33 weeks

Finally,  33 weeks (on Wednesday)!  Not gonna lie that this pregnancy has sure seemed like the longest 40 weeks ever.  Even during my short “feel good” weeks, they went slow.   I’m hoping the panic of how long my to-do list is will make this last stretch not seem quite as long as I think it will be.

Appointments:  My last 2 appointments have been quite annoying.  There seem to be more and more policies being put into place that make just getting a “normal, run of the mill” hospital birth really hard.  On Feb. 19, I met with Carissa for my 27 week appointment.  She gave me a hard time about my weight gain.  Really?!  First time that’s ever happened.  Now granted, I had gained 9 pounds from my last appointment, but really folks.  Weight gain happens.  Then, informed me that the specialist we had met with wrote in my chart that I needed to see an OB to be cleared to go back to the midwives.  AND DIDN’T FEEL THE NEED TO MENTION THAT TO ME.  I fought that one and got Carissa to agree that it wasn’t necessary.

Then I met with Ray on March 19.  He had two students with him which I always find annoying but feel too bad to say no to.  We chatted about ways to help my gbs test be negative so I wouldn’t have to get an IV this time around.  But oh, new policy, I have to get a heplock no matter what to go down to the 4th floor.  I know it’s not the end of the world, but it would be so nice to labor without a needle sticking in my hand/arm.
Baby Name:  Well, we are almost 100% sure of our name but since we haven’t announced it publicly yet, might as well just wait.  If you ask me in person, I have no problem sharing it, but I guess it will be fun to be able to share it with more people on the day he arrives.
Stuff I done for the man:  Hahahahaha.  I mean a whole lot of nothing.  Ok well I have lots of ideas but the our basement reno has taken all priority right now.  Also baby’s room had been housing the stuff from the basement, so I could barely walk into the room, let alone start decorating.  But the room got cleaned out this weekend and the painting has begun!  Here’s a little preview of the color scheme in his room.  The walls will be the aqua(ish) color with accents of  grays and yellows.

The trim, closet, and window right now are a cream color so my first job is to paint the trim white.  I decided to keep Ellison’s room the same and not move her out of her crib just yet.  I felt like Owen was ready before Ellie arrived and he got a big boy bed.  But she’s just now giving us more nights without waking (if you don’t count waking up at 5:15 ready to go)and I don’t want to mess with it.  So this baby gets new white furniture.  Here’s his crib (which has arrived but is not put together yet).

I have quite the growing list of things like a blanket, his coming home outfit, art for above the crib, mobile, nursing cover, updated burp cloths, etc that need to get finished in the next 10 weeks.   I keep telling myself it doesn’t have to be done before he gets here (as he’ll be in our room for the the first month) but let’s be honest – I’d love to have it completed beforehand.

In other news: Jenna has decided not to fly out for little man’s birth.  While I’m super sad to not have her beautiful eye taking pictures, it does relieve a little pressure of only have a 3 day window in which to go into labor.  So I’ve booked Holly Birch Photography to take pictures for me.  She does amazing work and is in town so she can come whenever the big event happens.  It’s been so great to not have to worry about snapping pictures and having gorgeous shots of the biggest events in my life!

How I’m feeling:  Like a whale.  Ok, it could be worse.  Just feeling the normal end-of-pregnancy things where you have 5 pillows in your bed and still can’t sleep and are peeing every 20 minutes.  But I’m also getting really excited that we get to meet him soon!

Pictures:
January 7 (20 weeks, 6 days) January 19 (22 weeks, 4 days)February 5 (25 weeks) March 30,2014 (32 weeks, 4 days)

17 weeks!

