36 weeks

36 weeks and feeling every bit of it. Christmas was nice.. just very different & very quiet. We made the most of it though and even got a white Christmas! Lauren & Adam came on the 23rd and we went back to the outlets.. I had been there so much in 1 week the lady from motherhood maternity recognized me! We shopped for little Connor & then came back to the house, ate a good dinner, and exchanged presents between Delaney & Connor. She got some of the cutest outfits and a little fur vest! I cannot wait to dress that doll baby up ;) Christmas Eve we didnt do anything... and that night I made the traditional german.. it was OKAY.. def not as good as Moms or Omis & we opened their presents. Christmas Day we woke up and had eggs benedict and opened our stockings and presents from his parents. Shawn and I decided we werent going to exchange this year because there were so many other things we wanted. So while we were in Augusta for Thanksgiving we got a 32 in lcd tv for the bedroom, a shark mop, an upright freezer for the garage and then a few days ago once all the stores reopened due to the snow we bought a video camera and Shawn got a new laptop. Oh and we finshed EVERYTHING we needed for Miss Delaney. Now all we need is her & Lord am I READY!!!!!!! Yesterday I took my Dental Assistant National Board Exam.. and I PASSED! So now all thats left to do is relax and have her!
We went to the doctor this morning and everything is still looking good. She said my cervix is starting to thin out but not to expect to go into labor within the next few days (damn) & that at my 38th week appointment they will let me know whether or not they are gonna induce me at 39 weeks. Im still praying she just comes on her own and starting Monday Im gonna do every wives tale I know to get her to come... minus castor oil. So yall say a prayer!

**How far along? 36 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: Lord for once I didnt gain anything. So still just a regular manatee. but I have discovered I have elephantitis in my feet & ankles.

**How Big is Baby?: around 7 lbs

**Maternity clothes? im outgrowing those...

**Stretch marks? I think some more old ones are darkening up :/

**Sleep: still my worst enemy

**Best moment this week: Christmas & getting everything for Delaney FINISHED!

**Movement: for such a big baby you would think she would be out of room to attack my ribcage... just sayin..

**Food cravings: i had a red velvet cheesecake blast from Sonics yesterday. AMAZING

**Gender: sweet baby girl <3

**Labor Signs: not yet.

**Belly Button in or out? its out.

**What I am looking forward to: DELIVERY!!!!!!!!!

Our White Christmas

Christmas night it started snowing and by the time we woke up Sunday we had a little over 8 inches. Shawn measured 13.5 inches right before bed last night! Thats the most snow either of us have ever seen.. needless to say its time for these GA birds to fly back south!

Here are a few pictures of our snow day!

35 weeks!

Okay I know as time goes by I am getting more and more slack on updating this thing. I have good reason this time! Last week Shawns parents were here and I also wanted to wait to post because I had a doctors appointment Friday. Doc says everything looks great and that if she had to guess she thinks Delaney is already weighing around 6 1/2 lbs and if we go all the way to 40 weeks she will be between 8 & 9 lbs at birth. Shawns deployment window got moved up all the way to February 1st now so I asked her if Delaney hasnt come out by the 24th can we induce, well unfortunately because its the military she said they couldnt induce me until Im 41 weeks. So now I am stuck. Im not wondering if I should just schedule the csection for the 24th? I want Shawn to meet his daughter and spend a LITTLE time with her. Come 37 weeks I am going to try every wives tale I have heard to try and get her to come on her own. The doctor did said she would try to work with me about the induction BUT shes only a midwife and who knows who I will see at my appointments in the weeks to come. So yall pray for a Christmas miracle because I sure am! Saturday we had our childbirthing class. It was OKAY. We learned where L&D is, which is good because we had no clue & we learned a few other things.. other than that it was just common knowledge. Im not interested in watching videos of other women giving birth. YUCK. sorry for those who think its beautiful... but its not for me. Afterward, we went and bought the rug and shelves for the nursery along with a few other things we needed. The nursery is pretty much complete. I wish we were going to be here a little longer because I really would have liked to paint.. but I think we have done a good job on making it look nice. Sunday we went to the outlets (my 2nd time in a week and my ankles hated me for it) We found out that our sweet Godbaby is a BOYY!! So get ready world for Connor Daniel Hill. Anyways we went to the outlets to get CONNOR some things because Lauren and Adam will be here the 23rd and spending the night and we are doing our Christmas, well every store we went into I went straight for the boys and Shawn went straight for the girls. Everytime I would meet back up with him he would have an arm load FULL. I seriously did not recognize him! He had a ball picking out all of her little outfits... and he bought ALL the things he wanted too. IN EVERY STORE. He would get to the register and the girl would say oh well if you spend X amount more money you can get 20%.. off Shawn would go and buy more. OR he would get to the register and he would see a rack he hadnt been to yet and off he would go again. I think he is going to have fun having a little girl. He was so excited about all the little things he matched and picked out. :) I cant believe this week is Christmas. Im sad that we arent going home BUT at the same time Im kinda glad that Shawn and I get to spend our 'last' Christmas just the 2 of us.. just the 2 of us. It kinda makes it special and we are doing all the things we normally do. Christmas Eve we are doing the traditional german dinner & Christmas we are doing a prime rib like his mom always does. We will be having 2 Marines come for dinner who werent able to go home for the break. All in all it will be special and Im super excited to see Lauren, Adam, & Connor! :))

Heres an update:

**How far along? 35 weeks! I cant believe come Monday I will be 9 months!


**Total weight gain/loss: I.AM.A.MANATEE.

**How Big is Baby?: if the doc was right... around 6 1/2 lbs!

**Maternity clothes? im outgrowing those...

**Stretch marks? I think some more old ones are darkening up :/

**Sleep: I am almost to the point where i DREAD going to bed at night.

**Best moment this week: getting the nursery almost complete and finding out our sweet Godbaby is a BOY!

**Movement: I had a grateful dead tshirt on last night.. and the bears are on a roller coaster.. I swear it looked like they were doing the wave :D

**Food cravings: not really

**Gender: sweet baby girl <3

**Labor Signs: not yet.

**Belly Button in or out? its out.

**What I am looking forward to: CHRISTMASSSSSSSSSS!


Oh and here are a few of our awesome maternity pics by Belinda Flanders Photography!

