The Bump is Growing...

March 30, 2009 - 28 weeks and 2 days

I had another doctor's appointment on March 30th. The doctor said that I am measuring right at 28 weeks and that my blood pressure looks great. I asked her about the occasional swelling in my feet and ankles and she said that was normal and that I have nothing to really worry about since my blood pressure is looking okay. I am retaining protein in my system and my weight gain looks good too. That's good to hear although she did say that I should expect to gain 15 more pounds by the time the baby gets here. Whew...that seems like a lot but I have to keep reminding myself that its all for our precious baby growing inside me.

The doctor did an ultrasound to hear the heart beat and it was right at 142 bmp. He sounds very healthy and has been moving a lot. I did found out that the tightness that I'd been feeling in my stomach lately has been Braxton Hicks contractions. They have been happening every once in a while throughout the day but she said that as long as they don't start occurring in a pattern (ex: every 15 minutes) then it should be fine. She also said this typically starts to happen around the 28th week.

But overall it was great visit and I've been feeling great. Tony and I are getting so excited and can't believe that our pregnancy is flying by so quickly. Before we know it our little Mason will be here.

It's Taking Shape

More pictures from March 30, 2009

Tony has completed all four sides now. In doing so, he decided to clamp it all together to see what the crib would look like assembled. Looks pretty impressive so far. I am so proud of the work he's done. I am also eager to see how it will take shape as he adds the finishing touches.

Crib in the Making - Head Board II

Pictures from March 30, 2009

Tony measuring and cutting each slate along the arch.

He cut them all perfectly!

Texas vs. Ohio State

So apparenlty, Tony's friends and family have been giving him a hard time about the flag that's been hung in our garage...or I should say Tony's Workshop. Supposidly, since it's HIS garage HIS flag should be shown. I don't really agree with this because ultimately University of Texas has rightfully earned the title of Fiesta Bowl Champions. And their flag should have first dibs over Ohio State. But to appease him and the crying Ohio State fans, we've traded out the flags.

BEFORE

AFTER

(Ha ha...the flag is backwards!)

Crib in the Making - The Head Board

More pictures of the crib making process.

March 28, 2009

Tony mapping out the arch for the Head Board.

Watch the master at work! What precision...

And the final cut. He did such a great job with the arch. He was actually nervous about it, but look how great it turned out.

The frame for the Head Board. Now we just need the individual slates added.

The groves that the individual slates will fit into. So precise and clean!

Welcome to Tony's Crib Workshop

Tony has been working his heart out this week on the crib. I am so proud of the progress that he's made. He's finished 3 panels so far. This is pretty amazing as the front panel has 15 rails and both side panels have 6 rails each. He had to intricately drill slots for each individual rails to fit the top and bottom supports ever so precisely. Only one more panel to go. This one might give him a challenge, but I have no doubt that it will look amazing.

Sunday, March 22, 2009 - Front Panel

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - Side Panels

Ready Set Go - The crib making has started!

When we found out we were pregnant one of the first things Tony told me was that he wanted to make the crib. I naturally thought that would be the perfect gift that Tony could give our son and children to come if we are blessed with more than one.

Tony in my eyes is such an exceptional craftsman of wood and in general handyman. I am definitely blessed to have married a man that can fix just about anything. I love that about him. I will also say that it's been the neatest experience seeing him in his "workshop" with all his wood working tools. He's like a little kid in a candy store. And what's great is that its in his very own garage. I love that he has the ability to do this kind of stuff for our family and others. What a great talent God has given him!

So after browsing a ton of crib pictures and looking up the safety regulations for cribs, we finally decided on a design. I won't spoil the final reveal by showing you the design we picked. So you'll have to wait and see the final product when he's done it.

But I will give you a sneak peak of what he's done so far. These are pictures taken on March 14th. This is the platform the mattress will sit on.

March 17, 2009 - Happy St. Patrick's Day

So I thought I would tell my embarassing story from St. Patrick's Day...

Since Tony and I were obviously going to be spending the evening in, I went to Walmart to develop pictures. While there, Tony called. He persuasively proceeded to ask me if I could pick up a six back of beer so he could "celebrate his Irish heritage." I agreed because this was a "special" occassion. Plus I told him that if I get him beer, then I was going to get a carton of ice cream as an equal trade off.

Well, while walking towards the beer aisle, I quickly realized what this was going to look like. A pregnant woman buying a six pack of beer...Not good! So I called Tony back and explained my case, but his comment was, "Oh, don't worry its for your husband. Everyone will realize that. Plus, you're in Walmart. I am sure people have seen that before."

Although, that was not very convincing for me, I grabbed the six pack for him anyways. I thought I would be a good wife and undergo the humiliation. Wow, that's love for you, right? Luckily, I had a hand basket and it fit perfectly inside. No one could tell I was carrying beer.

So I made the long walk from the back of the store to the front check out lanes. As the cashier was checking me out, I realized that I had grabbed the wrong six pack. Knowing how much Tony would like his favorite beer, I asked the cashier if I could run back to the back and pick up the right one. She agreed and said she'd wait for me.

