Happy New Year!

Circumference of belly:  43 in.      

Best moment this week:  Christmas!  I love Christmas and spending time with friends and family.  I got to catch up with my best friend Laura and her hubby Peter over the break.  Dan and I spent Christmas eve with my parents eating tamales and making sugar cookies.  Christmas day we went back over to my parents in the morning for gifts and then headed to Houston to see Dan's family.  We spent a couple days up in Houston before heading home.  We really had a nice holiday.          

Worst moment this week:  Back pain...boo.            

Miss anything:  Nope          

Movement:  Still a mover and a shaker but his movements are getting slower.  Poor thing is getting cramped in there.  He also loves my left side and I mean LOVES it.  If I try to push him somewhere else he immediately goes back to my left.  He is very stubborn.

Sleep:  Some nights are better than others but most are not good...I'm actually quite used to it so it's really no big deal anymore.    

Food cravings:  Sweet tea!  Strangely enough though my cravings are calming down and so is my appetite.  Starting to run out of room in my belly.  It doesn't take much to fill me up and I find myself less hungry than before.  We went to Pappadeaux the other night and I had soup and salad and couldn't even finish it.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope    

Baby purchases:  We bought our chaise lounge from IKEA!  This along with our dresser were our gifts to ourselves this year.  I know some moms are really into gliders but after testing one out at babies r us I decided it wasn't for me.  Laying in this thing though is so comfy, easy to get out of, and just an amazing piece of furniture.  We also got lots of Christmas gifts for Alex :-)   

Symptoms:  Nasal congestion, sciatic nerve pain, back pain, and my bladder constantly feels like I am going to explode.  Lovely huh?!  However, it is all worth it for our little man.              

Belly button in or out:  Flat            

Wedding rings on or off:  On 

Looking forward to:  Still have another week off...woohoo!

Christmas morning at my parents house.

Christmas Eve downtown seeing the lights.

Dang.  Why didn't anyone tell me that I need to cut back on the peanut butter?!

Dan's favorite outfit for Alex.  I wonder why??

    

Merry Christmas!

Circumference of belly:  42 and some odd inches.    

Best moment this week:  Doctors appointment was great!  135 heartbeat and measuring right where he should be.  I love that Daniel wants to go to every appointment with me.  I always tell him I understand if he can't go and needs to work but no matter what he has going on he stops and goes with me.  I think he loves listening to the heartbeat as much as I do =)          

Worst moment this week:  Nothing     

Funniest moment this week:  At our doc's appointment Alexander started moving like crazy when the doctor put the cold gel stuff on my belly for the heartbeat.  He clearly does not like being cold!           

Miss anything:  Getting into a comfortable position while sitting is starting to get challenging.          

Movement:  His movements are getting slower and bigger...I think he is slowly starting to run out of room.  

Sleep:  Few hours here...few hours there...      

Food cravings:  Fruit (especially bananas), toast with peanut butter, milk, and french fries.     

Anything making you queasy or sick:  No      

Baby purchases:  Our dresser is here!!!  Pictures below =)  

Symptoms:  Bleeding hands because they are SOOO DRY!!!!                

Belly button in or out:  Flat            

Wedding rings on or off:  On 

Looking forward to:  Enjoying two weeks off.  I hope to have the nursery for the most part finished and I will be resting a lot.

Spent today doing some crafts.

Here is our dresser =)

32 weeks

Circumference of belly:  Gigantic.    

Best moment this week:  Pajama day at school!  Getting to go to work in pj's and do fun Christmas activities all day, followed by watching Polar Express is the best!          

Worst moment this week:  Back pain!  Seriously it is driving me nuts.  It is right underneath my right shoulder blade and is constantly throbbing...    

Funniest moment this week:  Kids keep telling me my belly is getting bigger while adults tell me I look so tiny.  I think the kids are more honest than the adults lol.         

Miss anything:  I miss a good work out but I seriously am too tired at the end of the day to do anything except sleep.  I guess I should enjoy having an excuse to not work out but I really do miss it.  Once Alex is here he and I will be taking lots of walks around the neighborhood!         

Movement:  Sometimes I feel like he is trying really hard to escape lol.  I just wish I knew when he pushing out if it is his butt, head, foot, or elbow.  Lately he has enjoyed my left upper abdomen under my ribs which can make it difficult to breath at times.  

Sleep:  Been having more baby dreams and it is harder to fall asleep at night.  My mind is consumed with everything we have to do still to get ready for Alex's arrival.    

Food cravings:  Toast with peanut butter or strawberry jam.  Nom.       

