28 Weeks - 3rd Trimester!!

How far along? 28 weeks

Baby size: Eggplant, 2.22 lb, 14.80 in (crown to heel)

Total weight gain/loss: As of my last doctor's appointment I have gained 16 pounds.  I go back to the doctor this Tuesday and hopefully I will not have gained much!!
Maternity clothes? Yes!  I have been able to get away with wearing a lot of my normal shirts that have an empire waist or that are more flowing at the bottom; however, even those are beginning to become a bit short or tight.  I am trying my best to not invest a whole lot in maternity clothes since you wear them for such a short time, but I think I will soon be shopping for a few new shirts.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: I have still been sleeping pretty good.  I fall asleep VERY easily because I am usually exhausted when I get into the bed.  I do wake up a few times in the night to turn, but fall right back to sleep.  Everything I read says to avoid sleeping on your back after the first trimester because it can obstruct the blood flow to the placenta.  I am normally a belly sleeper, but that is out!  And for some reason I cannot seem to stay on my sides.  I always start the night out laying on my side and fall asleep that way, but every night it never fails that I wake up on my back and have to switch back to one of my sides.  I have also been having some CRAZY dreams this week, not about the baby, but just weird stuff.
Best moment this week: I HAVE TWO WEEKS OFF!!!  YAY!!  We went to the lake Saturday and Sunday for a short "get away" to relax and celebrate that I have some time off.  It was so nice to have quality time with Daniel too!!  We rode in the boat a while and then would stop in the middle of the lake and lay on our floats and just chill.  Sure can't beat days like that!  The weather was gorgeous, and I even got to take a nap in the hammock late Saturday afternoon... bliss!  My parents came down Saturday evening and we went out to watch the sunset.  I am always blown away by God's beauty and creativity when watching a sunset.  It's the simple things! 
Miss Anything?  Tomatoes!  We have around 10 laying on our kitchen counter right now fresh from Daniel's garden, and I cannot touch them :(  A fresh BLT sure would be good right now... if only I could stomach the B and the T.  I don't think just an L sandwich would be too appetizing.
Movement: I noticed her moving more this week, but it could just be because I have had a few days off work and can pay more attention to her movements.  When I lay down I can see her making my stomach move which is really neat to watch.  Sunday afternoon, we had been riding on the boat most of the day, and when we got back to the dock and parked, she was moving like crazy.  Since I had a swimsuit on it was easy to see my belly and my parents and Daniel just stopped and watched her move.  She even gave a big kick for mama while she was rubbing my belly : ) 
Food cravings: Bread, cereal, fruit (peaches are one of my favorites right now), and the Cheerwine float I had this week from Cookout was pretty tasty!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Well, I have not wanted to come near bacon since the first trimester when mama fried it at my grandparents house and it made me so sick I was crying, but one day this past week I decided to make me a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich.  Mistake!!  I had reflux several times and went to bed sucking on two tums.  Don't know what it is about bacon, but I can eat sausage and eggs. 
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: It's a Girl!!
Symptoms: When I stand in one place for a long time my feet start to tingle, almost like they are about to fall asleep.  It does this when I am putting on my make up, washing dishes, cooking, folding clothes, etc.  The heartburn is also getting worse.  I think I have taken a tums every night for the past 4 or 5 days to help.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: I am SO excited to go to the doctor Tuesday.  Who would have thought I would be excited to go to the doctor??  But, we have an ultrasound scheduled, and it feels like forever since I have gotten to see our baby girl!!  I will post pictures in the next post : )

 Sunset at Lake Greenwood!!

27 Weeks

 

How far along? 27 weeks

Baby size: Papaya, 1.93 lb, 14.41 in (crown to heel)

