9 Weeks To Go

Two months and one week sounds like long time.

Nine weeks OR LESS sounds like TOMORROW!

Either way, I'm 31 weeks today!

Where has the time gone?!

These past two weeks have been so much fun.

I've had really bad back pain, I am exhausted by the end of the day, and my feet hurt,

but Emerson has really kept my spirits up! She kicks and squirms and dances more than ever now.

Sometimes it feels like she is taking her hand or foot and is moving it from one side to the other.

I love it so much!

So today, "E" is about the size of a Pineapple. Mmm, I LOVE pineapple:)

"She's about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds this month.

She's getting so big, she's probably crowding your lungs."

She's going through major brain and nerve development.

Eye development, too. Her irises now react to light!

All five of her senses are in working order.

                                                                -The Bump

You know, we read all of the things that the baby is developing from week to week, but how amazing is it?! In just 9 very short months, babies grow from nothing to a full BABY. One that can blink and breathe and poop and sleep. Someone that has fingernails and certain reflexes and a very eager brain.

HOW GOOD IS OUR GOD!

I can't seem to figure out how people do not believe in God.

Forget (for a minute) everything that he has already created, birth and babies ALONE should have you on your knees thanking God for everything, every moment of the day.

What a BIG little miracle they are!

And I cannot WAIT to meet mine!

One "big deal" thing we are fixing to do is get a 3D/4D ultrasound.

I am so nervous! If she's positioned right, we will see what she looks like.

Seriously.

This is SO very real now.

Whose nose will she have?

Will she have hair? What color will it be? Will she be bald?

Does she already have the most perfect chubby cheeks?

What about her lips, what will they look like?

I mean, are you kidding me?!

WE'LL SEE WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE!!!

no big deal.

Take a look at this picture. On the left is a baby in the 3D

ultrasound and on the right is the same baby four months old.

Wow.

So that appointment is Thursday, March 8. :)

I've had trouble finding the right crib bedding, so we've decided to have it made.

I actually already had almost all of the fabric. A little material from our bedroom, a little from my old house, a little this and a little that. It surprisingly all works together. It is NOT your typical female crib bedding. No pink, no fairies, no fru fru at all. (Imagine that)

Who wants "typical" anyway? lol If you know me, you know I like to find different ways of doing things, I like to be original.

Well, this. is. original.

I have this fabulous interior designer I've been working with!

I call her Mama. lol

I am so very lucky to have a professional interior designer as a mama. And she's good:)

We're also going to incorporate a lot of family heirlooms. Sentimental things are so perfect.

The nursery inspiration is not what you would expect. It's a plate from my everyday china!

Lenox Chirp salad plate.

Just the colors, not the birds.

I know what you're thinking..."Hmm, interesting."

Just wait and seeee:)

My best friend and I were talking the other day about what Emerson does NOT want and what she WON'T be wearing! lol One of the things was those DARN SQUEAKING SHOES!

I know they are the "hot thing" and mamas are justa buying them up. Not me!

I kept the church nursery when they first got big. There were like 5 little girls with those things on. I can't handle it. Holly said she had to figure out how to "jokingly" put that on the shower invitation!

 haha But don't worry, if I get them as a gift, they are super cute! I can just take the squeaker out. lol

29th Week

Today marks my 29th week!

11 more to go.

Emerson has really blossomed lately. Really.

People keep asking, "You got twins in there?!"

"My goodness, you're about to POP!"

No, but thanks.

Danny seems to think she's going to come out walking.

People will say anything. lol

The Bump says she's about the size of an Acorn Squash...

"Baby already measures about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long. Right now, she weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds but she's still got a ways to go -- can you believe she'll triple in weight before birth?"

She's getting a little cramped in there, since she's growing so fast. But you probably already realize that, since you're getting all those jabs and kicks.

She's growing white fat deposits under her skin, and her energy is surging because of it.

Feel a subtle twitch? It might be baby hiccuping. 

I think others have read my earlier posts, the one about DON'T TOUCH ME! It's about when I first found out about the pregnancy and once we announced it, everyone wanted to touch my stomach. Basically, I was NOT having any part of it.

I'm 8 weeks along, trust me, ya can't feel her, so don't try.

Well now, I feel differently about it.

Yes, you can touch my belly (if it doesn't touch you first!). lol

My stomach is hard to the touch, she's up very high, and often, she'll kick you. So yes, you may.

Speaking of the belly touching you first...

I have, twice already, knocked over 2 glasses of tea with it. Oops.

I continuously stick it in food as I'm reaching over the table to get something. No need to try and sqeeeeeze through something, cause it just ain't happening!

