Slight Spinal Scare

Whew! Okay, so before you worry, let me explain. We had to go Friday so the ultrasound tech could check out Hayden's head and spine. The way he was positioned last month made it impossible for her to check out these two. I don't know why this past week Dr. Sams's office was so backed up, but we waited (and waited and waited) both times we went. I guess we were making up for all those appointments where we went right on back! Finally, we got to go to the ultrasound room. The tech had to shake Hayden and wake him up. It was AMAZING to watch him move on the screen and feel him at the same time. It confirmed that those flutters I "thought" were him really were. But I digress. She got about 3 good shots of Hayden's spine but could never capture his head. Then she said, "Let me go check with Dr. Sams and make sure this all he needs." No big deal. David and I are chatting about Hayden, and I was relieved to see him again. When she returned, she remarked, "I'm going to put y'all in a room. Dr. Sams wants to see you before you leave." I'm starting to internally panic because she printed out an extra sheet with all sorts of shorthand code about what she saw on the monitor. We sat and sat and sat in our room. Dr. Sams finally made it to see us; he came in and made small talk, and I couldn't stand it any longer. So I asked, "Is there something wrong with the baby?" He shook his head and said, "Absolutely not. The spine looks perfect. I just didn't realize you had seen the NP so many times lately and I wanted to talk to you." WHEW!!! I know David and I both visibly relaxed. I was sitting on the table just praying for the strength to handle whatever news about our baby's spine or position the dr. was going to share. I'm so thankful for such a healthy and easy pregnancy thus far. I still can't believe another human life is growing inside of me!

Hayden

Well, no new pictures. Sorry. I was completely bummed. I love seeing our child on the monitor each month and how he's grown. I do have to go back Friday for an ultrasound because last month when we determined the sex and checked him out, the tech couldn't get a clear look at Hayden's head and spine. Maybe she'll print me some Friday! Then we won't do another ultrasound until about 34 weeks. That's so long to wait, it seems!

Hayden is growing, and apparently so am I! Too much. I gained too much weight this last month. I can blame it on the holidays and having time to laze around, but I knew I was eating too much of the wrong stuff. David and I are both definitely trying to be better. Hayden is about a pound and a half with a heartrate of 148. I can feel him move around pretty consistently. No big kicks or punches yet, but those are coming! I can't wait for the moment David can feel our baby too!

23 weeks

Tomorrow David and I go back to Dr. Sams. We'll get to see Hayden again and hear his heartbeat. I just love these visits! I can't wait to see how big he's gotten. I'm afraid I probably put on too much weight over the break, though. Uh-oh! We're 23 weeks along; about 119 days to go! It's getting very hard to cross my legs anymore and to stay cool enough. I don't know what we'd do if I were pregnant during the summer in the humid, smothering south MS heat!

Today was the first day back at school after the holidays. The kiddos were certainly wired and ready to talk. Oh, and they were appalled we were actually doing work today. Imagine! A teacher making her students do work and take notes? How dare she?!

I hope we'll have some great pictures after our visit tomorrow. Last month's were a little difficult to see, but he's definitely a boy! I'll post them as soon as I get an opportunity. Thanks for following along this journey with us!

Christmas in south MS=HOT (always)

This year we had a rather low-key Christmas (and a hot one! It's been 75 degrees, and it's not changing any time soon!). My folks went out to CA to spend the holiday with my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. David is so funny; he just can't resist giving me present early. Christmas morning was calm, then we had lunch with the Olszewski's (pronounce Ole-chef-ski; fun, huh?). Then we headed to Mobile to see his mom and the rest of the Ainsworth crew. We got home about 8 and crashed not long after. We had the Young side gettogether on the 26th, but we won't do the Holloway family Christmas until Jan. 3 (because of work schedules and such). I wanted to post some pics from our Christmas. David got me lots of little items to help me relax and I got him stuff he had mentioned off and on he'd like to have.

David's big gift was his Bama room; he has all this great stuff that I've kept him from putting up, so I framed his magazines and got a shelf and put all his knick-knacks up/around the office.

My gift was this table, mirror, and lamp combo for our entry. I love it! David also got me the pregnancy Willow Tree angel, and his mom got us the family with the newborn figure.

My parents got me more parts to my Willow Tree nativity set. It looks so good on our mantle!

I finally framed our wedding invitation. Erin says I'm nesting already; I must be because I'm playing with decorative stuff all over the house! Curtains, towels, pictures, etc. I can't wait to get Hayden's nursery done. Ugh, but we need EVERYTHING! It has me stressed!

Heat Wave in December (not what you'd think!)

Well, it finally happened. Tyrone has gone into heat (leaving no doubt she's a she!). At first we couldn't figure out what was wrong with her (she wasn't doing the usual stuff I'd heard). So thank goodness for the internet. David started researching, and sure enough, that's what it was! Now on our agenda for the break is a visit to the humane society because we're not going through this every 2-3 weeks! Bless her heart, she looks like she's in pain (all dirty jokes aside, folks), but the internet assures us she's not. Still, we're going to take care of her. We've just been putting it off. No longer!

*I can't believe she's no longer that little! Tyrone's still just as cute. I'll have to get recent pictures up. She hasn't been too bad with the tree, and she loves to laze underneath it. Merry Christmas week, all!

Baby oh baby

Okay, so honestly, I would doubt I were pregnant if I didn't see Hayden each month on the monitor at the drs. office. Why, you ask? Well, no cravings, no sickness, no "normal" pregnancy symptoms. David repeatedly asks me when I'm going to get cravings and send him out for stuff. Seriously?? You want me wake you up in the middle of the night, husband? And send you out for random food? Ummm, yeah right. I've honestly not just ached (yet) for something specific. If/when I do, anything salty usually cures it. Sweets are great, but I'd rather have something salty. But that's the extent of my 'craving'.

My back hurts some, but not too terribly. My energy is better, so I appreciate that boost. And well, other than random RANDOM dreams (like appearing on game shows), nothing is too out of the ordinary. Oh, and besides going to the bathroom ALL the time, I would really wonder if Hayden was going to be here in about 5 months. But I can't wait for Pee-Wee football and other sports seasons and having to learn about action figures and boy cartoons and all that fun stuff!

Nix the pink

Yes, all, nix the pink. And purple. And girlie stuff...for now. The ultrasound tech confirmed today that we're having Hayden William, not Madyson Grace. I must admit, I had gotten very attached to the idea of having a daughter, but now David will have his football buddy. I shouldn't have let myself convince myself that 80% was as good as 100%! Hayden's vitals were perfect and the doctor was pleased I only gained 4 pounds this month. About average, she said. Made me feel better after the 8 I gained last month! YIKES! So bring on the elephants and greens and blues and yellows! Hayden is about 11 ounces. Or as the dr. said, not quite a Coke can yet!

Click on the picture to blow it up and see exactly why the tech told us it's Hayden!