4 weeks

Agh! Maternity leave is FLYING by! I cannot believe it's been 4 weeks already.

Sage is growing so much every day. She's pretty much too big for her tiny newbown onesies at this point although she can still fit into a couple of her newborn pajamas. The little shorty needs to grow about 2 more inches before she can really get those 3 month sizes to fit well-right now she is kinda swimming in them.
She's also getting more and more alert every day. She spends a good part of the day wide eyed and taking in her world.

We spent our first night out with her on Saturday. Dana and I took her to my dad and stepmother's house for a sleepover. It was also the first night that she slept in a room by herself. Once she fell asleep (after about 6 hours of being WIDE awake) she did great. It inspired us to attempt putting her into her own room tonight. We'll see how it goes...she might end up right back in our room :) She's been sleeping in her pack and play beside our bed ever since the day we brought her home. It was so much easier for us to have her in there because I've been such an invalid-alas, I've pretty much worn that excuse out.
Sage and Lorie:

I've been a slacker with posts lately. I keep thinking that I'll post a really great update about something fascinating but I haven't quite managed that one handed, balancing baby typing. I swear I'll get better :)

Weekly Update

How far along? 38 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Too much
Maternity clothes? ::sigh:: I remember when maternity clothes used to fit...seems like everything is small these days
Stretch marks? Still none...thank goodness...but I have two weeks left and all hell could easily break loose on my skin so I'm not considering myself home free yet
Sleep: Not great at all. Still waking up a million times a night to pee or adjust my sleeping position. I know Dana is getting really crummy sleep too because I have to be waking him up each time I have to roll this gigantic belly over! I've been getting in daily naps which has helped :)
Best moment this week: I got a new niece!!!!!
Woes: Having some serious hot flashes these days. Dana has stopped holding my hand because he says, "You're always clammy!!!" hehehehe....
Movement: Still wiggling around. Sometimes I think she's trying to kick her way out.
Food cravings: Had an insane craving for some Mexican food a few times this week.
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None! Go figure...although, I'm planning on a Cinco De Mayo baby. If you're looking for me on the 5th I'll be either doing some jumping jacks or skipping rope!
Belly Button in or out? Flat
What I miss: My clothes
What I am looking forward to: Serving this child an evacuation notice
Milestones: I get to start those lovely internal exams this week....ick.

Here are some pictures of my uber-cute niece!
Holly Danielle Cunningham

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Check out the insanely thick blonde hair she has!
 

Weekly Update

How far along? 37 weeks.
Total weight gain/loss: ........
Maternity clothes? Oh yes, although, in a fit of nesting I deep cleaned the closet and pulled out all of the work/winter maternity clothes. Anyone need any?
Stretch marks? Not yet...but since the doctor seems perfectly willing to allow me to go 10 days past my due date I'm sure I'll have some by then.
Sleep: Not great. Still making my way to the couch each morning
Best moment this week: Sage flipped around so she's no longer sidways! On Monday I have another appointment and the doctor said she'd "double check" position. I hope that means she'll drag in the bedside ultrasound machine so we can get another look at her :)
Woes: Running out of things to wear!
Movement: Oh yes...still squirming around in there
Food cravings: I had a strange craving for Key Lime Pie the other day...I didn't have much time so I just bought some rush ingredients from the store and it turned out to be a gigantic failure. It's not often that I'll mess up a dessert... :: note to self: don't buy the yucky canned filling ever again :: Even Dana said it was gross...
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Still flat
What I miss: Clothes that fit!
What I am looking forward to: Appointment on Monday- AND - I *should* be having a brand new niece on Monday :: insert happy dance:: My sister-in-law is getting induced on Sunday evening.
By the way, it's the same sister-in-law that is only two weeks ahead of me in this whole pregnancy thing. So why is it that she's having her baby and I still have a 3-4 week wait? Did I lose time somewhere along the way? How did that happen?
Milestones: 37 weeks is FULL TERM! If Miss Sage was born today she'd be good to go :-)

