Week 26: Hubster Love

Size of Baby: a head of lettuce. haha.

What's that Babe up to: nothing terribly exciting... has eyelashes now. I guess that's nice to keep the dirt out.
Symptoms: heartburn, lower back pain, bloody noses, leg and foot cramps. However I went to the chiro and she fixed my lower back pain for at least a while and gave me tips for my foot pain.

Food cravings or aversions: Mac and cheese!
Weight: 175.
Weight gain so far: 27 lbs. no shame for no judgment?
Maternity Clothes: love them. Outgrew some already. Gee, Louise.
Stretch Marks: unfortunately I have a couple on my hips, bilaterally. None on my belly!

Sleep: getting a lot of hours of interrupted sleep again. With Andrew going to work earlier we go to bed earlier but I still get up at the same time.... But I get up 3-4 times a night to pee and drink.
Best moment this week: reviving my marriage to my awesome husband at A Weekend To Remember. Learning how to draw closer to oneness so we don't become just roommates.
Miss Anything: my feet not hurting 

Movement: Usually every morning and every evening/night, and sometimes if I'm lucky enough to lay on my back during the day
Belly Button: change! Half of my belly button is starting to swell a little bit.... I totally didn't think it would pop out but now I think it's possible!
Wedding Rings: still fit
Looking Forward To: a weekend at home in Pennsylvania!!!

Journal:

So this week truly was a great one, and it's all because of my weekend with Andrew in Ft. Wayne. Family Life's A Weekend To Remember is a marriage conference where marriages are saved and renewed. We learned that if we are not intentionally drawing closer to each other and oneness, we will naturally drift apart to isolation.  We heard awesome speakers sharing how to love extravagantly, forgive generously, and enthusiastically encourage each other. We learned what causes marriages to fail, how to communicate effectively, and how to serve and lead and learned some tips on biblical parenting. Ok it was a marriage conference, so we talked about "celebrating intimacy" too, and yes, we learned some things. ;-) we learned so much, we grew so much, and I am SO excited to change things to show love to Andrew as we grow closer. We thought it was a really great weekend and would encourage any couple at any age, at any stage to go to one of their weekends. They are all over the country. We were blessed by Andrews parents for their gift of this weekend, and we also saved a considerable amount of money by volunteering at registration, which was super easy and a blessing in and of itself, as we met new people! If you're considering going but concerned about cost, I would recommend volunteering too! Andrew and I thought there was so much good info to be shared with our friends and church back home that we bought the small group kit that shares the info in a 6 week/session format for small groups. If you live around us, we would love for you to join us in pursuing a biblical strong marriage! That was another thing we really appreciated... Everything they said was biblically-based. Scripture was read throughout the sessions, using the original source for advice and guidance! They did have many other resources available as well, which we bought a couple of (books)!

In other news... My scrub pants are getting tight around the front where there is no elastic. These would be the scrub pants that I never tie, just wear a bellaband over.... The ones that are big and comfy normally, now they are tight and cutting into my belly. Ugh. I have 3 more months of work before I have this awesome kid and my pants aren't going to last that long. Anyone have any extra large black pants??? I have 2 pairs of maternity dress pants I wear too but one of those is also getting kind of tight... And then I have my yoga pants. Hehe! We have to wear black pants and a white lab coat so I've  gotten away with wearing my yoga pants twice now. I always feel sneaky wearing them, but I think soon they will be the only ones I can wear! 

Work is still busy and crazy but I manage to go to the bathroom about every hour. Talk about annoying. Except for this morning. I had to go at 8:30 but managed to be running behind all the way to 11:30 so I felt bad taking a break to go.... Probably not my healthiest choice. Which is worse, holding it for 3 hours or eating a maple frosted long john from the Doughbox? Because I did both of those things today. But I also saw the chiropractor and bought some new boots.... Which are both healthy.

Next Tuesday I have another on appointment and we will schedule my glucose test then and then I have an OB appt every other week!!! Eeeeeeek!!! I'm so excited for that. We get to meet our progeny soon!!! Haha! Yikes. To be clear, I am excited for the bimonthly appointments, not the glucose test. Thought I should clarify. 

