Week 29 Highlights

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 29 weeks

Size of baby: We had an ultrasound on Monday, and baby Abby weighs 2 pounds, 13 ounces. She is right on track, if not a little ahead of the game.

Totally weight gain/loss: I have gained weight at the last 2 appointments, but I am still 1 pound below my pre-pregnancy weight. Thanks, morning sickness that is still going on!

Maternity Clothes: I am in all maternity pants, and almost all maternity shirts. However, there are a few sweaters and tops that I can still wear -- crazy, I know!

Gender: A baby girl, Abigail Susan "Abby"

Movement: All the time....it is more stretches than hard kicks -- much different than her brother.

Sleep: Sleep? Who needs sleep?!?!!?

Symptoms: I have had a cold since the day I found out I was pregnant -- seriously it's not that far off. I am also still have nausea and morning sickness. Oh, and I have this giant belly...

Cravings: I have had some serious cravings this week. Like, on Tuesday I HAD.TO.HAVE a Big Zac Snack from Zaxby's and a chocolate milkshake. And yes, I ate every bit. :) My cravings this entire pregnancy have been nothing but bad food. Well, besides apple juice.

What I miss: With this cold, I miss being able to breath when I sleep. My belly is getting bigger, so I also miss cuddling easily with Caleb.

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my daughter! Seeing Caleb with his sister, Abeeeeeee, as he calls her. :)

Caleb-isms

This week, all week, we have pretty much been stuck inside the house. Michael's office was closed for 3 days, and school was canceled all 5 days, and so mommy, daddy, and Caleb had lots of together time. I love that boy, and he is SO funny! Yesterday Caleb turned 27 months old. Not that this is a significant number, but it is hard for me to believe that he has only been here a short while. I hardly remember life before him. Our lives are so much richer, and hold so much more meaning, with Caleb in them. It is amazing for me to watch him grow and develop before my eyes. Everyday he is learning something new and doing something else to impress us. He is talking up a storm right now, and usually what he has to say is pretty funny. Here are just a few:

This happened around Christmas, but I still have to share. It's classic!
Mommy: Caleb! Do you want to help mommy bake some brownies?
Caleb: YES!!!!! (said while jumping up and down)
Mommy: OK, well first we have to crack the eggs and put them in the bowl. (Mommy then cracks the eggs, and puts them into the bowl).
Caleb: OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! You killed them!!
At this point Caleb climbs down off the step stool and leaves crying. And he would not eat ANY of the brownies.

We are preparing for little sister, Abby, to come in 11 (AH!) weeks. This week I put her new bedding on the crib, and took Caleb's bedding off.
Mommy: Caleb, do you like baby Abby's bed?
Caleb: Ohhh...it's pretty mommy. Just like you.
Whose heart would that NOT melt!

Caleb got some small bootball, or football to most, players for Christmas from his grandparents. He loves them. We take them everywhere. There are UGA players, as well as other schools. His personal favorite, besides the bulldawgws are Kentucky, aka, Tucky. The play football, but mostly they tackle each other.
Caleb: Mommy, my bootball player is hurt. He need to go to the doctor.
At this point he brings the bootball player to me. I pretend, I mean, I take him to the doctor.:)
Caleb: He all better, mommy?
Mommy: Yes, I gave him hugs and kisses. He is all better and wants to play football.
Caleb: He's a baby. He has to go home.

This also happened around Christmas, but again, too classic not to share. When I was pregnant with Caleb, his Great Aunt Ann gave him a Little People Nativity Set. He loves it. Actually, obsessed would be a better term. So I set them up in his room with all of the other Christmas decorations. We talked about Joseph and Mary, baby Jesus, the Wise Men, the angel and all of the animals. Caleb listened very closely.
Caleb: Is this (pointing to baby Jesus) baby Abby?
Mommy: No, that is baby Jesus.
Caleb: Oh. (long pause) He's cute.
Mommy: Yes, he is.
At this point we put Caleb down for a nap. When he wakes up I go into get him. And all three wisemen are in his crib.
Mommy: Caleb, who is in your bed with you?
Caleb: These are my men.
Mommy: No, those are the wise men that go with baby Jesus.
Caleb: No, they're my men. They tackle.
At this point he begins to slam them into each other. For some reason I think this can't be a good thing....

