Week 23: Mango

If the mango is confusing to you don't worry, it's confusing me too.  This week's comparison is based on weight, which is a still about a pound...I don't make these up and I am just happy to follow along.

I got to carry into my week more time with the Huddleston 3.  Jen and I tried to enjoy pedicures together but instead had coffee and much needed girl time.  It was like we hadn't been apart all of these months.  Then the hubby and I had some more time with them one evening.  It was like old times, minus it wasn't in London, an adorable baby boy was present, and I have grown a belly.  In just the few precious moments I have been able to spend with our sweet friends just reminds me of how much my heart is still in the UK.  

But back here in TN we have a home to love and care for. We have been doing Spring maintenance to the outside.  The garden is almost ready for planting once our earthworms arrive.  The garden is prepared much earlier than last year and this makes me happy...we also mulched the flower beds and just need a few shrubs and flowers.   We are looking good compared to the mess that was our flower beds when we arrived back from the UK last May.  

I encountered my first stranger wanting to rub my belly in Kroger yesterday.  I had just finished my much needed pedicure and decided to do my shopping for the week.  I was ending my trip in the nut aisle when this woman said, "You look like you are having a baby" I turned around to expect to see someone I know.  Nope just a woman on a motorized cart.  She asked when I was due and asked if I knew what I was having.  She was so excited we are keeping it a surprise, then she stuck out her hands and said "Can I rub your belly?"  Really, what choice did I have?  I definitely do not have an issue with belly rubbing and she said it was good luck.  Glad I was alone.  The hubs might have told her to back off - haha.

I spent this afternoon with my BFF and we said our goodbyes to the H3 at a shower honoring little Peanut.  I thought I was going to make it without a tear, but in true Candace fashion I lost it witnessing a beautiful moment with the new family.  It was amazing to have you so close - love you guys so much.

Please come home soon.  Peanut and Cash need some playdates!

Time is flying...my bladder has lost some control while sneezing...and I am itchy from the tall grass ;)

Much Love,
CC

Week 22: Spaghetti Squash

Baby C is weighing in this week at approximately 1 pound.  Or the size of a spaghetti squash.  

It's kind of fitting that it looks like a giant egg :)

This week started off with a sore back from doing yard work, but after a night off of the gym and sitting on a heating pad I was back to almost normal.  ~  I had a check up with another OB in my doc's office.  I didn't really like her but it was good to know the baby is good.  Next visit is the glucose test.  ~  We booked our childbirth class for the first weekend in June.  And after watching a very up close and personal birthing video the other day, I might be trying to get out of watching whatever they show in class.  ~  Our dear friends Jen and Drew are in town visiting from London with their adorable little Peanut.  We had a birthday gathering for Drew at our home with his family and some friends in attendance.  It was surreal having them here...hopefully we will have more time with them during their visit.  Oh I have missed them.  And thanks again you guys for the precious gifts for Baby C - and the Monmouth coffee.  It was a great way to start my Easter with one of my favorite things from the UK.  ~  In preparation for the party we did some running around Saturday morning, which included a dump run, trip to Home Depot, my first visit to a laundry mat, picking up some blueberry plants and herbs, and dropping the dogs off to get groomed.  I was not sure this needed to be a priority, but the pups looks awesome!!  I hope they dig their short cut for summer.

Normally on Easter Sunday I would be having lunch with my family but the grandparents went out of town this year.  The Kelly's were gracious enough to have me along to their family lunch since I was home alone.  It's nice to be adopted by such wonderful people.  Montezuma pie for Easter...YUM (however I still think PK makes it better - sorry Lesly)

I hope you all had a blessed day with people you love...I know I did.

Happy Easter!

Love,
CC

**So happy I got an Easter basket from the hubby this evening...Reese Eggs are the way to my heart ;)

Week 21: Carrot

The sun it out. Yay.  I love the sun and I am hoping the little human I am growing loves it too.  When it shines I smile more and see the world as a happier place.  It is already pretty hot and maybe in a few months I will be writing how much I hate the sun and heat but I'll just chalk that up to hormones ;)

This week we met two pediatricians.  The one we currently like the best looks like Quentin Tarantino.  He took about 20-30 minutes to chat with us.  He won me over with his views on me bottle feeding instead of breastfeeding.  Glad to know he won't judge me.  He was very matter of fact and easy to communicate with.  He said there is no book that has all the answers and we will just work together on any given issue as they arrive.  He has a MD not a GOD. ~ We had the hubby's vehicle is repaired and now mine has something electrical going on.  What we thought was an easy low beam light bulb replacement of course turns into something else.  Hopefully, if I get pulled over for a headlight out they will have some sympathy for a pregnant woman - haha. ~ We had plans this weekend to go to Cheekwood with Baby C's godparents, but this was ruined by the fact Cheekwood wanted to charge us to get in before we bought a thing.  Yeah I would rather take my $30 to the local nursery than give it to them.  So we did.  We bought a Oshio-Beni Japanese Maple for our front flower bed.  So excited about it!

Another family with the same due date as Baby C's found out the sex of their second bundle of joy this week.  They had an AWESOME reveal party which was photographed by the amazing Brooke Kelly.  You should check it out here.  Congrats again you guys!!

Today is the 12th birthday of someone very dear to me.  I have spent all of these years loving this boy as my own as his mother is my bestest friend in the world.  I still remember the first time I held him and I could not stop the tears...Lord help me the day I hold my own child.

Happy Birthday Ian!

Off to my first prenatal massage.  Thanks Dan!

Have a great week.

Love,
CC

**Thanks Janelle for letting me borrow this dress.  Do you have it in black? ;)

Week 20: Banana

Warning - randomness ahead.

