Well Baby Girl.. our preparations for you are in full swing.

We got your beautiful wall words in the mail, and have them taped up in position at this point but not properly applied to the wall.  I know the final outcome will be just gorgeous, but I am a little trigger-shy at this point and afraid I will do something wrong in the process. So for now, until Mommy gains a bit more courage, they will stay taped into position. 

We also got an adorable bird nest print that we plan to frame and hang in your room somewhere.. along with a manilla-paper bunny your Daddy made when he was in Kindergarten. We are hoping to frame the bunny in a shadow box for display in your room. 

We have the super-cute letter blocks that spell out your name, and just need to find a couple floating shelves to hang in your room so we can display them.

But the biggest addition to your nursery so far is the furniture!! Your Nona ordered your crib and dresser a few weeks ago, and Daddy and I went to pick them up today. Of course we had to put them together right away, so they are fully assembled and in position. 

The only bad thing is they take up much more room than we were anticipating, so we've had to nix the rocking chair (we think). We are still playing around with the arrangement of the furniture in hopes of finding a solution that would accommodate the rocking chair I've fallen in love with -- but I am prepared for the idea that I may have to give that up. I don't think you'll mind being rocked to sleep in the living room recliner, right Sweet Girl? 

Camy-Lou, I am so so glad that you have reached such a wiggly phase. Without your jabs and kicks and somersaults, I don't know how I would have made it through the last few days. I'm sure you've noticed my faster pulse and elevated blood pressure -- and I hope it hasn't bothered you! Mommy has been a little (or a lot) stressed out since Thursday, when your Daddy unexpectedly lost his job. I've tried to remind myself of just how blessed we are to have you with us, and that has helped me keep things in perspective.. but its still been difficult for me to not worry about how we will be able to prepare and provide for you when our financial status is now taking another huge hit. I know that your Daddy and I can make this work, and we will all be just fine.. I just have to remember that as long as we have each other and we have you, all will be well in the end. So thank you my little love, for your constant daily reminders of your existence in our world. Thank you for the kicks and punches and for rolling around -- it reminds me to pause and be thankful for all that we have, even in the midst of this trying situation.

Daddy and I love you so much Baby Girl.. and we promise to do everything we can to make sure you feel that love every single day. 

24 weeks.

Happy Belated Viability Day, my sweet Camy. 

24 weeks is the magical milestone I have been waiting for.. the point in the pregnancy where your little life would have a chance of surviving in the outside world (should anything happen early). 

Now lets be clear, Camryn. You do NOT have permission to make an early appearance. Ya got that?

You stay put in there, where you can continue to grow and mature safely, for at least 14ish more weeks. 

Its just a comfort for me and Daddy to know that your fragile little life has a shot at this point. 

So, Happy V-Day my love. 

• How far along?: 24 wks, 1 day
  
• Total weight gain: 17 pounds. Oh my word. I think I may be at the high end of the allowed 25-35lbs, if I don't surpass the range all together. :/
• How big is baby?: At our ultrasound 11 days ago, Baby Girl was measuring in at "just over a pound". Babycenter says that she probably gained about 4oz between week 23 and week 24, so I guess that would put her at about 1 1/4 lbs! Wow. She should be about a foot long, from head to toe. 
• Maternity clothes?:  We are now in all maternity, all the time.  Well, I take that back.. I have a few pairs of lounge pants/shorts I can still wear, but only around the house. 
• Stretch marks?: None on the belly.. but LOTS on the boobs. That is a recent development, within the last week or 2, and I am not a fan. They are pink/purple and all over!!! In fact, they are so bad that I am thinking I may not be able to find a swimsuit that would cover them (and trust me, they need to be covered!). I will be highly disappointed if that's the case because I have been so looking forward to spending the dog days of summer in the ILs pool. :(
• Sleep?: Huh? Sleep? I'm confused?? Is sleep possible during pregnancy? ;) I am NOT sleeping well these days. I get restless legs every.single.night, which makes it very difficult to fall asleep. I still wake up several times a night to either get up and pee, or to change positions (which is QUITE a chore). I have also started having some crazy dreams again.. so I often wake up from a dream and then sit there thinking about it unable to fall back asleep. 
• Best moment this week?: Celebrating Mother's Day with my amazing husband and his family. I was so touched by everyone making it a point to celebrate with us this year, and I love the card "from Camryn" and the gift from my MIL. 
• Movement?: Baby Camryn is a mover and shaker!!! And I love every minute of it. She has found my bladder, which I could do without, but at this point its still more amusing to me than it is a nuisance. Her movements feel much bigger and stronger now (which doesn't surprise me given her size) and I love love getting to watch my belly dance. 
• Food cravings?: I've been eating a lot of salads lately. And I've also been craving lots of grilled veggies. :)
• Labor signs?: None so far! Thank goodness. Hope it stays that way for a while longer!
• Belly button in or out?: When I'm standing, the top of my belly button sticks out. When I'm sitting or standing though, its still an innie. 
• What I miss: Sleep. Wine. Sleep. Coffee. Sleep. 
• What I'm looking forward to: Lots to look forward to in the next few weeks! This weekend our wonderful friends from Houston will be staying with us and I can't wait to spend some time with them! The 24th is our 1 year wedding anniversary/5 year dating anniversary. :) We are going to get massages at a day spa.. can't wait! On the 27th I will be getting my hair done and then we will be doing a Maternity Mini-Session to get some photos for our shower invites. 
• Milestone: Viability Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

