24 Weeks! aka 6 Months!

I really can't believe that I've reached the 6th month mark.  Even more unbelieveable is that he'll be here in a few short months that seem to be filling up with activities fast.

Here I am in all of my 6 month glory.  

Size of Jackson:  about the length of an ear of corn.  The Babycenter emails that I get each week say that typically a baby weighs one pound by 24 weeks.  At my ultrasound last Thursday (3/3/11) he measured a pound and a half.  Not sure if that means anything, but he's definitely getting bigger!

Total Weight Gain:  Probably around the 15 lb mark now.  I have not been exercising like I need to be, so I'm joining the community center and will start water aerobics hopefully this week. 

Maternity Clothes:  I just ordered some more spring clothes from Old Navy, so we'll see what fits and what doesn't.  I has been warm, but in this awkward time of the year (not cold, but not warm), I'm running out of things to wear.  I think once it does turn warm for good, it'll be all dresses. 

Movement:  Oh he's definitley moving and kicking.  I've even noticed it as early as 4 a.m. when I'm not fully awake, but in that morning haze.  I'm ready for him to start kicking so Brent can feel it. Just so I can remember, the kicking feels like a thump from the inside.  Or like a muscle twitching, but not on a regular basis.  Just randomness. 

What I Miss:  I really do miss my old friend White Zinphandel.  LOL.  It's been such a long time since we've hung out.  I also miss my hips not getting numb when I go to sleep on my side. 

Cravings:  I still haven't had any cravings.

Symptoms:  Well, where to start?  I'm having hip numbness/pain (won't get any better according to the dr), and I can tell my stomach size is shrinking (also won't get any better).  I'm going to have to start this week eating small meals and frequent snacks during the day, and hopefully this will cut down on the indigestion issues I've been having (Thank God for Zantac!)

I went to the doctor on Thursday and failed the first glucose test, so today I got to enjoy the three-hour glucose tolerance test.  I failed the first test by only 5 points, so I think I will be OK, but the jury is still out.  Hope to hear the results by the end of today.  Even if I don't have the "sugars", I am planning on working on my diet and really watching my salt and sugar. 

Best Moment of the 5th Month:  My dad called a few days ago saying that he went to a charity auction for the local Christian school and had bid on a small riding tractor for Jackson, but didn't win it.  He is so ready to have this child here and I can't wait to see them together.  Since he never had any boys of his own, I am really excited for Pops and Jackson to be big buddies.

More Stuff for Jackson

Last weekend my mom and I went to our first Rhea Lana's sale.  Oh my goodness.  I was not prepared for standing in line as much as we did, but I think I got some really good deals and very cute clothes.  Now you might be wondering why I would buy some of this before I have showers, and I'm just being realistic.  I know we will have to buy some gear and other items, so why not buy a few of those things now at half price!  

First up is the swing and bumbo.  The swing is a smaller one because we don't have room in the house for a big one.  

 Here's a camo sleeper just for Pops.  He's so excited to have a hunting buddy (because his two son-in-laws aren't really hunters). 

Brent complained that the stuff his mom sent only had "I love mommy" clothes, so I found a few things that says "Dad Rocks" and "If you think I'm handsome, you should see my daddy." 

Brent Junior here. 

Had to get something for Monkey! 

My mom got this for Jackson at Periwinkle Place in McGehee.  It's so cute! 

Here's another Periwinkle Place find.  I think every Southern child should wear something smocked when they're young.  Even boys! 

I love the tractors and far stuff on this sleeper. 

Here are my shoes that we found at Rhea Lana's.

 On Thursday night, I went to the Junior League's consignment sale called Bargain Boutique.  They have a preview party, and I went looking for some cutesy, churchy type clothes.  And it did not disappoint.  In addition to several little Polo onesies and rompers, I also found a few nice pants, J's first Razorback shirt, and a baby Bjorn (for $10)!  I also found the diaper bag I was wanting, which was brand new, and it even had a surprise in it. There were 4 pairs of boys shoes that were tagged for Rhea Lana's!  I guess whoever donated this forgot about the shoes, so I got a good bonus! 

When we found out Jackson was a boy, I started looking at Etsy for all kinds of stuff.  I found this really cute onesie that says "Lock up your daughters."  ha!  I got one for his friend Adam Clements who will be arriving in May. (Adam's daddy Jeremy and Jackson's daddy Brent are best friends, and I know A and J will be too). 

I'm officially done shopping for Jackson for a while.  As far as other plans, we still have the crib and changing table in the box, but I have ordered my bedding.  It's going to be red, black, and white and so cute!  I can't wait until I get it in, but you'll have to wait to see the "officery" all put together when we're done.  I've also bought a few things to go on the walls for decoration.  We did buy a closet organization system from the Container Store and it looks really great.  It will be so helpful since the space is small. The center will have drawers, but those are on backorder right now.   

We've also booked our "Babymoon" for next month during Brent's spring break.  This will probably be our last trip together just the two of us, so we're going to Branson to stay for 5 days.  I know we'll do some more shopping, but we really love going to Branson to eat and relax.  We'll also spend one day with my family and visit with my grandmother.  

