Oh Deer!

"Dot"

My parents are in Tucson visiting my brother and his family so I am in charge of the dogs while they are gone. This morning I drove down the hill from our house to their house and when I got close to the driveway I saw a little brown blob curcled up at the end of the driveway. "Oh no!! A dead baby deer!" I thought. I quickly got out of my car and cautiously approached the tiny baby fawn. She lifted her head and I was so glad she was ok.

Finding baby deer in my parents yard is quite common. Apparently they have a good yard for birthing. The mom's have their babies then leave to go find food and rest so they can come back full of energy to take care of their baby. I was just worried that it was so close to the street. My parents street is a cul-de-sac and isn't busy with cars, at all really, but I wanted to get it into the yard, and maybe some shade since the mom probably wouldn't be back for hours and it was getting hot. Slowly the fawn woke up and then on it's wobbly legs stood up. At that point it started weaving in and out of my legs like a cat would do. It thought I was it's mom. It was nuzzling and looking for food. For which I obviously didn't have. Poor "Dot."

I started telling Dot to follow me, trying to get it her into the grassy yard and shade but under my car it went. It is a tiny little fawn but she is tall. Somehow she managed to wriggle her way and get comfy. At this point I'm thinking, "Great. I have to leave at some point and I'm going to back up and the fawn is going to lift it's head and I'm going to kill a baby deer."

So, I got in my car and put it in neutral and slowly rolled forward. I went far enough to where I thought the fawn would be out from under the car and then there went Dot, back under the car. "Geez!" I thought. But, this time she went further to the side of the car and finally came out into the grass and went and curled up by a tree. 

So, with that I could finally go check on my parents animals. When I came back out Dot was still there, curled up by the tree. She's so sweet. I wish I could've kept her but I know babies grow into adults and adults just aren't as cute and fun as babies...so I left Dot there. 

Daddy Felt Baby!!

This baby is so active tonight! I have been feeling the baby from the outside, when I put my hand on my belly for a couple weeks now and I've been feeling flutters grow into little kicks and punches for about a month or so. But, each time I try and get Blake to feel it s/he stops! Of course...that's how it always works right?

Well, tonight I called Blake in the room (I'm curled up in bed watching tv...baby's favorite time to move about) and Blake gave me the look like, "here we try again..." but when he put his hand on my belly but this time he felt it!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited. I love feeling this baby move about all day and wanted nothing more than for Blake to feel it.

A few weeks ago we thought he had felt it because he had his hand on my belly and the second I felt the baby move we both at the same time looked at each other excitedly and said, "did you feel that?!" But, we were both still sort of unsure. "Did you really feel it?" I asked. "yeah, I think so but it was so light I'm not sure." But with baby getting bigger and stronger this time was for real, for real. :) No questioning, "was that it?" So, either way I'm so excited and happy that Daddy got to feel his baby. We can't wait for her/him to be here!!!

The tiny feet that are kicking about...

23 Weeks

How Far Along: 23 weeks

Fruit/Object: It's about the size of a small baby doll.

I'm thinking it's the size of those tiny dolls from the Dollar Store...those little babies that are filled with tiny foam balls. You know the ones??

Size: Baby weighs in at a little over a pound. From head to toe is 11.5 to 12.5 inches long.

Baby weighs as much as a large carton of strawberries!

Baby changes: Your little doll-sized babe is about to chub up a bit. His saggy skin will start to fit his frame as fat deposits fill things out. Beginning this week, he'll start to pack on the pounds. Right now, your baby's organs and bones are visible through his skin, which has a red hue due to developing veins and arteries beneath. But once those fat deposits settle in, he'll become less transparent.

Also, something I read that I find SO funny is this week is the week Baby sprouts nipples! Who knew?!

Best Moment this past week: Baby is moving more and more and I am really enjoying it for now...until the tiny kicks and punches get really fierce and hurt!

Food Craving: Nothing is still  sounding great right now. I guess from the beginning I've loved spaghetti...but I always have...but that always hits the spot. Must be the carbs.

mmmmmm!

What I miss: Nothing…
Sleep: Waking up to relieve my bladder earlier now. So, almost up two times per night around 1:30 and then again around 5:45...15 minutes before my alarm goes off. I know when I wake up I only have 15 more minutes to snuggle up in bed and it makes me need to go to the bathroom even more. Dang it!
What I am looking forward to: This weekend is Memorial Day so we get Monday off! Yay! And, Friday I am working from home so that'll be four days of NO TRAFFIC. Woo-hoo!

Symptoms: I'm definetly experiencing some of the not so fun pregnancy side effects this week but I'll spare you the details. For the most part I'm feeling great and feeling really blessed that I've had such a great pregnancy. Yay!

22 weeks

How Far Along: This week marks 22 weeks…last week of my 5th month.

Fruit/Object: Papaya

Size: Baby weighs in at a pound!! Baby is 11 – 12 inches long.

Next time you pick up your bag of coffee at the grocery store think about Baby. Aa 1 lb. bag of coffee is how much Baby weighs now.