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope      

Baby purchases:  Got a lot of really sweet gifts from the shower two of my friends threw me last weekend.  Some pictures below.  We also ordered our dresser!  I am so excited for that to come in next week.

Symptoms:  Upper back pain, indigestion, and pure exhaustion.              

Belly button in or out:  Still flat.         

Wedding rings on or off:  On 

Looking forward to:  Christmas break...one more week to go!!!

Not my best photo but oh well.  

Mandy and Kathryn.  My sweet friends and hostesses =) 

Sweet gifts =) I can't wait to start using them!

Apparently our dogs think they are the babies.  Guess I will be washing that ha.

Here is the dresser we ordered.  Found at Target (I seriously have a Target addiction), on sale, and free shipping.  I'd say we got a sweet deal.  I am going to find 

some cute baskets for the bottom!

Fa la la....31 weeks!

Circumference of belly:  42 inches.

Best moment this week:  Life is good =)  That is all.        

Worst moment this week:  Almost fell asleep at my desk the other day.  My eyes were watering I was yawning so much.  Exhaustion is back in full swing.  

Funniest moment this week:  This is totally not pregnancy related but I taught my kids the Grinch theme song yesterday.  Every year I use that song to teach metaphors because the song is full of them.  I cracked up watching my class sing the song to the karaoke version.  They got so into it and some even made up some funny dance moves.  Kids seriously don't care how crazy they look and don't care who is watching.  I love it!  I can't wait to see what funny things Alexander does as a kid.        

Miss anything:  My (what used to be) soft skin.  It's like leather these days.           

Movement:  Yup.  He is very predictable.  He moves after each meal, when I am laying in bed at night, wakes me in the middle of the night, and loves to kick my bladder at the worst possible times...and I love it...well except the bladder part...that can be embarrassing.  

Sleep:  I have never been one to hit snooze but I just can't jump out of bed like I used to anymore.  I hit the snooze button everyday this past week.  

Food cravings:  Cookie butter on shortbread cookies!  This has been my after school snack.  So good.  If you have never had it go to Trader Joes.  Your life will be forever changed.  Also been wanting Golden Chick a lot recently.  Another thing you must try.  Head on over to Helotes ,before I eat all the chicken, right now and buy some spicy tenders, fries, and sweet tea.  AH-MAZING.    

Anything making you queasy or sick:   Nope.  My kids at school are starting to get sick so my already crazy hand washing has been significantly increased.  Last thing I want right now is to get sick.   

Baby purchases:  Got some more books =)  Also going to go look at a dresser this weekend.  Pics to come soon if it works out!

Symptoms:  Acid reflux flares up from time to time.  Yuck.  My skin feels decent with the lotion but I have to put it on CONSTANTLY.           

Belly button in or out:  No change.      

Wedding rings on or off:  On! 

Looking forward to:  Two of my dear friends Mandy and Kathryn threw me a baby shower today =) It was nice spending time with family and friends.  I can't wait to use all the fun stuff we got for Alex! 

30 weeks...EEK!

Weight gained so far:  A whopping 26 pounds!      

Best moment this week:  Doctor called with my lab results and it was nothing but good news (breathing a sigh of relief).  I am good with my blood sugar (so no 4 hour test for me) and my iron levels are normal!  One more monthly appointment here in a few weeks and then we go to every other week.    

Worst moment this week:  Thanksgiving break is over =(  BUT just three more weeks until Christmas break!  

Miss anything:  Nothing          

Movement:  Yup.  Started my kick counts in the evenings.  It doesn't take that long to feel him move 10 times.  I feel him all the time now.  Hiccups are something new as well...feels like muscle spasms about every 5 seconds.  

Sleep:  It takes me longer to fall asleep at night it seems like...I think I am starting to just get antsy knowing we are nearing the end.  

Food cravings:  Still oatmeal.  I even wanted oatmeal cookies the other day so of course I made them (and ate them with a tall glass of milk).  Also, anything with salt.  I am trying to ease back on the salt shaker since I know it could cause swelling.  Mmm...french fries...    

Anything making you queasy or sick:  When I lay down I sometimes get a little heartburn...nothing too bad yet but it definitely doesn't make my tummy feel fantastic. 

Baby purchases:  BOOKS!  Yes I know it will be a while before he can read BUT there is no harm in reading to him.  I can't wait to snuggle at night in his room with a good book and read to him.  

Symptoms:  Trying out some new lotion for my dry skin...hoping to notice a difference.     

Belly button in or out:  When I lay down or sit it starts popping out but when I stand it is flat.  Bizarre.     

