26 Weeks

That's 6 1/2 months along everyone! CRAZY!

This week we put even more finishing touches on the house - it's really looking great. I'd say the inside is almost completely finished and the outside is coming along gradually. I even planted flowers this week. :)

Elayne has been moving like crazy lately. Everyone can see and feel now - if you are looking/feeling at the right time. She goes in moving spurts, but still not constant or consistent. I feel like she's all of a sudden "popped out" this week too. I woke up Thursday morning and suddenly felt like my belly had shifted.I think she was growing up, and now she's growing out. This is another sign I'm nearing the end of the second trimester. Can you believe I'm almost in the third trimester!?

It's time to start nesting! Last night I made a big to-do list and to-buy list for nesting. I also organized and divided all of the diapers/wipes/formula we have so far - and we bought more. Phillip still needs to finish painting the top of the pink wall in Elayne's room, and then I'm ready for furniture!

Baby Elayne Ruth

Size: Head of Lettuce (also English Hothouse Cucumber...whatever that is)

Important Developments: Her cute little ears are developing even more. Plus, her lungs and immune system are maturing more and more every day - further proof she needs to stay in there for a few months longer.

Noticeable Symptoms: Moving. Kicking. Punching. I am also finding it harder to sleep through the entire night, which is bound to get worse from here on out in preparation for her arrival.

Less than 100 days to go!!!

Happy Memorial Day!

First of all, thank you to all who have served, do serve, and will serve. All of you are wonderful and we wouldn't be the country we are without you.

This weekend the wonderful Tabitha is in town! That's why there has been quite a bit of radio silence from me. Lots of relaxing, lots of chatting, lots of seeing friends, lots of laughs. I pretty much love it when she's in town.

My visions of pool grandeur were brought to an abrupt end when the forecast suddenly went from no chance of rain to pouring rain for practically the whole weekend. There is still hopes for this afternoon, but we'll have to see.

Baby Elayne is now 25 weeks and the time is going by so fast!!! I had to take the second glucose test this week to see if I have gestational diabetes. I didn't make it through the test. The lovely hawaiian punch highly concentrated juice I had to chug didn't stay down. So I'm waiting to hear back about rescheduling. That was the worst test ever - even out of all of my digestive tests and nasty liquids I've had to drink for them. I don't recommend it to anyone. Ever. Ew.

Elayne Long

Size: Rutabaga (1.5 pounds, 13 inches long!)

Important Developments: She now has hair! And she is growing a lot. Hiccups should be arriving any day now, and there should be an increase in frequency and strength in her kicks - which is great news for all of you wanting to see/feel her.

Noticeable Symptoms: I am starting to feel more like "myself" these days, although my protruding stomach is starting to get in the way of things. I have bouts of fatigue and back pain, but for the most part, I feel like a fully functioning member of society once again.

The Age of Viability

This past Saturday marked 24 weeks along for me. This means sweet baby Elayne can now survive if she were born this early (with significant medical help). That is definitely a relief for us. But at the same time, we want her to continue "cooking" and gain more weight. We want a healthy beautiful baby girl as close to September 7th as possible.

Today I went to the doctor, and everything is still perfect. Elayne is still kicking like crazy but won't consistently be felt by others until 28 weeks. I took my glucose test and won't hear results for a few days. Next appointment we will have the big 3D ultrasound! Plus, it starts 2 week appointments. I guess we really are getting closer and closer. Hard to believe I'm already 6 months along and entering the third trimester soon.

Also, I've only gained half a pound in a month! My doctor is super pleased with that!

Elayne Long

Size: Small Cantaloupe

Important Developments: She's gaining weight, which is perfect. She should start having hiccups too, probably has eyebrows, and her sense of touch is strengthening.

Noticeable Symptoms: Lots of movement! Back pain is getting more noticeable. I've also started to waddle a little and I'm moving slower.

