So Pregnant

Okay, I know Shelly is the pregnant one but I feel SOOO pregnant this week. I know it's most likely PMS but COME ON! I feel moody, fat, Bitchy (notice the capital B!), and emotional as I think pregnant women feel. And, I'm craving salt and chocolate. I know it's not as extreme as being pregnant but I hate feeling like this and can't imagine going through it for nine months. Kudos to all pregnant women and mom's who've carried babies out there. You're tough cookies!

That's all for today. I'm almost too ornery to type!

The Bird

We had our follow-up Fetal Foto appointment on Tuesday. The good news is it was WONDERFUL to see our little girl. The bad news is she still wouldn't give us a good full face shot so we're going back again in a few weeks. Until then I don't have any pictures to post because they kept the CD/DVD.

Riley is SO SASSY! She was a complete wiggle worm throughout the entire appointment. She likes to keep her hand in front of her face. It was almost as if she were telling us "No sneak peaks. You'll see me when I'm ready for you to see me!"

She's definitely FEISTY! Every time they'd think we were in a good position to get good 4D images she'd move. This happened over and over. After about 20 minutes she brought her hand up to the side of her face and FLIPPED US THE BIRD for about 30 seconds! I think she'd had enough of the poking and prodding. She's totally practicing for her teenage years! After she was done flipping us off she gave us a peace sign. I think she was saying, "Peace out. I'm not cooperating anymore. Go away. We're done for now."

It was amazing to see her again. We also learned she just may be a thumb sucker. She really likes to keep her hands in front of her face. And, although we're expecting a beautiful bald baby, she did have a few little hair wisps at the back of her head.

We didn't look at the Hygroma much. Legally they're not allowed to point out medical issues. I think that it looks the same size. We'll know for sure in two weeks at our next Maternal Fetal Medicine Ultrasound. We know it won't go away but I think, based on my vast medical knowledge, that she's growing like a weed and it's staying the same.

Shelly's starting to get pretty uncomfortable. Riley's wedged herself underneath her ribs. She says she feel as if her ribs are actually bruised. I know she's totally miserable because her Mom called today with Jazz tickets to Saturday's game and she turned her down! These aren't your average tickets either. They're 5th row, center court, right behind Larry H, and come with dinner before the game and snacks at half time. I would have bet $1000 that she'd still go to a game if she was asked but no, she doesn't feel like she could sit through the entire game. Wow! This is getting serious!

28 Weeks

We're 28 weeks today!

How Riley's doing:

• Her eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!
• Hair on Riley's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut! We tend to think she's going to be a baldy.
• Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from inside!
• Her body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.
• Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in Mama Shelly's tummy!
• Her lungs are capable of breathing now (but she would still struggle and require medical attention if born now).
• She can recognize our voices now and will often calm to it later on!
• She weighs in now at approximately 2.2 pounds and is about 14.8 inches.

Yesterday I spent the day cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. We had to prepare the house for our friend Erin's 40th birthday party. I didn't want Shelly to feel anxious about getting the house clean, plus I didn't want her to get wore out before the party, so I made her an appointment for a Maternity Massage. She loved it. Plus it gave me a chance to crank the stereo and scrub!

It was great to see friends last night we hadn't seen in awhile. Plus, many of those friends now have kids. It use to be, in all too recent years, a party meant lots of loud and intoxicated adults. Now a party consists of loud toddlers hopped up on sugar. Lots of fun! Our friends Kori & La came with their two year old twin boys, Beau and Brady. They've gotten so big! And are so cute! I think they had a great time playing with Tate.

Our other friends brought their six month old little girl Scout. She pretty much just wanted her Mommies but did LOVE playing with Tate as well.

I put the camera away early and didn't get many pictures. But we did catch Tate showing her excitement over having a party for her Mama Erin's birthday.

We thought it would be fun to snap a picture of Shelly and LB together. It's Riley and Talor's very first picture together. Shelly's 28 weeks. LB's 24 weeks.

We have our follow-up Fetal Foto appointment on Tuesday. Hopefully we'll get some good pictures to post. We didn't invite the entire tribe to go with us this time. Last time we had about 10 people with us (family and God Parents). Shortly after that we learned about Riley's complications and we think, because everyone had already seen her, it might have made it a little harder on those who were at the first appointment. I cant wait to see her face in 4D!

Cheese Please

I read a post today on Arcane Matters that made me laugh. It prompted me to post an update on Shelly's cravings. Thanks Jennifer!

