26 Weeks and Counting!

Wow, I'm so sorry it's been so long since I posted last. Things have been C-R-A-Z-Y!! As many of you probably know, I got a job in my hometown of St. Augustine, Florida, working as a Public Affairs Officer for the Florida National Guard. In late May, I packed up some of my stuff, loaded it and my dogs into David's truck and (with my Dad's help) took three days driving from Omaha to Florida. It was actually a pretty fun trip, even though staying in hotels with two huge and unruly dogs is not something I would recommend for the faint of heart!

Anyway, we got here alright and are staying at my parent's house until David gets back from his deployment. Then we will start working to get him moved here with a job in the Florida National Guard, and start looking for a new house. We are so excited about this new chapter in our lives...we've missed living in the South (and the warm weather!) so much, and love the idea of raising this baby close to both of our families. We can't wait to take the baby to the beach and spend weekend at Disney World (David is especially excited about that one!).

Speaking of the baby, he/she is doing just great! Next week will be the start of my seventh month, and my third (and last!) trimester. I've started to feel a little tired again, but have been lucky to not be working (I don't start my new job until June 21), so I've been able to take a nap almost every day. I'm busy trying to find an OB that I like here...it looks like I'll have to deliver in Jacksonville (about 45 minutes away) because of Tricare restrictions, but I'm sure it will all work out fine.

The baby's kicks have gotten out of control...sometimes I think there MUST be more than one in there, but the doctors assure me that's not the case :). Sometimes he/she kicks me so hard that you can actually see my stomach jump...it's such a weird sensation. Lately my cravings have been pretty healthy...I want a lot of fresh things (like fruit and salad), and probably eat about five Sugar Free Popsicles a day (at least they've only got 15 calories each!). It's helping me keep my weight gain in check...my doctors and all the baby books say that by this point I should've gained between 16 and 22 pounds, and I'm right at 18 or 19, so that's good!

All in all, the pregnancy is still progressing smoothly and easily...I really have no complaints to speak of. I've been very blessed to get through it with no morning sickness, no heartburn, and no extreme fatigue yet (talk to me again when I'm eight months pregnant in August, and we'll see how I feel then!). Thank you to everyone for your kind words and well wishes...David and I truly appreciate them! I promise to post a new belly shot soon...I'll have to do it quick before I lose the battle to stretch marks!

Love you all!
Caitlin

Level 2 Ultrasound

Today I got my level two ultrasound, which checked everything in much greater detail to make sure that the baby was growing and developing properly. I'm SO glad to report that everything looks awesome! They said the brain, spine, internal organs, and external structures all look totally perfect -- what a relief and a blessing!! Thank you to all of you who were thinking of us and praying for us! I've attached some of the ultrasound photos below...enjoy!! :)

Above is a profile shot...

I love this one because you can so clearly see the baby kicking me...he/she is an active little sucker!

Here's a shot of both of the baby's hands...

And both of the baby's feet....

Looks like we've got a little thumb sucker on our hands...you can see his/her little fist right in front of the mouth...the ultrasound tech said that was probably because he/she was sucking on a thumb!

Baby Registry Info

Since people have started asking, David and I (and Baby Brown!) are registered at Babies 'R' Us. You can look us up in any of the stores or online (just click on "Baby Registry" in the top right corner of the web page). Search for us either by my name (since Caitlin Brown is less common than David Brown!), or by our registry number (50306523). Thank you all so much for your kind wishes, prayers and inquiries...Baby Brown is lucky to be coming into such a generous group of family and friends! Who knew you needed so much stuff for a tiny baby!?! ;)

3D Ultrasound Photos

I had my 20-week ultrasound yesterday, and WOW!!! He (or she!) really looks like a little person now. The ultrasound technician said that I was the first person she'd ever had who didn't want to know the sex of the baby, and she even offered to write it down on a piece of paper and give it to me in a sealed envelope in case I changed my mind. She said "You could wait until your husband gets home from his deployment, and then open it together!" Obviously, she doesn't know me...that envelope would've been ripped opened before my car left the parking lot!! So I resisted temptation and told her no, thank you...we're sticking to our guns on this one! They said that the baby looks great...heartbeat is at 150 beats per minute (totally normal) and he/she weighs about 14 ounces (right on target). I've posted the photos below...enjoy!!

The baby sleeping with its hands in front of its face...any guesses on whether it's a boy or a girl??

Ignore the huge hole in the baby's head...it isn't really there ;)


So who do you think he/she looks like??

This isn't a great shot of the face, but I posted it because you can see the baby sucking its thumb!

David's Deployment

Just a quick update to let you all know that David left Saturday for another deployment. He won't be back for three months or so, and leaving this time was harder on him (with me being pregnant and all). If you'd like to send him an email or a letter (he loves getting mail!), just shoot me an email to caiters@hotmail.com and I will respond with his address. Otherwise, please keep him in your thoughts, and pray for his safe and speedy return!

PS -- Don't worry about me and baby...we're tougher than we look ;)

Belly Shot -- 18.5 Weeks

Here I am at 18.5 weeks pregnant...about halfway done!! I am fully in maternity clothes now, and people on the street have finally started asking when I'm due, rather than looking at me like "Wow, she must've had a HUGE lunch!" I know it's all an old wives tale, but my sister is convinced that it's a boy from the way I'm carrying. Anyone else have intuition??

A Quick Update

Wow, I can't believe it's been nearly five weeks since I posted last...I'm so sorry for the delay!! I've been super busy with work and grad school (my semester ends in two weeks...thank goodness), and David is getting ready to deploy (again!), so we've been pretty swamped. We will post a new belly shot this weekend, since things are changing fast! We had another appointment a couple of weeks ago, and everything is still looking great and healthy. Hopefully we'll get a good ultrasound photo at the next appointment, and if so I'll be sure to post it.

Overall, the pregnancy is still progressing really smoothly...I can't believe it's already almost halfway done! The biggest change is that the crazy pregnancy cravings have finally kicked in...every morning I have to get an Everything Bagel with plain cream cheese from Panera, and in the evenings all I want is a plate full of s'mores! I can't even remember the last time I ate a s'more before I was pregnant, but now they're all I think about. Luckily, we have a gas stove, so I can roast my marshmellows right there in the kitchen ;) David thinks the whole thing is hilarious...he calls the baby "The Wizard of Oz," because it's like he's this little man behind a curtain, but he controls everything!

That's all for now, but I will keep you posted! Be on the lookout in the next few days for a new belly shot, and some photos of how the nursery is coming!