6 lbs, 3 ounces...plus or minus 8 ounces

This afternoon we had another ultrasound at the hospital - the same kind we had at week 18. We confirmed our little Luci is in fact going to be fine with her lavender room (she's a still a girl!), and that she is possibly a bit big for her age. The data collected on her little bones, head & belly suggests she weighs 6 lbs, 3 ounces right now...with a possible error of +/- 8 ounces. So minimally she's 5 lbs 11 ounces, or she could be as big as 6 lbs 11 ounces already! Clay & I have read that during the 9th month she could gain anywhere from .25 to .5 lbs per week. That would put her right in line with the size of both of us at birth - Clay was 7 lbs 14 oz, and I was 8 lbs, 10 oz. I am exactly 35 weeks today, but measuring 36 weeks 1 day. So maybe she'll come a bit early!

Fun facts learned...the tech told us she likely has some hair (the tech saw sparkles?!?!), and she likes her toes! She was playing with her feet, grabbing her big toe & have a grand old time in there. Her head was really low & she kicked when the tech pushed too hard. It was really neat to feel her movements & see them simultaneously on the screen. We can't wait to meet her!!!

Appropriately enough, we are finally nearing the point where we are actually ready for her...I went to Babies R Us this weekend & went a little bit nuts with sales & my 10% off coupon. We now have crib sheets, towels, washcloths, and enough 0-3 month gear to clothe about 4 babies. Little girl clothes are so cute, and they were all so cheap I just couldn't help myself...so I allowed one last retail indulgence before the paychecks end (Friday is my last day!!) So if you are so very kindly thinking of showering Luci with some gear....she really only needs some 6-9 month outfits at this point! I also finished the Classic Pooh curtain toppers and crib skirt. And now that we have confirmation she'll be lookin good in pink, I'm going to get all of her little clothes washed!! I stocked up on some nursing pj's for the hospital & first few weeks at home, the car seat base has been installed by her dad (we'll get it inspected next week) and the stroller is put together. She's all we need!!

34 Weeks

Yesterday was my 34 weeks appointment with Dr. Beena. I was up 2lbs from the prior week, but I think it is because Clay & I went to Johnny Rockets for burgers & fries before the appointment. That is what I'm going to tell myself anyway! Other than that she again confirmed Luci is still sky high & showing no signs of joining us anytime soon. That being said, Clay seems to think she's dropped just a bit in the last few days, and I have been feeling a new pain in my extreme lower belly. Dr. Beena's nurse agreed that Luci may have dropped a bit, but Dr. Beena says, nope - I'm measuring at 34 weeks and if I'd dropped my fundal height would be shrinking, not growing still. We spoke with her a bit more regarding the delivery & she is supportive of our 'minimal intervention' request. We also told her we'd like to donate the cord blood to a public bank so she is making arrangements for that. She suggested Clay & I work up a birth plan so that we don't have to tell the hospital staff over & over what we want. Her C-Section rate is only 7%...which is VERY impressive, especially given the US average is something like 30%. She is also fine with me not having an IV as long as I don't have Strep B (tested for this yesterday) and am willing to have a heplock in case we need to start an IV quickly. Also I only need to wear the electronic fetal monitor for 10 minutes an hour instead of for the entire labor, which is is also great. Many care providers aren't this flexible. Have I mentioned how happy I am that she is my doctor?

We also had our 3rd Bradley class last night, which means we are already 1/2 way done with them! Amanda has graciously agreed to be the back up coach should Clay be piloting a 737 somewhere when Luci decides to enter the world, so she joined us last night & will hopefully be joining us going forward. We cannot thank her enough for her friendship & support...it is very comforting to both Clay & me that if he can't be there she'll be my rock & advocate. So thanks AGAIN to Amanda, and thanks Jamie for being on Clara duty. What would we do without you guys?

