6 months!!

I am about 3 weeks away from starting my third (and final!) trimester. I am getting big! Most of my shirts do not fit but luckily, I am off work and can get by with wearing a few tops and my maternity jeans. Baby girl moves like crazy and even jerks me around sometimes when I am trying to sleep. But, I know that my belly will get way bigger and so will she and the kicks. Kary can now feel the kicks very easily and his favorite thing to do is talk to her and lay his head on my belly. When we talk on the phone I put him on speaker phone and set it on my belly and I swear she starts kicking when she hears her daddy.

We got a lullaby cd...it's queen songs covered as lullabies. My favorite is "fat bottom girls" and "bohemian rhapsody"...haha





We are starting to totally clean out the baby room to make space for the stuff we'll get at the shower. Kary put a shelf in her closet and folded her tiny clothes...so cute. We still had to kind of throw stuff in there but we are making progress. Kary hung a stuffed animal storage thing from ikea and put a few in there...it's starting to look more like a tiny person's room. There is a bunch of crap...books, records, games, etc that we need to find places for. Our 1100 square foot townhouse is starting to feel very tiny and we haven't even gotten half the crap we'll have by the time she arrives.


I have been feeling pretty good. My stress level is way down since I am no longer having to yell at 2nd graders all day. I have been working out every day for 30 minutes and then when Kary gets off work we go for a long walk with the dogs. I am trying not to eat too much since I am home all day so I make sure not to buy too many tempting foods. Although last night I went to the store at 11pm to get lays potato chips and french onion dip...I had to have it! My asthma has been pretty controlled for the most part. It is a daily issue but I am getting used to it. I am still pretty freaked out about taking asmanex. It is considered a "class c" medication which is not good...but my doctor said me not breathing well is going to affect her more. Plus I am approaching my 3rd trimester and did not touch any meds 1st and most of 2nd trimester so I hope everything will be ok with her.





I enjoy being home with my dogs during the day but we have all been feeling the heat and haven't been able to go out to play. So we spend most of the day cuddling. Brixton just recently started cuddling my belly and she twitches her ears when the baby kicks. so cute! please excuse my gigantic translucent thighs but Brixton just looked too cute not to post the pic. This weekend my plan is to get a bit of a tan!

The shower is in 6 days. We are getting excited! I can't help but look at the registry. So far we only have 10 items from the registry. I am getting a little nervous because there is so much we need and we really don't have the $ to buy much. Most likely people are procrastinating. That is my problem too ;-) Either way, she'll get what she needs one way or another. I am also very happy that Kary will be attending the shower and opening gifts with me. I know that is very important to him. I will be sure to post lots of pictures from the shower.

baby jitters!!!

Now that the school year is over and I am home with tons of free time, the anxiety has set in! I still have about 16 weeks left but the thought of labor still freaks me out. I have been watching baby shows today and I watch in horror and concern. Kary told me to stop yelling, "OH MY GOD!" last night...then he looked up at the screen and yelled, "OH MY GOD!" They were talking about and showing the "mucus plug"...GROSS! I have figured out that I think I'd rather not know some things and just let it happen. I usually get more anxious when I am too prepared. We are planning on taking the tour of the hospital and the infant CPR class but I think I am going to skip any class that informs me of too much..yikes! Plus, I already spent 180 days in class this year.

This weekend we got a package in the mail from my sister-in-law Sarah. She won't be able to make the shower :-( She sent us some pacifiers, a bottle brush and an adorable bouncy seat that I LOVE! It has little birds and frogs on it and it goes with our whole little woodland creature theme (we've changed from monsters since we are having a little girl) Kary loves to put things together, and even though we won't be needing it for a few months he set up the seat. It's so cute! Kary pulled the string attached to the frog and it started to play music. Brooklyn and Brixton did not enjoy the seat, in fact it freaked them out. Brixton was terrified to go near it and Brooklyn would cry every time we pulled the string and the music played. So funny! They are going to be so freaked out the next few months and wait until she comes home...haha! For now I am just relaxing and have a feeling these next few months are going to draaaaaaaaaag. We'll see...my shower is in about 10 days...super excited! That will give me something to do this summer...ORGANIZE!


Here are a few more pics of the dogs exploring the "mysterious" new object.

good dogs, ocean breeze and doctor update

hello from dad! I have a feeling this will be his face after he's had enough baby screaming...




This past weekend the Filos came to visit. Kary and I were nervous about how Brooklyn and Brixton would do with tiny Isla and wild Mason coming to our house. Brooklyn growls at kids from afar and wasn't too friendly to Mason when he was a baby. We really did not want there to be drama and we wanted them to behave so when we bring our baby home they will be good with her. To our surprise they were awesome! Brooklyn just wandered around as usual and didn't bark or growl at all. Brixton followed Isla around as she crawled and licked her toes and fingers. They were good friends and Isla kept giggling and crawling after Brixton trying to grab her nub. One less thing to worry about in all this baby prepping.
Saturday we all met up in Myrtle beach. Kary and I didn't get there until about 10:00pm. However, we still managed to get some time in the lazy river and I got to soak my feet in the jacuzzi (not best place for a preggo). We were up at 6am the next day and ready for some beach/ pool action. I spent most of the day hopping over waves and sitting on shore letting the water crash all over me. We jumped from the beach to the pools and it was awesome to enjoy the water and sun. Being pregnant limited me in ways I am not used to. First of all I felt very insecure walking around in my maternity bathing suit. I felt gigantic! I did not let anyone take my picture and felt like I was about 300 pounds. Everyone had cocktails at the pool...not me...and I could not boogie board which I love. But, it's all about sacrifices and I do it all for my baby girl.
Yesterday I went to my monthly OBGYN appointment. In 23 weeks I have gained 13 pounds..which I think is great! I have gained nothing since my last appointment. The doctor said I am right on track and really only need to gain about 25 pounds total. Baby girl's heartbeat is 153/ minute and I am measuring fine. My doctor gave me the ok to go back on my asthma meds (thank god!) and prescribed me some antibiotics for this nasty cold I've had for weeks. My next appointment I will need to have the sugar test to check for pregnancy diabetes.
I only have 2 more days of school..then 2 days of clean up and I am free! After the past few months I really need a break and a good rest for my body. I can't wait to just relax and take care of me and baby. Kary and I are getting excited about the baby shower and she has been kicking like crazy lately. Now I can see my belly bouncing and can feel her much easier. She's a rambunctious little one...can't wait to meet her in 17 weeks :-)




