Birthday on Birthdate

Birthday week continues with more recapping of our celebrations... I told you first birthdays are a big deal.

So on the day of his actual birthdate, we did a bit of minor celebrating.

Honestly, I couldn't believe a year had passed. I survived my first year of parenthood and had a healthy, happy baby to show for it. I woke up that morning feeling grateful and in awe. We still had to get ready for church but I took a peaceful and quite moment to Thank God for one of my greatest blessings. I was counting down the minutes until 10:08 am when my little guy would officially turn one. At the moment the clock struck 10:08 I scooped him up in my arms and sang Happy Birthday to him. Then I cried. It was a joyous moment for me reflecting on his birthday and how it had gotten a little scary for a bit but we made it through.

I think I sang Happy Birthday to him 20 more times that day.


At church that day, there was a special function

Birthday party in pictures

the fun stuff.

Okay this is what you really care about. All the drama and hoopla is overshadowed by the fact that my little guy, my baby boy turned 1!!!! And trust me, you'll want to read this one to the end :D The party planner in me LOVES this part. So many people told me they were impressed and thought it was cute.

Ok, so here are the deets. Every birthday boy needs a birthday shirt, right?

20 months

For some reason, I am sort of at a loss for words for this. I am well aware of the fact that time wait for no one but every once in awhile I get blown away by how far this little boy has become. In just 4 short months he will be turning 2... 2?!?! I feel like time has passed me by, left me standing on the sidelines while everything else around me keeps moving. 

My intention was to always diligently document his growth in pictures, words, and memories but most days I forget what day it is and pay no attention to how many pictures I have taken. Most days I just try to make it to bedtime without killing over.

WW: 12 months

8, 9, 10, 11 months

How am I going to be a blogger, blogging about my journey through motherhood and I forget these oh so important updates. I'm sliding this is just before the big 12 month update!

Never fear! I've still been writing letters to my son- just not here. I know that's whack but I don't have the free time on my hands like I used to. So I'm going to get to the gist of it all. I'm liking Shannon's updates so I'll do that here and keep the sappy stuff for my son's photo book (unless of course you want the sappy stuff).

 
8 months                                        9 months                   10 months                11 months
  
weight                            weight              weight            weight
20+ pounds                                    ~21 pounds               22+ pounds            ~23 pounds


Height                           Height              Height             Height

29 inches                                      29 inches                  29 inches                  29 inches


clothing size                clothing            clothing          clothing
9 months                                     12 months                  12 months                 12 months



Diapers                         Diapers             Diapers            Diapers
Size: 3 or 4                                Size: 3 or 4               Size: 3 or 4               Size: 3 or 4



Food                             Food                   Food                       Food
Mostly purees.                     I’m finding it difficult      Everything- much           Still eating everything.
I’m not a fan of jarred         to find food options to      to my dismay- he            Although an illness
baby food but keeping        feed him. I feel like my     eats all table food           kind of slowed down
up with making our             options are limited as       He has transitioned         his eating for a few
own food is proving           we transition to more        to suing a sippy cup        days. I've been trying
to be hard with the              table food. I'm fighting a   at dinner and it was       to keep him away from
busy lifestyle we lead-       losing battle. One thing I   no problem at all! He     the high allergen foods
which is why they              can say is he will try         still continues to like       but I found out that he
make jarred baby               anything you give him.      to feed  himself.              has had peanut butter
food!                                   He doesn't dislike             Gerber to the rescue        already. I absent-
                                            anything you give him     again! The make a          mindedly gave him
                                            for the first time.             pretty good line of           strawberries on more
                                                                                    foods designed to            than one occasion and
                                                                                    teach how to bite             eggs have been a part
                                                                                   and chew (although          of his breakfast diet for
                                                                                   chewing was NEVER      about 2 weeks! I kind of
                                                                                   this baby’s problem          figured he wouldn't
                                                                                                                             have an allergic
                                                                                                                             reaction at first- I'm
                                                                                                                             more worried about
                                                                                                                             developing one.