Weekly Update

How far along? 36 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: I had gained 4lbs at my last appointment and no I'm not going to add all that up and give you a grand total-because it will make me cry. Big, fat baby tears :-)
Maternity clothes? At this point I'm wearing any clothes (Dana's included) that can fit! Thank goodness I only have 2 more days of work because I seriously cannot think of too much I have left that will look appropriate at work
Stretch marks? Thankfully, the beginnings of that little one that sprung up two weeks ago are still just a tiny beginning of a stretch mark. I has not grown and it has yet to invite it's friends to the party-let's hope it stays that way shall we?
Sleep: I know I said it was bad last week but this week it's worse, much worse. I've been sleeping pretty good for the first half of the night but usually wake up around 1-3am and don't get too much after that. I've been getting up to lay on the couch a lot recently and I think I might have to make that a semi-permanent solution. Seems to be the only place I can get comfy.
Best moment this week: The weather has been GREAT! I've got to spend a lot of time sitting at on our outdoor furniture soaking up the Vitamin D!
Woes:  I'm tired-and it's making me grouchy. Not good.
Movement: She has definitely been moving a lot this week-not sure why. Maybe she's going through a growth spurt. Or maybe it's because she's getting so big that it's hard to miss even the smallest movement. I've also been having a lot of dreams about her moving-which makes me think that she's moving a lot at night and I'm incorporating it into my dreams.
Food cravings: None
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: None-but don't think I haven't tried to find some! I've been asking everyone who might have the slightest idea how to go about speeding this process up. No one has told me how yet-starting to think that I might just have to wait it out. Boo!
Belly Button in or out? Still flat!
What I miss: Waking up and feeling rested :-)
What I am looking forward to: My newest niece is to be born sometime soon and I CAN'T WAIT to see her! I'm completely bummed that I won't be able to go to GA and visit.
Milestones: I've gotten to the point where I'll be having weekly doctor visits.

Weekly Update

How far along? 35 weeks! Which means only 35 days till due date! I do understand that logically that is a VERY SHORT amount of time but it really seems like fooorrreeeevvveeeerrrr to me.
Total weight gain/loss: I don't know this week but I will be back at the doctor's office on Tuesday to find out!
Maternity clothes? Certainly-actually, it's mostly sweat pants/yoga pants recently. Getting dressed requires far too much work.
Stretch marks? Not so much. I think there is still that one little area from last week that might be starting to act up but it hasn't grown-thankfully.
Sleep: Bad, bad, bad. I get up at least twice a night to pee and then I'm awake every hour or two because my shoulders/hips are getting sore from being on my side. Dana is also not getting much sleep because the amount of effort it takes me to flop over roll over onto my other side is quite a bit.
Best moment this week: A friend threw Dana and I a BBQ/Baby Party at our house on Saturday. We had a GREAT time! In all there were about 17 people that came-the ladies pretty much kept to the house and the men folk stayed outside with the grill, beer and cigars.
Woes: Rib pains have subsided a bit-I guess I should send the chiropractor a thank you card at some point. I've got a interesting pain that happens every now and then-somedays worse than others-and I SWEAR it feels like she's got her little fingernails and trying to claw her way out of my cervix. Surely that's not what it is...but it feels that way. It's the best description I can come up with!
Movement: Yup, she's still wiggling around. Definitely not as big of movements as she used to since she's getting bigger and bigger and her space is getting smaller and smaller. She gets hiccups ALL THE TIME.
Food cravings: None
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? It's still playing Switzerland and staying neutral. It's not in or out these days-just flat
What I miss: Sleep
What I am looking forward to: Doctor appt next week! Can't wait to see if she has moved any-I think she's still sideways but a second opinion would be interesting to hear. I definitely need to ask what the Army docs do for sideways babies just in case she stays that way...
Weekly Wisdom: "Oh Beth, you're going to need a bigger diaper bag than that..."-Friend from baby party
Why am I the only one in loooove with my adorable diaper bag?
Milestones: Only 35 days left till due date. And only 2 weeks left of work (which sounds like a LOT more than it is..it's really only 4 days of actually going to work since I'm down to two days a week now).

And here are just a few pictures from yesterday:
This is a SUPER CUTE diaper cake that my friend made all by herself:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finally bought a swing for the baby and it is adorable! We knew that one couple coming would be bringing their 8 week old baby so we put it together to make this kid our "test subject."
Side story: While putting together the swing Dana reminded me to double check that all the screws and such were good and tight because we would be putting sweet Sage in it at some point and we don't want her to fall. I reminded him that we had a test baby at our disposal-no worries though, test baby did not fall from swing and no parts/pieces failed! Sage should be safe!!
Anyhow, Chai thinks that the baby is very interesting so she helped watch her. She's my babysitting, guard dog:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Weekly Update

How far along? 34 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I only gained 5lbs in the last 4 weeks according to the doc's scale! No nutritionist for me!!!
Maternity clothes? Oh yes...and they're getting shorter and shorter in the front as well as snugger and snugger. Another reason why I'm leaving work 3 weeks before the due date...running out of clothes to wear!!!
Stretch marks? I think I noticed the beginnings of my first one today! ::sobs:: I was so arrogant to think I could make it the whole pregnancy free of stretchies!
Sleep: It's been a tad bit better this week but I think that's only because I've been EXHAUSTED!
Best moment this week: Upon seeing the first sign of a stretchmark I screached for Dana to come look and he said "What? What am I looking at?" That made me feel a tad better...
Woes:  I'm sooo uncomfortable ALL the time!!! My rib still hurts and now my cervix/pelvis/whatever is down there hurts. Boo!!
Movement: She's still wiggling around but you can definitely tell she's running out of space. And she is still sideways! Bad baby!
Food cravings: None!
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: Just some Braxton Hicks when I've overdone it that day.
Belly Button in or out? It's not in...but it's not out. It's flat.
What I miss: Being able to get out of bed without a great deal of effort.
What I am looking forward to: My next OB appt. I want to know if she's getting closer to turning and what they'll do if she doesn't...eek!
Milestones: I officially can no longer tell how huge I am. I've been smacking into my poor belly all week because I always think I can fit through spaces that I cannot...Dana and I can no longer pass by each other in our bathroom.

