Just another Tuesday!

Hello All!

I had my 28 week checkup this morning. Everything is good with the baby, the heart beat was loud and strong! I have gained 7 lbs since my last visit, wow! So I am now topping the chart at 127 lbs, haha! I have gained 21 pounds over all!!!! WOW! My sugar test came back at little high with my blood sugar level at 7.2, the max is can be in the "normal" range is 7.8. So I have to watch my sugar and carb intake. Dr. T said that I have to be careful with the stuff that I enjoy eating because we don't want my baby too big! NO WE DON'T! My uterous is measuring 27 cms, so I guess I am pretty dead on in my belly measurements since I am 28 weeks pregnant. (For those of you who aren't aware, your uterous is suppose to equal how many weeks you are pregnant, example, if you are 24 weeks pregnant then your uterous will measure 24 cms!) Isn't that neat? She said that I am average size in the belly department, not sure why I still feel so small!?

Another great thing was that she decided to book us for another ultrasound! I could hardly contain myself I was so excited! I am not sure when it will be, probably at the end of the month or so. I was told that we would not get another one after our 20 week one because everything looked good but she said we might as well have another peek! Maybe this time our little peanut will decide to show off its "features" so we can get this name picked and determined! I will keep you posted as to when the date of our ultrasound is.

We have prenatal again this evening at 8:00 pm. I look forward to this weekly learning session. Tonight is our first birth video so I am quite excited to go! I am sure that James is dreading the idea of watching the video but I think it will be great! Maybe I will bring some popcorn for the video because last time I was sooo hungry by the time 9:30 pm came around. Ok, maybe I will just bring a granola bar and not a bag of popcorn, haha!

Well I should get going here. I have a full afternoon of showing houses! Have a great afternoon!

Melissa

28 weeks! Welcome to the third and final trimester!

• By this week, my baby weighs a little over 2 pounds!
• It measures almost 15 inches from the top of its head to its heels.
• The can open and close its eyes, which now sport lashes. This movement is more of a reflexive blink than a deliberate opening and closing, but it won't be long before its' batting those beauties at us!
• Its eye sight is developing every day and it can now see light shining through my womb.
• It is also developing billions of neurons and adding more body fat in preparation for the outside world :)

It's a GREAT day!

I have never been so happy to have the sound of tradesmen working in my house! I AM GETTING AIR CONDITIONING TODAY! It was suppose to come on Monday but my grandpa knows the owner of the plumbing company and they called and said they had an opening around lunch, would I be around? WOULD I BE AROUND? I would be more than happy to cancel anything I had planned to allow for A/C men to come! This is a very exciting day for a woman who is almost 7 months pregnant and has endured tempetures that I thought only tropical climates could reach. I would have though that with my southern roots I would have it in my genes to handle heat, but I guess my little precious "built in furnace" makes things just a tad bit too hot. But I'm sure he/she is roasting in my uterous at the same time. Hopefully this can cool us down a tad!

James and I are thinking that this might be a good weekend to head out to the camper and spend the weekend on the lake. Not sure if his parents will be around or if it will just be the two of us, but that doesn't matter to me. I think a nice weekend alone would be awesome. There won't be many more summer weekends to spend just the two of us. Hard to believe that our times of just packing up and hitting the open road are coming to an end. We are such live by the moment people and don't really before we just head out. There are often short trips to Walmart at 9:00 pm or walks around the neighbourhood in the cool of the night, we don't usually think too much before heaing out, we just leave. My how our lives will soon be changing.

But I think a little responsibility (for more than just a 3 year old dog) will be good for us. Time to grow up! I am just finding it really hard to believe all the stuff that has happened over the past 3 years since we got married. At only 23 (well, Im still 22) we have done many things. We are living in our second home, built a new house (and currently building our 3rd in the amazing community of Emerald Park), James has opened a contruction business that is doing awesome, managed to train and raise a dog, I have got my real estate license and started my career, and now in just 12 weeks we are becoming proud parents! WoW!! Where has the time gone? But it all makes me look forward to what's to come. Life is never boring in our household. We are busy people! But when you have a wonderful husband and family to share life with then being busy is good, as long as you take the time to enjoy being busy together :)

Baby Names!

