Sooooo tired.

So, apparently Kai missed the memo that yesterday was my birthday. I take that back, he remember and that is why he insisted on getting sick after midnight. Yup, last night was a long one.

Chad and I went to bed around 11pm. He's had a cold for over a week now, but this is the second time (the night before he was up 3-4) he's gotten up from it. After the night before I was hoping for a good nights sleep. At 12pm I started to hear Kai stirring. I got up to rock him at 1215ish. He was breathing so heavy through his mouth, so I knew he's nose was still bad. I gave him benadryl since the nose was so runny. Back in bed at 106. I told myself if he was back up before two, someone was making a trip to the store. You see, our vaporizer broke last year and I knew it might free up some pflem (sp?) if we had one. Sure enough Kai was back up at 145. Chad set off to WalMart and I to Kai's room. He was burning up (poor thing, first fever), gave him some motrin and hoped for the best. By 2 Chad was back with everything we needed and by 230 we all got to sleep. Kai was back up at 730. 5 hours is not enough for me!!!

Tried to go to church, but the temperature spiked again right as it was getting started. So, Kai is now napping and I'm about to head back as well....motherhood is certainly not for the weary!

Happy Birthday To Me!!

Well, it's my birthday. Yay! Another year close to 30. :) The big 2-7!

We had a very nice day. Chad let me sleep in, Kai took a four hour nap and tonight we had a fabulous dinner with both families!

But what stole the show for me....my gift from Chad. After not buying gifts for each other in two years, my sweetheart bought me this: *dang it, still can't figure out how to post pics, in brown* http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=7449&category_id=695

Yipppeeee.....I've never had such a nice purse. And this one can hold EVERYTHING!! And it's stain resistant.

Okay, we just turned on a movie, better pay attention.

Not much to report...

I don't have much to say today. I decided to help a friend with her company's books. She fired her CPA in July and pretty much nothing had been done since then. Luckily, I was able to knock it out in one day. And it felt good to be helping someone. Besides, my company could use the extra income right now.

There is about enough to pay me 6 more times. I'm not stressed or worried about it at all, yet. Which, for those of you who know me at all, that is VERY strange. I'm just believing the Lord to take care of me.

Since I don't have much to say, enjoy these precious pics of the best boy in the world!!! These were taken by my parents neighbor (who owns a studio) while I was in Chicago. The prints and proofs were one of my Christmas presents. Its amazing how the priorities have changed.

Snow day!!

 

Chicago Trip

Chad and I went to Chicago at the beginning of December. I don't have a single picture from the trip, but I have these great pics of Kai in his new track suit that Mommy and Daddy bought. How pimp, right??

You'll also notice that Kai is sporting his first "big boy" bruise. While staying at Mimi and Poppi's we had a bit of a tumble that resulted in a massive bruise. What's funny is we thought it was so cool. Our baby is becomming such a boy!


Hum, no money in here....she must have spent it all...

New beginnings...again.

Well, I'm going to try my hand at blogging again. I really enjoy looking back at my pregnancy blog and have often wondered why I didn't blog more about Kai and our wonderful life. Duh, who has had the time this year?

New years resolution....Blog.

Here is a pic to start us off. This was Kai's first Christmas parade. It was SO freaking cold that day. I seriously have on a long sleeved shirt, track suit jacket and a sweater i found on the floor board of my car. (Can you tell I'm trying to justify my size in this pic).

  

 

I'm testing picassa to see how it works. 

2 days to go!

This is my last official day of work. I practically sprang out of bed this morning to get ready and get it over with. I'm leaving in 45 minutes. The clock is hardly ticking fast enough for my liking.

My coworkers organized a snack day to send my off. So I've been eating junk food all day long. They said they know its the last time I'll be eating it for awhile. I guess they think I'm some extreme dieter or something.

So, at 230 I'm leaving here and heading off to get a pedicure and facial. NICE! I was supposed to have a doctor appointment, but he told me I didn't need to come in. Then I'm going to go home and cook two final meals.

