So, I got really sick early yesterday morning to the point I vomitted. I thought this stuff was over, but apparently not.

Caleb watched the whole thing, ran OUT of the bathroom to the top of the staircase, looked down and screamed at the top of his lungs, "Mommy Sick!!" Then came running back and said, "Mommy sick?" It was actually kind of cute and made me smile a little bit. Poor thing. I can't close the door anymore, because he just opens the door right back up.

I hadn't realized how bad it was until Jordan came home and said, "What's wrong with your face? It's all blotchy. Are you allergic to something?" It didn't don on me that it could have been from earlier. So, I went into the bathroom to take a look, and holy cow. It's all over the left side of my face and under my chin. Gotta love Patekia.

It's still there today, but it's faded a little bit. Hopefully it will go away in the next couple of days.

Today's Baby Forecast: Taking it easy

Feeling much better than I did yesterday. I woke up a little nauseous but only because I was laying on my back. I find that if I lay on my back more and more it happens, so I have to start doing better about remembering to turn on my side.

Otherwise, doing well. Trying to get some cleaning done and have been doing pretty good. I'm not full on nesting yet, but I'm just trying to keep up with things.

Now, if only I can get Caleb to remember to put his toys back, all will be well.

Belly Pic (Two of them only because one is a cute picture):

Yes, Caleb was kissing my belly.

Weekly Baby Forecast: Look who's looking. Your baby's eyes — which have been closed for the past few months (so that the retina, the part of the eye that allows images to come into focus, could develop) — are beginning to open at 26 weeks pregnant. What this means is that your baby is able to see what's going on now (unfortunately the view in your uterus isn't all that exciting). But do try this at home for kicks (baby's that is): Shine a flashlight at your stomach. Your baby might kick in response (as in: "Get that light out of my eyes!").

The iris, the colored part of the eye, still doesn't have much pigmentation (that'll fill in over the next month or two), so it's too early to start guessing your baby's eye color. Even the color your baby will be born with might not be the permanent shade; so you may be kept guessing until your baby is close to six months old.

Look what else is going on this week: Your baby's brain-wave activity is kicking in at this stage in fetal development, which means your little one can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them. Not in so many words, of course, but with an increase in pulse rate or activity.

And talking about activity, at your baby's current height and weight (about nine inches tall and two pounds), and at the rate he or she is growing, your baby will soon be feeling a little cramped in your uterus. Not to worry, there's still plenty of room for your baby to grow. It just means your gymnast will have less room for those somersaults, cartwheels, and other Olympic feats.

Yesterday I worked an extra shift because the FT guy requested off. Well, it turned out to be a busy day. I only had breakfast, which was at 8a, and wound up not eating anything else until dinner, which wound up being only a baked potato (mom and dad got me a sandwich, but it just didn't help).

I was sick to my stomach, hungry, weak and felt that Zoe was getting stressed. She kicked a lot at one time, then just kind of stopped. Didn't feel much of her during the night, and not much this morning. Finally this afternoon, she gave me a few nudges, and I started to feel better. 

Thank Goodness.

Now, she's nudging me, so I think all's well. And it just so happens to be at my bladder.

Today's Baby Forecast: Worried but feeling better

On Friday, my mom and I had a nice day of shopping.

We went to Babies R Us (BRU) becuase they were having a one day only sale. Thought I might be able to take advantage on some stuff that we need for Zoe that is on sale. Of course, everything that I bought wasn't on sale except for one thing - FOOD. Yep, I bought some baby food. Before some of you question why I did that so soon, the expiration date was at the end of 2010, and Zoe will already be starting baby food by fall of '09. 10 jars for $10 for the secondary and third stage foods, and 10 for $5 for the stage one foods. Couldn't pass that up.

I also got some onsies for Zoe. Regular clothes I'm done with, but I definitely wanted onsies for her to wear. Regular clothes I want to hold off now until Fall. And so far so good, everyone is holding out on that. THANK YOU!!

Also, got a hamper for her room, and a new changing pad because Caleb ripped his old one becuase he was too heavy. I was going to use it, but mom said, she we should get another one. Also got some burping clothes (mom thought she needed her own, as well as using Caleb's old ones), and some new changing pad covers. Of course, we couldn't leave the store without getting Caleb a couple of outfits. Gotta do that for my little man.

Other than that, not much has been going on. Zoe is kicking like crazy and at times she's pushing downward where it's becoming VERY uncomfortable. I feel like I did with Caleb a few days before I gave birth with him. Yeah, just don't like that feeling right now.

However, I'll take this over morning sickness ANY day. 

Happy Easter Everyone!!

