Week Eight Cartilage and bones begin to form - At the end of this week your baby will have already completed 1/5th of the journey 'til his birthday! The basic structure of the eye is well underway - The position is more "newborn" like already! The tongue begins to develop Intestines move out of the umbilical cord into the abdomen. Body grows and makes room - Two months along and this little one is growing inside and out by leaps and bounds! The fingers and toes have appeared but are webbed and short Baby's length (crown to rump) is 0.61 inch (1.6cm) and weight is 0.04 ounce (1gm) [return to top]

So I will give you my pregnancy report as of today. I have felt a bit rough on and off since Saturday. Saturday & yesterday were the worst.. Sunday wasn't too bad. Saturday I feel sure was the cereal. Yesterday, I have no idea... other than I went back to bed after Tancy left (our cable, phone & internet was out, why stay up?!) and woke up hungry. I ate well, small bites throughout the day, but never shook that shitty feeling. So from now on, if I am going back to bed, maybe I need a snack first... haven't had that problem before.

My boobs continue to be a source of discomfort. Bra or no bra, at this point, they are always sore. Their own weight seems nearly unbearable at points. I had, what seems like, a moment of relief from the sore nipples and now its full on booby sensitivity. Not only that, but they look as if I've had implants... tight skin & much fuller. I don't know what to expect from here!

You digestive system slows way down. All of it. So when I eat because I actually feel hungry I seem to eat alot more than I would have before. Then, once the full hits my tummy, it sticks around for a really long time. And the best part of all, it doesn't move through your body like it used to... so there are additional discomforts there. It's so strange how the body works. It truly is like it is making sure that is sucks every last bit of nutrient out of what you put in your body while you are pregnant.

I have been tired. I have never really been good at being tired, but now I have to work hard to keep the bitch at bay. I do my best to sleep when I feel like I can/need to and to not catch any unknowing persons in my cross hairs when I haven't had enough sleep. Sleep itself is different, waking at all hours of the night to pee... you don't really feel like you get a full nights sleep with all those interruptions. And no matter how good or bad I feel I really only have a few good hours in a day to give of myself. The rest I either fake it, or apologize and veg on the couch.

I know that I could get through a work day with all of these things, if I had to, but I am really glad I don't. And I have a renewed respect (it's always been a healthy respect) for women who work during their pregnancy and after their child is born... I also have a renewed respect for mothers like Lil Jenn, a 13 month old at home, terrible morning sickness, teaching children with disabilities during the day (sometimes more than 8 hours at school) and then working at home, taking care of the baby and some evenings doing it on her own because her partner is working nights. Not to mention she's already pretty well decided that she is going to work the summer (summer school) to make up for the maternity leave just weeks before! So she'll have two little ones at home and go to work during a time she really could have off with her kids. I really don't know how she does it. I do, however, believe that you do what you have to do... you find a way to get through it. Doesn't lessen my respect for those mothers though. My journey is a cake walk compared to many.

I also have to say, all this is informational about what I have experienced. I do not mean to complain at all, because I have had it very easy thus far. I will share this with you... at this point, I wonder, why do women volunteer for this a second, third, fourth time? There's nothing fun about it so far... it's like having the flu and/or stomach bug for about two (so far) months. I personally don't like feeling sickly, especially not for such an extended period of time. I don't like needing help. I don't like feeling as if I can't do something. I am certain, at some point during the pregnancy even, it becomes much more rewarding... the first time you feel the baby move. And there have been rewards already for me, hearing the heart beat, seeing that little shrimp on the screen... knowing that there really is a life growing in there. But I can say, with great sincerity, that this will more than likely be the only child we have "this" way. Not because it is so miserable... again, it hasn't been that bad... but we feel strongly about adoption and if we had another child through my getting pregnant again, we wouldn't be able to adopt. And if we were, there would be more than one biological child and that seems to unfairly tip the scales. At any rate, I am thankful for this experience, I wouldn't change it for the world and I think I have even handled it, thus far, fairly well... but why you would want to be sick again for so long after you know what it is all about is beyond me currently.

I think that wraps it up for the pregnancy update today. I need to blog a "regular" blog in just a bit, as soon as I finish checking my email.

Love to all!

Hello all. It's hardly morning anymore... so I hope you are all having a good day.

