[26]

We took the picture pretty quickly because it is FREEZING in our apartment, so excuse the so-so picture. I wasn't willing to try to get a better one!
 

26 weeks~

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Tu is the size of a head of lettuce

Weight: +17 lbs (~ 2 lbs of that is baby! also, this is a guess as I have been forgetting to weigh myself lately! I am sure the sweet overload lately has put on a couple of pounds!)

Craving: Nothing lately, although I do love me some chicken tenders!

Maternity Clothes: Pants- duh, shirts- been a mix of regular and maternity this past week

Sleep: Not too bad... been a little restless lately and hard to find a comfy position.

Aversions: ....Ground Meat (really wish this would go away!)

Gender prediction: I am thinking boy, J is conflicted.. he may be leaning boy now.

Name(s): Picked and will be a secret until July!

Labor signs: No

Belly Button in or out: In, but getting shallower.  It is definitely a weird shape, too.

Wedding rings on or off: On 

Feeling:  I started having a few Braxton Hicks on Friday and had several throughout the weekend, but haven't really noticed any since then.  Maybe it was all the traveling!  But in general, I still feel good!

Looking Forward to: Spring Break!!! Starts Friday at 2:25!

Movement: All the time!  And I have been feeling it in different parts of my belly, so I guess Tu is growing!  The kicks are definitely getting stronger

Development: Air sacs are developing

Next Appointment: April 25, then I start appointments every 2 weeks!
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I heard back from the doctor that I failed the glucose screening.  So on Monday I have the three hour test... yuck! 
Also, next week the post will be late as we will be in Florida :)

Easter

We had a great, but short, trip to KY this past weekend.  We went on sugar overload with three different kinds of cake! I also got lots of baby stuff from my cousins.  I love borrowing stuff instead of buying it!  I also found the cutest outfits for a little girl just in case Tu is a girl.  They will be sweet coming home outfits.  I need to be on the lookout for a couple of cute boy outfits!

Hope you had a great Easter!

[25]

 
25 weeks~

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Tu is the size of an eggplant

Weight: +15 lbs (~ 1.5 lb of that is baby!)

Craving: Lucky Charms and cold canned peaches (but not together :))

Maternity Clothes: Since it has been cold lately (Spring, where are you?!) I have just been wearing regular shirts with maternity pants.

Sleep: Not too bad... been a little restless lately and hard to find a comfy position.

Aversions: ....Ground Meat (really wish this would go away!)

Gender prediction: I am thinking boy, J is conflicted.. he may be leaning boy now.

Name(s): Picked and will be a secret until July!

Labor signs: No

Belly Button in or out: In, but getting shallower.  It is definitely a weird shape, too.

Wedding rings on or off: On 

Feeling:  Pretty good this week.  I have been tired, but overall it has been a good week!

Looking Forward to: Our trip to KY this weekend!

Movement: All the time! 3:51 am included.  And I am 100% sure there is a foot in my rib, which I feel an awful lot!

Development: Tu's hair is getting color this week.... our bet it that it is brown! ;)

Next Appointment: April 25, then I start appointments every 2 weeks!
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My appointment today was pretty uneventful.  I did drink the orange glucose drink (they were out of lemon-lime :( ) The hardest part for me was that it was so cold it gave me brainfreeze!  No news is good news, so I am hoping for no news next week.  I am measuring right on track and the heartbeat was good and strong.

[24]

24 weeks~

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Tu is the size of an ear of corn (almost a foot long)

Weight: +15 lbs (over 1 lb of that is baby!)

Craving: Lucky Charms and cold canned peaches (but not together :))

Maternity Clothes: I have worn a couple of maternity shirts this week!  My short sleeve shirts aren't as long as my long sleeved ones, so when the weather is warm out I have been wearing maternity shirts.  If it is cooler (which I would rather it not be!), I am still wearing my regular shirts.

Sleep: It has been pretty good lately. Love my Snoogle! (Wrote that yesterday... jinxed myself as last night I was up from 2:15-5:00.. joy)

Aversions: ....Ground Meat (really wish this would go away!)

