Love: Lucie's List

I found out about Lucie's List through Kate's blog,  Elefantitas Alegres. It was one of my favorite resources throughout the late stages of pregnancy and still today (I say late pregnancy because that's when I found out about it).

If you sign up, every week you will receive a newsletter about almost everything relating to growing and having a baby. I also really enjoyed the Baby Registry Basics list; we used many of these tips when registering and buying things for Shepherd. If you check it out, let me know!

birth (the disclaimer)

I think one of the reasons I haven't "gotten around" to posting about Shepherd's birth is because of the way he was born. I didn't have any medication, and I'm wary to talk about it, because, drumroll, it went so well. I feel like there's so much controversy among women about how a family welcomes their baby into this world, and I just don't know how to tell the story of our experience without sounding a certain way. As a writer, this keeps me from putting fingers to keyboard about pretty much everything else. I need to write this story, or I won't be posting anything else here for a long time.

Today, I was strolling through the archives of one of my favorite blogs, domestic reflections, and I read her FAQ. At the bottom was this:

"What’s your deal with natural childbirth? 
I always tell people it’s like running a marathon. Some people feel the drive to do it and get huge satisfaction and fulfillment from it. (Let the record reflect i would never run a marathon and i think all of you who do are c-r-a-z-y.) On a more serious note, however, i think a lot of women today in our society are cheated out of a positive birth experience. They are told the pain is awful and all that matters is a healthy baby. Of course, everyone’s priority (far above anything else) is the baby’s health, but a mother’s experience in childbirth should be honored and valued as well. And if you have ever gone through a natural childbirth experience i think you know what i’m talking about."

So, I haven't run a marathon, either, so that's not my comparison. But what struck me about this statement was this sentence: "a mother's experience in childbirth should be honored and valued as well."  I do agree with that. And so I hope you'll respect why and what I write about in the coming days, and I hope what I write is communicated as a story, and not an edict of "how it should be done," because I hate those sorts of things.

(This is a long-@ss disclaimer post just to say I didn't have meds during childbirth, I'm proud of it, but I would be proud of however my baby was born, so please don't be mad at me for saying I'm proud of it. Also, when did I become so concerned about all of this?)

Announcing...

Shepherd Christopher Nix arrived Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at 3:10 p.m.
He weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces and was 21.5 inches long.

We are incredibly in love with our son and can't wait to share more!

38 Weeks

38 Weeks

{February 6-12, 2012}

My sweet baby guy, you are now officially 39 weeks old! Your 38th week was a big one... literally, your mama feels like she swallowed a basketball. My stomach is h-u-g-e, and this week I got a lot of "any day now!" and "you look like you're going to pop!"

Your sweet dad continues to be the kind of guy I hope you will grow up to be when, one day, you have a wife who is tired, emotional, feeling very large and having trouble bending over because she's going to have your baby. He won't let me pick up anything from the floor or get anything from lower cabinets if he sees me trying to do it. I'm so thankful for how well he loves me, and you, too.

You continue to measure respective to your "week," and I don't really have an idea about how big you will be when you are born. Your dad was over nine pounds, though, which has me a little worried... a lot of people (including the guy at Chipotle) are guessing you're going to be a big little guy! I have been dreaming a lot about your little face. I wonder often what you look like, what color your eyes will be, if you'll have any hair and if so, what color it will be. I have heard old wives tales about heartburn and hair, and this week was the first time I've really experienced any heartburn. Maybe you will have some hair after all! I don't really know how to tell if you've "dropped," and some days I think you have, and some days I think you haven't. I just want you to be happy and content in there for as long as you need to be.

I'm having a lot of trouble getting in and out of cars, doing things that require one foot at a time, like putting on or taking off shoes, getting dressed and staying comfortable in bed. It's been a painful few days, especially in the mornings when I first wake up. This has been the only reason I have wished for you to hurry up and get here.

It might sound weird, but I love being pregnant with you. I know I will love when you are really here, with us, but it's been wonderful to get to know you and be the only person who does for the past few months. Other people can sometimes see you move and feel you when you kick, but only I can feel it or see it every single time. I know your rhythms, and you know mine. I love this little time that has been just ours. You'll never be so connected to me again, which is neither sad nor happy, it is just different. You have changed my body, my heart and my soul, in ways I expected and in ways I didn't expect. I am so grateful for you, and I am blessed to be your mama.

You are going to be here soon, and I can't believe that. Your dad and I are so overjoyed to meet you. We can't wait for you to join us on our adventures, to meet the family who loves you, to grow and change and become the man God already designed you to be.

Cravings: citrus, citrus, citrus!
38 week appointment: a healthy heartbeat, measuring 38 cm, 60 percent effaced.
Nursery: It's ready for you! We put up frames with cartoon pictures your dad drew when he was a little boy over the changing table this weekend; they are so funny and I think you will like them when you are older.
Baby's name: A lot of people think your name is Samuel! We haven't told anyone, and this is making your Aunt Jillian crazy. She wants to know and can't believe we haven't told her yet.
Etc. We are going to take part in a research study this Friday night (if you don't arrive before then)! We are going to spend the night in the Labor and Delivery unit at TMH for the FSU College of Medicine. Your dad is going to spend the night at the hospital, too... it will be good practice for what's coming soon!

To read more about our journey through our first pregnancy, click here!

