Quiz: Week 16

I saw this on another mommy blog and loved the idea.  I've made a few edits, but I plan to update this regularly throughout the pregnancy.  Sometimes...belly photos may be included as well.

How far along? 16 weeks today!


How big is baby? Nearly 5 inches long from crown to rump, and now weighing 3+ ounces.

Weight gain? I hovered at five pounds forEVER.  I jumped to 9 and seem to be hanging out there for a while.

Stretch Marks? Too soon!

Maternity clothes? I have a pair of jeans from Old Navy that I love and wear often.  After a weekend with Erin I realize I need more dresses!  I'm also a fan of bella bands!  Thanks to those bands, I'm still wearing all of my old dress pants.

Sleep? I'm still sleeping ok, I just want more of it.  I'm trying to stop sleeping on my back, but that's proving to be difficult.  I may need a body pillow or something to wedge me up on my left side. 

Cravings? I fell in love with an Apple Bacon Pizza in Lexington, and already had to make one of my own last night.  Justin liked it too, so I suspect I'll be making it again and again!

Nursery update?  Still awaiting gender news, but I've "sketched" out a plan.

Movement?  I *might* have felt a few tiny flutters last night when I was going to bed.  It might have also been regular stomach stuff.  To be determined...

High point? Jordan patting my belly (ahem...and boobs) and saying we were allowed to have a boy and name it Karson.

Low point? Mysteriously jumping from 5 to 9 pounds gained.

Other: I bought a couple of small items on sale at Kohl's this weekend (shhh).  My favorite is a yellow footed PJ set that says "mommy loves me".   And I sure do.

Ahh, Lextown.

I visited God's country this weekend. Perhaps you believe that is your hometown, but you are wrong. :-) It's Lexington Kentucky. Maybe because I left it too soon, maybe because so many fond college and early career memories are there, or maybe because it actually is that fantastic...I will always be in love with that city. I can't easily explain why; you either get it or you don't. This Saturday, for example, was nothing extraordinary...yet still perfect. I had brunch at Doodles with some girlfriends, browsed a boutique sale, ate a cupcake for lunch, shopped at Hamburg, had a downtown photo shoot, ate a wonderful dinner at Grey Goose, and enjoyed some patio time with perfect weather.  Nothing fancy, nothing unusual, but everything I wanted it to be. We didn't even get to watch the horses at Keeneland, take in a UK event, or dance like sweaty college kids at the Dame. I didn't get to hear a call to the post, the cheers of the crowd at Commonwealth, the madness that is Rupp Arena, the lively music of Atomic and Cheapside...or a chilling rendition of My Old Kentucky Home echoing throughout the hills. But I still felt it. That city is still and will forever be a part of me.

Special thanks to Erin, Amanda, Melissa and Chris!  I miss you Lextown - and until next time...(which is soon)...stay fabulous!

Time flies...

I spent the past weekend in Kentucky with family and friends. On Saturday we celebrated a 10 year high school reunion! Hard to believe! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I actually found it comforting that some things, and people haven’t changed a bit! Terra and I would probably still fumble through chemistry lab, Heather is as sweet as ever, Angie still makes me laugh, and Bradley and Brandon will always be my boys. It was also humorous how many gals were pregnant. (The trend is girl by the way – so I’m anxious to see if I’m following the group!)  In fact - I believe 5 out of the top 6 of our 1999 tennis team are prego?  Looks like we're NOT ready for an alumni match right now.

Aside from the reunion, I got in some family time. The twins are growing so much, and are starting to “talk”. It’s funny to hear them babble and squeal, especially in surround sound! Gavin has started preschool (WHAT!), and mom and dad are busy getting ready for the annual Cook reunion in two weeks.

It was a good visit! But I gained a new appreciation for my chauffer. I missed having Justin to drive so I could nap! (ha)

In conclusion - I can't believe how fast the twins are growing, I can't believe it's almost Labor Day, I can't believe Gavin is in preschool, and I can't believe I've been out of high school for ten years.  They say time flies when you're having fun...so I must be having a BLAST!

A Good Day!

We had a successful appointment yesterday!  The usual exam, heartbeat, bloodwork, Q&A, and we discussed a timeline for the upcoming appointments.  Everything seems to be going well with the baby.  The heartbeat yesterday was at 140.  The doctor continues to remind me that has nothing to do with gender.  :-)

Our next appointment is scheduled for Sept 16th, and we'll have a follow up with the ultrasound two weeks after that...so we'll get to know the gender by around the end of September!!!  Can you tell I'm anxious for that?

