25 weeks

We've now known for 20 weeks (it seems like yesterday!) and have 15 weeks to go! I CAN'T WAIT!!

I got the yellow painted in the nursery yesterday (it's a little more yellow than I thought it would be) and am going to do the green tomorrow. Then I have to wait a few days before doing the wallpaper border.

I went shopping with my mom today and got a few shirts and another pair of jeans (having only one pair was getting old!). It was a fun day. Thanks, mom!

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! As usual, Santa spoiled me... but this may be the last year of that. Next year there will be someone else to spoil! We had a great time with both our families, the only problem being that it goes too fast. We also had a very nice snowshoe with Pili. There was still lots of snow in the woods despite the rain.

Now for the big news... "the envelope"... remains unopened! I know that will make some happy and some mad, but you'll just have to wait and find out the old fashioned way! :-)

On to cleanup mode... I've got lots of little projects to do this week, along with painting the baby's room. I'm really looking forward to getting started on that. I will post a picture when done.

Let it snow!

Here are some pics from the recent storm. I tried to tell Ted I shoveled the stairs and deck by myself, but he didn't believe me. Luckily my kind brother came with his snow blower and made a much quicker job of it!

Well it's snowing hard again. Let's just pray it doesn't switch to rain like the forecast predicts!

Mother Mike

My friend Mike generally makes me a wonderful holiday concoction with eggnog called "Mother Mike's Chicken Soup" (it makes you feel better!). This year he reworked and updated his secret recipe to... "Mother Mike's Chicken Little Soup, for Expectant Moms!" Look for his customized products soon in a store near you! The only question is... does the pink bottle top mean something?!?!

24 weeks

I've been very busy lately... shopping, baking cookies, growing a baby! My belly is getting big and the baby moves a lot! You can really feel it from the outside now. Today I've got to finish the cookies and start (and finish) wrapping presents.

It's been snowing around the clock here for what seems likes days. It stopped late Sunday night and we have well over two feet. This was probably the best opening weekend for Pico in its history! Ted enjoyed the riding and hopefully Pili and I will get out snowshoeing soon. For now Pili's happy to lay in it!

Snow Day

This much snow makes a monday that much better. Photo at a secret spot on Pico.

+16 pounds

We had another appointment with Dr. Leight today. I've gained 5 pounds this month, for a grand total of 16 (I may start to withhold this information at some point)! My blood pressure was 120 over 78 and the babies heart rate was 150-160. Dr. Leight measured my belly for the first time and told us it's supposed to be within 2 centimeters (+ or -) of the number of weeks you are... so I am 23 weeks and 4 days and measured 24 centimeters. Pretty good! I have to go for a glucose test the first week of January and another ultrasound around January 17 to check on the babies growth. So far everything looks great!

23 weeks

According to my books, the baby is about eight inches (head to butt), weighs one pound, and will double its weight in the next month. The book also says week 23 begins the sixth month, but shouldn't that be week 24? I still feel great, despite rolling over in bed a little slower, and have lots of energy.

The other picture is the sunrise over Pico Mountain yesterday morning.

Yoga

I went to my first prenatal yoga class yesterday. It's a different kind of yoga than I've ever done before.... savroopa. You put your body into different positions/angles and it's supposed to help elongate the spine and relax the muscles of the back and hips. It doesn't make you sweat like the other yoga I've done, but it feels good. I got a DVD from class and did it today after snowshoeing. We'll see how it goes. My next lesson is December 22.

Winter Wonderland

Pili and I had a great time snowshoeing today. Although it was only 15 degrees out, it felt much warmer in the woods. The trees were beautiful, with a layer of ice and snow that sparkled with the bright sunshine. It was a little hard to see the trail with all the white. Every time I stopped to look, Pili would stop and look back at me, and sure enough, she was always going the right way. Too bad we can't rent her out to do guided tours!

Movement

Last night I was really feeling the baby move around a lot and Ted finally got to feel it! It was the most I had ever felt, not just a bump or two, but pretty consistent wiggling. I love it!

On another note, I came home the other night to find the Christmas tree skirt pulled out and balled up in front of the tree. Pili had found a safe and secure place to bury her rawhide bone!

What is wrong with this picture?

Another funny pic from this summer I found on my phone

5 1/2 Months

22 weeks down, 18 to go!

My friend Karen reminded me that next year at this time we will have a 7 month old! It just doesn't seem possible to me yet. I'm afraid someone will pinch me and I will wake up from this wonderful dream of a life. I just can't wait!

It's snowing hard outside. We've gotten about 4 or so inches. I hope it continues. Snowshoeing will be good tomorrow if I can get home early enough from work to go before it gets dark.

First Hike

Pili and I just got back from our first hike in the woods, now that deer season is over. Pili was in her glory; jumping partially frozen streams and downed trees and smelling all the animal tracks. We saw pretty large deer tracks, lots of turkey tracks, and many smaller hopping and walking paw tracks. There is more snow in the woods than I expected. I actually should of worn my snowshoes, it would have made it much easier. It was alot of work breaking through the crusty snow, not to mention that I weigh a bit more! Now Pili's ready for a nap and I can do house work. :-)

Forgetfulness

I cannot believe how forgetful and absentminded I've become! I've been planning for over a month to go to a conference in Burlington on Monday. Today I wrote my sub plans and was making sure everything was in order, when I decided to look into the important details of the conference (seeing if lunch was included). The paper work I had didn't say so I went on-line to check. I was so surprised that the company sponsoring the conference had other things listed for the day before... on a Sunday! Then I check the dates only to find out the conference is on TUESDAY! Imagine if I hadn't figured it out and went on Monday. So then I had to deal with all the conflicts, like my first yoga class, that were scheduled for Tuesday. Yoga is now on Friday. This is just one small example of how I have lost my mind. I never used to be like this and now it's a regular occurrence. Oh well... a small but worthy price for a great cause!

Christmas Tree

The tree is decorated, despite most of Ted's ornaments falling off and needing to be rehung by someone that didn't throw them on the tree. The dog's were also a big help. You can't really see the lights in the picture, but they are white and they don't blink (and never will!). Now we just need Santa to bring some presents.

Tree Helpers

This is Pili and Bella's idea of helping...

Tree

We got our Christmas tree today. It's a very nice seven foot Vermont balsam that was not only easy to pick out, but went up in less than five minutes (with no arguments!). I've always thought that putting a tree in a stand is the true test of a relationship/marriage. Looks like we're in good shape for this year! Tomorrow we'll decorate it and post a picture.
On another note, I'm still feeling great! I felt the baby move a lot today, which made me feel good. The last few days have been kind of quiet in terms of movement, which worried me. I love feeling him or her move... it's so amazing!
Next Tuesday I'm starting pre-natal yoga with a friend from school who is two weeks ahead of me. It's supposed to help prepare your body for labor... we'll see. I'm really looking forward to the class.

21 weeks

WOW! Looks like I had too much turkey! Ted thinks there must be two babies because my belly has gotten so big, but there's only one.

Thankful

We are all very thankful for everything we have.

It's a good life!