In the Words of James Brown, "I Feel Good!"

Now I know why I remember enjoying my pregnancy with Nate...I feel great! She must have moved off of my sciatic when she got into position, I have nesting energy and she's really active so I'm getting excited to meet her. The only downside? With this nesting energy comes insomnia. When I wake up, my mind is spinning. I can't shut off my brain to fall back asleep. I'm averaging about 6-hours a night--which is quite manageable (but not my usual call for 8.5 hours for my body & mind to be fully rested). This might have happened with Nate, too; although I don't recall it. I think this time it's bothering me more because I know what I'm in for! I'm really going to want those extra hours when the baby gets here. Those first few weeks, er, months of sleep deprivation are HARD.

I started my weekly OB appointments today (blood pressure 112/78 and the magical 35-pound mark for weight gain). Of course, the errand I ran beforehand didn't take nearly as long as I anticipated, so I arrived 20 minutes early. Then, Dr. Kuhl was running an HOUR behind. Nate and I entertained ourselves with the stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, tape measure, stirrups, lights, gloves, and ultrasound gel (because naturally I left his diaper bag/entertainment in the car for my routine 5-minute appointment!) It was actually pretty cute--after putting the gloves on, listening to my heart with the stethoscope, measuring my belly and pretending to pour gel on my belly; he was ready to assist Dr. Kuhl. After listening to Baby Girl's heartbeat, Nate stands on the step of the exam table with his gloves and a kleenex and tells Dr. Kuhl, "I want to help!" And he did. He wiped off the gel and threw both his tissue and Dr. Kuhl's away. After waiting 1 hour and 20 minutes, I was literally in the exam room with Dr. Kuhl for 3 minutes ("everything's normal...you're term, get ready"). I was so hungry (how can you leave a 37-week pregnant lady waiting for an hour at lunch time?!), I was in no mood for small talk. The extra questions will have to wait until next week. I needed to get some food in my belly before I passed out (that's what I felt like anyway). I understand life happens, but at least validate my parking when you're running so far behind (and bring me a bagel)!

In the miscellaneous category, I'm still keeping up with yoga. It's more of a beginner's class, so she's not working me too hard aerobically. I'm able to modify as-needed quite easily. I'm craving everything--food in general is good. I've eaten a lot of sweets between baby showers and birthdays. I'm really, really trying to cut back on my sugar again and reach for those cherry tomatoes, carrots, grapes, and yogurt when I need a quick bite of something. I've been eating a lot of scrambled egg sandwiches with chipotle cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, flavored gourmet popcorn (a gift from a friend), oatmeal and cereal (bien sur!)--especially Life, Oatmeal Squares, and Total Raisin Bran. I'm trying to use Frosted Mini Wheats to fill my sweet cravings these days. I'm still having Braxton Hicks contractions daily; and, yes, they are getting longer, more frequent and more intense!

Auld Lang Syne

Happy 2008!

This is it! The year that our Baby Girl arrives in this world. In fact, the official date is only 12 weeks away! I'm not ready. That statement covers my mental state (can you ever be ready for those all-night "cry...feed...poop...repeat" marathons?) as well as the physical state of affairs in the Goodwin house (mainly the status of the nursery, big brother's baby book, etc.)

Baby Girl rang in her first New Year snug inside my belly at her Uncle Jeff's house in Minnesota. We made it until midnight playing Trivial Pursuit--watched the ball drop and everything (sans champagne toast, of course--but we did get a kiss from her Daddy!) She also went sledding, ice fishing, curling and, of course, got spoiled by her Minnesota Aunties at the Breyen Christmas celebration--including her first book, "Goodnight Gorilla" from Jill and a precious pink & white baby frame for her new nursery from Ju-ju. Grandma & I spent a few days searching the fabric stores in the Bemidji area for just-the-right-fabric for her crib bedding set. I'm thinking pink & white gingham, but can't find the right shade of pink in the scale I want.

Julie took some awesome maternity photos while we were up there, too. She brought her equipment and set up a quasi-studio in the basement. She got some of Baby Girl & me in a few different outfits, some with me and Jason cracking up at each other, some of Nate kissing his sister inside my belly and some family shots. I'm really happy with the selection. Best of all...we had fun doing it!

