Snoogle

I thought I would write an update on my new snoogle. When we were in Mobile last weekend we went to Babies R Us to get the snoogle (a pregnancy body pillow). I have to say that my snoring has stopped and my I am now sleeping in a deep coma. I did promise Owen the snoogle would leave our bed once Andrew was here. It is quite large and does take up some bed space. However for the here and now the snoogle is not only allowing Owen to sleep better - I am sleeping fantastic. It is posing a slight inconvenience when I have to go to the bathroom 3-4 times a night. I am so nestled in the pillow that I have to crawl myself out to get out of bed. To bring another obstacle into my nightly routine is our precious puppy Ralphie who sleeps half away under the bed with his legs sticking out. He sleeps on my side most of the night. So after I juggle getting unwrapped in the snoogle, I am watching to make sure I don't step on Ralphie. I am also doing all of this in the hope that I am not waking up Owen. I would say I am successful 2 out of the 4 times I get up at night. Not too bad for a women whose center of gravity has shifted more than I could imagine.

Ella's Baptism

My cousin Nellie and her husband Craig welcomed their 2nd daughter into the world on 8/6/09. This past weekend they had her baptism in Chickasaw, AL. This is the church that we have all been baptized in and for Ella's baptism, Adam was the officiating priest. This was Adam's first baptism. He did a very good job. After-wards we had a brunch celebration at my Aunt Kathy's (Ella's grandmother) house. Later in the day my family and Owen and I went to eat a late lunch at Dew Drop Inn. This is one of Mobile's oldest restaurants. I have been there numerous times, but for some reason had a hard time ordering. I ordered a hamburger, which I thought could not be a mistake. I should have taken a picture of it. It was the saddest hamburger I have ever seen. It looked like a 49 cent hamburger instead of a $3.00 one. Oh well...you live and learn. It was a fun day visiting with my family and being able to see Adam one last time before he heads back to Rome. He leaves this Wednesday.

Here is a picture of my family at Ella's baptism.


Front Left to Right: Aunt Ibby, Grandmom, Aunt Kathy, Nellie, Ella, Aunt Mary, Adam, Me, and Owen
Back Left to Right: Mary Katherine, Emma, Craig, Uncle Jay, Mom and Dad

Phase 1 of Andrew's room

I took pictures of Andrew's room this weekend. This is phase 1 (paint color, rug, and furniture). Owen painted the room a couple of weeks ago. He did such a good job with it. The color wasn't what we thought it would be, but we love it.

25 weeks Picture

Here I am at 25 weeks pregnant!

Sleeping is not the same anymore

I have hit that stage of pregnancy where I can not find the most comfortable position to sleep in. Luckily I am a side sleeper, but lately that isn't even comfortable. To make matters worse I have developed a snoring habit. Yep...that is right, I am a snorer. According to Owen a very loud one. So loud he had to sleep on the couch twice this week b/c I would not stop. Last night I took action steps to control the snoring. I doubled up on my pillows and I even wore an extra strength breath right strip. Again...I am that person! What an attractive sight. I didn't snore last night, but my neck hurts from the pillows.

I did some internet searching to see if there were any other home remedies I could do to stop the snoring and what I read over and over again is how snoring is linked to gestational diabetes. It is that symptom again...the one I am terrified about. The symptom I have to get tested for in 4 weeks. I told Owen this and doesn't seem to think that is my problem. He thinks I am having sinus problems. I hope he is right.

I am convinced now that I need a snoogle pillow. I am hoping to get one this weekend. They are so expensive, but I have been reading the reviews and so many people love them and say they are worth every penny. I just want a good night's sleep without snoring. Is that too much to ask?

Clearly I don't know what I am talking about

Ok, So I read two articles on gestational diabetes and I have come to the conclusion that it has nothing to do with the amount of sweets I eat currently. But if I am diagnosed with it, then I have to change my diet. So I feel a little better.

6 month doctor visit

Today I had my monthly doctor visit. I am 24 weeks this week and according to the 5 minute doctor visit today I am measuring well for 24 weeks. Going to the doctor is a monthly highlight for me. Owen meets me for the appointment and then we go to to lunch. Next month however I have the gestational diabetes test. This will be the one month I am NOT looking forward to the doctor. Sweets are such a staple for me. I love them. I usually can't get enough of them. I hope this won't be the cause for me to have gestational diabetes. Wait - after I typed that sentence I realized I really don't know much about this pregnancy symptom so I should do some more research to understand it more.

