30 Week Visit...

We just got back from our appointment and had an ultrasound, as well. Of course, Siena has changed quite a bit since our last one was 10 weeks ago. Julie, the ultrasound tech was gracious enough to take some 3D shots of her, and Siena was kind enough to let us see her. I think she looks just like her daddy, but Julie said she could see both of us in her. She weighed in at a whopping 3 lbs. 11 oz.! They say that from here on out, babies gain about 1/2 lb. a week. So, 10 weeks left, that means 5 more lbs!! So, induction is looking like more and more of an option at this point! LOL On another note, Julie could also see some hair already sprouting! So, we are hoping our little girl will have a headful by the time she's born. That makes the horrible heartburn all worth it! Siena was posing the whole time with her left hand under her right. She sucked the side of her hand at one point; and twice laughed and smiled! So, she must be pretty content in there.


We are still trying our best to get the house ready for her. Tommy has been working hard on painting the nursery. We decided to use the sponging technique on the walls. It looks wonderful, but is, of course, taking longer than just rolling on paint. I will post pictures once it is finished. Tommy's also been working on laying tile down in her bathroom, as well. (Isn't she spoiled already to have her own bathroom attached to the nursery? LOL) He's doing a great job on everything and working hard at it to get it done. I can't wait until it's finished and all pulled together.

I'm Not a Pin Cushion!!!

What a crazy week this has been. I had another doctor's appointment last Monday. While there, I was getting my first sugar test and a shot for having a negative type. All this an no ultrasound!! Anyways, they took my blood pressure before all this and they were concerned about my top number. (It was 160) Then, after getting a shot and FAILING my sugar test, they want to check it again! Of course, it was worse this time (163). So, after laying down and thinking relaxing thoughts, I was able to get it down to 130. My doctor wanted me to come back in that week for a 3 hour sugar test that includes fasting to check for gestational diabetes and other risks. I did that Thursday. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. The worst part was that my veins are so small, they ended up using the same vein for 3 pricks. So, I definitely felt like a pin cushion! I did ask that they check my blood pressure and it was perfectly fine. I got the results of my test today and I passed. So, it's been an emotional roller coaster week, but God is still watching over me and little Siena. I'm officially in my 3rd trimester now. We have been getting gifts from friends and family this week, too. It's really making us see that we are going to have a baby soon! Tommy is still working hard on the nursery. He lacks about two walls from having it painted. I will definitely post pics once he's finished.

Baby On the Move!!

I am 26 weeks pregnant today. It's amazing how my stomach keeps getting bigger and bigger! Tommy told me the other day, "I think you are about 3/4 of the way there." I told him, I'm pretty sure I'm not even half way on how big I am going to get. (Considering she's just supposed to weigh around 2 pounds right now and has a few pounds and inches to grow in the next 3 months.)

We had an exciting event happen last week. I felt her kick! It started at the concert last Saturday night, but at the time, I wasn't sure that it was her. So, I'm not sure if the loud music got her stirred up enough to move everything out of her way or if she's just growing that fast, but I definitely feel her now! At this point, it does not hurt and just feels like my stomach muscles are jumping or "twitching." Of course, it's hard to hide my smile every time I feel her move. I'm constantly catching myself rubbing my stomach or sitting in a daze just feeling her. Now that I can actually feel her, it's setting in more and more that I really AM pregnant! LOL Tommy has yet to feel her move on the outside, yet. We are getting there, though. I occasionally have a kick that I think is hard enough that he can feel, and usually, by the time I get his hand on my belly, she has stopped.

Winterfest!

Last Saturday we were blessed to be able to help our friend, Tim with his ministry. He is a part of the Centurions for Christ. This is a basketball ministry similar to the Harlem Globetrotters, but with the message of salvation attached. To get the word out about C4C, last Saturday we attended Winterfest, a contemporary Christian concert.


Casting Crowns, one of our favorite bands, happened to be performing that night. We had the privilege of having backstage passes and got to meet the lead singer, Mark Hall. He was such a great guy. For those of you that don't know much about this band, it is made up of singing youth leaders (like Tommy & me!). Mark was very encouraging toward us. I was happy that I got a chance to tell him in person what a HUGE blessing his songs are to me. He truly is blessed with many gifts from God. We even got to watch the band perform from stage side!! Thanks again Tim for allowing us the opportunity to have such a great night with you all!

Another Doctor's Visit...

Last Thursday, I had the usual 4 week appointment with my NP. She says everything is really looking great. I was just excited that I had only gained 3 pounds since my last visit! (I've been trying my best to eat healthier, but you know a girl's got to eat, too!) I had been a little concerned because at this point, I'm supposed to be able to feel Siena kick and punch. I was still just feeling flutters, and they weren't happening as often as they used to. My NP reassured my nerves by telling me that the placenta was anterior (which means in front of the baby). So, it is blocking all of her blows for now, and it will still be a few weeks before I will be able to feel her. We are both very anxious to start feeling her, even though some have told me to enjoy the "peace and quiet" for now. We did listen to her heartbeat. It was a strong and fast 147 bpm. It has become one of my favorite sounds of all time. There's nothing like knowing that's your child's heart beating life inside of you. Anyways, the doctor's visit went great. Next time will be the "fun" one. I will have my first sugar test, get a shot for having a negative blood type, and also giving a vial of blood. Yep, all in one visit!! I'm sooo excited for that one!

The Day She Found Out..

Tommy's mom, Marcia has wanted us to have a child, well.. ever since I can remember. She was talking about it even before we were married! Then, when we got married, of course, she wanted to know when to expect her first little bundle and has been hounding us about it ever since! Once we found out I was pregnant, we couldn't wait to tell her just to see how she would react to the news. Here is the result. We met her for dinner at Applebee's one night after work and Tommy recorded us giving her a "gift" of a positive pregnancy test. Note that this was recorded by Tommy's cell phone and she had no idea we were recording her until the end. This is all Marcia!!

23 Weeks and Counting...

I am 23 weeks pregnant today. It seems so unreal! I read in my book that starting this week, Siena will be getting her baby fat. This can only mean she will be growing and so will I! So, now is when I'm supposed to start gaining weight and getting a bigger belly?!? Boy, I'm in trouble then! Well, maybe Tommy, too. He is discovering that as we gain weight and grow, he is also! He is trying his best to fight this difficult battle. Siena is growing more and more every day. She's actually supposed to be a little over a pound this week. That's great news considering we've been comparing her to fruits and soda cans for the past several months. On top of that, she's supposed to double in weight over the next 4 weeks. As we embark on the sixth month, I can not believe in just four months we will be a family of three, holding this precious little girl in our arms.