Yesterday I turned 30 weeks… can you believe it? Hello end of pregnancy! You know it’s getting close to the end when you can’t see anything below your belly. Chris had to paint my toenails… what a show! But, in all fairness, he did a pretty good job.

Some new symptoms entered the mix the last few weeks:

• my ankles are swelling! Yes, occasionally they get to be about the size of an apple!
• lower back pain! Luckily, I work with the Sports Medicine team at MUSC and one of the physical therapists showed me some extremely helpful exercises to eliminate the pain. Thanks, Renee!
• shortness of breath! For up to about an hour each morning I experience a feeling as if a stack of bricks are on my chest. It helps to drink water and take deep breaths but I could certainly do without them!

I visited my doctor’s office again this morning and everything is still completely fine, though! My heart rate, blood pressure and weight are all great. Brayden’s heart rate is also strong and he is measuring right at 30 weeks. Everything is on target!

Lastly, here is a pic of me with one of my closest friends, Chassity, at her baby shower a couple of weeks ago. I’m blessed to be going through this pregnancy with her as she is only 2 weeks ahead of me. We’re able to trade tips and secrets about the experience. I’m so thankful for her and look forward to having our babies together this Nov/Dec! Chass is having a girl so perhaps one day far down the road our babies will fall in love. haha!!

So, when I first thought about writing this post it was going to be titled, “Baby 15″, but since then I’ve already gained another 5 pounds… and counting. I was blessed when I was younger as I never gained the “Freshman 15.” But, I guess this is one I cannot avoid! According to my baby books, my weight gain should be between 16-22 pounds this week, so I am right on track. I’ve been archiving the experience by taking photos of my belly. Check out Week 22, 24 and now 26 below.

Week 22

Week 24

Week 26

Some additional updates:

• I passed my glucose test that checks for gestational diabetes! Thank God! Here is a great, short resource link for those that want to learn more about diabetes during pregnancy.
• Brayden now weighs approximately 2 pounds (yes, that still doesn’t explain the 20 total pounds).
• If by chance we did go into preterm labor, the baby has a much higher chance of survival at week 26.
• We enter our third trimester this Tuesday!

After much deliberation, Chris and I have finally decided what our first born son’s name will be. I’ve already told some of you but it only became official last night when Chris finally agreed….

So without further anticipation, the name chosen is:

We are honoring Chris’s father by naming our son after him (plus William is Chris’s middle name). Brayden was just a name that both of us liked. We needed something interesting and that’s what we came up with. So, no haters please!!

Let me know what you think!

Ever since we found out we were having a boy, we have completely been in what most people call “Nesting Phase.” We’re working on the baby’s room, changing things around in the house, looking for furniture, picking out wall colors… you name it, I bet we’ve thought about it in the last week. We just purchased our first item for the baby’s room – it’s a sleeper couch so we can have a place to rest while we’re up in the middle of the night and/or when we have guests.

My inspiration for the baby's room

I’m so excited about creating the baby’s room. It’s a time when you can let your imagination run a little wild for a while. But, we’re trying to keep things somewhat calm and neutral as we don’t plan to stay in the condo for the rest of our lives. I’ve picked out the bedding set from Pottery Barn called “Sweet Lambie.” I’m now obsessed with lamb dolls and decor. If anyone locally is reading this, there are 2 big lamb dolls that I’m dying to have from J. Garris in Mount Pleasant. Cutest things ever!!!

Chris has been extremely helpful in researching cool, modern rocking chairs and other baby furniture. I can tell he really enjoys all of this as well. And, he’s always great about going on Consumer Reports to make sure we’re getting the safest items available for the baby.

Speaking of which, we finally started our registries as well. Ultimately, we’ll have one with Pottery Barn, Target and BabiesRUs. They are definitely not finished yet but hopefully they will be in the next week or two. So, stay tuned!

Last Tuesday Chris and I found out that we were having a precious little boy. I can’t tell you the amount of emotions that just instantly overwhelmed us. What a blessing from God. We really had a tough weekend prior to the ultrasound with my Papa’s passing. I truly believe the little one was sent to us to help heal our many emotional wounds from this year as I lost two grandparents.

Nothing in this life compares to seeing your child on the little monitor for the first time. His organs are already fully developed and his skin layers are starting to grow. I believe the doctor said he is 10 inches long. Man, I can definitely believe that as my stomach continues to grow at a remarkable pace.

And… we felt him move for the first time last weekend! Seriously, one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Some of my girlfriends that are pregnant started to feel their babies move several weeks ago. I was feeling somewhat left out! But, our baby boy was in full motion Sunday night. He moved around for what seemed like a solid hour. Chris spent most of the time with his hand on my stomach so he could feel him move too.

I’m taking a short break to tell you how awesome it is to be carrying this baby for the man of my dreams. Chris is already a wonderful parent and I can’t wait to bring this little one in the world as I know if he is even a little bit like his father, then he will be an incredible man one day.

Back to the baby… all of his vitals were strong. The heart, spine, brain, blood flow, fluid intake all looked great. They took some photos using the 3D ultrasound as well. Check out our Flickr photos to see little Chris.