Speaking of - we wish good luck to Crystal and Jared today as they find out whether Jordan will be getting a little brother or a little sister.  We're excited to hear that news as well!

In non-baby news, yesterday was also a big day for Justin at flight school.  He had his first "check ride" and passed!  He then made his first solo ride!  I watched and snapped a few photos as he executed three take offs and landings.  Afterward he got "shirt-tailed" and we had a celebratory dinner.  Between the baby and his flight, he was a pretty happy fella last night.  :-)

I also really enjoyed the facebook love we got after our announcement.  It's comforting to feel love and support from so many.  We continue to feel very blessed.

Day 100!

Today is day 100 of our pregnancy.  I suppose it holds no particular significance, except that it seems like a fun milestone!

Fun facts about our baby:
Now has a set of fingerprints
Is practicing breathing
Can make facial expressions (grimaces, squints, frowns, and hopefully...smiles!)
Is practicing movements, including making a fist, moving thumbs, and grasping
Can turn its head, open its mouth, and press its lips together

Not bad for someone who is only 4 inches tall!

We are approximately 36% through the pregnancy so we're moving right along!  We have an appointment today, after which I will "facebook announce" the pregnancy.  THAT makes it official, right?  :-)

Although we have not been diligent about keeping it quiet in the first place, I am still excited to reveal our news to the friends who are still not in the know.

I've been feeling somewhat better.  I've been less nauseous and have had fewer headaches, although I seem to be just as tired.  I also recently discovered that pregnancy is hard on my eyes!  My eye doctor recommended wearing glasses for the remainder of the pregnancy and perhaps for a month or two afterward as well.

So in addition to bad skin, stringy hair, and no tan, I'm wearing glasses again...did I mention I also have a 10 year high school reunion coming up this weekend?  I need to find an outfit that says: "pregnant" as opposed to "Melody has really let herself go".  HA!

Crystal gets to find out a gender tomorrow (lucky!), so I'll make my final prediction.  I've been leaning towards boy lately for her, but that seems to be the popular route.  I'll go out on a limb and say GIRLS for both of us!

Patience is not one of my strong points...

I am officially in to the second trimester! We celebrated a little early by registering for a few of our main items on Saturday. I know…it’s early. You know it’s early. The guy at the store who gave me that weird look when I said the due date was February 14th knows it’s early… But I’m determined to enjoy this process as much as possible, and make the most of every milestone and every step along the way. So if that means I pick out a high chair at 13 weeks…so be it! True to form, we also settled on bedding a couple weeks ago. Here are a few pictures to let you know what we have in mind for Baby Rinker:

We chose a coordinating carseat and stroller, high chair, pack n play, and swing/bouncer. We think the colors are neutral and can be used for baby #1…as well as any that follow! AND…I’m hoping the pattern will be forgiving of stains.

For baby Karson, we wanted to do planes, trains, and automobiles, but fell in love with this plane themed bedding by Lambs and Ivy. AND – what a perfect tribute to Justin’s new hobby! It’s also currently on sale! If only we knew the gender now!!!

For baby girl, I thought I would try something trendy, geometric, and definitely pink. Instead – I fell in love with this purple jungle theme! If we have a boy, I might still need this bedding…can I get this for our master bedroom? ;-)

Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts on what we've picked thus far!

I thought starting early might help alleviate the anxiousness, but instead, I’m ready for the next step! I’ll have to put the brakes on a bit and try to just enjoy the second trimester at a leisurely pace. …HA!

Our next appointment is one week from today. I’ll be sure to post an update then!  Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Flying High

I was able to join Justin at flight school this weekend as he continued to work on his hours. I met his instructor, snapped a few photos, and watched him successfully execute a take off! This new hobby has been very exciting for Justin, and we’re proud of the progress he’s making. He has in over 15 flight hours, as well as some ground school training. He’s well on his way!

For those of you panicking about the quiz to the right – relax! We will not go on a flight together until Justin is ready, I am in the appropriate “condition”, and even then, it will likely be to the nearest airport about 20 miles away! Nonetheless – we’re very excited about this new adventure, and if baby Rinker turns out to be Karson, the plane themed nursery will help Karson and I show how proud we are!

The photos below are of Justin with a Cesna 152.