37 Weeks (Ryan's Perspective)

Hey Everyone!  This week instead of me blogging, Ryan is going to do it...

37 Weeks
Quick synopsis of what's happened since the last post:

• Jacksonville shower - The shower was hosted by my cousin, Julia Lawless.  Beth's parents and my Grandma McCarthy made the trip down.  They helped assemble items from the shower and finish setting up the baby's room.  We are so blessed to have such loving family and friends that have been so generous and just as excited about Baby Huntley as we are.
• We have completed 2 of 3 childbirth classes.  Both classes have been informative and interesting to hear other couple's prospective.  Something new I learned in the class was about the epidural procedure.  It's actually a catheter, not a shot. 
• Interviewed the pediatrician.  I think we got it...one interview=one pediatrician.  Beth and I both really liked her and felt really comfortable with her.
• Tour of the hospital.  This was actually a lot quicker than I thought it would be.  Pretty simple, we toured the waiting rooms, nurses areas, patient rooms (where Beth's going to be the whole time) and the nursery.  One thing we took away from the hospital tour was that babies do not stay in the nursery.  The baby's stay in the room with his/her parents basically the whole time.  I think we only saw 1 baby in the nursery (for circumcision) and all maternity rooms were full.
• Doctor's appointment.  Really not a whole lot happened.  Dr. came in, measured Beth's stomach, listened to the heart beat and told us she will see us next week unless Beth goes into labor before. 

Something Beth hasn't shared with everyone are the names we have picked for the baby. 

Girl:  Mollie Bryant Huntley (after Beth's grandmother, Mollie Darwin, and Bryant is my mother-in-law's maiden name).  My wife is from Mississippi where I think it is the law to have at least 1 child with a double name, so we will call her "Mollie Bryant."

Boy:  James McCarthy Huntley (McCarthy is my mom's maiden name and James after my Grandfather Huntley, Beth's dad, brother and grandfather).  We will call him McCarthy (or Mac).

Due Date: October 4, 2011
Size of the baby: Baby Huntley (according to my book) is almost 6.5 pounds and total length is about 21 inches.
Weight gain/loss: Beth had a doctor's on Thursday (9/8) and had gained 6 pounds since her last appointment (2 weeks ago).  That brings the total to...36 pounds.  I told her she looked like she lost weight. 
Maternity clothes:  She is wears a lot of the same outfits over and over. I guess she has slim pickings.
Gender: Don't know.
Movement:  The baby is moving a lot.  I have actually seen her stomach move when the baby moves.  In the past I had to put my hand on her stomach to feel it.  She told me today that the baby was moving a lot while she was at work. 
Sleep: I would say Beth is sleeping good.  Her snores and groans have increased in the last week.  She is not getting up to go to the bathroom as much, which makes me nervous.  Charlie has moved to my side of the bed due to the lack of room on Beth's side. 
What I miss:  I think she misses a glass of wine every once in a while and being able to bend at the waist.
Cravings: Picasso's, a restaurant by our house. We eat there once or twice a week and she craves anything on the menu.
Symptoms:  Swollen ankles, tired, heart burn, weight gain, grouchiness...just joking
Best moment of the week: Getting together with my parents for family dinner and Beth's parents being there. 
A few pictures from the weekend:

34 weeks!

34 Weeks! (and 2 days). 

First off--HAPPY 38th ANNIVERSARY to Mr. and Mrs. Huntley!    

This is moving soooo quickly!  I am still feeling good, but definitely more uncomfortable.  Luckily most of my discomfort is at night, especially when I get up to go to the bathroom and in the mornings.  I think moving around during the day actually makes me feel better.  I have a lot of pain in my right hip and under my stomach.  It's kinda funny to me because almost every morning (or during the night) I wake up and hobble to the bathroom...hobbling like I can't put pressure on my right leg or my hip will "give out"...and I tell Ryan, geez I feel like Brooke (Gentsch NUNLEY) and Tag (her brother).  If you don't know them, they are both VERY athletic and very tall and have been very hard on their joints.  It takes both of them at least a good hour in the mornings to "get going" and be able to walk without limping.  My ankles and feet have been swollen a couple of nights, but all in all I really can't complain. 