Neighborhood Cookout

This last weekend we were blessed with another event in honor of Luci. Our great friends and neighbors, The Lawrence's (Jamie, Amanda & Clara), hosted a family friendly cook-out in honor of Luci's upcoming arrival. Several other families in the neighborhood came & we had a great time hanging out & eating Jamie's delicious burgers and Amanda's amazing desserts. We were blessed with several gifts including every mom's 'must have' recommended mobile, a basket of all sorts of goodies, crib pad, some swaddle blankets, some toys, an adorable little outfit, and a sweetpea frame & baby book! It was a wonderful day & we again want to say thanks to The Lawrence's for being SUCH great friends.

Tomorrow is my 34 weeks appointment. Dr. Beena is heading off to India for 10 days so I'm checking in with her right before she leaves & I'll see her right after she gets back. I'm pretty confident that Luci is in no hurry to join us out here...in fact I'm pretty convinced she is crawling the wrong way. Every morning I wake up thinking she couldn't possibly get any higher, and sure enough she does! I'm anxiously waiting for her to drop so that I'll be able to breathe a little more easily!

Very blessed at 33 weeks

Yesterday was my 33 weeks appointment with Dr. Beena. As I pulled out my long list of complaints...um, I mean symptoms...(sooo tired all the time, restless legs, headaches, heartburn, rib pain, loss of appetite, snoring, more heartburn, still tired but can't sleep, etc) she told me everything I was experiencing was very normal and just part of the last few months of pregnancy...but that is was okay to vent ;). She did tell me to start taking iron supplements in case anemia is to blame for my increasingly lethargic behavior. Which is great if they work, but they are currently making my heartburn & indigestion that much worse...I've already had 3 Tums this morning. I gained 1 lb. over the last two weeks so I'm good with that, and I'm back to measuring on schedule...33 cm for 33 weeks!

Also to blame for my lack of sleep are these bonkers dreams I keep having. Two nights ago I dreamt I laid an egg ...and spent hours in my dream trying to figure out to keep it from getting all mashed up. I had hard boiled some eggs for a salad before I went to sleep and I think I was having flashbacks to my salad making experience - during which my attempt to slice the hard boiled egg ended up with mashed egg all over my salad. Last night I dreamt that Brooke showed up due any minute with twins! So Clay & I made the decision that we had to move ASAP to be by Brooke because I would need to care for her two babies as well as ours after she went back to being a doctor. I was very anxious in my dream about having to care for what would essentially be triplets! I know Aunt Deb did it & handled it like a pro...but I woke up feeling more tired than I was when I went to sleep last night!

Now for the 'very blessed' part...I know Clay & I often complain about being in Texas. But, I must say that we could not have landed in a better neighborhood. I love Cottage Green and the people that live here. For the last few months the girls in my 'hood have been getting together once a month to play a fun & goofy board game called Pokeeno. We bring a wrapped gift (no more than $8) and when you win a round of Pokeeno you get to pick out a wrapped gift. Well last night I won Pokeeno first (we do as many rounds as there are people so that all the gifts are picked - then we do a second set of rounds so that you can steal the opened gifts from others when you win) and opened a gift of a sippy cup & Johnson's Baby Wash. I thought, "Oh! Good thing I picked this gift...it wouldn't be appropriate for most of the ladies here!" And the next person wins...and picks out a gift...and opens 2 little girl newborn nightgowns! The woman had just told us she was pregnant, and I thought, "Oh I hope it is a girl so she can use these! Good thing she picked out that gift instead of it going to one of the other ladies with older kids!" And then the next person wins...and opens little girl socks! And the next person wins...and opens stacker cups! And the next person wins...and opens a handcrafted blanket and a little robe & wash cloth! And I bet you are starting to get the picture....well I wasn't! When all of the gifts had been opened and I sat there thinking about how inappropriate most of them had been! Usually people bring very universally appealing adult gifts...like wine or candles or gift certificates. As I'm thinking this I say out loud, "Well I guess I missed the baby themed memo!" To which my dear friend Amanda replied, "How do you suppose that happened????" And I honestly answered "I don't know!"...as I'm still sitting there thinking what inappropriate gifts people brought this time! And then my other good friend Lesley said, "She still doesn't get it!" At that point I felt myself turning bright red....as Lesley pointed out all of the obvious signs...pink baby gifts, pink cupcakes...! I felt like such an idiot!! It honestly didn't occur to me that these women, most of whom have met me only a handful of times would do such a nice thing for someone they barely know! After I got home I called Clay...and of course he figured it out after I told of the second baby girl gift being opened...and he said, "that's your good friends Amanda & Lesley at work!" Bottom line...I could spend hours counting my blessings these days...and for that I couldn't be more thankful.

