Week 20 - Half Way There!

Wow! I am half way there! I have been able to feel Baby Clark much more now. It is quite exciting. Still waiting for the time I can have Mark see and feel her.

So after we found out we are having a girl, the number one question I hear is "what will you name her?" The answer is quite simple...and varies from "not sure yet" to "Still have a few names on the list". In most cases though, I tell them whatever name we choose has to be unique enough that when I call out her name cause she is outside after the streetlights have come on I will not have 5 different girls come running up to me because they all have the same name. On the other hand, it cannot be too unique that when a teacher goes down roll call they stumble on trying to say the name. As a teacher, I have horror stories of saying students names over and over again because they are so difficult to say.

To finally put the name issue to rest, Mark and I will not be sharing the name until our bundle of joy arrives. (Sorry folks...we need to have some element of surprise) We do have a name picked out (as of now) and we occasionally (ok maybe all the time) talk to my stomach and sing to her and call her by your unique yet not too unique name!

Week 20 Belly

 

 

 



Sacrifices!

You can sure tell I am off for Fall Break this week -- 2 posts in one day!

It is amazing how pregnancy changes from generation to generation. I have spoken to many Moms out there and everyone has lots of advice--and the doctors as well! It is funny to think how just a decade ago, doctors were telling mothers not to eat certain foods and now it is just fine to eat.

When I first became pregnant I read through the list of the "have" and "have not's" during pregnancy. Most of the items on the list of "have not's" are either really gross and I would not eat anyways or I already do not include in my diet. The one item on that list I decided to give up (and I know this seems minuscule, but I want to be ready to make all those sacrifices for my child--I am sure I'll have plenty more chances to do this after she arrives as well). What you may ask?

Coffee! I miss coffee. The smell of coffee in our teacher's lounge each morning is amazing. Many say I can have decaf -- and as the temptation nears I may splurge--but I am trying to stay strong---it just is not the same.  I even gave away my coffee at my house because I knew it would be some time before I could drink it again. I have often made the statement to Mark as soon as I give birth he will have to go for a coffee run just so I can enjoy a nice cup of Joe! (of course then a mother told me coffee is not allowed if I am breast feeding!) Wonder if that theory will change within the next few months?????

Happy Fall Break Readers!

We are proud to announce!!!!

We are proud to announce we will be having a beautiful little GIRL!!!!

Mark and I are so excited! The planning begins! In my mind, I have a name picked out...but I think Mark is still undecided about the name...or just doesn't want to give in. Either way, we have a few more months to figure it out...and no need to worry I will not get any of you in the middle of the decision making process (we plan to announce the name when we announce the birth of our little GIRL!!!)

As for the ultrasound, everything looked great! The Tech mentioned we could be a few more days later (around March 16th)....which was just fine for me to hear. I am hoping to finish the 3rd quarter of school before the long term sub begins. Although if this little girl is as stubborn as she was yesterday and not wanting to give us a profile picture, I think she has a mind of her own and will come when she is ready! (But Momma would really like it if she came during her Spring Break!)

So I guess this means we are on to the next "place your bet" time when we can decide what day Lil' Princess Clark will arrive in this world and how much she will weigh! I'll give you some details about Mark and I and how much we weighed at birth in another post!

Drum Roll......

Mark and I were successfully able to find out the sex of our baby....but you will have to hold on just a little bit longer. I am still waiting to let a few more immediate family members know and then I promise I will announce it on here! 

Week 18

Wow...I can tell it was the end of the quarter at my school. I just barely posted week 17, and I am already 2 days away from week 19!

Updates: I can finally say that I am 100% sure I am feeling Lil' Clark in my belly now! It is an amazing feeling, one that brings you even closer to Lil' Clark then I already am! I have been feeling some movements for a week or two now, but was not sure that my little one was the culprit!

Next blog entry we should know the sex!

Week 17

Week 17 Belly

So the belly is officially starting to pop...It actually feels larger, and not just the bloat.








I had my students vote on whether I was having a girl or boy. The results are as follows. Hmmm, Mark agreed! Four more days until we find out what our Lil' Clark will be! I had to laugh when I was asking the students what gender they thought I would have---I had all sorts of old wives tales...everything from the Chinese calendar to the necklace test to smelling my belly. I love my job!

Laugh or Cry...

Ok, so just got finished with watching the series opener of Greys Anatomy, and I just have to let everyone know this pregnancy thing is C.R.A.Z.Y and for R.E.A.L!!!  This show somehow managed to make me cry like a little baby...and then I started laughing because I was crying so hard...and while I was laughing I was continuing to cry. The look on Mark's face was priceless!  Here's to you Lil' Clark!