26 Weeks!!

26 Weeks!!

Last week of second trimester...insert mini-freakout ::here::

How far along are you? 

26 Weeks

Total weight gain: 

More than I wanted to gain, but not too much  

How big is baby?:

What to Expect says an English Cucumber (15 inches head to toe) and 2.2 pounds!

source

source

Maternity clothes: 

always...I'm about to buy a few maxi dresses for the summer

Stretch marks?:  

On my hiney!!  I was NOT a happy camper to find those!  

Still applying Palmers religiously

But I've started getting spider veins on my belly?!  

I guess because I'm so white and just don't tan

Sleep?: 

Eh, some days are great, others not so much.  Depends on how he's laying.

Best moment this week?:

feeling him move even more.  The past 3 or so days he's been kicking up a storm for 30 minutes or so, then sleeps for an hour or two and starts up again.  

Movement?: 

A TON!

Food cravings?:

Starting to not have many, if any...at least nothing recurring

Food aversions?:

Not too bad, kind of depends on the day

Labor signs?: 

NO!  Stay put Baby!

Belly button in or out?: 

In, but getting less deep.  My belly button is normally REALLY deep, but not so much.  For the first time in my life, I can see the bottom of my belly button.  LOL

What I miss: 

not being tired all the time!  

Once I'm awake for 4 hours, I'm ready to crawl back in to bed

What I'm looking forward to: 

getting our place so I can set up Pierce's nursery

What I'm not looking forward to: 

Summer, I'm already hot! 

We've already hit 91 degrees!

Another round of pain from the hydronephrosis

Milestone: 

Feeling him kick above my belly button...maybe he's finally turning vertical and will stop snuggling my kidneys like they're his first teddy bears!

Tuesday Randoms

I don't have one topic to expand on...so I figured you would get mind vomit from the weekend

• I have pretty much stopped taking pictures, the last picture of J and I was taken Easter Sunday. 
• Pierce has taken the shine and body out of my hair, and my face went from NO break outs to a sudden break out.  
• We got the pool ready and cleaned, and I was a fish for 2 hours yesterday!  J isn't a huge swimming fan, but he was great and stayed with me with minimal fussing lol
• I'm starting to have freak outs when I realize that we're less than 14 weeks away from our due date!
• It's staying in the 90s here, and not dropping below 70 at night...not usually a problem until you factor in my 6+mo pregnant status...I can NOT get cooled off.  I'm either at that warm-just-before-sweating-point, or sweating.  It'll be a miracle if I make it through the summer with hair.  Considering going back to this cut: 

but not sure that I am ready for that maintenance again...takes a haircut every 3 weeks to keep it looking good

• I'm trying to figure out how to keep from being tired...ALL THE TIME.  I get 8-10 hours of sleep every night, only waking up on average once a night.
• My funny for the day: J & I went to dinner at Zaxby's (a southern franchise for yummy chicken), the girl that took our order had to be no older than a day over 16.  We walked in, and I asked a question about a plate.  I noticed she had a hard time answering my question and realized that she was watching J.  I get it, hubby's handsome lol.  Well, it didn't stop there.  She barely looked at me when I handed her my debit card, didn't hand me the cups but gave them to J.  When we sat down to wait on our food, I noticed a different employee was bringing out food.  I told J, "I'm going to crack up laughing if your girlfriend brings out our food"  Sure enough, the little girl brought our food out and never once looked at me, never faced me...all J.  LOL!!  I laughed, right in front of her.  It was too too funny.  I told J, everyone needs that ego boost...and I was glad it came with such entertainment for me!  HA
• I use gummy prenatal vitamins that you can get over the counter from Target.  Well...I forgot they were in the trunk, and they stayed there, in our black car for 3 days in 90+ degree heat each day.  Let's just say, I learned that 90 gummies, left in the heat, melt into one LARGE gummy.  $8 down the drain, had to go get more today.  I brought them in to work with me so they couldn't possibly melt lol.
• I have a pregnant friend (seems a quarter of my friends are pregnant these days lol) who has had a troublesome issue arise.  She's in the middle of her first trimester, and goes for an ultrasound tomorrow to make sure everything is ok.  Please, say a prayer for her.  This baby is much hoped, wished, and prayed for.  