Staying put in Texas now...

We are back from our trip to Iowa and are here to stay for probably more than a few months, as Dr. Beena made me promise this was the last travel that I'd request. Well...the one of us that doesn't travel for a living is here to stay anyway...the other one of us is already off again for the week!

Getting there wasn't bad at all - I was surprised how comfortable I managed to stay during the 3 hour flight & 3 hour car ride. Getting home was another story...my back hurt the entire road trip up to Minneapolis, and my belly hurt the entire flight home. I took it as an opportunity to try some of my Bradley Method relaxation techniques and I'm pleased to say that I was able to put myself to sleep using the deep abdominal breathing. By the time we arrived home all I could do was plop on the sofa & watch the end of The Bachelor while my sweet husband made us dinner; I was craving salad...he was excited that Luci was finally hungry for some of his favorite foods.

It was great to see family and be there for Baylee's graduation. Mom & Baylee tried really hard to feel Luci kick, but no such luck. She pretty much stops moving the minute I point it out to someone. They did get to see my belly move a bit though. Clay on the other hand got to feel one of the re-positioning moves and her little arm or leg moved against my belly & his hand so hard that he jumped back like she was going to pop right out of my belly and get him. Baylee & I laughed super hard...he really looked alarmed!

Happy Birthday Aunt Baylee

Luci's Aunt Baylee turns 18 today...and it is her last day of high school! What a great day! We went to see Dr. Beena this morning & got the all clear for our Iowa weekend. Baylee decided not to have a graduation party, but Clay & I are headed there regardless to help her celebrate this significant accomplishment and watch her accept her diploma. I couldn't be prouder to have another Hawkeye in the fam....and hopefully this fall with any luck we'll call her a Kappa as well :)

Dr. Beena says Luci is still 'sky high' and isn't showing any immediate signs that she's ready to enter the world just yet. She did a quicky little ultrasound and got to see that her head is in the lower left part of my belly, and her little feet & bum are up in the upper right part of my belly. I'd have guessed this based on her movements. I also saw her little heart fluttering & her rib cage & lungs expanding as she practices breathing. Dr. Beena says her spine looks beautiful. I actually lost a pound from last week, and my belly is measuring the same as last week - which was 2 weeks ahead of schedule at that time. So maybe she went through a little growth spurt & now she'll get back on schedule. Regardless, we are having a big ultrasound at 35 weeks (today is 31 weeks) to determine her position & take a guesstimate at her weight.

We started our Bradley Method classes on Saturday. We learned lots of relaxation techniques and a few exercises that Clay & I are supposed to do together. At the end we watched a video of a natural birth from beginning to end. I was squirming & almost crying, while Clay was very composed & stoic (he'd just been warned by his buddy not to let any unedited comments accidentally slip out). It was almost as if he was watching a science experiment unfold...meanwhile I'm glad I won't be seeing what is going on down there. I think it scared me more than it did him; I've started to have crazy dreams and restless nights pondering delivery. I had a dream two nights ago that I passed out during labor & woke up 4 days later to a happy healthy 4 day old Luci...

