27 Weeks: any book recommendations?

Depending on what calendar you look at I may or may not be in my third trimester.  Opinions vary and I've seen statements that the third trimester starts anywhere between 25 and 30 weeks.  The most common being either 27 or 28.  Because the first thing we read way back at the beginning said 27, that is what we've decided to go by.  And so, I'm officially in my third and last trimester!

This baby is finally getting serious about growing and its making me tired!   Please excuse my post sunday afternoon nap appearance.  Getting up early to attend ward council at 7:15 this morning was a little rough.  Although if I'm being honest with myself, thats what I look like in most of these pregnancy pictures.  Also, in case you are curious, I was wearing this outfit for week 23 which makes for a fun comparison.  

Overall, another good week here in the Smith home.  Lots of feeling the baby move and kick.  Although I still feel some strong kicks/punches/who knows what, the majority of the movement is more gradual and constant.  It just feels like she is floating around and moving.  Hard to explain, but its fun.  Also I can tell she is getting bigger because I am now feeling her both on my top right side under my ribs and in the bottom left side at the same time. I know my baby updates tell me what size she is every week but its easy to read over that part and still think of her as just the little thing she started out to be. In case you are curious the average baby this far along is 2 pounds and 14 inches long  It is also crazy to think she will probably quadruple in weight over the next three months.  Yikes!

Part of being in the 3rd trimester means our doctor visits are now every 2 weeks (instead of once a month).  We have a visit tomorrow and are actually scheduled for an ultrasound too!  So that is exciting!  They weren't able to get a few of the measurements they needed at the last one so we get to see our little girl again!  I'll try to update again soon but we will be on vacation for the next two weeks and so the timing of these posts might get a little off.

This week has also brought a few episodes of fear and worry when thinking about how I'm expected to just suddenly be a mom.  Sure I've have plenty of experience babysitting and I'm even currently watching a baby 3 days a week and have seen him grow from 4 months to 7 months old.  But there is something different about doing it full time (read: during the nights) and being the one in charge of making decisions (with Brett of course).   Since the weeks are quickly passing I figured it was time to start reading some books and hopefully get a better idea of what to expect and how to handle everything.  Any suggestions on books to read?  I'm open for any topics from labor/delivery to healthy sleep habits to breast feeding to anything really.  I don't even know where to start!

Have any of you mothers out there read a book you found particularly helpful?
Please share!

26 Weeks: Happy Father's Day!

26 weeks is officially 6 months and the last week of the 2nd trimester.  Also according to the counter on the side of my blog, only 95 days left.  Thats a 2 digit number.   This is happening people!  And this last week proved to be a good growth week for baby Smith to prove it is real.  My tummy is feeling tighter everyday and its growing bigger every time I look at it. Brett still loves poking at the baby to get her to move and then feeling or watching my belly as it moves all around.

I think I'm carrying low.  Yeah? But according to the old wive's tale that means I'm having a boy....

We had a doctors appointment and as always enjoyed hearing the baby's heartbeat.  Our little girl is a mover though and it took some time for the doctor to find her heartbeat.  At one point she even got it for 2-3 beats before the little stinker decided to move again.  I wasn't scared at all because I could feel her moving around but my doctor was very reassuring and kept saying "well, I hear her moving so I know she's in there!" Her heartbeat was 151 which is the exact same it was last time.  At least she's consistent!

At the doctors I also got to take the notorious glucose test.  For those of you not in on the baby lingo, the glucose test is where you drink this really sweet juice stuff and then wait an hour and they take your blood to test for gestational diabetes.  I don't have the results back yet, but I do know that all that sugar sure threw my body for a loop for the rest of the day Friday.  I got a headache in the afternoon and ended up going to bed early. Also, I confirmed that my body doesn't handle giving blood well.  When I had my blood drawn during my first trimester I practically passed out, but they had to take like 8 vials of blood and I wasn't really eating/drinking at that point so it made sense.  I though I'd be okay this time around, but nope.  Brett said I turned white as soon as the needle went into my arm.   I wasn't even watching or anything and it still made me light headed just to have the blood drawn.  Luckily, they only needed a little blood and so I made it through without any scene.   I'm such a light weight... how am I ever supposed to give birth to this child of mine?

This week's symptoms included stretching/tightening of my tummy muscles, increased fatigue and increased hunger.  I told Brett at one point that the more I eat the hungrier I get.  I've never really been a big eater so this is a new concept for me and probably has a lot to do with the quickly increasing size of my belly.  Its all for a good cause though, so I don't mind.  Speaking of, I'm officially back at my pre-pregnancy weight.  Yes, that sounds kind of funny considering I'm 6 months pregnant but I lost so much weight the first 4 months that its taken some time to get back up to my "normal'.  Doctor says I'm doing good though and right on track.

I also had a number of crazy nights this week with regards to dreams.  Every night seemed to have a theme and each time I woke up from a dream it was connected to the previous dreams.  One night it was all about reliving my days working for CPS and another night I was running from the cops and each dream posed a new challenge.  Maybe I should turn these dreams into a TV series or something.  Thats what they feel like!