Guess that's enough randomness for one day.  Hope ya'll are all having good weeks!

Maybe I'm crazy...

I decided early in the pregnancy that I was going to breast feed and make my own baby food for Pierce.  Oddly, unexpectedly, I'm getting a lot of negative feedback with my choices.  A lot of unsolicited comments.  

"You know they make formula?" *Really?  I didn't know that?!  But, why buy formula if my body will produce the proper nutrition for my baby and continue to change to meet his nutritional needs?  Why spend the money?!    We'll buy a pump, so he can eat while I'm at work of course.  I'll store breast milk in the freezer in 1 ounce cubes so it'll be even that much more easy to measure.  This isn't rocket science people

"Breast feeding grosses me out" *Yeah, I understand.  I used to be grossed out too, until I did my research.  To each his own.  You want to give your child formula with chemicals, preservatives, and fillers...I want to let my child suck on my boob, or let a machine do it so I can feed him with a bottle.  Again, to each his own.

I'll be covered up when I feed him, it's not like I'll be whipping a boob out in the middle of a restaurant!  Plus, how convenient is it that we won't have to pack formula and bottles when we go out?  I just have to throw a nursing cover in his diaper bag and be done...boobies go with me everywhere!

"Grocery stores sell baby food, you know?" *Again, really?  I can answer that the same way I did the formula question.  You want to feed your child jarred food that has sat on a grocery shelf  for months, a year (have you seen the expiration dates on those things?) that has chemicals, preservatives, fillers, etc.  I want to stand in my kitchen, chop food, steam it and process it into the exact consistency my baby needs.  

"Isn't that going to take up all of your time?" *Not likely...sure it'll take a few hours a week, but I won't be making it one serving at a time.  I'll be making several servings at a time and freezing them for ease and convenience.  I will know the ingredients in my baby's food, every bite that goes in his mouth.  That's reassuring to me.  

Plus, I plan on teaching J how to make the food.  I'm not a single parent! 

Truly, my biggest hope for our little family with these plans is that we will all begin to make better choices with what goes into our mouths.  That we will start to eat more vegetables, more home cooked meals, more healthful choices.  I want to start Pierce off on the exact right foot.  If he chooses to be unhealthy, he'll have to make those choices as an adult.  

I was raised with home cooked meals on the table at least 6 out of 7 days a week.  We thought it was a HUGE treat to get a Happy Meal, or pizza.  It was a major deal for us to get soda at home, or candy.  We were allowed ice cream after we ate our dinner to my parents satisfaction. Sure, I thought this was pure torture and Gitmo treatment as a child, but as an adult, I really appreciate the foundation my parents set for us.  

Now, I know that if I'm unhappy with my body, it's MY fault.  Mine.  I could never blame my parents for my health.  I have that sense of pride and responsibility, my parents gave me that.  

My mom and I were talking about making baby food, she said she would have done it for my brother and I if they had the appliance she's getting me for Pierce: Baby Brezza.  In "the day" to make your own baby food you had to take several steps.  The Brezza combines all of that and cooks and processes it all in one container.  No need to do all kind of things just for a few ounces of food.  

I'm proud of the choices I've made, and I really hope that my body & Pierce allow me to breast feed.  However, I won't feel like a failure if I can't.  I understand there are things outside of my control.  

25 Weeks!!

25 Weeks!

You can catch up on why I missed my 24 week post here.  Scroll to the bottom and I'll explain what the condition is, I found out more about it this morning

How far along are you? 

25 Weeks

Total weight gain: 

More than I wanted to gain, but not too much  

How big is baby?:

What to Expect says an eggplant and 2 pounds!  Holy cow, he's already 2 pounds!!

source

source

Maternity clothes: 

always...I'm about to buy a few maxi dresses for the summer

Stretch marks?:  

On my hiney!!  I was NOT a happy camper to find those!  

Still applying Palmers religiously

But I've started getting spider veins on my belly?!  

I guess because I'm so white and just don't tan

Sleep?: 

Eh, some days are great, others not so much.  Depends on how he's laying.