I know, its wierd, but I cook in batches. I bought just enough food to get by this week. I'm making a cornbread skillet for tonight (and lunches tomorrow) and a chicken stuffing casserole for Chad to eat while I'm still in the hospital.

Tonight is a BIG TV night, so I have to make sure I get everything I want done by 7.

Tomorrow will be nice. I'm planning to sleep in as long as I can. Lord knows the next time I'll be able to do it. Then I'm going to get up and do a spray tan...gotta look good in all of those pics! I'll spend the rest of the day shopping and getting last minute stuff. I also still need to finish packing our bags. Luckily we have church tomorrow night, so hopefully that will keep me occupied until I tire out.

We have to be at the hospital by 530 Thursday morning.....WOW!!!

3 days to go!!!

I am beside myself with excitement!! I can't believe it is finally here. I've totally forgotten my misery because I'm SO excited! I've waited nine months to see him and now the time is here. WOW!!!

I had a very busy nesting weekend. I spent the majority of the time writing the Ten Commandments on the wall in the nursery. That was the only thing that Chad wanted in nursery and it was the only thing that hadn't been done. I knew it was a big project and just kept hoping it would go away...but it didn't. I had a mental breakdown before it was all said and done....but it looks great. I'll try to post pictures soon.

Saturday night Chad and I went on our last date night without someone waiting for us to come home. It really didn't turnout to be a special as I had thought because I chose hibachi and we sat across from the most annoying girl ever!! That and it's hard to hold conversations over the fire & entertainment. Oh well, it was great to just go out and be with my husband. Not like we aren't going to ever go out again,....but still!

I also went to a breastfeeding support center on Saturday. I left feeling so confident in my ability to nurse. I met the sweetest lactation consultant. If I have any problems I can go there and they will bill my insurance. NICE! To bad it's like 20 minutes away.

My belly is no longer round. I have all of these corners and edges. The head has pretty much been under my lung for the past three months, but yesterday I think it moved. Well....it moved or something else has moved. Frankly, I'm not sure what is where and just have all of these lumps. There is just no more room for him in there.

This is my last full day of work! I couldn't be any more excited. I'm so done. Mentally, I'm checked out and ready to go. I'll work tomorrow until 230. Then sometime in the next 3 days I'll get a pedicure, facial and spray tan. :) You know....gotta make myself look good for all of the pictures to come!

1 week, 2 days to go!

Pregnancy has taken a new turn. I'm miserable. I'm ready to get this baby out. I'm so tired of having to lug my fat arse around everyday. If I could have it my way, I'd spend the next week on my couch with my feet up. I'm just soooo tired.

Take last night for example....I got into bed around 830 to read, around 915 I turn off the light. Toss and turn a bit, acid reflux from dinner starts kicking in, I start sitting up intermittently to let the burps outs (what am I 2?). By 1045, I'm back up and out of bed. I go and sit with Chad in the living room. Sitting up and swayed back seems to feel the best. He urges me to try to go back to bed with him at 11. I reluctantly try. At 1245 I'm still looking at the clock. I've been up to pee a few times within the hour....I'm convinced I'm waking Chad and up so I feel bad. I'm thirsty but know better than to drink, that would send the acid reflux into overdrive. I must have fallen to sleep. Back up at 2 to pee....back up at 330 to pee and b/c I now seem to have a very sore throat. Spend sometime getting up & down adjusting my fan....just getting up is such a hassle. 445 the alarm starts to ring waking me from a horribly real dream about my doctor and losing my mucous plug. I lay there waiting to see if I can catch a little more sleep. I roll out of bed at 545. I have 15 min to get ready. :(

I read in a book once where in the last month women really "let themselves go" simply b/c they can't muster the energy to try to look good. I can relate. The book also talks about the only exception to this is the day the woman in scheduled to go see her doctor. On that day pregnant women try to look like "Mrs Maternity USA." I have to admit, this is true. I spend more time on myself the day I go see Dr Neal than any other day. I guess I feel I should impress my doctor since he probably sees many unkept pregnant women. Its sad really.