hair, teeth, eyes      hair, teeth, eyes    hair, teeth, eyes       hair, teeth, eyes
his hair is growing!           and his hair continues     I think his eyes are              He's up to about 5
You would never               to grow!                          getting darker but                teeth! He had a low 
know this baby had           Someone asked when      the color still changes        grade fever for about
cradle cap! He’s still         will we cut it and I'm        depending on what's         4 days and I attributed
rocking 2 top teeth            thinking never!                 reflecting off his eyes.      it to the fact that he has
and his eye color               I love his curls :)              Whenever he wears            about 3 or 4 coming in
is still a mystery.                                                        yellow or is in a yellow    at once.
                                                                                   room his eyes are green!
sleep                         sleep                     sleep                         sleep

I’m not getting any.          I must do something        It's hit or miss. Sometimes  I'm starting to get
                                         about this situation,          he goes down easily and      some night where he
                                        fast! I've officially            other times he doesn't. I'm    is sleeping through
                                        stopped rocking him         not giving up- I need some  the night. Problem is
                                        to sleep. He just doesn't    sleep and less bed time        I go to bed too late to
                                        seem to  be able to get       fights.                                  enjoy it. :(
                                       comfy any more. So
                                       we are done. I loved
                                       rocking him as a newbie
                                       but it has turned more
                                       into a jazzercise routine.

talking                talking                      talking                 talking

He still uses basic           He's definitely talking in        I'm pretty sure                This boy is in
syllables. I                      sentences they are just not      he once told my             love with his
can make out                  coherent. Whenever we          Aunt to 'stop'                  pacifier! I'm
mama and dada.              are in the car- he always        she was aggravating       trying to get
                                        chats it up with me! Just         him for one reason         everyone to
                                         don't interrupt him in the      or another and thats        understand that
                                         middle of a story.                  when he told her to         he doesn't need
                                                                                       stop. It was pretty           it in his mouth
                                                                                       funny but he hasn't         24/7. I think the less
                                                                                       done it since.                   he has it the more he
                                                                                                                              can practice talking.



So, the countdown to one is officially on! I'm not sure how I feel about this. I mean of course I want my child to grow and thrive and be healthy but I miss his baby cuddles. I remember his newborn days fondly. Although at times sleep deprivation was a killer, I enjoyed things like laying him on my chest, little baby body parts and just basking in his awesomeness. I still get to do some of those things (like kiss his baby toes) but I see him growing and taking shape into his own person.

With the countdown to his first birthday also comes the countdown to his first birthday party. I love party planning and I am a planner by nature so I am enjoy putting together all of the little details- I'm just hoping I will have the time and sanity to pull it all together!

6-7months

Hey sweetie!

I can't believe you are already over a half year old!! First, let me apologize for the slackeration that has been going on. We've been quite busy. the day after you turned 6 months old you took your very first plane ride. How exciting!!!! I was soo nervous about how you would do but I think you handled it like a champ! We went to Phoenix, Arizona to accompany daddy on to a work conference. I think a lot of my apprehension comes from so many horrible news stories about how TSA (the security administration) treats moms. I've heard about moms forced to pump breast milk in front of people just to be able to bring their breast pumps through security.. how ridiculous is that?! I didn't want anything to happen to YOUR milk to so I purchased sealed containers so they would stay fresh and hopefully untampered. The TSA officials were very nice to us and getting you through security was no problem at all. In fact you were quite the ham! You fell asleep before take off and slept most of the time. 

While we were in Phoenix you and I spent a lot of time together- just like when I was on maternity leave. It was so much fun. I think your favorite part was when we went on walks. You would kick your feet and look around the entire time until you fell asleep. We met a lot of your dad's colleagues from other institutions and you were always the star of the show! We even took a trip to the Grand Canyon! I'm sorry you won't remember any of it- but I was sure to take a lot of pictures of you there so you can see how it was later. Maybe one day we will get the chance to go back when you can remember it. Your grandparents would LOVE to go one day. I loved this trip sooo much and next year it's going to be even better because we are going to the happiest place on earth!!!! You have no clue but I am the most excited ever!!!! I've even rounded up both set of your grandparents to come with us because it will be your first time there. I can't wait- it's going to be soooo  much fun. Don't worry I know you won't remember so I'll take a trillion pictures and make every one wear Mickey ears =) We never intended to take you so young but the opportunity has presented itself so I'm not going to miss it.