Last night was All Hallow's Eve & today is All Saints Day. Fun stuff. We had some trick-or-treaters and were glad when we were out of candy and could come inside.

Yesterday I had an energy surge and in a matter of just a couple of hours I had made Banana Pudding, had Red Beans on to cook & was making Maw-Maw's Pumpkin Bread. The house smelled so good. Tancy was working on the floor, getting it shining like new. I was also working on laundry, that's right, working on laundry. I managed two loads of dishes as well. Wow!! I even got the two loads on the bed folded and put away before I went to bed!! Are you impressed yet?

We had red beans and rice for dinner with croissants after the trick-or-treating was over (cause we handed out all our candy). I got a bath and folded clothes while Tancy finished off the living room floor. I watched the Ghost Hunters live special till about 11:00, I just couldn't hold my eyes open any longer. But then I was hyper sensitive to every noise in the house. How silly! But I've got to admit, I would love to find a legitimate "ghost hunting" group to be a part of. I really like that stuff & feel that I have a gift or two of my own to bring to that. I know that sounds crazy to most... but hey, crazy from me isn't anything new! LOL.

This morning I got up and immediately had a bowl of cereal. I think that was a big mistake. The sugar I guess. I have been feeling sick ever since. I tried to lay down for a bit, the cool air of the fan helps when I can lay still. But I wasn't able to sleep, so I got up and started working around the house. I think this is the worst I have felt, nausea wise, possibly thus far. This sucks. I have too much to do to feel like this.

A guy that Tancy works with and his wife are coming over for dinner tonight. AND they could possibly be interested in the house. So it has to be inspection ready! I've got the rugs washing now... then I will strip the bed and put that on to wash. After that I need to scrub the bathrooms down good and then I'll move on to dusting. When I've got the bed made all nice and pretty, I'll start on the kitchen. After I get it cleaned up, I'll start messing it up again with the cooking. Maybe I can talk Tancy into helping me in the kitchen, I am sure she will.... I just hate asking (of course, she'll read this, so I guess I wont have to.....). I don't like feeling like I can't get it all done myself. But I just have to admit to myself and to her that I need more help from her, more than I usually do and more than I care to need.

Oh well.... I guess I should gather my cleaning stuff and get on it. If I can suck it up and split up what needs to be done (she's already offered to help) we'll probably even get through it quicker... and I can sit and rest before I get cleaned up. I just feel awful right now... and it sucks!

Ok kids. I hope you all have a great day today. I hope no one has tummy aches from too much candy!!

Love to all!

Good Friday morning all. I hope this finds you all healthy, wealthy & wise. I also hope you've got a big ole bucket of candy for those cute little kids coming around in costume tonight!!

Yesterday was  good day. I got up and went in for a hair cut. It isn't exactly back to MY hair cut... but we have to let it grow some more. So it will take at least 1 more hair cut before we get it where we want it. I got it cut in the growing moon this time and I will do so again next month at the very least. My hair is already growing faster from the prenatal vitamins & pregnancy hormones, but I want to make sure I get at least one good hair cut before the end of the year! I am sure some of you have no idea what I am talking about with regard to cutting my hair on a certain cycle of the moon. There's an old wives tale that if you cut your hair on the waining moon, your hair will grow slowly and if you cut it on the growing moon, it will grow faster. I am sure to some this sounds ridiculous... but when I was a kid I had NO hair... my Mom always got it cut on the growing moon and it seemed to make a difference in the growth. Research it, try it yourself, see what you think.

So after my hair cut I went to the Wally World here by the house to get a 2009 calendar. I am a bit of an organization freak sometimes. I brought it home and color coded Tancy's shift for the entire year of 2009 (I told ya). I got birthdays, anniversaries and holidays on there. I was pretty proud of myself when it was all done.

I had a pretty intense cramp after finishing up with the calendar. It was the worst I've had so far I think... but I didn't think a whole lot of it. But then there seemed to be a bit of discharge, no red blood or even spotting, just a "color". I have to admitt, I was scared. So I kept a close eye on that the rest of the afternoon.