37 Weeks - Superbowl Edition!

37 Weeks! 

How was this week? This week was a big mental mile marker for us as Baby Nix is now full term. At about 3 a.m. Monday I woke up to mild discomfort (like cramps-sort of) and thought "wow, this hurts." Fortunately, I was asleep again by 4 a.m. or so, and I think it was just prelabor. Nonetheless, I need to pack my bags for the hospital, as both Aaron and my mom reminded me last weekend (repeatedly).

It's February. I can't believe it. Last weekend, my amazing, generous parents drove to Tallahassee from Texas to spend a day and a half with us assisting in preparing for baby. They brought the refinished dresser and a bunch of baby stuff that couldn't fit in our car on the way home from Christmas, and it was exciting to re-open things. I am so thankful for them. Next time we see my parents, we will have a baby of our own.

My dear friend Jennifer took maternity photos on Sunday, which I'm eager to see. We took pictures at home; it seemed perfect to record us in the place we spend so much time instead of going out somewhere. I think in a few years we and, one day, our children will treasure seeing what our life was like before they arrived.

37 week appointment: This week's appointment was very brief. I hate taking my sick leave to sit in the doctor's appointment for a 20 minute visit. Nonetheless, at 37 weeks 2 days, I'm measuring well and have gained 15 pounds total. Baby's feet are kicking out the left side of my stomach a good inch above the right side, and it's so funny to see how lopsided I look. It's fun to push back on his heels. His heartbeat was about 150 at the appointment.

Cravings: Piggy's BBQ, a McChicken sandwich from McDonald's, cookie dough... there's a marked difference in what I'm hungry for lately. For lunch on Wednesday I had leftover BBQ and waffles. Yep. And it was amazing. I think I've been hungrier this week than I've been in the last 36 combined. I found Cadbury mini eggs in a fun-size when we were grocery shopping, and oh my deliciousness, I wish I purchased a box of them.

Nursery: With exception of a crib skirt and curtains, baby guy's room is ready for him! I'm eager to share

Baby's name: A definite first name and a few contenders for middle names. Aaron's bent toward traditional middle names cracks me up; I can practically guess what he might suggest. Since the baby's first name is a patronym, it makes it more difficult to come up with a middle name I like (because most of those are patronyms, too).

How am I feeling? I get really nervous when I go to sleep for some reason. I wake up on my back a lot, and despite my doctor's reassurance that it really is OK, I don't like it and poke and prod at baby immediately to feel his movement and make sure he is well. Sleeping on my side is getting old; One thing I don't remember reading anything about is how strange my stomach would look when I woke up from sleeping on my side. My stomach looks long and narrow, and I can't imagine how a 6-7 pound, 20-plus inch baby fits in there. I feel worst earliest in the morning or whenever I wake up for the bathroom; I always think "this might be it!" but I'm not really sure why. 

I walk up to the third floor to my office every morning, and it wears me out lately if I walk too fast. I need to do a better job about taking short breaks to walk around; everything (EVERYTHING!) from my waist down hurts about halfway through the morning and afternoon if I don't. My feet haven't swollen like they did in the last couple weeks, though.

In the evenings I get tired and, unfortunately for Aaron, come home and feel the need to finish a lot of projects that just wear me out and frustrate me if I don't finish them. I am thankful he deals with my task lists and does what he can to help me until I sit down and get in a bad mood that I didn't finish everything. I'm slowly trying to learn that it's not all going to be done before baby guy arrives, and that's OK. I'm thankful for how much extra Aaron is pitching in so I can stay relaxed. 

The last noteworthy comment about how I'm feeling physically is how irritating this new back pain is. It's near my tailbone, and I woke up with it pinching this morning. I think he might be hitting a nerve, and it's impossible to sit down or stand up without favoring my right side a ton. Hopefully he'll adjust a little bit. 

Truthfully, as much as I'm eager for his arrival, I don't mind these late stages of pregnancy. I want him to stay put for as long as he needs to and is healthy for him.

Etc.: One thing I keep thinking about is a 3D ultrasound. We are so close to meeting him now that it wouldn't make sense to spend $200 to see his face, but part of me wishes we had done it a few weeks ago. I know I will appreciate puttting that cash toward something else, but I really can't wait to see him.

Tonight Aaron is cheering for the Patriots and I am enjoying all of the delicious snacks (see cravings paragraph above). Whomever you're cheering for, I hope you have a great Super Bowl Sunday night and a relaxing end of the weekend!

To read more about our journey through our first pregnancy, click here!

34, 35, 36 Weeks!

Apparently I never pushed the button to post this one---it's way out of date now, but here it is, for posterity! 




Ready for a major recap of the last three weeks of pregnancy? Let's catch up!

How have things been? No doubt, this baby is on his way soon. From comments from co-workers about how he's dropped to the inability to finish tasks as quickly as I'm used to, I'm definitely feeling the change. We haven't finished his nursery, but we sold the bed in the nursery (finally) to a really nice guy on Craigslist, our crib will be delivered this evening, our car seat is on its way and so are my parents! All we really need is a car seat to bring him home, so I'm feeling pretty good. What's the point in getting spun up about projects not being finished? As my doctor says, the best little project is coming along well, and that's what I'm focused on. That and my giant swollen feet...