How far along? 17 weeks last Wednesday
Baby: He/she's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone and he/she weighs 5 ounces and around 5 inches long from head to bottom.
How I'm feeling: Hallelujah the puking is done.  Not gonna lie, that was the longest 15 weeks of my life.  It really felt it was never going to end and that the glory of second trimester would never arrive.  But literally, overnight I started to feel like myself. William acted shocked when he came home one day to dinner cooked and me not on the couch.  I had to laugh - I wasn't faking it dude.  That sickness is so real.  I'm very thankful that I have some great girlfriends who brought us dinner and watched my kiddos for me.  Even though I was swearing we were done with 3, after only 2 weeks of being puke-free I've already said "well maybe we could have 4.  It wasn't that bad right?"  And that my friends is how the world stays populated: baby amnesia.
Food cravings: After 15 weeks of saltines and milk (I’ve never drank that much milk in my life), it’s been nice to be able to stand the smell and taste of more food these last 2 weeks!  I’ve been craving shrimp, salmon, clementines, berries, and cream soda.  And can I just say that I’m thankful to be pregnant during the holidays?  It’s so nice to be able to eat it all.  haha
Feeling boy/girl:  Because of how I’ve felt most of the pregnancy, it’s hard to not think girl because I wasn’t sick like that with Owen.  Also from the beginning, Owen has said it’s a girl and sometimes I think siblings have a sense about these things.  But really, this time I HONESTLY don’t have a preference as I have the best of both worlds and have clothes for both. It would be so fun to pull out Owen's things again, but sisters in matching outfits and bows - be still my heart.
Last appointment:  I met with Ellen for a pretty quick appointment 5 weeks ago.  Baby's heartbeat was 163pm, so again, more consistent with what Ellie’s heart rate's were.  She wouldn’t let me schedule an appointment longer than 4 weeks out, so we won’t find out the gender of this little one until after Christmas.
Stuff I've done for baby: I’m just getting lots of ideas on the rooms.  I’m losing my craft room to this baby (but we’re gaining a basement finally – more on that later!).  I think I’m definitely going more vintage/eclectic for this baby which William isn’t 100% on board with, but I’ve always been in charge of nurseries so he doesn’t really get a say anyways. haha

And it wouldn’t be a pregnancy for me without already having purchased (cough cough) 2 new diaper bags.  In my defense, I sold 3 old ones, which was harder than I thought it would be.  I was surprised how I felt kind of attached to the bags that had gone everywhere with little Owen and baby Ellie.   I’ve wanted a Petunia Pickle Bottom bag since Owen but could never justify the cost.  So when my second choice,  a Skip Hop went on great sale, I grabbed it.

But secretly I still looked up PPB bags on ebay and other sale sites.  And then this print came out and I was totally smitten.  So I convinced myself that I will use 2 bags and watched and saved and watched and saved.  Thank you to all who’ve bought crafts from me. :) Before Thanksgiving this print was retired and I found it in several places for the cheapest I’ve seen it.  She arrived and I love her.  William’s buying me a matching little bag to go inside for Christmas.And a few pics: I'm at that stage where I can still wear a few of my regular pants and just look a little pudgier or wear maternity pants and top and look really pregnant.  Around 16 weeks:  

our week

Whew, bad blogging week.  I’m trying to stay off the computer this week to make sure this potty training thing is really sticking.  With the risk of what happens when you post something online, I’m going to say that Owen is pretty much trained.  Seriously, this kid made it easy.  I am so proud of Owen.  He’s even been waking up from naps with a dry diaper and staying dry when we go out in public.  Way to go little man!

So what have we been up to this week?  Sunday was church with this cutie: Then some fun counting and singing with dad:

Monday was just some hanging out.  Ellie is really a messy eater.  She will not let you just put the food in her mouth.  She has to hold the spoon and then shove her whole hand in too.  We’ve resorted to stripping her down and her chair no longer has the cover on it.  Monday afternoon, we took a meal to Tosha and Norm who just welcomed their #3, sweet Melody.Wednesday, we headed to campus to the Language Acquisition Lab.  Owen participated in a short video study again.  He walked right in and had no problems talking to the nice ladies.  We talked in the morning about being friendly, not shy. :)  Then we headed off to Old Navy to look for some clothes for our picture shoot with my sister in 2 weeks!!!  Cannot wait!  Owen was excited to get a balloon.Today, we hung out with Sam! Since we’ve been stuck inside due to the dreary weather, we busted out the paint today and made these cute turkeys.  The feathers are their hands and the brown turkey are their footprints.  Both boys did great, even with the tickling aspect of getting their feet painted.  Then we glued on some googly eyes and a beak.  Yes, we made a huge mess, but had lots of fun!