30 Weeks...a little bit big...maybe??

Last night we attended "Newborn Care" at the hospital. It was a 3 hour class that went over the basics of diaper changing, cord care, feeding, burping, the 5 s's (swaddling, swinging, sucking, shh-ing & side position), bathing, taking baby's temperature, along with crib & car seat safety. Each couple had a baby doll to practice with and by the end of the night we were quite fond of our little one...I kind of wanted to bring her home! We saw several photos depicting newborn characteristics including cone head, jaundice, grey blue hands & feet, along with photos of babies delivered with forceps & vacuums vs. those that came out naturally or with a c-section. We played a Babies Price is Right game and tried to guess the cost of various items like formula, diapers, baby wipes, diaper creme, & a jar of food. Clay & I came in way over...so hopefully that means we'll be pleasantly surprised by how little Luci costs (yeah right ;). We took several pages of notes and overall it was a great class, especially for $30. I'm looking forward to Breastfeeding Basics at the end of the month!

This morning started bright & early with an interview of a pediatrician, who we liked so much we've already decided to go with him. The office was bright & clean, with separate waiting rooms for sick kids & well kids. Dr. Bhakta has little kids of his own & seemed to practice very flexible common sense. Another task checked off of the list...

Then after breakfast at my new favorite venue, The Black Walnut Cafe, (they have a VERY strong decaf latte I crave) we went to our 30 weeks appointment with Dr. Johnson. She is such a funny lady, she cracks us up. I asked her for her opinion on Doulas and without hesitation she gave us the eye roll & asked how much money we'd have to waste on that. Clay & I both started laughing, and I went on to explain that we were just nervous that Clay might be gone when I go into labor & had thought maybe a Doula would be helpful in that case. She assured me she'd be there, and that we'd be fine. She also told us she is comfortable with inducing labor at 39 weeks if we are, and that we should think about it given Clay's schedule. We'd both prefer she comes on her own accord (when her dad is here, of course), but I think we're entertaining the idea now. After Dr. Johnson measured my belly, she also said she'd want us to do an ultrasound at 35 weeks to see how big Luci is, and what position she is in. I asked if she suspected Luci might be a little big (I could see there was something in her face she wasn't saying), and she said ummm...just a little bit...maybe....

As for my size...the Houston humidity has arrived and I'm starting to get a bit puffy. My wedding band leaves a serious indentation on my finger, and I might be sporting the beginning of some super attractive cankles. I've gained enough weight that I'm going to stop reporting it now...I'll just say that I'm still within the normal range. However last week at yoga the Y staff was taking photos for the newspaper...and they wanted the biggest belly...and they were trying to decide between mine & another woman's...who happened to be 34 weeks compared to my 29 weeks...needless to say I insisted they photograph her and not me....

A busy May with my favorite person...

I am very thankful to report that Clay's May schedule is allowing for lots of time at home with me, especially during the first half of May. Of course my type-A nature immediately saw this as an excellent opportunity to fit in all of those informational baby classes I wanted to take, so I've gone a bit bonkers with our schedule. On Tuesday night we'll be heading to Newborn Care at Memorial Hermann Hospital, the hospital where Luci will be born. The next morning we start out bright & early with an interview of a potential pediatrician at 8am, followed by our 30 week appointment at 9:30am. Then on Saturday the 12th we finally start the Bradley Method class (6 classes in all). The next weekend we head to Iowa (provided Dr. Johnson gives me the all clear) to watch my baby sister Baylee graduate from high school...and I'm sure that she is looking forward to no longer being referred to as the baby of the Rosonke Family ;)! We come back the morning of Monday the 21st and attend our second Bradley Method class that night. The next Saturday my loving husband will (no doubt a bit grudgingly) attend Breastfeeding Basics with me, again at Memorial Hermann Hospital. And the next day we finish up the information gathering month with Bradley Class #3. Now when you add in his flight schedule on top of all of this and a potential visit from the Atkins clan...our calendar for the month of May looks a bit bonkers. All the better to keep time flying ;)

