being aware of that potential and talking it through with Daddy and others close to me has and will help me to move forward in a healthy way.

One thing that does seem to be helping me mentally is pumping. I am sure that seems very odd and it isn't that I like feeling like a dairy cow, but it gives me time throughout the day to think about you and feel like I am still doing something for you despite being absent from your life each day.

Luckily I seem to be pumping more than you are eating so we are slowly building up a good little stash so that Mommy and Daddy can occasionally have date nights. I am shocked at how easy this is going so far and just pray that we can go a whole year. So far you have still not had one drop of formula!!

You seem to be doing okay at day care. She says you sleep mostly and wake up right before you are ready to eat. I don't mind all that sleeping because you have been awake and full of smiles for me all evening each day. Your smiles are so adorable!

You are seven weeks and growing like a weed! We don't go to the doctor until the 18th, but I know you are eating plenty.

You are finally taking a pacifier. We have an entire assortment of ones that you will not take, but that doesn't matter because you now take one of them!!

You are starting to sleep on your own just fine, although I am guilty of not always putting you back in your bassinet after you sleep because I am soo tired!

This Sunday we are doing your baby dedication! I am super excited about that. Standing in front of the whole church and dedicating you to the Lord and vowing to be your primary faith trainers. And knowing that we have such an awesome church that is going to do so much to help us in that journey. I will post pictures and details from that in a few days.

In a couple weeks you are going to go on your first road trip! I can't wait to see how that goes, and for you to meet your great grandmothers. And some of Mommy's crazy aunts, uncles and cousins ;)

That is about it for now, until I think of more, XOXO!

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

6 Weeks and back at work

The update is five days past due, but better late than never.

I am writing this via email/blackberry because I am pumping. Yep, today is my first day back at work and I feel like a cow on a farm. I come in every 3 hours. It is kind of odd, but in the end it is the best thing for you and it is the one thing that I feel like I can give you since I am not able to stay with you.

I probably shouldn't even get started on that subject because I (stupidly) am not wearing waterproof mascara. Let's just say that I miss you terribly and want so badly to rush home and get you and spend the next 24 hours loving on you and trying to make it up to you that I abandoned you and left you with some random person that isn't related to you for an entire day. How am I going to do this every day and be able to live with myself?

Oh yeah, back to your update! I will have to post pictures later, although I will try attaching a couple that are on my phone.

I finally created and sent out your birth announcements!! Now that everyone probably knows you are here.

Your sleeping pattern hasn't really changed yet, but your eating habits seem to be evening out more and more all the time.

You are growing like crazy!! The newborn outfits have to be stretched to fit you, so they are basically out of the question. Newborn diapers have been a thing of the past for a couple weeks now. Socks that at one time were loose on your precious, tiny little feet... Now leave little marks to show that you are outgrowing them. What hit me the hardest though, was when I put on 0-3 outfits and they fit perfect. Shouldn't they be kind of big still because they are supposed to be for up to 3 months?! You really need to slow the growing down.

I am able to get you to smile all the time now! You have no idea how much that makes my day!

Oh, and this coming Sunday (Mother's Day) we are doing Parent/Baby dedication at church. More on this later in another post.

Time to wrap up. I love you and miss you soo much right now!!

- Mommy

5 Weeks

My titles have really been boring lately. Sorry about that... I will try to be more creative in the future.

I am writing this via email on my Blackberry with you sleeping peacefully on my chest, so I am going to try to keep it fairly short. And I will post pics in another post.

Does the "back to sleep" rule apply when on mommy or daddy's chest?

I tried to measure you today and you seem to be about 22 inches. You are still about 10 pounds, so you have hit a plateau. Of course, you still seem to be eating a decent amount of the time.

I still have about 15 pounds to lose though, so I think you should maybe eat more. Maybe.

On a brighter note, my face has finally cleared up from the horrible post baby breakout that appeared on my chin right after I had you. It only took 5 weeks, R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!!

You, my little man, have your own acne problems. But yours comes and goes in a matter of days and sometimes hours. Not weeks! I think it has to do with your eating and my arms and oil and dirt and all that good stuff.

You are holding your head up on your own more and more and your smiles seem pretty darn intentional!

