30 Weeks

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• Joycelen is about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds.
• A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger.
• Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen;

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 21 pounds
• Maternity clothes? Yes
• Best moment this week: Hearing her heartbeat at the doctor's appointment. She kept kicking the doppler.
• Food cravings: Pecan Pie
• Belly button in or out? In.
• Stretch Marks? Still none.
• What I miss: Being able to do things without someone saying "Should you be doing that?" Just this week I have had 4 people stop me at the gym to tell me I shouldn't be working out...

What's Happening with Daddy?

• This is Daddy's week to open the office -- so he is extremely tired. Getting up at 4:30 is not much fun, Mama keeps telling him that it is practice for Joycelen's arrival.

Making Room for Baby

Now that the holidays are behind us and just 9 weeks remain in our pregnancy, M and I have turned our focus to preparing our home for Joycelen's arrival. The major decisions regarding her nursery theme - furniture, decor, and design - have all been decided for sometime. We are now entering the implementation stage.

Her bedding is called Mod Butterfly. The pattern was chose by M, after we looked at more than 100 other bedding selections. He felt that it was a nice mixture of "girly colors" and "feminine details" without being too fussy/ girly-girly. I should note here that my only requirement for her nursery theme was that it was not wall to wall pink or overly girly - this bedding met my criteria and made M happy, which is a win/win.

Our plan is to paint the top half of her walls in a mint green color, have a white chair rail in the middle, and the bottom half will be chocolate brown. We have chose some colors that we like and are going to test them out on the walls over the weekend. If we are happy with our selections, painting will began next week. But there is going to be a lot more activity happening in our house. Here is a tentative timeline:

Wednesday, December 30 @ 12:00 p.m. - Meet with the flooring contractor to finalize design choices for wood floors that will be installed in living room and Joycelen's nursery

Friday, January 1 - Re purpose home office to Joycelen's nursery. This means moving the treadmill to our exercise room, the desk to the living room, cleaning out the office closet - ridding it of unnecessary items and finding new homes for the remainder. And we also have to pack away our Christmas decorations!

Saturday, January 2 - Start our baby registry. Pick up sample paint colors, test them on walls, make final paint selections.

Wednesday, January 6 - Painting starts

Monday, January 18 - Flooring is installed

Friday, January 22 - Saturday, January 23 - Set up Joycelen's crib, dresser, and rocker. Aunt Jessica will be coming over to add the additional design elements.


That's just what we know is going to happen. Somewhere in there we have to have 2 baby showers - one with our church and one with my mother's family. It is going to be a busy month, but I hope to have everything set to go by the 1st of February, so that I can really "relax" the last few weeks of my pregnancy.

29 Weeks

* This post is about a week behind. With all the activity surrounding Christmas, it never got posted.


What's Happening with Joycelen?

• Joycelen now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.
• Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 20 pounds
• Maternity clothes? Yes
• Best moment this week: Watching Joycelen kick for over half an hour - my tummy was rolling into very weird shapes.
• Food cravings: Pecan Pie
• Belly button in or out? In.
• Stretch Marks? Still none.
• What I miss: Being allowed to lie on my back while exercising. Now that the doctor does not want me to lie flat on my back - I am finding that there are numerous exercises I can

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy is still busy with the school he is building. He is also starting to gear up for the start of blueberry season - meeting with Papa and Uncle Jason to plan what work will get done each week.

Christmas Recap

The 2009 Christmas season was the busiest that I have had in several years. Between work related activities, church activities, and family time - I feel as though I was always doing something. However, at the end of it all - I felt blessed to be able to experience all that I did. So here is a recap of the Christmas Season.

12/8/2009 - Our hospital hosts "Santa's Secret Workshop". Children from our community gather in our hospital cafeteria to make crafts, eat gingerbread cookies, and visit with Santa. I must admit I felt a bit silly wear elf ears but the smiles on the children's faces made it all the worthwhile.

12/10/2009 - Annual Hospital Employee Christmas Party - The food was divine, desserts were delish, but the highlight was watching my co-workers sing karaoke and for a few hours leave behind the stress of our demanding jobs.

12/12/2009 - Lacey's Holiday Dance Recital - Watching 3, 4, and 5 year olds "dance" is a sure fire bet for fits of laughter and more cuteness than should be allowed.

12/15/2009 - Hospital Director's Christmas Party - Steaks, bingo, door prizes - I won the 26' LCD t.v.

12/17/2009 - Lacey and London's School Christmas Program - Lacey and London were "sheep" in the play. Lacey sang her songs beautifully, London was too busy hamming it up to really sing.

12/20/2009 - Children's Drama @ Church - Lacey, London, Trevor and Trenton were all a part of the play and did a wonderful job.

12/23/2009 - Youth Drama @ Church and Annual Gift Exchange

Christmas Eve - M went shopping with his brother early on in the day, which allowed me to sleep in - something that rarely happens anymore. I snuggled under the covers until nearly 10:30. After M and Jason finished up their shopping adventures, we all went to Jason and Lane's house to assemble a few toys. Over the course of the next four hours, we put together a Power Wheels Truck (for Trevor and Trenton), a Power Wheels Barbie (for Lacey), and a Disney Princess Scooter (for London). M and I then dropped the truck off at my parents and picked up last minute items for our Christmas Eve Chili Cooking/ Cookie Decorating party. From 5-7:00, M and I baked more than 4 dozens cookies, and cooked a huge pot of chili. Shortly thereafter, my dad, his parents, and Jason/Lane and the girls came over to our house. We ate chili, the girls decorated cookies for Santa, we made smores, and lounged around in our Christmas p.j.'s. M and I finally went to bed around midnight.

