Post-Turkey day....

Currently, I am beyond OVERFULL.... I made hodge podge for supper, and sent some and some cinnamon rolls with Josh back to work.

Josh came home Tuesday night. I go to sleep and wake up middle of the night... wide-awake... then my laptop and Josh's computer turn on, mine was playing music. The light in the living room that I leave on in case of going to the bathroom... began flickering. I went to turn the laptop off, as it was in the other bedroom. Tristan would NOT come into the room. It was creepy as can be. The cat then laid on my belly until I got ready for work at 5pm.

Wednesday, we had our second Ultra Sound, and our baby is healthy. As of today, we are 20 weeks and 1 day pregnant. The development is completely healthy, heart rate of 158.

We got to see the facial profile more than anything else this whole ultrasound. The tech said this was the most active baby she'd seen in her entire career. I do believe I have a soccer player in my abdomen.

The front of the face is creepy, but the hands and feet are so meticulous now!

IT IS A GIRL: Perry Georgette Fletcher. I'm so ready for the remaining 20 weeks to finish up and to have my abdomen to it's original size and a kid waking me up every other hour... Josh is excited too, I think.

"Aunt" Lizzie gave us our first official "Perry" baby gifts... a couple of super cute beanies that she crocheted for her, some initial hangers, a personalized diaper bag, and a growth chart :) They're fantastic-- AND NOT PINK, woo hoo. I'm not a huge fan of pink on baby girls- at least not mine. Personally, I do not like the color by itself... unless it's LOUD.

We had turkey day in Kansas City, which was nice. Josh's folks got to meet my folks and I think everyone got along pretty well. Josh and my dad got along really well.

Almost 19 weeks

Josh has been gone to training since mid-October just about... almost a full month. I haven't spoken with him in over four days. I'm going crazy. Most of the days he called, we didn't have much to talk about of any importance... just chatted like we would over breakfast. I feel like there's so much I should tell him now though.

...for example, the fact that one of my stray dogs is heartworm positive and it breaks my own heart to know it. He's such a sweet boy. Fortunately, he's going to be treated and *should* be okay, but they're just such good dogs I hate that they'll have to experience it. For those unfamiliar with the parasite: Heartworms are transmitted via an infected host mosquito. The microfiliae (eggs) and larvae enter the blood stream, and as adults enter the heart and other organs. They generally classify infection level as Class 1-4, with Class 1 being the earliest stage and Class 4 being a goner. Carter is only Class 1 so far, but it still frustrates me that such a good dog has to deal with this. Treatment starts with regular Heartguard administration-- this kills the larvae and microfiliae, and sterilizes the adult parasites-- effectively breaking the breeding cycle. However, they then have to kill the adult parasites-- since they will still grow and complicate things. This treatment is arsenic-based and is delivered directly into the spine and is EXTREMELY painful for the dogs.

Side Note: While you may find it humorous... I currently do not: I tried to make Freddy wait to go outside til I finished submitting my paper which only meant I was scanning it into the computer, had to attach and send it with an email. He warned me he had to go, so he wet and messed simultaneously. Peed on himself: Needs a bath. While this was happening, I yelled out... and Carter happily obliges by lifting his leg ON Freddy. I need a dog-nanny :(

We had another midwife appointment yesterday. Josh, naturally, was not there. However, it all went well. I forgot my list of questions for her, but the baby seems healthy with a strong heartbeat of 150 beats per minute. The midwife was surprised when I told her I've been feeling the baby move for about a month now, she says it was probably gas bubbles... I say I'm farther than they think. They scheduled our next ultrasound on Wednesday November 24. This made my mom angry because it delays me and Josh leaving by a day, but at least Josh SHOULD be able to attend, which he'll love. The other option was to have an ultrasound towards the end of December, which was their next earliest appointment. Mom's angry because she feels I should've waited, since "the baby will come when it comes and be a girl or boy regardless when you do the ultrasound. You knew you were traveling. Dinner will be no later than 4pm on Thursday. That will give you 4 hours of screw around time considering your drive." It's a 20-hour drive. I don't even honestly want to go to Thanksgiving anymore. It's frustrating.

So we'll know how big the baby is, that it is developing properly, and if it's a boy or girl (as long as it's not modest...) next week. In time for the holidays. I have taken new pictures, we're almost 19 weeks:

It's hard to imagine I used to have abs... 

Week 18

Officially 18 weeks pregnant. Cool, right?




We're getting big. The heartbeat is averaging 136-152 beats per minute right now. Josh was able to hear that when he was home for Veteran's day.

I am always hungry, always thirsty, and always tired. I found a pair of BEAUTIFUL stray dogs the other day, but I think we have homes for them, finally! It's awesome.

So the baby is super active. Josh even got to hear it punch the doppler a few times while rolling around when he was listening to it yesterday just before he had to leave. I hate that he has to leave so much, though I am grateful that he gets to come home too. I did a last-minute dash to cook for him, which left the kitchen a MESS... I've worked on homework for most of today and really need to jump on finishing a paper for my Brit Lit class.

Back to work, I guess. I really need to finish more work than I have been. Officially two assignments completed, though. Woo Hoo!!

THE PICTURE POST...

I've promised pictures.

We are almost 17 weeks now... and I'm pretty sure we're stuck in a growth spurt. My "happy trail" itches non-stop... I sit with a tub of lotion massaging all afternoon while trying to work on homework!

For the full-size comparison

The penguin Josh bought for the nursery.... he's stoked. 

What's new, you ask?

I have to still take and upload the newest photos... but seeing how I've worked on homework all night tonight so far...

Though, I'm finally starting to get the hang of my statistics... it's taking me a while to do it, but I'm horrible with the numbers and formulas anyway, so I'm just proud I'm getting it right.

I worked a 12-hour shift yesterday, and by the end of it, by poor back was screaming and begging for mercy. Today, I worked in the morning. Had to stop at the store for a new SD card for the new camera, and a new calculator to work on the statistics.

I ordered a fetal doppler today, the cheapo version, but it had good reviews. I think Josh will LOVE it when he comes home... it means that whenever he and I get to see each other, he'll at least get to hear the kid's heartbeat. I'm excited for him, even. We can also take it on the holidays to let the families listen in. I think dad and mom will both like the shot to see the in-progress pregnancy that way.

I drove a neighbor to the store for some milk since her car is broken... and when I get home within MINUTES of leaving-- I find that the cat and both dogs are centered around the pedestal stand of our kitchen table. I figured there must be some food from the dog bowl under there. I move the table slightly, and Fifer starts chasing a mouse across the floor. Iorek steps on his tail and gets him in one bite. He was really mad when I didn't let him eat it. (He could get parasites and whatnot from it.)

We came with some great new flavors at work, which I'm stoked about: White Chocolate Peppermint, Cranberry Crumble, Cherry Cordial, Milk n' Cookies, Dirty Snowball (Caramel-filled Chocolate cake with coconut cream frosting), Peanut Brittle, and many others! This season will be a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to it.

On to the normal things I talk about:

I desperately miss Josh. It's harder each day I talk to him, especially as things seem to go wrong. I think our washing machine is dying, and quickly. I'm tired, all the time. Fortunately, I cleaned the house really well today.

Well, I have to head out for bed now.... Ciao, folks!