Gender prediction: I am thinking boy, J is thinking girl. All my friends at work have guesses boy, and even the strangers I meet say they think it is a boy.  I have not had one person tell me they think it is girl! Weird!

Name(s): Picked and will be a secret until July!

Labor signs: No

Belly Button in or out: In, but getting shallower.  It is also oblong now instead of round.

Wedding rings on or off: On 

Feeling:  HEARTBURN, leg/foot cramps, itchy legs... pretty much had it all this week! Despite all that, I do feel pretty good!

Looking Forward to: Spring Weather! (soon, I hope)

Movement: Everyday!  It can be distracting sometimes, but I still love every bump I feel, even though a couple have hurt! And I am pretty sure one foot found my ribs.  It isn't really painful... yet.  J feels movement every day (and night), too. 

Development: Tu's skin is getting pinker this week! And the nostrils are opening up.. no one likes clogged nostrils!

Next Appointment: Next week!- time for the glucose test!
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Hey, it's still light outside!

To break up this post, I will be putting pictures from our day in Chattanooga throughout. :)

Tennessee Aquarium

I went to the knee doctor last week.  I was hoping to be able to walk, not limp, out of there.  Well, the doctor thinks I have Patellofemoral syndrome.  And... there is not much I can do about it, especially since I am pregnant.  I can't take anti-inflammatory medication to stop the swelling or the pain.  The doctor suggested I do specific exercises (when I am pain free... which is pretty much never) to strengthen my muscles and hope that it will improve.  I am also supposed to ice it everyday.  He did give me a shot (which made things worse for the next couple of days) that eventually helped, so I have been able to exercise some.  It has been better, but not 100%.

We had a great time with our visitors last weekend!  We did some shopping and relaxing.  We went to Georgia Baby, which is supposed to be one of the top baby stores in America.  It did have lots of baby stuff, and man! Some of it was expensive.  $2000 cribs? check! What!?  And I am sure people pay for it too.  We also hit up IKEA and since it was Bring Your Own Friend Day, we got free breakfast and free blue bags.  We also tried a restaurant I had been wanting to check out- J. Christopher's.  It's a breakfast/brunch place, so it's not open at night when we usually go out.  It was SO good! Of course, I rarely find a breakfast I don't like.

 

We have finally decided on a church (only took 3.5 months here vs 9 in NC!).  We talked to the preacher about it today, so I guess we are now members (or will be once it is in the bulletin- that's what makes it official, right?).  We still haven't met anyone our age, and the youth minister just left, but everyone is pretty friendly and the worship is great.

 

I have less than 2 months until I am done with my Master's!  It is crunch time.  I have 2 HUGE individual projects and one group project due between now and May 2nd.  I wish I had more motivation, although all three projects have been started.  My group project is going really well and since there are other people motivating me to do my part, I am pretty sure that one will be done early.  I have a paper and presentation due April 18, which account for 30% of my grade in one of the classes.  I have good ideas for the presentation, but have yet to start on the 15 page paper... ugh! And I hate when there is a page number I have to hit.  Then finally, I have my Master's presentation on May 2nd.  I think it is about halfway complete, but I will probably worry about it after I finish the others.  I am soooo looking forward to being finished!

 

Yesterday, we went to Chattanooga for the day.  It was such a great day to go!  The weather was amazing.  We got there in time for an early lunch.  I decided on The Blue Plate.  It was a great choice.  It was right on the river and pretty tasty!  J had chicken and a pancake (the thickest pancake I have ever seen) with loaded hashbrowns.  I would drive back just for the hashbrowns.  I had French Toast.  J's was definitely better than mine, but we would recommend it for sure.

 

We walked around downtown and across the Walnut Street Bridge.  There were lots of people going to the aquarium- the line to buy tickets was insanely long.  I thought people would want to be outside instead of inside!  Thankfully, Riverwalk, but you have to take stairs to get there and I am supposed to avoid stairs when possible.

