23 Week Belly Photos

A certain little boy I know was not pleased we were taking belly photos!  He wanted me to play train with him... Note the hand in every photo!

23 Weeks

How far along: 23 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +10 lbs - The dreaded double digits are here... Darn holiday tasty foods

Pregnancy Symptoms: Back pain, the "I swallowed a watermelon" look, headaches - especially in the morning, pregnancy brain, sciatic pain - move Baby please!!!, difficulty sleeping, left foot pain from my previous break
Maternity clothes: All the way!
Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: 5ish hours
Best moment last week: Dreaming of celebrating Christmas with a family of 4 next year!
Movement: Getting a little bit stronger and more frequent in the evenings
Food cravings: Chocolate Mouse - We made some with tofu instead of raw egg - Way NOT the same!
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button (in or out): I'm an outie!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I miss: Carrying Miles without getting winded
What I am looking forward to: More Baby movement - I feel this little one is very layed back based on what I have felt thus far
Milestones: 1 more week and we will have made it to the magical 24 weeks when Baby can make it in the NICU if needed

Merry Christmas Baby

It is days like today when Baby just cannot get here fast enough!  I have always loved Christmas, but Christmas takes on a complete new meaning when you have kids.  Miles had such a wonderful time today and I know that next year will be even better with both Miles and Baby enjoying themselves.

Baby may have spent most of today sleeping inmy belly, but Baby was not forgotten.  Baby's collection of items is really beginning to grow!  I am going to have to get to organizing Miles and Baby's room here VERY soon!

Baby's Christmas Gifts from Mommy, Daddy and Miles

Baby even helped Miles and Daddy pick out some Christmas presents for Mommy.  Apparently Miles is anticipating that Baby is going to want to make lots of sweet treats together, as Miles and Baby gave me some new kitchen items!

My new KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker

My new, totally awesome, professional baking pans



Baby's Bassinet Has Arrived in Maryland

One of the best parts about meeting up with Nana and Pop for Christmas this weekend is that Daddy and I were able to bring home the family bassinet to begin to get Baby's "space" set up for Baby.  I am not sure exactly when the bassinet was built by my Uncle Charlie, but I apparently loved it as an infant.  Miles followed in my footsteps, and loved it too.  He slept in it until we moved home in July 2010 when he was almost 6 months old.  Lets hope Baby loves it too, even though the plan is for Baby to only sleep in it until Baby is sleeping through the night and able to move into their new room with Miles.

22 Weeks

Baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that Baby finds gentle music and my voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, Baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

How far along: 22 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +8.5 lbs

Pregnancy Symptoms: Back pain, growing bump, headaches - especially in the morning, pregnancy brain, sciatic pain - move Baby please!!!, difficulty sleeping, frequent urination
Maternity clothes: All the way!
Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: 3-4 hours this week... Way too much time laying in bed snuggling with my pillow not asleep
Best moment last week: Daddy finally feeling Baby kick
Movement: Getting a little bit stronger and more frequent
Food cravings: Root Beer
Gender: ????
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button (in or out): On the cusp
What I miss: Sleeping
What I am looking forward to: Miles feeling Baby kick
Milestones: Daddy felt Baby kick!

Stigall Christmas

This weekend Baby made his/her first trip to Ohio.  We celebrated Stigall Christmas in Athens, Ohio at Aunt Alycia, Uncle Dan, Max and Josie's house.  Of course Nana and Pop were there as well.  The weekend was a wonderful time watching Miles and Max play together.  Josie kept whispering to me that she was hoping that Baby is a girl so that she has someone special to play with like Max and Miles.  I kept assuring Josie that even if Baby is a boy, I will be her special friend to play girlie things with.  I am not sure she was entirely happy with that response.  I guess Josie is putting her official vote in for wanting a little girl cousin.  We will have to see... You never know, the boys may really rule the house one of these days.

Even though Baby is not even hear yet, Baby sure did "clean up" at Christmas!  Thanks for all the great outfits and toys Nana, Pop, Aunt Alycia, Uncle Dan, Max and Josie.  Also, a special thanks to the hand me down Boppy seat!  I am so excited for Baby to sit in it.  One of my favorite pictures of Miles was on his 3rd month birthday of him in a Boppy seat... Let's hope Baby loves the seat as much as Miles did!

Daddy FINALLY Felt Baby Kick!!!

As we were getting ready for bed tonight, Baby was a little extra "wiggly," so I realized it was the perfect time... Time for Daddy to finally feel Baby dancing around.  I was right!  Daddy was so happy to finally get to feel Baby kicking!!!!!!!!!!

We Ordered Miles Bunk Beds, so Baby has a Bed Soon

Today was the big day that I began to accept that my Miles is going to be a big brother soon, meaning we either need to buy Baby a crib of their own, or get Miles a "big boy bed" so that Baby can use the crib.  We made the decision, and decided to take a leap of faith right off the cliff... Today we purchased a set of bunk beds.  The bunk beds are wonderful.  They split into two twins, so until Miles is big enough for bunk beds he will have a twin bed and Baby will be in the crib.  The goal is for Miles and Baby to either share a room (if Baby is a Boy) or at least share a room until it is not appropriate anymore (if Baby is a Girl).  With that being said, after Baby grows out of the crib, Miles and Baby will have matching twin beds until Miles is old enough to sleep with the beds bunked.  We did not buy the mattress yet, as we did not like the price at the furniture, so Miles cannot begin to make the transition our of the crib yet.  I guess I had better get busy planning the new nursery so that I can get shopping on Miles mattress and bedding, clearing way for Baby's big arrival!

