Updates

Last Monday I had a doctors appointment. During that appointment we went over my sonogram that I had almost a month ago. My doctor said everything looked good, except my placenta is really low. She said not to worry though because it can be a common thing. She guessed that as I get bigger, the placenta will move up like it's supposed to. At my next sonogram (in two months) they will check for it, and we will go from there. Worst case scenario, I would not be able to go into labor, as that would cause me to hemorrhage. I'm really not too worried about it though. Either way, Ayden and I will be safe, happy, and healthy.

I will be moving into the new apartment in about three weeks. I could not be more excited! The extra space will be so nice. Plus, Ayden's stuff is starting to pile up at my current apartment, so it will be nice to have a place to actually store it. Today I'm hoping to make it to Wal-Mart to buy some storage boxes so that I can start packing the small stuff. Can you tell that I truly am excited with packing as early as I am?

Yesterday we got a crib at Babies R' US, as well as the crib set and the musical mobile. The crib will be delivered to my parents house in about two weeks, and then from there we will get it to the new apartment. It's a beautiful crib, and I'm hoping it's one of the first things that is put together.

I'll be 21 weeks tomorrow, and Ayden is still getting stronger! I still haven't quite gotten use to the feel of his kicks. I love it though. I think he's going to be really swell. I can't wait to meet him!

20 Weeks!

Here is a picture of me at 20 weeks.



And...here are a few cute things that I got from my parents today! The little shirt says, "Handsome like Daddy". Super cute. :)

Feelin' It

A couple of days ago I decided to lay down to take a small nap. While I was lying there, trying to get comfortable, I felt a rather large thump in my stomach. It didn't hurt...but it very much startled me! Up until that point, Ayden's kicks felt like tiny flutters. Apparently my little boy is getting bigger and stronger! I was so excited about this, that it kind of ruined my mood to rest.

Later that evening, I told Michael about what I had felt. As I was sitting on the couch, Ayden started kicking again. Since the kicks were feeling stronger, I decided to see if I could feel it by putting my hand on my stomach. Sure enough, I was able to feel a kick. It wasn't a huge feel, but it was enough to get me super excited! I have never felt a baby kick inside or outside of the womb. So being on the outside, feeling my own stomach move, was surreal! I tried to get Michael to feel it, but by then Ayden stopped cooperating.

However, yesterday Michael got to feel Ayden kick for the first time! It was still very suttle, but it pretty much put me on cloud nine. How cool, and amazing, and fun is that?!

I've also started experiencing the swollen hands and feet. Yesterday at work, I was in the break room talking to a coworker, and she brought up a story about her work shoes, and her swollen feet during pregnancy. The whole time I was thinking, "I'm glad I haven't experienced that yet." Well, the joke was definitely on me, because a few hours before the day was over, I looked down at my feet and they were quite swollen. The swelling has gone down, but I'm sure once I get back up on my feet again, they will return. At least it makes for a great excuse to get a foot massage, right?

I will end this post with saying that I can't believe I am almost 5 months pregnant! Does the time slow down any at all? Or will it just keep speeding up as I get father along? Gracious!

Our Little Monkey

Today was a half day for me, and Michael had the day off. We decided to spend our afternoon running errands. On our way home, I wanted to go to Baby's R Us with him. I wanted to look around with him, because I hadn't had the chance to go baby shopping with him. While we were there, we ended up picking out a nursery theme for Ayden! It was a lot of fun. It was also really neat to see how excited Michael got when we found something. I really can't wait to set up Ayden's room with him.

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's so crazy to think that this time next year, I will have two very special Valentine's...Michael AND Ayden!

March 18th

I can finally stop stressing about where the family will live. As most of you know (Ayden you will probably learn this very quickly) I am a planner! And, nothing against sweet little Ayden, but his arrival feels like it is quickly approaching me, and there is still much to do! Having a place that would accommodate the family has probably been my biggest concern. Obviously a small one bedroom apartment is out of the question. So, yesterday, my mom and I (she is my filler for when Miche is busy working, and I absolutely love it!) went to look at a nice two bedroom apartment. I definitely wanted a second opinion. I didn't want to move into a place just because I felt like I had to. I really wanted it to be a good move for us, as well as hopefully like it in the long run. My mom and I ended up really liking it, and we believe it will be a good starting place for our family.

On March 18th, we are moving to Crown Chase Apartments. The nice thing about that, is it is just behind the current apartments that I live in now. It will be on the third floor, and it will be close to the walking path and the small lake that they have.

I debated long and hard about living on the third floor, but there are truly some perks to it. For one, we got a top corner apartment, so we have less neighbors. I long for the day where I do not have to listen to footsteps on my ceiling. We will also have vaulted ceilings, which will hopefully make it feel bigger, and I will feel safer when I am home alone with just the baby. I'm sure walking up the stairs will become tiring, but I figure I'm young...it'll be good for me. Miche will probably just have to push me up the stairs when I'm 9 months pregnant. ;-)

So now that I have that burden off my chest, I now have to focus on packing. Wish me luck on that! Thankfully I still have over a month to get situated. Then I will have more space, and a bedroom to start nesting!

Gifts!