Christmas Morning - I woke up at 5:30 eager to begin the day (yes, I am still a kid at heart) but was gracious enough to let M sleep in till 7:30. After that, there was no more sleeping. M and I got up and spent the next half hour exchanging gifts. He is so cute as he had to shake each gift and attempt to guess what it was......I just tear into the paper and then shriek with delight. After our exchange, we went down to Lane and Jason's to watch the girls reactions to their presents from Santa. We then all had breakfast together. M and I had Christmas lunch with my parents, sister, brother-in-law, nephews and niece. The boys were thrilled with their powerwheels truck and wanted to drive it rather than open anymore gifts. We managed to get thru our gift exchange and then let the boys drive for about a half hour before enjoying lunch. After lunch, the boys went back outside and drove the truck until the battery died (roughly two hours). Following a snack of cookies, M and I went back to our house and worked out before heading to his parents for Christmas dinner. We dined on pasta, salad, and bread and then had a gift exchange. Once again, we found ourselves getting into bed near midnight - but the day had been filled with love and laughter, which makes for the best holiday.

Tell me readers, how was your Christmas?

Dear Joycelen

Dearest Joycelen,

It has been a few months since Mama has written you a letter. In fact, the last time I "penned" a letter to you, was in < href = " July . At that time, your Daddy and I referred to you as Peanut, since we didn't know if you were a boy or a girl -- and it also referred to you teeny tiny size. All that has changed now.

We have sinced discovered that you are indeed a baby girl.....our first daughter....and while you are still very small, teeny tiny is no longer an apt description of you. At our last ultrasound you were weighing 1.6 pounds -- and the doctor estimates you are over 2 pounds now.

You know that I talk to you throughout the day, telling you my hopes for you, my dreams. Every night, Daddy talks to you - encouraging to kick and move so that he can laugh at the weird shapes that Mama's tummy takes on. However, you show your independence and kick after he has stopped trying to intice you.

But today, as I listened to Christmas music -- my thoughts turned to another mother -- one who long ago waited on the birth of her son. The mother was Mary, her son was Jesus. I wonder how she found the strength to make the long journey from her home to Bethelem, while riding a donkey. Your own Mama grows irritable and tired if I have to ride in the truck/car for more than an hour. I think how she must of felt - delivering her child - in a dirty stable. I've seen the room where you will enter this world, I know your doctor very well, and each nurse who will care for you is a family friend..... and yet, the thought of your delivery still gives me a moment of fear and uncertainity. But most of all, I think of Mary and that she knew the great sacrifice her son would make. That she raised her child knowing her would die for her, and me, and even you Joycelen.

As your Mama, I want to protect you from every hurt and pain imaginable -- while you are in the womb and once you are in the world. Yet, I know I won't be able to accomplish my goal. You will experience bumps, bruises, scraped knees, and even a broken heart. And those thoughts make me hurt. I can not fathom the pain Mary must have felt knowing that he son would suffer and die -- and then to watch it and know that she played a role in his pain.

However, Mary was willing to sacrifice to be a part of God's plan -- and that is something that I can strive to do. And as you grow older, Joycelen, your Daddy and I will work to teach you of God's love, mercy, and His grace....and we will pray that you too will seek to serve him.

Love,

Mama

Christmas Meme

Christmas meme

Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate.

Does Santa wrap the presents or leave them open under the tree? Wrapped.

Colored lights on a tree or white? White.

Do you hang mistletoe? No.

When do you put your decorations up? My tree goes up on Thanksgiving night and the rest of the decorations go up over that weekend. However, since we were traveling this year - everything went up early.

What is your favorite holiday dish? I love pecan pie or my MIL's pumpkin roll.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? We have a pre-lit tree with white lights. All of the ornaments are gold - except for a few that were given to us by family/friends.

Snow: love it or hate it? Love it!

Can you ice skate? Yes, but not very well.

What is your favorite holiday dessert? All of them.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? My favorite holiday tradition is the one that M and I started last year. We invite our parents, siblings and nieces and nephews over to our house on Christmas Eve. We all wear our Christmas PJ's, make smores in the fireplace (or the microwave if it is too warm for a fire) and watch classic Christmas movies.

Candy canes: yum or yuck? Yum

Favorite Christmas show? Rudolph or Charlie Brown Christmas

28 Weeks

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• She weighs two and a quarter pounds and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels.
• She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through my womb.
• She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world
  

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 20 pounds
• Maternity clothes? Yes
• Best moment this week: Winning a 26 LCD T.V. at the work Christmas party. Mama and Daddy were quite excited.
• Food cravings: Nutella (a hazelnut spread) on anything
• Belly button in or out? In.
• Stretch Marks? Still none.
• What I miss: Being able to wear my knee-high boots. They cause my feet to swell too much, and the heel is too high - so Dr. H says they are out to after Joycelen's arrival.
• What I am looking forward to: Relaxing at home on Friday night and dancing at Zach's wedding on Saturday.

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy's school building project is in full swing - he is now spending 2 to 3 days a week on site. This means he often gets home after 7:00 p.m.
  
  

The Final Trimester

It's official -- Baby Joycelen and I have entered the final trimester. Assuming, my daughter decides to arrive on schedule, I will be holding her in my arms in a mere eleven and a half weeks. The previous sentence boggles my mind. It seems like only yesterday that M and I sat on our bathroom floor trying to comprehend that we were indeed pregnant. In the midst of my hysterics (which ranged from full on crying to gut busting laughter), I remember telling M " Our lives changed forever today." Those words still ring true.

From that digital read out on a pregnancy test, to the first time we saw our "Peanut" - time has raced ahead. At 8 weeks, M and I nervously waited for the technician to find that image of that teeny tiny heart beating. I remember thinking that the small black and white flutter was the most beautiful sight that I had ever laid eyes on.....and when at 16 weeks we heard her heartbeat, I thought that no sound was ever as moving. I even recorded it at 22 weeks, so that I could listen to it. Soon we discovered our "Peanut" was a baby girl....and we began referring to her by the name she'll be given at birth "Joycelen". And shortly thereafter, those first tiny flutters turned into full fledged punches and kicks........often taken me by surprise.

Now as her due date draws closer, M and I are amazed at how quickly time has flown and at how blessed we have been to have such an easy pregnancy up to this point. I have only battled morning sickness a handful of times, our quad screen came back normal, the glucose testing was perfect, and Dr. H says that Joycelen is growing right on schedule. Every night, we lie in bed - M lotioning my belly - and we talk to our daughter, telling her of our love for her, how excited we are to meet her, and laughing as she rolls around causing my tummy to look as though an alien resides in it.

