25 Things

This was something I had fun thinking about and putting together for Facebook- reposting it here for those of you who are not on Facebook! :)

25 Random Things about Me
1. I LOVE country line and partner dancing and learned how to do it while living in Connecticut.
2. I really don’t like barbeque… can’t even stand the smell of the sauce. Ewww…
3. I was blessed to have a really romantic wedding proposal story. Joe donated a granite bench to our favorite park in Connecticut and had the proposal engraved on the underside of the bench!
4. Text and picture messaging annoy me. I just don’t like them (actually just blocked them from my phone). I admit, this makes me feel a bit old.
5. My favorite high school activity was debate! (Lincoln-Douglas debate) I learned a ton, got very comfortable with writing and thinking on my feet, and achieved success throughout my four years. My biggest accomplishments were winning the Oklahoma state championship and qualifying for the national tournament.
6. I had the opportunity to give the closing prayer at a Billy Graham evangelical rally in Dallas during my junior year of college. Talk about a little scary- there were over 70,000 people in the stadium!
7. I became a Christian at age 19 after a year and a half of searching, seeking truth and watching Christians at my college live out their faith.
8. I love a challenging, in-depth Bible study. Beth Moore, Precepts, and Bible Study Fellowship have been my favorite ones so far.
9. I am a total chocolate snob. Seriously, people, any other dessert doesn’t even remotely tempt me.
10. I am extremely picky about what movies I will watch, but not at ALL picky about what I will watch on TV.
11. I have a very low pain tolerance- if it is even below freezing I am probably whining about it. Please don’t ask me how I am going to deliver a baby.
12. I love my sleep.
13. I have always been a serious student… worked very hard in high school & college to get good grades. Unfortunately, I’ve run out of steam.
14. I will NEVER be a vegetarian. I love my steak, hamburgers, and ham way too much.
15. I really wish that I had artistic talent or could sing.
16. I was the editor of my high school newspaper.
17. I didn’t realize how much I like sunshine until I moved to Washington.
18. I am extremely competitive and unfortunately sometimes a poor sport. If I have thrown something at you, I’m sorry… I am working on it.
19. I absolutely loved my college experience. I have great memories of my time at TCU and am so glad I had the opportunity to go.
20. I am NOT a pack rat. I love getting rid of stuff we don’t use.
21. My dad’s family lives in Maine, so I have had the opportunity to visit almost every year since I was a baby. It’s beautiful in the summer.
22. I have developed a great sense of appreciation for military members and their families over the past three and a half years.
23. I agonize over buying gifts for people. I obsess over whether they will really like the gift or use it.
24. I played clarinet for four years, starting in sixth grade, and loved it.
25. I have a terrible memory for life experiences, but am great at remembering names, numbers, addresses, and other random useless info.

Creeping up on the third trimester...

This photo was taken on Tuesday, Jan. 20 when I was 25 weeks. It's hard to believe, but I am creeping up on the third trimester! This is my favorite maternity shirt and shows off the belly well. Everyone seems to like "belly pictures."

I had a pretty quiet week, but I did do some reading- especially On Becoming Babywise which focuses on a specific approach on infant routines. I also finished... pretty much... our baby registry at Target.

I've also been wanting to start a baby memory book (one of those pre-made ones from Hallmark, I have given up on scrapbooking... too many decisions and I'm not creative enough!) But I decided before I would let myself buy one I need to finish the one I bought for our wedding! So I've been working on that, ordering photos and enjoying looking back over all the details of our wedding.

I feel blessed-I am continuing to enjoy good health! And, there are a few ladies at my church who are planning a baby shower for me. Having just moved here a year ago, it means a lot to have my church family showing their care for us in this way.

Pregnancy update, 25 weeks

I love free baby stuff! We got this "Baby's First Seabag" for attending a short Budget for Baby class put on by the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Most of the info covered was common sense but I did pick up a few good tips. There were so many goodies in this bag: onesies, sleep-n-play outfits, booties, two crib sheets, burp cloths, bibs, a receiving blanket, AND a hand knitted blanket and bootie set. Awww...

This Wednesday I reached the 25-week mark of the pregnancy. Baby H is making himself comfortable and I am getting rounder and finding it harder to bend over. In the past few weeks I have definitely noticed him moving around, although the movement is very gentle. I know he is moving though because at my doctor's appointment this week the midwife had to chase him all over to get his heart rate!

On another random note, I have had many people asked me what I am "craving" so far during the pregnancy. I haven't noticed anything specifically, just a continuation of my major food loves/temptations: mainly chocolate and soda! And (maybe this counts) recently I have been eating a grilled ham and cheese sandwich for lunch almost every single day.

I feel that now with only a few months to go I am finally starting to get in gear as far as preparing. Here are a few of the things on my to-do list for the next few months:

Clear storage space, set up registry, do some reading about newborns, attend La Leche meetings (breastfeeding support group), childbirth class, research and purchase major items (car seat, stroller, bassinet, possibly video camera), car maintenance, income taxes, stocking up on baby & household supplies, prepare baby announcement mailing, make and freeze some meals. Anything else I should add to this list?

Christmas, a wedding, and a monkey

Joe and I recently returned from spending a week in Oklahoma for Christmas and my brother's wedding. We had a wonderful time, except for the two days I was really sick for some odd reason...which I will of course not blame on my unborn child. Thankfully, despite a huge snowstorm that basically shut down the Seattle airport for two days, we were able to fly out together on Dec. 23rd.

Baby Boy Henderson received his first gifts including my favorite, this adorable sock monkey from my mom. I love it! I'm sure my friend Elena has already thought of a name for little monkey just looking at it now.

My brother and sister in law had a beautiful wedding on December 27. I am so glad that Joe and I both got to attend. In addition to seeing family, I saw many friends from Bartlesville that I haven't seen in years.

Pregnancy photos, 22 weeks

Here are some updated pregnancy photos of me at 22 weeks. One at my parents' house in Oklahoma, one at my brother's wedding. I have to say, I was initially all enthusiastic about taking photos of myself while going through pregnancy... but when sorting through the photos I find myself thinking... am I really that big? :)

Our little boy

On December 15, we found out that we are having a little boy! This ultrasound picture was taken at 20 weeks and 5 days. The little one was in just about a perfect position to show us that he was indeed a he! His arms were curled up around his head and his legs were hanging out with lots of room. It was wonderful to know that everything is on track with the pregnancy and see the ultrasound tech zoom in on various areas showing his developing internal organs and even the umbilical cord. The highlight for Joe was seeing the baby swallow during the ultrasound! We also found out that I have an anterior placenta, meaning that the placenta is between the baby and the front of my belly... this explains why I haven't felt a lot of movement and kicking yet, because he is kicking the placenta instead!