Two pounds and two ounces!

Today, Halloween, we had a sonogram of the Mabe Baby Boy. He weighs two pounds and two ounces, and he is doing great! This sonogram picture is of his little face, he has round cherry cheeks, and a little chin, big eyes, and a good sized squished nose! He was very active in there, and appeared to be right on track the doctor says for February 4.
As for me, I am retaining some fluid and my ankles are now cankles, and the doctor says it not a problem right now, but possibly could become a problem later. He told me to try my hardest to get through working until the Christmas Break, or about 5 more weeks, then he'd probably have me stay home until the baby comes. So, I am looking forward to Christmas Break from school, but at the same time not looking forward to gaining more fluid, he told me it would likely get worse. But, other than that we are doing good! Lots of weight gain, about 168 now, that's 33 pounds with 13 weeks left to go, I should be a cow by the time I deliver. Oh, and I found out today that my blood is O negative, so I have to have a shot in two weeks which I have been told is painful, did anyone else do this? I am going to try to upload the sonogram video, but haven't mastered the skill yet, not sure what I am doing wrong!

Pumpkin Ice Cream

That's right! I drove myself to Braum's last night with high hopes of them having pumpkin ice cream. And, they did! So, I got myself a dip of pumpkin ice cream on a waffle cone and it was so yummy that I bought a half gallon of pumpkin ice cream. So, right now I'm indulging again! I think this is another reason Sarah & I are friends, we both LOVE pumpkin and fall! I am loving this cool weather, it always makes me want to cook, every year. Beef pot roasts, chicken stew, chili, and comfort foods. But, I also LOVE pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, and pumpkin ice cream! Every fall when I lived in College Station (5 years), I would go to the ice cream shop called 32 Degrees (which is now closed), because they only had pumpkin ice cream in Oct. and Nov. each year. They had the best pumpkin ice cream I have ever eaten, and I miss those days. I remember each fall being so excited to get my first taste of pumpkin ice cream, and then being so disappointed come the end of the holidays, because they did away with it then. However, Braum's makes a pretty close second to this ice cream. I hope you are all enjoying the flavors of fall as well. Eat up, fall only comes once a year!

A few sonogram pics...

I know it took me long enough, but Lance finally found our copier/printer/scanner in the storage building this weekend, so I can finally scan in our sonogram pictures. These are old now, The first one is my first doctor visit on June 23 at 8 weeks. Then, the second is our second sonogram at 18 weeks on Sept.3. The second one is hard to tell anything about, it's the only picture the doctor gave us that day printed, and it's the IT'S A BOY! sonogram...

We go to the doctor this Friday, October 31, for our 26 week sonogram! We are very excited to see our approximately 2 pound boy on Friday!!! Hopefully, the doctor will print us some better sonogram pictures to share with ya'll!

I love my husband!

Lance & I just got to spend almost a whole weekend together for the first time in almost 2 months. He was home Friday at the same time as me from work, and he got to be home through late morning today. We had a great weekend! And, I am so thankful to have such a loving and caring husband. I know now that God sent me a true angel. I have never in my life had such an increadible bond and connection to anyone. Lance is truly my soul mate. And, I know without a doubt that God had me experience all that other "CRAP," so that I would know true love when I found it. My life is happy and complete now. I absolutely do not want for anything, but more time with my precious husband. I am so happy that my baby boy is going to have parents who love each other so much, and are so thankful for him, our gift of our love for each other. I just hope and pray that this little boy has all the love he ever needs in his life, and that he always knows just how much his Mommy & Daddy love him, and how happy and excited we were to have him join us in this world and make us into a family.

Daddy (Lance) arrived home Friday afternoon with my recliner glider rocker and ottoman! Here's the pic.. Like I said, my husband is good to me! He has been worried about my swelling, so he wants me to sit and relax in my comfy chair with my feet up! I'm loving the chair, which is temporarily in the living room, but will be in the baby's room soon enough for nursing and rocking!!!

Aaaarrrrrggggg!!!

My blog titled 'GREAT DAY' earlier is now 'Pissed.' I just spent an hour blogging about school, and my call to the doctor today, then the computer went off line for some unknown reason and the blog was lost! I absolutely do not feel like re-posting now. So, basically, ladies, the nurse said that they were not concerned with the swelling or weight gain. Just to rest, sit as much as possible with my feet up, drink plenty of water, avoid salt, and relax! My doctor went out of town today through Monday, so they said for me to just take it easy and they'd check me out good next Friday at my appointment. So, if they are not concerned, why should i be? I am trying to be VERY positive and hoping for the best. As well as no more fluid or weight gain this week! Please pray for me and the baby, I want to have a full term healthy baby boy! I will TRY to REWRITE MY BLOG LATER!

A Great Day!