 We drove around and found Chattem foods, which is really close to Ruby Falls.  Then we drove to Collegedale where McKee Foods is located.  It seemed much more our speed.  We drove around the area for a while and had a little snack at Sonic during Happy Hour (they have 99c snacks during Happy Hour).  We also went into the Super Bilo in Ooltewah.  It was the nicest grocery store I have been to in a long time!  Then we made our way back home.  

Look! It's a Duck!

I booked a rental car on Priceline for our trip to the Everglades next month.  I am still working on planning a couple of days and getting a hotel near the airport the first night.

We also have our trip to KY coming up.  My friend Natalie is getting married in 3 weeks.  Marion graduates in May, plus we will have some baby classes (which I still need to register for!)  Then we have our trip to the beach with J's family and Anna's wedding.  It will be June before we know it!

Nursery!

J's mom and sister came last week and brought the crib! We got it put together and set up.  We also went to IKEA and got the dresser and bookshelf, among other odds and ends.  We still have some boxes we need to move, but Tu at least has a place for books, clothes, and a place to sleep!  Excuse the mess in the pictures though... we still have a few months to get it looking good!

Crib outfitted with the bedding

Dresser! If it is a girl, we might change the knobs to make it more girly... we'll see.  We like the blue :)

Close up of bedding. Love all the colors and how it fits in with the rest of the apartment.

Lampshade... it doesn't fit the lamp we have, so we need to get a new lamp or a piece from Walmart to make it fit.

Bookshelf with added legs to make it taller. LOVE it! It is SO much sturdier than one from Target or Walmart

Hooks! How cute are they?!

A HUGE thanks to KK and J's family for furnishing the nursery so far. Tu is so blessed!

[23]

People this week and said I have 'popped.'  I think I believe them!

23 weeks~

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Tu is the size of a large mango (about 11 inches long)

Weight: +14 lbs (over 1 lb of that is baby!)

Craving: Lucky Charms and cold canned peaches (but not together :))

Maternity Clothes: Still only wearing maternity pants full time with regular shirts.  I am not quite big enough for maternity shirts, but I am sure it is coming soon! I did wear one maternity shirt this week though, but not sure when I will again.

Sleep: Since I figured out the Snoogle last week, I have been sleeping really well! (Except for one night when my knee was bothering me.)

Aversions: ....Ground Meat (really wish this would go away!)

Gender prediction: I am thinking boy, J is thinking girl. Everyone at work tells me they think we are having a boy.

Name(s): Picked and will be a secret until July!

Labor signs: No

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On 

Feeling: This past week, I have felt pretty good!  One thing I haven't mentioned is that throughout my entire pregnancy my legs have been terribly itchy.  I keep in the lotion!

Looking Forward to: A beautiful weekend! Maybe hiking, maybe a daytrip to Chattanooga.

Movement: Everyday!  It can be distracting sometimes, but I still love every bump I feel, even though a couple have hurt! And I am pretty sure one foot has found my ribs.  It isn't really painful... yet.  J feels movement every day (and night), too. 

Development: Tu can feel all my movements now.. walking, swaying, etc!

Next Appointment:March 28- time for the glucose test!
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Hopefully, I will get around to a J&C update soon!

And a couple of outakes from the photoshoot. :)

 

[22]

  

22 weeks~

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Tu is the size of a spaghetti squash

Weight: +13 lbs (1 lb of that is baby!)

Craving: Lucky Charms

Maternity Clothes: Still only wearing maternity pants full time with regular shirts.  I am not quite big enough for maternity shirts, but I am sure it is coming soon!

Sleep: I discovered a way to position my Snoogle this week that allows for optimum sleep. SO much better this week!

Aversions: ....Ground Meat (really wish this would go away!)

Gender prediction: I am thinking boy, J is thinking girl

Name(s): Picked and will be a secret until July!

Labor signs: No

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On 

Feeling: This past week, I have felt pretty good!

Looking Forward to: Getting the crib and dresser this weekend! I am also looking forward to going to the knee doctor next week!

Movement: Everyday!  It can be distracting sometimes, but I still love every bump I feel! J feels it every, too.  We even saw my belly move by itself one time this week.

Development: Tu can grip this week!  Also getting hair, but it doesn't have pigment yet.

