Keeping up with the Pregnancy 26 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 26 Weeks

Size of baby: Jocelyn is the size of an eggplant

Total Weight Gain/Loss: not sure...  maybe 12

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants but most everything else is regular. 

Gender: It's a girl!!! Jocelyn Anne

Movement: She is VERY active - She's been doing this roll around thing... OMG it's cool but a bit weird.  I swear she is every bit of her 9 inches crown to rump. 

Sleep: We are working on getting Joe to sleep in his bed for a full night and so it's been an up and down thing.  I did buy a new maternity pillow and when I get to use it...  it's nice.  BIG but nice. 

What I miss:  being able to walk up the stairs without becoming winded... I can run a mile but not walk up the stairs.  Maybe putting on my shoes or seeing my feet?  ha!

Cravings: nothing really

Symptoms: Mostly tiredness, a few Braxton Hicks, she's sitting on my sciatic nerve which makes me waddle.  But I've been sitting on a heating pad which seems to help. 

Best Moment this week:Going for a run with my hubby in Vegas and still being able to do it.. . 

relatively speaking.  :)  

Vegas Baby......

So this past week, Jason and I were at World of Concrete in Las Vegas.  It was a quick trip but very nice.  We stayed at the brand new Cosmopolitan Hotel which is between Bellagio and City Center.  They have us a premium view... (which overlooked the Bellagio Fountains) and the room was amazing.  There are pictures later... 

 The first day we got there I got to hang out with a dear friend, Isabelle, who I used to work on ships with.  It was great to see her and I can't believe I didn't take one picture with her.  But we hung out at her house and then dropped Jason off at the convention...  and we checked into the hotel.  

That night, we picked up our business partner's wife, Vicki at the airport and the four of us went to dinner.  We ate at a place called Rosemary's which is more of a locals place.  

we were actually surprised to see it was in a strip center...  but that's where the "strip center" feel ended.  The inside was elegant and CROWDED!  

They even have a cookbook.  Their signature dishes were a Rack of Lamb and a scallop dish..  but they were out of scallops.  It was a delicious meal and we had the chance to get to know Vicki.  :)  

Thursday we spent at the show...  walking and walking and walking.  I had been to the show pregnant last time but I was a full month to six weeks later...  and I felt it.  But, we got to see a lot and do a lot.  :)  But by 3:30 pm, it was time for Vicki and I to go get ready for our massages at the hotel.  

They were really reasonable for Vegas standards and the spa was fantastic.  

  

You walk down this hallway to another desk upon check in...  and they greet you for the tour.  There is a shower fully stocked with rasors, soap, shampoo and conditioner.  There's a relaxation room with fruit infused water and tea and snacks.  There's a room to dry your hair and put on your makeup.  They'll even supply you with brushes and flat irons etc.  Then there is the warm pool.  Not so hot as a hot tub but with a constant rain shower, a steam room, a sauna and a cool mist.  We availed ourselves of all of it, well... for me the warm pool and the cool mist.  

Luckily, my therapist was also pregnant and so she understood exactly where I was and what was ailing me.  She was wonderful and I walked away feeling relaxed and soothed.  I'm ready for another!  :)  We showered, did our hair and headed back up to the room.  

This evening, we were meeting up with some customers/friends and having drinks in our room and then going to dinner.  

I had searched and researched and asked for the right place for dinner and we ended up going with a restaurant in the hotel.  Blue Ribbon Sushi and Grill.  

When we got there, I saw the menu and thought... oh shit, er I mean shucks... what did I get myself into?  They sat us at the chef's table, next to the sushi bar and handed out the menu's.  The wait staff was dressed in a combination of white shirts/black pants and flannels and black pants.  weird.

Our waiter, Ryan, was knowledgeable and personable.  He steered us in the right direction and literally... EVERYthing we ate there was delicious.  I got tired of my water and asked our waiter... can you bring me something that's non alcoholic but fun?  He said... any preferences?  I said, nope.  

He brought me the most delicious concoction of pear juice, lychee juice and maybe some cranberry?  I have no idea other than yummmmmm.  :) 

 Jill, Brad, Chris, Vicki, and moi. 

 we'll throw Jason into the mix for good measure.  :)

 Jill and Brad

 Chris and Vicki

 and of course, Jason and I.  :)  

By the time dinner was done... we were TIRED and all broke apart and headed to our rooms for bed.  I know... BIG partiers we all are.  ha!  

The next day was our last morning and I made sure to finally get some pics of our room.  

this is the "sitting room" equipped with a flat screen TV, a bar, a dishwasher, microwave and mini bar. 

This was looking into our bathroom.  There are blinds that go down for privacy.  

The bathroom had a huge bathtub and shower.  

 Looking towards the bedroom and terrace. 

 we had another flat screen over by the bed.. in case we couldn't see the other one.  :-)

this was the only picture I took of the lobby area....  this was one of the lights by our elevators.  I thought it belonged in the Horton Hears a Who movie.  :)  

Truly... nothing was left unthought of in this hotel.  The service was impeccable and it was really a beautiful hotel.  We will most definitely stay there again if we can.  :)  

Blessed.

