25 Weeks........Our eggplant

I am 25 weeks pregnant as of today. I am feeling wonderful with lots of energy. Hudson has been moving alot lately and his kicks are getting harder with each day. I love feeling him move! He is still a little stubborn when it comes to other people being able to feel him. My dad still hasn't felt him but I know he will soon. We recently got more baby clothes for him. Jeremy's aunt and uncle were so generous to give us a bassinet and tons of clothes. I bought a huge stack of clothing for all ages for Hudson from my friend Maria who is pregnant with her second and is having a girl this time. We will probably register in the next few weeks.

Hudson is around the size of an eggplant now. He is approximately 13 1/2 inches long and weighs around 1 1/2 pounds. His body is beginning to change from a long and lean shape to some baby fat. His hair has come in now and if you could see it you could determine it's color and texture. It also states that at this point in your pregnancy that often times if someone puts their ear on your belly, they could detect the baby's heartbeat without a doppler. Hudson has developed tiny capillaries giving him a pink glow to his skin. He is also soaking up antibodies from me to build up his immune system for when he is outside of the womb. His eyes are developing and he will soon be able to blink. His eyelashes are already in.

My grandma passed away this morning, and I have been thinking about her all day. I know she is happy and riding her motorcycle with my grandpa in heaven!! Her funeral is going to be on Monday so if you would keep my family in your prayers I would appreciate that.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 25 weeks 0 days
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +7
Maternity Clothes: Yes almost exclusively....not much else is comfortable anymore.
Best Moment this week: Enjoying the home opener Springfield Cardinals game with perfect weather, good food, a handsome husband, and Hudson kicking during the game.
Gender: Boy- Hudson Ray Elliott
Movement: Hardest it has ever been and what a wonderful feeling!
Food Craving: Andy's ice cream, cereal, fruit
What I miss: Sleeping through the night
Sleep: Not great but preparing me for when he gets here.
What I am looking forward to: Registering and buying his bedding.
Belly Button: In
Symptoms: Lots more energy, some ligament pain, growing belly, using the bathroom constantly, some heartburn, and cramping legs in the middle of the night (just happened once but very painful).
Note: Loving this weather and getting to be outside more often!!

Gone to be with Grandpa

My grandma was put on hospice on Wednesday afternoon. She passed away this morning at around 7:10. I got to say my goodbyes on Wednesday and then see her again on Thursday after work. She seemed so peaceful, and I believe that she left this world for a better place without any struggle.

She is now with her parents, a brother and sister, my grandpa, one grandson, and two of her children that died before her. I have a picture in my mind of my grandpa waiting for her at heaven's door saying, "What took you so long Mary?".

She was a wonderful grandma, and I have so many great memories with her. She will be missed greatly but I know she is where she wants to be. She was 88 and had a full life!

Funeral plans are being arranged but I believe she will be laid to rest on Monday morning. Thank you all for keeping my family in your thoughts and prayers. God Bless each of you!

Week 24 Photo

24 Weeks

No new fruit picture this week as Hudson is roughly the same size as he was last week which is the size of a papaya.

24 weeks! I am feeling great but not sleeping wonderful. I have been quite tired this week. I think it is a combination of stress from work (alot to get done the last 2 months), Hudson moving more in the night, and me becoming more uncomfortable when I sleep and having to toss and turn. I told my mom on the phone that he is just preparing me for what it will be like once he is here. ha!

My sister got to feel Hudson kick on Easter Sunday for the first time. She really enjoyed this as she laid next to me with her hands on my belly waiting for him to move for about 30 minutes (remember he is stubborn). AND my mom got to feel Hudson last night for the first time. We were at David's Bridal for my sister to get her dress altered. He only did it once for her, but I was sure excited for my momma to feel him move. His kicks and movements have been more regular and harder as the weeks go by. On Tuesday at school as I sat and ate my lunch, he kicked right above my belly button the hardest he ever had that I actually jumped a little. It didn't hurt but startled me. It is such a neat feeling!!

Jessie and I are headed to Kansas City this weekend to shop, eat, and see some friends. It should be a nice and relaxing weekend. I will post my weekly picture on Sunday when I return from KC.

