Ready or Not, Here Comes 2010!!

This is a picture we took right after we took the home pregnancy test. I can't decide if Ben looks happy or really freaked out. Here's a little picture timeline of the last 17 weeks. We didn't take a picture every week because there wasn't much change in the belly, but the last few weeks, we've noticed a lot more.

Weeks 14 and 20

Weeks 22 and 24

Weeks 29 and 30



Week 31

You can see how the top of my abdomen has really filled in, making it harder to breathe. We're in the home stretch now and Avery will be here very soon. Happy New Year to everyone!!

Santa Baby

So...I'm supposed to be studying for my final tomorrow, but I am the world's worst procrastinator! So, I thought I would be productive and blog. I went to the doctor this morning for the gestational diabetes screening. I had to drink a nasty little drink in five minutes and then wait an hour to get blood drawn. I met with my doctor, Dr. Jean, and she told me my weight gain was very good-- 8 lbs. in 4 weeks!-- and we listened to the heartbeat. It took like five minutes to find it, which was a little scary, but finally she found it about three inches above my belly button. She told me that now I'll be coming in every 2 weeks, and meeting the other doctors at Lexington Clinic. They do that because if I go into labor in the middle of the night, I get the doctor that's on call for that night. There are 6 doctors there that deliver babies, so it's time to start meeting them. We also talked about doing kick counts for twenty minutes per day to see how active the baby is.

When it was time to have my blood drawn at 11:07 (exactly one hour after the drink), the lab technician was in the middle of something, so another nurse took me back. I hate needles, but I'm trying to be a big girl about it all. I was doing okay until she admitted to me that she hadn't taken blood in YEARS. Then she asked if I had bad veins or if they rolled. I always look away from the needle and hope for the best, but I kept hearing her say "Oh shoot" "Come on" "Dang it" and I was thinking, "Really, can't you keep the comments to yourself? This is not helping!" After she moved the needle around for a while, she got two tubes filled, and I was done.

Ben and I have been thinking about pediatricians lately. The one I used until I was 21 is still at Lexington Clinic, so I kind of assumed that I would take Avery to her, but I've also been asking around lately to new parents. There are so many decisions to be made, and I'm getting kind of tired of making them.

I'm 30 weeks pregnant, and have 10 more to go until Avery will be here! We haven't done much with the nursery yet, just trying to make it though the holidays without too much stress (haha)!! The goal is to paint next week, and the furniture should be arriving mid January. Mom is busy working on curtains, a bed skirt, and fixing up the bassinet that she used with all of us girls.

I wish I was headed to Florida this weekend, but instead I'll be getting to see Miss Kaitlin. She is waiting in customs right now in San Diego. I talked to mom this morning and she said she got to see her from afar as the ship pulled into port this morning, but it takes hours for all the students to get off and go through immigration. I know they are excited and I wish I was there!!

We're about halfway through the holiday parties and shopping. What a relief. I think I'll be feeling much better after the holidays and after I get this final done with tomorrow. Good news--I got an A on my final paper and an A on my presentation last week!! Yippee! I was so worried.

We're trying to make plans for Christmas with two families in two different states, but we're pretty much hitting a brick wall when it comes to traveling between St. Louis and Kentucky in two days. We thought about trying to fly, but really, it takes just as long. I'm a little worried about traveling on Christmas eve and Christmas day with NOTHING open and me not feeling too well. I'm sure it will all work out...

It's an exciting time of year. The baby showers are being planned and the belly is getting bigger. I can't wait!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

First, I'm so sorry for the delay in posts. My life has been a little crazy lately and blogging has had to take the back seat on my list of priorities. But...things are going VERY well-- just a little crazy! I'll attempt to get you caught up on everything that has been going on.