Baby changes: Baby is getting taste buds this week!! Crazy, right?! Baby is also developing it’s sense of touch. Though it’s eyes are still fused shut Baby can perceive light and dark now. Baby’s hearing is also getting better.

Best Moment this past week: Our friends Jennifer and Cayman found out they are having a….GIRL! :) Since we aren’t finding out it was exciting to vicariously celebrate through them. LOL! I can’t wait to find out what all my other pregnant friends are having too! So fun! Also, last weekend we went to my brother-in-law’s graduation. He is now DR. CHRISTOPHER ALAN MORROW! Congrats Brother Chris! We also went to register this past weekend which was fun. There is SO much baby stuff out there!!

Food Craving: Nothing really ever sounds good. Then, I let myself get so hungry that I get sick to my stomach. This is very gross I know, and my husband reminds me of that fact all the time, but Taco Bell is the only thing that sounds good to me lately.

Haha!! Gross...but it's what satisfies at the moment. :)

What I miss: Nothing…

Sleep: Still pretty much the same…up once or twice a night to relieve my bladder. Fun times!!

What I am looking forward to: Well, we get another ultra sound in 4 weeks. Doc said not to worry, so I'm not. Apparently the way the baby was positioned at the first ultrasound they didn't get good images as they would've liked of the heart and the face. So, my favorite part is the ultrasounds because I can "see" my baby so I am looking forward to seeing how much it's changed since 18 weeks. I will be 26 weeks at the next appointment and 8 weeks is surely enough time for a bunch of change!

Symptoms: Nothing much

Nightly Funny

I have been craving Bums (a YUMMY little sandwich place here in Boerne) so tonight I stopped and got a sandwich and a chocolate cheesecake, my favorite. I called Blake and asked if he wanted anything but he had already eaten. So, I got home and started to take a bite from the cheesecake and Blake's eye's lit up and asked for a bite. I looked down at my belly and "asked" Baby if we should share with Daddy and then asked Blake what he'd done for us today to get some. Haha!! But, he always surprises me with the sweetest responses. "I thought all day about you (Baby) and how I can't wait for you to get here so we can play. Well, depending on what you are we can play ball..." and I stopped him and said, "We can have a tomgirl. Our little girl will play ball with the best of them!! I was always the only girl on the street football/basketball/whatever ball team!!" And, then he said, "Well, if it's a girl I want to play tea party with her." AWWWWWWWWW! He melts my heart. I can see him with a pink boa and jewelry so carefully placed on daddy by our little girl, sipping "tea" and having the best time. I'm blessed with a husband who's going to be a great daddy to his little princess or little prince.

21 weeks

How Far Along: 21 weeks – 2 weeks left of my 5 month

Fruit/Object: Baby is the size of a cantaloupe! (Still the same little melon as last week)

Size: Baby weighs in at approximately 11-12 ounces and is 11 – 12 inches long. - Baby is growing more so I can feel the baby more and more every day. The tiny kicks and punches are getting stronger!! :)

By the end of the week baby will tip the scales at nearly a pound!

Baby changes: By the end of this week baby will tip the scales at nearly a pound. Not too shabby for someone who barely weighed an ounce 10 weeks ago! Part of her growth spurt is likely because her stomach is now equipped to start absorbing nutrients from the amniotic flud she’s swallowing in there. If you eat a banana, baby can taste the banana, if you have a yummy slice of watermelon baby also enjoys the watermelon through the amniotic fluid it is digesting. (How cool is that?!)

Baby’s hearing is becoming more and more fine-tuned. In addition to making out your heartbeat, stomach rumblings, pulsing blood vessels, and your voice resonating inside the uterus, she can hear sounds and convos coming from the world outside of mama. (Blake and I love talking to the baby and we know s/he can hear because if there’s ever a loud sound from the television or if someone sneezes the baby jumps!)

This is a photo of a fetus at 5 months! Tiny fingers and tiny nose!

Best Moment this past week: We are told it is too soon but we think Blake felt Baby K. Baby is very active between 9 and 10 (and this weekend s/he stayed up until 11:30!!) so one night I was laying in bed watching tv and I asked Blake to come see if he could feel the baby. He had his hand on my tummy and at the same time when I felt Baby move I said, “did you feel that?” and Blake said, “was that it?” It was very faint but I can’t wait for him to really feel a good kick. Baby is definitely becoming more active, even since the beginning of the week!

Food Craving: I am always hungry. Still only eating small portions but more frequently. This week I am not sure where it came from but I got a hankerin’ for peanut brittle and I had to have it. Blake stopped at got me some on his way home. It was gooooood! :)

YUM!!!

What I miss: Nothing…

Sleep: Still pretty much the same…up once or twice a night to relieve my bladder.

What I am looking forward to: This Friday we have a doctor’s appointment. I’m curious to see how much weight I’ve gained. I have lost weight up until now but my belly is growing steadily so I’m sure I’ll see the scale move in the opposite direction.

Symptoms: My back is hurting more and more. They say the hormone relaxin is released and it causes the ligaments and muscles to relax and cause more achiness. Since I always pretty much have back and neck pain I’m not really looking forward to more. But, it is worth it!

