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About Me

My photo
Western North Dakota , United States
My husband, Allen, and I are high school sweet hearts. We started dating Sep.99'- I kind of followed Allen home one day, and never did leave, is Allen's story. November 02' we were engaged, and on November 22,2003 - we were married. Having been married for 6 years in 2009, marked the 5th year we had been trying to start our family. With the referral of a Fertility Specialist from a friend, our IUI attempts ended up being a complete success despite my doubts. We welcomed our sweet little girl, Hayleigh into the world on June 30,2010 at 6:28am after 37wks and 1 day of gestation. She weighed 7lbs 14oz and was 20 in long. We found out that we were Baby #2 on April Fool's Day- a complete surprise! Reid Allen was born 11/13/12 3:24am 9lbs 8.2oz 21", after 38wks 5 days. Our 3rd baby, Eva Jane, was born on April 19, 2015 after suffering a pregnancy loss June of 2014. We are currently anxiously awaiting baby #4 due 2 days before Eva's birthday, so we are having Irish Twins! Our family is so blessed and happy to be growing!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

24 weeks...6 months = getting worn down

Monday marked 6 months for me and Baby Girl McCann aka Hayleigh. I swear this keeps getting harder the further we get! So far, I have been keeping up with everything, but, the bigger I get, the harder it gets to keep the pace up! Allen and I got our first baby gifts from one of our registries yesterday. We had fun putting the stuff together, but, sit back and thought how much work this is going to be in the coming months.. putting stuff together, lots of stuff together.
I can just imagine what the rest is going to be like! I still have a million other things to get ready in the up coming 3 months and counting down.
I am soo ready for this weekend already! I need a break, but, that break will not be long. Saturday is already booked for yard work, and cleaning. My sister will be coming into town with her boyfriend to celebrate Easter with us, and I think we are wanting to cook outside on Saturday, since it will be sooo nice outside as well. My flowers I have planted from bulbs have sprouted and are ready to bloom, or are blooming right now in the kitchen. I absolutely love the smell from those tulips! Tulips are still my most favorite flower, even though they do not last long enough.
We have reached the point to where it is becoming a job just to go and visit with everyone anymore. To pack along Toby and Missy is a real chore, and they are just too much for me to take on by myself - so I don't even try to take them anywhere by myself anymore. We have soo much going on, that it now takes time away from what we can be getting done around the house that really needs done, besides sitting and relaxing at home, if we go anywhere to visit. I just keep thinking about what else needs to be done while we are visiting most of the time anymore.

I hate to be rude to some people, but, this is really hard for us right now, and it doesn't mean that our door is not open. Since the time change, it seems like I cannot catch up. Every Sunday, I turn around and it is already 4pm., and we have not even relaxed at home much, and supper needs to be getting started, laundry finished, before I have to get ready for bed to go to work, and try to catch up with Allen in the process.

I realize that some people do not like to leave their house to visit, but, we could really use the break right now, and have those people come to us. After all, after Hayleigh gets here, I really, really doubt if we will pack her and everything else up and take her all over creation, just so people can see her too. I hope people can understand this. We need help with this at this point in time.

On a different note, here is Baby M's developments for the week:

How your baby's growing:Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Wordless Wednesday... I need a clone!

So this is what my living room looks like for today... a mess! I have finished clearing out the nursery, and I have to wait for tomorrow, for Allen to be home and help me carry the stuff downstairs. At least progress is being made! I think right now I could really use 2 of me pre-pregnancy to get stuff done around here. It is really hard to get anything done, especially when Allen is home and everyone thinks we need to go to their house to visit them! I think from this point on, if some people want us to visit with them every weekend, they can take time from their day to come visit us instead. It has just been getting really hard to spend time at home and enjoy it, when we have soo much to get done, and people wanting to just sit around and visit. Not to mention, with the way things are right now, it is VERY VERY hard to pack the dogs around with us too. I hate to say the days of visiting other people are going to be put on hold for a while, until we can get caught up with everything. I am very tired right now, if you cannot tell, and I just cannot take much more of catering to everyone else right now.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Taboo