Ch-ch-changes:

• swelling in my feet. Bold type necessary. I haven't experienced swelling (except on my return flight from New York City in the fall) until Week 36. On Tuesday and Friday of this week I woke up with hugely swollen feet. My shoes wouldn't go on. I was a little nervous about it after reading up on pre-eclampsia, but at my 36-week appointment on Wednesday, my blood pressure and the standard procedures revealed there's not any worry of pre-e at this point. I'll just continue to monitor it. 
• "Birth Plan" stuff. My fantastic doctor and I had a great, long conversation about the things I'm hoping for and working toward during my labor/the birth of our baby. More about this to come. Also? I hate the words "birth plan." 
• Week 35 was the first of my once-a-week appointments. Exam results were 40 percent effacement and 0 station.
• Last night I couldn't fall asleep because Baby Guy was moving around so much. It was intense.
• I still love sweet things. This is a departure for me. I previously craved savory foods; now I'm all about anything sweet, especially drink-wise. 
• Definitely feeling some pressure (and I don't mean stress). It's lingered around since our trip over Christmas, and it is definitely not fun. I think it might be lessening, but, ick.

What's left to do? For the last week I've been on this major pampered princess kick. I want to schedule a massage, facial and pedicure for myself. Who am I? I don't know. But nothing sounds better than relaxing like that. However, it's not part of the to-do list. Here's what is part of the to-do list:

• put together baby's room. Put clothes in dresser my parents are bringing.
• install car seat (yikes! I know we're behind on this!) and get it inspected.
• pack my hospital bag. I have some stuff put together, but I need to collect a few more things.
• hair cut (tentatively scheduled for the second week in February).
• make and freeze some meals. 

Predictions: Aaron thinks the baby will be born earlier than his estimated due date. I have a hunch that he is right, but I am still leaning toward after my due date (February 20).

I have been obsessing over looking at baby pictures of me and Aaron (above). I absolutely can't wait to see how, and like whom, our little boy looks. I oscillate between wanting him here sooner and later, mostly the latter, because I feel like I still! have! so! much! to! do!

Some things I've been frustrated with include my inability to finish tasks at my usual/former pace; I feel like I go in to the baby's room to work on things and within 20 minutes I'm tired and wanting to sit down. So I sit down in the big comfy chair and just look around the room and think about everything that still! needs! to! get! done!

33 Weeks

January 2-8, 2012

How was this week? Week 33 (that sounds surreal!) was a pretty good one for baby and me! This was the first week of the new year, and I enjoyed having a Monday off work to recuperate from our road trip. All week I've felt the effects of riding in a car in 12-hour increments, and I'm glad that we will be staying put for a while! 

Aaron and I focused on spending a lot of time together this week. The next month and a half will fly by, and I don't want to miss this precious time with the love of my life by doing too much and being distracted by baby stuff. 

This week felt different from most because I started to feel the finality of the third trimester. Our baby guy will be here soon. He could be here any day. That is at once thrilling and terrifying. I have started daydreaming more about what he will look like. I picture dark eyes and dark hair sometimes, but sometimes I think he might have eyes like his daddy and no hair at all! I think that would surprise both of us, because we both had heads full of dark hair when we were born.

Movement: At this week's appointment, my doctor felt my stomach and started laughing. "I guess you don't have to set an alarm to remember to do kick counts, do you?" she said after seeing my stomach move. "A moving baby is a happy baby," she said. And move he does! He reminds me of Flubber, bouncing around inside. Last night, after I fell asleep, Aaron said he could feel the baby having a dance party in my stomach. Baby guy is his father's son. Sometimes he catches me off-guard and takes my breath away with his jabs and kicks. At this point, he doesn't keep me up with his movement, thankfully.

Cravings: I have eaten a box of clementines each week since mid-December.

Etc. Sometimes, when I'm reading out loud or listening to music, I like to judge how baby guy feels about it by his movement. Today, he was a big fan of the version of "Come, Thou Fount," the band played at church, which happens to be his mama's favorite song. That made me happy (and tear up a bit). I have noticed hot flashes, too. All of a sudden, I will start to sweat and feel so hot. Hormones are craze. Is it too late to get a pregnancy body pillow? 

And, finally, I've got a little bit of reading to finish:

What to Expect When You're Expecting

What to Expect the First Year

The Minimalist Mom's Guide to Baby's First Year

The Nursing Mother's Companion

The Happiest Baby on the Block

Jo Frost's Confident Baby Care

P.S. Do you have any reading material you would suggest? All of a sudden I'm thinking an iPad would be a good idea :)

31 and 32 Weeks

Time to play catch-up with these weekly posts! 

Since we last chatted, we have finished childbirth classes, taken a 3000-plus-mile road trip over Christmas break and dropped down to fewer than 50 days before this little guy makes his grand entrance.

The biggies:

• me, obviously- I feel like a humongous whale. At my doctor's appointment yesterday I had gained 14 pounds total, which my doctor was very happy about, and I was very meh about. I swear I can feel feet kicking my lungs, and driving in the car with a very active little one jumping around on my bladder ensured plenty of pit stops. Aaron wasn't a fan of this stopping business since we are usually go, go go, but he obliged. According to the various baby websites, he is finished growing length-wise and will now be gaining weight to fatten him up before delivery.

• We are taking a prenatal breast feeding class in two weeks at Best Beginnings in Tallahassee. I say "we" and laugh at the response I got from Aaron when I told him "we" signed up: "Will there be lots of women with...little babies...feeding them...there?" Poor guy.  I am thankful I am going to be able to try breastfeeding. My doctors had warned me that if surgery was required before the baby was born, I would likely not be able to. Thankfully, the radiologist and surgeon agreed that I just need to monitor the lump and will be able to go at least six months. 

