THINGS PEOPLE SAY TO PREGNANT WOMEN:

This post is all in good fun but I thought it was time that I started documenting some of the things that have been said to me while I've been pregnant (I'm sure I'll have a lot more to add in the next few months).  The things people say are almost always meant to be funny and I can certainly take a joke but I'm starting to think that a book needs to be written called "What not to say to pregnant women."


1. "Your face looks different."
2. "Didn't anyone ever tell you not to swallow a watermelon seed?"
3. "Do you feel frumpy yet?"
4. "It looks like you might want to switch up your workout routine." (A guy at the gym) 
5. "Did you get off your diet?"
6.  A drunk guy who I didn't know was talking to me at a bar and then one of Jake's friends piped in and said, "He thought you were hot...he must not know you are pregnant!"  


He he!!  Good ones people!


For anyone who knows my father in law, you will be surprised to learn that he has not said anything to make this list yet (only 11 more weeks Dale).


Another observation I've made is how much more often people say "hello" to me now that it is obvious that I'm pregnant.  I've had the same walking route in our neighborhood for 7 months and it wasn't until the last month or so that people actually started saying hello, waving, and asking me questions.  Are pregnant women somehow more approachable or does it just give people something to talk to you about?  

BEAUTIFUL WEDDING:

On Saturday my cousin Jill got married.  It seems like Mike has been part of the family for quite a while but now it is official.  It was a beautiful and happy day!  Congratulations Mike and Jill!


Here is a picture with the beautiful bride and matron of honor:

The Foy Family:

Foy Sisters:

Jake and I:

Jake and Mason:

Addie and I:

Marxsen Family:

Hayden at the end of the night:

THIRD AND FINAL TRIMESTER:

Some may call it a milestone.  I am 28 weeks which can also be referred to as "the home stretch."  My fingers are crossed that the way I've been feeling in the second trimester will carry over into the third.  My pregnancy has been really great which has allowed me to stay active and do everything that I did before I was pregnant (with a slightly earlier curfew).  I don't have any specific cravings but almost all food sounds good to me so it does take some willpower not to eat everything I see.  Last week I think I experienced a few Braxton Hicks contractions (not pleasant but not horrible).  The other new pregnancy symptom I've had is a little bit of leg cramping at night.   But if it weren't for my growing belly, increasing movement from the baby, and the constant urge to pee, I may not even know that I was pregnant.  I feel very lucky!

We took a little break from the nursery and are slowly getting back into that this week.  I've been searching for some wall artwork ideas and Jake is going to try to re-create them for the room (I told him I could just order everything but he insists on doing it himself).  Also, my Grandma Marxsen (who used to collect elephants) gave us a small wooden riding elephant that my uncle built her a long time ago.  We are going to do a little work to it to tie it in with the room but it will be a great addition.  The crib bedding should be finished by the end of April.  In the next few weeks we'll be looking for a glider and a lamp to go in the corner of the room.  My goal is to have the nursery done by the middle of May.

The baby supposedly weighs 2.25 lbs this week and is the size of a cabbage.  They grow up so fast.  Ha!  Oh, and we THINK we have settled on a name but we won't be sharing that until he arrives.

REALITY SETTING IN:

I saw this and it made me laugh and want to cry all at the same time...

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Easter everyone!  Our Holidays as a family of two are numbered.  When we were getting ready for church yesterday, preparing food to take to Easter, and rushing from one family gathering to the next we thought about the fact that next year we would also be getting an extra PERSON ready.  It's been just us two for so long that it's hard to imagine.  I also made a point to really enjoy my meals yesterday because I know my days of leisurely eating are numbered.  Don't get me wrong, we are SO excited to be adding to our family.  We just know we are in for a major lifestyle change (one that we are welcoming of course)!

To celebrate the Holiday we had Easter lunch with my dad's side of the family and Easter dinner with Jake's mom's side of the family.  Below is a picture of three adorable girls....our nieces (Mady and Melody) and Jake's cousin (Katie).  Work it girls!

26 WEEKS:

We had our 26 week appointment today and it went great.  They did the standard testing for gestational diabetes and luckily I tested negative for that.  My blood pressure, measurements, blood sugar, hemoglobin, weight gain, and Baby Ak's heart rate were all good.  Everything is right on track.  Our next appointment is May 3rd and then we will start doing appointments every 2 weeks (hard to believe).

                                     26 weeks-baby is the size of an eggplant


26 week symptoms:
-Over the past month I've noticed that my hair is a lot thicker.  I didn't realize the exact reason for this until recently.  During pregnancy, higher levels of estrogen prolong the growth phase, resulting in less shedding of hair.  Now that I think about it, I've noticed a lot less hair on the bathroom floor.  I could get used to this!
-Lots of movement.  Jake has been kicked in the face a few times while talking to the baby.
-Occasional cramping but nothing to be concerned about.
-I'm feeling REALLY good.  And it's hard to believe that there are only 14 weeks left until our due date.  Jake keeps saying that he's ready for the baby to be here.  I feel like I really need the 14 weeks!  It's going to go so fast!!

HARD WORK AND FAMILY TIME:

We spent all day Saturday working.  I cleaned the house and Jake worked on the yard.  Last but not least,  Jake finished the light fixture that he has been working on for the Baby Ak's room.  I think he did a great job!  Not very many husbands go to fabric stores without their wives.  Lucky me!

It's nice to have the hard work done with the room.  Now we will just wait for our crib bedding to be done, find a glider, and figure out what we are doing for wall decorations.  This is the fun part in my opinion.


Today (Sunday) my mom and dad along with Pam and Ryan and their kids came over to see some of our house progress and dye Easter eggs.  


Here are a few pictures of the egg dyeing:

It was a great night to be outside and sit on the deck.  When we went outside we discovered that we are already completely prepared for kids.  All three of them played in this patio cushion box for at least 30 minutes and they couldn't get out.  Total Score!

We have our 26 week appointment on Tuesday.  Stay tuned!