27 Weeks and a Doctor Visit

Here I am, 27 weeks along. I feel big, I went to the doctor today and the nurse took my weight, then went and enetered it into the computer and a screen came up that said "This patient has gained 11.5% of her body weight. Is that correct?" and she pushed YES!! What, that can't be right...I immediately started freaking out, straining to see the screen...should I say something, should I not?? I finally decided to speak up..."um, does that really say [my weight]?" and her response..."Oh, that's not right, I wondered why that box came up!" Yeah, she had added 10 pounds to my actual weight....phew...I'm still good to gain some weight through the remainder of my weeks! Talk about scary....

Then my doctor came in...and remember my frustration with "your so small"? My doctor even said today "You look tiny", but then she measured me, and said, "Well, you're measuring a centimeter bigger than you should be, you can be big even when you look tiny." I'm not sure if that was supposed to make me feel better??

I get to return to the doctor in two weeks for my glucose test, let me just tell you I am NOT looking forward to this morning of fun! Everyone has been offering their best advice about making sure it's cold, chugging it, etc. The doc said to me as I was leaving "Don't forget your orange pop!" Orange pop, yeah right...I'm not that gullible!

A Sunday Brunch

Our small group decided to get together for an impromptu afternoon of food and games (what else). Chris and Lisa just purchased a new home, which is beautiful, and generously offered it up to us for our gathering. We met after church, made brunch together, and played some games.

Crystal, Dave, and Chris preparing our meal

The food was delicious...and largely prepared by the men...way to go!! We even had some delicious "breakfast cake" although this time, it was prepared correctly, and tasted much less like cake, and more like waffles, which is great, since that's what it is! It was a great afternoon, and we just feel so blessed to have made such great friends.

Here we are after enjoying our grub...Kristin, Crystal, Dave, Dusty (who joined on his lunch break), Betsy, Eric, and me. Lisa was taking the picture, and Chris didn't fit at the table, so we shunned him!

Friday will be our First Annual Small Group Mini-Golf Tournament, so as a competetive group, we even devoted some time on Sunday to developing our own rules, so there will be no arguing. There was great debate about whether we should allow all the men to play together as one group, it was ademently protested, so we did a good natured drawing. Luck would have it that the two teams turned out: Men and Women...go figure! We decided God is attempting to teach us women to trust our husbands :)

Kicking Machine

So...I just had to share. Baby ??? is becoming much more active as the days progress. And, I really think he's hearing the conversations that I'm having and responding! Today I was talking with a co-worker about how her children kicked her in the ribs something horrible, and I was commenting on how my son, ever so gracious, has not even thought of kicking me in that most uncomfortable location! Well, wouldn't you know, but about three hours later, thump, thump, thump, right behind my left rib cage!! Little stinker :)

It's so fun to feel him move, and really my favorite part is when he repositions and I can feel his little back, or behind, or head pressed up against my belly, it is really the most phenomenal thing! I am thoroughly enjoying this time of being one with my child and feel him grow inside me, it is a blessing and I wish it on every woman who hopes to experience it.

I will share a few gripes however...nosebleeds...eew! How annoying...and they just keep happening, and always in the middle of the night, the most inconvenient time ever...boo! And this heavy feeling, like there is a bag of sand strapped to my midsection (luckily this weight is much more rewarding!) And finally, if one more person says "You're how far along?? Goodness, you are small!" I think I will scream. Eric wanted to know if the alternative "Hey fatty" would be better, but still, it's all annoying in it's own right.

Anyway, enough complaining. Really, I would live through those little annoyances time and time again to bring wonderful life into this world. I can't believe Eric and I are really going to be parents. I find myself drifting off wondering what this little guy will do, and who he will really be, and it brings tears to my eyes. And then I hear Eric on the phone, tell a friend "It's been cool seeing my niece and nephew be born, but it's like no other baby has ever been born before. It's amazing." and I thank God for a wonderful husband and a beautiful family on the horizon.

24 Weeks and 2 Days

Here I am...24 weeks and counting (not 26 like I said last night...oops!). It doesn't seem like I look much bigger than the pictures a few weeks ago, but I feel bigger, and I feel it everywhere now. I am lucky to feel baby moving, and to have the amazing ultrasound pics from recently, because it's easy to get discouraged at your rounding face and plumping arms and legs...after all that hard work to lose it!! But, no matter what the outcome, I know little ????? will be worth it.

Wondering what the ?????'s are?? Wondering if I used as many ? as there are letters in his name? Well, you'll just have to wait...this is one thing I promised Eric I would keep secret, and I am determined to keep my word to him. But, yes we do have a first name, and we agree, and it was easy! So let's hope we don't change our minds!

Baby is moving all the time, and I love to feel him. When Eric is patient enough, he can feel him too...but he's rarely patient...I always thought that was MY character flaw! I got an e-mail today that if Eric is patient, and we are both very quiet (yikes!), he can put his ear to my belly and listen for baby's heart beat...how cool. I'll let you know if it works!

Coming Soon: A preview of baby's room!

Quick Updates

OK....so, I've been reprimanded again for not keeping the blog up to date. So, I will give a brief update of our life and then will post pictures later on that will show some of these topics. First of all, Eric and I have been extremely busy lately with work and preparing for baby. I am enjoying my new job, but it is a bit overwhelming right now, particularly as I try and tie up my previous responsibilities. Eric is busy at work as well, and just got home tonight at 5 minutes to 10!!

Last week we found a crib and nursery furniture on Craig's List that we went and saw in Holland, 30 minutes away, and decided to purchase, and Eric was deteremined that we would get it all home in one trip...and it was a crazy trip! Friday we picked out carpet for the nursery. Saturday Eric ripped up the carpet and then I went to finish registering. And wow!! What an overwhelming task, it's so overwhelming to try and figure out what you need and how much of it you need!! I am just glad it's all finished now. We purchased paint on Saturday evening, and Eric has the room primed and we'll work on it more this weekend. I am excited to see it all pulled together!

Sunday was my first Mother's Day, and that was fun. Eric got me a little gift from he and our boy, and I got a gift from my mother-in-law too. It's crazy to think that at this time next year we'll have a 9-month-old!

Anyway, that's all I can think of right now...and now it's time for bed. I will try and get some pictures up soon of my 26 week belly, as well as some pictures of our nursery.

Pictures of our BOY

So, I realize it has taken me over a week to get these pictures up, but I really do have good excuses. I won't bore you with them, but they are reasonable in the least. Anyway, enjoy these pictures....

Here's a profile shot of our little guy...I think he's shaking his fist

at the ultrasound tech for pushing around so much!

A 4D image of his face...no need to be alarmed, it's just the umbilical cord on the left side of the shot...

Here's a pretty cool profile shot...seeing all the bones is just too cool!

And here's a cute picture of the little guys foot...is it just me, or is anyone else alarmed by the size....

So, we do have an ultrasound that CLEARLY proves he's a boy...let's just say we will have to teach this boy a thing or two about modesty, but Eric clearly stated he did not want his "groceries" all over the internet!

Sorry....

OK...so I am horrible, and I still haven't posted any pictures of baby boy Maring. I am so sorry!! It's been a rough week, but I PROMISE that I will get them up this weekend. Thanks for your patience :)