Back in July, M and I had not planned on becoming parents and for those first few days we were shell-shocked. Now, we can not imagine being anything else. It feels as though Joycelen has been a part of lives forever -- and we can not wait for the next chapter of our story with her to begin.

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27 Weeks

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• This week, she weighs almost 2 pounds.
• She is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended.
• She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers.
• With more brain tissue developing, her baby's brain is very active now.
• While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 20 pounds
• Maternity clothes? Yes
• Best moment this week: Nana and Papa getting to watch Joycelen kick during our trip to Tampa.
• Food cravings: Anything peanut butter or chocolate
• Belly button in or out? In.
  Stretch Marks? Still none so far....I am going to thank the lots of water I've drank and all the lotion that M has rubbed on my belly.
• What I miss: Being able to move freely - sometimes getting up takes more effort, rolling over can be a chore, and balance is no longer my strong point.
• What I am looking forward to: Date night on Friday - M and I are going with a few friends to dinner and a movie.

What's Happening with Daddy?

• M loves watching my belly change shapes as Joycelen moves around inside.

26 Weeks

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• The network of nerves in her ears is better developed and more sensitive than before.
• She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air.
• And she's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 20 pounds
• Maternity clothes? Yes
• Best moment this week: Having a great report at the doctor's office. No risk for gestational diabetes.
• Food cravings: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
• Belly button in or out? In.
• Stretch Marks? Daddy says that there are none as far as he can see.
• What I miss: Being able to eat pizza without heartburn. So far it is the only food that leaves me miserable after eating it.
• What I am looking forward to: Weekend trip to Tampa.

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy did not get the Christmas lights hung last Friday as he had to replace the hot water heater at Meme's house. His plan is to hang them next week.
• Daddy is spending lots of time on the job site in Folkston - he is building a new school.

25 Weeks

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• Head to heels, she now measures about 13 1/2 inches long.
• She's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn.
• She's also growing more hair.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 20 pounds
• Maternity clothes? All the time - except for one or two pairs of jeans that still fit since they go under Mama's belly.
• Best moment this week: Joycelen kicking for Lacey and London -- they were so amazed.
• Food cravings: Blueberry muffins
• Belly button in or out? In.
• Stretch Marks? Still none
• What I miss: My balance..... the further along my pregnancy goes, the worse my balance becomes.
• What I am looking forward to: Going to Aunt Gail's for Thanksgiving

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy is 80% finished with the bookcases that will go in Joycelen's nursery.
• On Friday he is going to hang Christmas lights.

Tribute to Bailey

Last night was a rough evening. M and I had plans to put up our Christmas decorations, work out and generally lounge around the house. However, when M arrived home for work - he had sad news to tell me. Sometime yesterday morning, Bailey - our 1.5 year old pup - dug out from the backyard and had gotten run over. My sister-in-law Lane discovered him when she came home from lunch. Her pup, Boss, was standing guard over Bailey's body.

After having a very lenghty cry, M and I set out to bury our beloved boy. We chose a spot in the woods next to our house where Bailey would often chase rabbits, squirrels, and the occasional stray cat. We made sure to bury him with his favorite toys - a tennis ball, a vinyl chew bone, his blue rubber squeaky ball, and his tug ring. We stood over his grave.....cried a little more....and then said our final good bye.

M and I rescued Bailey from an animal shelter on the Friday before Mother's Day in 2008. My friends often joked that Bailey was my "redneck engagement ring" as M bought him for me after just two months of dating. From the moment we brought him home, Bailey was full of life and energy. He loved to run and play - fetching tennis balls with M, or running in our yard with our myriad of nieces of nephews. Not only was he vibrant, he was loving. He would patiently let our nieces/nephews pull his tail, his ears, poke and prod him, and cover him in sloppy baby kisses. And if M or I ever felt under the weather, Bailey would take up his spot on our couch to watch over us.

He was a wonderful dog.....our first child.....and he will be missed.

24 Weeks

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• She's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That
• She's almost a foot long
• Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop.
• Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world.
• Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 15 pounds
• Maternity clothes? All the time - except for one or two pairs of jeans that still fit since they go under Mama's belly.
• Best moment this week: Joycelen kicking Mama so hard during the board meeting at work, that Mama's shirt moved.
• Food cravings: Scrambled egg sandwiches
• Belly button in or out? In.
• Stretch Marks? None so far
• What I miss: Being able to get up from the floor easily. With the belly it is becoming increasingly difficutlt to sit on the floor (to play with my nieces/nephews) and then get up again.
• What I am looking forward to: Starting to put up the Christmas decorations on Saturday. (We are putting them up early since we are going to be out of town from the Wednesday before thru the Sunday after Thanksgiving).

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy has become an exercise machine. He is working out 3-4 times per week....often with Mama.
• He is also planning the final details of Joycelen's nursery design (flooring, and an installation timeline).

Putting My Feet Up

y feet. Since I spend 8-10 hours a day sitting at a desk, my doctor has recommended that I prop up my feet. Rather than spend money to purchase a footstool, I created this:

It is my office trash can, topped with a flat designed for holding coca-cola bottles, and then covered with a blanket. I think it works quite well.

.

23 Weeks

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• She is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango).


• Her kicks and punches are becoming more pronounced and I can definitely feel her movements.


• I may be able to see her squirm underneath my clothes.


• Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that her increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as Baily/Boss barking or the roar of the crowd at football games— probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 15 pounds


• Maternity clothes? Yes and yes.


• Best moment this week: Daddy "hearing" Joycelen's kick. I've been trying for days to get Joycelen to kick so that M could feel it, but the movements are not pronounced enough. So he put his ear to my tummy, and then she kicked twice in rapid succession and he "heard" them.


• Food cravings: Oatmeal with peanut butter, Granny Smith Apples


• Belly button in or out? In.


• Stretch Marks? Nope


• What I miss: Riding comfortable in a car for longer car trips. The trip to Atlanta this past weekend was taxing. I hurt in my hips for several hours afterwards.


• What I am looking forward to: Another ultrasound of Joycelen.

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy is still busy with work - but thankfully it is only 1 project instead of 2.
• He has always been trying to get back into a work out routine.
• He is planning on installing bookcases in Joycelen's nursery in the coming weeks.