Best moment this week?:

knowing he's ok after my ordeal that sent me to the hospital...I did get an answer as to a name for the condition: Hydronephrosis  Scroll to the bottom and I'll tell more

Movement?: 

a lot!  He is like his Mommie though, he's pretty quiet in the mornings.  He wakes up and starts to dance later in the afternoons...works for me lol

Food cravings?:

Still...

Popcicles!  At least I'm eating sugar free lol

and sweet sweet seedless watermelon!  YUM!

Food aversions?:

Not too bad, kind of depends on the day

Labor signs?: 

NO!  Stay put Baby!

We were quite frightened Thursday when I was sent to Labor & Delivery, but it was a HUGE relief to know he was fine and happy to stay put.  He was NOT happy, however, to have a monitor on him.  He would swat, kick, hit, the monitor...making for an amusing sound

Belly button in or out?: 

In, but getting less deep.  My belly button is normally REALLY deep, but not so much.  For the first time in my life, I can see the bottom of my belly button.  LOL

What I miss: 

Feeling normal lol

What I'm looking forward to: 

getting our place so I can set up Pierce's nursery

What I'm not looking forward to: 

Summer, I'm already hot! 

We've already hit 91 degrees!

Another round of pain from the hydronephrosis

Milestone: 

For me, I'm excited to know he's probably at the 2 pound mark

Yesterday, I was hit with another severe bought of pain but this time it was on my left side.  I was nearly in tears when I got to work.  I sat down and must have given him less room than he liked or something because he flipped and the pain was immediately gone.  I had called my Dr's office and when they called back they told me that next time I have pain like that, I am to go to Labor and Delivery...because they have everything at their disposal (obviously...it's the hospital lol).  And they went on to explain to me that in my ultrasound at the hospital, my doctor saw something called Hydronephrosis.  

What is hydronephrosis?  It's a condition, not disease, where the kidneys aren't allowed to drain...either properly or at all.  It causes swelling, and pain, UTI and/or UTI like symptoms, kidney stones, and if left untreated...permanent damage to the kidneys.

Basically, Pierce is laying on my entire urinary tract.  When he does, it blocks things from flowing properly, causing EXCRUCIATING pain.  Apparently, 50% of pregnancies have this condition, to varying degrees.  Most women never know they're having any blockage, others have issues like me, and some still have permanent damage.  The only "cure" is delivery.  So...I have to deal with this the rest of the pregnancy, and figure out how to change positions to get him to move.  

I've been told to drink MORE water...I already drink 2-3 liters a day!  So I've tried to increase that to 3-4 liters.  I'm peeing even more than I was...which is a lot.  I may buy stock in toilet paper.  TMI?  lol

I was stoned...

