Maybe We Should Name him Lennox Lewis??

....after all, it seems that he's already an excellent boxer!  YES!!!!  That's right - I finally felt him move!  I recognized it for the first time a couple Fridays ago - Jan 14th (about 10:30 a.m. to be exact).  I was sitting at my desk at work and almost screamed from my cube!  I text Cody right away and sat there really still just waiting to feel the next one.  It was a pretty unproductive 30 minutes or so until I got over the shock.  And even still I have to force myself to focus on work when I feel him punching and kicking.

Ever since then, I've been feeling his little jabs consistently and I absolutely love it.  (Ok, so really it just feels like little pokes.)  For the first week, he didn't seem to be moving much in the evenings, so Cody wasn't ever around to feel him when he was active.  But this past Sunday night, we were sitting in the big chair watching a movie, and after I ate some popcorn Baby Lew got a little fiesty and Cody was able to feel him moving!  (I'm wondering if he's taking after me and was jumping up and down really excited about the popcorn, or if he was taking after Cody who hates popcorn and was trying to tell me I better not ever eat that stuff again.)  But anyway, he was really on the move in there, and I don't think I'll ever forget the look of amazement on Cody's face.  What a fantastic moment! 

Today marks the start of Week 22 - Baby Lew is approximately a pound now and the length of a spaghetti squash - about the height of our medium canister, Cody tells me :)  I am feeling great and continuing to grow.  Here's a picture taken tonight:

Oh Boy!!!

We had our sonogram on Thursday the 6^th, and it’s a BOY!!!  People have asked me if I’m disappointed I’m not having a girl, and I can honestly say that I’m 100% excited about having a boy.  I think that if I hadn’t spent as much time around our nephew Gavin, that I’d probably be a little more freaked out, but I’m seriously thrilled to be having a boy.  Of course Cody is elated as well. 

I have to say that the sonogram was probably the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced.  We could see our little guy for a good 15 minutes and were just amazed to watch him move around.  He wasn’t still for a second!  We could see his little heart beating 146 bpm and could make out all 4 chambers, we could see his spine and ribs and fingers and toes.  Even saw him yawn and his little lips were SO sweet!  The tech measured the distance between eyes, femur length, etc for signs of Downs and also checked for club foot, cleft palate, spina bifida, etc….and we felt so fortunate that everything was looking normal and healthy. 

Going into the ultra sound I was a little nervous because I hadn’t felt the baby’s movements yet.  Turns out I have an “anterior placenta” – which basically means that my placenta is at the front of my uterus so it’s acting as an extra cushion between the baby and my stomach and kind of muffles the kicks and punches, so he has to punch and kick harder for me to feel it through the placenta.  So they just said that I’ll feel it a little later than some.  At this point, they said there is nothing wrong with having an anterior placenta and made me feel like it was normal.  They did say the baby was facing the wrong direction, but that he’d probably get himself turned around, and they weren’t worried about it at this point.

Yesterday was the half-way mark, I am now 20 weeks and half way through the pregnancy.  So crazy to think that.  Here’s a belly pic from this morning, I finally feel like I’m starting to show more, YAY!

This past weekend my Mom and Don were in town to celebrate Sarah’s bday and to help us do some painting at our house.  The original plan was just to paint one of the guest bedrooms and it’s bathroom, but they were on such a roll that they also got the nursery painted.  I’ve read mixed reviews on whether pregnant women can be around paint fumes, and I wasn’t too worried about it, but mom insisted they just do it themselves and that I stay away from the fumes.  They painted form 9a-midnight on Saturday – talk about rockstars.  Wow.  But it feels SO good to get that done.  I was able to purchase our bedding during the day Saturday, too, so I’m feeling like we’ve got a great start!  Here’s a pic of the bedding from the website, but I’ll post pics of the actual room once we get furniture and get the room all set up.

The very next day after we found out we were having a boy, I snuck out over lunch to a little baby boutique up the street that was having a sale and bought a few things (ok 6 things) I couldn’t resist on.  But they were on sale!!!  I’ve promised Cody I won’t buy anything else for awhile.  I hope I can keep my promise!!

10 from 2010

Thinking back over the year today and thought that since I didn't get around to sending out Christmas cards this year, I'd do a recap via the blog.  Top 10 memories (some happier than others) from 2010, listed chronologically.

1. Dance Lessons
In January, I somehow managed to convince Cody that it would be fun to take ballroom dance lessons and he was such a great sport about it, complaining way less than I had anticipated.  :)  We went once a week for a few months and focused mainly on Rumba and East Cost Swing.  It was so much fun to be back in an environment to learn more about dance and we were able to use our new skills at weddings and when out listening to live music. 