I thought I had more to report, but as usual it is slipping my mind. Will post later as things come back to me.

P.S. Your eyes are still blue so far!

- Tiffany

4 Weeks / 1 Month

Pictures of my sweet little angel at 4 weeks (April 15)...
You looked everywhere EXCEPT at the camera!!

I took some pictures of you at one month too (April 18)...
Again, no looking at the camera. And you weren't too keen on the pacifier either! That is the onesie that your Auntie B made you! Cute!

I have been meaning to post for a few days now because I think of all sorts of things I meant to say after I am done with my weekly post. Like the fact that I have nicknamed you Thumper because you have a twitchy leg. I am pretty sure this comes from your Papa! He has a twitchy leg too!

Or the fact that you are already over ten pounds! You are gaining like a pound a week! That weight was last week, I will have to weigh you again and see if you are continuing that trend for your 5 week post.

Then there is the fact that you are smiling quite frequently for me. I am not really sure if it is intentional or not, but I love it! You mostly do it for me, but Daddy says he has seen one or two.

And have I mentioned that you do not really like sleeping in your bassinet? You prefer to be snuggled up right beside me. I must say that I love cuddling with you too, and it makes it easy to feed you in the middle of the night... but we are going to have to get you used to sleeping on your own soon. I don't want you to get used to sleeping with me and start refusing your own bed and end up with you sleeping in our bed for the next five years!

Everyone always comments on your one dimple and I just realized I don't think I have ever pointed it out on here. It was pointed out to me in the hospital, and is especially precious because I have one dimple (and a cute story to go along with it) and Austin has one dimple too! My boys take after Mommy!

Speaking of taking after me, so far it still appears that you might have lucked out. It really looks like you will have blue eyes... or at least something that isn't brown. That could always change, but I am just in shock that it is even a possibility you might end up with non-poopy eyes!!

You are starting to move your arms around a lot. I have used that to start hitting at your brother and poke his eyes (at least he is convinced that is what you are doing)!! And I have started putting you on your playmat, where you are now interested in the toys hanging and the sounds and lights.

I am sure I will think of more that I have left off, and hopefully if I do I will make time to get on and post. I will leave you with a few more pictures.

XOXO and all my love,

Mommy

Three Weeks

I can't believe I am only posting on a weekly basis. It seems so difficult to find the time (and peace and quiet) to complete an entire post.

Have I mentioned in any past posts how much you are eating? I am sure I have, but I will do so again. Mostly because that is all that is on my mind. When is he going to want to eat again. Do I have long enough to ____ (fill in blank with any random task here).

The list of tasks that are unfinished is ridiculous. I am barely getting out to do anything because I feel like the house needs to be in perfect condition before I can justify doing anything else. And I am starting to get this unsettling feeling that the house is never going to be perfect and that I am wasting away my maternity leave trying. I just need to get a maid already. Think we can find any volunteers?

You are awake so much these days. And when I say awake, I mean your gorgeous eyes are wide open! I love actually seeing you when you are eating. And you hold my hand. It is the most amazing feeling. Oh, but the best is when you smile!!! I am sure it isn't intentional yet, but you have the happiest, sweetest little smile and I just cannot wait to catch it on camera.

This past Sunday you went to the nursery during Sunday School so that I could help Daddy with the lesson. Luckily we made it through the story before I was paged to come and feed you! And you ate so much that I thought SURELY you would be content through service. Yeah right!! I was again rushing to the mother's room to feed you and watching service on the TV! It seemed like everyone in the nursery wanted to hold you and others that are in different rooms were sad to find out that you weren't in their room so they could hold you.

You really are so precious to hold. I find myself hugging and kissing on you non-stop. I just want to cuddle you and keep you like you are now a little longer. I know it will all be over before I am ready and it saddens me when I remember that...

Last night I almost broke down and gave you formula. I don't know if I was just extra sleepy or if you had really just eaten so much that I wanted a break, but it was about 3 in the morning and I didn't think I could take anymore. And I know that formula is more filling and would help you sleep more than one or two hours. And we have it on hand from the hospital and the free samples they mail. But you finally feel asleep right about the time I was crying to Daddy that I didn't know what to do, and when you woke up at 5ish, I was fine again.