22 Weeks

My niece London (2.5) decided that she wanted to in the picture with "Joycelen".

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• Joycelen is 11 inches and almost 1 pound, and starting to look like a miniature newborn.
• Her eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums.
• Her eyes have formed, but the irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 15 pounds
• Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively.
  Best moment this week: Hearing Joycelen's heartbeat at the doctor's office and being able to record it for Daddy to listen to.
• Food cravings: Oatmeal with peanut butter, Granny Smith Apples
• Belly button in or out? In.
• Stretch Marks? Nope
• What I miss: Being able to wear my high heeled boots. I wore a pair on Friday night and my feet were swollen for hours afterwards. Looks like I'll be sticking to low heels and flats from now on.
• What I am looking forward to: Trip to Atlanta this weekend and then to Lowe's to pick out paint colors for the nursery.

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy has had to close at his office this week, which means he has been working later than usual. However, he still makes time to cuddle with Mama and talk to Joycelen.

Pictures from Halloween

Goblin Cheesballs....

My niece Kaitlynn's First Halloween. She almost fit into my candy basket.

Mikey and I in our costume. I'm a "bun in the oven" and he is the baker.

Happy Halloween!

Fall is one of my favorite season because it includes:

• College Football Season (Go Jackets, Beat Vandy!)
• The changing of leaves - I love the beautiful shades of red, orange, and gold.
• Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin
• And 2 of my favorite holidays - Halloween and Thanksgiving.

I have been very busy this week celebrating Halloween. On Wednesday night, our church had a fall festival complete with candy apples, games, and 2 hayrides. M and I enjoyed the hayride with all of our nieces and nephews (that would be Lacey (5), London (2.5), Treveor (4), Trenton (2.5) and Kaitlyn (1 month). Yesterday, the daycare that is part of the health system I work for, brought the kids over to trick or treat. I had a blast handing out hershey kisses to a myriad of pirates, pumpkins, princesses, and other cuties. (I got lots of good ideas for next year). Today I am burning my pumpkin scented candle and preparing for tonight's activities, which include:

• A neighborhood hayride w/ trick or treating
• A cookout at my sister-in-law's.

I have made a pumpkin cheesecake to take and hope to make some Goblin cheeseball's to enjoy as well. M and I still need to finish our costumes. Needless to say, it is going to be busy around here. What are each of you doing for Halloween?

21 Weeks

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• She weighs about 3/4 of a pound and is rougly 10.5 inches long.
• Her flutters are starting to turn into distinct punches and kicks.
• Our baby girl now has her eyebrows (hope they are like Mama's, not Daddy's) and eyelids.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 15pounds
• Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively.
• Best moment this week: Feeling what I think was Joycelen's first real kick.
• Food cravings: Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal, Omlets, Greek Yogurt
• Belly button in or out? In.
• Stretch Marks? None so far
• What I miss: Sleeping thru an entire night. I am either awake because my position is uncomfortable or because I need to answer nature's call.
• What I am looking forward to: Halloween Party on Saturday Night

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy's bad tooth had him down for several days - he mostly slept on the couch as he waited for pain medication to work.
• On Tuesday, Mama took Daddy to the dentist for part one of his root canal. The dentist had to drill a hole to let all the infection drain out of the tooth. This made Daddy very sick.
• But by Wednesday when the dentist put on the temporary cap, Daddy was feeling 100% better.

A Year Ago Today....

Here's how my life was forever changed one year ago:
10/27/2008

Active Saturday

During the first few weeks of my pregnancy, I suffered with horrible fatigue. All I wanted to do was sleep - and usually on Saturday I did just that.... I'd sleep in late, take an afternoon nap, doze while watching t.v. in the evenings, and go to bed early. Thankfully, my fatigue disappeared around week 10 and has shown no signs of reappearing in my 2nd trimester. In fact, I seem to have an abundance of energy. Here's what I've done today:

7:30 - Wake up and dress for workout
8:00 - Level 1 of The Shred DVD ( I skipped the ab exercises)
8:30-9:00 - Dusted the living room, the master bedroom, wiped down the counter tops in the master bath, scrubbed the tub, started a load of laundry, and changed the bed linens
9:00 - Breakfast
10:00 - Cleaned up the kitchen from breakfast and switched laundry
11:00 - Shower time
12:00 - 4:00 - Watched the Georgia Tech Football game with hubby. Made a Subway run at half-time
4:15 - Folded a load of laundry and put it away
5:30 - Second workout of the day - Cardio intervals thanks to SparkPeople

Up next is a quick shower and dinner with my in-laws who just got home for their week long cruise. What have you been up to today?

20 Weeks

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• She weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now.
• She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel .
• Joycelen is swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 13 pounds
• Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively.
• Best moment this week: Taking Joycelen to her first Georgia Tech Homecoming game.
• Food cravings: Oatmeal, Greek yogurt
• Belly button in or out? In.
• What I miss: Sleeping on my side. For the past few nights, side sleeping has been impossible thanks to a sharp pain in my ribs.
• What I am looking forward to: Date night with Daddy on Friday night and sleeping in on Saturday!

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy has a severe toothache and will need a root canal next week.

Playing Nurse

On Sundy, M started complaining that he had a mild toothache. He took a few Tylenol and the problem seemed to alleviate itself. Fast forward to Monday morning, and the tiny toothache had returned with a vengeance. M has hurting so bad that he scheduled a dentist appointment for the same afternoon.

A quick consult with the dentist led to the conclusion that M needs a root canal. But before he can undergo the procedure, he needs to complete a 7 day round of antibiotics. Needless to say, poor M is quite a bit of pain (he slept so fitfully last night that he called into work today).

When I checked on him at lunch time, his face was swollen, he was still hurting and the antibiotics/pain meds that he had taken on an empty stomach were making him feel even worse. I made him a bowl of chicken noodle soup and left him dozing on the couch.

Hopefully the antibiotics and the pain meds will begin working their magic soon, until then I will be playing nurse.

Wordless Wednesday

Our niece Kaitlynn and M enjoy an afternoon nap!

19 Weeks

What's Happening with Joycelen?

