Week 21

Well we are finally over half way there (and yes, Gap Maternity was having a sale on t-shirts this color the day I went shopping...who am I to pass up hot pink for $4.99). Click on the photo for a nice larger than life look at the belly. I'm feeling pretty well these days - Clay informed me that his book said the fifth month was the easiest & I'd have to say I agree. I'm accustomed to the usual aches & pains by now, and aside from a dull back ache there haven't been many new ones. I've cut back on my walking given the advice of both my official doctor & my sister doctor due to the persistent back ache (I pretty much make sure they are in agreement on all issues...thanks Brookie Nae). Apparently as my belly grows my center of gravity shifts - making it harder for me to maintain good posture & a pain free back. So I walk shorter distances & really concentrate on my form...which means we are walking much more slowly too. So far it has really helped though because my back feels much better. To supplement this reduced walking Clay & I joined the local YMCA. It really is the nicest gym I've ever belonged too...and I've belonged to quite a few. It offers a climbing wall & the usual weights & cardio machines for Clay, and a pre-natal program "Fit for Two" that started yesterday with an orientation meeting for me. Luci will also enjoy the free childcare & play time, as well as a huge kiddie pool once she's old enough. The family programming offered is really outstanding. "Fit for Two" starts tonight with water aerobics, followed by yoga on Thursdays, and a discussion & more water aerobics on Saturday. There are maybe 12 women, and 6 of them are due in July like I am. The woman who sat next to me is due the day before I am, and we'll be giving birth at the same hospital. It is nice to meet some other moms-to-be and compare our belly sizes. Relatively speaking, I'm not so big after all!

Clay is doing well & working hard...his nesting instinct seems to be quite different than mine as he's working lots & saving our pennies. He's also been doing lots of pruning & scrubbing of our sidewalks (mold & SE TX go hand & hand)...getting the house ready for Luci. Once my NHHS girls weekend (I'm so excited to see everyone!) is over we'll really get going on the nursery. Luci has been blessed with several sweet baby girl items (mostly from our favorite new friend Amanda...who HAND CRAFTED a sweet sweet baby blanket for Luci this weekend) and it is about time she gets her own space.