24 Weeks

Not much change this week.... Officially I don't "turn" 24 weeks till tomorrow, but with Christmas Eve and all, I know that I won't be posting. So here it is!

How far along?: 24 Weeks. Officially 6 Months. Which means officially only 4 to go....

Total weight gain: Still don't own a scale. I am gonna pretend that I have gained under 20 till my next appointment. Maybe positive thinking will help =) 

How big is Baby?: 12 inches and over 1 pound. Still tiny!

Maternity clothes?: Still mixing and matching, but mostly all maternity pants. Thankfully he is still pretty high that I can get away with regular jeans on occasion. As long as they are unbuttoned when I sit down. 

Stretch marks?: Not yet!

Sleep?: When I am asleep, fantastic. It's the getting to sleep part that is hard.   

Movement?: Just starting to see him move from the outside. But apparently it's very light and almost looks like me breathing because J doesn't see a thing. 

Food cravings?: One day I eat normal, the next I want to chew my arm off...Or eat all the fudge in the break room. Then I have days like today where I am stuffed for hours after I eat lunch. Weird. Also weird, I am drinking a TON of water. Like today, when I drank 72oz at work (9-5). And now I am STILL thirsty.  Hmm.... Gestational Diabetes? Or just random water cravings? We shall see in about a month!

Gender: Boy! And he is still not named. For now, J's family is calling him Hyatt which will probably be his middle name. 

Milestone: 6 months! One more month down. It's weird to think that in a few short months instead of having a squirming baby in my belly, I'll be holding him in my arms. Also, we bought a crib for the lil man. Yay!

How's Mom?: For the most part doing great. I had a day where I just wanted to ball my eyes out because I miss my job at home, I miss my friends, and I miss just being home, but thankfully that only lasted a little while. I am excited for Christmas because baby Hyatt has some presents under the tree and I can't wait to see what he got =) 

Sisters

I have been noticing lately the amazing relationships that some of my friends/family members have with their sisters. My sister in law and her sister. My Mom and her sisters. My MoLaw and her sister. KTina and her sister. And I'll have to admit that I was a little jealous of the relationships they had. It's like having friends, but BETTER! 

And then one day, I was talking to a new friend of mine about the relationship that I have with two girls from High School, and it hit me. I love them like sisters. We may not have grown up from birth together, but I could not love them more if we were really truly related by blood. 

Tish and Cha-Cha have been there for every major moment of my life from the day I turned 16 (we met on my 16th birthday) on. And even though we don't live in the same state any more, I still know that they are only a phone call away. And every phone call, we pick up right where we left off. 

These two amazing women have been my sounding board when I've needed advice. Been my cheerleaders when I have exciting news. Cried with me on bad days. Drank wine with me and giggled like girls. Sipped our morning coffees and had long heart to heart discussions about life, love, and faith. With out them, I am certain that I would not be the person that I am today. 

Right now, the three of us are at very different places in our life. Cha-Cha is nearly graduated from college with a degree in accounting (and I couldn't be prouder of her!!!). Tish is married and a mom of a 1 year old beautiful baby girl, who is also going to school (as if being a mom isn't enough of a full time job). And I am a pregnant, working "mom" and military wife. Three different paths, three different lives, but I could not imagine life with out them. 

So Tish and Cha-Cha, I love you. You are truly a gift from God, and He has blessed me immensely with your friendship. And hopefully you guys feel the same way about me, cause uh...how embarrassing if you dont! =)

Love you both! Thank you for being my "sisters"

Love,

L

23 Weeks

Belly is getting bigger this week! My belly button has started to poke out a bit, which is WEIRD. J and I have been throwing around some names, but he still has no name. Good thing we have about 17 more weeks. Wow that seems like a long time. It will go by fast though!

How far along?: 23 Weeks! Almost 6 Months =)

Total weight gain: I don't own a scale...Hopefully I'l hovering around a total weight gain of 17lbs. 

How big is Baby?: Around 1.2 lbs and 8 inches long. About the size of a papaya. And the the length of a piece of paper (the short side). 

Maternity clothes?: Yep, all the time! A lot of my wardrobe consists of mix and matched clothes from pre-pregnancy and maternity. 

Stretch marks?: Not yet!

