Third trimester

It's been a great week. Second week of the third trimester, a little uncomfortable, but we are in the homestretch. This week we had another midwife check up. Everything is progressing perfectly.
We also had a busy week with friends. Steven and I got to meet Harrison this week. Harrison was born 4 weeks ago to friends of ours. Harrison was a hungry boy and spent most of the visit eating. He is adorable, and we are so excited for our friends Guy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth looked great, and was able to fill me in a little on what to expect, and joys and challenges they have gone through in the short, but busy last 4 weeks of their lives. It will be exciting to see Harrison and our lil'man grow up together!
I also got to visit with my best friend Anita. It was the first time we had gotten to visit in months. She couldn't believe the belly! It was great being able to visit, and she got to get some belly rubs in. I was hoping lil' man would wake up and give her some good kicks, but I think all the pizza I ate had him in a carb load coma. He did wake up as soon as I got home of course!
While out with Anita, I also ran into my girlfriend Michelle. It was so good to see her, as I hadn't seen her since I got pregnant. Michelle was the first friend I made when I moved to North Carolina, and we worked together at the hospital while I was in college. We have stayed good friends and it was so nice to run into her unexpectedly. She made sure to get some belly rubs in too!
It is hard to believe how quickly time goes. I will be 29 weeks on Monday. Only 11 more weeks give or take until we get to meet our little man. Though we already got a sneak peek at him a couple of weeks ago. . .it's just not enough. I am so excited to meet him and kiss those little toes that have been kicking me in the ribs! There are going to be things that I will miss for the rest of my life, and then there will be some things that I will be glad are over and done with.

Things I will miss:

• Little jabs into my ribs, and lil' man trying out for gymnastics in there.
• Knowing that he is forever hearing my heartbeat. We are already bonding. Before we have even laid eyes on one another.
• The change in Steven, as he appreciates the new me. Even when I am having a hard time accepting the "mommy body". His constant amazement in what my body is going through and has done to create our son. I think I have earned a new respect from him, and that is wonderful.
• Being able to eat and not worrying about hitting the gym or feeling guilty!
• Knowing how well I can protect him.

What I will not miss:

• Difficulty of tying my shoes.
• Being so hot all the time. What am I going to do come July!
  
• Sweats. I vow to not wear sweatpants for at least 5 months after lil' man gets here. (I know Steven will be glad for this too).
• Heartburn.
• Knowing every bathroom in town, because I can't go anywhere with out visiting one. Yeah for no more weight on my bladder!
• Telling my husband to slow down. How did this happen??? I'm usually running laps around him!
• Sleepless nights filled with being uncomfortable and in pain. Sure, I know the baby will fill the sleepless nights when he gets here. But at least in between times, my hips will not hurt, my back will not hurt, I won't have to get up to pee on the hour, and I won't have the occasional acid reflux waking me up gagging.
• The weird things going on with my skin. Thanks to the "mask of pregnancy", sunscreen stock has gone way up.
  

Pregnancy is an amazing thing. I am grateful for being able to go through it, but will also be glad when the time comes for us to meet our son. Now, just a few more things to take care of before he gets here, like the nursery. . .if I just had the energy and time!

Day care visits

We have begun the decision of who is going to take care of our boy once I go back to work in January. What a decision! We started last week with visiting the YMCA that is down the street from the house. Both of us liked the facilities and the folks there when we left, but with no real experience in this we both felt a little lost as to what we should be looking for.

The next appoints were this week. We visited Abernethy Memorial CDC on Tuesday. It was nice as well, and the staff was all very friendly. But there were few things that Steven and I had concerns with. We visited Conover Academy on Wednesday. The diversity at this center was the best, and that is a big concern for us, but there were some security concerns we had. There are pluses and minuses with all of them, and now the decision is to figure out which will be the best for us. Only one has a wait list, but since we will not need care until January they think we will be able to get in. Such a big decision with so many things to think about. I am just thankful that I am going to have the chance to have so much paid time off to spend with my little man.

My Mommy-to-be Day

First I have to say thank you to all the wonderful mothers who shared advice. . .I have great mentors and friends to get help from! I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend filled with hugs and kisses from your kiddos, or phone calls from loved ones that are far away.

I had a wonderful weekend, starting with a sneak peek of my Lil' man, time outside playing in the yard, and Sunday dinner out with family. I received cards from friends and family, and flowers and many wishes of a happy mother's day.

Friday I took off of work and had a busy day filled with doctors appointments and a soil & water meeting. My midwife appointment went well. I had to take my glucose tolerance test. Yuck! I felt so sick afterwards. Then after my appointment I headed to the 3D ultrasound clinic. Steven and decided to get the 3D ultrasound done as a surprise gift to our mothers for mothers day. It was the most amazing experience and I am so glad now that we did it. He is absolutely beautiful! It was such a great moment for Steven and I both seeing this perfect baby boy moving, kicking, yawning, punching and making faces. We know that this will be the only pregnancy for us, as we both feel strongly about adoption, and plan to adopt the next time around. So we want to experience as much as we can as my body goes through this amazing journey. This was one choice that was so worth it!

Best quote of the weekend was after showing the video of our boy to Steven's family Steven's mom was explaining to Aaron that the baby needed to finish baking like a biscuit. Aaron who just couldn't believe that I would bake the baby yells at his other cousins. . ."Kelly's got to bake the baby"!. . .Sophie then screams, "Noooooo"! Kids are too cute!We are so in love. I don't want to rush the next 13 or so weeks, but I can't wait to meet him and kiss his perfect little toes!

Preggo looking for advice- in honor of Mothers Day!

I'm pretty sure this doesn't happen often. . .so take advantage now!
So many changes are getting ready to sweep through my and Steven's world. There are many things we are excited about, afraid of, and unsure of. I am sure everyone's fears are a tad bit different at each stage of their life. . .
Steven of course is very worried about being a good Dad. I of course think he is going to be wonderful. . .which is part of the reason I fell in love with him. I on the other hand worry about the changes it is going to bring to our marriage. How do we juggle everything? How will we make sure we are making time for the two of us? Will we still laugh and be goofy. . .or do we will all of sudden become "serious parents"??? So I thought I would throw the question out. . .how have you managed to keep your marriage a priority? What tidbits can you offer us before we bring home our bundle of joy? What did you notice about your parents marriage that seemed to work for them?
To all the mothers out there, I hope you have a wonderful Mothers Day weekend! I am grateful for all of you and the mentoring you have given me (even when you don't know you are doing it).