24 weeks

How Far along: 24 weeks

Size of Baby: the length of an ear of corn (according to baby center)

Total Weight Gain: 12 lbs. so far...

Gender: ??? 

Movement: The movement is getting stronger/harder. It's feeling less like flutters and more like kicks and punches. It makes me wonder what position the baby is in and what parts are moving in there! 

Sleep: Restless. Lots of tossing and turning, weird dreams, and trips to the bathroom.

Maternity Clothes: All pants are maternity, regular dresses and tops. The dress above is a non-maternity one I got for football games because it's red and blue. I bought it about a month ago and Saturday was my first time to wear it. It fits now, but I'm not sure how many more weeks I'll get out of it.

Symptoms: The menstrual-like cramps are back with a vengeance. Very uncomfortable!

Aversions: No aversions. 

Cravings: Sweets, sweets, and more sweets!

What I Miss: Going for a long walk without getting cramps.

Best Moment of the Week: This week was my preschoolers' first week back at school. They had some pretty funny comments when they saw my baby bump. One little boy who was in my class last year saw me and said, "Ms. Kathleen, it looks like you're almost growing a baby in your tummy!!"
I said, "I am growing a baby in my tummy!"
He was so amazed and now he asks to touch my belly every day.
Some other funny comments: "Did you eat too much and that's why you have a baby in your tummy?" "When my mom had a baby, the baby came out of her foot. Is your baby gonna come out of your foot?" ??!! that one killed me.
And all of my kiddos wanted to know if there was a boy baby or a girl baby in my tummy. I said I didn't know and asked them what they thought. Almost all of them said girl and they think she's going to be named Ms. Kathleen-just like me. They are too funny :)

23 weeks

I took the picture above first and then took this one a few days later. I feel like my belly is getting bigger every day!

How Far along: 23 weeks

Size of Baby: A large mango (according to baby center)

Total Weight Gain: 12 lbs. total. I gained 9 pounds in the last four weeks aaahhhhhhh!

Gender: ??? 

Movement: Lots of movement and now I can see it from the outside. It's so crazy.

Sleep: Sleep has been pretty restless.

Maternity Clothes: All pants are maternity, regular dresses and tops.

Symptoms: Calf cramps in the middle of the night, starving all the time (hence the 9 lbs.), and I've been really emotional this week. I cry at the drop of a hat. 

Aversions: No aversions this week.

Cravings: A bagel with cream cheese. But not just any bagel, I've been craving the kind that my Grammy and Grandaddy always have at their house when we visit. They get them fresh and they're so yummy. 

What I Miss: My skinny jeans.

Best Moment of the Week: Hearing the baby's heartbeat at my 24 week check-up. Every time I hear that sound and the doctor says, "Great heartbeat," it's just music to my ears :)

On being a coach's wife

I write a post like this every year around this time. I guess it's because when the football season rolls around I find myself with a lot of extra time to sit and think :)

Having a husband who coaches college football for a living is weird. In some ways, it's very similar to any other job, but then again, it's like nothing else.  

For example: Paul works 13 hours a day on average during the season. I can think of a lot of jobs where people work 13 hour shifts. The difference is, Paul works 13 hours a day, 7 days a week, from the first week in August until December or January. Not to mention the 6 road games he travels to where he is gone for 2-3 nights per game. He doesn't get to take a day off for anything, no matter how important it is. Weddings-nope. Holidays-nope. Family Reunions-nope. I don't even want to think of what would happen if I went into labor on a game day.

And heaven forbid we lose a game. Losing=cranky hubby.

I saw this on pinterest and and thought it was so funny AND true!

The hard part about it is trying to explain this crazy schedule to other people. So many people just don't understand what the big deal is over some stupid game. I mean lets face it, lives aren't at stake here. 

It's a game.

I don't expect people to understand it. Heck, I don't understand it sometimes and it's my life! But the fact that people don't get it can make it very isolating and lonely. Which is why I'm so thankful for the friendships I've made with other coaches wives. These women are the only other people who truly know what life is like in the world of football. Plus, they're always there to listen (and join in) when I need to complain.

Yes, we have to turn down invitations to events we wish we could be at.

Yes, I eat dinner by myself every night of the week.

Yes, I cried when my husband left town on Thursday for the second time in less than a week (can I blame that on pregnancy hormones?)

BUT...

There are so many wonderful things about being married to a football coach.

Paul loves his job.

He gets to mentor young men and help them develop the qualities that will make them successful adults.

After every game, no matter if we win or lose, the slate is wiped clean and there is another game to look forward to the following week. Game days are the best!

Football, just like life, is full of seasons. And just when I think I can't stand a particular season any longer, the next one is right around the corner.

And the best part? It keeps me on my toes. I can actually say that I like not knowing what our life will look like 1, 2, 10 years from now. It's fun to imagine all of the possibilities!

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's not perfect, but it's my life and I wouldn't want it any other way. 

*I can't end this blog post without saying how thankful I am to the men and women in our armed forces and their families. Every time I complain about how much Paul works, I'm reminded of those who go months/years without seeing their loved ones and the constant worry they face-all for our freedom. I am forever grateful!

22 weeks

(Not the best pic. My photographer, aka Paul, was really busy this week)

How Far along: 22 weeks

Size of Baby: A spaghetti squash (according to baby center)

Total Weight Gain: 3 lbs., but I haven't weighed myself since my appointment last month. We'll see when I go to the doctor on Friday.

Gender: ??? 

Movement: This little guy or gal is a squirmy one lately! He/she moves a ton at night and actually wakes me up! He/she also moves a lot right after I eat. 

Sleep: Sleep has been pretty restless.

Maternity Clothes: All pants are maternity, regular dresses and tops.

Symptoms: Still having menstrual-like cramps.

Aversions: No aversions this week.

Cravings: No real cravings this week, however, every time I drive past a McDonald's I'm tempted to pull right in and get a cheeseburger and fries.

What I Miss: Nothing this week.

Best Moment of the Week: Paul finally felt the baby move! It was so fun to share that experience with him. We can not wait to meet this little person!!

Worst Moment of the Week: Well, it turns out those menstrual-like cramps I've been having are actually contractions. I decided to call my doctor about it this morning, just to be sure it was normal. He sent me straight to labor and delivery where they hooked me up to the monitor and sure enough, I was having contractions.

hooked up to the monitor

I was not dehydrated and luckily baby's heartbeat was great (150). My doctor did an ultrasound and said my cervix was measuring at 5cm which is really good (smaller than 3cm can signal possible premature labor) and there was no funneling. So he gave me a shot with some medicine to help stop the contractions. After about an hour, he sent me home to rest. Unfortunately, he's not really sure why I was having contractions and said this is something that could continue to occur for the rest of the pregnancy. Thankfully, everything is ok! It was definitely a scary morning, but I'm just so relieved that the baby is safe and snug in there. Thank you God!!

21 weeks

How Far along: 21 weeks

Size of Baby: A carrot (according to baby center)

Total Weight Gain: 3 lbs.

Gender: ??? 

Movement: Lots of movement this week, especially right after I eat.

Sleep: I can never get enough! I'm so tired all the time.

Maternity Clothes: All pants are maternity, regular dresses and tops.

Symptoms: Calf cramps and cramps in my lower abdomen.

Aversions: No aversions this week.

Cravings: No real cravings this week.

What I Miss: Having energy!

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling the baby move more this week. I can now feel it from the outside too!