10 Reasons Why Having a Boy Scares Me to Death

All that stretching and kicking must be super tiring, huh?

10) It's a HUGE responsibility. Not unlike having girls, mind you - but it'll be our job to teach him how to be a man. How exactly do you do that?

9) What if he's sporty? James and I are, ahem, not exactly athletically-inclined.

8) Boys tend to be hyper; very hyper.

7) While we won't have to fight the modesty battle, we will have to prepare him to interact with a world in which modesty among girls is not cherished or even encouraged. A few weeks ago this thought hit me so I asked James how exactly we were going to protect Hudson from being distracted by girls in immodest clothing. He shook his head and laughed at me. Apparently I know little of what it's like to be a boy/man. Time to start praying for his purity now!

6) I really don't want to end up with a pansy son. Read this blog post for good laughs and thought-provoking parenting tips: http://dannyfranks.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/topical-tuesday-raising-pansies/

5) Boys get hurt. They tend to be more adventurous and risk-taking. While I definitely want to encourage "boy" behavior (remember, no Pansy Hudson allowed), I fear that we'll end up with many trips to the ER as the result. How will I know when to take him to the doc and when to have him "walk it off?"

4) No offense to you Thomas fans, but have you ever watched an episode of Thomas the Train? Bore.me.to.tears. Boys usually LOVE Thomas.

3) While I do love my husband and the man he is and is becoming - I have heard horror (and I mean horror) stories about the trouble he got into as a little boy. From pouring an entire bottle of dishwashing detergent on the floor to "skate," to trapping his sister in a toy box for hours while his mom looked for her, to running away while on vacation via climbing out the hotel balcany...if Hudson gets James' personality - I'm in BIG trouble. Come on God, I was a decent kid, let him get my temperment, please - pretty please.

2) He's gonna pee on me and I just know it. I have an issue with body fluids - sends chills up my spine.

1) I will be the example of what he looks for in a wife. That's a huge responsibility and I no-where-near measure up to what I want for him. Thankful for the Lord's sanctification and praying he makes me into the believer, wife, and mother that my Hudson needs to see.

27 Weeks

Today marks 27 weeks - the last week of my second trimester.

Here are the stats from yesterday's glucose testing appointment:

My weight - 125 pound. Up one pound from last month, up 12 pounds total. I was kinda disappointed because I felt like I should have gained more, but apparently I am mistaken as my doctors couldn't be more happy.

My BP: 120/80

Hudson's Heart Rate: 148 bpm

Like usual, there was protein in my urine. Sigh. But Dr. S encouraged me saying that the protein (an indication of this never-ending UTI) won't hurt Hudson. If my BP gets elevated it would be a sign of toxemia, but my BP has been great (despite the few episodes of white coat/Lackey lateness). So apparently that's just me and she isn't worried so I shouldn't worry.

Today was rather discouraging as they called to say the results from my glucose testing weren't good. After drinking the lovely orange concoction, my blood sugar was 197 and apparently that's really high. The OB Nurse said it was high enough that I don't even warrant doing the longer, fasting-glucose test. So off to a diabetes class on Friday I go (thankfully I have the day off - thanks God for planning that in advance for me.)

It's not a huge surprise to me. First, I know I don't eat the best diet (I heart all things crunchy, which are generally of the carb-variety). Second, diabetes is all over my family: my mom had it, my dad has it, my paternal grandpa and maternal grandma had it; one look at my family tree will show every branch as sugar coated! Third, my doc had already warned me that having PCOS and taking metformin for a year before conceiving put me at a higher risk for developing gestational diabetes. Fourth, Hudson's consistenly weighed in a tad chubbier than normal, so I had a feeling something might be up.

Oh well, I'm hoping that by changing my diet (bye bye sweet carbs) and exercising a bit, it'll be OK. Overall though I am thankful that my docs are cautious and taking things seriously. While I do love carbs, I love Hudson more and will gladly give them up for my boy!