Kidney stoned!  Let me tell you, I've never had a kidney stone before, and to get my first one at 6+ months pregnant...NO FUN!  So that's why I missed my 24 week update, and any other blog post since the beginning of last week.
I woke up Thursday with some back pain, figured I just slept wrong because let's face it, I'm pregnant and with that comes back pain!  Jumped in the shower and the pain just got worse.  Tried to lay down on the couch, feet elevated, again, worse.  I finally was in so much pain I called the Dr's office.  When they told me that my doc was out of the office until Monday and sent me to Labor and Delivery, I freaked out.  I was NOT ready to deliver, I was NOT ready to face this.  I was certainly not ready to have a premature baby, not 15 weeks premature especially!!  I went and woke up J, just as calmly as I could and off we went.
I was near tears in the car.  It seemed that every block we drove, more pain.  By the time we got to the hospital (we live out in the country, it was a LONG ride) I could barely walk.  I filled out my paperwork and sat down.  When the nurse got me and asked me my pain level on a scale of 0-10, 10 being the worst pain of your entire life, I said 9.
They hooked me up to all of the monitors, we could hear Pierce's heartbeat steadily thumping away at an average of 140 beats per minute.  That was a great relief.  Then we heard this crazy THUD, THUD, SWOOP, every few beats.  I could feel what it was, but of course J didn't know what it was.  I explained to him that it was Pierce kicking, punching, or swatting at the monitor lol.  He does NOT like anything putting pressure on my belly, even a little.
Once we knew that the back pain had nothing to do with Pierce, J and I sighed a huge sigh of relief.  When we knew that, I was given an IV and pain meds!  THANK YOU!  Stadoll is awesome lol.  J has several crazy stories of what I said during the 2 hours I was affected by the meds.  First thing, as soon as it hit me, I turned and looked at him, wide-eyed, and said, "I FEEL CRAZY!"  Apparently I told the ultrasound tech who was checking my kidneys and bladder, "Just a warning, I don't have any pants on, you might see my shiny white butt...but you probably see a lot of those"  Poor guy.  I told J that the lights in the ceiling looked like frog eyes staring at me.  I told J's aunt, and father, that I didn't want any visitors because...I had no pants.  Seeing a recurring theme?  His mother came to sit with us as I was getting off of my high, I also told her I had on no pants.  I do not like people visiting me when I have no pants on...even when I am covered in a blanket and in excruciating pain.
I don't remember much of Thursday night-Saturday night.  I would take my pain meds every 4 hours, but the pain came back between 2 and 3 hours.  I don't sleep when I'm on pain medication.  I get loopy and drowsy, but might drift off for about an hour.  So, I barely slept for almost 4 days.
Saturday night I was in an amazing amount of pain, so much pain that J wanted to take me back to the hospital.  I think that's when the kidney stone was moving.  The last pain I had was Sunday morning at 530, I was shaking and crying, took my pain meds and drifted off to sleep at some point.  I woke up, SHOCKED, at noon realizing I had a)slept that long b)was in no pain.  I was scared to get up!  But, I eventually did and just found that I was extremely sore.  Like a heavyweight boxer had used my right side as a punching bag.  I was exhausted all day Sunday, and sluggish on Monday.
I'm happy to report, for the most part, I've been pain free since Sunday morning and haven't had to take any meds.  I'm still sore, and will still get a muscle crampy feeling in my side from time to time.  But, I think that's from my tendency to tense the entire right side of my core while I was hurting.

The nurse told me she had had a kidney stone in the past, and has had 2 children...she said labor will be nothing.  Yay? lol

So, here's hoping I never have another kidney stone...and I wouldn't wish this on ANYONE, not even my worst enemy

Only complaint about my 3 day weekend....

It didn't last long enough!!  lol

I took of Saturday to go to my best friend's baby shower.  Ashley and I have been bff since we were 5 years old.  Met in kindergarten at one school, when that school (private school) shut down after our first year together, our parents could have sent us each to other schools.  Since we lived in totally different school zones, it was fate that put us in another private school in the same class 1st-6th grade.  Fate played a role in our lives again, when both of our fathers (who worked at the same car plant) were transferred.  Again, we could have each been transferred anywhere in the country.  We ended up in North Alabama.  In this area, there were a million different probabilities for our schools, cities, and even counties.  Somehow, some way, our parents bought houses in the same county, in the same school district.  We didn't get put in any of the same classes, but still saw each other and had the same group of friends.  We graduated high school together, and went on with our lives.  We have remained very close.  I love that girl!  She knows me better than anyone, until J came along lol.
So, our parents were NOT surprised when she got pregnant, and exactly 4 weeks later...here I am!  LOL.  To quote her mother on facebook: "Ashley and Amanda have done everything together since kindergarten. They are due one month apart. lol"  
Her shower was monster themed, and was SO cute!  (I didn't take any pics during the shower, shame on me...so I've taken these pics from Ashley's mother's facebook...)
Our high school friends were there, we all just fell into the same groove...after not being together in over 10 years.  It really was just a nice, refreshing break from my every day.  
Summer got the CUTEST cake ever for the shower...not to mention TASTIEST!  I may have eaten two pieces of cake!  lol

Ashley's sister, Shana, made this way too cute monster diaper cake:

And, Ashley's mother made these little guys...I may BEG her to make Pierce some:

My favorites are the one eyed-buck toothed guy, and the 3 eyed guy!

My one and only request from Ashley was that she and I get a picture together...because I'm still adamant about Pierce being an only child lol.  Who knows if we'll ever be pregnant together again, much less 4 weeks apart!!  

Both pregnant with boys, I'm carrying low, she's carrying high!

