Goodbye Neurologist!

I am officially cleared from Neurology!!!! Whooo hoo! The only migraine I can remember (since starting all the vitamins) was Sunday and I think that's because I was getting this wonderful head cold. And the migraine was awful- I was in full panic mode thinking they were coming back. BUT I woke up the next day with a head cold. I saw the neurologist today who said I am cleared!! So happy!! Now I have to come back if they continue after the baby arrives.. keep your fingers crossed. I did ask if he knew that women are more likely to get migraines if they are having boys... he said there is no research to back it up but he has heard several women say that. I was going to suggest he do a research study on it but he probably won't have thought that was funny.

Fun note: The neurology waiting was so boring (and 45 minutes long) that Jackson decided he needed to put on a show and do flips in my belly. These flips were so big you could SEE my belly moving around. I was really trying not to laugh out loud. This also makes me wonder how big he is because I read he should be about a 1 1/2 pounds... can 1 1/2 pounds really make my belly move like that?! :)  He might be taking after Oscar...

Just for fun belly pic 23 weeks 3 days. This was Saturday morning at 2am after the plaid party. My belly gets really big at the end of the day!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

This year for Mother's Day I decided to make a nice lunch for my mom instead of trying to buy her a gift. I did get her flowers and a card but I real gift is really hard to find for my mom!  Friday I went shopping and got all the stuff. Then this morning I got up, cooked, cleaned, did 45 minutes of yoga, and got ready with time to spare! Impressive! We had a nice lunch and then spent the afternoon playing the XBox Connect.. hilarious. Here are some pics:

Table setting. Those our my mom's flowers. On my list to buy- cloth napkins. And getting MY silver from my mom..

Pretty!

Jamie was so sweet he got me my own tulips!! I was secretly hoping for them.

Dessert: German Chocolate cupcakes. Food: homemade chicken salad

Spicy Deviled eggs, veggie tray, and not pictured spinach dip

He was wore out from yoga.

Happy mommy to be day too!

Happy birthday Stella!!

I actually don't know when her exact birthday (she is a shelter kitty) is but sometime in the month of May Miss Stella was born. She is 4 years old!!! I am obsessed with cats (duh) and had wanted one for a long time. So when I went to grad school and was a bit lonely, going from a very packed social/sorority life to studying was a big transition, (inappropriate comma usage probably) anyways so I went shopping for a kitten. I really wanted a black and white boy kitten but the shelter one was a sick little boy near death. And then I saw the most precious kitty.. Abby. She was cuddly and playful and super cute. I had to have her! I had to wait a couple weeks but I took little Abby home and named her Stella. Taking home a kitten was like having a newborn.. the first night she cried and cried because she wanted on the bed.. I put her on the bed, she attached my feet or anything that moved and then jumped off... and the process continued. Stella is/was a spit fire SASSY girl. She would bite, claw, play so much energy! Most people don't like Stella because of her energy and because she HATES to be held but I love her! And she loves me! She likes very few people- it took a long time for her to like Jamie. Four years later she is much calmer, no more biting or clawing and she is a snuggle bunny at night. Still hates being held. Oscar is obsessed with Stella too, he has to know what she is doing at all times. He would be lost without her.

I look like an angel but I was the worst study buddy.  She only weight 1 pound when I got her! 

Energy?! She lies..

I love the big house and catching lizards.

Still a pretty kitty! She only weighs 7 or 8 pound now. 

23 Weeks

How far along? 23 weeks

Total weight gain:

 12+ pounds 

Maternity clothes? 

Mostly maternity due to the fact I have so many maternity clothes and I’m lazy and I don’t want to attempt regular clothes. A lot of the pants I have are still really big but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. 

Stretch marks? 

Nope

Sleep: 

Great! Minus the leg cramps..

Best moment this week: 

Jamie feeling Jackson KICK!! I’m still excited about it!

Miss Anything? 

Nope!

Movement: 

He is moving all the time now. I love it!  

Food cravings: 

Evil sweets! I made Jamie buy German chocolate cake mix this week.. I have’t actually made it yet but oh my. I'm also slightly obsessed with tator tots. I buy the organic ones so at least they aren't processed :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

Chicken. Lettuce. GROSS. 

Gender: 

BOY!

Labor Signs:

No!!! 

Symptoms: 

Oh rib pain is awful. It’s to the point I thought I pulled something but it does go away sometimes. Hip/back pain too. This is getting really bad at night. I can't image how bad it will be once I'm bigger. I have started getting some leg cramps at night.

Belly Button in or out? 

I would say give it one more week..EKS!!! It’s so close I’m scared. 

Wedding rings on or off? 

On! YAY

Have you started to show yet?

Yes! The cashier at Publix asked me if I had someone at home to help carry groceries. When I told her nope my husband just had surgery she said Oh my goodness!! She packed the bags light. So sweet of her. Too bad I had to carry a zillion bags up three flights of stairs. It did make things easier! I do really like this mom at work who keeps telling me how small I am :)))) She's the only one! hahah

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

HAPPY!!! :))) So EXCITED!! Easily irritated which is just irritating.

Looking forward to: 

Working on Jackson’s room this weekend- hopefully.  I realized I only have 13 weekends that we are in town to finish everything.. YIKES! Getting nervous!

Workout:

Same as usual!

Reading:

I have two more books that are in my amazon cart to order and read. Then it is rereading time. Convincing Jamie to read the books..that's a whole other story. He loves to NOT read them and then argue with me about what I learned... tsk tsk!