• I caught a cold when we were in Texas, and it has kicked my butt all week. Hoping it clears up by the end of the weekend; we still have a lot of work to do.... which leads me to:

• the baby's room! I am so stuck on this. I have a lot of different inspiration boards and ideas I like, but I haven't pulled the trigger on one because I can't just make a decision. We still need to do a lot (Ok, everything) for this room. In six weeks. Eeesh. Good thing my mom is a quick seamstress.

•  We are getting more and more excited. When I think about the baby being here in six or seven weeks, I honestly can't fathom it. I don't know how "your entire life is about to change" looks, but we are ready to find out. As soon as the baby's room is done. :)

30 Weeks

 

30 Weeks 6 Days

How am I feeling this week? This has been one of the best weeks of my pregnancy. After Friday's good news, it's impossible to complain about anything.

How is baby? Sometimes baby is hanging out in a place that puts strain on my upper back, and when he's there I notice him moving less. I still feel a lot of movement, but considerably less squirming around. He is still punching and kicking, and with more force. I think he's a baby Billy Blanks with all the Tae Bo going on.

Cravings: None to speak of. I have been hungrier than I was earlier in my pregnancy, but not for anything particularly.

Finding a birth photographer: In my head I've been contemplating hiring a photographer to document baby's birth.  I know I am way behind on this, but at first I thought I didn't want to do it. I've changed my mind. I know of at least two ladies who are perfect for the job: my sister-in-law Tiffany,  who is a birth photographer, and my dear friend Jennifer of Sugar Photography, but they both happen to live a thousand (literally) miles away in Colorado! That's a little too far for the short notice this guy might provide. I know the idea of a birth photographer is not for everyone, but I have seen some amazing images, like these and these,  and I would love to have a treasury of photos to document baby's first moments on earth. If you know of any photographers in the Tallahassee area, leave a comment or email me!

Etc.  I will find out how much weight I've gained so far at my next doctor's appointment this Thursday. We will also be able to go over our birth wishlist and my test results, so I'm looking forward to a little bit longer appointment this week. 

Over the weekend, I consolidated baby clothes and things, reorganized the second bedroom closets and made room for baby stuff. We put the bed up on Craigslist, too, and I'm hoping for a bite before Christmas. I'd love to begin 2012 with a fresh slate so we can get to work on the nursery and have some time to enjoy it before the baby arrives. I will need to wash the baby's clothes; I haven't done it yet because his dresser is at my parents' house. I don't know if I'm really far behind in the game or not...

Tuesday is our second wedding anniversary, and Baby Nix will be two months from his due date on that day. Aaron and I have been doing really well with our meal planning, and so we've decided to have a treat on our anny and go to dinner. I want a steak. This never changes....

This time of year really is my favorite; I love celebrating life in so many ways: birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas time and vacations spent with people we love the most. I'm so thankful for these gifts!

An Update, Pt. II

To catch up on the story, read this first. 

At about 4 p.m., the radiologist's office called to tell me the mass was a benign fibroadenoma. I don't know if I can adequately describe how I felt in that moment, and how I'm still feeling. Relieved. Happy. Incredibly blessed. All of these things. Thanking the Lord for this blessing. Thanking him that the past three weeks are over, and now things can continue instead of being put on hold, which I feel like I've done since Thanksgiving when I found the lump. I am so, so undeservedly blessed and so thankful.

[Sidenote: typing that makes me feel guilty. Not everyone gets these happy results. That gives me pause and makes me wonder what I can do to help those who don't hear what they've prayed to hear.]

I know this runs the risk of sounding trite, but I've realized from this what things really matter. It doesn't matter what our apartment is like or if there is enough room here or if I have cuter maternity clothes. One day we can paint our cabinets however we want, sure. But none of that really matters. What has mattered to me the most since beginning this journey is the baby growing inside of me and the relationships I am cultivating with those I love and with the Lord.

About ten percent of pregnant women get fibroadenomas. From the beginning, I think I had a pretty good idea that this would be my diagnosis, but nothing is certain. That uncertainty was the most powerful part.

I think it took something like this to nudge me a bit and show me that our baby and our changing family will be a good change for us, but something we're prepared to do. More importantly, I feel that somehow this past month has prepared me in a way I needed mentally and emotionally. The weeks of not knowing what the mass in my body was shook me. I tried not to think about it much, because we didn't know, but when I was sitting in waiting rooms or in my office waiting for phone calls, my mind immediately went to Aaron and our baby. I tried to imagine their lives. What if I don't get to meet my baby or see him grow? What if I leave Aaron here to do this by himself? Those are incredibly scary questions, and as much as I loved our baby before, I feel like this has shown me how much he needs me and how much I need him. I'm so thankful for that.

Of course I still want and fret about things that are important to me [but really aren't that important]. I don't know if this will or will not affect breastfeeding or if it will require surgery after the baby is born. I worry what people will think of mine and Aaron's parenting choices and decisions. I hate that he will spend the beginning of his little life far away from his family. But. BUT. I feel like this is so minor to what might have been. And I am so, so very thankful for the opportunity to continue preparing to be a mom.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for praying for me, the baby and Aaron over the past weeks and for your words, notes, texts and calls of encouragement. They have held me together more than you know. We have seen Him in your actions, and we have been richly blessed. We love you!

29 Weeks

Psst! I've updated the pregnancy sidebar of the blog. If you are new to the blog or want to read about my pregnancy week-by-week, click on pregnancy on the right or click here. 


