24 weeks

Snap, Crackle, POP!

6 months

So...here you go....an ugly picture of my growing belly :) Things are starting to grow and the baby's movements are even stronger now. It is so comforting feeling the "little stinker" move, except "he" likes to be most active around 2-4am and thus little sleep for me. All the moms I know inform me that this is just the beginning and good practice for after the baby comes. Just not fair that the lack of sleep has to start now! Things are going well still and the back pain is lessening. I go back in 2 weeks for another check-up and then will be going every 2 weeks. I can't believe I am nearing my 3rd trimester. We are finishing up painting the baby's room and plan to order the crib and rocker over Labor Day (in hopes of some good sales). It is very hard decorating the baby's room when you don't know the sex....but still glad we did not find out. Now if we can just decide on a girls name.....

Lions and Tigers and Bears....saw none!

Gatlinburg, TN

Smokey Mountains

Josh and I met our friends from Cincinnati and another couple in Gatlinburg over the weekend. We had a great time! We left on Friday morning and started the 6.5 hour long trip into the smokey mountains. We had a great time playing games, lounging on the porch, cooking out, and shopping in town. It was a little too short of a trip for the long drive...but it was such a beautiful log cabin! It was 4 stories high right in the mountains. The view was beautiful and it was so peaceful. We were hoping to see some brown bears....but no luck.

It was so nice for Josh and I to get away before our little one comes in December. That is our last planned trip as we have so much to do in the next 3.5 months! I never realized how much planning it takes to have a baby. It is so much fun...but crazy all the things you need to buy, prepare, learn, and decorate :)

















Michelle, Link, Shawn, Josh and Nicole

Say CHEESE!

22 Weeks

22 weeks 4 days

Wow....how amazing is technology? We had another sneak peek at our little "stinker" during our 22 week ultrasound. It was so cool to see how much the baby has grown and developed. I was a little anxious because of my profession...I know a little too much. I was praying all would be normal developing for our baby at this point in the pregnancy. We have been through so much already and just wanted all to be ok. My prayers were answered! The nurse said everything looked perfect at this point and all things checked out. She told us to close our eyes during one part because we might have been able to figure out the baby's sex. It was driving Josh crazy!!! He was bribing the nurse to tell him :). She does know what the sex is.....ahh the suspense.

Our little "piggy"

Can you see the baby yawning? (press play)

The baby weighs 1 lb 4 oz, heartbeat was 148bpm, and is in the 60th percentile for weight. The baby was SO cute as "he" was yawning and kept drinking the amniotic fluid while stetching out those arms and legs. (see video above and below). The nurse was amazed at how much the baby was drinking! We have a little piggy on our hands :). I was measuring a few days early, but not enough to change my due date. I checked out fine with blood pressure and weight gain. My only complaint would have to be back pain. You think I would be able to help that one considering I am a physical therapist! Ahh the joys of pregnancy. Again, this whole process is such a miracle and I feel so blessed to be apart of this journey. Despite all it took to get pregnant...I would not change a thing. I truly feel that Josh and I will appreciate this miracle of life more than we might have before this journey. Every moment and experience I am cherishing....despite the aches and pains!

Still drinking.....

Do you think the baby takes after dad? :)

On a side note....my younger sister Tammy got engaged to her boyfriend Brian! They are planning on getting married next August! There are so many wonderful things to look forward to in the next year. We could not be happier for them and to accept Brian into our family. Now I have 2 weddings to get in shape for after the baby!!

"Boo-Bees"

So, I am in my 21st week and doing well...except coming to grips with my daily body changes. It is so amazing to be pregnant, but hard at first to deal with the weight gain. I am fine with it now because that is what our baby needs to be healthy. It is just a weird thing. Never understood until now! I am now embracing my curves...just wish the curves were more in my belly than back!



Josh and I had our first prenatal education class about breastfeeding on Saturday. Fun stuff for Josh huh? It was very helpful and I was SO glad Josh was there to support me. (Although I think he went to see the "boo-bees"..ha!)



We went to our first Indians game (minor league baseball) on Saturday night. It was such a great stadium and so family friendly. It makes me excited to bring our little "stinker" there next year to enjoy some family time.



Today Josh felt the baby move for the first time!!! It was SO funny. I placed his hand on my belly and at that very moment the baby kicked! Josh "freaked" out and I think was a little weirded out at first. It was like a light bulb went off in his head and it all became so real to him. It was great to have him become a part of this process. We have our 22 week ultrasound and checkup on Friday...I'll post pictures of our little one then! Still not planning on finding out the sex. We are just now starting to look through a book of names. Not sure if we will ever decide on a name :)