My Baby Bump

So, this is me this past Monday at 23 weeks! I went to the doctor today, and all together, I've only gained 11 pounds, but I feel like I've gained 50! I can't imagine what it's going to feel like when I'm super pregnant and about to pop!! At my doctor's appointment today, I got to hear the heartbeat, which is always reassuring, and we talked about the ultrasound I had last month. Apparently, my placenta is low-lying, and they are concerned that it may be covering my cervix, although they couldn't be positive. If that is true, and the placenta doesn't move, then it's a condition known as placenta previa, which can lead to bleeding and bed rest and a C-section delivery. The good news is that I haven't had any signs of bleeding yet, but my doctor scheduled me for a 2nd ultrasound next month and we will know more then. So, we are praying now that the ultrasound will show that the placenta isn't covering the cervix and we won't have to worry about it. So, we just ask that you pray with us that this doesn't happen!

In other baby news, we are currently in the process of combining our guest room and office into one room and making our current guest room the baby's room. We are pretty sure we know exactly how we want to do the baby's room, but are holding off on painting until our next ultrasound when we are absolutely positive Hannah doesn't throw us any surprises and turns out to be a Nate! But, I'm getting anxious to start buying the nursery bedding, so I don't know how much longer I can hold off! You can always return stuff, right? :)

Our week in Denver

This week, Eric and I were in Denver for a little vacation. It's our last one before Hannah comes. Eric had a conference Monday through Thursday, so I flew out here on Tuesday, and we have been having a great time ever since! We've done some sightseeing, eaten at some cool restaurants, had a blast playing games at Dave and Buster's, and saw some great movies. We even got a couple of massages... what else would you do on a relaxing vacation? Also, it is actually warmer here than it is back home, so that was a big plus. On the afternoons when Eric was in his conference, I had quite a bit of time to kill, so I spent it shopping... with my favorite shopping being for Hannah, of course. There were some fun outlet stores near our hotel, as well as a Gordman's that was having a huge sale of 50% off all clearance items, so I was able to pick up some super cute outfits. Here are some pictures, because I am just so excited about it - my first clothing purchases for our soon to be here baby! My favorites are the baby shoes... they are so freakin' adorable!

Baby Plus!

For Christmas, I asked for and received something that I had been reading a lot about called the BabyPlus Prenatal Learning System. It is a thing you put around your waist that makes noises that are supposed to mimic the mother's heartbeat (which is what the baby hears all the time). There are a series of 16 lessons, and you do each one for a certain amount of days depending on when you start. Each lesson is different, but it is basically all beats that the baby is supposed to distinguish the differences in. BabyPlus is supposed to help babies be more alert and self-soothing when they are newborns, and also help them with school-readiness as they get older. Now, if you're thinking "Michelle will believe anything!," you'd be thinking the same thing that almost my entire family does! But when my baby sleeps through the night from the minute she comes home, and starts reading Shakespeare at 2 years old... who'll be laughing then? Ha! In all seriousness though, Eric and I are super excited about the BabyPlus, especially because the baby is super active everytime I do it. I feel the baby kick throughout the day, although at this point, it's just a wierd, tickling sensation inside my belly - but when I strap on the BabyPlus and those beats start, Hannah goes nuts!! I can't wait for Eric to be able to feel it... he mentioned today how he was a little jealous of me for getting to feel the kicks already!