And, the best part about it all was that we shared the experience with our mothers and my sister, Carla. We were honored to have them there with us in the room… what a great time! I’ve included video of the event so take a few minutes if you want and share in this wondeful occasion with us.

The Passing of Your Great Grandfather

Dear Baby:

This week we said goodbye to your dear great grandfather. It saddens me dearly that you will ever get the opportunity to meet one of the finest men in my life. Papa, as I call him, was loved by all. I will always be greatful for his kind spirit and heart and  for always looking after us. He never let us go without anything that we needed or wanted. It’s at this moment that I truly feel grateful to have known him and will cherish the 27 years that I was priveleged to spend with him.

As a child Papa was always up for doing something fun, and usually outdoors. One of my fondest memories was when he took me to Riverbanks Zoo – just me and him – and we rode the double-decker bus. He kept up with me, even though I must’ve been about five and very adventurous. In my high school years he attended several of my soccer games. I remember looking up and watching Papa walk alongside the fence as I went up and down the field after the ball. He was – along with my father – my number one fan and motivator. He was quick to praise but also quick to point out any bad decisions I made on the field. “Run faster!” I remember him shouting.

Still, what I loved most about Papa was his unfailing devotion to God and politics. To him there was no separation. For every story that was on the news, he had an opinion. I shared with him his passion for the rights of the unborn. In thinking about you today, baby, I just cannot fathom separating myself from the pure love I receive from you inside of me. Your father, Chris, loved to challenge Papa on politics, even though he agreed with him a lot of the time. It really riled Papa up.  But, I think he enjoyed the debates nonetheless. Man, how I will miss our conversations with him. Your Papa was one of the smartest men that I knew.

I really wish you could’ve known your Great Papa. At this sad moment there still remains this peace about his passing. I know that it only comes from God. Your Great Papa is now in heaven with other close family members that have gone on before him – your grandfather Simpson, great grandfather and grandmother Howell and your great grandfather and grandmother Adams. All precious people that still love you dearly.

So on this day I pray blessings and good health for you, baby. I pray God’s hand of protection on your life. And, I pray that Papa will always look over you from Heaven.

All my love,

Your Mother Jennifer

Here’s a quick video of Chris taking footage of my belly to keep all of my out-of-town relatives (aka my sister) in the ‘know.’

As I approach week 17 of this fabulous pregnancy experience, I have finally come to the realization that I can no longer fit into any of my pre-pregnancy jeans, pants or shorts. Alas I’ve lost my size 26 waistline and turned it in for a nice pair of mom jeans.

Because of my unwillingness to accept this stage in my life, I have been limiting my wardrobe to all the skirts and dresses that I own in my closet. Yes, this means that I also have to apply my weekly dosage of self-tanner as no one in this world wants to see my pale white legs in the summertime. I highly recommend L’Oreal’s Sublime line as it applies evenly with no streaks. But, I am little annoyed that I don’t end up looking like Eva Longoria when I’m done. That would take a lot of work!

So this week I have on my schedule to buy a few Bella Bands that everyone keeps recommending. Hopefully that will keep me for another few months before I really have to purchase maternity clothes.

Other baby updates:

• I just got my results back from the doctor and all of my genetic tests came back normal!
• My baby is about 10 cm and weighs about 4 oz. This does not explain the 6 pounds that I’ve already gained….
• Our next ultrasound (the big one) is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21. My mom is coming down for this one!
• My nauseousness has subsided some; although my energy level is still well below par.

When we walked into the conference room last Friday for an office wedding shower, one would have thought that professional photographer, Brennan Wesley, would have known party etiquette. Yet, there he was… snapping away… one after another… Yes, that’s right. He took pictures of us eating!?! But, in light of this somewhat unacceptable move, I thought I would share what turned out to be comical photos with you:

Adam examining his food

Me consuming the last bit of my sucker... ok, I am posing

Ginny trying to hide from the camera

Me going back for more... hey, i'm feeding two

It’s true. I just can’t stop! At first I was ultra concerned about eating too much and gaining weight. But, the truth is, you really don’t gain nearly as much as you think you’re gaining. The baby needs the calories (but try to adhere to the 300 extra calories per day rule.)

Weeks five through eight were all about Chinese food and red meat. I couldn’t eat enough steak. And, the Outback filet failed in comparison to my husband’s medium-well filet delight. He is really good on the grill (thank God.)

Then my obsession turned to potatoes. I didn’t care if they were grilled, baked or fried. I think it was the carbs that kept me going.

Now I am experiencing this odd obsession for hamburgers and fried chicken sandwiches. Both must have pickles, however.

So, the rumors are true. You really do crave foods while you’re pregnant. And, the same is true about (hold on… can’t think…. third of the brain cells gone) food aversions. I have a knee-jerk gag reaction to the aroma of coffee. Can’t even be in the same room. And, I can certainly do without certain vegetables that I used to love, like squash and zucchini. (But, thanks Adam for giving us some from your garden this morning. I promise Chris will enjoy them.)

Have any weird food cravings? I’m curious to hear about them!