In honor of the last week of my second trimester, check out this collage of pictures ranging from 15 weeks to 26 weeks. It's wild how much my belly has grown! Grow, Hudson grow!

10 Reasons Why I'm Glad to be Having a Boy

Love that little face so much!

10) Chivalry Lessons! Eventually (give it a couple of years or so until he's bigger) there will be TWO boys (ok, one boy and one man) to hold the door for me, carry in groceries, and generally be gentlemanly. I like that I'm a girl :)

9) I like that if we have more children (which I'm praying I can squeeze out at least one more) that a son will be first. I hope it develops his "protector/provider" gene a little more. First-born girls seem to be a tad bossy, from my experience as a teacher.

8) The Lackey surname will continue. I'm not sure why this is so important to me, but it is...I guess I'm "old school."

7) We won't have to fight the modesty battle when it comes to buying him clothes. Have you seen the clothes stores sell for little girls? Shake.my.head.

6) Based on my experience as an elementary school teacher, I think boys are easier. Yes, they tend to be more hyper but I think that in the attitude/drama depeartment, they tend to be a tad easier going.

5) James will have a fishing buddy and it won't be me! I am no good at fishing at all, hence I dislike it fairly intensely. Hopefully Hudson will enjoy the outdoors because James will be crushed if he doesn't.

4) I don't mind dirt and boys tend to enjoy being dirty.

3) I really like legos and am looking forward to building stuff with my son.

2) While I'm sad that I'll miss out on hair-bows and such (unless the Lord blesses with a girl later) I adore little boy hair - the crew cuts, the curly mops (I'm not-so-secrely hoping he gets my curly hair), whatever - they are just too cute!

1) Sons LOVE their mothers. From all the "Moms of Boys" I know, this is a common comment. Like #10, it really all comes down to me - haha.

Sons are a heritage from the Lord,

children a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3

26 Weeks

Technically, I'm almost 27 weeks but hey - better late than never, right?

Highlights from this week:

• 3D Ultrasound was amazing, even if Hudson was less than cooperative. I find myself just staring at his pictures. I'm going to be good for nothing once he's born.
• Pregnancy Brain struck big time this week as I realized on Friday, 1 hour before our 3D Ultrasound that I had failed to fill out a teacher absence request form. Oops. Thankfully, Mrs. Beth (the school secretary) is so kind and gracious and Mrs. Morris (the school sub) is also very understanding and they didn't give me too hard of a time about it. I'm hoping after Hudson's born my ability to multi-task and organize my life return.
• I have pretty much out-grown my favorite maternity pants. Sigh.
• I feel like I swallowed a basketball. At times, it feels like Hudson's playing said basketball in my womb. Walking at times is difficult because I guess depending on how he's laying I feel a ton of pressure on my lower abdomen/bladder which is quite uncomfortable. Thankfully, it comes and goes.
• I still can't believe we're having a baby.

Praises this week:

• The FREE 3D Ultrasound - such a blessing!
• All baby showers have been scheduled which is pretty exciting. I so look forward to seeing friends and family.
• Goodwill is cool. I got Hudson a little outfit he should be able to wear his first Christmas, for a whopping $1.50. Pretty awesome.
• Yesterday, James and I went to our first childbirth/baby care class at the local hospital. I actually learned quite a bit and look forward to the other classes for which I'm signed up to attend.

Prayers for this coming week:

• Glucose testing is Tuesday afternoon.
• We really, really, really need to get his room cleared out. Gotta get motivated.

"A person's a person, no matter how small." - Dr. Seuss

First, Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! I think the Seuss quote in the title is fitting as I present the awesome pictures of Hudson from today's free 3D Ultrasound.



Here's Hudson's little face.

See this craziness? This would be the position Hudson decided to lay in during the ultrasound. His head was basically in my ribs and his butt on my bladder. He had both legs pulled up over his head, one arm behind his head, and was holding a leg with his other arm. My baby is weird...and flexible.