Weekly Update

My update is late this week! My step-mom and I took a quick trip to Georgia so that we could attend my sister-in-law's baby shower.  It turned out to be a pretty nice trip aside from the ride home. It was brutal and felt like it took FOREVER...and speaking of forever, I still have 7 weeks of this whole pregnancy thing. Does anyone else feel like that is an unreasonably long span of time??

How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I have no idea! I go to the doctor tomorrow though to find out...got to admit that I'm a tiny bit scared!
Maternity clothes? Oh yes!
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: God awful.
Best moment this week: Tie between FINALLY getting some Krystal burgers and my sister-in-law's baby shower.
Woes: I've started the dreaded swelling....I actually had some pretty impressive cankles on Monday. My wedding ring still fits but I've taken it off because it's getting pretty snug and I'm afraid that one bad day I might not get it off again. Still having a lot of rib pain also. Just generally uncomfortable all the time...
Movement: Yup, she's still wiggling all around
Food cravings: I've wanted some tomato based stuff recently but it's giving me wicked heartburn
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Still having some Braxton-Hicks but nothing impressive yet
Belly Button in or out? I feel comfortable calling it flat at this point. It's basically evened out w/ the rest of my stomach
What I miss: Sleeping, energy and being able to reach things that fall into the car floor board
What I am looking forward to: Doctor appt tomorrow. It will be nice to get to hear her again and see what the doc says. I'm also looking forward to maternity leave but only because my clothes are getting so uncomfortable these days...I feel like I wear the same thing over and over, especially to work. I'm ready to throw on some of Dana's t-shirts and hang out at the house!
Milestones: Baby seems to be getting close to actually being the size of a baby this week. She should be right above 4lbs. She sure feels heavier than that though...

Weekly Update

How far along? 32 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I haven't checked the scale this week. I think I'll just let that magic number be a suprise at my next doctor appt.
Maternity clothes? Yes, getting to a tricky place where I have very few things to wear in this nice, spring time weather but not enough pregnancy left to buy more clothing
Stretch marks? Not yet!
Sleep: Not great.
Best moment this week: I lived through the chiropractor. I also had a baby shower at work which was very sweet :)
Woes: Same old woes: displaced rib, can't bend over, bad sleep, getting chunky, etc
Movement: She's still wiggling all around! I can tell she's getting bigger though because I'm getting fewer of those big kicks and feeling more pressure wherever she's at. She's still all balled up on the right side the majority of the time. Dana made the statement this week that my belly button is closer to being under my left breast that in the middle...thanks Sage!
Food cravings: None-I have noticed that I don't feel quite as hungry as I have in the past month. Maybe that's more psychological because I don't want to see a nutritionist...
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: None. Got a couple Braxton-Hicks but nothing significant
Belly Button in or out? Still in! That sucker is hanging in there!
What I miss: Having a closet full of clothes
What I am looking forward to: Next chiropractor visit. Not really looking forward to it, still think he might kill me, but I'm hoping that he can make me feel a bit better.
Milestones: Finally went to a chiropractor and didn't cry!!!

Weekly Update

Ugh...I woke up with a headache today.

How far along? 31 Weeks. Only 9 weeks left...or if you're talking to my stepmom, only 5 weeks left. She really thought people were pregnant for 36 weeks...teehee...so funny.
Total weight gain/loss: Too much...sorry future nutritionist! Although...I did only eat ONE cookie yesterday. It was 5 inches in diameter but it was only one cookie!
Maternity clothes? Yup
Stretch marks? Nope, not yet!
Sleep: Awful
Best moment this week: I got a couple more items for the baby's room this week. And hopefully, this will be my last week of working 3 days...I'm going down to 2!
Woes: Sore ribs, sore pelvis, bad sleep
Movement: She's still wiggling!
Food cravings: None
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Had a few Braxton-Hicks this week...they weren't painful, but they were by no means comfortable.
Belly Button in or out? It's still in! Poor thing is hanging in there...
What I miss: Sleep...I know, I know, wishful thinking...maybe in a year I'll catch up on that.
What I am looking forward to: Hopefully this warm weather sticks around. It's been sooo nice :) Our animals have really enjoyed it too! Oh, also Dana *might* be going to this 2 week training course in late April so there could be a good excuse to leave work earlier than planned! Although, the downside means he won't be back home till May 5th! Eek! That's cutting it close...
Weekly Wisdom: Stop reading about all the bad stuff that could happen. I've noticed that I become very symptomatic when I read certain articles.
Milestones: My rings are getting snugger of a morning. This could be the onset of the dreaded swelling that I keep reading about! Should I start memorizing how my ankles look now so that when they disappear I'll be able to remember them? My ankles and belly button are probably going to disappear on the same day...that'll be great. I'll take a picture for everyone.

