27 Weeks

Things have been busy since Z left, which is good.  I need the distractions.

I've had a couple of farewell dinners for girls that are moving to different bases soon, a few events with the Officers Spouse Club such as socials and meetings, and I also helped out with the local Airman Cookie Drive.  I baked about 15 dozen cookies for donation.  Those cookies were joined with about 1600 dozen other cookie batches from citizens around the city and on base.  We spent a day putting a dozen different cookies into bags decorated by school kids to give to the airmen that are not allowed to go home for Christmas.  It got me into the holiday spirit a little more.

I missed the 26 week post, but I wanted to wait until after the doctor appointment I had this past Tuesday.  Everything was great!  She didn't do an ultrasound, but we listened to a strong heartbeat --- he even gave a big kick when she was listening to him.  I am 27 weeks now and baby boy is being compared to an eggplant (weeks 25-28).  His eyes are forming, he is working on creating his immune system, and his capillaries are giving a nice pinky glow to his skin.  Hopefully he doesn't take after me with the fair skin...we'll have to buy stock in sunscreen.   He has been very active, most often in the morning and right before I go to sleep.  I haven't been sleeping very well --- so when I am awake in the middle of the night with a fast heart beat, it seems like he thinks I am awake for the day.  Dance party!  It makes it a little more difficult to fall back asleep with him moving around, but thats okay.  Can't complain about that!  :)

This picture is a little dark --- it is difficult to get a good one when your photographer isn't around!

27 Weeks

One of my distractions was the baby shower that was given for us today.  It was hosted by my friends Julia, Rachele, and Michelle (other military spouses).  It was such a fun gathering.  They went to so much effort --- the food was delicious, the decorations and party favors were adorable, and they just did a great job.  I was grateful for all of the people that came.  Here are a few pics to show the fun afternoon.

Delicious food 

Amazing flavor filled cupcakes

Punch and "Baby Bump Cookie" party favors.

We played the game where you pass around unlabeled
baby food and you have to guess what kind of food it is based
on the smell.  I was completely grossed out. 

One of the gifts that my mom sent was a whole box full of
Kansas Jayhawks gear for the baby.  Julia (the shower was at her house)
 is a big Texas Longhorns fan, so we trash talk each others team from time to time.
She said shewould still hold the kiddo though, even if he was in KU gear.  :)

Diaper cake!

'

Me with the hostesses: Julia, Michelle, and Rachele

It was a great afternoon spent with wonderful friends and filled with lots of goodies to spoil our little boy.

Z is doing well.  He made it safely to his place of deployment and is getting in the groove of his work there. We are back to our days of relying on Skype for communication, and even though it would clearly just be better to have him home, we feel so lucky to have the ability to talk and see each other.   No word on when he'll be back yet, but we both have high hopes.  :)   Continue to keep your fingers crossed!

Thankful

It seems like the past few years we have traveled during Thanksgiving, but not this time.  After having been in Lousiana for a few months and also knowing Z's upcoming deployment schedule, his family came to us.   We had a very nice Thanksgiving meal -- Z smoked a turkey and a brisket, and I made a few sides and some pies.  We went to the mall on Black Friday just to experience the crowds, but we really spent the majority of the weekend hanging around the house.  It was really nice to not worry about getting back in time for Z...and Mia was on familiar turf for a full weekend of fetch with a new crowd that was willing to play.

Starting the meal

Thanksgiving table as we were sitting down to eat

Desserts and a few other goodies

I snagged this photo from Z's mom's Facebook profile,
but it was a good showing of the group.

On November 26th, I was 25 weeks!  It seems like this pregnancy is flying by.  People keep asking me how I am feeling, and I have to say that I have no complaints.  I have no additional aches or pains, no swollen ankles, no heartburn or upset stomach, and most of the time I have quite a bit of energy.  I get out of breath putting my shoes on --- but that seems normal at this point.  :)  I keep waiting for the day that I'll wake up feeling uncomfortable, but that hasn't happened yet.  I've been really lucky.

At 25 weeks, Baby Boy Franklin is being compared to the size of an eggplant.  If we could see him, we would be able to see the color and texture of his hair, and also see that he's gaining his baby fat.  His wrinkled skin is beginning to smooth out, and he can definitely hear everything going on around him.  He has been really active, but lucky for me, it is only when I am awake.  Z got to feel a few more big kicks before he left, which was good.  We still don't know when Z will be back.

25 Weeks 

The morning he left.

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving.  :)