So again, I quickly walked all the way to the back beer aisle. What a long walk! But this time, I was coming back fully exposed. No basket, no nothing to cover up the fact that this pregnant lady was buying beer. Needless to say, almost every person that I passed had that worried look on their face. You could just tell they were thinking, "Oh, dear! Can you believe that pregnant woman is buying beer?" I felt like the cops were going to jump out of the aisles at any moment and put me in hand cuffs. But they didn't and I made it back to the front.

Right as I put the beer down in front of the cashier, I felt I had to explain myself to someone. So I proceeded to tell her that this beer wasn't for me but for my husband. You could tell she was relieved as she said she was wondering that very thing as I walked off the first time. She laughed though and said it was okay.

So when I got home, I told Tony what I went through so he could "celebrate his heritage". He laughed too but was very appreicative. I just hope that I win the wife of the year award...

March 14, 2009 - 26 Weeks

26 Weeks - Baby Mason is growing!

Tony felt left out and wanted to document his progress too. This is him at 26 Weeks as well. Wow, has he grown! I guess that's what you call sympathy weight.

Okay, not really...
This is what Daddy really looks like. No sympathy weight gain here.

Birthday Fun

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!

We celebrated Kim's birthday this year at the West End.

Group pic...Koda almost didn't make it this one.

Koda was so excited about the cake and did a great job singing the birthday song to his mommy.

Of course he had to help mommy blow out the candles too!

And help unwrap her gifts...

All that was hard work. So naturally, he needed to lay his head down on Daddy's comfy shoulder for a quick second. But remember we're talking about Koda...it was only for a quick second and then he was up again.

Smile Nati!

Mom and Dad having fun?

Tony and Melissa...hamming it up!

Eric, Kim and Jenn...what cuties!

Uh oh...we gotcha! Smile for the camera Chelsea and Mom!

Doctor's Apt - March 9, 2009

I had my last monthly doctor's appointments this past Monday. So now that means I'll be going every two weeks. All I can say is WOW! I am already to the point of going every two weeks.


This past visit went smoothly as have all the others. During this one, they tested me for Gestational Diabetes. So I drank a lovely sugary drink that reminded me a lot of those freezer pops that come in a long slender clear plastic pouch that we used to eat as kids. I really can't remember the name for the life of me. It wasn't too bad, but still VERY sugary. After an hour, they drew blood which is always a treat for me because I have terrible veins in my arms. I mean I have them but they aren't as easily accessible for things like drawing blood. So needless to say, they always have to go "fishing". Not a fun experience for me that is for sure. I was a little nervous about the results because I honestly didn't want to have to go back and do the three hour test. That's where you drink the same sugary drink and then they test your blood every hour for three hours. Yikes! Drawing that much blood and going "fishing" each time seems like a bad dream.


Nevertheless, I got GREAT NEWS! I found out that I tested normal. So no worries about changing my diet and having to go back for more tests. I did find out that I am a little anemic though. Which taking an additional iron supplement will take care of that.


The baby's heartbeat has lowered a bit from our last appointment going from 160 bpm to 146 bpm. The doctor said that this is to be expected and normal. My measurements and weight are looking good too. So in all it was a good progress report.

February 28, 2009 - 24 Weeks

So here are some pictures of me at 24 weeks. I feel like I've grown a lot since we last took pictures. And I am sorry to those that have been waiting for more updates. I wanted to make sure I that spread them out a bit. I keep thinking that if I take too many and too close together that you won't be able to see a big difference in my progress. But I have a feeling that will change now that it seems like I'll be growing at a faster rate now. Its been an amazing journey so far. And its been exciting to hear friends, family and co-workers make comments that its like I grew a belly over night. I do feel like he's definitely had a growth spurt as I can definitely feel him kicking more and they are stronger kicks. This is one of Tony's favorite things right now too.

Some of the things that I've been keeping better track of these days is my water intake. Its been my goal to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to keep both me and the baby hydrated. Plus, this is the best way to delivery all the nutriants to the baby. The only down fall to that is that I have to go to the bathroom about a gazillion times a day and the potiential for feet and ankle swelling are much higher. I've had a little bit of that but not too bad. When it does happen, Tony likes to point out that I've got swollen Platypus feet. Yeah, just what a pregnant wife wants to hear, right? I know he's joking, but unfortunately this is his pet name for my wide feet.

I am also trying to eat plenty of fruits and veggies. Tony thinks Mason is going to love apple juice, apples, oranges, bananas and pickles. Those tend to be my favorite right now.

Walking has been a big priority these days too. The more I keep active the easier delivery will be. Well, that's what I keep telling myself. The weather has been nice enough to walk around the neighborhood with my mom as well as Tony and the dogs. Macy and Molly are having a field day with our walks. My goal is to continue to walk after the baby is born too. This will be a great activity for us do while on maternity leave and to help shed those unwanted pounds before Eric and Jenn's wedding in September as well.