Half Baked at week 20...

Where do I start this weeks update? It's been a busy past couple of weeks. If you haven't noticed (you must be blind), Harrison has taken on a growth spurt over the last two weeks! He is definitely a growing boy! This week he measures about 10 inches and weighs 10-11 ounces. Due to his growth---(which practically happened overnight)---I was in need of some pants.

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I went shopping...I did... Well, the shopping trip was semi-successful. Even though practically none of my pants fit---I am still too small for maternity pants that I tried on at Old Navy. I also headed to the mall, but couldn't bring myself to go into Motherhood Maternity store. It's not the fact that I haven't accepted that I am indeed pregnant, but it the fact I don't want to wear that stretchy fabric over my stomach. I don't care how updated they say maternity clothes are...I totally disagree! Anyways---I did mention that the trip was semi-successful; I did come home with a pair of lounge pants, 2 pairs of jeans and 3 pairs of work pants. Thank goodness for low, low rise pants!!! After the shopping trip tonight, I shouldn't be complaining anymore or tornadoing my closet each morning. :)

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Since we are on the topic of shopping---I might as well keep going. This last weekend I went to Cranberry Fest and did some Harrison shopping at Kohls. This shopping trip was very successful with the help of mom and Aunt Karen. (For those of you that don't know what Cranberry Fest is---it's a huge craft sale with almost 900 vendors...this is where you can purchase a great deal of personalized items). I would go into detail of everything that we bought, I would be here all night! I will be sure to post some pictures of some of the items when his room comes together.

Speaking of his room...Doug and I went and picked out some paint samples---which is going to take a ton of primer. I am thinking we should be having a painting party! Other good news---room related...Part of the bedding came in yesterday and I immediately ran to pick it up. It's going to be great--it's exactly what we wanted. What a relief! Also, we have a crib/bedroom set picked out, so it's just a matter of being bought.

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More news to report---Harrison is going to have a playmate. No, it's not a twin, nor a four legged critter, but rather we found out our neighbor across the street are expecting baby number two in March. They are hoping for a boy (us too).

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As far as the pregnancy goes, this week marked week 20, which is the halfway point. Time has really flown by thanks to the planning, shopping and scrap booking. I continue to feel pretty well up until this point. I have been having some back spasms (nerve related) that doesn't allow me to sleep past 4:00 in the morning without having to get up and walk it off and hope the pain doesn't return before I am fall back asleep. It's a vicious cycle that sometimes runs it's coarse all day long. But, I hate to complain since I escaped the morning sickness---I would much rather have back pain than be puking.

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Another change I wanted to mention was movement. I swear some days he is on a trampoline! He especially likes when I eat---and he isn't picky like his dad---he moves around like crazy anytime I eat or drink anything. At first I thought I was crazy that what I was feeling was him, but as I have paid more attention I began to realize that this was more than just my stomach. I also read online and learned that many other expecting moms have or are experiencing the same thing. At this point I feel bad, Doug hasn't been able to feel him move yet. I find that he is most active in the evenings, especially when I am on the lap top (ex. right now).

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I know there is definitely more I could add to this post, but I don't want to lose anyone with all my rambling.

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We are scheduled next see the doctor on Friday.

Thank You Harrison!

I would like to start this week's post by thanking Harrison... This past week Harrison was at home directly on my bladder (I know, that's probably too much information to share...but be thankful that I am only sharing it and your not experiencing it). So---with that said, I had a long discussion with him the other day and asked him to please explore other orifices of his living quarters. I even went as far as asking Doug if I were to stand on my head would that help him change positions... Well--two good things came out of this, #1---Harrison moved to a much more comfortable position for me and #2---I didn't have to stand on my head. :) Last night---sleeping was like heaven---and I slept like a rock---thank you Harrison!

I feel like we have fast forwarded to week 19 this week---next week marks the halfway mark---YEAH! I continue to feel pretty good, especially now that I don't feel that I need the drug detrol. Also this week Harrison measures about 6 inches in length and weighs about 8 ounces (about the size of a large Mango for you produce fanatics). His limbs are now turning from cartilage to bone and his kicks will soon grow with intensity.

Body surfing? That's a term I actually read about that describes the early kicking stages of pregnancy---and all in all I agree. I am continuing to feeling daily movement, but lately it hasn't been as localized and has taken on more of all over feeling or what I am also terming Body Surfing.

Not only is Harrison busy growing, kicking and body surfing---his hearing is also becoming more keen with each day. By this point in pregnancy, according to much of the material I have read, Harrison should be able to hear my (our) voices. At this time it is recommended to start reading to him daily (nightly). I can't believe it's time to get out the Golden Books already! (We did make a purchase of a nursery rhyme book and a Daddy Golden Book Classic).

In this post---I want to make something clear to everyone... We are naming our son Harrison,---not Harry or anything resembling anything other than Harrison. A lot of people I have mentioned the name Harrison to---mentions...oh a Harry---um no---if we wanted our son to be called Harry---we would be naming him Harry, not Harrison. So...all in all I have mentioned Harrison 5 times in this paragraph---so this should be clear on our name choice.

To sum it all up...pregnancy is getting more exciting and bonding for Doug and I has tripled if not quadrupled since the ultra sound last week. It's so much different having named him and have begun purchasing nursery necessities. We love our Harrison.

