You ask, I answer...

26 1/2 weeks! Welcome to the third trimester!

I don't know if other women share this opinion, or if it is just because I am one of the first of my close friends to have a child...but I feel like a broken record answering the same pregnancy related questions over and over and over again. So, I thought I would pick some of the frequently asked questions to answer on here, just to be sure everyone gets all the juicy details they desire. (I get so many requests for blog updates from people! I didn't think anyone read this other than our families-but thats awesome, so I need to keep the updates coming!)

So for week 1 in my FAPQ (frequently asked pregnancy questions) series:

Q: Have you continued to exercise during your pregnancy? how has your work out routine changed since becoming pregnant?

A: YES!!! I have remained very active throughout my pregnancy. However, my exercise routine has changed quite a bit because of the limitations during pregnancy. I used to run multiple times a week, but since becoming pregnant I haven't really felt that running was a good idea. Doctors say its okay, but the whole idea of bouncing the baby up and down in the heat and humidity of Atlanta just hasn't been real appealing to me. So, I've gone back to my old stomping grounds at the pool! We live 2 blocks from a huge city pool! I've been walking over a few days a week and swimming laps. Not only does it feel amazing to move your body and use your muscles, but the water takes all the strain off your aching back and ankles! (not to mention the nice golden tan you get logging hours at the pool)

On my off days from the pool, I've taken up walking my old running route around the park (about 3 miles with steep hills up and down) or at the river trails. I set a stopwatch and work to walk a certain distance within a certain amount of time. Johnny and I have been walking a lot together, so its nice to spend that time together too! At least once a week I try to do my prenatal yoga-I bought a great video that is similar to the type of yoga I did before I was pregnant. It has modifications for each trimester, and it feels absolutely amazing to stretch all the muscles out!

So thats pretty much my exercise program during pregnancy. Aside from exercising, I stay active working in the yard, always taking the stairs at work, etc etc. I notice a huge increase in my energy levels if I've been exercising or not.

Although there are some days when the overwhelming urge for a nap takes over, and I have my hubby to thank for pictures like these....

Rounding second, headed to third...

24 weeks-6 months pregnant! Time flies when you're having fun!

So at my appointment yesterday, my midwife reminded me that in another week I'd officially be in my third trimester! YIKES!! That snuck up on me. She also handed me a packet of information with a to-do list that has to be completed by 36 weeks-double YIKES! Of course this list did not include things like "build walls in the nursery", "obtain diaper genie", or "figure out what to name this baby". Thank goodness I'm a natural-born nester, I thrive on to-do lists!

Baby Ritger is doing wonderfully, he or she spends pretty much all day and all night kicking and

punching me. If you're sitting next to me you might get a surprise when you see my belly jump out all of a sudden on one of his or her head over heels flips! I think we're currently laying sideways in my belly, but that may change within the hour! I read this week that my baby is the size of a foot-long hot dog, we're getting up there! At work this week, I was working in the NICU with a baby that were born at 25 weeks-thats the same size as the baby growing inside of me now! Crazy!

Baby preparations continue to progress in our house. We purchased our crib and changing table last weekend (craigslist of course). Johnny has been trying out his plumming hat in recent weeks he is trying to install our clawfoot tub and all associated plumming. You will have to ask him how that is going:) We finished painting the back side of our house last weekend in preparation for the wedding shower I'm throwing for my sister-in-law and her fiancee this weekend. Only

one side left to paint!

In a few weeks we start childbirth class, and I had a long discussion with my midwife this week about natural childbirth vs. the epidural. I'm still on the fence with this one, and during our conversation she gave the analogy that childbirth was like playing a game of poker becuase you never know what card you will draw when its time to get the baby out! I'm a terrible card game player, so this worries me a little :) We'll see how the class goes, and if I commit to the natural decision we will sign up for hypnobirthing classes that focus completely on laboring and delivering naturally.

Next weekend is our hospital tour. It's funny because I work in a hosptial, but am absolutely terrified to be a patient in a hospital. I'm hoping the tour helps put some of my fears to rest.

A few pictures of recent happenings....

My wonderful hubby working on another one of my nesting projects, we all know a baby cannot come home to a half painted house!

The current state of affairs in the nursery and bathroom. Yes that is a huge hole in the wall leading directly into the kitchen, but at least the floors are finally gone! You can see the paint colors on the wall-green for the nursery and bright yellow in the bathroom.

Baby Ritger's new bed and changing table! At least baby will have somewhere to sleep even if his or her room isn't quite done yet :)

Hilton Head

At the end of June, I went on our annual extended family beach trip to Hilton Head. We had beautiful weather for the whole week, got to see family that I wish I saw more, and of course a week off of work! I thought I would share a few pictures from the week.....

Hi Baby Ritger!

We recently went for our 20 week ultrasound and got to see our little bundle of joy ! The baby is perfect with all parts and organs developing normally-10 fingers and 10 toes. We're now at about 1 whole pound! I couldn't believe how active the little one was during the ultrasound-kicking, punching, rolling around, and we could even see baby sucking his or her thumb and yawning. It is absolutely amazing to get to see the person growing inside of me, doing everything a baby does. I am so relieved that everything is right on track and healthy. I asked the ultrasound technician about a hundred and two questions about possible heart defects, cleft lip and palates, and brain hemispheres, when she eventually asked me what I did for a living. When I told her I'm a speech therapist, and I work with special needs children, she smiled and said "that explains all the questions" before reassuring me again that everything looked perfect :) As planned, we turned our head when promped and I did not give in to the urge to peek at the ever- popular between the legs shots! Take a look at our little one...I think he/she is absolutely adorable already, but that just might be my mommy instincts kicking in...