Wedding rings on or off:  On

Looking forward to:  Watching some Christmas movies this evening with some yummy hot chocolate =)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Circumference of belly:  41 1/2 in.

Best moment this week:  I have a couple this week.  First we had our 7 month appointment.  I had my glucose test which was not as bad as what I thought.  I had to drink 10 oz of what tasted like sugary orange Gatorade.  Then they took my blood to check for Gestational Diabetes.  I am praying I pass so I don't have to do the 3 hour test.  Alexander also had a heartbeat of 156 bpm (The sugar from the drink really hyped him up)  Overall our doctor said everything was looking great.  Second, an older employee at Home Depot asked when I was due.  He then asked for my name so he could put me on his prayer list. I seriously got the best warm fuzzies =)

Worst moment this week:  Nothing!  I have decorated the house for Christmas, rested, enjoyed time with family and friends.  

Funniest moment this week:  Watching Alexander move the other morning was pretty funny.  I know I mentioned this last week too but it seriously makes me laugh.  It cracks me up how my stomach can move in two different directions at the same time lol.        

Miss anything:  Oatmeal...I ran out this week and refuse to go to the store and battle with crowds for a can of oatmeal.     

Movement:  Doctor told me to start kick counts this week...which isn't too hard because Alexander is quite the mover.  I am supposed to feel him at least 10 times in an hour.  Lately it has been 10 times in about 15 minutes, especially after I am done eating.

Sleep:  It has been so nice sleeping in this week.  I am enjoying it while I can.

Food cravings:  Thanksgiving foods...gee I wonder why...    

Anything making you queasy or sick:  No

Baby purchases:  We got our baby mobile from Target the other day.  I love it!  I can picture Alex laying on his back just staring at it and listening to the sweet sounds of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".  

Symptoms:  Dry skin still...my knuckles look awful.    

Belly button in or out:  No change.  

Wedding rings on or off:  On

Looking forward to:  Less than 5 weeks until Christmas!  Christmas and Thanksgiving are my two favorite times of the year.  I love the music, food, decorations, TV specials, and everything else that comes with the holidays.

"Skip Hop Treetop Friends" Mobile from Target...seriously adorable.  

28 weeks

Circumference of belly:  Big.

Best moment this week:  Starting our third and FINAL trimester!
Worst moment this week:  I had some crazy back pain the other day but as soon as I laid down I instantly felt better.

Funniest moment this week:    Watching Alex have a dance party by himself the other night.  My belly was doing things I never thought possible haha.
Miss anything:  Nope.

Movement:  Oh yes...see above on best moment this week ha.    

Sleep:  Waking up more often these days and harder to fall asleep at night.  

Food cravings:  Milk and oatmeal with brown sugar and bananas.  

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope which is great because I foresee lots of yummy food in the near future!

Baby purchases:  We got so many sweet things for Alexander from our shower last weekend.  Below are some pictures. 

Symptoms:  DRY SKIN!  Lotion is my bff.  

Belly button in or out:  Everyday I check and everyday it looks more and more interesting.

Wedding rings on or off:  On

Looking forward to:  A much needed week off.  YAHOO!  My plans are as follows: Sleeping, decorating the house for Christmas while being ridiculous and jamming out to Christmas music, spending Thanksgiving with family, and staying in pj's much of the day!

Here are some pictures from my baby shower in Houston.  We got tons of gifts for Alexander.  He is seriously one lucky baby to have so many amazing people in his life who adore him.  Here are just a few gifts we received.

Diaper cake made by Maggie.

We are obsessed with this monitor!  It does so many cool things.  If you are currently monitor shopping I highly suggest this one.  

LOVE this owl lamp!  It can be used as a nightlight as well =)

I seriously love blankets.  Anyone who truly knows me knows how obsessed I am with warm, soft blankets.  This was made by my Aunt Eleanor.  So special =)

Daniel registered for this...obviously.

More cozy and incredibly soft blankets.  

Swaddlers and sleep sacks.

Sweet books.  They used the Mother Goose book as a guest book.  

The end of our 2nd trimester!