Some nights are great, and some nights you seem to want to eat more frequently than I am prepared for. I don't know if I have mentioned this in a while, but I really (I MEAN REALLY) like to sleep. But for the most part, we are getting through just fine! I just hope your eating regulates by the time I go back to work. Otherwise that will be very difficult.

You stayed with a "sitter" for the first time this past weekend. If you can call Noni a sitter! It was Mommy and Daddy's five year anniversary. I think that I probably drove Daddy crazy because after about an hour away, all I wanted to talk about was my babies! Of course, it didn't help that anytime I think or talk about you, my chest starts to get a little sore because it figures you are probably ready to eat.

I wish I had an update on your height weight, but our next appointment isn't until May 18! Maybe I will try to weigh you with me on my scale... just for our records.

Here are a couple more pictures!!

This one was actually two weeks, look at that blond hair!

Your first outdoor outing, the Outdoor Learning Center

Hanging out at an Easter playdate... this was about all you did (besides eat)

Three weeks old

Two Weeks

How do I slow down the clock. I cannot handle how fast this time is flying by. Or how fast you are growing. We had your two week check-up yesterday. You are now 8 pounds and 20.5 inches and your head is 14.25 inches. You just keep growing on me. I know that technically is a good thing... but I really wish it would slow down some.

Obviously you are eating plenty, and don't I know it!! You have mostly gone back to normal eating patterns, but you have your moments when you decide to eat every hour or so.

I felt horrible when they did the second round of the newborn screening and had to prick your heel and squeeze the daylights out of your foot. You were doing the newborn cry that I haven't heard since two weeks ago!! No amount of kissing or loving was calming you down. But you immediately stopped crying when she stopped messing with you.

Here are a couple pictures of you at two weeks! Mimi took some tonight too that should be pretty cute.

Showing off your eyes

Hanging out with your eyes open

Sleeping with your daddy.

You are trying to hold your little head up on your own occasionally. It is very cute! Oh, one thing that I never reported was your tendency to pee. First it was as soon as I took your diaper off. I don't remember ever having that issue with Austin though I was always warned that little boys do that. Now you just wait until I put a fresh diaper on. I am not sure which is worse!!

And just for kicks... my 40 week belly pic!!

That's it for now... until I think of more!

One Week Old

We had your first non-hospital doctors visit yesterday and it went great! You didn't have to get any shots this time around, so it was just a weigh and measure and look you over kind of appointment. You are almost back to your birth weight, which shows them that you are eating great. They usually allow about 10 days for that. And you either grew one inch in one week or they didn't measure you right at the hospital, because you are already 20 inches. We go back next Tuesday for your two week appointment. The day before your actual due date.

After your appointment, Daddy and I decided I have been couped up long enough and since I feel great, we decided to go and walk the mall. Technically I shouldn't be doing that much walking yet, but I can't sit at home forever and I need to get back in shape at some point. So your first real outing was walking Katy Mills Mall. You did so good. When you got tired of being in the stroller, I put you in the sling and you stayed peacefully in there the rest of the trip.

I am also very proud of myself, because I managed to breastfeed you like that. There I was walking around the mall with you in the sling, eating. It was completely discreet and very unlike me. I had to be in a room all alone to feed Austin!

Breastfeeding is going great. You eat like a champ and I have been producing like crazy. In fact, I have already built up a nice reserve. Of course, that has meant lots of painfully full days and lots of pumping to relieve it. And there is one side that hurts like no other for the first few minutes when you latch on with your fierce grip. But I am getting through it. Plus, anytime I feel guilty for getting the epidural, I tell myself that this pain has gone on much longer than that pain would have... so I don't feel so bad!

Today you are one week old. The biggest milestone so far is that you have finally decided to start spending more time with your beautiful eyes open. There is nothing more wonderful than just cuddling with you and staring at your eyes. Daddy and I try to cherish every minute of it.

Speaking of Daddy. He had to go back to work today. I am very sad about that because it has been so nice spending time together. We didn't really have that with Austin because he had just started that job. Although it is nice to catch up on things around the house, which is easy to do since you still love sleeping!