Well cats, time to go. I'm afraid the preggo picture will have to be non-traditional this week since I'm on my way to PA and didn't bring a white tank and won't have my normal background. You'll be fine with that I'm sure.

Toodles. 

Week 25: Oh So Preggo!

25 weeks

Size of baby: cauliflower. These food analogies are dumb and must be totally inaccurate.

What's that Babe up to: growing more fat and hair... Just like momma me!  Also knows which way is up and down.... Sometimes not like momma me.
Symptoms: heartburn, lower back pain, bloody noses, leg and foot cramps

Food cravings or aversions: none this week
Weight: 174. Finally slowing down a bit
Weight gain so far: a lot
Maternity Clothes: yes, the addition this week was using my bellabands for my scrub pants! Genius.
Stretch Marks: yes! I found my first new stretch mark in the shower yesterday... Just a little red guy which tells me it's not from college... Located on my right hip. None on my belly yet!
Sleep: can't get enough of it. Currently in bed right now... Since 8pm!
Best moment this week: hanging out with my momma all weekend! The best moment if that? Probably picking out my fabrics for the baby blanket!
Miss Anything: my feet

Movement: Back to feeling it every morning and every night. Good baby...
Belly Button: change! Half of my belly button is starting to swell a little bit.... I totally didn't think it would pop out but now I think it's possible!
Wedding Rings: still fit
Looking Forward To: this weekend Andrew and I are going to A Weekend To Remember in Ft. Wayne. I am so looking forward to some quality time with my hubbo! I think we may consider this our babymoon!

25 weeks

Journal:

   Seriously I think I ballooned at least two inches in my belly this week. It feels so much bigger! I grunt every time I lean over to pick something up (which is way too often) and struggle to reach things already. Andrew likes to remind me  (in his own little horrified tone) that I still have a ways to go and I'm already looking so big. Yes I know dear, I struggle to breathe now and pee 10 times a day ( It really was 10 today... I counted) and I'm just at 25 weeks... What am I going to be like 10 weeks from now.... Let alone 15 weeks from now. Holy crap that's soon.

I have thought this whole pregnancy (or most of it) that you are truly and fully PREGNANT at 30 weeks. I stand corrected by myself. I feel fully and truly and hugely PREGNANT now... At 25 weeks. But seriously in a short 5 weeks I will be 30 weeks pregnant, that's like almost the end. My third trimester is only 3 weeks away! What happened to the second trimester?! It took forever to get here and now it flew by. I'm not sure I'm ready for the third tri yet! I like being mildly pregnant with a cute big belly... I don't want to have swollen feet, walk with a waddle and be sweating all the time. I don't want to have to get up during every patients appointment to pee. Its funny to think about, it's funny to talk about,  but the actual living it during a stressful day at work is not very enjoyable. I wish maternity leave started at 30 weeks and lasted for 30 weeks... Or forever...

just checking on the view...

Speaking of patients... I had a patient today wish me well with my pregnancy because her niece just lost her baby at 25 weeks when everything was going well and normal. There was no explanation for the miscarriage. Another niece just lost her baby 24 hours after delivering a supposedly healthy baby. Why would you share something like that with a 25 week pregnant lady?!?! Not cool, patient, not cool. 

Well I've been laying in bed here for almost an hour as I wrote this and attempted a conversation with my momma... Sprint service is incredible these days.... Incredible awful. Andrews and my peace and happiness level should increase after we can get new phones!!! Anywho.... I'll add in the pictures once I take them. This is all you get for now!

The fabrics for the baby blanket!!!

Week 24: Schedule gets better!