At 24 weeks, Hudson is around 12 inches long and weighs just a little over a pound. He is still pretty lean but will begin to plump up very soon. His brain is growing rapidly now and his taste buds are continuing to develop. Hudson's lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory tree at this point. His skin is still thin but will start to change soon.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 24 weeks 0 days
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +7
Maternity Clothes: Yes almost exclusively....not much else is comfortable anymore.
Best Moment this week: My sister and mom feeling him move for the first time.
Gender: Boy- Hudson Ray Elliott
Movement: Hardest it has ever been and what a wonderful feeling!
Food Craving: ice cream
What I miss: Sleeping through the night without having to get up to use the restroom or switch positions because I am uncomfortable.
Sleep: Not great but preparing me for when he gets here.
What I am looking forward to: Registering and buying his bedding, and having my friends see my belly and hopefully feel him move while we are in KC.
Belly Button: In
Symptoms: Lots more energy, some ligament pain, growing belly, using the bathroom constantly, and some heartburn.
Note: Daddy loves Hudson so much. He talks to him and kisses my belly almost everyday! It is so sweet.

Week 23 Photo

Another blessing

Just a few minutes ago I walked out of my office to come back to two missed calls from my sister. We had emailed today about my baby shower so I was assuming she was calling about that, but she wasn't. She was calling to let me know that she got the job that she had interviewed for last week.

Jessie graduated in December with her degree in Psychology. She was hoping to find a job similar to what she was doing now at the police department (clerical/data entry). A few jobs had come and gone that she had applied for but didn't get to interview for. I know she was getting a little discouraged. She just really wanted a job that she would be good at and that would provide her with full-time hours, benefits, and insurance.

Well today is the day! She got a job as an administrative assistant for the Greene County Public Administrator's Office. I am so proud of her and know that she will do a wonderful job for their department. She said she was sad to have to break the news to her current job at the police department but realizes that they understand her situation. She was limited in the hours she could have there plus she was not receiving any benefits. She starts her new job on Monday. I know my sister is going to be the best administrative assistant their department has ever had!

I love you sis and am so very proud of you. Yeah for more money, full-time hours, insurance, and benefits. You are a BIG GIRL NOW!! Congrats again!

23 Weeks

I guess from week 21-24 the baby stays mostly the same size so there is no new fruit comparison this week....bummer!

I am now 23 weeks along in this pregnancy. I can't believe I am more than halfway there! The time sure has flown by for Jeremy and I. It still seems like yesterday when I found out that we were expecting. Hudson continues to move frequently but is more active in the mornings and at night. Jeremy has been able to feel him a few more times now which is very neat. Still waiting for him to move for my parents and sister to feel. I went and bought a maternity dress last night that I will probably wear to my sister's wedding rehearsal that is in a month. I also bought some khaki capris and another one of my favorite tops. It is crazy how just a few weeks go by and now I can barely fit into any of my pants without them being uncomfortable.

At 23 weeks, Hudson is now a little over 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound. His sense of movement is well developed now and he can feel me move or dance at this point. Blood vessels in his lungs are preparing for breathing. His good sense of hearing is adjusting to all sounds and preparing him for the outside world. Noises such as our dog barking or the vacuum cleaner will probably not even faze him once he is born because he is hearing all of those sounds now.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 23 weeks 0 days
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +7
Maternity Clothes: Yes pants and tops now.
Best Moment this week: Finding out at doctor's appointment that Hudson's measurements all looked normal on the ultrasound and that he is a healthy boy!!
Gender: Boy- Hudson Ray Elliott
Movement: More regular and harder with each day and week
Food Craving: ice cream
What I miss: Sleeping through the night without having to get up to use the restroom or switch positions because I am uncomfortable.
Sleep: Waking up 2-3 times a night to use the restroom.
What I am looking forward to: Registering and buying his bedding, having my family feel Hudson move for the first time.
Belly Button: In
Symptoms: Lots more energy, some ligament pain, growing belly, using the bathroom constantly, and some heartburn.
Note: Love my sweet boy so much already!!!