I know I mentioned on an earlier post that we were trying to decided whether or not to go to childbirth classes.  I went to a breastfeeding class last and it was SOOO helpful and I really realized what a HUGE commitment it is.  Makes me nervous.  We enrolled in child birth classes, too.  We start this coming Tuesday and will go each Tuesday for 3 weeks.  Let's see...what else...we are still in limbo about childcare.  Just on waiting lists.  The room is almost finished.  I'll post a picture as soon as it's a little more organized and get a few things hung on the walls.  And I have the baby's coming home outfit, made by his/her Aunt Kinsley...or Auntie Thundercat, as she prefers to be called.  Kinsley made them in a size 0-3 months, so she's going to make a newborn size, too just in case.  I am realllly hoping the baby will need the newborn size!! 

Ryan and I have been trying to do some things that won't be as easy for us to do after the baby comes.  Like...going to the movies on a week night, going to the gym together (don't get excited, I walk at 2.5 mph watching something on Bravo on the treadmill while Ryan actually works out and runs 394873874 miles), staying in bed until 10am one morning (which we NEVER do...and may have been the result of a birthday party the night before), Libby spent the night with us one night and other things like that.

Sooooo, here I am.  34 weeks, 2 days...and I can't believe that I'm going to keep getting bigger!

Due Date: October 4, 2011
Size of the baby: Baby Huntley (according to my book) is almost 5 pounds and total length is about 19.5 inches. 
Weight gain/loss: I had a doctor's appointment today and had gained 5 pounds since my last appointment (3 weeks ago).  The nurse tried to make me feel better by saying that I had an afternoon appointment instead of a morning appointment this time.  HA!  That brings the total to...30 pounds.  Yikes, I have 6 weeks to go!  The doctor also said that my belly is measuring right on target, not too big— (definitely) not too small.
Maternity clothes:  Basically maternity everything.  And I'm quickly outgrowing a lot of my maternity clothes! 
Gender: We won't know until the baby makes his or her grand appearance!  Recently most people have been telling me they think it will be a boy. 
Movement: Still feeling lots of movement!  I just love it.  Ryan and I THINK we may have felt the baby having hiccups last night.  My friend, Madison, is due with twins the same week I am and she described to me what it felt like and that was exactly what we were feeling last night.  At night after dinner the baby is usually really active, so it's great for Ryan to be able to feel and see him/her move!
Sleep: No change.  I'm still sleeping good.  There are fewer positions where I'm comfortable and I get up about 3 or 4 times to go to the bathroom...but, I always go back to sleep very easily.  And I'm still sleeping on my back most of the time.  My doctor assured me today that if it was hurting me or the baby, then I would not be comfortable sleeping that way. 
What I miss:  Ok, this belly is reallllly starting to get in the way.  I really miss just being able to bend over and pick something up.  I have a collection of pens and post-it note pads under my desk that I have absolutely no intention of picking up any time soon.
Cravings: I am back to anything and everything with no nutritional value...blueberry cake donut from Dunkin Donuts, any combo meal from any fast food restaurant (especially hot ham n cheese from Hardees), laffy taffy, sour patch kids...cheesecake, etc.  
Symptoms: HEART BURN (still killing me!). Weight gain, crazy dreams, itchy belly, leg cramps...just general uncomfort. 
Best moment of the week: Definitely both of us getting to feel the baby move!

Someone has started nesting!!!!

And...we took care of our lead paint situation:

We had all of our windows replaced.  I'm sooo happy that we did.

I would be shocked if anyone has actually made it this far!  But I  hope you all have a great week and weekend.  Please keep us in your prayers!!

Less than 2 months left!!

Just a quick update, so I don't forget all this.  It's kinda boring (sorry!). 

31 weeks!!!

