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!!