Pregnancy Massage

I went on Saturday and had my first pregnancy massage. It was ok, a little better than I expected. I wasn't expecting her to be able to massage as deeply as she did, she made my legs and feel feel wonderful by the time she was done. I was a little dissapointed though that she wasn't able to get as deep on my back because I was laying on my side. Not that it didn't feel great, but just not as enjoyable as when you are able to lay on your stomach. Oh, and they won't let you lay on your back either. So it was one side, then switch to the other. I have been having some major pain in my butt (literally) and down my right leg that they say is my sciatic nerve. So, she worked on that for a good part of the massage, and made the pain go away...for now. She told me to come back every other week--at $80 a pop...I think not--and she will try to keep me pain free. I think I'll stick with streching and asking Ryan to rub me to help with the pain. The massage therapist also recommended that I stop wearing heels (yeah right)and try flats or....CROCKS!!!! I am not totally against Crocks, but think that they just make you look sloppy sometimes, but I think I may go buy a pair for the weekends when I'm shopping or running errands or for when my feet start to swell...but let me tell you, I will wear my heels until the day that I can't fit my fat foot into them anymore!!

Ryan also got a massage with me...his first one, and he loved it!! He was nervous at first about it and I was nervous that he wouldn't like it, but when we were finished and I walked out and seen him in his white robe and slippers, lounging on the chair with a water bottle reading a magazine, I knew he loved it! He told me that he can't wait to go back...which means, that WE can go back soon! YEAH!

I suggest to all you pregnant girls out there that read this, schedule a pregnancy massage. I'm going to try to get one in once a month until June when Claire comes!

6 Months

A picture from this weekend...6 months pregnant in Claire's newly painted room...Ryan did an excellent job!!!

Wednesday

So my sister finally uploaded her pics from when we went out the other night...here's a few to share

Me and Daddy...yes, with a Miller Lite



Me with Auntie Ellen



We went bowling

Monday laugh

Yesterday I was laying on the couch watching TV with the remote on my belly. I felt her kick and the remote moved, and again and again. I've seen this before at night time, but Ryan hasn't seen it yet. So I quietly called him in and he seen it move!! Then again she kicked so hard that it fell from my belly to my lap! It was a special moment that we could finally share together. He reached over and rubbed by belly and it was so amazing to see that look of love in his eyes and huge smile on his face.

Kick Start My Morning

The days of me worrying that I wasn't feeling Baby Claire move enough are over!!! She was more active last night (ALL night long) and today than she's ever been!! Last night I was laying on the couch watching Big Brother--which by the way I was SO excited to have start back up again...and in the winter!!!--and I was feeling her move around, but nothing big. Then I went to lay down in bed, and it all began. I felt her kick me low in my belly, then a few seconds later, way up high above my belly button, then on the side, again low, she was all over the place!! It was so cute...I could just picture her in there twirling around getting a jab in here and there. I finally got to sleep after almost 30 minutes of this only to be waken up at 2:30 with her doing flips again! Even though I (sort of) complain about this, I just lay there, 2:30 in the morning, rubbing my belly, smiling to myself and thinking about what she looks like in there. So, 7:00 rolls around and there she is again...do you ever sleep, little girl????

Today is the 23 week mark of my pregnancy...where has all the time gone? Baby Claire now weighs over a pound and she is completley formed (with the exception of her lungs). It it so amazing to me that my body has been able to nourish this little angel inside of me for this long, and give her everything that she needs--and yes sometimes that is a whole pack of Oreo's or a Blizzard from dairy Queen, large with M&M's, or that 3rd or 4th piece of pizza....because that's what CLAIRE wants, right?

Girlfriends

I got this e-mail from my sister and wanted to share. If more people thought like this, the world would be a better place. Happy Monday!

Someone will always be prettier.
Someone will always be skinnier.
Someone will always be smarter.
Some of their houses will be bigger.
Some will drive a better car.
Their children will do better in school.
And their husband will fix more things around the house..
So let it go, and love you and your circumstances.
Think about it!
The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.
And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children.
And the richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house, the clothes~~~~ might be lonely.
And the word says, 'If I have not Love, I am nothing.'

Hello...are you still in there????

I am soooooooo glad to feel Baby Claire moving around this morning!!!!! The past 2 days I haven't been feeling her move, and I was starting to get worried. For the past few weeks it seems like I was feeling her after I ate lunch and was back at my desk then again at night when I would lay down in bed. So, when I wasn't feeling her move, I was concerned. I asked my mom about it and she reassured me that she prob had just turned around or had her days and nights mixed up, and that I would feel her again soon. So, just a little bit ago, as I was sitting here typing--SHE KICKED!!! YEAH!!! I love that feeling, knowing that she's awake and moving around in there! Maybe it was the donut and strawberry milk that I had for breakfast (sugar laden, ya think??) but whatever it was I am relieved!

On another note I had lunch with my good friend Tara and her 10 month old daughter Bailey yesterday (who is so darn cute!!) It is so nice to hang out with people that have kids and understand what you're going through. I feel like my stories, comments, questions, and concerns aren't annoying or boring converstaion topics. The other night I had an hour conversation with my girlfriend, Andrea, about breast pumps!!! LOL. And to my child-less girls out there, you are still great and I love you!

Random Things

Another dreary day in the good 'ol Lou. Seems like we've had a lot of overcast, nasty, yucky, wet days here lately. I'm ready for some springtime sunshine. And to top it all off, I've been slow at work yesterday and today, which makes for a long, long day.

Some things I love:

1) The sound of rain in the gutters in the morning
2) Rubbing my hubby's scruffy face when he needs to shave
3) Chocolate truffles
4) The smell of clean laundry
5) Margaritta's or a bottle of wine on the patio with good girlfriends
6) Lunch dates
7) Foot rubs
8) Good TV nights
9) Hubby cleaning up the kitchen after dinner without asking him to
10) Pink roses
11) Yankee candles
12) An e-mail that makes you laugh out loud

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

It's a baby girl for Ryan and me!!! We are both so excited!!! But more important is that she is healthy and everything that they look for in the ultrasound was perfect!! I got some really neat 3-D pictures and am even MORE in love with her than I was before. It is so neat to see her little angel face, fingers, toes, legs, arms, everything and know that she is one part you one part your husband. Amazing!!!

So, of course Saturday and Sunday my mom and I shopped our little hearts out. The spare bedrom closet is FULL of pink, purple, and teal. I love little girl clothes!!! I have looked at them about a hundred times already imagining her in them!! Now I can't wait to start on the nursery!

Here are some pics of our Baby Claire!

Her profile and foot...




Some 3-D pics of her...you can see her little hand at the top, her lips are apart, and the bottom one shows her whole leg!!!



Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers!

Sarah, Ryan and Baby Claire