Usually my sweet husband hates nothing more than a 'honey-do' list...but this week he's really gotten into it...plowing through the list head on, eagerly checking items off. I feel like we've made great progress with the nursery - we just might have agreed on a paint color and we both like the curtain concept; I can now visualize the final product in my head and I like it. We have had such a wonderful few weeks that I felt the urge to tell the world how very in love I am with my husband. A photo of his handsome face is long over due on this blog...so I've put up a photo we took back in February after Keith & Lee's visit. The lovely boot in the middle was a gift from them, and in a bit of Texas spirit we decided to hang it on our back gate to greet all of our Texan neighbors! The other photo was taken by Clay's dad, Don, a few weeks ago during thier visit. Love my man in uniform...

Week 28 & the beginning of the 3rd trimester!

I've been told now by multiple people that I'm 'hiding it well' and that I don't look pregnant from the rear view. I don't know as though I've ever enjoyed a shot of my rear view, so I don't even want Clay to take that photo...so, second best - I took one from the front for viewing pleasure. My hips may have gotten a little wider, but overall I'm pretty comfortable with my burgeoning belly. I've gained 17 pounds as of yesterday and Miss Luci is measuring long & high...meaning she's all stretched out and up in the way of my stomach. Over the last few days I've discovered a new sensation up just between my chest & belly that is a sort of numbing burn...it happens only when I am on my left side, but it is fairly uncomfortable. Dr. Johnson tells me it is my stomach being squished & that the pain will only subside when Luci decides to drop a bit. So I've been sleeping more on my right side, which seems to work fairly well when I'm trying to fall asleep, and then when I wake up to shift positions I must fall asleep again before the pain starts up. Hopefully that continues to work until she decides to drop.

Clay & I are enjoying a weekend at home together, as our travel plans to S. Carolina fell through last minute due to our Godson's battle with rota virus. Dr. Johnson recommended we not go...so we didn't. We are bummed but hopeful that the Atkins family can come visit us soon in TX. Despite the change of plans I was still in vacation mode so I decided to take a few days off anyway & just enjoy my husband and the weather. We had a lovely breakfast at IHOP this morning followed by a trip to the DMV to get the long dreaded TX drivers licenses that are now 330 days overdue...it was a successful trip & we should be receiving them in the mail in 2-4 weeks. I think it is a bit strange they have to mail them to you - we just have a goofy little piece of paper for now. Good thing I have a passport to prove I'm me if need be!

Good news to start the week...

Just heard from Dr. Johnson's office and I'm very relieved to report that my blood work came back normal and I do not have gestational diabetes. While the 3 hour glucose tolerance test certainly wasn't fun, I actually felt better throughout it than I did during the 1 hour test. Time flew by as Amanda & I chatted & read trashy celebrity magazines for the first 2 1/2 hours, and then Clay arrived in time to keep me company for the last hour or so. Once we were home he made me lunch and we just enjoyed some downtime on the sofa for the afternoon.

We also had a great weekend...on Friday night we had dinner with Jamie & Amanda & baby Clara (who is 17 months...not so much a baby), who seems to have suddenly discovered that Clay is fun too! Watching him put diapers on baby dolls & teddy bears and read books to Clara (as she insisted that he be the one to read them to her) filled me with warm fuzzies. We borrowed Clara for a few hours on Saturday morning and the baby doll diaper changing continued, along with more reading & a visit to the park. We watched her walk around the house, noting to ourselves what items need to go on the 'remove to kiddo proof our house' list. After the park visit she was a bit sleepy & put her head down on Clay's shoulder during the short walk home...it was one of the sweetest moments ever and it gave me a little boost of confidence that we just might be able to pull this parenting thing off after all...