I went to Emerald Ink & Stitches/Advertising Specialties this week for work. The lady that was working with me there was so nice and very helpful. I couldn't help but notice that she had a big, older, beautiful lab laying in a chair behind her. Something you don't see too often at a place of business. Very well behaved. Great dog! We got to talking about Emerson and when she was due, etc. She ended up giving Emerson a book about this dog that she had written herself, Tilly Goes to the Beach. She even signed it before I left! I was just so excited! Her very first book, local and signed. I was just so happy:)

How far along?   29 weeks today

Maternity clothes?   Yes. I'm wearing a lot of Melon:) which is fun. Haven't found maternity jeans that fit right yet, so I'm still in my regular jeans. Although, as of like a week or two ago, they are completely unbuttoned! They stay up by wearing this bella band thing. Works so well.

Symptoms?   Acid Reflux. I hate this. It really comes when I lay down to go to sleep. Back Pain. And did I mention the massive belly?

Stretch marks?   Yes, but not bad at all. All on my belly.

Sleep?   I'm still sleeping, but I now get up every night at least once to use the bathroom.

Best moment this week?   Last weekend, I woke up and laid in bed for a while feeling her move around. I put my hand on my stomach and BAM! She kicked me so hard! I loved it:)

Movement?   Lots, all day, everyday. I can feel her kick from the outside now, which is pretty amazing!

Cravings?   Hmm, Nothing weird. I have had my share of milkshakes lately. No whip cream or cherry please.

Gender? She's still a girl:) Emerson Adele Gunter

Labor Signs?  None.

Belly button In or Out?   Innie, although it's starting to feel kinda weird.

What I miss?   Sitting down at the table without knocking over something.

What I'm looking forward to?   Meeting her:) I have missed her. As if I already know her. It's strange.

Weekly wisdom?   Get more Tums.

Milestones?   Emerson has really blossomed in the last few weeks. I am very pregnant.

I wanted to give a shout out to a friend in

California who just delivered her baby girl yesterday!

Meet Kara Elizabeth Edwards.

Daughter of Spencer and Angela Edwards.

Congratulations y'all, she's beautiful!



"Humorous" Books & Consignment Sales

I've started reading the book "Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay."

It's one of those funny books about a new mom's experience. Very honest and very opinionated.

Very.

So far, I've only stayed awake to read a few chapters. One of them was about not bonding with your baby until later on, like when they're walking and talking.

What?

That kinda freaked me out. Now, this mom was not the natural "nurturing" type by no means, and she'll tell you that. More concerned about going out, drinking, etc, etc than about having babies. I'm sorry but as of right now, if I didn't "bond" with my baby from the get-go, I'm sure not going to admit that. I don't know, any mamas out there that have experienced this? I just never thought about that not happening. Maybe I'm the crazy one. I would love some feedback on this...

Next chapter, breastfeeding.

Not her favorite thing to do obviously. Apparently, it hurts to the point where you'd just want to die. Yes, I kinda figured that it would hurt at first. But the whole time? 50 times a day for 9 months?? Is this true? Just wondering, as a first time mama. Not that I am trying to figure out whether or not to breastfeed. Personally, there is no choice for me. I will be doing it. God gave 'em to me, and I'm going to use them the way the good Lord intended. Period. End of discussion.

But again, that is my own personal belief. No judgement from me AT ALL if you decide not to.

Tomorrow, I'll be 28 weeks along!

HELLURRRR THIRD TRIMESTER! I CANNOT believe you are already here. Wow.

She's about the size of a Rutabaga.

"Putting on layers of fat, your baby now weighs in around

1.5 to 2.5 pounds and measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches."

• She's starting to develop more fat, so her wrinkly skin will start to get smoother.
• Her lungs are mature enough that she'd probably survive if she was born now. Wow!

And it's February! I tell ya, it's really flying by now. Emerson will be here before we know it. Very very exciting, but anxious, scary, nervous at the same time.

Right now, I'm on the lookout for gorgeous, perfectly priced crib bedding. Tonight, I'm going to the Mud Pies Semi-Annual Consignment Sale at Main Street United Methodist Church.

Mama and Daddy went to the Switcheroo's GIGANTIC Consignment Sale this morning in Greenville. Found no bedding:(

After tonight's sale, I've got one more to go to, the Cambridge Consignment Sale. I pray that I find something at one of these for her. I really can't spend a lot of money on bedding that Emerson just doesn't care much about. Just me:)

Mama did find a Christening dress at Switcheroo's for FIFTEEN DOLLARS!!!!!!!! And it's beautiful! These things start out at like $100!! So I am sooo excited!

How pretty! It also comes with a sweet little bonnet:)

Past Weeks & the Dreaded Three Hour Test

This is about how big Emerson was since the last time I told you her size...

Week 23, a pomegranate...

"At about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces,

baby's not just getting bigger, she's getting even cuter."

• She's forming little nipples (yeah, really!)