Today when I was at work, I received a call from my mom asking me if I would drop by once I got off because she had a surprise for me. And, a surprise it was! My mom and dad had originally just gone shopping for some diapers for little Ayden, but they ended up getting much more. Ayden and I left with diapers, breast pumps, bottles, baby monitors, a snuggler (for the car seat and stroller), as well as glow in the dark pacifiers. And yes, they definitely glow in the dark! Haha.

Before I left, I asked my mom if she had fun shopping. She said she had a lot of fun, and that she had to walk away before she ended up buying more stuff. She's excited, which in return, makes me even more excited.

Here is a picture of my fun gifts!

Nursery Themes

Every little boy or girl needs a theme for their bedroom. Okay, maybe they don't, but I'd like to think that Ayden will secretly appreciate his room decorated every time I put him in there. Ha! More or less I know it's for myself. I look forward to being able to decorate his room. Once I am able to, I think nesting will be a lot of fun. Until then, I have been looking online for possible ideas. Here are a few that I enjoy.

Goodbye To "Normal" Clothes?

Today I was in some much needed "mom" time. I was also in need of some new clothes..as my current ones were starting to get a little snug on me, especially the ones I wear to work. So, I asked my mom if she wanted to spend some time with me and asked her if she would help me go shopping. She was delighted of course and off to the mall we went.

Maternity shopping is very new to me, and until recently, really scared me! I have always been a petite girl, so this whole gaining weight thing has been a little difficult. But obviously this weight gain is for a good cause, so today I decided to suck up my pride and buy some comfortable clothes. There is really no point in me buying regular clothes because I am just going to keep out growing them, which in return, is wasting money. I might as well buy stuff that will grow with me, and last a while.

My mom and I went to Motherhood Maternity. Which, is kind of an expensive store, so I think next time I will try a little harder to find other deals. But, being the amature I am, I went for it. They of course had some cute clothes, and I ended up buying a pair of jeans, some work pants, and two shirts. Above is one of the outfits I got. My mom talked me into buying the jeans because per her, I need to "let the baby breathe". My regular jeans still fit me just fine, it was just my work clothes that were getting uncomfortable. However, these jeans are SUPER comfortable...they almost feel like pajama pants! I could possibly get use to this. :)

I don't know if I am ready to get rid of all my "normal" clothes, but I think I'm off to a good start.


P.S. This is also a shot of me at what will be 18 weeks tomorrow!

Cravings

I have now started getting cravings. It is a very interesting thing! I have craved foods that I never imagined I would like. My first craving experience was for Ranch dressing. I have NEVER liked Ranch dressing. Now it is all I want on my salad! The second biggest craving that I have had are for spicy foods. Once again, I have never been very big on spicy foods. My favorite so far are Jalapenos. A few weeks ago Michael and I went to Applebees and we got a spicy queso dip before our meal. Unfortunately, Michael did not like it, but I pretty much went to town on it.

Hamburgers seem to be another thing that I have leaned towards. Although, I think I may have over done it, and I've become a little tired of them.

I also crave SLEEP. I didn't realize a person could want and need so much sleep. I often feel lazy because I sometimes just do not have the energy to do anything. I have to watch myself because I think I could easily spend the whole day on the couch. I guess it takes a lot of energy to make a person!

It will be fun to see what other cravings I have during the rest of the pregnancy. It will also be interesting to see if I still like Ranch dressing and spicy foods after I have little Ayden!

How Big Is Baby?

By week 17, your baby weighs about 5 ounces and is 5 inches long, crown to rump. His head is starting to look more proportional to his body, and he can hold his head more erect. His skeleton, which at first was a rubbery consistency, is starting to harden to bone, and he can move his joints quite well. Pads are beginning to form on his little fingertips and toes, and he is not far off from developing fingerprints.

Although his eyelids are still fused together, his eyes have moved from the side of his head to the front, and are facing forward now. His sense of hearing is now developing, and he is consumed with listening to the sounds of your heartbeat.

The umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger and is functioning like a machine. Your baby is starting to gain meconium (from the swallowing of amniotic fluid) in his bowel, which will make up his first movement after he is born. His urinary tract, brain, muscles, nervous and circulatory systems are now functioning, and he breathes in the amniotic fluid to get his lungs ready for breathing air.

It's All In A Name

Ever since Michael and I found out what we were having, we have been busy looking for a name. Granted we still have a while to find one, but being the anxious person that I am, I couldn't wait. We came across several names that we liked, but finally decided on the name Ayden. One of the things that sold us on the name was the meaning. Ayden means enduring. We went against the spelling of Aiden because that meant firey one. I am a firm believer that a name makes a person, and I don't want a firey one! Ha.
Ray is a family name on my father's side. It is also my brother's middle name, and I know it will mean a lot to the both of them. The meaning behind the name Ray is wise protector. We really liked the combination of the two.
So it is now official. I have an Ayden Ray Terry growing inside of me!

It's A Boy!

On Monday, January 31st, I went in for my first sonogram. At this point I wasn't completely sure how far along I was, so I was very anxious to find out my due date. Not only did we find out my due date (which is July 10th) we also found out the sex of the baby! He was a very proud little boy! The sonogram technician later said she was thankful we wanted to know what we were having because she would of had a hard time hiding it. He was such a busy little boy. It was so precious watching him move around. I am looking forward to when I can see him again.