Bucket List (Updated!)

Bucket List Updated 12/28/12

1. Get married and go on a fabulous honeymoon! (Done!! 10/24/09 and 10/25/09 – 10/31/09)
2. Have a baby or babies (Done. Daughter born 4/30/12)
3. Own my own home (Done! Bought our first home on 7/27/12 and moved in on 9/26/12)
4. Go on a hot air balloon ride
5. Go white water rafting
6. Go on a wine tasting tour
7. Vacation in NY and take tours of all the fabulous site seeing hot spots- including the Sex In The City Tour
8. Learn how to skateboard
9. Go to the World Series
10. Earn my BA
11. Co-own a classic car/truck with my husband and learn how to work on it
12. Go on a cruise
13. Swim with dolphins
14. Go to Hawaii with my husband
15. Go to a Nicholas Sparks book signing (Done! Went to the book signing of Safe Haven in La Jolla)
16. Own a pair of fabulous and ridiculously expensive designer shoes
17. Camp in Joshua Tree to sleep under the stars
18. Read the entire Bible
19. Zip line in Costa Rica
20. See Brad Paisley in concert (Done! In Sept. 2010 we went to his concert in Chula Vista and he sang our wedding song!)

Christmas Eve

 

This is my first Christmas as a mom. Something I always dreamed of and couldn't even imagine what it was going to be like. Last time this year I was four months pregnant and I destinctly remember laying on the couch rubbing my belly bump and looking at the tree wondering and dreaming how different the next year would be.  I even wrote in my journal about the experience. I know that my 9 month old is too young to really enjoy the twinkle of the lights on the houses and does not have any interest in baking Christmas cookies with me for Santa but I still have found joy in starting traditions.

I have wrapped gifts from Santa and kept them hidden upstairs in my closest. Is Aubrey really going to notice more gifts on Christmas morning? Know they are from Santa and that she was a good girl? Will she know that the cookies on the plate and milk has been eatten by Santa and the carrots chewed by the reindeer? Of course not. I am fully aware of the expectation of a lack of interest or understanding but it is still fun to start traditions and tell her about all the fun things we are doing and why.

Today we will be making her feet print plate for Santa's cookies. We will set them out by the Christmas tree and Aubrey will take a picture with them in anticipation for Santa. I know she will not remember her first Christmas but I will and when I tell her about it when she is older I want to show her picture to accompany the story.

We are celebrating Christmas Eve at my cousin's house and the coolest part is that they live one street away and we are literally filling the wagon with gifts for the baby cousins and walking over. My cousin M texted me this week and asked if I was bringing over a Christmas Eve present over early so that she can wrap it in the same paper as the other gifts from Santa on Christmas Eve. I didn't even consider this. As the first year as a Mom and long after the age of believing in Santa I had completely forgotten about the early Santa gift.

Every Christmas Eve after dinner (and we had to make sure that Grandpa was completey full and finished with his dinner) all the little cousins will go into a room, turn off the lights, close the door, and look out the window for Rudolph's nose. When we hear the sleigh bells the kids burst out of the room and run to the tree to see if they can spot Santa leaving the gifts. Of course, we missed him every time but he left us 1 early Christmas present for being so good that year.

This is just another blessing about being a mom. I get to be Santa this year. I get to see all the kids running out to see Santa in a whole new way.

I feel so blessed to be a mom and am so excited for all the new experiences. God has blessed me with such a fun, loving, spunky, determined, stubborn, loving little girl and I am so thankful for everything that has given me.

Merry Christmas and I hope that God blesses everyone this holiday season.

Cheek to Cheek

For years my husband and I have taken pictures cheek to cheek. It just seems to be our standard pose. I don't know how it happened exactly. Maybe I miss trusted the person taking the picture to get both of us in it. Or maybe since my husband is so much taller than me he came down to my level to look less awkward. Whatever the case, we have added a third set of cheeks to our family!