Due Date: October 4, 2011
Size of the baby: Baby Huntley (according to my book) is about 3.5 pounds and around 18 inches long, the size of 4 naval oranges.  I had a dr. appointment this week and she said the baby was probably around 2.5 pounds. 
Weight gain/loss: I gained 4 pounds since my last appointment.  That brings the total to...25 pounds.  The doctor also said that my belly is measuring right on target, not too big—not too small.
Maternity clothes:  Ryan and I had to take a little shopping trip to Old Navy to get ole Bethy some new maternity clothes.  And I am sooooo glad that I did!  I just didn't realize how much I was having to squeeze into some of the pants I was wearing.  I am so much more comfortable now!
Gender: We won't know until the baby makes his or her grand appearance!　Most people seem to think the baby will be a girl.  I did a few online gender predictors this week.  According to the Chinese calendar, we have a boy.  Some questionnaire thingy: 53% chance girl, 47% boy.  The baby's heart rate at the appointment was 150-160, I think that is supposed to mean girl.  Can't wait to find out for sure!!! 
Movement: I have been feeling the baby move A LOT in the last 2 weeks.  I love it!!!  Everyone keeps telling me that I will get tired of it.  But, I just don't think I will because I've been wanting to feel it so badly!  I came home from Iuka with a cold a couple of weeks ago and still have a cough.  The doctor said that may be part of the reason the baby has been moving so much...because I'm coughing so much.  I'm kinda thinking I don't want to take anything to get rid of the cough! :)
Sleep: I'm still sleeping good.  I really can't complain. There are fewer positions where I'm comfortable and I get up about 3 or 4 times to go to the bathroom...but, I always go back to sleep very easily.  Knock on wood.
What I miss:  My thighs not rubbing together (I am still missing that!!). 
Cravings: I haven't really been craving anything lately.
Symptoms: HEART BURN. Weight gain, crazy dreams, itchy belly, leg cramps...is having to move your seat  back to get out of the driver's seat a symptom of pregnancy??
Best moment of the week: Definitely both of us getting to feel the baby move! 

I was 30 weeks in this picture: 

This was Ryan at 15 weeks:

Here he is at 30.  Ha!!

Isn't he so much fun and such a good sport?! I'm so lucky! (and yes, we have been in this house for a year and I still need to hang something on the wall!)

Hope yall have a great weekend!  Please keep us in your prayers!

Iuka Showers!

We had a whirlwind of a weekend in Iuka last weekend.  We had 2 showers--one on Saturday at Rebecca Skinner Gray's house and one on Sunday at Mt. Evergreen UMC.  I am so lucky to be from a town like Iuka.  I haven't "lived" there (except for summers while I was in college) in 11 years and when we get to Iuka, it feels like I never left.  Ryan and I drove to Enterprise, AL Thursday night to break up the trip a little.  Ryan's mom, our sister-in-law, Stephanie, and niece, Libby, flew into Birmingham on Friday.  How sweet of them to make the trip to Iuka to be at the showers?! A trip to Iuka is not easy or convenient (especially a quick weekend trip) and we soooo appreciate them going out of their way to be there for us at this special time! Ok, I'm not going to ramble on about the showers.  But, I really want to thank Lori Beth Rhodes, Rebecca Gray, Brooke Gentsch, Lisa Locke, DD Lambert and Paula Moore for everything they did this weekend!  We are so blessed to have friends and family like all of you!

Here are some pictures from the showers--

Sweet messages to baby Huntley

Everyone made a prediction...

Some I appreciate, some I don't!! HA!

Everyone picked napkins according to whether they thought the baby would be a boy or girl...

I picked girl...Nikki picked boy

My aunt, Lisa, Nikki, my grandmother, Beebs, me, Kinsley (she got off work early and was able to stop by) and my Mom

Lori Beth (due Feb. 1st), me (Oct. 4) and Erin (due Dec. 7th)

 I want to say something cheesy about being best friends and sisters.  But, I won't.  Nikki and Rebecca have always told us that Big Sisters rule, little sisters drool.  Looks like the Big Cousins will rule!!!

When we got back to the lake, I had to get everything back out so Ryan could see.  We are soooo blessed!  So much good stuff!  I just cant wait to use it all!

Shower at Mt. Evergreen (there aren't as many pictures here, mainly because I am NOT very photogenic at the moment :)

 Mrs. Huntley was very sweet to get my mother a Grandmother gift. 

 Me, Stephanie, Mrs. Huntley and Libby

I came home and got everything out for Ryan to see :) 

Thank you to everyone! 

And just a few more pictures from the weekend:

Hope everyone has a great week!

3rd Trimester...ALREADY??

