The Big Kick & Baby Namer

This morning was pretty cool. I know Joey has felt the baby, but he still wasn't sure, because he thought what he was feeling could have been my heavy breathing, my movements etc. This morning as we were lounging in bed he finally knew for sure he felt her! Took him long enough! So he had his hand on my belly and there were little movements here or there that he kinda just shrugged at like.... I guess that could be it, and then bam! Big kicks! She had 3 or 4 of them in just a few minutes. They were unmistakable! He says she was throwing little jabs & a big right punch. So funny. I think the reason he hasn't been able to feel them so far is he is not really around me in her most active time, and I never want to wake him from sleeping when she gets crazy at night. I'm sticking to that because today it was about 8:30 when she was going crazy & usually by that time he has been off to work for several hours already. She also gets pretty active around 4 everyday, but again long before we ever get to see daddy. Other than that we can count on middle of the night kickings and that's about it.

As for the name update.... Boy has this been fun! I will tell you Claire has been eliminated from the running, and Lyla has been fading for a few weeks. Kamri is still a top pick, but to be completely honest the name I want most and Joey is starting to like is Ellie. This one I have loved all along, but Joey put the kibosh on way early on. Over the last few weeks this one keeps coming up! Finally Joey said I could "try it out" for a little while. So we may have found a name after all. Ellie MacGregor. What for a middle name you ask? C'mon people! We're still having trouble with the first name :). Actually... I'm going to throw this one out there. A girl on our softball team found out we were having a girl and said we would have to name her Jolynn. Not really catching on I smiled and said we would think about it. The next day I was discussing the name with Joey and it hit me.... Joey... Lynsi.... Jolyn? Hello? Not sure if it took any of you as long as it took me, but I instantly fell in love with a name I would otherwise not consider. Joey is still not a fan, and honestly I wasn't either, but it's really really really growing on me.



I think it sounds nice... If you don't please keep it to yourself, because I will likely beat you with a stick for telling me the reasons you hate it. Not that it is a for sure thing, but I am definitely leaning towards it more than anything else. Well... that's really all I have for now. Today we are 26 weeks which would make us roughly 6 1/2 months (depending on how you count). No matter how you look at it we are 14 weeks until full term. Sounds like a ways out now, but it's getting closer and closer! Yikes! I have been able to work through most of my fears, but I am still very nervous for the unknown. Love you all and hope all is going well for you! Talk to you soon!

Joey's Big Girls...

Hi All! Guess I should post an update. First I will take a moment to embarrass the love of my life. Poor Joseph. Had I not been watching what he was pointing out I never would have been able to make fun of him, but I was watching and I will never let it go. So cute! We were standing over the crib looking at the sweet little outfits and Joey had a very serious question that seemed to have been bothering him for some time now. He said "Why does every little girl outfit come with a hat"? Not a very odd question, because a lot of little girl outfits do come with hats, but what was funny was that he had picked up a pair of bloomers to show me the "hat" he was referring to. I almost died. After I explained that they were bloomers I got a sheepish grin out of him. So needless to say since then we have referred to them as hats. Loved it!

As for an update, we had our 24 week appointment yesterday. It was especially tense for me because I wasn't sure how much weight I had gained. I have had one nurse this entire process, but the appt before yesterday I had a nurse that I didn't particularly care for. She said I had gained 10 pounds (could be the reason I didn't care for her)! I was pretty depressed since I had been doing pretty great at eating healthy, drinking tons of water and just being good in general. Not to mention up until that point they had been telling me I had been losing weight (not surprising with my first couple of months). Anyway... I expected to gain weight, but that much that quickly freaked me out. At work it got worse when a girl said "that's ok... if you continue gaining at this rate you'll only gain 64 lbs". I could have cried! I didn't think 64 lbs would be healthy in any way. So... I went to my home scale to check the nasty nurses accuracy. Yeah... little problem. I noticed the reading was 10 lbs when nothing was on the scale. The question was did it get messed up recently, or have I just been weighing myself with it 10 lbs heavier for a while now???? I had to try it as I saw it, because it wouldn't be fair to turn it back 10 lbs. The stupid thing said I had gained 17 lbs since I started? The bright side was it would only be 17 if I had been weighing myself with the additional 10 lbs. If somehow it got magically screwed up I would have only gained 7. I sure wasn't feeling like I had gained 17 lbs so again not sure what to do here. The Good news is... the nurse didn't weigh me right last appt! Yeah! So it all evened out this appointment. My total weight gain has been 12 lbs, but the first few months I lost 5, so the Dr. said my overall weight gain is 7 lbs. Not sure if you can Imagine my relief! A little too much info I know, but it had been making me crazy for a month now! Doc gave me a high five and said I'm doing great for 6 months!

