29 WEEKS UPDATE

How far along 29 weeks and 1 day.  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a small cabbage, 17 inches long and weights 2.9 lbs. These last few weeks have seemed to go by slowly.  I think it is because I am anxious to be in the single digits and hit the 30 week mark.

Total weight gain/loss? I think I am at 29lbs.  I was encouraged because when I weighed last week for my progesterone shot that I had only gained a pound that week and that is less than normal.  So I am hoping that with my appetite calming down that I can maintain around a pound a week and hopefully not have the total gained just be ridiculous.  Fingers crossed.

Maternity Clothes? Yes.  I just ordered a few more fall type things and also a couple things I can wear once he comes.  I have to consider that I will have several months of cold weather after he comes where I will be that in between stage.

Stretch Marks- No. No stretch marks.

Sleep?Sleep has been better.  I created a sticker chart for Elle last week to encourage her from getting out of her bed and coming downstairs at night.  It has been a little hit and miss but I am hoping that with our fifth and last sticker earned for this round she will get a prize and then she will be more motivated for the future rounds.  So we have had the sticker chart for a full week and we have 5 out of 7 stickers.  That is pretty good to me. Walker is not making me too uncomfortable and as far as all the bathroom stops I don't even turn on the light and try not to fully wake up so that makes going back to sleep easier.

Best Moment Last Week? Having family pictures done with Elle and having my belly in the pictures.  I did not necessarily want a full out maternity shoot and our main goal was to get some shots of Elle which we did.  But I did let her take a few solo shots of me and my belly and I while I might feel kind of awkward about it at this point and time I know one day I will be so so so happy that I have the pictures.  

Movement? Yes and they are getting painful and sharp.  There was one night Kenny and I were laying in bed and I was on my side and it was the strangest feeling.  It felt like he ran his hand or foot down my entire side. He is getting bigger for sure.

Food cravings? No real cravings.  I have refused to do anything pumpkin until October 1 but I have been really into cinnamon lately.  I have even replaced my beloved mocha at Starbucks with a Cinnamon Dolce Latte.  Like I am kind of obsessed!

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? Ugg.  I don't know.  I plan to talk to my doctor.  I am having some sharp pains in my abdomen and my back and they are coming in regular intervals.  I have no idea what they are. I am also having a lot of Braxton Hicks which are just uncomfortable.

Belly button in/out? Not in.  Not out.  

What I miss? Alcohol.  I want some drinks! I wanted to have some drinks with our friends Friday night and while we were watching the game.  I am ready for some wine!

What I am looking forward to?We have a doctors appointment on Friday that will include a sonogram and I am soooooooooo excited.  I cannot wait to see our baby boy! I want to know which way he is turned so I can tell what is kicking me and when.  My nursery chair is getting delivered today, I am picking up all my curtains and other things tomorrow and my mom is coming in town this weekend. Hopefully after this weekend, Walker's nursery will be done.  It has taken a while for it to come together.

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker:  I can't really think of a funny store but we have been talking a lot about getting Walker's room ready and other things and she will say without us telling her that we did the same things for her when she was in my belly.  And I just think that that is really smart.  So we have conversations about when she was in my tummy a lot and how excited we were for her to come just like we are about Walker.

WEEKEND UPDATE- LETS GO BULLDOGS!

We had a great weekend of friends and football!  Before I even give a quick update I just have to say-OUR BULLDOGS ARE RANKED! NO 14! WOO HOO! We beat the mess out of LSU until the fourth quarter where things got a little tense.  But the game was so fun to watch and our guys look great! Can't wait for the rest of the season.

Friday night we drove over to Columbus with two of our favorite couples for a grown up dinner out.  We went to Prophets Porch.  A no frills restaurant with great fear and a little different from other places.  You sit out on a big quiet porch overlooking a small pond in the country.  The food was delicious and we ended up staying out a little later than expected!