3 hour glucose tolerance test

Well tomorrow I get to go in for the big dog of the gestational diabetes screening exams. I failed the first 1 hour version I took a week ago today, so now tomorrow I get to go in for 4 blood draws in 3 hours complete with twice the amount of syrupy orange glucose drink to choke down. I was pretty miserable after the first exam...Clay had to institute 'freeze out' in the car on the way home. Freeze out is the game we play when I get nauseous in the car - which is more of a regular occurrence than either of us would like for it to be. We turn the AC on full blast as cold as possible & he takes away any sweater I have until I am uncomfortable and cold...but no longer nauseous. I think it is an old trick he picked up along the way in a cockpit somewhere...it has proven quite helpful in the last 6 months.

Luckily my good friend Amanda has volunteered escort me tomorrow morning since Clay won't be home until the ordeal is about over. And she's bringing a jacket in case we have to go sit in the car & play freeze out. If I throw up I have to start the whole thing over again on another day...so keep your fingers crossed for me.

Worst case scenario I have gestational diabetes & get to go see a dietitian and be on a strict diet for the remaining 3 months, only to give birth to Luci the toddler instead of Luci the baby (Dr. Brooke's words...). I'm hopeful that it will be all right and I'll pass the big dog test...but just in case it isn't I treated Luci to Mc Donald's today for lunch with what may have been her last Filet O Fish for years to come...

Week 26

So I really didn't know I was this big. I changed clothes because I thought what I was wearing was making me huge (obviously)...and then I still looked huge. And now I'm just sort of in shock....Clay kept telling me how beautiful I looked...he must have known what my reaction was going to be once I got a look at them...

Photos from Chicago

Yes...I am in the SAME pink shirt again! I promise to wear something different when Clay takes my 26 weeks photo tomorrow. That is right...our 15 day stint apart hopefully comes to an end tomorrow...I can't wait! He'll either be home by 11:30AM OR 11:30PM...keep your fingers for the AM!

Chicago

I'm home from what was likely my last trip to Chicago before Luci's arrival. I left Monday morning & spent the afternoon with Holly & her 3 month old baby Noelle. It was great to finally meet baby Noelle & also served as a bit of sneak peak of what is in store for us. She is adorable & still very small! Her eating, playing, and sleeping schedule was like clockwork. My favorite was playtime...I may have even witnessed her first giggle! Holly is a very loving, capable mom & I'm sure she will continue to be another great source of information for me in the coming months.

Tuesday I went to work (which makes it sound easy...it was actually quite a task - I've lost my Chicago pedestrian commuting skills) where I did much more chatting & catching up than working! I hardly got anything done because every time I saw someone I was drawn into a 30 minute conversation! Many of my co-workers were able to go out to lunch at My Thai (my favorite Chicago lunch eatery) and it was great to catch up. My friend & co-worker Anita gave baby Luci a beautiful little blue & white linen dress with an adorable blue & gingham diaper cover!

Tuesday night was the second mini baby shower for Luci! My great friends Liz & Jaime hosted a fantastic mini shower complete with Dags pizza (my favorite Chicago pizza) and cheesecake! The girls enjoyed champagne & the ever thoughtful Liz had a wonderful sparkling lemonade on hand for me. Luci again brought home many beautiful baby things including a few books - Little Pea - who wants to eat spinach but has to eat his candy first ;) and Goodnight Chicago - like Goodnight Moon, but Goodnight Chicago with lots of great Chicago sights. She also brought home lovingly hand-made goodies from my economist-by-day, crafty designer-by-night friend (known as Cajankow) including knitted baby booties, a shirt with two kittens on it who resemble our very own Milo & Tallulah, pants to match and a very pretty burp cloth. Luci also received a wonderful green & brown blanket with the softest material known to man on the other side, a fuzzy bunny outfit & matching bib, and her first bottles. She also will be receiving the Sweet Pea boppy and a Pack & Play soon in the mail! Some big, can't deny a baby is coming gear! Thanks for sending those to my house ladies...they would have been tough to get on the airplane! More motivation to get going on the nursery...the rocker is now overflowing with her belongings! And not to forget about Mom & Dad...we received a Chicago landmarks plate and a book of Chicago stories, along with a drying rack for Luci's bottles! If they ever get the opportunity to share baby war stories I'm quite certain Clay will want to get the scoop from Scott (Noelle's dad) on the 'system' he's developed for Noelle's feeding things. I believe the drying rack is required at some point in the process...