I subscribe to this weekly email from a website that caters to pregnancy. Each week they send me a little update on what's going on inside my uterus. This week they said that the baby is about 3.5lbs which is a similar weight of 4 oranges.

Weekly Update

How far along? 30 weeks....eek! The big 3.0. Bring on the upcoming slowest ten weeks of my life. Anyone have any suggestions about something I can do to make the time go by faster?
Total weight gain/loss: HA! Not telling! Classified information! Let's just say that if an increase the size of the last increase appears on the scale again the doctor has threatened to send me to the nutritionist who will make me *gasp* keep a food journal. This will not be pretty...especially since my dear momma brought me my Easter basket (yes, my momma still gets me an Easter basket. don't hate.)...I've had about 7 truffles and some tasty jelly beans today. The nutritionist would not approve. Easter basket haters those nutritionists they are....
Maternity clothes? Oh yes, although I noticed this week that I still have a couple pre-pregnancy tops that I can still wear. They are getting a tad short in the front and the poor things will never fit again now that they're all stretched out...but whatever, I'll tell that to the nutritonist. "See lady, I can still wear my pre-prego top. Don't make me jot down my food choices...the baby NEEDED those 7 double chocolate milkshakes from last week..."
Stretch marks? None!
Sleep: Not great...but I think I'm getting used to it because it doesn't bug me as much as when it first started. I'm still waking up every few hours because I'm all uncomfortable and have to flop over or move around some. Dana is taking it like a champ considering that each time I roll over he loses the covers...sorry babe!
Best moment this week: Would you think less of me if I said my Easter basket? You would wouldn't you? Dang...uhh....I can't think of anything else.
Woes: Still feeling pretty sore around my ribcage area.
Movement: She is wiggling all over the place. Mostly in the evenings and at night though...which has me concerned considering that I *assume* she'll continue this once she's born. At this moment there is something lodged up in the right side of my rib cage...ouch...ouch...ouch...Pardon me as I type the rest of this while leaning to the left. I'm hoping that it might open up a tad more room for her over there...she tends to prefer the right side.
Food cravings: None
Gender: GIRL! Although....I did have a dream last night that when she was born she was really a he. The ultrasound tech was wrong in her gender determination. It scared me a tad considering how much pink is now in that room...I've kept the receipts though!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Still in...but mighty shallow. When I showed it to my momma she just kinda giggled...I don't think that's a good sign for my belly button. 
What I miss: Sunshine and warm weather! Or maybe I just miss weather consistency...It snowed here this week and now 4 days later it's in the high 60s. Seriously weather? Stop that!
What I am looking forward to: I have a baby shower at work coming up! I don't plan on it being anything big and exciting as there are only a handful of people that even work out of that office but my future nutritionist cannot begrudge me some cupcakes at my own baby shower right??
Weekly Wisdom: I feel some quotes from my doctor would be fitting for a weekly wisdom. Quote #1: "You think your boobs have gotten big now? Just wait till you start breastfeeding..." Quote #2 "Just replace some of your foods with low-calorie alternatives and you'll be fine!!"  Right.....thanks.....
Milestones: 3/4 the way through pregnancy at this point!

Weekly Update

How far along? 29 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: No clue! I have been a scardy cat and avoided the scale. I have a doctor appt on Tuesday though and I'm sure I'll be blessed to find out...eek!
Maternity clothes? Of course
Stretch marks? Not yet *crosses fingers*
Sleep: Horrible, Awful, Terrible, Absent, etc. (I ran out of words to use right there...) I'm waking up about every hour and half or so. I cannot get comfortable anymore...and this sucks because I still have 11 weeks to go. Oh. My. Gawd. I'm. Gonna. Die.
Best moment this week: Don't laugh. I finally printed out all the recipes that I've saved on the computer and organized them in a binder. That makes recipe book #5,347. And I love each of them to pieces. I actually might need a closet in the kitchen of our next house just for my beloved recipe books.
Woes: Sleep is probably the biggest woe this week. Other than that I've still got a lot of soreness in my ribs. And....I've started getting butt cramps. Anyone ever had a butt cramp? Not good I tell you. Not good.
Movement: She squirms all over the place and kicks the daylights out of me sometimes.
Food cravings: Nothing interesting
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Still in...but I'm not projecting it will be here with us for much longer.
What I miss: Sleep and range of motion.
What I am looking forward to: My momma is coming to visit next weekend! Woo!
Weekly Wisdom: Do not tour battleships while in your third trimester. Trust me. Way too many steep, narrow staircases and places to trip and fall. It probably should be on the 'no' list next to horseback riding and bungee jumping.

