26 weeks!

I'm 6 months prego now. The moving and kicking and stuff is just all the time now. The belly is out in full force. No more can I hide the bump with strategic clothing. So I'm to the point now that I don't even try. No more going out to bar type atmospheres to see people...it just feels uncomfortable. I went as long as I could to not change the way our friends hang out with us but now it's time to start getting them to adjust. LOL Mom comes back to Kentucky from Missouri soon. I really like having her here. She's getting an apartment close by January 1st. Exciting stuff! Thanksgiving is coming up. I'm ready for some good ole' family time and eating!

Monkey Update:

Baby's soaking up your antibodies, getting his immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and he'll soon be practicing the blink...perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

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Brad's School Project

So my Mom's friend's son made this video for a school project. It's sooo funny and creative. He goes to Fort Osage btw. Just wanted to share...

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25 Weeks and Missouri Baby Shower

This week my family and friends in Missouri threw me an early baby shower. Since I'm high risk I am not allowed to fly during my third trimester. So they threw me a little shower early. Alot of them will not be able to make it to "The" Baby Shower here in Kentukcy. I thought it was very sweet of them. It was fantastic and very cute! Wish more people could have made it out. I really love seeing and catching up, but it was a great group of people! I loved it! Thanks everyone who worked so hard to put this together for us!

Monkey Update:

That oh-so-handy sense of equilibrium kicking in, and baby's learning to distinguish right side up from upside down.

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24 Weeks! - Ultrasound

MONKEY UPDATE:
Baby's skin is becoming more opagque as the fat starts to pack on. And, thanks to the formation of small capillaries, his newly thick skin is taking on a fresh pink glow.

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23 weeks and Going Back To Work

I'm 23 weeks now. Didn't do anything crazy this year for Halloween. Just went over to my In-Laws neighborhood. They did a Wizard of Oz theme. The kids loved it. My In-Laws were the Lolli-Pop Kids...too funny! After that I watched a scary movie with my friend Tabitha and stopped by a house gathering at Mike's friend's house.

I start my new job tomorrow. Went today and got some new work pants. Strangely enough my work clothes are all a lil tight these days. LOL ;) But now I know I have clothes to wear I feel better. I went to the store and got lunch food and plenty of snacks to take to the office. I feel prepared but still pretty nervous. I just hope when I get struck with the morning sickness, which at some point Iwill, I am able to have a snacky and work thru it OK. Wish me Luck!

MONKEY UPDATE:
Baby's now the size of a Papaya!

Baby's little face is fully formed...minus the baby fat, of course. The next task at hand for baby: sprouting two teeny-tiny nipples.

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22 weeks

Read this on the bump today:

you're 22 weeks pregnant...Real estate within your belly is getting tight, with growing baby leaving little room for your lungs to...well...breathe. Expect the huffing and puffing to start soon. There's not much room for your belly button, either -- it'll pop out any day now.

My belly button is gonna do what?!!!?!!! Oh my!

MONKEY UPDATE:

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

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21 Weeks!

Week 21 and I've got big news! I got a job! I thought the career thing would be on hold until after the baby, but I got an email from a company I interviewed with pre-pregnancy about an opening. I decided to take the meeting and see where it would go. I never thought they would hire me knowing I was 5 months pregnant. I'm so glad I was wrong! I am very excited about starting this new journey. I think this is a great fit and will compliment my pregnancy. I am going to be the Administrative Manager for a financial firm. I think they are a great group of people and I can't wait to start working with them. I am just on cloud 9 folks! I've really been trusting GOD to show me my path and it's working out better than any plan I have ever made! :)

MONKEY UPDATE:

Baby's now the size of a banana!Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion, and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, if baby is a girl, her womb is now stocked up with her lifetime supply of six million eggs (the number will drop to around one million by birth).

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We're Having A Boy!

Mike and I went for our 20 week ultrasound this morning. At first Monkey had his legs crossed and was not participating, but we were able to finally get the shot above that confirmed Monkey is a BOY. Mike and I are very excited! He didn't want to be bothered and he kept turning his back on the tech. We didn't get a real good shot of his face, but I go every four weeks so I hope we can get one next time. The tech. did mention he has big feet, but assured us that he'll grow into them. Ha, ha

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Week 20

Well, here we are...week 20. Half-way there.

