A Different Kind of Trip

 ****Week 23****

Nothing makes me happier than feeling the intercoastal breeze from the Atlantic Ocean and seeing the Spanish moss hanging from live oaks that surround the Jekyll Island Club. 

We've been taking this annual trip with the Wages for the past three years. I knew this vacation would be different considering my co-pilot tagging along, but I have never felt more relaxed or more at peace than I do now. 

All in all, the pregnancy is progressing well.  I've gained about 15lbs, and I am getting used to seeing the scale increase at each doctor's appointment. My back aches a bit more each day, but my blood pressure and protein are normal, which they check at each appointment. The increase in estrogen has been wreaking havoc on my skin, but that is a small price to pay for a healthy little bean-pod.  I also have noticed the linea nigra line on my stomach.  I definitely don't love it and can't wait for it to disappear once I deliver Megan :-) My aversion to chicken persists--save for the chicken sandwiches from Chick-fil-a. I'm trying to maintain a healthy diet free of too many bagels, but the elastic pants and flaring shirts don't offer much incentive. I hope to get the motivation to head back to the gym soon, but right now I'm just enjoying life.

As Megan continues to bop around my belly (especially when I blast a little Jewel and Britney), I sit in our room and hear the sweetest sounds--the boys hollering at the TV over the lack-luster performance by the Dawgs, the pounding of the keys on the keyboard, and the ringing of the bells on the bikes down below. I am starting to realize that although this trip is a different kind of trip than years past, it really doesn't get much better!

She's Really in There!

       ****Week 19****    
 ***Week 22*** 

      

                                                                                                                                                             

Weeks 21 and 22 have flown by so fast.  My stomach is getting bigger and bigger. I'm now fully in love with maternity pants. There were so many weeks and months that I forced myself to tug, dance, and shake my way into my old clothes. I have now conceeded to the elastic waist-band...and I love it!

Megan is also getting a lot more active. Her first moves felt like nothing more than belly-rumblings, but now it's quite obvious that she's really in there! I find myself stopping mid-sentence in a conversation just to put my hand on my stomach and feel her. 


Travis and I also registered a couple of weeks ago.  I surprisingly had a lot of fun.  I thought that it was going to be a stressful process.  After all, there are so many baby products on the shelves, and I am definitely not the type to do research, but Travis really helped me laugh and enjoy finding things for Megan. I'm sure there are things that we need that we didn't know to get, but we'll figure that out as time approaches.  


I am still loving my pregnancy. I decided to take a rest from the baby books and focus on the fun parts. I'm going to start learning nursery rhymes and other songs that I can sing to Megan once she arrives. I'm going to finally order her bedding, which will be crisp white linens with lace, ribbons, and bows. Finally, I'm going to finish my nesting list which includes organizing the office, outfitting the house with curtains, and adding to my recipe book. 

February 25th will be here before I know it.  I can't wait to meet this little one who is bouncing all around my stomach.  

The Half-way Point

***This picture was the first day I found out I was pregnant***

Welcome to our first baby blog! On June 19, 2010 I took my first of three pregnancy tests. You can say that I was in shock and disbelief when I saw the word 'pregnant.' I was so excited that there was no way I could keep this exciting news underwraps for 12 weeks.                                               

The timing of our pregnancy couldn't have been more perfect. During the first trimester, Travis and I traveled to the Czech Repulic and Holland to visit Tod, Nursel, and the kids. It was great to see them and get a lot of parenting advice.  When we returned home, the first trimester blues were in full swing. I thought being a teacher taught me what it meant to be exhausted, but I soon realized that the kind of exhaustion associatated with pregnancy takes on a whole new life.  I napped constantly and rarely felt like leaving the house.

Once we hit the 8-week marker, we started our monthly check-ups with the doctor.  On our first visit we got the chance to see our little bean-pod. There she was--so little and alive inside of me.  I've never witnessed or been a part of something so beautiful and miraculous. I usually am not a crier, especially in front of people, but I could not hold back the emotion as I heard her rapid 155 beat heart rate.  

Over the last five months, thoughts of Megan's arrival has consumed me.  I was obsessed with the size she was in terms of fruits and vegetables, and I couldn't read enough baby books and pregnancy websites.  I've learned, though, that I'm spending so much time anticipating and preparing for what's to come that I'm not fully enjoying the day-to-day joys of my first pregnancy.  From now on, I will try to not look too far ahead.  After all, Megan will be here before we know it :-)