I went home and crashed the rest of that day!  It was a fun day!  Ashley now lives in Tennessee, and we've only seen each other one other time while we were pregnant...we both said something to the effect of: Wow, you're bigger than I expected!  LOL...but that's what happens when a)we last saw each other at 16 and 12 weeks and b)I wear a striped dress...haha


Sunday, J and I did a whole lot of nothing...just what I wanted!!  His family came over and we had cake (it was my weekend for YUMMY cake...).  J had to leave to go to work, and I just laid in bed and watched television all night.  It was wonderful!!


J and I lazed around yesterday too...wow, I sound SUPER lazy!  
We met my darling friend, Emily and her too cute son Nathan, for dinner at my favorite place.  I introduced her into the downward spiral that is my favorite plate of nachos!  Our evening entertainment was Nathan!  He is obsessed with super heroes, and this certain little man wouldn't eat his dinner.  He had proclaimed that he was Superman, so Emily says, "Superman needs to sit down and eat his dinner"  Nathan's perfectly timed come back, he's almost 3 so it was even more funny because of his age, "Superman doesn't like that"  It is SO hard not to laugh in that situation!  You certainly don't want to encourage the behavior, but oh my goodness, HILARIOUS!  
We left there and went to an ice cream shop, delish!  As soon as the sugar hit Nathan, he was booty dancing at the table.  There was no stifling that laughter.  He's the most adorable red head.  If Emily had posted pics on her blog or facebook of his ice cream face I would share.  TOO CUTE!


And, now it's back to reality...back to work.  Boo.  lol

99 Bottles of.....water?

I guess, for now, I have to sing 99 bottles of water on the wall.
We went to the dr this morning, for our check on Pierce.  He's doing well, moving about like a champ, and does NOT like anything intruding on his space!  She pressed the Doppler on my belly and searched on the right side...no dice.  Searched the left, found it, then he ran away!  She found it again and his heart rate was good and strong between 130-140...because he was so busy trying to run away from her!!
I'm measuring right on schedule!  Yay for no huge belly!
And, my biggest victory, this is the least amount of weight I have gained between appointments!  I had gained a little too much, so I was glad that this time I had only gained 3 pounds.  I can look at pics and tell that that is all in the belly!!
And, I learned that the little mild cramps I've been having are Braxton-Hicks...yay!  Already?  Ugh.  Oh well.  From what I understand everyone has them, it's just a matter of if you actually feel them.  I feel them in my back mostly...not a big fan!  I was told to just relax with my feet up and drink water.  I'm thankful we have a stool at work!

I usually do Fur Baby Friday, but lately  Sully looks pretty scraggly.  Little monster needs a haircut!!  So, today I saw this on Raven's blog and thought I would play along...

1. Started your own blog 

Yup, June 3, 2011....Blog Virgin

dang a LOT has changed since then!

2. Slept under the stars

once when I was 5, camping with family...

again for my 13th birthday, camping in the back yard

3. Played in a band

nope, NOT musically gifted, unless you count the kazoo

4. Visited Hawaii

I WISH!

5. Watched a meteor shower

Yes, we had one this past winter

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

Sadly, I can't say I have, but I have donated a TON of clothing...

7. Been to Disneyland 

not even Disneyworld =(

8. Climbed a mountain

If you count what we call mountains around here in North Alabama, yes, I have! lol

See?  At the top!

9. Held a praying mantis

No, not holding one of those wicked looking things...

10. Sang a solo

No, thank you!  Sang in the church choir, I'll sing with a group all day

11. Bungee jumped 

I haven't found the cajones to do that yet

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightening storm

I live in Tornado Hell, I've seen a million lightening storms

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

can't say that I have...or at least that's coming to mind

15. Adopted a child

nope.

16. Had food poisoning

Oh good grief, yes.  Lasted 48 hours, pure torture.  I have never in my life been so sick...and I've had bronchitis for 6 weeks, pneumonia for 2 weeks, and once had an ear, throat, and sinus infection all at the same time

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

nope

18. Grown your own vegetables

nope

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

and nope again...

20. Slept on an overnight train

never been on a train...unless you count the time my bff, Ashley, and I played on a retired caboose at the original Whistle Stop Cafe...more history on the movie Fried Green Tomatoes

21. Had a pillow fight

My brother and I 

22. Hitch hiked

ooooh no, I've seen the horror movies!

