2nd Trimester Thoughts

I’ve been thinking back over the 2nd trimester as I enter into the final 3 months.

the joys:
* the absolute burst of energy. although I still haven’t felt totally like myself.
* the growing bump that’s turned into a belly. I’m still comfortable and thanks to my body pillow am sleeping much better.
* the attention. now that I am noticeably showing I don’t have to tell people I am pregnant when I see them, they just know and ask me about it
* the planning. I love to chance to decorate and figure out how we are going to adjust for this little guy’s arrival.
* the anticipation. I have never felt such anticipation for anything in my life. Both the birth and the arrival!

the woes:
* the weight gain. I know everyone says it is for a good cause but I am seriously getting the belly blues.
* the uncontrollables. Having to pee and then getting to the bathroom and not being able to go. Moments where I just have to cry but don’t want people to feel sorry for me. Constipation – need I say more?
* blood work. Since I am low thyroid I have to be checked all the time to make sure my system is keeping up. Thank God…it is!
* brain dead. Seriously I feel that my mind has left me. I have trouble sometimes with remembering the simplest thing or carrying on a full sentence conversation. I hope my brain comes back to me once the baby is born but I am told that it won’t. Oh…I need my brain back.

This photo is for my mother and sister-in-law. The prego outfit is made up of gifts and I got lots of complements on the sweater and the skirt yesterday! Thanks Jennifer and Christi.




















Oh...and Merry Christmas everyone! Our tree this year is actually a wonderful little bush. We went to the nursery to get a tree and left with a evergreen 5 gallon bush that we plan to plant in our yard when we are done. (When I told Mike it will have little blue blooms in the Spring he was sold) Since we aren’t around for the week before Christmas we thought it would be more practical. We’re funny!

26 week update

My 26 week update can finally include some photos. Yeah! I had my 6 ½ month Dr. appointment today. I saw a new Dr. that I was not too pleased with (who was an old man and reminded me of my Dr from growing up). I think I prefer a women Dr for these things. I continue to grow on target although I seemed to put on a few extra pounds (thanks to the holiday I think) going to scale back a bit. This month I start having appointments every 2 weeks so I will post updates more often.

Here is better shot to the size on tummy in contrast.

My baby furniture is together. We have a theme for the baby room. Mike wants to go with a jungle/animal motif. I love the idea of the music from Jungle Book and Lion King playing while our baby going to sleep. I don’t know if you can nurture your kids to love animals but if you can we are going to. I love the black furniture in contrast to the bright colors that are soon to come.




Most common cravings so far have included: molasses cookies, red meat especially a good hamburger but hold the fries, apples and apple juice although it gives me wicked gas and lots of dairy including, ice crème, milk, eggnog and yogurt.

I am starting to have trouble sleeping. I don’t feel that big until I see my picture and then I think…yikes…there’s the belly girl. I fall asleep no problem but then wake up at 4am and toss until I get up. Ahhh! However, I am only getting up to pee twice a night which is a nice chance from 4-5 times.

Mike’s nickname for me is “bumpy”.

I went to a breathing class today where the instructor had me prop one leg up on the table, extended, and then roll my tongue while inhaling then stretch my tongue to the back of my throat while exhaling. Strange? I guess it helps you relax while in labor, I think because it takes so much thought to do all of that while in pain. ?? I am going to prenatal yoga and swimming classes from now on. All other classes are becoming too difficult to augment so that I can keep off my belly. I am compelled to stay in the best shape I can but whew…it is hard work.

I would love any suggestions on birthing classes or books people have found helpful (especially when attempting a nature birth).

Cheerio for now…

Can we say...update!

Hi readers! Well, pictures or no pictures I’ve decided to post. Our home computer has been down for several weeks with a computer virus and come to find out we need a new hard drive. Thanks Dell! I hope to re-post this update with some photos this week. Even though we’ve not been out of town or had any big projects going on it has still felt as though life is so busy. I think the pregnancy really is making me more sensitive and tired that usual. But the holidays have energized me and I am looking forward to some time off soon.

I am SO thankful for the holidays! It serves as a month long reminder to be thankful for the important things in life. Large and small.
My top thankfulness list includes
1) peace. God has given Mike and I in the midst of all that’s going on in the world as it seems we are in some crazy times.
2) my marriage. an strong and supportive husband and a fulfilling loving and healthy relationship.
3) health. A very healthy, easy pregnancy and the wonderful anticipation of our son.
4) blessings. In the form of our friends, warm house, working cars, good food and job security.
It seems simple reading through it but seriously I am counting my blessings everyday.

Our Thanksgiving was cozy and relaxing…spent with my family at my parents house. Lots of turkey and my dad’s 1st vintage of Johannesburg Riesling wine. Delics...we went to see 4 Christmases which was surreal and kind of reminded me of holidays at either of our family’s houses but was equally hilarious. We got all the Christmas decorations out and listened to carols and Charlie Brown Christmas music while cooking and decorating on Saturday. We decided to get a live small tree since we are going to be in Florida for the week around Christmas. I don’t know how it happened but when we went to the nursery looking for a tree we decided on an evergreen bush instead. We will plan it in our front bed in January and Mike liked that it blooms little blue flowers in the spring. We’re wired! It reminds me of the Christmas tree on Charlie Brown.

Mike and I have been in a history mood lately. I would highly recommend a couple of DVD series including HBO’s “John Adams” a great production telling the story of early American history through the eyes of President Adams. It’s about 6 hours long and is so well done. Also “North and South” an 80’s production (so not so good but still very entertaining) about the Civil War times and the love and hate between 2 families. Young Patrick Swazye stars in this one so what’s not to love.

The baby room furniture is all together. The theme is going to be jungle animals and we hope to have my mom paint a mural on the walls. More to come soon on this.