My Own Personal Belly Button Disclaimer

DON'T TOUCH IT!

Ha, Ha, Ha!!!!

My navel is painfully touchy right now, I think it's where I had it pierced in my younger, skinnier years - scar tissue is moving - Not. Good. It's currently stretched pretty tight - trying it's best not to pop into an outtie!

Therefore, I had to offer up my first apology this morning to a co- worker who accidentally confused it with a light switch or elevator button as she poked it while going down the hall.

HELLLLOOO WOMAN???

Have you EVER been pregnant- guess not- you would know that is not community property.

Don't get me wrong I am completely 100% OK with belly rubs and sweet little touches from random people commenting on the growing baby boy inside there, just not the ones who think it's a pop up timer telling us when the turkey is done.

So...

I am stepping gingerly off of my belly button soap box and I encourage you with insiders advise to meet every pregnant lady with a smile and not a poke in the gut!

If you're like me you have never even thought of it this way before.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Shoe Shine Monday....

Internet Source.

Let me paint the picture...

So, this morning I'm getting ready. Monday. 06:30am.

It's still dark in our house from the stormy night. I'm running late because I needed that extra 10 minutes of rainy Monday snooze time. MK is still in bed trying to sleep. Dogs are curled onto dog beds in tight little circles wishing I would leave so they could go back to sleep. I've got on black capri pants, yes, January 25th, because I'm too big for my others, I never get cold anymore and laundry was skipped this weekend.

There are 3 brand new pairs of shoes that I've never worn and was excited to try. I put on the first pair...wouldn't go, too small. OK. Threw those down moved on to the second pair... they puffed my fat foot up out of the top like a cotton candy cloud. No Go. Threw those back in and moved on to an older pair that I have - same thing, too tight. As I'm putting on the 4th pair MK raises up in bed - half mad as a red hen and half confused and says, something along the lines of "My God, can't you find any shoes?" Me..."No, NONE of them fit" Him...."I CAN TELLLLL!"

Evidently, I was slinging them harder and harder as I progressively got more and more depressed with my larger than life self that I woke the sleeping beast with all of the shoe happenings. I wound up with an oldie but goodie pair of zebra and patent flats - That I found at a mall in PA before we got married. However, you guessed it they are ALMOST too tight now! These dawgs will be barkin' by quittin' time for sure!

Now, go off on your merry way and praise that cuteness on your feet, be proud of your strappy heels and knee high boots!

Love to all and have a great Shoe Shine Monday!

GOOOO DEACS!!!!

I'm so excited that Baby Boy got to attend his first ever WFU/ ACC basketball game!

He kicked around in my tummy the whole time that we struggled past the Maryland Terrapins with an 85/83 Win in Over Time! His Mama was getting stressed toward the end when her boys weren't guarding and making poor judgement calls but we all made it and had a blast. Mike was a huge help and was sure to take his time maneuvering through the crowd with Mama here!

You should have seen the looks and heard the comments of the people sitting around us as I huffed and puffed my way up those steps to the top level! It was priceless and so worth it to know that Little Man's first game was a "W"!!!

Home Sweet Home

My not so important takes on air and hotel travel while pregnant....

People are nicer to you, however you get really crazy looks. Especially when you eat.

You can not sleep or get comfortable in the plane seat no matter what. Period.

You pack lighter than ever before because you don't want to drag your bag around; then you miss all of your pillows and blankets once alone in the hotel room.

A very weird feeling came over me all 4 times up in the air - a feeling I got in my belly that doesn't happen when I'm not pregnant. Not sick, not queasy but not a good feeling.

I was very much more aware of my surroundings and fellow passengers - paranoid? maybe?

The baby didn't move any while in the air, but kicked like crazy after each landing.

I poured in water so swelling wasn't so bad for me but still noticeable.

I hope Airborne works.

TCBY at Charlotte Douglas was a life saver after a semi-sick moment after arrival. Chocolate with Sprinkles.,,,just like when I was a child!

Today, I am exhausted. More so tonight than I thought.