There's a lot of debate about whether or not expectant mommy's are in fact considered "mothers" yet, and whether or not we are deserving of recognition on Mother's Day.

Here is where Daddy and I stand... 

Of course we are aware that next year will bring a different set of joys and emotions and pride when Mother's and Father's Day roll around, and we will be able to wake up to a smiling (not screaming!), mobile little baby girl. We know that the responsibilities of parents of an "outside baby" far outweigh the responsibilities of parents of an "inside baby". But here's the thing: You are still our baby, Camryn. You are still a living, growing, squirming sweet girl, whether or not we are waken up in the middle of the night by your cries. Whether or not we are charged with physically feeding you every few hours and changing your diapers. You are a very real presence in our lives, and every decision we make everyday is somehow traced back to what would be best for you. I am your mother now, and Daddy is your father. We couldn't imagine moving through this day (or Father's Day) without acknowledging all the ways you've already changed and enriched our lives, and how much we so love having you with us. 

Today has been a wonderful day so far. 

We woke up and spent a few minutes feeling you stretch and wiggle before getting up to get ready for church. 

While Mommy was in the shower, Daddy came in and laid a card on the bathroom counter. I didn't expect him to get anything for me today (we are celebrating Mother's and Father's Day at the end of the month with a half-day at the spa), but reading the card choked me up a bit. Apparently you, sweet baby girl, told Daddy what to write, and it was so, so sweet to read my note "from you". I love you Camryn, and your Daddy for doing that. 

The youth at church handed flowers out to each of the mommy's (including the expectant ones!) and the service acknowledged how amazing mothers are in the world. 

After church we went with Daddy's whole family to enjoy a wonderful lunch at Pappadeux. Yummy. While we were there, you grandma (Naw-Naw) gave me such a sweet gift: the James Avery "Mother's Love" charm for my JA necklace. I love it. The whole family is so excited about meeting you, Camryn. Your Aunt A and your Aunt C (and their families) gave me some very nice cards, as well. 

Once we got home, Daddy and I decided we should take some special Mother's Day pictures of Mommy's growing belly in your nursery, and I just can't believe how much you've grown already. I spend lots of time each day staring down at my belly.. but seeing those profile pictures always surprise me! 

I am so glad we have had such an enjoyable day. Our weekend really started out a little rough, with our air conditioner going out Friday afternoon (when it was in the 90's outside!!). We spent the night in a hotel that night so Mommy could get at least a little comfortable sleep, and dealt with an A/C repair man Saturday morning, who shocked us with a bill that was a bit difficult to swallow. After all the stress surrounding that unexpected situation, we spent Saturday evening relaxing on the couch and munching down on a delicious dinner of grilled chicken and grilled squash & zucchini (compliments of your Daddy). That's when the weekend finally started looking up again, just in time to celebrate Mother's Day with smiles on our faces. 

Camryn, my little love, I can't help but think about what this day will be like next year, and all the years to come. I can't wait to meet you baby girl, to see your sweet face, and kiss your chubby cheeks. I can't wait to wake up on Mother's Day next year and get to cuddle you and love you and celebrate just what a blessing you are in my life. 

We love you so much, Camy. More than you will ever know. 

It's been wonderful today to dream about all the Mother's Days with you I have to look forward to in the future.

If I could kiss you sweet girl, I would. 

The Picture Post

Camryn's latest ultrasound pics: her beautiful profile, straight-on face shots, and the FEMALE confirmation. 

