Wow - I've gotten behind in my blog updates.  The weeks seem to be passing so quickly!  Before we know it, Baby G will be here with all of us on "the outside."

The major pregnancy update is that my baby bump has finally popped.  It seemed to happen over the course of one weekend!  I'm still not big by any means, but especially now, at 16.5 weeks, it's clear that I'm pregnant.  I don't know why I look so miserable in these pictures!

So as a result of my new figure, I can't make do with my normal jeans and pants anymore.  I was feeling really discouraged on casual day at work because I could only wear one of my dresses.  Fridays are my only day to wear jeans to the office, so I was bummed.  Plus, I'd had a bad night before.  Bran had gone to a friend's house to play guitar and I was home alone, bored and really wishing I could unwind with a beer.  When I told him goodbye the next day he could see that I my spirits were low.  When I got home from work, he had two surprises waiting for me.  One was a pair of teeny tiny baby camo pants.  Girl or boy, Baby G is going to match Daddy and his favorite shorts.  The second was one of the sweetest cards he's ever given me.

Inside, he wrote this:

"I know it's hard right now babe, but before you know it we'll have a little screamin ball of joy!  I can't wait to hold him, or her :-), and jam with 'em and show him/her the world.  I love you babe and always will, no matter how big you get in the next few months!  - B."

I don't think he knows how much that means to me.

So, in addition to that, the other thing that made me feel great was a shopping trip with Mamaw.  She really spoiled me!  We got four pair of maternity pants and several super cute shirts.  Even better is we got it all on sale at Kohl's and Macy's.  Mamaw found several cute shirts of her own, too.  It was a really great day.  I'll be sure to post a picture of one of my new outfits when I go to work next week.

Despite the occasional bad day, I'm in good spirits.  Next week I'll get the results of a blood test that checks for neural tube defects in the baby such as Downs syndrome and spina bifita.  I'm nervous and so anxious for everything to come out normal.  I worry about the medicines I take and really hope that I made the right decision in not discontinuing them.  We decided that the benefits outweigh the risks, but it's hard not to second guess that.  At any rate, we'll know on Thursday if everything is normal or if I'll need further testing.

Today I have been lazy, but after this update I'm going to take care of a few chores and then get ready to watch the football games with some friends.  

Click this link to see Baby G's progress.  Today marks 17 weeks!

Love from the Gs!