I can’t even begin to believe that I am 29 weeks. Only 11-ish weeks left. I know everyone says that towards the end time seems to creep by…but, so far time has FLOWN! I am still feeling great. In the past week or so, I have had some back pain and a little pain under/below my stomach. But, all things considered I have absolutely nothing to complain about. I feel so fortunate and so blessed with my pregnancy so far and I pray that I continue to have a healthy pregnancy for the next 11 weeks. Ryan and I have a few things that we need to do over the next few weeks—like pre-registering at that hospital and signing up for childbirth classes. I’m curious about what people think about childbirth classes. We get VERY mixed reviews as to whether or not we should take them.

Over the last few weeks we have been touring childcare centers. Ugh. I hate the thought of it. “Hi, you are a stranger. I don’t know you at all. Will you take care of my baby for 40+ hours each week?” I will say that I have really liked all of the places we have seen, but that only makes me feel a little better about it. Sorry to be griping about this, but it’s just honestly how I’m feeling about it right now.

29 Weeks!

Due Date: October 4, 2011
Size of the baby: Baby Huntley is about 2.5 pounds and around 15 inches long, the size of a butternut squash. By the look of my belly, I’m thinking more along the lines of a large spaghetti squash.
Weight gain/loss: I went to the doctor last week and had gained 6 pounds. So far, I’ve gained a total of 21 pounds. The doctor also said that my belly is measuring right on target, not too big—not too small.
Maternity clothes: Well, I’m starting to outgrow some of my clothes that I’ve been wearing. Some of my dresses are too short now, unless I’m wearing leggings or something. A lot of my non-maternity tops don’t completely cover my stomach anymore, either. All pants are maternity—and even some of those are getting a little tight. I don’t own any shorts (that fit). I’m not big fan of shorts to begin with, but I have tried on a MILLION different styles and I just can’t do with this stomach.
Gender: We won't know until the baby makes his or her grand appearance!　Most people seem to think the baby will be a girl.
Movement: The baby has been moving around a lot more in the last couple of weeks. I still don’t think it qualifies as “a lot.” But, I am feeling something a few times everyday. I read in one of my pregnancy apps that starting at 29 weeks that I need to start counting kicks. If I don’t feel 10 kicks in 2 hours, then I probably need to call my doctor. Please. I don’t even feel 10 kicks in 1 day. I’m not going to call my doctor about it. She knows this baby doesn’t move a lot and she’s ok with it and not concerned at all. So, neither are we (me or Ryan J ). On a more positive note, Ryan got to feel the baby move a week and a half ago, 7/7/11. It was around 5am one morning and I woke him up so he could feel it. He was thrilled to say the least. So thrilled that we went to Orlando that weekend to buy furniture for the baby’s room—I think it made everything seem A LOT more “real”! Isn’t he going to be a great dad!!

Sleep: I'm still sleeping pretty good. I’m having crazy dreams. Crazy, crazy dreams. If I have seen you, talked to you, texted you, facebooked you, emailed you, if you are pregnant and recently had a baby and/or someone that I went to high school or college with—then it is VERY VERY likely that I have had a dream about you in the last month or so. I get up an average of 3 times per night to go to the bathroom, I get a little short of breath if I lay on my back and I’ve had a few cramps in my legs. I’m having a little, just a little, trouble finding a comfortable position when I try to go to sleep.
What I miss:  My thighs not rubbing together?
Cravings: Snow balls. Yum. I want one now.
Symptoms: HEART BURN. Weight gain, crazy dreams, itchy belly, leg cramps, etc.
Best moment of the week: Ryan getting to feel the baby move! 　Here is a picture from July 14^th. I was 28 weeks, 2 days:

　
What’s been going on since the last update:We went to Iuka for the 4^th of July. It was a great trip. We were only there for 3 days—but, it was such a relaxing weekend it felt longer. We did the Lomenick “Race up Heart Attack Hill” 5k while we were in town. We both had to walk it…me because I am gigantic and Ryan because he had a bum toe. He hasn’t played soccer in a while…think years…and started playing again. He came home from his first game bleeding and limping. Ha! Here is a picture of the safety patrol that followed us the whole way (yes, because we were last!). Beebs and Lunar—I’m not sure which of them has more stories to tell!!! They only asked me 25 times over the 3 miles if I needed water or a ride. Ha!