2. Phoenix
In early April, we did a 4-day weekend trip to Phoenix to visit Cody's brother Chad, wife Sara, and their kids Ava (4) and Gavin (2).  We had so much fun playing with the kids and even got to enjoy a grown ups night out with Chad and Sara one of the nights.  Sara and I also did the annual Pat Tillman memorial run that weekend, a 4.2 mile run that ended on the 42 yard line of Sun Devil stadium - really cool experience!

They also came to visit us later in the year, here's another pic:

3. Vegas/Sarah Pf's Wedding
In early May, 8 of us headed for Vegas to celebrate one of my best girlfriend's last days as a single lady.  It was a quick trip, but we had a ton of fun.

Then, over Memorial weekend, we celebrated she and Dave's wedding in Omaha at one of the coolest, most personalized weddings I've ever attended. 

4. 10 yr Class Reunion
The first weekend of June was my 10-year high school reunion.  We had a great turnout and I really enjoyed catching up with a lot of people that I literally hadn't seen for 10 years. 

5. Cody's 30th
Cody's milestone bday happened to fall on the very weekend of my reunion.  The original plan was that he'd have to spend his 30th Bday in Beatrice making small talk with people he'd never met before.  Then he ended up having a big catering event get booked that weekend, so he stayed in KC to work (or so I'm told.....ha!) Luckily we were able to celebrate with some friends and family in the ville the following weekend and we also had a romantic dinner out just the two of us. 

This pic is not from our romantic dinner :)  But it's apparently the only one I have of the 2 of us from his bday:

6. Ozarks
4th of July at the Ozarks -- always a good time.  We were joined by the StL Macks and had fantastic weather and lots of laughs. 

7. Sarah's wedding
Sarah and Patrick tied the knot on 8-14-10 and had a really beautiful wedding day and were surrounded by many many loved ones.  They honeymooned in Maui where Sarah managed to break her arm on their first full day there.  Leave it to her.  Luckily it didn't put too much of a damper on their trip and she has fully healed since.

8. Grandma

Also in August, sadly, we lost my Grandma Mack.  In the first part of 2010, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure (she was already coping with dementia and severe hearing loss) and her health declined rather quickly from that point.  On 8/18/2010, at the age of 83, she passed on to the next life.  She was at home, surrounded by Grandpa and some of her children who prayed the rosary as she took her final breath. 

I choose not to remember her as she was those last few months, but as she was when Sarah and I were kids and spent every day after school and a lot of our summers with her.  She was fun and silly and had so many choices of cereal for after school snacks!   (This is probably why I once called my sister “Cereal” in my sleep and is still a common nickname I use for herJ)  I used to love watching her and Grandpa’s morning routine before Grandpa left for work, especially the part where they always kissed and she called him by his full name, John Arthur, as she said goodbye for the day.  She was famous for her apple pie as well as her sweetheart cookies – getting a tin of those cookies when I was in college was the best!  Anyway – I think of her often – usually not with a dry eye and I miss her dearly, but am comforted by all of the wonderful memories I’ve had with her.

9. Baby Lew
Our highlight of the year was on Sept 30th, 2010 -- we learned our first baby was on the way and our little family was growing!  Due date is 5/31/11.  This is the first grandbaby for my parents, and will be the 3rd for Cody's.  We can't wait to meet our little one!!

10. Various other memories:

• In June, my uncle and godfather, Randy, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor.  Although the tumor is inoperable, he has been courageously battling it with chemo and radiation and taking things day by day.   Something like this sure can make you feel helpless, so we have been relying on the power of prayer and will continue to do so.
• Both my sister and Cody's sister Cristin lived with us for part of the year - both had leases run out and were in need of some short term housing, so for awhile Cody was living with 3 women!  Us girls had so much fun watching our girly TV shows together and sharing closets.  Cody did a lot of eye-rolling as we yelled at the TV during our ridiculously addicting reality tv shows. 
• Was invited to join a cooking club where about 7 of us girls got together to try new recipes, drink wine, and watch Grey's.
• Hosted SND's (Sunday Night Dinners) for family and friends where Cody outdid himself each time with his culinary creations.  
• Were able to cross a few more KC restaurants off our "to try" list:  The American, Michael Smith, Extra Virgin, R Bar, Starker's, and Broadmoor Bistro.   Some seriously impressive places.
• Enjoyed multiple girls weekends
• Participated in various 5k's 
• Work: Cody is still with Aramark and had a L.O.N.G. year working 2 people's jobs for about 7 months.  Luckily in early Sept, he got a replacement manager hired and I have been so thankful to have my husband back.  I had my 3rd anniversary in October with Burns & McDonnell Engineering company's finance dept and I feel lucky to have really great coworkers there.  We work some long hours at times, but it definitely helps when you really like your coworkers. 

