24 weeks and growing

I am at the 24 week mark today. Wow! I can NOT believe how fast each day, week, and month continues to pass me by, but I am enjoying every minute (even when I can't get comfy in bed cause I'm sick of sleeping on my side and my hips hurt.) Both baby and I are growing consistently. In fact, it says my uterus is about the size of a soccer ball currently. Does that explain all this kicking? (There is a lot of strong movement lately which has coined a 2nd term for my child of Ninja Baby. I just love those kicks and punches.) I am gaining about 2lbs a week right now. Although my goal was only 1lb a week I think I will be okay. We go to the Dr on Friday for our 24 week appt so she will tell me if she has any concerns. According to BabyCenter I will soon be doing the glucose screening test. It can be done anytime between now and 28 weeks so between now and Halloween. With my PCOS, I have to wonder if I am at a higher risk for gestational diabetes. I am at a higher risk for regular diabetes as most PCOS women are already insulin resistant. However, when I was tested for PCOS all of my insulin tests can back in normal ranges so hopefully all will stay that way. Enough about me though (right?).... Little Bean has also been growing. In fact the baby is as long as an ear of corn. Long and Lean given he/she only weighs a little over a pound but is gaining fast. Over the next weeks the baby will be starting to "plump up" and the skin that is currently thin and translucent will also start to change. Tonight Clay and I will read the next chapter in our book to see how the Little Bean will continue to grow as we inch closer and closer to the third trimester which starts next month (Oh my, is tomorrow really the first day of October?).

Finally, the only other thing to post today are the belly pics we took today to document the 24 week mark. So here they are:

And the comparison shot from 20 weeks (left) to today at 24 weeks (right):

Pimp my ride

Given Clay was busy on the roof all weekend, I decided to do a bit more shopping of course. Our biggest purchase of the weekend is actually a gift from my parents. We got our travel system which is the stroller and carseat combo. (You can also see my other purchases from the past week in the background of the first picture. We found a bookcase that matches PERFECTLY and then I found some colorful storage cubes for the shelves.) I'm pretty much done shopping now until after the baby showers. We have all the furniture and "big" items thanks to lots of help from our parents (Mom and Dad B helped with the crib and changer/dresser.)

Thanks mom and dad C and mom and dad B!!!!!

Here is the stroller shown in the "storage" mode. I just have to find somewhere to store it ;o)

And here are a few of us showing the stroller by itself and with the carseat attached.

Headline reads "Ninja baby attempts to kick Kitty's butt!"

I had been waiting for this moment. The kicks from who I sometimes refer to as "ninja baby" have been getting stronger and more frequent. Last night Clay swore ninja baby was working out in there ;o)
I couldn't sleep last night so around 4am I was up. I decided to lay out in Big Brown (the recliner) rather than toss and turn in the bed and take the chance of annoying Clay since he has a big day today (roofing). I curled up and tried to get comfy. Within minutes Kitty was there to join me. Now reclined I have some of a lap for her to lay on. She curled up with her butt against my round stomach and got comfy. Soon her "rattle" began. She has a great vibrating purr when she is happy and content (and a fierce hiss when she is not). She and I lay there in the darkness and I could feel the purring against the bottom of my tummy. Sure enough, someone else felt it (or heard it) too!!!
As I lay there I had to giggle. The ninja baby was awake and kicking Kitty in the butt right in the spot where the purrs were.
The judges are out as to whether the baby liked the purring and was petting Kitty with me or if he/she was upset by the early morning disruptions. However, I choose to think more positively as we were all three soon asleep and peaceful cuddled in the chair.

Assembly 1-2-3-4 and more

We decided to put our furniture together this weekend. We are having company at the Hotel Brockman in a few weeks and need to clear up the floor space that currently looked like this....covered in boxes of furniture...

Clay started first with the glider..... 

Then it was on to the crib. (Note how Kitty likes to supervise and try to help with all of the instructions....)

 

Finally, it was time for the dresser/changing table combo. It came in two boxes so we should have expected a lot of pieces but we were still surprised at the pieces. This piece took the longest. I put together all the drawers while Clay assembled the main piece.