I can feel the baby move now....alot. Everyone asks me if I think its neat. I think it is but I'm definately not used to feeling something move around and thump around in my stomach. I admit sometimes it is a bit "Alien" the movie. LOL Just to be honest. I was stitting at Sunday family dinner and recieved my first soccer kick to the bladder. Soooo happy I didn't pee myself. Mike noticed me jump. LOL

My friend Becca got married this weekend. It was very pretty. I was a bridesmaid thanks to some major dress alterations. I got fitted and ordered the dress when I was back in Raleigh and very NOT pregnant. It would zip all the way but the last three inches. Thanks to the lady at Fix to Fit a panel snapped into the back and gave the extra room I needed. Thank goodness!

Today I had a job interview. Random, I know. It was with a company that I had previous interviewed with before I was pregnant. They want me to take some Microsoft Office testing and then we'll see where it goes from there. I told them that I was five months pregnant and I was VERY surprised when they said they were willing to work around it. Wow. I really under estimate things sometimes.

This Wed. Mike and I go for our 20 week ultrasound. Know what that means? If the baby is cooperative we can find out the sex. I'll be sure to give ya an update on what we find out.

Monkey Update:


Baby's now the size of a cantaloupe!Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

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We Started Registering!

(this is the bedding we like)

My doctors have advised me that traveling in my first and third trimester isn't going to be allowed due to me being high risk. So my friends and family are having an early shower for me in Missouri November 14th at the Indep. Sermon Center from 1-3 pm. (everyone is welcome) That being said, Mike and I have started registering. There will be a shower held in Kentucky also closer to my due date which is Feb. 27th. There is sooo much stuff needed for such a small person. heh, heh We find out the sex next week hopefully, but we have decided to keep things neutral for the most part. Thought that way we could use for baby #2 even if a different sex. We just got started and will be adding more I'm sure. We are registering at the following:

http://babiesrus.com/
http://potterybarnkids.com/

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19 Weeks!!

Sorry for the short post. I'm sick today! :(
Monkey Update:

Baby's now the size of a mango!Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

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18 Weeks!

This week I went to Becca's bachelorette party. I had a really good time even though I was tired and couldn't drink. ;)

Monkey Update:

Baby's now the size of a sweet potato!Baby's become amazingly mobile (compared to you, at least), passing the hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. And baby is finally big enough that you'll soon be able to feel her movements.

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17 weeks pregnant!

Hello week 17! I sure hope you take it easy on me. I recently had a horrible bout with the morning sickness. It was not fun. Looks like I'm not one of the lucky ones that has the sickness completely go away after the first trimester. Dang! lol

I have my friend Becca's bachelorette party coming up this weekend. I can't drink but I still plan on having a good time. Making the cake this week. Yum! But I'm going to get lots of rest and sleep to prepare. ;)

Monkey Update:
This week might mark the first time you feel baby move inside you, but don't worry if it's another two months before you notice anything. Baby's now the size of an onion! Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.

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Happy Anniversary!

Mike and I just celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary Sept. 17th. We went to the Cincinnati Reds baseball game. We had a really good time! :)

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PRE-NATAL HOCKEY CAMP

Mike and I do not know the sex of our baby yet, but there is no doubt that our child will have hockey in their life in one form or another due to Mike's obsession....ahemm...I mean passion. ;)

This story has been out for awhile and you may have already seen it but even if you have it's important and bears repeating....

It's never too early to get kids involved in Hockey. So don't wait, act now and get them into...

PRE-NATAL HOCKEY CAMP
"We have couples who haven't even conceived yet who are putting down deposits to get on the waiting list. With all of the money in the pro game, can you blame them?"

At his Pre-Natal hockey school, O'Heffernan puts the unborn children through all of the paces.
"Just because they're not born yet, that doesn't mean we baby them. Hockey's a hard, gruelling game. The sooner they learn that, the better off they'll be in the long run."

Drills at the school include motivational yelling at the mothers' stomachs, in-class instructional sessions on modern defensive systems, as well as tutorials on effective forechecking techniques in the ultrasound room.

"The modern game is so complicated, it's imperative that we teach them as soon as possible. If you wait to educate them on the complexities of the left-wing lock after they've been born, they won't be able to grasp all of it, even when they're 18.
And what do the parents who've enrolled say about the program?
This is way more useful than those stupid lamaze classes
...Nigel and Yolanda Bicklethwaite of Etobicoke said that they enrolled at the O'Heffernan Pre-Natal hockey school out of a desire for their forthcoming baby boy to experience life to its fullest...