I'm sitting in my seat 8a on my southwest flight, winging us to las Vegas for world of concrete.

I'm getting to see a big part of my past today, my dear friend Isabelle. I don't get to see her often but time stands still and we pick up where we left. Our lives have changed 1000 times over. For her, 2 kids, married to a magician and traveling is still very much her reality. For me, one child, one on the way. Traveling exists in vacations, business trips and memories. but our friendship.... It's timeless.

And really.... I look at the friends I've made from my ship days and it may only be through facebook or possibly traveling to each others weddings. But not only are the memories of our adventures spectacular....But I know in my heart, you'd not only bail me out of jail but you would be sitting next to me saying "what a ride!!!".

Then I'm sitting here killing time until we land in el paso to pick up more passengers. (this is southwest after all.... Free bags but will pick people up in any ole pasture along the way.). And I got to looking through my pictures on my phone.

Joe when he was itty bitty. His smile lit up a room even then. And his giggle. Oh my. His laugh. It will continue to entertain for years, I just know it. Makes me wonder what Jocelyn is going to be like. Will she look like her daddy or me? Will she be like her big brother? Like her brother....She will be 100% Jocelyn. :-)

Pictures of my family who have always been my rock. My husband, my parents, my sister. Each one of them are a part of who I am. The good, the bad, the ugly. :-). Their willingness and really their duty (in their minds) to be there for me, for us, for each other. No better role models. (except for the few warts we all overlook. ;-).

My hubby. I look at the pictures that I have from when we first met. So young, so fresh. The world was (and still is) our oyster. Whether you think so or not.... You have taught me bunches (see, I DO listen) and I've even adopted SOME of it. ;-). But the past six years would not have been nearly so fun (or entertaining) without you by my side and always supporting me. (well most of the time.). ;-)

I see pictures of my half marathon which, for me, symbolizes so much. Not just a race. A milestone. An ex smoker who's idea of running involved being chased or 'running' to bingo. I tried when I worked on ships but I wasn't dedicated to it. It was a thing to pass the time. It looked cool. My marathon meant I could do it. I could do anything.

But not without my family mentioned before....

And my friends. I think of how most of you came into my world. Crissy, Cindy, Viula, Kelly, Delia, Amber, Shannon, so many more.... On the Internet. You were my Internet friends but now.... Now.... You are my lifeline to reality, to support, to my liver, ahem, to my heart. You bring me down to earth when I need a little honesty (ok, telling me my ass is fluffy does NOT count). You give me the buoying just when I need it.

Danielle (and Todd).... You guys came back into my life when we both needed each other. I adore the fact that Joe knows you, loves you, and Jocelyn will too. I love being able to share joys, concerns, milestones and adventures. Next we WILL celebrate your strength to overcome cancer! EFF CANCER! In the meantime, we are your pillows. Pillows are just there. No demands. Support. Always just there.

My best friend taught me that. Nicole also has the strength of 10,000 men. Overcoming difficult beginnings to be a role model and example of what smarts combined with true grit can get you. (Also with the support of a great husband).

My fort worth friends, Meg, Susan, Jami, Scheri, you guys have made being away from my family not only 'do-able but fun. Jason and I would have been okay... but friends, for me, sustain me. What better sustenance than the laughs, the counsel and the support each one of you give me. Ok and the wine. Ha!

Blessings. Every now and then I get a tap on my shoulder and a reality check to recognize my blessings. Looking through the 226 pictures on my iPhone was that tap.

What's tapping on your shoulder?

JOY

There are a lot of things in this world to be joyful for.  Really, too many to list.  But...  on this particular Saturday...  the JOY of children playing in leaves was the best joy to be had.  

 

  

 

 

 

 And throwing them onto each other just makes you giggle.  

These kids had the most fun just playing in a mountain of leaves...  and Jami and I were so blessed to get to witness it. 

Keeping up with the Pregnancy: 24 weeks

Keeping up with the Pregnancy: 24 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 23 Weeks
Size of baby: Baby D is the size of an ear of corn.  They say my uterus is the size of a soccer ball.  (yep.. looks that way, huh?)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 11 pounds  ...
Maternity Clothes:  More and more and more. 
Gender: It's a girl!  Jocelyn Anne.   
Movement:  Oh my goodness... she has been moving and a shaking all week.  I can now feel her on the outside. 
Sleep: ok... but wish I had a pregnancy pillow and I think I threw my snoogle out. 
What I miss:  spicy tuna rolls.  
Cravings: sweets... cupcakes, cake, pie, ice cream.  Luckily I don't give in too often.   

Misc notes:  Started exercising again this week YAY!  That felt great.  Was even able to run (very slowly) on the treadmill on Tuesday.  There is also a water bootcamp class at the Y on Thursday Mornings... so I've added that in.  

I don't remember my tummy feeling this TIGHT last time... (Like take a deep breath tight)...  I suppose it was ...  but I've been taking a warm bath each night with some oil in the water to help with stretching.  :) 

All in all, I feel great though.