Next Appointment:March 28- time for the glucose test!
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My mom and I were talking the other day about how many grandparents and great grandparents Tu will have.  Tu will be one of the most loved babies ever! We are so thankful for that.

Random Catch-Up

What's been happening?

 

Kroger only has one of these spots, so it is usually full.  Not that I really need it, but I did use it on a rainy day (as you can tell from the picture.)

 

 

During my President's Day break, I finally got the guest room curtains up.  The only room in the apartment that we even have curtains for... oh well.  And just act like you don't notice the mirror that still needs to hung.  

 

  

I also started on our gallery wall, like we had in the house.  This wall is much smaller, so I didn't hang everything like we had it.  It definitely feels more like home now that we have pictures out!

 

Caitlin made a quick trip here last weekend.  We tried out a new restaurant called Pier 213.  They have a restaurant in Mobile and only use seafood from the Gulf. SO GOOD! We had crab claws, fried shrimp, crawfish, and a crab cake sandwich.  The only thing that was lackluster was the hushpuppies, but the sweet tea more than made up for it.  If you come see us, we probably be going here!

We also made a trip to Raleigh over President's Day weekend.  It was so good to see our friends.  We even got to meet the newest member of the bunch, Alana.  I can't believe we will have a baby that small in just a few short months!

It snowed!!! It snowed on our drive from about Lexington all the way to Holly Springs.  It wasn't sticking much except for around Holly Springs, so we got to play in it!  Here is our snowman we made with Audrey.

Audrey making the head of the snowman.

We got to see everyone and catch up.  It's hard to believe we have been gone 3 months! But then we see how much bigger all the kids are and it's not that  hard.  Church was canceled Sunday morning, so we got to enjoy a lazy morning with the Spencers.  Audrey came to play with us at 7:45 because she 'accidentally woke up.'  Too cute!  We had lunch with Anna and Danny.  The next time we see them they will be getting married... and I'll be much larger :)

 

On our way back from Raleigh, we stopped at the outlets in Gaffney.  Here is what we picked up! It is bigger than our other rug and fills up the space better.  The ottoman covers up most of the green, but we like the other colors it adds.  We both love it! 

I have also started buying cloth diapers.  I think I am addicted.  I discovered a forum where you can buy diapers... that combined with ebay means we don't need many more!  They are sooo cute.  Our baby's booty will be so cute. :) 

I am going to the eye doctor this afternoon.  I hope I can find some cute glasses!  I am also going to the knee doctor the week after next.  I can't hobble around until July, so hopefully I can get something that will help.  My midwife said I was allowed to take 1 Aleve before 32 weeks, so I did that yesterday.  Seriously, yesterday was amazing. No limping and my knot was 1/4 of the size it has been lately.  Hopefully it won't get big again and I can just get some good medicine to keep it from bothering me.

We have booked our flights and hotel in the Everglades, but I still have to get a rental car.  It's just a little over a month away, so I need to get to planning what we'll be doing.  Hopefully my knee will allow us to do some active things (walking/hiking).  We are also planning to go down to the Keys for a day... Woot!

[21]

21 weeks~

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Tu is the size of a pomegranate

Weight: +11.5 lbs

Craving: Nothing really this week

Maternity Clothes: Still only wearing maternity pants full time with regular shirts.  I am not quite big enough for maternity shirts, but I am sure it is coming soon!

Sleep: Not so good.  I feel like a zombie.  I thought this wasn't supposed to happen until the third trimester?!

Aversions: ....Ground Meat (really wish this would go away!)

Gender prediction: I am thinking boy, J is thinking girl

Name(s): Picked and will be a secret until July!

Labor signs: No

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On 

Feeling: Tired. Story of my Life. :)

Looking Forward to: Getting more of the diapers I ordered :)

Movement: Everyday!  It can be distracting sometimes, but I still love every bump I feel!

Development: Tu can taste this week.  What I eat will influence what he/she likes when he/she starts eating. So crazy!