As for the little angel. Her heart rate this time was 152 bmp. The only other new news from this appointment is we will be having a big girl. She was 27 cm, which he said he expected about 24 or so, but according to my babycenter.com she should be about 21cm. So needless to say she is getting more than enough nutrition. It honestly made us wonder if the original "due date" controversy is still a little up for debate? Not really sure yet, but we should have a better idea next month. We go in for an optional ultrasound (pics & video) and they should be able to do measurements then. So we'll see on all that :). Here is the 24 week update.

Your pregnancy: 24 weeks
See the big picture
How your baby's growing:Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball.

Where has the time gone?

Wow! I can't believe how quickly this is all going by! It seems just yesterday that we found out we were pregnant, and here we are at 5 1/2 months. I'm feeling spectacular... except for the congestion I have had for the past 2 days. It's crazy to think about what I will be doing 6 months from now... 1 year from now... just the future in general. Our little girl has been kicking like crazy! Not clearly defined as a hand or a foot, but there is definite movement. Joey got to feel it for the first time yesterday. He wasn't sure the first 2 times he felt her, but in the evening he was pretty sure he did. I think it takes a few times to really be able to identify it as movements rather than gas bubbles, a pulse, or breathing by mama :). Up until recently I have just wanted it all to rush by, but lately I find myself wanting it to slow down. August is coming quicker than expected. I am so excited and ready, and at the same time I don't know if I have been more afraid in my life. Are you ever really prepared for it? Can you ever be ready? I know we will do just fine, and everything will turn out better than I could have expected... but I have a hard time not really knowing what to expect. I have an idea of course, but I'm sure there is much more to it than I can even comprehend right now. I have been around kids my whole life, but I have never had one be my whole life. I think if Joey and I can find a balance and really establish teamwork we will be just fine. It has been a while since I left and update from babycenter... so here you go.

How your baby's growing:At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Comment Issues

After many reports of trouble with commenting I have fixed the issue (I think). It should be good to go now. Comment away! Let me know if it is still giving you fits. Not sure what I did to it. Fussy blogspot!

It's a girl!

We have had an idea for a while, but the appointment today confirms that we are having a little girl! We are so excited! She is now 12 oz, and I think I saw the monitor read the heartbeat at 155 bmp. Not 100% sure on that one. Everything looks really healthy, and it looks like all fingers and toes are present. We even got to see the 4 chambers of the heart. Kinda strange, but really neat, and oddly comforting. I have two favorite moments from this appointment, and I think Joey shares the same two. The first was the hiccups. There was a side view of her and we could see her little heart pumping, and every few seconds you could see her whole body move. She had the hiccups! The second was when we were looking at her face. I don't have any pictures that show it, but we got a really clear view of her and the tech said she had my button nose. We both just smiled. I'll have to watch the video tonight to see what we actually caught on tape, but it was amazing! I was a little cranky going in because I had overfilled my bladder by a long shot, but they let me take care of that and we ended up having a really comfortable sitting. She stayed pretty curled up, but our tech said it was because it was snowing outside. Didn't realize that would make a difference. Next ultrasound (28 weeks) I'm going to revert back to the apple juice approach. So... all is well, everyone is healthy, & we are so excited to start planning a future with our baby girl! I know Joey is going to be wrapped around her finger, and I... well let's just say I will be getting what I deserve. If this little one puts me through half the stuff I put my Mom through I'm really in for it. I can't wait! Thank you all for the love, support & prayers! We really do appreciate it. Love you so much! ~The MacGregors

Cribs & kicking & puppies...OH MY!

Spring is well on its way and there is plenty of action going on at the MacGregor house.

Cribs...We finally got the crib put together (finally meaning we bought it like 6 weeks ago, and after pushing weekend after weekend Joey finally broke down and put it together as I watched). I have to be honest this was a bitter sweet thing to do. Seeing it put together is so sweet and beautiful, and excites me to no end. On the other hand, it is giving me a little bit of a reality check and I have never been more scared in my life! I started reading this book called baby wise. Controversial yes... but hear me out. I am almost done with it, and I am so amazed at what it has given me. I feel like I really have a "realistic" idea of what life after labor is like. Before I imagined perfectly clean clothes, a big baby smile, giggles at bath time, and just plain bliss. I know it will be, but now I am starting to really understand that it's not as easy as I've imagined. There will be crying, and screaming, and poop, and stains on the favorite outfit and of course sleepless nights. It's going to be real life. For those of you who have children you are giving me the duh.... comment right about now right? Seriously though.... this is my first time. Now that I have accepted this truth, I have been able to really move forward and still be very excited for our new addition.

