Our Baby Shower!

What a wonderful day we had yesterday. Our shower was perfect. It was co-ed so we had a huge turnout and we enjoyed spending time with friends and family that we only get to see once every few months or so since we live in Washington and everyone else lives in beautiful Southern California. It was a nice 80 degrees yesterday and just perfect. Here are some photos (credit goes to Monica for these photos as her photos were much better then the ones on my camera).

T minus 10 weeks to go!

I can't believe I am 30 weeks today (10 to go). I've encountered a few new pregnancy symptoms in the last week. They include: swollen feet and ankles, restless leg syndrome (you get this urge to just move your legs) and I took off my wedding ring and my engagement ring due to them getting too tight. As you saw in my previous post, we had a 3D ultrasound on Monday and it was an awesome experience. I recommend it to anyone. We watched her yawn, suck her thumb, blink and rub her face. We shcheduled our session at a facility in Los Alamitos called Before the Stork. We received the whole ultrasound on DVD and a CD of over 40 pictures. It was worth every penny. On top of that we got another confirmation that she is still a girl! Saturday is my baby shower so look for those pictures to come.

As for Courtney:
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Ain't she purty?

I have to say, I think she is awefully cute! But then again she is my baby and I am most likely biased.

And today I give thanks...

In the blogging world you come across different blogs about different people's lives. This week I read a blog that was unfortunately not what I was hoping to read. A fellow blogger, a military wife (Marines), and a new mother was given the devastating news that her husband had been killed in a rollover accident while he was serving his country in Afghanistan. He was just 26 years old. He had yet to even meet his daughter.

So if you can spare some prayers for Mrs. P and her daughter Ariana over at A Little Pink in a World of Camo, it would be greatly appreciated.

And with that said, I'd like to post the top 10 things that I give thanks for everyday:

1) My husband. After meeting at such a young age (I was 16 and he was 17)I am thankful that for his kindness, love and the fact that he has put up with me for this long.

2) My family. The people who would do absolutely anything for me at anytime. I am just so blessed to have such a wonderful support system. I couldn't do it without them.

3) My friends. Some I talk to everyday, some I talk to once every few months. Either way they love me like a sister and visa versa. They make me smile and I love them for all their support.

4) My pets. If it wasn't for them, working from home would cause me to go out and do some random things. They entertain me and are always there to cuddle with me when I need a hug and Mike isn't here to give it to me.

5) My baby girl that I have yet to meet. She is with me everyday and gives me a swift kick just when I need it. She also has a way to wake me up in the middle of the night and put a smile on my face.

6) My health and the health of my family and friends.

7) Chapstick. :)

8) Chocolate.

9) Beer (when I can have it)

10) Beautiful sunny days!

What are you thankful for?

29 Weeks!

I picked Mike up from the Seattle airport Saturday afternoon and we enjoyed a nice lunch at an Irish pub and then we made a stop at Best Buy for him to pick up a DVD and a new video game he wanted. We picked up the nursery furniture from Wal-Mart (it had been there for about 2 weeks) and enjoyed some time together. Sunday morning we went out for breakfast and then Mike got to work putting the crib and dresser/changer together. And then...here's the kicker...he had to go back to work at 4:45pm Sunday night. Yes, you heard that right. We had almost 24 hours together after him being gone for a total of around 7 weeks. I dropped him off expecting him to be home for our annual corned beef and cabbage dinner yesterday, St. Patrick's Day! I get a phone call at 4pm yesterday expecting him to say he was back in Port Angeles but I find out that the boat, which is in Everett in dry dock (it was having some issues so they take it out of the water to fix them), is still broken and he isn't coming home. I know this is the life that I signed up for when I married a man that serves his country, but damn, can I get a little time with my husband for crying out loud. So it's now Thursday and I am left wondering just when he will actually come home. Not to mention, he missed the hospital tour I went on on Tuesday with my birthing class. Can you tell I'm feeling a little lonely? I just really really miss my husband.

