Nursery Preparation

It was an eventful weekend in trying to get the nursery ready. However, I can't say that much was accomplished, due to Babies r Us.

My friend, Allie, came over on Saturday and painted an "E" on the wall above the crib. I'm so grateful for her help!! You may be wondering what the "E" is for, so I guess we can publically announce that we have decided to name baby Fielder Emma.

On Sunday, I tried to buy the changing table we registered for, only to find out that Babies r Us has discontinued the entire set. As mentioned in my last post, we already have the crib of this set. The only option they gave me was to order the changing table online and have it shipped at an exorbitant cost. I was not willing to do this. After much arguing with the manager at Babies r Us, I went to the store. They still have the set I registered for on the floor, so other mothers can unknowingly register for it!! As for us, I was able to find an acceptable replacement for my changing table and get it at the same cost with approval from the manager. At least we didn't have to return our crib that Bryan already assembled! I haven't really felt like a crazy pregnant woman until today. Babies r Us can really bring out the worst in a pregnant lady. I apologized to the manager for alternately tearing up and yelling at him, but he should be prepared for such in his line of business (especially with their shady ways of operating). Ok, enough complaining.

The week ahead is looking pretty full. On the agenda....

Monday: start Instructional Leadership masters course

Tuesday: Breastfeeding class from 7:30-9pm at the hospital

Wednesday: Church

Thursday: Doctor's appointment

Saturday: UIL academic competition

Sunday: Maternity pictures

I hope to find time to update this blog again within the week...we'll see. Until then, I'll leave you with a picture of Janie feeling the baby move. She really was just sitting like this.

Beginning of the Third Trimester

I'll be 29 weeks preggers tomorrow, so I'm beginning my 3rd trimester. Is it just me, or does time seem to slow down as pregnancy progresses? I feel like the first trimester flew by, but now time is virtually standing still. I know baby Fielder will be here before we know it, but 3 months sounds like a long time away. It makes it feel like a shorter amount of time if I say 11 more weeks instead of 3 months. I probably shouldn't be wishing for time to go by faster, as we have so much more to get done before she arrives, but I can't help feeling anxious.

The ladies at church threw us a baby shower last Friday night. It it so great to be a part of a church that makes us feel so welcome and special. We received lots of gifts for our little baby girl. She will definitely be the best dressed infant in Montgomery county. I think she already has a larger wardrobe than I do! Our pastor also gave us a special gift; a rocking chair that he painted for us. We are so grateful for all the support our church has given us throughout this pregnancy and I know they will continue to do the same after baby Fielder arrives. We are truly blessed to be a part of First Christian Church, Conroe.

Opening gifts.

Receiving our rocking chair from Pastor Wes.

Me and Daddy.

Baby bump.

In other news, my mom bought our baby crib and brought it up to us when she came for the baby shower. Bryan put it together a few nights ago to make sure it was in good shape (no scratches, missing parts, etc). However, he put it together in the movie room, so we'll have to disassemble it a little to get it into the baby room. Can't wait to get her room finished and get everything put away!! Looking forward to a friend coming over this weekend to help paint something special on the nursery wall too. I'm so glad to have a friend with artistic abilities (since I have none)!! We are also getting ready for our maternity pictures with a great friend that is a photographer on Feb. 27th. We are so lucky to have such talented friends!!

Here is a picture of the crib that we just received...Thanks mom, we love it!!

Below is a picture of the baby bedding we registered for. The coloring in the picture is a little off from what it looks like in reality.

Lots to get done in the next 11 weeks!! Looking forward to spending the summer with my little one.

Look Alikes

After receiving our last set of ultrasound pictures, which I posted below, I started wondering where some of our baby's features were coming from. She certainly doesn't have my nose! Then, I found this baby picture of Bryan. I'll let you be the judge...

In other baby news, I registered at the hospital yesterday. It was my one accomplishment from Super Bowl Sunday. We still have to go to the hospital to sign some paperwork, but we'll do that after our doctor appointment on Thursday. Bryan also painted the nursery yesterday..yay! Now, we just have to get the chair railing up.

Well, I have to get to work on this Monday morning. After last week's eventful schedule (power outages, snow days, etc.), I hope to get some things done this week. Hope everyone has a good Monday (not that I've personally experienced one of these, but I've heard they exist).

No News is Good News

We went to see the high risk doctor today to check up on baby Fielder's stomach. The ultrasound showed that the calcification is still present, but hasn't grown. So for now, we are happy. I wish the spot would spontaneously go away, but since that isn't likely, we will take the fact that there have no new developments as good news.

Our baby girl is continuing to take after her mother (and apparently her maternal grandfather too) by becoming a rather large baby. She weighed in at 2lbs 7oz today. She's gained 1lb 4oz in the last 4 weeks!! But, she is still within "normal" ranges, so I'm not too worried yet. I just found out my dad was 9lbs 10oz when he was born!!

Both the doctor and ultrasonographer commented about her continual movement again, as if I wasn't aware. She likes to be active--unlike her mother!!

We were able to get some more pictures of the baby, but she wasn't very cooperative. She was hiding behind her arm and the placenta most of the time. Our next high-risk doctor appointment is scheduled for March 1st. Here are the latest pics....

Pregnancy Updates

If you are reading this, then you are probably already aware that I am expecting and due next May. Family members and such are interested in keeping updated on my pregnancy and life in general, so this seemed to be the best outlet. Not that I don't love repeating myself to various family and friends all the time..j/k, but I'm sure that all my fb friends do not want to read about all the ins and outs of my pregnancy, nor see all of pictures. So, here I write in format in which those of you who want to read and stay informed will be able to do so.

Backstory:

We conceived last August and found out I was pregnant within the same week. We chose not to tell anyone about the pregnancy except our best friends until we were out of the 1st trimester. Now, everyone knows, not that I could hide it anymore.

We went to the doctor for our 20 week anatomy ultrasound in December and found out we are having a little girl, as the ultra-sonographer pointed out below!

They also found a small calcification in our baby's stomach during the ultrasound and referred us to a high-risk obstetrician. Needless to say, the waiting to see the high-risk doctor was not the best time in my life. After finally seeing the high-risk doctor, we learned that the calcification is most likely nothing to worry about, but we will have to continue to see her to monitor its growth until the baby is born. We are now in week 26 of the pregnancy and I can't wait to meet our baby.

Week 26:

We have our next appointment with the high-risk doctor on Tuesday. I can't wait to go because it means we get to see our little girl again. I also want to find out her weight. She seemed to be running a little big at our previous visits (as I sit here munching on jalapeno chips). Before you judge, you should know that I am still on target with my weight gain! My next appointment with my regular ob is scheduled for Feb. 10th. That will be the day of the dreaded glucose test. Every time I open my fridge, I see the bottle of icky sweet stuff and dread that day. It will all be worth it when we get to meet her though. Here is a picture of her at 22 weeks. The mark across her chin is actually her umbilical cord.

Personally, I think she looks like me, but maybe I'm a little biased. Bryan thinks she is going to have the "Joiner" ears, but I think its a little too early to tell.

As for me, I am growing rapidly too. However, women regularly tell me "You're so small!" I always laugh at this. I know I'm going to get a lot bigger, but I definitely don't feel small! She is running out of room in my belly, as I can feel her pushing and stretching all the time. I'm still enjoying all the movement though. Its just a reminder that she really is there and that she is OK. Try to ignore the "no makeup, post work out look" I have going on.

Hopefully, I'll have another picture of the baby to post on Tuesday and we'll get good news about the calcification (fingers crossed)!