Rocky Mountain Bump

Well ya'll. I have failed again. We normally take my weekly picture on Fridays - the day my pregnancy week switches over - but we still haven't taken it yet. Sigh. SO - that means, no Monday morning Pop Tart today (but hopefully tomorrow!) Instead, I'll share this belly shot from our trip to Colorado last week. We took a drive through the lower mountains around Boulder.

The trip was good times with great friends! More crappy instagram pictures to come! =)

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 18: Great news!! You’re moving AND I can feel it! =) This is big time. There’s not really any question about it. I don’t feel you a ton but when I do, I know it’s you. I think you’re going to have good rhythm and want to shake your butt, but only time will tell I guess. =) I’m getting excited to see you on a sonogram again. It’s a couple weeks away still but I’m ready. We took our first trip to Eskimo Joe’s this week. You sort of made me pay for eating those cheese fries but I think you liked them. =) Don’t worry... I bought you a onesie too.

Highlights

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Size of baby: Baked Potato

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Approx. 12 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity items (or at least soft stretchy things)

Gender: We're going to be suprised!

Movement: Absolutely feeling it now!! Some days more than others but it's there and it's pretty cool. 

Sleep: It's really hit or miss. Some nights I sleep like a baby (minus the pee breaks) while others I toss and turn constantly unable to get comfortable. 

Symptoms: Hungry but getting full quicker during meals; heartburn at bedtime, headaches and back/hip pain. The nausea has been better this past week! I'll call that a success! =)

What I miss: Not much of anything right now.

Cravings: Sandwiches!! Can't seem to get enough of them.

Best Moment this week: I had a great appt. All of my stats were good and baby's heart rate was 140 bpm. I had several of my questions and concerns addressed too.

What I am looking forward to: Some much needed time off work!

Midweek Randoms

• Ya'll listen. I know money doesn't buy happiness. I'm thankful to have a job. I'm thankful for my home and for all the luxuries I don't need but have anyway. I'd also be thankful for a vacation. A vacation somewhere cool. Maybe a nice quiet beach or some cool-water springs where I can soak my toasty buns. =)  I need out and I need a break from reality. I'm sure it's just a total mind block and a lack of contentment on my part but I'm just keeping it real here.

• I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that I'm having a baby in just a few short months and I feel like I haven't experienced much life yet. We haven't done much traveling or anything wild and crazy. Just normal, everyday stuff. That's fine. But I'm feeling like a let myself down by not making it happen. It's not helping that Dac left on my birthday and has been in sunny San Diego on the beach, eating In-n-Out Burger, and seeing the sights while I've been here. Working. He gets back today. Whew. I'm happy he got to go but I'm not sure I can handle anymore beach pictures while I'm in a work meeting.

• Also, not to complain (again) but is it hot out or what? I practically pass out on my way from the house to the car. Meanwhile, there are people working out on the asphalt in this mess all day every day. There's people with nowhere cool to go... no clean, cold water. Sigh.

• So, I left on Wednesday last week. That night, I got a call from my cousin saying she was in labor. I tried to sleep for a couple hours then headed over there around three to photograph the birth of her second baby. This was my first experience with birth - both watching and photographing. It was cool and I'm glad I got to do it. It happened to be a home birth which was also interesting. She was a total trooper and gave birth to a healthy (9lb 2oz) baby girl. I was t-totally exhausted after that (though I know not as much as her, ha!) but had to go to work. It was also my turn to cook for Wii Night that night, so I worked until 1, went to the store, started supper (crock pot), took a 2-hour nap, and headed over to Steve and Cori's for some friend time. 

• Friday, we went out to eat with Dac's family before coming home to do laundry and packing for Dac's trip. I also cleaned house that night and completely wore myself out. It was kind of pitiful. 

• Dac had to leave at 3 a.m. Saturday and then I was wide awake again by 6 a.m. SO - I headed to Wal-Mart, then to my parents to hang out and eat lunch. =) That afternoon, Val took me to Wichita to shop, watch Brave, and eat (of course!) All-n-all it was a good birthday and I'm glad people thought of me and wanted to do stuff! =)

• Happy birthday to me!