Circumference of belly:  41 in.
Best moment this week:  Being able to say we are at the end of our 2nd trimester.  Geez...only 3 months left!
Worst moment this week:  No complaints.
Funniest moment this week:  Conversation I had with one of my kids at school.  Child:  "Mrs. Barnes, your belly is getting very big."  Me:  "Yes it is.  It means the baby is growing."  Child:  "Oh.  Well at least you don't look fat anymore."  I really did laugh out loud haha.
Miss anything:  Nope
Movement:  Oh yes...in fact he has gotten quite good at kicking my bladder.
Food cravings:  Still the Cosi turkey and stuffing sandwich...I may or may not have had 3 within the past 2 weeks...
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nothing.
Baby purchases:  None but getting ready to buy our chaise lounge soon.  Woohoo!    
Symptoms:  Dry skin, bloody noses, and my abdomen and back are constantly sore.  I think I might be needing a prenatal massage in the near future.
Belly button in or out:  The top half is flat like a pancake.  The bottom half is hanging on for dear life.
Wedding rings on or off:  On
Looking forward to:  My first baby shower this weekend in Houston!  Looking forward to spending time with family and friends celebrating our sweet boy.

26 weeks

Circumference of belly: 40 1/2-3/4 ish...somewhere around there.
Best moment this week:  Blue Bell finally came out with the pumpkin ice cream.  Yes it was the best moment.  Yes it was that BIG of a deal.
Worst moment this week:  Nothing =)
Funniest moment this week:  Whenever I do something wrong at school or forget to do something I  always say "preggo brain" to myself.  My kids at school have apparently caught on.  I had a kid say "preggo brain" to me when I did a math problem the wrong way.  I laughed quite a bit.
Miss anything:  Started wanting sushi again...I am seriously going to binge on sushi when this kid gets here.
Movement:  Ice water, eating, and orange juice gets him moving.
Food cravings:  Cosi turkey and stuffing sandwich.  I want one.  EVERYDAY.
Anything making you queasy or sick:  My classroom smelled like something awful earlier this week...I didn't get sick but I definitely didn't feel well...
Baby purchases:  None this week.
Symptoms:  Hungry all the time, tired by 6 a.m...nothing new!
Belly button in or out:  I think it might just stay flat.  Of course lots could change in the next 14 weeks.  I know Dan is hoping it does.  He thinks that would be hilarious.
Wedding rings on or off:  On!  In the mornings they are harder to get off but my hands have always swelled at night.
Looking forward to:  Another bowl of ice cream...see ya next week!

Dan wanted to decorate the chalkboard this week.  Ha.

25 Weeks

Circumference of belly:  I'm guessing the same or just a tad bigger...I'm in bed posting this and too lazy to go measure right now =)
Best moment this week:  Appointment went great!  Alex had a heartbeat of 146 bpm.  We got our packet to start registering at the hospital (wow...already?!) and some other helpful information about pediatricians and what not.  Time is really flying by!
Worst moment this week:  Sciatic nerve has been acting up.  Getting comfortable is not easy.
Funny moment this week:  New category!  We were at HEB checking out.  I saw my reflection in the  freezer that holds all the ice.  I made a joke that it looked like I was carrying a pumpkin.  Daniel said, "What are you smuggling under your shirt?!  What are you stealing?!"  Yup...right in front of the cashier.  Luckily she laughed and didn't think I was a thief.  Geez.
Miss anything:  Walking...I think my grimacing in public is starting to freak people out.  On the plus side strangers are noticing I am not fat and indeed preggo =D
Movement:  He is going to make a dang good kicker in football...I just know it.
Food cravings:  Stouffers lasagna.  Stupid primetime commercials.
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nada which is great!
Baby purchases:  I'm a closet "online window shopper"...I have a list a mile long of things I want...next purchase is probably going to be the chaise lounge.
Symptoms:  Sciatic pain.  It is seriously kicking my butt.
Belly button in or out:  I thought for sure it would be totally out by now...it is still hanging on by a thread.
Wedding rings on or off:  On
Looking forward to:  Thanksgiving...even though I still have a month to go...might have to make some Thanksgiving type food for dinner in the near future to hold me over =)

24 Weeks

Circumference of belly:  40 1/2 in.
Best moment this week:  Daniel went and bought all the wood for the crib this week.  Let the building begin!
Worst moment this week:  Realizing Blue Bell has not released their pumpkin ice cream yet.  This made for a very grumpy preggo woman.  HURRY UP BLUE BELL!!!!!
Miss anything:  I miss pajamas when I am not home...but once I get home all is right with the world.
Movement:  Alex is a mover and a shaker and I love it =)
Food cravings:  That dang pumpkin ice cream...I will write a letter to Blue Bell if it is not in stores soon...
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nada
Baby purchases:  Wood for the crib.
Symptoms:  I sometimes need a push to get up from a sitting/laying position.  Ha.
Belly button in or out:  Hmm...define "in"...
Happy or moody most of the time:  I am the happiest when I am at home with my hubby...any other time is debatable.
Wedding rings on or off:  On
Looking forward to:  6 month appointment on Tuesday!