Woke up with lots of energy...enjoyed so yum-o Cracker Barrel and errands with Daddy to be and quickly started loosing steam afterwards.

Doctor Visit Today (26 Weeks 6 Days)

We had our OB visit today; all is good!

Glucose test was done; we should receive results in about a week. It tasted just like the juice that's left behind from a melted "icy" in the summer time - but, a lot of it. I had 5 minutes to drink it and I did just fine. My hemoglobin was good, not low on iron.

Baby boy looks great. He is head down; spine towards the right of me with face and extremities to my left. Note all of the left sided movement. He waved and pointed at us a couple of times - he also wiggled his little toes! His noggin' measures a little ahead at 28 weeks and 2 days but he measures right on time everywhere else. So, that means he's going to be smart like his Daddy and have room for extra brains! I measure about 3cm larger than expected as well but it's not enough in either of us to make significant changes in the due date or expectations at this point.

I have been cleared to fly tomorrow and I am still OK to travel to PA in February. We go back again in 3 weeks then we'll be seen every 2 weeks for the next phase.

Over all, I'm feeling really great. Sleep has become a thing of the past, along with deep breathing. My hormones only show up unexpectanly from time to time and my belly button is holding on for dear life.

Just a little side note...

You know you are really pregnant when it feels like a team of Navy Seals are needed to help you turn over in bed. That's really serious business these days. Kia and Kadie are even amused by it! Picture this: You wake up, it's 3am, you really need to move or turn over. Heck, you've been lying this way for hours now.You know the feeling, right? Well, I've gotten to the point of that I'll lay there on purpose until my arm is completely asleep because it's such an act of congress to make the turn! It's feels like my abdominal muscles are absolutely useless and I just flop around like a fish until I get all extremities, blankets, PJ's and pillows situated. I'm sure it's quite funny to watch. I then blow uncontrollably like a whale shooting water because I am so out of breath from my night time exercises. Then around 3:45am just as I've gotten all snuggled up again... I've got to Pee!

Oh yea....Mike hasn't been phased yet and is still snoring.

Thanks for letting me share!

Weeeee'rrrreee Baaaaccckkk !!!

WHAT A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON!!!

The quality time that we got to share with each other, family and friends is priceless. We are so thankful for those special people in our lives and what a better way to spend our few down days than with those we love; even those long distance loves! Everyone has been so generous to us and the baby.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

As you can tell it's been really cold in and around the Kettering Cottage!

Today's high is 31.

Brrrrr!!!

A few days before Christmas we were blessed with 6inches of white stuff and the dogs were in Winter Wonderland Heaven!

Kia playing in snow- Above

Kadie playing in snow - Below

We are still finalizing the DIY kitchen reno that we showed you a few posts back, floors and a few "details" and it will be good to go and then off to another project.

I have been doing really good with the pregnancy. I am currently 26.5 weeks along. There is a doctors appointment later this week that we are looking forward to as we'll get to see Baby Boy Kettering via ultrasound again as well as meet one of the physicians that we've heard so many good things about. On the downside I have my glucola test. I'm not looking forward it however it is the closest thing to a cocktail I've had in a long while! (testing for gestational diabetes) I will also be traveling for work this week- something I have not done while pregnant. I've heard good and bad things about flying while with child...I'll be able to report more on that by next week. Hopefully, the recent rise TSA & national security measures will not have much effect on my short trip to Tampa and back and the swelling will not be too bad.

The upstairs bedroom is starting to look more like a nursery these days; after I was blessed to have "help the pregnant lady day" 01/01/2010! My Mom and Aunt Connie took the entire day to help me...I mean they worked it out!!! C'mas was packed away, cabinets and closets re-organized, baby clothes sorted...you name it they did it! I am so thankful...words could never ever say how cool it was to have them do that! I can now walk in the baby's room and breath normally without starting to hyperventilate over the mess and lack of progress!

We just wanted to let you guys know that all is good here!

We've paused at the corner of Ho Hum & Easy Streets happy as larks.

Happy New Year to all and may it bring you all the best!

Until Next Time..... Let's all stop here and take a load off!

Taken by me in AZ last year.