• Sunday I had a pretty uncool headache... having a lot of those lately. I mostly laid around the house then Val and I went and got candy before heading over to Cori's for some friend and baby time with a redbox movie. Got plenty of twinsie cuddle time in. =)

• Monday I was feeling pitiful because I was at work all day and was getting beach updates from Dac. 

• Yesterday, I took my "little" Sky to Eskimo Joes to kind of celebrate our birthdays. Hers is the day before mine. She's the big 15 now and I can hardly believe it! Val came with us too. I love Stillwater. We didn't do much down there but I still enjoy being there. I got Sky and I cute shirts, the baby a Joe's onesie, and loaded up on cups. I also devoured some cheese fries. Oh yes I did. 

• Like I said, Dac gets back today. I'm glad. I've sort of missed him. =) I've enjoyed the clean(er) house but I've missed him none-the-less.

• I have plans to hang out with Kayla tonight. Glad for that. 

• My heart is broken for the people in Colorado. So many people have lost their homes and their belongings. Some, I'm sure are lacking in the income and insurance departments right now. Their friends and family have lost homes too and their communities are literally burning away. It's just so sad. I can only imagine the devastation these people are feeling. =( Breaks my feelings.

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 17: Hey Pop Tart! We celebrated your Dad’s first Father’s Day this week. =) He already loves you so much and I know he’ll make a great Dad once you’re here! I took him out for dinner Friday night, then we celebrated your Grandpa Call Saturday, and your Grandpa Pressnall Sunday. You’re fortunate to have some pretty great guys in your life already! You tagged along on Kayla and I’s fun day last week too. There’s been several times I’ve felt what I thought could be you wiggling around in there but I’m not sure. Feel free to make it a little more distinct! =)

17-Week Picture (Please excuse the wet hair and puffiness. It was a rough morning.)

Highlights

How Far Along: 17 weeks

Size of baby: Sweet Potato

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Too much, I'm certain of it. I'm scared of my appt. later this week and the lecture I'll no doubt get.

Maternity Clothes: I'm wearing mostly maternity stuff now.

Gender: We're going to be suprised!

Movement: There's been more and more instances where I've thought it might be movement, but I'm not positive and it never lasts quite long enough to tell for sure.

Sleep: I'm sleeping ok. Some nights are better than others but all-n-all I've done well lately.

Symptoms: Had my first real bout of heartburn. No bueno. Other than that it's just some pretty uncool headaches, more back/hip pain, and the occasional nausea (this week has been much better in that department though).

What I miss: Nothing really right now
Cravings: Candy, sandwiches, basically anything and everything.

Best Moment this week: Maybe my birthday...

What I am looking forward to: Feeling movement and knowing for sure that's what it is.
*UPDATE: I'm 99.9% positive I'm feeling baby movements now. Little thumps throughout the day on my lower left side!!

Midweek Randoms

• First things first... "name that show" answers:

1. "...I'm defying gravity" - Wicked
2. "...days we used to love, where has zey gone? Where did zey go?" - Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat
3. "At the end of the day, you're another day older..." - Les Miserables
4. "...Well somebody has to make the matches, young people can't decide these things for themselves." - Fiddler on the Roof
5. "...Simple joys have a simple voice, It says, 'Why not go ahead?'..." - Pippin
6. "Flat and sassy, I would get the strays and losers. Beggars really can't be choosers. That ain't it, kid. That ain't it, kid." - A Chorus Line
7. "I think they meant it when they said you can't buy love, now I know you can rent it, a new lease you are, my love, on life..." - Rent

• Annnnnyway... I'll leave you alone about showtunes now.

• Last Thursday, Kayla and I went to visit the twins. Oh so sweet. Love love love them.

• Later that night, Dac and I went to a retirement party. I took cut up watermelon... used a fun new method I learned from Pinterest. Made it fairly quick and easy. 

