birdy love

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Week 27

I didn't realize how blurry this picture was until I uploaded it, oops!  Check out my outie :) 


This was a great week!  2 days of school and Thanksgiving fun, I can't complain at all.  My back has been hurting off and on but I have a sweet husband who will massage it and I also do a few yoga moves to alleviate the pain.  Downward dog, cat/cow, pose of a child even though my belly drags the ground in that one, ha.  My kids were crazy this week but I don't blame them, I was excited for the break too!  Then it's back to school for 4 weeks and we're out for Christmas break.  Those will be a crazy 4 weeks.  On Wednesday I was out of school (hallelujah!  Our first break since Labor Day!) and it was wonderful.  I relaxed all day and went to my in-laws house that night to hang out with my sister-in-law and her boyfriend.  Tyler had to work overnight so Kelsey and Dabe stayed with me, it was fun!  I love hosting people in our new house.  There was an extra bedroom to sleep in, an extra bathroom to use, and since Tyler and I never use those 2 areas of the house they aren't hard to keep clean.  I love our early morning sunrises off the back deck and how the whole house is lit up with pink and orange in the morning.

On Thursday we all got up at 6:30am to go to the Turkey Trot downtown.  I was going to run this year but I waited too late to register.  Also, it's nice when you run to have someone to give all your stuff to (when you register, they give you a shirt, envelope, coupons, and THEN you have to run a 5k) so I ended up being the Turkey Trot hostess to Debbie, Kelsey, and Dabe.  I know my way around downtown too, which they don't and would have gotten lost for sure.  So I dropped them off at the starting line, parked the car, walked to the Expo center, got them in the right starting area, took their shirts and other things, walked back to the car (I probably walked a 5k going to and from the Expo center!), drove to the Bistro Market and had breakfast and picked up some smoothies for their finish, drove back to find a parking spot, walked to the finish line just in time to see all 3 of them cross the finish line!  Perfect timing.  Then we all drove home, tired!  Kelsey gave Dabe a haircut on the back deck and I cooked some carrots for our Thanksgiving lunch.  Brown Sugar Carrots with Rosemary and Pecans- delish.  We had lunch at Larry and Angie's, there was SO MUCH food and it was ALL good. I was in a food coma all day.  Of course, every time there is a meal at Angie's house there's always some question that everyone has to answer.  This year the question was "Everyone says they're thankful for family and friends at Thanksgiving time- what is something that you're thankful for in the area of entertainment (I'm thankful for Cranium)? food(Rice Krispies, chocolate milk, pickles)? vacations (I loved going to Jamaica)?" Answers varied and some were pretty hilarious.  I love our family conversations.  Thursday evening we went to Tyler's parents house and had Thanksgiving dinner with Debbie's side of the family... I didn't eat much because I felt like I was going to explode.  Thank goodness for stretchy maternity pants.  Overall it was a great Thanksgiving, EXCEPT--- I didn't watch ANY of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!!!  Low of the day.  I didn't even record it :(.  One day I'll be there and see it live!




  • How far along? 27 weeks
  • Total weight gain? 12 pounds officially but after the Thanksgiving feasts I've probably gained a few more.
  • Stretch marks? Not yet.  My skin around my button is very thin, I can see lots of blood vessels.  I can't tell if it's pre-stretch marks or just thin skin.
  • Sleep? The bed is progressively getting better.  Thank goodness.  Sleeping just fine, and whenever I can.  Yoga has helped my back pain and I'm very thankful for that!
  • Best moment this week? Thanksgiving family time.  I also enjoyed spending lots of time with Tyler's sister and boyfriend.  I'm thankful I have awesome in-laws and that they choose cool people to date.
  • Miss anything? Walking without waddling.  I try not to waddle but it only makes it worse!  Pretty funny.  
  • Movement: Always.  Sometimes he will stick a leg or arm out and it will push my skin out- THAT is alien like and kind of grosses me out.  I can literally feel a baby hand or foot, ew!
  • Food cravings: Not really, I'll just eat whatever.
  • Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
  • Showing?  Absolutely.  
  • Gender: Boy
  • Labor signs: No
  • Belly button in or out: 90% out... still holding on! 
  • Wedding rings on or off? On.
  • Happy or moody most of the time? Happy
  • Looking forward to: My baby shower in Texas on Dec. 8.  There are so many ladies that I would love to talk to when I visit for a weekend, but time at church is so limited.  I'm excited to get to hang out with a lot of people I've grown up with.
  • Baby's size: Rutabaga
  • Saturday, November 17, 2012

    Week 26

    Hello third trimester!  26 weeks are over and I'm entering my 27th week of being pregnant.  So far, the first trimester was horrible and the second was fabulous, so I'm going to guess that the third will be somewhere in the middle?  At least I'm hoping!  This week was a good one.  We got a new bed last Saturday.  It's a Tempur-Pedic mattress... and it's horrible.  That's not sarcasm!  Apparently there's a break in period of a month for new TP beds.  A month!  We laid on it for the first time expecting the heavens to open up and the bed would be glorious... no.  It's kind of like lying on concrete.  This past week it HAS gotten better but I really hope I'm singing this bed's praises soon or we'll have to get a new one.  We were warned that it wouldn't feel the same as the store model, to Ashley furniture's defense. 