We were also surprised with a baby shower during our annual Bryant/Dexter Christmas in July party. They DEFINITELY surprised us—considering I didn’t even shower and wore my swim suit and cover up (for the record, the cover up NEVER comes off). It was so sweet of them to do that for us and we got LOTS of great stuff.

I know I’ve said it before, but I don’t feel like I can say it enough—Ryan and I are both blessed with incredible families…immediate and extended. Here is a picture of all the “kids” that were there (most of them can’t even be considered “kids”). Kaylee, Kelsey and Kyndal Shea, Jayden Jones and Devin and Collin Dexter aren’t in the picture (but surely Jayden, Devin and Collin wouldn’t have been forced to be in that picture…my cut off for the kid picture is graduating high school). I wonder who will be holding Baby Huntley in the picture next year!!

Like I mentioned earlier, we made the trip to Orlando for furniture for the baby’s room. Hello, IKEA!!
We loaded up with everything we needed.

I do LOVE Ikea, but I do not love the thousands of pieces that have to be put together. I guess that’s why I don’t put it together J. I just watch, take pictures and go buy snow balls for everyone. When we got home that night (I thought it was night--but it's clearly still very light outside in this pic), Ryan’s parents came by to help us put the night stands together.

Ryan’s brother, Brad, came by on Sunday to help with the dresser/changing table. Mr. and Mrs. Huntley came by, too. While they moved furniture from the baby’s room to the other guest room Mrs. Huntley and I went to Target for a bed skirt. Here is another picture of the furniture assembly.

　
The Huntleys ordered the crib for us and we put it together last weekend. All the furniture is set up and ready to go! Pictures are coming, but the bedding doesn’t come in until August L and I want to hang a few things on the walls first.

Hope you all have a great week! Please continue to pray for us!

Update on my previous prayer requests: Logan got a good report from his doctor.  Will and Lori Beth are having a baby!!!  They found out right before they found out he was leaving.  They are thrilled, to say the least!!  I seriously could not be more excited for them!!! Please continue to keep all of them and the Boyetts in your prayers.

26 Weeks!

26 down, 14 to go! 26 weeks doesn't really sound like I am that far along, then when I think I only have about 14 weeks left I can't believe how quickly the time has passed!

I'm going to start with my pregnancy update, so you're not bored to death having to read everything that's been going on for the past few weeks.  Here is a pic from about a week or so ago:

And let's just be honest here.  Since most of you are on facebook, you know that I actually look a lot bigger than this (I'm referring to the family beach picture--yes, that's me, not a whale).  I think I mentioned in my last post that I try to find my skinniest picture to post, and this pic won this time (thank you, Stephanie). 

Due Date:  October 4, 2011
Size of the baby: Baby Huntley is about 2 pounds and around 14 inches long.  Ryan sent me a text today to let me know that the baby is about the size of an "English hothouse cucumber" according to his weekly update.  Needless to say, we have no idea what kind of cucumber that is. 
Weight gain/loss:  I had a dr. appointment about a week and a half ago and I gained....EIGHT pounds.  EIGHT pounds in five weeks.  EIGHT pounds.  yikes.  So that makes 15 pounds total.  The nurse laughed when I asked if she meant 8 pounds total or since that last appointment.
Maternity clothes:  No change here...I wear a lot of dresses that aren't maternity and some of my tops and skirts aren't maternity (just a bigger size).  All pants are maternity. 
Gender:  We won't know until the baby makes his or her grand appearance! Most people seem to think the baby will be a girl.
Movement:  I'm still not feeling a lot of movement.  I feel something maybe once a day (at the most).  I talked to the doctor about it and she reassured me that it's ok.  And I really believe that it is, I'm not even worried about it anymore.  She said that if my placenta is in the front that I just won't be able to feel very much.  This past Sunday at church, I did feel the baby moving a lot--for about 20 minutes.  It was great.  I can't wait for Ryan to be able to feel it!
Sleep:  I'm still sleeping pretty good.  Ryan and I slept on an air mattress last week while we were in Fernandina with my family (don't worry, everyone that had a bed did everything but force us to sleep in their bed)--best sleep I've had in months.  I told Ryan that I may be blowing that thing up and putting it in the floor of our bedroom. 
What I miss:  Ahi tuna.  Steak cooked medium. 
Cravings:  Still no "cravings."  Everything that I'm eating I would have eaten before I was pregnant, I guess I'm just eating more of it.   
Symptoms:  HEART BURN. Weight gain, crazy dreams, itchy belly, etc.  Ryan says I snore and Kinsley and Logan confirmed it. 
Best moment of the week:  Feeling the movement.  Or at least thinking I'm feeling movement! 

