23 weeks

Tomorrow I will be 23 weeks. We had an appointment on Monday, and because I have been having some more bleeding, I was put on pelvic rest. No lifting over 10 pounds and stay off my feet as much as possible (that's easy as a first grade teacher, right?). Luckily, my administrators are extremely supportive, so I'm not worried about returning to school. That makes it so much easier!! My mom was here Sunday - Tuesday and was a huge help with helping me get my room ready and doing some cooking and cleaning for us while she was here. I was sad to see her go! It's nice to remember that I'M still someone's baby too. :)

I have been feeling pretty good, and I've been taking it really easy which means a lot of the day to day things have fallen to Stan. He has been great about helping me get things done even though he has to work all day in the stifling heat and then come home to a t0-do list from his wife. He has also had the pleasure of seeing me go from happy and laughing to bawling my eyes out in 0.3 seconds. The baby has been kicking up a storm, and Stan got to finally feel the baby from the outside. It was the neatest thing. I'm glad that he can finally feel him although it is quite different from what I feel.

I am headed back to work on Tuesday, the students come on the 31st, and I start my grad class on September 1st. Oh how I will miss my naps!! We are heading to PA over Labor Day weekend. The original plan was for us to go to the PSU game with my mom and Bud, but the doctor said no - too much walking. So Stan and Bud are off to the PSU game, and my mom and I will be left to our own devices (shopping).

Our next appointment is not until September 17th, and if all goes well during that one, we will be flying to TN to see Stan's dad and stepmom on September 25 for Stan's 30th birthday. I am looking forward to seeing Nashville, but I'm not sure how much I'll get to see since I can't walk that much. I am very much looking forward to floating in their pool though!

Nursery update - My dad is heading down Monday to help us install new carpet in the baby's room! We will be picking up the changing table we found on my school's classified next weekend, and we will finally be able to set up the crib!! It's coming along, and there are already clothes EVERYWHERE!!

I cannot figure out how to make the scanned pictures larger, but I thought I would attach a pic of the baby's big gender reveal and of his profile (19 weeks 4 days). :)

21 weeks

Well the second part of the scan was successful, and they got all of the pictures they needed. Toward the end, they needed one more scan of the heart and baby P fell asleep. The technician left and came back with juice and Oreos. Once I had that, he was bouncing around again. I've been telling everyone that he's just like his Mommy...he can be bribed with Oreos!!

I went to visit family in PA last week. It was a very successful trip. I got to have my chicken and waffles (YUM!!), and Mom and I did some shopping. I found some adorable outfits for next summer at 75% off! I couldn't resist...I will have to stay out of the baby clothes department!

We have been getting ready for the baby as much as we can before I have to go back to school. The room was already painted blue (a premonition from Daddy), but we've been looking into getting carpet in the baby's room. The carpet upstairs is original with the house, and it is quite worn and stained. We already received our first piece of furniture - a Dutailier glider - and it is the most wonderful chair I ever sat in. It is so comfortable! I saw it at Babies R Us and couldn't stop thinking about it. One of our family members so generously gifted it to us, and we were so excited!! I sit and rock in it a little each night. We also found a changing table from another teacher in the county, and our next mission is to find a matching crib. Everything seems to be coming along well. Even though I can't wait for the baby to come, I am really dreading the end of summer and just being able to relax all day long!

I have been feeling pretty good lately. I feel like I eat all the time, but I've only gained 6 lbs. so far. I'm sure that will change soon as the baby gets bigger (he's almost 1 lb now!). I definitely have a belly, and I've been feeling pretty tired after running errands or cleaning. I need to rest more, and I found out the hard way that doing all 4 sets of steps in the house at the same time is not the best idea right now. :) The baby has been moving a lot. Stan hasn't been able to feel him from the outside yet, but I feel like it is only a matter of time - the kicks are getting stronger. Sometimes I feel like he's trying to get out!

I belong to a group on babycenter.com called December 2009 babies. One of the threads was titled, "you know you're over 20 weeks pregnant when..." It was nice to hear that I'm not the only one who is getting up at 4am, needs a hand getting out of chairs, or is starting the dreaded "waddle."

Our next appointment is one week from today (8/17), and my mom will be here for that one. I will update again after the appointment!