Week 32

Dear Baby,

This week I wanted to document what you seem to like. I've already mentioned that you love sweets...fruity candy, chocolate, muffins, cakes, pies, banana bread and ice cream. Yum! I also love salads from restaurants. There is something about having salad made for you that makes it taste better. The other thing is navel oranges. I eat a massive amount of them! I eat at least one a day, but most of the time it's two or three! What I found fascinating was when I mentioned to my mom, she told me that she ate them all the time with me too!

So what does all these craving mean for me? So far a 28 pound weight gain. Not horrible, but not the best. I started at 127 and come in at 155 this week. I guess if it really bothered me, I would exercise more. I am told it will come off when I have you if I am successful at breast feeding. So I'll worry about it when the time comes and enjoy having a reason to be so fat! lol I do plan to stay under 50 pounds, though. We'll see how that works out for me.

So in honor of my cravings, here is my pic for the week.

Love,
Mommy

Week 31

Dear Baby,

It has been a relatively uneventful week. The major notable was the skin acne going on. It's everywhere and spreading! It especially itched horribly this week. I lost several nights' sleep. I finally figured out what was making it itch so badly that I couldn't sleep. It was the dry air. I need even more moisturizing lotion. Let me tell you, that is not easy to apply to your back all by yourself! Your daddy is still in Virginia, so I had to make do. Since I want to document everything about this journey, I'm adding a pic of my back where the acne is the worst. I think this symptom of pregnancy is probably the worst for me to deal with. Everything else, I can get used to. But I feel so ugly a lot of the time because the blemishes never go away. I have tried several routines with safe products, but because the hormones are what is causing it, nothing works. Apparently the only solution will be to evict you! But since you're so comfy, I'll let you stay for awhile. ;)

I'm happy to report no stretch marks yet. I kind of think you are pretty little...yay for me! We are getting ready for your baby shower. Dawn got the invitations done. They are so pretty! I'll have to take a picture and post it. I've also started preparing for maternity pics. I've picked out some poses and Brittany will take the professional pics. I'm excited! There is only so much I can do to make my own maternity pics special. 

Love,
Mommy

Week 30

Dear Baby,

Happy New Year! It's been quite a year already! Daddy came a couple of days after Christmas and got to visit for a week. It was so nice to have him home. We got to relax, put away Christmas decorations, and watch the entire season 6 of Bones. It's one of our favorite shows. :)

We also scheduled a 3D ultrasound to see you a little bit better. You were not cooperative! You burrowed in a corner and stretched your neck so you could hide your face towards my back. We didn't get one pic of your face! We did confirm, once again, that you are indeed a girl. :)
We went back a few days later to try again. We were able to get a few pics of part of your face this time. You are beautiful and so sweet looking! My heart melted. We couldn't decide who you look like. We can't wait until you get here, so we can see you in person! You still love to hide in that same corner, though. You are truly my shrinking violet! We will have to change that when you get here, because your mamma loves to use a camera!

Love,
Mommy

Week 29

 Dear Baby,

Merry Christmas! This is technically your first Christmas. Your daddy had to work on duty up in Virginia, but really, that was the only downer of the day. It was as close to perfect as you can get. :) We got up and went to church, then we went and visited Granny at the nursing home. After that, we went to Mama's to have Christmas there. That's the first time in several years that I was able to eat there and celebrate. It was a good lunch.
Then we went home to my parents' house. We got to open presents and have a fabulous dinner. Mark made steaks that were sooooo yummy! Not your typical Christmas dinner, but perfect!

Speaking of presents, oh boy! I was incredibly spoiled this year...beyond what I could have ever guessed! I got fabulous amethyst jewelry from Mark and Dawn. It's so pretty and represents you very well. :) They also got you an amethyst crystal rock for your room. Then my parents got me a miche bag with two shells. They are big enough I can tote all of my stuff and yours too! They also really surprised me with Rachael Ray cookware. My previous pot set was warped and the lids wouldn't fit. I planned on buying a new set in the new year, but mom and dad shocked me! I've already cooked with it and these pots are fabulous! Maybe it's enough to make me get in the kitchen more...one can hope, right? Daddy got a roku for Christmas. That's a fun, new electronic! It makes any tv in our house an internet tv. Awesome. We have truly been blessed this year. We are all so very spoiled!