In education, we just don't have enough of these. I had a GREAT day at work, ya'll! I am finally caught up, and I really have been enjoying my classes this year. The kids are really good, and I couldn't ask for a better place to be this year considering both my physical and mental state. I feel bad for the kids I teach this year because I just don't want to be there, of course, they don't know that! But, at the same time they keep me going right now. I always get drawings and pictures and art work they have made for me to brighten my day. I think kids are God's gift to us, to remind us that when we grow up, we should still look at things like a child sometimes and not worry about the rest. Oh, to have the innocence of a child again!


So, I've FINALLY got a great system after 3 years with elementary/middle school aged kids. I have good discipline in place in my classroom and it works, and I have great organizational systems for them that work, and I am actually ORGANIZED myself this year. I've always been a very organized type, but this year I have really gotten it down. Something I started last year, but it was way too overwhelming teaching self-contained (all subjects) to keep up with. This year I have a 3 inch binder for each 6 weeks. In the binder I've sectioned it off by each week of the six weeks. After each divider you find my weekly lesson plan, assignments sheet, and any worksheets/handouts needed for the lessons that week. Wow! It is so nice when a parent comes to ask a question, and I pop my notebook open, and BAM! there's the assignments and/or item they had questions about. This way, next year I am ready to roll with lessons. I'll only have to make improvements as I go next year. I am planning to teach the SAME thing next year!

Getting Puffy!

I have not had any swelling until this week. Suddenly, in the last two days I have ankles no more. And, I'm not going to be able to wear my normal socks anymore due to the elastic in them cutting into my legs. My Mom & Granny & Lance seem to all be really concerned about the amount of swelling I have done this week. But, I really don't think there is anything I can do about it, or the doctor for that matter. I go to the doctore again on the 31st for a sonogram, so I am going to try to hold out until then and see how I do. However, I have gained 5 pounds THIS week! It has to be fluid gain. I weigh 165 today, that's 30 pounds weight gain since pre-pregnancy days. I am getting tireder everyday it seems, and my ability to sleep at night has pretty well disappeared, I get up multiple times a night, and I just can't get comfortable anymore to sleep good. And, baby boy Mabe is kicking me and moving all the time. He is very active and I feel like I have a CRITTER in my belly most of the time because it is just so odd feeling. The most enjoyable part of pregnancy has to be feeling my little boy stretch and move. Any body have any advice on how much swelling is NORMAL during pregnancy and when should I be concerned? I am 25 weeks now! That is crazy! But, at the same time I feel like I have been pregnant a whole year. In just 3 short (I hope) months, we should have Mabe Babe here! I can't wait to meet him!!!

Top 10 Baby Wish List...

Top 10 wants/needs for the baby boy Mabe:
#1 An infant to toddler bath tub: #2 The baby swing:
#3 The Pack N Play with built in bassonett and changing table:
#4 The baby monitor:
#5 The stroller/carseat combo:
#6 The baby crib and mattress:

#7 Mommy's Plush Glider Rocker Nursery Chair & Ottoman:

#8 Baby Thermometer (digital/scanner)

#9 Nurse Feeding Essentials, pump, etc.

#10 Diaper Genie Pail

I found all of these items at Babies R Us, this is our only registry.

www. babiesrus.com

It's fall at the Mabe House!

Our fall wreath on the front door.... Some peeking puppy dogs looking out at the fall yard....and my new mums...
Sadie & Piper
They want to be outside with me...

Lance left again to go out on the truck this morning. I went and did OUR typical Saturday shopping alone today. Lance & I do all the grocery shopping together on Saturday or Sunday's. That way he can help me load and unload. But, we have done all of our shopping together since Day 1. We love to shop together, we are good at it! And, I missed having him today. But, out animals were all out of food. I had to buy dog food for Piper & Sadie, as well as Daisy, his cat. (Another long story, but a stray puppy was on my doorstep when I got home from work on Friday. How fitting! He somehow knew that I was a SUCKER for dogs and landed on our front step. So, I also bought him a large bag of puppy food) Luckily, Lance's Dad loves the new pup, and I believe he is going to take him. We really don't need another dog, especially now, but he sure is a sweet puppy. So, I'm releaved to find him a good home.

I bought a Fall wreath for the front door and some fall mums for the front porch. Even though no one comes to visit, it sure makes me happy to decorate seasonally. So, we are ready for Halloweeen and Thanksgiving! And, with Lance being gone so much, I am ready for November to arrive so I can decorate for Christmas, my FAVORITE time of the year. It will give me something to occupy my time at home, decorating! Hopefully, I'll feel up to it by then.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

6 months Pregnant!