Week 24

Size of baby: Cantaloupe. What?!?! That's huge...
What's that Babe up to: skin is slowly becoming less transparent and with a little pink glow compliments of himher's capillaries. Officially viable outside the womb-- if any emergency were to occur. Please no.
Symptoms: heartburn, lower back pain, bloody noses, leg and foot cramps

Food cravings or aversions: I had my first ice cream craving today! Andrew kindly obliged by stopping in at the store on his way home from work. He loves ice cream more than me, so he didn't object one bit!
Weight: 173. Hitting 170 did not bother me near as much as 160 did.
Weight gain so far: a lot
Maternity Clothes: my larger pre-preggo tshirts are getting tight, and some sweatshirts don't make the cut anymore. I love the comfort and quickness of pulling down maternity pants when I gotta go, but I really hate how they don't stay up above my round butt. I am a belt-wearer for this reason and this was a problem I did not think about, and I hate it.
Stretch Marks: no sir
Sleep: on the mend from the last 2 weeks' stress
Best moment this week: finally being able to catch my breath on Sunday, relaxing all by myself.
Miss Anything: my pants staying up?

Movement: Heshe has gotten soooo much more mobile these last few days! Feels like heshes's doing cartwheels in there! :) And I'm loving it, of course.
Belly Button: no more changes
Wedding Rings: still fit
Looking Forward To: My momma is coming out to visit this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!

24 Weeks

Journal:
 First of all, I've been smelling my pot roast since 2:30 and it's now 7:30 and I haven't eaten it. I can't wait for Andrew any longer.... be right back.
Well it's 2 days later. Andrew had nice timing and came in just when I was carrying the dishes to the table. Anyway--- where was I? Oh right... not even started yet.

So as you may have seen in my previous catch-up post- life has been BUSY lately! I've been working more and working harder, and dealing with a lot more stress than I typically find in my life. I don't like it, but there is hope on the horizon.... did you see my momma is coming out to Ohio this weekend?!?! So excited for that.

Last weekend Andrew had the pleasure of going to Pennsylvania, to my parents' home... without me. I was super-bummed as you might imagine. I couldn't go along because I had a dental hygiene Continuing Education course to go to in Indy with my co-workers and dentist/boss man. I didn't go into the class with the most stellar attitude, but it turned out to be a great class where I learned a lot and was encouraged to do more for my patients. Thanks, God!

We've had some really nice days around here as far is weather is concerned (until Wednesday!) So after I got my hair cut on Tuesday, I rounded up the family (Andrew & Libby) and found a spot to take some Christmas pictures. It took some experimenting trying to get Libby to look at the camera while at the same time Andrew and I remembering to sit straight and smile pretty. I think we got one that will work. Here are some that didn't....

Andrew trying to get Libby to look at the camera

Oh Libby

"eehhh you're choking me!" -Libby

 

nice try. nice try.

Thursday was a scary day. I had some changes with my body, that I'll spare you the details of, but which put me on higher alert with my health/baby health. Throughout the morning at work I was feeling crampy and just generally different. I hadn't felt our little peanut move since Wednesday morning and even then it wasn't very much, compared to what I was feeling the days before that. At lunch I was texting Andrew and trying to get a hold of my doctor, who inconveniently has the same hours as our office, and was really scared that something was wrong with the baby. I, of course, was crying while ordering my Wendy's chicken sandwich. Well, my last patient for the day came and as I'm dismissing them, her mom, who is an OB nurse, and I were talking about my pregnancy and my day and she encouraged me to go to the Women's Center (where I'll deliver!) and get checked out... if nothing else, for peace of mind. So I did! I thought it would be a quick check, but I was there for about 45 minutes before they let me go, even though they knew everything was ok from the start. HURRAY!! While I was laying on the bed, listening to my baby's heartbeat, and hearing all the movements, and seeing that I was not contracting at all, I finally felt at peace. I even dozed off a little while laying there! The baby must have gotten the hint that I like feeling himher move when heshe heard the doppler, and so the baby moved hisher position and I started feeling the baby again without having to hear the movements! Thank you!!!

When I sat down to write this journal entry, I think I had a lot more to say, but now that it's taken me 3 days to complete, I don't remember what I'm missing. So I guess this will suffice! ;) Until next week! (WEEK 25!!!)

better clothed 24 weeks!

I have so much joy in my belly!! :)

Weeks 22 and 23 Stats Catchup!!