39 weeks!

How in the world are we this close?  It's like being 6 years old again and anticipating Christmas.  It's all you think about.  It keeps you up at night.  It makes you giggly and giddy and terribly anxious in such a wonderful way.  Labor is coming.  But so is Ellison!

Miss Ellie: is running out of room!  She's probably about 20 inches and my midwife definitely thinks she's not 8 pounds yet and will be smaller than O (who was 8lbs 10oz).  I'll take that!  She's still moving around and likes to kick my right side, but has definitely slowed down this past week as things are getting tight in there.
Appointment: On Wednesday, I met with Kristy.  Since she was running late, I nosed around and found the schedule for who's on call this next week.  I'm bummed because it looks like Ray isn't on call at all.  Oh well, I'm just praying the exactly right midwife will be there when it's time.  Ellison's heartbeat was 152 and she's very good and head down.  Just like at our last appointment, Kristy had a hard time grabbing Elli's butt (to get another feel about how much she weighs) and commented on my abs of steel.  Haha, the only time ever in my life they feel like steel. :)  We spent the rest of the appointment talking about being GBS+.  Water birth should be no problem, I may just have to have a glove on my hand in the tub.  Annoying, but totally doable to get the birth I want!  I see Ray next week on Wednesday if things haven't started yet.

Labor Signs: nothing drastic yet.  I mean it feels like her head could fall out at any moment, but that's normal right? :)  A few Braxton Hicks, especially when I overdue it.  Guess it's time to start walking, having more sex, and eating pineapple!  Haha.

Getting Things Done: I'm feeling a little more ready for this girl's arrival.  I've been lazy about taking pictures of the crafty things, so I'll get on that hopefully before she comes.  Big brother/little sis shirts are made.  Her room's almost done, just a couple more little things before I can show you.  House is getting cleaning bit by bit and the swing, bouncy seat, and pack and plays are ready to go!  My bag is getting packed and Jenna flies in on Tuesday night.  I think the plan for Owen is as put together as it can be and I have his gift "from Ellie" to give him at the hospital.  Alrighty baby girl, you can come whenever you're ready (although any days from Wednesday through Saturday would be awesome).

Ahhh, I get to meet my baby girl in a week!!!  That's pretty stinking awesome.  We'd really appreciate your prayers for a great delivery (no matter how she comes) and a good transition for Owen.

Oh, and a bad picture:

 

this is from Sunday, so I'm a bit bigger

36 (1/2) weeks!

Miss Ellison: Now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long.  She's losing all the downy covering of hair that covered her body and by the end of this week, she's considered FULL TERM!

Appointment updates:Whew, this section may be a long one.  I'll try to summarize concisely.  Friday morning I met with Dr. Mongwa, my cardiologist.  My blood pressure was of course the highest it's ever been, but he joked about it and later I saw that he made a note in my chart that my heart was pounding from being nervous.  He was very kind and didn't make me feel like a fool for not really knowing what the midwives wanted from him.  After a few checks, he wrote a nice note in my chart saying he thought I was fine, but wanted me to do one more echo for good measure.  The nurse came in to inform me my echo would be in an hour and I got the jist that I didn't really have a choice in the matter.  Thankfully, William called his boss just to let him know he'd be late. I sat in the waiting room feeling definitely like the youngin' in the bunch.  Kola, a very large African American, did my echo and again, was very kind and helped me calm down.  You could tell he was quite nervous doing an echo on a pregnant lady. :)

Today, I called cardio several times times before my midwife appointment, but didn't hear anything back.  I met with Kristy who was great.  She said even though she couldn't read all the results from the echo, there were no things that really stood out as abnormal.  The 2 things that were marked "there was a trace of ____" she said were normal in pregnancy.

