29 Weeks: Butternut Squash

Now butternut squash is something I can identify with. When I bend over, it feels like there's a butternut squash tucked under my skin. Nash is about 2 1/2 pounds and 15 inches long right now.

Internet, I have a cold and two other posts to work on, so this is all you get for 29 weeks. I didn't even weigh myself as I was in Houston and believe in only using one scale. You gotta be consistent.

Here's me, at 29 weeks, right as the cold was settling in for it's stay.

28 Weeks: Chinese Cabbage

Little Nash weighs as much as a Chinese Cabbage, which is about 2 1/4 lbs. He's also about 14 3/4 in long. I can feel him moving all the time. When he decides to change positions, my entire body moves. He pretty much stays in one place, low on my right side.

A strange little anecdote: I felt this lump on my stomach a few times and decided to ask the doc about it yesterday. I was worried something was growing on my skin, or just beneath it, that might affect Nash and/or me. She felt around, asked where he normally kicks, and then told me that the "lump" I am feeling is the baby's knee or elbow. WHAT!? I had no idea that he's so close to the surface. Weird. So, last night I rubbed the lump and it kicked (or hit) back!

In other pregnancy news, I think that there's an end in sight...not to this pregnancy, but for my bellybutton. I was beginning to think that my bellybutton went all the way to China. Evidently, it does not. A few more weeks and it will completely pop (right now it just sticks out, but the end is not showing). That's weird too.

28 weeks, +21 lbs.

These, my friends, are swollen ankles. I HAD to wear socks the other day and they dug into my legs. I went out and bought new socks. Who knew you had to buy "maternity socks?"

Mac, being super-cute.

KP sleeping with Zeus and Gus.

27 Weeks: Cauliflower

Nash weighs as much as a head of cauliflower, which is about 2 lbs, by the way. He's also about 14 1/4 inches long. We have been feeling him move like crazy over the past couple of days. I am not sure if it's a side effect of the Benedryll and Sudafed I am on to nip this cold in the bud or if it's hiccups, which the bulletin says should have started in the last week or so. The movements are intense...I can see kicks through several layers of clothes and covers. Plus, we can feel him just wiggling around in there. He's turning more and more into his Daddy's baby with all of this activity. Midge (Older Sis), please remember to look for the baby Hannibal straight jacket...this boy's going to need it!


Aside from the cold mentioned above, I feel pretty good. I am kind of achy, but I think that has to do with the cold. I also am having some trouble with my seasonal asthma from allergies and am going back on medication. The bigger he gets, the more squished my lungs are going to be, and breathing is kind of important.


KP has been very sick, and at home for the past three days. He's been all stuffed up, including his ears. I am so glad he's feeling better today, as I do not think I could listen to the blaring TV for another day. Plus, he watched educational shows, like on the Discovery and History channels. There's only so much of that a girl can take.


I did get a pregnancy massage yesterday, thanks to some birthday dinero from my folks, and it was wonderful! Plus, work's been a little slow this week, giving me some time to rest. Nice.

Here are some pics from the last few days:

These 5 boxes are full of clothes from Midge and Matt...we're going to have to come up with a kid-friendly name for him. There is so much! Seriously, everything I am going to buy is going to be because I want to, not because I need to. I am so thankful! Don't worry youngest sisters, we'll keep it all in the best shape possible for the next rounds of kids.

Oh, and when I finally get Nash's bedding, I'll take pics of the nursery, where you can see all of the toys and books and gear that the Byman clan donated to our little one. Lots of fun stuff!

Here's Gus, with a pair of baby socks. He just wanted to rub his scent on some things for Nash.

Here's Zeus, the Moose, just looking cute. Check out his folded over tongue. Love it. I guess Mac wasn't doing anything cute, because I didn't take a pic of him!

And here's me and Nash at 27 weeks, +19 lbs. I did not dress up for y'all today.

And as Luke Fisher would say, "Peace and chicken grease."

My Quinceanera Times Two

I had a blast at my 30th birthday party!

I feel so loved. Many of my favorite people came over, many from out of town, to help me celebrate. Because I am on the wagon (you know...that whole fetal alcohol syndrome thing), I figured the best way to entertain myself was to ask people to dress up. And my people, they did not disappoint. Friends and family provided enough entertainment and stories for years to come. Thank you all for coming!

My family, KP's family, and especially KP worked their tails off to create a fun par-tay Saturday nigfht. I will admit it; I planned the whole thing. I know, nothing is out of the reach of my crazy control hands, but it took a team to bring the fun to fruition. A special shout out to Lil Sis and her BF who allowed us to put them to work and then insisted on cleaning well into the night. Thank you all for helping make my 30th birthday so wonderful.

Here are some pics. For the full album, see here.

KP, ADP, and NAP.

The Davison Clan.

My in-laws were one of the best-dressed couples of the night!

Lis Sis (Sue Sue) and Tim, otherwise known as the big helpers.

KP and PD. Enough said.

The Sisters, Davis, and Eves. Now this is a colorful shot!

The Austin Ladies, rubbing the preggo tummies!

Me and Luke, comparing whose tummy is bigger.

The Byman clan. What a good lookin' family.

Our bartenders, Luke and Davis. Dave took his job very seriously, and handed each guest the bottle opener.

Little Sis, Sarah, and me.

Happy Birthday to me.

Our Baby Has a Name

Nash Archer

We just like it. There's no story, really. Archer was my great-grandmother's maiden name, but we did not know this when we picked it out. If I had my way with the entire population of earth, Archer would have been his first name, but I can't control everyone (crazy, I know), and I am sure that he would have been called Archie. I don't like the name Archie, not only because it's Older Sis' bad dog's name, but because I don't like the way it sounds.

And Nash...it is short, not ultra-common, not too weird, we like saying it, and it goes with our last name all right, which is no easy feat.

So, there you have it. Our baby has a name and it's Nash Archer.

Week 26: English Hothouse Cucumber

These veggies are a stretch...length maybe, but this boy is by no means as skinny as a cucumber. According to the bulletin, Rad weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and is about 14 inches long.

In other news: THE THIRD TRIMESTER HAS BEGUN. Yipee! I remember, not that it was all that long ago, but my memory's not quite what it used to be, the fear I had getting through the first trimester of this pregnancy. I worried daily about whether or not Rad would survive and grow and thrive. The second trimester was totally different. I felt more secure, started planning for our future as a family, and felt the first signs (kicks) of my child's life.

I am torn about my upcoming feelings of the third trimester. First and foremost, I am excited to meet Rad. I am excited about our showers, the holidays, and turning 30 (tomorrow!). I am nervous about giving birth, getting much bigger, breastfeeding, and sleeping.

Seriously, the sleeping thing really worries me. I love to sleep. And I worry that Rad will be like his Daddy, who does not share the same affection for true rest. So, just let KP take care of him, I hear you say...unfortunately KP doesn't produce baby food. I hear that I will be so tired that I will want to vomit. I hear that my brain will not work and that I will simply go into auto-pilot for baby- and self-preservation. I hear I will survive.

Well, I am off to savor and say goodbye to the last day of my 20's. Have a great one!

Me and Rad at 26 weeks, +17 lbs.

More Name Clues

#2: No one who guessed in the last name clue post got it.
#3: His initials (all 3) spell a word. A word I hope to hear often, and in a positive connotation.