Next Appointment:March 28- time for the glucose test!
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The appointment today went great! They were running behind, so we had a bit of a wait.  They measured baby and were sure not to show us anything that would reveal Tu's gender.  Measurements were right on schedule! (They didn't say this, but I saw on the paper that the head is measuring slightly ahead- hope Tu doesn't have a big head!)  Baby is too big to fit in one shot now, so this is the best one she gave us.  I might upload a profile one later. :)

 

[20]

Ta-da! Magic! :)

20 weeks~

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Tu is the size of a small melon

Weight: +9.5 lbs

Craving: Nothing really this week

Maternity Clothes: Pretty much wearing maternity pants full time, but my regular shirts are still working for now!  I don't think they will work for much longer though.

Sleep: It has been hit or miss.  I either sleep really well or pretty poorly. I'm not sure the last time I slept all night without waking up.  I even woke J up at 3:30 the other night because I was bored. :)

Aversions: ....Ground Meat (really wish this would go away!)

Gender prediction: I am thinking boy, J is thinking girl

Name(s): Picked and will be a secret until July!

Labor signs: No

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On 

Feeling: Tired. Story of my Life. :)

Looking Forward to: Seeing Tu in a week during the ultrasound!

Movement: Tu is an acrobat! I feel movement everyday, and J can feel kicks pretty much daily now.

Development: Tu is swallowing this week.. gotta practice early!

Next Appointment: February 28 (a week from today)! We will have the big anatomy scan and hopefully get some good pictures of Tu!

[19]

 
19 weeks~

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Tu is the size of a mango

Weight: +8 lbs

Craving: Nothing really this week

Maternity Clothes: Pretty much wearing maternity pants full time, but my regular shirts are still working for now!

Sleep: It has been so-so this week.

Aversions: Ground Meat (really wish this would go away!)

Gender prediction: I am thinking boy, J is thinking girl

Name(s): Picked and will be a secret until July!

Labor signs: No

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On 

Feeling: Ready for a break from work!

Looking Forward to: Going to NC for the weekend! And a four day weekend!

Movement:  I feel Tu some everyday now, especially a few minutes after I eat.  Saturday, I even woke up with how much movement I was feeling.  After our hike, I was feeling Tu like CRAZY! J even felt it! I haven't felt movement like that since though.

Development: Tu is growing hair this week!

Next Appointment: February 28! We will have the big anatomy scan and hopefully get some good pictures of Tu!

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In the pictures, it doesn't look like I have changed much from 13 weeks, but it sure feels like it!

what we've been up to

I haven't really updated much beyond baby stuff, so I thought it was time for an update. 

-We have caught the Downton Abbey bug.  We have watched every episode except the new one that aired last night.  I am sure we will watch it tonight.

- We still haven't decided on a church, but I guess the positive thing is that we have it narrowed down to two.  We went to a community church Sunday... we lasted 10 minutes before we left.

- My classes are going well.  Thankfully, they are not too overwhelming, but it definitely still stresses me out some days. Less than 3 months left though!

- J still really likes his job! Mine is okay, but I can't wait until May 31!

-  We took a day trip to Dawsonville and Dahlonega on Saturday. Pictures below.

Amicalola Falls

 

Lodge

Falls from the parking lot

View from the top

[18]

18 weeks~

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Tu is the size of a sweet potato

Weight: +6.5 lbs (even though I gained a pound, I feel like I look smaller!)

Craving: Nothing really this week

Maternity Clothes: Pretty much wearing maternity pants full time, but my regular shirts are still working for now!

Sleep: This week has been better! So much so that I overslept yesterday and had 9 minutes to get ready! (It took me 11, but I still made it to work on time.)

Aversions: Ground Meat (really wish this would go away!)

Gender prediction: I am thinking boy, J is thinking girl

Name(s): Picked and will be a secret until July!

Labor signs: No

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On 

Feeling: Emotional and Tired this week!

Looking Forward to: A 4 day work week next week.. then going to NC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Movement:  I feel Tu some everyday now, especially a few minutes after I eat.  

Development: Tu's ears are in place and any boy or girl parts are now visible.. hoping we won't get a peak though!

Next Appointment: February 28! We will have the big anatomy scan and hopefully get some good pictures of Tu!

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