I just realized this morning---looking at the previous post before this post...The baby bedding we have ordered matches the background of this blog (ironic).

Only two days until Cranberry Fest! :)

Baby Bedding On Order!

This is the bedding set that we ordered for Harrison today. Believe it or not, it's actually from Wal-Mart (a store I normally dislike, but when it comes down to crib bedding---it had a lot of good options). We also purchased some of the accessories--blanket, rug, pillow, etc. (with the exception of the mobile, which is out of stock right now). It's pretty exciting to have made this first purchase of many.

I can't wait for Cranberry Fest this weekend...especially now that we know the sex of the baby and have decided on room colors. We (I) hope to get some personalized items there. Our next decision will be wall color...we are leaning to the yellow/gold family. Let the decorating begin!

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

It's official, we are expecting a boy! Harrison Emmett Kelley is one active baby! The ultra sound was AMAZING today. He is definitely a mover and a squirmer and quite flexible I may add. Harrison's chin/nose was tucked to his chest making it hard to get profile pictures. He was positioned in a U shape, which looks very uncomfortable (but obviously it didn't seem to bother him--because he sure didn't want to move). We loved to watch him shake his arms---but the most memorable moment of today was watching him yawn and turn is head to the side just so---it looked liked he was right next to us! We also learned today, Harrison isn't a shy boy---he made it clear that he is in fact a boy! :) The ultra sound technician said Harrison is "perfect," and our quad blood tests and strong heart beat (144 beats per minute) confirmed Harrison healthy. We go back to the doctor in just two weeks.

I'm Jealous!

Where do I start? These last two weeks have been incredibly busy!!!! You better get the cold beverage and popcorn for blog update---it's practically a novel...

Our "babymoon" was wonderful (after we got through Doug's ER visits, just two days before we set sail)---but time surely flew by and I have been back at work now for almost a week already--yuck! Anyways---the time taken off was well deserved and enjoyed. I entitled this blog "I'm Jealous" because of what our unborn baby has experienced in just 18 weeks of life...an air plane ride, a cruise, buffet eating, jet skiing, climbing a volcano and the list is nearly endless. It took me more than twenty years to even get in a plane---let alone cruise in the Caribbean. We also survived the crazy drivers and people who inhabit these islands. P.S.--be sure to ask me in person about the island of Antigua and what I thought about vendors---(long story)! Oh--before I forget we also bought a tiny tee and bib from Barbados for he/she to sport next summer.

In other news---Doug will be officially taking over the Winona Walgreen's store starting in October (yeah). We (mostly I) have been waiting a long time for this! I too will be working 5 days a week opposed to the 4 I work now beginning in November. At this point I will be leaving the nursing home. With our schedule changes--we will finally have a weekend off together more than every six weeks--- I hope we are ready for some quality time together! :) (We'll see how this goes...)

Now you are probably wondering about our baby world...I apologize the posted pictures this week don't really reveal a true baby bump. We took several pictures on the beach with our water camera and either the sun or a finger got in the way--so what you see is what you get! I haven't seen a huge change in the last couple of weeks as far as size---but I am definitely feeling more pregnant every day. I think I may just have the best posture of anyone you know...I was always a sloucher before this pregnancy---but I quickly learning that it's practically impossible to breathe hunched over. Other things I have noticed is my stomach muscles like to harden (like a rock) several times a day and then relax---it's a weird sensation. Speaking of sensations--I felt the first tiny kicks last night while working a way on the lap top. I got a funny little feeling to the left of my belly button and I looked down to my amazement and witnessed a poking--to be exact two pokes in a row! :)

We welcome a cantaloupe this week. Today marks week 18 of pregnancy---with each week only growing more eventful. I haven't slept much this week--so you can just imagine what hormone hell Doug must be enduring (but then again--he was part baby making process). I have been experiencing some back pain that is quite unexplainable---or hard to describe, but all I know is that it's sure to wake me up mid-night. If I get up and walk around for ten minutes or so---I can usually relieve the discomfort. If I am not getting up to stretch my back---it's the 2:15 am potty run. Oh well---it's all the joys of pregnancy...right?

Friday is the big day!---Yes, the scheduled ultrasound to hopefully (fingers crossed) to determine the baby's sex. We are hoping he or she is cooperative during Friday's morning appointment. I promise to post the results and we will reveal the our name as well.

I am sure I forgot some details--I'll be sure to include them on Friday's post---that's practically only a day away!

Growing...Growing...Growing...

16 weeks pregnant today! :) The baby (an avocado) measures 4 1/2 to 5 inches long (depending on the baby's growth). In the next few weeks the baby will double it's weight and add inches to his/her height. The baby's tiny heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood per day.

My baby bump is much more visible this week than last, but clothes do a good job masking the bubble. I do have my first real pregnancy complaint this week--back aches! I figured I wouldn't run into this issue until at least 7-8 months pregnant, but not so! In what I have read this is actually quite common. The tendons and muscles are preparing for growth so I guess I should consider these "growing pains." I am hoping these "growing pains" don't make themselves at home and make an extended stay.

Our next prenatal is scheduled for Friday, September 4th.

On a happier note we leave for our "babymoon" in 4 days :) !!!! Better start packing...