Shelly has always been a simple water drinker. No soda for her. She'll mix it up now and then with OJ, V8 or Wine, but that's about it. The first month of pregnancy she started craving Coke, as in Coca-Cola. My opinion was that no soda should be consumed because it's full of lots of "bad" stuff and no "good" stuff. Of course my opinion doesn't count when it's comes to cravings. She's the prego, not me. She instead decided she WAS GOING TO HAVE HER COKE! But, only ONE a day. For the first six months she stuck to it. There were days where she would have no coke but very rarely would she have more than one.

Now that we're headed into the third trimester her cravings have gotten wackier. For example, today it was cheese. Cheese bread, cheese cake, cheese soup, cheese and crackers, etc. Anything with cheese. So, being the loving wife that I am, and since I'm working from home today, for lunch I ran out to get her a Cheese Enchilada, Cheese Quesadilla, and Cheese and Beef Taco. Why so much you ask? She doesn't eat much at any one sitting but she does like variety. She's now got enough leftovers to enjoy this cheese craving for three more days. I hope the next craving turns out to be cookies or something I love!

We Started Riley's Room

We started Riley's room today!

We HAD chosen Baby Bee Yellow. We'd cut in all of the corners and started the first coat on one of the walls and realized it was just TOO bright. We had thought it was a soft, muted yellow. NOT! So, back I went to Home Depot. This time I came home with a color called Clam Chowder. It's perfect! If any of you are familiar with Stampin' Up! colors it matches, almost exactly, So Saffron! That's great news for me as it makes it much easier for me to match colors when making paper craft decorations for her room.

Yesterday I went shopping! I bought some of the wood pieces I need for her room. The main thing I got was the wood block letters for her name. They're such a cute cut (font)! I'll hopefully be able to start painting and decorating the letters next week. Some of you may be wondering what in the world I'm talking about. Below are pictures of the BOO I did at Halloween. I'm doing the same thing with Riley's name but of course the colors won't be orange, black, green and purple.

We get our new fridge and stove tomorrow! Yippee!

27 Weeks!

We are 27 Weeks today!

Below I've posted a belly shot at 27 weeks and an update on how Riley is developing. But first, a little bit of ranting.



I think I'm going through the anger stage finally. As with all change or grief, there is always that point where you get angry. I think I hit this yesterday. Out of the blue I decided F$%K the doctors telling us we had to wait until 30 weeks. This is our pregnancy, our baby, and we've not yet been able to fully enjoy it. We both feel much better about how things are going. We both feel very positive about Riley. And we decided we're moving forward! So today, we went to Home Depot and bought the paint, bead board, and tools we need to get started on Riley's room. We're getting started! Finally!!! It's going to take a few weeks to get finished because we have a friends Birthday Party at our house this weekend, but we are moving forward. I really, really needed this.


Now, on with Riley's update:

• Riley's little brain continues its rapid growth. It's time we share music, conversation, and even books with her!
• Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. Riley's hearing continues to develop, she may now be able to recognize our voices.
• Her lungs continue to grow and prepare for functioning outside of the womb. Each day in the womb greatly increases survival rates!
• She also continues to take small breaths and although she's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when she's born.
• Her eyelids are now open more. She can distinguish between light and dark.
• Retinas have formed.
• She will grow over ½ inch this week alone!
• Average size is now 14.4 inches (36.6cm) and 1.9 pound (875gm).

27 Week Belly Shot:

Below is a picture of Shelly at 26 weeks. She looks so beautiful, peaceful, content, and happy I had to share.

Shop, Shop, Shop

Just in case you all weren't aware of this, I'm confirming it now, I LOVE TO SHOP! Retail Therapy is my favorite type of therapy. I've been on a spending hold lately but yesterday, I had a wonderful therapy session!

We're in the process of upgrading our home a little. We decided we needed a new refrigerator and a few things for the new bedroom set. We both, yes, Shelly went shopping, set off on a shopping adventure.

First, we went to a local boutique store called Rod Works. They specialize in iron decorative pieces. We left there with a small rustic picture for Riley's room and new door knobs for her closet doors.

Next, off to JC Penny's. It was there grand opening so they had a lot of great sales. There we picked up a new feather bed, down comforter, and sheets. Yummy! Our bed is now decadent. We slept wonderfully last night!

Finally, off to the big purchase, a new refrigerator. We'd already compared prices online and decided we'd get the fridge at Sears. We got the bottom freezer french door Kenmore Elite. I'm SO Excited! Then, we decided, what the heck, we also need a new stove! Both pieces will be delivered Wednesday! Yeah!!!

Our next big purchase is finishing the basement. We're waiting for the bid to come back from the contractor. This will give Steve a new bedroom and bathroom. I'll move my Stamp/Scrapbook/Craft room downstairs into Steve's old room. That will give us an extra bedroom/guest room/play room for Riley upstairs. Can't wait!

We're 27 weeks tomorrow! Watch out big 30 we're almost there!