I chilled out on the couch till Tancy got home. She came in, checked her email and then loaded the trash cans in the truck to take to the dump. We went to the dump, she took care of the trash... she's soo good to me! Then we were off to Mandys for dinner & to make Halloween cookies. I talked to her about the discharge. She assured me that I was ok. She reminded me that lots of women spot and even bleed, and even if I were spotting, that doesn't mean anything is wrong. But if I do start spotting I need to call my doctor. I know all of this, but its helpful to hear that from a health care professional. Mandy wouldn't sugar coat or exaggerate, I can always trust what she says.

Mandy cooked dinner. We had pork chops, baked mashed potatoes & asparagus. It was good. I was diggin' the mashed potatoes!! Then we started making cookies. Funny stuff. It was a good time, but we were all over it before it was all said and done. After the cookies we stayed and visited a bit, but its a school night and I am already exhausted, so at 8:30 we head home.

I get home to find a message on my phone that I am surprised by. I don't know why I was surprised, I just was. Anyway, it is enough to say that I finally was able to discuss my feelings and hear the other side. It was a frustrating conversation for both of us at certain points, but I am very glad we pushed through that and ended the conversation on a positive note. It always means so much to me to work out a disagreement/misunderstanding with someone I care about. I also know very well that "working it out" doesn't come easily to everyone... poor Tancy, I know she just wants a disagreement to be over long before it is sometimes. I have, for her, had to learn that everyone communicated in different ways. And that sometimes you just have to agree to disagree and respect the other persons feelings. Life truly provides you with opportunities to learn something new every day.

So friend, if you are reading this, Thank You for pushing your own boundaries to work it out. I appreciate that very much.

It was well after 11:00 last night before we went to sleep. I still had some "digestion" to do and Tancy seemed to be wide awake too... which is completely unlike her. We watched Jon Stewart. He's hilarious and his show is very political. I have grown to enjoy watching it. But one episode at a time... it isn't something I can catch up on two or three missed episodes at once. I do not like The Colbert Report that much. I understand the humor he uses (also political show) but I find it more irritating than funny. I do like the Bill Mahr show though. Another political show, actually provides real information, round table discussions and sometimes wildly inappropriate humor. It is funny and informative. Again though, one episode at a time.

This morning I can't believe that I am not only awake but in a relatively good mood and almost entirely awake! LOL. I need to finish the laundry today since I didn't do that yesterday. I also need to get the sheets on the bed changed and put the heating blanket on the bed. I want to make banana pudding for Tancy & I have been meaning to cook red beans and rice all week.. but I keep forgetting to put them on to soak. Maybe before Sunday. Ugh. I also wasn't able to find a ham hock for them. I'll need to go get groceries tomorrow, maybe I'll find one then.

I nearly forgot that one of the guys Tancy works with and his wife are coming to dinner tomorrow night. I think I blogged about it earlier in the week... I honestly can't remember. They just got married & she moved from Wilmington to Concord after they got married. He's one of the guys that we thought would look at the house before we put it on the market... they want to look at it now. Keep your fingers crossed. I think it is a long shot... but hey, it needs to be cleaned and I don't mind cooking... so what's there to lose?! Tancy's got this crazy idea that we could still be in the new house by Thanksgiving... I think she's lost her mind. LOL! Not that we couldn't physically make it happen... but the time it takes to get everything done & close on a house... I don't think we have enough time. We shall see though. Stranger things have happened.

Lauren called it to my attention that her graduation day is 6/13... my due date is 6/16.... Now, I think I will probably go late... but still, how miserable will I be at a High School Graduation in June, OUTSIDE?! Not to mention I will more than likely be as big as a house at that point. What the hell will I wear? Oh well, its way too early to think about that.

Mandy's already talking about a baby shower here in NC. I love my friends and family. They have shared our excitement and even disappointment in this process. It is so terrific to have that... and then to want to be a part of things as much as possible... it just fills your heart to overflowing. Mandy's already figured out we need three bases for the car seat, one for Me, one for Tancy & one for MeMe! I sure do love her. I have no doubt, with Mandy, that she loves me and sees me as her sister. She is a good girl. She helps me alot. I couldn't ask for a better sister-in-law.

So kids! Anyone dressing up tonight? I already dressed up for Halloween.... I wont be in costume tonight. I will, however, have bags full of candy for all the curtain climbers in costume! That's always fun. Some kids will come right in the house, which makes me laugh & frightens me at the same time. They are safe here... but what other houses are they walking into that way when they shouldn't?