Ellison is very head down and Kristy gave me a little hope by saying she doesn't think she'll be quite as big of Owen.  Of course, I know I can't take her word for it officially, but I'll take anything a little smaller. :)  She did the beta strep test which we'll just pray is negative.  She said everything looks fabulous and I'm set for my hopeful waterbirth!!  She said I didn't even need to come back for 2 weeks.  That means 2 more appointments until D-Day!  Of course, on my way home cardi called and said everything looks great with my birth and good luck.  Thank you Lord for being so faithful with all this! 
How I'm feeling: back to feeling pretty good.  I mean, I'm tired all the time, but am feeling much better than my last update.  I'm kinda ready to not be pregnant anymore, but overall I'm really doing ok.
I'm craving: smaller meals!  My ability to chow down has drastically decreased this past week and I've basically just been craving fruit and salad.  Ok, and the occasional bag of powdered Donettes.
Things that are finally checked off the list: This weekend, with my parent's help we crossed off taking down the ceiling fan in Ellie's room and hung her new light.  Her curtains are hung most of her clothes are organized.  My mom is working on her little window seat pad and the crib skirt.  I still have quite a few craft projects to finish but I'll do separate posts about those! 
Books I've read: I've been a reading machine lately.  Even though I'm exhausted, I can't fall asleep at night sso I've been plowing through birth books mixed in with some good fiction.  I was going to write reviews, but haha, that's not going to happen.  I recommend all of the following
BIRTH
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth 
Your Best Birth  
Birth Matters: A Midwife's Manifesta   
MOTHERHOOD
I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood 
It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita
GOOD FICTION
The Hunger Games
Little Did I Know
Next to Love
And this week's picture:

34 weeks!

Ellie: She's a little over 4 3/4 pounds now and as big as a cantaloupe.  She had the hiccups for the first time this week. Well, I'm sure she's had them before but this was the first time I noticed them. They were quite hard to miss at 2am as I was trying to get back to sleep.  She loves to jam her leg or arm or something in the same spot on my right side over and over.
How I'm feeling:  So remember when I wrote that I was feeling great and not feeling as big as I did with Owen?  Well, that sure changed this week.  I think I overdid it painting El and Owen's rooms and was pretty helpless at the beginning of the week.  I thought pains down there were reserved for after birth. :)  Poor Owen has been a  trooper as I haven't been able to pick him up nearly as much. Getting a full breath is now nearly impossible and am feeling oh so very sleepy all the time.  Oh well, the joys of nearing the end!  I will say I'm excited that I haven't gained nearly the weight I did with O, although that could still change and might be due to the fact of all the puking I did at the start of all this.
What I'm craving: we gave up pop for part of what we're fasting for Lent so I've been craving a sweet drink.  I found a great "recipe" for sweet tea on Pinterest, and made a big batch of decaf.  Probably defeats the whole purpose of fasting, but mmmmm, it was good.  Strawberry prices have also been dropping which is awesome because I could eat one whole quart in a single sitting. 
What I'm reading: finally putting the fiction away and digging out some of my baby books.  Reading a couple on natural childbirth (ahhh, what am I doing? :) and re-reading Babywise.  A few more on my list to get through in the next couple weeks.
What I'm getting done: Finally moving on some baby things.  Ellie's room is almost done paint wise.  The painting project we undertook was supposed to be easy, but its definitely going to deserve it's own post.  The fabric is here for her curtains that my mom is going to help me sew next weekend (along with a huge other list of things for her to help with).  I'm getting busy this week making a few things for her wall and still waiting for styrofoam to go on sale for her flower balls above the crib.  May have to just buy one at a time with my 40% off coupon.  This weekend, we focused on getting O's room put back together so he can get out of the pack and play in the guest room.  We put together all his new furniture and the painting is almost done.  I'm going to have to save for a few new prints I want for one of his walls, but I'm basically reusing most of his nursery decor.    

