hello baby || 30 weeks

my cousin Torri + I at my family shower a couple weeks ago...

weight gain: I should cross this one out since I DESPISE bringing it up... lol. buuuuttt... it is a part of being pregnant, so whatever. I gained about 2 lbs. since my last update, which is right on track with what I'm supposed to and works with my goal too!!!

morning sickness/tiredness: feeling much more lethargic again... I've actually scheduled myself two "rest times" everyday, with plans that one of them has to be a nap. 

cravings: cheesy potatoes- the kind with corn flakes in them... brownies. boiled eggs. cheesecake. a mancino's grinder or a sub would work too. cottage cheese. 

movement: lots and lots of good hard kicks. generally in the ribs. and finally being able to just feel big random movements in general is pretty cool! Oh, and I forgot to mention that she likes to randomly punch my bladder. ^_^ ahem.

other stuff: Well, I was able to ward off the nasty cold going around for quite a while, but my body finally gave in... Its been just a little so far, and I've been consistent with taking the meds my nurse prescribed. And I've been consuming inhumane amounts of water. Oh, and I've been completely lazy. my comfy bed is my BFF!

I'm starting to make almost hourly bathroom trips{particularly at night}, which makes life all sorts of interesting. 

I did fine with my blood work{YAY!?}- I didn't even get light headed! Thankfully my sister came with me, and she was a very very good distracter! Now the shot was a slightly different story. I stayed conscious, but man it HURT!!!! Sissy said the needle was about 4 inches long. {and she is NOT an exaggerator!} I jumped.

I've been washing lots of little tiny outfits, and its SO. MUCH. FUN! Even Josh gets excited when I show him what new piece I found!! I'm really starting to feel prepared, although there is tons of organizing and cleaning to do!

I signed up for a site called Ravelry, and I'm really looking forward to starting on some crochet projects like booties + hats!!!!

Abigail Gracelyn Ann || how we named our baby girl

We get a lot of reactions when people hear the name we picked for our baby girl. Some of course think its pretty. Some joke about how long it is{yep, no quarrel there}, and others ask if there is a story behind it.

Choosing a name for our little one was a somewhat daunting task for Josh and I. Names are important to us, and it was even more important that each name have significance rather than just be a cute name.

Long ago we decided that we wanted first names to be from the Bible, or Bible based, although we do have a couple farther down on the list that aren't either. After a lot of discussion we also decided we wanted to go with 2 middle names- the first being after a relative, and the second after a hero of faith.

So here's the rest of the story...

Abigail: father's joy 

ABIGAIL has always been one of my favorite Bible characters and a favorite name of both Josh and I, but it became even more meaningful to me when I found out it was one of Josh's dad's favorite names. And since he isn't here to meet his precious granddaughter, we wanted him to be a part of her that she will always remember. We know he would have been so happy and overjoyed to welcome her into the family!

We pray that she will bring joy not only to her daddy and her grandpa up in heaven, but also that she would accept Jesus as her Savior and live to bring her heavenly Father joy with her whole life.

Gracelyn: graceful waterfall

GRACELYN is after my mama{Lynn}. I first heard it about a year ago, and fell in love with it. We are praying that she will learn to be graceful in all that she does so that she will reflect people to Christ!

Ann: gracious

ANN is actually after two people- Ann Judson and Josh's mom. Ann{+Adoniram} Judson is one of my favorite life stories. She had to have a lot of faith to survive the mission field, but she did the best she could in some of the most horrible of situations. We pray that little Abigail will do the same if she is ever in a place of difficulty!

So there's the "story" of how we decided to name our baby girl! <3

hello baby || 28 weeks

weight gain: gaining slowly, but surely. Trying desperately to stay under my goal, but I have this nagging feeling that its not working.

morning sickness/tiredness: I've been feeling much more energetic, and been getting lots more done. I still need lots of extra sleep, but I feel much more rested.

cravings: pickle's. and cheese. and apple cider. and other than that I really rarely feel like eating. =/

movement: We finally figured out how to get some major movements despite the placenta placement. #1. Eat lotsa coffee cookies. Like the equivalent to 3 or 4 cups worth of coffee. #2. "trap" her from both sides. Okay, so "trap" sounds a little too aggressive, but putting pressure on both sides really gets her going! ^_^

other stuff: I had 2 baby showers this week with my last scheduled for Friday. I feel pretty well equipped, although I will have to get a few smaller things. I've also been doing tons of reading, so I feel as prepared as I possibly could be without having birthed a baby before. I'm so thankful my mama's going to be there with us- I know she's going to be a huge support! 

I found out totally unexpectedly that I am Rh- which means that I have to get a shot this week on top of all the normal bloodwork they do at this point. fasting blood work no less. I'm really praying and hoping I can stay conscience this time. haha. No expectations there though. {I have a track record of passing out from both bloodwork and shots.}

HELLO BABY || 25 WEEKS

weight gain: STILL at the 15{ish}lb mark. I think I've gained a pound or two since my last update, which I'm thankful for!

morning sickness/tiredness: the past couple weeks have been pretty tiring for me. We've been just going constantly. My mom is finishing up every day radiation tomorrow, and I think I will be able to be a little more rested after that. 

cravings: PIZZA. all I've been wanting lately is pizza. And then pickles and cantaloupe and orange juice. taco's are usually good too, if I don't have anything else on hand. Oh, and ice cream sandwiches! 

movement: Still not been able to feel much on the outside, although Josh was able to feel some kicks yesterday. Late last night I could feel several pretty good kicks on the outside too -that was a first because its usually only a couple very light kicks.

other stuff: I'm starting to get a cold, and I'm praying it doesn't get too bad. I've been having a lot more trouble with my eyes lately- everything is blurry, even with my glasses on... which is kind of weird{but I've heard its normal}. I feel like I need more room in my belly because everything is getting squished... and at the same time I feel like I really popped out the past couple weeks...

Hello Baby || 23 weeks

weight gain: I'm at the 15{ish}lb mark, but I've been stuck here for the past 5 weeks... In one way its a relief, since I gained pretty fast to start, but its also got me slightly worried. My midwife didn't say anything though, and I'm measuring right on{to the day}, so I guess I'm good.

morning sickness: Ironically I think my body is slightly different than most... I've actually had more nauseousness in the 2nd trimester than I did in the first. But thankfully its usually around when I head to bed, and hasn't interfered with anything!

cravings: Still haven't had much of an appetite, but when I do, I love all things spicy. Like my hubby's homemade salsa made into queso. I've also been going for spam sandwhiches{although it sounds absolutely disgusting at the moment} and donuts! caramel apples{which we've been getting in abundance thanks to my sister working at a apple orchard} are really good too!

movement: After a few weeks of feeling practically nothing{which had me quite worried to be honest}, Little Abigail is back to kicking pretty good multiple times a day. My midwife told me that I would probably feel even more, but the placenta is currently cushioning a lot of movement. Josh and my sister were both able to feel some tiny kicks this week! =)

other stuff: I'm thinking about setting up a chiropractor appointment soon... My back is bothering me a bit, and I can't seem to get it to crack anymore... :( 

quite often I have a strong urge to just walk. thankfully we've been able to fit it in a few times. 

my feet have been swelling a little bit, but I've also been on my feet quite a lot lately.