Lightbulb!

I was reading the Other People's Chicken blog and a post she wrote about gardenias hit me like a ton of bricks. (I also must credit the lovely picture above to Miss Chicken.) Here's a part of the post:

I know it might seem strange, me having a crush on a flowering shrub, but I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it. The captivating fragrance, the waxy white flowers that look like they were fashioned out of fondant, the way it always knows just what to say when I've had a hard day. I'm driving the children crazy with gardenia arrangements in every room, not to mention my theatrical proclamations each time we leave the house. BEAUTIFUL! I yell as we pass the shrub each morning on our way out the door, sometimes forcing them to stop and inhale. I feel so lucky, and yet-it's only for a while. We're not always going to live here, that's for darn sure. In this house, this city....on earth. And I don't want to miss a thing, not anymore, so I'm going to savor it all. Right down to the gardenias.  


That's how I've been feeling!! I finally have an answer to my unspoken question! I've been smelling (more like hyperventilating) this oh-so-amazing, wonderful, intoxicating scent for some time now and although I didn't know what it was as it wafted through our open windows, I knew I never wanted it to go away. Ever. The scent alone was making me weepy to leave Knoxville because I just know they weren't going to have air that smells like this in brown, windy Wyoming. And now it's been confirmed. Gardenias don't grow there. They're a southern flower. But at least I'm not alone in my magnolia-induced drunkeness. And that makes me feel a little better. Now I'm just hoping I can find a magnolia-scented candle that smells just like it does outside. Yeah right. (But for those of you who may actually know of such a thing, because I'm still going to hold to the hope that somewhere out there there IS a company that has developed a magic formula to emanate the real smells of nature and not just a poor perfumy replica, and you're familiar with this heavenly magnolia smell, seriously, PLEASE please please buy several of whatever it is and I will pay you back. With interest!! I am willing to pay big bucks to take this smell with me.)

24 Weeks - 111 days to go

This week: 24 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Let's put it this way...I'm on track to set records... As of yesterday I have gained 19 pounds. The pregnancy books all say that I should gain a TOTAL of 25 pounds for the ENTIRE pregnancy. Yeaaaah.
Sleep: Not too shabby. I get hot flashes periodically in the middle of the night because my preggers pillow keeps me plenty warm so I have to stay uncovered for awhile to cool off but it hasn't been bad enough that I can't sleep.
Best moment of the week: My coworkers had a baby shower for me over the lunch hour today. It was so thoughtful and so sweet because I felt like it was something they didn't have to do. I barely work directly with them and we only talk to each other periodically so I didn't form any strong relationships with any of them. And yet, they wanted me to feel appreciated and they totally did a good job! And there were cupcakes. 'Nuff said.

Also, although this wouldn't normally be considered a "best" moment, I had my glucose test yesterday and the drink that I had to take wasn't NEAR as bad as everyone said it would be. I was very nervous about that and was very pleasantly surprised to find it palatable.
Movement: Constant. Within the last couple of days, the kicks and movements in general have been getting stronger. Sometimes I feel movement from both sides of my belly at the same time which is just straaange. And I can often feel just movement inside without even seeing or feeling any kicks from the outside. That's also really strange. I still mistake some of the movement for something else like just general stomach bubbles or body twinges but then I remind myself that no, it's actually a baby.
Food cravings: Movie popcorn which has initiated two seperate dates to the movies the past two weekends. That's like the most we've gone almost the entire 9 months we've lived here! But like all the other cravings, I'm over it now. No more popcorn for me. It doesn't even sound good. The sugar cravings are even getting a tiny bit better but that one definitely holds the record so far for longest craving in my pregnancy.
Gender: Boy
What I miss: Being able to bend over or move without feeling like I'm taxing myself. Seriously, I feel every pound that I've gained; it's ridiculous. Packing for our move has been quite the chore. I'm really only good for about two hours at a time and then I've gotta take a rest. (I don't think DJ minds that part one bit!)
What I am looking forward to: Preparing my new house for the baby - I can't wait to decorate a little space for him and set up all his clothes and toys and supplies in organized little drawers and containers. I'm also looking forward to getting our cloth diapers and mentally preparing myself for that whole process.
Weekly wisdom: Something I've been hearing a lot lately is to take it easy when packing and moving to Wyoming. Well-meaning advice for sure but it's hard to know what's "taking it easy" and what's overdoing it. I'm just trying to listen to my body. Hummmmmmmmmm... ("Listening to my body" always sounds so hippiesh to me even though I know it's true.)
Milestones: We have a little 12 incher now. He actually might be smaller than that given his genetics but I'd like to think that he's at least a foot long now. I'd also like to point out at this point that although I'm expecting them at some point, so far, no stretch marks!! Woo hoo! I have started to lotion up at night though since it feels like I'm growing more and more, but I know nothing will stop the inevitable. But oh man, that cocoa butter does smell good!

Becoming one with nature - Part 2

After the previous weekend was such a disappointment from being stormed out, we decided to postpone our packing for one more weekend and try camping again. And this time, it was great for all 24 hours. Instead of just the 4 we enjoyed the weekend before.

We loaded up the car once again and this time remembered to buy our firewood before we got to the campground. Good looking firewood, huh?


We successfully set up our cozy tent again. Well, DJ did and I took pictures.


And then it was time to reeeelax. And take more pictures.




Oh, see that fire? I should mention that DJ started that fire with no matches. He's an old pro now ya know. What can I say? Just poof! Let there be fire!

Ok, some old coals that were left smoking in the pit may have helped a little but still...impressive, eh?


Maia did some exploring. I think she has the easiest job of any of us of becoming one with nature. She fits right in.








More chillaxin'...




And then it was time for a little hike to the lake that we never even got to see on our last trip to the campground.



Goooorgeous!!!

It was as beautiful as we'd been told. There was a great little path that went all the way around the lake but that was about 3.5 miles so we just went a little ways. We found a huge spillway that had a cement bridge going across it and made that our turnaround point. It was a beautiful walk through the woods and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. Juuuuust right.









After the hike, it was time for some very important matters to be taken care of. And that would be...

...roasted marshmallows. Myfirst couple of attempts resulted in burnt marshmallows.

But I got better as the night wore on. By the end of the night, not only were the coals perfect, but they aided in roasting perfectly brown marshmallows. DJ, on the other hand, burns his marshmallows, on purpose. I've never heard of such a crazy notion.

The rest of the night was perfectly uneventful. It got very cold at night but our tent was oh so cozy. I was also hoping and praying that, for once, I wouldn't have to get up in the middle of the night, as is the usual these days, to make a trek to the bathroom but, no such luck. I got to enjoy the campground during even the wee hours of the night.

It was a beautiful campround, a wonderful experience and one that we hope to repeat again once we get to Wyoming!

Becoming one with nature

DJ and I decided to get a camping trip in before we left the beautiful Smoky mountains. Our first attempt was going splendidly -- we found the perfect site with only one visible neighbor, we got the tent set up for the first time with no problems (or arguments),

we got a great campfire going also with no arguments (we tend to argue a lot when we don't know what we're doing, or rather when one or the other person thinks they know what they are doing and doesn't think the other person does),

we made some mac & cheese with DJ's new Jet Boil, improvising where necessary when we realized we forgot certain things,

and we cooked some hot dogs after I whittled a stick with some scissors that we could (sort of) lodge the hot dog on long enough to get some heat on it.

It was all so great and sure, we knew there was a little rain in the forecast but heck, we had one weekend to make use of our new camping supplies in the great Tennessee wilderness and I was not about to let a little rain spoil our plans.

AND THEN....

The weather decided it didn't care what kind of stubborn will I was planning to exude in order to become one with nature, and it let loose its fury anyway. Or rather, the campground host notified us, and the rest of the campground, that all heck was going to break loose any minute in the form of 75 mph winds and a tornado watch and that we should definitely consider leaving.

LEAVING?!?! Wha...

But, but...we just set everything up, my perfectly padded bed was waiting for me to sleep on it, marshmallows were calling my name from the trunk of the car, we hadn't even seen the beautiful gorgeous lake that we had heard so much about.

My mind started working. Maybe we can tough it out. I mean, really how strong are 75 mph winds anyway?? I'm sure our trusty little tent could handle it - it wasn't even fluttering with the breezes as it was. And then we were told that last time they had to take shelter in the bathrooms, there were only 50 mph winds and these were expected to be at least 20 mph faster. Ummm yeah....that's all we needed to hear. Let's get the heck out of here!! We probably set a record for how fast we got everything packed in, rolled up and thrown back into the car before leaving a puff a dust in our wake as we shot out of the campground, followed by many others who also decided to make the same kind of getaway.

We made it back Knoxville as the rain came down, mind you, no winds were playing a part in the part of the storm that we saw, but we decided it was better to be safe than sorry and the radio stations were saying that there was a huge storm coming. We were so disappointed. We had spent a total of 4 hours at the campground.