Hard to believe, but it has been 6 months since we began this journey! It's hard for me to believe how my body is changing. I will eternally be greatful to my Mom for enduring pregnancy three times to produce me at last! However, my Mom says all her pregnancies were really easy as well as deliveries. So far I haven't had her good luck...but, we'll see if maybe I can share some of her good luck in delivery! Yes, at my size, I am already thinking about delivery day. And, I am not scared or worried about it, I am ready to get the show on the road....only about 16 more weeks to go...Uuuggghhhh!!! I weigh over 160 pounds now, and I may have to stop with the belly shots soon because it just isn't attractive anymore! LOL! I am having a lot of trouble breathing, I'm gasping for air all the time, especially while teaching! I thought English/Language Arts would be easy during pregnancy, but I read-aloud novels, and it's very tiring to read aloud now!!! I need AIR!
I have been enjoying all the activity of my little one. He kicks, thumps, turns, hiccups, and just moves around a lot. It's neat to feel him moving, practicing his excercises. It would be a lot cuter if he weren't inside my belly though. And, if he'd avoid the ribcage/lungs area.
How big can I really get? I guess we will soon find out!

I have been working still everyday, and I'm trying really hard, but it's just hard for me right now to teach. I really would give anything to not have to work right now. But, we all know how that goes. So, I will keep plugging along, one day at a time, hoping I can teach at least through Christmas break. I keep telling myself if I can just make it till Christmas I'll be okay. And, yes, I know exactly how many more weeks of school until Christmas Break. But, for now we will focus on Thanksgiving Break. We get the whole week off....Thank Goodness! So, after this week is over, I have 5 weeks until my whole week off for Thanksgiving! Then, we have 3 weeks of school between Thanksgiving and Christmas Break. I'll be off work until January 5 for Christmas Break, and the 40 week mark is February 4th, if I make it to 40 weeks! No, I'm not counting down or anything like that!!! Bring on the Holidays ya'll...

Dreaming, Pregnancy Style!

Ok, this definately isn't something new. I have been having WILD and CRAZY dreams since the beginning of my pregnancy. In fact, it was one of the first symptoms of pregnancy for me in the first few weeks! But, last night I had a dream that really seemed real to me, and it's funny to me all at the same time. So, since it kept reoccurring to me today, I thought I would share it. Lance thought it was funny! So, here goes....
A little background. The last two nights I have been having a lot of lower back pain and pain in the sides and front of my belly when laying down at night to sleep, so I wake up A LOT at night moaning and gripping because I just hurt and I'm very uncomfortable while sleeping, or trying to sleep.
Ok, with that said, here goes the dream. I dreamed I was at the doctor's office asking my nurse, Mica, about my pains I had been having. For some reason in my dream she says, "Well, let me take a look." And she proceeds to examine my private area, then she squeezes it (I'll say it because I know you can determine what I mean), and a bunch of clear liquid comes out, like she is breaking my water. I start freaking out, I'm like, "What are you doing?" She responds with, "Oh, I'm just checking the baby." Then, the next thing I know she is rolling my baby out of me like a Popple. (If your around my age, You recall the toy "Popples") She takes my baby out, cocks her head to the side, looks him over, then starts to pop him back in, the same way she popped him out. I respond dramatically, "Wait a minute, you can do that? " "Oh My God, He's Beautiful!" "Don't worry, I do this all the time,"she says. So, the next thing I know she has him rolled back inside of me. I just keep saying, "He is beautiful, he is PERFECT!" Then I ask if she can do that? Mica says, "Oh sure, we do this all the time now, it's new technology!" "He'll be fine, he looks great!"
My baby was a miniature version of a full term baby, probably the pound or pound and a half he actually weighs right now in real life. And, he was PERFECT! I couldn't believe it, I was so happy to see him in my dream, that he is ok, but I was so sad when she put him back, like an easy bake oven, and told me I had to wait 16 more weeks to see him again. It all made me feel like the Pillsbury Dough Boy or something!
Those of you who have been or who are currently pregnant KNOW how dreams are when your pregnant. However, this was the first one about my baby, and I got to see him, and he was perfect! It was very exciting for me, and I just wanted to share! I know it's corny...but, I love my baby boy!!! And, it made me laugh!!!

Never to old for Momma...

Last night I had another bad spell with just feeling terrible. I had got high blood pressure again at work yesterday, which set my anxiety off, which in return just made me feel horrible the rest of the day. I called my Mom last night at 9:15p.m., and she came over, within 20 minutes, and spent the night with me. I will never understand the bond I have with my Mom. I absolutely need her when I'm sick or something is bad wrong. I don't know what I would do if she were ever not there. So, last night my Mom slept with me in bed. I just want her to know how much I love her and appreciate her coming and staying with me. My Mom comforted me just like when I was a little girl. It's like I know everything will be ok when she's here. I can not wait to have this baby boy here for his Nana to love on! So, today at school I did good. I felt good, and after work I got to meet Lance in Grand Saline for dinner. Which is the first time I've seen him in 5 days. We ate, then I had to come home. However, he just called and he is on his way to Carrolton, then home to me! My sweetie will be here with me tonight, at last, and hopefully for the weekend. I have missed him so much this last month. This one to two nights home per week business is for the birds! I don't like it! I miss him, I need him right now!