Your personality is beginning to develop. You are so pleasant- it's amazing! Your dad and I are new to this parenting thing and I am so glad you are taking it so well. You literally light up a room when you are in it. You are so funny and you're so little! Let me tell you why. One day while you were at the G'rents you pooped your pants. Literally. It cam out of your diaper and into your pants as well as your shirt and I think you may have gotten some on G-pa. He didn't mind but the only way to handle this was to give you a quick wash down old skool style- in the kitchen sink. So I stripped you down wiped off all the poop and sat your in the sink. Well, you turned the sink into your own personal hot tub! Who does that?!

notice the foot prop

You do the most adorable things, lol!



After our trip  we (half heartedly) celebrated St. Patrick's Day. Normally I would make a traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage but I gave up meat for lent so that was a no-go.

We spent the rest of the month attending family gatherings and hanging out. You were even baptised on the same day I was 28 years ago! Last week we celebrated Holy week starting with Maundy Thursday and ending with Resurrection (aka Easter) Sunday. We hosted dinner Easter dinner at our house and had a blast! I actually cooked something besides dessert. I never do that because I like to leave it up to the pros like your Grandma and Auntie's but I have to learn someday, right?

Your are doing really well- growing so big and learning everything! At your 6 month well visit you weighed in at 19 pounds! I can't believe it. You are a little bigger than most babies your age so you stay at the top of the growth charts. 

You measured in at 27 inches long with a head circumference of 18.75 in. So adorable! You did get two more shots (augh!) but you are beginning to handle them like a champ. We are still hanging in there with size 3 diapers but I'm getting nervous. Sometimes you have these major poopsplosions that results in nekkid baby in the middle of babies r us (whew! that's a different story for another day) which I believe is the combination of the way you are sitting and questionable diaper sizes. We try to introduce a new food to you every week. It sometimes gets challenging when we have a jam packed weekend but I enjoy the fact that we make your food. I feel like I have a little bit more knowledge of what's going in your chubby little belly.

I can't believe this but you are up on all fours now! Next stop, crawling! I'm not ready!!! Amongst all this fun a tooth is starting to poke through! I'm really amazed at all the changes that have taken place over the past two months. I can only imagine what 7 months old will bring.

Love you much!

Mom

Y3W: Giving him back

... to the Lord.

My baby boy has been baptized! Let me start from the beginning.

The back story

Christenings aren't normally that 'big' in my community. They are usually small celebrations attended by immediate family plus a selected few and that's that. At least I've never been invited to a big to do (a la ROHNJ part 1). Furthermore, we aren't Catholic, therefore he was baptized, not 'christened', 'dedicated', 'blessed', or 'named'. So given all this information, I wanted his baptism to be celebrated but not in a big over the top fashion. Some people will say I may delayed a little too much (because if something were to happen we want to be sure that he was given back to the Lord and therefore a child of God) but I wasn't initially aware of the time frame. Although if we ever have any more children I likely won't be waiting 6 months to have him or her baptized I did like the fact that he was an awake, alert baby and he is able to sit on his own. This means nothing in the grand scheme of things but it sure did look great for pictures.

The significance

Once we began to discuss when he would be baptized, I looked into my own infant baptism. Since my baby and I are 5 days apart I wanted to know when my parents decided to baptized me as a general guideline. In my research i discovered i was baptized on April 1, 1984. Well, as fate would have it April 1,2012 was on a Sunday!! So I HAD to have this date. I initially thought it would pose a problem because 4/1/12 is also palm Sunday- but my Pastor gave the go ahead and so it was set: my little guy and I would share the same baptism anniversary!

The celebration

Like I mentioned, I wanted to celebrate this day. It marks and important milestone in his religious journey. I just didn't want it to be another episode of 'the Real house wives of NJ' (part 2). I wanted a private space at a restaurant, good food, family, friends, and lots of love. My intention was do a really nice dessert table to go along with this really good food- but it just seemed like nothing would fall into place the way I had envisioned. The restaurant that I chose was minutes from the church and a very easy drive. We have been there on more than one occasion and I knew they had a nice private space. When I went to go reserve the space- the manager told me that I needed a minimum of 30 people to reserve it. Well I wanted to cap the festivities at 25. I could have found 5 more people to join us but that would defeat the purpose of 'small celebration' plus 5 more people wasn't a part of my budget.  Then my best friend told me should wouldn't be attending because she had to work. Then 2 more of our guests told me they wouldn't be able to make it either. Crap! this put me below the original 25 people on my guest list. Yes, I know you should always take into account those who can't make it but at one point all these people were a confirmed yes which is why I even got the idea to hold lunch after the ceremony.