We have had a great few weeks.  We celebrated our niece, Libby's, 2nd birthday.  She is sooo much fun.  She had a blast playing at the beach and got soooo excited about opening her gifts. 

We got her this little Minnie Mouse outfit and a Minnie Mouse to match--

Here she is in her cute little flamingo dress--perfect for her 'mingo beach party (she had a flamingo swim suit for the beach part of the party)!

Ok and seriously, look at this. yummmmmmm. Libby knows how to feed her guests!!

We also went to Babies R Us to register.  Nothing too exciting about it, but I wanted to mention it just so I could post this picture...he's such a good sport!  Just like I mentioned about our Mothers after Mother's Day--we are also incredibly blessed in the Dad department.  And I have no doubt Baby Huntley will say the same about Ryan one day.  He is already and unbelievable Dad to this baby! (Even if his eyes are saying--This picture better not go on that blog!! ha!!)

Mama, Daddy, Kinsley, Nikki, Nathaniel, Jack, Beebs, Jerry, Lisa and Logan came down last week and we had a great time.  I wish I had pictures to post from while they were here, but I guess I didn't take any with my phone.  We went to Fernandina and stayed for the week.  I think they love it there as much as I do!  Mr. and Mrs. Huntley, Brad, Lindsey, Jason, Stephanie and Libby all came to meet us for dinner in Fernandina one night.  Ryan and I are soooo lucky to have such wonderful families. 

Ok, sorry, that was long.  I'll try not to wait so long next time...but, hey, at least there were lots of pictures!  Please continue to pray for us.  We are getting soooo excited as the due date gets closer!!

Also--from my prayer request from my previous post.  Sadly, my friend, Lindsay's dad--Mr. Boyett, passed away.  I know their family appreciated all the prayers--and I know they would still appreciate them and need them.  I can't even begin to imagine their pain.  Just like they've said--they know he is in a much better place, but they are left devastated and heart broken. 

Last, but not least.  Logan is not 13.  He's 14.  SORRY!!  And no one even corrected me until I called him a 13-year-old when he was in town last week. 

Hope you all have a great week!!

"Are You Feeling Heavy?"

I love my co-workers.  Seriously, they are so much fun.  Juan, a guy I work with, asked me today if I was feeling heavy.  Yes, I am, thanks for asking!! Bless him.   He comes by my desk everyday to say good morning.  When I respond he says, "I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to the baby." My boss, Dolly, told me today that she didn't think risk management would want me using the stairs anymore.  Uhhh, someone got stuck on the elevator yesterday during a power outage.  This home girl is using the stairs. 

We have had a pretty great few weeks.  I had a little stomach bug for a few days.  It wasn't too bad, I just thought I was dying.  To all you mothers out there that have had morning sickness--BLESS YOU.  And bless you again if you went on to have more children, knowing what morning sickness is like.  I told Ryan (after my little 24 hour bug) that if I had had morning sickness, we would be adopting the rest of our children.  Actually, I would like to adopt one day regardless.

We went to Iuka for Memorial Day.  We love going to Iuka.  I love how much I miss Iuka and how super super excited I/we (Ryan loves it as much as I do) get every time we go.  I love seeing our friends and family at the lake, I love running into people at the grocery store or Wal-Mart and I love seeing everyone at church.  When we go to Iuka we usually go to 2 church services on Sunday mornings--Mt. Evergreen UMC and Iuka UMC.  I love both of those churches so much and going is always a favorite part of my weekends in Iuka.  We went to a graduation party for my cousin, Jayden.  She just graduated from high school and she is so sweet, couldn't be prouder of her and all that she has accomplished.  I can't believe it will be Kinsley graduating next year.  Kinsley started kindergarten the same day I started my senior year of high school.  Kinsley told her class that year that Nikki and I were having babies.  We found out because someone called Mama to ask if it was true.  Ha!  Sorry, back to the weekend Iuka.  We got to visit with lots of friends--always so much fun and I miss them all so much!  We got to see a "few" things that Mama and Daddy have gotten for the baby...so "few" that we would have had to check luggage to bring it all back with us, so they are going to bring it when they come in a couple of weeks.  I wish I had a picture to post of the blankets Mama has made and the Jeep diaper bag Daddy asked Mama to go back and get for Ryan (after she told him it wasn't on sale).  LOVE THEM!  Kinsley and Nikki and Nate had a few things, too.  But they held out on us and wouldn't let us see.  Well, I should say didn't let us "touch"--they both sent pictures as soon as they bought/made the outfits!  It makes me so excited!  This is probably the most exciting time in mine and Ryan's life, other than getting married :), and I can't even begin to tell you how much it means to us that our family and friends are just as excited as we are! 

