She must be breakdancing in there!

Dave got kicked in the ear when his head was on my belly! Marlee is very active everyday for now, she does sleep some, but at least she's not big enough for it to be painful yet. It seems like I must be lucky so far not to have severe leg/calf cramps, nosebleeds, and that I did get some energy back. Trying to keep from laying flat b/c it cuts off oxygen to the baby. I am still eating pretty well, but I am still craving chocolate like mad! I am also lucky to have gotten many maternity clothes that I like AND can wear.
I can't believe that it turns May on Saturday. Time seems to be going quickly, yet it's weird to know that I will still be pregnant for 4 more months. From what other moms are telling me, it will be hard for me to move around a lot in August, especially on the floor working with the kids. So looks like I'll have limited involvement that month, at least we'll be transitioned to the other consultants by then.
It's still not getting above 85 degree outside, so I still don't know what it's gonna be like to be huge, pregnant in the heat of summer. I plan to hang at my friend Kari's pool whenever possible...may even get a kiddie pool to soak in outside here.
Marlee can start to hear my voice, music, and other voices/noises soon. I have started to register for stuff as well.
Mother's Day is coming up soon, and next year I'll be a MOM! So crazy, but awesome!

Feelin' stronger everyday...

About 21 weeks, and it's downhill from here...over 1/2way through this journey with our next one starting this fall. It's been over 2 weeks since I've gotten morning sickness, which is a relief! I have some days where my energy levels are high too, even though some days/afternoons I'm still exhausted. I'm sleeping with a pillow between my knees and one behind my back, on my side as much as possible, keep waking up on my back at times though, and I guess I'm not too big for laying on my back to be really uncomfortable yet. She has been moving around like crazy, my doc said that it was early for me to be feeling her so much so not to expect it everyday, but....last night I could feel her on the outside w/ my hand, so hopefully Dave will be able to feel her soon! I still haven't had any weird cravings, but I have been craving watermelon (haven't gotten any good ones yet b/c they aren't in season), and craving fruit in general, and I've made some smoothies and maybe a milkshake or two. ;)
We go back to the doctor May 4th for another ultrasound to hopefully wrap up all of the measurements of the baby.
I've gotten 2 more boxes of maternity clothes from a neighbor's friend. There were some things in there that will work for me. Very cool that I haven't really had to buy any maternity clothing yet, but definitely already needing to wear it. It does feel good, b/c most people are telling me that I look good for being 5 months along and barely look pregnant. My hips, butt, and thighs are definitely bigger (they were big to start with), but my lower belly is where I'm poking out the most. My uterus is up to my belly button and Marlee is the size of a cantaloupe.
We are officially taking a "babymoon" in June with Jonathan (brother-in-law) and April (his wife) to the beach. We are excited b/c we've never taken a vacay w/ just them.
It also looks like both showers (Centre and Nashville) may be in August, cutting it close, but that will give us plenty of time to get the house ready. Can't believe our house is going to be babyland soon. Dave has finished updating the upstairs bathrooms (they look great!) and next we'll tile the laundry room/bathroom. But in the meantime we need to plant our garden. So excited for fresh fruit and veggies this summer!

IT'S OFFICIALLY A GIRL!!!!!

So...we've had the feeling the whole time, and now it's confirmed...and her name will be Marlee Jessamine. We are so excited! We had our ultrasound on the 13th at our doctor's office. The tech said she was super active and not very cooperative. She was facing down until the tech almost gave up, then she finally turned over and we got to see her profile. Cute little face! They want to do another ultrasound in 3 weeks because they couldn't get good measurements of all the vital parts, including one of her arms/hands. Pretty sure we saw it before, so not worried, they just want it documented.
My doc tells me that I can sleep on either side, that the left side being the best one is a myth. That will make it a little easier, but I keep waking up on my back! Which the back is not okay to sleep on, or even lay on from now on now that I'm 20 weeks.
Padgett said that we could have a lot of Natalie's things. Which is awesome b/c it'll save us money and be perfect b/c Natalie was born last September, so she'll be grown out of her stuff by this September!
We hope to have a yard sale soon & then we can get started on the baby girl's room!
Dave is in Florida this long weekend, jealous, but I'm glad to get some girl time in this weekend. I may go to the Baby Fair at Baptist Hospital on Saturday, it's free!
We'll be signing up for childbirth classes soon...probably do the ones in July.

Spring has sprung!

We are having beautiful weather in the 70s with lots of sun! The band is playing in Lexington, KY this weekend. I have been doing a little spring cleaning...cleaning out closets and drawers & getting stuff together for a yard sale. I changed out my winter stuff for maternity clothes. I was able to toss some things and we'll have a good bit to sale as well. Once we get all that stuff gone, we can start on the baby's room! Not sure what colors we are using yet, but I definitely want neutral colors, and we're using my old crib, our used rocking chair and ottoman, and Dave wants to build the dresser/changing table. Can't wait to start on it!

We have officially started growing our garden. We've planted more than we did last year, hopefully it will all hang on. It should go in the ground next month. Can't wait for fresh summer veggies!

I found a used prenatal workout DVD yesterday that I'm gonna try today. It has dancing, yoga, stretching, pre-labor prep, etc. Our book club for this month is Julia's Chocolates, so I've started that as well.

Can't believe we are over halfway through the pregnancy and think that it is a girl! We are looking forward to our appointment on Tuesday!

It's a GIRL, but it'll be official next week!

18 weeks along, that means halfway!!!! Dave's aunt Gaye, who works at the hospital in Ft. Payne, did us a favor to arrange an ultrasound last Friday. It definitely looks like a girl, but I've heard so many stories of people being told it was a girl all along and then turning out to be a boy, so I want to find out for sure. Her name will be Marlee Jessamine. We are so excited!

We had a relaxing Easter weekend...finding out the sex, cleaning up and painting at the lake cabin & gazebo (of course I was mainly watching/supervising/reading since I couldn't paint), going night fishing (and I caught a big Crappie!), eating good food with family and seeing some friends. Dave's parents also let us drive Larry's old truck back, he got a new/used one and didn't want to sell his, so Dave gets to use it.

We are so lucky and blessed to have the awesome families that we have! Very happy and excited!