In true 'From Mrs to Mom' fashion I waited til the last second to order the cake and get the baby's outfit. I also slowly began to realize that I wasn't going to have enough time to put together my dessert table display and 'why don't they make Christening outfits in sized bigger than 6 months?!" I always hate that I wait until the last minute to do things but then I never take steps to get things done earlier. *sigh*

The end result

Everything was amazing! I can't believe how everything came together. Everything didn't go according to how I envisioned it but it was exactly the way it needed to be.

On Friday before the baptism I took a half day off work and one of my good friends accompanied me to run a bunch of errands to get ready. We stopped by the restaurant and because the manager didn't book any private parties for that day- he gave us the private room for less than the minimum required amount of people. Plus he modified the menu to my liking (now I know why I like this place). After going to 3 stores we finally hit the jackpot at the 4th store in getting his outfit. They didn't have any booties in his size so he did without them. I realize my little guy is a a little bit big for his age but it is beyond me why all the Christening outfits in my area stop at 6 months and then jump up to first communion sizes. Well I should say all the reasonably priced outfits stop at 6 months. There are a few specialty store in our area that we could have gotten him a $70 suit that he will likely never wear again. We also made stops to pick up decorations for the restaurant (which I forgot at home) and did some damage at Target and Babies R Us.

That night when I tried the outfit on him it was too small :( I ended up running back to the same store at a different mall and they had the next biggest size. I thank God for her (my friend) because she was a GOD send that day. I know she reads this and I can't thank you enough. She agreed to be my son's God mother and I am ecstatic she accepted. I am even more ecstatic that she's expecting her own bundle of joy this September!!! I don't know if I was a year early or she was a year late, lol, but more on this later.


On Sunday morning my Pastor texted me to say that the baby's name was spelled wrong in the program. Although it wasn't just spelled wrong it was the wrong name altogether! I have no idea how this happened because she wrote down the correct spelling of his name when we met for the baptism meeting. She did print extra copies of the program with his correct name for us as a keepsake- but I'm keeping both. It was actually pretty funny because my husband's best friend was NERVOUS that HE had gotten the baby's name wrong. Anywhoo after the fiasco after fiasco that had been occurring I didn't mind one bit. I still think it's kind of funny. We were surrounded by so much love it was AMAZING! I was a little disappointed that my best friends plus a few others couldn't make it but the people who were there were amazing. It still bring tears to my eyes... yea I'm emotional like that.

That afternoon at lunch-we had the best time ever. Even the baby enjoyed himself. We ate, we laughed, we talked, ate some more, laughed some more and truly enjoyed each others company. My son had so much fun he was letting out some gut busting laughs! If I knew how to edit videos I would post it for you. Every time I watch it I can't help but smile. I think a child's laughter is one of the best sounds ever. And this day was one of the best ever.

enjoying lunch

Last week on this journey...

In case you missed it we just got back from a wonderful vacation. I feel like it was the pick me up that I needed. I'm more tired than I was before I left but I got to spend some time with my little guy in the way that I did when I was on maternity leave. And you know what? It felt GOOD. Scratch that- it felt GREAT! We went on walks, played, hung out at the pool and the added bonus is that I didn't have to worry about my domestic duties because- we weren't home! So here's our little vacation recap:

This is the third state my little guy has traveled to in his short 6 months. Wow, he's averaging a new state every 2 months! Too bad he won't remember any of it. I was excited (and nervous) because it was also his first plane ride!!!

He did absolutely wonderful. He slept for the most of it which was great because I caught a nap too. I get antsy on flights over 3 hours so I wasn't surprised when by the third hour hit he started getting antsy. We took him for a walk about the cabin while everyone oohhhed and aaaahhhed at him. He soaked it all up smiling at everyone smiling at him. I was disappointed because airlines (that I know of) no longer give out "flight wings" (or whatever they are called). And I couldn't save his boarding pass. So these pictures will suffice as his keepsake of his first plane ride.

