My Christmas (To-Do) List

Over the next couple of weeks, Jack and I have a "break." I put that in quotes because we have a mile-long list of things to do while we finally have several days in a row at home. One of which is cleaning out the "throw-it-in-there" room (soon to be nursery). It will be wonderful to have that room cleaned up, but I dread the process. We will also be registering over the next couple of weeks. All of this is in addition to our regular Christmas festivities, of course.

At 24 weeks, our little girl is about the size of an eggplant. While she does move at least a little each day, it's still inconsistent. I'm so thankful that she and I are doing well and we can really enjoy this Christmas anticipating all the wonderful changes for next year. Another item on the list for the next couple of weeks is our next doctor appointment and 4D ultra-sound. I'm excited about getting to see her again and hear her little heartbeat. I have a feeling after January, the ball will start rolling down the hill really quickly and April will be here before we know it. I'll feel better after we can get some of these important things accomplished before I start feeling more pressure.

On a slightly strange note, I did a little music shopping on iTunes and Pandora recently upon the suggestion of a friend to get some lullaby music that I can play now to get the baby used to the sound. The idea is that playing this music when she's here will comfort her since she will be used to the sound. Did you know that there are several lullaby albums that have taken rock artists and made their songs into instrumental "lullabies"? I think the strangest one for me was "Dream On" from Aerosmith's lullaby album. I remember turning up the speakers loud in my car anytime I would listen to that song in college and now it's a lullaby? I guess in some ways it's better than the lyrics to "Rock-A-Bye Baby." :)

Moving along (in more ways than one!)

I am now 22 weeks pregnant. It's hard to believe how fast this semester and this pregnancy has gone. I know soon I'll be saying, baby in arms, that this whole experience flew by. At 22 weeks, there are a few things I have learned and begun to experience.

1. Maternity clothes are heavenly, particularly at Thanksgiving. You can't get much more comfortable than elastic everything and never being self-conscious about your growing stomach because, after all, there's a baby in there!

2. Sleeping on your side isn't great, but it's manageable. I've always been a stomach-sleeper, back is second best, sides only when I have to. While my doctor has said that sleeping on my back some is ok, I am really supposed to keep it to sides if possible. I think now, after about 5 weeks of that I'm beginning to get used to it. Several pillows beside the bed that I can use and toss as needed also helps. Poor Jack, his bed is being taken over by a big pregnant lady and 5 of her pillows.

3. Feeling a baby move inside you is maybe the coolest thing ever. People keep telling me that I'll become tired of this and it will get annoying and maybe they're right, but right now I LOVE feeling her move around in there. I've been trying to pay attention to the times when she most often reminds me of her presence. So far I've noticed it most when I've been sitting and listening to student speeches or comprehensive exam defenses. Either she is a budding communication scholar or she's tired of hearing about communication and wants out of there! I haven't quite figured out which yet.

That's the news up to this point. I hope your December is going well and God has blessed you as He has Jack and I.