24 weeks

We have made it to 24 weeks - the stage the medical community calls "viability". Essentially, they feel that little ones have a shot at making it outside the womb from this point forward. Ahhh, it feels nice to be here! I am finally feeling calm about this entire "we are having a baby" scenario and I do not have to convince myself that I am preggers anymore. Baby Girl keeps me well aware of her existence by her acrobatics in my belly! And, as you can tell from the pictures taken just a little bit ago, I have a visual reminder every time I look down!
We began our Bradley classes last week and will get a few more in before Andy leaves and then pick back up with the instructor after his return. We will be on the fast track of learning at that point (because we will be 3 or 4 weeks from delivery), but we at least have the materials so we can learn now on our own during the break from classes. We both believe in the methods taught with this philosophy and are confident that we can have a natural birth for our little girl. The entire idea is based on preparing your body prior to the birth and having a supportive and knowledgeable "coach" alongside the mother. (hence the name 'Husband Coached Childbirth' by Dr. Bradley). We will see what the actual day brings, but we want to be as prepared as possible so that we can keep Baby Girl safe from any drug exposure. We hope y'all have a great week! I will be in Myrtle Beach for 4 days at a work conference and Andy will continue the 'working too hard at the office/bury himself in school work/mix some flying in as well' scenario that he has been living the last few weeks. At times, I feel as if he is deployed already because of the lack of time we get to spend together. However, this too shall pass, right?!

Crib building 101

We are trying hard to get things done before Andy leaves and we can now check 'building the crib' off of the list! Typically furniture isn't added until after a room is painted, but it was important for Andy to build the crib himself, so I will just have to cover it when the painting is being done. We are pleased with how it looks and have already begun to imagine Baby Girl sleeping the night away in her new bed;)

I didn't really help at all (unless you count my unsolicited advice throughout the process) but Andy was nice enough to take my picture anyways so that I could feel part of the experience too!

A tribute to Corn Pops...

As I sit here and finish up my "post work/pre-dinner" snack, I feel the urge to give a shout-out the the greatest cereal creation of all time (well, at least while I am preggers anyhow).

I had a dream about Corn Pops one night while on Christmas vacation at Mom and Dad's, and that morning when I came upstairs I discovered Kelly (my eldest sister) was just arriving home from the store. Call it a coincidence, or perhaps pregnancy induced divine intervention, but as I was looking at all of the goodies she had bought, I spotted a box of Corn Pops! Dreams do come true, after all!! wohoo! Well, I had three bowls that morning and haven't really slowed down since. There is something about the slightly sweet and crunchy taste that I can't seem to get enough of. Andy has been to the grocery at least 4 times the last few months because I have run out of my sacred (and desperately needed) snack! Ahhhh, just typing this makes me want another bowl! =) (but I won't since I need to save room for a more nutritous thing that some like to call dinner...)

Who said a pregnant lady can't ice skate?!

Over the past few weeks Andy and I have been laying low with working long hours during the week and getting together with friends on the weekends. I guess we have been living the "normal life" that civilians always experience, but it has been a bit strange for us. Andy is doing very well in his current masters class (what a smarty) and starts another this week or next. Slowly but surely he will become as educated as his wife ;)

Below are a few pictures from the past few weeks, including some from a spouse social where we went ice skating. Our commander's wife was not pleased that I was out ice skating, but I promised her that I would be careful (but I didn't bother to tell her how uncoordinated I was!). However, both baby girl and I survived without incident and we both had a fun time!!

Rachel and I stayed near the wall to help us balance!

Andy with Grace and Grant after a yummy lunch on Saturday! It was great to spend some time with them. They are sure growing up fast!