On a more positive note....I'm very excited about the arrival of my sweet Kai. I can't believe it's only a week until he will arrive. ONE WEEK!! I'm so nervous, but ready. I'm reading as much as I can and as fast as I can. I'm determined to be the worlds greatest soothing/breastfeeding mommy. I can't read enough. Sadly, I know none of this will **really** help.

Will someone please put me out of my misery!!!

2 weeks, 2 days left

I'm a freaking whale. If I could remember how to post my picture I would.....let me see...

Click here!

3 weeks, 6 days to go!

Went back to the doctor this week. Baby is still breech. He only measured three weeks bigger this time and I had actually lost 2 lbs...I'm not complaining. I'm getting Braxton Hicks contractions a lot more often these days, which is very annoying. Heartburn is still here. Since when does WATER make you have to burp? Ugh, the joys of pregnancy.

4 weeks, 6 days left!

I think I'm going to change all my titles to how long I have left. I just realized that all I have blogged about in the last few months is whatever happened at the doctors appointments. How boring!!

I wanted to share a little about baby movements. It's the wildest thing. I'm not really sure anyone can explain it, but I'll try. As I'm sitting here at my desk, I can feel two little feet fumbling around near the zipper of my pants. Yes, I know they are feet b/c of my last sonogram, but also because I've started to be more aware of the shapes in my belly. I think my pants must be too tight and he's trying to release the pressure. So then I unbutton and unzip my pants and sit here hiding under my desk, hoping that I remember what I've done before the next time I stand up.

I also have the joy of feeling a nice round head right under my lung. If I slouch, he'll try to push me back up. I can actually feel him flexing his back trying to get the head higher. Chad is happy about this because I keep better posture.

Not only can I feel the baby, which basically feels like pressure pushing against your insides, but I can see him. Okay, well not him, but my stomach. When he rolls his head, I can watch it roll from one side to the other on my tummy. I'm sure that if I could see where his feet are, the same would apply. Actually I know that to be true b/c Chad has seen it.

Which brings me to something else....I can't see down there. Anything below my bellybutton I can't see. I know, scary thought. I'm doing my best to keep maintained and not look like the amazon women from the videos you watch in childbirth classes, but maintaining is hard when you can't see. I've found myself in the most awkward positions trying to shave. What seems to work best is if I do it at the gym where I can lean against the back of the shower and hick my other leg up on the wall infront of me. A gross thought really, but I go to a clean gym. But still, I'm getting to big for that and my balance is so bad that I'm afraid that I'll fall. I still get out and everything is all uneven...it frustrating. The only other way I've found to work is shave a little, open the shower curtain, try to look across the room in the mirror and then adjust....but this is too hard and requires me to sit down and stand up to frequently (I almost lost it last time...it scared the tar outta me). I begged my husband to help me the other day, to which he just sat laughing. I don't understand why he wont help...it would benefit him, right??

33 weeks, 5 days

I keep forgetting to update my blog, oops!

Last week we had another appointment. Kai was still measuring four weeks bigger than he should be....great. During the sonogram we discovered that he is still breech. His head is under my right lung and his feet are tucked down at the bottom of my cervix.

After the sonogram the doctor sat down so we could "talk." He said there is only a 20% chance of the baby turning at this point. Because of his larger size and feet down position, he feels like there is even less of a chance of him turning so he asked us to go ahead a schedule a c-section. He told me to pick a date between the 15th and 22nd. He sat there waiting for me to make a decision...finally, he figured out that I had no idea he told me I could call later and decide. Through further discussion, he said he thinks that a c-section might be the best option for me, even if he flips, because of his size. Fighting through a twinge of disappointment, I felt relief that our doctors are given wisdom.

Then I started thinking of all of the advantages of having a c-section: picking the day, no vaginal stretching or possible incontinence, no labor pains... But then there is also that disappointment that I won't get to say "Honey, its time." I feel like I'm missing out on some right-of-passage that all woman should go through. Yeah, a lot of people get c-sections, but most at least start labor! I don't know...

I spent the rest of the day trying to decide on a date. Trying to determine that was the hardest thing. How do you decide. We've finally decided on the 15th of September.