33 weeks!

I am losing my mind I swear! These last few weeks have been just as hectic as I thought they would be! Last weekend was my shower with my VA loves! It was great and once again we got a lot of great things! This week at school I had finals and yesterday was my last day of school until April 4th. I was a little disappointed that I have to wait so long to go back but then I realized that will just give me more time with my sweet baby! Also yesterday my ladies from school threw me a surprise shower! It was so unexpected and very sweet! Tomorrow morning we have our childbirth class from 9-1 and then probably around the time thats over Shawns parents will be here for a week! Then the week after is Christmas! Where has the time gone? Im probably going to be a big ball of emotion since this will be my first year away from home for Christmas.. ever. Lauren and Adam are coming up the 23rd and speding the night and having Christmas Eve breakfast with us. Im so excited. She finds out the 17th whether my Godbaby is a boy or girl! I think that we are going to have Shawns marines that arent able to make it home for Christmas come and have Christmas dinner with us. At first I didnt want that but then I remembered the reason for the season and am actually excited to have the young marines come and eat..its probably their first time away from their families for the Holiday too.
OH and I went to the doctor Friday.. everything is still looking perfect.. my placenta moved a centimeter. Originally I was at 1.4 cm, now Im at 2.4 cm. She said they would like me to be at 3 to avoid a c-section but to plan on doing a natural birth.. because we still have time for it to move that last little bit. Like I said before.. either way Im not worried. There are pros and cons to both and as long as Delaney is healthy and Im healthy Im not worried. They know what theyre doing and its in the Lords hands!
And also please keep a friend of mine in your prayers. She is exactly 2 weeks behind me and last week week they had a bad scare. Her placenta tore and she started having back to back contractions. The doctors were able to stop them and both she and the baby are doing fine now! They are saying he may come early now, so just keep them in your prayers please!

Heres the weekly:


**How far along? 33 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: fine.. I will tell you.. 40 lbs

**How Big is Baby?: around 4 1/2 pounds!

**Maternity clothes? duh.

**Stretch marks? just the same ones on my boobs and that old one that darkened up on my hip.

**Sleep: this week was a little better. not much though.

**Best moment this week: My 2nd & 3rd showers, & ending school this week!

**Movement: shes back to her normal self and her movements are a lot more pronounced. I look like Im hiding an animal or an alien under my shirt

**Food cravings: Thank you Ashley for curing my Orange Julius craving!

**Gender: sweet baby girl <3

**Labor Signs: No

**Belly Button in or out? I dont think its going back in anytime soon

**What I am looking forward to: Lynne and George coming, finding out what Baby Hill is, & Christmas!!!!


Here are some pics from my VA shower!!! :))

1st pregnancy survey!

Your name? LAUREN W COMTOIS
Fathers name? SHAWN COMTOIS
Are you still with him? UH YEAH, WE'RE MARRIED
Were you trying to get pregnant? NOT EXACTLY
When did you find out? MAY 22, 2010
Were did you find out? AT OUR HOUSE
How far along were you? ABOUT 4 WEEKS
What was your reaction? SHOCK.. DENIAL..
Who was the first person you told? WELL I TEXT LAUREN, HANDED SHAWN THE TEST, AND CALLED MY MOM.
How did you tell the father? I HANDED HIM THE TEST
What was his reaction? HE WAS JUST AS SHOCKED AS I WAS.


When is your due date? JANUARY 24, 2011
Did you have any morning sickness? NOPE! IM ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES!
What are your fears? THE HEALTH OF THE BABY!
What are you most happy about? THAT SHAWN AND I HAVE CREATED THIS BEAUTIFUL BABY!
Did you want a boy or girl? NO PREFERENCE
What did the father want boy or girl? HE SAID BOY, BUT I THINK HES REALLY EXCITED HE HAS A GIRL.
Do you know what your haveing? SWEET BABY GIRL!
Do you have a name picked out? DELANEY FAITH COMTOIS
How much weight have you gained? LETS NOT GO THERE.
Have you felt the baby move? OHH YES!




Are you keeping the baby? UHM.. YES
Do you plan on a natural or medicated birth? EPIDURAL PLEASE!.. THEY DONT GIVE AWARDS OUT FOR NOT GETTING ONE!
Are you scared about labor? NO
What do you think will be the worst part of labor? THE WAITING
Have you taken any classes? JUST A BREASTFEEDING CLASS, OUR CHILD BIRTHING CLASS IS NEXT WEEKEND!
Who will be in the delivery room? SHAWN. MY MOM & LAUREN
Are you having the birth videotaped? HECK NO.
Do you think you will cry when you see the baby for the first time? YES.
What do you think the fathers reaction to the baby will be? THE SAME!
How do you think family and friends will feel? OVER THE MOON :))

32 weeks!

