Alot's Been Going On Lately...

I have entered the THIRD TRIMESTER and our little guy is now shares the weight of a Chinese Cabbage at 2 1/4 POUNDS! It's amazing to think I am carrying around something that doesn't weight ounces anymore... this time is going by fast now, just like everyone says.

I attended my first La Leche League meeting the other day. It was actually a little weird for me. I say this because the group is so new and I expected to learn something, but I felt I could have taught the class. I think the root of the problem (not that it's a problem) is that my mom purchased "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" for me BEFORE we were even pregnant and I've read it now twice. I am SO committed to Breastfeeding, I refuse to be conquered because of my lack-of-knowledge. Also, I thought the classes were for newborns and younger children but the instructor had her 4-year-old son in attendance and he was very disruptive. Luckily, there's another LLL class in my area, so I'm going to attend this one also so that I can decide what the best option for lowercase g and me is.
Graham and I attended our first Bradley Class with Natural Beginnings in Richardson. I was actually nervous about attending this class but also excited to be educated about the process of labor. The Bradley Method is also called the "Husband Coached Childbirth" so the class is really for Graham because I'm pretty sure I'm going to forget anything I've learned while in the thick of labor. Bradley is also the opposite of Lamaze; Lamaze teaches you to focus on quick repetitive breathing and Bradley teaches you to use deep-breathing and relaxing techniques to get you through contractions. So, the class is six-weeks and we didn't get to attend the first class but we can make it up. But, we really enjoyed it! Right now we are trying to work on relaxing together. Graham and I DO love on each other (such as hugging and cuddling) but Bradley suggests that the husband constantly stay in contact with their wives and feel out any tension during labor. This was hard for us to do because Graham and I wrestle and play together so much... in relaxation, I thought he was going to hurt me by using a pressure point or sticking his fingers in my ribs. He didn't, so it will take us a little while to get where I can relax WHILE Graham is touching me.

I also had to go see my midwife yesterday, unexpectedly. I came down with a UTI and they are concerned that I am going to in pre-term labor (I guess some women can't tell the difference between labor and a bladder infection?!). It's scary thinking that pre-term labor is a distinct possibility for us now (because of how many weeks we are) but it's also reassuring to know that little g will be with us whenever he is ready. I'm also a little comforted in knowing that if our little one was to join us early he most likely will be O.K. The hardest part would be leaving him in the NICU. But, on to some positive thoughts!

Our first shower is coming up very quickly and we're SO excited. We can't wait to see everyone and celebrate with them!!! 

26 Weeks | 98 Days!

Graham Alden is now the length of an English Cucumber! Wow -- he's really growing now. 

Recently, our friend Sybil gave us her stethascope to better hear our little one but, it's so quite we don't typically hear him as well as we'd hoped. He's starting to move a lot more now when I get hungry (I think it's because he can hear my tummy growling).

We've also recently found out that our two friends, Pat & Veronica (which are due on ALMOST the same date) and Nina & Jason are BOTH having stinky-inky girls. Congratulations guys! Our little one will have his hands full with both Gabriella and Kaily.

I thought it was interesting to find out that this week Graham's ears are so sensitive that he can hear conversations between other people and myself. Thank Goodness -- I'm sure for a while there he thought I was crazy! Haha...

Finally, upon receiving the 26 week e-newsletter, I thought this comic was hilarious for how I am feeling right now.

Grahams Thoughts: Issue 4

So after several equations, bar graphs, and long division problems I have precisely calculated our little boy being here in less than 100 days! How FREAKING exciting!! I know I know...to some of you 100 days probably still seems like a long time but I don't wanna hear it. I am gonna tell you..I am pretty scared about bringing him home the first day/night. I will probably not sleep at all...for the 1st week...or 2! Anyways...I still get so excited about feeling and now SEEING him kick through her shirt. Racheal Zoe project coming on now..IM OUT

My Inspiring Friend Dena

I just wanted to post a quick blog about how great my friend Dena is! She is so inspiring because she is such a savvy mom and we can all learn to be a little more savvy (especially when having a baby). She is also so giving with advice and hand-me-downs. She invited Graham and I over for dinner and we left with a car full of great items that we are so happy she choose to share with us.

