Catching up

My doctor appointment went well on the 16th. He said we are moving right along and everything looks and sounds great. I only gained 1lb in the last month. It's so hard to believe that I will be 29 weeks on Christmas day! She now weighs a little over 2.5 lbs and is just over 15 inches long. And I can feel it too. And you can see it too! Moving all the time now. I know she gets the hiccups and I swear that she sneezes. It's either a sneeze or she's shaking off like a dog.

On the 18th Brad and I celebrated 5 years of not killing each other wedded bliss. We went to the Smoky Mountains and had a great time. There was about 6.5 inches of snow that fell while we were there. Definately the most we've seen since we started going.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Christmas and hopefully I can get back to regular updates after the first of the year.

The Truth About Reindeer

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeers retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.
Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.
We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat-ass man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

Baby: 101

There are 101 more days until my due date. To be honest with you, I'm starting to get a little nervous. I assume every first-time mother feels rushed to make sure everything is just right before the baby get here. I'm starting to feel it now. So many things left to do in the next few months. Still have to move and put up her bed, move her dresser into her room, recover the recliner (yes, the FL artsy-fartsy side of me if coming out), make curtains for her room (it's really coming out!), baby showers to attend and then stuff from them to put up, toys to clean and clothes to wash. I have to stop - my brain is about to boil. And this is some of the reason I don't seem to be getting much sleep these days. I have lists after lists running through my head of things to get done. And I know I'm the only person in the world this happens to! Am I really behind or do I just feel that way?
Oh, and the bedding that we had picked out...yep, no longer made. So here is what we are going with now. What do yall think?

Girly, right? I even surprised myself! I have already made up my mind that if we can't get this then it will just have to all be "mental institution" white.

Now here's where she is just 101 days before her arrival date. In week 25 she measured about 12.5 inches and weighed about a pound and a half (about like a rutabaga). She is starting to get some baby fat on those bones to smooth out her wrinkles. And if we could see her hair, which I am assuming she has lots of, we would be able to discern the color and texture. Week 26 means that her nerves in her ears are better developed and more sensitive so she probably is able to hear our voices. She is also inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid which is helping to develop her lungs. Getting bigger, she weighs about a pound and two-thirds and is about 14 inches long (about the size of an English cucumber). I don't feel much different except for the belly that's getting bigger by the day.

An update for Marie (and anyone else reading)

**note: Marie is one of the "Golden Girls" from my last job. She and Joyce (another GG) keep up with me through blog and emails. Last night Marie asked for an update-here's your update and make sure you print it and take it to Joyce too**

Well as most of you know I failed my glucose test yesterday. There wasn't any sugar in my urine so doc told me to just watch what I eat and how much of it I eat. He wants me to cut back my sugars and carbs. Yes, I did remind him that Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas is next month! Other than that everything went well. Her heartbeat was strong and the rest of my tests were normal. My next appointment will be December 16th.

Tomorrow I will be 24 weeks. According to Babycenter.com JoAnna weighs just over a pound and is about a foot long. They compare her to an ear of corn. She should start to fill in and plump up soon. Her brain is growing quickly and her taste buds are developing. Her lungs are developing branches of the respiratory tree as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she is born. I know all too well the need for surfactant production since Alley Claire was born.

The moving process is still going on. We have just a few more things to get from the old house. Most of the stuff left is Brad's lure making materials and they will get to live with Adam until we can build a shed. Our bed from the old house will soon be moved to its new home at Mama's. I have run into a few small snags at our new place...the kitchen faucet leaks, there is a leak in the seam of the stand-up shower, and the shower head is so high I can't reach it to adjust the angle. Soooo, I ran by Lowe's yesterday and pulled out my Lowe's credit card (I could get into some serious trouble with that thing) and got a new faucet, some silicone, some racks for under my sink, a basket for my kitchen towels, and a sanding tool for a table project I want to do. I am hoping to start working on JoAnna's room soon. We have to get the crib from my sister and move the dresser into her room. Next will be decorating. I'm actually excited about getting to decorate. The plan is to register for her stuff this weekend. Here is the bedding we have picked out...

Weekend

We are almost completely moved. WOOHOO!

Thursday night we went to Prattville to Bedzzz Express and ordered new king size mattresses for our new bed that has yet to be picked out or ordered. That's how I roll these days...nothing in order at all. It was an awesome shopping experience and I found a set of mattresses I fell in love with. I've had the best two nights of sleep in a long time since they arrived Saturday.