The last symptom I noticed this week was a few good examples of pregnant emotions.  Being emotional is nothing new to me, but it still surprises me when and where it hits me. I teared up a lot for very small reasons this week.  Some were appropriately timed, like at the temple.  Some were less ideal, like while picking out a Father's day card for Brett at the store.  Yes, I could hardly contain myself as I read the hallmark cards.

I am so blessed to be surround by so many great father figures: my own father, Brett's dad and now Brett.  They all possess great qualities and are the kind of men that this world needs more of.  Happy Fathers day to them and to all the fathers out there! (Although I doubt very many fathers read my blog, especially when its all about our baby! haha)

Pictorial Evidence that Brett is still alive too

This blog (and my life) has kind of been hijacked by the precious little girl growing inside of me.  She is definitely our priority right now and I'm sure will continue to have our complete attention for a long, long time.  However, behind my weekly updates and pictures of my growing belly is a husband who is even more important.  I've been bad at taking pictures of the fun things we do lately but even worse at blogging about them.  So in a desperate attempt to catch up here is an overload of pictures that is far from comprehensive but shows a little of what we've been up to since moving to Houston.  And most importantly a few pictures of my handsome husband for those of you who may have begin to wonder about his existence.

Picnic at the duck pond:

Brett getting the ducks to come close

Although I'm not sure you can call those ducks, I may or may not have ran away when Brett started feeding them.  Sorry to say, but they look gross with that stuff on their face.  I'm horrible, I know.

Brett found a turtle

And I enjoyed the views

 Date night at home: mini golf.

Our homemade holes, good thing we still had lots of packing stuff around

Brett was a pro

We took turn making the holes, Brett's got pretty tricky 

Traders Village is a HUGE flea market just down the street

I guess there was a time when we wore full length pants, back in January. 

One of the many rows of "stuff"

Enjoying our time together! 

 Brett turned 25!!

This week was the start of what I later learned was morning (slash all day) sickness.  I completely failed on dinner... dried out chicken, cold alfredo sauce, overcooked noodles... but at least the cupcakes were yummy! And I got Brett the first book in the Hunger Games series which turned out to be a great move as reading the series together was something we could do while I laid lifeless on the couch

Trip one to Galveston

After a long few months we decided it was time to get out of the house. The sun and sand was wonderfully relaxing 

We rode the ferry (pictured here), ate at some yummy restaurants and laid around in the sand.  Nothing too exciting, but it was perfect! 

Still in the midst of morning sickness but proof that I was alive 

Tomball Memorial High School

Brand new school that will welcome Mr Smith as a Spanish teacher and football/baseball coach

Excited for this new adventure! 

Galveston Anniversary trip: celebrating 3 years!

Brett showing off the fun little room he got for us at a wonderful Bed and Breakfast

Brett on our private patio looking over the pool

The lovely pool we spent a lot of time relaxing in 

Soaking up some rays 

Breakfast in bed.... yes please! 

The historic home / bed and breakfast we stayed at which survived the apparently devastating hurricane of 1910

They are working on a new attraction on the Pier.  It wasn't open while we are there but looks fun! 

Three years and still going strong! 

 Houston Astros Baseball Game

Little did we know it was bobble head night.  Long line to wait in, but we got Nolan Ryan bobble heads.  What you can't see in the picture is the intense heat and humidity.  I sought refuge under the trees while Brett stood in line. 

Pre-game batting practice... trying to catch a baseball

Brett's Basketball "fun"

Brett has spent the last few weeks icing a sprained ankle.  This was day two (I think) and it looked worse before it looked better but it hasn't stopped him from playing every week at the church with the other guys

 Drive in movie

This is the only picture I got, but we went to a double feature drive-in movie and saw Men in Black 3 and What to Expect When You are Expecting.  Didn't make it home until almost 2am!!  It took us days to recover but was tons of fun!

In addition to those things pictured Brett has kept busy getting ready for his new job.  As a coach, he has to get a CDL license to drive the school buses for games.  That process was long and tedious and involved getting a Texas drivers license, registering our car in texas, taking 5 written tests and practicing driving a bus around town with a lady from the district so he can pass the driving test.  Luckily he had practice driving the semi trucks from his family's business and is a natural behind the big wheel.  He also spends just about everyday up in Tomball working with the other coaches.  They had a baseball camp last week and for the next 6 weeks they have a fitness and agility camp that he helps run.  This school takes their sports seriously and Brett seems to be loving being involved.  Although Tomball is relatively close (only a 20 minute drive from our apartment to the school) we are seriously looking at moving even closer so that Brett will be able to be at home as much time as possible (aside from teaching/coaching/games). We are trying to brace ourselves for the whirlwind of a storm that is about to hit us when everything starts full time for him at work and full time for us at home with a newborn baby.  I know we don't even know what is going to hit us, but are excited for the new adventure and stage of our lives.  

25 Weeks: B is for baby stuff

This has been a busy week on the baby front.  Not much growth however.  For a funny comparison, I'm wearing the same dress in week 21 and look the same (if not smaller) in today's picture. Brett was making me laugh and I think that makes my belly go in a little bit.