Saturday morning we got up and made a big family breakfast and did some chores around the house and Kenny played a round of golf with a friend and then we all got ready for a fall photo session.  I was a smidge nervous about the session because it was a mini session and last years was a two hour session and was very very stressful.  But Elle did fantastic and only gave us a little trouble.  I just know all the pictures are going to turn out great!

Monica, our photographer did post this sneak peak! I love it so much!

After our pictures we headed home and got ready to have some friends over for the game.  We had a BYOM(bring your own meat) party and I did a baked potato bar and we had some other things.  The kids had so much fun and the adults did too!

This was the only picture I took the entire night! Elle and James enjoying their dinners while we all hung out on the patio.

Sunday morning we got up to go to church.  Elle's foot was a little swollen.  Saturday she complained about a bug bite that did get pretty big right after it happened.  She whined a little bit about it but nothing major.  But Sunday her foot just got worse. After church we Benadryled her up and had her elevate it with cold compresses to see if that would help.

She took a great Sunday nap from the Benadryl and the late night watching the dawgs play.  The foot did not improve too much.

Poor little foot!

Snoozing with her foot elevated.  

Then Monday morning she woke up and her foot looked even worse.  She wouldn't even walk on it.  So I decided to keep her home from PDO and take her to the doctor.

She was eating up the snuggles and the doting I think.  Cute patient!

I won't even post a picture of how bad her foot looked by the end of Monday! But it was bad! I was so glad I took her to the doctor that morning.  The doctor was sure she had been stung by a wasp and she was having a severe reaction and then also had cellulitis which is a bad infection under the skin.  By the end of Monday her foot was purple.  We had already started steroids and antibiotics or I would of freaked! Hoping we see a drastic improvement soon!

WEEKEND IN ATLANTA!

This past weekend we loaded up early Friday morning and drove over to Atlanta so that we could take Elle to the Georgia Aquarium.  Kenny and I went right when it opened when we were dating but I wasn't feeling well when we went and it was really crowded.  We were excited to revisit and take Elle. It is not overwhelmingly big and if you go on a weekend it only takes a few hours to do everything.  What I like most about this aquarium is that it is a a lot of really huge fish tanks and then they give you seating areas to just sit and watch all the different fish swim by.  They also have beluga whales along with a fantastic (but cheesy) dolphin show.

Elle and Kenny getting up close with the penguins.

This was one of those concave glass areas and Elle was having a good time climbing around in it.  Kenny and I were enjoying watching all the big fish swim by her! I mean look at those sting rays and that fish on the right really was that big.

Taking a break and hanging out in one of the viewing areas.  Had to take a selfie!

These tanks are truly majestic at times.

One of the large tropical fish tanks.  We loved this one for all the colors.

At the end of the fun Kenny and I took Elle into the gift shop and Kenny told Elle she could picky anything out that she would like.  She decided she wanted a satchel of rocks for $5.  Sweet thing.  She picked out lots of purple ones.

After the aquarium we headed to my Aunt and Uncles where we were staying for the weekend.  We were so happy to see them. Friday night we were able to go over to my cousin Lindsay's house for dinner and meet their new baby girl Lawson! 

 Getting some Lawson snuggles!

Elle playing teacher for Lindsay and Lawson and showing them the pictures.

On Saturday, Kenny headed out early to go to the PGA Tournament.  He saw 30 of the top golfers in the world.  He was in heaven!

Elle and I spent time with Uncle Mike and Aunt Pam just running some errands and going into a few shops and then enjoying some lunch. We then returned to their house to watch some of the State game and then the GAvs.SC game.

Reading some of my cousins old books before we went out to do some shopping.

My Aunt Pam bought Elle this sweet little angel doll at this adorable baby store we went into and Elle just absolutely loved/loves it! She was squeezing it and saying thank you!

Lunch break!

Love this picture of Elle and my Uncle.

Worn out from all the errands.  We got a car nap!

I watched and watched the golf tournament coverage looking for Kenny and finally spotted him in like in the quickest shot ever.  That is my finger pointing him out.

My aunt wanted a family shot before we left.  

