27 Weeks -The Last Week of the Second Trimester

How Far Along: 26 Weeks 6 Days

Total Weight Gain:8-10 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Yes

Stretch Marks: No
Sleep: Seem to be sleeping well, however, I feel like I am starting to get more tired. Not as bad as the first trimester. But still seem to be more sleepy during the day.

Best Moment This Week: When Josh felt the baby kick really hard. The moment and Josh's reaction were PRICELESS!

Miss Anything: Laying on my belly.

Movement: Tons! Baby has been moving so much lately. It's incredible. I also think that baby is head down. I have tiny little 'flutters' in my lower belly and then the huge kicks are at the top and on my right side. We'll see!

Food Cravings: Fruits and chocolate. ( I need to get away from this chocolate craving).

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Just meat sometimes.

Gender: Still unknown :O)

Labor Signs: I have had some slight cramping.. not sure if it is Braxton Hicks or just a cramp. But all in all still going strong!

Symptoms: Mostly just feet and ankles swelling. DAILY.

Belly Button In or Out: Still in

Wedding Rings On or Off: Still on

Happy or Moody Most of The Time: Happy. It helps that I have a goofy husband. He keeps the giggles going :O)

Looking Forward Too: My next ultrasound. Just want to see the precious baby again.

Infant CPR and Safety

Last night, Josh and I had Infant CPR and Safety. This class turned out to probably be the best one that we have taken. We learned a lot about keeping baby safe and also what to do if baby is choking or not breathing. I hope that we never have to use the techniques that we learned.

As you can see in the picture above, we had an African American baby. Which obviously is NO problem. Well my husband being the jokester that he is, says for all the class to hear "do you need to tell me something?!" All I could do is laugh at him. He's such a nut! And then, I told him that I need a picture to document this class for us and baby later. So this is what I get....

He is something else.

Oddly enough, when the instructor started the video to teach us the step for CPR, Baby Keown decided to have a dance party. And after the incident the night before (Josh getting a swift kick in the hand), I nudged him and told him to watch my belly. That was a mistake! We couldn't stop watching my belly and pay attention to the video!! It was so crazy to just see my stomach "hop" in random places as our baby moved around and adjusted and kicked and punched. It was very interesting to watch, both the baby moving in my belly, and Josh's face as he witnessed again, how far baby has come from those sweet little flutters he once felt.

Well, now all the baby classes are done for us. We decided not to do birthing classes. We kind of feel that, that is what the staff of labor and delivery are there. They are trained to let us know what is going on and help us in any way. I've read up on things to kind of 'expect' while in labor, from beginning to end. And with every labor and delivery being different, we've just decided to not to the birthing classes. Hopefully we don't regret this. So, we have an appointment to meet a peditrician tomorrow and then nothing else, besides doctors appointments, for us until baby gets here.

A Swift Kick in the...... Hand?

Last night, Josh and I were sitting on the couch watching TV. We had just eaten dinner. I had a VERY active baby and I kept pushing on the top of my stomach (almost under my ribs) and baby was kicking back. After several minutes of watching me, Josh finally asked what I was doing. So I told him to come over a put his hand on my belly. He placed his hand on my belly and I put my hand on top of his and pushed down. About 30-45 seconds later, baby Keown gave him a swift kick in the hand. Josh jumped out of his skin. It was the funniest thing I think that I have ever seen! He was freaked out big time. He did laps around the house just repeating, Oh my, what in the world, that's just CRAZY. HAHAHA. I laughed until I cried! He doesn't usually like to push on my stomach. He says that we need to leave baby alone because he/she may be sleeping, so he hasn't felt the baby move since I was around 18 weeks. At that point they were only tiny flutters. He must not have believed me when I told him I have a little ninja baby in my belly. I'm still laughing hysterically at the thought of the look on his face. For the rest of the evening he looked at me as if I had offended him in some way. It was so funny. This morning he admitted that it was pretty neat but 'scared' him none the less. Poor guy. Kicks and punches are only going to get stronger.

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.

25 Weeks -Time is flying by

It's so hard to believe that this pregnancy is progressing as quickly as it is. I am so anxious to meet baby Keown, but at the same time, I'm really enjoying being pregnant. So bitter sweet.

How Far Along: 24 weeks 6 days

Total Weight Gain: 6-8 lbs I'm making better choices with what I eat. I'm sure baby misses all of the desserts though.

Maternity Clothes: Yes. I am still able to wear most of my pre-pregnancy clothes, however, I think that I am going to hang up my prepregnancy jeans, because they are not longer comfortable. I didn't realize how comfy the maternity jeans would turn out to be.