My goodness! 8 months already! I swear sometimes I feel like I havent been pregnant long enough! I am however starting to feel the aches and pains of these final few weeks, and let me just go ahead and put it out there that I WILL NEVER make a road trip again 8 months pregnant! I still havent caught up on sleep and my ankles & feet looked like hamhocks on steroids the ENTIRE time. I prayed all Friday night that the swelling would go down for our maternity pictures & for my first shower & Hallelujah! They did! Getting comfortable is getting harder and harder. Oh and my emotions have come back full force from 1st trimester. I thought I cried over everything then.. pfff.. I can not think of a single day in the last week that I havent cried.. and over stupid stuff. I could complain about a lot of things but I still have had the BEST pregnancy so I will stop now :)
Our Thanksgiving was great! I am so happy we were able to go home and spend it with our family! I had my first shower and it was a hit! It was so good to see everyone and we got tonssss of great stuff! Im so ready to put it all to use! Cathy & her Mama did a fantastic job!
1 more week of school and I have a break and let me tell you this week couldnt get over fast enough! This weekend I am having my 2nd shower and am sooo excited! Especially to see Lauren who is 15w pregnant with my Godbaby! Shawns still at his MAI course during the week but that ends Friday and then all we have to get through is a 2 week field op.

Heres the weekly:

**How far along? 32 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: I dont even know or care anymore!

**How Big is Baby?: around 4 pounds!

**Maternity clothes? duh.

**Stretch marks? just the same ones on my boobs and that old one that darkened up on my hip.

**Sleep: we are not friends. im back to taking 2 hour afternoon naps...

**Best moment this week: Seeing all of our friends and family one "last" time before we have a 3rd (actually a 5th, bc of the fur babies)

**Movement: I think she is running out of room.. shes a little quieter this week but definitely still lets me know shes in there

**Food cravings: I want an Orange Julius and there are none to be found :(

**Gender: sweet baby girl <3

**Labor Signs: No

**Belly Button in or out? disgustingly out BUT for a split second Saturday it went back in!!

**What I am looking forward to: Drs Appt Friday, 2nd shower this weekend with my VA loves, and MAI ending so I can have my hubby home!!!

Pictures

These arent the best because the sun was in my eyes and we were in a hurry!

29 weeks!

I know Im late again posting. Shawn came home Wednesday for the Veterans Day 96 and it completely threw me off. But Im glad hes home :) I went last Friday for my glucose test and I have to say.. it wasnt that bad. The worst part was sitting next to some snot nosed kid for an hour. The drink itself just tasted like sprite. I go Tuesday for another ultrasound to see if my placenta moved. I dont know what I want. I know with a c-section Delaney would be here earlier and Shawn would get more time with her since hes deploying again for 8 months first week of February. But Im happy either way as long as we both are safe! I also have another appointment Friday. Just my regular monthly check up. Unfortunately its with Nurse Nazi. Shes a midwife who really just pushed my buttons last time. We have the Marine Corps birthday ball next weekend too. Im telling you, we are going to blink and Delaney will be here. But Im getting excited/anxious! I cant wait to meet my sweet baby girl!


**How far along? 29 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: 30 lbs.


**How Big is Baby?: Around 2 1/2 lbs!


**Maternity clothes? duh.

**Stretch marks? the same ones on my boobs and I think an old one that I had is trying to darken up. JOY.

**Sleep: still loving it. I just hate waking up before my alarm clock :/


**Best moment this week: Shawn coming home.


**Movement: this baby is strong & she takes it out on my ribs.


**Food cravings: I wanted waffles with lots of butter and rasberry preserves the other morning. I ate 3.


**Gender: sweet girl <3


**Labor Signs: no no


**Belly Button in or out? so gross.


**What I am looking forward to: Getting to see my baby love on the ultrasound Tuesday :)

28 weeks!

I dont know why but I was sure I was 29 weeks lol. Oh well. We had a great time in NC... it went by too fast per usual. Somehow I managed to catch a cold so I was sick the whole time. I got my hair cut! I loooove it. It feels and looks so much better. Hopefully this weekend I can get a picture and put it up here. Im happy that I can finally tell everyone, Lauren is pregnant! She is 11 weeks and she had her first appointment Tuesday! Baby Hill looks great and had a heartbeat in the 130s! Shawn and I are going to be God-parents! So Miss Delaney is either getting a husband or a best friend! We are soo excited! Speaking of Delaney, we got her crib bedding. Im just waiting for Shawn to come home so we can put it up together. I go Friday for that oh so fun glucose test. YUCK. I think I could handle having to take a shot of liquid sugar.. its the sitting for an hour Im not going to be able to handle. I had finals this week. I passed everything. I did so good in med term I got to exempt my exam and dont have to go tomorrow so Im pretty excited about getting an extra day to do nothing :) Saturday we are going to get my ball gown for the USMC Birthday Ball. We just have so much going on. I am so ready to go home in 3 weeks and stuff my face for Thanksgiving and for that baby shower! Cathy has been working so hard on it, and I am so excited!

Weekly Updates:

**How far along? 28 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: honestly I dont know. I havent even thought about that stupid scale. Im sure its around 30..


**How Big is Baby?: a zucchini


**Maternity clothes? yep and I really need to go shopping for more. Im outgrowing everything.


**Stretch marks? just the same ones on my boobs.

**Sleep: loving it.


**Best moment this week: Knowing my lil God baby is growing good :)


**Movement: its no longer kicks and little flutters. Its more like a tidal wave going through my belly. No joke.


**Food cravings: olives.


**Gender: sweet girl <3


**Labor Signs: no no


**Belly Button in or out? so gross.


**What I am looking forward to: going home & my baby shower!

27 weeks!

Well we made it. We are in our last week of 2nd trimester and in the home stretch of Delaney being here. As a matter of fact.. as of today we have 88 days until my due date. I will be exactly 7 months pregnant on Monday! Its crazy how fast time has gone by! I know that its only going to move faster with everything we have going on too! Tomorrow we leave for North Carolina to see Lauren and Adam and so I can cut my hair! (not short just trim) Then next weekend I have to get my ball dress because the Marine Corps Ball is November 19th. Also that week on the 16th I go back for another scan to see if my placenta moved or if we have to schedule a c-section. That Friday (the 19th) I have my 7 month appointment. The week after is Thanksgiving and my first baby shower. The weekend after that is my 2nd baby shower. December 13th I take one of my certification exams. And thats all I have right now. Not to mention school and Shawn working during all of this! My goodness!