I'm not sure what was going on with Zoe last night, but she must have dropped or something. Every time I would get up to use the restroom, I would feel some dull pressure. Nothing too painful, but it was enough to make me feel uncomfortable. When I got back into bed, I felt fine, so it was only when I stood up.

I wish I could stop waking up in the middle of the night though. Between having to use the restroom, and waking up due to sounds, I really don't get enough sleep. Couple that with Caleb waking up around 7ish every morning, it makes for a very long day for me. No wonder I'm falling asleep by 9pm in the chair downstairs.

I've been feeling a lot more kicks from her which is nice. Yesterday while I was work, I actually felt her push out a little bit then move. It only happened the one time, but I know that it will soon happen more and more frequently. At least the pregnancy is beginning to feel real to me now that I feel her. 

Belly Pic  (compared with Caleb's on right):

Weekly Baby Forecast: At nine inches and more than a pound and a half in weight, your baby is taller than two juice boxes stacked one on top of the other, and almost as heavy as four of those little boxes (an analogy you'll find particularly apropos in a few years, when those juice boxes start taking over your refrigerator, your pantry, your car.…).
 
Don't look now (as if you could), but your baby's skin is turning pinker. No, not because he or she's getting overheated (in fact, the amniotic fluid is perfectly climate controlled, keeping your baby at an always comfortable temperature), but because small blood vessels, called capillaries, are forming under the skin and filling with blood. Later this week, blood vessels will also develop in your baby's lungs, bringing them one step closer to full maturity — and one step closer to taking that first breath of fresh air. But at 25 weeks pregnant, those lungs are still very much works in progress. Though they are already beginning to develop surfactant, a substance that will help the lungs expand after the baby is born, the lungs are still too undeveloped to sufficiently send oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide when he or she exhales.

The lungs aren't the only system that's gearing up for air intake. Your baby's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open this week. This actually allows your little one to begin taking practice breaths. (Of course since there's no air in there, your baby is really only "breathing" amniotic fluid, but it's the practice that counts, right?)

Had my 24-wk appointment today and it was a good one.

During the first five months or so of my pregnancy, I lost a total of 20 pounds. Today, I had my weight checked and this past month, I only gained TWO POUNDS!! So, bringing my total weight loss to 18 pounds this pregnancy. Woo!! So, either Zoe is going to have a major growth spurt or I might actually have a smaller baby. Can you imagine that? Having a baby less than Caleb? I don't know if I can stand it? Better not get too overjoyed. I might wind up with a 10-pounder this time.

Heard the heartbeat today and Dr. Magee found it within seconds. Beautiful sound, and I seem to tell him that each month. It is a nice sound for sure. He found it near my right pelvic bone and I asked him based on that if she had turned, but he said he couldn't really tell because at this stage in pregnancy, they move around so much that one day she'll be vertex and one day she'll be breech. They don't really put too much into how they are turned until the last month or so. I was mostly curious since he found it so low. 

I also had a routine pap and will have another one either right before Zoe is due, or just after. 

Then we talked about the next appointment - the big 28 week appointment. I'll have my Diabetes test, which I fully expect to pass (I did with Caleb), and I'll also have my RHOgam shot. Then, if memory serves me right, I'll start my every two week appointments after that. 

I was so sick the first five or so months I thought I would never make it to this point, and now that I'm here, it's starting to speed up, and it's scaring me. 

We've started to show Caleb were Zoe is, and when we ask him where Zoe is, he points to my belly. He obviously doesn't totally understand it, but he will in three months. EEEEEKKKK!!!!! THREE MONTHS!!!

Today's Baby Forecast: Exhausted

Which means I only have a little over three months to go!! What an amazing feeling. Pretty soon, we'll be meeting Zoe for the first time. 

Not feeling so hot today. Feeling pretty nauseous. Not sure if it's because of all the phlegm that's draining into my throat, which I then swallow, or if it's morning sickness again. Either way, it's not a great feeling. I did have some breakfast - two waffles with butter only, and some apple juice, followed by orange juice. Maybe I just need to eat something. Either way, I feel like I could just vomit. At least, I'd feel a little better. 

Zoe is really active today.  She's kicking up a storm I can finally feel her by lightly putting my hand on my tummy. Before I had to press in to feel her. At least I know she's growing and getting stronger. Before long, I'll be able to feel those long awaited stretches and pushes. That is a great feeling, but that's what freaked Jordan out when he felt Caleb do that.

Feeling a little constipated today for some reason. I go, but I can't go all the way. I usually finish up a little later on in the day. Not the best of feelings for sure. So, I'm all bloaty and feel fat. 

I think in the next week or so, I'll put Caleb's hand on my belly to feel Zoe. That should be an interesting thing to watch. Be interesesting to see if he gets scared with it, or if he'll think it's funny that mommy's belly is being kicked from the inside. Hopefully we'll be able to get it on video. 