The above is a picture of baby making a fist and getting ready to punch mom in the belly (one of baby's favorite activities at the moment)...look at that muscle definition-hopefully he/she will get mom's calf muscles!

Here's a picture of me at 20 weeks examining my belly....however this was taken

3 weeks ago. We are now at 23 weeks, and I feel like I've about doubled in size since then. The baby is moving all the time now, and every once in a while I get a really hard punch or kick right in the ribs-its amazing! Almost 6 months along-I can't believe it. We've been busy working on the nursery and bathroom renovations. I've bought paint colors for both, picked out my bedding, and am searching for the perfect crib in addition to fabric for drapes that I need to start working on. We're all registered for all our baby gear, and are putting together a guest list for our shower at the end of August! We have our boy name picked out, but are still working on the perfect girl name-both to remain a surprise until baby arrives. We're signed up for childbirth classes and go on our hospital tour in a few weeks. I feel wonderful, and continue to have absolutely no complaints. The questions of the moment from complete strangers in the grocery line include "is it a boy or a girl?" "do you have names picked out?" "are you swelling?", and "can I touch your belly?"

In case you are wondering...no, I am not swelling, the heat doesn't bother me at all , and I do not mind at all if people I know touch my belly-but I would prefer the random old women in Kroger to back away from my baby.

4 years

On June 18th, Johnny and I celebrated 4 years of marriage ! I got a Bissel Steam Mop and he got a memory foam pillow! You know its love when you are happier about household items than diamonds :)

By the way...anyone who doesn't have a steam mop needs to get one pronto! They are amazing!

Summer in the City

Anyone from Atlanta knows how hot and miserable it can get in the summer...no one understands this better than Grady, our 20 pound fluffball of a cat. Typically he spends his summers on his back laying under a ceiling fan and next to the AC vent. His grouchiness goes through the roof, and my patience for the daily hairball clean-up runs out about mid July. So this summer I gave Johnny the go-ahead to shave him. I figure it would make him happier, and would cut down on the amount of cat hair in the house. I was a little nervous about how Grady would react to his new do given his temperamental nature, but to say he likes it is an understatement-he LOVES it! He prances around the house now like he's king of the roost, swishing his tail in the other cats faces and demanding that we pet his soft buzzed coat. I think he looks so silly with his official "lion cut", as does the mailman who made fun of him the other day, and Johnny, who calls him "ratcat" now...but Grady doesn't seem to mind...he's cool as a cucumber :)

Just thought I'd share a few pictures of our "lion" in case you're in need of a chuckle today....

Busy Busy May

We've had a busy month! Luckily, I'm still feeling great! Lots of energy, lots of appetite, and just starting to feel little flutters in my tummy letting me know someone is in there! We're almost at the halfway point already! We go in 2 weeks for our big ultrasound where we'll finally get to see our baby! We'll be going on our 4 year anniversary so it should be a fun present for us. Yes, this is the appointment when we could find out the sex of the baby; however to answer everyone's question we are going to close our eyes in that part and everyone will have to wait until November to find out! I think we get asked this question at least 10 times a day to which we get, without fail, one of two responses...1. "Oh! I could never wait, I'm too much of a planner" or 2. "we waited, and I highly recommend it, the surprise is wonderful"

I've posted some pictures below of the recent happenings around our house.....

18 weeks belly !! It's getting big! People are starting to rub my belly, and tell me things like "you're all belly" and "you look great!" or "you're just glowing!" which all make me feel really good as my waist disappears, even if they tell all pregnant ladies that :)


Memorial Day weekend on Tybee Island for Susie and Kevin's engagement party! It rained about half of the weekend, but we managed to still get some sun and beach time on our last day. Kevin's parents hosted a great engagement party at their home on the waterfront!


Chris and Whitney's wedding was this past weekend, and Johnny was a groomsman-doesn't he look handsome in his tux!?! It was a beautiful weekend for a wedding! We got to see lots of old friends, and of course eat A LOT of really good food. I learned that people in a buffet line will actually let pregnant ladies go ahead of them like we're starving animals.


Our vegetable garden is finally in the ground and growing like crazy! Johnny likes to say he's outside "farming" when he's working in the garden. Our crop this summer will include; tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, onions, 3 different varieties of peppers, watermelon, pumpkins, lettuce, blueberries, blackberries, and herbs. We'll have to set up shop at the farmer's market down the street to get rid of all these veggies!



The demo on the nursery has begun! I get a little nervous when I see the pile of rubble that will soon be my baby's room, but excited to see the process started. If you know anyone who needs a jacuzzi style garden tub-let us know :) I've been researching baby gear, and am getting ready to start registering soon! How exciting!





The AC officially went on for the first time today! Forecast was for a high of 94! This could potentially be our biggest argument all summer :) It's just so tempting to tweak the temp down a few degrees......



That's about it from our house...the pool is officially open and I'm thrilled to be able to swim laps a few times a week! I can float for the first time in my life!

Just one more picture because I think its so cute....