I am having such a horrible time picking out baby names! I just wish I could choose one and have it over with, but I feel so much responsibility in the department. The name you choose can either make or break your child for life! And I think it's so hard to come up with a name when you haven't seen the little one in person.... so much pressure! Here are the names we like.

Boys: (In no particular order) Middle Name: William
1) Payton
2) Connor
3) Aiden
4) Parker
5) Carson
6) Porter

Girls: Middle Name: Lyn
1) Eliza (That's my great grandma's middle name and she is still alive at 94 years old!)
2) Sommer (That's James' mom's maiden name)

Looks like we are doing better in the Girl Department than we are doing in the Boy. Too bad I feel like we are having a boy though. But inside I kind of hope it's a girl too. I am happy either way! What are your thoughts on the names? Which one (of the ones listed) do you like the best? Don't tell me which ones you don't like, in case I pick that name.

Sugar Test! GROSS!

I had my Gluctose Tolerance Test today at the Lab and it was so gross! For those of you who don't know what that is it's a lab test where they have you drink this huge bottle of concentrated syrup drink (tastes like orange crush) in 5 minutes! SO GROSS! Then you have to sit at the lab with it in your stomach for 1 hour. When your hour is up they do blood work to see how your body reacted to the high intake of sugar. This test screens for diabetes. I have diabetes in my family so they wanted to make sure everything was on track, but it is required for all pregnant women to do. I am so glad that it is over with! I have not felt good since I drank that drink....

PreNatal class last night was awesome. Sally is the funniest lady I have probably ever met in my whole life! She seriously had me cracking up the whole time. James enjoyed it, he listened intently. Sally made fun of us pregnant women sleeping with 10 pillows (she calls it "the fort") and said it's probably not necessary. So James is convinced that I no longer need them. Haha, even if she say's they aren't necessary I am still sleeping with them! Poor James! Next week we are discussing fetal development so that will be interesting. This week was about common concerns or complaints and what is happening to our bodies. Did you know that a non pregnant woman's uterous hold only 2 table spoons of liquid while a pregnant woman's uterous hold up to a couple of gallons? That blows my mind!

Well, we didn't get AC today. Instead we are getting it on Monday because we got a qoute for $850 cheaper. Oh well, can't complain too much. Atleast it's on its way!

Air Conditioning On The WAY!!!

MAJOR NEWS UPDATE!!!!

I have just got confirmation that we are getting AIR CONDITIONING TOMORROW!!!!! Is this not the greatest news you have heard all week??? My grandpa is a miracle worker and really pulled through for me. Maybe he just wanted his basement back to himself.... or maybe it's because he loves us sooo much!! Anyway, whatever the reason is I am so excited because our house is stink'in hot and I can not even have a shower in it without feeling like I am going to pass out. This is great!

Tonight is our first night at PreNatal class with Sally Elliott. I am sure it will be just amazing and such a fun time. I hear the movies are disgusting and she doesn't hold back on how it will be. That's what I like, people who tell it as it is and not try to hide it. Labour sucks and hurts, please don't lie to me! James I think is a little nervous for our classes especially since he doesn't have the greatest stomach for disgusting things. So I will just laugh when he has to watch the birth video or discuss breast feeding. HA! Too funny!

Just wanted to fill you in on my break through with air conditioning! It's going to be a GREAT day!

It's a hot one!

Sorry about my lack of blogging the past couple of days. Honestly it has been too hot in our house for me to even sit down and think! One day the tempeture reached 31.5 degrees inside our house! We have now moved next door and we are camping out in our old room at my grandparents house! Feels like old times since this I have lived with them 2x before, and James lived there with me for 5 months when we were building our house. They are really good to us, we can't complain! I did break down without AC and have my grandpa calling around for qoutes. So far it's a one week wait, so we will keep my grandpa calling his connections.

