22 Weeks

Baby is now 11 inches long, about the size of a spaghetti squash, whatever that is. He weighs almost a pound. A pound! He's starting to look more like a newborn, with more distinct eyelids, lips, and eyebrows. There are even little tooth buds developing under his gums. Everything else just keeps on developing.

I'm feeling pretty good. My energy is high and I think my only complaint right now is my chronic back pain. I'm sleeping with 5 pillows, positioned everywhere. My hips hurt too, usually during the night. I'm not sure if it's because I'm lying on my side or they're expanding. Let's hope it's the side thing. Glad to be on the downhill slope. Not that I'm not enjoying this part of the pregnancy. Everyone says this is the only good part, and so far I'll agree. I feel great and I'm barely big enough to even think about being miserable. I'm just anxious to meet him and hold him. I had a doctor's appointment last week. Everything is still good, right on track, and still measuring in a week ahead. The doctor is set on the original due date though and he said that the ultrasound at 8 weeks was more accurate for determining the due date than anything now. And it doesn't mean I'm going to have a big fat baby, although I could. His features aren't the only things becoming more distinct, his movements are too. There is still the light brushing every so often, but within the last week or so he has started "popping" in my belly just like popcorn. It was absolutely amazing the first time I felt it, still is really. He's more active after eating and at night, especially when I lie down for the night. Then of course I'm not going to sleep because I want to soak in every moment I feel him moving. I love knowing there's this little baby in there, and in 18 weeks I get to meet him. A couple of nights ago I could actually see a little kick (or punch) through my belly. Just absolutely amazing.

Uncle Map's Visit

My brother Matt (or Map as Lucas says) came down this week for a little visit. It was really nice to see him again-I haven't seen him since my wedding a little over two years ago. (on a side note, what!?!, I've been married for 2 years!) He drove down Sunday and left this morning. We had a nice time. Went to the movies, played some mini-golf, did a little shopping, and spent probably too much time on guitar hero and wii. It was wonderful just to hang out again as this is now a luxury with family that lives so far away. My wedding brought a lot of family back together again at the same time and I often wonder when will be the next time that we are all together again.

Sammy is doing much better. Her stitches were taken out on Tuesday and it is healing up nicely. Now next on the agenda is getting Benny fixed. I'm going to try and schedule it this month and then hopefully after that we will be all done with any dog problems. But they're doing good. I've gotten my first moles of the year. Although instead of bringing them to the back door like a present, I've been finding them in the yard. Not complaining, much better than cleaning up rabbit or skunk.

I went with Jaime to her doctor's appointment and 4D ultrasound today. He was a little stubborn, keeping his arm wrapped up by his face, but it was nice to see the little guy. He's going to look just like Lucas! I am so excited for his birth and to hold little Landon Toppe.

Michael and I had our first webcam "date" tonight. He stayed up late in order to do it, since they are seven hours ahead of us. But it was so nice to see his face and type back and forth. I could almost hear his voice and his laugh. He seems to be doing well, just sitting through a ton of briefings and trying to bear the heat and sandstorms.

No More Army Life For Me

This past weekend was my last drill weekend. I think it will be weird not to put the uniform on anymore and to not say I'm a soldier or I'm in the guard, etc. I guess this chapter, like all others, must come to an end too. I feel that I've done my duties and I have gotten what I wanted to out of the experience. Seven years and many memories later, I am done.

In Kuwait

Michael made it to Kuwait safely. He actually left Tuesday afternoon, but I didn't hear from him until today. I've had my phone by me everyday, waiting anxiously for his phone call, just to get an email from him! Apparently there was some problems with the switchboard at Camp Atterbury so he couldn't make a phone call home. I don't know a whole lot, the email was short and just to let me know he got there okay, but he's fine. Hopefully we will know more soon. In the meantime, some pictures of him at the airport in Maine on his way over.

*Kuwait is the stop that all the troops make before going into country. They will do more training here, probably to get get conditioned to the climate, for any where from 2-4 weeks.

20 Weeks

I'm halfway there!

Nutter weighs about 10 1/2 ounces and is about 6 1/2 inches long...or at least he should be at this point (unless he's bigger!). He's the size of a banana! He's swallowing more and producing meconium (which we'll be seeing in some of his first diapers). He's also started sensory development in his brain, designating certain areas for sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. This means that he should be able to hear now.

I just want to say it's nice to be able to say "he" and "him". Not much has changed in the last couple of weeks. I'm still feeling fine, having energy, etc. I wish I could feel him more. The movements are still faint and quick. Hopefully it won't be long until I feel some strong kicks...then I'll be wishing I didn't! And no odd cravings either, still mostly just fruit that I want. I guess I'm getting bigger (I should have started measuring my waist) as people tell me I am, but I feel like it's slight. Although I'm definitely showing and people can tell I am pregnant. Today was the first time the cashier asked if I needed help out with my groceries. I declined, but might have to take advantage of that pregnancy pampering and spoiling sometime!

The 4th of July

This is also the 1st holiday without Michael. Kind of ironic too...the holiday that celebrates freedom and the reason he is gone, to preserve that freedom. While I know that the things I do will not be the same without him here, I also know that I cannot just sit at home and play staring games with the dogs. Columbus does the fireworks show on the 3rd, so Friday night my friend Wanda came over with a friend that she works with to cookout before watching the fireworks. Afterwards we came back here for some strawberry shortcake and some more fireworks. Of course, it drove the dogs nuts, but it was fine. I think they're almost, almost, getting used to it with all the fireworks going off all the time. Yesterday I went to Michael's aunt's house for a cookout. There was so much food! It was nice to visit with family again. His cousin is pregnant too (actually due a few days before Jaime) and she's naming him Nathaniel. When I told Michael on the phone he said, but we had that name picked for years! He's funny. I miss him terribly again already and the holidays are always going to be harder without him here, but we just keep reminding each other that it's the only one-he'll be home for the next 4th of July.

I'm dog-sitting Zeus this weekend too. I should have known it was going to rain. It always seems to rain when he comes over. The dogs have been spending most of the time in the house napping. Zeus on the tile floor, Benny in the chair, and Sammy up on the bed. They're funny how they all have their places. Benny still seems to tiptoe around Zeus and Sammy and Zeus still seem to bully him a little. It kinda makes me sad. He's just so sensitive and loving, but also very playful and Sammy only tolerates so much. He doesn't try to play with Zeus so Zeus basically ignores him. Unless they're eating and then Zeus will eat his food and then move to Benny's bowl and finish his. Poor Benny just moves to the side and watches. But they all get along and there's no serious fighting.

Michael's Last Pass

I went up to Wisconsin last Thursday to see Michael for his last pass. It was such a long drive but so very worth it. We had a wonderful time. It really didn't matter what we did because it was just nice being together to do it. After showing him the ultrasound he was in super baby mode so we spend a lot of time shopping and looking at baby stuff. We bought some outfits and finally found a diaper bag we both like. He's so excited to become a daddy, it just warms my heart. We saw a couple of shows, walked along the Mississippi River (we stayed in LaCrosse) and went to a bluff overlook. Sometimes we just relaxed in the room. It was perfect.

I had to drop him off on Monday evening. It was hard, still is. Now it's just getting through the next five months until he comes home on leave. It's always hard at the start, the good-byes and adjusting to it all over again. I know it will get easier as time goes on but right now it sucks. Today will be a day at home with the dogs.