24 Weeks

We have started our Bradley Method baby birthing classes and have learned a lot of good information.  Some of it Doug and I just look at each other with these scared, naive expressions thinking "Is she serious? That's really going to happen?"  The first week I had to hold back tears a few times because it all hit me and became pretty real that we are having a baby.  I told Doug that I am starting to get a little nervous; I am totally ready for the holding baby part, but I am a little nervous about the "baby coming out" part!! :-)

Other than that we are just trucking away.  We had our 24 week appointment and I/the baby continue to measure a little over a week big.  Other than that, heartbeat (150 beats per minute) and everything else looks/sounds good.

Baby Taylor is moving around like crazy!! We were sitting in our baby class on Monday and I told Doug to watch and my entire stomach moved.  It's hilarious to watch it twitch and move :-) I love it!!

 How far along: 24 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Yes and feeling like I never have enough clothes! 
Best moment this week: 24 week appointment and getting to hear the heartbeat again, getting our dresser for the nursery, baby shower invites went out -WOW a lot has happened :-)
Miss Anything? Not really
Movement: Yes-A LOT!!
Food cravings: Banana bread and ice cream, but not together.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Still chicken breast -GAG!

Gender:  I now think girl :-)
Labor Signs: no

Symptoms: Baby brain- I was at the grocery store the other day and I had picked up some zucchini and got to the register and the high school cashier asked what they were so she could look them up and I couldn't think of the name of them for the life of me.  She had to call the manager over to get the name of this veggie and of course, I couldn't just say "baby brain", because the male manager and high school girl weren't going to understand.  It was kind of embarrassing :-)
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! I have the curtains done in the baby's room, we got the dresser, and I am going to work on the crib edge cover this weekend. 
Looking forward to: Hospital tour this weekend

22 Weeks

School is well under way and I finally feel like I know what I am doing again.  It always takes a few weeks for me to feel like I am above water.  Thank God for the 2nd trimester, because I have a little (a lot) more energy than I did the 1st trimester.  It worked perfect, because I was able to hide my belly for a little while before I told my kiddos.  They are now full of questions: "Are you having a boy or a girl?"  "Why aren't you going to find out?" "How long will you be gone?" "Will we have to have a long term sub?" They are so cute! I love my new class and my new team!

As for Doug he is starting something new as well.  In July he sold his business and took a job at Earl's Tire West. Earl's asked Doug to come and work for them and so after a ton of thought and consideration he decided to take the job.  God worked wonders and we were able to find someone to take over his lease and buy his business. It couldn't have worked out any better and now he is loving his new place.  And I get to hear all about wheels, tires, lift kits, and accessories.

As for Baby Taylor he/she continues to grow.  This week I have seemed to really pop out a little bit!  There's no denying there's a little (big) guy in there now :-)  He/she is over 1 pound and about 12 inches long.  I am feeling him kick a lot during the day, and night too. Doug got to feel it once so far, but usually when I can feel him moving around Doug will try to feel it and then Baby Taylor stops :-) He doesn't like Daddy touching him/her.

 How far along: 22 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Yes, definitely!
Best moment this week: Doug feeling the baby move!
Miss Anything? Not really-I am getting used to this pregnancy thing now I think :-)
Movement: Yes-it still isn't super consistent, but I am feeling it a lot!
Food cravings: Nothing really
Anything making you queasy or sick:  I can't eat a plain chicken breast, but if it's cut up in something I can manage!

Gender: Boy or maybe girl.....Good thing those are my only options-but I still don't know
Labor Signs: no

Symptoms: I've got a belly :-) And I am SO HOT (temperature hot!)! I don't know how people can be 9 months pregnant during the summer, because once I get hot I just can't get cooled down!
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Feeling like I need to get busy! I have registered for gifts for the baby shower, but I need to get busy on making the curtains and crib edge cover for the baby's room!
Looking forward to:  We start our Bradley Method baby classes on Monday and I am really excited for those!  

Boy? or Girl?

Is it a girl? Is it a boy?

  To find out or not to find out.....

  When people find out that we are expecting one of the first questions to follow is "Are you going to find out what you are having?" to which we answer, "We will know in January."  We get a variety of answers.  The answers are very generational.  People our age are often annoyed that we would want to wait or at least can't believe that we would wait to find out.  People my parents or grandparents age are so excited that we aren't finding out, because they didn't get to find out when they were expecting.