**How far along? 27 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: yeah... I stayed at 27 this week. (whew!)


**How Big is Baby?: the length of a head of broccoli!


**Maternity clothes? yep.


**Stretch marks? just the same ones on my boobs.

**Sleep: sadly, its not so bad since Shawns gone :)


**Best moment this week: entering 3rd tri!


**Movement: shes crazy!


**Food cravings: nope.


**Gender: sweet girl <3


**Labor Signs: no no


**Belly Button in or out? so gross.


**What I am looking forward to: going to NC tomorrow!!!!!! :)

26 weeks!

Well I know its another late post but I wanted to wait til after my doctors appointment to update because I know come my 27 week post I will have forgotten haha. The doctor went great this morning. She didnt say 1 word about my weight.. which I thought she would since they did last time. Delaneys heartbeat was in the 150s..they couldnt get her to move to get a more accurate reading lol. Shes stubborn like her mama! But everything is sounding, looking, and measuring great! I have to go at 28 weeks and have that oh so fun glucose test done and they also went ahead and scheduled that next sonogram to see if my placenta moved. Well they put me on the list to get it done.. because Im on the militarys clock they will schedule sometime between weeks 28 & 32. Then she also made me sign up for a child birthing class. Thats December 18th. We went to our breastfeeding class last Wednesday, Shawn was actually able to go and he was SO interested. He kept making me ask questions and we learned a lot. I have never been more sure that I want to do this! We are ordering Delaneys bedding, crib mattress, and the breast pump this weekend. We will probably do some other things too but thats our main plan! Shawns been at the range all week and just called me to say he is now a 4th award expert! (which is really REALLY good) so Im making him chicken n dumplins and homemade biscuits :) Its pretty chilly here so its perfect! Other than that, everything else is going great. Schools great & Im great too. Im starting to get anxious for Delaney to get here but she can stay where she is for at least another 12 weeks :)

**How far along? 26 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: around 27. dont judge me


**How Big is Baby?: a pineapple :)


**Maternity clothes? yep.


**Stretch marks? just the same ones on my boobs. Its kinda hard to tell between the nice zebra striped veins I have. How lovely.


**Sleep: I HATE sleep.


**Best moment this week: getting to hear my sweet babys heart beatin away


**Movement: still swinging from the ribs, and I think she recently decided to play hopscotch in there. Shawn definitely had to hold my stomach so she would be still so I could take a little nap.


**Food cravings: nope.


**Gender: sweet girl <3


**Labor Signs: no no


**Belly Button in or out? so gross.


**What I am looking forward to: going to NC next weekend & going home for Thanksgiving & my first babyshower!! :))

25w4d picture :)

25 weeks!

So sorry I have been slack on this thing. Shawn came home last Tuesday night and I have been completely enjoying having him home! He has been a saint! He helps me cook and clean.. lately I wake up in the middle of the night with intense back pain so he will rub my back before I go to bed and if I wake up he will rub it. He put Delaneys nursery furniture together (which I think he enjoyed doing that) It looks great! Even better than the picture online! Now if only we could agree on bedding. We have finally narrowed it down to 2..so keep your fingers crossed we will have something picked before she gets here! Speaking of which.. time seems to be flying even faster than before! I know I completely skipped the 24 week update and am pretty late for the 25th..but come Monday I will be 6 1/2 months. Only 14 weeks to go! Theres so much going on too that I know its really going to fly! I am enjoying this cooler weather. Usually I dread it but right now it feels great. Especially on our nightly walks. Everything is going great right now. Last week started a new mod in school. Im taking Math (which so far I have managed to get a 98 & a 100 on quizzes) and Im also taking medical terminology.. which for me is a walk in the park. I have a doctors appointment next week so Im excited for that. Unfortunately Shawn leaves again Sunday night until November 30th (he will be home on weekends so its not that bad) but still.. he wont get to go to it with me. Oh well we have all of Decembers :) I also have my breastfeeding class next week. Im actually pretty excited about it!

Heres the latest updates:

**How far along? 25 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: I think my scales broken.. it says 25 :/


**How Big is Baby?: enormous.


**Maternity clothes? yep.


**Stretch marks? wahh. theres a couple on my boobs. BUT Shawn took me bra shopping Sunday and pre pregnancy I was a 34a.. as of last Sunday Im a 38c!


**Sleep: not my friend lately. My back, butt, hips, legs.. everything hurts :(


**Best moment this week: getting her furniture put together!


**Movement: she doesnt stop! & last week she found my ribs so shes been swingin from them and driving me crazy, but I love it :)


**Food cravings: nope.


**Gender: sweet girl <3


**Labor Signs: no no


**Belly Button in or out? so gross.


**What I am looking forward to: going to NC at the end of the month!!!

23 weeks!

Goodness this has been one stressful week and I couldnt be more excited that for me, tomorrow will put an end to it. I had to give 2 10 min speeches with presentations, and today and tomorrow are finals. My brain is fried and ready for a break.. or some retail therapy :) I made deans list with a 4.0 :) I have been enjoying the rain the last few days but the dogs sure are driving me crazy because they cant go for their daily walk. Shawn will be home Tuesday/Wednesday. THANK GOD. Im so ready to be spoiled. lol.. Honestly my brain is so exhausted thats all I can even think to write!

Heres the report:

**How far along? 23 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: 15 lbs


**How Big is Baby?: the length of an ear of corn


**Maternity clothes? duh.


**Stretch marks? so far so good


**Sleep: not too great lately.


**Best moment this week: finishing it!


**Movement: shes a kickin machine :)


**Food cravings: nope.


**Gender: sweet girl <3


**Labor Signs: no no


**Belly Button in or out? so gross.


**What I am looking forward to: Shawn coming home!!


**Milestones: A lot of Delaneys development is now focused on preparing her for taking her first breath! Shes even making breathing-like movements for practice!

