Friendships and Pregnancy

Let's keep it real (as I always do!), friendships do change over the course of your life.  And boy do I know this!  From leaving high school, to going to and graduating from college and grad school, friends have come and go.  I have been through it.  Some hurt more than others.  Getting married can change friendships and egad, getting pregnant can change your relationships.  I knew this and was somewhat prepared for it this go 'round.  It's still surprising nonetheless.

It doesn't have to be like that all the time.  Life changes don't have to spell the end of relationships you value.  My best friend Iman and I have known each other forever and experienced many life changes together.  And she's still here!  I'm soooo thankful for her friendship.  Love her! 

A friendship that both Johnny and I are blessed to share is our friendship with Kenny! We (really Johnny) worried about telling him, for fear that he'd drop us like it was hot and keep it moving.  Quite the contrary!  According to Kenny, this baby is all of ours and we are in this together!  From day one he has embraced the idea of us being pregnant and has been a huge fan of Ray Ray.  He even came up with the name Ray Ray!  And we finally asked him tonight would he serve as Ray Ray's godfather and he jumped at the chance!  I can't think of a better person to help us guide Ray Ray's development.  He's going to be an awesome godfather.  Love you too, Kenny!

Luckily, most friendships — especially the strong ones — can endure even the most trying of life changes.

Be Thankful

Happy Turkey Day!

Can't wait to eat later! Yum, yum, yum!!

You know I have to take time out to reflect on things and be thankful, so here we go.  I'm thankful for:

• The baby growing inside me
• That fact that the baby is healthy, active, and working hard everyday at preparing to be born
• My health!  My body is doing a lot a work these days and I'm grateful for the opportunity.  I definitely don't take it for granted. 
• My husband.  I couldn't have asked for a more loving man.  Johnny, you rock.  Thanks for doing the dishes today, dude!
• A caring family
• For a new, growing church family
• For the tasty, if not tiny, glass of eggnog I just enjoyed.

What are you thankful for?

26 weeks!!!

So Ray Ray is about a pound and two-thirds and measures about 14 inches.

This week:

• We're 3 weeks into our Bradley Method classes.  It's lots of info, but I'm sure everything we're learning is going to come in really handy.  I'm still looking around at the other moms and comparing bellies.  Interesting group of folks.
• I think I had a Braxton Hicks yesterday.  All I know was it was a weird cramp.  Didn't last long though.
• The kicks have been getting pretty hard.  And Ray Ray still moves like crazy, right before it's time for me to go to bed.  Yesterday, Johnny saw my stomach jump.  Weird!
• Bathroom trips?  Every two-three hours. Fun.

Monday Musings

Well Happy Monday!

Thanksgiving is this Thursday and I'm planning our menu.  We will probably go up to Sheewayne's (if they stay in town).  But we want to have a little bit of something here as well.  So back to the menu.  I've been looking for this macaroni and cheese recipe I'd used a few times before and can't for the life of me find it!  Boo!  I hope to find it soon!

But here's what I'm thinking so far

Mac N Cheese

Candied yams

 

green beans

squash

Turkey

Tofurkey (Hey, i have to eat too!)

And for dessert? A coworker is making a coconut cake for me (bless her heart!!). 

What are you having?

25 weeks!

I know, I know, I missed a week.  I was so tired last week.  It was all I could do to get up, go to work and come home.  Little bit more energy this week, so here I am!

So what's new this week?

• Ray Ray is about 13 1/2 inches and weighs about a pound and a half.  Apparently the baby is starting to pack on the baby fat, which is just great, because I'm packing it on too!  Awesome! (Can you detect the slight sarcasm?) 
• Ray Ray is having the time of their life in there!  Non-stop movement and kicks and punches and wiggles.  Fun, especially at night when we are trying to sleep.  Because of course I want Johnny to feel everything, so I'll grab his hand all the time. 
• Oh!  How's Johnny?  He's good!  He keeps saying he only has 3 more months of quality sleep and wants to maximize every minute of it.  Doesn't help that I always grab his hand to feel Ray Ray!  But he likes it, especially the super punches.
• Childbirth classes are neat.  We've been to two so far.  Johnny is going to be a great birth coach.  Even now, he reminds me to do my exercises and eat my veggies.  Even though the classes are on Friday, it's such a wonderful way to end the week.
• Oh! I set up my first registry.  We went to Babies R' Us last week (thanks Sheewayne and Demi!) and spent awhile (ok, a few hours) getting Ray Ray set up!  I've also been on Amazon.com setting up a registry.  I've started an online one at Target, but will go to the store soon to officially set it up.  I will probably hit Baby Depot and Pottery Barn Kids before it's all over.
• A coworker asked me this today, and so I'll share it here:  My belly button has not begun to poke out..  Thank God.  I've liked having an "innie" all these years.
• Ok, a friend at church asked this, so I'll share here: No stretch marks yet.  WOOHOOO!!!  Though she did say one day she woke up and BAM, one stretch mark.  She told me to rub cocoa butter and olive oil on my belly.  My first bit of belly advice.  Awesome!

Well, Ray Ray is ready for the nightly workout session... Translation:  "Mommy, go lay down."

23 weeks

We're at 23 weeks! Yay!

So what's going on this week?  Ray Ray is having a busy week! Well, I went to my first prenatal yoga class last night.  And I'm so sore today!  Dude, I wasn't ready!  Downward dog is the devil!  My neck, my back, my hips... oh the pain!  Ray Ray was the youngest one there.  The closest preggo there was 26 weeks.  The others were between 30 and 35 weeks.  I think I'll be back next week.  I must conquer the dog!

A prenatal swim class I found starts tomorrow.  Slight problem with that.  I don't have a preggo bathing suit!  I have the two piece numbers I wore in St. Martin this summer, but not sure if that's going to work.  We'll see.

Our birthing class starts this Friday.  Looking forward to learning more and meeting other preggos!

How's Ray Ray?  Kicking (and punching) up a storm! Especially right now!

Monday Musings

This was us this past weekend!  And yes, my wings were really that big!  And yes, Johnny was Tyrone Biggums. 

Not much going on today.  I promise to have more to say tomorrow.

Well, running out in a bit, but have a great Monday!