Stretch Marks: Still none, fingers still crossed!

Best Moment This Week: Feeling baby move all over my belly. Not just in my lower stomach. Baby is growing so much. Also, recording baby Keown kicking daddys cell phone on my belly.

Miss Anything: Not having pelvis and hip pain. Everytime I roll over at night, get out of bed, get up from sitting or just move my legs, my pelvis hurts. I can usually get up and walk and it eases but it's been going on all week. I guess my body is just getting ready for baby. :O)

Movement: So so. Baby had a couple of days of being lazy. Just a few kicks and nudges here and there, however, the last couple of days my ninja baby is back in action. The kicks and punches are getting strong too. Baby actually woke me up the other night kicking my side to the point it tickled. I woke Josh up giggling in the middle of the night. It was pretty neat.

Food Cravings: Lots'O'Fruit. I think I have eaten and entire bag or green and red grapes. Still just want juicy fruits. Peaches are still VERY high on the list of things I want most, and Josh and I enjoyed at VERY delish cantaloupe. YUM YUM.

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Nothing new. Just meat. I did manage to eat chicken this past weekend. Even though it wasn't much. I found that Josh grilling it, makes it a little more appealing to me. Still not my favorite though.

Gender: Still unknown. A lot of people have been telling me, still this week, that it's a girl. We'll see!

Labor Signs: None yet. I did read in my book last night, though, that Braxton Hicks Contractions could start at any time now.

Symptoms: Hip/Pelvis pain, some aches and pains in my lower back, almost at my tail bone, I'm now officially waddling but I don't think it's because I'm so big, I think it is because of my discomfort in my hips, and I'm not sleeping really well, I tend to toss and turn all night. But all worth it!

Belly Button In or Out: In still but almost completely flat. I think It'll come on out.

Wedding Rings On or Off: Still on

Happy or Moody Most of the Time: Happy. I did have a melt down the other night, but I'm pretty happy.

Looking Forward Too: Breastfeeding class next Thursday. Should be interesting. Hope I learn lots.

Artwork for Baby

So here are the monkey pictures that I painted for baby Keown's nursery. The background is not that blue, it's more of a teal but I took these pictures at night. These pictures will hang above the babys changing table.

Spring Forward

I think this weekend flew by faster than ever. You know it has been a short weekend when you wake up on Sunday and think that it is Saturday. Maybe it was because we stayed busy, or maybe it was the time change. Regardless it was a good weekend.
Friday night we went to eat with some friends about 30 minutes away. That was at 8:00pm. We didn't get home until 1:00am. My goodness were we trying to hold on to our youth or what?! At 1:30am Josh noticed that not only my ankles but my feet were swollen. He spent 15 minutes rubbing my feet and ankles. It was amazing. I couldn't thank him enough.
Saturday we just lounged around the house, and I decided I needed to go to the grocery store. Josh doesn't usually go with me, but he insisted on going. And I went to Wal-Mart... Josh HATES Wal-Mart. He was such a trooper though! When we got home, we lounged some more, and I painted some art work for baby Keown's room (will post pictures soon). Followed by more lounging.
Sunday we slept kind of late. Got up, had breakfast and decided that since it was so beautiful, that we would go fishing. After 9,000 nibbles and no catches, I was bored but followed Josh around the pond trying his best to catch a fish. It was a beautiful enough day, that it didn't bother me. I even got some sun on my neck (I'm a redneck officially now, HA).

I was too lazy at this point to follow Josh any further (Note: we are across the street from our house fishing, and he was headed back home), so I snapped a few pictures. This picture makes me laugh because when I see it, the Andy Griffith theme song comes to mind! I eventually caught up with him, it just took some self motivating to put one foot in front of the other.
A little later, after we got back home and I rested a bit, we decided to grill some chicken (which is not my friend right now, but I was will to give it a try). And Josh had his back turned towards me and turned to see this.....

I wish that instead of me capturing pictures of the broom, that I would have snapped a picture of his face. It was priceless. Now we all know that this can be done ANY time, and that it has nothing to do with the planets aligning or whatever the thought is. But I really don't think anyone expects to turn around and see a broom standing straight up in the middle of the porch. HAHA.

After eating and relaxing a bit more (I'm lazy). I finished painting the baby's room. YAY!!! It's all done! Now to move in furniture and hang babys new artwork and get the rest of the furniture. So scary but baby will be here! Only 110 days to go!

Welp, off to the rest of my Monday. Have a good week everyone!