Happy Halloween

 

Happy Halloween from our Growing Family to Yours!

 

Matt spent the evening painting my belly so we thought we would share.  He did a pretty good job.  It is hard to believe that this time next year we will have a little jackolantern in our house.  Hopefully he or she will enjoy carving pumpkins and going trick or treating.  Bebe better be ready for daddy to take all of the sour candy, and mommy to steal a few kit kats and reese's cups  :)

 

We can't wait to start new traditions as a family!

 

Old Wives Tale # 13

I haven't ever been much a cook in the kitchen.  Matt seems to really enjoy mixing up different spices to rub on chicken and steak, so I let him.  I have been trying to get my foot in the door (ugh, kitchen) though.  We have snack time on Wednesday's at Life Group so I have been trying out some new recipes.  I made a mexican corn dip (with cucumbers, tomatos, green peppers, onions and corn).  It was super yummy.  I may have to make up another batch soon.  I also made pizza bites (which gave me heartburn), but will also have to try this one again and cross my fingers for no heartburn.  This new exploration of the kitchen leads me to this week's Old Wives Tale.

What's Cookin'?

Perhaps Dad and relatives and friends have noticed that you are busier ever in the kitchen. Are you baking chocolate chip cookies when the jar is already overflowing?  Or does a simple dinner turn out to be a feast of hors d'oeuvres, fancy saladm veggies of all colors, a succulent roast, and a pecan pie, which you've never baked before?

That hyper kitchen activity is happening beecause there's a boy growing in your tummy.

Is the kitchen as dull a place as ever?  The score's in the girl box then.


I'm going to put this down as a girl- even though I am exploring the kitchen more, I wouldn't say that my kitchen activity is hyper.  I do plan on getting more creative with dinner and cooking more though.

Running Total:
Boy: 6
Girl: 7

Second Ultrasound

I just realized I'm about a week behind on posting about our second ultrasound on the 19th!  Sorry everyone (meaning you mom- since you are the one who reminded me- and are probably the only one who reads this!)

The Friday before last Matt and I went in for our second ultrasound- this was the day that we could find out if our house would be covered with trucks and trains or if we would be bumbarded with dresses and ribbons and bows.

I said a prayer the night before and told the Little One to keep their legs closed, and asked God to please let "shim" be healthy.  That is all I wanted- if we got the money shot- then we got the money shot, (Looking back- I don't know if I would have been disappointed or not).  All I wanted was a healthy report card.

I knew this appointment would be longer since they would have to do all of the measurements, and more of a chance of seeing the babies goods, I was NERVOUS but oh so EXCITED.  We got in and I quickly said "We don't want to find out what it is!"  The ultrasound tech said ok, and told Matt to stand behind her at his own risk, since she didn't know what position Bebe would be in. 

I had recently been seeing some "money shots" of other babies- so I was pretty confident, even if "shim" was spread eagle there was a chance we wouldn't know what we were looking at, some of those ultrasounds are just hard to tell.

As I layed on the table Matt stood at my feet and watched the screen.  He got a good view for almost an hour.  A couple times he held his hands together in a prayer, and mouthed "please" (yes he still wanted to find out), but I shook my head no. He honestly hasn't pressured me in this at all.  Part of me thinks that he doesn't want to know- and just gives me a hard time every once in awhile.

Anyway- she got the measurements then turned the screen around to show me our baby!  Since Matt got a good show for an hour I was glad that she didn't just click the screen off.  I think I got to watch "shim" squirm around for 10 minutes or so.  She pointed out all the body parts (and the little legs crossed at the ankles--- just like mommy asked the night before.)  I asked if everything looked good, and she said based on what she saw yes, but that the doctor would call me. 

Bebe P was a very good listener- the tech needed a better picture of the spine (because of how shim was laying) so I talked to our LO and explained we needed the shot--- well a few second laters the tech said ok- got it- and showed me a perfect shot of the spine!  Later before turning the machine off I asked if she could get a profile shot, (we had such a good profile picture at the first ultrasound, and I wanted to see that little nose again.)  She said that the way the baby was laying she couldn't really get one,  so mommy worked her magic again and asked the little one to cooperate- and WE GOT THE SHOT!  It's not as good as the first ultrasound, but baby is bigger.

The tech said according to measurements I'm looking at a due date of February 28th- that's almost TWO weeks before my previous due date.

I ended up calling the doctors office on Tuesday to make sure everything looked good (I'm impatient and wanted to a-ok status, and they hadn't called yet)  Everything looks good- I asked about the due date, and the nurse said that they typically stick with the first due date, because the further along you are the more babies grow at different rates.  But that she may change it if I continue to measure ahead.