This topic has been brewing with me for a good while now. One of my friends that has been going through infertility treatment has been discussing this with me for about 2 months now. What is it? The way people treat you, when you are either undergoing fertility treatment, or when you do finally get pregnant from undergoing fertility treatment. The topic was brought up one day in an email. My friend, was experiencing what I had already experienced with some of my friends. One of her close friends had quit talking to her, when she told her friend that she has having a hard time and she did not want to talk about it. After her explaining how different some of her other friends were acting to her, I told her about all of my experiences with my friends. It is unbelievable how people can act. Things that people do, not inviting you to a get together, because you don't have kids, not coming over, because you don't have kids, not talking to you because you don't have kids. Do these people really think we are soo baby hungry we would snatch their babies? We both could not believe the same reactions from people that we had both experienced. One would think that after finally getting pregnant after years of trying and fertility treatment, people would come around. Some, yes, some, no. There are either the people who snubbed you before when you were trying to get pregnant, that suddenly think now you are in the mommy to be club, you can finally get in. The other is the cheerleaders you had when you were trying to get pregnant, that are suddenly MIA when you do find out you are pregnant. I have had all kinds of comments made to me, that I don't think that the people saying them, really thought about what they were really saying. I had one person tell me that they did not like having me around, because with me being pregnant, it made things harder on them. That person and their spouse cannot agree on a final baby number, the person that made the comment does not want anymore kids, and their spouse does. And, to add injury to insult, we just happen to be having the sex of the baby that spouse wants. I don't know what these people want me to do.. wait until the stork brings her or what? I just hate tip toeing around these people. This is all really hard to understand why people act the way they do. Like we chose to have to deal with all of this? I would love for some of these people to actually have to work to even try to get pregnant. I guess some just don't get how hard this all actually really is. I just wish that people could be there and happy for you when you finally do reach the place you have been reaching for, for a long time.

I do have to say, there are the people out there that actually do get this. Not all of them have went through the same trials, but, they understand how important this is to you. I just want to say how much of a blessing these people are to have around! I don't have to feel guilty about being excited about finally being pregnant and having a baby. I realize that I tend to talk about babies a whole lot more now, but, if you were trying and trying for something that seemed soo out of reach, and you finally reached what you had been dreaming for, wouldn't you be a little excited?

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

23 wks... the brakes are broken! Welcome to Baby Land!

We have made it 23wks on this last Monday! Our little baby girl has been quite an acrobat lately. Last week, Hayleigh decided she would flip over to my right side, back to the left, and back again, to the right side. She finally managed to settle in the middle after flipping back and forth 4 times in one day! I have been absolutely loving all of the kicking and moving -I just wish Allen could feel some of the kicks more. Since she is still butt down, and has been kicking down on my cervix and bladder, I am mostly the only one who gets to feel everything.

Yesterday, we finally started on the nursery. I still cannot believe how fast everything is moving along. We visited my mom yesterday too, and since she had been complaining about having all of the baby loot, and running out of room, I told her that we could start taking some of it home with us. We ended up bringing the first load back with us.. 3 months worth of diapers and baby wipes. We have also finally got the parish hall at St. Joe booked for the baby shower- it is set for Saturday June 5th now, so, I can get the invites ordered and ready to send out soon. We also made headway with the bedding for the nursery. I could not find anything on Pottery Barn that I fell in love with. A few weeks ago, my mom and I stopped past the Village Stitchery in Oblong, and fell in love with some of the fabric they had. The fabric goes with the whole French Country Cottage theme we are going with for the nursery. My mom and I both enjoy hand piecing and quilting, so, this will make the room all that more special. I wanted the room to be relaxing and simple, but, timeless. I still like all of the other themes, but, I wanted the nursery to be elegant, like Father of the Bride Part II, you open the door, and Franck Eggelhoffer says "Welcome to Baby land".

Well, since this little girl has been kicking me all throughout blogging this afternoon, I had better finish up, and start looking for what I will be having for supper tonight.

So, 23 wks... Baby M

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Wordless Wednesday- Make room for Baby!



Well, this is our upstairs spare room that we are using as the nursery for Miss Hayleigh. Allen swears the color of the walls is soo close to white, but, I disagree. I think that is the only thing we have disagreed with. I had actually painted this room a year ago, and love the room! I think it is really one of my favorite rooms in our house. It has a great view out to our front yard, with all of the flowers in bloom in the spring and summer. The maple tree out front puts out a warm yellow orange color every year too. The room is just very relaxing and peaceful in general. We still have to take down the day bed and move the dresser and sewing machine from the room. Missy and Toby had their big move last week from the room, and have been missing it ever since. The next pics I post should be showing the progress we are making!