Total weight gain/loss: As of my last doctor's appointment I have gained 16 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes!
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: We have been incredibly busy this week trying to get the process of fixing the baby's room started, so I have been pretty worn out and hitting the bed later than normal.  Needless to say, I have been falling asleep immediately.  Saturday was very busy, and I was up at 5am doing things here at the house.  Then we had a baby shower for a friend and did not get home until 11pm.  Daniel said within 30 seconds I was snoring like my daddy... those of you who know my daddy understand how loud that was : )
Best moment this week: I just need to change this title to "best momentS this week" because I can never narrow it down to just ONE best moment.  Thursday, Daniel and I along with our friends Nick and Monica attended a breast feeding class at the local hospital.  I had some fears about trying the whole breast feeding thing, but the lady who taught the class was wonderful and gave tons of useful information and advice.  I know it is not the easiest route to take in feeding our baby, but the health and bonding advantages definitely outweigh the negatives.  I am looking at it as a time for God to teach me to be more selfless.
Friday Daniel and his dad started the painting process on baby girl's room and finished up Saturday morning.  I really think I am going to love the color and am getting excited about putting things together.  Saturday evening, two of my college roommates and I threw a baby shower for our friend Brantley.  It was wonderful to see everyone, and I especially enjoyed getting to love on my friend Jennifer's new baby Grace : )  It is going to be so much fun seeing our babies interact and play together when they are all here!!  Sunday, our Sunday school class threw a baby shower for my friend Jeanna, and then Daniel and I went to eat a delicious lunch at my Momom and Papa's house.  We have had a productive, fun week... but this afternoon we both crashed on the couch for a few hours and left our "to do lists" to the side. 
Miss Anything?  Being able to walk gracefully in high heels.  The extra weight in the mid-section is not the best for balancing!!  I wiped out twice this morning... luckily it was at home and not at church in front of everyone.
Movement: She is still very selfish about who she shares her kicks with.  I think Daniel has only felt her 3-4 times and he lives with me.  She does move throughout the day, but still mostly at night.
Food cravings: Lots of water with lemon or Propel
Anything making you queasy or sick: The less ingredients the better.  At Brantley's shower there were some delicious dishes that my friends had made like homemade guacamole, vegetable/pasta salads, etc but they made me feel pretty "icky" after eating them.  Things with a lot of seasonings, dressing, or spices do not agree well with my stomach.
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: It's a Girl!!
Symptoms: The worst is the bloating at night.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: This Thursday is my last day of teaching Summer School.  I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to be in my own classroom this year AND teach my normal grade level as well as being able to make extra money to prepare for the baby, but I am pretty excited that I am about to have 2 weeks off!!  Then the craziness of regular school starts back.  
I am also really looking forward to being able to hold our baby girl soon!!  I think I have been craving that more this week than I have throughout the whole pregnancy.  Maybe it was holding baby Grace yesterday, or maybe it is just me realizing how close and fast the due date is coming, but I cannot wait to just feel her in my arms!!!

 The new closet we added.  The guy should be finished tomorrow afternoon!

 Daniel and his dad painting the baby room. We used "White Dogwood" from Sherwin Williams.

 Baby girl has a daddy and Papa who already love her!

 Kathryn, me, Brantley, and Jennifer - Clemson roommates at Brantley's baby shower.

My due date: Oct. 18th, Brantley's: Oct. 8th... both baby girls : )

26 Weeks

How far along? 26 weeks

Baby size: Lettuce, 1.68 lb, 14.02 in (crown to heel)

Total weight gain/loss: I went to the doctor this past Friday and have gained 16 pounds!!  So apparently I have gained 2 pounds in one week.  YIKES!  I hope this is not a trend I continue since I have 14 weeks to go. 
Maternity clothes? Yes!
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleep has been pretty good.  I do wake up hot sometimes and have to tuck one leg in and one leg out of the covers, but I usually fall right back to sleep.
Best moment this week: I received the results from my glucose test and I passed : )  My blood sugar level was 92 and they want it under 140.  I also got good results from  my thyroid blood work.  I don't think I have listed this in here, but towards the middle of May my thyroid blood work came back with my TSH level too high (meaning underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism).  My doctor started me on a low dosage of synthroid to try to correct it, and my levels are now normal.  My prayer now is that after the pregnancy I will be able to come off the synthroid; however, my energy level has been much better since taking the medicine and I am no longer falling asleep at 7pm every night... well at least not most nights : )  This week Daniel and I were also able to go visit my friend Diana, who is 20 weeks pregnant, and her husband Allan in Hickory, NC for the day.  It was wonderful to spend time with them and catch up on life.  Sadly, I forgot to take a picture with Diana and our "bumps."  That just means I will have to see her again soon.  Also, on Sunday I attended a baby shower for my friend Jeanna who is due August 12th.  I did get a picture of us together because she will soon no longer have her bump, but a beautiful baby girl to hold instead. 
Miss Anything? Being able to lift heavy stuff without worrying.  Daniel and I are preparing for a yard sale this Saturday, and being the independent person I am, it is very hard for me to remember I am not supposed to lift heavy things.  I also have been trying to get my classroom ready for the upcoming school year, and for any of you who are teachers you know how much climbing it takes to do bulletin boards, word walls, etc.  It is SO hard for me to avoid climbing on things, but thankfully my mama is helping me when she can.
Movement: Yes, still mostly when I am very still and quiet.  Friday, after I drank the orange sugar drink before my glucose test, she was moving like crazy... sugar high I guess : )
Food cravings: I really have not had many cravings this week other than the usuals. I  have enjoyed snacking on raw carrots lately, which is a new thing. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: I am having to be more careful about what I eat for dinner because I get so full and bloated so easily.  For some reason salads have been the worst to bloat me lately.  I guess because lettuce is a harder thing to digest.
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: It's a Girl!!
Symptoms: Bloating at night, back pain, swelling in the bottom portion of my legs, and the burning in my throat has returned.  For some reason in the later afternoon my throat burns terribly.  I am not sure if it is a form of indigestion or what.  Chewing gum or sucking on mints seems to really help.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: We are in the process of really getting the baby's room ready now.  We are adding a closet to the room for extra storage since I currently have my winter clothes in her closet.  Daniel and his dad are going to start painting her room baby pink this Friday, and we have several other pieces that need painting.  I am ready to see it all come together!!  I am also looking forward to my friend Brantley's baby shower this weekend.  Two of my college roommates and I are hosting the shower for her, and I am excited to see everyone at one time. 