So it looks like Bebe Pressley will be here sometime the end of February, beginning of March. 

Before leaving the ultrasound place I asked the tech if she could of gotten the money shot.  She said yes and asked if we changed our mind, I quickly said NO, and ran out of the place before I did change my mind!


Matt still says girl- because he didn't "see anything sticking out between the legs".  My mom of course said "how big does he think it's going to be?"  I guess it's still up in the air. 

I can't wait till Birthday and hear Matt tell me if we are the parents of a new baby boy or new baby girl!

Week 21

I was going to write "I've officially been pregnant longer than I haven't been pregnant"- then I realized that that would mean I have been pregnant for longer than 14 years- thats NOT right.  I guess I should more accurately say that since this blog has started, I've been pregnant longer than not pregnant.  This still sounds strange though- So lets just say....

21 weeks down 19 weeks to go!

 

This week I have been in a sort of a funk.  I don't know what it is, I just don't feel myself.  I know I can blame my moodiness on pregnancy, since so many pregnant women have the up and downs throughout their pregnancy, but I haven't really felt that way until now.  I've had a great pregnancy- no morning sickness, no food aversions, no out of this world cravings where I make Matt drive to the store at in the middle of the night. I had heartburn one night so far, where my arms went numb and just couldn't get relief (and let me just say '"Heartburn- STAY AWAY!" that was awful.)  I've had the occasional lower back pain- but I think that it was from over doing it, walking, or sitting in one postion with not much support for too long.  It's just been a really good pregnacy, no stretch marks, my belly button is still there, no signs of labor (I think that takes care of most of my usual survey) 

 

I could do this for 14 years.  Wait no!  That would mean I would have to have more than 14 babies.  No thanks!

 

What was I talking about?  Oh my funk, I can't describe it- just haven't felt myself. There were days that I thought I could really feel the "bubbles of baby", then nothing- maybe that is what 'caused' my funk: worry. 

 

Maybe it was looking around the house and seeing all of this stuff piled up with no real place to go, and that caused 'clutter in my brain'.  I am having dreams again like when I was working, I don't feel rested- I feel stressed!

 

 

Matthew 6:19-21 reads: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where theives do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

 

Matthew 6: 24 goes on to say  "No one can serve two masters, Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

 

 

Not that I can say that I am serving money, but for about a year now, I've been over "the stuff" I have at home.  I have wanted to simplify my life.  I have wanted to take out the unneccasary, and haven't known where to start.  I think we have started the process by having the yard sale a few weeks ago- but there is so much more "treasure" sitting around my house that I just don't know what to do with.  I want to bring this child into a home that is Christ centered, a home that is filled with love and treasures of memories, not treasures of earthly goods, not stuff.

 

But how?  Sure I know how to make memories, I dream of the quality time we can spend as a family, raising our child to do good deeds for others, to be a loving person, to be a caring individual, a person who does things for the glory of God, not for the recognition here on earth.  But the earthly treasures part- when I do finally rid the house of the unneccesary, and it gets closer to baby time- how do I decide what is neccesary for this little one?



 



 

Old Wives Tale #12

Grandma's Influence Is a Gray Area?

(This one's for you mom!--- do you want to make any changes before I tally up this weeks Old Wives Tale?)

Does your mom- the child's maternal grandmother- have gray hair or is it colored?  It doesn't really matter whether the gray or color is natural or dyed.

If Grandma has gray hair, a boy will be born.

If her hair is another color, a girl is headed for her coming-out party.

Running Total:
Boy: 6
Girl: 6


You tied it up mom!  Six Old Wives Tales are pointing to this little one being a girl, and six are pointing to our growing bundle being a boy.

Matt still says girl! I still have no gut feeling.  What do ya'll think?  You think this is a boy baby or a girl baby?  What do you WANT it to be-- I added a poll on the right side- go put your guess in :)

Week 20

We are officially at the halfway mark!  Woot woot!  Actually according to the ultrasound we had on Friday I may  be a few weeks PAST the half way mark.  According to measurement of the Little One, the ultrasound tech put our due date at February 28th.  That's almost two weeks earlier than our last ultrasound.  We are waiting to hear from Dr. H to see if she moves it or not. 

I'm not sure if I had mentioned it before, but when we went to the doctor the first time, we were not 100% sure how far along I was.  I did  not have a period in May, and had one in June, so they used our first ultrasound as the due date.  But at that ultrasound I was measuring 13 weeks and 1 day- and the tech had a hard time getting the measurements because it was transvaginal, and due to the size, it was hard to measure.  

I know that Bebe doesn't really care when the doctor says shim (she+him) will come, because babies will come when babies are ready! But it would be nice to know how far along I really am- that way we will not be induced uneccasarily.  And will putting my due date at February 28th, instead of March 11th, makes me feel better about my weigh gain.

