30 Weeks... Let the Countdown Begin!!!

I know it's been a few weeks... sorry (especially to Alice, I know you need an update!) I can't believe that we are only 6 weeks away from being technically 'full-term' and 10 weeks away from the due date. I'm getting more and more excited, as is Scott. However, I'm also more uncomfortable at times. Turtle LOVES my right side ribs. But, with a nice rub, he relaxes and all is good again.
We enjoyed a great weekend getaway this past weekend to Hot Springs, NC with my parents, brother and sister-in-law, some friends, and the pups. My brother Matt and sister-in-law Jes got to feel the baby move. Matt was blown away and Turtle was totally partying for Aunt Jessie. He already loves them! The weather was fantastic and the hiking was great. I must admit, I'm pretty proud of myself for hiking 7.5 miles on Saturday plus an short uphill on Sunday. It felt great getting outside and doing some hiking. I think Turtle enjoyed it as well.
The nursery is coming along. We got our mats for our pictures and I bought frames to match the furniture. We put them all together with our Classic Pooh pictures and they are so cute! I can't wait for Scott to hang them. My mom and Aunt Judy are hard at work on our curtains.
Things are going well at work. Getting up and down off of the floor is a bit harder, but I manage. The kids continue to ask about the baby and how he's doing. Some super cute kid stories:
~We are reading Charlotte's Web. We recently read the part of the story when she makes her egg sac and explains to Wilbur that it is her Magnum Opus, or greatest work, as she puts it. I told my students that I am always looking for their Magnum Opus. One of my 3rd levels, Nina, raised her hand and said, "Ms. Sarah, I think that Turtle is your Magnum Opus." It was the cutest, sweetest thing ever!
~ Today I was working with one of my 'special friends' on the stamp game doing her math. Without even thinking, when Turtle started moving, I touched my belly and said, 'oh!' She looked at me with big eyes and said, 'Is that baby moving?' When I told her he was and asked if she wanted to feel (I haven't let any of them feel the baby) she smiled and, super gently, placed her hand on the side of my belly. Just then he kicked or punched and she just lit up. She said, "Woah! I felt that." I told her that he moves every time she and I work together (which is true) and she was so excited. I think it made her day.
Here are some belly pics from this weekend's trip.

Turtle and I on the AT. 

The whole Fullen Family by the French Broad River. 

Me and my boys by Laurel Stream. 

Week 27... saying good-bye to the 2nd trimester!

It's hard to believe, but we're in our last week of the 2nd trimester! I'm so excited to start this next phase of the pregnancy, even though I've heard that it gets a little tough.
Last week I took had my glucose tolerance test. That entailed: drinking a super sugary orange drink (not as bad as people told me it would be), wait an hour, go get blood drawn (EXACTLY one hour after finishing the drink), then eat some McDonald's breakfast (as my treat), and go back to school and wait. Luckily for me, our next scheduled appointment was the next day so we knew we'd be able to find out the results quickly. Good news... No Gestational Diabetes here! Yay!
As far as movement goes, Turtle is a moving machine! He moves every night when I get in bed and before when we are relaxing. He's also taken to moving in the early morning and it wakes me up. That's ok though, I guess it's good practice for my early morning wake-up calls. Just in the past couple of days, he has started moving so much at school that I'm very aware of it and he even moves around when I'm standing still (before it was just when I was lounging). I must admit, I love feeling his little movements, all except for the ones where he sticks some part of himself up under my right side ribs... OUCH!
The nursery is coming along quite well. We are getting the Classic Pooh pictures we have matted so that we can frame them, my mom is making curtains, and we'll just wait to collect the rest of the goodies.
My belly continues to poke out, the bump is definitely a growing baby!

Week 27 Belly. He looks big here... I think (hope) it's deceiving. 

Some of our cute stuff! We couldn't resist the North Face snow suit when we realized it was 50% off!!! And Pooh looks super cute cuddling with the sea turtle. 

Week 25 and feeling fine!

It's hard to believe that we're in week 25 already. Only 15 weeks left to go! I know 15 weeks is a fairly long time, but in the whole of the pregnancy, it's not that long.
I'm feeling pretty good these days. I'm keeping active at the gym and going to prenatal water aerobics twice a week still. I walk to work each day, even though it's a short walk, there and back each day adds up to some good activity and continued movement really helps the joints.
Sleeping has gotten better too. I've mastered sleeping with my body boppy, but I'd be lying if I said I'm not counting down until the time I can sleep on my stomach again. I think I've started dreaming about it! In that regard, 15 weeks IS a long time!
Little Turtle is moving all over the place these days. It feels like he is flipping and dancing in there. I'm pretty sure I woke up the other morning to hiccups. Wow! That was a bizarre feeling. Scott is feeling him move a lot. Now we can even see my tummy moving. It ripples and and had little punch outs. It's especially apparent when we are relaxing. My relaxation seems to wake the baby. Let's hope that doesn't become a trend when he's out here in the world.
We have a doctor's appointment next Wednesday. Just a normal check-up. The day before however I have to get the blood work done to test for gestational diabetes. From what I hear, my little orange drink might just be one of the nastiest things I ever have to drink. I'm not looking forward to it, but every mommy-to-be endures it, so I guess I can too!
We are continuing to work on the little things in the nursery and work on our baby registry. It's all so fun! Here's an update of the bump.

Week 25 by the baby's dresser. The cute bank is from Turtle's great, great Aunt Mary. 

Lot's of Excitement!!! (and Week 23 breezing into month 6)

A lot has happened since our last post! First of all, the most exciting, Scott has finally felt Turtle moving!!!! Laying in bed on Saturday night Turtle was moving all around so I told Scott to put his hand on my belly and be patient. Sure enough... he felt him! The look on his face and his excitement was awesome! Since Saturday, he's felt Turtle a few more times and each time is equally as awesome for both of us.
Next bit of excitement: the nursery is well under way. I know it's a tad pre-mature, but with Scott going back to school in a few weeks, we needed to use the time we had to get it done. Walls are painted, furniture assembled/placed, windows cleaned and a rug picked out (but not picked up until tomorrow). Now all that's left is for my mom to make the awesome curtains she's so generously offered to make (thanks mom!), a lamp, and artwork. Since we're going with a Classic Pooh theme, we've found some beautiful drawings in the Pooh Friendship Book that we plan to blow up and frame. It really is shaping up to be a peaceful and calming environment.
I'm continuing to enjoy my pre-natal water aerobics class. It's great to be with other moms-to-be and just be able to chat. Surprisingly, it's also a really great workout! The weightlessness of the water feels wonderful on my pulled joints.
My students continue to be a constant source of amusement. This morning when I asked "What is something that makes you happy?" in morning circle, one of my 2nd levels answered, "Just knowing Turtle will get out of there." Then she proceeded to chant, "Go Turtle Go! Go Turtle Go!" Hmmm... don't go just yet Turtle!
Enjoy some pictures of the recent bump and the nursery progress!

That's one excited daddy!!!

Jack's helping too!

Oohh! Look at that crib. 

The dresser, changing table, and walk-through doors. 

Comfy corner! Glider. 

Week 23 Belly

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.