I cannot believe that it has already been one week. It has flown by and has me so worried that the next five are going to do the same. It is going to be so hard to part with you when I have to return to work.

Final Update

I completely missed the 37 week picture... sorry! But here is the final set of belly pictures. That's right, because whatever happens you will be here by tomorrow. I have been really struggling with this decision, but as the hours pass it has become too late to change what has been set in motion and everyone seems to think this is the right way to go.

Yesterday morning when the doctor gave me the latest, he requested that I be induced by Wednesday, March 18th, if I don't go into labor before. I have been praying about it ever since and stressing out. I feel like I should not step in and alter what is to happen, but I am also very afraid of going into labor when he is not available and be at the hospital that likely won't have room for me. So now I am scheduled to be there at 6 am. It is still very unsettling to me, but too late to change things. So now I am letting everyone know the plan and still praying that you will decide to come and be a St. Patty's Day baby.

I don't know if it is nerves or what, but my contractions are about every five minutes and it really seems like I am in true early labor... but that doesn't seem to be good enough. I guess we will know more in the next 24 hours.

Here are the final pics... 38 weeks!

Officially Full Term!!

and here is the 37 Week update...

This week I have actually been able to focus and get things done at work. Odd! Of course, that still doesn't mean that I am happy to be here! I have been walking on a daily basis (in hopes of encouraging your decent with gravitational pull). I have been having an impossible time getting a good nights sleep. Not because I am miserable or uncomfortable. I just cannot completely fall asleep. I just fade in and out of consciousness all night. Which results in utter exhaustion and the need for naps during the day. Every morning I wake up and thinking, "drats, I didn't go into labor during the night." I spend all of my moments analyzing every feeling and wondering if today will be the day. Thinking that now that I am in the 37 week, it has to be anytime. (Austin came at 37 weeks and 3 days). Which reminds me... you are now considered by all experts to be "full term". Hooray!! That means you can come any day now and we would all be happy :)

Really though, I am not at all miserable or uncomfortable (although there are some moments here and there), but I am done. I am ready to meet you and hold you and maybe be a little less emotional and crazy! Maybe!

This past weekend we had a baby shower. It was so sweet and we received so many necessities (diapers, bottles, clothes, fun stuff, etc.). Thank you Rylee, Mesha and Lauren (and everyone that came and/or helped)!! I really feel like we are ready and I am so excited that there are so many amazing people in our life. There was also a shower at work and we got a nice little Babies-R-Us gift card... which I am more than ready to go spend!

Weekly Updates (36 Weeks)

Clearly I have fallen behind on my weekly updates. Not only that, but I didn't even post about my doctor's appointment this week. I have been such a slacker!

First things first... 36 and 37 week updates! (I will post the picture at a later date and time. My camera is now in the hospital bag, in the car, waiting for delivery day)

36 Weeks
I posted some during that week after my doctor's appointment, so there is not a whole lot that I can think of that needs to be re-mentioned. Really, I am reflecting back and I think I mentioned pretty much everything worth mentioning. This was a pretty uneventful week as far as I could tell with us. Lots of braxton hicks which are completely painless I am horrible at timing... not that it really matters because clearly I have not spontaneously gone into labor while not counting them! Absolutely no ability to concentrate while at work! That about sums it up... you are just getting bigger and stronger and hopefully about ready to make your appearance. Oh, and you are still able to move around plenty, especially your feet on my right side.

Updated March 26: Here is the 36 week picture!

Weekly Update (35 Weeks)

I knew I should have waited to get that massage. Because now I am having days where my back is just killing me. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, it is completely worth it and I would take back pain every single day of my pregnancy if it was necessary (though I absolutely do not want that... please don't let that happen)!! I am actually starting to notice a trend. The last workday of the week this week and last week has been plagued with back pain. Is it my body begging for the weekend to be here?

Or is it because you are tightening up like a rock in there non-stop these days? It is actually everything around you tightening up and it is called Braxton Hicks. Which are nothing like I expected them to be. I had it in my head that these would be just like real contractions, but not consistent. Nope, they are completely painless and have been occurring pretty much all day every day lately.

I have been extremely bad about taking my weekly picture this week (and last week). Mostly because I don't feel like digging through the laundry and washing those green shorts. However, I did take a picture last week in a different outfit. And as I have been mentioning in recent posts I took maternity pictures last night! I am extremely excited about them and cannot wait to see and post them.