Milestones: Currently reading the Dr. Oz book on pregnancy and he says that at week 29 the baby's lungs start to expand and compress to simulate breathing movement.

I've got another crafty baby project going right now. I saw these on a website the other day and audibly awwed at their cuteness.

Thought the price was a bit much for a piece of fabric and some stuffing so I decided to make my own:

They're not as good but I thought they came out pretty cute. I haven't figured out how to get the edges quite as sharp as the store bought ones...
Here are a few more pictures of what is in the baby's room so far. Chai wanted to be a part of the photo shoot.

And a friend of my mother's sent these AWESOME onesies. I was really just going to post one of them so that you could get an understanding of how adorable they are but I couldn't figure out which one I liked the best so you get all 3!

Weekly Update

How far along? 28 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I think it’s probably about the same as the number of weeks I am..eek!
Maternity clothes? Yes, I bought more this week. Also realized how nice Dana's t-shirts are for when I'm around the house
Stretch marks? Not yet….
Sleep: Me and sleep have obviously broken up…our relationship is over. Sleep is dead to me.
Best moment this week: Went to my cousin's graduation this week; he just finished basic training with the Army. The first thing my sweet, sweet grandmother said was, "You don't look that big!" Thank goodness for Memaw... :-)
Woes: Had to go bra shopping AGAIN! The girls are positively out of control. I’m going to buy some trashbags and start making my own bras pretty soon…
Another negative thing is that my rib cage is now constantly sore. I'm just too short for this whole pregnancy business. There's not a lot of space for the poor thing to grow. I feel like I'm always stretching trying to relieve pressure on my ribs...ouch
Movement: She’s wiggling all over the place…especially fun at night when it wakes me up…yay…She's definitely an afternoon/evening kinda girl. She's pretty still during the morning and mid-day. She's mostly hanging out on my right side these days...I can tell because my belly button (what's left of it anyhow) tends to be off center towards the left. Thanks Sage...
Food cravings: SWEETS!!! ::munches on some girlscout cookies::
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? OH MY GAWD it’s disappearing!!! Literally!! I’m watching my belly button disappear before my very eyes…and that awful Dana thinks it’s fun to poke at it on a daily basis and make a comment about how very shallow it is getting. If it becomes out outtie…and I really believe it will…then I will post a picture of my belly button pre-pregnancy and make everyone bid it a farewell. It will be a very solemn day.
What I miss: Bending over, tying my shoes, lunch meat, booze, my belly button, the size my breasts used to be, clothes fitting, being able to breathe out of my nose, sanity…I could go on.
What I am looking forward to: Diabetes test this week. I’m kind of excited to sample this orange drink that everyone seems to have strong opinions about. People either tell me it’s awful or not so bad…I will weigh in with my thoughts!
Milestones: I'm in the 3rd Trimester!

Weekly Update

How far along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: About 26lbs…eeek!!! When I stepped on the scale at the doctor’s office last week I saw a number that I’d never seen before…except for maybe on Biggest Loser.
Maternity clothes? Oh yes
Stretch marks? Nope!
Sleep: Sleep was one of those things that I used to love and now it’s becoming a hassle because it tends to be uncomfortable.
Best moment this week: We got to listen to the baby moving all around again at the doctor’s office
Woes: That number on the scale…oh my gawd it was a scary high number. Movement: All the time. The little girl wiggles constantly
Food cravings: Sweets!
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Still in but getting more and more shallow each day
What I miss: Sleeping on my back
What I am looking forward to: Getting the 3D/4D ultrasound soon
Weekly Wisdom: “Usually pregnant women find they’re bra size goes up one size during pregnancy and one size when they start to breast feed.”-My doctor.
Dana and I both looked at each other like she was crazy or that I was just some freak of nature…one size? Was that one size per trimester? One size per 5lbs I gain?
Milestones: I’ve realized that I can no longer see certain body parts anymore. I’m assuming that they’re still all there though…

