Day 230 of Being Pregnant.

230 days of being pregnant!!!! That is 63% of a WHOLE YEAR.  (I know-this is the math nerd in me coming out)

There has been so much going on that I don't want to overwhelm you, but I gotta TELL about all the cool things that have been happening!

I'll start with the biweekly MIDWIFE update--as of last Thursday--- Baby is still chilling out head down.  The baby had a heartrate of 129 with acceleration.  Excellent.  I'm measuring 1 1/2 weeks ahead now...so I'm evening out.  I suppose that's the phrase-but I tell you what every time I step on the scale at the midwife's office I can't help but laugh....It's pretty impressive:)

Other things going on is that I'VE BEEN NESTING LIKE CRAZY!  I saw an article describing the nesting phenomenon.  Basically the gist of the article talked straight to me---"Dear Megan, You don't quite know how to be a mother, but right now you do know how to decorate and you do know how to organize.  And that makes you feel more in control of things."  B.I.N.G.O.  So anyways--prior to the arrival of Della (aka mom-i have a tons of moms--della=mom) I was bugging Russell.  Each of our rooms in the house got rearranged at least once--I think our bedroom has been 2-3 times.  Now Della is fully supporting this behavior & allowing (or maybe enabling) me to get things done.  The NURSERY is coming along just perfectly! See picture.

My SIS, BIL, niece & nephew made a HUGE trek up from Austin & it was amazing! The kids are getting so big! I just can't believe it!!!! Arjan is sooooooo BIGGGGGG & smart! When he works on his schoolwork it is so fun to see him do his thing!....Riya has such a great personality & just continually cracks me up.  They both went in and got the CUTEST bear--that has a recording of them each saying, "I love you little ROCK!" Oh and the bear has a WNBA jersey with the name Rocky:) SO Cool!!!!! IT is currently the only thing that I'm allowing in the crib:)  My sis and family put a lot of work in and that I'm sOOOO thankful for..........

My BFFs came into town this past weekend- to celebrate all kinds of things!  Here is a wall hanging my BFF Kellen made for Little Rock's room.  SHE IS SO FREAKIN talented! Honestly, I have received amazing gifts from people--and SOME AMAZING handmade gifts!!!!!!! Shoutouts to Candels, Gertie, Katie, (oh goodness I'm forgetting someone-please don't take offense-PREGNANCY BRAIN on HIGH ALERT!).

What else....Hum well next week I will officially begin working on coverage for my maternity leave.  This is making this very, very real.  My plan is 8 weeks off, and then I do have the EXCELLENT opportunity to bring my baby to work with me on days that I'm not on shift (which will probably consist of 2- 2 1/2 days a week).  I plan on doing this for a month or so.  I think this is great-and something that EVERY organization should allow.  It is pretty pathetic when you look at the US as a whole and the unimportance of Maternity & Paternity leave compared to other nations.  The statistics are completely disturbing:

• Out of 173 countries worldwide, the United States is one of only five that don't guarantee paid leave to give birth and care for a newborn, according to a recent study by researchers at Harvard and McGill universities.
• http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/indwm/ww2005/tab5c.htm  ---EXTREMELY interesting statistics put together by the United Nations on other nations maternity policies. 

Otherwise-things are going super well:) I have to add that the baby did a little jig while listening to John Cougar Mellencamp---he/she obviously knows good music when he/she hears it:)

and could it be more obvious that people think we are having a boy:)

OH--And again!  To re-post what a fellow pregfriend posted tonight:  "Dear Baby, I want my brain back please." (Thanks, Mel) I'm serious!  I apologize for everything and everyone I might have left out, dates that I have forgot, slight errors I have made at work.  Honestly, I am doing nothing maliciously; it doesn't mean anything.  BUT this preggo brain is serious stuff.  Here's a study that documents this: http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20100205/just-how-real-is-pregnancy-brain . So please bear with me....50+days and counting.....


Love to all,
The Momma

Waddling, Nausea, Hot Flashes, Peeing Mulitiple Times at Night??

Welcome THIRD TRIMESTER:)....

Yesterday a co-worker commented on how I was waddling after my lunch, FIRST WADDLE COMMENT.

This week I have been struggling with this gag feeling every time I eat something or when I get hungry.  FIRST MORNING SICKNESS EXPERIENCE.

At my hair appointment yesterday I suddenly became drenched in sweat--I mean seriously I looked like I just finished a half-marathon.  I now don't sleep with any blankets.  Last night was a perfect example of this new heater experience--Russ was dressed in jeans & a long sleeve shirt and did not have his window open.  I was dressed in capris and a tank top, and my window was wide open.  FIRST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN WARMER THAN RUSSELL.

And lastly, I'm used to the pee in the middle of the night--but multiple times.  SERIOUSLY, I really really could use some sleep!  AND I swear if Russell & I get another comment on "Well it's just preparing you for the baby...!" THAT ISN'T HELPFUL:)  I mean I know you mean well-but we are TIRED.  We would love some sleep before we REALLY don't get any sleep!:)

That's all for now.  31 weeks and out.

Upside Down, Boy You Turn Me...Upside Down

Well We had our 30 week appointment check today-and as usual it was AMAZING!  The coolest part was that we got to catch a glimpse of Little Rock!!  Initially the midwife stated that she would do a quick ultrasound because we're now to the point where she would like to see Little Rock head down.  She felt around and got the heartbeat low-so she was fairly certain that Little Rock was indeed head down.  However; with a quick look of PLEASE please can we check with the ultrasound--she said sure!  

Little Rock looks pretty amazing!  He/she was blinking its little eyes--IT WAS SO COOL! Just floating--head down---blinking its eyes...and sucking!  It had its left hand up above the head and its right hand was just hanging out.  When the midwife tried to get too close to the baby--he/she took her hand up and gave the --"Unn-uhh...No more looking for you--" And turned his/her head-so we couldn't see it anymore!  OH yeah--and the midwife was able to pickup on the cheeks--are baby has some cute chubby cheeks already:) IT.Was. AMAZING!

So-I'm measuring at 32 weeks--still 2 weeks ahead (again this is just fine).  I've caught up with some of my weight gain that I didn't gain from the last couple weeks....Doing what I can:)  The heartbeat was around 140 beats.

Russ and I are doing really well.  He is trying to survive these last few weeks of school.  I'm trying to survive him surviving his last few weeks of school!  Della will be coming on Saturday, which will be amazing.  She will be able to help lighten the load here--so Russell can concentrate on his schoolwork--instead of helping me with my constant nesting "issues"!  We have some of our showers coming up and I'm really excited to begin this phase of the pregnancy.  I had all these milestones along the way to somehow shorten the 41 weeks of baking our Little Rock.  Now all these things are coming up that I thought were FOREVER AWAY....I can't wait.  I can't wait for us to give birth.  I can't wait to be a mom.  I can't wait to be a family. 

Here is a picture of the crib--MY SIL & BIL gave us our shower present early--the bedding is soo great!  Russ & I completed the crib tonight.  And yes we have bumpers....There are so many controversial topics to decide upon:  bumpers, circumcision, standard vaccine schedule, co-sleeping, and the list doesn't stop.