I had my 24 week check up yesterday, and all is well.  Dr. Lacoste says I'm measuring 24 cm, and right on target.  I did, however, gain another 8 lbs in the last month.  That would make me **ahem** + 23 lbs in the last 7 months.  YIKES!  I need to slow it down here, folks.  The scale at the doctor's office is a great way to make a girl super self-conscious, it worked for me, that's for sure.  So my pledge is to get more exercise (walking my beloved pup, Sidney), and choose healthier things to eat.  I just feel hungry all the time, so it's hard to keep up on health foods.  But I will do it, for myself and my Baby! 

I can no longer wear my wedding rings.  It would be okay to wear sometimes, but other times I'm afraid it will get stuck and have to get cut it off.  So, that was the end of that.  My feet and ankles have some mild swelling at the end of a long day.  I can hardly wait to see what a pretty sight they'll be in May during the beginning of sandal season.  Eeeekk! 

But as much as I'm complaining, the reality is that I'm loving every minute of this pregnancy.    I truly cannot wait to become a mother to my child, and to hold my baby in my arms.  I keep thinking of all that lies ahead of us as a family - from kindergarten to a wedding day!  To think that these thoughts went through my own parents' heads before I came into this world....life really comes full circle, doesn't it?

We've chosen the nursery theme and colors - we were given gently used nursery items from friends at church.  The colors are primarily blue, light green (my favorite!), yellow, white, and neutral.  We will have a lamb theme (which is cool in itself b/c my mom's maiden name is Lahym) and also incorporate gingham patterns, as the quilt and some baskets we already have are gingham.  We're still not sure as to the color of the walls, but that will all fall into place soon.  We have a lot of ideas, not to mention a LOT of offers to help! 

We also started a registry at Target and Babies R Us.  They are pretty sparse right now, as we only registered for about an hour a few weekends ago!  We have not added any of the major items (ya know, such as a carseat and stroller), as we have to find some time to get back out there and test them out!  Tim will love that! 

My next appointment is March 8.  It is my last 4-week appt!  They will do the blood glucose test then, and hopefully I will pass!  I will also have another u/s at approximately 30-weeks, to see if my placenta has shifted into its correct position.  If not, they will do another u/s at 34 weeks and then again at 38, if needed.  If the placenta hasn't migrated by then, they'll do a C-section.  At least I know what lies ahead, so hopefully I won't be too surprised!  I'd really like to attempt natural childbirth, but if it's safer another way, so be it.  I know it's in God's hands, and my trust is completely in Him. 

Okay, enough rambling, I should get back to work.  Enjoy your day!  Love to all.

The last couple of weeks have been relatively uneventful.  I'm thankful for that!  God has truly blessed me time and time again throughout this pregnancy.   

I'm feeling bigger and bigger with each passing day, especially today, my clothes (maternity jeans and a pre-pregnancy sweatshirt, size M) feel sooooo tight.  It's not a great feeling.  This could be the results of my constant hunger.  I feel like I can pretty much always eat!  So I do, but trying my best to eat better - i.e. I gave up my daily Slurpees, and now only get one about once a week or so.  I'm also drinking a lot more water, yeah!  I fill my Nalgene bottle 32 oz with ice, a slice of lemon, and water, and keep refilling it throughout the day.  Yum.

Baby S is moving a lot more now, especially after I eat  a meal, and in the evening between 6-9 PM.  Last night was amazing, Baby was moving sooooo much!  One thing I'm certainly glad for, is the ability to sleep through the night.  I wake up a time or two, but mostly just to change positions.  Baby doesn't wake me up, nor does the urge to pee!  Thank goodness, though I hear this is bound to change....

I have 2 tips for those who are going to have kids in the future:

1) Borrow maternity clothes, if they are available!  I have been fortunate enough to have a friend lend me quite a bit of clothing (Thanks, Nicole!) and a co-worker offer me work maternity clothing (Thanks, Anika!).  I have bought probably 4 articles of clothing for myself total, and received a couple of items as gifts.  This has saved me so much time, not to mention money!  Now I can spend a little more on Baby S!

2) Read the book, Belly Laughs, by Jenny McCarthy.  It's really funny, and makes you realize that you're certainly not alone in this road to parenthood!  Be advised, it's a little bit vulgar, but you get the point nonetheless.

I've also started reading the book, The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer.  It's about a different approach to "getting to know your newborn" and I've found it quite interesting so far.  Granted, I'm only 1/4 the way into it, but it's give me a few ideas.