Work was simply crazy and busy every day the last 2 weeks so I found no time at all to write any posts, or take any pictures. It was a good reminder that I never want to work full time ever. Of course, I really already knew that.... Anyway- I did record some stats for week 22 and used my memory for week 23, so here they are...

Week 22.........
Size of baby: papaya!
What's that Babe up to: sleeping in cycles, about 12 to 14 hrs a day.... That would be nice. I've learned that heshe cannot be woken up just because I want to feel himher move!
Symptoms: heartburn, lower back pain
Food cravings or aversions: none

Weight: 169
Weight gain so far: a lot.
Maternity Clothes: yes and loving it. Though I'm still excited when I fit into my normal clothes
Stretch Marks: not yet, but I feel doomed since I have them elsewhere from my freshman 15...
Sleep: great!
Best moment this week: making lots of applesauce for the family! :)
Miss Anything: not this week... Loving it all

Movement: feeling it more and more every day! They have become my favorite moments of the day.
Belly Button: In, but getting flatter... Will it pop???
Wedding Rings: still fit, and just get them shined and sparkling. Woowee!
Looking Forward To: my OB appointment and massage on Tuesday!

Week 23.........
Size of baby: grapefruit
What's that Babe up to: forming nip.ples. no really. also, listening to my voice and heartbeat- probably realizing that my heartrate is crazy and fast!! Can hear other loud noises too- like Libby barking.
Symptoms: heartburn, lower back pain, emotionally unstable
Food cravings or aversions: none

Weight: 170
Weight gain so far: 22 lb. Dr said that I can gain up to 45 lb since I started out with such a great BMI pre-pregnancy! Score!!!
Maternity Clothes: more and more. I'm running out of bins for clothes that don't fit anymore.
Stretch Marks: still doing ok in this department
Sleep: awful- but mainly due to work stressing me out and making me dream about work!
Best moment this week: Being able to tell someone what we're having! (calm down, it was my Dr.) and also the reassurance that our baby is healthy, well, and good, despite my quad-riding, lunchmeat eating, and rare beef eating that went on the week leading up to the appointment.
Miss Anything: I already miss not being able to ride the four-wheeler anymore. Dr gave me her first personal restriction- no more quad rides unless it's to simply, safely, and slowly get from point A to point B.

Movement: feeling himher moving every day now!
Belly Button: no more changes
Wedding Rings: still on
Looking Forward To: next week when life will slow down a little bit so I can catch my breath

I'm about to post my current week 24 now so stay tuned for some bonus pictures! (to make up for the lack of any on this one!)

Week 21: The Ultrasound!

There's our baby!!!

Size of Baby:  pomegranate! (Said like Malcolm in Israel... Pomee granite) the ultrasound tech said I'm measuring 21 weeks and 2 days. So that moves the due date up to February 16! But I'll just stick with the 19th... 
What's that Babe up to: MOVING! The babe was facing my back for our ultrasound.... Way to go kid... This better not be a sign that you will forever be hard to get pictures of!
Symptoms: moodiness seems to be on the mend. It was a rough 2 weeks...

Food cravings or aversions: none
Weight: 166
Weight gain so far: 18 lb. give or take a couple pounds depending on the day and time... On my way to 50 I'm sure....
Maternity Clothes: yes and loving it.
Stretch Marks: not yet, but I feel doomed since I have them elsewhere from my freshman 15...
Sleep: great!
Best moment this week: seeing our HEALTHY baby at our ultrasound!
Miss Anything: not having a roll under my chest... That's annoying.

Movement: feeling it more and more every day! At our ultrasound this week we saw the baby moving like crazy! Kicking its little feet all over!
Belly Button: In, but getting flatter... I can see it all!
Wedding Rings: still fit
Looking Forward To: making applesauce and cider this weekend with the in-laws! 