The new twin/bunk beds

The crib Baby will be using

21 Week Belly Photos

21 Weeks

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, I am having to think about what I want Baby to eat as I prepare my own lunch.

How far along: 21 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +7.5 lbs

Pregnancy Symptoms: Back pain, growing bump, headaches, pregnancy brain, sciatic pain, hunger all the time, difficulty sleeping, frequent urination, strong nails
Maternity clothes: All the way!
Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: 5-7 hours, depending on the night and how much I can actually sleep
Best moment last week: An increase in Baby kicking, especially in the evening
Movement: Getting a little bit stronger, but Chris is still unable to feel Baby
Food cravings: Cookies
Gender: Can't put my finger on one this week
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button (in or out): In, but stretching, stretching, stretching!
What I miss: Sleeping and being comfortable
What I am looking forward to: Daddy feeling Baby kick
Milestones: Baby is really beginning to get active in there!

Monthly OB Appointment

This month's OB appointment went well.  Baby is developing great with a heartbeat of 150 bpm.  I am measuring right on track for our due date.  So far things are looking pretty good.  One somewhat concerning finding from today is that I am unfortunately following in my previous footsteps and my blood pressure is beginning to run consistently low, especially with the amount of stress I am under at work.  I could tell by the conversation with my OB that she is a little concerned with the stress level I am under at work.  I guess I had better keep things in check as much as I can with new clinical buildings opening one week after our due date... It is going to be a close one!

Hopkins Holiday Party

Bumpies at the annual Hopkins PM&R Holiday Party!

20 Week Belly Photos

20 Weeks - Half Way There!!!

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... Baby's genitals are now fully formed!

How far along: 20 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +6.5 lbs

Pregnancy Symptoms: Back pain, growing bump, headaches, pregnancy brain, sciatic pain, hunger all the time, difficulty sleeping, frequent urination, strong nails
Maternity clothes: All the way!
Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: 5-7 hours, depending on the night and how much I can actually sleep
Best moment last week: An increase in Baby kicking, especially in the evening
Movement: Getting a little bit stronger, but Chris is still unable to feel Baby
Food cravings: Cookies
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button (in or out): In, but stretching, stretching, stretching!
What I miss: Sleeping and being comfortable
What I am looking forward to: Daddy and Miles feeling Baby kick
Milestones: We made it to half way!!! 

Decorating the Tree

Our tree has been up for several days... It is about time that we got around to pulling out the rest of the decorations and ornaments!  We were all having a wonderful time, until we unwrapped the very first ornament.  Unfortunately, it was a very breakable train.  Miles was VERY EXCITED to play with it.  You can imagine how hard it was on him that we didn't let him play with it and only let him help us hang it on the tree.  After the train ornament was up, we almost immediately had to distract Miles by letting him watch Polar Express for a while as we began decorating the tree.

Eventually, Miles was a wonderful helper!

Miles cannot wait to show Baby what you are suppose to do with ornaments next year!

We Have our Boy and Girl Names all Picked and Ready to Go!

After what has felt like forever, Daddy and I have finally decided on both Baby Boy and Baby Girl names.  The girl names were very easy, as we both love the names that we picked out when we were pregnant with Miles.  The boy names on the other hand, that was a struggle for us.  We never really viewed ourselves to be fortunate enough to have another Baby, so we never even spoke of any back-up names for Miles.  We were starting from scratch.  We searched numerous websites and then I dug my nose into a baby name book, starting with A and ending with Z.  After nights of throwing out names well into the wee hours of the morning, we finished the book.  At that point, we had a list of 10-15 boy names that we quickly dwindles down to 5.  We slept on the names for a few days and brought up the conversation today,  Luckily, we are in complete agreement about our Baby Boy first and middle names... The original names I threw out before we looked through any websites or through the book.  Maybe I should just start going with my gut a bit more!  I cannot express how excited I feel now that we know our Baby Boy and Baby Girl names.

Making Room for Baby

Today we decided that we are going to buy Miles a "big boy bed," so that Baby can have the crib upon arrival.  As we live in a row home, finding room for multiple folks to sleep in one room can become a bit challenging, so in planning for the future, we have decided to buy Miles bunk beds.  If Baby is a boy, then the bunk beds will be for the boys to share.  If Baby is a girl, them Miles will eventually have a place for a friend to sleep once Miles and Baby no longer share a room.  We are planning to only build one bed for now, as Miles is far too young to have a set of bunk beds all to himself, however one day we will build the second bed for Baby, and when they are old enough, we will bunk them.

Here are the beds that we have chosen... We are just waiting for them to go on sale before we buy them.  After all, we do have a bit of time to spare!