We are looking forward to 2011 and especially all the joys that becoming parents will bring.  We hope you all had a very blessed holiday season and were able to spend time with those you love.  Cheers to 2011!

Sweet Little Turnip

Week 17 started yesterday and we have ourselves a 5 inch turnip-sized baby.  He/she can move their joints, and sweat glands are starting to develop.  Also the skeletal frame is hardening from cartilage to bone.  I just love marveling at everything going on in there - it just amazes me every week when I get the updates emailed to me. 

This morning I got great news from the doctor's office that our penta screening results came back just as we were hoping - negative to Downs, neural tube defects, and Trisomy 18.  Thanks be to God!!!

Last weekend we had Christmas in Maryville with Cody's family and his sisters and mom were so sweet to give us a few things for the baby....I have to say a highlight was Cody's baby bib that Rita Ann had managed to save all these years and I just love picturing our baby wearing it (even though it's embroidered with "Cody" on it!)  It was amazing to me how great of shape it's in as it's a cloth bib that I'm sure went through the washer countless times. 

This weekend we'll be in NE to celebrate Christmas and will get to spend time with both mom and dad's sides over the weekend.  I also have a super fun lunch date planned with my phi mu besties on Monday in Omaha - can't wait! 

Oh - and if you've got a spare prayer, please send one up for my Grandpa who was admitted to the hospital Monday afternoon and we're praying he'll be out in time for Christmas.  He has some fluid around his lungs as well as a painful infection in his legs and his legs were giving out on him when he tried to walk.  Makes me sad to think of him in the hospital - especially at Christmastime.

On a lighter note....2 weeks from today until we find out if we're having a boy or a girl!!  Anyone have any feelings one way or another?  It's always interesting to me to hear people who "just have a feeling" :) 

16 Week update

Today is the start of week 16, and I’ve been feeling really good lately.  I’m not quite as tired as I was in the first trimester and last night I was even able to jog a little which felt really good (don’t think I’ve even attempted since early October).  I was really surprised that I was able to make it even a mile because I have been so irregular with any form of exercise.  Like 1-2 times a week, sometimes not at all.  Oopsy. 

My goal for the 2^nd trimester is to be better about making time for exercise.  I’ve been working long hours and using that as an excuse, but I need to just make the effort.  I feel so much better about myself when I’m do.  I am really going to try to get in 3-4 days a week.  I’m not doing anything that’s high impact at all…just walking on the treadmill or doing the elliptical for my cardio, and then sometimes will talk myself into doing some light weights and toning work. 

This week the baby is 4 ½ inches, and they say the size of an avocado.  (Are avocados really 4 ½ inches long?  Week 15’s size was the size of my fist – an avocado seems like a regression, doesn’t it?  Maybe I just need to do more cooking.)  A lot of the reading I’ve been doing says that 16 weeks is about the earliest that movements from the baby can be felt, but that some moms don’t feel anything even until week 20 or so.  I hope I don’t have to wait that long!  Every night I lay in bed and try to figure out if I’m feeling anything and then I’m pretty sure I just start imagining feelings that aren’t really there. 

Yesterday I had a penta test which is a blood test that screens for chromosomal abnormalities (things such as Downs Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and other neural tube defects).  We have to wait for about a week to get the results back….in the meantime, I’m trying not to think about it because it’s not something we can change the outcome of and we’ll love the baby just the same no matter what the results.  Still – it’s a little unnerving thinking about the what-ifs, and of course no parent wants to hear that their baby is anything but perfectly healthy.  All we can do is continue to pray and put it in God’s hands.

January 6^th is the date of our sonogram and we’ll find out if we’re having a boy or girl….stay tuned!

So far still targeting May 31^st as our due date!

Maternity Pants = BFF

I am 2 days away from being at 15 weeks and already I caved and bought some maternity pants.  Am I depressed about having to do this already?  NO!!!!! I am in heaven!!  I am more comfortable than I've been for the past 3-4 weeks.  Granted, I probably didn't technically need maternity pants yet, but I needed a bigger size and didn't want to buy 2 rounds of new pants.  So, straight for the maternity pants I went this weekend (while I was supposed to be Christmas shopping for others).  Not sure if you can tell, but I am super happy in my new pants:

Here's a side pic...the bump looks bigger when I look down at it.  I was surprised when I saw the picture that it didn't look bigger.  At any rate, I'm getting there!!

Early Achiever

So my good friend Shelby gave me some great encouragement that has stuck with me regarding the advanced nature of my weight gain….she said she liked to refer to herself as an “early gainer” at that stage in her pregnancy.  I think I’ll do one better and refer to myself as an Early Achiever.  Yes, I do like the sound of that!

p.s. Thanks to many for boosting my spirits after the last post.  You helped a ton!