29 Weeks - December 2011

Our little one is just a couple short months away from being here. I honestly can't believe it. I also can't believe how much (it seems) there is to do before his arrival. I know it doesn't all need to be done, and it probably won't all be done anyway, but I can't help but want everything to be perfect and ready for him. I love him so much already.

How am I feeling this week? Aside from an unexpected medical issue, I've felt great. I definitely think I've experienced heartburn a few times this week. That's been a first. 

Movement: Baby guy is all over the place. It's so fun to see that Aaron is able to identify how much the baby is moving. Aaron's mom told me that he moved around all the time, so like father, like son! My doctor recommended I started counting kicks/monitoring movement, so I've been doing that, too. 

Cravings: Dairy, bananas. I think the word "craving" might be a bit misleading, though, because these aren't cravings like they were in the first and second trimesters but more just things that I really enjoy when I have them. 

Etc. We are halfway done with our childbirth classes, which we've taken through Childbirth Education Associates of Tallahassee. I will give a complete review when we finish the entire class. I have enjoyed the classroom setting, which I expected. I could probably go to a class like that every night until the baby gets here. I enjoy learning new things, even if they aren't really important, and hearing things despite already knowing them, and when it pertains to the baby it just makes me feel happy. I'm thankful to have learned more and for the active role I feel like Aaron's been able to take up because of these classes. He is much more engaged and aware of why I'm doing certain things, and he's been exceptional in acting as a helper in terms of movement and relaxation techniques. I don't know if he surprised me by liking it, but I'm certainly glad he does. 

This week I want to make decisions about core pieces of the baby's nursery. I'd like to have our crib here (or on the way) by Christmas. The bed that's in the room now will hopefully sell on craigslist soon, and an emptier room will make everything seem a little more real. Speaking of, I saw this stop motion video of setting up a crib by Rachel Thurston of Rachel Thurston Photography and fell in love. How fun would it be to do something similar for our entire nursery process? I've loved reading through her archived blogs from the time she was pregnant, as I can relate to a lot of her posts. 

Here's to good test results this week and a continued joyous Christmas season!

28 Weeks

28 Weeks! 

How am I feeling this week? Good, but tired! I think between Thanksgiving travel and scurrying around trying to get our home in order before Christmas, so we can actually slow down and enjoy the season, I wore myself out this week. The good thing is I'm pretty much set now, so I will be taking it a lot easier for the next few weeks. But I don't want to think about taking Christmas down! And then there's the matter of the nursery...

Movement: Baby guy is still moving a ton. Always a good sign! At my doctor's appointment this week, he was measuring well and seemed to be growing and growing and right on schedule. 

Cravings: Hmm... nothing in particular this week.  

Etc.: We keep moving along! I can't believe the third trimester is here, Christmas is coming, 2012 will be here soon... and, most importantly, that we are going to have a baby in just a few months! Today is actually my niece Imogen's first birthday, and seeing pictures of how much she's grown in the last year just makes me smile. I know I'll feel both proud of Baby Guy and sad to see each stage pass as he grows, but I am so excited. 

As we unpacked our ornaments and put each one on the tree, I felt so happy. Growing up, Aaron got a Precious Moment ornament every year, and seeing his "Baby's First" ornament, and the next two decades of little boy ornaments, just made me smile. I can't wait for our little boy to join our family and to watch him grow through the years. 

The downside of the week was my doctor's appointment. The baby is in perfect health and doing well, thank God, so praise, first and foremost, for that. What's up is I've been monitoring a lump I found, and this upcoming week we will take the next steps toward solving the problem, however small or large it may be. I have an ultrasound tomorrow and general surgery scheduled for later this week, but, we're praying that whatever is found is of no consequence and does not actually require the surgery. There are myriad probabilities as to what exactly the lump is, the vast majority of them completely harmless, so I'm [impatiently] waiting until tomorrow to find out more.  I also learned a very valuable lesson---don't google "lump in breast during pregnancy" unless you want to spend the week scared to death of something out of your control. Please keep me in your prayers tomorrow!

Pregnancy Products I Can't Live Without

I read a Baby Center article about the top nine pregnancy products mamas can't live without, and I thought it would be fun to compare them to my top list of things that, through the first and second trimesters, I have found to be the most helpful and why.

1. Zofran
2. Prenatal vitamins
3. A really good, firm pillow
4. Bella Band
5. Gap maternity jeans
6. My most favorite yoga capris (no longer available online, boo hoo!)
7. YouTube

1. Zofran
I was a wreck throughout the first trimester. It was really, really rough. I lost weight, couldn't eat and was dehydrated until I went to the doctor for the "yep, you're pregnant!" appointment. While there, my nurse tried to get me admitted in to the hospital for dehydration, but my very wise and wonderful doctor listened to me, and we found a solution to my nausea and vomiting problem that didn't involve an overnight stay. He suggested ginger, vitamins and one-half of a sleeping pill every morning and evening to try at first, and he also gave me a prescription for the generic pill for Zofran. He suggested I test out the first combination to see if it would quell the sickness, so I tried that combination for about a month. It didn't work for me because the sleeping pill, which takes the edge off of the nausea, also put me to sleep! Not a great combination for my Monday-Friday job! Instead of switching immediately to Zofran, I took the vitamin supplement exclusively, and while I do think it worked, it did not kick the nausea completely. I was hesitant to take the prescription, but after a month, I filled it and began taking it. It was a game-changer. I was no longer sick from 4 p.m. to the time I went to bed every night. I could eat and drink more than cheerios and water and peppermint tea. I felt like my old self, for the most part, and I could finally get off the couch and do something. Let me be clear: I am not a pill-popper. I don't like to take any medicine, whether over-the-counter or prescription, unless I absolutely have to. But this? I will know next time. Because the freedom it gave me back was priceless.