Hudson yawning. Melt.My.Heart.

His face again. See that foot almost covering his right eye?

And finally, a butt shot. Yep, he's a boy.

He was quite the stubborn baby and kept turning over facing my back. The ultrasound tech was literally smacking my belly with the wand trying to get him to flip around, but alas. At one point James asked her if being stubborn in utero was a predictor of being stubborn after birth. She laughed and answered, "Uh huh." Great :)

Living Caffeine-Free

A year ago today, I drank my last caffeinated beverage. I can honestly say that were it not for the Lord's kindness, I wouldn't have been able to give them up - I was quite addicted.

Now, I've had caffeine in food, particularly my beloved chocolate; but no coffee, tea, or coke products have passed these lips in a year. Here's some details on my caffeine-free life:

Why? Mainly for health reasons.

• This time last year I was trying to lose the weight that I'd gained since getting married and decided I'd rather eat my calories than drink them.
• Given my propensity for UTIs I knew that kidney health was important. Kidneys generally don't like caffeine or carbonation.
• Deep down, I knew I was addicted. I could easily drink 2-3 cans of coke a day and not even blink (or lose sleep). The Lord frequently convicted me of this.

How? The Lord healed me.

• I say this in all seriousness. I had tried to give up caffeine before, but always failed due to terrible headaches, temptation, and just craving the stuff. I had no headaches or other adverse side-effects after giving them up. I can now say that I have no desire to drink a coke at all - this is the Lord's work - not my will power (I'm way too weak).

Now? How is my life different not drinking caffeine?

• My heartbeats a lot slower. Seriously, it's noticeable.
• It helped me lose about 30 pounds last year which I credit with helping get my body back on track, allowing me to get pregnant with my sweet Hudson.
• I spend a lot less money eating out - water is free y'all.

So, my encouragement to you is that if there's something in your life that you know is a hindrance to your health, attitude, whatever - give it up. Ask the Lord to help you. Giving up caffeine may be somewhat silly, I know it's not like I was an alcoholic or drug-addict, but for me it was a serious issue and I am so very thankful to God for helping me and look forward to many more years of living caffeine-free.

For the Lord will help me.
Isaiah 50:7

25 Weeks

25 Weeks down - 15 weeks to go. That's only 103 days, folks!

Fun (and not-so-fun) pregnancy related events this week:

• Tuesday evening, I felt horrible. My right hip is starting to hurt, thank you sciatic nerve. I came home from work and a trip to CostCo and literally did.not.move. Hudson, however, did move. His hyperactivity bordered between being a sweet distraction to the pain I felt (reminding me that it is worth it) and adding to my pain as for some reason he seems to prefer the right side of my abdomen for his daily stretching exercises. Thank the Lord, I woke up Wednesday morning and felt much better.
• I wonder just when I'll be too fat and pregnant to work. Thursday, I was standing at the end of a table while my students were filing past and they were literally having to turn side-ways to get past me. Hahaha.
• We have our 3D ultrasound next Friday - yahoo! Then next Tuesday, we have the glucose testing - sigh. I really like carbs and am hoping I don't have to give them up, though I will happily do so for my boy.
• The backroom, is ready for us to move the guest room bed in there so we can finally get the guest room ready to become Hudson's room. It stinks being pregnant, because I can't move anything and my energy level poops out pretty quickly after working on organizing things, especially on a school night. Good thing our landlord graciously lets us borrow her son for slave labor quite frequently. He is awesomely strong and has a great attitude about helping. I keep poking my belly and telling Hudson to be like Joseph G. when he grows up.
• The Lord continues to provide for our sweet baby. He now has TWO laundry baskets full of new and hand-me-down clothes and/or blankets that need to be washed sometime in the future; a super cool hand-me-down infant car seat, and other cool stuff. We are definitely blessed. Expect a "Lord's provision" post soon - I need to brag on God and his people.