Holy Kicks & Punches!!!

Monday I had my 24th week checkup & met the final doctor in my OBGYN practice, Dr. Roush.  They rotate you so that you can meet all the doctors because you don't know who will be on call when you go in labor.  My blood pressure is good and the baby's heart beat was perfectly around 155 beats per minute.  I signed up for a nifty website that sends me an update each week with what fruit or vegatable compares to her size and they say now she's just a little bigger than an ear of corn (approximately one foot long and just over one pound).  However, I've gained 10 lbs and about two weeks ago my belly bump finally popped up!  I'm actually relieved because sooo many people in the office look at me funny like they want to ask if I'm pregnant, but they don't want to insult me if they are wrong.  It's actually pretty funny, especially with the guys, so I don't say anything and let the game go on!  Is that bad???  So, we took some pictures to mark the start of my 7th month!

Ok, so I felt little thumps like popcorn around the 16th week.  Then the kicks were strong enough just before the 20th week so that Ryan could feel them.  All of sudden, Madelyn has started doing daily aerobic workout sessions!  Every early morning around 6am she does a little routine to let me know she's ready for breakfast and then after I get to work she starts to wake up and makes some noise around 10am while I'm sitting at my desk.  During the day she's pretty quiet, but occasionally does a little "Hello I'm still here reminder" while I'm in meetings.  Sometimes I think I might just be too busy during the day to notice as much, but the book says my movement is probably just rocking her to sleep.  Once I get home and finish dinner, I take some time to rest on the couch and let her do her little dance.  When we go to bed we lay there with our hands on my belly and talk to her.  After she moves around to get settled in for the evening, we go to bed.  She might move around once in the middle of the night, but mostly I sleep really good throughout the night.  So, I'm thinking she's going to be a little active child based on the stories I hear about Ryan....oh no we are going to be tired!  Look out Grandmas & Grandpas!

Even though we closed on the house almost two months ago, we still aren't moved in.  We've just been taking our time to do a few updates each weekend, which has been really nice and less stressful.  I am proud to report that Madelyn's room has new carpet, a fancy paint job, a new ceiling fan and fixtures.  This past week I came home to a HUGE box on my front door step.  I opened it up and to my surprise I found that my mom had bought all of the bedding for her room!  The pregnant woman I am right now, I cried my eyes out with tears of happiness and excitement.  I immediately called her to let her know how excited and happy I was.  THANK YOU MOMMY!!!!  Last order of business for her room is to make our final pick on the furniture so we can order and deliver it to the new place!  I just can't wait to finish her room and it is almost killing me!  I promise to post pictures, but want to hold off until we have everything in place and decorated.  Stay tuned  :o)

Next week is Thanksgiving and I've been waiting for this holiday for six months now!  Since my appetite has started to pick up I hope no one judges the hefty plates of food I plan on consuming...LOL!  Mostly, I'm just so excited to see family!  With weekends filled with house renovations, we haven't had much time to visit with everyone.  We are thankful this year to be blessed with such wonderful family and friends, a new healthy baby on the way and a new home start our new chapter of family memories.