"And if that kid doesn't make it to the NHL, he's out of the f@#king will.
Yes, as you've probably figured out by now this story is just a joke. HOWEVER, the way things are headed in our society as far as fast-tracking kids goes nowdays maybe we'll actually see something like Pre-Natal Hockey soon.

It wouldn't surprise me... at all.


Hockey Quote for the Day:

"This is the only thing that has seen more parties than us."
Steven Tyler, Aerosmith's lead singer, after admiring the Stanley Cup.

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The Name Game

I've been finding out that more people than you think already have names picked out and ready for whenever they have a baby. Wow. Though Monkey is a cute name... lol... we have been trying to make a list of names. Here is a list of names that we have been throwing around. This is just a snapshot. The list changes all the time! Some names hit the cutting room floor after landing a spot just hours later. Our plan is to narrow it down to three strong girl and boy names (just in case) and pick one after meeting our baby face to face.

If you have any ideas let me hear them. Remember our last name is Lee. So names like Emily Lee kinda sound like you have a stuttering problem. Side note we love Irish names. If its "your" name and you just want to share, let me know so we don't swipe it. ;)

Girl Names (in no certain order)
Vivian ** Stella ** Hannah ** Reaghan ** Meghan ** Audrey ** Savannah ** Sydney ** Eva ** Abigail ** Aubrey ** Tegan ** Aniston **

Boy Names (in no certain order)
Keegan ** Mason ** Carter ** Ryder ** Parker ** Preston ** Braxton ** Austin ** Conor **

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The Prediction List

Let me know your predictions for our baby and I'll add it to the list! Due Date is Feb. 27th. :)
Tyler Robinson - Girl, Feb. 12th
Carly Wheeler - Girl, March 5th
Alan Jones (My Dad) - Boy, Feb. 20th, 6lbs. 9oz.
Vicki Boyles (My Mom) - Girl
Stephen Ryan - Boy, March 1st, 8lbs. 7oz., 22 inches
Laura Ryan - Girl, Feb. 25th, 8lbs. 2oz., 19 inches

Amy Norman - Girl, Feb. 25th, 8lbs., 20 inches

Kim McClure - Girl, Feb. 18th, 7 lbs. 2oz., 20 inches

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IntelliGender - Gender Prediction Test

Not alot of changes to report from last week. Just for fun, Mike and I took one of those in-home IntelliGender - Gender Prediction Tests this morning. If it turns greenish gray that means boy and orange or no change means girl. Mike thought it was green right off the bat. Of course! I'm not sure. Went to the http://www.intelligender.com/pages.php?pageid=13 website for examples of results and it just confused me more. I sent pictures to the support email and they are gonna get back to me on their reading of it. Who knows. I guess maybe we'll see week 20 when we get the next ultrasound. Here's a picture of my test above. What do you think the test says? Boy or Girl?

Monkey Update:
Baby's now the size of an avocado!Watch what you say...tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean she can now pick up your voice. A few more minuscule changes: Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.

(UPDATE: The company emailed me promptly within an hour to discuss it with me. They also thought it looked like boy.)

(Another Update: Our baby was in fact a beautiful baby BOY! I would say the product worked for us.) 

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15 Weeks!!!

So I'm 15 weeks now. New things to deal with seem to be headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness. These are new. Its not all the time but annoying enough. The sickness comes and goes but seems to stay gone for longer periods of time. I've got more energy now. I just picked up a little part time job at a Salon & Spa in Kenwood. It seems that I feel better when I do things. I'm tired of sitting around the house. I hope working won't be too much. I think part time was the right moved to make. This way I have something to do, make a little cash, and still can make it to my many doctor apts.

Our friends Laura and Stephen came in to visit this Labor weekend. We are going to watch the WEBN fireworks tonight. I'm pretty excited. They brought us gifts from Raleigh. Our friends Tyler and Jacque got us the cutest plush monkey and onesies with matching bibs and hats. Very cute! They have little monkeys on some of them. Laura and Stephen hooked us up with a kick ass baby Hurricanes jersey! Boy or Girl they are gonna be hooked up. Thanks guys!


