27 Weeks

I'm now finally in my third trimester and at the beginning of my 7th month of pregnancy! It hasn't been easy but it's gone by really fast! Here is a little info and a picture from babycenter.com:

How your baby's growing: This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Chicago and Ellie's Wedding!

Two weekends ago I went to Chicago with my sisters and step mom. It is definitely my new favorite city but I will never again take it on while pregnant! Friday night was long, after work we went to the airport where I left my ID at the security checkpoint and even though our flight was delayed they were not able to find it before we left. When we got to Chicago we checked into our hotel the Omni right in the middle of the magnificent mile and walked to Gino's East to enjoy some Chicago deep dish pizza and catch up with our friends Adam and Elise who live there. Saturday morning we woke up and after a wonderful buffet breakfast at the hotel we went shopping. I must have been in one of those moods to shop because I didn't stop until we had to meet up for dinner! We took a cab up to Hugo's Frog Bar for dinner where the food and the atmosphere were amazing! Sunday we started the day off with an excellent breakfast buffet on the 95th floor of the John Handcock center. It was really cool to be able to see the whole city! Then I shopped literally until we had to leave for the airport. I just couldn't get enough! I had a ton of coupons and the stores were all having great sales!

Well I paid for that weekend on my feet the whole next week! I knew I shouldn't of done it but I couldn't stop myself! I had a horrible case of planters fisciatis and my feet were very swollen for the next 5 days. Monday night Craig's parents came over for dinner to celebrate his mothers birthday and I started having what I think were Braxton Hicks contractions. A little worried I called my doctor and went in the next morning. She said everything looked alright but I took Tuesday off work to relax. Putting my feet up really helped and I got to be there when our crib and dresser were delivered! Craig's parents came back over to help get it in the room and unpack everything. Then Thursday night when I taking my last final Craig put the crib together! It is so beautiful! We haven't made any other decisions on the room yet though, one step at a time. Being done with school is a big relief now though and now we can concentrate a little more on getting the house baby ready!

Friday I went to see my primary care physician because the swelling had gone down in my feet but my big toe still hurt really bad. He said he thought I had Gout! I went in there thinking I had a broken toe and here it is more like arthritis. I did a little research and drank a ton of water to flush the build up out of my system. Then magically the next morning my toe didn't hurt nearly as bad!

Saturday night we went to Mary Ann's niece Ellie's wedding in Cleveland. It was really nice but we didn't eat until 8pm. Craig and I were literally the last ones in the whole place to get served salads and I was a little upset. I voiced my frustration to the waitress and we were the first table to get served dinner!

Little one has been moving around like crazy! My feet have definitely been taking a beating but UGG shoes have helped. The contractions were scary but thankfully everything is okay and looks normal. He is still craving dairy and especially loves chocolate milkshakes now! My emotions have been by far the biggest side effect this week, for some reason I just can't stop crying over nothing! There has just been a lot going on and hopefully now that school is done I will start to relax a little bit more. The next time I post we'll be in the third trimester, it is really flying by!

Long Overdue Update! Weeks 17-25

I should probably start where I left off and go from there since it has been so long! It has been a long couple months with weddings, trips, concerts, football and school! I have been posting a lot more updates on Facebook since most all of my family and friends are on there. I don't believe I have anyone still reading this but it will be nice for our little one to look at one day and me to refer to in any future pregnancy!

Our first mini trip came with my cousin Joey and his new wife Jami's wedding in Columbus October 10th when I was 17 weeks along. It was really nice to see a lot of my mothers side of the family together and my mom even with us for a couple days after. That Monday night laying in bed with my mom I felt little one for the first time moving around! I was 17 weeks 5 days along and it really did feel like I swallowed butterflies!

We then spent time getting ready for Craig's brother Todd's wedding in Boston. We arrived in Boston on Wednesday, October 21st spending our first day with the bride and groom around the city and had the rehersal dinner that evening. Thursday they got married and Friday we took a tour in a Duck land/water vehicle with Craig's family that came in for the trip. We had a great time but the train system was not very fun and I think that will be the last we see of Boston!

We returned on Saturday morning and went out to dinner that evening with my sister Abbey and her boyfriend Brian to celebrate my birthday at Trumbull Country Club. It was a very nice time! On Sunday, my step mom Mary Ann made us stuffed shells for dinner (my favorite!) and we had cake. Then I got the best birthday present ever on Tuesday, October 27th we had a full fetal evaluation with Dr. Stewert in Akron. Craig, Sarah, and little Brody came to see the very detailed ultrasound and we even got them to switch over to 3D for a minute! Our 3D picture is to the right. Another milestone in this week 20 Craig felt the baby kick for the first time!

The next week we prepared for Todd and Nikki's at home reception the following Saturday on Halloween! It was a lot of fun and everyone dressed up.They had a photobooth too! Pictures to come!

On November 4th little one had his first concert experience. Mary Ann, Sarah, Lory and I went to see Daughtry and Theory of a Deadman opened for him. It was a great show and we even randomly sat next to my Aunt Fifi and her daughters!

Then came the month of trips for me! I traveled to Dallas for the weekend November 6th-8th to see my girlfriend Katie and her family. We had a great weekend! I got to see her very pregnant sister Carrie who is due mid December, we did a little shopping and went to see The Christmas Carol in 3D IMAX! Very good but very fast trip and definitely bittersweet since it might be the last time I get to go down there for a very long time.

On November 10th, Craig and I went to see Bruce Springsteen in Cleveland. It was the best concert ever! He played all of his oldies and little one loved it too! We had a really great time and were so happy we went! The next weekend Abbey came home and decided we need to start taking more maternity pictures. This one to the left is my favorite, belly at 22 weeks! She is now my new photographer everytime she comes home!

The trips continued with a weekend in Naples November 19th to the Sunday the 22nd. A very nice but quick trip! Craig and Jeremy drove down Tuesday night and spent 2 days at Universal Orlando then picked Lory and I up at the airport in Naples on Thursday. It was so nice to just relax and lay out in the warm sun! We stayed at my dads house down there and it was just beautiful! One night we ate crab legs then the next we shopped at the Waterfront Shops and at dinner on the beach. Here is a picture of us at dinner! The trip back home was a little rough, thankfully the trips are almost over!

Then we got to come home to a short week for Thanksgiving! We ate at my Aunt Fifi's and then went to his parents to play cards. Friday some massive house cleaning took place after Holly and I destroyed the kitchen making the mashed potatoes and then we went shopping for Black Friday! Saturday we decorated to house for Christmas and Abbey came over to help us put up the tree. Pictures of Thanksgiving and Tree Decorating to come!

I am now 25 weeks along as of today! Only 105 days to go! With all that has been going on the time has flown by and now with the holidays coming and baby shower January 23rd I don't expect it to stop! I went through a bad spell with heartburn a few weeks back but now my main symptoms are mood swings (sorry Craig!) and being tired all the time. This past week my feet have really started to hurt like my heels feel like I have shin splints in them!

We are starting to get the nursery ready too! Thanks to Sarah and Mary Ann for cleaning my house and clearing out most of the nursery and spare room when I was in Dallas! Craig finished clearing everything out yesterday and they are starting on refinishing the hardwood tomorrow. Then we will paint the nursery, thinking a eggshell white right now. The furniture will be here in a couple weeks and I already have the bedding in! It won't be long before it is all together, hopefully by Christmas! I will post some progress pictures! I promise it won't be so long until the next time I post, it has just been a crazy couple months!