25 weeks

So I know I haven't given a real progress report on my pregnancy lately. I am now 25 weeks along. 15 more weeks to go! I can not believe I am almost in my final trimester, it feels as though I just found out I was pregnant.

Here are some recent ultrasound pics that I forgot to post with my last pregnancy update. Sorry they aren't the best quality, I have been carrying them around in my purse since Christmas Eve!

The ever classic profile:
The innapropriate gender shot:
The creepy "face" view

Finally, another head shot, profile with an arm "waving"

Overall I am feeling pretty good. When I walk too quickly I get sharp pains in my side, luckily they are bearable. My doctor tells me it is my ligaments holding up my uterus being pulled and stretched. I am still getting Braxton-Hicks contractions, my doctor says they are normal and not worry about them. It's hard not to "worry" about them when they make me uncomfortable! Not that I am really worried, more annoyed. I was secretly hoping for some more sympathy, or better yet, a temporary handicap parking slip so I wouln't have to walk to far since it tends to be the walks that cause the contrations and side aches. No such luck.

I just had a check-up last Monday with my doctor, actually I saw the PA. It was pretty uneventful, just check my weight, my urine, and schedule more blood work. She listened to the heartbeat again, still nice and strong, and measured my belly. I did ask about my weight gain. I haven't been as careful this time, and since I feel so much bigger with this pregnancy than my last, I was afraid I was gaining too much weight. I also started heavier with this pregnancy than the last. Since I don't have a scale at home, I haven't been keeping track of my weight gain. She looked at my record, and verified that I am still on track for weight gain. I lost some weight between my first appointment and my second, so total, I have only gained 10 pounds so far. She did tell me that I need to gain at least 15 more pounds before the end. Don't worry, that is not a problem! :)

I am now completely in maternity clothes. Yesterday I wore a non-maternity dress and realized that was the last time I could wear that dress. I really need to go shopping for a few more maternity items, specifically, black work pants. It is difficult to still dress nicely for work right now, I feel as though I look frumpy in my maternity clothes and...well...not so professional in my regular clothes.

Although physically I feel pretty good, mentally I don't feel all there. I am very forgetful and it takes me longer to process things at work than it used to. Blame it on lack of sleep, or baby brain, either way, it is frustrating.

Jelly Belly Factory

After Christmas, Scott, Brendan and I drove up to Sacramento to spend some time with my family. One day while there we visiting, we all took a trip to the Jelly Belly factory. This was Brendan's first taste of Jelly Bellys. The first picture is of Brendan trying the candy. I must say, it was a big hit with the 1-year-old!

Brendan's Monkey

Remember Brendan's Monkey? His best friend that went everywhere with him?









The one that has been there since the beginning?











The monkey that made it into professional pictures and family portraits?











His Friend, comfort, sleep aid and constant companion?











Yeah! That one!









He's gone. I can't find him anywhere. The sad thing is, I don't even know where we lost him at! The last time we really saw him was on Sunday, January 3rd. He came to Disneyland with us, and was carried around all over the park!












I know we made it home with him that day. But I can't remember where we may have taken him next where we lost him. I have called 3 Targets, 2 Restaurants, Costco, Daycare...He is no where to be found.

So if anyone sees a little monkey laying around missing a little boy to love, let me know!

Bella Band

Oh BellaBand,
I love you and hate you.

I love that you provide additional support
to my tummy on long days,
I love that you help keep my pants
with real buttons around my waist,
and how you help the maternity pants without enough elastic.
I love that you can be folded to provide
different levels of support and comfort.

But most of all, I hate that it takes that much longer to get my pants off to go to the bathroom.
Because, let me tell you, when someone is using your bladder as a bean-bag chair -
Every second counts!

Happy Boy!

A few smiles for the camera during play time. 18 months old and still enjoying life!

First Hair Cut

Well Brendan turned 18 months last week and I conceded that it was finally time for a hair cut. Actually I had been trying since Thanksgiving but every time we tried either something came up, Brendan got sick or there were no appointments available. So this weekend we were finally able to take Brendan to get his hair cut.

The Before:

The Hair Cut:

The Big Boy after look:

They were very sweet and gave us a little certificate for his first hair cut, they also kept a bit of hair for me to keep in his baby book, but they taped over it completely so it looks really funny. Luckily, I also picked up a curl that had been cut off, so I was able to put it in the little pocket in Brendan's baby book. Overall he did fairly well. He didn't squirm too much, you know, for being a 1 year old. He did try to help with the comb they gave him. Now my baby is really turning into a little bot, but a handsome one I must say (as a mother).

I also want to give a small shout out to Great-Grandma Reed. Brendan got to wear his new shoes and shirt that we purchased with the Christmas Gift Card from G.G. Reed. Brendan was in desperate need of new shoes, and I just think they are adorable!!

Pregnancy, Ultrasounds & Updates

It has been a while since I have updated my blog on my pregnancy. So I thought I would catch you up on my "progress" and what has been going on lately since I am now 24 weeks pregnant.

• Although all the books say I should be "feeling good" at this point, I'm not sure if I am really there. Since I am in my second trimester, usually morning sickness goes away. Unfortunately for me, my morning sickness got worse after Christmas. After a couple weeks, it seemed to get better.
• The baby is moving like crazy! I can even see his movements when I just watch my tummy. It is actually one of the most enjoyable moments of my day, when I can sit back with my hands on my tummy, feeling his movements. My mom was able to feel a few of his movements when really concentrating at Christmas time. Scott of course has also felt the baby move and kick.
• I have had 3 doctor appointments since my last update. I feel like I have had a lot lately, and it gets a little frustrating to have to miss work for this many appointments.
• Scott was able to go with me to the Ultrasound a few days before Christmas. We were able to confirm that the baby is indeed a boy. No doubt about it!
• I then had an appointment with my normal doctor, who referred me back to the specialist for a few more tests.
• The specialist did another ultrasound. This time I didn't get to see as much of the baby as they were mostly doing measurements of the head and heart and such. Luckily, the appointment was quick and they said I shouldn't have to go back to the specialist again for this pregnancy.
• I am suppose to have another appointment today, but I think I am going to have to reschedule. I am sick today and not sure if they want me to come in.
• I didn't realize how much earlier I was showing with this pregnancy. I knew I began to show early, but I looked back on pictures of myself halfway through the pregnancy with Brendan and was shocked at how much bigger I am with this one. Unfortunately, with no scale at home, I am not sure how much weight I have gained. That is something I am going to ask the doctor at my next appointment. I don't want to gain too much weight!
• I have been experiencing a lot more braxton-hicks contractions lately. Some are even uncomfortable for me. They come on especailly after I do a lot of walking. Even walking in form the back of the parking lot at work carrying my laptop. I think I am going to talk to my doctor about these as well. I know that it is possible to get them at this point in the pregnancy, but it still feels too early for me.
• Scott and I started our baby registries this weekend. BabiesRus & Target. We haven't registered for a lot since there isn't too much that we need with this one. There are a few things that I didn't have with Brendan that I wish that I did. So we registered for them, and maybe we will see. We are still planning on keeping this pregnancy at a lower key since it is our second.
• Overall I think I am doing well. Completely in Maternity clothes at this point, feeling pretty good although I am still tired most of the time and i have to remind myself to slow down, take things easy and not try to do too much. I am excited for the weeks ahead as I get further into my pregnancy.