It was a great weekend that was fun filled for everyone and we so enjoyed getting to see my aunt and uncle and cousins and second cousins. Elle pretty much invited herself back soon so I foresee more trips in our near future.  It is so nice that it is a short drive to family and fun family activities!

28 WEEK UPDATE-THIRD TRIMESTER WOOOHOO!

How far along 28 weeks.  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a head of cauliflower. He is 16 inches and weights 2.5lbs. Woohoo! I am so so so excited to be in my third trimester.  The home stretch! I feel like 12 weeks is still a long time but as long as he is healthy I am hoping maybe he surprises us by coming a little early like Elle did!

Total weight gain/loss? I am not sure how much weight I have gained as of this week.  We know the numbers are getting up there.  When I wash my face I can feel the difference.  But don't know the exact amount as of today.

Maternity Clothes? Yes.  We have a photo session scheduled for this weekend and I am a little nervous about what I am wearing.  I had a friend bring over some accessories to help me put together a look.  I plan to have most of the pictures be of Elle but also want a few family shots too.  Definitely not a maternity photo shoot though.

Stretch Marks- No. No stretch marks.

Sleep?Sleep is terrible.  I am tired.  Elle is trotting down to our room 1-2 times a night and that combined with my very early workouts that I started back this week I am so tired! We are implementing a new sticker chart tonight with "surprises" as incentives and I am really hoping this motivates Elle to stay in bed. 

Best Moment Last Week? We drove over to Atlanta last week (post to come) to take Elle to the aquarium, let Kenny go to a golf tournament and spend time with my family.  I was able to meet my new baby second cousin and hang out with my Aunt and Uncle which was great.  It was  fun trip! I also passed my glucose test which I was happy about.

Movement? Yes lots and lots of movement. He is constantly.  I love it.

Food cravings? No real cravings this week.  We did get this new Mennonite bakery here in Starkville and Kenny brought home this plate sized sticky bun the other day and it was absolutely amazing!

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? I did have some contractions this past weekend while in Atlanta that gave me a little scare.  I never had any contractions with Elle and I wasn't even sure that I knew what contractions felt like because I got my epidural really quickly with Elle. But Saturday morning I was feeling really terrible and having sharp pains in my back and abdomen.  I talked with my friend Courtney (an OBGYN nurse) and my friend Susan (a nurse prac) and I started timing them and also started drinking a lot of water. I was kind of freaking out but soon they stopped.  I am pretty sure I was dehydrated and that is what caused them and now I am trying to be more mindful of my fluids!

Belly button in/out? Not in.  Not out.  Elle thinks it is hilarious!

What I miss? Being able to breath. Kenny looked at me the other day while we were driving home from Atlanta and said "Why are you breathing so hard?" And so it begins.  I lose my breath when I am eating or going up the stairs or talking.  So pitiful.  And Kenny thinks it is so funny and mildly annoying I think.

What I am looking forward to?I am hopefully going to get my birthday massage and pedicure this Friday.  I was supposed to get it a few weekends ago and the massage therapist had to cancel.  I was sad. But my back is killing me and I cannot wait to have someone make it feel better. Also looking forward to a low key weekend at home.  We plant to watch the State game against LSU and maybe get a date night in.

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker:  While we were in Atlanta, Kenny and I were putting Elle to bed and she started telling us about the baby in her tummy.  Yes Elle has a baby in her tummy too.  She loves to let us feel it kick.  It makes Kenny a little uneasy but I know for Elle to pretend that she is pregnant like mom is completely normal.  So we are laying next to Elle and she says "Feel the baby kick!" And we put our hands on her belly. I ask her if the baby is a boy or a girl.  She says it is a little baby girl.  So I ask what her little girls name and she says, "ummmmm Alletooda." And I just started to crack up.  Little baby girl Alletooda.  She starts cracking up because she realizes how silly of a name it is too.  We were all in fits.  So now it is kind of our first inside joke.  We have talked a lot about baby Alletooda.  Sometimes she is out of Elle's tummy and gets left at home. We have had the best time with it.  

