Merry Christmas!!!

OK so, I'll admit I'm a bit late, but better late than never right?

Joel and I had a fabulous Christmas spent with family and friends. We stayed in Missouri as my work schedule doesn't allow us to travel, plus I'm not sure I could have handled another 12 hour drive at 29 weeks pregnant. Last year Joel and I started a tradition of waking up on Christmas morning, opening presents, and then cooking a big breakfast with all the works - I'm talking eggs, pancakes, ham slices, hash browns, toast - you get the picture. Joel looked forward to it all week and he could barely eat the Christmas lunch my mom fixed! We were very aware that this would be our last "childless" Christmas and that next year will be very different, as we'll have an 8-9 month old on our hands, but hopefully we'll still be able to have our big breakfast. I'm so looking forward to having Reagan here next year, I'm just imagining all the pink toys and clothes that will be under the tree!

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and we wish you a very Happy New Year!

I also wanted to share a couple neat pictures Joel took of me and my belly. I hope you enjoy!

Sweet little squash!

It's time to start another month - month 7 to be exact!! We can't believe that in 3 or so months she will be here with us. As you will read below, she is growing like a weed and I'm certainly feeling the effects of her aerobics - sore ribs, shortness of breath, back ache, restless sleep. But it is all worth it! She has even had the hiccups a few times which makes me giggle.
There are only two more fruits/veggies left, so I hope you all enjoy month #7's update.
Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

First comment from a stranger

Today I had a craving for Taco Bell so I indulged myself at lunch. I went through the drive through which is where the first comment from a stranger about my pregnant belly occured. It went something like this:

Cashier: Do you know what you are having?
Me: Yeah, a number 8, crunchy tacos
Cashier: No, your baby. Is it a boy or girl?
Me: (stunned look on my face) Oh, a girl!
Cashier: That is COOL! How far along are you?
Me: 7 months
Cashier: COOL! Have a good day!
Me: Thanks you too bye!

I apologize if you didn't find this as funny as I did, but thanks for reading anyways! I'm trying to do a better job of writing down the small things that happen so I can remember them later :o)

Mabel tests the pack-n-play

We put together the pack-n-play the other night and since our little dog Mable is only about 12 pounds, the size of a one month old, we decided she would be a great test subject. She didn't seem to mind at all and sat nicely for this cute picture!

First visit to Labor & Delivery

Let me just say that all is well with both Reagan and mommy. Now that that has been established, here are the details of our first visit to L&D.
Yesterday, Sunday the 7th, while walking through Wal Mart I had two semi-painful Braxton Hicks contractions in about 5 minutes. They were uncomfortable enough that I had to stop for a minute and wait it out. We came home, I drank some water, and laid down on the couch. Reagan was kicking away like always so my mind was at ease that everything was ok. I even laid down on the floor and poked my belly and she poked back, it was a pretty fun game!
Fast forward to today. At work around 2:30 p.m. I had another BH followed by a second one almost 3 minutes later. This worried me so I called the nurse and had to leave a message. I waited not so very patiently until around 4 p.m. when I called again. I finally got to talk with a nurse and she wasn't concerned about the contractions since they weren't regular, but she was concerned that I hadn't felt Reagan move since the second BH so off to L&D for monitoring I went.
Joel had a basketball game to coach so I couldn't get a hold of him, but thankfully my mom and dad were able to come sit with me until we got in touch with Joel. He finally was able to make it to the hospital and breathed a big sigh of relief once he was able to see that everything was OK. I don't think I have ever seen him so worried, and even though it was a scary situation it was touching to see how much he loves (& worries about) both Reagan and me.
Once at the hospital the nurse set me up for a non-stess test which involves placing two monitors on my belly. One to measure Reagan's heartbeat and one to measure uterine contractions. They needed to measure her heartbeat for 20 consecutive minutes before I could be released. However, our stubborn little girl had other ideas. She started moving the minute the monitor was placed on my belly and didn't stay still for more than 2-3 minutes. The nurse said that since she is still pretty small she has plenty of room to "hide" from the monitors and on top of that she was and still is laying in a very strange position. She is basically lying like she is in a hammock between my pelvic bones which made her very hard to monitor.
Long story short, after an hour and a half my doctor was satisfied with the heartbeat that we did get to hear and with her movement patterns that showed on the monitors so they sent me home with directions to rest and drink plenty of water.
My mom and dad treated us to dinner (thanks mom & dad)! And my dad joked that there were easier ways to get a free dinner, ha! We are all very thankful that everything is OK with our little lady and a little anxious to see if this stubbornness continues outside the womb! ha

I can only hope that my next post about L&D will be after the main event!

Wisconsin Baby Shower

Joel and I traveled up to Wisconsin for the long Thanksgiving weekend and besides some great food and wonderful time with family we were treated to a shower for Reagan. Joel's Aunt Stephanie was very gracious to open her home to us and host the shower. We, meaning Reagan and me, and I'm sure everyone else too, really enjoyed the delicious soups that she made. Thank you to everyone who attended, brought such wonderful food to share, and of course for the gifts. Oh and I can't forget about the books, every guest was asked to bring their favorite childhood book to start Reagan's love of reading. We have so many books that I might have to start reading to her now! Joel and I are very thankful to have family that cares so deeply for us and our little girl. We can't wait to bring her up and introduce her to her family "up north".

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the shower. Enjoy!

Extra Cute Eggplant

For weeks 25-28 little Miss Reagan is the approximate size of an eggplant. I can tell she is growing and growing since my belly is getting bigger and bigger and the aches and pains are a bit more pronounced now. It is hard to believe we have under 15 weeks until she is here, assuming she comes on her due date. So much to do still! We are working on the nursery this weekend, so those pictures I've been promising...they'll be up after this weekend! So in order to tide you over until then, here is what little miss is up to for month number 6. Enjoy!Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.