Well, that's the update on everything we're doing right now to prepare for Jackson's arrival.  I've been feeling him move and kick every day, and it's such a strange yet wonderful feeling.  I can't wait to see him in all of these clothes and have him here with us!  

Broken Bones and Snow Storms

Two weeks ago yesterday, we got a phone call from a friend of Brent's mom.  Roseann told us that Dianne had fallen and broken her femur and that she was in the ER/hospital.  Unfortunately, Brent's sister and her family were out of the country on a cruise, so we were the closest family to call.  After some debate and lots of looking at the weather, we decided to book two plane tickets west for the very next morning.  We knew if we didn't get out of town then, we'd have to wait several days before we could leave.  The reasoning for this decision was the prediction of 6-8" of snow that was headed our way.  It's funny to me how vague the weather report can be sometimes, but for winter weather, they have been spot on this year. 

Anyway, we packed our bags and headed to the airport early to catch the 8 a.m. flight to Phoenix.  (Thanks to Southwest, it was a non-stop flight).  We lined up to begin boarding around 7:30 a.m. and noticed that it was beginning to snow.  By the time we left the ground about 30 minutes later, the ground was covered with snow.  We made it just in the nick of time! 

The plane touched down about 11 a.m. Phoenix time, and Roseann's husband Bill and another friend of Dianne's, Tom, picked us up and took us to his sister's house.  We drove up to the hospital in his mom's vehicle, not quite knowing what to expect.  She was in a room and on pain medicine, and was really frustrated that this had happened.  A few hours later, the orthopedic surgeon came in to explain what had happened.  When she fell, she spiral fractured her femur - meaning it broke from the outside top near the hip and around the front near the knee.  BARF!  She also fractured her hip joint, but the femur was the major break.  They had to wait until her blood thinners wore off before they could do surgery, which was to entail screws, a titanium rod, and three incisions. 

Thursday afternoon, they came and took her back for surgery while we waited in the nastiest waiting room I have ever been in.  Even the one in Pine Bluff was so much nicer than this one in Casa Grande Regional Medical Center.  The surgery took longer than we anticipated, so I went to Walgreens to grab a few things.  (By this portion of the day, I realized I had pulled something in my shoulder and it was KILLING me).  So I needed a heating pad stat.  Finally about 9 p.m., they brought her back to the room and said the surgery was successful.  She was on a pain pump and still very loopy from the surgery, so we left her in the care of the super nice night nurse Steve, and headed home. 

After taking showers (to wash off the nasty waiting room), we were fixing a late night snack when the home phone rang.  The caller ID said "Casa Grande Regional Medical" and we started freaking out not knowing what was going on.  I couldn't get to the phone fast enough, so I called the nurses desk back to figure out what was going on, but they weren't sure.  Come to find out, Dianne had woken up and wondered where we had gone!  Brent told her to go to sleep and we would see her in the morning, and to not call and scare us like that again!

On Friday afternoon, Kelly, Barry, and Caitlin got back from their cruise, and I think Gamma was glad to see Caitlin.  Dianne also had lots of visitors to friends from church to friends from the local community college where she plays the piano for the choirs.  Even though the circumstances were not the best, I really enjoyed getting to meet everybody who she talks about all the time.  There were a few strange ducks, but everybody was really sweet and genuinely seemed concerned about her well being. 

We all arrived Sunday morning to the hospital to be able to spend some time with her before we had to leave for the airport.  She had a really bad night due to the morphine and we immediately got the nurse to turn the pump off.  According to Dianne, there was a foot going up the wall, the sink looked like a refrigerator, the TV began to sprout legs, and the walls were closing in on her.  She was almost hysterical when we got there.  Luckily, this was to be her last day at the hospital.  That afternoon, she was scheduled to go to Oasis Pavilion Rehabilitation.  This is a brand new facility where she is staying for the next few weeks.  They will give her physical therapy a few times a day, and get her back on the road to recovery.

Oh and I can't forget to mention that we missed the biggest snow storm in several years, but that was just fine and dandy with me.  In Phoenix it was a lovely 65 degrees with no humidity, and I was glad to break out the flip flops. 

Fast forward to today, and she is doing much better!  The therapist is making her walk several feet to get things and also working on Occupational therapy things like going to the bathroom, etc.  We are so thankful for everyone who prayed and continues to pray for her recovery.  Within a few short months, she should be back to doing high kicks and playing the piano!

Special Delivery

 I got a package in the mail yesterday from Gamma (Brent's mom).  She bought a bunch of clothes at Target and Osh Kosh and mailed them to us.  There are also a few things in this picture from her friend Roseann and Diane, as well as Auntie Kelly.  I can't wait to see Jackson in these outfits! 

And finally here is a belly shot at 21 weeks.  I didn't realized I looked like a pumpkin yesterday at work, but oh well.  What can you do? From what they tell me, it's only going to get worse! 

21 Weeks

I need to update everybody on our exciting week, but I really need to do a pregnancy update first. 