Love,
Mommy

Week 28

Dear Baby,

This is the week of glucose! I went on Tuesday for my one hour. Because they didn't tell me not to eat, I ate breakfast before I went. I truly think that's why I failed...by TWO points. Ugh. After I drank the glucose, I wanted to go to sleep (which isn't allowed). I was pretty uncomfortable and a magazine was just making me sleepier.
The three hour test was a much more pleasant experience, if you can imagine! I think I was more prepared in knowing what to expect. I couldn't eat for twelve hours before the test. That was challenging, because I couldn't fall asleep until 2am and I was hungry! But I did not want to fail this test, so I was good and drank water instead. That was a mistake! I was awakened probably every hour by my wonderful bladder! I love the people who work in the lab at the clinic. They are such friendly people. This time around it was all guys. They told me they didn't know if they could drink those glucose drinks. I told them they really aren't bad...as long as you don't drink them on a full stomach!
My strategy for staying awake this time was my ipod. I loaded some tv shows onto it the night before and the time flew by. I also crocheted your nursery blanket for the first two hours. I had to quit the third hour, because the carpal tunnel was giving me fits! It will be a beautiful blanket, though. I bought enough yarn to do 3 blankets, but it looks like I am only going to manage one. I would have started on them earlier in my pregnancy if I had known swelling would be such a problem. But after I have you, and while you sleep, maybe I can get the others done.
In total, I got stuck 4 times. Only one of them didn't hurt. I think the swelling may make the blood draws hurt a little more than usual. I hope I passed. I might not know until next week because people are on Christmas stand down now. We'll keep our fingers crossed!

Love,
Mommy

Week 27

Dear Baby,

The pregnancy symptoms have escalated this week. It looks like my third trimester is sure to be a doozy! My breakouts are in full force across my face, chest, shoulders and down my back. That is a lot of acne for a girl who has only ever had one or two zits at a time! On the days I wear make up, I tend to feel better about myself. But mostly I am just biding my time until your arrival. Usually they don't hurt, so that's positive! :)

The other thing is swelling. You'd think every cell in my body decided to drink a gallon of water each! I wish I could just prick myself with a pin and let it all out. Check out my ankles in the pic below! :S  I am drinking quite a bit of water to counter it and exercise is a goal. My shoe selection is becoming quite limited these days. I have had to give up wearing my wedding rings. I don't want them to get stuck! Even my faux rings are too small. When your daddy gets home, we'll go shopping for a bigger faux ring. I hate being ringless! I also may have to give up my watch soon. Sigh.

The swelling has created another problem. I now have carpal tunnel in my right hand. The tips of my fingers are numb almost constantly and gripping things is getting harder. I feel like an old woman! I hope the next couple of months fly by. I would like for you to come out beautiful, smart and healthy. But I would also like you to restore my healthy self to it's previous condition! :)

So far, I have gained about 19 pounds with you. I gained the first 16 quite rapidly in early November, but have finally slowed down to around a pound a week. I'm cool with that as long as it doesn't get up to 50 or something! I waddle, waddle, waddle...especially when I'm tired. Most of the waddling comes from a catch in my lower back/hip area. If I over-do it, I can barely weight bear when standing. This is mostly only a problem late at night or early in the morning. My body has to warm up to movement. lol I guess because I have always been blessed to have a healthy body, every little pain intrigues me. I notice! I suffer for you, my dear. :)

Love,
Mommy

Week 26

Dear Baby,

This week I felt you kick on the outside for the first time! You kicked so hard, you kept bumping my laptop. :) It was pretty amusing. So far, you like to be up from midnight to 3am ish. You move around the most during that time. It's cool, because I  love to stay up at night as long as you let me sleep most of the morning. ;)

I've been working on your crib this week. I got it all sanded and primed now. I hope to paint it soon. Sanding a crib is a major pain in the butt! It had a really thick lacquer on it, so it had to be sanded before priming. I liked doing the primer, though. It was good practice at not letting the paint drip among the slats. I hope it comes out beautifully, because I have put a lot of hard work and love into it. :)

I didn't want to ruin my good maternity clothes with paint, so I squeezed into my pajamas to do this project. Because I looked like this most of the week, this is the pic you get. I'm totally bumming it! ;)

It's a good thing I wore the pj's. A piece of the crib I was priming slipped out of my hand and landed in the small plastic paint tray. Paint splashed everywhere! Including on poor Melbourne who was sitting beside me. It was a miracle it missed my glasses, but it got Melbourne all over his face. I wish I had time to get a pic, but I wanted to wipe off as much of it as I could before it dried in his fur. He has a small spot or two that didn't quite make it unscathed, but overall he cleaned up well. I'll bet he won't want to sit beside me the next time I go to paint!
It's been an exciting week. I hope you will kick hard enough to feel from the outside again when your daddy gets home from Virginia. I can't wait to share with him!

Love,
Mommy

Week 25

Dear Baby,

You are already spoiled! :) Your closet is starting to rival mine and that's no small feat! We've bought all the cute things we run across and Dawn just loves to buy things for you! My dad has even bought some dresses for you. I took some pics to document the evolution of your closet!