Weekly Update

How far along? 25 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I won’t know for sure till I go to the Dr. on Friday and I’m not stepping on the scale before then...yikes! Strange how I remember hearing pregnant women worry about weight gain and thinking they were soooo silly. Of course you gain weight when you're prego..and the good thing is that no one cares because you're supposed to! It's often kinda cute when prego women eat everything in sight...people give you endearing looks. But I've found that when you actually get pregnant that does not apply in your own mind. Yes, I still think the other girls are so cute pigging out and gaining weight but it's hard to compartamentalize something that's been ground in your mind: weight gain=bad!
Maternity clothes? Yup
Stretch marks? Still no new ones. I'm remaining convinced that some of the old ones are rearing their ugly heads again but thankfully no one is gigantic and red yet.
Sleep: Ok
Best moment this week: I think I felt her hiccup once or twice this week
Woes: It’s getting more and more difficult to bend over. Usually if something falls I just consider it a lost cause.
Movement: All the time. She has started a new thing where she likes to start moving BEFORE I eat. Kid really must like food. She starts wiggling when I'm cooking, or when I'm packing lunch for the day, or once even when I was sitting in a drive through. Dunno how she knows…I don’t blame her though, I am partial to food myself :)
Food cravings: Sweets
Gender: GIRL
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? It’s still in but it’s getting more and more shallow
What I miss:  *gazes at ice/snow on the ground* warm weather
What I am looking forward to: Next doctor appointment and getting to drink some yummy orange super sugar drink for my gestational diabetes test sometime soon (note sarcasm)…yay
Milestones: Hiccups!

 
Found this picture online... I was torn between thinking it kinda interesting or kinda creepy...or both

Weekly Update

I've been a HUGE slacker as it applies to blogging. I think it's because I really dislike January. Of all the months January always seems to last FOREVER. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that it comes directly after the holidays which always fly by...or maybe it's because it's been so flippin' cold recently. Either way, it's slow and I can't stand it. It just seems so uneventful...
Dana got called to complete some duty for work which has messed up our schedules completely. Because of the earthquake in Haiti he's on this weird guard duty and his work hours have changed about 4 different times within the last 10 days.
I've been picking up odds and ends here and there for Sage's room as well as making significant attempts to be crafty. I've got a couple little hats finished that I've crocheted. Since I'm not quite sure how big/small her little head will be I've been changing up needle sizes to vary how big/small the hats are. Hopefully, at least one or two fit :)
I also made the cutest hair clip holder for her. Picture is below. It's a tad longer than what the picture shows but I didn't want to step back so far that you can't see the detail.  And look, I've even been making hair clips :) So now I'm hoping that she has hair...but then, if she doesn't I guess we'll really use those hats! Anyhow, I hope I made the ribbon long enough on the hair clip holder that it can hold enough but not so long that the cat attacks it...

Weekly Update:
How far along? 24 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I am not stepping on the scale again till I go see the doctor…It’s too sad!
Maternity clothes? Yup. I can still fit a lot of my “regular” tops but I think that I might be starting to stretch them…oops.
Stretch marks? No new ones but I think that some of the older ones are expanding. So far they’re not the big, angry red kind though…and my skin must be getting to the breaking point because this week it has been ITCHING like mad! It’s soooooo irritating. Must definitely be due to the skin stretching and pulling because I LOAD up on that expensive Bio-Oil stuff twice daily plus put on lotion so I know it’s not the whole winter, dry skin nonsense. ::scratch, scratch:: The worst areas are my lower back and sides..ooh…sooo itchy!
Sleep: Pretty good this week. I think I’m getting used to sleeping on my side and it’s getting more and more uncomfortable to be on my back.
Best moment this week: Getting more of Sage’s room put together plus the nicer weather that we’ve been having.
Woes: Feeling like the weeks are going by slooooowly
Movement: Frequently throughout the day. She is partial to stomping on my bladder. I’ve almost peed on myself plenty of times this week…yay…
Food cravings: Nothing interesting this week…same ole sugar, sugar and more sugar
Gender: GIRL
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Bending over…It’s amazing how much I used to take that for granted
What I am looking forward to: January to be over…sooo boring.
Milestones: 24 weeks is supposedly one of those “safe points.” I definitely don’t want her coming out anytime soon but it’s comforting to know that she’s getting big enough that she would have some sort of a chance!

And a picture! Sorry it's a tad dark...I think because I was standing in front of the window the flash on the camera didn't go off. Maybe I look slimmer in the dark...I'll just go with that thought...

Weekly Update

How far along? 23 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: At the doctor’s appointment this week it was +18. I've found that pregnancy weight gain seems to be similar to taking out student loans while you are in college. At the time it is VERY fun but eventually you gotta deal with getting rid of it all...not fun.
Maternity clothes? Yup
Stretch marks? Nope! Go Bio-Oil go!
Sleep: Having difficulty falling back asleep when I wake up at night but other than that it’s no big deal. Still sleeping with 3 pillows and Dana has begun to feel like his side of the bed is shrinking...sorry babe!
Best moment this week: We found out the baby is a GIRL!! My stepmom and I got to see her wiggling all around!
Woes: Bending over is getting difficult and I seem to have a permanent stuffy nose. I already get short of breathe easily so having no use of my nose sucks.
Movement: She wiggles around ALL the time. You can definitely feel her from the outside. I haven’t been able to see her from the outside, but then I haven’t really tried looking yet.
Food cravings: Sweets. I should have known it was a girl…she’s craving sugar and spice and everything nice!
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Being able to breathe out of my nose…*sniffle, sniffle*
What I am looking forward to: Setting up the 4D ultrasound so that Dana can finally see her!
Weekly Wisdom: “She’ll grow into her ears.”-Ultrasound tech. And she better be right. I’ve been spending the weekend crocheting little baby hats just in case though…
Milestones: Finding out gender, buying a TON of baby clothes, and picking out the pattern for the nursery bedding.