23 Weeks and Counting Down!

Week 23, and growing every minute! I'm all belly!!! (oh, and maybe some boobs! LOL!)
This is my view when I look down for my toes at week 23! Look at that cute little belly button!

This has been a hard week for me. Starting last week with the blood pressure issues. I bed rested last Thursday afternoon, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So, I hit the classroom again today, refreshed, but still not feeling good. It was a LONG day! My doctor wanted me to just try it again this week and see how I do working. So, I am trying to sit as much as I can during the school day in my rocking chair. But, for those of you who teach, you know how difficult it is to sit down all day when your teaching 5th grade! It's just hard! My theory has always been if your sitting, your not teaching. But, right now my theory is very different. It is this....my baby boy is first priority, and I have to protect him by taking care of my body. So, I'm trying really hard to take it easy. I am a 90 to nothing, never sit still person, so this last few weeks have been a challenge for me to take it easy. But, I am really working on it. Here are some photos of my 23rd week belly! I'm officially weighing in at 160 now. That's 25 pounds my friends!

High Blood Pressure?

Yikes! My first official pregnancy scare came yesterday morning. I had taught two class periods standing up, talking, when 3rd period came I got really out of breath, which has been normal lately, and thought I probably just needed to chill for a minute and breath. Then, as I was giving the class instructions to get them started working, so I could sit and breath for a moment, I got HOT faced, blurred vision, and felt like I would pass out soon. So, I headed across the hall to tell Heather that I didn't feel right and that I thought I needed to just sit down for a while. She was concerned when she saw me because my face was red! So, she suggested we go to the nurse and have them take my blood pressure. Sure enough, when we got over there, my blood pressure was 154/90. Which is very abnormal for me, I always have extremely LOW blood pressure. So, the nurse held me there for half and hour. She suggested I go home, however, they wouldn't allow me to drive so other faculty had to drive me home for the day. Luckily, I had a doctor's appointment yesterday afternoon already scheduled. So, I rested at home until my appointment and my mother in law drove me to that appointment. My blood pressure was normal at the dr.'s office, 120/80. So, he pretty well suggested that I try not to worry about it, hopefully, it was just a one time thing, or something that happens occassionally. They did all my blood work, which the results will be back today, I also got a flu shot while there, and got to hear baby boy pounding away in my belly! I had however gained over 6-7 pounds THIS week, mostly in fluid, my hands and ankles are swelled. He said that isn't normal at this point in pregnancy, only mild foot swelling should be experienced right now. So, we are watching that, and hoping my body will adjust/regulate itself to all the added weight and stess really soon. I have gained SO much weight this week, it is unbelievable! And, over 10 pounds since my dr. visit 4 weeks ago. I'm now at the 160 mark! YIKES! My next appointment is October 31, and we get a sonogram! YEAH!!!! My M-I-L joked at the doctor's office that I could go to that appointment dressed as a pumpkin! LOL!

Week 22 and GROWING

22 weeks and counting...
I think I might POP before this is over! Little Momma clothes for the not so little Momma!
Belly button is starting to disappear!

I still can't believe that I am pregnant and that I am really going to have a baby boy! WoW! It seems so unreal to me that I am FINALLY going to be a Mommy. Something I've thought about my whole life, but just didn't know if I'd ever really do it or not. But, now I am, for sure having a baby. And, I am so excited about this little boy. He is kicking up a storm at night in my belly. He seems to enjoy the noise of school and anywhere else it is loud and sleeps right through it. But, when I lay down in bed at night in the peace and quiet he decides to get busy excercising. So, I haven't slept real well the last week. Toss and turn a lot because of the baby moving so much! But, I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.

I am G-A-I-N-I-N-G the weight now. Look out scales! I've officially gained a little over 20 pounds now, all baby, of course! And, the baby weighs about a pound! I go to the doctor tomorrow for my 22 week check up. Not sure what all will happen at this appointment but I know it won't be a sonogram day. Because we had a sonogram last time. It's too bad they won't do one every time. Because I want one!!!! I want to see my boy! Here's some pics I took tonight of the growth of the week. It just keeps getting bigger! I feel like a piece of rice, I just keep getting bigger and bigger, and swelling, and swelling. When I took my ankle socks off tonight there was an indention around my ankles! YIKES! Feet and ankles are starting to swell.

Ok, here's some pics! Enjoy!