26 Weeks - Running out of room!

14 weeks to go!

When I read that aloud, it makes my chest tighten. It is tightening from excitement, joy, disbelief, and a teeny weeny bit of "holy crap I feel like there is so much to do". I don't know why I work myself up. We are registered, furniture is ordered, bedding has been picked out and I am meeting with the seamstress next week. We are registered for 2 classes and I am reading my books/blogs/website/articles. I think about all that we have done and all that we have left to do, but I know that if he came tomorrow everything would be just fine. I have total confidence in Rusty and myself and I know that we will be able to provide everything that our son needs. I am SSOOOO ready to see that sweet little face and let his tiny little hand wrap around my finger!

Here are some pictures from our first shower! We had a great time and Hudson got some goodies from his "aunts and uncles". ; )

We had a wonderful Christmas with our families. We got lots of goodies - too many really - and of course Hudson got some stuff, too! One of the things we asked for was a video camera. So now we are officially "those parents" with their huge DSLR camera and video camera there to capture every little moment. It's ok - I don't mind being "that girl" that takes pictures all of the time. Those unposed smiles are my favorite pictures and you have to have that camera handy to catch those special moments!

Rusty and his new four wheeler helmet and gloves. Lord help us.

Me and my sewing basket. Just call me Martha Stewart. I'm gonna be cooking and sewing up a storm! ; )

Movement:

Hudson is currently training to be one of those ultimate fighters according to his actions lately. That boy is all over the place! Rolling, moving, kicking, punching...he is a busy bee! Also, several other people have finally been able to feel him move this past week. Most of his movements are up around my ribs or on the sides of my stomach.

At 26 Weeks:

Most babies are the size of an eggplant and weigh up to 2.2 pounds. I really wish I knew how big Hudson is right now because he feels huge. Also, at 26 weeks, babies are building up immunity and are forming eyes that will be able to blink soon.

Maternity Clothes:

I went to Motherhood Maternity today and got 4 new shirts and another pair of full panel jeans with my money/gift cards I got for Christmas. The full panel jeans are WONDERFUL. They are more comfortable and help hold me in/up. My below belly jeans are about to be retired because they are getting uncomfortable. There aren't that many of my "normal" shirts that look good anymore. Also, lots of people say buy regular tops, just in a bigger size, but they look terrible on me. I'm sticking to the maternity tops. They are cut to hit me in the right places so they are much more flattering.

Sleep:

Sleep has been weird. I've been waking up for no apparent reason. Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night or when it is time to get up, my neck/shirt/hair is wet with sweat. This has happened a handful of times, but no pattern or obvious reason. I still couldn't live without the Boppy body pillow.

Cravings/Aversions:

No aversions that I can think of, but I am LOVIN some Grapico. It was something different that is caffeine free and tasty. I literally bought a two liter and carried it to my parents' and grandmother's house to eat with my meal.

Momma's Belly:

..........ALREADY feels like it is about to explode. I have started rubbing tummy butter on my growing midsection in hopes of preventing/minimizing any stretchmarks that try to show up. Sitting in a chair is getting pretty uncomfortable. It feels better to recline so that I stretch out my upper body. I also ask Rusty for a back rub almost every day now. I really can't imagine growing rapidly for the next 14 weeks.

In two weeks I will take my glucose test. That will be my last monthly appointment, then I start going every two weeks! It's getting close!!!!!


Belly Pic:


On a side note, two of my "readers" are pregnant, but it isn't public knowledge yet, so I won't share their news. I just wanted to say that I am SO happy for you both! I am glad that Hudson is already going to have so many friends to play with and that I will have more mommies my age to share stories with! I am really looking forward to sharing a new phase of life with my friends.

24 Weeks

We are just 16 weeks away from meeting our baby boy! We have started trying to get things checked off of our to do list. This weekend we are going to buy the furniture since some of it will take a few weeks to get in. We are also going to go ahead and register since we are having our first baby shower next week, which we are very excited about! Rusty's sweet fraternity brothers (and their wonderful wives/fiances/girlfriends) are throwing a Theta Chi Christmas Party/Baby Shower. I am really looking forward to it since this will be the only shower/tea that Rusty will actually attend.

Already feeling the meaning of Mommy and Daddy:

We got another ultrasound at our 24 week appointment. This is not routine, but at our 20 week appointment, Hudson's left renal pelvis (think tube from kidney to bladder) was slightly dilated. We didn't want to share the news because we didn't want anyone to worry since the doctor told us there was nothing to worry about. At the 24 week ultrasound, it was still slightly dilated. The doctor told us they would do another ultrasound at 30 weeks and would be able to tell more then. I was not upset about it at all until the second ultrasound. I was really thinking that we would get the all clear that everything was fine. After we left this appointment, my heart was broken. They kept saying that it was just something to watch and that there was no need to worry, but all this Momma heard was more ultrasounds...IF this, IF that... it was just hard to digest. They said that this is seen a lot in little boys, and most of the time it resolves itself before or immediately after birth. Also, my fluid level was perfect and his bladder looked great. If those were not normal, that would be a sign that there was a problem. But, they were great! Just another good sign. Of course, Rusty and I went home and researched it. Our findings confirmed what the doctor said (minimal dilation, good fluid level, normal bladder function = will likely resolve itself or is easily treatable after birth). So, we are handing our worries to God and trusting His plan. After that, I have not worried about it. God has given me a peace that everything will be fine.

Best part of the appointment: finally getting a little profile pic! At the 20 week and 24 week appointment, it was hard to get a good picture because he is facing my spine. But, here he is! Look at the precious nose and lips!


Movement:

Hudson is definitely getting more active as time goes by, but he doesn't really have a "pattern" yet. Although, there is something really interesting. At night, Rusty will lay his head on my stomach and talk to Hudson and almost every single time he will starting kicking/moving within seconds. A few times he has kicked hard enough for me to actually see my belly move. It is the coolest thing and it honestly NEVER gets old. Feeling him kick can turn my frown upside down at any time.

At 24 Weeks:

The average baby is about the length of an ear of corn and weighs up to 20 ounces. Baby's brain, taste buds, and respiratory tree are continuing to develop.

Maternity Clothes:

Well I am looking forward to going shopping during Christmas break! After work, I am usually tired of walking and standing and the last thing I want to do is try on clothes. But, the time has come and I am going to have to have some new clothes. Soon. I am still enjoying the maternity pants, but my first pair of maternity jeans that have a stretchy band below my belly are starting to get uncomfortable.

Sleep:

Sleep is good. I know I am not going to bed early enough during the week, but I am going to try to be better about that after Christmas. Friday night I slept 11 hours. I was in the best mood Saturday and I felt like I could have ran a marathon. I literally got out of bed dancing and singing. Yes, it was 9:30, but it was Saturday and I had nothing that I "had" to do, so sleep was a pretty big priority.

Cravings/Aversions:

I am loving anything and everything. We are having "The Twelve Days of Munchies" at work and there is a spread of all kinds of goodies in the workroom every day. I am trying to be good.

Family Time:

Friday night Rusty and I along with our parents and Lauren and Brett went to dinner to celebrate Rusty's graduation. We very rarely get together with both sets of parents at the same time. We all had a wonderful time. We laughed and enjoyed each others' company for 2 hours at the Village Tavern. We are so proud of him!



Here are belly pics. The first one was the morning of Rusty's graduation dinner. Rusty said the "flowy" top "didn't do my belly justice" so I took another one this afternoon in a more fitted shirt. And the belly button watch is on. It is almost like the top half is out, but the bottom half is still stuck in there.

Next appointment: 28 weeks = glucose test. Fun Fun!