On Saturday I convinced James to take me and buy the crib and dresser. I set up the dresser in the guest room but will leave the double bed set up until the end of summer. I just don't know who will be passing through Regina that needs a place to stay. But at the end of summer I will set up the nursery and put up the crib. My aunt Kristal sent some nursery/baby stuff to us and is sending more with my uncle in a couple of weeks. I am very happy that I have aunts that had children around the same time as me. We are blessed :)

I have been spending most of my afternoons in the pool like a little fish! I am getting a wicked tan!!! I LOVE MY POOL! I am becoming a very popular friend to have during the heat wave. But that's okay, the more the merrier!!!! If anyone wants to hang out and come over just let me know.

Well, I am off to have cheap wing night! (Even though I'm not eating wings right now and get dessert....) 9:00 pm at Brewsters South. Call me if you are interested in coming!

27 weeks, dang my baby is cute!

• My baby is getting big!
• This week it weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with it legs extended.
• It now sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. It may suck it's fingers, and although it's lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if it were born prematurely.
• Chalk up any rhythemic movement I may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on.
• The baby can now open and close its eyes!
• The brain tissue is developing so its brain is getting active! I wonder what's it thinking :)

One Hot Summer's Afternoon

It was another HOT one outside today! Lyn and I went shopping in the morning (notice my new outfit in the pics!) and then had salads on Earls Patio. After that we spent the entire afternoon floating in the pool, it was great! I am getting really tanned. Just thought I would share some new pics with you all!

Have a great night :)

The baby's nursery!

This is the crib bedding I am getting... little Lambs in Sage Green!

This crib bedding is one sale, so that's mainly why I am getting it.

I like another bedding set too, but I will have to see the price...

This is the dresser/change table set I am getting.

It won't be in this oak colour, it will be in the same colour (dark cherry) and wood texture as the crib below.

This is the crib! I LOVE IT! It's a 5 in 1:
1) Crib
2) Day bed
3) Toddler Bed
4) Double Bed Headboard

5) Still trying to figure out what the 5th thing is, haha!

I can't wait to get the nursery set up! I think it will be my august project :) Not like it would take me long, but I just really want to get it started. Haha. Maybe if I just purchase everything then I will be happy and can have it sit downstairs until I am ready to set it up?? Who am I kidding? If I have it in the house then I will have it set up, I am too impatient!!

You would not believe how expensive some cribs are! I did fall in love with the one at The Bay for $899, but then I thought, the $350 one does the exact same thing and is just as nice. One nice thing is that I have a car seat and stroller already. Infact I have 2 carseats. My friend at work had a baby a year ago and gave me her carseat because her daughter grew out of it. It is very nice. And then my cousin has a carseat & stroller set (yes, they are expensive!) that she said she would give me because she doesn't use it anymore. She said it looks brand new and is in really good shape. So that makes me happy! I love getting a deal when possible :) I did have some people offer cribs but I decided I would buy a new, good quality one because we plan on having more children. I think investing in good furniture that will last is key. My mom and dad still use my dresser that they bought when I was a baby and have it in their hall upstairs. I would love to do something like that and pass it down to my chidlren if they want it. Like a little heirloom....

Well, I should get going here. I am not sure what I am going to do today. Maybe go to Babys R Us since my crib bedding is on sale?

Have a great day :)

Melissa

Good Open House Tonight!

Had my open house tonight at Dave and Nancy's house! I found out that Wendnesday night open houses are probably more productive than Saturday or Sunday open houses. Which is great! You have to do a little more advertising (newspapers, tv, signs) but once the people were aware they came. We plan on taking offers tomorrow night, so you can keep us in your prayers that all goes smoothly. They have a really great house and I know it will sell no problem. It's just sad to see them leave. They are great friends :)

We are watching Canadian Idol right now. This year seems kind of cheesy to me, does anyone else feel that way? Maybe I have just watched too many American Idol Episodes. Sheena, remember when we went to Eva?? She was awesome!! George sucked butt though, haha! My favorite person right now is Carlie Ray... and right now she is in the bottom 3! AHHH!!!!

Lexis needs to snuggle right now. So I should go. Hope you have a great day tomorrow. I will be showing houses in the "hood" all morning. Hope I don't get shot!!!