And here are some pics of the nursery progress. We had some trouble with the lighting and taking a pic of the almost-finished-stripe.. the lights out picture is the most accurate color wise, oddly enough.

Progress, Progress

We started painting the pink stripe in your room, baby girl.

It looks great so far, just waiting to put on a second coat and touch up a few places where the tape failed us. 

I was surprised your daddy was so eager to get started on it, he usually hates painting. But right after his morning coffee, he went to work!

Daddy marked the lines on the wall for the stripe, and I followed behind him with the tape. About halfway through taping I got too tired/light-headed to finish, so Daddy took over. 

Yesterday we went with Nona to order your furniture and work on the registry a little. 

We had a bit of difficulty finding a set we all liked, but finally decided on a the Taylor Lifetime Crib in White by Baby Cache, and the matching dresser. I think it will look great in your room!

We were also planning on ordering the glider this weekend as well, but found out the "sale" at USA Baby is not much of a sale at all. In fact, for the model we want, the quoted us the same "sale price" as we were quoted in-store a few weeks ago, not on sale. 

So Nona is going to wait til next weekend to call and order it because we were running out of time yesterday and she is leaving on business for the whole week. 

The other progress I have been meaning to make note of is in regards to Mommy's belly button. Not only can we see the back of it these days (which was never the case prePG), but when I am standing up, the top half sticks out!!! I was rubbing my belly the other day, feeling you move around, and my hand sort of caught my belly button... it was the strangest feeling! You are changing Mommy's body in so many ways, Sweet Girl!

Our Baby Girl...

..is still our Baby Girl. 

I'm not sure why I had any anxiety about the ultrasound today, but I really had this nagging feeling that they would announce "Woops! It's a BOY after all."

But, nope. 

We were thrilled to confirm that Camryn Louise is in fact Camryn Louise. 

And she's just beautiful. More beautiful than the last time we got a peek at her.

Today's ultrasound was supposed to be to check her heart one more time (they couldn't get a close up last time), check the end of her spine (because she was sitting funny last time), and check for all 10 toes. 

Instead, the tech treated us to another full anatomy scan, and we loved every minute of it. 

Our "money shot" this time very clearly confirmed that she is a girl. 

We got to see an amazing, perfect profile and just sat there watching her move her tongue, open her mouth, and swallow. I had a permanent ear-to-ear grin plastered on my face.

We checked out her feet, which she had crossed at her ankles -- so cute! We saw her perfect, beautiful spine, her abdomen with all its necessary organs tucked right where they should be, and  we finally got some great close-up shots of her heart (even though she was moving away from us/the wand by that point!). 

It really was an amazing ultrasound. I'll upload our pics sometime tomorrow.

The appt went great as well. This was the first appt (ever at this office!) that I was able to walk in with a smile on my face and no questions or concerns. It was a wonderful feeling. We were told what to expect over the next 4 weeks, what to be vigilant about (rest and hydration), and scheduled our Glucose Screen for May 29.

I'm really struggling with the fact that we won't have an ultrasound at that appt. That will be our first appt without one. :( But thats ok, just 2 short weeks after that appt, we go for our 3D ultrasound at the downtown office. :) That is part of our anniversary gift to each other! 

At this point, 22 w 3 d, I have gained 15 pounds. EEK. And that's 15 from my pre-PG weight, meaning all that weight I lost in 1st Tri has already come back, and I am UP 15 pounds. I guess that's right on par for being beyond the halfway mark and needing to gain between 25-35 pounds by our EDD. I just worry about how much or how quickly I will gain when the baby hits her big growth spurt there at the end! Yikes.

We were told sweet Camy Lou weighs over a pound now, and is sitting right between the 50th and 60th percentile for babies at her same gestational age. Right on track! Her heartrate was 146 and she was approx 28-29 cm! WOW.

After our appt tonight, we celebrated with dinner at Jardin's (mommy's favorite!) and headed to Lowe's where we bought the pink paint for Camryn's room, the new white fan for her room, and the blinds for our bathroom. Tomorrow morning we are going with Nona (my mom) to order all her furniture, and to finish our registries. We cannot wait!!! 

It was a great, great day today.

 

Kick Kick....

Well, I'm assuming they're kicks. 

I'm sitting here in the recliner (you know, my special spot!) with the laptop on my lap... just the very front edge of the keyboard is resting on my lower belly, and as I was reading an article about one of my shows, the computer jumped!

It's cracking me up to see Camy kicking the computer. 

Does that mean she wants me to put away and go to bed?