    I think that seeing our baby for the first time and hearing if it is a boy or a girl is the most exciting part of this whole experience. I can't wait to feel those emotions; it will definitely be worth the wait!

  I thought it would be fun to look into all the old wives tales to see if they are true :-)

- Acne: A girl will "steal your beauty" and a boy will give you beautiful skin.
  Prediction: Girl

-  Ring Swing: put a ring on string and hang it over your belly if it swings in a circle it's a boy, back and forth means it's a girl.
Prediction: Girl

-Heart Rate: They say if the baby's heart rate is over 140 is a girl and under 140 is a boy.  Our 12 week appointment the heart rate was 150 and our 12 week ultrasound was 144 for the heart rate. Our 20 week appointment had the heart rate at 150.
Prediction: Girl

-Cravings: Sweet means girl, salty means boy.
Prediction: Girl (although I have always been one for sweets over salty)

-Chinese Gender Chart: you type in your age, conception month, birthday, etc. and it computes if for you.
Prediction: Girl

-Mayan prediction: Your age at conception and the year of conception. I was 25 when we conceived (right before my 26th birthday) and it is 2013.  They are both odd numbers.
Prediction: Girl

-Morning Sickness: If you have morning sickness it means girl, smooth sailing means boy.  I did have a few weeks of morning sickness.
Prediction: Girl

-Daddy: Doug thinks it's going to be a boy.
-Mommy: I started out thinking of our baby only as a boy, but have started to picture it as a girl lately. I still can't make a decision for what I think it is.
-Grandma Arlone: Girl
-Grandpa Mark: Boy
-Grandma De: Boy
-Grandpa Kevin: Boy
-Aunt Sherrie: Boy-she calls the baby "Skeeter Bug" (which will be it's nickname girl or boy)

Obviously most of the old wives tales say girl, but we will see :-)

How far along: 20 weeks HALFWAY! How did it go so fast already! I have so much to do!

Maternity clothes? Yes. I can still wear a lot of old shirts, but not pants!
Sleep: I am getting more and more used to sleeping on my side and thank God (and Doug for buying it) for my U-pillow, which takes up the entire bed, but is amazing.  I wake up a lot of mornings with extremely sore hips and legs and I don't really sleep a whole lot, because I still go to the bathroom a minimum of three times a night!  If I can keep up the bathroom schedule in exchange for feedings for the newborn it might be a good schedule :-)
Best moment this week: I felt the baby move!! I wasn't sure if I was feeling it and then last Friday I felt it for sure. By Sunday I could feel him/her running laps in my tummy. It is such an amazing feeling!  I now just want Doug to be able to feel it. Another great thing about this week was our 20 week ultrasound. I just love seeing him/her.
Miss Anything? Not being sore-I'm sore when I wake up, after work, all the time (and I have a feeling it's not going to get any better for the next 20 weeks)
Movement: Yes finally!
Food cravings: Nothing really
Anything making you queasy or sick:  I still can't eat a plain chicken breast! GAG!

Gender: Not so sure now-I keep going back and forth. 
Labor Signs: no

Symptoms: All kinds of them now :-)
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Feeling like I should get busy with some more baby things!
Looking forward to:  Our childbirth classes start in two weeks and I am definitely excited about those! I am hoping to learn a lot about natural childbirth!

During our ultrasound we were able to see all of the important parts of our baby.  We were able to see his toes and fingers.  His mouth was open and he had fluid in his stomach (which proves he can swallow).  We were able to see blood pumping through his heart and kidneys.  His spine looks good.  

At my 20 week appointment which was 2 days after our ultrasound my midwife explained that the baby is again measuring big. They have debated about changing our due date from January 11th to the 2nd. I am kind of nervous about the change! 

LOVE

I don't claim to be a religious guru or a deeply political person.  Often times when conversation turns to political issues I just stay out of it.  When questioned about my faith I will definitely answer and defend my views, but I don't claim to know every scripture or go to church as much as I would like (or should). This isn't about being republican or democrat. This isn't about being religious or atheist.  This is about LOVE!

Because I usually do not care about issues one way or the other most of the time, I am not very out spoken about many issues. In fact, if talking to the right person I can usually be persuaded to agree with another view.  But this issue has been weighing heavy on my heart for a long time.  I am embarrassed, disappointed, and mostly sad.  Sad for our community, nation, and future.