Ever since we finished those, I have felt this peace. Oh, and the items I was waiting on to arrive in the mail came yesterday too. It is weird though, because today my stomach has been doing the rock thing even more than normal and I got this weird feeling that I should call your Daddy and have him put the bag in the truck this morning, "just in case." And I have felt a few weird pangs down there (I am not sure how to describe to where it makes sense). I am sure I am just getting antsy and will probably be looking back on this post in 4 or 5 weeks thinking, "man was I off!!"

The only thing that isn't done yet is the playlist. I know, I know. But there is kind of a reason for that. I decided that it would be very sweet and special if Daddy created the playlist. We have very different tastes in music, but I think that he will do an awesome job and I imagine that there will be a good mix of songs that have sentimental value that will bring a tear to my eye, a smile to my face, or even get a good laugh out of me when I need it most and pull us even closer while going through the delivery process. He is kind of procrastinating though... hopefully I haven't put too much pressure on him!

Let's see... you are still strengthening those lungs to get ready to make your presence known. And you are supposedly over five pounds now. Hopefully we will have a better idea on Monday morning, although those ultrasounds can be so off. Like I mentioned early this week, I have gained a few extra pounds this week, so you might be more than five pounds now!!

Speaking of, the sudden weight gain, combined with a trace of protein in my pee last appointment had me a little worried about pre-eclampsia. The nurse said my blood pressure has been fine, so I shouldn't worry. I checked my blood pressure that night and it wasn't in the questionable range, so I haven't put anymore thought to it. Just thought I would mention that since it was on my mind and we can both look back later and reflect on how crazy and paranoid Mommy was.

That should about cover it for now... until Monday!!! And I promise I will post a new picture on this post later tonight or this weekend :)

Weekly Update (34 weeks)

I am very excited about this week's update! Not really because there is anything exciting to report about this week, but because I just left the doctor and have an appointment scheduled on March 2nd for an ultrasound, group B strep test and cervix check! That means 1) I get to see you on "TV" in 12 days, and 2) as the doctor said today, you can come anytime after that!!

As far as this week goes, the appointment went great. You didn't want to stay still so doc could listen to your heartbeat, but it sounded good when we did hear it. He said that at 34 weeks (today) he relaxes because you would be just fine if you decided to make an appearance, which of course calms my nerves. From here on out, we will just roll with the punches. Although, he would really prefer you wait at least two weeks :)

One that note, it would be a good idea for you to actually wait until at least March 9. We are doing some maternity pictures next Thursday and I believe that we will be having a shower March 7 or 8, so we need to make it through all that first!

I don't know if it is just because there isn't really much risk now and so I am able to relax, or what, but it seems like now that we are at the thresh hold, I am not convinced you will try to come super early like I was before!

I discussed my birth plan with the doctor and all looks good. Of course, I am not asking for anything crazy and most of the stuff I will just have to go over with the nurses at the time, not really the doctor. The one thing that he said was that since my first labor went so fast, I probably won't have time to even think about most of the things on my plan. I had already considered this possibility, and I am completely okay with that... I am not one to complain about a potentially quick labor! And it was very reassuring to hear that he thinks it will go fast. Only time will tell on this one though!

I finished up the nursery (except for the name above the crib) last night, and we put together your bassinet. The final load of baby stuff has been washed. Now it is just time to pack our bags, put the car seat in and wait!

Speaking of hospital bags, I saw this post on McMommy's blog last night (funny stuff) and now I have very high expectations for Daddy when I go in to labor (see this picture). So, Daddy... study up, be ready to look handsome and you so have to talk like that!!

P.S. You should be about 5 pounds now! Probably around 17.5 inches or so. Belly pics coming tonight or tomorrow morning.

Updated March 26: Here is a very belated belly pic!! Not in the typical belly pic outfit.

Love you!!

Lots of Pics (33 Weeks)

As I mentioned last week, I colored my hair and had it cut. Of course, I made two major mistakes.