• Joycelen now weighs around 8.5 ounces and measures around 6 inches head to bottom.
• Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now.
• Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting.
• Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch.
  

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 13 pounds
• Maternity clothes? Mama is wearing lots of maternity dresses - that are comfortable and stylish.
• Best moment this week: Finding out that our Peanut is our Joycelen.
• Food cravings: English Muffins with Peanut butter and peach yogurt.
• Belly button in or out? In.
• What I miss: Being able to lie flat on my back. The position is just not as comfortable as it used to be.
• What I am looking forward to: A weekend trip to Atlanta with M for Georgia Tech's Homecoming. We are planning on buying Joycelen her first Yellow Jackets outfit!
  

What's Happening with Daddy?

• The school that Daddy is building is pouring concrete this week which means he has been up and out the door at 4:15 every single morning.
• Daddy likes talking to Joycelen at night, telling her silly jokes, and telling her how much he loves her.
  Daddy has become a pro at rubbing Mama's back/feet/legs or anywhere else she seems to get cramps these days......he takes good care of Mama.
  
  
  

It's a girl!

Yesterday, M, my Mama, my Daddy, my Aunt Gail and my MIL Becki all piled into the ultrasound room for Peanut's "big reveal". Within mere moments, the technician was able to get a clear shot of the baby's butt. Yep, my child's first picture to the world was mooning us. A few moments later we heard the words "It's a girl!".

Over the next 15 minutes, we were able to get shots of her feet (which are long), her long legs which she kicked and fluttered and then promptly crossed at her ankles (so lady-like already), and her arms and hands. I had to laugh as she had her hands in front of her face and was punching away. M commented that she looked like she was in one of my aerobics classes (maybe Mama will have a little workout buddy). The technician took measurements of her weight, her head circumference, her heart rate, and the blood flow. Afterwards Dr. H came in and said that everything was going fantastic with our pregnancy.....measurements are on target, quad screen results were normal, and the ultrasound looks fantastic.

M and I were quite happy to hear the good news. And as soon as we left the doctor's office, we were texting/e-mails friends and family to let them know to prepare for the arrival of Joycelen Rebecca in about a little over 20 weeks.


** As soon as I can I will scan in the images for ya'll to enjoy!

18 Weeks

What's Happening with Peanut?

• Peanut is about 5.5 inches long and weighs around 7 ounces.
• Peanut is busy flexing his arms/legs - which Mama is beginning to feel.
• If Peanut is a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If Peanut is a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, although he may hide them during an ultrasound.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 12 pounds
• Maternity clothes? Yes - almost exclusively. Motherhood Maternity is now my new favorite store.
• Best moment this week: Finding lots of cute maternity clothes at Motherhood Maternity. It is amazing how much better I feel now that I am comfortable.
• Food cravings: Bagels
• Belly button in or out? In.
• What I miss: Having a stronger bladder. This week it seems if I even think about water I need to visit the restroom.
• What I am looking forward to: Finding out what Peanut is at our ultrasound on Thursday.

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy is now finished with the State Patrol office and can now devote all of his work time to the new elementary school he is building.
• Daddy has to open his office this week -- which means he is waking up (well, technically Mama is waking him up) at 4:30 a.m.
• Daddy loves to rub Mama's tummy and talk to Peanut while they are drifting off to sleep.

More Blog Love

Today I was honored to receive the above award from Maria at From Both Sides of the White Fence . The rules are as follows:

Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

While I do have a pretty extensive blogroll, most of the blogs are ones that I have been reading for many months. Therefore, I modified the rules so that I could post about the 5 newest blogs that I love to read on a daily basis. Here are the blogs I've chosen:

1. Itzy's Kitchen

2. Yum Yucky

3. Fab Finds Under $50

4. Simple Elegance

5. In Kari's Wardrobe

17 Weeks

What's Happening with Peanut?

• Peanut is now the size of a turnip - which is about 5 ounces and he/she is around 5 inches long.
• His/Her skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone.
• The umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker.
• Peanut can move his/her joints and is starting to develop sweat glands.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 12 pounds
• Maternity clothes? I am still wearing some of my pre-pregnancy clothes, but it is really time to go maternity clothes shopping. Thankfully, I am doing that this week.
• Sleep: Sleeping is GREAT!
• Best moment this week: Spending the day with Daddy and Grandaddy at the Georgia Tech Football Game
• Food cravings: Smores Pop-Tarts
• Belly button in or out? In.
• What I miss: Being able to get dressed in just a mere 5 minutes. Now that my wardrobe is dwindling, it takes longer to put an outfit together.
• What I am looking forward to: A nice relaxing Saturday with absolutely NO plans!

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy is finished with the State Patrol Office (cue the confetti).
• Daddy gets to be a bachelor for most of the week since Mama has to go to Atlanta for a workshop.
• Daddy is become a resident pregnancy expert as he reads all the articles from Baby Center that Mama forwards him.

One of My Favorite Blogs

I have a pretty extensive blog roll in my Google Reader. But the blog that has been there the longest is Have a Cute Day . I found this site thru another blog and immediately fell in love with the writers, their mission, and all of my fellow readers.

So what is the purpose of Have a Cute Day? It's simple - to encourage women (and men) to have a cute day every day. What makes a cute day? Well, that depends on the reader. For some jeans and a funky top make them feel cute. For me, I have shared my cute days of dresses, skirts & top combos....

Have a Cute Day is a fashion site with no rules - other than to love the things that you wear and to feel great about yourself everyday!

My Newest Love

On Friday at 5:59 p.m., my younger sister Kari delivered her 3rd (and final) child - a beautiful little girl she and her husband named Kaitlynn Madision. In just a few short hours, this little beauty has captured both her Aunt Kimbo and her Uncle Mikey's hearts. She is so petite (just 19 inches long) and dainty. She loves to snuggle close when being held and just so cute!

M and I are so excited to have a new niece and to know that our own Peanut will have a cousin so close in age.

16 Weeks

What's Happening with Peanut?

