We've Reached Viability!!

I'm 24 weeks today, which marks viability or when she could live outside the womb on her own. Now, it would be a long, tough road and there would be no guarantees she would make it this early, but it's the first time she would have a shot if she were to come early. It's another milestone!

I had my 24 week appointment on Monday. All looked and sounded good. I'm up 18 pounds (sigh), and our little girl's heart rate was 150, nice and strong.

Not much else is new. I'm still waiting on nursery deliveries. A new one that was just added is a dresser compliments of Grandma and Grandpa Muckerheide!

I attached a photo from our family leaf tour we took over the weekend. You can see my clothed belly for the first time!

23 Weeks and Mark Felt a Kick

I'm 23 weeks today, and feeling good! On Sunday night, 22 weeks and 3 days, Mark felt our little girl kick for the first time! We were watching TV on the couch, and I could feel her going nuts in there. I've been trying to feel for her on the outside for a few weeks, but haven't. I put my hand on my belly and pressed down hard and I felt her. I had Mark put his hand in the same spot and I pressed down on it. She kicked him! She didn't like that invasion of her space. Mark's face just lit up! It was so fun!

She now moves even more and I can feel her on the outside often. Last night when I was trying to fall asleep she was relentless!

On Saturday my mom and I went shopping for the baby's room. We found a couple of wall hangings and the cutest piggy bank! We also found fabric for curtains. It's coming along little by little!

22 Weeks!

I've hit the 22 week mark. Only two more weeks until viability, when she could live outside my body on her own. Now, we want to keep her in there far past that time, but it will be a milestone! As my countdown to birth calendar says, she's about the size of a football right now. She's also been moving a lot...especially when I'm wearing tight waist bands. This girl likes her space. I don't have another appointment until the 13th, so it's just the normal waiting game.

Not much has progressed on the baby room front either. I'm still waiting on the sheet and crib skirt. I did get a pillow (for the glider) and guilt. I decided to return the bumper. They really aren't safe, and it was $75, so practicality won out. Mark is so proud! :) My mom and I are going to go shopping for curtains. Like I said below, I think it will soften the PINK of the room. It will also hide the woodwork which I'm not crazy about. There's no charm in these newer houses, space, but no charm.

Other than that, life is the same!

I'm 21 Weeks...and Room Update.

So, today I'm officially 21 weeks! My belly seems to have grown over night. It's crazy!

Tonight my mom and dad came over and helped me paint the nursery. It is definitely pink. My mom and I decided the color didn't go well with our woodwork. Rather than repaint, we decided we could take down the wood blinds and put up white curtains. With that and all the new furniture, I think you will hardly notice the woodwork. The current blinds are just very heavy, and not too nursery-like anyways. I'll save them in case we have a boy next time (hoping there will be a next time). I think they would go well in a boys room.

I'm still waiting on almost all of the bedding. My parents are paying for the bedding as a gift! My mom said that she never got the chance to decorate my nursery because they didn't have any money. So she thought helping me do it would be a good way to finally be able to decorate one! I have the bumper, which I'm thinking of returning because they aren't that practical, and I'm waiting on everything else. The sheets and crib skirt are on back order and will be sent in the middle of October. The quilt and pillow (for the glider) should be here any day! I don't have the glider yet...but I'll be prepared with the pillow! Then all we have left are: dresser, curtains, glider, and bookshelf. I think it will all come together. Now I just have to work on my patience. I tend to like to get these things done in a hurry. I have to realize that we have a long 19 weeks left and many hurdles to overcome to get a healthy little girl!

Not much else is new. I had a nice lunch with the UWEC ladies today! I got to see baby Devin Larson and big 1.5 year old Nevin Poppy. Both were really well behaved!

Belly Shot!

Well, for the first time I've been noticed as a pregnant woman! First, a client of mine (while on showings) said, "Last time I asked somebody this I made a complete ass of myself...but, are you pregnant?". I was so excited to tell her she wasn't making an ass of herself this time because I am! The second person to ask me was another agent while on a showing with different clients. She was the listing agent and showing us around. She said, "Well Erin, it looks like you are expecting something?". Yay! Then...at total conditioning (aerobics of sorts) my instructor noticed me and announced alternative exercises for the pregnant women in the crowd! I guess 20 weeks was the magic number! The photo above is from tonight. I usually do photos in the morning, so maybe it isn't a true representation? I think I just look full, but maybe that's just because I FEEL so full! It was Oktoberfest at our wine club tonight. If you can't drink, you must eat?

I'm bad at posting, because it really seems like nothing is going on. At 'Cheaper by the Dozen' aka our wine club, Erin Hemming pointed out that it was a good thing. No news is good news, I guess! She and Lindsay also said they read my blog...so this one is for you ladies!

I took the shot in our little girl's room, as usual. This time, though, you can see I've been experimenting with paint colors. My mom and dad are coming over tomorrow night to paint. I thought I was going to do blue, but Mark looked at me like I was crazy, "It's a girl, it should be pink.". Soooo...I tried various colors and shades of pink and it got the most votes, pink it is. I just hope I don't regret it! I'm doing the light pink that is right behind me in the photo. I was trying to avoid the all pink look that is in the Pottery Barn photo, but oh well. I've attached a photo of the bedding too. I don't have much of it yet, so I went with the pro shot!

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Our appointment on Thursday at exactly 19 weeks went well. There is no doubt our little one is a girl, and she couldn't look healthier! Her length from head to rump is 15cm, but she's all legs...so I'm sure she's quite a bit longer than that. All of her measurements came in at 19 weeks except her legs were 19 weeks and 3 days. We have a leggy one! Her heartrate was 142, all of her body parts and organs looked great. They still don't have any worries about her, thank goodness!

After our appointment, we finished registering! It was fun to put some pink stuff on the list. Now I'm just waiting for the bedding I ordered to start working on the nursery. I don't think I will feel settled until I have that done. I know it's early, but let's be honest...I'm a planner! It's bugging me that we have random gifts and toys sitting around the room. I want to get everything put in its proper place!

Attached are photos of my belly at 18 weeks and 4 days, the ultrasound photo of our baby girl (you can see her spine and ear), and an ultrasound photo of her foot. She was annoyed that the ultrasound tech kept moving my belly and disturbing her so she kicked at him. Too cute!

Starting to Pop

Well, in the last couple of days my belly has started to pop a bit. I'm still in that awkward 'Is she getting chubby or is she maybe pregnant?' stage...but I'm working my way up to a real belly.

Yesterday I went to Baby Grand on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. My classmate from high school's mom owns it, and she suggested I go there for her sex prediction. She takes her colada (sp?) ring off and puts a piece of thread through it. She then had me hold out my right hand an help the suspended ring over it. It began to turn in circles, signaling that I am female. A calibration of sorts, I'm guessing. She then held it in front of my belly and it started swinging like a pendulum, signaling that our little one is a male. She hasn't been wrong much, so we'll see! Thursday is our official ultrasound appointment to know for sure!