She has also tuned me in to giveaways, Metroplex Baby and consignment sales like:
www.divineconsign.net
www.rhealana.com
http://nrichlandhills.jbfsale.com/

Thanks Dena for being so helpful through this whole pregnancy! I am so lucky to have a friend like you.

Our 4th Midwife Appointment

Little Graham is the size of a Rutabega this week! WOW -- he's getting big.

Today we had our fourth appointment at The Birth & Woman's Center. This time we were able to meet with Cherie, which was a great opportunity. At the BWC there is, luckly, two midwives. Throughout our pregnancy, at our appointments, we will have either met with Cherie or Carol and we normally meet with Carol, so today was a treat. We would be happy with either Midwife during labor though, as they are both patient and as excited about our pregnancy as we are (and I'm sure it gets exhausting acting excited to EACH pregnant couple that comes in).

During the appointment they measured our little guy and determined he is exactly where he needs to be. They took the normal blood pressure test and we got to hear his strong heartbeat with the Doppler. The heartbeat part is always mine and Graham's favorite because it is the equal to us seeing him on a sonogram (we don't get to see him again until he has arrived, unless there is a problem). Then we sat and talked with Cherie. I asked questions about ticks (since I got one during camping) and she made a note but advised us not to worry because Lyme disease can only be transmitted if the tick is attached to your skin for over a week!! WHO KNEW?! Then we asked her about another recommendation for a Bradley class that was in Fort Worth because the one they advise is all the way in Dallas. Finally we chatted with her about using a Doula (or Birth Assistant) and she calmed our fears that if Graham and I are knowledgeable about birth and labor that Graham will make a great labor coach for me! Plus, I will be surrounded by my mom, my sister, Graham's mom, my sister-in-law and my best friend Sybil --- which four out of five have already been through this process... so they are sure to be experts!

Finally, we discovered that the next appointment is in one month and then after that we will need to go back to see the Midwife twice a month... where did the time go?! It seems like just yesterday we were setting up all of the appointment dates and I was thinking, "It's going to take forever until we have to come up here twice a month." Before the next appointment I have to drink this horrible looking orange glucose drink. I'll let you know how that goes... it's never good if the Midwife says, "I've heard it's better if you refrigerate it."

******Official Name Change******

Ok my Dad has finally come around and has given us his blessing to use our family name. He originally didn't want us to use it because no one that has been given this name has liked it.... but WE love it and think it is a great way to pay homage to my side of the family.

Our little one's name with officially be:

Graham Alden Quattlebaum

We *LOVE* it... and hope that little G does too!

Jitter-Bug Me :-(

Something weird happened last night... I've somehow started a routine of getting a good nights rest every other night. So, I just figured that last night was going to be one of the good nights. However, I was awaken, as I am every night, to use the restroom. Normally when I return to bed I quickly go back to sleep. Last night it was horrible, I was tossing and turning, my mind was racing and I couldn't sit still. It was literally like I drank two grande mocha's. My breathing was super fast too so I first tried to slow this down. Didn't work... then I tried to calm my racing mind... Didn't work. After about an hour, I told myself that I wasn't going to toss and turn so I made myself lay in the same place for as long as it took me to go back to sleep. It worked -- although it made me cranky. It was like someone was telling me how uncomfortable I was and I was trying to argue that if I didn't lay still that I would never be able to go back to sleep. Finally, I did fall back to sleep.

I don't know if this is normal every once in a while -- but enough with the weird symptoms of pregnancy. I don't think I can take any more surprise symptoms with someone else telling me it's 'normal'. I'm finally settling in to being little G's incubator but PLEASE DON'T TAKE THE FEW GOOD NIGHTS OF SLEEP I HAVE LEFT IN MY LIFE!!!