Really, I can’t believe how fast the time has flown by.  Now that we’re in March, I can officially say that next month – I’ll have a baby girl.  And a large glass of wine.

34 week picture before our date tonight:

32 weeks!

Miss Ellison: is about the size of a jicama, or 3.75 pounds and 16.7 inches.  On a side note, do you like jicama?  I love it!  Just peeled with a little salt.  Mmm.  But they're not the easiest things to find.  Maybe someday when I have a garden.  Where was I?  Oh yes, Ellie is helping me gain about a pound a week now and she also has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (well, not if she's anything like her brother).
The appointment: Yesterday, we had our 32 week appointment with Kathy, who I haven't seen this whole pregnancy.  I remember liking her with Owen.  Not so much after yesterday.  Be warned, this section could be long.  Started off great.  Ellison is head down where she will hopefully stay, heartbeat was 156, and my stomach is measuring right at 32 weeks as it should be.  I had no major questions, except the one I bring up at every appointment.  "So, any idea if I'll be on the 4th floor or 10th floor?  No biggie, I'd just like to know."  I've asked this before, yes?  I vaguely remember posting about this question after every single appointment I've had. 

But today, Kathy very sternly pointed out that in my file it says that after having Owen and all the heart issues, I was to have a 3 month follow up with Dr. Mongwa, my cardiologist.  What?!  Why has no one ever told me this?  When I called for my follow up echo results, no one from cardiology ever told me to come back in 3 months.  Nor was anything mentioned at my 6 week post-baby check up.  But then Kathy proceeded to tell me that if I didn't have this follow up, they might not be able to ok me doing a water birth.  Let's just say at this point, I'm thankful they took my blood pressure already because it's sky rocketing.  She couldn't really tell me why no one had mentioned this.  She said to just call that day and get an appointment.


So I called cardiology and sounded like a fool because I don't really know what I need done.  A follow up echo?  Maybe.  And meeting with Dr. Mongwa who has no idea who I am and saw me for maybe 5 minutes after Owen was born.  Sure, they can get me into him in May.  *insert me almost crying*  After some begging and multiple phone calls later, I have an appointment with him on March 23.  It's only a consult, so who knows what he'll say or what kinds of tests he'll want to run and if they can even be done before Ellie decides to come.  Just pray with me that this will all get sorted out, and we can proceed with the plan of an drug free water birth, with NO iv stuck in my hand for 3 days, and my baby with me in my room and not on a different floor.

Owen did so great through this appointment.  I brought him with because I thought it'd be a short one.  Haha.  But he read his books, played with his cars, and checked out everything in the room.  His reward (and mine) was going through the Starbucks drive through on the way home and getting his first ever chocolate milk.  The boy was in heaven.  Thanks Melissa for the giftcard!

How I'm feeling: well, if you don't count how I was feeling after yesterday's appointment, pretty good!  Definitely getting harder to carry Owen up and down the stairs and I'm having a hard time getting a full breath.  Emotionally, I just can't figure out why I can't settle on some things for her nursery. I'm driving myself crazy! :)

Movement:  She's moving similarly to Owen.  I get jabs constantly on the right side, but I wouldn't say she's a super active mover.  After my morning coffee and when I chug some water or change positions lying down.  Maybe she'll be mellow like Owen?

Baby projects:  Owen's big boy furniture is finally on the way which means we can make some progress on their rooms!  I also ordered a wall stencil for El's room.  Don't worry, not the kind of stencil you first think of, just a super cool one for the wall behind her crib.  I also finished my first crocheted project, a little hat for one of her potential coming home outfits.  This is quite a feat for me since crochet and knit are quite different.  But there are so many cute flowers to make with crochet, so I thought, why not teach myself a new hobby?

Books I'm reading: Finally picking up some birth books and also re-reading some books on women in (church) leadership.  Much more about this in a different post. 
And Some Pictures:

This one makes me look good.  I must have been standing up really straight or sucking in or something:

And here's me not standing up straight.  So this is the more accurate picture of what I normally look like.  Because who has good posture at 32 weeks? :)  And notice my little helper snuck in to see what I was doing.