So then comes everyone's advise to turn the baby. Lay tilted with ice on your belly, play music lower, etc... Is it bad that part of me is TOTALLY okay with the baby not turning and just having a c-section?? I kinda like the idea of being in control of the entire situation. Besides, if the dr thinks he's going to be to big to push out...why try?

After we settle the date and the surgery is scheduled, I start thinking about the day of delivery a lot. Since I'll be strapped down, I actually won't be able to hold the baby for a while. After the baby is born, they will show him to me and then start cleaning him up. After that, Chad will get to hold him before they are whisked away to the nursery and I'm taken to recovery. I became extremely upset that I wasn't going to be the one to introduce him to the family. I got even more upset at the idea of anyone else besides Chad holding him...or even seeing him without glass separating them. I figured if I carried him, I should get to hold him first and be able to introduce him to each person. So I called Chad and told him that no one is to lay hands on that baby until I do. (Well, of course the dr, nurse and himself.) I think he thought I was going a little nutty. I don't blame him, it was 6:30am.

I've since decided on the way I want the day to go. (Of course I don't know the times but this is a rough idea)

5:30 - Get to the hospital
7:00 - Surgery
Some time during 7am Kai is born
8ish - Chad gets the family and they gather outside the nursery to see Kai for the first time being all cleaned off (me in recovery)
Next - I get the baby and Chad in recovery and spend time with them alone until being moved to the Mommy/Baby Unit
10ish - Get settled into our room
1030 - Start inviting family back two at a time for 15 min each
1130/12 - Kick everyone out and rest
4/5 - Allow visitors to return

But who knows how the day will actually go. I just feel like I'm not going to want to be totally surrounded the entire day. Give me some time. I'll be there for three days, I'd rather people come see us the following days when I'm more rested and bored!

30 weeks, 3 days

I always seem to post on Wednesdays....wierd!

9 weeks and 4 days to go! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. A few funny things to report this week.

First off, I went to my last monthly doctor appointment. I'll now see him every two weeks until 36 weeks where we switch to weekly visits. I can't believe the time is drawing near. I must be the only one who likes going to the doctor. The girl next to me in our prepared-waste of money-childbirth class last night begged her doctor to do one more bi-weekly appointment. Maybe she doesn't like her doctor as much.

We started off the appointment by the doctor mispronouncing our name...Mrs. Goooondersen. I've corrected him before, but he doesn't remember. Whatever, he'll remember during labor because I'll probably yell at him. :P He went on saying that everything looked good, but my weight had "gone up slightly" again. I gave him my best, "Give me a freaking break" look and he continued that as long as I don't weigh more than Chad he's okay....whatever that means.

Then we get to the measuring part. My fundus (from pubic bone to top of the uterus) is measuring 34cm....four weeks bigger that it should be. Last time it was three weeks bigger. I said, "great, he's measuring 4 weeks earlier..." before I could finish the statement he butts in and says, "No, not earlier, bigger. This baby isn't coming earlier unless we induce." UGH!

So then I ask my questions, preferred pediatricians, who will deliver my baby if you aren't around, etc. He had some great recommendations. Also, I was happy to hear that he delivers 98% of all his babies...as do the rest of the people in his group. Especially if you are in labor on a weekday.

We also talked about induction. Since Chad and I know an anesthesiologist we would like to use, he mentioned an induction as a way to have the team I want to have there. Now, I've considered induction before, but I know Chad probably doesn't like the idea. He is all about natural birth and inducing isn't natural by far! I've decided to hold my tongue on the topic until later in the pregnancy.

In class we discussed pain management methods and c-section births. I didn't realize there were options outside of an epidural for pain management. They can give you Demerol to "take the edge off" at first, if you still want the epidural you can ask for it later when you are in more active labor. I already knew it wasn't best to epidural until later in labor and wondered how long I could make it. Then I started thinking maybe I could make it on Demerol alone. As we walked out, I told Chad that I thought I'd try going with the Demerol at first. His response, "How about try with nothing." At times like those I just want him to try to give birth. I'm SO over it. (Now I'm getting mad....I wasn't mad last night. I'm having a hormone rage!)