I don't understand why people can't treat everyone fairly.  No matter what your "religious beliefs" are, can't we just love everyone.  This issue was brought back to the forefront of my mind last night as I listened to a story on the news about a venue saying no to a same-sex couple for their wedding.  The owner would not let them get married at her venue because of her "religious beliefs." That's a bunch of crap! Doesn't God say to LOVE. Above all else is LOVE!  Don't judge others!  How is their so-called "sin" any different than judging someone or not loving?!  I am not asking for everyone to agree with same-sex marriage; I fully believe that people have a right to make that decision on their own, but LOVE everyone, no matter what your view is.

Some people make the argument that she has a right to refuse service to these people and maybe legally she does, but doesn't it kind of remind you of the stories about segregation.  Someone probably once said it's my "religious belief" that blacks shouldn't be allowed into restaurants, certain schools, on the bus, etc.  Or what about women's rights.  I am sure at some point some man said it's our "religious belief" that women should answer to their husbands, and therefore do not need the right to vote, own land, etc.  It is embarrassing to think that we live in a time where more "segregation" and judging is going on. We are going to look back on this and be amazed that people ever thought this way.

I am not writing this to offend anyone or anyone's beliefs, because we live in a world where you get to choose how you feel.  But we also live in a world where same-sex couples (or anyone different from you) gets to choose how they feel too!  I am writing this to get it off my chest; I have been mad about this, sad about this, and disappointed about this issue and when words start running through my head, I just need to write them down.  I am writing this so that maybe one person would think today about how they can LOVE others and stop judging them.

As I sit here shaking and my cheeks moist from my emotion I wonder...
How would our world be different if we just LOVED?!  As I get ready to bring a new life into this world I hope that he/she can LOVE unconditionally. I hope that he/she is LOVED unconditionally no matter what life choices he/she makes.  I worry about bringing a new little one into a world that is so broken and hurtful, but I know that if we teach LOVE then nothing else matters!

16 weeks

    It has been a busy few weeks.  I went to the Plain White Tees concert with Jamie and Addie, which was a lot of fun even though I only knew two songs. :-) I had breakfast with Lizz; it is always so much fun catching up! I babysat a few days for the family I watched the last two summers, which always keeps me busy with 6 kids.  It is so fun to watch how creative they are playing games together!  I went out to Panora yesterday and helped my mom and Mark freeze 64 bags of sweet corn; needless to say we should have enough until next summer.
    Doug has been so busy at work and has had a few HOT days in there, although this week has been wonderful!  On the weekends we actually have had some time to just relax and do whatever we want, without any set plans!
    All of a sudden this week I just had energy.  I don't need an afternoon nap and can make it through the day without being exhausted.  I am still ready for bed by 9 or 10, but I finally have some energy back!! Yay. About time!
    As for Baby Taylor we had our 16 week appointment last week and everything looks and sounds good. The results of our 12 week ultrasound show Baby Taylor measuring a little big, which might mean an earlier due date, although they aren't officially changing it yet.  Otherwise heart sounds nice and strong, still around 150 beats per minute.  We also met with one of our Doulas on Thursday and got some really great information from her.  Looks like I have a few more books to read :-)
    We ordered our crib a few weeks ago, because we found one we loved and it was going out of stock.  We have been calling to check on it's arrival and were always told that it missed the delivery truck.  Yesterday they called with the good news that it arrived.  I rushed right down to get it and Doug and I put it together last night! It looks amazing. I ordered all the fabric last night as I will be making all the bedding (hopefully).  Now when I look in the baby's room it all seems a little more real.  Can't wait to get the dresser and chair and then put the finishing touches on the nursery. More pictures to come :-)

 How far along: 16 weeks

Maternity clothes? Doing the hair tie trick on pants. Clothes are getting a little snug around my tummy 
Sleep: It would be great if I could sleep on my back and didn't get up 4 times a night to go to the bathroom (and no I am NOT exaggerating)
Best moment this week: Getting the crib
Miss Anything? Sleeping on my back
Movement: Not yet (I can't wait until that happens)
Food cravings: Nothing really
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Chicken breast

Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: no

Symptoms: Nothing really
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Sad that summer is almost over, but definitely excited to meet my new kiddos at school!
Looking forward to:  Our 20 week ultrasound

Carly Moe doesn't realize how her life is going to drastically change soon :-)  She has been a wonderful summer buddy though. I am going to miss our afternoon naps and snuggles when I go back to school!

