19 weeks 6 days

Today was Shad's first day at his new position at work. He's now working days instead of nights. This is definitely a big adjustment for him. After speaking to him during our lunch breaks, it sounds as if he's not going to be bored for quite a while!!

The new schedule is also a big adjustment for Brinkley and myself. Poor Brinkley is used to having someone home with him all the time and now he has to spend the entire day by himself. I get to go home for lunch, though, so can let him out to use the bathroom and play for a short while. He's going to be completely FULL of energy tonight, though! I'll probably let him loose next door to play with the neighbor's dogs and run laps around their house as their entire yard is fenced in!

Both Shad and I took vacation days last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, so started our new sleeping schedule a bit early. So far, we're both adjusting well. My biggest complaint is actually about Brinkley...he INSISTS on sleeping against me all night! I try pushing him away and he just scoots back! If it keeps up like this, he's going to end up sleeping in his crate!

For our vacation, we didn't go out of town since we're trying to save money for my maternity leave. Instead, we did stuff in the area that we normally don't get to do. On Wednesday, we went to the Aquarium in Chattanooga. On Thursday, Shad played golf with the guys while I had a pedicure and pre-natal massage. The massage was actually a Valentine's Day gift from Shad that I was unable to redeem before becoming pregnant; it was originally supposed to be a Chocolate Decadence Massage. Under the circumstances, though, I had to change it. Nevertheless, it still felt WONDERFUL! I told Shad that it would make for a perfect gift again in about 4-6 months!!! On Friday, we went to the Nashville Sounds baseball game with a group from church, which was lots of fun even though the Sounds lost pretty badly. We got to watch an up close and personal fireworks display! I'm surprised that I didn't start feeling Chris move that night! I'm still waiting, although I've been wondering about what I'm feeling today...is it him or is it something else (gas, hunger pains, gurgling stomach, etc.)??? I just can't wait until I KNOW it's him that I'm feeling. According to the doctor, that should be happening any day now.

Symptoms: None!

18 weeks / 18 weeks 4 days - The BIG Ultrasound!

17 weeks 5 days / 18 weeks 2 days

We had the BIG ultrasound on Thursday! Everything seems to be going well and the baby looks to be healthy and developing normally. We found out that...IT'S A BOY!!!! Christopher Shad, Jr.!!! He was definitely NOT shy for us either! We were able to take home a videotape in addition to a whole lot of pictures!

The ultrasound measured me at 19 weeks, which would put my due date at December 15 instead of December 24. My doctor instead split it in half and changed my due date to December 20.

Here are some of Baby Christopher's first pictures:

He's waving hi to us...that's his hand above his stomach

Another profile shot

Here he's literally JUMPING off my bladder and showing off to us! He's definitely a boy and already very active!

At the time of the ultrasound, he was in breech position. Meaning, his head was at my belly button and his feet were at my bladder. Even with him as active as he was at the time, I still have not felt anything at all. My doctor said that I probably wouldn't for another week or so. Plus, I have an anterior placenta, meaning it's at the front of my abdomen between the wall and the baby, padding me from his movements.

My next appointment will be Monday, August 22 for just a routine visit. I also have an appointment set for Thursday, September 15 for the glucose test and a couple of other new things.

On Friday, I went shopping for maternity clothes as I'm finally at the point where I can't where any of my regular pants. So, I went to Target and Phase II and bought a TON of stuff! I should, hopefully, be set for the rest of the pregnancy!

In addition to clothes shopping for myself, I went to Carter's and bought Baby Chris a going-home outfit. I ended up choosing a 6-piece layette set with a sleep & play, layette gown, bib, bodysuit, side-snap shirt and cap. I also bought another couple of onsies and a pair of pants. At Phase II, I bought him a onsie with an airplane of the front. I can't wait to be able to put these to use!

On Saturday, I went to Wal-Mart to make sure that the registry I created online would also work in the store. Thankfully, they're linked so I only had to go around and add a few more things. If interested, go to www.walmart.com to the Baby Registry page and type in Tami Holloman in the search box. I'm the only one listed with this particular spelling. You can either print it off from there (with pictures) or go to your nearby Wal-Mart to the registry computer and print off a list from there (without pictures). Please don't pay too much attention to the online version that lists some items as in-store only or online only as it's not correct.

Symptoms: Occasional indigestion, frequent trips to the restroom and a minor hunger increase.

16 weeks 6 days

Well, there doesn't seem to be any change in my stomach from last week's picture to this week's picture. However, my clothes don't seem to fit as well now. I wore maternity pants for the first time this week! Boy, are they comfortable! I also bought a pair a maternity jean capris, but they're a bit big for me yet. I'm hoping they'll fit in another 1-2 months. I really need to go check out Phase II and see if they have any maternity clothes. I do have several items already that were given to me, but a lot are leggings or cotton shorts with the stomach panels, which I'm finding I don't like quite as much. I need to get some more khaki pants & shorts, jeans & jean shorts and some dress pants. I'll worry about shirts later since I'm not having any problems with them yet.

This week has been somewhat uneventful. I'm just anxiously counting down the days to next Thursday for the ultrasound! Hopefully next weekend I can go shopping for some baby clothes to celebrate!

I'm also looking forward to July 27, 28 and 29 as Shad and I are both taking those days off of work for vacation. Unfortunately, since we're saving money right now for when the baby comes, we can't afford to go out of town. Therefore, we're planning to spend one day in Nashville going to places like the zoo and taking a cruise on the General Jackson, one day in Chattanooga visiting the aquarium and then one day here in town to do our own thing. Shad's really wanting to go golfing since he's only been once this Summer and I still have a chocolate massage that he gave me for Valentine's Day. I need to call to find out if they'll accept me since I'm pregnant. That sure would be nice to redeem! I'm sure it would be better when I'm closer to the due date, but figure I have a better chance of getting them to accept me if I'm not showing a whole lot. I've heard there are special massages for pregnant women, so will have to inquire about that soon. I might splurge and get myself a pedicure while I'm there, too. These last few months will probably be my last chance to pamper myself for a while.

Symptoms: The indigestion is definitely coming back this week! I made the mistake of having a caffeine-free Coke one night about 1 hour before bedtime. I started regretting it right away! I guess it's time to go out and buy some more Tums.

6 more days until the ultrasound!!!