Family Day at the Farivew Park / Bluffs

Blog Debut!

Hello world! I am the miracle that God has given my Mommy and Daddy. I am so happy to be here and I am so loved. I am one lucky little girl!

My Mom's Blessing

On my First Mother's Day my pastor invited my mother, my daughter and I up to the front where my mom introduced my daughter and gave us a blessing:

First of all I want to thank my daughter for honoring me. I don’t know if you all know but this is Aubrey Sue Keeney and this is Melissa Keeney, I am Karen Sue Haney and my mom’s name is Sandra Sue. And unfortunately Melissa doesn’t care for her middle name so I had hopes and wishes and prayers that she would carry it on but I didn’t really expect her to so she honored me and I was blessed with that and I thank her for that. So poor little Sue Keeney here is going to have to grow up with the middle name Sue.

I am very proud of my Melissa. I think she is going to be a wonderful mom, trying not to cry here. One other thing is her initials are A.S.K. I know Melissa prayed and I prayed daily and I asked the Lord for the gift of life for my daughter and if you ask you shall receive. So we have our little ASK here. So I just pray that she does continue to hang on to the Lord and that their family of three is really a family of four and that you hang on to the Lord and keep him in the center of your household as you raise up your daughter and that you be an encourager, and entruster, and enjoy the time because before you know it you’ll be standing up here with your daughter and her child. And I also just want to ask every one of you to pray and to be part of this new family.

Pastor Mike asked Mom if she wanted to pray over Aubrey and I.

Lord - Thank you, thank you very much for this day. Thank you for family, mothers all over and for the ability to be a grandmother. I am proud to be a grandma. Thank you for my daughter and her daughter. I just ask that you be with them, her and her husband. Protect them, guide them, hold out your hand and I ask that they reach up and grab it and just go along this road that is going to be so quick and do it with love and patience. Give them the wisdom and to be there for them. All these things in your son Jesus Christ’s name I pray. Amen.

37 Weeks

Size of baby: a stalk of swiss chard, about 6 1/3 lbs and 19 inches long

Total Weight Gain: 29 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: Hands and feet are swollen. Hard to roll over from side to side. Feeling huge. Going to the bathroom multiple times each night.

New symptoms this week: my feet are still very swollen, to the point of scary on Saturday. Dr. told me on Monday that even my lower abdomen is swollen and the only way to reduce and cure the swelling – have this baby.

Sleep: Not getting any. My body starts to hurt from forcing myself to lay in bed for so long. My belly is huge and my body is swollen. Sleep is something I crave but don’t get a lot of.

What I'm Eating: drinking a ton of water

Cravings: fruit smoothies.

Grandma gift this week: night gown for the hospital and black fuzzy flip flop slippers for the hospital.

Special pregnancy moments: We went to our routine doctor’s appointment on Monday and I measured 46 cm which is way too big for where I currently am. Dr. Clayton told us that we needed to head to Fetal Monitoring that same day in an hour for monitoring. I got my first pelvic exam only to find out that she is too high and he was unable to tell if I have dilated or thinned at all. He pretty much told me to prepare for a c-section since she is so big and I am too small and he is concerned that if I had a natural delivery that I would be able to deliver her head and have trouble with her body and she would get stuck in the birth canal causing big problems. I get to go back to Fetal Monitoring on Thursday and go 2x a week until she is born or until there is no more reason for concern. My amniotic fluid level was 24.78, normal range from 9-25. My fluid should be decreasing for as close as we are.  Then on Thursday I went for another Fetal Monitoring and my fluid level had decreased to 19. She was moving around a bump so the nurse had a hard time catching just the amniotic fluid without her swishy it around. I got to watch Baby Girl do her pretend practice breathing on the ultrasound monitor, a good and healthy sign.