Forgot the picture

Ignore my messy room! :)

22 weeks!

I dont know why the blog thing wont let me change the colors Im writing in anymore. So sorry youre having to read this in yellow. I actually tried to change the look of my blog completely, but it wiped out everything so I just changed it back. How annoying.
So 22 weeks. I feel every bit of 22 weeks too. My back hurts, my butt hurts, I cant bend over.. you name it and I will complain about it. I really have had the best pregnancy so far though so I shouldnt complain.. I know it could have been a lot worse! I got lil mamas anatomy scan results back yesterday (finally!) and they said she is perfect and measuring to the day.. they did however tell me that I have a low lying placenta. Its 1.4 cm away from the cervix. The Dr said its nothing to worry about right now, unless I see blood. :/. I just have to have another big ultrasound when Im 34 weeks to see if it grew up as the baby grows. IF NOT I have to have a c-section. Im perfectly fine with this as long as it means Delaney is okay.
Her crib & dresser come Friday and I am so excited!! Shawn is going to have A LOT to do when he gets home in 2 weeks! I cant wait for him to be home.

Thats it on my end :)

**How far along? 22 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: 12 lbs. I think at a certain point Im going to stop answering this question.


**How Big is Baby?: the length of a cabbage. I believe it. I look like I swallowed a cabbage!


**Maternity clothes? duh.


**Stretch marks? Oh man I am praying. I just stocked up on a 3 pack of lotion from Sams yesterday..


**Sleep: I have good nights and I have bad nights..


**Best moment this week: knowing that Delaney is perfect, and I am positive thats the word the Dr used to describe her ;)


**Movement: shes a kickin machine :)


**Food cravings: nah. I did buy another red velvet cake though..


**Gender: sweet girl <3


**Labor Signs: no no


**Belly Button in or out? hasta luego belly button :(


**What I am looking forward to: Shawn coming home!!


**Milestones: Delaneys sense of touch and taste are progressing! Her reproductive system is also continuing to grow. She can recognize my voice and weighs about a pound!

21 weeks!

I feel like I have been so slack and not really paying attention to this thing. With all the excitement from last week and Lauren being here it kinda threw me off. Then this week I had midterms. I am so proud of myself. I am doing so good! I got a 94.3 on my speech midterm leaving me with a 94 class average, and then I got a 101 on my dental office midterm leaving me with a 99 class average! Delaney got another package this week (actually today) from Kasey! 4 cute little outfits! I cant wait to dress that little babydoll up :) Shawn comes home in 3 weeks. I am so ready!

**How far along? 21 weeks!


**Total weight gain/loss: 10 lbs


**How Big is Baby?: a banana.. idk why the eggplant seemed bigger...


**Maternity clothes? oh yes


**Stretch marks? no..


**Sleep: I fall asleep and sleep GREAT until around 5 am which sucks bc I dont have to get up until 6!


**Best moment this week: getting those awesome grades!


**Movement: tonsss I love it <3


**Food cravings: nah.


**Gender: sweet girl <3


**Labor Signs: no no


**Belly Button in or out? my poor belly button, thank God it goes back in :(


**What I am looking forward to: Shawn coming home!!


**Milestones: Delaneys digestive system has been put to work!! Guess shes gearing up for all those diaper changes!

20 weeks!

20 weeks marks so many great things. Especially the 1/2 way mark! I can hardly believe it! I feel like the next 20 are just going to fly by..with Shawn coming home, the Holidays, Marine Corps Ball, school...Delaney will be here before we know it. We are so in love. So what, I guessed wrong...I couldnt be happier with our sweet baby girl. She is so spoiled already! Especially since Lauren has been here. We have only known that Delaneys a girl for 2 days and she already has 4 pair of shoes, about 6 or 7 outfits, and 3 bows. Poor Shawn :) She looked perfect on her sonogram. I still havent gotten the results back from the anatomy scan but Im not gonna worry. We went to the doctor yesterday for a ROB...she is measuring to the day, had a strong heartbeat, and the doctor said she is an active little thing. Trust me I know lol. Shawn emailed me yesterday and said "how does it feel to be carrying the most precious girl in the world" he is so excited. I cant wait for him to come home.. especially now. Not too much longer though. Well thats it, sorry Im posting so late. Its been one exciting, emotional week.

Heres the report:

**How far along? 20 weeks!

**Total weight gain/loss: 10 lbs :)

**How Big is Baby?: an eggplant!

**Maternity clothes? oh yes

**Stretch marks? no..

**Sleep: pretty good

**Best moment this week: finding out we are having a sweet girl!

**Movement: lots and lots of it. I love it. Lauren even got to feel her kick, and so did the ultrasound tech

**Food cravings: nothing abnormal.

**Gender: sweet girl <3

**Labor Signs: no no

**Belly Button in or out? hanging on lol. depending where she is or if im full only part of it will poke out :)

**What I am looking forward to: Shawn coming home and feeling his daughter :*)

**Milestones: We are 1/2 way!!

Delaney Faith

Is our baby girls name! We couldnt be happier to be having a sweet baby girl and she is so loved. We have another appointment tomorrow so I will update then!

.

Goo Dawgs!

"You got your sundress on for game dayJust to drink beer on an ol' tailgateYou were born and raised to be a southern BelleBut in a place this, you like to raise a Little hell."-Go Dawgs :)

Baby looks good in red already @ 19w5d!!

19 weeks!