Kicking... I have been really hesitant and unsure of what this was going to be like. Yesterday as I was reclining reading a book I finally felt something. Not a violent kick, or even anything that said "hey this is me"! It was a very gentle movement in my tummy that felt like I was either really nervous or borderline sick. Just a little tickle. The funny thing was it was more noticeable when Joey was talking to me. The more he would talk the more butterflyish it got. I am pretty positive this was our first movements. I had thought there was movement 3 times before, but wasn't sure if it was gas, or just plain craziness. Still not sure what all that was, but it didn't feel like this. It was so subtle I think I could miss it altogether if I wasn't really paying attention. Loved it!

Puppies... this one takes the cake on the SHOCK factor. Our crazy dog tootsie had puppies! AGAIN! She just had a batch in September. I was under the impression dogs only had a cycle twice a year so had no thoughts of her even being pregnant. Last Saturday we were eating breakfast with the Nephews when Joey reported strange activity by Tootsie. After further investigation she was indeed acting strange. She had 3 puppies! We had no idea she was pregnant, and didn't even think she looked pregnant. I guess 3 compared to the 8 she carried last time didn't really look like much. Mom & pups are doing really well and we think we have already found homes for two of them. Although they were unexpected they really have been fun to have around. I do love puppies! They are just so clumsy cute! So if anyone is looking for a chocolate lab you're in luck. These babies are free to a good home and should be ready after April 25th. Let me know soon, because I really do think Joey has 2 reserved. There was 1 Boy and 2 girls.

Alrighty! I'm going to get back to it now. Hope all is well with all of you! I'll let you know what we find out at next Mondays appointment! Oh... just as a side note. A friend of ours (A.C.) went in at 16 weeks and they said she was having a girl, but at the 20 week appt they found out it was really a boy! Not saying that will be the case... but it you want to change your vote I would do it now :0) Luv u! MacGregors

the amazing appointment....

What an amazing appointment we had today! We had heard from a few sources that the Dr. I go to has let people see at 16 weeks what there were having. I wasn't going to ask for it, but I wanted to be prepared just incase. Joey had heard from a friend to drink apple juice before you go in because it gets the baby moving around. Little did we know this decision would be the reason we were able to have an ultrasound this month. Because of all the sugar the baby was moving around too much and they couldn't get a heartbeat.... so we got to get an ultrasound! I had been looking forward to this since our first because I had tons of worries that the baby might not be growing like it should... etc. I'm told the worries never go away. It turns out the baby is growing just as it should. We are a healthy 6 oz, and the heartbeat was 164. It was incredible! The baby was moving around so much! It was precious! I've seen other peoples ultrasound pics, but not really go into it. So different this time around. To see it move and squirm was amazing! I knew it was happening, but not being able to feel it yet it was still pretty amazing how much it is moving! It seemed that when I would say something it would respond. Loved it! Alright... so I realize if you wern't there these pics don't mean the same thing, but I will try to interpret.

This is the face of our little angel. You can see it's right hand up next to it's mouth.

This one shows a head (I think it is the face, but the tech didn't say it was or wasn't), a left hand, a plump tummy & a long umbilical cord streaming off to the right.

Here is a side view of baby MacGregor. The cutest thing was the legs crossed. You can't really tell here, but it was one of my favorite moments. Head up top, right arm covering face, and right leg.

This one is the most controversial pic. According to the tec we are looking a the babies rump as if it were sitting on a glass table. So... if you look at the 3 lines she pointed out this picture would indicate we are having a little girl. We still will not know for another month, but that is what we know for now.

So... as you can see it really was a very eventful appointment. I'm not sure if I'm ready to start calling it a "she" yet, but it's almost hard not too. I will promise to refrain from purchasing girl stuff until the next appointment when we really do have a better idea, but I'm feelin pretty good about the tech being right on the money. I can't explain the amazingly good feelings coming out of that appointment. Everything is going so well, progressing as it should, and I'm feeling super lately! I guess I am waiting for someone to tell me it has all been a dream. I can't believe we will finally have a little angel of our own. With our nose... our eyes... and our curly brown hair (heaven forbid this child should come out blonde or red headed :0) I might have some splainin to do). We could not be more excited about our little miracle.