 

The finished products placed take a plain room (before) to the makings of a nursery in progress.....

(Sorry for all of the blank space. I really wanted to share all of the pictures and I swear this new photo editor on Blogger that I upgraded to is going to be the death of me yet. It is horrible hard to space pictures like I want and then add the text. However, I hope you enjoyed the pictures.)

Seeing movement

I have been feeling movement since about 18 weeks. Recently (as mentioned before) the kicks and punches have grown quite a bit in strength and become much more frequent ;o) Well last night, I actually got to SEE the movement. I was getting some good movement so I lifted my shirt to watch my belly for a minute....sure enought KICK!.... a small portion of my stomach over on my right experienced a quick jolt.  It wad kinda wierd to see but really cool too. I told Clay to watch from the couch and I saw a few more really small ones but nothing that Clay could make out from the couch. I'm sure this will be my new thing to do all weekend so that I can share it with Clay when it happens again.

Time to register

A few weeks ago Clay and I started the baby registry process. We passed the 20 week mark and decided it was time to get moving. I will have baby showers at 31 and 33 weeks which will be here before we know it. The registry process was fairly easy and although a bit time consuming was fun. Liz has critiqued it a bit and let me know what was good and what may need to be changed. She also gave me some good pointers about what was missing. Thanks LIZ!! Of course Liz is so great that she gives her advice but doesn't take it personally if I don't listen to it ;o) (Although I must say for the most part I have listened to her wisdom.) Last weekend we finished up the other registry at Babies R Us so we are set. I think there are a few changes to make but most everything is looking good.  We still aren't sold on a few items either but haven't found anything we liked better. So the registeries as Target and Babies R Us are ready to roll (for the most part). Baby shopping is so much fun!!

22 weeks or 5 1/2 months?

Today is the 22 week mark. I got to thinking, if someone asks you how far along you are, do you say 22 weeks or should you start giving the approximate time in months? To a pregnant lady or someone who has recently been pregnant it makes sense to them in weeks. Their lives revolve around the 40 weeks of pregnancy and all the doctor appointments and updates in status are based in weeks, but to someone not currently pregnant (or who hasn't been pregnant) does the time in months make more sense? Just a thought.

Well anyways, today I am approximately 5 1/2 months pregnant (there I have satisfied both audiences.) According to good ole' BC (BabyCenter), the baby is approximately 11 inches and weighs almost 1 full pound (or a bit more.) Eleven inches is the approximate size of a spaghetti squash (shown above in reference to a quarter.) WOW that's getting big! The baby's lips, eyelids and eyebrows are becoming more distinct and he/she is starting to form tiny tooth buds beneath their gums. The eyes are formed but the irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. On my side of things I'm doing really well with my weight and feeling good. I am enjoying the Fit Mommy class but find it makes me sore and a bit tired. The instructor is a big fan of squats and lunges which weren't two of my favorite exercises to begin with and you add some extra weight to my body and they still aren't my favorite. However, I power through cause I know it is good for me. My hips have been hurting a bit at night and after our long walks so the instructor showed me a few hip stretches I can do daily to help keep that to a minimum. I am sleeping well and enjoying the pregnancy each day. My favorite part is still feeling the little bean (or should I say squash) move about throughout the day. Clay even felt the baby move again last night and remarked at how much stronger and bigger the kicks and/or punches are now. Definitely know something (or rather someone) is moving around in there!!

We do have a few other updates. The boxes from my recent online shopping escapade have been arriving almost daily. We have the glider, the crib, the dresser, and a few other accesories from Target. I'm expecting the last box today with the rug and the wall hangings I ordered. The room is just full of boxes. I will take a few pictures this weekend and I think we may be working on putting the furniture together this weekend too to clear out some of the boxes. Plus it will give me a good idea on the furniture layout (and make room for an air matress since we will have guests to the Hotel Brockman in a few weeks).  I am super excited as it all seems to be coming together.  I have a few other updates for my blog friends but I will save them for later. (Hopefully the suspense will keep you interested!)