Monday, March 15, 2010

22 weeks on Cloud 9

Today, I have hit the 22wk mark with Baby M. I still cannot believe how fast this is all going, and this scares me. This all scares me, for not what is to come.. labor, and pain, but, how fast our little girl is going to grow! I feel great and I am really loving every minute of this! It sure does seem like someone has flipped a light switch, and this little girl has been on the move ever since. I sat at work this morning, and every now and then, I would feel a kick, and a move, then another kick. I swear she is in there doing summersaults! It seems like lately, I cannot get enough orange juice! I just bought a carton yesterday, and it is already half gone! Me and my fruit! I am about to die for a carton of blueberries too! IGA did not have any when I stopped yesterday, and I did not feel like going out to WalMart, so, all I have is grapes, apples, and orange juice. If anyone knows of a really good fruit buffet, I am all ears! I am soo happy with how things are right now, I really would be happy if things would be put on pause for a while, but, life moves on, and I am sure this little girl will be ready to meet the world soon enough!

I have a ton of stuff to do on my "to do" list. I have not even started on the nursery room yet! Toby and Missy still have not been moved downstairs yet, but, that is on my list for the day to do. I know, usually I am jumping in and going all out on something, especially, when I am this excited. I think I am still afraid that this could all be ripped away from me, just as quickly as it was given to me. The great thing is that in a few weeks, if something were to go wrong, Baby M could survive with the help of a medical center. I really hope that nothing goes wrong, but, in this world, life is not always fair, and things do happen. I just hope that we do not have to go through anything like that ever.

Anyway, we are both still on cloud 9. I am doing great with the weight gain.. just 10lbs total for this whole pregnancy. I am very proud of this- fruit cravings have been a great thing, since I have not been out of the house exercising much. I did learn one thing... me and preggo capris do not mix! I tried on a couple of hundred of pairs, and decided one thing.. they make me look short and like my pants have shrunk bad.. so, it will be shorts for outside of work, and khakis for work. Well, since I have nothing else new to report on, I guess I might as well move onto Baby Girl M's developments of the week!

How your baby's growing:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Think Pink

Yesterday was quite a busy day to follow an exciting day. I know Friday night, I stayed up until 12:30am, starting to fill out the baby girl baby book my sister gave us at Christmas. I figured I would get a jump start on that, since I have the energy now! I know that we will never forget Friday for the rest of our lives, just like we will never forget the night we found out we were expecting. The whole appointment went well, Baby Girl M's heartbeat was 162bpm, and everything checked out just fine. I couldn't believe how warm the gel was on my belly, since this was the first external ultrasound I have had. My mom stood by my head, Allen was right next to me with the camera, and Allen's grandma and grandpa stood back toward my feet. The technician started with Baby M's head, going over everything with us, and measuring as she went. My mom was about to bounce around, she was excited about getting to the bottom of Baby M. The technician then moved onto the chest and checked all of the major organs, and then took the heartbeat. When the screen popped up with the heartbeats per min., Mom was getting really excited, and kept going on Baby M was a girl..thank God she was right! After checking everything out, we started watching Baby M, move around, touching her toes, waving, gulping amniotic fluid, and flexing her fingers. She likes to stay curled up in a little ball needles to say. After the ultra sound, we went to my prenatal appointment. Everything went well, nothing new, except we got the booklet on the pregnancy classes at the hospital, with the dates and times. We got done with the appointment, and headed out to Allen's grandparents.

Needless to say, no matter where we are, some people act like well, maybe next time we will get a boy. I don't get it! Everyone should be excited for a girl- that is what we are having, not just me! Girls can do almost anything too! I don't understand it, but, we are thrilled we are getting a baby girl.

Yesterday, we took off to Evansville, to start registering for baby gear. Allen thoroughly enjoyed using the scan gun at Babies R Us, scanning things when I was not looking. I just kept catching him scanning everything PINK! I love pink, but, does pink have to be the only color this poor girl gets? I was looking at the blue stuff as well, and commenting on how cute they all were, and Allen replies that we are having a girl, not a boy. I know, I know, but, girls can have a few blue things too? After all, if this little girl turns out like her Mama and Daddy, I am sure she will love the not soo girly stuff as well as the Barbies, and baby dolls. Anyway, back to registering. We found out that we can get an extra 10% off of items that were registered for, but, not purchased. So, naturally, we registered for our crib set. I doubt if we wait until after the baby shower to go and pick them up, but, if we do, what's an extra 10% off? We also found out that the dresser and armoire are fully assembled in the box, so, we will have to bring a trailer to go and pick them up, when we do. It was amazing what all they told us to register for.. diapers, detergents, wipes, safety guards, and GIFT CARDS?? I thought that was a little weird, but, we went ahead anyway with the gift cards. I don't think we will have to register for any diapers or wipes, considering my mom buys a couple big packs a week at CVS with her coupons. I just did not think that detergent would be something someone would want to bring to a baby shower. Who knows?

