Baby Belly Pics

There seems to be a lot of interest in my belly pictures. So, as a girl of little modesty, I'm happy to oblige. Rodney didn't exactly offer to get out of his recliner to take these, so they're not the best pictures but they'll do. Please excuse the mess around my feet--I have little piggy running around my house!




Feelin' blimpy,

I May Have Met Every Doctor in Nashville by Now

Not really...but it's starting to feel like it. My latest scare happened last Thursday as I was getting ready for guests coming in that night.

While my concerns were completely legitimate and taken seriously by every doctor I spoke to, there's a possibility the entire scare was triggered by my own vanity. I can't be sure, but I'm willing to admit it's a possibility. :-) You see, I've noticed this vein on the inside of my right calf continuing to grow darker throughout my pregnancy. Tuesday as I was in the closet fighting with my pants that I am certain have shrunk in the dryer, my hand brushed up against my leg and I felt something. Something bulging from my leg. And when I looked, I saw something bulging. Bulging and ugly.

I immediately started investigating my leg while repeating, "Oh, no. Oh, no." over and over. (Like I said--vanity.) I was so upset over what appeared to be a varicose vein. I was thinking, "This will never go away. I'm going to have to have this fixed after I have the baby. How will I convince Rodney we should spend the money to repair something that's not really hurting me? What's the last big thing he blew money on that I could use for leverage?" Yes, these are the sad little desperate thoughts that run through my head.

After hours of thinking way too much about it, it dawned on me that varicose veins are often either hereditary or caused by being overweight...neither of these applied to me. Then I started thinking about how my right calf has been throbbing for the past 3 or 4 months, something I was contributing to my sciatica. Then I remembered blood clots can cause pains in your leg. So I began investigating. I headed straight to my trusty What to Expect When You're Expecting book and flipped to the index. I finally came across the page on Venous Thrombosis (blood clots).

I was quickly scanning for symptoms. Usually in the leg--check. Pains in leg--check. Family history of blood clots--check. People more prone to it, pregnant women and anemics--check and check.

Then I started scanning potential hazards. Untreated clots can travel to other parts of the body--okay. This can result in a pulmonary embolism--gulp. Sometimes even death--aaahhhhh!

I closed the book desperately wanting to put it in the freezer (a throw back for some of you Friends lovers), but settled for a bathroom drawer. I crawled into bed and let my imagination take me to some very scary places. I should have been in prayer...

The next day I called my OB. I was told to see my primary care physician immediately. My what? I only have one doctor, and you're it, lady. Anyway, I called Rodney's PCP and begged to get in. They could only get me in the next morning and with a different doctor. Reluctantly I agreed, but wondered how I could lose two nights' sleep. Thirty minutes later my phone rang, Rodney's doctor changed his mind and wanted to see me immediately. Luckily, Clinton was in school...so I left my office and headed straight to St. Thomas Hospital. After examination, the doctor was hopeful it was a superficial vein, but not confident enough to let me go home. So, he sent me to Baptist Hospital for an ultrasound on my leg.

And ladies and gentlemen, I am now happy to announce that I do, in fact, have a varicose vein. Something I'm certain I never would have been happy about before, but God has a way of teaching us lessons and vanity had me due for a lesson.

There is no clot. My veins are free and clear. And there is nothing to worry about. The ultrasound tech even assured me that my vein was tiny compared to those she normally saw, as far as the diameter of the vein...although it does stretch a good 4 inches down my leg. She felt confident it would go away after the pregnancy.

Whew. But we've still got 9 more weeks of fun ahead of us...

Glowing and possibly a little crazy,

Baby Belly Update - Week 30

I can't believe we're already at week 30...and I haven't done anything to get ready for this baby! There's no nursery to show off, no bedding ordered (or even picked out), no baby stuff has found it's way out of the attic, and no decisions have been made for a name (well, not the girl name).

But make no mistake, we are extremely excited...we just find ourselves being a little more relaxed this time around. Since I decided that we didn't want to find out what we're having, I haven't wanted to invest a lot in a new nursery until I know what we're having. And let's be honest, the baby's going to sleep in a bassinet in our room for a while anyway. I'm not high-tailing it across the house to nurse every 3 hours during the night.

I haven't ordered bedding, but don't think I haven't thought about it! Chelsea has a gorgeous quilt and shams that our grandmother made her that she is gift-loaning me if it's a girl. Then mother can make a coordinating bumper for the crib, if she wants. And if it's a boy....well, okay...I haven't really thought about that. Might use what we already have, mother might want to make something new, or Rodney has talked about buying something. So it appears that all options are open.