20 weeks - Half Way There!

How Far Along: 20 weeks – only 20 more to go! This is the half way mark and my how time flies! And, this week also marks the half way point of my fifth month of pregnancy. Month 5 is approximately 18 to 22 weeks.

Fruit/Object: Baby is the size of a cantaloupe!

Size: Baby weighs in at approximately 12 ounces and is 11 – 11 ½ inches long or 7 inches crown to rump.

Baby is as long as a sheet of copy paper!

-OR-

most bracelets are 7 inches - that is the length of Baby from crown to rump. :)


Baby changes: Baby can hear mom’s heartbeat. Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

If you’re having a girl her uterus is fully formed and ovaries are holding about 7 million eggs. If you’re having a boy, his testicles have begun their descent from the abdomen.

Best Moment this past week: Hmmm…the week was pretty un-eventful. This past weekend was filled with a fun get-away. We went out to Blake’s mom and step-dad’s ranch in London, Texas. The weather was gorgeous and it was a nice day get-away. I want to go back soon. I posted pictures in the previous blog post. Too bad cameras can never capture the true beauty of a place.

The beautiful ranch...more pics below in previous post. :)

Food Craving: I am craving meat as of late. I want bbq and brisket and turkey and sausage. We went to Rudy’s one day this week (mainly I was craving their cream corn…yum!!) but then again we stopped in Junction on the way home from the ranch at Cooper’s BBQ which is always good. If I could mix Cooper’s brisket with Rudy’s sauce it would be awesome. And, of course I’m still craving sweets…but that is always whether I’m pregnant or not. :)

Mmmmmmmmm! Doesn't this looks SOOOOOOOOO good?!?! A little sauce and you're good to go!

What I miss: Still on the ever so impossible search for “perfect undies” One day, one day maybe I’ll find them. And, when I do I will buy out every pair at every store within a 30 miles radius.

Sleep: My hips hurt from sleeping on my sides and I’m tossing and turning a lot. Then, the baldder that has to be emptied that wakes me up isn’t great either.

What I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to Friday 5/14 because I have another doctor’s appointment. Nothing too exciting like ultrasounds or anything but I’m sure the doc will pull out the doppler and we will get to hear the heartbeat. I love that part. And, just checking in and hearing how I’m progressing is always fun.

Also, we’ve nailed down some shower dates. Two in July. One here in Boerne and another one in Ft. Worth with my mom’s side of the family. We also nailed down a date for my friend Jennifer who is 3 weeks apart from me. Her’s will be in August. It seems far away but it’ll be here and gone before we know it!

Symptoms: This week’s round of email pregnancy updates promise of the following symptoms:
• Heartburn/indigestion: none so far. I actually had more heartburn before pregnancy.
• Occasional headaches: yes, mostly late afternoons. Also, something that has never happened before is I get headaches when it’s about to rain. A few weeks ago we had a week long rain storm and that entire week my neck and head hurt. The other day the clouds were getting dark and rain was in the forecast, in never rained, but again I got a headache and neck ache. I know it’s due to the barometric pressure but it didn’t happen until now so I’m not sure if it’s a change in the hormones due to pregnancy or not but it’s not fun. I hate rain!!
• Faintness/dizziness: Not really
• Leg cramps: No, thank goodness
• Mild swelling of ankles and feet: Not that I have noticed. I do have cankles though. LOL! I've always had cankles. Thank you Daddy! ;) (And if you don’t know what cankles are they are ankles with no real definition of an ankle from my calf muscle) Haha!! So, if they swell I might not tell a difference.
• Protruding naval: Nope

Day at the ranch

We spent the day at Blake's mom and step-dad Wiley's new ranch land in London, Texas. About 20 miles NE of Junction. It was SUCH a pretty day out. The sun was shining and there was a cool breeze. It was perfect. It was a nice little day trip get-away and we had a lot of fun. Here are some photos of our day...

I love those pretty purple flowers...

Took this on the ride around the property...the camera can never pick up the depth and the beautiful surroundings

This old house is going to be renovated by my in-laws. It is really nice inside. Three bedroom, a super nice kitchen. The builder was a carpenter so the cabinents and countertop is still in excellent condition. There are two pull out bin cabinents they used to keep potatoes and onions and other farm goodies in. The floors are in good shape and I am mad I didn't get any pictures of the cool old house. In the back room there were curtains made from old feed sacks still hanging on the windows.

I love this old green color

Blake's nephew Colden. "It's been a hard day at the ranch!" When we drove up he was busy working away shoveling up debris by one of the old barns.

That is a sliding window...well, it was.

This is Wiley's dog Frosty. He was in and out of the horse trough all day. :)

Haha! The boys found a mechete knife in one of the sheds and hacked away at the huge prickley pear near us. I wanted to give it a hand too.

Frosty in the horse trough. Keepin' cool.

I love stopping at historical markers in the middle of no where! Normally we never stop but today was a treat because we stopped at two of them!

This is Teacup Mountain

Beautiful Texas