21 Weeks: Hooked on a Feelin'

... maybe the baby bump looks bigger in plain clothes?

This week had a VERY exciting development for James and I! We got to feel Baby Mildren's kicks for sure!  James could feel him, too, which was awesome (and confirmed to me that yes, there is a growing baby boy inside).  Feeling that for the first time was one of those cheesy moments that we will never forget, and it has made us that much more excited for Baby Mildren's arrival come January!  I've been addicted to putting my hand on my stomach when I am resting at home, so I can feel his movements.  

Prediction:  If he takes after me, his movements are probably very uncoordinated and awkward....if he takes after James, his movements are probably fluid and athletic.  Ha!  

20 Weeks: Halfway There

5 weeks

20 weeks

This week marks the halfway point of my pregnancy with Baby Boy Mildren!  Hooray!  While there are detractors who do not think I look very pregnant, by looking at the comparison photos from 5 weeks to 20 weeks, it's clear there's been some growth on the baby front.  Just to make things clear, from here on out I'll also be posting a picture of myself in 'real' clothes.  They actually make me look more pregnant than loungewear! ha!

Things have been going pretty great lately, and we are praying that the next 5 months bring the same level of enthusiasm, enjoyment, and anticipation as the first five months have brought us.  Keep those prayers coming, please!

I am pretty sure I have been feeling Baby Mildren move around a bit during the last few weeks, but I'm not completely sure, since I don't know what to feel for, but it seems like something different than digestion.

We're still narrowing down a name for our little boy, and we have it down to two.  For middle names, we are wanting to do something family related, but nothing has been decided yet.


This week, our sweet friend and former Spanish tutor in Guatemala, Patricia, sent us a gift for "Bebé Mildren" since soon we are going to be "papis" (PAH-pees, slang for parents).  

Our own little niño guatemalteco indígeno!

(indigenous Guatemalan baby)

*This may be the cutest thing we ever get as a baby gift, and you can guarantee it will make for some great future photo ops!  

19 Weeks

Well, other than growing a bit more in the belly, this has thankfully been a pretty uneventful week of pregnancy!

James and I have started the daunting task of a baby registry (via amazon.com, seems easiest with the best deals, too).

Also, we've pretty much decided on a Jungle theme for the nursery.  Baby animal stuff is adorable!

And (as I've said for a long time) babies dressed up like animals are hilarious!  Here are some examples of creative costuming that cracks me up!

A giraffe

...maybe a skunk! 

(no, I don't plan on setting our child down in the middle of a road--ever!)

A little lamb

Monkey!

Or a Halloween cat!

18 Weeks: 4 1/2 Months Fun

This has been a very exciting week!  Earlier in the week, James and I went in for the much-anticipated sonogram.  We found out that the baby is healthy and doing well (weighing a whopping 8 ounces), with a good heartbeat, and everything else in the Normal range you'd want normal.  Of course, this is the most important point of the sonogram - does it have 2 arms? 2 legs?  Good blood flow? Good development?

Can you see his profile?  

We're already proud parents!

The other important part of this sonogram is getting to find out the gender!  

It's a BOY!!!!!!!!!

We had no desire to wait and find out; both of us wanted to enjoy planning and anticipating whichever gender our baby was going to be.  Also, I have a bad habit of referring to all babies (even once born) as 'it,' so I want James and I to get used to saying "he" to bond with it more ahead of time.  Ha!  Once we learned it was a boy, we were thrilled, and I did nothing but daydream for the rest of the day.   :)

In other news, the Kenny grandparents made their first visit to Baby Mildren's future cousin, Connor Morgan, born Aug. 3, 2011!

Grandma Kenny and Connor Morgan

Parents Scott and Robin, Connor Morgan, and Kenny Grandparents

My sister Robin and brother-in-law Scott are proud parents of their new baby boy Connor Scott Morgan, and I know the Kenny grandparents had a blast visiting their new family.  It was fun to hear about it all week, what it's like having a newborn baby at home for the first time.  They started a baby blog for Connor, too.

The only baby book I read this week was The New Contented Little Baby Book, by Gina Ford, a long-time British nanny, sharing her non-medical but very experienced advice.  The book was a good read, but I had more fun with the English terms for baby stuff, and some of it I couldn't even figure out.