Wednesday morning I tried to work very quickly to make up for all of my chatting on Tuesday. I'm much more productive at home (despite the occasional blog break). I left on a 2pm flight and was home by 6:30pm. I'm a pretty anxious flier (and yes, I married a pilot) and the flight home was about as turbulent as I can handle without becoming panicky. Luci was very active during take-off & then periodically on & off throughout the flight. I was trying to decide if she was excited active like her dad, or nervous active like her mom but I couldn't tell. Clay falls asleep whenever he's not actually flying the plane, so maybe she was like me? But I hold my breath & don't move, so that makes me think she's like her Dad. I guess we'll find out in due time!

I feel very blessed to have had such a wonderful trip seeing all of my friends but I'm also very glad to be home in my little cocoon with the stinkpeas Milo & Tallulah. They were excited I was home so they could go outside & play again. Now as soon as Clay gets home my little world will be complete again. I've gotten many requests for an updated belly photo...as soon as Clay is home on Tuesday we'll get right on that ;)

The Start of the Nursery

We've officially started on the nursery. Clay moved the guest bed into the other bedroom before he left so that I could keep myself busy putting the crib together & decorating. I put the crib together over the last couple of nights and it was pretty easy. It seems very sturdy & I'm really happy with it! Unfortunately the dresser that matches (and the crib itself) has been discontinued...which explains why it was such a steal. I think after much looking I've finally found a dresser that will match though, and should be the perfect size. I'm giving myself a few more weeks of browsing for gently used items before ordering it, hoping to find something cheaper and with a bit of character! The lighting is bit goofy in the photos, but the rocker & rocking ottoman is a very earthy sage. I thought it would have more brown in it, but I'm still really pleased. On the ottoman you can see some of Luci's growing wardrobe! This weekend I'll be shopping for a crib mattress & picking out some fabric to make a crib skirt & curtains.

Photos as promised....

A group photo at Tommy Bahama's in our little Market Street...my new suburban downtown! back row, left to right: Erin Mills, Tennille Harms front row, left to right: Chris Bormann, Me, Erica Boos (thanks for the photos), & Jenny Tank...the organizer of the shower! Baby Luci & her parents again say thanks....

If this had sound, you'd hear our wonderful rendition of Happy Birthday in celebration of Jen's 30th! Not sure if she is signing to herself or if she's laughing at us...probably laughing!

Clay left yesterday for a few weeks of deployment with the Naval Reserves. I couldn't stop the tears & have a very hard time keeping it in perspective. Clay is very good at reminding me that we have a lot to be thankful for. MANY servicemen & women are gone for MUCH longer than a few weeks, and in much more dangerous situations. I am trying very hard to keep this in mind...although then I just end up crying for them & their families! One thing that never fails to bring a smile though is something Clay said on the way to the airport...that the next time he goes on a deployment like this there will be a baby Luci in the backseat along for the ride to the airport!

Luci kicked her dad!

Well last night Luci finally decided to kick for her dad. We were on the sofa watching TV after our walk & dinner and she started to get pretty active, mostly in one spot. As I often do these days, I said to Clay, "Give me your hand." Sure enough just a minute or so later she packed a pretty good little punch...I immediately looked over to Clay to see that his whole face had jumped up...that is the only way I can describe it. His eye brows were raised, his eyes were wide open, he had a giant grin, sat up a little straighter and said, "Wow, I felt that, was that her?"

