3rd Trimester - WooHoo!

The bare belly shot. My sister likes to cut off the top of my head ;-).

Bare belly from the side. I just realized that I am wearing the same shirt as in my 20 wk pics. What can I say, I like the shirt.

Full side view :-). Get a good look @ those FAT feet.

Sisters

Chelsea and I trying to take a nice picture for Grandma together.

Another attempt...

Sisters-in -law. She makes me look like I have a really big head ;-).

While I was in NY

Keaira @ Darien Lake. It was rainy and cold the entire day, but she didn't complain once. The almost 3 yr old had a better attitude than I did.

Mitch and I on the deck @ Camp before my baby shower.

Daddy with his furry babies :-).

Livi blowing out her candle for her 2nd bday.

The baby bellies. Me @ 28 wks and Patty @ 20 wks. Keaira is just being cute.

We're Back!

We are finally back in NM and trying to get back to normal. Yesterday when looking around and thinking about all the stuff that needs to get done, I was feeling a little overwhelmed. I was looking at our house wondering how on earth it was going to be ready for a baby in 2.5 months. We don't have room for what we already have let alone all the things that will be coming. This weekend's goal is to organize and make room for baby. I think Mitch and I are both very good at holding onto things "just in case." Mitch loves his gadgets and I have accumulated so many purses/bags for any occasion. I mean really, do I NEED 4 different beach bags?!?

I have to tell you about my travels from NY to NM...I was leaving out of BUF @ 4:15 (supposedly). My mom and grandma came w/ me and got passes to the gate to see me off. I m very grateful for this as I would soon find out that my flight would be delayed. Before I get to any more of the bad stuff, let me say that I was thankful to not end up paying for my 58 lb suitcase or the $100 fee for my precious doggies :-). My mom and grandma were amazed that I travel like this at all, let alone by myself, with two dogs, and @ 7 months pregnant. Although stressful @ times, this is my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything. When I found out the actual time I would be departing BUF I quickly realized I would have 10 min to get off the plane and on the next plane in Chicago O'Hare. As soon as I get off the 1st plane I hear, "Final boarding call for flight...to El Paso." Yup, thats me and I am in concourse H @ the last gate and have to get to concourse G, the last gate. Karen was very generous and gave me a cart to carry my bag and the dogs through the airport so I wouldn't hurt my back even more, but at this point I had no time to even set it up. So here I am carry-on bag over one shoulder, dogs over the other, cart in hand, and...7 months pregnant jogging through the airport. I am sure this must have been quite a sight to see ;-). The entire time I had Mitch in one ear and Karen in the other telling me to take it easy, it isn't worth hurting yourself. I was feeling good though. Sweating my butt off and aching feet, but feeling good. I finally found a woman who was going to the same gate and asked her if she would let them know I was coming if she made it there before me. When I made it to the gate there was an American Airlines worker telling me to hurry up until she saw my condition and then changed her tune. Thankfully, it was a big plane and it wasn't full so the dogs and I got to stretch out in the Exit row all by ourselves for the 3 hr flight home. I knew @ that point that God was taking care of us and though it was a crazy experience, He was with us the entire time making sure we were ok.

Just Checking In

It has been a while so I thought I would check in and let you know what we have been up to. I have been in NY for a little over a week now and enjoying seeing friends and family. Unfortunately I did hurt my back on the way here from carrying my dogs and bags. It got progressively worse with each passing day and has been quite annoying. I did get a massage from my friend Kristin and she did an awesome job (a little plug...Body and Face by Kristin in Geneseo, NY). After a day I was in pain again b/c everything was so out of whack. I decided to go to my favorite Chiropractor (Dr. Theresa Alianell in Mt. Morris, NY) and she informed me that my neck, middle back, and pelvis were all out of place. After a few twists, pops, and cracks, I was on my way. Before I left, Doc told me I should be carrying nothing heavier than my purse (which she said that was even too heavy). I was really starting to feel good and thought it would be a good idea to carry my niece (who is a teeny, tiny thing) down the stairs...NOT a good idea at all!!! Now I was in even more pain. I have been trying my best not to carry or lift anything and I ice my back at night, but no matter what as the day goes on the pain increases.

Baby Rex has already received so many goodies on this trip and we haven't even had the shower yet. He is going to look so stinkin' cute in all of these little outfits and accessories. It is so funny to me how much attention he is already getting. As soon as people see me, I hold my arms out for a hug, they go right for the belly to touch and talk to it. I can only imagine what it is going to be like when he is actually here in the flesh. I guess I better just get used to being #2.

I do miss my hubby b/c he is in Ohio for some training. I sure do love the life I have built w/ him. Even though I always know this, being away from him lets me really internalize how good I have it. He is such a good provider and so loyal to his friends and family. He is so much fun to be around and he is my "home" no matter where we are in this country (though I do hope to get back to the East Coast after this assignment).

I have been keeping busy so far. I have been making my rounds w/ the family and having special occasions w/ friends. I have also been working for my in-laws at the Floorstore in Canandaigua, NY. By the way, they can take care of all your flooring needs with style, quality, and a great deal ;-)!

I wonder if I am going to get any cuts from all these plugs I'm sending out here ;-)...

July 31st OB Appointment/Lab Work

We went to our OB appointment yesterday and saw a midwife instead of my regular Dr. We (I) wasn't too fond of her...She told me I gained too much weight this month and maybe I should stop "treating" my self so well. THE NERVE!!! First of all, it was over 6 wks from visit to visit last time and I only gained 5 lbs. Second, I gained 5 lbs this 4 wk period. If my calculations are correct that is 10 lbs in 10 wks which meets the 1 lb/wk goal. All I have to say is...WHATEVER!

My belly measurement is 27". She said the baby is progressing well and has a nice strong heartbeat. The midwife wasn't very good at finding the heartbeat either. Its ok though b/c yesterday was her last day so I don't have to worry about seeing her again. At the end of my appointment I was informed that I had to get lab work done and it had to be done Friday since I was leaving for such a long time. This was lab work to test for anemia (to make sure my iron pills are working) and the glucose test to test for gestational diabetes. Of course this was a big hassle b/c when I called the lab they told me they had nothing available. So here I am an irritated pregnant woman, not going to take "no" for an answer. By the end of my phone call I had my appointment at 10am on Friday.

I am sure there are a few of you who know that the nice syrup drink they give you for the glucose test is GROSS!!! And then there is the waiting for an hour after you drink the nasty stuff before you can get your blood drawn. Not sure when I will get the results, but its over for now and tomorrow the dogs and I are headed to NY. I suppose I should go pack ;-).