All the changing.

Things are somehow slowing down and speeding up simultaneously in preggo world now-a-days. I'm easing up a little on work and looking for something part time, hourly, that doesn't require so much stress. The forty hour work weeks are starting to get to me and Bean; I'm getting tired very easily and the little aches and pains are getting more noticeable (not to mention, bending is becoming a true feat with the belly). As much as I enjoy making more to save more, I think it will benefit me to chill out with the workaholic attitude- long story short, Mama needs a breather.
Thankfully, it has given me more time to work on things that take less physical effort and more emotional reward. I have finally started on the nursery- first coat of the base color is dry and ready to go round two- and have started making moves on our co-ed baby shower. With thoughts from Tim, I have decided on doing a Beer Garden style shower/bonfire on the second Sunday in November. I'll be about seven weeks out from the due date, so I will still be wobbling around and being able to enjoy a social event without being too exhausted (Lindsey warned me that the last month is just hell- her baby girl is 5 days late and they are inducing her early next week). Fun news: I am about a week away from getting my license back and I can thank the lawyer baby daddy for it! Blade stood in as my attorney and took care of all the fine print, so I not only can apply to have my license reinstated, but I actually get money back from my bond that can go into Bean Savings. I'm pretty proud of myself for being so strict with that new account, I won't have to worry about a thing while I'm taking maternity leave.
Mom is finally back in KC and all moved into Grandma's guest room. She started her new job at 7th Street Casino on Monday and said she likes it so far. I'm happy to have her so close, and I'm sure Atticus will appreciate having her around all the time. She's putting together a baby shower for the ladies in the family (aka a bunch of older gals that I probably don't know) middle of next month, so that should be fun. I'm excited to start getting baby stuff, now all I need is our little princess to get done cooking.

Speaking of Miss Bean: she is a kicking nightmare! Of course, when I'm finally relaxed and trying to settle down, she starts doing karate on my bladder. It's such a crazy, amazing feeling, but good lord does it hurt some times. If I didn't know any better, I would guess that she's trying to Kill Bill her way out of my uterus. I'm not sure when the next ultrasound is going to be, but I'm excited for it. We go in about a week and a half for the next appointment to do my glucose test- I get to drink some gross liquid, wait an hour, and then pee in a cup to measure the sugar levels and look for gestational diabetes... so that just sounds fantastic. I've been blessed with a great pregnancy so far, so I'm not TOO worried, but the 'what ifs' get to me a little bit. I could do without the appointment every month if it weren't for the ultrasounds and getting to see the progress being made- creating this little girl has been the most rewarding and insanely intriguing experience I've ever been through.

I'll do a full update after I hit the 7 month mark- more pictures, I promise.
[Week 26.2]

Six months down!

We just got back from our check up and second ultrasound- the first go around, Atticus didn't want to cooperate to get measured- and everything is looking great. She is measuring in at 1 pound, 6 ounces, now and is happy and healthy. Mama is looking healthy as well, the only issue the practitioner had was that my uterus is about two weeks behind in growth, but that is still within the normal range so she isn't concerned. I have my next check up in four weeks, including a glucose test for gestational diabetes, and then it is every two weeks after that. I feel like this pregnancy is going by so slow and so fast all at the same time. I can't believe it's already September (and a week away from my birthday), but it still seems so long until I get to hold Miss Bean.

Outside of Bean Town: New and exciting news--- my mom finally got a job in KC and is moving back in less than two weeks!! I'm so excited to have her so close, especially with the baby on the way, and that she gets to be happy again. I know that she was miserable in Joplin, so it will be incredible to have her so near to friends and family, and I will get to spend more quality time with her. She is officially the new HR manager at the 7th Street Casino- only about a five minute drive from us. Atti will love having her Mema around all the time!!

Also, I decided that I'm not going to be returning to The Drop, or work at all for that matter, once I go on maternity leave. It's time that I focus on a real future for myself and go back to school full time. By then, I will be in good standing with my student loans, and I will be able to just take out loans for classes and living expenses (like normal college students) for a while. Eventually, if I get bored, I'll go back to bartending a night or two a week- but this gives me the chance to work toward a career and raise my daughter without any distraction. I've never been so excited for a new year before.

^^Miss Bean finally has a face

^^No more Skeletor baby!!

Her nose is squished b/c of her knee^^

She was folded in half again this time^^

Pregnancy Update

How far along: 24 weeks

Symptoms: Besides the pain from gas and constipation (sorry if it's TMI but this is real life), I haven't had any new problems. Round ligament aches come and go, especially when I try to get up off the couch or in bed. I'm pretty lethargic all the time, but I think that has more to do with my hectic work schedule than anything. Also, my legs feel heavy and fall asleep easily, I'm trying not to cross my legs as much now.

Cravings: Still no real cravings, I'm just hungrier than usual.

Adversions: None

Excited for: My birthday :) and for my mom to finally move back to KC. Also, I have a court date to get my license back next week...TO HAVE A CAR AGAIN!!!!

Movement: Just about all day, every day. She kicks up a storm when I wake up, after I eat, and when I finally get to sit down after work (so of course, all of the times I'm trying to relax). I can see her move now from the outside, and Blade can feel her kick without straining now! She's an active little thing!

Belly button: Still an innie!

Sleep: I definitely have to pee more often now, but once I am asleep, I am really asleep. The down side of the hormones is that I occasionally have very vivid nightmares that carry on longer than before I was pregnant... they have been physically waking me, which wakes Blade as well. Hopefully that goes away. Getting up in the morning has been more of a hassle lately- I just want all the sleep!

Exercise: I've been a bad girl and haven't been to yoga in two weeks. I just haven't had the energy and motivation to get out of bed early. But, I got myself a prenatal fitness DVD that should be coming in the mail next week, and am promising myself to go to yoga on Friday- I'll be back in action asap.

Missing this week: Sushi. I just want some raw fish. 

[Week 24.1]