Devastation

Jep's National Guard unit was activated to assist with clean up efforts from the recent tornadoes in the Jefferson County area. While waiting for the rest of his unit to make it up to Birmingham (they are coming from Dothan, Ala-about 3 1/2 hours south of Birmingham), he headed to Pratt City to check the area the unit has been assigned to. He said the scene is absolutely surreal. Here are some pictures he sent me of the devastation. Absolutely heartbreaking!

April 27, 2011

So, I think it's safe to say that today is one for the history books. We experienced two rounds of severe storms complete with multiple tornado touchdowns causing significant damage across the state. We were in total shock as we watched LIVE (on TV) as tornadoes swept across Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. The tornado in Birmingham stretched about a mile wide! I have never seen anything like it! Thankfully, we didn't have any damage at our house and were lucky enough to not lose power. We did have a couple of scares in our area and were prepared to go to our "safe place" but thankfully didn't need to.









Please keep those affected by these storms in your thoughts and prayers!

32 Weeks!

How Far Along: 32 weeks
Size of Baby: Baby girl is weighing around 3.75 lbs--the size of a jicama (I have no idea what that is!) and is about 16.7 inches long.
Total Weight Gained/Lost: I'm guessing around 22 lbs.
Maternity Clothes: Yep
Movement: Lots of movement lately. It's been fun because she's really been responding to her daddy when he talks to her!

Sleep: Sleep is still good! Just occassionally waking up around 1:30 or 2 am but I can fall right back asleep just fine.

What I miss: Doing simple things myself--like moving heavier objects.

Cravings: Nothing really in paticular this week.

Aversions: This past weekend I made a new recipe--Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork. I put it in the crockpot the night before and the next morning the smell made me sick. Once I got past the smell, I was able to eat it and it tasted great!! :)
Symptoms: My feet have been starting to ache if I'm on them for a long period of time. Thankfully, they haven't started swelling yet!

Highlights from this week: Crossing more things off what seems like a never ending checklist! Her nursery is *almost* complete. Once it's finished, I'll post some pictures.

31 Weeks!

How Far Along: 31 weeks
Size of Baby: Squash Baby-measuring 16 inches long and about 3.3 lbs

Total Weight Gained/Lost: 21 lbs. and I'm starting to feel it!
Maternity Clothes: Still adding to my collection of maternity clothes

Movement: She's still moving and rolling around in there a lot.

Sleep: Thankfully, still sleeping great!

What I miss: Being able to easily bend over to pick something up from the floor

Cravings: Still loving popsicles!

Aversions: None
Symptoms: Getting out of breath more easily these days!

Highlights from this week: Jep's return from the Dominican Republic!! Now, we can get some of the big things on our to-do list crossed off!

29 Weeks!

How Far Along: 29 weeks

Size of Baby: Butternut Squash Baby! Weighing about 2 1/2 lbs and a little over 15 inches from head to heel

Total Weight Gained/Lost: ?? Haven't weighed myself this week

Maternity Clothes: Majority of my current wardrobe is maternity except for a few flowy pre-pregnancy tops and dresses.

Movement: Her movements are definitely becoming stronger and more noticeable. She does get a few jabs to my ribs in every now and then.

Sleep: Thankfully, still sleeping good! I occasionally get up at night for a potty break. And, Dread wakes me up at times around 3:30am to go out- I think he's helping prepare me for Lilah's arrival.

What I miss: This week, I've been missing Jep. He's been in the Dominican Republic for the past 2 weeks building a health clinic with his Army unit.

Cravings: Popsicles and Italian Ice

Aversions: None, really.

Symptoms: Restless legs at night and some mild heartburn--it probably doesn't help that I eat a lot of spicy food :)

Highlights from this week: Since I didn't do a post last week, I'd say one of the recent highlights is hitting the 3rd trimester! Yay!! And, as for this week--it's been 5 years to the day that Jep and I went on our very first date!

27 Weeks

How Far Along: 27 weeks

Size of Baby: Almost 2 lbs and 14.5'' long-about the size of a head of cauliflower

Total Weight Gained/Lost: 16 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Exclusively wearing maternity pants. My options in pre-pregnancy tops are getting limited so the majority of tops are maternity.

Movement: She's still moving a lot and I love it!

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good still. The crazy, vivid dreams are back and I do have to get up about once a night to use the bathroom.

What I miss: My brain-I've definitely been experiencing what people have referred to as "pregnancy brain." Just today I forgot where I parked and ended up on the wrong level of the parking deck.

Cravings: I'm back to the sweets. I ran into CVS this afternoon to get a few things we needed and ended up with a bag of Swedish Fish and 4 Cadbury Cream Eggs in my basket.

Aversions: None

Symptoms: I've been noticing that I have been getting winded pretty easily these days.

Highlights from this week: Making some more progress on Lilah's nursery! Below are some pictures of our new glider and her name over the crib. The last major piece of furniture we still need to purchase is the dresser. We still have a ways to go decorating wise but once I get the dresser in there I can concentrate on the smaller details.

Nursery Progress

Lilah's crib bedding is here!!! I ordered it a little over a month ago and have been anxiously awaiting its arrival and it is finally here!!! I am in LOVE! Let me tell you--choosing the crib bedding was one of the most difficult decisions thus far in my pregnancy. :) I scoured the internet trying to find exactly what I had envisioned for her nursery. I didn't want anything too "cute-sy" or overly pink and no animals. I was so excited when I knew I had finally found "the one" when I came across the Polka Tot Designs website!!

The pictures really do not do it justice--it is so much prettier in person!

Big Brother Dread

Dread was hanging out with me while I put together the bedding and after I took some pictures he was looking up at me with his sad puppy eyes. So, I took a few pictures of him and told him that he was still mama's baby and my "star subject." He got soo excited and started chasing his tail and attacking me and the camera with big kisses. What a sweet, little guy!

In other news, today marks Week 26! My photographer aka Jep got home late today and I was already in my pjs so we'll postpone the latest "weekly photo."