I don't have a recent belly shot or a new ultrasound picture, so I'll share a pic of the next best thing: Charlie, our dog!  We love him and he is going to be a great big brother!!

23 Weeks

Due Date:  October 4, 2011
Size of the baby: Baby Huntley is about 1 pound and 10-11 inches long, about the size of a large mango (? a mango is 11 inches??)  
Weight gain/loss:  My next doctor appointment isn't until June 16th and I don't weigh myself, so I'm not sure where I am in the gaining weight department.  Other than, I'M GAINING WEIGHT.  Also, I have a confession.  When I post pictures on here of my baby belly I make Ryan take like 15 pictures and I always post the one where I look the skinniest, even if my face looks weird or my hair looks bad.  It's all about the size of the belly.  Now that a lot of people reading this have actually seen me, I just felt like I needed to fess up.
Maternity clothes:  Still loving maternity clothes! All of the skirts and dresses I wear aren't maternity and some of my tops aren't maternity (just a bigger size).     
Gender:  We won't know until the baby makes his or her grand appearance!  Now that I'm obviously pregnant, random people make predictions.  Like yesterday, I dropped off Ryan's dry cleaning and the guy asked when "she" is due.  I said Oct. 4th. He said, "it's a girl." I thought he was asking and I said we don't know, we aren't going to find out.  He said, "no, I'm telling you.  It's a girl."  I went back that afternoon and a different guy asked if I was "carrying." I said yes, and he asked if it's a boy or girl.  I told him we weren't finding out.  He said, "I'm good at this.  It's a boy." I told him that's funny because the guy there that morning said it's a girl.  He said, "that old man is my dad and he doesn't know what he's talking about.  Trust me, it's a boy." HA! 
Movement:  WE HAVE MOVEMENT!!!  At least I think we do! I only feel it a couple of times a day, at the most.  But, I'm consistently feels the same way...so, it's enough to keep me from worrying about it.
Sleep:  I have actually been sleeping great lately--as long as the AC is low and Charlie and Ryan are giving me enough space, ha!  I have started needing to take off my rings and watch when I sleep because I wake up and feel like they are cutting my circulation off.  Is that normal?  When should I stop wearing my rings altogether? 
What I miss:  I really don't think I'm "missing" anything right now that I can't have/do since I'm pregnant! 
Cravings:  Still no "cravings."  Everything that I'm eating I would have eaten before I was pregnant, I guess I'm just eating more of it.   
Symptoms:  HEART BURN. Weight gain, crazy dreams, itchy belly, etc.  Ryan says I snore (I don't really believe him). 
Best moment of the week:  Feeling the movement.  Or at least thinking I'm feeling movement! 

If you made it through that lonnng post, thanks!!  Please continue to keep us in your prayers! 

And I have a couple of other prayer requests--
Logan, my 13-year-old cousin, broke his back.  He is usually VERRRY active, so he's having a hard time adjusting to just sitting on the couch.  He will be in back brace for 12 weeks.

Will, Lori Beth and Addison Rhodes--Will is in the Air Force and on very short notice was just sent to Saudi Arabia.  I can't imagine how hard it is to be so far away from the people you love.  Will, if you read this, we love you and appreciate the sacrifices that you make for our country!

Lindsay Boyett Broome's dad, Lemuel Boyett.  He has been fighting cancer for almost 2 years.  He is truly an amazing man and needs lots of prayers right now.  Lindsay is one of my best friends and roommates from college.