Bra Shopping 101

This post may contain too much information for the male reader, proceed with caution unless you have ever purchased a bra.

Bra shopping has never been fun for me. Actually I'm not sure if anyone enjoys bra shopping. Well I guess I should say I don't think any FEMALE enjoys bra shopping. Men may enjoy "lingerie" shopping and that may include a barely there bra of sorts but TRUE bra shopping is just no fun. Well, last night I learned that bra shopping when pregnant is EVEN MORE FUN!!!

Let me start from the beginning. Over the last week, I have determined it was time for a new bra. The 38DD bras I had been wearing were just not taking the cake any more. In fact, they had turned into torture devices of sorts. The "girls" were too big for them and the underwire no longer sat beneath them like it should. Instead it crept up each side to try to conquer and divide the "girls" into sections. And they were successfully digging red trench lines on the underside. Not very flattering. Not very comfortable either. I don't know how they grew in one week like that or maybe I just now started to notice, but it was time for action.

Last night I made Clay help me do a bit of measuring. With my sewing measure tape we took a stab at trying to measure the accurate size. Then I was on my way. I didn't want to go to Victoria's Secret and have them measure me only to turn around and walk out of the store becuase I KNEW they wouldn't have anything to fit me. I know from experience they don't have much of a selection past those lucky women who wear a 36C. In the past I had considered Lane Bryant for the larger bras but they look at you funny when you walk in and you aren't their size everywhere else (it's true, I swear.) Plus I'm not even sure we have that store any more. I thought about Motherhood Maternity but knew they only had nursing bras which I'm sure will be an experience in itself when that time comes. (Good lord I don't even want to think about how big they will be then.) So, I settled on trusty Kohl's, knowing I needed something bigger than a 38DD and not sure what they would have in stock.

Upon arriving I was somewhat pleased they actually had a few different styles that came in 38DDD or 40DD (and some that were even larger). WOW those were a site to behold. They looked HUGE.  I grabbed a large variety of styles in both sizes and some various colors (mostly limited to black, white, and beige. The only colors bras of that size are ever found in) and headed to the fitting rooms.  I also needed a new sports bra so after locating the sports bras and finding an approximately accurate size, I grabbed a few of them too. Here is where the fun began!

I always take the handicap stall if open. I like lots of room to operate. I began with a fury and quickly remembered why I hate bra shopping. Nothing FITS! Some of them I couldn't even get the band closed. There was no way they were the size they said they were. Then after twisting and turning the bras into place (even harder when your belly is here and the side to side twisting is limited) the cups never fit right or the straps aren't fit properly. It's like I needed an assistant.

What I swear felt like 50 bras later I had maybe 2 that would work. One sports bra (black) and one regular bra (also black).  I took one additional sweep through the bra section and went back for more punishment trying on a few more before settling. I wanted to wait until Wed when my 30% off at Kohl's would be helpful but I new I really needed them NOW. I did decide the sports bra (priced at $42) could wait until Wed so I could save $12. I will just survive my Fit Mommy class in the regular bra tonight. I did have a 15% off coupon of course but I was disappointed that for the first time ever the item I bought at Kohl's wasn't already on sale. I thought there was a law about that. Kohl's is always on sale. Right?

Well, I checked out at the only checker available. It was a weird man and I think my one bra purchase of a 40DD bra made him a bit uncomfortable.  Upon exiting the store, I called Mel to share my expereince and we both had a good laugh.  I probably had some funnier comments last night when the experience was "fresh" in my head but I still wanted to share the experience this morning as I sit here comfortably in my new bra. I can't wait until the next bra shopping experience which I'm predicting will be sometime in the near future as the "girls" and I continue to grow. Oh boy oh boy! What will the next time bring?

Fit Mommy: Take 2

Last week I signed up for a pre and post-natal class through the hospital that is being held at a local fitness club. It is called "Fit Mommy."  It stared this past Tuesday and according to the call center that helped me enroll it was supposed to be from 630-730 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesday I arrived at 615 to find the class was ACTUALLY from 530-630. Well, CR@P! I did stay  to talk to the instructor afterwards. She was going to call and get a refund for me for the class since it was the hospital's fault.