Ok, I think I am rambled more than enough this morning. It's so early to go on and on!! LOL I hope that everyone has a Happy Halloween and a wonderful weekend.

Love to all!

This blog is basically a diary for me. I write about my daily events, mundane and exciting and everywhere in between. It is a place for me to try to let go of things and a place for me to ask for input.

I write about my pain, joy, happiness, disappointment, elation, devastation, feelings, thoughts.... you name it I'll write about it.

Nothing I write is intended to hurt anyone, in any way. It's me purging in many ways. And initially it started as something no one else would read. Then it turned into a great way to keep my family updated on my life. It's now morphed into something in the middle of therapy and updates.

I write almost entirely for myself, considering things my family wouldn't want to know about or my friends wouldn't want shared. It is my day, my life, my feelings.  On one occassion I blogged about someone specific, no one that even reads the blog, and it was so abstract my father thought I'd gone insane! LOL. It really isn't a long trip at this point.

I put myself out there, naked, vulnerable, raw, hurt, mad, happy, strong, bitchy.... for the world to see, to remark, to judge even. I just don't want anyone to misunderstand the purpose of this blog... this is one place where it is ALL ABOUT ME. Not anyone else.

I only put names to positive things. I try not to talk about the not so positive that involves others in a manner where they might be hurt... but this is my place to process, and if it is my only outlet I use it.

A very good friend expressed to me concern over hurt feelings from my blog. I'd like that to never happen. I've talked more than I'd like to about yesterdays events already... but outside of that, I have no recollection of blogging about anyone in a manner that might hurt them. I am not saying it isn't possible, just that when searching my memory banks, I can't think of what it could have been.) If I have hurt you, I need you to talk to me about it. That is never my intention here or otherwise.

I also realize that writing about your life, so openly for all the world to see is not for everyone. For me though, being such an emotional person, high strung and with such a need to communicate about everything (a need which most people I know don't have), it is a great way for me to get through life... good, bad & ugly.

I want to close by saying that I love my family and friends dearly. I cannot imagine my life without any one of them. They all bring their own gifts to the table. That doesn't mean we always get along... we all have our quirks and we all butt heads from time to time... that is human nature even among the very best people & in the very best relationships. I take comfort in knowing there's nothing we can't work out... and then... it's all gravy baby!

Now that I have beat that dead horse... LOL... I really must get the laundry going!

Love to all!

Good morning all. I hope this finds you all well rested, happy and feeling good. We are quickly approaching the end of the week and that is always a good thing! I am sure you all feel the same way.

Yesterday was really an awful day. I am still reeling from the thoughts and emotions attached to that. I am sorry for ending my blog yesterday like I did... I just didn't know what else to do with myself at that point. If my blog isn't my usual, again, please understand I am having a tough time. I am determined, however, to find my peace and let this cloud move on.

I took the pups to the vet yesterday, their nails needed trimmed badly. Hemmi is so difficult to trim & both their nails are hard to do because you can't tell where the quick is. We thought it best just to take them in. Once we got there, they notified me that they were due for their annual in November. So, instead of fighting the two of them AGAIN, I decided to just take care of it all right then. Good idea! Everything looks good, they are both healthy. Hemmi needs to lose weight, so we are adjusting his food amount. Scouts weight is good, but he doesn't want her to gain any weight, so we are adjusting her food amount as well. We got both of their anal glands squeezed, mmm, both full. How does that happen?! Anyone?? We got their heart worm and flea and tick medicine for another 6 and 3 months respectively. They got their shots and we are good to go! Also we made arrangements to board them their during Christmas. It's just too much to drag them to Ohio for that long of a trip & we really don't have anyone who can keep them for us. So our only option is boarding. We like our vet, so that makes it a bit easier.

From there I came home and melted into the couch. I wrote a bit, that is my therapy, my process, writing is what gets me through life... the good & bad. When I am having trouble processing I can always write. I talked a bit. Just tried to process everything and rid myself of the feelings I had. It really isn't a good thing for me to feel that way, let alone not be able to stop feeling that way... it never has been (I am a sensitive person believe it or not, lol) and it's even worse for me now.