    Last night we went to Fort Osage, MO (after I took a half day off of school which was incredible) and watched Levi & the Ozark Tigers play in the state semifinals.  Ozark lost.  Everyone from the stands went on the field after the loss and all the parents were hugging their sons, and here's what I did not expect- the tears!  Oh my goodness.  It was so sad.  All of these 18 year old boys were sobbing into their mom and dad's shoulders, if I would have known it was such a sad scene I might not have gone on the field.  I started crying too!  There will probably be a day 18 years from now that I will cry at Mason's last football game.  

    Speaking of Mason, I went to the doctor on Thursday and he still has a strong heartbeat.  I also took my glucose and anemia tests.  I was very anxious about these tests!  I really didn't want to be diabetic because I saw what Ashley had to go through and it did NOT look fun.  To see if I had gestational diabetes they made me drink this liquid that tasted like a cross between Hawaiian Punch and latex.  I had to drink it in 5 minutes- by drink I mean chug.  I felt like I was a 21 year old at a bar.  The doctor said I needed my glucose to be lower than 140, and my blood count to be between 12-16.  I was able to see my test results online, and my glucose came back at 107!  YAY!  What a relief!!  But my blood count came back as 10.8, so I'm slightly anemic.  I haven't been back to the doctor yet to see if I need to take iron supplements, but at least I don't have to go on a special diet and don't have to prick my finger.




  • How far along? 26 weeks
  • Total weight gain? 12 pounds!  142! 
  • Stretch marks? No, but my stomach is itching like it's being stretched.  Drinking lots of liquids, especially water!
  • Sleep? Gradually starting to sleep better due to the new bed.  In the middle of the night I wake up on my back (which is a no-no) so I've started sleeping on my back with a pillow under me, propping me sideways, so I don't cut off blood to the baby.  Today I slept a whole lot and it was fabulous.  I keep having dreams that he is trying to get out of me and eventually does.  We are hanging out in bed together but right before I wake up I have to put him back in me because he's not done yet.  I don't dream about how I put him back in me I just know it happens.  Very weird!  But he has blonde hair and pale skin.  Big surprise there :). 
  • Best moment this week? Taking a half day off school Friday.  All of us teachers just need a break!  I realize it will cut into my maternity time but I don't really care.  Needed it.  
  • Miss anything? It's hard to shave my legs.  I can still do it but it takes a lot of effort to reach the calves and shins!  
  • Movement: All the time, it's pretty cool.
  • Food cravings: Chocolate milk, orange juice... breakfast food.
  • Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
  • Showing?  All in front.  People are still coming up to me at church telling me they didn't realize I was pregnant.  Then I tell them I'm 6 months and they can't believe it!
  • Gender: Boy
  • Labor signs: No
  • Belly button in or out: 90% out... 
  • Wedding rings on or off? On.
  • Happy or moody most of the time? Happy
  • Looking forward to: Thanksgiving break- spending time with family and eating lots of food.
  • Baby's size: Lettuce



  • Wednesday, November 7, 2012

    Week 25

    We finally got the internet at home!  I'll post pictures when I have some time.  These past 4 weeks have been insane.  I've not been feeling 100% since the beginning of school.  This happened last year too, it seems like I catch everything the kids bring in but I can't stay home and rest or just stop talking so that my throat can heal.  I wonder how well charades would go in Kindergarten...

    I just love my husband.  I feel so supported with all the changes going on with this bod!  This week my back has started to hurt, since all my weight is up front, and he's always offering to rub my back or make dinner or bring me Wendy's frosties.  He's nice.  He painted the baby room Benjamin Moore Hale Navy - it is GORGEOUS!  I love it.  We might even paint our bedroom this color.  Our bed arrives on Saturday and I can't wait to sleep on it.  I think it will make a difference and help me get more comfortable since my belly is getting large and in charge.

    I finished my registries at Target and Babies R Us.  I can't even tell you what I registered for, I just clicked on lots of things.  There are so many things for babies!  Surely I don't need all that stuff!


