29 weeks: Let the prep begin!

At 29 weeks, it's time to get serious! Not only is the day approaching soon, I am slowing down! :) This week I planned out what I need to get and do to start/finish the nursery/office. I have some trips to JoAnn Fabric ahead of me and am hoping to borrow a sewing machine. 

Last night we started prepping for the birthing process. One of the DVDs came in yesterday, so we took class 1 of 6, "Anatomy and Physiology and Preliminary Signs of Labor." It was more interesting than I expected a taped class to be. Kyle did a great job when I quizzed him afterwards. It means a lot to me that he takes this stuff seriously and wants to be prepared too. He was thanking God he isn't a woman. :)

We plan on doing a class a day this week. Should be interesting!

2 down, one to go!

I got home from my third trimester check-up just a bit ago. Everything looks good. The doctor said I would soon hit a brick wall of fatigue and start packing on the pounds. I hope that has already officially started cause I'm so there! My tummy is a little ahead of my due date--she thinks we may be in for a big baby. 

I had my 28 week test for gestational diabetes today and, unless something is wrong, won't be back for 4 more weeks. After my 32-week appointment, I start seeing the doctor every 2 weeks.

She also gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxer to help my back and sciatic nerve and a referral to a physical therapist. I have had a few bad days/nights and know this will get worse as time progresses; I'm glad to have some relief on hand.

We have changed hospitals. St. Joseph's isn't accepting our insurance as of 2009, so we will be delivering at University Community Hospital (UCH) instead. We should take our all-day-intensive course there in late January. Meanwhile, we have Lamaze DVDs on hold at the library. Good times! 

Christmastime

Little Baby Truman has been enjoying this first Christmastime. Yummy treats from Aunt Terry, a special trip to Melbourne, dinner dances and gift exchanges have kept us hopping. I continue to think this is the best time of year to be pregnant.

Baby is growing and staying active. We can often see hiccups now. Space is getting a bit limited in my tummy and our home as we make room. I am looking forward to setting up the nursery after Christmas is over. Usually I get sad when I take down all the decorations, but this year I think it will be exciting to get it all done so I can start making curtains, covering cushions and more.

Today marks the last day of my second trimester. All in all it has gone rather quickly. My back is starting to hurt all the time now, but I am honestly amazed that it took this long considering my history of back issues.

On Tuesday I have my 7 month check-up complete with another gestational diabetes test. I hope I don't have to lay off the sweets for Christmas. Baby has a sweet tooth, which is pretty amazing since there are only gums in thre right now. :)

Our Little Turkey

Time is flying by! Baby enjoyed baby's first Thanksgiving meal, shared with the great grandparents from NC! Baby really does love the Thanksgiving spread--I have been craving holiday fare for quite a few months now and got lots of kicks and swirls in response to the goodness (followed by tryptophane induced sleep?).

Baby is growing so fast--approx 13.5 inches long and weighing over 1.5 pounds. The baby is supposed to start bulking up now and should be in the process of growing a thick head of hair. Tomorrow is the 25 week mark.

Baby moves a ton. Generally less kicking than I expected, but lots of movement nonetheless. Last week I had my 24 wk check up and the doctor could barely get baby's heartbeat to stay in the monitor for more than a few seconds before baby darted across to the other side of my stomach. It was funny watching the doctor try to follow the little one all over the place.

I have been reading some old wive's tales on how to know if it is a boy or girl. We still totally want to be surprised, but I think it is fun to speculate (and a hoot to read some of the things they think are clear signs one way or the other). According to legend, we are mostly having a girl. :)

Grandma Ann came laiden with gifts from the NC family. It is so fun to collect these wee things. I love watching my office develop into the baby room/office more and more.

I get a KICK out of you...

Little Baby Truman is getting more and more active. Kyle was cuddling with me very early Sunday morning and got kicked! Last night we had friends from church over and I jumped when Baby delivered a swift kick--the most powerful yet. This morning I woke up to rhythmic hiccups in my belly. It is fun and strange to begin feeling so much.