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

who hasn't?  I don't any more, I schedule my "mental health" days lol

24. Built a snow fort

HA, I live in north Alabama, we don't get enough snow to build a fort

25. Held a lamb

No, but they're dang cute

26. Gone skinny dipping

Nope, never brave enough

27. Run a Marathon

a 5k, not a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

nope!

29. Seen a total eclipse

Yes! I was in 4th grade on a field trip to Biloxi, MS to a biology research place...it was pretty neat

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

both...when you've worked 6p-6a you've seen both in one day!

31. Hit a home run

HA, I can't hit the broad side of a barn with a ball bat...I played soccer for a reason

32. Been on a cruise

not yet

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

I'm starting to feel sheltered, no to this one too

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

Well, I haven't been to Ireland or Germany...so no

35. Seen an Amish community

No, live really dang close to several and haven't visited

36. Taught yourself a new language

Not hardly

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 

I try to be satisfied with everything in my life...but who is every truly satisfied with their financial situation unless you're a multi-millionaire? 

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

nope, here's that lack of culture thing again

39. Gone rock climbing 

I'm a wimp and don't think I have the strength...and don't want to find out that I don't by falling off of the wall!

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

nnegative

41. Sung karaoke

no.  way.  in.  the.  world.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

newp

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

gave a homeless guy everything but my burger from Mcdonalds...count?

44. Visited Africa

No thanks...it's HOT there didn't you know?  I live in the South...plenty heat here

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

Yes

46. Been transported in an ambulance

not for my own ailments, but for a total strangers...several strangers in one day.

Confused?

When I worked for 911, they had us ride with the ambulance service to see what they do in the field...I decided they didn't get paid enough to do that job!

47. Had your portrait painted

nope

48. Gone deep sea fishing

I don't enjoy shallow fishing...lol

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

nopes

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

now tell me, if I haven't been to Paris, how could I have been to the top of the Eiffel Tower?

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

In a pool...does that count?  lol  Something tells me it doesn't

52. Kissed in the rain

Other than a peck...no.  As my mother would say, "God gave you sense to come in out of the rain!"

53. Played in the mud

Heck yeah, what kid hasn't?

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

No, not many of them around here

55. Been in a movie 

do homemade movies count?

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

That culture thing again!

57. Started a business

I sold Scentsy for a while....

58. Taken a martial arts class

I don't think fitness kickboxing counts...but I rocked

59. Visited Russia

newp

60. Served at a soup kitchen

No

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

I always thought Girl Scouts were weenies, even as a kid...lol

62. Gone whale watching

oooh, one day.  And I will cry

63. Got flowers for no reason

Yes, because my husband is amazing

We had been living together 3 days, I came home and found this!

And, I've gotten my favorite, Tulips, for absolutely no reason! 

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

I'm O+, so I tried to give as often as possible prepregnancy

65. Gone sky diving 

Not even on the list of things I want to do!

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

I went to the Holocaust Memorial Museum as a 12 year old...That's the first time I remember being emotionally moved to tears 

67. Bounced a check

ugh, who hasn't as a young adult first on their own?  Blerg.  Took care of it though!

68. Flown in a helicopter

No, and no thank you

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

I have a pic of all of my toys I saved!  Minus my Barbies, my mother still has those

Meet Raggedy Ann and Andy (Made by hand by my Mama just for me), Pickles the bear, Bunny (I was really original), Snuggle Bear, and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too!

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

Yes I have! Some brave souls took our 6th grade class to Washington D.C.!

71. Eaten Caviar

absolutely NOT

72. Pieced a quilt

nope

73. Stood in Times Square

Never been to NYC

74. Toured the Everglades

Not the Everglades, but I have been to Silver Springs, and would love to go back!

75. Been fired from a job

Nope

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

Never crossed the pond

77. Broken a bone

Pinky toes count?  They're bones!

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle

Last I remember, I was 3/4 years old and held on to the gas tank cover for DEAR LIFE!  I remember enjoying it, but also being scared to death

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

No, not really interested actually

80. Published a book

Nope

81. Visited the Vatican

Not yet

82. Bought a brand new car

J and I did!  Just shy of 2 months after we started dating and one month before getting engaged!  You can say we were pretty sure about what we had together lol

83. Walked in Jerusalem

that whole never-crossed-the-pond bit...

