She'll have her daddy wrapped around her finger.

This past week was week 20 of the pregnancy. *belly picture below*

That means half way through the pregnancy. That means half way before our lives really change. I mean REALLY change. That means halfway through the daunting task of taking care of myself so Captain Jack can be safe (which includes being extra careful of NOT falling down the stairs!) What we were most excited about this week: it means 20 week ultrasound!

We got up on Tuesday to get to our appoint at a whopping 7:00AM. We were excited (as you can see above) and nervous. We were excited to see if the baby is doing all right. we were excited about actually seeing the baby on the screen. We were nervous to see what the sex is! We were CONVINCED, I mean, positive that Captain Jack is a boy. I think everyone (minus 2-3 people)at work told me that I looked like I was having a boy. These predictions came from the way my belly to the way my butt was growing. Melody, the ultrasound technition, introduced herself to us and got started right a way. And, the very first thing she saw? That Captain Jack is not a Jack at all! But, a Captain Jackie!

We were SHOCKED. Chad kept saying, "I don't know what I'm going to do with a girl!" Coming from a family of all boys, this didn't surprise me much. The best part of the ultrasound? Knowing that now only is Baby Girl Arnold is a girl, but knowing that everything (from the spine to the kidneys and blood flow) are growing at a normal pace and that she is perfect. A perfect little girl. She measures about 12 ounces and 10 inches with a strong heart beat of 146.
Last night, Chad and I went to Babies R Us and bought our crib (rated very well on Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields). Not only did we buy the crib, we wondered through the little girl section and bought some jumpers and a little bonnet!


It was a really special week for Chad and me. We got to see Captain Jackie (I think I like Baby Girl Arnold, or BGA, better) and to buy her first outfit. It was amazing to see Chad try to navigate through the dresses and little shoes and bloomers. He'll get it soon enough. He will be the best dad of a precious little girl that we already love so much. We are so excited to meet this little girl--and we are already half way through.

Confession Thursday

Hello All! It's Thursday, and I am so glad, with all my heart, that it is almost Friday. This week has been such a long one. Working as a social worker can wear me out. Physically and mentally.

Somethings I must confesss:

* I have only done my yoga work out 2 times this week (neither time in the morning). I will, I MUST do better. :)

*I have been such a negative Nancy lately. At work, at home. That type of attitude is not helpful for anyone, and is certainly not healthy for the pregnancy. I need to love and be more positive, for my own well being and the well being of others.

*I have had 3 (yes! 3) cheese burgers this week. I LOVE cheese burgers. In fact, I'm sure the food that I will want in the hospital and after the birth of Captain Jack will be a sonic cheese burger. I love love love them. However, I know that I need to limit my consumption of this food. Next week, I am only allowed 1 cheese burger. :)

Those are all the confessions that I have for now. I can't remember the rest (baby brain! A valid excuse, actually. Its scientifically proven that pregnant women have word finding difficulties and more problems with memory.)

Now, here are some pictures from week 19 of our pregnancy:

Next Tuesday, we will have our first ultrasound. We could not be any more excited as the countdown began. :) I'll definitely update the blog that day!

That's it for now! I also wanted to include this picture of Shelby, her fiancé Chris, and myself at their caterer's tasting. Ha. So glad they thought of me to invite me to this time of good food and wedding decision making. Ok, so maybe I begged to go. Regardless, I am glad I was there.

-Mary Allyn

Taking care of myself (and Belly Tuesday!)

First, some pictures of my belly at 18 weeks!(photos by Megan, my amazing office mate and friend)



Isn't that just amazing! I feel like I'm growing bigger every week! I catch myself just staring down at my belly as I walk around the hospital at work. ha.

I also wanted to write a blog about how I am attempting to take care of myself during this pregnancy. There have obviously been some major changes in how I treat my body, although, I don't want those changes to stop after we have Captain Jack. I hope to continue more healthy habits and a way of thinking about my body and the way I look.

I'll start with my perspective on my body. It has been very difficult to plan to grow bigger. Most of the time, its hard (and often painful) to feel my body grow and stretch and make room for Captain Jack. My mind is saying, "Mary, this is great! Its a miracle what's happening to you!" My heart just can't follow that thought. My co-workers have been wonderful. Everyday, I have women telling me how amazing and good it is to grow. And, it is. God has made this body in such a way to make room for an amazing thing to happen! A baby is growing (hopefully growing healthy and strong) and I have been charged with caring for Captain Jack now, and for the rest of my life. So, with all that said, I'm learning to see my body as beautiful, no matter how big I get! I have to, really, because there is no going back. Its also much healthier for me to think that way too.

Now, since we found out we were pregnant and "with child" if you will, I had to make some changes with how I take care of my body. I have obviously changed the way I eat (staying away from certain fish, heating up lunch meat, limiting tuna and coffee and so on). I had to give up most medications to help my chronic tension headaches. Lets face it, Tylenol does little to no good for headaches or any other aches (although, I have started loving Tension Tamer tea, a heating pad, and regular pre-natal massages to help with those things :) )

I think the most important thing that I have done for my body is getting involved in Belly Yoga at Belly Bliss in Denver. This has been so good for me! I wasn't very active before, but I knew I needed to incorporate some exercise (other than walking at work--many miles a day!) It has been so nice to go to Belly Bliss (where I will also take other classes such as Cloth Diapering and Blissful Breastfeeding) to meet other pregnant women and really care for my body. Yoga for the expecting mother helps her prepare for labor as well as for after birth. It certainly helps with mindful breathing through labor as well as focusing on what the body is doing doing the birthing process. On a side note: this sounds like it's coming directly from a pregnancy book. And that makes me laugh a little. There are MANY reasons why prenatal yoga is helpful. And, I'm thankful it's something I can participate in that is restful and refreshing. SO, I have decided to get up (hopefully) every day and spend time with the Lord and in prayer as well as do 20 minutes of yoga. I have been so tired lately, but this is something I'm committing to! I need to start my mornings with Jesus and just learn to breathe a little better. So, just putting this on my blog (whether people read it or not) will help me in the mornings.

Lastly, to really care for myself, I'm trying to spend as much time at home with Chad as I can! He is definitely a source of strength and someone God has blessed me with! I really do love staying at home with the boys (Chad, Ripley and Willis). I wouldn't have it any other way.

In other news, Chad and I got back from a really great weekend in Breckenridge with his mom (Grammy) and some of her friends. It was a good weekend of skiing and spa time for me.

Also, I plan to post some pictures of ideas for the nursery and would love, no NEED some feedback. :)

Chad and I are about to go grill. Food (this may be a theme in my life?) tis a'calling!