Predictions for Jackson

We have discussed in the past the traits we hoped Jackson would get from both of us. While that list is really long we made a short fun superficial list of our predictions. I made my list and then Jamie made his: 

Danielle's Predictions

I hope our little boy looks like a mini me of Jamie! And loves to snuggle with his mommy. And maybe go to Florida State one day :) Or college of Charleston. 

• Hair color: Dirty Blonde (also my hope I love little blonde boys!)
• Eyes: Hazel I really think this one will turn out true since we both have hazel eyes. Should we do a Punnett square?
• Nose: big nose not super large but big. I think we both have big noses.
• Skin: hopefully Jamie’s skin tone :)
• Height: Tall
• Hair Type: Straight! Hopefully thick like Jamie's!

Wishes:

• From Jamie: His build (hello I have no ability to even look toned), athletic abilities, skin tone, hair color! And Jamie's way to always be truly happy for peoples success. He is very realistic but much more positive than I am.. I really hope Jackson is just like that!
• From Me: My eye color, a love for learning and school, and maybe my nose but straight! 
• From both of us: Our love for animals and kids, appreciation of little things, and our love for being healthy and fit! 

Jamie's Predictions

I hope he always feels love and is not afraid of failure. And that he becomes a college athlete. And maybe goes to College of Charleston. On a full ride.

• Hair color: dirty blonde
• Eye: hazel
• Nose: medium
• Skin: my (Jamie) skin tone
• Height: 6’2
• Hair Type: Medium and straight

Wishes:

• From me: independent, a great sense of humor, athletic. "Will to win."
• From Danielle: Ability to do math and science, strong willed (aka stubborn), distance running ability
• From both of us: See Danielle's.

I am dying to know what Jackson will look like but we have decided that we want it to be a surprise! Meaning no 3D ultrasound. Since we already took out the surprise of finding out the sex we have leave something for the big day! Not that the whole day will be a surprise but you know...

22 weeks!

Jackson weighs at least a pound! I'm guessing more..

How far along? 22 weeks

Total weight gain:

 12 pounds 

Maternity clothes? 

Mix of both. 

Stretch marks? 

Nope

Sleep: 

For the most part great! My hips and back get sore from sleeping on my side.

Best moment this week: 

Getting the baby furniture! I have to peek in there everyday just to see it :)

Miss Anything? 

Not really. 

Movement: 

Bigger movements but nothing consistent yet. 

Food cravings: 

My somewhat healthy cravings have turned on me. Now I want SWEETS. I’ve dreaming about cinnamon rolls and brown sugar poptarts. I seriously went down the grocery aisles 2x’s staring at them. I somehow talked myself out of it but I’m still thinking about them..

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

Chicken. Gross

Gender: 

BOY!

Labor Signs:

No thank goodness and no Braxton Hicks either. Whew. We did sign up for our childbirth classes. Eks! They aren’t until July but it’s quickly approaching.

Symptoms: 

Rib pain! Still! Back pain. Hip pain in the back and front. I had heartburn for the first time this week which is really surprising because prepregnancy I got heartburn all the time! 

Belly Button in or out? 

Holding on for dear life..

Wedding rings on or off? 

On

Have you started to show yet?

Uh YES! I get more and more comments everyday. It’s funny I know I look big but I don’t feel big yet. I guess that’s good!   

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

HAPPY!!! :))) Emotional not that I wasn’t before.. Stella fell and hurt her foot this week and I was VERY upset. I have no idea what I’m going to do when Jackson gets hurt. 

Looking forward to: 

Jamie feeling the baby kick! 

Workout:

I lied about giving up on running. I decided I couldn’t go 19+ weeks not running so I would try again.. stubborn. I was shuffling along but I made it probably a mile or so and then I walked. Jackson did better but he still does not like running- he is either on my bladder or pushing his whole body out making running so uncomfortable. My mom suggested I talk to him before I run :)

I also started the strength and cardio section of my DVD. Um I’m out of shape. I can’t remember the last time I did a push up.. before the wedding? Anyways I didn’t make it all the way through and I was sore. LOL 

My new goal is to do yoga once a week because it is suppose to help with labor. I just would much rather be outside! It needs to rain once a week. 

Furry Babies:

Bad kitties!! Oscar scratched the baby’s crib- trying to climb up it. GRR And Stella is just being plain bad. She has always loved being with just me and then Jamie came along. She did adjust to him but then we got Oscar. Since Oscar we have had trouble with her using the bathroom outside the box- on and off. Everytime we think we have it fixed she’s back at it! And now she’s out of control. She hates change and sharing. I swear the night Jamie tried to sleep in the bed for the first time (post surgery) she sent us a message- she went to the bathroom right outside the bedroom door- right where you walk. The more baby stuff we get the worse she is. :( I have had her for 4 years a few months longer than I have known Jamie. And I would like to keep her forever so she needs to get her stuff together.  My parents may be getting a new furry friend :( I can't even think about it.

And we went shopping at Buy Buy Baby...

His little prince clothes :) If mommy's the princess he is the prince :)

AWWWW

His first pair of soccer booties!!!! Daddy was pretty excited about these!

1st trimester collage

4 weeks

6.5 weeks

                        

 I saw this on someone else's blog and thought it was a great idea so I copied it! Here are all the first trimester pictures. What's funny is I remember thinking I was so big from week 11 on... HAHAH I know I wore that dress to cover up my "growing" belly. LOL Second I should also never complain about being fat. I look back at this pictures now and I'm like what was  I complaining about? I should also take better pictures/get a tripod. I think you can tell in my face how awful and tired I felt. I clearly remember week 8 being really hard. It should be really interesting doing the second trimester collage!!! I do really miss those gray work pants..