When Tancy got home we decided to go vote early. I fed the dogs and we were off! We made it a few minutes before closing and got in and out with relative ease. I was surprised at the number of people there to vote early. North Carolina does it different than I remember voting in Louisiana. We pulled levers to vote. North Carolina colors in bubbles. I don't know which is a better way, and maybe I am just lazy... but I prefer the levers. For a couple reasons... its a pain in the ass and takes longer to color the bubbles... and when a Mom brings her 3 kids into the 3 x 2 booth to vote and you are trying to color in your bubbles and they are shaking and bumping the counter that runs through the line of booths its frustrating. I almost asked her to please keep her kids still.... but I realized my mood and kept my mouth shut. Because I do think it is great to have the kids involved and excited about the process, hopefully that means they will grow up to know how important it is to vote.

From the polls we went to eat at this new Chinese buffet not far from the house. Jin's I think. Anyway its really nice and the food was good. They even had sushi on the buffet... and it was yummy. The biggest surprise for me is that they had the best sweet tea I have had in a good long while. I didn't have coffee yesterday, so I thought it was probably ok to have tea. Not to mention that by the end of the day I feel water logged!

We came home, got baths and then to bed. At 6:30 I was already in bed and exhausted. I felt like I could go sound to sleep. We watched TV for a bit, Jon Stewart at 8:00 because Tancy likes his show... I must admit he's funny. She was asleep by 8:20 and my mind was still running through the events of the day. I don't know what time I actually went to sleep... but I do know I had to pee three times between the time Tancy fell asleep & finally drifting off myself. I contemplated just getting up several times. I just don't deal with unfinished business well, especially when I am so upset about it. I know I shouldn't be so bothered... I just can't help it, it'll be this way till its resolved.

Today I need to actually get the laundry that I have been talking about done. I just haven't been able to muster the energy. I had every intention yesterday, but the energy got sucked right out of me before I ever knew what had happened. So today I must get it done. I need to get  few dishes done too. I think I can get all the dishes done & some of the laundry before I leave for my hair appointment. Then I'll come home... take a nap if I feel like I need to... and keep the laundry moving.

Tomorrow night is Halloween, so we will have all the little trick - or - treaters from the neighborhood coming around for candy. That's always fun. I think I might like to sit down at the end of the driveway, but I am not sure... It'll just depend on if everyone else is sitting outside and how cold it is. I think sometime this weekend we are going to go register for baby stuff. I tried the online thing, that doesn't work too well for me! We may have dinner with one of Tancy's buddies from work... but I wont know for sure on that till tomorrow probably. I don't know what else the weekend holds, you just never can tell what we will get into!

Alright kids. I think that's all I got for now. I hope that peace kisses your day and joy carries you to the weekend swiftly. I don't know... just using different words to say the same things I always say! LOL.

Love to all!

Good morning all. I hope this finds you all healthy, wealthy & wise. Two days down & two days to go. It's hump day!!!!

I slept in this morning, after Tancy left for work, I went back to bed. Hemmi woke me up just before 9:00 fussin. He didn't need to go out... no potty, no nothing, he just wanted out of his kennel. I was not a happy camper. The days of my really grumpy mornings have returned. I had gotten quite a bit better about it... but lately, watch out! Even Tancy has noticed the shift and doesn't really talk to me much in the mornings.

Today I need to get the pups to the vet to get their nails done. Scout does fine, but we can't get her nails short enough. Hemmi does NOT do fine! AND we can't get them short enough either because his nails are black and we can't see the quick. So, it's easier on both of us to take them to the vet.

I also need to try to get a hair cut. The last hair cut I got was terrible & now that its long enough, I need a good hair cut. We shall see if that happens today.

I just got a text from a friend about some pics. "Its just too much" was the phrase used. Now I am completely upset. I don't see a thing wrong with the pictures.. just friends having a good time... like every other picture I have ever posted from our get togethers. And this particular friend is in very few pics, nothing incriminating. None of the pictures are even the worst I have posted. I don't understand. I'll just pull the whole Halloween file. Whatever, now I feel like an asshole and I really don't think I did a thing wrong.

Thats all I got today.

Later.

Hello all. This is my second... no wait, third blog for today. This one is solely to vent. You have been forewarned.

