23 Weeks!

Confession.... I haven't taken a belly picture in weeks. Things have been too hectic. I am so sorry followers.

Therefore, I will now change my belly pictures to monthly. I am sorry to disappoint, but I didn't realize when I started this that it would be such a task and unfair of me to ask that of myself. Plus, future children will likely not receive this level of star treatment.

I am a failure.

But here is the 23 week update!

Elayne Long

Size: Large Mango (just over 1 pound and about 11 inches long!)

Important Developments: Her ears are now completely formed so she can hear everything from the outside world (though it is somewhat muffled). She is also putting the final touches on her hair pattern and color - but the color can change before/after birth.

Noticeable Symptoms: She is moving so much these days. It's really hard to pinpoint the big kicks so others can feel her, but it IS possible. 

** I think it is also important to note, that when I was looking for that adorable photo, I found out that you can rent mango costumes. Weird, or borderline genius? You decide.

Pros and Cons

Because who doesn't love pros/cons lists?

Since moving into our house, we are discovering things we love and things we would change, if given the chance. We have officially moved all of our belongings to the new house, and only carpet shampooing and a little grass seed stand between us and relinquishing our keys this weekend. Woohoo!!

Pros:

• The extra bedroom for guests is incredible. We will have more guests in the coming months/years since we will have baby Elayne to attract visitors. Now we have a space for all their own - and hopefully beds coming soon to fill the space!
• Phillip's man cave is ridiculous and huge, but perfect for him. Now he has a huge space (doubled from the last house) for all of his memorabilia, equipment, and electronics. It's actually shaping up to be quite attractive. I will post house pictures once the place is complete.
• The carpet is uber comfortable. It's very thick. This will be especially nice when we spend countless hours playing on the floor with Elayne.
• My bigger office holds all of my things! And with the guest bedroom, I don't have to share it with a futon anymore - although I actually could if I wanted to. It's so spacious and wonderful. I love it!
• A 3 car garage gives us more space too, and reduces the times we need to use the attic. This is especially important to Phillip.
• Speaking of insulation, we have upgraded insulation in the house! What a nice add-on the builders put in. We are having to adjust our energy habits as a result. The first few nights were freezing in here!
• A gas stove. Enough said.

Cons:

• Small backyard. That will be an adjustment to make. We'll have to maximize every square inch - especially since the wonderful run is 10x14.
• Downsized pantry, master bath, and master closet. We were spoiled by our old house and now we must make adjustments. Creative storage solutions will result this summer at some point, I'm sure.
• No place for Murphy's crate. Again, our old house fit this quite nicely. We had the perfect spot for it in the laundry room. Now, even though we have a beautiful laundry room, it does not have a designated spot. We are still debating on the final location.

But no worries, we are still very far from being unpacked. We are doing a little each day. So far, the kitchen and my office are finished. Elayne's room doesn't count, since she only has diapers and some outfits at this point - but it is done (with the exception of finalizing paint at the top of the pink wall). The guest room won't have much in it yet, but will also find its way once the rest of the house is finished.

Phillip's room, and the living room should be hopefully completed tonight. And at some point, hopefully we can get our bedroom finished. It would nice to be finished with the inside by Monday evening, but we'll see. Then it's garage/closet organization, setting up Murphy's run/outside, and ALL DONE! Doesn't sound like much, right? Hah.

Oh! And Murphy comes home tomorrow morning! So exciting!

Moving Baby

Last night, just before drifting off to sleep, Phillip got to feel little Elayne kick for the first time.

To say it was exciting, overwhelming, incredible, the highlight of my day, magical, etc. would be an understatement.

First of all, he is the first one to be able to feel her "from the outside." I've been feeling her for a couple of weeks now and everyone else around me has been trying like crazy to feel, with no success. But last night, there she was. One big, swift kick to his hand.

She knows who he is. And she really does react differently to him. She loves him like crazy. Everyone else has to press and move and get me to lay in funky positions to try to feel her. And she moves as a result of the attention. But with Phillip, all he has to do is barely place his hand on my belly and she kicks him over and over again (of course not felt by him until last last). But she doesn't stop kicking him. She knows who he is.

Pure love right there.

21/22 Weeks

Woah. Where did the time go? This one has to be a combined post, unfortunately, since I've been so bogged down and busy. But here goes!

Elayne Long
Size: Banana - This is a tricky week. Some say banana was last week with carrot this week. Others flip-flop.
Important Developments: If you press on my belly, you can feel feet and arms! It's pretty cool! She can practice breathing and swallowing now - with hiccups to follow.
Noticeable Symptoms:

Elayne Long
Size: Spaghetti Squash (11 inches long!)
Important Developments: She can now really distinguish sounds and voices - so start talking! She dances to certain songs on the radio and kicks everyone's hands repeatedly (though no one else can feel her yet). She will soon be able to distinguish light - if she hasn't already.
Noticeable Symptoms: Round ligament pain ALL THE TIME. My muscles in that area are so tense. Back pain is starting to get stronger and I can feel when she leans against my bladder.

I'm Back!

The busiest work week ever is finally over.

We finished up moving - minus the cleaning and repairing at the old place this week.

And now starts the unpacking. Which will take forever. Literally forever. We have too much stuff. Seriously.

Last week we started painting. All of it is finished except for baby Elayne's room since we ran out of the super cute pink paint. That'll get finished in the near future.

Furniture and boxes are everywhere and we are still trying to find things we swear we knew where they were - and I shout through the house at the top of my lungs that we must have lost it in the move... right before finding it right in front of my nose. But alas, things are getting done.

My goal is to at least have the floors cleared by this weekend. Then hopefully walls done by next week some time. This is a lofty goal but we'll see.

Murphy is doing great - from what we hear. He comes back Saturday and we are so ready for that! His run still needs to be built (this week) but once that's done we'll be ready to have a newly behaved dog that loves all people and can be trusted.

That's all for now. More screenings and unpacking in the coming days.