Journal:

    SO EXCITING!!!!! We got to see our baby with the ultrasound this week!!! It was the most amazing experience. And so relieving! The tech told us the baby is looking very healthy and normal. Well, as normal as a King-Spotts genetic combo could be... Like I mentioned in the stats, the baby was facing my back the entire time and refused to turn around for the whole process so she couldn't get a good profile picture. This is a little disappointing, but it was still so amazing! She mentioned that hopefully it's not a sign that the babe will hate pictures! Surely not... And hopefully it also doesn't mean that it won't be photogenic! Haha! The baby was also kicking its tiny little legs almost the whole time, that was so cute to see! Maybe the baby will be a soccer player like its momma! Seeing our child brought Andrew and I one step closer to realizing the reality of what's going on here.... We are going to be parents in just a few short months! Eeek!

That's really the big news for the week. Oh and maybe since the start of my new pregnancy week is on a Sunday now I will change when I post these updates... Maybe... 

Last weekend we didn't do a whole lot and it was nice to be at home and rest up before our schedule gets crazy again. I completed another nursery project and I love how it turned out. I had a pennant banner hanging in that room already that I had made a couple years ago for a family reunion. And I really do love me some bunting. I decided to make a new banner with my chosen nursery colors of gray, coral, and blue. The first bunting I made was of fabric scraps I already had... But I didn't have fabric in those colors that worked so.... I went to Joanne's to get some more but found a stack of scrapbook paper in those exact colors!!! So I made this second one out of paper and attached it to some bias tape with my sewing machine. Very simple, and very rewarding to my soul. Here's a picture: 

The coral turned out to be more pink than coral once I got it home, but some were better than others... I think it still looks pretty gender neutral. One of these days we have to go pick up our crib!!! I'm super excited to have it so I can arrange the nursery side a little better and start oooing and ahhing every time I go upstairs. Ok, you're right, I kind of already do that... 

Whoa! Baby must have just woken up because WOW I'm feeling it move A LOT right now!!! HURRAY!!

Here are some more sonogram pictures! 

The alien head shot

adorable foot!

other adorable foot!

we kept seeing it's little ear sticking out so she got us a picture of it! She did mention that if she's printing pictures of ears, she must be getting pretty desperate!

Well...time to get some more things done before I head in to work for the day. Happy hump day!

One last instagram pic from last week...

Week 20: Half Way There!

Size of Baby:  Banana. (really?? what does that mean? oooooh just looked it up- here on out it is measured head to toe instead of head to butt) (6.5 inches long, 10.2 oz)
What's that Babe up to: heshe's got tastebuds... and drinking amniotic fluid... yuck
Symptoms: random crying, moodiness- I'm real touchy these days, just ask Andrew.
Food Cravings: whatever someone mentions.
Food Aversions: none, i'll take it all- including those leftover fries my co-worker, Ashley, knows to save for me now.
Weight: 163
Weight gain so far: 15 lb. give or take a couple pounds depending on the day and time
Maternity Clothes: yes and loving it. I went through my jean collection again, and got rid of the half that didn't fit anymore- only one pair of non-maternity ones fit!
Stretch Marks: not yet, but I feel doomed since I have them elsewhere from my freshman 15...
Sleep: good, although I had a few minor leg cramps last night (eek!) and I'm congested laying down, which is apparently bothersome to my husband. So I slept propped up on 3 pillows last night- I felt rich.
Best moment this week: potluck at church. ;) and the hymn sing Sunday night. It was a moody week...
Miss Anything: knowing why I'm crying.
Movement: a little more frequently now! Still not terribly obvious, though. I would normally just think it's gas or food moving through my intestines (or whatever food is called once it's in your intestines...)
Belly Button: In, but getting flatter... I can see it all!
Wedding Rings: still fit
Looking Forward To: last week I was looking forward to my massage on Tuesday. My therapist was sick. Boo. Now I'm looking forward to another weekend at home doing nothing!

Journal:
 Seriously? My kid is half-baked right now? My pregnancy is halfway over? If I would turn around and go backwards it would take as long as going forward and meeting my gift from God???? Hallelujah!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed being pregnant, as I think I may have mentioned last week, so I'm not like "oh good I'm halfway done with this pregnancy awfulness just give me the child already!" I am more so thinking "oh good! I'm halfway through the journey of meeting my baby!" Cool. But let's get some honesty in here too: I can't wait. at all. As much as I am afraid of the baby coming early (my parents will be away!) I don't want it to come a day late either!!! February 19th is a good day. It's gotta be! My birthday is the 19th and it's done well for me. Merciful heavens, I just realized something... probably half of the people reading this right now have their birthday on February 18th. Not really, but honestly- I know SOOOOO many people who have their birthday on the 18th. I think February 20th sounds nice.........