Kentucky Wedding and Snow!

This weekend we headed up to Winchester, Kentucky for Charley and Erin's wedding (Charley is Michael's cousin). Michael was in the wedding, so we took the day off Friday and headed up for all of the wedding festivities. Ever since they set their wedding date I have been worrying about the weather. What if we got snowed in? What if we got stuck on the side of the road? I was living through all of the "what ifs" that this trip could bring. Well, luckily, the trip up there was mostly uneventful, with the exception of 1 stupid man in Kentucky who tried to kill us by not looking and pulling into our lane. All was fine, though. We went through the beautiful TN mountains with snow everywhere, and it was as sight to see! It was kinda funny, because the more north we got, the less snow there was. By the time we got into Winchester, it was snowing, but nothing was sticking. Typical Atlanta weather, right? Well, we went to bed Friday night and woke up to about 1-2 inches of beautiful, white snow. But, since we were staying in a hotel, and Caleb has not run a great history of playing in the snow, we took it easy and visited with family instead. We had a great time in Kentucky, and Charley and Erin have never looked happier! Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. Grant!

Here is the funny story of the weekend: Caleb was SO excited to go to Kentucky. We have been talking to him about it for a few days, and Thursday night and Friday morning, he kept saying that he wanted to go to Tucky's house. He thought Kentucky was a person, not a state. Every time we tried to tell him that it was a place and not a person he got very upset, so we just went with it. He thought the hotel was Tucky's house, and he kept telling us that he was having so much fun at Tucky's house. It was hilarious!

Caleb with his cousins, Sarah and Annie Rees (she is about a month younger than Caleb)
For those of you who know Caleb, you know what a big deal it is that Caleb is eating a whole apple...the kid eats NOTHING! Here's to a little peer pressure! :)
Another pic with the apple - I had to document this rare happening!!!

My little man in the hotel room before the wedding...he looks like such a (big) little boy!!

Caleb and Annie Rees - this was the best we could get. We even bribed Caleb with Skittles (notice the chunk in his mouth).

Caleb with is Grandmother. Again, he was not much into taking pictures...there was a candy bar!

Caleb and his Granddad. Silly boy!!
My boys being so silly!


Part of the candy bar -- they had a UGA, UK, and Ohio State cake....Caleb kept barking at the UGA cake.
Start 'em young, raise 'em right! :)

The best picture I got of the new Mr. and Mrs. Charley Grant!

Sunday morning we got up bright and early to get back to Atlanta before the "Snow Storm of 2011" hit. The drive back was easy, and we made it back in time to have an afternoon at home. I was one of those Atlantan's and I went to the grocery store for the essentials of milk (we have a 2 year old), doughnuts (they were on sale and I pregnant!), mac and cheese (a staple in any home), and a few other things. The snow started coming down hard and quickly around 9PM, and we woke up this morning, I was shocked! I was expecting 2-3 inches of snow, maybe. Oh no, we have 8.5 inches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In some lower parts of our yard there is over a foot! It was beautiful. While we were in Kentucky Michael's Aunt Anne bought Caleb some snow boots and snow mittens. Well, that did the trick. Caleb looked like the kid from A Christmas Story, but he was warm, and he finally had a blast in the snow. Here are some pics!

Caleb and daddy walking in the snow. Caleb kept roaring and saying he was walking like a dinosaur!

Caleb and Mommy

This was a snow drift by our front door. It was amazing! It went up to Michael's knees!