Does that mean she can feel the warmth?

Does that mean she wants to play on the interwebs, too?

It's so funny.

:)

I love these little moments with her.

We have our 22 week appt tomorrow.  Somehow we got off track and are off by 2 weeks (from the typical 8w, 12w, 16w, 20w, etc)... I think that happened when I got sick and was going to the doctor every week.  Anyhow, we go tomorrow and we can't wait to see baby girl again! I hope we get another DVD like last time. :)

And now I'm going to take Camy kicking the comp to mean she's ready for me to go to bed... 

So g'nite Baby Girl. Sleep Well, and let Mommy sleep well too, please. 

Holy Big Belly!!

It has been so fun watching my belly grow... and I really cannot even imagine how much more it will expand!! 

A isn't home tonight, but I realized we haven't taken a belly pic in a while.. so rather than wait for him to take some, I did the obligatory mirror shots. :)

**Forgive the bare belly shots, I have no idea when or if those dreaded stretch marks may appear.. I wanted some photos to look back on fondly!!**

22 weeks.

Crazy!!

Wonderful!

Exciting!!

I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by. 

I cannot believe how happy it makes me just to look at my belly. 

I cannot believe that in 18 short weeks, we will have our sweet baby girl in our arms. 

You know what else I cannot believe?

We SAW you move. Mommy has been feeling you move for about 6 weeks, Daddy has been feeling you for 3 or 4, but tonight we saw you.

Mommy was sitting in the recliner (where she spends most of her evenings these days) and kept feeling your big wave-like movements, so Daddy kept reaching over to feel, too.

I wondered out loud how long it would be before we actually SAW you move, and Daddy said with these big movements we may be able to see you tonight.

He was right!!

I sat staring at my belly for a few minutes and sure enough, saw some body part move across my skin, just below and to the right of my belly button. I gasped in excitement and got a little emotional.. then kept staring. After seeing a couple kicks Daddy came over to get in on the fun, and we both just sat there with our eyes fixed on my tummy... then you kicked and we both jumped. Daddy saw it too, and got so excited!!! Then you kicked again, and again. It was the most amazing thing, to feel you move and SEE you move and to share that moment with Daddy!!! I feel like there is so much he misses everyday while he's at work, your dances and pokes and jabs -- I was so glad he was home to see you wiggle. 

I will never forget this night, this time with you and Daddy.

According to my weekly email, you are about a pound now and almost a foot in length from head to toe. You are growing so big, sweet girl, and I am so glad you have been such a healthy little babe!! 

We get to peek in at you in just a few days, and we can.not.wait!!

Be sure you show us that dance you've been practicing, okay? 

We love you baby girl!

22 weeks down, only 18 to go!!!

How far along? 22 weeks
Maternity clothes? I have finally retired my last pair of prePG jeans, so my pants/shorts are all maternity at this point. I can still wear a couple of prePG tops, but usually have to wear a long tank underneath.
Stretch marks? Not yet. Knock on wood!
Sleep: Sleep is iffy. I can usually get a couple hours in at a time without waking up to switch positions (which is a chore with all the support pillows I use now) or dash to the potty.
Best moment this week: Seeing Camy make my belly move!!
Movement: Feeling lots of movement at all times of day - and the movements are getting bigger and more pronounced. Its not just the little flutters and pokes anymore, its big kicks and big jabs and feeling like she's rolling around. 
Food cravings: I've been doing great with food this week! No specific cravings though.
Gender: As far as we know, she's still a she. Guess we'll confirm on Friday!
Labor Signs: Definitely Not. Camy, no labor signs allowed for at least another 15 or more weeks!
Belly Button in or out? Still in though it is much shallower, which is amusing to me.
What I miss: Sleeping soundly (though I know that would have changed eventually!), standing up without looking like a stiff old lady!
What I am looking forward to: Friday's Dr's appt and ultrasound, furniture shopping this weekend.
Weekly Wisdom: Hmm.. I've learned walking helps my back and so does "my best friend Clay" - the heating pad!! :)

Milestones: Seeing her move! 

A night for the record book!

Mommy slept through the night last night!!!!

I seriously cannot even remember the last time I was able to do that, and I was totally med-free (not that Tylenol PM helped me a few weeks ago, I still woke up several times).

I was in the best mood this morning when I woke up, rolled over, and saw that it was actually after 6am and time to wake up Daddy. It wasn't 1130, it wasn't 1am, it wasn't 3 or 4am... it was 605!!! YAY!!!!

Happy Friday!