  • How far along? 25 weeks
  • Total weight gain? I see the doctor on the 15th but I weighed myself at my school nurse's office and I weigh 141!  That's 11 pounds, yay!
  • Stretch marks? Not yet... but my skin has most definitely stretched.
  • Sleep? Can't get enough.  Tired a lot.
  • Best moment this week? Having Mason's room painted.  It makes it seem more real and that he's coming sooner than I think!
  • Miss anything? Being able to bend over comfortably (I used to have to a lot to tie shoes- my class is learning to tie shoes quickly or just deal with their shoes being untied.)
  • Movement: Yes and now I can feel him on both sides of my belly at the same time.  He's stretching out in there!
  • Food cravings: Anything cold feels good on my throat.  Hot things feel good too.
  • Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
  • Showing?  All in front.
  • Gender: Boy
  • Labor signs: No
  • Belly button in or out: Not all the way out yet but close, the kids like to poke it so I'm having to get used to it being touched!
  • Wedding rings on or off? On.
  • Happy or moody most of the time? Happy but tired still
  • Looking forward to: yoga on Thursday - last week was so nice and I learned so many comfortable positions to alleviate my back pain, and also to help with labor/delivery.
  • Baby's fruit size: Cauliflower




  • Friday, November 2, 2012

    Week... 24



    I am so behind!!!  I know where my camera is now, but have been too busy to think about taking pictures with it.  I've taken pictures with my phone, but don't have the internet at home yet to upload them to the computer.  ANYway, week 24 has been exhausting.  Parent-teacher conferences were Monday and Tuesday, Halloween was Wednesday so my kids were nutso, and I've just been waiting to go to sleep since Monday night.  Any amount of sleep I get just doesn't seem like enough!  I also sleep with 4 pillows now... Tyler is not a fan of this :) but we bought a new bed on Friday so hopefully I can relinquish a few pillows.  It's a Tempurpedic mattress so we're basically sleeping on a heavenly cloud of goodness.  We got a new headboard/footboard too, so now when people come visit they actually have their own room to stay in!  And a bed!  And their own bathroom!  So everyone come over because I'm excited to have visitors- but wait until we finish painting first :). 

    Tyler painted our laundry room, the color is Crystal Blue by Valspar.  Got it from Lowe's... I took one of my favorite colored shirts into Lowe's and tried to match the color.  It's pretty close!  Kind of a blue-tealish color, very appropriate for a laundry room though.  We also got a new washer/dryer and they are AWESOME!  The dryer is mega tall, I don't have to bend over to get things out of it.  I mean the combo is massive so we don't have a lot of room to walk to the garage but it works.  Tyler is painting Mason's room BM Hale Navy.  I'm pumped- the look I'm going for in his room is very crisp, and Hale Navy is very dark with a gray tint, which will look great with the white trim and different shades of yellow accented throughout.  Meanwhile, our living room has 5 samples of gray on the walls.  Finding the right shade of gray is tough!  The first shade, BM's Platinum Gray, looks like a baby boy blue when the light hits it.  No thanks.  I really should put pictures up!  I'll do that and then explain all the colors. 

    I started prenatal yoga this week.  Wow.  So... going from bikram to prenatal yoga is QUITE the change.  It is very much a restorative yoga rather than cardio, strengthening or flexibility.  It's awesome for prego's who are slightly uncomfortable throughout the day because of their bellies that throw off their equilibrium and such.  We did several positions that are helpful during labor (ohh the ominous labor) and then several other poses that were just extremely comfortable.  I felt energized after the class!  And of course it was mentally a great thing to practice.  I am really glad I'm going it but it's nothing like hot yoga.  I will have to take up some other sort of exercise that makes me sweat a little! 

    This week was the first week where I had a hard time getting out of bed because my belly is large.  It's also funny trying to balance because my weight is thrown off!  The greatest discovery is that my rolling chair in class sinks down to fit below a kindergarten table, so instead of walking around during journal time I roll around.  It's fun being eye level with them, also fun to be sitting instead of bending over the whole time.  When I'm sitting down slightly reclined, that's Mason's favorite position to kick me.  So during journal time he kicks and the kids all want to feel my ninja baby.  Sometimes I say "he sleeps during the day but when I try to go to sleep he kicks me" and one kid said "I can't believe your baby is nocturnal!" ha, yes!  We talked about bats last week, they are learning something! 


  • How far along? 24 weeks
  • Total weight gain? 7 pounds!!  I'll go to the doctor on the 15th and will have my official weight gain then.
  • Stretch marks? Not yet but MAN I am feeling stretched out! 
  • Sleep? Can't get enough. 
  • Best moment this week? Tyler has been eating lunch with me sometimes when he works the night shift.  It's so nice to have him around because I haven't gotten to see him much this month.  He's either been on vacation in Washington, or he's working when I'm at home and he's home when I'm working.  One of those months!  I think November will be back to normal though.  He makes me laugh and I like him.  So glad he's my husband! 
  • Miss anything? I miss being able to get out of bed without a heave-ho.
  • Movement: Allllll the time, the kids call him ninja baby.
  • Food cravings: Still love Rice Krispies.
  • Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
  • Showing?  Very much so!
  • Gender: Boy
  • Labor signs: No
  • Belly button in or out: Halfway out- it's sticking out of my shirts now.
  • Wedding rings on or off? On.
  • Happy or moody most of the time? umm is exhausted an option?  I feel happy when I'm not tired.
  • Looking forward to: Having Mason's room painted and getting the crib put together.
  • Baby's fruit size: Canteloupe