Month 6

We have both been so busy that I haven't taken the time to start the "Month 6" blog until now--halfway through month 6! I'm down to 14 days left of school, Jeff finished his last final tonight, and we're meeting with someone tomorrow to decide on the beginnings of our kitchen remodel (to be done by the time baby Dickens arrives!)

Week 24

Noticing more changes just in the way I'm holding myself and really appreciating the time I get when I'm able to do my pilates video to strengthen my core muscles--they NEED it! I'm loving the stronger kicks that I'm feeling every day and want to soak in every moment. I've been truly fortunate this entire pregnancy and am still feeling great, minus the small normal pregnancy pains (back pain, sleeping interrupted by bathroom breaks, etc. nothing new!)

Amber's baby shower for Claire was on April 30th, and I wanted to include the pic not only because it's cute, but because I never look decent when I post my belly pics. I decided everyone deserved a decent-looking me once in a while!

Here's my bump at 24 weeks. Notice the walls are now painted!!! Jeff''s mom and Bill came after Easter to do this and I'm so excited that it's done AND like the color (I was worried because it's not a normal color we'd pick!) Thank you Deb and Bill!

Week 25

In a random conversation, I spoke to "the belly" and asked it what it thought it should be named. We'd been going back and forth with the name combo, and as Jeff heard me ask the belly this question, his answer was, "I thought we'd already decided!" Apparently we'd talked about it and I missed the FINAL word, but we now have it.....

We will welcome Bennett William Dickens in August!!!

We went to Cuero for Mother's Day this past weekend, and mom was the only one who wanted to wait and find out the name. I agreed not to tell her, but it accidentally slipped out at dinner one night! We ate outside because of the nice weather, and as we were talking, I got a BIG kick in the ribs. I normally talk to Bennett, so I said, "Bennett, did you like what dad just said/did?" As soon as I was almost done with the sentence, I realized what I'd done and was actually a little sad that I ruined it for mom! But....life happens!

I got another pre-natal massage, but went to my chiropractor this time and it was a little better. I still don't like lying on my side for a massage, but I need some relief from the back pain I have. Apparently something is pressing on my sciatic, so it's a lot of fun to go on our walks around the neighborhood. I bought a maternity support belt this afternoon to help with this problem--hope it works! It's very annoying because it's hard to stretch this area, and I'm trying my best to take care of myself!

I also have now had to buy a new bra: apparently your rib cage expands to accommodate your growing belly/stomach being pushed upward. Underwire is no longer my friend, so this will be fun! Underwire has been my friend, well, let's just say....FOREVER! The test run will be tomorrow, so I'll keep you posted! Here's a pic of the "goodies". Let's just say I'd rather buy baby stuff than this, but oh well!

Week 26

I decided to take a pic of my ever changing self while Jeff was gone, so this is the result that I got after a long day of teaching and tutoring for TAKS intervention. I think the belly literally popped out on a walk around the neighborhood. I know it didn't, but that's what it felt like! One minute I looked down and was shocked!

This was the weekend I went scrapbooking in Brenham with some school friends. Amy is also pregnant and is due in early October with baby #2.

Week 27

I think this is the first week that I have been really uncomfortable. I've noticed changes for a few weeks along the lines of sleeping, sitting, tying tennis shoes, eating, etc., but this was probably the week when the actual "out loud" complaining started. I really have no room to complain since I've had a WONDERFUL pregnancy, but it still continues to shock me when I can't do something normal any more!

Because of verbalizing these changes more, I also noticed I'm thinking more and more about what the next few months are going to be like. I no longer feel like my body is my own and although I LOVE feeling Bennett move around and love how I'm changing to accommodate him, it is scary to think about how much more I'm going to grow in the upcoming weeks. I do better when my schedule is full and don't have time to "think", so I pray that I will be busy up until Bennett arrives!!