Another Bump In the Road - Fetal Monitoring

Entry started yesterday at 4:00 pm:

We are waiting on fetal monitoring right now. At our doctor appt today Dr. Clayton said I am measuring 46 cm and he is concerned that I have too much amniotic fluid putting pressure on my placenta which could cause the baby to go into distress. He did a pelvic exam and he said my uterus is "way up there" so he could not tell if I was dilated or thinned out at all. She is probably not descending into my pelvis because she is too big and I am too small so she is going to have to be delivered via c-section. I am starting to come to terms with that even though I really wanted an unplanned "its time" moment. His concern is that if I had a natural delivery that I can deliver her head and then the rest of her body would get stuck in the birth canal. I would rather cope with my fear of a planned c-section surgery than risk the health of my baby.

We finally made it to 5th floor labor and delivery to check in and then up to the 6th floor to fetal monitoring and it is so hot in the waiting room. There is like 8 other pregnant ladies looking as annoyed with the wait and temperature as I am. Our appt was at 4:00 and we weren't seen until 5:30. Stressful day in fetal monitoring unit.

Entry written today:

Thank goodness I make all the appointments I can on Mondays so that Troy can come with me. He has been so supportive during all these ups and downs in our journey. I am so thankful I didn't have to do all this alone. Getting bad or scary news just seems easier when someone else hears it with you and it makes the waiting room that much more "fun" when you have someone to talk to and laugh with to keep your mind off the seriousness of the situation. Thank God that God gave me such a wonderful husband.

Once I finally got called we went back into one of the rooms and I got hooked up to the heart rate and contraction belly band monitors.

Compliments of photographer Daddy on my cell phone.

I got to see 2 contractions on the screen. It was interesting to correlate the pressure I was feeling with the lines on the monitor.

I was hooked up to the machines for about 30 minutes all together so they could get a good reading. When we first arrived Baby Girl was sleeping and her heart rate was pretty steady. Then the nurse wanted to wake her up. They pressed this little black microphone looking thing onto my belly and it vibrated and made this weird noise. Baby Girl was startled and started moving all over the place. What a wake up call!

After the monitoring was finished they did an ultrasound and confirmed that in fact Baby Girl is not a small  baby and that she is head down, butt under my left ribs and feet on my right. The nurse was so informative and talked me through everything from the moment I sat down in the monitoring chair and explained what I was looking out, the beeps, sounds, lines, and then even more what was on the screen during the ultrasound. She pointed out Baby Girl's hair and showed me that Baby Girl is practicing breathing in utero. She paused on her chest and I could see it contracting. Such a relieving sight to see!

My amniotic fluid level was 24.78, normal range being from 9-25. At this late in my pregnancy though my fluid should start diminishing and it isn't going down yet. So I will return to Fetal Monitoring on Thursday and will continue to go 2x a week for the rest of my pregnancy until she is here or until there is no more concern and they tell me to stop.

I was quite apprehensive after getting the news that I needed to head over to labor and delivery to check in and it got even worse when I had to wait so long to be seen.  And PS Google is the worst invention ever for a pregnant woman. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Google but when you are already panicked and don't have many answers, Google is the last place you should search for them!

Prayers are always welcome for me, Troy and Baby Girl - for a healthy and safe rest of my pregnancy and delivery, however she enters the world. And calmed nerves and faith that everything is fine and is going to work out. And that no matter what, Troy and I are going to do our best to be the best parents to our little girl no matter what the circumstances are.

Flintstone Feet

This is how my feet looked this weekend. It was horrible. My right foot swelled more than my left which I thought was unusual. My flip flops were tight!  No ankles straight to the swollen foot and sausage toes. Doctor's appointment today for my scheduled check up. Will definitely be asking how to prevent or help with the swelling and if I should be concerned. Is this toxemia setting in? 

One more week of work until disability. Oh man, longest next 4 days of my life. 