In other exciting and big(gest) news... we get to SEE our baby on Tuesday!!!!!!! My first ultrasound is Tuesday at 10:00 and I'm so excited to see what it looks like. Surely, they all look the same, but I'm pretty sure if it's going to have a huge nose I'd like to get a warning sneak peek! hehe! Andrew and I have decided to not get any other tests to see if the baby is all healthy, well, and good so this will be our first clue to whether something is wrong or baby is fine. I'm not one to worry much, so I'm assuming everything is great. If it's not, you know I'll be freaking out in tears on here next week.

You can't mention ultrasound (or anything pregnancy) without mentioning whether you're going to find out or not. That seems to be everyone's biggest query. Andrew and I had a pretty standard answer for the first 19 weeks of this pregnancy: we don't know, we haven't decided yet. Well... it's decision time and the decision has been made. We will find out and we will share the exciting news at our baby shower! Until then the word is mum, and don't even try to get it out of me early because no one thinks I can keep it a secret.... well all those naysayers have underestimated my stubbornness. I am glad we are telling people before delivery because let's be honest- no one likes secrets.
Have you seen the new fad of gender reveal parties?? I considered that as an option too but hadn't decided if it was cool or crazy yet. I mean, I would love it, but would anyone else?? My sister is actually the one that suggested having a gender reveal at the shower. I'm pretty pumped about it. Actually I'm really really anxious for it and cannot wait. eeeeeeek!!!! :) See what I mean? I'm thoroughly enjoying being pregnant. In fact, I told my sister that I'm excited to pack our hospital bags. She asked if I was aware that it is way too soon to do that. I told her, yes of course, I'm not that ridiculous... I'm just looking forward to it!
That takes my thoughts to something my friend wrote about in her blog tonight: (Kimberly Wyse)... something I've thought a lot about too, especially in the last 5 months. Is my excitement and joy of being pregnant hurtful or painful to people who read it? I know many friends and family members who long to be pregnant, to be a mother, but haven't been able to yet and I wonder- do you read this and twinge with pain? I guess I don't really know where to go from there.... except to say that my heart breaks and breaks and breaks for you. And I hope God's merciful grace gives me compassion and gives you hope.

In other unrelated babbling thought-news:
If you see me in other social media- you may have noticed my name change. I have been Brittany Spotts for about a year and a half now but when I introduce myself on the phone, or even real life, when I see my name written anywhere- It looks or sounds so awkward, funny, or just not me. I had a hard time giving up my name entirely which was a surprise for me. It was an identity crisis thing... I literally cried when I got my new driver's license. It said I was Brittany Spotts from Ohio... when all my life I've been Brittany King from Pennsylvania. Not that I was interested in staying Brittany King for the rest of my life, but when I went to the SS office I was planning on keeping my whole name and just tacking Spotts on at the end. Well, I get nervous under public pressure like that and I just simply became Brittany Spotts. No King. Anywhere. Except-- on Facebook, Pinterest, Emails, Instagram, etc.... I became Brittany King Spotts. I never liked having a short last name and Spotts isn't really much of an improvement in that department so having all three there (plus my middle name) looked more satisfying. Well in this last week, I've given it some more thought and I decided that maybe the reason why I say "Hi, this is Brittany King" when I call my Dr's office is because I'm not used to seeing Brittany Spotts. So I've gone through all my email and social media and changed my name to display as Brittany Spotts- my friends should remember who that is by now... so I think it's ok. (although, I confess, I put Brittany King in parentheses for Facebook... baby steps...) Brittany Spotts. That is my name. And it will someday be the name I've had for most of my life.... once I turn 51.... What are your thoughts on name changes??

