Snowmageddon!

Well, we're iced in. Here in DFW we got lots of ice, some snow, and crazy cold weather... my co-worker in OKC got crazy cold weather, some ice, and LOTS of snow. As of her e-mail about 20 minutes ago they had about a foot of snow on the ground. Crazy! Can it PLEASE be summer now? After this mess I'm looking forward to the beach this summer more than I was before. It's kind of funny, I had a couple swim suits and a cover up and tanks delivered today... on the "winterest" of winter days.

On the bright side, Clay and I have loved having Taylor home today! It has been so nice. We have played, relaxed, napped, and I got lots of work done.

Clay has been enjoying his jammie day and has had lots of fun playing with his daddy.

We all assume the roads will be just as bad tomorrow since it's going to get into the teens tonight. I hope Taylor doesn't have to drive on the slick roads. We'll just have to see what the morning brings!

So much happening!

I'm bringing this back! SO much happens now with Clay and I want a way to document it all other than his baby book. Plus, this way I can share it with all of you!

Clay will be 3 months old on Saturday. The past 3 months have absolutely flown by! I swear it seems like we were just driving to the hospital the morning of my scheduled c-section. He just seems to want to grow, grow, grow. He is so big and learns so much each day.

He was born on 10/29/10. 9lbs 11oz and 20.5 inches long.

Our next dr. appointment is not until March 1, but when we went for his 2 month check up (we went in at 9 weeks) he weighed 16 lbs and was 25 inches long. That put him at 99% for weight, 95% for height, and his head was 95% too. He is just a big, tall boy.

He is still wearing size 2 diapers, but they're getting snug. I think after this package we'll be switching to size 3's.

His clothing is all 6+ months. From Old Navy he wears 6-12 months, but other places he wears the 6-9 month size.

Clay sleeps from 11pm-7:30am every night. He wakes up at 7:30, eats, and goes back to bed until around 9 or 9:30. Then he typically takes a long afternoon nap of about 3 hours. 

He LOVES to sit and stand. If he is not eating he prefers you hold him so he can sit up and look around, and when he gets bored with that he will push up so you will hold him while he stands.

He yells at us when he doesn't like something (like, if he doesn't like the way he's being held). It's not a cry...he actually yells. It's extremely funny but makes me wonder if we're in for a little bit of an attitude! 

He laughed for the first time this past weekend. It was just a short little giggle and he hasn't done it since, but it was definitely a laugh!  

Today he rolled over for the first time! He was on his tummy on his play mat and just leaned to the left and rolled right over. He looked up at me like it was the coolest thing ever. Hopefully I can get it on video when he starts rolling more often.

Tonight he will be starting cereal (with the pedi's approval for those of you who wonder ;) ). This little boy likes to eat! It's very obvious that formula just isn't cutting it for him, but that doesn't surprise me after being born at almost 10lbs and the rate he's growing.

I think those are all the big updates to share for now so I will leave this post with a few pictures from over the last 3 months.

Just a couple days old:

Just hanging out during our first week home:

First big smile caught on camera:

So excited on Christmas morning:

Just hanging out at home on the play mat (from today):

19 Weeks & A Survey

How far along?  19 weeks exactly

Total weight gain/loss: At my last appointment it was 6 lbs. I don't weigh myself at home, so I'm not sure how  much more I've gained since then!

Maternity clothes? Oh yes, non maternity pants don't fit at all, and non maternity shirts are just simply too short to fit over this growing belly!

Stretch marks? Fortunately, I haven't noticed any.

Sleep:  Totally depends on the night! Some nights I've been sleeping really well and others I'm tossing and turning and up to go to the bathroom about 6 times.

Best moment this week: Lots of movement! Also we reached the "less than a week to go" point of finding out what Mini Musa is!

Movement: Quite a bit! Sometimes it feels like he or she is doing kickboxing in there.

Food cravings: Still hamburgers and fruit. Oh my goodness, now I want Wendy's!

Gender: We find out next Thursday!

Labor Signs: Oh no thank goodness

Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: Not being SO hot! My hands and feet are constantly miserably hot.

What I am looking forward to: Anatomy scan this coming Thursday!

Milestone: Really looking pregnant and not just fat! ;)

Your pregnancy: 19 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

Memories

I was just looking at some pictures of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The oil has reached the beaches, and it's awful. It makes me so sad. My family started going there the summer after I graduated high school in 2003. There has only been one summer they have not gone. I missed a few because I was taking summer courses, but Taylor and I went with my family in 08 & 09. Without a doubt those were the best vacations I have ever been on. It makes me so sad to think of that place not as beautiful as it should be.

Below are just some pics from our 08 & 09 vacations.

*that one is for you, Sarah & Taylor! GENE MORRIS! lol*

Forgetful!

I forgot to post my 18 week belly pic. Taylor took this on Saturday, so technically I was 18 weeks and 1 day. ;)

18 Weeks

Your pregnancy: 18 weeks 

How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!

A quick check in

Just a little quickie!


I went to the doctor yesterday. She said, "Hear that? That is a perfect heart beat. It sounds so great and strong!" That made me happy. It's such a relief to hear good things from the doctor. MM's heart rate was 160 again. I asked Dr. Ku if she thought that meant it was a girl. She laughed and we listened to it again. She said that it is a pretty fast heart, and if she had to guess she'd say girl. Then she told me to come tell her after our sonogram in two weeks to tell her if she was right or wrong. So maybe we do have a baby Laynie on the way! We will see. :)

18 weeks tomorrow. I'll have Taylor take a new pic tomorrow evening, and I'll post it then!