Bucket List - Updated 4/20/12

1. Get married and go on a fabulous honeymoon! (Done!! 10/24/09 and 10/25/09 – 10/31/09)
2. Have a baby or babies (Due 5/18/12!)
3. Own my own home
4. Go on a hot air balloon ride
5. Go white water rafting
6. Go on a wine tasting tour
7. Vacation in NY and take tours of all the fabulous site seeing hot spots- including the Sex In The City Tour
8. Learn how to skateboard
9. Go to the World Series
10. Earn my BA
11. Co-own a classic car/truck with my husband and learn how to work on it
12. Go on a cruise
13. Swim with dolphins
14. Go to Hawaii with my husband
15. Go to a Nicholas Sparks book signing (Done! Went to the book signing of Safe Haven in La Jolla)
16. Own a pair of fabulous and ridiculously expensive designer shoes
17. Camp in Joshua Tree to sleep under the stars
18. Read the entire Bible
19. Zip line in Costa Rica
20. See Brad Paisley in concert (Done! In Sept. 2010 we went to his concert in Chulavista and he sang our wedding song!)

36 Weeks - 4 Weeks to Go!

Size of baby: Crenshaw melon

Total Weight Gain: 24 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: Hands and feet are swollen. Hard to roll over from side to side. Feeling huge. 

New symptoms this week: my maternity clothes are becoming increasingly too small. I feel like my belly is starting to hang out the bottom of most of them and since I prefer the jeans that only have a thin band and not an entire panel I am afraid my bare belly is showing. Can’t wait for maternity leave to start so I can just wear comfortable yoga pants everyday.

Sleep: I also am getting weird sleep patterns where I am wide awake in the middle of the night for no reason. Not exactly tired when I wake up but bored and don’t know what to do with myself. I am trying to just lay there and rest and do something like read.

What I'm Eating: drinking a ton of water

Cravings: fruit. Souplantation and Subway. Anything from the drive-thru or heavy just sounds yucky.

Grandma gift this week: Today is Grandma's birthday and she isn't at work today so I have not gotten the Grandma gift today. Happy 50th Birthday Mom! You are officially ready to become a Gma! 

Special pregnancy moments: On Sunday we took our maternity photo with 24 Feet Photography. It was fun, energetic, and creative. The proof turned out amazing and I don’t know which photo is my favorite. The challenge will be to pick which ones to print.

Maternity Photo Shoot

Thanks to 24 Feet Photography for doing an amazing job on my maternity shoot. I couldn't have it imagined it any better!

35 Weeks

Size of baby: honey dew melon

Total Weight Gain: 24 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: Lower back is really tender. My feet ache after wearing shoes and walking for extended periods of time. Hard to roll over from side to side. Feeling huge. 

New symptoms this week: feet and hands are very swollen. Shoes don’t fit anymore. Just slippers and flip flops from here on out. Hurts to walk or stand for long periods of time. Pee’ing constantly. A few nights ago I got up 5x during the night to go to the bathroom.

Sleep: Getting better. I think I am so exhausted every few nights that no matter how uncomfortable I am, I am getting a few good cat naps during the night.

What I'm Eating: otter pop popsicles

Cravings: sleep, clean nursery

Grandma gift this week: Dreft stain remover, big box of wipees, travel wipees, night time nursing pads

Special pregnancy moments: Our last ultrasound estimated that Baby Girl was 5lbs 15oz already. At my last Dr’s appointment my belly was measuring 40 cm which is much larger than average at 34-35 weeks.  Dr. said that he won't induce because he wants her to cook as long as my body will allow for lung development and because induction is a "good friend" of c-section. We are going to do another ultrasound in a few weeks for another comparison for size and then I guess we just wait until I go into labor to see if my body can handle a natural or if at that time they decide to go c-section. I am really hoping for a natural (but medicated) delivery. I want to push her out and have her little body placed on my chest for the golden hour and to start breastfeeding immediately. God knows what is best and safest for me and my little one so if a c-section is best, I will have to cope with that.

33 Weeks

Size of baby: pineapple

Total Weight Gain: 20 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: Lower back is really tender. My feet ache after wearing shoes and walking for extended periods of time. Hard to roll over from side to side. Feeling huge. Heartburn.

