21 Weeks... and a runny/stuffy nose

This week has found Cincinnatians suffering from serious allergies and I'm definitely no exception! Apparently, (as I've found in my readings) allergies love pregnant women. This along with increased congestion have led to an interesting last few days. Luckily, there are a few things that I can take that are safe for baby. However, Scott and I would like to limit the intake of meds, even "safe" ones. So, hopefully the allergy boom of Cincinnati will lighten up soon!
Turtle is in full bloom this week! He is about the size of a large banana. He is swallowing fluids and therefore tasting the food that I eat. Studies have shown that children are more likely to enjoy the foods that mom eats while pregnant when they are older. I'm making sure to eat tons of berries, peppers, soy patties, and of course Busken tea cookies.
He's also on the move! I find that I feel him moving more and more these days. He had me up a fair amount last night with some flips. And... while Scott read to him last night he was moving like crazy! He already recognizes his daddy's voice!!! Turtle seems to hid out during the school day, though. Every day around 4:15 (about 1/2 after the kids are gone) he starts wiggling. But the kids still want to know all about him.
Most recent kid quotes... "Ms. Sarah, I think you should probably eat snack. I think Turtle is hungry," "How did you know you were having a baby?" (that one was harder to answer), and "Ms. Sarah, are you excited to have Turtle? ("Yes.") Because I think he is going to be ready to get out and meet the world!" I love Montessori children.
The bump is definitely out there! One of my co-workers told me today she thought the babe grew over the weekend. But, boy=all baby!

Week 21 Baby Bump! 

Half-Way There!!!! Week 20

Our half-way mark starts this week! It's hard to believe that we have left the same amount of time that we've already had. People seem to tell me my pregnancy has flown by... I don't know that I think so. Although, I guess I knew I was pregnant WEEKS before we told anyone else.
I'm feeling great... lots of energy, enjoying most foods again, and I think I'm figuring out some more comfortable ways of sleeping. I've researched birthing classes for Scott and I and pre-natal water aerobics for Turtle and me. Looks like Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are going to be pretty busy with baby coming up soon!
Week 20 not only brings the half-way mark, but the start of the school year. I'm looking forward to experiencing the pregnancy with all my little kiddos. My mother-in-law suggested keeping a log of the silly things that come out of their mouths regarding the pregnancy/baby. I've already got a few from today alone:
"Ms. Sarah...you havin' a baby?"
"Ms. Bell, Ms. Sarah looks like she's getting pregnant."
"Ooh... I just saw the baby." "You saw the baby?" "Yeah, I just saw the baby moving in your tummy!"

I can't wait for more!!! And I'm sure when the time comes, little Turtle will have some silly comments for his Sands teacher.

Not much change on the bump front. Look for pics next week!

And we're having a....

BOY!!!! Little Turtle is a healthy baby boy. Scott and I went for the ultra sound appointment this morning. It was, by far, one of the coolest things ever. It is truly amazing what technology can do. I must admit, at first, as the technician was moving things around and showing us stills of the baby, I was completely lost. I had no idea what I was looking at as Scott was saying, "Wow" and "Oh yeah." I thought, "Oh my God, I'm a terrible mommy... I can't tell what part of my baby is what!" But, then things started becoming more and more clear and it really was "Wow!"
We were able to see so much: his head and brain, his face (complete with big cheeks), his spine (even in 3D), his little hands and arms (which were fist pumping), his little crossed ankles, and, of course, his little baby boy parts! I, of course, was teary and smiling all at once. Scott was so excited by it all.
Telling our parents/siblings/families was awesome. They were all super excited and happy. This turned out to be an amazing day. We've explained to Jack that now he is our big boy and is going to have a little brother. He's looking forward to it. We are can't wait to welcome our little boy... the Fullen name lives on!

My week 19 belly! 

You have to look sideways (tilt your head to the right) and closely: This is the front of his face (looking outward from my belly). You can see his right eye, forehead, nose, mouth, and his little fists.

Little baby boy junk! You can see each of his thighs and in between is what makes him a him! The tech made sure to put a circle around it just in case there was any question. 

Week 18 Vacationing!

