Swine Flew.......to Alabama

So......the swine flu hit our city yesterday and the city officials have shut down the schools, the public parks, some of the museums and the list goes on and on.

While I am not getting all worried about this flu, we are sticking close to home the next few days. Thank goodness the weather is great and I have plenty of yardwork (and housework) to keep me plenty busy!!

Oink Oink

First Haircut

On our recent trip to Texas....we experienced another first.....Matthew's First Haircut!!

While I have been very apprehensive about cutting any of this boy's gorgeous red hair, I thought a little trim was in order.

We arrived at the barber shop that my dad has been using since 1990. Terry, my dad's barber, immediately assuaged my fears by telling me to just sit in his chair with Matthew in my lap. I had worried that he would want Matthew to sit by himself and I knew that was NOT going to happen.

While there was a lot of squirming, head holding and a few muted protests, we accomplished the goal of trimming my little man's hair. While the barber did not cut off a huge amount of hair, he did clean up his neckline and did give him a more boy-ish (and less baby-ish) look.

Still somewhat amused by this adventure.

Starting to wonder....is this supposed to be fun?

Seriously......

Have you people not heard of personal space, how many hands does one boy need on his head?

Finally done!!! This sucker just might be worth it!!

13.1 miles down.....

In marathon measurements we are 13.1 miles through this race also known as pregnancy. I officially hit the 20 week mark and definitely LOOK and FEEL pregnant..........

We go to the doc today for a check-up. Here is how our baby is growing.....

Your baby is now practicing breathing and swallowing on a regular basis. Your baby continues to grow and fill out, with the head becoming slightly more proportional to the rest of the body.

Your baby's skin is becoming more complex at the end of pregnancy week 20, forming different layers. The epidermis, or surface of your baby's skin now has four layers that contain ridges for fingertips. The layers that form in your baby's palms and feet will provide him with his own unique fingerprint later in life.

We found out last week that the baby weighs around 11 ounces.

Allergic to Alabama??

I have determined, in my expert opinion, that I am allergic to our new home state ALABAMA. I have never in my life had the off and on stuffy nose, sore throat and sinus congestion.

I sympathize with all of those people who have always suffered from allergies...I never knew what a pain it could be...literally!!!

Soon it will be hot enough here in the south that all of these allergens will be replaced by hot air...which is far easier on my system.

Just another Mischievous Monday

Somewhere along the way, my sweet little baby boy has developed a mischievous streak. While I constantly try to be POSITIVE and redirect him, sometimes I just lose my cool, raise my voice and give him a firm NO SIR!!! About half the time he responds by listening to me, it is the other half of the time that is making gray hairs pop out on my head. He gets a complete kick out of seeing me get irritated and he giggles, smiles, laughs and sometimes even tries to kiss me as a way out of obeying. I think this journey of parenthood will continue to baffle, frustrate and thrill me for years to come.

15 WEEKS

How our baby's growing:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds.

And NO, we do not know if it is a SHE or a HE.....

We have our appointment this week so will get to hear the baby's heartbeat (which always makes me feel loads better).