Here are some more nursery projects that I got done in the last week or so:

i drew and painted this, but did not come up with the design- no creativity here!

painted a trashcan on the right and covered an old play-doh tub with wrapping paper. Maybe another trashcan?

added a background to the bookshelf. 

Week 19: What a Fun Week!

Size of Baby: Mango (6 inches long, 8.5 oz)
What's that Babe up to: working on himher's 5 senses, developing protective skin layer, and growing hair?
Symptoms: random crying (for no reason at all!), heartburn in the evenings
Food Cravings: whatever someone mentions.
Food Aversions: none, i'll take it all- including those leftover fries my co-worker, Ashley, keeps throwing away.
Weight: 161... hit a new milestone this week!
Weight gain so far: 13 lb. give or take a couple pounds depending on the day and time
Maternity Clothes: when I can! They way more comfy and long. Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law for passing the goods to me. (and my sister)
Stretch Marks: not on my belly...
Sleep: good. I don't wake up for the bathroom until 6-6:30 in the morning, and we get up at 6:45. so... Also- I asked my Dr if I could sleep on my back and she said YES! score.
Best moment this week: It was a great week, but the BEST part: my niece Greta hanging out with me all weekend
Miss Anything: knowing why I'm crying.
Movement: just a tiny little bit. I told himher last night that I like when heshe moves and heshe should do it more obviously. (heshe was moving last night while I was bawling my eyes out for no reason)
Belly Button: In, but getting flatter... I can see it all!
Wedding Rings: still fit
Looking Forward To: my massage on Tuesday and being at the halfway point of meeting my baby!

Journal:
       So really, this past week has been a really great week. So many times I thought, "I can't wait to blog this week, I have so many fun things to journal." So let me get started here....

First off, I didn't work last week, except for Monday. So Tuesday through Thursday I enjoyed my time at home getting rooms cleaned out, projects worked on, and feeling like a Stay At Home Mom while the kids are at school all day long. Since I brought that up, let me diverge into that topic.

Andrew and I were at church last Sunday and our pastor had mentioned to a small group of us that our vocations should be our calling in life and that it should be a mission field, etc, etc. I mouthed to Andrew across the room: "MOM" and he mouthed back "FARM." Andrew and I talk often about what our heart's desires are and our dream jobs. All my life there is only one job that I've always wanted and never changed my mind on. It's what I long to do. It's being a mom. More specifically, a stay-at-home mom. God has blessed me as I'm on my way to becoming what I've always wanted to be, and I could not be more grateful and excited!!! I won't get to be a stay-at-home mom for a couple more years, though, since being a dental hygienist is too beneficial to our financial department! I do enjoy what I do now, but I know it's not what I was made to do, even though I try my best at it and think I do a pretty good job, trying to please my Lord. And I plan on continuing my job even as I'm a stay-at-home mom in the future, because again, let's be honest- every mom needs to get out and see some adults every so often!

photo credit: erikamarie photography

photo credit: erikamarie photography

Back to my great week- Friday morning Lowen came over as usual and we hung out until about noon when we scampered to the car to go pick up my niece, Greta, who came to visit us from 5 hours away!!! We were so excited!!! :) We got a Happy Meal for lunch and played together for a couple hours before erikamarie photography came over to shoot some 4 year photos for Greta! Let me just tell you that I'm so amazed by 2 things: my niece's beauty as a 4 year old and my friend's God-gifted ability to take beautiful pictures. Saturday we babysat Erika's adorable little boy and Greta and I had fun tag-teaming that fun! She's such a great helper. I already knew this from when my sister had her second adorable girl and

photo credit: erikamarie photography

 I've since decided that I would like to have Greta around for when my baby is here. Which, reminder: is in 21 weeks.. or so. We enjoyed having a picnic in the living room, making colorful cupcakes, and enjoying fall snacks with friends. Sunday we went to church and Greta went to Sunday School all by herself because she's a big girl. We went to our favorite lunch spot: Casa Vieja. yum. I'll take this moment to point out that no matter how much you love your kid (or your sister's kid) no one is perfect. Our biggest only struggle with Greta this weekend was getting her to eat! Except for our picnic- that was easy, and the Happy Meal was too, oh and the donut for breakfast. :)

enjoying quad rides with Uncle Andrew!