The following is the feedback we got from the asshole that showed the house on Friday:
Clients liked the home but thought the price was high for this home in the area.
Floors were scratched excessively and back yard was not appealing.
They did not like the carport being so low to the main structure.
They will pass on this home.

Now, this is the same asshole who couldn't make his 2 hour window to show the house... Oh! And by the way, his office is 5 minutes from our house! I feel that this is a bit retaliatory because I called him out on not doing his job & making his appointment and not notifying in a timely manner.

Here's what I have to say about the feedback:
Our house has been priced according to other homes in this area, we feel we chose the price well... although we may decrease the price given a month on the market and only one showing. Not that the house isn't worth it, but we want to be aggressive in selling.
The floors are scratched, but only in front of the couch where the puppies nails have scratched and bones have dinged. Excessively is a very strong word.
The backyard is one of our favorite things about our home. It is winter... so the leaves are falling and the grass is dying... outside of that, it is a back yard, not a golf course.
There's not one damn thing I can do about the carport!

I talked to Linda, our agent, she feels like I do that he's been harsh because he was called out for the showing. Nothing I can do about that. Said we could put Mums in planters in the back yard if we feel inclined... but not to focus on that too much. She advised me to look at the floors with a "buyers eye" and see how I felt about it. I think that's good advise and will do so as soon as I can stop being pissed the #@%! off and start being just bothered by the remarks. There isn't anything we can do about the carpot, she agreed. The price, she feels is good, but also feels it's been on the market a month & its time to revisit (this was our plan to start). We will do that at the beginning of the week next week. She said as long as the house was in ship shape condition for showing, clean and organized, there wasn't anything to really worry about.

I will, of course, talk to Tancy when she gets home about it... and she where she stands. We are either serious about selling, or we aren't... and if the floor in the living room needs attention, then we need to take care of that.

I am just mad as hell. I knew that I would be emotionally attached through out this process... but this is tough. I don't suppose the pregnancy hormones help much either!

Alright, your input and comments are welcome, as always.

Love to all!

Good morning all. I hope this finds you all healthy, wealthy & wise. It's Tuesday, so hopefully today is an improvement on yesterday.

Yesterday was a lazy day for me. I took a nap after getting up at 5:30. I slept from 7:00ish to 9:20. I could have slept longer, but Scout decided it was time for me to get up. I layed around on the couch after that, playing around on the computer most of the day. I didn't accomplish one damn thing.

Tancy got home right around lunch time and was feeling just as lazy as me. Around about 1:30 I got my bath and started getting ready to head in to Charlotte for our first ultrasound. By 3:00 we were walking out the door. We got there a bit early & they took us back a bit late. But, we got to see our baby, that's right, one! We also got to hear the heartbeat... fast... like 134 beats per minute. That was awesome!

After that we were off to dinner, walking on air. We ate at Outback and it was delicious! From there it was home. By then it was nearly 8:00 and Bed Time! We watched the new episode of Dexter and then sound to sleep.

Today I haven't done anything. I got up at 5:30 and it is now 8:20... all I have accomplished is posting pics, both here and facebook... a few emails and some IM's. So basically its another regular day of being on the computer. Today, however, I need to get some house work done and balance the check book... so once I am done here, I need to get moving on those things.

Our next ultrasound is on 11/14 and if everything looks good then, which we anticipate (everything looked great for our first ultrasound) then we will be released to our Ob/Gyn for regular prenatal visits. I can't wait... it will grow alot between now and then and look more like a tiny little baby and less like a little shrimp! LOL. It's early though and they do the ultrasound to make sure everything looks like it is suppose to... not because it looks like a baby already!

I do want to say, to everyone who has been so great, Thank You. We appreciate your love and support... and it has been phenomenal. Both while we were trying to get pregnant and once we found out we were pregnant. The amount of love and excitement is amazing. Dr. Teaff asked us yesterday about our support system, was our family supportive, happy, etc. I told her that we had an unbelievable support system, comprized of family and friends who were all extremely excited. My cell phone was beeping from texts and I told her that was everyone wanting to know how many already!! She smiled and said how wonderful that was. I told her it was truly a gift. I know many people don't have what we have, family and/or friends. So, we love and appreciate you all, very much. And the further along in this process we get; big and pregnant, new baby, toddler, terrible twos, teenager... we are only going to appreciate it more! You all prove that the world can be a great place, even for two lesbians who are having a kid! So spread it around folks, the world needs more like you.