I am in such a good mood today! I just ordered our glider! Im a nerd but Im so excited lol! I cannot wait to let Shawn put everything together! Everything is going well! I started a new "mod" yesterday. Im not too thrilled about the classes Im taking now but oh well, at least it only lasts 5 weeks. I wound up with a final average of a 92 in preclinicals and an 89 in specialties. Everything is still going wonderfully.. just missin Shawn per usual.
Friday night (more like Saturday morning..it was 3:30 am) the neighbors behind me fired a gun off.. it woke me up and scared the crap out of me so needless to say I never did go back to sleep. So most of my Saturday was spent being a vegetable on the couch. Well Baby C got into a kicking mood (ah I looove it) and I put my hand to my belly and BAM! I felt Baby C kick my hand!! I just sat there laughing! I love it! I cannot wait for Shawn to come home and HE be able to feel the baby!
1.more.week. ahhh 1 more week til we find out what Baby C is! I am so excited! I have no idea how I will survive Monday and Tuesday. lol. I am so glad Lauren is coming up and spending the week with me! Let the shopping commence! :)

Heres the weekly update:

**How far along? 19 weeks!
**Total weight gain/loss: whoa. like 8 lbs.
**How Big is Baby?: as big as a 6 in sub!!
**Maternity clothes? I ordered 2 pair of jeans so hopefully they come this week! I cant wait to rock my skinny maternity jeans :)
**Stretch marks? nooo
**Sleep: i have been tossing and turning a lot!
**Best moment this week: feeling Baby C with my hand!
**Movement: YES! tonsss of it! Besides the boobs, definitely my favorite thing!!
**Food cravings: I still havent had fried shrimp.
**Gender: O-M-G next week!!!!!!!
**Labor Signs: no no
**Belly Button in or out? still in there!
**What I am looking forward to: finding out if Baby C is a boy or a girl!!
**Milestones: Baby Cs kidneys are functioning!

18 weeks!

Time is flying! we are just 2 short weeks from the 1/2 way point AND from finding out what Baby C is!!! I am so excited! Lauren is driving up the day before and going to the appointment with me, and actually staying the whole week! So she will get to go to both appointments that week! Everything is going so great, minus Shawn not being here. I am definitely feeling our little nugget kick and move around! So it just confirms that I did feel the baby at 16 weeks..they are just a lot harder and more frequent now! So exciting!! And who knows, if it is a boy maybe we have a new UGA punter on our hands :) We can only hope! We have picked out nursery furniture and are pretty set on bedding although Im still not 100% on the girl bedding we picked out. I called the base daycare today and they told me its a 9 month wait right now but not to worry when I call to go on the active list if there arent any spots available they have a list of at home providers that we can take the baby to. So my mind is at ease a little with that. I really wish I could stay home but I know I need to finish school. It will only be for a few short months anyway. Speaking of school, I have finals tomorrow and Thursday! Just another thing that is flying by, but I can honestly say it doesnt bother me :)

Heres the weekly report:

**How far along? 18 weeks!
**Total weight gain/loss: like 6-6.5ish. I really need to invest in a digital scale.
**How Big is Baby?: A large tomato
**Maternity clothes? I found some super cute skinny jeans and a few other things im gonna go pick up this weekend :)
**Stretch marks? nooo
**Sleep: I love that maternity pillow. So do the dogs. Its a fight over who is going to sleep with it lol.
**Best moment this week: feeling my nugget more and more!!
**Movement: YES!
**Food cravings: orange candy slices with peanut m&ms and I still want fried shrimp. Im going to dinner tonight with friends so hopefully we go somewhere with shrimp!!
**Gender: 2 more weeks !
**Labor Signs: no no
**Belly Button in or out? In
**What I am looking forward to: finding out if Baby C is a boy or a girl!!
**Milestones: Growing is now the big priority! Grow baby grow!!

17 weeks!

17 weeks! Thats almost 1/2 way! I just cant believe it! Im so happy that in 3 weeks we will be finding out if Baby C is a boy or a girl. Even though Im still convinced boy! Everything is going great. Last weekend I finally realized Im turning into everything I said I would never be, and doing things I said I never would. I had to go to Target last weekend for some things and I just happened to wind up in the childrens books. I know that Baby C can hear now so I decided I would buy a book and read to my belly. lol. It sounds just as crazy typing it as it does in my head. Well I wound up buying 3. and thats not all. I bought a cd. I stood there reading all these books, CRYING while reading them, so I got all 3. And each night I read a book to Baby C and play the cd. Dont judge me lol. Oh and then my worst nightmare showed up at the door. I was starving, it was lunchtime, and boyscout with popcorn brochure shows up. I have no idea what I even ordered or how much haha.

School is still going good. Next week is finals. I cant believe Ive already completed another 5 week mod! I know I will be taking dental office management next mod, but I dont know what the other class is. Please pray for me that its not math. Im doing so good. I would hate to screw it up now! ;)

Shawns good. Nothing new going on there. Today is my sweet babygirls 2nd birthday! So happy birthday Chloe B! She got a new bone, 3 new toys, & a new harness. Her cake is cooling as I type and for dinner shes having chicken nuggets & tater tots. Which is one of her favorite meals. I still remember the afternoon Chloe was born. Out of 12 puppies she was the 2nd fattest and everytime you picked her up she growled. It was adorable.

Heres the weekly update :

**How far along? 17 weeks!

**Total weight gain/loss: ha +5. Who knew I would ever be this happy to gain weight

**How Big is Baby?: A large orange

**Maternity clothes? I should really start incorporating these into my wardrobe.

**Stretch marks? nooo

**Sleep: ahh I went and bought myself a maternity pillow. Best $60 Ive EVER spent.

**Best moment this week: getting the best sleep ever. Im not even joking.

**Movement: YES!

**Food cravings: mm I bought myself a red velvet cake Sunday and I could really go for some fried shrimp lol.

**Gender: 3 weeks !

**Labor Signs: no no

**Belly Button in or out? In

**What I am looking forward to: finding out if Baby C is a boy or a girl!!

**Milestones: Around this time brown fat develops under babys skin to keep him warm at birth. and Baby Cs lungs are now preparing to take in oxygen!