Weekly Update

How far along? 22 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +1,368lbs I think…I didn’t check the scale to make sure but I’m pretty positive that’s what it is….
Maternity clothes? Oh yeah
Stretch marks? Nope! And speaking of stretch marks, I’ve been reading my Pregnancy Magazine too much because I’m being sucked into the ads. I went out to the local Walgreens and purchased this Bio-Oil stuff because my magazine SWORE to me it would prevent stretch marks. It’s the consistency of mineral oil or baby oil but has a different smell…I’m convinced it will work. No one bust my bubble. Just let me float around in my bubble of denial for a little while, then you can speak reason to me.
Sleep: Not so bad for me. I think sleep is getting worse for Dana though because I’m gradually reducing the amount of space he has. I’m now sleeping with 3 pillows.
Best moment this week: We can now feel the baby move from the outside! Oh. My. Gawd. There. Really. Is. Something. In. There!!! On the not so attractive side, I look like one of those stereotypical pregnant women who walks around with her hand on her belly because I’m always feeling for the movements. So far Dana has got to feel the baby kick and my step mom felt it too. Totally different reactions though: Dana looked freaked out and Lorie burst into tears.
Woes: I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror the other day while I was methodically smearing on the Bio-Oil. That was woe enough…
Movement: All the time! I’m starting to put together a pattern of movement. Baby is definitely more active at certain times during the day than others. I’ve found that to be a blessing and a curse. On one hand you know when to expect it and look forward to those times, but then if it doesn’t start wiggling right when you think it’s “time” it’s easy to start worrying.
Food cravings: Still gonna go with Wendy’s Frostys. I. Want. One. So Bad! NEED one so bad is a better way to phrase it…It’s gotten waaaay beyond want at this point. I think the drive-thru ladies are starting to recognize me…
Gender: Who knows?? But we get to find out on Wednesday providing this baby cooperates!! Did you catch that? *squeals with excitement* We get our ultrasound on WEDNESDAY at 2pm so I’m sure we’ll be calling everyone in our phones around 3pm…
Speaking of Wednesday’s ultrasound…I had a minor hissy fit on base this last week. I had to go to the Radiology department to get an appointment slip (Dana has to have an official appointment slip in order to get the time off of work) and they COULDN’T FIND MY APPOINTMENT!!! *insert moment of panic* So I begged the lady to look again and of course she said she didn’t see my name down for the 13th. Then the CRAZY lady tried to set me up an appointment for the 28th. She even leaned in all secretive like and tried to tell me, in her personal opinion, that it would be a better choice to have it on the 28th instead of the 13th because the baby will be bigger and I’ll be able to “see more.” At this point the hissy fit began. Now keep in mind I’m in a military hospital radiology waiting room, surrounded by soldiers and old people, and pitching this fit. I explained in the nicest way possible (not…) that she and her personal opinion should quickly go back into that computer and make my appointment for the 13 which is what it was supposed to be. Then the crazy lady (and she was crazy, trust me, I’m a therapist) said, “Well, what about the 21st?” So I said, “I am about to come over that counter and… No, please, the 13th will do even better.” Skipping to the end of the story, she went to talk to someone in the back (probably called security to start making their way down the hall) and made me an appointment for the 13th. Crisis averted with just one tiiiiiny hissy fit.
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Warm weather. It’s been sooooooooo cold here!
What I am looking forward to: Finding out gender on Wednesday and getting another look at the little baby.
Milestones: Feeling baby move from the outside!

Weekly Update

How far along? 21 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I ‘forgot’ to step on the scale this morning. Oops.
Maternity clothes? Yup. I've even been sporting my "Future MILF" shirt that I found at Spencers!
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Not too bad
Best moment this week: Feeling baby wiggle around
Woes: I’ve got plenty of energy this week but it’s been soooooo cold that I haven’t wanted to go outside!
Movement: Daily :)
Food cravings: Wendy’s Frosties! Seriously, I need an intervention. I’ve had about 3 this week.
Gender: ?????? We’ll find out in ten days!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Being able to bend down to reach something without being out of breathe
What I am looking forward to: Finding out gender so we can start calling little baby by his/her name instead of just ‘it’ or ‘baby.’
Milestones: Baby is definitely moving now and if the book is correct he/she is just about a whole pound!