 

Matt and I went to the pumpkin patch with some friends, and got this picture.  We were slacking on the chalkboard, and actually didn't get a picture of the halfway point next to it- so this picture will have to do!  It was my first time at a real pumpkin patch.  We have decided it will have to be a new family tradition.  I CAN NOT WAIT to start more traditions as a family!  We took a hayride to an actually pumpkin field, and picked two pumpkins off the vines.  We will carving them the week of Halloween, so stay tuned to see our creations!

Old Wives Tales # 10 & 11

How Much Weight Does Dad Carry?

Sometimes fathers gain weigh, too, with pregnancy.  Nothing new in that.  But maybe you don't know what it means when dad gets heavier as Mom's pregnancy advances.  It means a boy is on the way.

If that's not the case and dad is as trim as ever, or at least dad is not putting on anything extra, then you're looking ahead to the birth of a girl. 

Running Total:
Boy: 4
Girl: 6

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Sweet or Sour?

Fathers know that pregnancy can give you strange and overwhelming cravings for certain foods.

In Iowa, they ask if it's pickles or ice cream that you like so much.  Sour pickles get the boy score.

A sweet girl goes with a taste for ice cream.


I honestly can not say that I have had any real cravings, but, just as BP (before pregnancy) I tend to go towards the salty, and steer clear of the sweets- So I think this one goes Boy oh Boy!

Running Total:
Boy: 5
Girl: 6

19 Weeks

We had our second doctors appointment on Friday. So strange that we are almost half way through this pregnancy and have only seen the doctor twice.  We actually got to listen to the hartbeat twice because she had a student doctor with her.  He came in and introduced himself to us and asked how we were doing.  He said he was going to try and find the heartbeat but wanted to let us know if he was unable to find it not to worry- because that, by no means, meant that something was wrong.  I think he was nervous.  I of course was nervous for our baby, but I think my nervousness for him was more.  I layed there and hoped that he could find the heartbeat- because I knew he would be disappointed if he couldn't, and could sense that he knew it would make me worry.  But he found it!  And what a beautiful sound it was!  Then Dr. H came in and she found the heartbeat again. She said I need to slow down on my weigh gain :/  Which to me was a little surprising.  From what I have read you should gain about 1 pound a week in the second and third trimester.  I had put on 8 pounds since our last visit (at 12 weeks I believe) So I thought I was doing pretty good at the one pound a week.  I do know I started out heavier, so I guess I need to keep a closer eye on what I'm eating- or maybe up the exercise.  Here is our 19 week photo and stats.

 

 

 

How far along: 19 weeks- we are getting closer and closer to the half way mark! 

This week baby is the size of: a large mango.

 

Next appointment: We just saw the doctor Friday, we have our ultrasound this Friday.

Exercise: I obviously need to up this.  I have been trying to walk more, and also have done some prenatal yoga.

Stretch marks: None that I can see

Swelling: nope, the doctor couldn't see any swelling when I was checked Friday. 

 

Ok these questions are getting silly- it seems like I keep putting the same answers. I may need to change the format! 

 

Yes I'm wearing maternity clothes, but can still do some of my pre-prego shirts.  The pants I haven't really tried, but I'm sure they wouldn't be as comfortable as prego-pants and yoga pants, so I'm just steering clear.  My belly button hasn't changed, I still am not having any real food cravings or aversions, no labor signs,  my sleep patterns vary- I do know that having Matt at home sleeping with me again, HIS sleeping patterns have changed.  I wiggle and move normally- but it seems twice as much trying to get comfortable and having to move pillows around when I move postions- I think it disturbs him more than me. 

 

Highlight of the week: We had our yardsale, didn't do too bad. We made a little bit of cash, got rid of some things, decided to donate some things, and brought a lot of my school stuff back into the house.  I just can't part with it (or atleast not part with it to the good will).  I plan to see if any teacher friends can use it.  As we get closer to Thanksgiving and getting the nursery ready more of it may end up in the Goodwill pile.  But for now, it's in boxes and stacked in different places around the house.

Old Wives Tale # 8 & 9

It's Better to Throw up Your Hands

Dad will say it's only natural for you to have morning sickness.
Frequent nausea, he's heard for years, goes with being in a family way.

But according to the greater authority of old wives' tales, you are more likely to have morning sickness when a girl is in your tummy.

A boy, it is said, waits until he's born to upset you!

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Due for an Overhaul?

Overall, do you feel well or not so well during pregnancy?

Let's not question the wisdom or logic of this folklore, but it is said that bearing a son is the more comfortable way to go.

Having a daughter, it is said, makes for a more troublesome pregnancy.


