And we're growing...

I've been asked why no belly shots recently. Well, I decided to take them on the same day as my doctor appointments so there wouldn't be so many. (I had comments about that early on.) Because of the funeral last week, my appointment was pushed to this week. So, for all those who want to see, here I am. (Oh, and you'll only have to wait three weeks for a new belly shot this next time. So, never fear!)

When Dr. Jarrett tried to listen to the heart with the Doppler, the baby kept kicking her and hiding. Yes, she found the heartbeat of the umbilical cord and the placenta, but she was trying to get right over the heart and the baby wouldn't let her. It was pretty funny! She kept looking and Phillip and saying, "Do you see what your child is doing? Are you ready for this?" So, she used the sonogram to see the heart. We could see a hand and the eyes and legs and rib cage (and heart, of course)! She pointed out the liver, but I never really saw that.

And, in case you're wondering, you can't get enough potassium from bananas to raise your level high enough to prevent leg cramps. Apparently you'd have to be a monkey to eat enough!

First dinner party of the year

Our first dinner party of the year went well. Phillip and I decided to have two elders and their wives over each month because we really don't know any of them. Saturday night the Browns and the Greens joined us for dinner. Everything turned out great, except the rolls. Recently, I've had trouble with this one recipe of rolls that I've never had trouble with. Maybe the water is just too hot. Anyway, the cracker crumb chicken, disgusting potatoes*, Swiss vegetable medley and upside down chocolate pudding were delicious!! And, we enjoyed spending time with our elders and getting to know them a little bit.

The plan is to have two couples per month and at that rate, we'll cover all of them before the baby comes!

*aka Disgustingly Rich Potatoes

Sad news

My granddaddy's brother, Wayne Smith, passed away yesterday. While he was in his 90s, death is never easy. Granddaddy had two brothers and Grandmommy had two sisters, so for years, there were six of them. Granddaddy is the last one surviving. I know this will be hard on him, but I also know he's strong and can make it. After all, he has two new great-grandbabies to look forward to this summer!

Pray for him (and Wayne's wife Charlesta and their daughters Karen & Kathy) when you get a chance.

You're probably going to look at this and think, "She has lost her mind!" But, I think if you've been pregnant, you will understand.

Today I feel pregnant, more than I have this first 19 weeks. Obviously, I've been pregnant for a while now and even mentally, I've sort of felt that. But, today, I physically feel it! I feel like I'm about to explode. (I feel that way most nights, but not usually during the day.) I'm walking slower because I just feel, well, like I'm about to explode. I know, if you've been pregnant, you're thinking, "Just wait!" I know worse is coming, but this is how I feel now. So there!

Two more

Each of the last two weeks (before today), I had gained one pound, for a total of two pounds. Today, when I weighed, I had gained two more! So, I'm up four pounds since I last posted, right on track. Yea!!!! (Overall, I'm up six pounds since the very beginning.)

Sidenote: I need to clarify the pounds issue. My doctor was comparing my pre-pregnancy (at home, in the morning, just out of the shower) weight to my current (at the doctor's office--scales measure the exact same as home, by the way--in the afternoon, with clothes). So, according to her calculations, I had gained five pounds. According to reality, I had only gained two pounds at my last visit.

Pretty cool!

Something pretty cool happened last Tuesday, but I didn't post about it because I just wasn't sure. But, I started feeling the baby move! That first time, I was sitting on the couch, after walking, eating my ice cream and I felt three taps coming from inside me. It was a "what was that?" kind of thing. But since then, on and off, I've felt some little kicks and movement. It is the coolest thing. I can't wait (or can I?) for it to be stronger so Phillip can feel it too!

Fun stuff

I've been meaning to post these pictures all week, but I've been too busy to get out the camera! Last weekend, while with Phillip's parents, we went to San Angelo and looked at some antique stores. We found this sign that will be perfect for the nursery!



Also last weekend, we went shopping with my parents and bought the baby book--"The Big Story of Little Me"!

Today was a busy day. Phillip and I went to Babies R Us to register! We picked out all kinds of fun stuff, mostly the big ticket items, because, honestly, I don't really care what blankets, onesies & socks people buy for us! We did add a few things once we got home, but we had a good time.

Thanks to my good friend, Cara, we have a glider and ottoman. Today we also picked out paint for the changing table that matched the glider.