The New and Improved Murph Dog

So far so good with our wonderful puppy dog. It was kind of a fiasco to get him home, but we made it. Long story that I don't really feel like explaining since it all worked out in the end.

He is much calmer. He listens to us more attentively. He walks great on a leash. He is already run trained (and we now have a run in the backyard). He knows where his "spot" is and goes to it to lay down and stay when we tell him to. For the most part, he doesn't jump in our faces anymore - still working on that one since he still thinks the rules could possibly revert to the way they were before.

It's been a challenge for us, and will continue to be. Phillip and I are having to listen to each other and take each other's advice. I remember certain things, and he remembers others. We are building a training team and it's kind of new for us - and an intro into parenting.

Our next big challenge will be introducing Murphy to people. A few have come over and "phase 1" has gone pretty well. Phase 2 includes actual face-to-face meetings without a cage between them. I'm nervous about that one. But I think we have the right tools to make this happen.

We are also going to try to take him on a walk soon. It seems easy enough, based on how well he now does on a leash. But we'll see.

I'll let you know how it all goes...

Happy Mothers Day!

While I don't know exactly what it means to be a mother yet, I am starting to get an idea. Like when I lift something a bit too heavy and sit down with no sound or movement until I feel Elayne kick to let me know she's okay. Or when I'm too lazy to get up and get my prenatal vitamins, but remember they are for her and not me. Like how suddenly picking a child care center is more important and harder than house hunting. Or how I have already noticed every outlet, smoke detector, fire hazard, and cabinet we need to childproof - and how we need to get carbon monoxide detectors like yesterday.

But what I do know is that I am learning so much from the wonderful moms in my life. I am so fortunate to have so many and each has already taught me - and will continue to teach me - how to be the best mom possible.

My Mom

She has taught me how to be the best hostess ever. How to work full time, cook dinner every night, manage laundry, clean house, and still have the ability to read the newspaper from cover-to-cover each night and make it to bed at a descent hour - that is skill. A woman who can handle any mess without even a complaint or gag - at least not one she shared. She shows how to care for your parents and still have fun. No project left unturned, no shopping trip cut short, and not a last-minute get-together turned down. Always ready for anything. The woman who has become so much more than my mother in the past few years, but has truly become one of my best friends.

My Mother-in-Law

A person who loves with all of her heart. She shows me how to spoil kids but still raise them to be well-mannered, humbled adults. How to achieve all of your dreams, do what you feel in your heart is right, and to never settle for less than you deserve. The world's biggest cheerleader, advocate, and friend. I am truly blessed to have married into such a wonderful family and to have gained another great mother.

My Meme

Most grandmothers don't let on who their favorite grandchildren are. But Meme does. She manages to make every one of her grandchildren believe they are her favorite - just ask any one of us. A woman who cherishes the past, has always been way ahead of her time, and has a legacy I'm sure her parents would be proud of. A hopeless romantic at heart with a life story to match. A teacher who embodies what all educators should aim for. A woman who sings all around the house, treats her dog as another child, and makes sure everyone is happy before sitting down to rest herself.

My Linda

An ear always ready to listen to even the most trivial of details of things going on in your life. A woman who outlawed all of the vegetables we hate in her house because she wanted us to enjoy every second of being there. The true definition of patience, humility, and strength. The original person in our family who truly believes that women should be independent and able to live without a man - a theme of independence I will definitely pass on to Elayne and any future daughters we have. A fellow lover of all things fiesta ware, special antique finds, and 

My Tabo (Phillip's Grandmother)

A woman cemented in tradition. Still incredibly quick-witted, intelligent, and knows more about what's going on in the world than I ever could. I admire how she still holds the family together and influences how close we all are to the extended family. An East Texas matriarch, a woman who never forgets anything, and loves thank-you notes more than anyone I know.

Heres to all you mothers on this fantastic day. I hope everyone celebrates all you do and recognizes you for your bravery, love, perseverance, and faith.