New symptoms this week: My feet are permanently swollen so my shoes are tight and uncomfortable. Flip flops and slippers are my new best friends.

Sleep: Hardly. I get about 4 solid hours, get up to pee and then toss and turn restlessly for the rest of the night.

What I'm Eating: otter pop popsicles

Cravings: Water. Propel. Chinese Food

Grandma gift this week: What to Expect Your First Year book and hand impression kit.

Special pregnancy moments: Work threw me a surprise baby shower! Daddy was in on the shower plans and he was able to attend with me. Scrapbooked with my Mom and Heather did one page so it can be ready for the baby shower on Saturday.

32 Weeks

Size of baby: jicama

Total Weight Gain: 20 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: Lower back is really tender. My feet ache after wearing shoes and walking for extended periods of time. Hard to roll over from side to side. Feeling huge. Heartburn.

New symptoms this week: None. Still uncomfortable and hard to sleep.

Sleep: Taking more like cat naps than actually sleeping through the night. Still waking up to pee during the night and hard to fall back asleep. I have been really warm at night while Troy has been freezing. Weird to have our roles reversed.  

What I'm Eating: salad

Cravings: Water. I can’t drink enough water. I am immediately thirsty after drinking a glass of water.

Grandma gift this week: nursing tank top and 4 flavors of stage one baby food.

Special pregnancy moments: Grandpa Haney got to feel baby move and kick for the first time. Daddy and I graduated from our Prepared Childbirth class.  

31 Weeks - 9 Weeks To Go!

Size of baby: weight of carrying 4 navel oranges, weighing approx 3.3 pounds and approx. 16 inches long

Total Weight Gain: 20 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: Lower back is really tender. Hard to roll over from side to side. Feeling huge. Heartburn.

New symptoms this week: Nothing really new. Tired, sore, sleepy. The usual.

Sleep: Found a new way to use the Boppy Body Pillow to give my back some more support and have been sleeping much better. Also switched sides with Husband to see if his bigger dip would help me sleep - and it did!

What I'm Eating: PB&J

Cravings: Nothing. At this point, nothing sounds good.

Grandma gift this week: 3 pack flannel blanket, 1 receiving blanket.

Special pregnancy moments:  We attended our 2nd Prepared Child Birth Class and Daddy got to see an actual live birth from crowning to delivery and he survived! Movement has gotten so much stronger and you can actually see Baby moving around and kicking from the outside now. Daddy loves to make her move! Got kicked so hard that I screamed out in pain. Shocking sucker punch straight up between the ribs., multiple times. Grandma K got Baby her dresser so Mommy got to do all kinds of baby laundry of all the things collected before the baby shower while Daddy put the dresser together. Auntie Heather was told that she was going to be in the room for delivery and would be the one to be my room monitor and waiting room announcer. Started to pack the hospital bag.

30 Weeks

Size of baby: head of cabbage, weighing approx 3 pounds and approx. 15.7 inches long

Total Weight Gain: 20 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: Lower back is really tender. My feet ache after wearing shoes and walking for extended periods of time. Hard to roll over from side to side. Feeling huge. Heartburn.

New symptoms this week: Can’t put on my own socks

Sleep: Back is killing me. Trying to find new ways to sleep without sleeping on my back.

What I'm Eating: Propel water, salmon, broccoli and potatoes

Cravings: Chinese food

Grandma gift this week: Ziploc 25 Piece Feeding Set with travel cups and bowls

Special pregnancy moments: Wednesday was our first Prepared Child Birth Class at Hoag Hospital. We learned about all the stages and phases of labor and what to expect when “its time”.  Daddy learned comforting measures while I am in labor and while coping with back pain. Free back rubs! Dr. said at the last visit on Monday that we are doing so well that we don’t have to be back for 3 more weeks for the next check up. 