Baby C is approx 10 ½ inches from head to heel (the length of a banana). ~ Kicks make me happy.  It's by far my favorite thing about pregnancy. This week kicks were felt by Daddy C and this makes me feel over the moon.  ~ Tailbone pain has started, mostly while at work.  I’ve been trying different sitting positions, a pillow and exercise ball to help ease the pressure. ~ We have looked into birthing classes and gonna book one soon.  I hope they don't hassle us when the husband leaves the room for the birthing video.  I'm all for him being prepared but he doesn't need to see that... 

 I thought our female dog, Daisy, was being sweet to the baby this week.  She laid on my belly and looked up at me with her beautiful brown eyes.  To my dismay she only did this because the belly was in the way of getting the stick from my just eaten ice cream bar.  I have a feeling she isn’t going to love the new addition to our family.  She thinks she is #1.  Luckily we have Duke - the sweetest male dog ever.  ~ I went bowling with my ladies.  Having a baby in my belly doesn’t make me any better at bowling but at least I beat my initial score in our last game.  Haha. ~ The hubby's car is out of commission.  We are praying whatever is wrong is an easy fix or we will be car shopping ASAP.  We've been sharing a car since Friday and no way our schedules will allow for this long. ~ His computer fell of the table and the screen cracked.  We will be finding a solution to this soon as well. ~ On a good note, we were told by a random stranger at Kohl's that we were the cutest couple.  It made me blush.

Baby C got a present ~ a little tag blanket and Rubber Ducky that tells you if the bath water is too hot.  Thanks Jeni :)

Thanks for the comments following last week’s blog.  You guys are the greatest.  And those of you that read and do not comment, I appreciate your kind words, emails, texts, etc.  We are officially halfway through this journey and your continued love and support has made this an even more enjoyable experience.  The simple memories being created with each post will only continue…my cup runneth over. 

Love ~ CC

Week 19: Artichoke

The bump is getting bigger and Baby C kicks are getting stronger and stronger.  I was told I was huge this week.  Now the culprit explained she meant my belly but I'm thinking can you please wait til at least July to tell me that.

 Baby C's gender predictions are at a high.  More boys guesses are going around although many of the wives tales point to girl.  My "intuition" hasn't kicked in.  I still am on the fence.  I just want a healthy baby.  I used to think this was such a stupid statement because it was always something my mom said that you have a preference but honestly I do not.  I see both as equally great but by far what weighs on my heart is their health.

This week I am loving fish tacos from Chili Burrito, lemonade, Games of Thrones, Peyton Polooza, sunny days, and belly kisses from the hubby.  I seriously crave some belly time from my love.  The moments when he touches me melt my heart.  Even if he doesn't feel connected yet to the baby, there is just something about his touch that makes us all feel like the family of 3 we are soon to be...

 I am afraid this baby thing is getting a bit over the top because it kind of consumes my thoughts.  I am so anxious and pretty sure time is going to creep by until Baby C arrives.  I just hope my excitement isn't a bit much.  I know I'm not the first woman to have a baby and certainly not the last but by God I have the right to be excited.  So strike all that about being over the top.  I don't give a you know what ;)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!  Enjoy a Guinness for me.

xoxo,

CC

P.S. I made this dress.

Week 18: Bell Pepper

This week was pretty great.  My hubby was on Spring Break and got to enjoy a much need break.  We were able to spend Friday and Saturday together, which is a rarity now days.  Friday started off early with our ultrasound!! :)

As some of you know, you have to go to this visit with a full bladder.  This sucks, but it is outweighed by seeing your developing baby.  Our ultrasound experience was OK.  We saw all the parts but the sex.  Baby C was sitting on it's feet and not cooperating with the tech.  She had to punch around on me to get to see the goods.  They have to look just to make sure all is normal.  We were asking questions throughout about things we were seeing and then we got to the brain.  We asked how it looked and she said the doc will talk to you about that.  I thought maybe I was being sensitive to this statement but when I was getting dressed the hubby asked when we would be seeing the doc.  He too was freaked out by this comment.  The tech sent us off with paperwork and we dissected it in the elevator.  From what I read all said normal and then I read the ovaries were normal...I was thinking I should not been looking at this.  I told the hubs, the baby has ovaries (which is not bad just did not want to know yet)  I read it again and realized, the ovaries were mine - haha.

Once we saw the doc, she read over the report .  We are both good.  I've gained 6 pounds thus far, Baby C is 9 ounces.  I'm not to do jumping jacks anymore.  I go back in 4 weeks for a routine visit.  No more ultrasounds.  She sent us off to go celebrate our good report!!  Of course, we went to Cracker Barrel.  :)

Some special pics from our visit.

We didn't share the face...it's scary and to my hubby looks like Megatron.  But the profile is adorable.

Hope you all had a great weekend...it's almost Spring!!!

Love,

CC and Baby C

Week 17: Turnip

I officially have Spring Fever...I started seeds for our vegetable garden and I ordered some English lavender this week.  March is going to be full of prep work - tilling the garden, weeding the flower beds and putting out new mulch.
I cannot wait to start digging in the yard...maybe I will plant a turnip.

My allergies are kicking it again but since we did not have much of a winter, allergy season is going to be wonderful.  I did read in my pregnancy book that congestion would be back in my life this week.  Glad to know I am on track - haha.

Baby C is approximately 5 inches this week from head to butt and moving pretty regularly.  There was lots of flutters Friday afternoon while waiting on the storms.  Some major growth is happening the next few weeks.  Kicks will be getting stronger and hopefully the husband will be able to feel some movement soon.  Experiencing all of this with the man of my dreams...no words can describe how wonderful it truly is.  I am amazed daily.  I'm sure some of you know what I am talking about and I pray the rest of you are blessed with the same joy one day.

Ultrasound and checkup with the doc in the coming week...more on the next post.

Much love,

Candace