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

As a kid

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve

no way, Jose

86. Visited the White House

We were going to visit the White House on my 6th grade D.C trip, but the World Trade Center had been bombed a few months prior and we weren't allowed in the gates...because a bunch of 11 year olds were a terror threat? LOL, I get it, I do.  

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

NO!  I caught fish as a kid, then Daddy cleaned and cooked them!

88. Had chickenpox

3rd Grade...just a few, but it was the best week out of school ever since I didn't feel poorly at all!

89. Saved someone’s life

I'm sure, nothing specific that I can remember, but I worked at 911 answering emergency calls from 2003-2007 almost 2008...and I've been working for law enforcement dispatch for 2 years now...so I'm sure.

90. Sat on a jury

Not yet, though with my law enforcement history I'm sure I'd be sent home

91. Met someone famous

3rd Grade...prior to chickenpox I think...George H. Bush came to the local air field and our class went to greet him.  He went down the line and shook everyone's hands...we were lined up in alphabetical order...I was a W, and was the LAST kid.  The last.  One more hand to shake, then a wall.  One more.  HE SHOOK MY FRIEND'S HAND THEN LEFT!  STOPPED, DIDN'T TOUCH MY HAND!  WTH?!  Yeah, still bitter lol

92. Joined a book club

um...no

93. Got a tattoo

nope, not yet

94. Had a baby

again, not yet...ask again in Sept lol

95. Seen the Alamo in person

Nope

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

i'm told I've seen it, but I don't remember

97. Been involved in a law suit

nono

98. Owned a cell phone

 I have a pic of my first two!

99. Been stung by a bee

once, luckily only once

23 Weeks

23 Weeks!

Wow, are we really down to less than 17 weeks?!

I'm about to start the freaking out phase...ya'll will pull me back to reality, right?

How far along are you? 

23 Weeks

Total weight gain: 

I'm feeling like a beached whale...already.  

Just kidding, slightly.  It's not that bad really.  

How big is baby?:

What to Expect says an ear of corn.  And right now, I'd love to sink my teeth into a delicious, buttery ear of Silver Queen corn...yum.  That sounds heavenly.  

source

source

Maternity clothes: 

Always...except for my pajamas...that's usually worth a giggle or two the past few weeks.  My belly pokes out from under the shirt unless I steal J's Army tshirts that are forever long for some reason

Now I've started just wearing a sports bra and undies, can you say COMFORTABLE?!

Stretch marks?:  

None, yet.  

Still applying Palmers religiously

But I've started getting spider veins on my belly?!  

I guess because I'm so white and just don't tan

Sleep?: 

Seems to be getting restless, I'm wondering if Pierce is moving around and that wakes me.  But, I sleep so soundly that I don't feel it

I've started waking up between 430 and 630 every morning, tossing and turning for an hour or more

Best moment this week?:

I don't know about BEST, but funniest:

J and I were riding home after dinner the other day...I had had 2 HUGE glasses of ice water and a bottle full.  Needless to say, I had to pee!!  I was doing ok, was going to make it home, until Pierce decided that he was going to use my FULL bladder for a trampoline!

Can you say oddest feeling ever?!  J started laughing at me, which made me laugh, which doesn't help the situation!  This went on for 15 minutes, luckily, I made it home!

Movement?: 

All day!  He's an active little fellow!

Food cravings?:

Still...

Popcicles!  At least I'm eating sugar free lol

and sweet sweet seedless watermelon!  YUM!

Food aversions?:

Not too bad, kind of depends on the day

Labor signs?: 

NO!  Stay put Baby!

Belly button in or out?: 

In...not sure if I think it will or won't pop

What I miss: 

bending over, putting my pants on normally...I have to do some wide legged, sitting down, funny dance and can imagine it's only going to get worse lol

What I'm looking forward to: 

getting our place so I can set up Pierce's nursery

What I'm not looking forward to: 

Summer, I'm already hot! 

We've already hit 91 degrees!

Milestone: 

I guess jumping on my bladder like it's a moon bounce!!  LOL