It's Getting HOT in Here!

While it is terribly exciting for me to be able to take 2+ naps in one day, I've been trying to branch out a bit on what I do during my time at home. I'm learning to cross-stitch, which is lots of fun... when I get it right. ;) A friend from school, Barbara, gave me a baby blanket that has patterns to cross-stitch little animals. It's the cutest thing! So far, I've stitched a duck. I'll try to take a picture & post it later today.

I've also been able to meet some friends and go out for lunch a couple of times. It's so nice to get out of the house, but I know to expect that when I get home, it will be time for a "long winter's nap." Yesterday, I went to school - had lunch with Michael & his team, visited with a group of students who have been writing to me (Donna's class... she & her kids are so awesome!), and even read to some kids for Read Across America Day - Dr. Seuss's birthday!

One of my not-so-smart choices has been to sit outside for a couple of hours on Tuesday afternoon. It has been absolutely beautiful around here... upper 70's and lower 80's!!! So, I decided to bring my thank-you notes outside and write there. I just propped up my feet & went to town. The breeze was blowing, sun shining down on me... I couldn't have asked for anything more. Except, perhaps, some sunscreen! Yep, Pregnancy Brain strikes again! After my afternoon in the sun, I came back inside to find that my legs, chest, and about 1/2 of my face are a lovely shade of RED... nope, not even pink will describe this! I've been suffering for my brain failure for the past 2 days. When I went to school yesterday, everyone I saw asked why it looked like I had been to the beach... nope, just the back patio! Good times.

Several people have asked if I'm showing... uh, yeah. Definitely. (Please ignore the huge pile of unfinished laundry in the photo below.) In the latest Baby Bump picture (below), you may even be able to see my new "coloring" if you look closely - although the sun was on my right side, and I'm facing left in this picture. I'm hoping the heat that I feel is not radiating up to our little girl. If it is, I'm sure she's saying, "It's getting HOT in here!"

It's A.....

We've got lots to update about! We had our 19-week ultrasound today and found out that everything is looking great for our little one!!!

We asked the technician to put a "girl" or "boy" card that I had prepared inside of an envelope. Our plan was to go to dinner at Firebird's and open the card then. I kept my eyes closed while the ultrasound was in the girl/boy area ... but Michael didn't do so well on this task! On the way to dinner he said, "I think it's a girl... but I don't really know what I was looking at, or if it was zoomed in or out." It turns out he was right. We were thrilled to see this card when we opened the envelope:

We called our parents & my grandmother. I had sent everyone 2 envelopes - one with pink ribbons & one with blue ribbons. When we called, we said, "Open Envelope #2" and waited for the gleeful squeals. Tomorrow, all of our baby girl's grandparents & her great grandmother will be able to wear their PINK ribbons to let everyone know that they're having a granddaughter!

Last week, I (Julie) felt the baby kick for the first time. What an incredible feeling. I do believe we've got a mover & shaker on our hands! It will still be a while before Michael can feel any kicks, but every time she moves, I say, "Baby's Kicking!" just to let him (or anyone else standing nearby) know. :)

Some more pictures of our little girl:

<-- Face profile of our little angel!

Look at the arrow for proof that we're having a GIRL! -->

<-- She's trying to suck her thumb in this picture. Perhaps taking a break from the aerobics!

You'll have to look carefully, but you can see her left hand waving at us.

"Hi, Mom & Dad!"