Friday afternoon we moved our clothes and a few food items. I insisted that we spend the night. The satellite had already been disconnected at the old house and I don't do well with silence. I mean, come on, I even have to have the radio playing while I shower-how was I expected to sleep in silence!?! Plus I felt the need to stay with my new baby. It's been a long time since I've had one of these-

Saturday morning I woke up with a fire burning to get things done. By the end of the day my feet were on fire (and my ankles swollen). I did way too much but I got so much done.

JoAnna even got a present from her Great Mema and Papa. And then Sunday was the big finale...I got to meet Ivy!

Like she said it was as if we'd known each other for ever. Got in some grocery shopping and bought a few things for the new place then headed back home. It was a good but long weekend.

Apparently I'm losing my mind

I just realized that no one has commented on my week 22 blog post. Are people not reading it anymore? Do they just not care? Nope! I didn't post it Friday when I wrote it!! Yep, I’m already losing my mind. So here's week 22's update--

She's the length of a spaghetti squash and weighs about 1lb. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed but do not have color yet. Her pancreas is developing steadily. She has been kicking me to death here lately and my heart still races every time I feel her. None of my pre-baby pants fit anymore with the exception of my sweats - I think I'll just live in sweats until she's born. Brad and I have been looking at bedding and car seats and strollers. He's so funny to watch now, getting all excited. We have actually already bought a car seat for Brad's truck but now I have to make a camo cover for it. No, I will not go with pink camo since real southern girls can handle real camo. Her daddy (so odd to type that) bought her a onesie the other night...

I'm Alive

So damn easy to say that life's so hard Everybody's got their share of battle scars
As for me, I'd like to thank my lucky stars that I'm alive and well...
It'd be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me...I'm alive
And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life and I'm alive
And well...I'm alive and well

It's a...

GIRL!            JoAnna Lane Chandler

I've got so much more to catch up on but not enough time right now. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up before the week's over.

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing...Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow. As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray. When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell. Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....Good friends are like that .... You may not always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

I JUST CAN'T WAIT

Gatlinburg has become one of my favoritestest places to go. This year we will be going back for our 5 year anniversary. Yes, I know it's hard to believe 5 years already!

I love to hear the . And enjoy taking pictures of the . Of course we will visit Cade's Cove to see the . I am hoping this year I can get a picture that looks like this.... is my favorite image at Cade's Cove and I take a picture of it every time we go...it's my obsession. I would love to wake up and see out the window. And click here to see where we are going to be staying. It's ok to be jealous.

Sneak Peak

I went to the hospital Monday to see if we could find out if it's a boy or girl. Apparently this child doesn't belong to me or Brad because it's bashful. Legs stayed crossed the entire time! But we did get a nice shot of him/her sucking his/her thumb.

Say it with me "awwwww"
My 16 week check-up was yesterday and everything was fine. Heart rate was 142 and doc said there's a lot of moving going on in there. I have been able to feel a few flutters here and there. Next appointment will be October 23rd and they will record the ultrasound.
Tomorrow marks 17 weeks. Turnip time - baby weighs about 5 ounces (about as much as a turnip) and is about 5 inches long. The baby's skeleton is changing from cartilage to bone and should be able to hear things.
That's all for now...I'm ready to go home and pack so I can head north tomorrow afternoon!

Well we've reached 16 weeks and I'm actually praying that my morning sickness is coming back for round 2. Please Lord don't let it be the flu! Other than the frequent trips to the bathroom everything is going just fine.
According to my pregnancy calendar there should be a growth spurt soon. Right now the baby is about 4.5 inches head to butt and weighs about 3.5 ounces. It's about the size of an avocado. Yes, now I want an avocado. I may have to make a call to FL's and see if she will make me a blt with avocado - yummy. Baby development should be moving right along. Its eyes and ears should be close to their final position and the patterning of the scalp has begun. Who just pictured Brad's head? Come on, don't be shy.

Law and Order

Just a little news story for today. And keep in mind that I work in Hayneville on Wednesdays. Check it out.
HAYNEVILLE ARRESTS

Tomorrow makes 14!

Yes that says 40. I'm starting to show and now have maternity clothes (THANKS BECKY!).

Week 14 the baby can squint, frown, pee, and possibly suck it's thumb. I'm sure we'll see lots of all those things in the future. Kidneys are producing urine and it's being released into the amniotic fluid. The baby can grasp and suck it's thumb.

Just like me the baby is getting bigger. It is about 3.5 inches long (about the size of a lemon) and weighs about 1.5 oz. Right now the body is growing faster than the head and by the end of week 14 the arms should be in proportion to the rest of the body. But of course it's legs are still short and since it's my child they will probably stay short. And we have hair, well actually lanugo, but no matter what you call it I'm sure there's lots of it there.