Size of Baby Haywood:  about the size of a large banana.  He's about 10 1\2 inches long and almost 1 lbs.  (I think he's going to be big).

Gender:  It's a BOY!  Jackson Landon Haywood

Total Weight Gain:  About 10-12 lbs.

Maternity Clothes:  I broke down and bought a few shirts a couple of weeks ago, and I'm also all about the stretchy pants and full panel jeans.  I'm also having to pull down my PJs at night and that has caused some seriously laughter.  Oh well - it's comfortable.

Movement:  I've been feeling some movement the past couple of weeks, but no definitive kicks until Friday.  I was telling Brent it's like a thump from the inside.  So cool! 

What I miss:  Getting to sleep comfortably.  I toss from side to side before finally getting comfortable.  I can still sleep on my stomach some, but I know the day is coming where I won't be able to do that. 

Cravings:  I haven't had any cravings lately. 

Symptoms:  I've noticed that my fingers and toes have been swollen just a little.  I've also had heartburn frequently, and I have to pee all the time.  Luckily, I have not had a problem with my blood pressure since the first of January, so that is good.  I'm also having trouble catching my breath at times - depends on the situation - but I also know this will get worse as well.

Best moment of the week:  Feeling Jackson kick!

We've got some serious work to do in the next few weeks to get the nursery ready.  We have the crib and changing table here, we just have to put it together first.  I've got bedding picked out, but we need to get it made and ordered, and we're also going to be doing a closet system in his room.  (Tonight's project!).  He's already got a few things hanging in his closet, and I'm so excited!  Gamma (Brent's mom) sent us a bunch of clothes that she bought and I can't wait to open the box!

My Heart is in Honduras

What a crazy 24 hours it has been!  The weather almost threw a kink in my plans for Friday, but thankfully it was not as bad as it could have been.  I woke up yesterday morning early to make it to work in time to set up for a work event.  After looking at the weather, I realized that winter weather was once again heading our way.  I was not so upset about the work event, as I was about possibly missing my Friday night plans.

That afternoon the Honduras team was scheduled to drive to Little Rock to spend the night, and leave for the yearly mission trip today.  The first of many prayers were answered in that they were able to make it with no problems and the roads stayed slushy for most of the day.  Brent stayed home on Friday because of the uncertainty of the weather, so I was in the Civic.  

I left work at 2 and headed to the airport to see everybody while they checked their bags.  They were supposed to go to Whole Hog for dinner, and I wasn't sure if the weather was going to hold out long enough for me to stay.  Luckily, it seemed to quit snowing for a while, so I decided to stay around and go to dinner with them.

Sarah and Josh got there in time for dinner (with my niece dog Lila who is so very cute), and we got to have a little bit of family time as well.  Josh was going back to Benton after dinner, and Sarah was staying with mom and dad in their room at the hotel.  Well, when we got ready to go, I realized that the fine mist of snow/freezing rain/sleet had made the roads very slick.  I thought I could have probably made it, but everyone suggested that I spend the night, so that's what I did.  For the first time in a very long time, we had a family bunking party.  I had the hide-a-bed, and mom, dad, and Sarah had the two double beds.  I was very uncomfortable, but I wouldn't trade that time with my family for anything in the world.

I got up at 3:30 a.m. while they were getting ready, and saw the team off at 4:30, and then I went back to sleep for a few more hours before heading home. When I woke up, I learned that their flight was delayed 2 hours, and they barely made their connecting flight in Houston.

Right now, they're over the Gulf of Mexico heading south to do what God has called them to do. I obviously couldn't go this year, but I have to say that I will be with them in prayer and spirit all week.  Many prayers have been answered in the past 24 hours, and I continue to ask for prayers for the upcoming week.  Satan tries to destroy what God has planned, but He will prevail.

Anything Like Me

I've been hearing this song a lot on the radio lately, and it's very fitting for how I feel about having a boy. 

Anything like Me, by Brad Paisley

I remember saying I don't care either way
Just as long as he or she is healthy I'm ok
Then the doctor pointed to the corner of the screen
And said "You see that thing right there well you know what that means"


And I started wondering who he was going to be
And I thought heaven help us if he's anything like me
He'll probably climb a tree too tall and ride hes bike to fast
End up every summer wearing something in a cast
He's gonna throw a ball and break some glass in a window down the street
He's gonna get in trouble oh he's gonna get in fights
I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me

I can see him right now knees all skinned up
With a magnifying glass trying to melt a Tonka truck
Won't he be a sight with his football helmet on
That'll be his first love til his first love comes along
He'll get his heart broke by the time he's in his teens
And heaven help him if he's anything like me


He'll probably stay out too late and drive his car too fast
Get a speeding ticket he'll pay for mowing grass
He's gonna get caught skipping class and be grounded for a week
He's gonna get in trouble we're gonna get in fights
I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me

He's gonna love me and hate me along the way
Years are gonna fly by I already dread the day
He's gonna hug his momma, he's gonna shake my hand
He's gonna act like he cant wait to leave
But as he drives out he'll cry his eyes out
If he's anything like me there's worse folks to be like
Aw he'll be alright if he's anything like me