29 Weeks

Size of baby: butternut squash, weighing approx 2.5 pounds and approx. 15 inches in length

Total Weight Gain: 14 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: Lower back is really tender. My feet ache after wearing shoes and walking for extended periods of time. Getting harder to roll over from side to side. Feeling huge and my boobs look droopy.

New symptoms this week: Heartburn. It comes on all of a sudden and then it just won’t go away. Trying to drink more milk to ease the pain and provide calcium for Baby Girl’s hardening bones.

Sleep: Love to sleep when I can get to sleep. Still waking about during the night to go to the bathroom.

What I'm Eating: Propel water, Sonic slushies

Cravings: Sonic slushies, Trumoo

Grandma gift this week: Jenny door jumper, I Love Mommy and I Love Daddy bibs and pink rubber ducky for the bath

Special pregnancy moments: Last night Daddy got to feel Baby Girl very hard. She must have been doing gymnastics. He swore he could not only feel a jab but like a hand or elbow move across my belly. I love when Daddy talks to Baby Girl by my belly and tells her how much he loves her already and to please kick because he wants to feel her move. 

28 Weeks

Size of baby: Chinese cabbage

Total Weight Gain: 14 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: Lower back is really starting to really ache. My feet ache after wearing shoes and walking for extended periods of time. Getting harder to roll over from side to side.

New symptoms this week: Nothing really new. Feeling bigger every day and continued swelling and back aches. A lot of movement this week. Pretty sure she turned sometime in the last week to week and half. Kicking has begun in my rubs and no longer on my side. 

Sleep: Having a really hard time getting comfortable. My back has been extra achy and getting to sleep has become hard and I get restless. I try to just close my eyes and rest as much as possible.

What I'm Eating: Propel water, hamburgers, Sonic slushies

Cravings: Sonic slushies

Grandma gift this week: The boobie pack: nursing pads, nipple cream, and boobie wipes

Special pregnancy moments: On Thursday I had my pre-natal appointment (went by myself) and the Dr. said that my belly was measuring larger than it should from last month’s measurements and it could be due to too much amniotic fluid, a big baby, or the way I am carrying her if she is repositioning. If there was too much amniotic fluid then I would have to go on disability immediately. He told me to get an ultrasound that same day or the next and go do the blood screening for the Glucose Tolerance Test. Got in for an ultrasound on Friday and got to see Baby Girl on the big screen again. Daddy couldn’t get off work because of the short notice so Aunt Heather went with me. It was the first time she got to see an ultrasound in person. It was special for her to be there with me. Saw her heart beating strong, 147 bpm. On Saturday I did the Glucose Tolerance Test (yuck!). Got the results from the GTT and ultrasound and everything is normal! Normal sized baby, high but in the normal range of amniotic fluid, normal development, and no gestational diabetes. 

27 Weeks - Third Trimester!

Size of baby: head of cabbage

Total Weight Gain: 9 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: I Feeling more confident in my maternity clothes now that the bump actually looks and feels like a baby bump. Lower back is really starting to really ache. Not only do I have to pee frequently but when I go to the bathroom I only tinkle. My feet ache after wearing shoes and walking for extended periods of time. Getting harder to roll over from side to side.

New symptoms this week: nothing really new. Feeling bigger every day and continued swelling and back aches. A lot of movement this week.

Sleep: Not as sleepy as the first 26 weeks. Going to bed later and feeling rested when I wake up. Usually pee at least 1 time in the middle of the night.

What I'm Eating: Propel water, hamburgers

Cravings: Trumoo chocolate milk, Souplantation salad (not homemade)

Grandma gift this week: 4 new outfits: ladybug, bumble bee, blue and yellow flower, and brown and pink polka dot, nursery rhymes book, black dress shoes, and white baby tights

Special pregnancy moments:  Heather and Cathleen both felt baby kick this week. She has been moving like crazy. Wore a maternity dress with leggings to work today for the first time.  So nice to give the belly bands a break. I miss my low rise jeans. Thinking about getting a larger size in normal jeans to see if they are more comfortable. Got some more comments on the bump this week from stranger. Got advice from a lady at Souplantation last night to say whenever I want/don't want something... blame it on the doctor. The doctor wants it this way! 