1. I did not listen to Austin (yes, your two-year old brother) and his color recommendation because I was scared it was "too blond". So what did I end up with? What I thought was a slightly darker blond (Medium Golden Blond to be exact) and what was the result?? NO CHANGE! Honestly, I cannot tell a difference. If anything, it is darker than it started out!

2. I drove far away and had a man that has never cut my hair before and apparently doesn't know what symmetrical means cut my hair. I think the word angle was also not in his vocabulary. The desire - an angled bob that was just below my chin and somewhat higher in the back - preferably the same length on each side.

The results... one side is clearly longer than the other, and the back is no shorter than the front, except for maybe two little tiny long strands at the front on either side.

32 (and a half) weeks - With normal clothes!!

And apparently (according to husband and co-workers) there are a couple random strands of longer hair in the back that don't belong. I don't want to drive back out to him, because it is further than I want to go and he didn't listen to me when I told him at the salon that it seemed uneven. But I also can't go and spend more money to go to my normal salon. So conflicted!

And now for my typical weekly pics in my typical picture outfit (which hubby thinks is ugly).

33 Weeks

Cover your eyes and run for the hills!!! It is the bare belly shot!!

I already posted all of my drama from earlier this week, so there isn't too much to update. You should be about 4.5 pounds now and around 17" long. I go to the doctor again on Wednesday. Not much else to say, you are just cooking and kicking!

I just started thinking the other day (after my 20 lists) that I need to also figure out what kind of music I want on my iPod if I am really planning on having music during labor. Not quite sure what is best in this situation. Might have to Google some ideas! It would be really helpful if you could give some good nudges when you hear something that you like and would like to come into the world listening to. Do I go Classical? Hard Rock (so not me)? Country? Rap (HAHA)? Lullabies? Just one more thing for the To Do List!!

32 Weeks and counting

4-8 weeks to go! It is crazy to think that sometime next month I will probably be holding you in my arms. And with each day/week that goes by I find myself more and more anxious for that day to be here. I am still trying to cherish this pregnancy, and I am. It has been very pleasant and feeling you all the time makes me smile when I would otherwise be in a miserable mood (mainly while at work), but I am also very ready now to hold you next to me. The feeling just keeps getting stronger and stronger and I am starting to wonder how I am going to make it one to two more months!

We had our bi-weekly appointment yesterday and all was well. My blood pressure was perfect, as always. He listened to your heartbeat (he estimated about 146 beats a minute) and commented that you wouldn't stay still! Despite everyone saying my stomach is small, he said you are growing at a normal rate and that all looks good. I had gained 3 pounds in 2 weeks. I won't complain since I hadn't gained any the prior 2 weeks. Plus you are putting on at least a pound a week right now, so it is understandable. So far I am at 29 pounds gained. Hopefully we don't get much higher than that and Mommy will be a very happy camper! (I say this as I chow down on pizza rolls!!)

I mentioned the umbilical cord fears, even though I know it is beyond his (and our) control and he confirmed that it would be an act of God and there is nothing we could do. I went ahead and registered at that hospital, just to be safe and scheduled our 34 week appointment. Nothing else notable happened. All-in-all it was very uneventful.

Here is our 32 week picture! I didn't feel like taking a picture with the inferior camera last week, so I made sure that I got one as soon as the camera returned from the shop.

I am planning on dying my hair tonight and chopping a lot of it off tomorrow, so lets cross our fingers that it looks cute for next week's picture!

And the Picture!

Can't forget the 30 week pictures! Just a note... it looks like you have doubled in size from last week. I know you are now 17 inches and about 3.5 pounds, but man... 1 inch and .5 pounds should not look that different! Especially considering I haven't gained anything!!

Three Quarters Cooked

30 out of 40 weeks done!! Of course, as I sit here on 30w2d writing this, I realize that Austin was born in only 7 more weeks!!! 7 weeks, I am having a hard time imagining. That is a month and a half basically. The ticker says 68 days... if you take 18 off of that, it is only 50!!!

Who knows when you will actually come, but regardless it is soon. I have been so determined to just enjoy this entire pregnancy and not be antsy for you to be here, but it is starting to get difficult. I am enjoying this part of the pregnancy so much. The big belly, the constant movements. But I am also starting to itch to hold you in my arms non-stop. I am sure that is normal at this point in the pregnancy.