No, we don't know if it's a boy or girl yet but hope to find out before the end of this month. And no, I haven't felt any movements yet either. Not unless you count all the gas and growling in my belly. My morning, afternoon, and evening sickness are all but gone and I am SO thankful for that!

I do have some prayer requests -- of course for me and baby to continue to do well. But also I have a few friends that are still trying, still hoping, and still wanting to see that plus sign each month. I won't name them but please remember those that are still struggling with this.

13 weeks already?!?

My checkup Tuesday went well. The heart rate was at 158. Dr. Ashurst had to chase the baby from my belly button to my ribs before it stopped and he told me to go ahead and get ready for a livewire. Hard to believe my baby already has fingerprints and is now about the size of a medium shrimp. Yum shrimp...sorry I get sidetracked these days when food is mentioned. My morning sickness is about all done with. I can and do eat almost anything these days. Pickles seem to be my faves for the past few weeks. Anyway, the baby's fingers and toes have begun growing soft nails and if it's a boy he's already producing testosterone or if it's a girl she already has over 2 million eggs in her ovaries. My next appointment is Sept. 30th.

I officially go on vacation (aka to Becky's house) at 4:30pm. CANNOT WAIT! I feel like time is standing still. Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend! I know I will!!

well i have just 200 days until my due date...any guesses on if it's a boy or a girl?

little update

This was taken Wednesday afternoon when I was 9 weeks. We also got to see the baby move around. Awesome!

Yep, that's our baby!

Isn't it beautiful? I'm not biased or anything but I think so!
The doctor visit went well except for having to sit in the waiting room for 2 hours with my stomach growling. They should have free snacks for us pregnant women while we wait - at least a juice box or something.
Dr. Ashurst examined me and said that everything looks and feels wonderful. He didn't give me a due date on paper but said that we would go by the IUI date so that would make it March 10th. And there is just one from what we saw on the ultrasound. Knowing that has put me at ease since all these twins scenarios with awful outcomes had been running through my head. I seem to be more of a worrier these days. And the more I worry the sicker I get.
Something I've not had to worry about is Brad. He has changed into this man that waits on me hand and foot. AND I'M LOVING IT! He has cut the grass (and it needs it again). He has rubbed my back and my legs. And he will even fix my plate and bring it to me. Y'all just don't know how big of a difference that is! The sweetest thing he has started doing is kissing on my belly. I'm just eating it all up.

6 Weeks

Hard to believe but I'm already six weeks along in my pregnancy. So far the sex has been decided, the liver has started functioning, it has limb buds, the mouth, jaw and esophagus have started forming, and the heart is beating. I know for sure the heart is beating...

Yes, I snuck to the hospital for an early ultrasound. No, I still don't know if it's one or two in there. We saw one heartbeat and then thought we saw another. The second was hard to keep track of so we still aren't sure if there was another there or not. I should find out for sure on Tuesday when I go to the office for another u/s.

Yep it's true

we're pregnant!

June 30th was Brad's birthday and it was just killing me not testing. So I snuck back to the bathroom, dipped my stick and went back to get the brownies out of the oven. I went back to the bathroom and found this...

Called Brad back who was ticked because he thought he'd been summoned to kill a spider. He looked at the test and then looked at me and asked why I was shaking so bad. I couldn't believe it! Finally a positive. But we were cautiously optimistic because the last shot I took could give a false positive. So off to Prattville we went to buy another test. Got back home and tested again about 10:30. I called FL who's exact words were "sounds promising." I know she doesn't want us to get our hopes up but a little bit of enthusiasm wouldn't hurt. I mean, when I called Becky to tell her she spoke in a voice that only dogs could hear. Now that's excitement!

Woke up the next morning and took another test...trifecta

I called doc's office and left a message for Brenda. It took her no time to call back and wanted me to come in asap for blood work. My hcg levels on 7/2 were 266 and progesterone was 26.7. Brenda told me it looks really good but to come back in the next week to make sure my hcg is doubling every 2 days like it should. On 7/9 my hcg was 4095 and progesterone was steady. I'm definitely pregnant! I have my first official ultrasound scheduled for 7/21.

Thank you so much for all the prayers lifted up for me through all this. Y'all have no idea how much it has meant to me and Brad. And please continue to pray for those who have not yet gotten the positive test they are looking for.

for a really big...HUGE announcement click on the five mockingbirds blog listed under those i stalk...........enjoy

4th of July

Mary Grace and Bethany played on the slip-n-slide. Bethany had some ice cream. We swang, played ball (even Misfit), and blew bubbles. Then we all sat back and enjoyed the fireworks. Hope everyone else had as good of a 4th as I did.