• Peanut is now the size of an avodaco...4.5 inches long and 3.5 ounces in weight.
• His/Her legs are much more developed, his/her head is more erect than it has been, and the eyes have moved closer to the front of his/her head
• Patterning on the scalp has started forming.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 9pounds
• Maternity clothes? A few items but I am finding that I might need to go shopping soon, particularly for dress clothes. Casual clothes from pre-pregnancy still fit.
• Sleep: Sleeping is GREAT!
• Best moment this week: Hearign Peanut's heartbeat at the doctor's on Monday. She says that everything is going great.
• Food cravings: Peanut Butter
• Belly button in or out? In.
• What I miss: Being able to wear some of my really cute/stylish work clothes. The bump is just to big to allow them to fit comfortably.
• What I am looking forward to: A Saturday get-away with M and my Dad. We are going to Atlanta for another Georgia Tech football game.

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy offically turned 30 on Saturday. He says he is an "old" man now, but Mama thinks he is still the greatest ever.
• The State Patrol Officer was approved for substantial completion.... according to Daddy that means that nearly everything is done except for a few minor details.

Nesting

For those of you readers who have been around awhile, you may remember that in the midst of finalizing our wedding plans, M and I underwent a small kitchen renovation .

Now that we are expectant parents, we again find ourselves embarking on home improvement projects. We are hoping that in the next month the bank approves our loan so that we can begin a major addition to our home - expand the kitchen (add new cabinets, new floors), add a family room, and two new bedrooms (one of which will be the nursery) and change all the flooring in the existing kitchen, living room, hallway and home office. While we are finalizing our estimated costs and going thru the banking procedures, M has agreeded to let me paint and redecorate the living room.

Currently the living room is done in tans and cream, but the colors are very muddied and give the overall room a dark look. So to add pop to the room and play off one of my favorite color combos, we are painting the living room a chocolate brown.... see the pic below



And we will be replacing the current furniture - which is a hodge-podge of M's couch from college, a recliner that our sister-in-law gave us and a random chair - to the set shown here .

I believe that the chocolate brown will add a touch of formality to the room and will coordinate well with the other colors in our home (kitchen is a beachy blue, bedroom is a beachy green, office is a cream color, and we plan on the family room being a beach green as well). I would love to hear your thoughts dear readers.

Pregnancy Firsts

I have had a lot of "firsts" this week in terms of pregnancy. I have had my first battle with heartburn. My first pre-natal yoga class. And the most amazing of all I felt the first tiny flutter that is Peanut moving.....

I was sitting at my desk doing a few deep breathes when I felt it....a tiny flutter as though I had a butterfly in my tummy. It was so amazing. I can not wait to feel more of Peanut's movements. And M is ready for Peanut to get big enough that he can feel the movements too.

15 Weeks

What's Happening with Peanut?

• Peanut measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple).
• He/She's busy moving amniotic fluid through his/her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop.
• Although his/her eyelids are still fused shut, he/she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, he/she's likely to move away from the beam.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 8 pounds
• Maternity clothes? I am wearing a few items that are maternity but still in the majority of my pre-pregnancy clothes.
• Sleep: Sleeping was pretty good the past week - other than the up 4 times a night to use the rest room.
• Best moment this week: Taking Peanut to the Georgia Tech football game - we came from behind in the 4th quarter to win!
• Food cravings: Mexican
• Belly button in or out? In.
• What I miss: Again,I am not missing anything as I am doing everything I did before Peanut.
• What I am looking forward to: Suprising M all week long with gifts leading up to his 30th birthday on Saturday!

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy has to open the office this week which means he is up at 4:30 each morning, so he will be quite tired by the end of the day.
• Next Tuesday marks completion day on the State Patrol office and Daddy can focus all his efforts on the new school he is building.
• Daddy also turns 30 this week!

Travelin' Mama

Peanut and I will be taking a road trip later today. Work is taking us to Dublin for a conference, after the conference ends I will head north to Atlanta where I will watch my beloved Yellow Jackets take on the Clemson Tigers.  The game is at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN..... look for me I'll be the gorgeous pregnant woman ----

 

I am sure you'll be able to pick me out of the crowd of 55,000.

14 Weeks

What's Happening with Peanut?

• Peanut can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb!
• From head to bottom, he/she measures 3 1/2 inches and weighs 1 1/2 ounces.
• By the end of this week, his/her arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his/her body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.)
• Though I can't feel the tiny punches and kicks yet, our little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 7 pounds
• Maternity clothes? I have finally purchased a few maternity tops because my regular tops were becoming to tight on the emerging bump. I can still wear normal pants/skirts/etc.
• Sleep: I am sleeping thru the night 95% of the time. On those nights that I drink more tha a few sips before bed, I am up a least 4 times answering nature's call.
• Best moment this week: Spending lots of time with M thanks to the 3-day weekend. We were able to dream/plan about the upcoming weeks.
• Food cravings: Hibachi vegetables and Little Debbie Oatmeal Pies
• Belly button in or out? In.
• What I miss: Nothing. This is the first week that I feel like my "pre-pregnancy" self.
• What I am looking forward to: Taking Peanut to his/her first Georgia Tech football game on Thursday.

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy has been busy working on the State Patrol office.....it should be completed by next Tuesday.
• In his few spare moments, Daddy has had his nose stuck in his "CIA/Spy/Mystery" book - which Mama think is so cute.

Honeymoon Day 6

(I am just realizing that I never finished blogging about my honeymoon, so I am doing that now. )

We awoke to rainy and dreary weather on the 6th day of our honeymoon. It was the kind of
weather that made me want to snuggle under the covers and sleep away the day. But we had
grand plans, to see the King Tut exhibit at the Atlanta Civic Center, so I arose and prepared myself for the day.


In spite of the rainy weather, M suggested that we walk the one block to the Marta (subway) station and take the subway down to the civic center. It seemed like a reasonable idea since it meant we would save on gas, parking, and most importantly time. However, we should have realized our folly the moment we stepped outside and the monsoon began. I was drenched from the knees down before we reached the station - and it would get much worse.
Although wet and mildly uncomfortable, M and I were making the best of the day and finding the humor in the situation. We rode the MARTA to our stop and got out. Then came the trial of finding the Civic center. Atlanta did not have very good signage, so after walking 6 blocks in the wrong direction, M stopped into a hotel and asked for directions. 15 minutes and another 20 blocks later, we arrived at the civic center. But at this point, I was completely soaked, freezing cold, hunger (did I mention we had skipped breakfast) and in quite a foul mood.
Silently M and I made our way into the exhibit. It was amazing! As I read the various descriptions of the artifacts and the stories of King Tut's life, I felt my anger melting away. At some point, I slipped next to M and grabbed his hand. We strolled thru the exhibit hand in hand after that.

