40 Weeks, Can You Believe It?

How Far Along 40 flipping weeks. I love being pregnant, but I just keep thinking about how big she's going to end up if she keeps cooking...yikes.

New Experiences Heartburn. Only once, but once was enough.

Gender Still assuming both doctors and three US techs are right, and we have a girl ;)

Total Weight Gain I almost made it to 25 LBS, but then I lost a few pounds. Apparently that's normal towards the end, though. Total is now 21 pounds of baby love.

Sleep I'm a bit tired of waking up before my alarm clock, but it could be worse.

Pregnancy nightmares Yup, and it was TERRIBLE.

Miss Anything At this point I know I'll be able to eat and drink the things I 'missed' soon, so now I could care even less. You better bet there will be a Jersey Mike's Sub in my future, though.

Cravings Nada.

Symptoms According to old wives' tales she's about to come out. My uterus has been super tight, I started breaking out from the hormone changes, I was in a 'mood' Thursday, and I'm less hungry. On top of that, the doc confirmed I was 1cm dilated, starting to efface, and she's moved down the canal. Friday also brought on some early labor signs,

Mood Mostly, I'm just thankful that we are more prepared for her arrival than I expected to be. However, Thursday I was most definitely in a mood. I was frustrated with everyone bugging me about when they should come like I miraculously know when she's going to make her appearance. I'm very appreciative that she has so many people that love her and want to be here, but I'm not a psychic and our house isn't a hotel. I can't tell you anything other than our home is open to you for the birth, but you will be sharing it with whomever else shows up at the time. I have one guest bedroom, one air mattress, and two couch slots. First come first serve people. #notmyproblem

Best Moment This Week I went to the doctor expecting to hear 'no change' for my 39 week appointment, but when he said 1cm and starting to efface I was elated! I know it's still up to her, but at least that meant my body was doing it's job.

Looking Forward to Meeting her, le duh.

Exercise Still going strong! I have to start off reeaaally slow and build up, but I'm determined not to quit. The thought of not working out for up to six weeks after is extremely motivating. Plus, anything that might move her along is a bonus.

On My Mind Labor is going to suck. That is all.

Before I forget, I'd like to send a special shout out to Kathryn who sent Charlie clothes and some adorable Origami Owl jewelry, Courtney and her Mia for the adorable romper and drawing, and P!nky who has been checking on us everyday via the sweetest text messages. In fact, everyone of you that has kept up with Charlie has meant the world to me,and you guys are all why I keep blogging! Now I hope you all have a great week, because I think we will too ;)

NINE Months, What??

Cheesy, I know, but I guess I'm just feeling pretty strong and ready for this baby. Well, as ready as I'll ever be, which is good considering she's practically here. I'd like her to cook as long as possible, but I am starting to feel antsy about meeting her ;) It's funny, I told the kiddos I was watching that I would bring her over after she's born so they can meet her, and Jackson chimed in with "Uh...we've kinda already met her." Man, leave it to a ten year old to put me in my place. I do feel like I already know her and I think it's cute that it's possible for others to feel that way too. She really is quite the character already.

In other news, at nine months pregnant I'm officially a SAHW again. Technically I'm almost a SAHM now, but I think she actually has to go through the birthing canal before that applies. Anyhoo, we got word this weekend that ten people had to be cut from the Fort Rucker exercise I was supposed to work in two weeks. They took volunteers, but obviously everyone wanted to work. I knew that it wouldn't really be fair for me to take a spot when there was no guarantee that I would even make it to the middle of June before labor {let alone all the way to July}, so I didn't make the cut. I'm a little sad because it's a super fun job, I love the people I work with, and who doesn't want to make easy money, but in the grand scheme of things it was really bad timing and I already had that in the back of my mind. I still plan to get as much done in the next two weeks as I can because who knows when little miss thang will decide to make her appearance, but at least I won't be feeling the pressure.

Speaking of which, you can find the bumpdate on the baby blog, and these are the questions on my mind right now. Questions This Month:

Have you tried Amazon Mom?

How many bottles does one need to start out with if you plan on breastfeeding?

What are you tips for last minute baby preparation?

What was in your hospital bag?

What's In A Name? Drumroll Please...

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

I know some of you have been impatiently waiting to find out what CQB stands for, and the time is finally here! It's been fun to hear all the guesses and I particularly love that some of you {P!nky specifically} were coming up with military affiliations, but not too many came anywhere close. I guess that means we did well picking an 'out of the box' {but not weird} name and a general mission accomplished as far as secrets go. We only had one thing left to 'reveal' after this whirlwind of a pregnancy, and although it's been hard to hold back, it's been special to keep it near and dear. That is...until now.

Charleston Quinn Bogert

AKA CQB, aka Charlie for short, aka Chuck to her daddy, and already the love of our life. Today marks eight months, and I can't believe how much has changed in the three and a half months we've known her. Part of me wants to keep her inside forever, but the other part of me can't wait to show her off to the world. Really, I just can't wait to see her in Will's arms. Le sigh...

Check out the EIGHT Month Bumpdate, and have a grrreeeeaaat week everyone!

Oh You Know...Just Seven Months

How Far Along 28 Weeks {as of last Monday}

New Experiences Watching my belly dance as she has a party in my tummy. It is the ca-raziest thing I've ever seen or felt. Like just now...she made my laptop bounce while I typed this. I have an 'anterior placenta', so it is on the front of my belly and homegirl kicks right through it.

Total Weight Gain 10 pounds. No complaints here!

Sleep Pretty great as long as I have my body pillow. It's funny, I have always been a back or stomach sleeper, and yet my body just seems to know that I need to sleep on my side. However, one just does not sleep on their side without a body pillow while pregnant if they want a quality night sleep consistently. I cannot imagine pregnancy without it.