Also, I started leaking collostrum this weekend. YUCK! It wasn't much. I sat down at the computer and my shirt was a little wet. I thought I spilled something, but this is the second time in the last few months that I had noticed something. So, I look at my boob and low-and-behold there is something seeping out. It's so funny because you know that that is what they are there for, but its weird to see them come to life. It stopped pretty fast and I haven't seen anything since, but still it was a little weird.

29 weeks, 3 days

I had my first shower on Sunday!! It was so much fun! Lyndee (sister-in-law) and Tamara (best friend) did a wonderful job putting everything together. It was mainly our church friends, but a few old college friends and colleagues also attended. It's hard when you have several different groups at one party because you never know who to talk to. The party was mainly poolside, which was a little hot...but I survived!

We received a TON of clothes and blankets. We also received our travel system from Uncle Tory, a homemade coat rack decorated to match nursery interior from Nana, and a wonderful homemade blanket from Mrs. Shirley (aka MeMaw..our church grandma). We also got the CUTEST pair of mini-cowboy boots. SOOOO CUTE!! I have everything I'll need to clean 'em, dress 'em and wrap 'em up! I felt so rushed to get through all of the gifts since everyone was sweating. I just hope I was thankful enough!

I came home that night and Chad and I sat in the nursery and went through all of the gifts. It was the most excited I have seen Chad so far. He was pretend washing the baby in the tub, using the Boppy pillow to feed the fake baby, and ohhhing over the cute tiny clothing! I wish all of our guests could have seen his excitement...it was so special.

Everyone kept saying, "Now you get to go home and wash all of your baby clothes and put them away!" Is it wrong of me not to do so?? I'm much too practical for all of this, but how do you know what's going to fit your baby?? I'm planning on a bigger baby, so I really don't feel like I should wash and put away all of the 'newborn' sized stuff. Then, some of the clothing is very summery, but I think he'll be that size during the winter....how do you know?? If I washed it then its just wasted clothes that he never got to wear. But then again, not like I can return some of it, because I have NO idea where some of it came from.

I'm planning on taking a newborn sized outfit and a small (8-11lb) outfit to the hospital with me. Then based on what ever fits, I'll know what to wash. I think the smalls are safe b/c surely I won't have a baby too big for those. I don't know....how are you supposed to know what to do here!?!

Also, now that I have all this stuff I want to put it away, but how do I know where I'm going to want it once he's here?? I have no idea how to organize my changing area and you know how organized I am. Ugh....

It's funny to me, because I'm relatively unafraid of the actual labor process but I'm terrified of taking care of my baby. You know about labor, you seen it all and heard it all by now. No one is afraid to tell you how it hurts, how it's gross, how it's hard...I'm not expecting it to be easy or unpainful (even with my mighty epidural) yet I'm not "afraid" like the women in my class are. But talk to me about cord stumps, circumcision, breastfeeding, suctioning boogers, bathing or doing anything else to my baby and I feel terrified. I feel so unprepared for taking care of him.

Our labor classes are going well. I guess its good to know what I'm learning, but I really feel like its been a waste of money. Not worth $120...yet. I keep hoping it'll get better. Yesterday we took the hospital tour and talked to a pediatrician. Both were very informative but stuff I could have lived without. The hospital gives free tours and I could have called to talk to pediatricians....however, I did LOVE the one that came in, he was so my style...VERY straight to the point! Chad and I talked about how much we liked him after leaving.

The video was also very informative. You can watch a Baby Story on TLC a thousand times, but nothing prepares you to watch THE video. Show that to a high school teenager and I bet she'll think twice about sex. I absolutely cannot believe you vagina gets THAT large. How does one ever recover???