Then it was time to land. I didn't know how the change in air pressure would affect his ears so I offered him a bottle but he was kind of full from eating during the flight so I gave him a pacifier and hoped for the best. He of course took it out of his mouth and began to play with it. So I was prepared for a screaming fit. Instead I got this:

Pretty right? Can you see those mountains in the back? I've never seen a mountain live up close and personal (yea I'm a city girl who doesn't get out much) Oh, and the baby wasn't phased by the landing (or the landscape) at all! And that arrow is pointing to our hotel.


So what else:

1. I decided that since I was going to rent the "baby furniture" I would try a convertible car seat. We have been thinking about going to the convertible for some time now, mainly because he seems squished when he's riding in his infant bucket seat.

He did relatively well. I think he liked being more 'upright'. But we are going to hold off on this purchase (unless a really good deal comes along) for now because when he fell asleep in the car my poor baby guy was really uncomfortable. He still needs a bit more time to master sleeping 'upright' and holding his head. I know when we all fall asleep in the car our heads dangle in some sort of way but he hasn't gotten the head lean to the side while sleep thing down yet and it made him very uncomfortable.

So there is this crazy story about the car seat situation and why he is in two different car seats. First, I researched every last second of this trip. I was going to be in an unfamiliar location and most of the time by myself with my little guy (while my husband went to his sessions) so I needed to know stuff. I wasn't going t be caught in some tourist frenzy and danger the life of my child. Part of this research included how we were going to get around- safely. The hotel's website stated they had shuttle service to and from the airport. So, I would hold him on the shuttle to and from the airport because those things aren't car seat friendly (at least most hotel shuttles aren't It could just be where I 'm from). We had a rental car for one day in which he would use the car seat. Any other trip would be on foot. WELL, when we arrived in Phoenix and called for our chariot shuttle they told us they no longer offered the service. WTF!!! I should have called. So now we're screwed right? Well apparently the cabs there come with car seats in them. At least some of them do. I've never seen that before. Then again it must have been 10 years since I've taken a cab... okay maybe only two but still who knew?? I wasn't completely comfortable with this because who knows if the seat was expired, had been in an accident, or what else went down- but it was our only option. Actually I was going to suggest we take the light rail but the chaos that would have ensued with our luggage just wasn't happening. So I said a prayer and we made it back and forth from the airport and the hotel safely.

Moving along...

We stayed in a wonderfully beautiful hotel with a pretty good view.

Then once our "baby furniture" arrived- we were off to stuff our faces.

I must say. Initially I was very leery about renting baby stuff but it ended up working out really well. Everything was very clean and well maintained. Our other option was to bring our stuff and let's just say it was way more cost effective to rent it. I procrastinated with the rental for so long that some of the items I really wanted to rent were already rented (which I've should have known because there was something like 5,000 attendees at this conference).

And speaking of food- I gave up meat for Lent. I intended to blog about this a long time ago but never got the chance although it's not too late. When I say meat- I mean everything except fish. It's been a journey to say the least. But anyway. Hooters was the closest eatery - with the exception of the hotel restaurant- that we found right away so there we went. I really like Hooters... no really I do. I think the food isn't half bad. I just couldn't indulge in any of the wings and that made me kind of sad. My meal options have been pretty much the same- lot's of salmon and shrimp. Luckily, Hooters has shrimp.

The whole reason we where even in Phoenix is because my hubby was attending a work conference. Since we began seriously dating I almost ALWAYS accompanied him to work conferences. And although he is there for work- we do manage to squeeze in some play time. Which is how we ended up at the Grand Canyon. It was a bot of a drive but we managed. The drive there requires us to drive through mountains- which are up to 7,000 above sea level. WHOA! I couldn't get any real good pics of the mountains or the elevation because we were in a moving vehicle but you get the point:

Again my little guy did amazing with the ear pressure thing although we did have to stop once because he was wigging out and could not be consoled. After walking around at a rest stop and a diaper change we were good to go again. The Grand Canyon was absolutely amazing! I've always been in awe of the seven wonders of the world (I guess that's why they are named that!) but to my surprise- the Grand Canyon isn't on the list. Well it was, but now it's not- at least according to that website. We started out at Mather's point in the south rim and then made a [30 minute] journey to desert something or another also on the south rim. Here are just a few of the amazing pics we were able to get.