Belly Pic (comparison with Caleb on right):

Today's Baby Forecast: Your baby weighs more than a pound and a half right now and sports a crown-to-rump length of about eight and a half inches (standard letter size!).
 
Wondering what (and who) your baby will look like?  If you had a baby cam at 24 weeks pregnant, you'd almost be able to tell by now.  That beautiful face (though still tiny) is almost fully formed.  What's still missing from the picture is the fat that will be piled on under baby's skin.  Until those fat deposits are made, that very tender skin is still very transparent, which means a close look would let you see clear through to all the organs, bones, and blood vessels. Fortunately, that see-through look won't last much longer. Babies at this stage of fetal development are gaining about six ounces each week — with much of that gain coming from fat, in addition to growing organs, bones, and muscle.

What's been playing on your little rocker's stereo system these days?  All kinds of sounds can be heard by your baby in your womb: from air exhaling from your lungs (deep breath now), those gastric gurgles produced by your stomach and intestines, your voice and your partner's (which your baby will be able to recognize at birth), and even very loud sounds such as honking horns, barking dogs, or a wailing fire truck.

and I happened to be the one that made it!!

Silly me forgot to take a picture of both sides, but the other side is purple. Both the side shown and the purple is fleece. 

I think it turned out pretty good, actually. Jordan and I have decided that we are going to make a few and sell them. They're fairly easy to make, especially if you use a sewing machine. Unfortunately, I can't figure out my machine, so I did this one by hand.

So, if any one out there would like one or would like to have one to give as a gift, let me know. We're thinking about selling them for about $20. Colors will also vary depending on what the buyer would like.

Caleb has one and this is his favorite out of all of his blankets. He carries it around everywhere - even outdoors. He's very attached to it.

I plan on calling this a Ringlet Blanket. The good thing about this blanket is that it helps with tactile stimulation and as they get older, they can grasp the rings and put it around their hands or wrists and so forth.

I'm so happy with it!!

Today's Baby Forecast: Stuffy

completed.

Yep, I purchased another six cloth diapers today. This makes twelve now. Only twelve more to go which should be done by the end of April. I'm seriously getting on the ball with stuff as of late. The nursery is just about done, I'm getting cloth diapers every couple of weeks, and I'm slowly getting things in order. Wow. What a change from the last few months, huh? I MUST be feeling better.

Not much going on today, except Zoe has really been kicking around 3a-4a the past few days. Probably because I'm up at about that time, blowing my stuffy nose and changing Caleb in the middle of the night. I guess she figures that if I'm up moving around, then she should to. Little bugger. Still have to press in a bit to feel her really good, but you can begin to feel with her with the slightest touch if she kicks really hard. Love this part of pregnancy. 

Haven't eaten too much today. Just don't feel all that hungry. I had no breakfast, at Walmart I bought a chocolate milk which I only got about a 1/4 of since Caleb felt the need to drink most of it, then when I got home I just had chips and queso. Yep, that's been my meals today. Nutritious huh?  Oh well, at least I ate something. Better to eat junk when you're not all that hungry, then eating a meal that you're just not interested in eating.

Today's Baby Forecast: Quiet

I'm happy to announce that I semi-completed her room today. I got the bedding yesterday and put it up this morning. The room looks so good, and I'm so proud of it. I still have a few more things I want to get, but I can take pictures of that later.

Here is the before:

Painting the room

Room before bedding put in:

Room with Bedding and Some Accessories:

The walls are painted a soft yellow called Soft Lemon, and the bedding is called Dragonfly Dreams in purple (obviously). I got the lamp base today and have already put the lamp shade on, and I plan on getting curtains for the room tomorrow, hopefully, if I find something that I like. Then, if I see something that will look good in the room to help accent the room, I'll buy gradually, but for the most part, the room is done. I'm so excited. 

Belly Pic:

Today's Baby Forecast: At eight inches and slightly over a pound, your baby is the size and shape of a small doll when you are 23 weeks pregnant. (But then, you already knew that you were carrying a living doll, didn't you?) This week marks the beginning of some serious weight gain. Your baby's weight in the next four weeks alone should double (and you may feel as though yours is too).
 
You have probably heard your developing baby's heartbeat through a Doppler a number of times already (though you never get tired of hearing it), but by now you can also hear it through a standard stethoscope. What a heart throb! 
 
Your baby's skin is reddish in color now because of the developing blood vessels underneath (remember, the skin is very thin still). It also hangs loosely from his or her little body at this point. That's because the skin grows faster than the fat develops during fetal growth. But don't worry.  By the time your baby is born, he or she will be pleasantly plump and filled out — from chubby cheeks to chubby toes.