Chad has also been dubbed the most popular guy in the class. I'm such a lucky girl! I swear, every time we walk in that hospital he knows someone. Last week he knew a girl that came to class with a friend since her husband couldn't make it. Apparently they went to high school together and he was close to her mom. Then yesterday we are walking in the parking lot and this girl freaks out and jumps out of her car and runs over to Chad. Secretly I was thinking, "Man, my man is a stud!" But then he introduced her as another HS friend! Then during class he sees another gal walk by like four times that went to HS with him that he had been talking to the other girl about. Confused yet? It was crazy. Then in the hallway during our tour he runs into a guy he used to play against in HS...his wife had just had her baby.

To make our world even smaller, I found out that the husband sitting next to us was a pilot for Southwest. I asked him how long he had been flying for us and he said his start date was in January. Turns out I had presented at his New Hire class. And that wasn't any ordinary day, that was the day I found out I was pregnant. Crazy.

Okay...I better get back to work...I'm not going to proofread this right away, so sorry if its a little messy!

27 weeks, 3 days

Welcome to the THIRD trimester!

Last week we had our 26 week appointment. I was measuring about 29 weeks, I was only 26!! I asked the doctor if this means that Kai will come to us a little earlier and he said, "No, he's just going to be a big baby." GREAT! He felt like since Chad is a bigger guy, that its just in the cards. I even said that we were small babies, but he still thought Kai was going to be big. He said he predicts at LEAST 8.5 lbs. I'm okay with that...a little nervous about the idea, but generally okay

We also found out that he is breech. This isn't that big of a deal as he has plenty of time to turn, but it still has mommy a little nervous. We had to have the whole c-section talk. My mother-in-law gave birth to a breech baby and everything was fine, so Chad asked if I could still have him vaginally. Dr Neal explained, that while 9 out of 10 babies would be fine, that one really wasn't so they automatically do a c-section.

I also talked to him about if Kai gets so big what would they do. I had heard they will go ahead and induce you if they feel you are getting too big to deliver vaginally, but he said they wouldn't. Basically, they will let me try to push as long as I want and if he doesn't come down then they'll suggest they go in for him. While I don't like the idea, if it's safer then sign me up!

So, it kinda freaked me out to be talking about the whole labor thing with the doctor. I don't know, its like for the last six months its been all exciting and anticipation and now everything is drawing nearer. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Apparently I was wrong in my last post about growth slowing down. That couldn't be further from the truth.

I gained even more weight. I almost cried. I asked him, "What more can I be doing? I'm working out and I'm not eating 'bad'...what is going on?" He said, that I was probably gaining some muscle and the baby's size had a small amount to do with it. Then he says, "Some people's metabolism speeds up during pregnancy, others metabolism gets shot...yours is probably just shutting down." Ugh, not what I wanted to hear. Later we were talking more about it and he says, "Its frustrating isn't it?" He has no idea...no one has any idea.

The world just has all of these ideals when it come to pregnancy and weight gain. In the beginning he told me 25-35 lbs. I'm already a little under 30 and I'm heading into the biggest baby weight gain. I feel like a failure! Its incredibly difficult to be gaining weight when most of your life you've spent time keeping it off. And then to have people tell you that you're gaining so fast, blah blah blah....it just starts to get you down. You start fearing how its all going to come off in the end...will it come off, will I ever look the same again?? It's scary!

And then, to top off the weight gain thing you have to wear the worst clothes. Everything looks like a tent after awhile...or maybe its just because I have so few to chose from. You just feel fat and ugly. Yeah, I have a few things that make me feel cute, but it doesn't balance out the everyday BLAH!

Chad was wonderful the other day. I was upset b/c I've slowly been growing OUT of my early pregnancy maternity pants (mainly because I'm carrying low). I was walking around Target and Chad was on the phone and he start telling me that he was proud of me and as long as we have a healthy baby its all that matters and that not to worry because the weight CAN come off and how beautiful he thinks I still look ....etc. I hung up feeling much better and on top of the world. Then I get to the cash register and the lady checking me out says, "Well you're just going to pop any day now, aren't you?" UGH!

24 weeks, 5 days

I haven't blogged in awhile. Things are going smoothly, so I guess there isn't much to report.

I feel like my weight gain is starting to slow down. I got big so fast, now I feel it's really stabilizing...Thank goodness. I haven't stepped on the scale in awhile, but last time I checked I was up about 15-18 lbs. Yikes!