Monkey Update:
Baby's now the size of a naval orange!Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out-measure his arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably can't feel the movements just yet.

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Me @14 wks.

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14 Weeks!

I am very excited to be 14 weeks. The sickness is getting better. It takes alot of attention, resting, and eating to stay feeling well but I'm doing it. I did have to get an IV to help with some issues with my liver disorder (hereditary copro porphyria), but Monkey tolerated the treatment very well. Being high risk has come with more doctors apts. than someone with a "normal" pregnancy, but this is my first and I don't know anything different so for me this is a "normal" pregnancy. ;) I hope we get another ultrasound soon. I really wanna see Monkey again. I'll be sure to keep you updated. For now, Momma and Monkey are doing well!

Baby's now the size of a lemon!Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine, and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys, and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over her body for warmth.

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Monkey's First Photos

Since we do not know the sex of our baby yet and we hate saying "it"...we have named our baby Monkey for the time being. :) Here are Monkey's first photos. This ultrasound was taken 07/16/09. I believe I was was 7 weeks.

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We're Expecting...

So I'm currently 8 weeks pregnant and due Feb. 27th. We are very excited! We were trying to let the pregnacy get further along before telling everyone, but leaks were springing everywhere and everyone was finding out anyways. So why not tell everyone myself. I'm pretty sick so far. Having morning sickness all day everyday. :( I find I like a plain baked potato, frozen grapes, orange sherbert, and 7-Up. lol So please keep us and our lil monkey in your prayers!!

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Reason, Season, Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on .

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

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Asked Him For His Number & He Said 9-1-1...HA!

So I was driving home from the store around 10 pm the other night from getting hairspray and I got pulled over. I was driving and all of a sudden a cop car going the opposite way as I was did a U-turn in the road and got behind me. I know my car "looks" fast cuz its a sports car but I KNEW I wasn't speeding. I switched lanes - he switched lanes. I turned right - he turned right and turned his lights on. Sooo I pulled over.

The officer comes to my window and he was a BABY! Sooo young looking in his uniform and bright orange reflective vest overtop. He asks the usual, "Mam do you know why I pulled you over?" but before I could answer he apologizes and corrects this statement with "Oh, I really shouldn't call you Mam you're much to young for that". I say thank you very though I am pretty puzzled at this point as to why I was pulled over. He then proceeds with telling me the reason he pulled me over way this... "Well you see, its raining out tonight .. and I noticed that you were following the vehicle in front of you a bit too close. Should you need to stop in these slick conditions that could cause an accident. You're a pretty girl, I hate for that to happen to you." Sooo now I can't tell if he's pulled me over to share traffic tips or if I'm getting a warning, getting a ticket, he's just hitting on me, no idea... I remembered that Brian's .. best friend is a police officer and he talks about being bored soooo I'm thinking' maybe he's bored???

So he waits for me to find my registration card and I give him that and my driver's license. He tells me.. "I'm going to take this back to my cruiser and do some routine things like check for warrants and run your plates. I don't want you to be worried cuz this is just routine and I'll be right back." He comes back and tells me, "You know technically I could give you a ticket for not signing your registration card, but I'm going to cut ya a break. So why don't you just take my pen and sign it right now so you don't have to worry about it again." As I take his pen and sign the card he starts asking me if I had watched any of the basketball game that was on. I think to myself....oohhhh I get it.....he wants to know if I've been drinking. Wow, he's sneaky. So I tell him that I had just gone to dinner with friends and gotten home and realized I needed hairspray so I ran to the store. He starts talking about the game for a few mins. At this point I just want to get home. I'm staring at my license that he is now hold hostage in his hand while I have no choice but to be pleasant and participate in conversation. I mean, what do you say? Excuse me Mr. Officer but I want to go now!! LOL

So he finally gives it back and we part ways. BUT not before he follows me home. I was pulled over just a couple blocks from my home so its not like he followed me more than a min. or two but still...kinda weird.

Flash forward a couple days. Mike is leaving for work and we notice that a police cruiser is sitting in the cul-de-sac directly across the street staring right at our house. We've never seen this before. We aren't a normal cop hang out or a speed trap. No idea what it was doing there. Creepy thing is it was there ALL afternoon. The police may be stalking me. So I don't know whether to feel freaked out or really safe. LOL Anyways, I included a picture of my buddy hanging out for your viewing pleasure. :)

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