8 more weeks.  Ahhhh, gotta get moving on some things.

30 weeks!

Ellison: is as big as a cabbage.  She's about 3 pounds and is almost 16 inches!

Me: I'm definitely feeling pregnant!  I've had to put away the medium maternity shirts and a few pairs of jeans that I really liked.  Still don't feel quite as big as I did with Owen and my weight gain hasn't been as much as with him, so I cannot complain.  But I'm slowing down.  I definitely take advantage of Owen's afternoon naps a few days a week.  Starting to feel my stomach stretching and breathing's getting a little more difficult.  But overall, not terrible.

Last appointment:  Owen had a blast with Aubrey, Gabe, and Mataya while I got blood work done and met with Ray.  My blood work came back fabulous.  No gestational diabetes for me.  Thanks for the prayers on that!  I really enjoy Ray, despite him being so quiet when you talk to him.  We got so caught up in conversation that I didn't even ask what her heartbeat was when he listened.  But everything was good.  He's letting me go for one more 4 week period before we switch to the every 2 week appointments.  We're still working on figuring out if I'll even be allowed to deliver on the 4th floor because of the heart stuff.  No one really knows the answer to that as of yet.

Sleep: Still only sleeping with one extra pillow but that's probably going to need to change soon .  I remember in pre-pregnancy when I wanted to roll over all I did was roll over and go back to sleep.  Now it goes a little like this.  I want to roll over.  Then I think, do I really want to roll over?  I move the pillows, and slowly pull my belly over to the other side, trying to ignore pains that shoot through me in multiple areas.  And then inevitably I fart. (Oh sorry, was that TMI).  Seriously, William just laughs.

Food cravings: not too many specific cravings.  Well, do sweets count?  Definitely loving powdered donuts and Milk Duds.  I promise I eat lettuce sometimes. :)

What I'm working on: This past weekend, my mom came for Friday and Saturday.  It was so wonderful having her here!  She played with Owen while I got lots of stuff done.  She also gave me a little sewing lesson on a friend's daughter's jeans.  Now I feel like I can hem some of Owen's stuff without having to ship it off to her. She also helped me finalize (I think) what I'm doing paint wise in her room.  Everything else I'm still clueless about.  Whew, talk about getting down to the wire here.  This week's project is cleaning everything out of the craft room and condensing it into a much smaller space in the guest room.  Hoping the blank room gets me inspired to get moving!

Craft wise, I've had a few more orders this week for bows, but did have time to finish up these little booties for her that match an adorable outfit my mom got her.  Going to try and get a couple hats finished up for her this weekend.  I think I have 2 more projects for other people, one ordered and one shower gift and then I'm shutting down the Etsy site and focusing on making adorable things for MY girl. :)  That's still so much fun to say.

I did her first load of laundry this week.  I have been so blessed by Summer who has 4 little girls and has shared her beautiful loot of clothes.  I had fun dumping out all the bags and tallying up what I have and what I need to get still.  It's amazing how quickly you forget how LITTLE 0-3 month clothing is.  I may have choked up a little while praying over her clothes.  And that little teddy bear was my first teddy bear.  It's pretty limp with not much stuffing, but can't wait to put it in her room.

And lastly, a picture.  William and I have been bad about taking official ones, so here's a bathroom shot.  This is from the morning, I definitely look bigger by the time dinner rolls around. :)

27 weeks

Last Friday, I was 27 weeks!  That means I'm starting the THIRD TRIMESTER.  Holy cow.  No wonder I'm starting to feel pretty pregnant. :)  Ellie is about the size of head of cauliflower, weighing in at about 2 pounds and 14.5 inches long.  I'm feeling her kick and squirm as I type this. 