Two hours later, we emerged from the Civic center and started the wet trek back to the MARTA station. On our way back, the umbrella we were carrying broke and as we were dashing to the station, we saw our hotel -- apparently we had ridden the train a mere two blocks. We couldn't help but laugh.







Following a quick costume change at the hotel, M and I went to the Vortex for a HUGE lunch. We ate some of the biggest (and tastiest) burgers I had ever seen. Once our stomachs were full, we made our way over to the world of Coke. We enjoyed seeing the various coke items, learning the history of Coca-Cola and enjoying lots of free samples. That was until I started feeling sick....

Feeling sick to my stomach, I asked M to take me back to the hotel. He obliged and then spend the next 11 hours taking care of his very sick wife. The 6th day of the honeymoon was quite a comedy of errors

Oh Baby (Questions), 2.0 (Edited to Add More ?)

I have a had a few more readers to post questions, so I figured I would address them in a post.

Are you planning on finding out the Peanut's sex?

Yes! Those who know me best know that I am a Type-A personality and very much a planner. Therefore, it would kill me (or at the very least drive me insane) not to know if Peanut will sport pinks/purples or shades of blue. We will have an ultrasound done at 18 weeks to hopefully determine the sex. Of course, that's assuming Mama does not sneak a peek early with the girls from Diagnostic Imaging.

Do you have names selected?

M and I had talked extensively about names before we found out we were expecting, so it was easy to transition that converastion into concrete names for peanut. If Peanut is a boy he will be named Micheal Lenwood Lee, III and we will call him Micheal. Lenwood was the middle name of M's paternal grandfather. Lenwood became the middle name of M's dad - and then the tradition of Micheal Lenwood was born. If Peanut is a girl, who first name will be Rebecca, we are still undecided on a middle name. I should also note that my sister who is expecting a baby girl in the next few days has expressed an interest in the name Rebecca, so if she chooses that name, it will be back to the drawing board.

Do you like having your "bump" touched?

With 4 nieces and nephews, the bump has gotten lots of touching, a little patting, and even a few pokes. I do not seem to mind when friends/family touch the bump. But I am a little put off by strangers touching the bump. And it is really weird/annoying when people want to rub my belly like they are petting a dog or something - definitely not cool.

Will you stay at home with the baby or place Peanut in daycare?

This was one of the first issues M and I addressed after finding out we were pregnant. While part of me would love to stay home for the first year of Peanut's life, financially it is not feasible. Furthermore, I absolutely love the job I have now and really do not want to give it up. Therefore, I am working on a compromise with my company. The tentative plan now is to stay home for the first two months of Peanut's life (thanks to the joy of paid days off). After that I am hoping to be able to schedule my work as a divide between days in office and days where I work at home. Thankfully I have a supportive management staff and co-workers who should make the transition easier. Once I go back to working a true "9-5" work week, Peanut will attend the daycare that is part of the hospital system that I am employed with.... and each set of grandparents will have the option of having 1 day a week to keep Peanut if they so choose.

Readers, anything else you are dying to know about me, Peanut, or M?

13 Weeks

A close up of the "bump"

13 Weeks and Glowing

What's Happening with Peanut?

• Fingerprints have formed on Peanut's tiny fingers.
• The organs and veins can be seen through the still thin skin.
• Peanut is almost 3 inches long and weighs nearly an ounce.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Total weight gain/loss: 5 pounds
• Maternity clothes? Not yet, but I have had to purchase pants in a larger size.
• Sleep: Sleep was the best it has been in quite awhile this past week.
• Best moment this week: Hearing the baby's heartbeat at the doctor! Peanut's heartbeat was strong, steady, and averaging 150 beats per minute. Dr. H was quite pleased.
• Food cravings: Cereal and milk (I had 3 bowls for supper last night).
• Belly button in or out? In.
• What I miss: My stamina - everything takes longer now because I seem to tire easily. At least it is a good excuse for taking naps on the weekend.
• What I am looking forward to: Taking Peanut to his/her first Georgia Tech football game next week.

What's Happening with Daddy?

• Daddy is just over a week away from finishing project number one. This means he is crazy busy but things will slow down soon.
• Daddy's smile when he heard Peanut's heart beat was the sweetest site ever. Then he busted out some dance moves to the beat, and Mama died laughing.
• Cute Daddy moment: Last night Daddy spent the better part of 20 minutes trying to explain to Peanut how to give us a thumbs up on the ultrasound (schedueled for 18 weeks).

Boy or Girl?

It's a boy if:

You didn't experience morning sickness in early pregnancy
Your baby's heart rate is less than 140 beats per minute
You are carrying the extra weight out front
Your belly looks like a basketball
Your areolas have darkened considerably
You are carrying low
You are craving salty or sour foods
You are craving protein -- meats and cheese
Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy
The hair on your legs has grown faster during pregnancy
Your hands are very dry
Your pillow faces north when you sleep
Dad-to-be is gaining weight, right along with you
Pregnancy has you looking better than ever
Your urine is bright yellow in color
Your nose is spreading
You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves in circles
You are having headaches
You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an even number

It's a girl if:

You had morning sickness early in pregnancy
Your baby's heart rate is at least 140 beats per minute
You are carrying the weight in your hips and rear
Your left breast is larger than your right breast
Your hair develops red highlights
You are carrying high
Your belly looks like a watermelon
You are craving sweets
You are craving fruit
You crave orange juice
You don't look quite as good as normal during pregnancy
You are moodier than usual during pregnancy
Your face breaks out more than usual
You refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread
Your breasts have really blossomed!
Your pillow faces south when you sleep
Your urine is a dull yellow color
You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves from side to side
You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an odd number