So last night was TAKE 2. I arrived promptly at 515 ready to go. There are only 6 women enrolled and only 4 showed up last night. We are all about the same place in our pregnancies. One lady is due in Dec, another in Jan (a few days before me), and the final one in Feb. 

It was a fun class. Challenging at times, but fun and relaxing too. Each class the instructor (who is super skinny and not pregnant...how is that motivating?) will mix it up with some cardio, toning, yoga, pilates or core work, and relaxation. Last night we did some Spinning for cardio. Then we did some combo moves with squats and dumbell curls/presses. We also did some yoga and a lot of stretching last night. I feel like I got a really good workout and today I am even a bit sore. My bum is more sore from the bike seat than anything else but I can feel those squats and presses in my legs and back, especially trying to walk up the stairs this morning. Looking forward to Tuesday's class.

I hope to continue the class at least through December if possible although we may have some scheduling conflicts with the Childbirth class we signed up for, so I may have to do some juggling. Hopefully I won't be even more sore tomorrow. It seems the 2nd day after a good workout is always the worst.

And the winner is......

Liz with a guess of 36 hangers. She hit it right on the head. There were exactly 36 hangers. A few others were very close. It was a fun little game. Thanks to everyone for participating. Now I have to think of a small prize for our big winner. Any ideas? I have a few things in mind.  Maybe I can come up with another blog contest sometime in the future.

Clay's weekend project: Painting= DONE

As I eluded in the last post, our weekend plans over Labor Day changed and we found ourselves home. I asked Clay if he would paint and he agreed, so he spent most of the weekend in our back bedroom painting. As you may remember from this post we had a nice blank slate ready to paint. We had a nice neutral color called "Curly Willow" picked out. We wanted to do the walls very neutral and bring in all the bright colors with our bedding and accessories. I have a few art crafts planned that I think will look super cute. I will call this project our PHASE 1. The paint and the curtains are in place. Next we will do the furniture and accessories. Then add all the essentials later this year and the final stages will be bringing home baby ;o)  So since pictures tell a better story, I will just share the pictures of all the progress. I am quite pleased with how it turned out.

 

How many hangers?

My closet is was packed with clothes that just don't fit and I finally got sick of it. Since our weekend plans changed and we were home for a nice long 3 day weekend, I decided to finally do something about it. Plus Clay was otherwise occupied painting (which I was not allowed to help with) and I got bored. I even had a huge stack of maternity clothes that no longer fit. All of the medium pants Liz, Mel, or Angie gave me were just going to have to go. I have their piles ready to return (well Liz and Angie's at least since Mel knows she is done having kids.)

This was the stack of hangers I ended up with after I took out everything that wouldn't fit. WOW! Looks like a lot. I feel like I should have some sort of blog contest to guess how many hangers are in the pile, so why not? If you want to guess how many hangers are in the pile shown and you are the CLOSEST WITHOUT GOING OVER maybe you will win a prize. (Put your guess in the comments) In the event of a tie, Clay will draw names from a hat.  More impressive than the pile of hangers was the pile of clothes I took out to make room. It has a lot of sweaters that I know won't fit this winter so I decided to pack them up.  I got an extra SpaceBag Tote and believe it or not about 90% of this pile fit perfectly in there and the tote went to the back of the closet behind my plastic drawers. Now I have a lot more hanging room in the closet to work with and I know that everything in there FITS as of yesterday. Now give me a few weeks and there will be no guarantee that it will still fit, but such is life. I also decided today that I needed to go replace a few of the items. I knew I wanted a pair of khaki pants for work since I don't have any that fit so this morning I headed to the mall. It was nice and empty which made shopping fun and relaxing. I ended up with 2 pair of khaki pants                                                (I should take back the expensive ones but I may just keep them.) I also got 3 shirts. Two of them for work and 1 for a nice comfy weekend shirt with jeans. I could prob pull it off for work on a Friday (since I work half days on Fridays) but it has a hood so I may not try. Funny how you take a huge pile of clothes out and then only put 6 small items back in. I can't believe how fast the cost for new clothes adds up and these are clothes I am only going to wear a few months and then not again until our next pregnancy. GEEZ! Although I am looking forward to wearing new clothes. It's always fun to have a new outfit and I am pleased with the additional space in the closet I cleared out.

