23 weeks

I'm 23 weeks pregnant now and my belly is really growing these days. I'm carrying baby Tucker pretty high which I guess is common with a first pregnancy and while carrying a baby boy. I'm really getting sore in my lower back and my pelvic bone has been pretty sensitive as well. I'm still smiling and getting through some of these new pains because I know it'll all be worth it when Tucker arrives. My sister Melissa gave me all Jacob's (my nephew) clothes when he was a baby earlier this week. Keith and I have been washing and organizing all the clothes this weekend which has been a lot of fun. I'm truely blessed to have such an amazing sister. Melissa is you're reading this - Thank you for everything. You really mean a lot to me and I appreciate all your help, love, and support.

Unfortunately, Keith's Grandpa "William Joseph Grant" (Mother's father) passed away Thursday morning. He was 89 years old and he lived a long, good, healthy life. We celebrated his 89th Birthday this summer so Keith and I have a happy memory to remember him by. I'll never forget Grandpa Grant clapping his hands as the family sang "Happy Birthday" to him. He was so excited to have everyone together and you could feel the energy in the room. It was a great day!!! I'm glad that we have that memory to cherish of him now that he's gone. I am a little sad that baby Tucker will never have the chance to meet his Great Grandpa here on earth but I'm praying that one day Tucker will meet his Great Grandparents in Heaven. Grandpa Grant was the last living Grandparent that Keith had. I have two Grandparents both my Grandpa's that are still living and doing well. Unfortunately, both Grandma's have passed away but I look forward to seeing them again soon one day in Heaven.

On a happier note...Here are a few signs that you know your pregnant.

You know you're pregnant when:
1. You notice people staring at your belly before they look at your face.
2. You look down after you eat something and notice food or crumbs on your belly.
3. You never have to lift a finger because someone is always offering to help. This is really nice.
4. You find your husband doing all the chores around the house. I love this.
5. You get out of breath while walking around the house talking on the phone.
6. You forget what you're going to do before you even turn the corner or stand up.
7. Your husband will go get you anything you ask for because you're having his baby (not always true but 95% of the time true).
8. Your bras are busting at the seams but you don't want to spend more money on another bra...especially since you're still growing.
9. You notice people always smiling at you and your growing belly.
10. People are always wanting to touch your belly. I thought I wasn't going to like this but I honestly don't mind at all.

I'm sure over the next 3 months I'll think of more items to add to this list but this will do for now.

Today's mood - content

22 weeks

I'm now 22 weeks and I'm really feeling pregnant these days. I feel like there is a bowling ball in my belly and it's getting harder to get out of the bed. I also found that it's hard to get in and out of Keith's truck since it's higher off the ground and my belly is bigger. I'll need to keep that in mind since Keith and I are looking to buy a SUV sometime before our baby boy arrives. Tucker is still very active these days and he kicks me a lot at night. I've picked up a bad habit of going to McDonald's every morning and ordering a large half sweet/half unsweet tea. It's my caffiene for the day and it's only $1.09 right now! Can't beat the price. Tucker usually kicks me a lot when I'm drinking my morning tea as well.

Baby Tucker is about the size of a papaya and he's able to hear outside noises from inside the womb. I read books to him at night "Goodnight Moon", "You Are Adorable", and "I Love You This Much". He was really kicking last night when I was reading him Goodnight Moon. I sing to him on the drive home from work which is usally country music. I think he enjoys that as well because he'll give me a few good kicks. Every morning and every night I tell him "Good morning" and "Good night" and I pray for him everyday that he'll be a good boy for Mommy. He should be sleeping about 12 to 14 hours everyday now and I think that's mainly while I'm at work and perhaps some while I'm sleeping. His little baby face is fully formed and his nipples are starting to sprout out on his chest. I still can't believe that I am creating this little miracle inside me. Amazing.

Yesterday, I went on a Retail Division outing and we had lunch together at BlackFinn and then we all went bowling at Strike City at the EpiCenter. I had a great time with everyone in my division yesterday but it was so hard to bowl. I had no idea it was going to be that different with my belly in the way. I played one game and I had to stop because my back and sides were really hurting me. Everyone else played about 3 more games and it was very entertaining to watch everyone. I had a really good time!

Today's mood - Thankful

21 weeks

I'm 21 weeks pregnant and almost 6 months along and it's been a busy week...

