26 weeks...and the belly continues to grow!

Our 26 week check up was today. As well as the infamous "Glucose Test"...I'd heard some pretty awful things about that test. I really didn't think it was that bad. The "orange flavored drink" they gave me to drink specifically at 8:15 a.m. was chilled and ready to go. I downed it like a champ. Then I got a headache from it being so cold, lol. Then the race was on...we had to be to the doctors office no later than 9:00 a.m. so they could take the test at 9:15 a.m. We were prepared for this however. We had our plan all figured out the night before....drink, shower, dress, and leave by 8:30 a.m. and we did it! They were very specific - no eating or drinking before the test. Tough one for me because I like to down a glass of water first thing in the morning.

We made it to the office and waited for our appointment. I've gained 3 more lbs. and everything was good. I'm right on track with my weight. So even though I feel like a Fatty - the numbers do not lie - I am doing well. He measured my tummy for the first time and told me Bug was measuring to be a "normal sized baby, not too big not too small." That news made me very happy since I have been so worried Bug would be a big baby like Cole was. 9 lbs. 13 oz. does not sound like fun! So it looks like Bug may take after his mama and be a regular size. THANK GOD! :) He said Bug weighs a little over a pound right now. We heard his heart again too...that sound never gets old. 140-145 BPM. "Strong and healthy."

Our appointments are now going from 4 weeks apart to 3 weeks apart....kind of exciting because it's a sign we are getting closer, but also kind of nerve-racking because it's a sign we're getting closer! LOL.

The negative was that I got into a bit of trouble by the Dosh-Master today. He said I needed to get more rest. I told him I am not a sitter and that it's hard for me to be stationary. He said I need to so I am going to really try and be a little more sedate. I have been feeling very tired lately and figured alot of it was due to the hustle of the holidays. He said it has to do with pregnancy too....lol. So, I need to be lazy more often. After our appointment I had to have my blood drawn. 2 vials down and in 3 days I should have an answer. If I test positive then I will have to change my diet to a gestational diabetes diet. Doesn't sound like fun but I am not really worried about it. My mom said we haven't really had that issue in our family during pregnancies.

The plans are being made!
We called and scheduled our lamaze classes. We begin in February. I do not think either of us are looking forward to these classes. I remember going to one with my sister Leslie and it was so cheesy. I'm sure we will learn some important information - so we will still attend - but we are not really excited about it. Touring the hospital is going to be the high light though! We'll get to see a birthing room and learn more about the process so at least we have that to look forward to. A co-worker of Coles wife works there and she offered to show us the ropes in a bit more detail than the class. That's kind of exciting.

We recieved Bugs bed, changing table, rocking chair and some other items for his room. I had to order something from his bedding so that we can match up a paint color. We ordered the Diaper Stacker because Cole thought it was cute and useful. I wasn't going to get a diaper stacker but we will use it! I am anxiously awaiting that delivery.

I cannot wait to get his room ready! We've been picking up little things here and there for his room and for him. I bought a little sleeper for his "First Thanksgiving" and also one for his "First Christmas." Gotta love those after holiday sales! We received many great gifts for Christmas for Bug and we are so thankful for all of them! Diapers, clothes, books, etc. We received my favorite childrens book "Love You Forever" and I cannot wait to start reading it to him. Maybe one of those lazy days when I've got my feet up!

As the belly continues to grow....

24 weeks! This week Bug weighs at least a pound!
He's very active on certain days, not so much on other. It's when he's not active that scares me a little. Cole too. He'll ask if Bugs moving and when I show concern he just calms me and tells me "He's sleeping." but later on when Bugs moving about I let him know and his face just lights up and he says "Good." and I can just see the relief on his face. Bugs schedule is still the same...early morning, late at night and periodically through the day - but not alot.

He does seem to love baths! I love taking baths and I use it as a time to share with Bug. I tell him how much we love him and how we cannot wait to meet him but that he has to stay in there and bake for a bit longer so he'll be strong. He really is active during bath time. Tonight though was quite an experience! He wasn't really active today and when I got in the bath he still didn't seem to move about. So I had to "bug" him a little bit and he still wasn't reacting. I got nervous and told him "Mommy needs to feel you Bug." and I got this big huge kick in my left side...it was like he was telling me "Woman! I'm in here and I'm trying to sleep!". So I left him alone after that. His movement is just amazing. I look forward to it every day.

When Cole comes home from work Bug is usually awake and when Cole talks to him he really reacts. It's so sweet to us both that he recognizes Cole's voice - at least we think he does. Last week was a really cool experience for Cole!! He came in from work and I was in bed. He wrapped his arm around me and Bug kicked him right in the arm...almost like a "Hello Daddy!" moment. It was so neat. We are really living for little moments like that.

As the belly grows...