• Her face is fully formed now -- she just needs a little extra fat to fill it out.

• She's listening to your voice and your heartbeat -- and even to loud sounds like cars honking and dogs barking.  

Week 24, a grapefruit...

"Your 10.5-to-11.8-inch baby weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces and every week she gets closer and closer to being ready to survive (and thrive!) in the outside world."

Her see-through skin is gradually becoming more opaque.

And it's got a new pink glow, thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed.

Week 25, an eggplant...

"During month six, the average fetus measures about 13.6 inches to 14.8 inches

 and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds."

She's enjoying her new sense of equilibrium -- she now knows which way is up and which is down.

She's growing more fat and more hair too!

Week 26, a head of lettuce...

"She's still growing in the 13.6- to 14.8-inch and 1.5- to 2.5-pound range,

 and developing her senses, features and talents!"

Her eyes are forming, and her eyes will soon start to open.

And her eyelashes are now grown, too.

She's getting her immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies.

She's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice.

And as of TODAY, Week 27, cauliflower...

"At 13.6 to 14.8 inches and 1.5 to 2.5 pounds,

she's not just getting bigger, she's getting smarter."

She's practicing inhaling and exhaling with her rapidly developing lungs.

It's official: Baby's showing brain activity! And her brain will keep on getting more complex.

One of my preggo friends just had her baby boy this past week!

Congrats to Josh & Jillian McDonald on sweet little Dawson Hayes!!

I've got another preggo friend out in California about to deliver her sweet girl in just a few weeks!

It's starting to become very real now. It's getting closer and closer!

So, I went for my THREE HOUR glucola test this past Tuesday.

I went in at 8am and they pricked my finger. My blood sugar was 67.

I drank the (orange) thick koolaid tasting substance. A whole bottle this time.

Ugh.

One sip isn't bad, 25 sips later, it's bad...and thick...and so I started praying for it to be over!

I did ask for a straw (thanks to previous advice) and that helped to get it down.

I decided to wait in the lobby for the first hour, so I worked on my Temple Run score! lol

Towards the last 20 minutes of the first hour, I started feeling sick. 

They called me back right as the hour was up and drew my blood. Blood sugar 165. (Needed to be lower than 180)

The next hour, I decided to leave and go to my parent's house and lay down. I felt much better.

Went back, blood drawn, blood sugar 133. (Needed to be lower than 160)

...so, making positive progress!

Third hour, hung out at my parent's house again...STARVING at this point.

Went back, blood drawn, blood sugar 43!! (Needed to be lower than 140)

I was lower alright! It had dropped from 133 to 43 in one hour!

They looked at me and asked, "Are you feeling alright?!" lol

I was fine, but they made be drink a Mello Yellow to bring it back up.

But hey, I PASSED!! No diabetic diet for me! Thank you Jesus!

I treated myself to Mig's at that point with Abby. And yes, it was good!

Wednesday, I went for my prenatal massage. I was so excited about this! I had been patiently waiting for this for a while now. I finally got an appointment. She had a special pillow that the belly goes into so clients can lay on their stomach. It was very nice, but apparently I was very tight, because I am extremely sore now! I wish I could get one once a week!

Glucola Test Appointment

Yesterday, I had an appointment for the "dreaded glucola test."

I was already nervous the night before.

Should I eat this? Should I eat that?

But a very knowledgeable nurse told me it would make no difference what I ate the night before.

I felt fine the morning of, as I drank the small cup of orange sugary substance. From that point on, the hour began that I had to wait for some results. The hour went by pretty fast. 10:26am came and a nurse called me to the back to get my finger pricked.

I started getting nervous.

The nurse, who is so sweet, said, "And the results say.......   oh."

Oh? What does that mean? Good? Bad? Tell me!!

She turned around very slowly and said, "It's 131."

"130 and under means you have passed."

AHHHHH!

What!?? One lousy point?????

NOOOOO!

Perfect. So now, even though it was just one stinkin' point away, I have to go through the same test, but for THREE hours, just for them to probably tell me..."You've passed."

So that's not good news, but I am thankful that it wasn't way over 130.

Everything else was fine.

I have recently felt a foot, or some other limb, sticking out of my belly! That was very exciting! I know she's in there, hanging out, cutting cartwheels, listening to her ipod, working on her dance moves...you get the point! lol

But to actually feel a limb vs hardness....it's pretty cool! 

I can't WAIT until we have our 3D ultrasound! I am so anxious to see what she looks like, even though I have a strong feeling that she looks like her Daddy and is bald headed.

Baseball Baby

25 weeks today.

For some reason, I feel like 25 weeks is a bit of a milestone. Or a slap in the face. lol

The acid reflux is still lingering around, but I now have chocolate milk in the fridge and Tums on my bedside table. So that is helping.

