So, it's 4 a.m. and I'm thankful that I was able to sleep this late!  The past week or so, I have been waking up all through the night and can't seem to go back to sleep once it hits 3 a.m.  I'm thinking this is a precursor for what is to come, which I was blissfully trying to forget from last time!  Anyhow, since I am up I figured I'd write...

Zoe and I are scheduled to go to Texas at the end of the month for a business meeting.  This is our second travel date together with the first being to Missouri for some training I had to give out at Fort Leonard Wood.  I don't mind going too much, except that I miss the boys while I'm gone.  What really has me aggravated is that my bosses (I have 3) think it is okay to "expose" my being prego to contacts I work with all over the country.  Most of my dealings with these people are over the phone, and lately I've had several ask questions like, "When are you due?" or just say, "Congrats, I hear you are pregnant!", and then go on to tell me all about their wives pregnancies or whatever.  Yesterday, I got an email saying that my one boss brought up my being prego at a conference to one of my distant colleagues, who happens to be the one sponsoring my trip this month.  Understanding that it would be obvious once I showed up to the meeting, but still peeved that it was even mentioned.  It's tough enough working in a male-dominated environment and having to prove myself daily, and now I have to discuss my pregnancy and plans for maternity leave with all these people vice business.  My direct supervisor made a comment that he really appreciated my professionalism for planning ahead with my workload and not taking the max maternity leave because "most mothers wouldn't think like me."  Nice back-handed compliment!  I would love to be a stay-at-home mom, but my income is important to our making ends meet and I try to be the very best at my job and at home without too many trade-offs.  I guess these people cannot help their preconceived notions/biases, but I just find it all very annoying and inappropriate.   

Whew, I feel better for venting!  Going to go make some breakfast and get the day going now.              

Today was my 24 week appointment and I decided to take Zander along.  Boy, was Zander FULL of questions...Why did I have to pee in a cup?  How long do they keep it?  What are those things on the doctor table (stirrups), and why do they wear socks?  Etc.  Clearly intrigued with the whole process, the questions continued on for hours after the visit too.  Really had me re-thinking my decision to bring him along!  Although, he was very excited hear his sister's heart beat :) 

All else with the appointment was pretty good.  My "bump" measurements were right on track (24 inches) and Zoe's heart beat sounded great (154 bpm).  The only bummer was not being able to convince the doctor that I should have another ultrasound.  He said that the three so far all look good, so there was no real reason to have another unless some problem develops like gestational diabetes, hypertension, etc.  I reminded him that we had opted out of the amnio due to the ultrasound results and he said he would have declined it too, which was reassuring.  With that, he sent us on our way with instructions and a bottle of glucola for my next visit when I get the diabetes screening.  Our next appointment is on 11 February, just me and Zoe next time!

After our doctor trip, Zander and I hit Target for a little retail therapy.  Last week I had the irresistable urge to buy something pink (see posted pic of "You Can Call Me Princess" onesie), and today I picked up a pair of girly socks and a pink baby headband!  I'm really trying not to go crazy, but I can see it is going to be difficult to resist.  Meanwhile, I think Marc is "nesting" because he suddenly got the urge to start painting every room in the house.  Anyone who knows Marc understands that he is not into manual labor, lol.  I think his initiative is adorable.  He is also sharing in my weight gain--what a guy!  Love him :) 

I think that is all for now.  Appreciate the posts / emails / phone calls from everyone.  I especially loved getting pics / info of Marc's Great Aunt Grace this month from Cousin Jeff.  They are really something to cherish and will hold a special place in Zoe's baby book.  TTFN!!         

So, nothing too exciting / interesting to report in the last two weeks.  Feeling pretty good, although I could still take a nap daily, if allowed :)  I could also eat a pound of chocolate a day, if I were less sensible!!  This child has turned me into a choco-holic :)

Feeling quite a bit more movement now throughout the day, which is great.  Our next appointment is 11 January, so we'll find out if there is another ultrasound coming soon (I think we get one more before 26 wks).  Otherwise, I'm hoping for a quick, boring appointment.

Since we didn't do too much celebrating this New Year's Eve, I did some nursery pre-shopping online and think I found the set we'd like to get.  This is the link, in case anyone wants to share their feedback (post me a note in the guestbook):  http://www.dreamtimebaby.com/Sweet-Vanilla/PID/4808195/ctid/25/INstock/N/D/

We are turning our sitting room off our bedroom into the nursery, so are trying to keep the colors neutral to match our own bedroom.   We might add french doors to that room, so there is a little separation/privacy, in which case we could go with more color.  Still deciding.

Okay, that's all for now.  Happy New Year to everyone!!!!     

We finally had our ultrasound follow-up appointment yesterday, and I am happy to report that everything everything looked normal!  Unlike last visit, our girl was in perfect position (face up) this time and they were able to get all the required measurements.  My risk is now at 1 in 506, which means that we have a 99.8% chance that everything will turn out fine.  With those odds, we were reassured enough to skip on the amnio procedure since the risks for something going wrong with the amnio are 1 in 200.  The doc tried to put a little pressure on us to do the amnio anyway (we even had to sign a waiver!), but we were resolved to just quit while we're ahead and try to enjoy the rest of this pregnancy.   

It's amazing how much she has grown in just two weeks.  Her weight increased from 8 oz to 12 oz and she is already overachieving in size for her gestation!!  And since she was putting her hands out in front of her face a lot, I was able to count ten fingers for sure.  Everything else seemed to be in its proper place too, so that was reassuring.  Plus, she gave us a good shot of her girly parts, so I think it may be safe to get some pink items now.  She was moving her mouth a lot like she was either practicing eating or trying to talk to us.  We like to believe that she was telling us not to worry (last time she gave us a thumbs up too). 

Last but not least, we picked a name...Zoe Grace!  Zander pretty much insisted on Zoe, and Grace is for our Aunt Grace (Marc and I each had an Aunt Grace, and we wanted to keep with tradition of taking a family name for the middle name).  I Google'd her name and found that there are some other Zoe Grace's out there, and coincidentally Dennis Quaid just named one of his twin's that exact name.  There was also another Zoe Grace that writes screen plays, and another little one who is featured in her mom's online blog.  Just fun facts to share with her later on.

Okay, that's all for now.  Thanks again to everyone for all the love and support.  Will continue to keep you all posted.