As a general update I'm feeling great.  No major complaints and I'm loving the second trimester.  I'm still sleeping through the night without needing to get up to use the bathroom and beside feeling reasonably tired after long days my energy level is good and I haven't had any major aches or pains or swelling.  I count these blessings every night as I'm sure they won't last.

Some of the random milestones of this last week are:

• I personally bought my first item of maternity clothing. My MIL bought me some capri's and shirts a while back but Brett and I found ourselves at the mall Friday night and decided to get me some shorts too.  For the most part I'm still wearing my regular wardrobe but considering I've been wearing shorts almost exclusively since moving to Texas in January I was getting a little bored of my options and was anxious to buy something new.  One funny story from the night was at the maternity store I decided to try on one of the "baby bumps" just for fun.  The one in my room was labeled 7 months and although Brett knew I was putting it on, his reaction when I came out was priceless.  He literally laughed out loud and for a good 30 seconds before containing himself.  Luckily we were the only ones in the store because I can't imagine what others would have thought.  Knowing Brett, I know it was just out of shock (I looked large and very different) and not because he disapproved of any aspect of it.  I sure gave him a hard time for it though.
  
• I bought fabric and started working on a baby quilt.  I'm not quite sure what I've gotten myself into since I've never made a quilt or really sewed anything in general but I'm very excited about it and like how it makes everything feel more real.  It took me forever to decide on fabric because I was so torn about colors.  Initially I imagined a calm and elegant yellow and gray.  However, knowing we'd also be stuck with white walls I decided to go with bright and cheery instead.  The material i ended on is a mixture yellow and teal and pink.
  
• Speaking of pink, I think I have finally come to terms with the color pink and its inevitable role in the next few years of my life due to the baby girl.  I've spent a lot of time looking at and analyzing what I like and dislike and realized that some pink things are actually pretty cute.  I'm still not a huge fan of pink on pink on pink things, but in moderation I'm fully embracing it.
  
• Baby stuff.  For the last few weeks I've been researching baby items online and playing around with a registry on Amazon.  The registry has finally reached a point that it feels pretty complete although I still feel clueless about what I'll actually need in the end.  On Saturday I dragged Brett to Target with me to start a registry there.  Initially I was excited to be able to see the items in person but was soon overwhelmed and decided I like doing it online much better because I can check out endless reviews on each item.  I have a good grasp on most of the larger items (already have a glider, picked out our stroller/car seat travel system and have a general idea for the crib) but the smaller ones cause me so much stress.  So, if any of you mothers out there have any advice (what to buy/not buy) feel free to send it my way!  Oh, and have you noticed how many baby items start with the letter B.  Bumbo, boppy, burp cloths, binkies, bumpers, blankets, bottles, bouncers, bibs, the list goes on and on.  

Wow, I thought if I kept it to bullet points I wouldn't write too much, but oh well.  Things are good here in the Smith home and we are slowing getting ready for our little one.  We are enjoying our time as a family of two and enjoying the freedom of being able to make last minute plans.  For example, a member of our ward is a Principle Ballerina for the Houston Ballet and offered us last minute tickets to a showing of Romeo and Juliet.  She danced as Juliet and did an amazing job.  The set and orchestra were also very well done but at the end of the day I'm just not sure Brett and I are the ballet going type.  It was a fun experience though and we were grateful for the opportunity.    

24 weeks and still going strong

How is it already June?  I know most of Feb/Mar/April were all a blur to me but really, JUNE?  Already?!  Anyway, here is my 24 week picture.  My outfit today doesn't exactly show off the baby bump but I didn't want to change clothes so it is what it is.

This week was another good and uneventful week.  We spent some time apartment hunting for a 2 bedroom apartment, stayed out way past our bedtime on Friday night at a drive in movie and discussed more baby names.  A few weeks ago we narrowed it down to 3 names that we liked and decided to think and pray about them for a while.  When we talked about them again this weekend we realized we didn't like any of them anymore.  So we picked a new name to ponder on and so far we like it lots!  Nothing is official yet though.  Also, according to my weekly updates our baby girl is the size of a cantaloupe, as long as a ear of corn and weighs in at just over a pound.  (Of course every baby grows differently and those are just fun estimations to think about.)

The only downside of the last week was the heat.  That is going to be a constant struggle though as the heat and humidity just continue to rise here in Houston.  And although it gives us a good excuse to lounge by the pool, getting into a car that has been sitting in the sun for longer than 5 minutes is miserable, to say the least.  It also makes my evening walks more difficult so I've tried to go to the gym more often and walk on the treadmill since who really wants to be outside when it is 8:00 and still 90+ degrees.  We are anxiously awaiting a 2 week trip at the end of the month that will include time in the cooler climate of Oregon and the less humid climate of Utah.  The "feels like" temperature is consistently 5-10 degrees above the posted temperature here because of the humidity and it only gets worse after the sun goes down, not better.  How am I supposed to make it through July and August?!  :( ... Okay, rant over.