My friend Jeanna and me at her baby shower.

25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks

Baby size: Cauliflower, 1.46 lb, 13.62 in (crown to heel)

Total weight gain/loss: At my doctor's appointment last Thursday I found out I have gained 14 pounds. 
Maternity clothes? Yes! 
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: I have not slept as great as I did at the beach in the king sized bed.  It also may have to do with the fact that it's easier to sleep knowing that you are only waking up to a day of relaxing on the beach instead of anticipating a full work day.  I know the bed is only going to get smaller in the next few months... I may be headed to the guest bed before long : )
Best moment this week:  I had another great week of being able to spend quality time with the ones I love!  I only had to work Mon-Wed due to the holiday.  I had a good report from the doctor's office on Thursday.  He said my blood pressure was great, weight was pretty good, but that I needed to get less sun.  He asked me where I had gotten my sun, and I told him I had been at the beach the previous week.  He gave me a funny look that I could read he was thinking I had been in the tanning bed lol.  I assured him that I don't do tanning beds because I am scared of them anyways, but just tan pretty quickly.  I still don't think he believed me : )  He asked me what number of sunscreen I used at the beach, and I told him 8 on my body and 30 on my face.  He told me to use 30 from now on all over.  Haha.  Mama and I thought it was pretty funny how he gave me "the look."  Friday we had a fun day at my parents' pool with my parents, 6 of my little cousins, our nephew, and Daniel's sister.  Then we had a cookout at Daniel's parents with delicious food... the red velvet cake was my favorite!!  Saturday and Sunday we went to my parents lake house with my mama's whole family.  The weather was perfect - very low humidity!!
Miss Anything? Being able to sit up in a chair for long periods of time without an achy back.
Movement: YES!!  Her kicks are getting stronger this week.  As I was laying on the dock Sunday morning, she was kicking like crazy.  I could actually see my stomach moving through my bathing suit. 
Food cravings: I got my Dempsey's pizza craving on the way home from the lake Sunday night.  I also am still enjoying lots of watermelon to keep me cool.
Anything making you queasy or sick: At the lake I had a chili dog (without the hot dog) and it was delicious!!  However, around 4pm my throat started burning like crazy.  I didn't think much about it and just put in some gum to help with the burn.  Sunday for lunch I ate some left over chili on a hot dog bun again and sure enough by around 4pm, my throat was on fire.  I finally put together that chili gives me terrible heart burn/indigestion just like spaghetti does because my mom's homemade chili recipe has a can of tomato sauce in it :(  Guess I have to wait a few more months to eat another food I love. 
Have you started to show yet: Oh yes!  I had a few people at work this week notice for the first time I was pregnant and commented that they did not know before... I think they were just afraid to ask, but I know for sure that I now look pregnant to strangers.
Gender: It's a Girl!!
Symptoms:  Back pain, swelling in the calves, and I had a really bad nose bleed while we were at the lake.  I have read online that this is common because of all the extra blood in my body.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: Well, I can tell you what I am not looking forward to... I have my glucose test this Friday morning at 8:20am.  I put myself on a no sugar diet for this week until after the test to hopefully make sure I pass.  I have heard the stuff I have to drink is disgusting, but I am trying to go in with a positive attitude.  What I am looking forward to (if I pass the test) is treating myself to a Chick-fil-A cookies and cream milkshake Friday after the doctor : )

 Our nieces Emma and Addison at the 4th of July cookout.

 One of my mother-in-law's delicious desserts :)

 Me and mama

 My handsome hubby!

Waiting on the fireworks to begin at Lake Bowen

My cousin Luke, Aunt Cindy, and Daddy

Cindy and Eddis

My grandparents, PaPa and MamaDoris

Daniel says this is the best seat in the house!!

 Drew, Will, Ben, and Matt tubing

Having fun on the boat

 Beautiful sunset

 Me and my all grown up cousin Jake

 Daddy keeping the fire going

 Aunt Cindy and Eddis

 Luke doing his sparkler dance 

 Drew having fun with the sparklers

Drew and Luke tubing

My cousins Mikey and Jake and my nephew Matt