Miss Ellison:  She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and maybe even sucking her fingers.  While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now.  That is amazing to me.
Me: starting to slow down a bit.  Feeling more tired and often have to take a little snooze during Owen's nap in the afternoon.  Better actually get started on Owen and E's rooms before I lose all energy.  Weight gain is fairly consistent with what I gained with Owen and the belly button is really starting to stretch out! But overall, still feeling pretty good.
Sleep: had William pull out the huge preggo pillow this week from the basement.  But it's a little big and I decided I wasn't quite ready for that loss of real estate on the bed.  As with Owen, sleeping with a pillow between my legs (as many pregnant ladies do) just makes my hips hurt worse, so currently just sleeping with a pillow under the belly for extra support.
Food cravings: nothing really standing out these past couple weeks.  I have been eating clementines like crazy, but that's about it.
What I've been working on: well, the list is long.  But unfortunately, most of it is not baby stuff. One of my good friends who I taught with in Indiana is having her baby shower this week, so had to do some crafty stuff for her.  My downstairs bathroom is almost done with new paint and a few accessories.  We just have to take the mirror down and replace it (long story and more on that in another post).  And working on organizing my recipes.  On the list this week is nailing down a design concept for her room, ordering Owen's new furniture, knitting Ellie something, finishing the bathroom, and finishing Owen's baby book (hangs head in shame).
Praying for: this Thursday I have my 28 week appointment which means the fabulous orange drink and bloodwork to test for gestational diabetes.  I didn't have it with Owen, but with my sis having diabetes I'm at a higher risk.  Just praying everything comes back normal.  I'd really hate to give up the few more months of freedom to eat McDonald's fries as much as I want. :)
And a picture before church this morning:

24 weeks

{insert picture of some fruit or vegetable that I'm too lazy to find right now}

Latest appointment: Last Thursday, I met with Vanessa, one of the midwives.  I had Owen with me so I was thankful that it was a super short appointment.  It really should not be allowed to weigh a pregnant lady the day she gets home from "Christmas vacation."  I'm pretty sure the weight gain was mostly cookies and not Ellie.  She must have been hyped up on something because her heartbeat was 170bpm which was the highest it's ever been.  She measured my stomach for the first time and it was right on track and everything else was great. 
Ellie: She is about a foot long now and weighs about a pound.  No wonder I'm feeling her move more and more!  Her lungs develop branches this week and her inner ear is completely developed.  In fact, she has basic control over all of her senses: hearing, touch, taste, smell and vision.  I find that pretty amazing!
Me: Holy batman are my boobs getting big.  Oh sorry, was that TMI?  But really, I need to get new bras and underwear as everything is a-growing.  I had my first Charlie Horse in my foot a couple nights ago.  Man, those are painful.  They suggest more water and Tums which did help keep them at bay with Owen.   
Cravings: So weird, but I've wanted tuna this week.  I know gross right.  And I know there's all the mercury warnings.  So I've only eaten it a few times.  But I could eat it for every lunch.  And fruit of course. 
Things I'm working on: I've started a knitting project or two, but the focus this week has been trying to get a plan for Owen and Ellie's bedroom.  I've mapped them out on graph paper and I think the furniture aspect is done.  I'm feeling good about Owen's decor too.  But still all over the place for this little girl's room.  I mean, I could go all crazy on one wall:

or simple neutral stripes:

I would really love to just do all neutral walls and on the one behind her crib, make TONS of these flowers in pinks and figure out how to get them to stay on the wall.  Oh, who knows.

Praying for: her birth.  I'm so looking forward to this already and yet, feeling anxious about getting plans in place for Owen and Jenna getting here.  So just praying for lots of peace and knowing it's out of my control anyways.  Also, a dear friend's BFF had her baby yesterday and had a rough delivery and 4th degree tear!  OUCH!  So praying for her, her sweet little girl, and for protection from this when Ellie arrives. 

And some belly pictures:

I match the outfit Sara bought Miss Ellie for Christmas!

my sweet boy in blue and the girls of the house in pink

And a comparison from Owen at 24 weeks.  I think I'm still a little bit smaller.