Melissa

Little Ears Are Listening - 26 week update :)

• My baby weighs a little less than 2 pounds now.
• My babymeasures about 14 inches.
• Its weight will more than triple between now and birth as it rapidly puts on baby fat. It'll need that fat to help adjust to colder temperatures outside the womb and as a source of energy and calories in the first days of life.
• It's not uncommon for newborns, especially those who are breastfed, to lose weight (sometimes as much as 10 percent of their birth weight) in the first week after birth.
• If I'm having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.
• James should start talking to it now, it is starting to recognize other people's voices, other than my own.
• It is more sensitive to sound now as the network of nerves in its ears are developing!

26 weeks :)

Look at that baby belly!

Yes, I am getting big. FINALLY! Feels like I have been waiting for this feeling FOREVER. I think I no longer just look chunky and people can actually tell that I AM PREGO! Your thoughts? I am lucky to have not gained weight anywhere else besides my belly and my boobs (can't complain there can I?). But this is me on the hottest day of my summer so far... and there will be more HOT ones to come I am sure.

Lexis- Maxin' and relaxin'

Today was a HOT one outside and we spent much of the afternoon (and morning) in the pool. We taught Lexis how to stay on the raft and float around. She is too cute :)

Back to work... Brutal!

I am home! After one extremely LONG day of traveling I did arrive home on Monday night at midnight. And of course, Air Canada did loose my luggage. They managed to not loose the bag with all the baby's clothes and James' clothes, but did loose mine. And I had everything I owned in there down to the last pair of underwear I own! So I had to wait in my bathrob until 1:30 pm yesterday for them to bring my clothes. But in the end it all worked out good and I have everything unpacked now.

The flights were uneventful. The food was brutal. The seat mates were all weird. And the day was long, 7 pm - midnight! One fun thing was when I was in the airport I was watching my belly jump! Right thru my t-shirt you could see little movement and jumps, it was too cute to watch :) But I think I have tired my little peanut out, he is sleeping most of the days now with only a couple of big movements. Poor little one!

I listed my first house last night!!! Yup, pretty exciting :) Our friends Dave and Nancy are moving to Winnipeg at the end of the summer, so it is not like it is a happy listing. But I am honoured that they would ask me to list their house. I hope everything goes smoothly and we can get plenty of offers on Sunday night. I am doing an open house from 2-4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, but it's Craven weekend so I am not sure how busy it will be.

Not much else is new, I am just killing time at the office. I think I will head home and get some lunch and maybe watch some Baby Story and Bringing Home Baby on TLC. Seems that each time I watch those shows I end up crying.. hahaa! All I know is that I am getting an epidural, and those of you who are trying to change my mind & have your own opinion on that subject, there is no stopping me!!! You can tell me everything you want but I just want you to know that on the day I give birth I will be having one, no changing my mind here!!! Why would I want to do it naturally, uh, no thanks :)

Well, have a wonderful day! Enjoy the nice weather :)

Melissa

Packed to the Rim!

Time to start packing! I have bought SO MUCH STUFF over the past week I had no idea how I would fit it all into the 2 suitcases that I had brought down. When I came I had one bag full of "canadian goodies" that I thought I would fill with "american goodies" when I returned. Well, that suitcase is not even close to being big enough to housing all my "goodies". So I am having to rearrange my belongings to fit into my bags. And let me tell you, they are packed to the top! But I think I have it cased now. Everything fits in my suitcases except for my hair dryer, makeup bag and straight iron, so they will just have to go in my carry on bag (which I have to borrow from my mom because I didn't have one on the way down). Once whole suitcase is full of baby clothes, baby blankets, baby items, and a few items I bought for James.

The good thing about traveling home with a lot of luggage is that you don't have to wander far in the airports with all your luggage. At cutoms you take it off one baggage claim, walk through customs booths and put it on the next. I am thankful for that because I honestly don't know how I would pull these bags along! It's not like I am traveling with a strong husband to help carry my stuff.... why do we NEVER travel together??? Every time we travel we either drive together or fly on separate airlines. I think to all the places we have flown over the past four years we have only gone together once, haahah! Even when we went on our cruise James flew West Jet and I flew Air Canada.