I continue to crave all things pumpkin--thanks goodness it's the right time of year for such goodies. I made pumpkin biscotti last night--yum! I am in good spirits but more tired. I took a nap three days last week. I am also getting more sore. My back, hips and a stinking nerve in my backside are acting up. I'm also having problems with my hands and wrists--poor circulation and lots of tingling and shaking. It's weird how much pregnancy affects the entire mama.

Just over 20 weeks!

Updated Mama photos! We're just over half-way there--Wahoo! You can see that I have more than doubled in size (and weight!) over the past month. Amazing... Scroll down for a reminder of how "big" I was a month ago.

Yes sir, that's our baby!

We got to see our little one for the first time today! All I can say is, WOW! We think the baby is absolutely beautiful and perfect, but we're biased.

Little Baby Truman is super active. We watched wiggles, toe sucking and all kinds of fun things take place. It was quite the show! Check out the photos here.

Papa, can you feel me?

Kyle got a swift kick to his hand yesterday evening via his little one in my tummy! We were cuddling on the couch when baby started moving around, and, after some amount of prodding, Kyle got to feel the baby kick. We were both so excited and sat there with huge smiles and watery eyes. :)

Registration and Registries

The past 7 days have been full of baby-planning and preparation.

We pre-registered to deliver at St. Joseph's Women's Hospital and for baby's birth certificate. Doing it ahead of time is supposed to save 30 min. getting into the hospital and reduce the certificate process when it's time for that. Later on, we will attend some classes there in prep for the big day and beyond.

Yesterday, Kyle and I registered the baby for stuff! We ended up registering at Babys "R" Us and Target. It was fun for the first 3/4 of the time and then we got a little tired. It would have helped if the pregnant lady wasn't the one getting directions--I got us lost on the way to BRU. :) I had a checklist ready before we got there, so really we made short order of both stores. It is so fun to be planning Little Baby Truman's room, gear, etc. I have started collecting things through garage sales and freecycle--it's amazing how much great stuff you can find for free/cheap.

We are also hitting the reading a bit harder. We are reading Shepherding a Child's Heart together. It's been good to talk about goals we have for our little one and how to meet them ona day-to-day basis. I am continuing to read What to Expect When You're Expecting and began Baby Wise today. So far, the reading has been very affirming and helpful. I feel like a lot of our ideas are being encouraged and solidified by what we read.

That's it for now! My Honey is home. :)

Hoorah for Daddy!

Kyle was promoted to assistant store manager at the Starbucks store he has been filling in at as a shift supervisor over the past few weeks! Though his responsibilities will increase and his shifts will be fluctuating a lot more, he is only going to work about an hour per week more than he has been. Mama and baby are very proud of this hard working man. :)

We are thankful to Our Daddy who art in heaven for providing our daily bread and the extra money we need to take extra good care of our little one. The timing of this promotion couldn't be better. We are breathing some sighs of relief and even larger ones of gratitude!

For the first time in my life, I'm normal!

I am rejoicing that my glucose test for gestational diabetes came back normal! Thank you all for your prayers. I will be tested again at 28 weeks (when women without a high risk are routinely tested). My next appointment is October 28th when we get to see this little one for the first time.

We spent the weekend with my family and I think Little Baby Truman enjoyed it immensely. Baby is already being gifted by sweet family. Mom and Dad gave us a hooded towel, wash clothes, a bath and rubber ducky! It is super fun to have baby stuff in the house. We are also going to get the bassinet that my brother and I used when we were wee. Great Mamaw and Papaw gave us a camcorder and made us promise to send video of the little great grandchild. :)

Our apartment is in the process of being rearranged and made safer for baby (gone are the days of cinder block books shelves). It feels good to FEEL GOOD and be able to do something to prepare for baby!

16 weeks = 4 months

It's kind of funny to watch people do the math and realize that being 16 weeks pregnant is the same as being four months pregnant. I suppose that since we're not used to thinking it terms of so many weeks for other occasions it catches everyone by surprise.