So, we went to the doctor on Wednesday and got to see you! You are head down now. Just waiting and growing. You still have room to move from that position, but hopefully in six weeks you have decided to settle head down. Other than looking at you, the doctor didn't really do anything else this week. I haven't gained a single pound since my last appointment two weeks ago. That was exciting. I think I will stay under 35 lbs gained this time! I have 10 to go.

He was patient and listened to my laundry list of questions and answered to my liking. The only thing that concerns me is that he is going on vacation now during my 39th week! I really don't want to be stuck with one of his on-call doctors at a hospital I don't like, so you should try to come before then ;)

He told me my regular dreams about you coming too too early are just my head playing with me and that he has no reason to believe we should worry. So hopefully I will stop! My next appoint is February 4th.

28 Week Pic & Update

Well, so much for my resolution last week to be better about taking my weekly picture! I did get on the ball for week 28 though, and took a picture and I am even posting it in a timely manner!

What's new? Let's see, we went to the doctor again this Tuesday and everything is looking great. Now we get to go every two weeks. I have a sneaking feeling that appointments every two weeks will make our last few weeks together fly by, but I am so excited!!

You remember that nasty "bug" that we had Christmas week? He asked me if I had anymore problems after that or if it just passed and then he asked if anyone else got sick. He seemed very surprised when we said no one else got sick. Which almost confirms for me that it wasn't really a stomach bug.

Daddy and I discussed our hospital options with the doctor and while he encouraged me to register for both of them, it felt like he was pushing more for Memorial City. That is kind of funny to me, because last time around it seemed like he was hesitant to go there. There are some very real concerns of overcrowding at W. Houston though and we just had such a great experience at Memorial City with Austin. We are touring W. Houston Saturday to see if it has changed at all. I remember from our last tour that the delivery room was super nice, but the postpartum room was like a little, uncomfortable box. We will see though. Next Sunday we will tour Mem. City and see if anything has changed there. I am sad that the new maternity ward they are building there will not be complete until June due to Hurricane Ike :(

It is very possible that the only way we would go to W. Houston is if it happens to be when my doctor is on vacation. He told us this week that his wife might be "forcing" a vacation on him in March, so we will have to play it by ear. Of course, if he isn't going to be there anyways, is it really necessary for me to see one of the doctors in his rotation or wouldn't that be even more reason to go where I want? I will ask that question at my appt on the 21st after I have seen both hospitals again and made up my mind.

That was about all that happened at my appt beyond the regular weigh/pee/measure/listen drill. Oh, and he confirmed that I don't have gestational diabetes and I am amazingly not anemic this pregnancy! No extra horse pills for mommy!

One of "the books" was showing that your lungs are now capable of breathing and your chances of survival at this point are 85%! Like I said before, every week from here on out brings more relief. Maybe that dream I had about you trying to poke a hole in my stomach and climb out before you were ready was just a crazy pregnancy dream after all!!

Not much else to report, you are about 2.5 pounds and I am still feeling and seeing you moving ALL-THE-TIME! Which I still love very much!! Daddy seems a little freaked out by my moving belly, but I am pretty sure he secretly thinks it is very cool and loves watching!

Oh, and Austin has mastered your name! I think he likes saying your full name more than his own. I guess Alexander is a little bit of a mouthful for him as he will say "Austin Arnett" or "Alexander Arnett" but not all three together. He will however randomly say "Ethan Asher Arnett" followed by something about his baby brother. So cute!! I cannot wait to see you two boys together!!

See you soon my little angel!
Love always,
Mommy

20 & 21 Week Pics

Wow, what a difference a week (and a half) makes. I was a little late in taking my 21 week, but regardless in about a weeks time I went from having a very obvious pudge to a very distinct round bump!!

20 Weeks

21 (and a half) Weeks
ignore the hair

I just noticed that pants I was wearing at the end of last week (and buttoning) are no longer able to be buttoned - and I am not talking about being just a little shy of buttoning. I guess it is time to ditch the larger sizes and go to maternity pants!! I will say that should be more comfortable.

I better go stock up on those before Thursday - Thanksgiving - because I sincerely doubt that my clothes will fit that day!!