Well, I did a trial pack before my real pack tomorrow evening. Looks like I will do okay. James is once again out at the lake this weekend. I think it's turning into his home away from home. That's okay... it would probably be too hot for him to stay in the house this weekend. I talked to him this evening and he said they caught 17 fish this afternoon. Ewww! Glad he is getting all this "boy stuff" out of his system before I return home. Because when I get there I am ready to set up the nursery!!! HURRAY!

Well, my mom and dad just returned from Walmart with some ice cream (my request). So I should probably go and enjoy it!

Later guys,

Melissa

25 week baby update!

• Head to heels, my baby is 13 1/2 inches long in length!
• Its weight — a pound and a half — doesn't sound like much, but its beginning to exchange its long, lean look for a more rounded one.
• As my baby gains weight, its' wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and it'll start to look more like a mini newborn.
• The baby's hair is probably recognizable now in color and texture, although both may change after its' born.

It's All About The Baby At Grandma Kim's House!

Well it's Friday, and you know what that means... only 4 more days of vacation :(
I have been having a good time here with my family, such a good time infact that I don't know where the days have gone and what we have done. Keeping busy sure does make the time fly bye!

Yesterday my mom and dad and I went downtown Portland and did a little shopping. My dad had these gift certificates for a "free pair of shoes" at the Dr. Martens store. I was a little skeptical at first over the "free pair of shoes" and figured there would be a price limit or some kind of catch. But no, the 3 of us walked into the store and picked out any pair of shoes we wanted. Yes, ANY PAIR OF SHOES!!! Is that not a woman's dream come true? After trying on probably 8 different pairs I decided on a sandal with straps that go behind me heel. I really wanted to get a slip on pair but I felt like the ones with the straps were much more comfortable and supported my aching back more. I am very happy with my purchase (well, it's not like I really purchased them...).

After going downtown we stopped at this 2nd hand store, which has really good quality clothes, and we picked up a couple maternity clothes and some baby clothes. The big sale was 50% off the yellow and green tickets so I got 4 really cute sleepers for the baby for around $1.50 each! That's awesome hey? We splurged ($3.99) on these cute pair of jean overalls and then we bought 2 little receiving blankets for $1.50 each. We just picked unisex colours (yellow and green) for the sleepers so they could go either way. Mom was so excited at looking at this stuff and buying it, she is going to spoil her grandbaby when it finally arrives. I also lucked out at the store, I got a pair of capris, 2 pairs of shorts, and a black long sleeve top, thanks mom!

Also, yesterday my aunt and uncle came over and brought some stuff that my aunt kristal sent home with them from their vacation. I got this thing (it's going to be hard to describe, so bare with me) that looks like a sleeping bag, that has holes to put your baby's feet through, that goes in a shopping cart seat, so your baby doesn't have to sit on the sticky or cold metal cart! WOW, you are probably all confused now. I also got a "BabyBjorn" snuggly that goes on the front of you and you can carry your baby in. It's really cute! I can't wait to have a little munckin to put in it!

Well, I am just sitting here in a really cute maternity outfit (long oversized pink flowing tank-top and black capri leggings with lace around the bottom, really it's too cute!) waiting for my mom to walk in the door. We are heading over to Fred Myers to look at their clearance rack because my mom wants to buy some undershirts and necessities for the baby, which I will take home with me. I love Fred Myers because they do free wedding ring cleaning and they are the best I have ever seen! I am always so embarressed to give them my rings but they sure do come back sparkling clean :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Stay cool Regina people, my weather metre on my computer tells me you are in 35 degree weather at only 1:15 pm!!! I am so glad I am not there... I would be SOOOO HOT!!! James is spending his days (when he is not working) in the pool. I look forward to joining him there next week!

Love always,
Melissa

Cousins!