Anyway, I cannot believe the advice or comments you receive when you are pregnant, and are at a baby store! Allen was wearing an underarmor hat and sweat shirt, and we had a older lady come up and tell us that they don't make pack and plays in camo...ummmmm, no kidding! I guess she just assumed we were having a boy, and then asks what we were having. A GIRL, and NO we do not want camo on everything! UGhhhhh! What is it with people when they see a small fraction of camo, they think you are going all out camo everything? Still some of the few things I do not get!

So, after registering for a few hours in Babies R Us, we went out and grabbed a bite to eat, before heading over to see Rodney Carrington at the Centre. We were really happy with our seats, 3rd row from the front, right in the middle. We were instructed on all of the dos and don'ts, since we were in the first three rows. The guy who opened for Rodney was really funny. Right off of the bat, Baby M was moving all around, kicking and squirming. I could not believe how much she was moving around in there! I think the fact that we were sitting right in front of one of the sets of speakers, kind of had a hand in it. She must have really liked all of the music and laughing that was going on. She ended up kicking almost the whole time! I thought I was going to have to leave a few times, or pee my pants, from her kicking straight down at my cervix and bouncing on my bladder. It is just soo amazing how much of a night and day difference has been on feeling her kick. The first kick was last Saturday, I did not really feel her until later on in the week, and then, she really started in on Friday. I think now that we know she is a she, she wants to make her presence known now!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Ultrasound Day....


Well, I might as well cut to the chase.. Baby M is a Girl! Let me just say we are just happy as can be that everything checked out just fine, and she is healthy! She is butt down right now,and likes to touch her toes, and wave her hands and flex her fingers. My mom is elated, since she has bought 95% girls clothes to this point. I am currently uploading the video onto youtube, and it is taking forever! So, here is one of the few pics we have. It is not the greatest, but, I will take anything as long as she is healthy! We plan on later getting the 4D ultrasound done also, so, we should have some better ultrasound pics on here sometime soon! Allen and I are both just thrilled to be having this sweet little girl bless our lives, and could not ask for more!

I will have more details later on this weekend as soon as our feet come back down and touch the ground!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Time to think and worry...

Well, tomorrow is the day we will be hopefully finding out what Baby M is.. Boy or Girl. For the most part I am really excited to finally be finding this out, even though we could have a few weeks ago already. I think more than anything now, I have been kind of worrying about something being wrong with Baby M,or Baby M just being healthy in general more than what sex Baby M is. I really will be happy either way if Baby M is a boy or girl. Allen is really excited, and can't wait.. kind of like a little boy at Christmas! We are planning on going to Evansville on Saturday, and stopping past Babies R Us, and Motherhood Maternity, to pick me up some preggo capris with the full belly, and maybe something small for Baby M. I cannot believe that already in 3 1/2 months, Baby M will be due! Time is flying by faster than I would like for it to, but, the weather warming up, and Spring springing up, makes me really ready for flowers to bloom, and be planting annuals in my flower pots outside. I have just started my 3 day weekend now, and have been looking forward to today for quite a while. I have not had a day off work since New Years, and have been in in dire need for one for sometime now! It is soo funny that with us hopefully finding out what Baby M is tomorrow, how many people are wanting to be called immediately! These same people never do call me, but, expect for us to call them with the "news". I was talking to Allen about this last night, and it is just ridiculous to me, how I never do hear a peep from some people, unless I make the phone call to them, but, with tomorrow's event, they think they need on a VIP call list! This really irritates me somewhat. I mean, I am home 80% of the time, and everyone is afraid to call me, because, I could be sleeping, and they do not know when to call me. AFTER 12pm PEOPLE! uhhhhhh! I needed that! Anyway, I just know that I will be taking some much needed R&R this weekend with Allen. We are going to see Rodney Carrington at the Centre in Evansville, and we are both in need of some laughs. I love just spending time with Allen, discussing things going on, and just being us two. I know these days are numbered so, we having been trying to savor all of this time together that we can. I guess, for the most part, I will have to relax and try not to worry about what tomorrow will bring!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Dreams, Pondering, and Feeling Surreal at 21 Weeks