I haven't pulled the stuff out of the attic--i.e. the swing, exersaucer, bassinet--because they're just one more thing to vacuum around, and I prefer a few more months without that.

And a name...ugh. So fun, but so hard. I love names with meaning or family names. We, once again, have had no problems picking out a boys name. And while I can't reveal what it is, I can say it's a family name all the way--one name from Rodney's dad's side, and one name from my dad's side. If it's a girl, I think we'll all be surprised. Rodney and I have FINALLY come up with a handful of names we both agree on, but we're nowhere near a decision. Just for kicks, here are some names that didn't make the cut. A few of Rodney's suggestions that I vetoed-- Brianna, Helen, and Sarah. A few of my suggestions that Rodney vetoed-- Felicity, Monroe, and Merritt. These are all great names, but for one reason or another--usually someone from our past--these names were booted from the short list.

Now, to the belly. It's still here. It's still growing. And it's still moving.

This baby moves non-stop and is all over the place. I told Rodney to not be surprised if we bring home two babies, because that's what it feels like is in there!

I got to see two doctors last week. On Tuesday I went in for my regular appointment. I've gained about 15 pounds and I'm measuring about two weeks behind. So, my fears of ballooning with this pregnancy have not happened--but I've got 10 weeks to go!

And on Friday I "got" to take my first trip to the hospital. I woke up about 2.30a with severe pains and contractions. I was so tired, I kept falling back to sleep but having really bad dreams about the pain. At 4.30a, Clinton and I both woke up and I took some Tylenol and settled in for a morning of Disney entertainment. By 8.30a, the Tylenol had worn off, the pain was searing, and I was starting to worry. So, I took my first round of Terbutaline. No luck. At 9.30a, I took my second round of Terb. The contractions were easing but the pain was lingering. So, I started making phone calls. Rodney was out of town--I needed a ride to the hospital and someone to watch Clinton. My neighbor graciously took me and one of her best friends who lives down the street watched Clinton. Turns out the pain was from a bladder infection, which is also what triggered the contractions. No worries, though....the meds are working and my contractions have been pretty bearable since then. (I'm one of those lucky little gals that gets to labor for 12 weeks....did it with Clinton, looks like I'll be doing it with this one.)

So, that's the update. I might just even post some belly pictures this week, but I'll have to wait until I'm looking cute enough to take some!

Growin' and showin',

A Few of Clinton's Favorite Things

Clinton's personality is just blossoming more and more everyday and it's so funny to see his interests. One of his favorite things right now is to wear glasses--sunglasses, daddy's safety glasses, or mommy's glasses. I let Clinton play with the ones pictured because there's no perscription in them. He also loves having his picture taken...good thing, because that happens a lot! He was so funny when Rodney was taking his picture here.

Saying cheese! (as soon as Rodney would put the camera down, he'd start saying, "Sheeeeeeeeze." In fact, right now as I load these pics from the camera, he's standing beside me touching the camera saying, "Sheeeeeze."


Posing for the camera! Not even kidding, he was posing like a little model.


He thought every picture was so funny. After every shot he'd turn to me and laugh as hard as he could. We should have gotten it on video.


A few of Clinton's other favorite things--

* He loves playing with, reading about, or watching choo-choo trains. I'll be working on a special choo-choo birthday cake in just a few weeks! Gosh, can't believe he's almost 2!

* He loves reading books...I'm so glad he's finally taken an interest!

* He still loves mowing with his bubble mower.

* He LOVES cookies and chocolate, which just makes me cringe. I've finally rid the whole house of chocolate and I try to only let him have organic cookies...and only 1-2 a day.

* He loves anything that goes--race cars, big rigs, school buses, monster trucks...if it has a motor, it has his attention. On the way to school, we have to get on the interstate. He points out EVERY SINGLE big rig and asks, "Wu zat?" (What's that?)

* He loves painting. He created quite the masterpiece yesterday.

I look forward to seeing all the other things he'll discover and love along the way.

Still pregnant and growing,

Chelsea's Online

For those of you who know my sister, which I assume is most of you who read this blog, you can now keep up with her fabulous city life at her new blog, Hiking In High Heels.

Stop by and tell her hi...you need to check out the amazing wedding dress she's making for a friend.