26 Weeks

Size of baby: as long as an English cucumber

Total Weight Gain: 9 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: Belly is officially past my boobs. I Feeling more confident in my maternity clothes now that the bump actually looks and feels like a baby bump. Lower back is really starting to ache. Not only do I have to pee frequently but when I go to the bathroom I only tinkle.

New symptoms this week: My hands and feet are very swollen, especially my feet. My shoes are getting tighter and my feet ache after wearing shoes and walking for extended periods of time. Getting harder to roll over from side to side.

Sleep: Getting up more frequently to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, multiple times, just to tinkle. Still going to bed early.

What I'm Eating: Reeces peanut butter cup cereal.

Cravings: Trumoo chocolate milk, Souplantation salad (not homemade)

Grandma gift this week: 2 pairs of maternity pants.

Special pregnancy moments:  On Monday I had a terrible dream and I woke up Troy to tell him about it. Once I wake up early in the morning so does baby girl. I laid on my side and Troy put his hand and arm on my belly. He got to feel her kick and feel her move around in my belly. It was so special to experience her moving with him since she is most active when he is getting ready for work or is already gone. Excited that next Friday I will officially be in my 3rd trimester.

25 Weeks

Size of baby: rutabaga

Total Weight Gain: 9 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: kicking and moving so I can feel it and know for sure it is her and not something I ate and kicking while trying to fall asleep. Harder to get comfortable laying down or sitting now, can't wear my wedding band and engagement ring anymore. Now wearing Nana's ring in replacement for the mean time. Boobs are starting to get really heavy and not as perky. Belly is officially past my boobs. I officially can not wear my pre-pregnancy jeans – even the cheater way with a rubber band to close them. Feeling more confident in my maternity clothes now that the bump actually looks and feels like a baby bump.

New symptoms this week: Lower back is really starting to ache. Not only do I have to pee frequently but when I go to the bathroom I only tinkle. My poor boobs are really starting to get heavy and my nipples… they are just gross looking. I hope those go back to normal after this pregnancy is over for sure! Husband keeps telling me that I am beautiful but boy I don’t feel like it these days!

Sleep: Getting up more frequently to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, multiple times, just to tinkle. Still going to bed early.

What I'm Eating: Trumoo chocolate milk. I drink a cup of it on my way to work every morning.

Cravings: Trumoo chocolate milk, Souplantation salad (not homemade)

Grandma gift this week: Game pack: disposable changing pads, disposable bibs, Angels bib, food containers w/ cooler pack

Special pregnancy moments:  Just enjoying feeling baby girl move around. Everyone is loving rubbing my belly.

24 Weeks

Size of baby: ear of corn

Total Weight Gain: 9 lbs total

Continuing symptoms: kicking and moving so I can feel it and know for sure it is her and not something I ate and kicking while trying to fall asleep. Harder to get comfortable laying down or sitting now, can't wear my wedding band and engagement ring anymore. Now wearing Nana's ring in replacement for the mean time.

New symptoms this week: boobs are starting to get really heavy and not as perky. Belly is officially past my boobs. I officially can not wear my pre-pregnancy jeans – even the cheater way with a rubber band to close them. I can’t get them up! Feeling more confident in my maternity clothes now that the bump actually looks and feels like a baby bump.

Sleep: Getting good sleep, once I get to fall asleep. She likes to play at 5:00 am. Still going to bed early. Don’t think I have been awake past 9:30 in at least a week.

What I'm Eating: Trumoo chocolate milk. I drink a cup of it on my way to work every morning.