Our colorful cupcakes!

Sunday is also the day that I fell down the stairs. We have really steep, carpeted stairs, and I can't believe I haven't fallen down them more since we moved here. And I'm really not looking forward to those stairs when I am 30-40 weeks pregnant!!! Anyway, Andrew was outside relaxing in the hammock and Greta was finishing up in the bathroom and I was coming down the stairs in my WAY slippery moccasins while trying to adjust the strap on a sandal.  Second step from the top I started sliding- I threw my hands up in the air trying to catch the ledge and instead caught the jumbo frame sitting there and all three of us (sandal, frame, me) went sliding the WHOLE WAY DOWN. Actually I think I stopped at about the 2nd to last step. It happened so fast, but felt like a really long fall. I got to the floor and laid there moaning and groaning and Greta came running out to me and so sweetly asked what I did. I told her and she started talking to me for like 5 minutes about how to not fall down the stairs. "you should be more careful on the stairs" "why didn't you put your hands out to catch yourself" "you should have a railing on your stairs" was some of the advice I remember. I like the railing idea for that dreaded 30-40 week preggo part I mentioned earlier... we might have to talk to the landlord about that!

After taking Greta back to her ride home's house I thought about how much I hope for a girl like her so we can have fun like I do with her. But then I realized it won't be the same. For so many reasons, of course. So then I decided: If I have all boys (my nightmare, Andrew's dream) I will be consoled by weekends like this past one when Greta and I can hang out together and do girly things like play with dolls and barbies and picnics and toe-painting and someday spa days, shopping, chick flicks. .... off to dreamland....

I had another Dr appointment on Tuesday and got to hear the darling little rapid heartbeat. It was wonderful. I also think my Dr measured by belly. She did not mention a word about it, but I'm pretty sure that's what she was doing. Anyway- I know my BP was really high again but they didn't talk to me about that either. I also only ate a cupcake and hot chocolate before the appointment so hopefully my sugar levels were ok! haha! Anyway- I thought we were going to be able to schedule my ultrasound for the next week- Oct 1st, but she said a week and a half- but with my schedule that means 2 weeks. SO I will talk more about our decision on finding out the sex of the baby next week!

I know this is getting long, bear with me, funny stories ahead:

Yesterday at work was exhausting and generally unfun. I got home from work and Andrew was already gone for the evening, helping his dad on his truck. I knew he would be gone when I got home and I figured he'd be gone most of the night. I was ok with it, of course, I didn't have to make supper. But after the long unfun day I grabbed some cheese and crackers, my ipad, and the tv remote. I fell asleep a couple times, moped around the house a couple times, loaded and unloaded the dishwasher twice, and moped on the couch some more. Andrew got home around 10ish and we chitchatted for just a few minutes and then he asked how my day was. I instantly started bawling and... never.... stopped. Finally I sat up and said I was going to bed. Went to bed, laid there for an hour, all the while still crying until I eventually fell asleep. The whole time there was NOTHING I was crying about. My day wasn't so bad to warrant tears, and sometimes when I'm already crying I'll just think of something sad, like my family being so far away, and that will give me a reason for the tears. Last night, I thought of that and it didn't really make me sadder. I was just so upset that I was crying that it made me cry more. Dumb Progesterone.

Finally- my last snippet: I will give a warning: Remember at the beginning of this pregnancy blog when I said things that made people say "she kinda says it all!" This will be one of those times when half of you will think I've said too much. You've been warned. But I'm so excited...

This week. I had diarrhea.
I wish that's all I could say because that would be funny, but I have to tell you more. I have been basically constipated with impassable stool for like 4 months - and suffered all the horrible things that go with being constipated. And this week that has all changed with not external help. As in, I didn't start taking stool softener, my diet didn't change, nothing. And I love it. I dreamed of a loose stool and it came true.

That's all, my friends! Hope you have a great week with normal bowel movements!

-brittany.