Love to all!

Your pregnancy: 7 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.

Blog to come!

Good morning all. It's Monday and I hope this finds you all healthy, wealthy & wise.

Yesterday was a good day. Just me & my baby spending some time together. We don't take the time to do that lately. We either incorporate everyone else into our plans, participate in others plans or are just too damn busy to take time for us. I have been telling Tancy that we need to slow our pace down... make more time for us. I can't keep the pace we have been keeping... and I'd like to enjoy our time together for a bit because soon it wont be just us, we will have a family. Sometimes I think she nods and says yes, but doesn't really hear what I am trying to say. LOL.

Anyway, yesterday we took the day for us & it was nice. I honestly don't remember the last day we had like that, which is a shame I think. Couples should make an effort to have days set aside for each other. After I got off the computer I got a bath and so did Tancy. She'd looked up the corn maize in Huntersville and we decided to go there. I have wanted to go to the corn maize since we moved here, at least. It was alot of fun. I wanted to go through on instinct. Tancy wanted to collect all the clues. We ended up collecting clues. It was interesting. It was three mazes in one, they were a scroll of "We The People", spectacles, and a quill with an ink well. It was fun to pass the same people, going the other way, looking for the pieces and walking circles. It took us an hour and a half, which they said was the average time. I'd go do it again... they even have flash light nights!

From there we were going to have sushi, but they weren't open yet for dinner. So we opted for Chinese in Mooresville. It was alright, not the best, not the worst. Then it was on to Target to get some groceries. Before we ever got into Target good the extreme fatigue hit. I wasn't sure how long I could manage to remain up right. We made it through though, no one hit the floor. But Tancy had to drive home. I could not keep my eyes open. When we got home we unloaded our groceries. I put them away while Tancy worked on the riding mower.

She followed her Dad's instructions for trouble shooting. It worked, but the power take-off still wasn't working... so there's our answer, it needs to be re-wired. Shit! That's certainly something neither of us knows how to do. I don't think we know anyone who does... so that means we will be calling Sears to come out and do it and who knows how much that will cost! She wasn't happy at all about this new revelation.

After that we watched TV in the livingroom for a bit. Around 6:30 I tell Tancy I really need to lay in bed. I am feeling pretty crappy... like I am running fever, like I am getting sick. Mom calls, I talk to her for a bit & she sounds really good, which makes me happy. By 7:00 we are both in bed. I feels good to be in bed... I just want to lay there and drift into sleep. By 8:00 I am doing just that.

All night long I hollar at Scout to stop digging at her bed! I swear, if it isn't one thing with her, its another lately. I love our puppies and I have enjoyed them not sleeping in kennels... but most recently they don't allow me to sleep through the night without interruptions. It's frustrating and I wake up in the morning crabby as all get out! I let them out while I am making coffee, feed them when they come back in & let them hang out in their kennels for a while (so I have a little time to get over my meanness). We have also been leaving them out of their kennels when we aren't home. They do very well.... but just like I don't get enough one on one time with Tancy, they haven't been getting enough time either. We are either gone or busy and we haven't been giving them the attention they need. Just another sign that we should slow down.

So today I don't have much planned. I need to clean our train wreck of a kitchen... how is it that it was spotless on Friday & dishes are piled up today?! I need to do some laundry... again, the hamper was empty on Friday, today FULL! Outside of that I don't have any real plans. Hopefully Tancy will come home before we have to be in Charlotte... I hate having two vehicles out in Charlotte. It's inconvenient and a waste of gas. I wont know until she gets her schedule, later today. I also hate not having information until the last minute... but there's nothing I can do about that.

I am just crabby this morning. Can you tell?

Ok, I am going to wrap this up. I don't want my shitty mood to spread.

I hope you all have a fantastic day. We will know how many babies we are having today, so I anticipate that it will be a good day for us. Tancy's taking "bets" for the pool, head counts & sex... winner gets bragging rights. Anyone want to put in their guess before 4:30?!

Love to all!