Here I am at 23 weeks.
Cole said I look really tired in this picture. I WAS!! We had a busy week and I was exhausted but I have learned my lesson! This was the week we went to see the Dosh-Master and I learned all about the swelling and water retention occurring. Cole told me to take it easy so as hard as it was for two evenings I layed on the couch and watched movies/television. I am not good at sitting for long periods of time - I like to keep busy! But I was really happy that after relaxing with my feet up it was easier to get my runners on the next day!

We had alot to do that week though. We got the living room painted (Safe Paint from Lowe's people, no worries), the Christmas decorations up and we went and picked out our Christmas tree! It's our first real Christmas tree. We wanted to make sure we had it all figured out so that way when Bugs older we wont look like idiots when our tree falls because we do not know how to use the tree stand, lol.

Our tree is still going strong so we're feeling pretty confident we'll be able to impress Bug with our tree skills over the years. We went to the tree farm and walked and walked....and walked until we found "our" tree. But this is definately something we plan to do with our Bug in years to come. A "Family Tradition" we'd like to start with him.

Bug has his own stocking this year too. I know it's crazy but we bought it because we got these really cut stockings at Kohl's with our initials stitched into them and instead of  having to get new ones next year so they all matched (yes, they have to match) we bought an 'A' for Augustus. I wasn't going to hang it but there was this empty spot on the mantel and the stocking was just sitting there...so it went up!

Next year, Bug will  be here to have all this fun with us!

Bugs Bedroom

....will be adorable!?! We picked out his bedding and I love it! Cole says he will use this bedding to teach Bug what you shoot when you go hunting....I disagree. I will use it to teach Bug about wildlife and how we must protect them! I had my mind made up about the color of his room too but that's changed AGAIN! So I'm just going to wait it out for a bit and then decide. I got the Olympic Safe Paint for $5.00 a gallon (gotta love mis-tints!) and am not really that sad about knowing I can change my mind and it only cost us $5.00. Cole on the other hand - not so happy that I've changed my mind but we haven't painted yet so I still feel it's an ok thing. :) That's a mommy & Grammy Dona project anyway so he has no need to worry.

We finished our registries also. That was fun! It is so hard to go into these stores and look at this adorable stuff and try to chose one pattern, one color etc. It's also very hard to walk out of the store without purchasing everything! I've made just a few purchases - the most recent one was when my Mom and I were locked in at Toys R Us on Black Friday morning. We went for "just a few really great sales" and after 40 minutes of walking around and 2 & 1/2 hours of waiting in line under lock-down by the fire marshall (TRU is not very organized on Black Friday) - I was the happy mommy who saved big and bought 4 packs of diapers for a measly $20.00! I was pretty happy! And I wasn't the only pregnant woman in there buying those diapers either! That is a great deal!

We went to the doctor again on Monday for our monthly check-up. Bug is doing well and was very active once again. He managed to kick the doppler twice! It's almost like a new game for him. It was a bummer though because afterwards I asked our doctor "Dosh-Master" (as Cole likes to call him) when Cole would be able to feel Bug because I've felt him kick for over a month now. His response was "You should feel him already. I felt him twice during the heartbeat check." I was so sad for Cole. He has been so looking forward to being the first person to feel Bug kick besides me. So Dosh-Master told us some tips about when is a good time and such and guess what....later that night, Cole felt Bug kick! He kicked him quite a few times and now pretty much anytime he kicks Cole can feel it! I've been experiencing some wonderful things as well...swelling feet & sciatic nerve pain in my lower back and heiney. Again, all things Dosh-Master considers "normal". Lovely I say, just lovely. I'm getting tired earlier at night now and when I walk I get these little pains in my lower abdomen. Again, all things Dosh-Master calls "normal." So I am going through a "healthy - normal pregnancy" which is great to hear! :)

I've been thinking alot about the birthing process and must admit I'm getting a little scared. I just keep reminding myself that women do it everyday and everyday they make it through it and then have a little bug to love. It's just a rather scary idea of what will be taking place in that delivery room. I know Cole will be next to me and that he will help me. I've already apologized for any un-ladylike things I may say to him during the birth so we're good there. I think he thinks I'm crazy but I've witnessed a birth and I know that I heard some words and statements come out of my sister Leslie that I never imagined hearing! I really do not want to be one of the stereotypes of "You did this to me" and that kind of stuff but who knows! I'm thinking of making a cd of music for in the room during his birth and trying to come with some good songs that usually make me feel good. At this point he may be born to Bob Marley or Jimmy Buffett! We have to sign up for our classes soon and I know we'll learn some techniques and such to help during the birthing process. It still seems a bit scary to me though. I know I can do it, I just worry about those little things that "could" happen.....but that's me, I'm a natural worrier.

On a side note, the Pampers commercial where the mommy gives birth and then holds and cuddles her newborn for the first time - cry fest! I saw a little newborn in a carrier at the grocery today and I got all teary eyed and thought - soon. It's amazing.