Weekly Update...

How far along? 20 Weeks! Halfway there!!
Total weight gain/loss: I’m about two seconds from deleting this part. Nosy question…I can tell you that after going through Christmas I will be getting lecture part 2 from the doctor on my next visit
Maternity clothes? Yup. Bought me some more jeans just the other day and Holy Cow are they EXPENSIVE. I take that back...I can buy the really icky, elastic in the waistband like your grandma would wear type which are very cheap if I really wanted to. As I'm standing in the store with the annyoying Motherhood Maternity employee staring down my back (have I mentioned I hate it there?) holding those in my hand I have to consider, "Do I want to feel fat and be wearing ugly pants??" Good Gawd nooooo!! So I go buy the cute, but pricey ones which make me feel fat but not ugly. I thought it was worth it at the time...
Stretch Marks?  No! *crosses self* Thank goodness. I thoroughly checked myself last night for any potential signs of a stretch mark on my expanding tummy and saw nothing! Although, it is getting difficult to look at the bottom of my tummy these days...eventually I'll have to rely on setting up some sort of mirror contraption...
Sleep: Not so bad this last week considering all the traveling I did. I’m getting the hang of the whole sleeping with a pillow between my knees. Some days it stays put, some days it ends up across the room.
Best moment this week: CHRISTMAS!!!
Woes: I’m past the point of being able to justify significant weight gain. You know, first it was “But it’s Thanksgiving!!!” and then it was “But it’s Christmas!!” Now…nothing, but lack of self control! Mental chant: “Must start being good, must start being good, put down the cupcake, Must start being good, Must start being good…”
And also I feel as if I have been smacked with the 'pregnancy fog' stick once or twice. At least, in my books they call it a 'fog.' I call it 'pregnancy forgetfulness.' It's horrid. I cannot remember English when it flares up. It felt like it took forever to get any significant conversation out this week because I kep forgetting words. Not difficult words mind you, VERY EASY words...basic English words...
Movement: Maybe…Just maybe…It could all very well be psychosomatic. I’ve been getting this feeling, just a few times a day that I can’t really give a good description to. It almost feels like when you’re on a roller coaster, or maybe just a real good bump in the road, that catches your stomach. It’s kinda like that feeling of your stomach dropping, just not as intense as a roller coaster drop. I’m thinking it ‘might’ be baby because it’s at random times during the day and I don’t think it’s a feeling that I’ve ever felt before. Or like I previously said, it could just be in my head…lots of things are in my head...
Food cravings: HA! No time to have cravings this week because I’ve literally eaten everything around me. I’ve been too full off of Christmas yummies to have a craving! Take that pesky cravings! I have alluded you once again!!!
Gender: Unsure…Gram said BOY! If Gram says boy it must be true. But, we will see. The BIG ultrasound is Jan 13.
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Self control and Energy
What I am looking forward to: Finding out gender in January!
Milestones: *Maybe* feeling baby move

Weeky Update...

How far along? 19 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +13lbs….eeekss!!!! I know what you’re going to say, “But Beth, you’re supposed to gain weight when your pregnant.” Looksee, you and I both know that is an awful number. Let’s call a spade a spade people!
Maternity clothes? Oh yes, bought more this week from the Motherhood Maternity store (which I hate by the way…but more on that another day).
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Not great, but not awful. Still waking up a few times during the night to pee or shift positions, and still having weird, weird, weird dreams.
Best moment this week: The hubby decided he needs to go on a diet and bought the SouthBeach Diet Cookbook. Does he think my pregnant self is going to start making diet food?? Did you see that weight gain number? Do I look like I’m about to cut out some yummy sweets the week before Christmas? *manic laugh*
Woes: Ugh…it is sooooooo cold this week. I swear this baby must be shivering every time we go outside because I am! When will those hot flashes start to hit? Every other pregnant woman I know is always feeling as if they’re on fire! When will it be my turn?? I’m waiting!!
Movement: None but the baby books tell me it should be soon. And the doctor’s exact words, “Just pay more attention and you’ll feel it.” Oh thanks…ever since I found out I was pregnant I rarely ever think about my mid-section or the baby. I needed a reminder to pay more attention. ‘Preciate doc.
Food cravings: Nothing I’d consider a craving this week or maybe it’s just that when I want something I usually go find it. I’m all about giving into cravings. As you can tell from that god awful number up there.
Gender: I’m not partial to any gender this week. I just want my baby to be a girl or a boy. Nothing in the middle please…
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? IN
What I miss: Let’s see, I’ve already mentioned booze, energy and skinny girl jeans on previous weeks…hmm…I miss sunlight. I HATE winter
What I am looking forward to: CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
Milestones: All of our tests came back last week and they all looked good! Negative for CF and no greater risk for all those others :-)