WHERE A KID CAN BE A KID

There was a morning a few weeks ago that we had planned a whole day out and then everything went to poop and we ended up with no plans.  We were all dressed and had nowhere to go.  So we decided to drive over to Tupelo.  It was a weekday and my friend Sarah always tells me how much her kids love Chuck E. Cheese.  We thought Elle might be old enough at this point. I think I only went to Chuck E. Cheese maybe once as a child and had some opinions on the place.  A lot of them still held true BUT we had the place to ourselves.  Like not another child the entire time we were there and we had sooooo much fun! Small town living I tell you.  If we were still living in Memphis we would of enjoyed a morning at the Children's Museum or the Botanical Garden.  So funny!

There really was a lot she enjoyed doing for her age.  She loved the skeet ball and the little rides that they have in the mall. She also played like four games of air hockey with Kenny.  She loved it!  Kenny turned into a crazed competitive ticket fiend.  Elle had no idea that you even used the tickets for anything.  To her getting the ticket after the game spit it out was the reward which was pretty cute! We were there for a very long time.  But since it was just us in there we didn't mind.  We did have lunch and the pizza was still pretty good.  Kenny and I both remembered it being awesome!

All in all it was great morning spent as a family.  Elle was so tired when we left and has asked to go back several times.  It doesn't help that there are a lot of Chuck E. Cheese commercials on PBS.  We will definitely take her again but always on a weekday morning.

Learning the proper form for skeet ball from Daddy.

I loathe this picture of me! Large and in charge! But our entire family loved some skeet ball!

Kenny playing this gambling game.  This is a token suck! You never win anything! Still remember from my own childhood! So funny!

Elle loved this fun ride! Can't you tell by her face?

Waiting on our pizza and playing with her second round of tokens.  Kenny and I spoil her and we can't help it!

Loving the Chuck E Cheese puppet.

Counting all the tickets.  Kenny was on pins and needles.

One last game of air hockey!

27 WEEK UPDATE

How far along 27 weeks.  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a cucumber/  He is 15 inches and weights 2.2lbs.

Total weight gain/loss? I think I am at 25 lbs gained.  I am okay with this number.  Does gaining weight stink? Yes, yes it does but it is just part of it and I am hopeful that I can get it off fast after the baby comes.  I have started to swell pretty bad and I know that will help once I deliver because that will go away. I officially had to stop wearing my wedding rings which makes me sad.

Maternity Clothes? Yes to maternity clothes.  Nothing really to say on this topic this week.  

Stretch Marks- No. No stretch marks.

Sleep?Sleep is okay this past week.  I am tired from the weekend but we have had a few nights where Elle has stayed in her room all night.  I am wearing earplugs too which help drown out noise.  So a little bit better.  I am feeling pretty achy and sore so it has been hard to get comfortable but still trying to make the best of it.

Best Moment Last Week?  Spending the weekend with wonderful friends and celebrating Walker with a little Sprinkle.

Movement? Yes lots of movement. A few kicks have started to be a little painful.  He is getting stronger.

Food cravings? No cravings.  A cold drink would of been nice at the tailgate.  But other than that nothing really to speak of.

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? No labor signs.  I have started being more careful about overdoing it though because I notice my braxton hicks pick up if I am on trying to do too much.  I know Braxton Hicks aren't necessarily anything to be worried about but because I had them so much with Elle and then she came early that I just try to be careful. 

Belly button in/out? In but getting shallower and shallower.

What I miss? I am missing normalcy these days. Breathing normal, walking normal, sleeping normal, moving and getting around normally.  I still have my third trimester to go and I am trying to be conscious of my whining.  It is going to get worse before it gets better.

What I am looking forward to?I am looking forward to a low key week and then a trip out of town with Kenny and Elle over the weekend.  Should be fun. I also have my monthly check up this week so I will get to hear Walker's heartbeat.  I am taking my glucose test.  Fingers crossed I pass!

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker: