You've Come A Long Way, Baby!

Hello!  As usual, it has been awhile.  Things are going great here.  We've really been enjoying the summer....even in the hot Texas sun.  Having a pool has been an absolute GODSEND.  When we first looked at homes here, we thought we'd be fine buying a place with no pool, but in a subdivision that has it's own community pool.  I am so glad we bought a home with a pool.  We use it ALL THE TIME and it's so easy to just walk right outside and get in.  No packing for the pool, no awkward trips to the community pool bathrooms and no "scene" when it's time to get out.  But, best of all, I don't have to worry about Ben getting lost in a sea of children.  

Speaking of Mr. Ben....I have to brag on him a bit.  Other than a few trips to Grandma and Grandpa Reynolds' house, Ben's experience with pools (that aren't baby pools) has been nil until we moved here.  The pool has been in use approximately 3 months now and he has pretty much taught himself to swim. He is absolutely fearless in the water (which means I have to watch him like a hawk).  He jumps off the side, swims with his face in the water (eyes open, no goggles) and has been wanting to go sans arm floaties over the past month.  Soooo, we started official swim lessons yesterday and he did GREAT!  His teacher couldn't believe how well he did.  She said to me, "Well, you know, he can swim by himself.  I'm just trying to teach him to really use his arms to full capacity".  There are 3 other kids in his class (all who have been going for awhile) and he was just as good, if not better, than all of them.  I was blown away.  So, maybe the swim team is in his future ;-)  Can you tell I'm a proud mama?  Here is a pic from a month or two ago....

 And now, some baby bump pics.  Just like in my last post, these pictures are horrible.  All but one was taken with my iPhone....so I apologize.

17 Weeks

18 Weeks--you may need to squint to see this one.  I should have cropped it, but I'm lazy.

I don't have any pics from 19 or 20 weeks, but I do have one of Ben with my 18 week ultrasound photo.  Can you tell he's excited to be a big brother?

 Speaking of my 18 week ultrasound, it was also my detailed anatomy scan where they measure everything to make sure baby is developing properly.  Turns out SHE is doing wonderfully.  I had to go in for a second anatomy scan due to her not being in the right position to get all the necessary measurements the first time around.  I went back this week (at 24 weeks) and the doc was able to get all the right measurements this time (and re-confirm she is still a girl).  She said everything measured wonderfully and looked 100% normal, so that is a big weight off my shoulders.  Her size is a "textbook perfect" 1lb 11 oz at 24 weeks, 3 days.  I went to a perinatal doc (read: high-risk doc) for the anatomy scans due to some family history and also my age :-/  (apparently being in the over 35 set makes you geriatric). But now that everything has been measured and looks great, I no longer have to back there.  I'll only see my normal OB from here on out.  I'm glad the perinatal office did my anatomy scans though, because the doc herself did the scan.... as opposed to an ultrasound tech.  She explained everything to me as she went along too, so that was nice.

Ok, enough talk, more pics.....

21 weeks---This is the week I started getting some good baby kicks!!  Now I feel them several times a day...so strong it moves my stomach and clothing :-)

22 weeks--This is the week I really started to pop!  I was at my mom and dad's house for the 4th of July here.

23 weeks--get out your glasses again to see this one...sorry!

24 weeks--well, this one is a decent size pic, but so dark.  Again....sorry!

24 weeks again---Front view...just to mix it up a bit ;-)

As far as how I'm feeling, I don't think things could be any better.  I don't know if it's just because I had such a hard time in the first trimester and I'm comparing everything to that, but my energy is through the roof.  I exercise 6 days a week, so I think that is really helping.  Nothing too strenuous, just a 45 min speed walk (I usually go approx. 3.25 miles in that time period) followed by a 20-30 min session of light strength work (I alternate arms and legs).  Unfortunately, in addition to my energy being through the roof...so is my weight gain.  I've put on a good 19lbs and I'm 2 days shy of 25 weeks.  EEEK!!!  The gain has been very steady (about 1 lb a week) which is what the doc wants to see at this point, but it sure isn't easy watching that scale creep up and up.  Oh well, it is what it is.  I eat much healthier now than I did pre-pregnancy and I'm exercising, so that's all I can do.  The recommended weight gain is 25-35lb total.  If I continue on my 1 lb a week schedule, that will put me right at 35 lb and that's fine with me.  I was on the low end of "normal" weight for my height to start with anyway, so I'm OK with that.  It's all for a good cause, right? 

Well, I think that's enough jibber-jabbering for now.  Hope you didn't fall asleep.  

Hope you all had a great 4th of July!!  

Brooke