I have an addiction...

To crafting.  I love Michaels and Hobby Lobby.  Seriously.  Love.

This ranks right up there with baking and cooking...but this hobby is way more expensive.

It could be considered "home improvements"...right?!

I have some more projects coming soon...but for now here are a couple things I finished today.

Ok...can't see my feet!

Circumference of belly: 40 in.

Best moment this week:  True story:  After coming home from the grocery store I was putting away food in the fridge and noticed a bag of pretzels in the crisper.  Daniel was the last person to have the pretzels out.  I laughed and I told him he must be the one with preggo brain.  He insists he did not put them in the fridge and said I must have done it and not realized it.  I insist he did because I don't remember putting them away and he was the last person to eat pretzels.  We have yet to agree but one of us definitely was trying to chill the pretzels.  

Worst moment this week:  I had some really crazy cramp between my belly button and chest that lasted all day Monday.  I called the doctor and after some questions they weren't worried but thought it might be heartburn.  I disagreed.  I have had heartburn before and this felt more like a pulled muscle or something pressing on a nerve.  However Tuesday and I woke up and it was totally gone.  So weird.

Miss anything:  I saw the Sushi Zushi delivery truck the other day.  Might have made my mouth water.

Movement:  Yup...lots of it.  I started watching my belly when he starts bouncing around and it's crazy how much my belly moves.  

Food cravings:  Grilled cheese (with jalapenos), soup, cereal, and of course spicy anything.  A lot of blogs I have read recently preggo women are craving Halloween candy and candy corn (gag).  Those things are awful.  I don't want sweet, multicolored corn.  I want corn with butter and salt...or some jalapeno poppers.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  I have to pinch my nose going into a bathroom unless it is my own bathroom.  Blah.

Baby purchases:  Nothing this week but I am going to be crafting some more soon.  I seriously have a love-hate relationship with Michaels.

Symptoms:  That crazy pain on Monday...tired...nothing really new to report.     

Belly button in or out:  It's in/out.  It's an oddity.

Happy or moody most of the time:  Happy although yesterday I was having a "moment" where I was just in a really bad mood.  After I ate and put on pj's I was instantly better.
Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Staying in pajamas ALL WEEKEND.

22 weeks

I was sick last week so a 21 week picture did not get taken...moving on to 22 weeks!

Total weight gain:  15 lbs.
Circumference of belly:  40 inches.  Wowza.
Sleep:  Minus my normal waking up routine I am sleeping great.  Weird dreams continue...like giving birth by myself in a hospital.  No doctor.  No nurse.  No husband.  SOLO.
Best moment last/this week:  We had our 21 week appointment last week and he had a heartbeat of 156 bpm.  Our doctor told us the sonogram pictures showed that he is very healthy and everything looked great!
Worst moment last/this week:  Being sick.  Being sick and pregnant is way worse than I could ever imagine.  You can't really take anything to make yourself feel better except a few meds the doctor gave me, lots of rest, and liquids.  I am really hoping I do not have to go through that again!
Miss anything:  Stupid west nile makes me miss being able to go outside and not flip out about every mosquito I see.  I have OFF I put on when I have to go outside but I still worry.  I know I know...I'm a nutcase.
Movement:  Sugar makes him really nuts.  I don't eat a lot of sugar so when I do he really bounces around.
Food cravings:  Breakfast tacos, spicy anything, and chips with queso.  We had nachos at school the other day for our staff meeting and I had more jalapenos than cheese.  Also pumpkin flavored ANYTHING (whoopie pies, blizzards, bread, cakes, etc).
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Bathroom smells.  Let's leave it at that.  Also, I still can't walk by parmesan cheese at the grocery store.  Gag.
Baby purchases:  Rug shown below.  LOVE.  Also, I made a few crafty things for the nursery and Daniel finished painting =)  We have also gotten some sweet gifts from friends and family.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful people around us who love Alexander as much as we do.
Symptoms:  Allergies have been really bad...I am assume it is because my immune system is suppressed and I can't take whatever meds I want.
Belly button in or out:  Way shallow...waaaaaaaay shallow.
Happy or moody most of the time:  Happy...and occasionally emotional.
Looking forward to:  Getting some more of the nursery put together and set up.

Pardon the wet hair and PJ's.

Paint is "Light Mist" by Behr.  Rug from Urban Outfitters.  Still got some trim work to do.

Couple things I made for his room.