• Friday was Kayla and I's annual Friend-Day-Birthday-Fun-Day. I think I increase the name length each year too! =) We both have June birthdays and a couple years ago we decided to forego gifts and just spend a fun day together getting our toes did, going out for lunch, and shopping. So - we grabbed some donuts for the road, got our toes did (mine are red with white flowers and some polka-dots), hit up a few stores, ate lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse and called it a day. It was fun and a great time to catch up! Already looking forward to next year!

• That evening Dac and I went out to eat. It was sort of a little Happy Father's Day outing for him. =) We ate at Biederman's. I got the spaghetti everyone raves about instead of my usual panini and Dac got the salmon special. By the end of dinner I was feeling incredibly sick and that was that for the rest of the night. =|

• Saturday, we were supposed to have a morning session but rain got in the way. That seems to have happened a lot this year. That afternoon/evening we went over to a BBQ steakhouse in a teensy town about an hour away. Austin (Dac's brother) drove us in his big super duty truck. =) It was him, Val, and David in the front with Terese, me, and Dac in the back. Haha. The food was excellent!

• Sunday morning, we took my mom and Dad out for breakfast. I love me some breakfast ya'll. You know this. Then, my mom went to help my grandma get lunch ready and my Dad came back to the house. We had a really nice, long visit before headed out to Grandma's for some Father's Day grub. I sure am lucky to have such awesome men-folk in my life. =)

• This week I'm on call for my first birth story session. I have wanted to photograph a birth for a few years now. It's true photojournalism and I love that. I'm also nervous. Nervous about getting the good, quality photos I envision and nervous because this will be my first birth to witness period. I have another lined up for August. I'm hoping it'll be a good thing before having to participate in my own... but I'm also scared I'll be more scared! ha! =) 

• My hair is the longest it's been since I chopped it off for the first time in July of 2007. Not sure where to go with it from here but I can't imagine not being able to sport a ponytail right now, so I guess it'll stay somewhat long for a while.

• I finally brushed Peety. It wasn't enough. He's still scruffy and looks under-cared for... not too mention stinky beyond belief. But it helped a little. I'm chalking it up as a win. For sure. He has an appt. in a couple weeks anyway, so I'm trying to hold off until then.

• Ate a whole big box of hot tamales yesterday. Sigh. Why do I do these things?

• I'm still watching Psych. It's pretty good. Not the best show ever, but good. It's funny and unlike my usual suspenseful dramas, I can do other things while watching it and if I fall asleep halfway through one, I can just move on because I probably didn't miss a whole lot. 

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 16: Well my flair for not throwing up finally failed me. =( I almost felt better after that though. It was a super busy week for pictures and work stuff. I probably overdid it a little but I survived. You little sir or ma’am must be growing big and strong because people were really commenting on my belly this week. =) I’m ready to feel some of that movement everyone’s talking about. Ready, set, go!

Highlights

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Size of baby: Turnip

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Too much, I'm certain of it.

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing maternity pants aside from a few pairs of comfy/pj pants that still fit ok. Wearing a combo of regular and maternity shirts... but more and more often it's a maternity shirt. Bought bigger underwear this week. Oh boy! =)

Gender: We're going to be suprised!

Movement: There's been a couple times I've wondered but I'm pretty sure it wasn't. Hoping I'll know when it happens.

Sleep: I'm sleeping ok. Some nights are better than others but all-n-all I've done well lately.

Symptoms: Hungry, nauseous, headaches, back/hip pain.

What I miss: Energy and motivation.

Cravings: Watermelon, sandwiches, ice cream, hot tamales

Best Moment this week: People recognizing my belly as something more than just a jiggly mess. =)

What I am looking forward to: I have a chiropractor appt. I'm pretty pumped for this morning. I'm also looking forward to my birthday and my next Dr's. Appt. which feels like forever away even though this month is flying by!

Awwwww

C'mon. I mean this guy is just making others look bad! =) How fun is this!?!?