I also need to take a 24 weeks picture and take a before picture of Andrew's room. The only thing we have done so far is paint the room. However, we have ordered many things for his room so I need to document the stages of the decorating. It is so hard to believe that we have 3 more months and then we can meet Andrew! What a fun time for Owen and me!

How things change in a year

A year ago today I was finishing recruitment at Southern Miss. I remember feeling pretty good about the week on this day last year. I also remember being so happy it was over. This whole week I kept thinking if I was in Greek Life I would be doing this or that. One thing is for sure I would be working 20 hour days with no sleep. When people ask me if I miss it - I have to say yes, but then no. I miss the women and being so involved in something that you love. Being involved in social clubs/sororities was a major part of my life. I was very active my undergraduate years of college (4) and then in graduate school (2) and then a professional (4). So for 10 years the sorority type of life was a major part of me. Being a Greek Advisor was my identity for a while. I was what I did. Now a year later my life is completely different. I think it is different for the better. I am about to a mommy - the most wonderful job in the world. Being a mommy is something I have dreamed about since I played with dolls as a young girl. So even though my job isn't what defines me anymore and my job is nothing what I went to school for, I am glad I have it. I am glad my life has taken this turn. I am a happier person with out the drama and stress of sorority life. I do miss it but I also appreciate my quality time with my husband and being able to prepare for Andrew. Speaking of Andrew...he is making me very emotional these days. It has been a pretty low key pregnancy but lately the emotional roller coaster I have been on has been a fierce one. I think that has to be the reason for my nostalgia of looking back at my sorority life days. Who knows...but as I reflect on the last year and the decisions I have made and where my life is I can say I am 100% happy and content with life.

Amazing Item

I have discovered an amazing item - the belly band or better yet the Be Band from Target! I bought this on a whim while I as looking for maternity shirts and just tried it out on Saturday. I pulled some khaki capris from my "not wearing at the moment" part of my closet. Tried to button them (I was able to zip them up and thought that was a successful moment) but they did not button. So I opened up my be band and off I went wearing my to small around the waist pants but loving every minute of it. I now have more options for daily outfits and could not be happier about it. I think the most amazing thing is this product actually worked and I was comfortable all day. Amazing!

Our Baby Shopping Experience

Owen and I went to Jackson this past weekend to register for baby things and to figure out what kind of stroller and car seat we want to get. We went to Cullen's Play Pen in Jackson which was a great idea b/c the owner was so knowledgeable on strollers and we got to touch and play with the strollers to get a true idea of how they worked. We decided on the Peg Perego stroller and infant carrier in Moka (b/c I believe the car seat should match the interior of your car). My parents are going to get us the stroller - YIPPEE!!! Because baby products are so expensive.

After the play pen we went to Babies R Us...what an experience! I was so overwhelmed that I wanted to read every little thing. Owen could take about 30 minutes of that so we started to get a little faster through out the store. I really don't know what we registered for or that we will get any of it...but I think it was helpful b/c at least I know what I want and the store keeps it on file for me :)

Owen painted Andrew's room this weekend as well. It is a bright sky blue. The color is different than what we thought it would be, but we like it so we aren't changing it. I am going to look for fabric this weekend for his bedding. Things are coming together for his room. I also found a lamp at Toys R Us that I think will work well in his room.

I am having another moment when I know Andrew will be here soon (4 months) but at the same time thinking 4 months will never get here. I sure do wish we had an ultrasound at every doctor's visit. I love seeing him.

Sweet Ralphie

Last week was freedom week for Ralphie. This meant that Ralphie had free reign of the house. No boundaries...which is a big deal b/c Owen and I give Ralphie a lot of boundaries. He had a couple of time outs on Saturday, but other than that no rules for Ralphie dog. I am here to tell you that he was up to the challenge. He has been such a good doggy. Ralphie can relax in every room in our house, except the living room. This is where we have the most trouble with him b/c he is eye level to us when we sit on the couch. He thinks that means you must scratch and give him constant attention. That is not the case at all actually. So we are still trying to break him of that habit (reason he got 2 time outs on Saturday).

Here is a picture of Ralphie on Sunday with his duck. I thought he looked like an Orvis Advertisement.

21 weeks

Hey! I thought I would post a couple of pictures of me at 21 weeks.