This morning was our 24 weeks appointment. Clay was home and able to go along to meet Dr. Johnson. He described her as kind, concerned, and in control; I am really pleased we found her. She did a quick ultrasound & said that Luci was moving a lot & her spine looked beautiful. I've gained 10lbs total so far, which I'm pretty happy with. Lucky for me Clay will also be home for the next appointment in 3 weeks - which will be the glucose screening for gestational diabetes. It's hard to believe I'm getting so close to the third trimester! Sometimes it seems as though time has flown by, and other times it is hard to believe we have another 16 weeks to go!

Grateful

So the fabulous NHHS girls weekend has come & gone. Approximately 12 bottles of wines, a bottle of margarita mix, a few Mike's Hard Lemonade's, lasagna, several Thai dishes, 2 batches of puppy chow, and 1/2 of a birthday cake (Happy 30th Jen!) with ice cream, among other goodies were had. I still have a fridge full of beer & 4 bags of potato chips...but not a drop of red wine remains ;). And while needless to say the alcohol was consumed by the non pregnant 5 of us, I am very proud to be able to report that I stayed up each night chatting. I might have been the first that suggested it was bedtime, but everybody followed my lead.

It was super fun - and the perfect way to see everyone & catch up. Jen planned a little shower for me at Tommy Bahama's over lunch on Saturday (I'll post a photo when I get one). Luci was blessed with several seriously adorable little outfits, a monkey that giggles, some cloth diapers to spit up on, a gift card to buy some goodies, and she'll be pretty in pink with her new 'bundle me' to keep warm & cozy. After that we hung out in the yard enjoying the Houston weather (yep...I've been told to enjoy it while it lasts), and then were in our pj pants by dinner time. We stayed up talking at the dinner table until 2am about everything under the sun. Sometimes I think it is amazing that 6 of us can get together once every few years & have it be like no time has passed. Then I remember that we all come from the same place, grew up together & have years of shared experiences. And then I think it is amazing that we can go out & still make new friendships that are equally as strong with people we've only known for a few years or an even shorter time. I feel very blessed to have such great friends - both old & new, close by & far away. It seems no matter where life takes me my stock of great friends just seems to grow...and for that I am so grateful.

Lots of Movement

Both Luci and I have been pretty active over this last week. Luci is letting her presence be known more frequently now...to the point where this morning I'm not so patiently waiting for her to wake up & kick me...it is very re-assuring and lets me know all is well in there. If we could time it correctly I think Clay could feel her kick now...unfortunately their awake time schedules don't seem to match up very well! I feel her before I get up in the morning (that time period after the alarm goes off but before getting up), then again in the late afternoon hours, and then again after dinner. Her schedule has really been pretty consistent. Sometimes the morning hours differ...sometimes I don't feel her until a few hours after breakfast, but I almost always feel her at night.

I have been doing lots of moving myself with the Y's pre-natal program. Yoga was great - and a little bit tough. I think it is a good thing I started now...if I was any bigger & had to ease into it I'm not sure I could. I also am not very 'internally focused' these days....which is required to do yoga well. I tried REALLY hard to focus on my breathing & postures, but my mind kept wandering...checking out all the other moms-to-be...wondering how far along they are, or thinking, oh, that's a cute maternity workout tank, I wonder where she got that? I need to work on that if I'm going to attempt this Bradley Method business.

Water aerobics is proving to be a much better workout than I had ever imagined. Who knew you could cross country ski, downhill ski, skate, run, jog, grapevine, do the rocking horse and hop in the water? And the toughest movement...swimming! HA! We swam two laps last night & I was totally beat! We also use water weights...my arms & shoulders are actually sore! The best part is the ab workout I get in the water. Just trying to keep myself up right & move to these different positions requires a lot of core strength...which I'm sure will come in handy when it is time to push!

And she's up :). Good morning Luci.

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.