We were able to stay until sunset which was another beauty in and of itself. It did get really cold after the sunset. Normally I would enter an absolutely hilarious story about my husband and the shorts he decided to wear but I'll spare him. I think one of the coolest parts of visiting the grand canyon is that we actually got to drink Canyon water. It sounds kind of side eye-ish but apparently obviously before filtration systems this is how people drank water and it tasted like water really refreshing. I'm sorry I can't give a better description but I do have some left if you'd like to try it. It was the only souvenir we bought back actually. And because I didn't know you can get the water I did have to use one of the baby's bottles to collect it.

The rest of our vacation was spent hanging out. It was so much fun.

Then plane ride home went as smoothly as the ride there. I think most of it is attributed to the fact the this is what he thinks of plane rides:

with this trip being such a success I'm looking forward to the next conference (even with a toddler)... in ORLANDO!!!!!

five months old

one month, two months, three months, four months

My big boy,

5 months old today. It's seems like just yesterday (no matter how cliche) I was holding you in my belly wondering if you were a boy or a girl. These months have flown by- 21 weeks already. You have been on the outside half as much as you were on the inside. You are growing by leaps and bounds, it's amazing to see what you can do.

Since you turned 4 months old we have continued to introduce solid foods. You seem to be doing quite well and your Dad is ready to turn it up a notch. So far you've had all single grain foods, rice cereal, oatmeal, and barley. I'm not ready for you to move on but it's likely that you will be getting some veggies real soon :) Milk is still your food of choice. In fact, you have gotten so good at demanding we fix your bottles faster and reach out and grab it whenever you see it. So cute...

Your clothes are changing too. You wear a size 3 to 6 months now and in some outfits you fit a 9 months (sheesh!). You don't have a doctor's appointment this month so we don't have an official weight check but I bet it's over 17 pounds. We are considering getting you a different car seat because sometimes you feel a little squished in your infant seat. Your current sock selection is a thing of the past and I am officially sock shopping for your big little feet. You've also gone up to a size three diaper. I hope you stay that size for a while because we were gifted well over 400 of them (much like your 500 size 2 diapers and bunches of size 1 and newborns). Sometimes it makes me a tiny bit sad that you aren't my little newborn baby anymore.

You like playtime and you will occupy yourself on your play mat. I think it's time to put together your excersaucer although you thoroughly enjoy your jumperoo. You've made a couple of baby friends from different places and I know you'll get even more when you meet the rest of your cousins.

You are doing wonderful with your baby sitters every day. You have two of them that take turns changing your poopy diapers every other day. They always have good things to say about you. You are beginning to recognize them and adore them as well. Sometimes when I am at work I look through all of your pictures and smile because I miss you. I often feel like we don't get to spend much time together anymore.

You still aren't sleeping through the night- no matter what we try and it's wearing us out baby. I know of some moms who said their babies didn't start sleeping through the night until they were 10 months old... I hope I can last that long! One of your dad's friends told us that his daughter is 9 and still doesn't stay sleep all night so it may be a way of life for you- who knows. also teething is becoming an issue for you. It annoys you to no end. I've ordered a special teether that I hope will help you find relief. In the meantime your fingers and fist seem to keep you satisfied.

Wow! So much for a 5 month old. This month I don't think will bring too many changes- but you never know. One thing I am hoping for is another snow day. The last snow fall we had was on a Saturday and THAT doesn't count. I know a lot of people are loving the fact that there hasn't been any snow because quite honestly it can be a huge hassle- but I want a free and extra day to stay home with you and dad and do nothing :)
Love you bunches,

Mom

___________________________________________

~before you were conceived I wanted you; before you were born, I loved you; before you were an hour, I would die for you~

Trick or Treat!

Yes, I am aware that Halloween was a week ago. Although in some neighborhoods in surrounding areas Halloween was just 3 days ago due to power outages cause by a freak snow storm. But either way I wanted to share the cutest trick-or-treater in the world!!!!

Growing up we didn't really celebrate Halloween but I am obsessed with documenting my son's life so he will have the chance to see how he looked as a baby and how things were.  We didn't actually take him trick or treating. We stayed at my sister in-law's house to pass out candy while she and her husband took their son trick-or-treating.

