99 Days to Go!

Ok, finally an update on Baby Mac.  I know you've all been patiently waiting on the edge of your seat for this (yeah right), so here's the scoop.  (Yes Mom, this post is for you.)

How far along: 26 weeks!  Yesterday was exactly 100 days to go.  I can't believe we're officially down to double digit days until we meet our little dude.  Baby's getting bigger and stronger and fatter every day and I love it!  I'm hoping for a healthy (and chubby) baby boy come May!

Total weight gain: Somewhere between 15-20 lbs.  I fluctuate so much day-to-day, it's hard to tell.

Size of baby: Baby Mac is about 14 inches long and weighs about 1 pound 9 ounces!  

Gender: BOY!  And we couldn't be happier!  Growing up with three little brothers means that I'm definitely more comfortable around little boys.  Ryan is so excited to be getting a fishing buddy and someone to play sports with.  And I'm so excited about being a boy mom.  Bring on the noise and the dirt!


Maternity clothes: Yes please.  I'm still wearing lots of non-maternity dresses (jersey, wrap, sweater) with leggings, but there's no way I could make it without maternity jeans/pants these days.  I've been lucky that I can usually just buy non-maternity clothes in a larger size and they fit, but I've finally started buying some maternity tops and dresses (mainly because they just fit so much better).   

Sleep: Can't get enough.  Wish I could sleep all the time.  Sunday night I fell asleep on the couch with 1 minute left in the Super Bowl.  I woke up and had no idea that the game was over or who won (not that I cared, obviously).  And it took everything I had to stay up that late!

Movement: Lots!  Mac is super active these days.  He's always really happy right after meals (smart baby) and he responds to music and his daddy's voice.  Ryan felt him move for the first time a few weeks ago while we were watching Major League (the "Wild Thing" scene), so he's convinced Mac is going to be a baseball player.  The movements are less like flutters these days and more like full on kicks and somersaults.  I can even see him move sometimes.  It's awesome.    

Food cravings: Tacos, cereal, cake, fruit, chocolate, diet root beer, lemonade, french fries.  Basically anything super sugary or super salty.  

Food aversions: None.  I have yet to come across anything that I wouldn't eat.  That can't be good.

Planning/prep:  Oh, such much to talk about...

• I'm registered!  I had no idea a baby "needed" so much crap!  We've signed up for everything from bottles to Boppys to bedding.  I was so lucky that I had great friends willing to go to Babies R Us and spend hours walking me up and down the aisles, telling me everything I needed to know about every baby-related product on the market - what I needed and what I could do without, what worked for them, what's a waste of money, what will help save my sanity (did you know you can't register for vodka at BRU?), etc.  Having the help of veteran moms was such a blessing.  I'm still amazed that I made it out of that store without having a panic attack or crying.  One of my proudest moments.
• Mac's nursery is coming along nicely!  The crib, dresser, glider and ottoman are all here, assembled and ready.  It's definitely been a family affair - Sage picked out a great wall color and Ryan painted the room.  My dad's building some bookcases to house Mac's already large library of children's books.  The deer head is assembled and mounted.  I've also been working on a couple crafty projects to add a little jazz to the room.  It's bright and colorful and pretty wild!  I can't wait to be able to show it to you all!
• I've been reading every book I can get my hands on about growing, birthing and raising a baby.  There are a LOT of them out there!  And so many of them have drastically conflicting ideas/methods -- which just proves to me that there's really no one "right" way to do things and no matter how we do them, as long as it's right for us, it's alright.  This gives me a lot of comfort. Of course I want to do what's "right" for my kid, but I think that's just something we'll have to wait to figure out when the baby gets here.  

What I’m looking forward to: My baby shower!  It's taken me a few months of worrying about this, but I'm now really excited.  Dealing with infertility for so long meant that I had to silently suffer through a  lot of baby showers over the last few years.  I hate to even admit this, but just the thought of a baby shower used to send me into near hysterics.  I'd go and I'd put on a giant smile (and I'd drink a LOT of mimosas) and then spend the next three days in tears because I wasn't sure if I'd ever get a chance to be a mom or get to be pregnant.  It was a really rough time and baby showers were so hard.  It's still really emotional for me, but I'm definitely doing better.  And now, my incredibly amazing and understanding friends are throwing me the baby shower of my dreams.  I'm so grateful and excited and crazy nervous.  

Worries: Yeah, they're still there.  I'm still worried that one day I'll wake up and just not be pregnant anymore.  Every morning, the very first thing I do it grab my belly, just to make sure this whole pregnancy hasn't just been a dream.  My newest worry is about going back to work after the baby gets here.  I've always known I wanted to be a working mom (both for my sanity and the income), but now I'm getting really worried about missing out on things and not being around.  I know we'll find a happy medium that works for us, but it's just scary not knowing what's going to happen.  Guess I should get used to that!  Goodbye control!


What I'm Loving: Everything.  I'm probably going to jinx myself by saying this, but have truly loved every single second of being pregnant.  I've never felt better, I've never been happier, I've never loved something so much.  I am so incredibly blessed.  




So, there you have it - my pregnancy in a nutshell.  I'm sure you'll all sleep better now that you know.  :)