With the time passing by soo quickly anymore, I have been thinking a lot lately of what is to come, and about how far we have really come in the last year. A year ago, we had no plans of trying to start a family - going to a specialist. Last year, I was worrying about what flowers were going in my flower beds for the year, and what color of mulch to switch to. Last year, I had no idea that we would be anywhere near where we are now. November seems like years ago to me now. The night we found out we were expecting.. I would love to go back and live that over again - since this has all flown by sooo fast! It is kind of funny, in November I was ready to be where I am now, 21 weeks, feeling the baby move when I wake up. Now, I would love to live it all over again, except the hung over feeling. I think I would try to savor it all more than I did, even though I really tried to live every moment of it all. All my married life, I have been waiting to make a test pop up with two pink lines, failing everytime. Now, we have passed that point, obviously, and now, I am waiting for stronger kicks,and that ultrasound on Friday! It is scary how fast your life can change in a year. I feel like I have mellowed into some sort of an anchor point in my life now. I am where I am supposed to be. Yet, I keep wondering where we will be in a year, 5 years, 10 years, and so on. When I was 12 years old, I dreamed of my life as something quite different. I thought I would move away to college, have an apartment, with a cat, get married, and that would be that. I never dreamed it would turn out like this, or be this sweet. I have a husband, who loves me despite any of my flaws, and I love him just as much. I never imagined that I would be soo in love still, or that I would have as strong as a marriage with my best friend as I do. I am pretty content with the way things are right now, even though there are a few bumps every now and then. I know everything will work out, as long as I have Allen by my side, and he has me.

The only other thing I have been thinking and wondering about lately, is how our future will be with both my parents, and Allen's parents being divorced with a new baby entering the picture. I know my parents never had to deal with things that Allen and I will with having divorced parents and your own family to raise. Allen feels the same way. It seems like there is no guide out there for how to blend a family with divorced grandparents to be. I wish that there was, so I could hand it out to a few people. I wonder about how they will interact with our kids, and what kind of a relationship they will have later. I have faith that they will be civil in front of the grand kids, and just really wonder what this will all be like later on. There are just some things that cannot be celebrated twice, their birth, graduations, birthdays, first communions, to Christmas. I just guess that I, we, worry about someone holding their pride above the grandchild that is before them, and miss out on special events in that child's life. I guess I hope that they will see what is fair for our kids, and not about who is at an event, to bringing up past events that do not matter now. I guess that my wish for the future is that everyone gets along, and no matter what happens, everyone keeps to heart what is fair and best for Baby M, not what they think is best for themselves. I know with some of the past months events that have happened, it makes me worry more and more about the future. I just don't want Baby M, or any future children to miss out on anything because, "Grandma", or "Grandpa" did not want to come, because they would have to spend time with the one they divorced years before.

I hope for the best like any other parent does, along with Allen for our child's future. I just hope it turns out better than I expected it would in the end.

Baby M this week:

How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Great Day to be Alive

Today has been a great day, despite being my favorite day of the week, Saturday. Today, I felt Baby M kick for the first time. Four little thumps to my left side. I was just relaxing in my chair, and felt the thump, thump, thump, under my arm, resting on my belly. It is such a great thing knowing that sometime soon, I will finally get to meet this person in my belly, and they will change our lives forever.

I have "popped" out in the belly just a little more now. My uncle's visitation and funeral went well. It was a really nice service, even though, it was not a happy time. I broke down a few times, just like everyone else seemed to. It was really nice to see my family, considering the events. I got to visit with a lot of my family that I usually don't get to see that often. My Mom's family is now expanding by 5 babies, instead of 3. We are all due just weeks apart in a 3 month spread. I am having baby #2 out of the whole bunch, but, Baby M will be the first one out of the 3 of us expecting our first baby. It will be really nice to have lots of cousins for Baby M to play with, all around the same age too. It was funny to see so many pregnant women at the gathering hall at the church all mingling and talking about how we feel, what we crave, etc. Aunts were all swarming around trying to figure out what the sex of the babies was, for the few of us that were showing now. My prediction went from carrying high, to I don't know, maybe high middle by the end of the afternoon. I let the aunts know they will find out if they were right or wrong this week, since the ultrasound is on Friday. Everyone of course asked what sex I wanted Baby M to be. My answer is the same as always, I really do not mind either Boy or Girl, just as long as they are healthy. I only wish for dark hair and Allen's laid back personality. We do not need another live wire running around in our house, and SPF 50 sunscreen is something I do not want to have to rub on a toddler every time we leave the house. I know both Allen and I agree on that one...dark hair like mine with a dark complexion, just like their Mamma. It is really going to be a toss up on hair color.. Allen is red headed, and we both have red hair on both my Mom's side and Allen's Dad's sides of the family, but, dark hair is also dominant too... so who knows what we will end up with!

