Update in photos.

I have been a horrible blogger the past 2 weeks.  So here is your update in photos.

THANKSGIVING

 

{Jordan's dad and brothers Kevin (18) & Joel (16) watching football on Thanksgiving}

 

{Jordan's mom getting dinner started}

 

{Typical Drew... who turned 14 this week, so happy birthday by the way!}

 

{The boys watching football... pretty much depicts our Thanksgiving}

 

 

{Jordan chatting it up with his Uncle Karl and Dad} 

CHICAGO WEEKEND

 

{Chicago belly shot.  I was 23w6d here. :-)}

 

{We tried to get a pic of us together... but didn't have a tripod or a good place to put the camera... so this is what happened.  I kind of like it though...}

 

{Is the timer working??}

 

{Finally a semi-decent, albeit dark shot.}

 

{Then we went here... and LOVED it.}

NURSERY UPDATE ... a work in progress as we speak!!!

 

{Before... the guest room... ignore all the diapers, baby clothes, and crib box.}

 

{Dori, say goodbye to your favorite sleeping spot}

 

{Before again... and my two shadows that follow me around.}

 

{Our WONDERFUL friends Jon and Dave (not pictured) helped to paint!  It will be a beautiful light grey.  My nursery inspiration can be found here.}

 

{Doing great guys!! :-D}

 

{Poor little Mae-pup gated away from the painted room.  Sorry girly!}

Dance party {in my uterus}!!

What a pleasant surprise today!  I had called my Dr. on Monday because I had been cramping all weekend.  I know cramping CAN be normal... but it can also NOT be normal.  They did a urine test (fun) to see if I had a UTI (not fun).  Luckily that came back clean, but they called me again today to see how I was feeling and the cramping has been pretty consistent.  So they decided to play it safe and have me come in.  Much to my surprise, my Dr. decided to cut to the chase and do an ultrasound!  This is what we found.

A baby!!  The baby was wiggling around like crazy.  It was so surreal, because I can't feel it at all, but it is an active little bugger!!  I can't wait until I can feel it's little kicks.

 

 

Another baby arm shot.  The Dr. said the baby has great brains, which you can see here.

Here is the baby's torso and arms.  The four black dots you see are the chambers of the heart.  CRAZY.

The baby had a nice strong heart rate of 151!  Not sure what the old wives tales would say about that one.  But we will find out soon enough if the babe is a "he" or "she".  I didn't ask the Dr. to take a peek this time because Jordan wasn't with me.  Although I have heard of people finding out this early!  Not sure how reliable those ultrasounds are though. :-)

So, the cause of the cramping?  In my doctors words, my uterus is just bitching and moaning (yes, his words) because it is doing something it has never done before.  My body seems to like to complain about change.  But - at least I can know that it is nothing to worry about... just growing pains, and I can expect that this is only the beginning of my physical discomfort!  Oh the joys of motherhood.

In other news, I am super excited because yesterday I bought tickets for Jordan and I to go see the Broadway musical "Wicked" in Chicago in December 2!!!  We are planning a mini "baby-moon" get-away to Chicago that weekend.  I am sooo excited.  I haven't seen many Broadway shows, and I have heard this is one to see for sure!!  Plus - this will be probably one of our last "alone" vacations for awhile.  It isn't anything crazy, but it will be fun to get away and do something different.