Cravings: sour candy, Trumoo chocolate milk, fish and chips, salty chips, Souplantation salad (not homemade)

Grandma gift this week: cart/high chair seat cover, pacifier with clip, pink hip stuffed animal

Special pregnancy moments: Grandma Haney and Aunt Heather both felt baby kick this week. Dr. appointment was good and he told us that we are doing really, really well. That is a relief to hear. Daddy put a picture of my belly on Facebook and showed the world my belly for the first time. Went shopping with Heather for some more maternity clothes.

23 Weeks

Size of baby: large mango, 11+ inches long and weighs just over a pound

Total Weight Gain: will find out on Monday at next dr. appt.

Continuing symptoms: kicking and moving so I can feel it and know for sure it is her and not something I ate and kicking while trying to fall asleep

New symptoms this week: harder to get comfortable laying down or sitting now, can't wear my wedding band and engagement ring anymore. Now wearing Nana's ring in replacement for the mean time.

Sleep: Getting good sleep, once I get to fall asleep. She likes to play at 5:00 am.

What I'm Eating: Trumoo chocolate milk, hot cheetos

Cravings: sour candy, Trumoo chocolate milk, Chinese food, fish and chips

Grandma gift this week: head support, car seat strap protectors, and 2 dangly car seat toys

Special pregnancy moments: Yesterday Troy actually saw my belly move when baby kicked. He felt it and then got to watch it so he has confirmation that he is actually feeling her move now. Got my results for my CMV blood test and it is negative! Whew! 

22 Weeks

Size of baby: spaghetti squash - about 11 inches and 1 pound

Total Weight Gain: +4 per last Dr's appointment

Continuing symptoms: sleepy, otherwise feeling great!

New symptoms this week: kicking and moving so I can feel it and know for sure it is her and not something I ate and kicking while trying to fall asleep

Sleep: Getting good sleep, once I get to fall asleep.

What I'm Eating: sour candy, Trumoo chocolate milk

Cravings: sour candy, Trumoo chocolate milk, grilled cheese (but still haven't had it)

Grandma gift this week: shade window cling and back seat organzier

Special pregnancy moments: I felt the baby definitely give me a good kick this week. Troy tried to feel it each time but when he put his hand on my belly she would stop moving. He tried for 3 days and finally for the first time he felt his daughter kick in my belly. 


One night this week when I was trying to fall asleep she was moving and kicking so much I couldn't get comfortable enough to fall asleep. I kept moving my body to see if I could calm her to sleep with me. It took me about 1/2 hour before she fell asleep with me.


We finished our baby registry at Target and Babies R Us and I was exhausted afterwards. I think we have added everything that we need. 


Grandma H and K, Auntie Heather, Cathleen and Stephanie had their first baby shower planning meeting to divide and conquer shower planning and to make sure everyone is on the same page. A date has been set for March 31st. 

21 Weeks

Size of baby: carrot from head to foot about 10 ½ inches and 3/4 of a pound

Total Weight Gain: +4

Continuing symptoms: sleepy, otherwise feeling great!

New symptoms this week: belly is feeling heavier and I can feel it stretching. Waiting to feel her kick more. I think I feel her but am not sure and its not consistant

Sleep: Sleeping better but still getting up in the middle of the night to pee.

What I'm Eating: ton of Propel flavored water, hot cheetos, pasta salad, sour candy

Cravings: sour candy, Trumoo chocolate milk

Grandpa gift this week: Grandpa got us a Boppy Body Pillow so I can get better sleep. I got it yesterday and last night I had the best sleep I’ve had in nearly 4 months.

Special pregnancy moments: New Years Eve was quiet and uneventful. We stayed home and the 2 of us had bread and Brie, apple sparkling cider, and pasta salad. I only made it until about 10:00 pm and then went to bed. The selection on TV was just not keeping me awake. Daddy woke me up at about 11:59 so we could watch the ball drop together in bed, kissed happy new year and good night and I went back to sleep.

My mom and I spent 5 hours working on my pregnancy scrapbook and got it up to date. It was fun to bond and see my mom so excited with me about the baby.