Tonight my cousins, Josh and Katie, came over with my uncle Tim and aunt Christy. They were very excited to come over and are always so much fun to be around. I had bought them new Canada shirts, which matched my family's T-shirts. My cousins are too cute :)

Independence Day 2007

Brittany, Kristi and I at the July 4th BBQ

Siblings - Kevin, Kristi, and Me

Someone is excited to be an auntie!

Sisters!

Mom and her girls!

Williams Family (Minus James)

We had a wonderful July 4th here in Vancouver, Washington. In Vancouver WA it is legal to set off your own fireworks so our night was FILLED with fireworks from all around. It is such a crazy experience. If you close your eyes you do feel like you are in the middle of a war zone with all the bangs going off from different directions. But it was a lot of fun! We went over to the Barkow's house for a BBQ (Kevin's girl friend's family). I look forward to returning to celebrate many more July 4ths here. The baby did not like the fireworks too much, it was jumping around in my tummy the whole time we were watching. I thought it might hear the loud bangs... hope it was too nervous!

My back is seriously bothering me today and I am not sure how much longer I can stand it. It is in the centre of my back, on the right hand side of my spin. It's probably from my growing belly (as you can tell from my pictures I am getting big). So, if you could keep my back in your prayers that would be awesome, because I really don't know how I will last another 16 weeks!!! BRUTAL!

Hope everyone is having a good week... my holiday is flying bye!!

Much love,

Melissa

24 weeks.

• The baby is growing steadily, gaining about a quarter of a pound since last week.
• Since its' almost a foot long, that makes for a pretty lean figure, but its body's filling out proportionally.
• The baby's brain is growing rapidly, and its taste buds may be working now.
• Its lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.
• The baby can hear more now, and I may even notice her startle at loud, sudden noises. But its probably getting used to the regular noises it hears around the house, such as my dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner.

Happy Birthday James!

Happy Birthday James!

Today is my husband's birthday and I am not there to celebrate it with him. But I did order him 3 XLarge stuffed crust pizza's and a dessert Pizza and had it delivered to him on site for lunch. (I know, I am a nice wife....) But I have the most amazingest husband in the world!!!! I love him with all my heart and wouldn't change anything about him. He is a hard worker, dedicated, Godly man, who strives at doing his best at everything he does. He provides for me (and soon our family) and let's me know that what I do is appreciated. His laughter and sense of humour can make my day. And the kind words that he tells me can melt my heart. There probably hasn't been a day that has gone bye that he hasn't said, "Melissa, you look beautiful today", even when I was so sick from being pregnant that I couldn't get out of bed. When he tries to pretend that he is a tough guy, I know deep down inside that he is a gentle bear who would do anything for anyone. The past 4 years have been the best years of my life, all because of the person I got to share them with. I can't wait to grow old with him and celebrate our 65th wedding anniversary. The momories we have made have been truly amazing and I look forward to the many more that we make down the road.

I love you James!

The Beach Life is the Sweet Life!

Yesterday Mom, Dad, Kristi, Madison and Bailey and I headed off to enjoy a nice day at the coast. Such a fun day. We got Clam Chowder and fresh bread from Mo's Restaurant and then spent the afternoon on the ocean beach soaking in some rays. The pups enjoyed playing in the water and we couldnt get them away from it. Too cute. In the evening we headed over to a cabin where my uncle, aunt and cousins were all vacationing so we had supper with them and relaxed there for the evening. Such a fun time with family! I miss living close to cousins and aunts/uncles because you really can have an awesome time when everyone is
together. I think that the peanut had a fun time, it moved around a couple of times while we were at the beach. Probably trying to reposition its self from the rays that were soaking through my shirt and cooking him. Haha, poor peanut! In the end it was an awesome day and we all had a lot of fun! Enjoy the pictures I took.




Picture Reference:
1) Kristi and I (with Bailey in the background) on the way to the ocean
2)Peanut on the way to the ocean
3) Mom and her babies. She is trying
to teach them how to jump off the dock. Haha!
4) Casey, Kylie, Me, and Kristi! Cousins!
5) Madison, Bailey and I after they went swimming.
6) Uncle Matt, Casey and I enjoying the fire.
7) Kristi and I, I was sooo hot by the fire!
8) My parents... AWWW!