Picture of Parker- 20 Weeks

Picture of Parker! 20 Weeks

20-Week Ultrasound

It was so much fun to see little Parker again on Friday! Chris' mom and grandmother came with me to the appointment and got to watch the ultrasound. Parker was very active- dancing around with his legs and waving his arms around. He even sucked his thumb for a moment. We got a second confirmation (very clearly) that Parker is, indeed, a baby boy. :) The ultrasound tech also got a really clear picture of his profile. It is amazing- you can really tell he looks a lot like Chris! His little nose and chin are the spitting image of his daddy. :)

I've been feeling good...and feeling BIG! My baby bump has gone from small to undeniably pregnant in two short weeks. I've already had a few strangers ask when I'm due, how I'm feeling, etc. It's kind of fun finally "looking pregnant". Finding comfortable sleep positions is becoming a little trickier- you're not supposed to sleep flat on your back or on your belly, and preferably on your left side for optimum blood flow to the uterus. I've never had to be this strategic about sleep before! I have been having an easier time sleeping more during the night though, which is wonderful!

Well, I have a meeting in a couple of minutes here, but wanted to post an update. Hope you are all well! Love, Laura

Back to ATL...

Thank you soooo much to everybody who came out to see me in Portland and Roseburg. I had such a great visit and enjoyed my shower so much. Thank you also for all of the wonderful gifts! Parker is going to be the best dressed little peanut in Atlanta. :) I was so happy to be able to share my pregnancy experience with my great friends and family! Can't wait until the little man is here so you can meet who was inside the bump. :)

I came back to work yesterday and, thank goodness, the AC was fixed and my office was nice and cool. I'm sad to be so far away from my west coast peeps, but it was nice to see my hubby and my furry children again. We went to a Braves game on Wednesday nite and ate a huge ballpark hotdog and pretzel. We only stayed for half of the game- long enough to see that the Braves were getting completely pummeled by the Red Sox (I think the final score was 0-12). Alas. Good thing I don't care much. :)

Well, I'm going to finish up my half day here at work, and am then heading to my 20-week ultrasound appointment! That's right- today marks exactly half-way through the pregnancy. (The easy half, I imagine). I'm excited to get to see Parker again today and see how much he's grown this month!

Love from Georgia-
Laura

Here I come!!!

Hopping on a plane tonight at 7! Hooray! While in Portland you can reach me on Leah's phone at 503-319-0066. I'll get in at 11:30 tonight and will be in Portland all day on Friday. Can't wait to get my first breath of fresh NW air! :) Luv, Laura

Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

Gasp! The A/C compressor at work broke and our building is stiffling hot!!! I also have a sunburn, not to mention the whole pregnant thing, so I am a drippy puddle of sweat! Yuck!!! I'm hoping its a little cooler back in Oregon, b/c it has been a hot and humid week here. I'm starting to realize this summer is going to be quite an experience for me. I can't imagine how its goign to feel being 7 months pregnant in August! Aaaaa! I think I'm going to have to get a kiddy pool to sit in in the back yard. :)

If any of you have tried to call me, don't bother for another week. My phone died and it takes them 7-10 business days to get me a new one. Very sad. Especially since I'm traveling cross country in the mean time. I suppose people survived such things before cell phones, but I'm still pretty peeved. Leah, we'll just hope all of my flights go according to plan. If I can't find you I'll just walk around the airport yelling for you. :) For the rest of you, my parent's number is 541-672-1875, so call me there to get in touch once I'm in the Burg (will get there Saturday eve.).

SO SO SO SO SO Excited about my trip. SEE YOU SOOOOOON!!!

Love, Laura

One more week!

Hi Guys!

I'm getting soooo excited to hop on a plane next Thursday!!! This week has gone by quicky-- lots to do at work!!! Tomorrow I will be 18 weeks along- nearly half-way there! It hardly seems possible that in 5 months we will have a new family member! Incredible!!!

I now feel Parker move at least a few times a day and look forward to feeling his little nudges as I go about my daily routine. As it still seems impossible to me at times that there is a little person growing inside me, his movement remains a surreal experience each time it happens. I wish I had a little baby cam in there so I could sneak peeks at him as he waves his arms and kicks his legs. On the other hand, I would never get anything done ever again.

My appetite has grown to that of a trucker, and when I haven't eaten for 4 or 5 hours I feel like I'm dying of starvation. Don't worry folks- I'm not going too overboard, but we have had to make a few late evening Dairy Queen runs for chocolate cherry blizzards. :) Aside from that and sleeping only 4 or 5 hours a night, I still feel great! Hope the second half goes just as smoothly! (knock on wood!)

-Homeward bound

A dream about Parker

Happy Monday, Everybody!

Last night a had a horrible time sleeping, but the few hours I got in were full of dreams. In one dream, I was holding newborn Parker, who was born weighing 11 pounds 11 ounces (who knows about the significance there, but I remember the amount distinctly). So glad it was only a dream, b/c that is a HUGE baby! He was a very healthy looking baby with a cute little clefted chin and smooth skin.

Moments later in the dream, Parker was a toddler and we were sitting on the couch eating rainbow sherbert together in our p.j.'s. :) He had kind of shaggy brown hair and green/brown eyes. We were having a great time hanging out and watching t.v. together. I woke up and wished I could re-enter the dream, but once again, couldn't go back to sleep.

So today I'm sitting at my desk, half-zombie, trying to be productive. Thought I'd jot down my dream memory before it escaped me entirely. As I'm sitting here I have felt Parker twice. He must know I'm talking about him. :) Hope you all have a great week. Luvs, Laura