2. Prenatal Vitamins
Giving the baby all of the nutrients he needs and supplementing with DHA are musts. Taking my vitamins every day has the added benefit of making me feel like a good mom already. My sister-in-law Tiffany recommended New Chapter Organics Perfect Prenatal, and I like them. They are a little bit pricey, but you can find good deals for them.

3. A Really Good, Firm Pillow
I am a back-sleeper, and training myself to sleep on my side has been difficult. I've tried to do it by getting a firm pillow to rest my head on and sandwiching myself between other pillows with a pillow between my knees. I end up kicking every other pillow away, but the pillow I sleep on has made a difference in how quickly I fall asleep and how soundly I sleep. Invest in a good one.

4. Bella Bands
I have two bands, one in black and one in nude. They have been fantastic for making my jeans and work pants wearable a lot longer. I can't recommend them enough if you don't want, or can't, replace your clothes with all maternity clothes.

5. Gap Maternity Jeans
With that said, I have purchased two pairs of Gap maternity jeans, and I love them both. One is demi-panel and one is full panel, and both fit well for a couple wearings. I have had problems with feeling like my pants were falling down, but I think that's the nature of the pregnant pants. It's strange to not have anything to button!

6. My Most Favorite Yoga Capris Ever
I have lived in these pants. They are not maternity, but they are my go-to for nights and weekends around the house and quick errands. I got them at Gap Body two or three years ago, and despite a growing pregnant belly, they remain comfortable. I implore you to find a good pair of comfy pants you can stand to be seen in outside of the house, too... you won't want to take them off!

7. YouTube
YouTube seems like a strange recommendation, but for me it has been awesome. I do prenatal exercises to videos I find online, and having virtually unlimited options for yoga, pilates and other exercises for free has been awesome. I would love to find a class close by, but I haven't so far. This has been a great substitute, though!

So that's my list of can't-live-withouts. I don't think I forgot anything, although there are a few things (a big cup for water, a fan, etc.) that have been pretty important, too. I'd love to hear what works or worked for you throughout your pregnancy, especially through the third trimester!

27 Weeks

27 weeks: the end of the second trimester!

How am I feeling this week? I haven't noticed any remarkable changes this week. I was nervous about driving to Texas and sitting in the car for 12 hours, but we took enough breaks to get gas and bathroom stops that I was able to get up and move enough. I was really concerned about this, but the only side effect of the drive seemed to be a tired back. It filled up my heart to spend time in Tyler with my family, and seeing how excited my family is about Baby Guy just makes me that much more excited. He is going to be so loved! Now, if only we could find a way to be closer. 

Other physical changes: I've noticed a little bit of heartburn this week. Will this guy have a head full of hair? Both his daddy and I did. We'll see! I have an appointment later this week, so we'll also see what my total weight gain has been so far.

Movement: I loved being able to share with my mom and dad the movements, especially after eating chocolate pie. He loved it! Driving was another time he was exceptionally active. I have noticed the jabs getting harder and harder, and some of them make me wince, not because they really hurt, but because the twinge I feel is unexpected. I can also more clearly feel his movement, and this week I noticed that I instinctively thought about his movement when I felt like he had been still for a long period of time. There seems to be less of a schedule regarding his movement this week, but much more movement overall.

Cravings: We are back to fruit! Also, my most favorite road trip snack, beef jerky. And I am so glad we got to have Grandy's mashed potatoes when we were in Tyler! 

Etc.: My mom and sister are insistent on guessing the baby's name. Actually, my sister just wants me to tell her. Not yet! This week I had a wonderful baby shower in Tyler, and I was/am overwhelmed by the love! My sister drove home from College Station Friday morning after the A&M/UT game Thursday night, baked and cooked, decorated and hosted a lovely shower. I am so grateful to her, my mom and our friends who were able to attend. Fun pictures to come! 

I feel more prepared with each passing week. I think hearing the advice from women who have been down this road, but who all have different stories to share, makes me feel confident that we have the things we really need. It's overwhelming to think about preparing for a baby, but knowing that such an amazing support system exists for me and Aaron and the baby is invaluable and helps me sleep at night. Not that I need any help falling asleep! 

26 Weeks

26 Weeks 6 Days

How am I feeling? Goodness, this week felt like a transition. I noticed being less comfortable when I am moving around, and I noticed it takes just a little more effort to get up from sitting or lying down. The emotional roller coaster continues, and for that I'm so thankful for Aaron! I heard Christmas music in the mall (Happy Christmas/War is Over) and I started to tear up because it made me sad. WHAT?! I do dislike this particular song, but even hearing it made me tear up. I am so excited for the Christmas season to begin, though... I am anticipating tearing up at every sentimental Christmas commercial displayed.

Movement: Baby guy has been going crazy this week. I have noticed a lot more hits/kicks/elbows/knees, and some that have even been strong enough for me to think "hey!" or to take me by surprise. As an aside- how do you know which appendage, exactly, is hitting you? I have heard a lot of mamas say they could feel their baby's elbow or knee or foot, etc. How can you tell? It all feels the same for me. 

