More Pictures from Sparky's Florida Vacation

Pictures from Sparky's Florida Vacation

Sparky's First Christmas Presents

We celebrated Christmas with most of the Hodges family last night (Melissa and Glenn will have to wait to receive their presents until we are all in lovely Vero Beach, Florida tomorrow). It was a good day on the present front for Sparky. Without knowing it, she has already collected a really soft Pooh Bear blanket, a Pooh Bear outfit, 2 University of Michigan books, and a play yard (or pack and play as they used to be called). She was quite the lucky girl. On top of that, Steve and I also got an iHome system, which I am sure will find its way into Sparky's room to help her sleep and for entertainment during the many late night feedings.

And now... Sparky and I are off to get ready to head to Florida for a week of well earned rest and relaxation. It may be the last such week before Sparky's big appearance.

Steve, Sparky, and I (and Maize too), wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2008.

Uncooperative Part 2

Another visit to the doctor, another display of our daughter's stubborn streak. This is the second visit, of not too many where "Sparky" decided that the doctor didn't really need to listen to her heartbeat. At least this time he caught it for a second and then lost it. With all the movement, Dr. Sammarco figured we were just fine until the next checkup in 4 weeks. Now... 3 days until the big plane trip to Florida and a few days on the beach.

Merry Christmas to you all!

It's week 22...

Well, week 22 is off to an uneventful start. We get to visit Dr. Sammarco tomorrow morning, but other than that, life has been rather boring, not that I am going to complain about boring. I think Sparky may have made the move to the head down position since I've been battling a bulge that is frequently stuck right up under my rib cage. The kicking hasn't stopped and I'm sure the 11 or so inches of little girl must be bent up in someway or another resulting in her bottom in my ribs and her feet kicking away below my belly button.

Speaking of that - my belly button is mere days away from disappearing. Everyday it gets a little shallower and shallower. My waistline is 42 inches as of this evening and I've gained 3 pounds in the last 4 weeks. I'm sure the weight gain will pick up as Sparky starts growing faster and faster.

As for this week's photos - Steve says this depicts the exhausted, right out of the shower after work version of my pregnant self very well. Maize is already feeling very sad now that she can't sit on my lap anymore, she's been stuck laying on the cold, hard wood floor doing dog things. She will be very sad when Sparky comes home and she can't sit on Steve's lap either.

Banning Milkshakes

Sparky really loves milkshakes. REALLY LOVES them - way too much. I tried a milkshake the other night, with dinner and my belly paid for it with a very sound internal beating. Apparently the sugary, sweet milkshake is a recipe for hyperactivity in the womb. Back to the water only diet.

We're getting ready for our big trip to Florida and can't wait for a few days of relaxation on the beach. Hopefully Sparky travels well on her first plane trip.

Week 21 - The Second Half

This photo was going to be really cute this week ~ I had a cute little top and had been all fixed up from work. Then I decided to boil and egg in the microwave for dinner. I had it in water, so I figured it would be fine. However, when I took the egg out it exploded everywhere (mostly all over my face and cute new shirt). So... after the shower and putting on pajama's this is Sparky's week 21 photo.

My belly made it up to 42 inches this week and I've been avoiding the scale for the last couple weeks, so I'm sure there are a few pounds that could be added to the previous total. Sparky is getting to be a very active girl - she's been kicking and punching me all day long. According to the websites we've been checking out, she's around 10 inches long and just about a pound.

We brought home a bassinet for Sparky this weekend. It was up in Grandma Lorraine's attic, so we aren't quite sure where it came from or who has slept in it, but it is sturdy and white, and should withstand a very curious basset hound. Unfortunately with an old bassinet comes an old mattress of a size that isn't made anymore. I went out to Hobby Lobby today and purchased material to make my own sheets, since we couldn't find a single store that carried 13 by 28 bassinet sheets. When we get the sheets done and the bassinet cleaned and steamed, we will post the pictures.

It's only 12 days until we take Sparky on her first airplane ride to sunny (we hope) Florida for a week of fun at Vero Beach. We are very excited for a little rest and relaxation before Sparky gets here and turns our lives inside out.

Insomnia

Sparky has decided to sleep while I am awake and party all night long. This is not a good outcome for me now that I can feel all the partying. Last night between Sparky, needing to use the bathroom twice, and Maize being "scared" - I was awake at least every hour starting at midnight. We need to get these interruptions on a schedule so that Sparky's party, Maize's panic at the snowplows, and my bladder all wake me one time, rather than 3 or 4.

Today is Steve's birthday, so Sparky and I are taking him out for dinner when he gets back from school. My belly is getting stretched out and is now 41 1/2 inches, so I figure some birthday celebration won't even effect my waistline at this point.

SPOILER ALERT - IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THE GENDER OF SPARKY DO NOT READ

Today was Sparky's 20 week ultrasound so that we could make sure everything was growing well and in the right places. The ultrasound technician was amazed at Sparky's cooperation and said excellent photos and measurements were taken. Of course we are very proud of our little one for her excellent cooperation this morning. That's right folks - Sparky is a she. We will now have to apologize to her for the first 20 weeks of refering to her as a he.

The techinican said Sparky looked very healthy and was right on track for growth and development. And the technician was very sure that Sparky was a she - so were Steve and I from the very first image we got of our little one.

Our baby is a very active little gal - there was lots of moving and stretching and kicking going on during the entire ultrasound. We are hoping that she inherits her father's more mellow personality and calms down after she's born. My belly didn't grow this week and I'm still feeling great. Below are the official shots of Sparky from her ultrasound.