Since my last post, I've gone back to the doctor for a check up, taken a trip to Kansas City to see Ben's family, gone to the CEC conference in Louisville, had Thanksgiving at home, written my final paper for my grad. school class, picked out a paint color for the nursery, continued to clean out the closets at the condo, found a substitute for my long-term sub. job at school, had my first baby shower, discovered the land of consignment for babies, and grown a lot in the middle. :)

Kaitlin is back in the US of A! She's currently in Hawaii and enjoying a little vacation before her finals. She's done with classes and will take finals on the ship between Hawaii and San Diego. Sara, Kelley and Mom are going out to meet her on Dec. 13th, and will be back in KY on the 17th! Yay!!

The baby is moving a lot now all day every day. I love it!! Everyone keeps asking if I'm ready for her to get here already, but I'd have to say my answer is no. I really like being pregnant--
I can say that because I'm FINALLY over the morning sickness. It makes me smile every time I feel her moving around. The book says this is the "fun" part, because I'm not so big that I'm really uncomfortable yet, over most of the sickness, and noticeably pregnant. I think they're right.

At my last doctor's visit, we discussed the delivery, and possibilities about inducing at 39 weeks and c-sections. We also talked about us taking birthing classes at the hospital beforehand and about a birthing plan. The doctor said she expected me to gain about 30 lbs total, which I was surprised about. I had only gained 10 lbs. so far in the first 25 weeks, so that meant 20 lbs. in the last 14 weeks. Well, I must have taken that to heart, because in the last 3 weeks, I've gained 5 lbs. Only 15 more to go!!

We had our ninth annual Turkeyfest at the river with all my high school friends. It was a good time, but definitely a different experience being sober. It was nice getting to see old friends and hearing their reactions about Avery. I thought it was so funny that they were the first people to go right in for the belly rub with no hesitations. When Aaron asked, "Are you getting tired of people rubbing your belly?" I just laughed and said, "Actually, you guys are the first." I feel like that's appropriate given how long we've all known each other. It's so nice to have all of their support and blessings, even though they may not be in the same place in their lives.

Kansas City was a nice break from everything. Ben and I flew out there on a Wednesday night and we spent time with Ben's mom, our nephew Ryan, Ron, Misti, and our nephew Nathan. On Friday, Rachel, Matt, Sammie, and Owen all showed up, so we got to have a 3rd birthday party for Nathan which included a homemade "Cars" cake in the shape of Tow-mater. Afterwards, they threw me a small surprise baby shower, and then we had Thanksgiving on Saturday before I had to leave for the airport. It was a great time and wonderful to see our nieces and nephews.

For Thanksgiving day, Kelley, Sara, and Gracie all came into town and we went over to Annie and Alan's house for a big meal. Later that night, we went and saw The Blind Side, which was a great movie.

I've got 8 more days until my grad. class is over!! WOOHOO!! It will be such a relief. I have been so worried and stressed about this class. I have to get at least a B or I have to retake it, and so far this year, I have gotten straight C's on everything I've turned in. urg! So, I had my final paper coming up, due last week. I turned in 4 rough drafts!! I knew I had to get an A on it in order to get a B in the class. So, I got my score back yesterday, and I got a 91.5%. I am so relieved. Now, I have a presentation that I have to get an A on Tuesday, then a final next Tuesday that I also have to get an A on. I've already taken off next Monday to go to the doctor for some routine tests and to take a full day to just study. Wish me luck!

I've signed up next semester for my practicum, which I'm supposed to observe another teacher for 4 hours per week. There is no way I could do it while teaching, so why not try while I have a little baby?? This may be the worst idea I've ever had, but I'm hoping it will all work out.

It's hard to believe that next Christmas I'll have a little girl that will be 10 months old. I got to play with a 8 month little girl last night and she was so much fun. I have such a good feeling about how wonderful this little baby is going to be. Now, if I can just get everyone around me to stop telling me how my life is about to end, that would be great!

The comments I have gotten related to the baby are more and more surprising EVERY day. I'm like "Really??? What makes you think it's okay to say that to someone?" Why don't these people think?? My favorite all time comment so far was, "I knew you were having a little girl, because you've gained weight everywhere and not just in your belly." Thanks?? How do you even respond to things like that?

Enough for now. I promise I will try to do better! Keep reading!