The uncomforts of pregnancy

25 weeks 4 days

It's hot. That should be enough to sum up how I feel. Fan on, under the air vent, down to the basics in clothing, it's hot. Those who brag about having no humidity (Ryland being one of those) are liars. Three in the afternoon on a playground with no shade feels as muggy as the swamp lands. But if the temperature is the most of my concerns, then things are going great.

The nursery is coming together. I was a smart shopper and beat Babies R Us at the pricing game. I got one curtain for the room at 40% off and the other at 25% off. I am very proud of myself.

Lamaze is going good. We got to tour the new baby wing and it was pretty cool. Very clean and warm and spacious. We also watched the birthing video in class. I am happy to report that both of us made it through the viewing.

Miss Madelynn is healthy!

We had the follow up ultrasound today and learned two things. First, there are no longer any cysts in the brain, they cleared up on their own. Second, the child is very stubborn and refuses to show her face or her private regions. Last ultrasound she kept turning her face away. This time she kept her hands in front the whole time. We did manage to get a blurry profile shot and some face shot of an alien. As for her other end, she kept her thighs very tight together, I think just to annoy the tech.

She is growing though, I've added about 4 1/2 lbs this month, so 11 total. When the doc measured my belly it measured at 27 weeks. FYI...I'm only 23 weeks, today. So she's big for her age.

Sadly, this was my last appointment with my OB since she's moving her practice to another hospital. My next appointment with my new doc will include the lovely sugar test. But after that, it goes to every other week, then every week appointments, so we're on the downhill slide.

Testing the Limits of the Stretchy Shirt

20 weeks, 4 days

Madelynn is slowly creeping her way out. Luckily for me, it's all belly right now, and all baby. She's kicking more and more. Last Monday I felt her from the outside for the first time. I was sitting on the floor in class as my kids were napping and all of the sudden something moved my hand on my stomach. Probably one of the coolest feelings ever. So of course Ryland tried and tried to feel her kick. Everytime he came near she's stop moving. As soo as he was out of reach she'd start up again. He finally felt her move Thursday night, and was pretty amazed by it. She has yet to make a repeat performance for him.

It's a girl!

Madelynn Grace will be here in 20 weeks, which is overwhelming. So far so good. The ultrasound tech saw some cysts in the ventricles in the brain, but the doctor didn't seem too concerned, said with no other abnormalities it's a common thing that usually goes away. According to what we read on the trusty internet, 1 in 40 pregnancies have them and 90% of those turn out to be nothing. The other 10% have some genetic defects, but the doctor says it's nothing, so we're going to believe that. We have another ultrasound scheduled for June 2nd not just to look at the brain, but also because Madelynn was stubborn and refused to show her face and a face shoot is on the list of things they need from an ultrasound.

The doctor is also no longer my friend because she said I had to give up fried, rich foods because I've been having some gall bladder pain. If I give up those foods, what will I eat. I mean, seriously, I've only gained 6.5 lbs in 19 weeks, I need fatty foods.

It's been awhile

So, I'm lazy and always mean to post, but never do. Since the last photo I've grown (a lot), six pounds gained, which in three months isn't bad. I also cut my hair and I'm starting to look more and more like my mother.

Baby now has a crib, changing table, rocking chair, stroller, car seat, high chair, and some clothes. Sweet Pea is getting loaded with gifts and such. There is also a British guard/cuddly teddy bear, who came all the way from Harrod's in London courtesy of Grandma Jane, protecting the crib.

Ryland was a mad man when it came to assembling the crib, took him less than an hour with no swear words, which is impressive.

Baby Brown's 1st modeling session

We got to see Baby Brown on the 10th (I'm a little slow on updating). He/She was 5 cm long, had a great heart rate of 150 and liked to stand on his/her head. Dr. Moore said everything looks great and so far their are no problems. Plus I haven't gained or lost weight, though my pants say differently. I was alarmed at this, but apparently I'm perfect and right on track.

Baby currently likes red meat, milk, and pickles. Bread is now the enemy and taste very much like what I assume dirt from the bottom of my shoe tastes like.

Our home is slowly being taken over by small items. First it was just an outfit or two. Now we have a high chair, a bassinet, a rocker and ottoman, a car seat, and next week we pick up the crib and changing table. To be so long from being due it seems like everything is coming together very quickly.

From the beginning until now

Where it all started, well not really (no one wants a picture of that). We found out January 21st during the premiere of Lost, which was very fitting since we spent our honeymoon lying in bed watching the first season of Lost on DVD. After the home test, the doctor's office test, the medical history appointment, we now wait to hear the heartbeat and see the first images next Tuesday. Now here we are at 10 weeks (pic is at 9 weeks 4 days), 211 days from EDD of Sept. 29th.