But on a brighter note, we fly into LA on Saturday for a week and I can't wait. I took Monday off as a vacation day so that I can spend a little extra time with friends and family before I head into the office. For those of you who don't know, I work from home in Washington but my "office" is in Huntington Beach, CA. So when I go home and visit family I have the opportunity to spend time with family and friends while also not using vacation because I can go into the office and work. Monday the 22nd we have a scheduled 3D ultrasound at a place called "Before the Stork" and we have invited both of our moms to join us. They are so very excited and I can't wait to see my little girl again. Plus I really want a 2nd confirmation that she is still a girl. :) And did I tell you that my sister will be coming home too for a few days? I am so excited about this. I have a baby shower scheduled for while I'm home that I am so looking forward to and that is why she is coming all the way from Boston. As for the nursery, you'll still have to wait. I plan to post photos once it is all put together.

As for Courtney:
Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

She weighs as much as a butternut squash:

I passed! I passed!

I am so thrilled to say I passed the 1 hour gestational diabetes test. Yay! My antibodies screen also came back negative so I get my rhogam shot at my next appointment.

28 Weeks

Yesterday's appointment went well. I had my blood drawn for my gestational diabetes test and they are also testing my blood for antibodies since I am O- and Mike I believe is A+. That means that if little girl gets her daddies blood type (or is +) and if for some reason our blood mixes, my body will create antibodies to fight her off. I doubt that I've created any antibodies myself (since I've had no spotting or anything that would cause our blood to mix). As long as the test comes back negative, then I will go back in to get a Rhogam shot, which is antibodies to protect us for the rest of the pregnancy (in case of trauma such as a car accident or something that could cause our blood to mix now). After little girl is born, they test her blood and if she is +, then I get another shot to protect me in future pregnancies (or so I understand). Giving blood these days is a piece of cake. I don't remember ever giving blood prior to getting pregnant and I'm glad I haven't had a bad experience. I've probably been poked 10 times since I've been pregnant. I'll also let you know whether I pass the gestation diabetes test (they'll only call me if I failed and have to take the 3 hour test again).

How far along? 28 weeks
Weight gain/loss: I don't want to talk about it.
Maternity clothes? Yep. I found these totally comfortable tees at Target. I love them.
Sleep? Considering I've been sick it's been Ok.
Best moment this week? Catching a kick on video and being able to send it to Mike so he can see. (Remember, he's been gone since February 7)
Movement: She is getting much stronger and I do believe I am carrying her high since when I am sitting at my desk I feel her right under my boobs.
Food cravings: Wheat toast and peanut butter (Yumm)
Gender: Girl. We will be doubling checking this at our 3D ultrasound on March 22. I can't wait.
Belly button in or out? Flat.
What I miss? Tying my shoes without having to take a break.
What I am looking forward to? Mike coming home on Saturday and picking up the nursery furniture.
Weekly wisdom: From my sister "Welcome to motherhood", when I called her to vent about the beginning of what I think are strechmarks on my backside.
Milestones: We have made it to the point where I now start seeing the doctor every two weeks. 8-O

As for baby girl:
By this week, baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Wanna see a kick?

The really strong one that you can see is at about 15 seconds in on my left side.

The 3rd Trimester!

Wow, the 2nd trimester just flew by. I remember just praying to make it through the dreadful 1st trimester and here I am now 12 weeks away from actually having my baby girl. How exciting, and scary all at the same time.

Mike is still in South Carolina so he has been gone for most of my belly growth spurt. He will be coming home next Saturday. I can't wait to see him and I can't wait for him to see my belly move when baby girl kicks. She is getting much stronger.

I started my birthing classes this past Tuesday. The first class was awefully bland but I'm hoping it will get better as the weeks go on. The third class, which Mike should be able to attend with me, includes the hospital tour.

In the last week we did finally get the nursery furniture ordered. The dresser/changer is ready to be picked up but we are still waiting for the crib to arrive. Mike and I will pick it up after he gets home next weekend. We ordered it Site to Store from Wal-Mart. I think I'll post pictures of it once we actually start putting the nursery together, so sit tight.

How Courtney is growing this week:
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

She weighs as much as a head of cauliflower:


And for Jenni who wants to see what the baby actually looks like this week (instead of comparing her to fruits and vegetables):

27 Weeks Pregnant