Our 20 week appt and more

Yesterday was our 20 week appointment with the Dr. I forgot about needing to provide a urine sample and had gone to the bathroom before leaving the house (a common practice when pregnant and not). It was difficult to muster up (or out) anything for the cup but I made it. Then they somehow misplaced my chart so we just sat and sat in the waiting room until they called the person with the appointment after mine and saw me still waiting there. Finally headed back to the room, we stopped by the scale. A round 184.6...WOW! She is still okay with my weight gain but I'm approaching my "goal limit" a bit quickly. My blood pressure was still good at 114/70 and the doctor was quickly in to see us. The coolest part of any appointment is listening to the heartbeat. A steady 160bpm or so she said. We then had a few questions for the Dr this time. I asked about taking a "FIT MOMMY" class through the hospital and she approved. (I needed a Dr note to sign up. That class starts Tue and I'm excited.) We also discussed the flu shot. She is an advocate of pregnant women getting their flu shot but she said to make sure I get the right one. (Later the nurse was supposed to call with the name of the right one but she didn't so I guess I will call next week.) We did not discuss the H1N1 shot so I will be getting just the regular shot. (Sorry no update for your great discussion on FB Sherri.) Other than that she looked over our sono results from last week and said everything looked GREAT and we were off.

On a different note(s), I did call the hospital yesterday afternoon to sign up for FIT MOMMY and while on the line we went ahead and signed up for Car Seat Safety, Mommy and Me, and the primary Childbirth class. Those will all be in December as we get closer to our due date. In addition, our weekend plans changed so Clay is going to paint the nursery this weekend and we can hang the curtains. FUN FUN FUN!

I went online shopping ;o)

I have been online shopping tonight and I can't seem to stop. Although I must say I am almost a nervous wreck. Something about it and that sneaky buyer's remorse.... Well anyways, I bought the crib, changing table/dresser combo, and a glider tonight and all for FREE shipping....

Now I have to anxiously await their arrival. We won't have to assemble them for awhile but it will be nice to have them. Well, I see us putting them all together much sooner but I am a planner and I want to see it all come together!

20 weeks- halfway there (already)

So here I am at 20 weeks, the halfway point. (Comparison pics will be below.)  Definitely getting bigger and looking pregnant instead of just fat ;o) I think my belly now sticks out further than my boobs. I'm on the way toward not being able to see my feet without leaning forward.

I am making the full transition to ALL maternity clothes. I actually need to go shopping a bit for a few more shirts like this one that are very comfortable. I wanted to include a picture of my  favorite pants. They are secret belly pants and feature a very comfortable band that can be worn up or be folded down to a comfortable position. I tend to wear it up so it doesn't roll or sit under the belly. Here is a hot picture of my pants!!!

(side note: this new photo upload feature drives me crazy!!! it's so hard for photo placement. I may be going back to the old version soon!!!)

According to BabyCenter,  the baby is about 6 1/2 inches from crown to rump which is the average size of a banana and weighs 11 ounces. (But remember according to my sono last week, I'm measuring about 10 days ahead so he/she is prob bigger.) Clay and I go back to the doctor for our appt Friday to review the sonogram. I am excited to hear the heartbeat!! Clay and I have been walking each night and I'm still feeling really good. I am going to sign up for a prenatal fitness class that starts next week and we will be signing up for the birthing classes too. You can't take those until 32 weeks so we will spend the month of December in class preparing for this one's arrival.  The baby is moving much more or at least I feel it much more and I just love it! All in all, no complaints ;o)

To close, here is the comparison bare belly shot. The picture on the left was at 16 weeks and the one on the right is today's 20 week picture. Little bit of a difference ;o)