Sleep?: When I am asleep, fantastic. It's the getting to sleep part that is hard.   

Movement?: Lots and everyday. And getting stronger, a couple of them actually hurt. But mostly it is all still so cool. And some kicks, you can see outside my belly. CRAZY!

Food cravings?: Nothing specific. Somedays I eat normally, and then somedays I eat and eat and eat....Hope I have more normal days than eat everything in sight days. 

Gender: Boy!

Milestone: Hmmm... Well, It's almost Christmas and J's parents will be here tomorrow. I am so excited about both of those things!

How's Mom?: Good this week. A little emotional and feeling a little crazy, but mostly great. I am truly enjoying being pregnant and I think that it will be hard once the baby is out. I think that the pregnancy part is truly the easy part of being a parent. But at the same time, I can't wait to actually hold our baby. =)

Disneyland Jesus

Disneyland Jesus is a term that I have only heard used by my one of my best friends, Cha-Cha. And this came up after one of many long conversations about life over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Give us either and we can talk for hours =)

Disneyland Jesus is exactly where I am right now in my life.

Let me break it down for you. Having Disneyland Jesus is like rubbing on a magic lamp and asking for your wishes to come true. They have no bearing on what trials you should be going thru, they don't know what path your are on and what curves are coming ahead. It's all about wanting instant gratification for the things you want in life or the things your think you need. Having this sort of relationship with Jesus is like only having all of the good things in life with out having any of the bad. It's like wanting all the great things about having a relationship with Him with out doing any of the dirty work.

And that might sound really nice. But it's not life. And it sure isn't how life works.

And so when I am at a point in my life where I feel like I should be telling God exactly what He should be doing and the opportunities He should be giving me, I am reminded that He isn't Disneyland Jesus, and life isn't all ice cream and puppies.

How can we appreciate all of the good things in life if we have nothing to compare them to. And why should we be giddy and grateful when we finally see why things have worked out a certain way and how they have turned out better than you could have even imagined.

So for now, I am going to remember that life isn't always unicorns and rainbows. And one day, I will look back on this time of my life and some of the struggles that we are going thru and rejoice in the way things have turned out.

Love,
L

22 Weeks

So after my last ultrasound, the tech changed my "weekly date" to Friday. So, tomorrow I will officially be 22 Weeks. Not that this changes my due date at all, but it changes the date I do my updates. 

How far along?: 22 Weeks!

Total weight gain: Up only 3 lbs! I am right around 139 now. And fingers crossed, I'll stay in the 150's when I have the baby.  

How big is Baby?: Still right around 1 lb. Baby is about the size of a spagetti squash. Yum!

Maternity clothes?: Love maternity clothes! Ahhhhh so comfy!

Stretch marks?: Not yet!

Sleep?: When I sleep it's GREAT. I am having problems going to sleep though. Instead of being tired and going to sleep at 10, its more like 12 now...Weird.  

Movement?: Lots! And getting stronger!

Food cravings?: Thankfully my appetite is mostly back to normal. Though I wish all the See's Candy at work would go away!

Milestone: We are officially having a boy! I am so in love with my lil man already! J and I have decided to postpone naming our baby till we are in the hospital. Or at least telling people what his name will be. Too much drama and I think that it will make it less stressful for me/us if we tell people after he is born. But, his middle name will Be Hyatt. That much we do know!

How's Mom?: Still getting over this cold. It's hanging on! So glad I got to talk to my doctor about the medications/vitamins that I was taking. All were fine to take and baby and I are both great. I LOVE my doctor. He makes me feel at ease about everything. Love it!

Baby Stuff!!!

There is something about being pregnant that makes me want to be crafty. I have no idea what it is or why it is happening, but it's pretty strange! Currently, I have the overwhelming urge to make some burp cloths. Why? No clue! I don't even own a sewing machine! And it's too late to ask Santa for one for Christmas. Maybe I will get one as a "New Year" present to myself. Also, along the burp cloth idea, I also want to make a blanket. Again, why? No clue. Another note, I have no idea how to sew. Awesome. These projects are going to go fabulously!