Back pain is so so bad. I have noticed that it is worse towards the right side. It has literally brought me to my knees a time or two before. I have a heating pad on every night when I go to bed and have started bringing one to work too. It feels good at the time, but still no help. Danny gave me a gift certificate for a Maternity Massage at a local spa. Fed up. I have called and set up an appointment 3 times. All have been cancelled due to her "bad shoulder." Really? Can ya not refer me to someone else, lady??!! #backpain #preggoproblems #illasahornet

Last night, the family went to see the Chipmunk movie and it was too cute! Very funny! After, we went to O'Charley's for dinner. I had the Bruschetta Chicken, thinking the description sounded a bit like what I had at The Village Grill the other night.

Ugh. No.

It was nothing like that! The chicken tasted "not done." It had cold bruschetta on it, topped with tomatoes. It was just a funky dish that Emerson was having NO part of! So I stuck with the potato soup, fries and bread. Oh, did I fail to mention the brownie dessert that came with it? Cause it was awesome!  

Wanna see what my favorite mail lady brought to me today??

How cute!!

It goes great with her new Baby Legs to match...

...and...

the perfect bow to match, with a number 8, instead of 15 (Wells's baseball number).

She is already excited to cheer on her big brother!

24 weeks & counting

Last Wednesday, Danny and I went for another ultrasound to get a better view of her brain and heart. Everything looked great and we are so pleased!

Like I've mentioned before, one of my favorite things to do these days and the thing I look forward to most (besides heating pads and sleep)...are ultrasounds:) We were so excited to see how big she had gotten and how active she was (again)! Her hands were moving all around her face, just like the time before. She was completely curled up with her legs and feet near her head! The ultrasound tech said she was very comfy and snug! She tried to get a good shot of her profile for us, but her was bein' stubborn:) And I'm sure all the grandparents would agree, that's perfectly okay:) lol

Here's the shot that she was able to get...

So in the past few weeks, I have had some nausea. Apparently, it is heartburn and acid reflux???

I have never had this before, so I didn't know what it was like. WELL I DO NOW! Ugh. It never happens until I lay down to go to sleep. Then, all of a sudden it hits me, I need to puke. So I usually sit up in the bed, breath, eat Tums, drink a little water, and pray. No seriously. Because at that point, all I want to do is go to sleep! So I pray that it will go away and God will put me to sleep.

Two nights ago was really weird. Danny has had a horrible time with his wisdom teeth coming in and has taken some pain medicine to help. Well, he took some two nights ago (after staying in bed all day with pain). That night, I woke up at 3am to nausea. But I was so confused for some reason. I just felt lost. That morning, my alarm clock went off and I looked at the clock like.....what? What time do I normally get up? Is this right?

Lost, again, so very lost.

Still don't know what that's all about.

Someone mentioned to me the other day about crib bedding. Oops.

I probably need to get on that! So, I start researching.

Found nothing at a descent price point. Nothing.

But I did find this....

It's from Rosenberry Rooms.....aka.......Rich Mama's options.

I love the colors, light turquoise and light pink. I think it's sweet and a little different. Not necessarily the damask print. I like Chevron, etc. The crib we already have is white, so the colors would go great with that.

Also...

I can definitely make this! Well, probably.
If anyone has any ideas on how to do this look, cheaper, fill free to email me:)

I'm going to start posting the following questions once a week. I stole it from a fellow preggo blogger. (I hope you don't mind!)

How far along?   24 weeks & 3 days 
Maternity clothes?   Yes, all shirts and undershirts. I cannot even get away with a regular shirt with a high waisted band. Just doesn't fit right. A few pairs of pants, still wearing my regular pants, they just automatically roll down under my belly! lol
Symptoms?   Heartburn, acid reflux, BACK PAIN
Stretch marks?   Yes, very light on my lower stomach and around belly button. I need some good advice on what stretch mark cream to buy from folks that have used it and it worked.
Sleep?   Still good, but not as best as it has been in the past.
Best moment this week?   (last week) Being able to see her move around in the ultrasound
Movement?   Movement everyday:)  No kicking or movement felt outside the belly yet, just inside.
Cravings?   French fries with salt. Pizza. Water.
Gender?   She's still a girl:) Emerson Adele Gunter
Labor Signs?   None that I am aware of....BETTER be none!
Belly button In or Out?   Innie
What I miss?   Heels, oh, did I mention that MY FEET HAVE GROWN!!?? Because, they have. Really??!!
What I'm looking forward to?   Danny to feel her move.
Weekly wisdom?   Take Tums, drink milk and find out if I can have Maalox for the heartburn & acid reflux
Milestones?   Apparently, according to all strangers EVERYWHERE....I look very pregnant. Oh cool, because I still have 3 1/2 months!