I fell in love with this blanket. It's purple and has ruffled flowers! Oh my! You also have a pretty green blanket Dawn bought to match your nursery.

You have quite the collection of shoes growing thanks to Miss Dawn! :) Greg got the penguin shoe/socks. Tis the season for penguins and we pick up everything we find. He loves penguins! I bought the black and pink tutu as soon as I found out you were a girl!

The white suit on the end is a Ed Hardy snow suit that Dawn insisted on buying you for next year. The family is going on a trip to TN next winter and since you won't let me this year, I want to go skiing next! So you will be quite toasty!

It's still growing!

I couldn't pass up the middle picture frame from Hobby Lobby for half off! Your picture will look fabulous in it...most likely a black and white pic. :) The pink piggy bank is from Grandma and Grandpa McDonnell for Christmas. The cute little animal is from them too. It's so soft! Dawn got you the Lucia Trumpet Ribbon socks. They are quite beautiful. She also got you the cutest sunglasses! (they're in the black and white bin) You have a few headbands too. I ordered the puppy and monkey hats from a college friend before I even found out what you were. You will look adorable in them! I also have a stack of cloth diapers as well as a few packages of disposables. So you have a great start!

Christmas also came early for you! This is what Dawn ordered for you, you lucky girl...or is it lucky Mommy? :D Either way, we'll both be quite stylish with this pink circle Coach diaper bag! Dawn spoils us both!

Week 24

Dear Baby,

We had a great time visiting the McDonnell side of the family. We went to Golden Coral instead of cooking and it was so much less work and yummy! I have been eating and eating everything in sight it seems! You make me quite hungry. I went to Steak and Shake while I was in GA and it was amazing! So amazing, that I made your poor daddy go with me several times. He's a trooper! I made sure to get my fill and am crossing my fingers that I won't crave it again.

We also went shopping. I love Hobby Lobby so much! We bought a picture frame for your room and some yarn. It just occurred to me that I needed to start working on a blanket for my baby girl. I researched some patterns and found the perfect, unique one for my little miss priss! :) Greg liked a different one, so I'm going to attempt two!

We did Christmas with Sean and Rhiannon. It was so much fun to see their faces light up! I can't wait until next year when we have your first Christmas! Although, you are doing quite well this Christmas for yourself! That's another post.

Greg had to leave and go to VA for a little while this week. :( But I got to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. It was quite lovely. I had a great time having lunch with my parents, brother and SIL. We laughed and it was so relaxing. Then we hit the roads to visit grandparents. Though I love seeing all the family, I discovered that sometimes holidays are nice just chilling at home with a good dinner. :) I was supposed to go shopping all night with Dawn, but I wasn't sure I'd make it that long. Instead, I let my family go at midnight and I shopped online! I put in several orders with free shipping. I ended up getting everything I wanted and more without having to deal with crowds. Sweet! I did go out around 5am and met up with Mark and Dawn. We went to Lowes and Home Depot because you cannot use your 10% military discount online without calling customer service. That involves phones and I hate using phones! lol

Overall, it was a great week! I am sad that Greg can't be here, but I enjoyed all the time he got to spend with me the past SEVEN months that I don't feel too down yet. He may get to visit sometime after Christmas. But don't worry, Miss M, he'll be home when you arrive! :D

Love,
Mommy

Week 23

Dear Baby,

This week we put up our Christmas tree. We decided on a peacock theme this year. It was going to be more of a multicolor tree, but we ran across the blue green theme at Michael's and decided to go for it. It turned out beautifully! This is the first year since we've been married that we have used a green tree. We always prefer the white one. The green one is a new one that we bought last year. It's huge! It's 5 ft around the bottom and 7ft tall! I love how it turned out. We had so much fun putting it up together. Your daddy has a great sense of style and it helps that we agree on almost everything! ;)

We are getting ready to go celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa McDonnell. Lots of packing and present wrapping going on this week. Here are the decorating pictures for this year. The last one is my week 23 pic.

What we started with.

Putting on the lights

The mess to choose from!

Handsome Hubby!

Putting on more lights!

Ta Da! All the lights are on! Montgomery is so proud! :)

Adding ornaments.

The Boys are inspecting the ornaments.

Melbourne looks scared!

Greg puts the ornaments on top.

All pretty!

Informal Family Pic

My table! I love tablescapes!

The boys will have stockings too, but theirs get filled! ;)

Mommy, Baby M, and Daddy's stockings.

Montgomery!

Melbourne!

My sweet boys!

Our finished tree topper.

Love,
Mommy