Right now, J and I are pretty sparse on the things that we have to Lil Stratton. We've picked out a crib (will be picked up next weekend) and I have picked out the cloth diapers that I would like to buy. Yep, we are going to do cloth diapering. No, I am not a hippie and yes I think we are a little crazy. But we will save a ton of money diapering our baby this way and he will have a very adorable bottom. What we do own right now is a car seat, a moby, and 1 onesie. Yep. If my baby were to come now he would be very naked. But at least we could get him home from the hospital and in his own bed! I am hoping to get a lot of our essentials at the baby shower(s). I don't want to buy a ton of stuff now, only to have the baby shower and end up with a ton of stuff we don't have room to store or will use. So for us, minimalism is the way to go right now. 

I am SO excited about our crib. I searched and searched and finally found one that I am in love with that fits in our budget and most importantly is super duper safe. YAY Ikea!

                                                       

Also, super excited for our diapers. They are adorable and long lasting, and affordable. How amazing is that? I am all about a great deal!

                              

I can't wait till I get to order some of these bad boys! Probably after the first of the year, when things have calmed down a little bit. But hey, at least I know what I want!

I've been adding things to my registry at Target slowly but surely. Any time I think of something, on it goes! The only downside? Probably a lot of the items I want are "online only." Crap! Oh well, we'll make it work!

Night night all!

Love, 

L

Sorry about the CRAZY formatting....Gotta love blogger somethings!

Sigh...

FYI, I am whiny and pregnant. Not a great combo!

I love that my husband now has a steady job with a company he loves (go Navy!), a paycheck that we can count on every month, and great benefits to go along with everything. But I do not love that I traded my well paying, good hours, steady income job for my new job. I know that I cannot have everything. But I would really love a job that pays the bills and then some. We are going to have to start day care here soon and I am pretty sure those people want to get paid. I know that I am most likely not going to find a new job at 5 months pregnant. But a girl can wish, cant she?
And since I am wishing, here is what I would like:
better pay, normal working hours (like 9-5), close to home, close to day care, in a fast paced or at least busy environment, working with people who are nice, and somewhere where I fit in.
It's not too much to ask is it?
Maybe someday!
L

The easy part of the military...

So far it has been easy to fall in to the false sense of security that the military brings. My husband work 7-4 Monday thru Friday. Some weeks he has duty. No big deal. I forget that part of being in the military is deployments.
One the the guys that J works with got assigned to a carrier today. And found out that he will be deploying for 14 months. And while he is excited stoked happy as a clam to be deployed for that long (he's single).  And it has me thinking. What if J deployed for that long? Our baby would be almost 2 by the time he came back. He would have only had a few months to be a hands on daddy. This part of the military isn't "fair." But it's what we signed up for.
I need to remember the reality of the job that J has taken. Why I am so proud of him. And how amazing this is for our family as a whole. Yes there are things that stink. But I need to remember all of the amazing things that the military has brought us. And if he does deploy, yay for extra money! And if he deployed for that long HELLO! I get to move home!
Right now I am going to enjoy the easy parts of the military and prepare myself for the downside.
I love that my husband is in the Navy. And I know this is and always has been a part of God's plan for us. And I know He will never steer us wrong.
He makes good on all His promises!
Love,
L

21 Weeks

How far along?: 21 Weeks, 2 days. Trucking along here!

Total weight gain: I am going to cross my fingers and pray that I am still at 16 pounds gained. But, knowing me and the scale....Probably around 20. Ugh. 

How big is Baby?: Officially 1 pound!!!! And 8 inches long. 

Maternity clothes?: Yep. I am now into maternity jeans. But I am still in that awkward phase where I'm too big for regular stuff, and too small for a lot of my preggo pants. Thank you Tish for your 7 For All Mankind jeans. They rock. And they fit. I kinda want to live in them!

Stretch marks?: Not yet!

Sleep?: I've been sick this week, so not good. Mostly because I am being woken up by my loud snores, and dry mouth. I am a mouth breather these days. So not cute. 

Movement?: Lots! I think he/she likes the car. I always feel kicks in the car to and from work. 

Food cravings?: I think my appetite is going back to normal. I am not wanting to stuff my face all the time. Hoping that stays!

Milestone: Find out the sex of our babe tomorrow! And I can't wait! 

How's Mom?: Good this week. Feeling a little less like a hippo. Even though I have to roll off the couch. Also, I am back to walking and that makes me feel good. Mind and body!