Monday Funnies

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, 'Why is the bride dressed in white?'' The mother replied, 'Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.'
The child thought about this for a moment then said, 'So why is the groom wearing black?' ~~~~~~~~~~~~

A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!'
While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late..... But please don't shove me either!' ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, 'My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.'
The second boy says, 'That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100.'
The third boy says, 'I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!'

~~~~~~~~~~~~
An elderly woman died last month. Having never married , she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, 'They wouldn't take me out while I was alive, I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~
A police recruit was asked during the exam, 'What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?' He answered, 'Call for backup.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem ... A small child replied, 'They couldn't get a baby-sitter.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?' Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, 'Thou shall not kill.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~
At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs.

Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, 'Johnny, what is the matter?' Little Johnny responded, 'I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil. One said to the other, 'What do you think about all this Satan stuff?'
The other boy replied, 'Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. It's probably just your Dad.'

Update on the Pain in My Side

After two full days of rest, the pain in my right side has disappeared. My OB/GYN and I both believe that the pain was a combination of an aggrevated muscle and my pelvic joints beginning to loosen. She assured me that the loosening is normal and that the discomfort should be minimal.... but advised that if anything "felt" different or wrong, we would get to the bottom of the problem.

So for now, I am cutting back on my workouts and adding more stretching to my routine. Thank you for all the concerns and comments.

A Pain in my Side

Today around 1:30, I went to get out of my office chair and was immediately hit with a sharp pain in my lower right side. It took a minute for the pain to pass so that I was able to stand up straight. From that point forward, I have had a dull ache on that side. Normally, I would be nervous/scared, but since I work in a hospital I have a myriad of health professionals at my disposal who can offer their educated opinions on such as these. The general thought is that I've pulled a muscle -(maybe working out 5 days a week isn't such a good idea anymore) - so I'm under strict order to skip the gym and go rest. If the pain is still present in the morning, I'll be visiting the Diagnostic imaging department for an ultrasound to ensure that things are okay with Peanut.


*I have also spoken with my OB/GYN who agrees with the 100 other opinions I have gotten today. If the pain worsen or other symptoms present themselves, M and I will make a beeline for the ER.

12 weeks

**Picture to be added later. Daddy the photographer has been super busy this week.**

What's Happening with Peanut?

• Peanut has started to develop reflexes.
• His/Her fingers are opening, toes are curling, and that tiny mouth is making sucking motions
• Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in Peanut's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be.
• From crown to rump, Peanut is just over 2 inches long and weighs half an ounce.
  

What's Happening with Mama?

• Sickness: None. (Keeping fingers crossed it stays that way)
• Weight gain: 4 pounds
• Mood swings: Still hanging around, although nearly as severe as last week. It is amazing what a good nigh's sleep will do for one's mood.
• Food cravings: Mashed potatoes and creamed spinach
• Sleep: I slept better during the night this week, and did not have take more than a 30 minute nap on Sudnay.

What's happening with Daddy?

• Daddy is close to completing the State Patrol office he has been working on for over a year. The school that he is building is slowly making progress.
• Daddy has done a great job of helping Mama with the household chores - even going so far as to fold several loads of laundry and shampoo the carpets.

Next week, Mama and Daddy will go back to the doctor for a check up and hopefully will get to hear Peanut's heartbeat on the doppler.

Date Night Plans

Today marks 5 months since my wedding day. And in those 5 months, M and I have had quite a few adventures (and perhaps a mis-adventure or two); and ever day I fall more in love with him and am so grateful that I have a lifetime to spend with this amazing man.

 

Over the last 5 months, M has taken on more and more responsibility at his job. He went for estimating bids to managing not 1 but 2 major projects at his company. While in the middle of that, he devoted countless hours to the farm that he co-owns with his brother and father.  And to top it all off, he still comes home helps cook dinner, washes the dishes, folds laundry and gives his tired/pregnant wife a foot rub.

 

So to honor the fantastic man he is - I am taking M out tonight for dinner and a few surprises. After all, he deserves it!

11 Weeks ( A little Late, but better than never)

What's Happening with Peanut?

• Peanut is now about 1.5 inches long and roughly the size of a fig.
• He/She is very busy kicking, stretching, and performing what looks like water ballet. But I can't feel the movements yet.
• The diaphragm is starting to form.
• Peanut is getting tiny tooth buds under his/her gums and some of the bones are starting to harden.

What's Happening with Mama?

• Sickness: None. (Keeping fingers crossed it stays that way)
• Weight gain: Up roughly 3 pounds, which is what my doctor recommends for the first trimester
• Mood swings: Present and accounted for.... mostly swinging from happy to weepy in about 2.5 seconds
• Food cravings: Last week, I craved ice cream non-stop, so much in fact that I have 2 blizzards in a single day. I also craved yeast rolls with honey butter. My parents happily indulged my craving by taking me to Golden Corral for dinner where I promptly ate 4 rolls.
• Sleep: I am sleeping 90% thru the night - still waking up a few times to answer nature's call. But I am making up for it with naps on the weekends ( almost 4 hours worth on Saturday).

What's happening with Daddy?

• Daddy has been working lots of long hours at the office trying to wrap up 1 of the 2 construction projects he is managing. But he is still finding time to pamper Mama by rubbing her feet and back - which seem to get achey a lot easier these days. And by indulging her cravings and overlooking her mood swings.
• Daddy has also started talking to Peanut - although it is mostly silly boy conversation, but it is still super sweet.
  

Menu Planning Monday

Last week was much calmer than the previous few weeks and as a result I was able to prepare 2 out of the 4 meals that I had planned on, the other two meals were dinner out courtesy of my parents. Last night I took stock of our freezer/fridge/pantry and was able to come up with 6 different meal ideas for the upcoming week. Those meals include

1. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
2. Italian Turkey Sausages with Peppers Onions - I will post the receipe later
3. Turkey Sloppy Joe's - My own receipe which I will post seperately
4. Cuban Chicken Salad
5. Saucy Italian Pork Chops
6. Breakfast for Dinner - Whole Wheat Waffles, Eggs, and Turkey Bacon


What will you be eating this week? Do you meal plan - why or why not?

"Foto" Friday - They Hold my heart in their Hands