Kyle took some pictures of the baby and me before date night last night. Enjoy the expanding view! You can view more here.

I had my glucose test today for gestational diabetes. I should have the results by the end of the week. On a more exciting note, the baby's heartbeat is pitter-pattering loud and strong! :) It was fun to hear it again today.

What's in a name?

I think we've settled on names! Though, nothing is official until the birth certificate is signed.

For a girl: Sophie Alana
For a boy: Creed Elijah

Our sweet neighbor who is a few months ahead of me just found out she is having a boy, which is fabulous except for the multiple sonogram prints that say "It's a Girl!" We have new-found faith in our waiting game. :)

One down, two to go!

It's official--we have cleared the first trimester! While week 14 finds me less sick, I am definitely more moody and emotional. Pray for Kyle! :)

This past weekend the Magill family was here. They just returned from a year in South Korea. It was great to have them with us, and even more of a blast since we got to spend time with their 3 month old, Sammy. I'll add some pictures as soon as we buy more batteries for our camera. :)

In preparation for the Magill's visit, the office/baby room is headed more towards the baby room side of things. A friend from church gave us a glider/rocker and foot stool. I'm trying it out every few days with a good dose of What to Expect When You're Expecting. It is fun to start doing little things in preparatio for baby's arrival. I need to make a list of all the stuff I think I don't have time to do now and get it done before I truly understand what "no time" means.

Baby, Baby, we can hear your heartbeat!

Yesterday something amazing happened. Kyle and I got to hear our little one's heartbeat for the first time! This was way more fun than the other hints of baby--i.e. my growing tummy and all the sickness over the past weeks. It took the doctor a little while (and lots of hard poking and prodding!) to find the heartbeat, but then there it was--loud and strong. Our little one is already obstinate (wonder which one of us THAT could be from...) and promptly moved when discovered so the poking had to begin all over again. :) Kyle and I were both so overwhelmed we teared up together.

Our next appointment is at the 16 week mark--September 30th.

My health is remarkably improved--I'm so glad! It was starting to get to me. And the ladies at the library were getting suspicious about the number of movies I was watching in a short period of time. :)

Baby Truman got to meet the grandparents and uncle from NC (and the uncle's girlfriend). They stayed with us through Labor Day weekend and all had a ball. :)

Is it over?

Well, it's the fourth day in a row that I haven't been violently ill. Could it possibly mean that I am on the way into the sunshine? I'm almost through the first trimester. I feel like my body is balancing out in many ways, which makes me feel a bit less crazy. :)

Grandma and Grandpa Truman, Uncle Cory and Emily are coming to see us this weekend. We are so excited!

It's a... BABY!

It's official--we are having a baby boy or girl. :) Kyle told me last night that he's willing to wait and be surprised.

My parents bought some super cute maternity clothes for me. I think I'll need them soon--I'm already showing a bit!

9 weeks and 5 days

Howdy, folks. I thought I'd attempt a little blog to keep those who want to know in the know.

We found out on July 10th that we are parents! I was actually taking a pregnancy test (I was way too emotional that day and knew something was up) when my friend called and I got distracted. I walked back in the bathroom later (still on the phone) and saw the results. Needless to say, I didn't hear much of the rest of the conversation. After hanging up, I double checked and then tried to figure out how I was going to manage to make it until Kyle got home from work to share the news with him!

We had our 8 week check-up on August 5th and they say that Little Baby Truman is due March 19th. I don't think the baby is quite as old as they do, but we shall see.

Our 12 week appointment is September 2nd. We should be able to hear the heartbeat and may have our first sonogram then too.

I am doing okay--just super tired all the time and quite sick most mornings (into early afternoon). Kyle is doing an amazing job (of course!) of taking care of me and putting up with his uncharacteristically emotional and ditsy wife.

So far we haven't decided if we're going to find out if Baby Truman is a boy or girl. We'll keep you updated.

That's it for now!