Cravings: I noticed a big decrease in milk and fruit cravings this week, unless you count ice cream. Aaron and I shared a pint of Ben and Jerry's AmeriCone Dream, and it tasted like the most amazing ice cream ever. I wanted ice cream for the rest of the week... Other random things I usually wouldn't like: a Subway meatball sub. 

Etc.: I can't wait to see this little baby. I am hoping for a March baby (his estimated due date is February 20), so I doubt that will happen, but for some reason March sounds good. This week I made a little more progress on decisions for his nursery, found an amazing tutorial on turning a regular chair in to a rocker, and generally just found myself more eager to be this little one' s mama. I can't believe the second trimester is almost over and the third is beginning. Only a couple more months and he will be here, with us. We are praying the easy pregnancy will continue and our sweet baby boy will continue growing healthily. 

25 Weeks

Here we are at 25 weeks 6 days!

How am I feeling? I feel like I look slightly miserable in this picture... I'm not really miserable, but I have had killer pain in just one spot in the middle of my back for the last week or so. I notice it, for the most part, in the night time. It's not lower back pain; it's more in the area of my mid-to-high back, closer to my spine. Any ideas?

Otherwise, this week was a quiet one in pregnancy land. Highlights of the week include a three day work week and crazy awesome movement. Baby guy is moving around non-stop, and it's so strange and interesting to see my stomach moving as he jabs and kicks and rolls around.

What's his name? We are getting closer to having a name for baby guy(!), but we probably won't share it until he is born.

Cravings? This week has been all about sweets. Cookies and coke have been luring me in, and I have valiantly resisted with exception of last night, when I had both. The cold food streak continues; I am still loving cereal, fruit, and ice cold drinks.

Anything else? Having my mom here was another highlight of the week. We got to do some nursery shopping and planning, and she gave me inspiration I desperately needed. We are looking forward to our trip to Texas next week for Thanksgiving! Also, we got our stroller this week. My mom and dad very generously got us (and the baby) a [Husker] red UPPABaby Vista, and we love it so far! A bit premature, I know, given there is not even a baby to push around yet, but we had a great time walking around the neighborhood albeit feeling strange that the bassinet in the stroller was empty.

24 Weeks

We took this photo last Monday (the first day of week 24), which was Halloween. Hence the baby skeleton. Lots of mixed reactions on the shirt, from people who loved it to people who thought it was super creepy. It's one day a year, I thought, so what the heck!

The best part of this week was being able to spend time with my mom. She came in to town Friday, and she hasn't seen me since we announced the pregnancy. (I was actually pregnant at our beach vacation this July, but we hadn't told anyone yet.) I was so happy little guy cooperated and was moving and kicking quite a bit for her, so she got to experience that. I loved being able to glean advice from her about things big and small. He is a lucky little guy to have such a fantastic grandmother! 

On to the questions...

How are you feeling? Still feeling superb. 

Name: Nada

Food: Milk, cold things (cereal, fruit), sweet tea, fruit, oatmeal, fruit. We have to work on protein.

Etcetera: Birth class re-registration (they messed up our information the first time, and we weren't going to be able to take the class due to schedule conflicts); a fantastic baby shower; a great time spent with my mom; nursery progress; and just a few weeks until Thanksgiving! Aaron said last night to me that he just wants to know what he looks like. The way he said it was so sweet and despondent sounding. He's the best baby daddy.

22 Weeks

Here we are at 22 weeks! No doubt about that baby bump!

How are you feeling? Another week of feeling great. I can't remember anything specific that bothered me during the day, so that's a good sign. I love feeling baby guy moving around. I can't wait to see who he looks like, and sometimes I wonder if he'll surprise us both and look like neither of us. I especially wonder if he will have a head full of hair.

I haven't had any leg cramps this week, but I'm thinking it might be time to invest in a Boppy body pillow like this one. I have had restless sleep and pain in my back for the last few nights. Yesterday, my back hurt so bad I didn't stay awake for the Wisconsin/Michigan State or the OU/Mizzou game...! I can't believe I missed these two upsets, but I was writhing in pain on the floor (drama queen just a bit?) and Aaron suggested I might just need to go to sleep. Which I did.

Stats: As of this morning, I've gained five pounds from my starting weight; this after losing several pounds during my first trimester, gaining them back at the end of the first trimester.

Clothes: Hooray for cold weather, which has allowed me to pull out tights and leggings and dresses and tunics! I'm happy to still be able to wear my two favorite pairs of jeans thanks to the Belli band, but the time has come to order proper maternity jeans, which should arrive sometime this week. I ordered the Gap maternity demi-panel Always Skinnies; expect a full report on fit, etc. when they get here. As for other maternity clothes, so far, the maternity items I own include two belli bands (black and nude colored) and two long-sleeved tops from Target. I am happy to make do with the longer tops and dresses I have until I absolutely can't fit in regular clothes.

Registry: Holy stress, Batman! We registered for baby things this weekend, and I have a whole post to dedicate to this topic. I am so glad my mom will be in town in the a few weeks so she can offer a little guidance in this subject, too. Let's just say thank goodness for Aaron, because looking at 1,000 bottles of all different shapes, sizes and brands was enough to frustrate me for one afternoon, so we split up our registering in two days. I have never felt so clueless!

Nursery: Another area we haven't made much progress on. The next two weeks are going to be Mission Clean Out the Office, as we'll be turning the second room in to the baby's room/office combo. I have a goal to have the entire room tabula rasa by the first week of November. This means Aaron has some serious Craigslisting to do.