Mark your calendars!

Langley just called (Langley AFB, where I will be delivering) & told me that my anatomy scan/gender determination is September 8th at 2:30! ahh I am so excited! The countdown is definitely on now! I needed some good news today. My dogs have been hellions. I promised Shawn though, that I wouldnt tell anyone until he knew. So hopefully I wont have to keep it a secret long!

yayy!! :))

4 months!

4 months. Still not far but getting further! :) Not much to report since my doctors appointment Friday. I have been on a emotional roller coaster since the weekend. Not fun, let me tell you and purely exhausting. Sunday I think I cried for about 4 hours for absolutely NO reason. But I know its all part of it, and it will pay off in the end. :)

Heres the weekly update:

**How far along? 16 weeks
**Total weight gain/loss: as of Sunday I dropped another 2 lbs. I havent weighed myself since but Im hoping the pizza, MacDonalds, & ice cream has at least put me back on the scale
**How Big is Baby?: A large pear
**Maternity clothes? no. i still rock the one pair of shorts though
**Stretch marks? no
**Sleep: a lot better than last week. I think Im gonna go buy a body pillow this week
**Best moment this week: hitting the 4 month mark
**Movement: i thought i felt something but im not going to say yes just yet...
**Food cravings: nothing this week
**Gender: NEXT MONTH! still set on baby boy!
**Labor Signs: nope
**Belly Button in or out? In
**What I am looking forward to: feeling Baby C move & finding out the sex!!!
**Milestones: Baby C has eyelashes and can squint and frown. His eyelids are sealed, but he can percieve some light. And although theyre too tiny for me to feel, Baby C may even be having tiny hiccups :) aww

Forgot Again

Im going to eventually get used to the whole blogging thing. Bare with me until I do. This was taken this morning before my appointment. :)

15 weeks!

I am on cloud 9. I just got back a little while ago from my doctors appointment. It was nothing. They weighed me, took my blood pressure, we talked and then the best part... I got to hear baby c's heartbeat!! Boy it was just a goin at 156 bpm! Then I had to give some blood to do a quad test. I absolutely LOVED the doctor I saw today, I really hope she is the one to deliver the baby. Dont get me wrong I liked the other one but I just clicked with the one today. She came in just as energetic as I was and we talked like we had known each other forever. She asked me how I feel and I said not pregnant and she laughed and pushed me down on the chair and felt my tummy then grabbed my hand and said feel that? thats the top of your uterus..youre definitely pregnant! lol then we heard the heartbeat and thats when she said well.. if thats not a baby i dont wanna know! haha. She commented on me not gaining any weight and said its perfectly normal especially since Im so petite. She asked about my eating habits and things and I told her and she said if I continue that way I probably wont gain more than 15 lbs... but not to be alarmed if I do ;)! I know I am a little late writing this week and I said there would be 2 but boy it has been a hectic week. School is always draining, and then Tuesday night I had a fabulous dinner with my friend Stephanie. She gave baby C his/her first gift! Baby C got a lot of great stuff. Wednesday.. I dont remember and then last night we had a bad bad storm and the power was out for about 4 hours. School was good this week. I took 3 quizzes, got a 93, 87, & an 80. I found out I cant do forensics, and of course he tells me this after he told this awesome story about a plane crash he covered in the Everglades and that there were so many gators that they had to hire gator hunters and then theyd have to cut open the bellies and pull out the different human parts/remains. So for the queasy Im sorry but I love that stuff. I cant do it because they usually only recruit the dental teams from Air Force bases. LAME. So my new specialty is going to be orthodontics. I know its not nearly as exciting as forensics but thats how life goes. Ive heard from Shawn a good bit this week and last week we actually got to webcam!! He is doing good, just hot and ready to come home. I have 2 appointments next months. Just another regular appointment and then FINALLY we get to find out what Baby C is. These 5 weeks couldnt go by fast enough!!

**How far along? 15 weeks 4 days!

**Total weight gain/loss: back to 0

**How Big is Baby?: about the size of a large apple :)

**Maternity clothes? still just that 1 pair of shorts.

**Stretch marks? no but oh gosh. funny story. i sleep in my sports bras and I guess the other night it left an indentation and I thought it was a stretch mark. I freaked out all morning. lol

**Sleep: actually. terrible. I couldnt get comfortable at all this week.

**Best moment this week: hearing Baby C's heartbeat

**Movement: getting so close. I thought I felt something the other day but Idk I might just attribute that to gas ;)

**Food cravings: nothing abnormal. I have been craving fried pickles like its my job!

**Gender: 5 more weeks, I still am set on baby boy!

**Labor Signs: nope

**Belly Button in or out? In

**What I am looking forward to: feeling Baby C & finding out the sex!!

**Milestones: Baby C can hear this week!!

Almost forgot

I meant to add this picture in of me in the dressing room!