Caleb making a snowball. Thanks, daddy!
Finally a smiling child in the snow. He was jumping here.
Stomping in the snow!
Caleb and daddy - you can see here how high the snow is. Caleb's snow boots are completely gone in the snow!

20 things about 2010

Since we are sick in our house...Michael has the flu, Caleb is getting over 2 ear infections (and I think the flu), and I sound like a man when I talk, we didn't have a very exciting New Year. I thought this might be fun! :) Happy New Year! I know 2011 will be one of the best yet!!!

1. What did you do in 2010 that you had never done before?

Had my first and my last chilidrens birthday party at our house, and got myself to the airport, parked, and to my plane by myself and on time (this might not sound like a big deal, but believe me, this is HUGE!!!). We also went to our first UGA game with a child -- SO MUCH FUN! I also earned a post-graduate degree while being a mommy and wife! :)

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make more for next year?

Yea, I don't remember if I made one. If I did, I don't think I kept it. I am making one this year...and it kinda goes into 2012, too. My goal, after Abby is born, is to a) loose ALL my Caleb/Abby baby weight, b) work out on a routine, and c) run/walk the Peachtree in 2012...y'all help hold me accountable!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I had several friends and family members have babies...but no one in our immediate families -- not sure if Grant and Morgann read this, but this is your HINT!!! Grant is Michael's brother and we REALLY want them to have a baby soon!! :) This year will be different...a few of my very good friends are pregnant, and so am I!!! YAY!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No...thank goodness

5. What places have you visited?

I went to Philadelphia, PA (remember the airport story in #1?), but as a family we went to Jekyll Island, Panama City, and Athens, GA.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

I would like to have more time with my husband and family. We are constantly "going" that we rarely stop and just hang out the 3 1/2 of us. That is going to be one of my priorities in 2011.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched in your memory and why?

July 25, 2011 - the day we found out baby #2 was on the way

November 3, 2011 - the day we found out that baby # 2 was a GIRL!

8. What was your biggest achievement this year?

Being the pregnant mother of a 2 year old. He is a great toddler (as great as they can be), but this pregnancy has NOT been easy. We are almost to 27 weeks, and for that I am proud of myself.

I also can not forget earning my Master's Degree!!!!!!

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Until last week, my answer would have been no, but sadly now, it is yes. The horrible flu bug has attacked my home and my family. It has been a rough 10 days around here. Other than that, we have been pretty healthy....ear infections, 1 stomach bug, and morning (all day) sickness is all I can report. :)

10. What was the best thing you bought?

Caleb's big boy furniture/room. He LOVES it, and that makes me happy! There will be a post on that soon...once we are well and it is finished. :)

11. Where did most of your money go?

do I really have to answer that?!?!

12. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Dora the Explorer...sad...I know.

13. What do you wish you would have done more of?

spend more QUALITY time with Michael and Caleb

14. What do you wish you would have done less of?

worrying about people/things that don't matter.

15. What was your favorite TV program?

Hmmm...I love Gossip Girl, Friday Night Lights and Grey's. Michael is loving Man vs. Food, and I have to say I am starting to enjoy it myself (please note the spending more time with him resolution!:) )

16. What was the best book you read this year?I

This was the year of books for me....I read and read and read this summer. I would have to say that Something Borrowed and Something Blue are up there, as are Dear John, and The Last Song.

17. What was your favorite film of the year?

I loved Dear John,. It was great, and even better if you read the book!

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I don't remember; is that bad? I am sure we went out to dinner with my family...oh yes, now I remember...we went to Texas Roadhouse and my family thought it was hilarious to make me ride that d*%n horse. Funny people, I tell ya!

19. What political issue stirred you the most?

I am not a person who watches Fox News, but I do like to stay informed. I would have to say Healthcare got to me the most. Now, if you ask my husband you will get an earful. I don't recommend it. :)

20. Who was the best new person you met?

I think all of my friends news babies -- they are such a blessing, and it is so amazing to see all of them as mothers!