I did have an issue start with my back again. It wasn't the same pain as before, it was much much worse. It started last week, where I felt a nerve pain from mid-back to mid-hamstring. By the end of the weekend I was struggling and Monday I was having a hard time walking. My trainers husband is a chiropractor and agreed to see me at his house Monday night. Since getting adjusted I feel much better...still sore just not the annoying nerve pain.

I've decided to make adjustments a regular thing for the rest of the pregnancy. My trainer, who obviously was well adjusted, attributes her "easy" (never easy, just not a complicated labor) 4 hour home deliveries to adjustments and working out. Now, I don't know how true that is...I mean, she could just have fast labors, but I'm still willing to give it a shot. Not just for the sake of labor, but because its better for me.

I also plan to have Kai adjusted soon after he is delivered. Don't worry, its not adjusted like they do adults, its merely "nudging" things in line so that the muscle develop properly around the spine. I've heard from multiple parents how good it is for the baby. I mean, its no wonder, how would you feel after traveling down the birth canal!?!

I've never really "believed" in chiropractors. I've always felt like it was too much of a sales pitch to be medicine. And if its SO important, then why are insurance companies so hesitant to pay for it?? I dunno...just doesn't make much sense.

The next few weeks are very busy. We have several weddings and showers and other various parties to attend. I'm looking forward to having a lot to do...it really helps pass the time. I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. I mean, the first 20 weeks seemed so long....as time grows closer to the due date, I get more excited about "meeting" our baby and therefore time slows down. Ugh.

22 weeks, 3 days

Wow. We are really moving along these days.

The Level II ultrasound looked really good. Everything is developing just as it should be. We are positive that we will be having a little boy...the boy likes to show off. He was also measuring a week ahead of schedule...he's gonna be a big one!

The nursery is really coming together. We've put up all of the furniture to see how everything fits. It's going to be tight, but it works okay. The next step will be to paint. **UGH** I have all of these great ideas, but they are all so difficult. Am I ever easy??

I had an appointment yesterday. Doctor Neal said I'm having a "perfect pregnancy," which makes me very happy. I feel like I'm bigger than I should be, but he said I'm measuring just right. We used the doppler to hear his heartbeat and heard a few kicks as well.

I feel Kai move all of the time now. I get nudged, kicked, punched...whatever all throughout the day. I absolutely LOVE every movement. I feel like it connects me to him more and more. Chad still hasn't felt a kick, so I hope he does soon.

Overall, I'm really good.

Enjoy the following belly pictures....
4 weeks
8 weeks
18 weeks
22 weeks

20 weeks, 3 days -- Half way there!

Gosh, it's been three weeks since I last posted. Man, how time flies!!

I finally got both the crib and changing table. They originally didn't match so I had to take the crib back and exchange it. It's been a long process, but I finished it last night. Now all I need is the crib mattress.

When I got home this afternoon the bedding was on the front porch. I'm so excited. They had told me it wouldn't be here for a few more weeks, so I was very surprised. It looks so cute. Of course I had to put everything on the bed even though there is no mattress. :)

I've been feeling really good. I definitely have quite a tummy. I'm kinda mad that Chad and I totally bailed on the belly shots. I have a few from when I first found out I was pregnant and SWORE I was getting bigger....RIGHT, I was just very bloated. But now, wow. I'm not sure what to expect later down the road.

I'm craving Rocky Road ice cream thanks to a trip to Braum's last week. Now I dream about it...when I actually get sleep. I fall asleep faster and faster, but I wake up so often. I'm hoping this weekend we can get the other bed set up in the nursery because I need more room!!

I feel Kai move almost daily now. Not just the jabs, but the "quickenings" that everyone refers to. Before I fell asleep last night I felt like I could feel him moving all around (great another night owl).

Tomorrow we have our Level II ultrasound. This is the one where sex is usually determined. We are hoping for confirmation that Baby G is actually a boy. SHOW ME YOUR GOODS! It is also where they check the organs and such. Hoping for a great report.

Off to church...