I have felt really good this entire pregnancy.... To the point if it weren't for the positive pregnancy tests I wouldn't have thought I was pregnant at all. I had sore boobs towards the beginning and have been peeing a bunch. But that's about it. No real morning sickness, no major food aversions, no major cravings. So I think we need to add two boy votes (Matt may just be wrong about "this little girl growing inside me"!

Running Total: 
Boy: 4
Girl: 5

Week 18

 

How far along:  18 weeks down, 22 weeks to go

This week baby is the size of: a mango. The chalkboard above is wrong. Now that I'm officially 18 weeks baby is 6 inches and 0.5 ounces. So in a week he/she grew half an inch!

Next appointment: This Friday!  

Exercise: My exercise this past week consisted of walking at the park while babysitting and window shopping at local stores. 

Stretch marks: None

Swelling: my belly is swelling :) or growing rather :)

Maternity clothes:  Yep, I've noticed they make me look more pregnant and less like I ate too much. Now if only I could find a pregnant hoodie- it's starting to get cold here. What happened to warm fall weather?!? 

Belly button: No changes yet

Sleep: I  definitely haven't been sleeping the way that I used to. 

Food cravings/aversions:  I made some Mexican corn salad that was amazing!  I could eat it by the bowlful. (It's basically corn, red and green peppers, tomatoes, and  cucumbers.) YUMM!  So I guess my cravings are vegetables. And still salty foods and ice cold water. 

Symptoms: My belly is growing!  My stomach has been feeling weird recently. It's strange not knowing what is normal and what is abnormal. I've been assuming everything is normal unless it hurts really bad or I'm bleeding. Anyway, sometimes when I walk, or sit and cross my legs, or pull my legs up to sit cross cross applesauce my stomach is uncomfortable. I would describe it as tender. I guess baby doesn't like the pressure. I'll add it to my "ask the doctor" list. 

Movement: When I lay down at night I *think* I feel something. Today I leaned over the bed and really thought I felt "bubbles". If this isn't baby I know I will start to feel him/her soon! 

Labor signs: No. 

What I miss: My husband

What I'm loving: Matt has been so amazing. He puts up with my random crying, makes me breakfast in bed, made me Rice Krispy treats, helps with the dishes and laundry. Talks to the baby, rubs my back. A girl can get used to this! 

What I'm looking forward to: our appointment Friday and feeling baby and *knowing* it is baby. 

Best moment this week: Matt got to come to life group this week :) We also got the chance to eat lunch with his aunt. 

Milestones:  Our baby can now yawn! 

Goals: Make lots of money at our yard sale Saturday

Old Wives Tale # 6 & 7

Catch Your Breath

Have you noticed breathing is more difficult since your pregnancy?

A boy is on the way when you experience shortness of breath.

No problem? You're breathing free and easy? It's a girl.

Verdict:  Good thing I don't have to read out loud very often, or talk and walk at the same time. Shortness of breath has definitely become a problem.  Could this baby be sporting blue when it's born?

Running Total:
Boy: 2
Girl: 4

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To the Heart of the Matter

Mom, it's important for you to have a good doctor to ease you through your pregnancy.

The next time you see your doc, take this quick sex test by asking for a check of your baby's heartbeat.

A rate of 139 or below indicates that it's a boy's heart that's beating.

If the reading is 140 or above, it's a girl's heart that will power a new life.

My first doctor appointment the heart rate  was 138 beats per minute. At our first ultrasound at 13 weeks and 1 day the heart rate was 153 beats per minute. So lets put this one down as a girl. No matter what though this little baby is stealing my heart!


Running Total:
Boy: 2
Girl: 5

Week 17

This week I did not do a normal chalkboard update. Instead I dedicted my chalkboard and wardrobe to a friend's son; Noah. Noah's mom, who I went to college with, posted on facebook that it was National Microcephaly Day.

According to http://www.childrenshospital.org

When a child has microcephaly, abnormal brain development results in an abnormal head size – much smaller than other children of the same age. (“Micro” means “small,” while “cephaly” comes from the Greek word for “head.”) These complications can also lead to problems with a child’s cognitive abilities and neurological functions.

Microcephaly is a neurological condition that occurs because a child’s developing brain doesn’t grow properly. This causes the disease’s most obvious physical symptom: a head size that is much smaller than normal.

Because the brain does not grow at a normal pace, the skull doesn’t, either. Many (but not all) children with microcephaly also experience cognitive delays and neurological problems as a result.

I have not had the pleasure to meet Noah yet, or see Jen and her husband interact with him. But the posts that I see on Facebook inspire me. The faith that Jen has amazes me. The positive outlook that she has on her own life, and son's life is so encouraging.