I'm about to begin my third trimester (wow! that went fast!) She is an active baby--mainly at 10:00 pm as I hunker down for the night, throughout the night and after meals. I've also been heavy on the Braxton-Hicks contractions the past few days. I'm sure it's from the traveling--go! go! go! and dehydration--it was so dry in Minnesota. I need to just sit, drink fluids and put my feet up...but there's so much to do!

Cravings in Minnesota: Cheetos, sugar cookies with almond frosting, Dad's homemade baked fries with ketchup, apples, clementines, milk, ice cold water (the ice cube trays were very accessible on the deck--they stayed frozen pretty well at 15 degrees below 0!), anything the boys (my dad and hubby) made in the kitchen, and chocolate!

In the Beginning (Let's Get You Caught Up)

Well, here it is...our arena to help all of you who care stay up-to-date with the saga of our expanding family. Here's what you might have missed so far:

07 Aug 07 (6 weeks): Found out I was pregnant with a home pregnancy test while on vacation at my parents house in Minnesota. Hubby, Jason, was still in San Antonio. I decided to keep it a surprise.

10 Aug 07: Surprised Jason at San Antonio airport. Nate (DS #1) was wearing an "I'm the Big Brother" T-shirt when we got of the plane. Result: Jason thoroughly confused. I explained, Jason was near tears with excitement.

17 Aug 07 (7 1/2 weeks): Started feeling pretty nauseous. Later found out I did indeed have the flu on top of this preliminary morning sickness (the fever & chills gave it away in the end).

22 Aug 07: "The Scissors Incident." OK, I just needed to be horizontal and have my eyes closed for 15 minutes. "'Bob the Builder' is on, that should hold his attention for the duration," I reasoned. I told Nate (the 2-year-old), "Mommy just needs to close her eyes for a little bit." (It was certainly a physical need.) He proceeded to climb over me on the couch as soon as he saw my eyelids drop. No matter. I was so tired, I slept right through it...until that "mommy instinct" kicked in. He was climbing over my head, but something felt wrong. I threw my arm up toward my head (eyes still closed) and felt something out of place, but couldn't place said object. I opened my eyes to find Nate running a pair of scissors (the big, adult kind) through my hair. Suddenly I was wide awake. I scanned for both of his eyes and both of my eyes--CHECK! Our hair? Still in place. We came through unscathed. "Bob the Builder was still on, so I hadn't been out for too long. How quickly chaos ensues...

27 Aug 07 (9 weeks): Very nauseous. (This time due only to "morning sickness.") Can only eat white bread (especially Mexican bolellos and English muffins) and pineapple juice.

4 Sep 07 (10 weeks): First OB appointment at Wilford Hall--just paperwork & bloodwork

7 Sep 07: Road trip to Corpus Christi--beach & aquarium (Baby likes swimming in the ocean!)

17 Sep 07: Joined gym. Baby is now doing yoga with Mommy 3x per week!

20 Sep 07 (11 1/2 weeks): OB Appt. Nurse Practitioner didn't believe I was 11.5 weeks (I told her I carry LOW), scheduled bonus ultrasound to check dates! *Cravings: add white cake & donuts--especially the mini chocolate-covered ones!

1 Oct 07: Made the big announcement to friends in cyberspace via photo on Nate's webpage.

4 Oct 07 (14 weeks): First ultrasound. It looks like a healthy baby--very active. Apparently I was having a contraction during the exam. I couldn't feel a thing, but the tech said she saw it on the screen. Who knew?

8 Oct 07: Cravings: watermelon, strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, cereal, sour things (grapefruit, lemonade, etc.) Most nausea gone; now just left with the exhaustion!

23 Oct 07: Broke out the maternity jeans today (had been getting away with my knit gauchos, but wanted a change). Also felt first flutters of quickening this week.

26 Oct 07 (16 1/2 weeks): Nate got to hear Baby's heartbeat at OB appointment. His response: "Mommy, that's loud." The appointment was supposed to be yesterday, but the line at the commissary was 40 minutes long! I was forced to chose between buying my family groceries (after spending over an hour strolling the aisles with a toddler) and being on-time for my uneventful appointment. I chose food. They chose to cancel.

4 Nov 07 (18 weeks): Jason and I felt Baby's first good kicks while lying in bed.

07 Nov 07: Cravings: ham sandwiches with butter, apples and string cheese, lemonade, orange juice, carrots, oatmeal and, yes, pickles!