I feel great for once. This week has been the easiest week I have had in a long time. My pelvic pain has went away for the time being, and I have my energy back for now too. I had a trade off though, Baby M has dropped down lower I guess, since now, I have to go to the bathroom twice as much again. I really don't mind that part, as long as I feel great. I was telling Allen last night that I really would love to stay the size I am now, even though we know that is not going to happen, I am showing great, popped out front and center, but, I am not big enough to be uncomfortable yet. I think I am finally comfortable to be loving every minute now. Before, I loved being pregnant, but, it was hard with all of the discomfort from my pelvis, and trying to walk when I would first get up from sitting down. I got quite a bit accomplished this week... the house is spotless, and I am ready to tackle Baby M's room now... just 6 more days until we can start in on that!

Since, it is soo nice out today, and Allen is shooting sporting clays with our neighbor, I am going to spend some much needed time outside and baby my sweet spring flowers that have started poking out of the ground! This weather is soooo great! It came at the best time.. I feel great, and it is soo nice outside! Things could not be any sweeter today!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Not so wordless Wednesday

Okay, I have no pics to post for the day. I just got up and have a visitation to go to this evening.. so here is the dilemma for today... what does a preggo woman that has out grown here dressy attire wear to a visitation? All of my black stuff is in my pre-pregnancy wardrobe, and I really did not want to have to go out and buy a shirt, or new pants just for this. I think every time I would wear it, I would think of my uncle who passed from ALS this last weekend, and I really would not enjoy wearing the outfit anyway. What do you wear to a visitation, without looking under dressed to everyone else? I guess I will just have to wing it!

Monday, March 1, 2010

5 Months Today~ Halfway there Baby M!

Today, we have reached a new milestone...I am now 5 months along - 20 wks! I cannot believe how fast this has all went. I know I keep saying that, but, now we have been getting anxious to find out what Baby M is. Boy or Girl? The appointment for that is next Friday at 1pm. Believe me, I think Allen is more excited than anyone else about that appointment. I have been getting anxious over little silly stuff. We have not done anything to Baby M's future room aka our guest room for now. We have been putting this off until we found out the sex of Baby M. I am ready to start shopping for material to make another baby quilt, specially for Baby M. I hand quilted one over 5 years ago, and I just wanted to have another quilt to coordinate with Baby M's room and have it embroidered with their name, date of birth, and weight, etc.. Allen noticed that I did not really grow anymore in the belly this last week. I still am proud of my weight gain this far, and hope to keep a handle on it for the other half of this pregnancy. I am soo proud of Allen, and I feel so very blessed to be sharing this all with him. It is great when he comes home and has to rub my belly first thing. We spend our evenings talking and watching tv in bed before we go to sleep, with him feeling for Baby M to move, and then kissing my belly goodnight. This is truely the highlight of my week. I am so thankful for having a marriage like this, and have now, finally gotten to where I can say that I am grateful that we have went through all of the doctors appointments, heartaches, and disappointments, to get to where we are now. I know it made me a better person. Some people say that they would not wish infertility problems on their worst enemy. I disagree. I feel like this has made our marriage stronger, made both Allen and I stronger, even though it was a time in our lives, it has lead to something soo much greater. I don't know if I would be this grateful to have a few stretch marks, or just to be pregnant. Sometimes the things you have to work harder for, end up being the things you are the most grateful to have in your life. So, this is why I disagree with not wishing this upon anyone. Anyway, I have felt GREAT today! I got 4 loads of laundry done, the sink is empty, and dishes are washed and put away! I have been behind on laundry and dishes, so, this is sooo nice to be caught up for once. The house is finally back to the order that I prefer to keep it in.

Now, for Baby M's 20 wks development!

How your baby's growing:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

How your life's changing:

Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.

If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.