26 Weeks *And other updates*

How Far Along: 25 Weeks 6 Days

Total Weight Gain: Still around 8lbs

Maternity Clothes: Yes

Stretch Marks: Nope. Fingers crossed.

Best Moment this Week: Interviewing a choosing someone to watch the baby in their home.

Miss Anything: I'm pretty content this week. No major aches or pains.

Movement: Tons. This sweet baby can't move enough.

Food Cravings: Still juicy fruits. Peaches mostly this week. And decaf frozen coffees. YUM.

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: No. Still have my issues with meat, but all in all, doing pretty well.

Gender: Only time will tell.

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: Swollen Ankles and feet. Even my toes are swelling. Wednesday morning I got a 'charlie horse' in my calf. That was pretty miserable.

Belly botton in or Out: Honestly, it's half in and half out.. it's the weirdest thing.

Wedding Rings on or off: Still on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy. I'm tired this week but I have been staying up late and I've been walking more, so I think that, that is making me kind of tired.

Looking forward too: Next week we have Infant CPR and Safety class, and we are interviewing a pediatrician.

In other news:

    I learned a valuable lesson on Saturday. At 6 and half months pregnant, even though I have energy as though I am not pregnant, I need to remember I am pregnant; and my body didn't hesitate to remind me. After a day of scrubbing the house on Saturday, I didn't sleep Saturday night and everytime I moved my back popped. Same thing on Sunday. I had all the energy in the world, but forced myself to lay on the couch all day and rest my exhausted body.By Monday morning, the pain in my back and hips was significantly less. Thank goodness. Moral of the story (and after a 'lecture' from Dr. Mom), I need to slow down. I am now into my seventh month, and although I am feeling good, I need to remember what is going on. So, I have asked Josh to help me with cleaning and such around the house. I'm sure my body will thank me. If nothing else, I just won't hurt as bad.

    This week my ankles and feet have been swelling a bit more. I know it's because I sit at a desk all day at work because they do not swell on the weekends. In an attempt to keep this from happening or keeping it to a minimum, I have started walking on my lunch breaks. It's helping but I am still swelling. At my last appointment, my doctor said it was normal and to only watch for other symptoms, swelling hands and face, as this could be a sign of preeclampsia. So I have been watching my 'kankles' like a hawk. Making sure the swelling goes down at night (and it does) and making sure I drink enough water. (I think I'll ask my manager if I can just move my desk into the bathroom). Josh even built a little foot rest to go under my desk so that my feet are elevated. Today is the first day that I am using it, so we'll see how it works.

    Last night I had another class, breastfeeding 101. Just when you thought that you knew everything that you needed to about something, you attended a class to find that you knew nothing at all. HA! Josh did not go with me. I told him he didn't have too, and then I get there and there were other daddy's there. Made me miss him a bit, but I did tell him he didn't have to go. I went with a friend anyway. We watched a video, went through slideshow and even practiced with baby dolls the way to properly hold a baby while feeding. I left with more knowledge about the situation and a sense of "I can do this". I know it's going to be hard, but I have readin materials, and the phone numbers to the lactation consultants in the hospital, and around town. I can do this.

   This week, we also interviewed a lady to watch baby Keown. I know that this must be a hard thing for all new parents. The thought of dropping this tiny baby, whom I have not even met yet, off with a stranger is TERRIFYING to me. So many thoughts run through my head and all the 'what ifs'. We found out about Ms. Brenda through a good friend of ours who have a 3 year old and went to Ms. Brenda up until last year. First plus she had, she's close to our house. I'll have to go 'away' from work to get to her, but not far. Second plus, upon arriving at her home, it looked clean from the outside. Third, when you walk to the back of the house, to get to the 'daycare', there is a HUGE fenced in back yard, with a swing set, lots of little houses, and riding toys and balls and just a play oasis for kids. She also had a cute little sign that read "Brenda's patty-cake daycare". We went in and Ms. Brenda and her husband were sitting there waiting on us. (We went 'after hours' so there was only one child there who was quietly reading a book). They greated us with smiles and hand shakes and asked that we get comfy. We through the usual things, what she does with the kids, how many she can have at one time, drop off and pick up times etc. Before I knew it, Josh was talking business with her husband, I was taking a tour of the 'daycare' and after an hour and a half, she had made me feel as though leaving my tiny little baby with her, was the best thing I could do. She is very grandmother like, and loving. She answered all of our questions, and all in all, just a sweet lady. Her licenses were displayed on the wall for us to see. She explained what being state certified meant for her. She has to attended conferences and monthly and sometimes weekly meetings and trainings. All of which cost her money. All in all, a very nice, warm, loving lady. Josh went to meet with her again yesterday and let her know that we will be using her. Shew, one more thing to mark off the to-do list.

   That's just about all this week. Looking forward to the weekend and enjoying this nice weather. Even if it is going to rain. I'll take 70 degrees and raining over 30 degrees and snowing any day.

Happy Friday. Go enjoy this gorgeous day.