27 Weeks ~ 3rd Trimester begins!

I can't believe I'm in the 3rd trimester! Some days it feels like it's all just flying by, and then other's I feel like I've been pregnant for an eternity already. I have been feeling really good. Just about a week ago I started having a bit of morning sickness again. I'm not sure how normal that is, but with pregnancy I've started to accept that anything is possible!

Violet's room is coming along, her dresser / changer has been put together and we have artwork and a mirror for the wall (although we are waiting until everything is in it's final place before we hang it). The painting is done, we just need to put up the chair rail! I really will do my best to take some photos soon! I can't wait for everyone to come by and see it. I am looking for a mini-chandelier for her room, so if anyone sees one for a decent price, email me to let me know about it.

27 Week Update:
"This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle." - courtesy of babycenter.com

All About Violet

I was searching for jobs that I could do online while on maternity leave, and I had to submit a writing sample to a company. Of course, I wrote about my new favorite topic: Violet! Thought I would share with you...

I am in a wonderful transition point in life. I am about to become a mother for the first time, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that my favorite activity is spending time with my unborn daughter. I try to take little moments throughout my day when I feel her kick or move or roll, and reflect on what's to come in our future. I look at her ultrasound photos and try to imagine what her sweet little face will look like when I see her for the very first time. I'll imagine her eyes, nose, mouth, lips. I can't wait for the first time when I get to smell, yes smell, her sweet baby breath. These times of reflection are priceless to me. On other days when she is really active I will lay on my side and jiggle my belly or rub it, and she'll kick or move in response. This is the best part of our "play time". It's like she is telling me, "Mommy, I am right here, and I love you too". Throughout my pregnancy, I have definitely had my ups and downs. There have been moments of pure elation, and then moments of desperation. The one thing that has kept me going through it all, is that precious baby girl. Anticipating our next "play time", awaiting her next weekly milestone, listening to her tiny heartbeat. Those are my new favorite things in life. In the wonderful, exciting, scary, unknown, but blessed new life I am about to begin. I know that very soon, sleep will be but a distant memory, so will a clean house, and worry free nights. The fact is, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Motherhood is the new welcome stranger in my life, that every day, my growing belly and daughter prepare me for.

26 weeks

I've been feeling quite tired lately, so yesterday I came home and took a bath to try and get to sleep earlier! While I was relaxing in the tub staring at my growing belly, I was able to actually play with my little girl. I would splash water on my belly, and rub with my hands and right afterwards (almost every time) she would kick or move! Now I can even feel her stretching out because I am getting jabs on both sides of my belly at the same time. Sometimes when she moves really low in the belly, I start to giggle because it actually tickles....that's always fun! Daddy & Mamaw are able to feel her sometimes, but it's mostly something I get to enjoy on my own, which I don't mind at all! The time we are spending together now is very precious to me!

Here's the 26 week update:
"The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days." - courtesy of babycenter.com

Some things just don't matter...

I worry about the color of the baby's room. I ask myself when we will ever get to putting up the chair rail, or does the bed look good right there? I think about all the things we still don't have, how I wish we made more money, that the house stayed more clean. That the dogs would not jump on the couch, followed with, we DEFINITELY need baby gates.......get the picture? The list could go on forever. Then I take a look at the blog of a young mother that I follow. Just about one week ago, her little girl was stillborn, after finding out that her little heart had stopped beating. Today I finally had the nerve to comment to her, of course, I felt like nothing I could say was good enough, but I had wanted her to know that I think of her every day. When I think of her, and her baby, it makes me realized how extremely blessed I am to still have my sweet Violet growing inside me healthy, warm and happy. It makes me realize how petty and small the details are, and how fortunate I am to become a mother. Violet will never care what color her room is, or how big (if at all) the chandelier is, or what painting is on the wall. What she will know, I will make certain of, is that she is loved more than anything in my entire world. That I will love her the rest of my life without question or condition. She will know smiles, and happiness, and my hugs and kisses. I want to focus on what's truly important, life, love, family, and all the rest can fall where it may. Thank you God for bringing Violet into my life, she has already begun to make me a better person.



If you have time, please send your prayers to Kristin and her family, who I spoke of above. to get to know her and her story you can follow her here:
http://dearbabycook.blogspot.com/

25 Weeks, good check-up today!

I had my 25 week check up this morning with Dr. Abbott. She said, "baby is happy, so I am happy"......and that makes Mom VERY happy! This was by far my fastest appointment yet. I was in and out in about 15 minutes, if only they were all this way. My next appointment is set for June 2nd and I will be going for my glucose screening which checks for gestational diabetes. I probably won't do the GD part until that following Saturday so I don't have to miss as much work. Luckily the lab is open on Sat's and takes appointments online - much easier! It made my heart race with excitement today when the Dr. said, "less than 15 weeks to go"....WOW! I can't believe how fast the time is going by. Which really reminds me that we need to get off dead center on Violet's room. At the rate we are going, the poor thing will be sleeping in a half-painted room, living out of boxes!! haha - Of course there is no way I am letting that happen to my little princess. I know we'll manage to get going on it soon, and I'll post some updates along the way.

Now Miss Vi is officially "off the ruler" (more than 12 inches)!!!!!......
"Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. " - courtesy of babycenter.com

24 Weeks & into my 6th month!!

Happy 24 weeks to ME! Well, I started off this morning feeling a little queasy and made a dash for the bathroom, but luckily it was a false alarm!! I am feeling a lot better now, and happy that the weeks are moving right along. My baby shower is coming up in June, and I am really excited to see all my friends and family together on that day, it will be so much fun to celebrate Violet's arrival. I know I have some wonderful people working away on the details, so I'll send a quick pre-shower "THANK YOU" to my Aunt Gay, Aunt Terri, Becky, and my sister Sherri! Love you guys!

I am starting to feel Violet kick and move more and more. Steve was able to feel her moving for the first time last night! FINALLY! I am always wanting him to feel it, but as soon as he puts his hand on my belly, she stops moving. Also, my little Daddy-to-be isn't so patient......so he'll only sit there for maybe 30 seconds so Violet really has to step up to the plate quickly or he loses interest!! I don't blame him, it's gotta be frustrating to wait and wait and feel nothing. Hopefully from here on out everyone else (that wants to) will get a chance to feel her in action!

Here are some early six month photos:

Dad wasn't too excited about taking a picture this day, but he did it for me anyway - thanks Honey!

and now the news for 24 weeks:

"Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon." - courtesy of babycenter.com