Mr. Independent

Clinton is definitely learning to assert himself around here. He has an opinion and works very hard to communicate that to us...whether it's real words, words he's made up, signs I've taught him, signs he made up, or a full blow tantrum.

He loves playing by himself, but when he's ready for you to play with him or help him with something, he'll come and get you. He likes getting his own drink, which is a battle between me and him. He hasn't quite figured out how to screw the lid all the way onto his sippy cups...causing leaks and some crying. He likes to get things for himself in the kitchen by scooting a chair from the breakfast table into the kitchen and climbing. He likes to wash dishes this way as well...which sounds great, but he takes about an hour and there is water everywhere! See the video below.



I love having an independent child...definitely a trait passed to him from BOTH of his parents. It does make for some trying times, but I like what it holds for him in his future.

He still loves his shoo-choos but has also taken a very serious interest in big trucks, firetrucks, tractors, and race cars. Oh, and his father introduced him to the oh-so-classy "sport" of Monster Truck Racing. He LOOOOVES watching it. So much so, that he screams and cries during the commercials thinking we have turned off his show. He also shouts a lot of, "Oh, NO!" when the trucks flip over...pretty cute. He's also loving books right now...mostly ones about trucks and trains, but he has one my sister got him called How Are You Peeling?: Food with Moods about emotions, it's pretty cute. Every time he sees it, he does his surprised face.

Words we're saying now:

woo-oo, woo-oo = firetruck, police car, ambulance, or anything else with flashing lights on it
wheese = horse
buk = book
tuck = stuck or truck (must pay attention to the situation to know the difference)
boom boom = race car (I believe he's trying to say vroom, vroom)
ma = milk
mommeeeeeeeeeee = mommy
dad = daddy
ruff ruff = dog
grrrr = lion or tiger or bear
duce = juice
glagagagoo = cookie (not sure where he got this, but is very consistent)
sheez = cheese
babeeeeee = baby
Oh, NO! = oh, no
tee tee = brush my teeth
jes = yes
moe = more
gen = again
baaa = bath
Zap = Pop (my dad)
nananana = banana
shoo-choos = choo choo train
ish ish = fish
bool = bull
wu zat = what's that?
jis = this
whoa whoa = hello (he says this as he carries around the phone or anything that looks like a phone)
chews = shoes

...and others, but only a parent or grandparent really wants to read through this list!

Hope everyone's having a great week,

I Have Another Blog Now...Check It Out

Not being a New Year's resolution maker, but still needing to make some big changes...I have created a new blog to help me make the transition to being a real homemaker... Oh, I get tired just thinking about it!

The Martha In Me

Don't worry, this blog will continue with all the cuteness that Clinton and baby-to-be can provide!!

Hoping for success,

Constant Chaos

Everyday is an adventure with Clinton...just a glimpse of what we've been blessed with.



Soakin' up the laughter,

Clinton Meets His New Club House

As promised, here's the video of Clinton with his new club house. He loves playing in it and we have been enjoying it almost every day--the rain would be the reason for the "almost". We even installed a "Travis the Singing Trout" on the wall that Brian won him at a Dirty Santa game while they were here. I would never put anything that tacky in my own house, but Clinton LOVES having it in his and he shows all his friends.



Enjoying a child's pure joy,

Is That a New Pillow?

Clinton's new favorite hiding spot...I was walking around the house looking for him and this is where he popped up! In the guest room which is hopefully going to be a nursery soon!

New Year's at Nana's

We spent New Year's at Rodney's mom's house. By the time midnight rolled around, the only ones left were me, Rodney, John, and.....Clinton! He won't dare sleep if anyone else might possibly be awake!

The party animals....Rodney, Clinton and John.


Mommy, why are we still up?


Trying to figure out why John and Rodney were cheering....it was midnight.


Photos with our baby...

Christmas Day

Clinton's big gift from mommy and daddy...and he loves it! I'll post some video of this later!




Christmas morning....somehow we only got 7 pics...I guess everyone was busy ripping open packages!



Clinton seemed to love his $3 crate I got on clearance the day before to store some of his new toys. He thought it was his new chair.



Christmas afternoon with Rodney's dad's family. They came over for coffee, sweets, and more gifts! Below is a 4-generation pic with Rodney's grandad (Roy), Rodney's dad (Rodney), Rodney and Clinton.


Rodney with his grandma, Olga.


Clinton opening another shoo-choo! This one had a full track, electric train, and remote. Clinton LOOOOOOOVES it.