Okay all for now, I've got to get back to work....

Love to all!

.......BABY!  :)  Yes, they confirmed today that I'm not having a puppy or a chicken or a monkey, much to my relief (ha, ha).....and the gender is still TBA by the doc delivering him or her =)  Tim still says boy, and I still say girl - we all know there is a 50/50 chance of either.  We really are just excited about the birth of a healthy baby, and just ONE BABY!

We had our BIG ultrasound yesterday,  and I must say, it was the most amazing experience of my entire life!  (I can't wait to see how I feel following his/her birth....wow....I'm already in awe!)

They require you to drink at least 24 oz of liquid at least 45 min before the appt begins, and hold it.  That is a difficult thing to do, especially when there is a baby dancing on your FULL bladder! 
We got to the appt, and we were with 2 women techs (one being a student, the other her teacher) doing the ultrasound.  The student's name was Beth (how appropriate!) and she was running the wand over my belly for a while, looking at the baby moving, and calling out different things that she found (i.e. they check for 2 kidneys, 4 chambers of the heart, spine, brain, 2 legs, arms, hands, and feet, etc). and taking measurements.  She kept showing us how the baby's hands (and at one point feet!) were up by its head, she kept saying "aw, that's so cute, what a cute baby!".  Then when she had found what she was supposed to (everything with baby looked great, thank God!!!!!), she had a 3rd tech come in, who has more experience in the field.  She did the same measurements, and was able to find the baby's profile and get pictures for us to keep.  While doing this, we got to see the baby opening and closing his or her mouth!  It was soooooooo completely amazing.  I'm still in awe today, how amazingly precious life is!  I'm also pretty amazed at how cool technology is to be able to see the baby many weeks before he or she enters this world.

One thing the 3rd tech found was that 1) the baby is breech - but at this time, there is no worry b/c baby has lots of time to turn and get into the right position and 2) I have something called a Placenta Previa (sp? - I still have to do my internet search to get more info).  Basically this means that the placenta is currently covering the birth canal.  If it continues to stay there until delivery time, I will have to have a C-Section.  They are recommending that I have an ultrasound closer to delivery time (yeah! another chance to see baby pre-birth), to see if the placenta moved/shifted into the right spot.  Apparently this is fairly common, and most times it moves on its own.  I talked to my mom, and she didn't seem too concerned about it, or at least she didn't express her concern to me!  Please keep this news in your prayers, if you would.  It really doesn't matter to us how the baby is delivered, as long as he/she is healthy! 

We are now the owners of some pretty amazing pictures of our Little One.  I made copies on photopaper of the baby's profile, and they are now on the wall in front of me.  I have been staring at them all day!  I will attempt to post the pictures in the photo album, but I'm pretty technically challenged, so we'll see about that. 

I'm so thankful to God that this baby is happy and healthy thus far.  Life is such a precious gift, not to mention quite a miracle!  God has kept us safe and answered every one of our parayers, and for that I'm so grateful. 

Today I saw Dr. Lacoste.  Everything looks great, with the exception of my 9 lb. weight gain from 4 weeks ago!!!  Holy cow, I am still in shock, even several hours after the appointment!  Dr. L definitely advised me to watch what I drink, b/c pop and juices are high in sugars.  I guess I'm going to have to limit my slurpee intake .  Oh well, it's for the best!  Thus far I've only gained 15 lbs, and I'm HALFWAY DONE today!!!!!!!!!  Happy 20 weeks, Baby Mister!  (or Mrs.)!!!   I have 2 more appts that are monthly, then I go to every 2 weeks - that is craziness!! 

I'm feeling pretty good these days - that could also explain the weight gain!  I'm not feeling so great about myself, feeling awkward and frumpy I guess you could say.  However, I cannot say I'm not completely overjoyed with what we go home with after all these temporary changes.  Having a baby changes everything!   Please remind me in the coming months of what I said here!!! 

Baby Mister (see previous entry for reference) has been moving around like crazy!  He/she is still making "little" movements, like tapping on my insides, no beating or jabbing just yet.  Tim was even able to feel a little move this past weekend!   He really thought that was neat.   I've noticed the baby moving a lot more when I slow down too.  Makes me slow down and enjoy life more too - babies just put life into perspective, huh?  What a miracle! 

Our ultrasound is coming up Monday 1/16/06.  Looking forward to it. 

Hope this finds everyone doing well!