14 weeks!

gosh 14 weeks! i love it :) it really does go by so fast. I just cant get over it! and I finally have a bump. I guess I didnt realize it because I wear scrubs all week and if I change its usually into gym shorts or Shawns boxers lol. I know my regular shorts had been a little tight so I was using a rubberband to hold them up but as of last Saturday that wasnt cuttin it.... so I caved and went and bought a pair of shorts. I will admit they arent that heinous & they are definitely comfortable! and Lord knows I am definitely glad I am not 7-9 months pregnant goin through this heat! It has been insane. Sunday it was 106 here. Everything is going really good though. I passed first "mod" with a 90 in dental science and a 94 in career orientation. OH and I got a 97 on that speech I was so stressed about!! So I am pretty stoked about school right now. This "mod" I am taking preclinicals and dental specialties. I am so nervous about the preclinicals because its preparing us for one of the state exams I will have to take next month to certify me. And I am in love with dental specialties. As gross and weird as it sounds I really want to do forensics. I would love to work on a base and be able to identify people and just really interesting things. Plus I could sing that CSI song "Who are you? Who..Who" haha. Shawns doing good. I havent gotten another phone calls but his emails are pretty steady. The furbabies are good too. I really do think they know I am pregnant. Chloe is always a cuddle bug but last week she was sniffin on me and actually lifted my shirt with her nose, sniffed my belly, and then kissed me lol. I thought that was so sweet. Oh and last night on our walk, 2 german shepherds pretty much started to attack us and of course my little ninja Cody started fighting back but as soon as that shepherd went to bite little man, CHLOE, my sweet innocent angel, bit the other dog to protect her brother!! she didnt bite him hard, but just warned him to leave us alone! I was SO proud of her! She has NEVER done anything like that! I think she was making up for jumping in my pool Sunday night after I spent all day cleaning it and ripping the cover, because she got ripped a new one for it ;) Thats all I have for this week. There will be 2 next week because I have an appointment Friday!


**How far along? 14 weeks!

**Total weight gain/loss: +3! But thats really +1 because I gained back the 2 that I lost :P

**How Big is Baby?: The length of my clenched fist!

**Maternity clothes? I guess I should go ahead and say yes lol

**Stretch marks? please no

**Sleep: as always my sleep is unaffected. I sleep amazingly.

**Best moment this week: getting a bump :)

**Movement: counting down the days :))

**Food cravings: cheese fries, cheese fries, cheese fries :)

**Gender: 6 more weeks! Im still set on baby boy!

**Labor Signs: nope

**Belly Button in or out? In

**What I am looking forward to: My appiontment on August 6th! & of course finding out what "baby C" is!

**Milestones: Baby C's ears and eyes are now in position and most of the development will focus on the small reproductive system!

13 weeks!

Hello 2nd trimester! Gosh when I first found out I was pregnant I didnt know how the heck I would ever make it to 40 weeks.. but I cant believe Im already in 2nd trimester! How exciting!! Its been a really good week too, even with Shawn being gone! He actually called me Sunday and of course it always makes my day to hear his voice, and I got an email from him today! I worked hard all weekend on running errands and working on a project presentation/speech that I had to do today. The speech was supposed to be 3-6 minutes but I know never to worry about talk time and of course I finished it at 11 min & 25 seconds lol! I cant wait to find out my grade Thursday, I know I nailed it! This is finals week! I cant believe Ive already been back in school 6 weeks and completed my first "mod". Monday I start 2 new classes, dental specialties and preclinicals. Im so excited. & thank the good Lord its not math!! Well I still dont look pregnant. I still havent gained any weight either which is starting to worry me because yesterday I got on the scale and lost 2 lbs and I havent been sick at all, or done anything differently! Ive had A LOT of headaches lately too but Im good and dont take any medication. The only thing I have taken since I found out Im pregnant are my flinstones :) I have been feeling a lot more hungrier lately especially around the time that I go to bed so Im gonna try to eat more, I just get full so dagum fast! Oh and Ashley I stole your pregnancy quiz, I hope you dont mind!!

**How far along? 13 weeks!

**Total weight gain/loss: -2! but Im going to try and improve that!

**How Big is Baby?: A peach :)

**Maternity clothes? negative. I dont really have a bump and I wear scrubs everyday anyway so I dont really know if I need them lol!

**Stretch marks? No thank God

**Sleep: I sleep so good. Last night I didnt but that was nerves about my speech!

**Best moment this week: Entering 2nd trimester & talking to Shawn!

**Movement: Not too much longer :))

**Food cravings: Im so weird. Friday I wanted steamed cabbage with hot pepper vinegar, crowder peas with vinegar, and boiled peanuts!

**Gender: wont know for another 7 weeks! I think baby boy!

**Labor Signs: whew! no!

**Belly Button in or out? In

**What I am looking forward to: My appiontment on August 6th! & of course finding out what "baby C" is!

**Milestones: 2nd trimester! "baby C" has doubled in weight!

12 weeks

Well this is my very first blog. I'm only doing this because my cousin Kasey wants me to. So I'm going to give it a shot. My other cousins wife writes the best blogs, so its going to be really hard to compete. :) I guess this wont be so bad especially with Shawn being gone again. Since we just moved again I haven't had the chance to meet anyone so this time I'm really alone and maybe this will give me a chance to talk.. even if it is typing into a computer.
I am pregnant. It came as a complete shock to us, but hey they say Virginia is for lovers! Now that its all so real we couldn't be more excited. I'm not thrilled that I will be doing everything alone, but that's the life of a Marines wife and I wouldn't change it. I'm 12 weeks as of yesterday. I have no symptoms. No sickness, no cravings, NOTHING. If it weren't for the positive tests, the ultrasounds, and my nice new bra size I wouldn't even know I am pregnant. I'm not showing yet either. To me I just look bloated. I still haven't gained any weight but I'm sure that will be changing quickly and I will be on the fast track to cankles in no time! My next appointment isn't until August 6th. That's just to do some blood tests and a few others. Unfortunately because we are military I only get 2 ultrasounds. So I wont get to see the baby again until 20 weeks when we find out what "baby c" is. Hopefully I can bat my eyes and smile a little and maybe talk them into a freebie. But at least I can hear the heartbeat :)
I hope I haven't bored you to tears too much. My life is boring right now. I'm in a new town with no friends, my husbands deployed again, I go to school, come home, eat. sleep. homework. take care of the dogs. Then I do it all again the next day.
That's all there is to report on the home front this week! Hopefully next week will be more exciting!