Tuesday, September 8th I went to my 20 week Dr. Appt. and he said that everything looks great. My blood pressure was 124 over 71 and the baby had a good heartbeat as well. He asked Keith and I to tour the hospital where I plan to deliver and sign up for some pregnancy classes together. He also asked me to call a pediatrician and meet the doctor's. He recommended his pediatrician for me. The doctor and I live pretty close so he recommended the pediatrician that his children see. He told me that it's a smaller practice but the doctor's are more personable with the children which sounded nice. My next doctor's appointment is scheduled for Monday, October 5th and I can't wait to hear my little man's heart beat again - those are the moments that I treasure.

Wednesday, September 9th was the first time that a stranger noticed I was pregnant and asked me what I was having. I was at Chick-fil-A ordering a chicken salad sandwich and some fruit and he said, "What are you having?" and I told him my order again and he said, "No, what are you having?" and I said, "Oh...I'm having a boy". It took me off guard because a stranger hasn't said anything to me yet. I guess I'm really starting to show these days. On the way back to work I rode up the elevator with a man and I complimented him on his flowers that he bought for either his wife or girlfriend and he asked me how far along I was and I told him 5 months and he told me that I looked great and then he said you really do look good. That made me feel really good and I really needed a compliment that day. ;)

Thursday, September 10th Keith came back in town and we were watching tv upstairs. I was in the bedroom laying in the bed watching a show and Keith was in the bonus room watching football. Our baby boy started kicking his little heart away and was very active so I called Keith into the room to feel him. Unfortunately, he missed it the first time but I asked him to stay with me and I know that when I roll over or re-adjust myself that Tucker will start moving again. Sure enough he started kicking again and Keith felt his baby boy for the first time. Keith loved it. He smiled from ear to ear. Keith calls him baby Ray. The men at Keith's work call Keith -Keith Ray so he's always rubbing my belly and saying, "Hey baby Ray".

Today, Saturday, September 12th I woke up early and went to a little consignment store in Waxhaw called Sweet Repeats. The store has a lot of really great things for babies and children. I saw a Snap and Go stroller that I've been looking for and unfortunately it wasn't a universal one so I was able to place my name on a list for them to call me when a Universal Snap and Go arrived. I did a little shopping while there and I bought about 7 outfits which only cost $20.00. I know I need to stop buying baby clothes but it's so addictive. Keith said the baby is going to have more clothes than him before he's even born. haha. I'll take that as a hint to stop shopping for baby boy clothes. Unfortunately, after I was shopping at Sweet Repeats my Father-in-law was taken by ambulance to Presbyterian Hospital in Matthews. Keith, his family, and I have been at the hospital all day waiting on tests results for my Father-in-law. They didn't find anything concerning but they're going to keep him overnight and continue some more tests tomorrow. He has a heart murmur and they are trying to determine if he may have a blood clot or what is causing the heart murmur. Please keep my Father-in-law in your thoughts and prayers.

Today's Mood - Exhausted

20 weeks

Well, I've made it....I'm half way there!!! I'm super excited and I can't believe that the last 20 weeks have just flown by. My baby boy "Tucker" is very active these days. He kicks me a lot in the mornings (hungry) and a lot in the evenings (active at night) when it's time to go to bed. I just lay in bed and wait for him to kick me. It's something that I look forward to and cherish everyday now. My family and I went to Hilton Head Island, SC last Friday and came home yesterday. We had a great time enjoying the beach and weather together. The men played golf Thursday and while they played golf the women and kiddo's went shopping at the HH Tanger Outlets. I bought a few really cute outfits for my little man and I can't wait to see him wearing them. I ate a lot while on vacation but Keith and I walked a lot on the beach to work it off and I would swim a few laps in the pool everyday. I think Tucker really enjoy the pool because I would always feel him move around a little when I would first get in the water - or perhaps he was cold?...not sure but he was a little swimmer himself it felt like.

I went through some old baby pictures and little boy pictures of Keith last night with his mom. He was a little cutie. As a baby Keith was very long with long skinny legs. I have a feeling our baby is going to have really long skinny legs just like his daddy. I think he'll be very active and athletic too. Both Keith and I had long legs growing up and we were both very athletic and kept very active in sports. I think we might have a little athlete in the making.

20 more weeks to go...I can't wait!!!

Todays Mood - Relaxed