Name: He doesn't have one yet. We're still considering a few of our favorites.

Cravings/aversions: Strong bones for this baby. I can't get enough milk. I'm driving Aaron crazy with our trips to Publix for apples and bananas, too. I had Chipotle for the second time this week at lunch with Aaron, so I can't consider than an aversion any more.

Misc. This is absolutely more than a miscellaneous detail, but we have found someone to care for Baby Guy when the time comes for me to return to work. I am so, so relieved and, though my heart is still sad about it, I feel a million times better than I anticipated I would. I enjoyed our conversations and I am eager to visit in the next week or two. The great thing about this is now having the freedom to not have it linger in the forefront of my mind; I feel like this will help a great deal with so much of the anxiety I've felt.

We have another appointment this week to redo the ultrasound in an attempt to recapture some pictures of baby guy's heart. Last time, our tech said she couldn't get any quality pictures of the chambers because of the position he was in, so she scheduled another look at the next month's appointment. I'm praying he looks great and is growing well! I am also hoping he cooperates and we can get a peek at his little profile.

Overall: This week of cooler weather has done wonders for my spirits. I feel so much more at home this week, with chilly temperatures and open windows and cinnamon and cloves boiling in the kettle. What's next is never far from the front of my mind, but I feel like in the last two weeks I have been proactive about keeping the emotions of feeling so far from home at bay. We remain prayerful and mindful of whatever plans lie ahead of us. Praise for my patient husband and for plans that He has laid out for each of us, especially this little one.

20 and 21 Weeks

Yikes, in between D.C., Lincoln, Sarasota and a trip to the beach last weekend, I haven't been doing too well with the weekly update. So today's recap (at 22 weeks) will have to suffice for both weeks 20 and 21. 

How are you feeling? I felt great for both weeks 20 and 21. I don't have any aversions (that I can recall) and am back to feeling good about eating most things. I have had leg and foot cramps in the middle of the night for two or three nights, but they have been rare enough that they haven't interfered with sleep too much. In fact, I am sleeping well with exception of an extra time (rarely two) that I have to get up in the middle of the night. Waking up is hard for me!

Cravings and/or aversions? Miracle of miracles, I even had Chipotle on the way to Sarasota for a business trip! Thinking about the burrito made me feel worse than actually eating it did, fortunately, although I probably won't choose to go back any time soon.

I've been craving ice cold glasses of milk. We've bought out the grocery store in the last two weeks; I easily drink two to three glasses of milk every night in addition to a glass with my oatmeal (strawberry, please) at breakfast. I've also continued craving Fuji apples, bananas, fruit juice, sweet tea and cereal.

Anything else? Aaron's uncle asked me this weekend how I liked being pregnant. I have to say, I am absolutely loving it right now. The bump is apparent, which makes everything more real. I'm looking to our next appointment in a week and a half.

Baby guy has started moving a lot. Around 7:30 each night, and as I type this, he is jumping around a lot. On our drives to and from Miramar Beach, Aaron was able to feel little movements, which was so fun to watch. Sometimes, as I'm falling asleep, the baby is moving enough that Aaron can feel him for several minutes. It's a crazy feeling; to me it feels like someone is flicking my stomach from the inside out. 

19 Week Recap

19 weeks was a busy time for me and baby. We finished trips to New York City and D.C., saw old friends and caught up on sleep after a lot of travel around two amazing cities. This week I drank a ton of milk and water, and I craved "fair food:" caramel apples, funnel cakes, Frito pies, etc. At this point in the pregnancy, I have gained a total of four pounds from my starting weight (I lost about seven pounds during the first trimester due to nausea), and I feel like my stomach is huge. I'm walking about 45 minutes each night (thank you amazing weather!) and trying to drink a ton of water during the day.

Some things I'll want to remember about this time: I feel so off-balance when I get up from the couch or out of bed! I will get up too quickly and feel dizzy and have to rest for a moment and then try again. Aaron is so patient with me and my cravings. They are all over the place, and the poor guy has to deal with a lot at dinner time. I'm rarely hungry for dinner, and usually I have vegetable soup or cereal. He's so patient when it comes to me not making much for dinner. I also want to remember how much fun it is to dream with Aaron about what our little guy will look like. In my mind, he looks just like Aaron, with really dark hair and sweet eyes. I hope he gets his daddy's long legs, too.

Finally, I am thinking about purchasing the Jesus Calling devotional for kids. If you follow my blog, you may recall that I love the adult version of the book, and I want to get the children's version to read to the baby each night after he is born. Growing up, my parents would tuck my sister and me in to bed each night, we'd say prayers and then we would all sing the "night night song." Each night I still start my prayers with the same rote verse: "Now I lay me down to sleep..." and end with "God bless Daddy, Momma, Emmy, Jilly," over the years replacing our old cats and dogs names with Aaron's. Still, that ritual brings me incredible peace, especially as I've grown in to an adult with more complicated prayers that generally follow. I look forward to that time with our son.

Finally, now that I'm halfway there (remember, I write these posts at the end of each week), I am beginning to think about registry items and looking for recommendations in baby essentials. I'd love to know if you have any suggestions about baby gear you consider a must-have. We don't want a lot of stuff, but we do want to invest in high-quality items that will remain durable through several kids. I hear no matter what you do to limit toys and paraphernalia before your baby is born, you still end up with a ton-o-stuff. If you have any references to other websites or suggestions, please leave a comment!