So we decided to try it again the next weekend... (to be continued)

22 Weeks

This week: 22 weeks and it's amazing how much BIGGER I feel. Kinda huge actually.
Total weight gain/loss: hmmm, that's a good question. I haven't weighed myself since my last appointment so I guess I'll find out the answer at my next appointment.
Sleep: It varies. We've had to start sleeping with the air conditioner on because it just gets too darn hot during the day and it never cools off in the house at night, no matter how wide open are windows are. So pre-air conditioner, the sleep wasn't so hot...well, actually it was too hot...but you know what I mean. But now that it's cooler in our house and I'm using my pregger pillow, the sleep is actually pretty good! AND...this is big news...I actually went TWO nights last week where I didn't wake up in the middle of the night to pee!!! Small victories people. Small victories.
Best moment of the week: Every time our little boy kicks is the best moment and actually this morning, he was moving so much right before I got out of bed that I just laid there longer so I could feel his movements. He was turning somersaults for sure.
Movement: So busy in there and I'm enjoying it as much as I can now since everyone tells me it's not so great later when he gets elbows and feet in my ribs. Fun fun.
Food cravings: Oh the cravings. Sugar definitely. I'm trying to limit that although you could say I'm taking baby steps in that direction. It just always sounds SO GOOD.
Gender: Muchacho
What I miss: Sitting in a chair and not having my ribs hurt. OR Sleeping a full night and waking up the next morning thinking the night went by too fast. OR Shopping for summer clothes that are cute and fun rather than looking at the clothes and thinking, nope, can't buy that 'cause I'll only wear it for a few months. Soooo, there's kind of a lot but I don't really try to dwell on those things too much. It'll just be nice when I get some of that back.
What I am looking forward to: Trying out camping again this weekend - last weekend didn't go so well (more about that later) so we're gonna give it another go. Oh and the movie we're planning to see on Friday night - Iron Man 2. Can't wait for the popcorn! We're trying to get all those activities in that we won't be able to do as much later.
Weekly wisdom: Lately it's been all about diapers - cloth diapers to be exact. Since we've made the decision to go that route, I've been trying to gather as much information as possible and those that use cloth diapers are full of GREAT information!
Milestones: Little dude is about 1 whole pound now! That means I can now say that although I may have gained 10 pounds, it's really only 9 pounds. Nice.

Thought Bursts - Baby

I wanted to document some random thoughts that I've been having lately regarding the baby so I'll remember them later on. My mind, it seems, never shuts off anymore, not even at night. If it's not planning the future, it's stirring up some pretty wacko dreams. So here's some of those thought bursts.

• I love love love feeling the baby move and each time I haven't felt him move for awhile, I start anticipating his next movement. Even better, is feeling him move with my hands so I often rest my hands on my stomach hoping that he will sense my touch. I really do think he knows too when I am placing my hands on him because it almost seems inevitable that he will kick once I have put my hand on my stomach. Love it!
• I can't wait to begin breastfeeding and feel like that will be the best bonding experience with my son. I have dreams about what it will be like when he is here and I can only hope and pray that it will be an easy, " not painful" experience. I know that many women have lots of issues with breastfeeding and it often prevents them from continuing the process until they get it right. I am SO hoping that isn't me and I can keep at it until we get a rhythm going. I so want to continue breastfeeding until 6 months at the very least, hopefully longer. We'll see.
• So wacky dreams... the wackiest lately was about aliens taking over the world and it was so interesting that I didn't want to wake up. Even though these aliens were not very friendly, I guess I didn't feel like my life was in too much danger because I kept wanting to go back to sleep to see what was going to happen! It was such a real dream, like most of them are these days. I have never been one to dream much at night so these dream-filled nights are certainly new and something to get used to! Sometimes I don't even feel like I've slept at night because I've been so busy in my dreams!
• I already love my baby soooo much and I just can't imagine what it will feel like when I see his face for the very first time. I can just feel this little bit of emotion bubbling up every time I think about him and I know that as soon as I see his sweet little face, the emotion is just going to erupt. Kind of like a volcano. I can't wait to meet him! Even DJ said this weekend that he wished the baby was here already and I totally knew what he meant. On the flip side though, I am trying to get things in that I won't be able to do, or at least do as often, once the little guy gets here. I know my world will drastically change once he makes his grand entrance.
• I feel 9 months pregnant already and it scares me a little bit to think about what I'm going to feel like when I actually AM 9 months pregnant. Oh joy.

I'll have more belly pictures later this week!