a co-worker of mine gave me this adorable bunny themed gift today. It is a sleeper, bib, blanket, socks and booties. She also gave us a big pack of receiving blankets. She is so sweet. Patricia rocks!

18 weeks left!

So I have noticed I am starting to feel all the body discomforts this week I have been reading about. I have a constant pain in my left ribs (from expanding maybe?) and I am finding it harder to sleep. I sleep on my side but have needed a pillow between my knees lately to stay comfortable.


I have been feeling so much kicking lately. It's awesome! She always kicks after I eat a full meal and sit still. I think she sleeps all day while I am running around and teaching. I actually saw my belly move the other night. It was awesome.





Kary was out of town this past weekend which was very booooooring...but I survived. I managed to get a lot cleaned and made great progress on getting rid of lots of things we don't need (or have space for) I am definitely the opposite of a hoarder...I want it all gone!

Here are a few cute items we have acquired over the past few months. Kary and I bought the ACDC onesie before we found out the sex. Sean made us the monster and "pirate in training" onesies and Kary's mom got us the adorable dress. The lamp is the center of our bedroom theme. We LOVE it!











My next appointment is a week from today and my shower is in 25 days! I'm getting excited!

21 weeks...feeling good.

I thought I'd post a picture proving that the bloating has not taken over yet ;-) however, I know it is inevitable...may actually be pretty funny. I started week 21 yesterday and even though I had to call in sick due to asthma-related issues I am feeling good today. I am feeling kicks often now and it is so cool. She is most active when I sit down. Kary is still having difficulty feeling them all the time but that should change in a few weeks when she really starts to grow. We went through our registry and have added and deleted some stuff. It is insane how many expensive things such a tiny little person needs. We are hoping we get most of what we need at the showers and don't have to break the bank to prepare for her. I am in the process of planning out my maternity leave. At first I thought an October baby wasn't the best situation for a teacher's schedule but actually it could work out nicely. I am planning to take off all of October and November and ideally I'd like to be off until the new year but that all depends on if we can afford for me to do that. Kary's job is going fantastic but it takes years for a hair stylist to really make good money. We'll just have to see. I would really like to spend as much time with her as possible. They grow so fast! My pregnancy seems to be flying and dragging all at the same time. We are starting to organize and design the room and have adapted our four-legged babies' sleeping arrangements so they are not too shocked when baby arrives. I am almost done teaching for the year and cannot wait to relax this summer and just concentrate on staying healthy and nurturing my little baby girl.

Baby Prepping Chaos!

Today we decided to go baby registering. So, after an 8 hour workday (with no break) I came home, changed and we were off. We stopped at Panera first and I ate a delicious veggie sandwich and a big salad to get me energized. The people at Babies 'R' Us were very nice. Maryanne (from Pittsburgh) stared into my soul as she explained lots of things to me, many of which I already know (thanks to Lynn!) We took the info from her along with my awesome list Lynn helped me make last weekend over lunch. We went through each section. Kary had the scanner mostly because I am incredibly indecisive. I would have wavered between every option. We spent about 2 hours at babies 'r' us and a worker named Dean would pop up every few aisles and explain things that Maryanne already told us. Kary would pretend to shoot himself with the scanner as Dean walked away. But he was a sweet little old hairy man. We registered for a lot there and after about 4 trips to the bathroom, a few rests in the glider and sore feet we were done and off to target.
When we got to target it was a much different experience...no congratulations...no help. Just a pissy woman handing us a scanner and saying, "You're supposed to get a gift bag but we haven't had any in months so...yeah." We knew just what we wanted at target due to our weekly visits so we started scanning away. It was not as overwhelming. We didn't get as much and may need to add some stuff. We weren't there too long and by the time we left it was pouring down rain.
When we got home we decided to take a look at everything we already have and we pulled it all out of the closet.





By the time we did this we were so tired but managed to somewhat organize it and put it all back in. She already has quite a lot for such a small person.






After a very long day now I have a hyper baby. I was eating some mac 'n' cheese and while resting my bowl on my belly she let out a kick..I think she approves of all the stuff we picked out ;-)

Halfway there, Baby!!!!!

So I am now 20 weeks...halfway there!! Finally I am looking pregnant.(but still rockin my skinny jeans...booyah!) I've noticed people treat you a lot nicer when you're knocked up. It's weird to be walking through the grocery store and have people just smile at me after looking at my belly. I have been feeling pretty good pregnancy-wise but came down with the bad cold this week and had to take tylenol for the first time since I got pregnant. I also just found out I have to wear my heart rate monitor for another 2 weeks!! no!! It is so uncomfortable. This past week I have been attempting to sleep with a horrible stuffed nose, sore throat, and a big 'ol heart monitor digging into my side...luckily a tiny little kick from baby girl makes it all better. Today we bought our first girl clothes. We had to add pink to our androgynous baby wardrobe...but she will not be a pink freak...with the exception of her frilly pink tutu ;-)