The New Contented Little Baby Book

crib = cot
dummy = pacifier "Parents end up with a very demanding baby...just because they do not want to give him a dummy."
teat = nipple (on a bottle or pacifier) "Once feeding, make sure...to ensure that the teat is always filled with milk."
swaddling blanket = shawl
onsie - vest
stroller - pram
burping/gas = wind  "It is important to follow your baby's lead regarding when to stop and wind him."
top-up = ???????

Our first couples' preggo photo....should we send this in to awkwardfamilyphotos.com?

17 Weeks & Back to Work

Well, the summer break, and all of its leisure time, is officially over.  I had to face the harsh reality that I will not be able to take a nap whenever I feel like it (all of the time), nor will I be able to read a book from cover-to-cover in a day.  It was good while it lasted, and let's face it, just *getting* a summer break is a luxury! Just ask James....

I started back to school this week, and I am very excited about my two new buildings, Leawood Middle School and Lakewood Middle School.  I'm also completing my administration practicum this year,  so that will be an added bonus to my responsibilities!  Luckily I love what I do!!

"Does this make me look fat?"

The hardest part of the week was the realization that I've been wearing the same five items of stretchy, casual (PJ-like) clothing all summer.  While I can SQUEEZE into my work clothes, it ain't pretty.  Sadly, my friends in the area who had babies recently have also recently already given their maternity clothes away!  I'm not joking, four friends said they would love to let me borrow their clothes, but they are already out on loan.  Bummer!  I bought a few key pieces of clothing, but there's something annoying about buying stuff you know you'll only wear for a few more months.  The good news?  Maternity clothes are beyond comfortable.  Seriously, why wasn't I shopping in the maternity section years ago?!  Waistbands, buttons, and zippers are so overrated!

16 Weeks: 4 months and feeling good!

Goodbye Month 4, Hello Month 5!  You may not be able to tell, but I am definitely bigger in the belly (and elsewhere :)  I think I look large and in charge, but Liz doesn't think so.  She told me, "It just looks like you ate a big lunch."  Ha!

As my last week of vacation seemingly ended almost as soon as it began, it was nice that James took the week off from work for a staycation.  Other than painting our (well ventilated) office and guest bathroom a lighter shade of pale beige, we didn't do much but relax and spend quality time together before the school year gets up and running, but it was rewarding and fun to spend these hot days indoors lounging about the house.

I made a quick visit to St. Louis to visit one of my best friends, Liz.  Liz took it upon herself to make sure I'm gaining a healthy amount of weight, and she stuffed me solid with of my favorite home cooked Italian food from 'The Hill,' (delicious ravioli and cannoli) and frozen yogurt for desert.  Though the thought crossed my mind that I would never need to eat again, in the morning, her husband Sean and mom Marlene served up fresh blueberry pancakes and bacon.  Somehow I made room!

So...in case it hasn't been made obvious by my attendance at barbecues and bacon breakfasts, I am not a practicing vegetarian at this time.  My doctor informed me that red meat is a good food for anemia prevention, so while I haven't been hungry for meat, my friends and family are definitely enjoying adding it to meals (especially James!).

James and I took time during this final peaceful week before the school year to squeeze in a few more books, generous gifts from friends Kathy and Brad.  :)

Baby 411

James has done most of the reading in this book, which is a handy reference guide for many of the small dilemmas that come with taking care of a baby.  (I can't imagine!)


Baby Bargains

This book not only points out great bargain websites, but it separates the wheat from the chaff for brand safety, quality, and price.  It's sort of like an easier and more in-depth version of Consumer Reports.  One tip worth remembering:  when stores have the word 'baby' in them, the same items typically cost 20% more...buy a regular dresser, not a 'baby' dresser.  Shop for a crib at a furniture store, not a 'baby boutique.'  I have found this to be true for maternity clothes as well.  They know they have you over a barrel, so why not charge a lot?  It's not like you can go look for a better bargain in the junior section!

Grammy Mildren's First Gifts

James and I received a surprise package in the mail this week from James' wonderful mom, Lynda (soon-to-be known as Grammy Mildren).   Thank you for the generous gifts!!  Baby Mildren is going to be lucky enough to have finger puppet shows, hear stories and songs that go along with the book, and find out how dinosaurs say good night!

Adorable!

You can't tell, but this book has some great fabrics and textures in it. 

This will likely encourage our child to touch everything he/she sees, a bad habit that will have been passed down by me, I'm afraid!

 I love finger puppets!  Hopefully Baby Mildren does, too!

 This book is so sweet and cute, with some hilarious illustrations.  It's right up James' alley!