Our crib set up and ready for Baby Taylor.  Now it just needs a mattress and bedding!

Summer flying by....

   Summer seems to be flying by and I haven't even touched my massive summer-to-do list.  Originally I had planned to help Doug at Auto Reflections by answering phones and doing some secretary work; that didn't really last long :-)  I think I slept the month of June away with all the naps I took.  July isn't looking any less sleepy.  Some days I don't need a nap, but then it seems to catch up with me.

   We had our 12 week ultrasound, which was actually used for our first trimester screening, which screens for Down Syndrome among a few other things.  We got the results back and everything looks normal.  It was also so fun to see Baby Taylor on that big screen. When they first started the ultrasound he (I just call the baby a he-we don't actually know) was face down the whole time and wouldn't turn over.  He was just comfy!  He finally moved around, but kept his little hands up by his face most of the time.  At one point he did a full body wave and jumped all around.  It was so amazing to see him moving all around; I sure wish I could feel it!

   Other than just enjoying summer we haven't done much.  We have gone to a couple of movies ( we would definitely recommend The Heat-it was hilarious), gone out to the lake for the 4th of July in addition to being in a few parades for Auto Reflections.  It was amazing weather!

    I have crossed off a few things from our baby-to-do list which feels really good.  I hope to get a few more things done before going back to school.  Can't believe we are already into our second trimester! Where is the time going!?

 How far along: 14 weeks on Saturday

Maternity clothes? Some things are maternity, because I can't stand things touching my belly! 
Sleep: It all depends: sometimes I sleep great and sometimes not so much
Best moment this week: Getting a few things off the baby-to-list and getting to see Baby Taylor last week!
Miss Anything? Energy!
Movement: Not yet (I can't wait until that happens)
Food cravings: Ice Cream
Anything making you queasy or sick:  I went to Arby's to get Doug some lunch and the french fries smelled DISGUSTING! UGH!

Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: no

Symptoms: Just tired
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Getting worried that this summer is going to be over before I actually get anything done!
Looking forward to: Getting a baby bump and feeling Baby Taylor move

His hands up by his face

This is Baby Taylor face down, with his butt up in the air

This is Baby Taylor's head and body

This is Baby Taylor's profile (head and body)

Fruits

Poppy seed, pea, grape, olive, key lime, kiwi, lemon..... All the fruit comparisons for the size of Baby Taylor over the last few weeks.  And then they throw in the size of my uterus which is between the size of a softball or small melon.  It is overwhelming and confusing trying to keep track of what fruit (or other circular object) Peanut is the size of.  And every place you look tells you something different; one website says a fig and another says a lemon.  I thought those were different :-) Well no matter what size Peanut is he/she is doing really good.  We had an appointment today and heard the heartbeat again, which is "fast and strong," according to our midwife.  The heartbeat was at 150 beats per minute, which according to the old wive's tale means it's a girl (also according to the midwife).  I am still thinking boy, but we shall see.  (Only 28 more weeks to wait-wow- how did that number get so small already).

This is my 5th day in a row with no nap and I am feeling pretty good.  There for about 4 weeks I was taking a nap everyday.  I am really tired about 8:30, but can make it until then without a nap.  Maybe I will start to get some energy so I can start to conquer my summer to-do list :-) Other than that I am feeling great.

Other than that not too much is new; we get another ultrasound next week on July 2nd and I am so excited to see Baby Taylor again!

How far along: 11 weeks (almost 12)
Maternity clothes? Not yet... but I can see a little bump 
Sleep: Been sleeping great at night the last few days and not needing a nap lately.
Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat today-nothing is better than that sound!
Miss Anything? We went to a wedding this last weekend and I would have really liked to drink an alcoholic beverage, just one.
Movement: Not yet (I can't wait until that happens)
Food cravings: This is going to sound like one of those "weird pregnancy cravings," but I actually used to eat it when I was little and we would go to Chi-chi's Mexican Restaurant.  I really want to dip tortilla chips in a virgin strawberry daiquiri.  Don't judge it until you try it!
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Not really the last four weeks. It has been so much better.  There are still times I don't feel 100%, but it is so much better!

Gender: I think boy, but a lot of the old wives tales say girl.
Labor Signs: no

Symptoms: Nothing really
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy (and not as tired)
Looking forward to: Our next ultrasound!