I think he's the most precious bumble bee ever!

30 weeks!

I don't know why my 'How big is baby' widget advances a week before I actually advance a week. I think it changes every Sunday. Anywhoo...

According to thebump.com: Your massive belly and nighttime heartburn might be making sleep difficult to come by. If you are able to drift off, you're probably having some strange and vivid dreams- your subconscious is no less anxious than your waking mind.

Baby's now the size of a squash!
As baby's skin smoothes out, his/her brain just keeps getting more wrinkled. All those grooves and indentations increase surface area, meaning more room for that oh-so-essential brain tissue. S/he's also adding some brawn -- his/her grip is now strong enough to grasp a finger.

Pregnancy: 30 weeks!

Gender: Team Green

Name: Undecided

Weight Gain: I'm up 14 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. This startles me. I know I am pregnant but is it going to be easy to get it off?

Sleep: I was really banking on the HEPA filter to make me sleep like a baby. Not so much. Sometimes in the middle of the night I feel like I can't breathe. This is very weird I know. I also have been having really vivid dreams.

Feeling: Dead tired. I was out to dinner with friends last night and I felt like I couldn't take it once 9pm hit. I wish I were napping right now.

Health: I finally did the GTT! I have a doctor's appointment coming up soon so we will see how that turns out.

Movement: I feel like the baby is more active now. I feel the baby squirming and getting comfortable more frequently. I'm going to miss it when the feeling is out the outside instead of the inside.

Belly: 37 inches. I feel like the last time I measured the circumference of my belly it was 36 inches. I just checked... it was. Makes me more jittery about my weight gain.

Next appointment: July 7th. 

24 weeks!

VIABILITY!!!!!

This is a very important milestone. Basically at 24 weeks the baby is legally viable and the baby has a better chance at survival withing the limits of current technology. However, my hubby and I sat down with the baby and had a nice long talk about how this does not give him or her permission to come now.

Pregnancy: 24 weeks!

Weight Gain: To my absolute total surprise I didn't not step on the scale once this week. I usually just kick it by accident in the middle of the night while trying to use the bathroom in the dark.

Sleep: Still not improving... and I can't even catch daytime naps. This afternoon I tried to take a nap after work and the noise from outside did not let this happen. Seriously, I was about to throw a brick out of my window. Every night I tell myself that I am "going to bed early" and it never happens.

Gender: Team Green

Name: I think we have it narrowed down to 2 names for a girl and one maybe name for a boy. But we are still not sharing.

Feeling: Tired and annoyed. I wish I could walk around with a meter that tells people how I am feeling so they can react accordingly. But I am definitely going to save this for later and perhaps dedicate a whole post to it.

Health: Pretty good although I swear I hear my pelvic bones go snap, crackle, and pop every once in a while.

Movement: This is such a good feeling. I feel like this little one is already developing a personality of sorts. The other night I was sitting on the couch and bent over to pick something up off the floor and the baby kicked me back! Of course little bit was probably just saying "get off me mom! you're squishing me!"

Belly: Still growing! This week I saw a body part kind of sticking out the side of my belly. I wish I knew which body part that was. The baby was like that for about a day and a half. Now that the baby has moved- I miss it!

Next Appointment:  June 9 I started to do a sad face emoticon but the I realized that I always begin this weekly post by saying how time is flying. So no more wishing time away just to "check on the baby" anymore. I want to enjoy every day of this journey.

Can you feel it?

I did and so did he! Well I suppose I have been feeling it for a while- but I didn't know it and wouldn't have even guessed it.

I felt the baby move last night!!! So did my hubby!!! In my mind I thought that first feeling would be much like the Jackson Five video where they are sprinkling magic dust on the world and everybody's feeling it! But it was more like "wait ...what the ...was that ...babe! come here quick!" Now that I recognize the feeling, I feel like I'm feeling it all the time. Granted it hasn't been long but I am still excited nonetheless. I was surprised that hubby was able to feel it. It was very light but it was there. My initial thought was that I can't wait until the baby gets stronger but now I'm thinking the stronger the baby gets the more my organs take a hit. So, I'll enjoy this right now... another milestone reached :)