Week 18 is proving to be tons of fun! The week started on Sunday with my 29th birthday celebration. Scott and I are on our annual Cape May, NJ vacation, visiting with his mom. I spent the day opening presents, relaxing on the beach, having a delicious shrimp/crab dinner in town, and a walk around the 'mall' of Cape May (the mall is just a pedestrian strip of fun, beachy shops). I had hoped to feel the baby for my birthday, but I'm not sure that I did.
I've been feeling some weird feelings in my tummy... flutterings and rolling which I am assuming are movements. However, I think it could still be a few weeks until some definitive movements can be felt. I'm getting pretty excited.
Scott, Jack, Turtle and I went for a great walk along the Delaware Bay yesterday. We walked down to the ferry and back for a total round trip of 6 miles. Not too shabby for a little mama to be, I thought! Although it was hot, we had a great time... the views were beautiful and it was nice to be out and 'hiking' along in the sand.
We'll find out, hopefully, one week from today if little Turtle is a boy or a girl!!! We can't wait! When people ask if we are going to find out the gender... I always tell them there is no way my personality could deal with not knowing. If Turtle is cooperative for some pictures at our visit next week, look for some exciting news!

Week 18... enjoying a little round of Putt-Putt! 

Little Mama and my babies walking on the bay! 

Week 17

Scott, Turtle, and I had a great and busy week 16/ start to week 17. We got to celebrate the wedding of my best friend, Caitlin to Bill LaVine and celebrate the wedding of Sarah Bergmann, my oldest friend to Mike Elleman. Caitlin and Bill's extravaganza started on Friday and continued through Sunday morning. During that time, I was fortunate to spend time with our friend Hannah Fay, who came in from Mexico for the wedding. So, while Thursday to Sunday was a whirl-wind, and Turtle was sure to make me feel tired at times, it was great!
On the Turtle front... my belly continues to poke out a bit more each week. I am definitely growing to like it. Sleeping on my side is becoming more comfortable, but I'm sure to use my mommy Boppy body pillow. Jack LOVES the boppy pillow... he thinks we bought it for him! I'm anxiously waiting to feel some movement in my belly, but all of my reading says it could be this week, or a month from now. Who knows if I'll even be able to recognize the movement at first.
I'm continuing to look at baby things and start a registry at BuyBuy Baby. It's a blast! Thanks to Matt and Jes for the great jogging stroller from REI. It'll be sure to help me get back into running and (hopefully) enjoying it with baby.
Here are some pics from the end of week 16/ start of week 17. Enjoy!

End of Week 16 at Caitlin and Bill's Wedding

Start of Week 17 at Sarah and Mike's wedding. 

Week 15 is here!

Yesterday marked an exciting day for Scott and I. Not only was it the start of week 15 in our pregnancy, but it was our 2nd wedding anniversary! We enjoyed a day of hanging out, working on the entertainment unit we (mostly Scott) are building, a great dinner at the Boathouse, and a shared cup of graters ice cream and a walk around Hyde Park. It was a great anniversary and a great start to another week of pregnancy.
Not much has changed as far as how I'm feeling... I do have my energy back, which is great! This week, the babe is the size of a navel orange.
Thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law for our first baby outfit... Jes, we love it! As far as other baby 'things,' I spent some time, in true Jerry Schneider form, researching the ratings of products and have picked a stroller and BABYBJORN carrier.
Not too much change from last week... but enjoy some new bump pics from week 15.

"Mommy, how's Turtle?" Jack checking out Turtle week 15.

"Thanks Aunt Jessie! I love you already!" Love, Turtle

Has 'Nesting' Begun?

I made the wonderful mistake this week of casually walking into Pottery Barn Kids. Set up for display are little versions of all of their crib models. My eye, of course, was immediately drawn toward a simplistic, plain, lovely crib. Upon further investigation, they had one set up in the store and I absolutely LOVED it! I think that did it... it put me into the nesting mood. I am now completely ready to start buying, decorating, and figuring out how to create the perfect nursery.
Of course, it will be more helpful to find out the sex of the baby. We find out on August 9th so we have a few weeks. Luckily for us, we are planning on going with greens and naturals either way. The day after my Pottery Barn Kids experience, I convinced Scott and my mom to go baby stuff shopping with me. We were blown away by all of the stuff at Buy Buy Baby where we found a stroller and high chair that we liked. I took them back to PBK and showed them the crib. Scott liked it too, as did my mom. I think the decision has been made!
All of this looking inspired Scott, I think, and he said he'd like to try and get the nursery done before school starts again in the end of September. We're meeting on his lunch break today to take a look at Target baby stuff.
Turns out, shopping/preparing for a baby is so fun!