Miss Anything NOPE. I was missing deli meats, but was then told that it's okay as long as I heat it up first. Hallelujah, I just want a sammich every now and then.

Cravings Still nada. It's harder to find things I want to eat in general, but at least I found out that my lack of appetite is probably due to my organs being smooshed together. Less room in my stomach coupled with a slower digestion period {to pull more nutrients from food} means I feel full most of the time.

Symptoms I feel great, but I can tell when I overdo it these days. My belly aches from the extra weight and I feel every ounce I've gained draining me when I exert myself too much. They say a pregnant woman burns more calories sitting on the couch cooking a baby than a man lifting weights, so no wonder a long day of being on your feet is killer.

Body Changes Belly button is staying in, but my abs STILL haven't separated. I am wearing some maternity clothes because I want to, but I still have a closet full of clothes that fit. Although, that dress up there? Wouldn't zip the next day.

Mood I have a bit of a short fuse these days, but I manage it pretty well. I have probably gotten a little more upset over small things, but I make an effort to not just spout off at the mouth. I want to voice my feelings without 'being mean'. Many things make me cry, but I've always been that way {behind closed doors}, so there is no telling if there's a difference there.

Best Moment This Week She stuck her tongue out at us on the last ultrasound! Poor thing has her face smooshed up against the placenta, and when they tried to get her to move she stuck her tongue out. We even got to see an instant replay of it, because I couldn't believe my own eyes. Boy do I love the details in the ultrasound at the specialist.

Looking Forward to Getting her crib set finished. First, I just have to start it.

Exercise I'm finding slightly less motivation to work out, so I'm just sticking with my two days on, one day off routine and switching up the exercise routine to accommodate how I feel that day. I have no excuse and need to keep my energy and stamina up for her!

On My Mind Pregnancy is scary. I feel like I have no control, and that scares the ish out of me. I do my best to eat what I'm supposed to, listen to my body, and avoid many situations, but I get overwhelmed thinking about all the things that could go wrong. Like what if I had bought Sabra Classic Hummus and got sick off the Lysteria? I'm not letting the fear stop me from enjoying the pregnancy, but it is something that's on my mind more often than it should be.

Questions
What crib mattress do you recommend? The only one that I can find a consensus of approval is the Naturpedic, but I don't know if I want to spend $350 dollars. I'd love your opinions.
Are there any protein powders good for pregnancy? My doctor told me to avoid them since their isn't enough data about the effects during pregnancy/breastfeeding, but I'm curious if there have been some approved. I need more protein, and I would love to find something to use until she weens.

Now please keep L.D. from Dispositve Motion in your thoughts as she has her baby. I can't wait to see her pictures and here all the details. You go, girl!

Six Months Already? Seriously?

I really feel cheated that time is going by so fast. I know a lot of mom's say this, but I'm still getting used to the idea of being knocked up so I can't even wrap my head around the mom part yet. When am I supposed to feel like a mom? When she's in my arms? For now I'll simply enjoy an awesome little alien that has taken over my tummy and enjoy the ride. Nonetheless, I am already looking forward to Mother's Day. *winkwink*

How Far Along: 24 Weeks!

New Experiences: I've had the 'flutters' for a few weeks, but CQB is finally KICKING! The best part was that Will finally got to feel her. We were laying in bed with his hand on my stomach and every time he felt her we would turn to each other in awe. Experiencing that together was a highlight of my life.

Total Weight Gain: 8.o pounds, and it's great. I'm gaining weight on the inside while losing weight on the outside. They say a pregnant woman burns more calories cooking a baby on the couch than a man lifting weights, and the fact that I still work out is icing on the cake. I'm upping my calories like I'm supposed to, but I haven't felt the desire to 'eat for two' and barely have any cravings.

Cravings: Not much except for a sweet tooth the last week. I'm trying to stick to fruit, but it's too easy to reach for candy since I bought some at the Dollar Store like a dummy. whoops

Symptoms: I lose my balance which is actually pretty funny, but mostly it's just a struggle to get up.

Maternity Clothes: Still not wearing them. I've actually gone through my closet and I'm trying to wear everything I can before it won't fit anymore. Don't worry though, I have already packed two big boxes worth of  stuff that doesn't fit. Mainly bras, bathing suits, and 'inappropriate' stuff ;)

Mood: My mood is fine, but I am feeling a bit of anxiety trying to juggle it all. Go figure.

Best Moment This Week: Other than the kicks, we had our 3rd appointment and we got to hear her heartbeat. Pretty crazy...I don't know how they tell the difference between hers and mine.

Exercise: Still going strong, and I actually outran a friend the other day. She usually stays on the treadmill longer than I do, but I guess I am more conditioned to running outside. We had to stop several times AND I ran more than a mile over what she did. We have a 5K this weekend, so I've got to be ready to run! Whodathunk I'd run a 5K while six months pregnant.

On My Mind:  We've torn apart the house to turn the guest bedroom into the nursery and in turn my beloved closet room has become the guest bedroom whompwhomp, so now we have to find some semblance of order AND get my projects done before the first baby shower. My goal is to have the crib bedding finished (yes, I'm making the crib set, because I'm so picky) and finish painting the changing table that my grandpa made me. If only the naked crib wasn't taunting me...

Over all, we feel pretty blessed. Will keeps thinking things are going too smooth with this pregnancy, but all we can do is take what comes at us. We only have 3-4 months left, so technically... it's all downhill from here. I just hope we can soak it all in and enjoy every moment. This could  should be the only pregnancy I get to experience, and as such, I plan on experiencing it to the fullest extent. Happy SIX months to us, and happy {early} St. Patty's to you guys. I'm already going green!