One faithful readers comment...

With the latest Long Family Chronicles Press Release Wednesday notifying readers that we think we have a baby girl baking in the oven, one faithful reader emailed me this statement....

"You know, I have been thinking …….. peanut is a boy baby fetus name …… she needs another name ………. princess pecan …….. little miss cashew, …… or hazelnut."

Good ideas to ponder.... however, I still love the name peanut, even though it may have a slight male twist!!!

Anyone else have any thoughts on this matter?

Allyson and Miss Peanut

UFO Part Two...

So my teaser post worked? I see that many of my faithful readers were quite unproductive for the majority of the morning trying to solve the UFO clue! Although, I am sad to say, only two actual comments on the post!!! I thought more would respond dying to know details!!! I do have to say I had some personal emails begging....

Last night, the Long's had a secret surprise mission to fulfill -- drink 12+ oz of OJ and make it down to Methodist Hospital by 8:15pm for a "Top Secret" Ultrasound with a very experienced midwife whose name will remain anonymous!

Nate and I arrived at Methodist Hospital promptly and were escorted to Labor and Delivery by two famous people. (Mind you, by this time I had to pee twice!) We anxiously sat in a room, awaiting the arrival of our "Super-baby detector man." When he arrived, I hopped on to the bed and on went the television. He puts tons of the cold "Goo" on my tummy and fired up the ultrasound machine. For the next 45 minutes, Nate and I and the two famous people watched in AWE as we saw our little Peanut moving around like crazy!! "Super-baby detector man" asked me what I had to drink b/c the baby was going crazy in there. I told him that Peanut doesn't usually get much sugar and he/she got more sugar in 30 minutes, than he/she usually gets all day long! :) Peanut also likes the camera and enjoys putting on a show for his/her mama and daddy! Peanut was flapping his/her jaw, pretending to talk like his/her mama! Peanut stuck out his/her tongue at least 10 times!!

"Super-baby detector man" did an AWESOME job at the ultrasound. He showed us all of the diagnostic measurements and explained all the ways our baby was super healthy. I won't bore you with all the details of the diagnostics!! (I think they are uber cool!) It was just amazing and more than I could have ever dreamed of!! If only our first US would have been like this!!

Toward the middle of the US, Peanut decided to moon us and stick his/her butt up in the air and partially open the legs. "Super-baby detector man" told us that he is pretty sure that he saw "girl parts" and that we are most likely having a little baby GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He told us not to go and paint the whole house pink, but the chances were pretty high!! There wasn't any "giant boy parts" floating around in the amniotic fluid as I had previously dreamed last week!!

This mama was thrilled, but yet she is still a bit reserved due to the fact it isn't 100% and we didn't get a full frontal view to assure ourselves that there isn't a little "wee-wee" hiding under the cord!!! Go figure, more "maybe's" in our pregnancy!! But hey, we should be used to "maybe" by now huh?

So, the UFO is revealed: (Possibly) Unmistakable Female Organs!! UFO!!!!

Did you guess correctly?? Or were you way off????

Hope you enjoyed the teaser!!! I know I loved every minute of it!!!

Allyson and Miss Princess Peanut (at least we think!)

A possible UFO sighting...

Tonight we had a possible UFO sighting...

Run in such a way as to win....

1 Cor 9:24 - "Do you not know that those who run a race all run, but only one receive the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."

During this pregnancy, I have become so narrow-minded and focused on the here and now, the hardships, the struggles, the pains. However, I am SLOWLY coming to realize that I am not looking forward to the final prize of this "leg" of my race: the birth of our child!

Paul encourages us with this verse in our spiritual life and I feel as though this pregnancy is quite the spiritual journey for me. He charges us to run as though we will win! I am clearly not running this (small, yet important) pregnancy leg of my larger race in life with the focus to WIN! I am so easily allowing the present day and the worries of the world to entangle my thoughts and mindset. The danger of this entanglement is that it takes my focus off the prize which lies ahead.

I have just begun to look at each kick and flutter with a new outlook. I feel as though each of those small interactions with Peanut are significant in their own way. I feel Peanut is trying to tell me, "Mama, just hang in there, remember me always when you worry... I will be out to join your family when I am done baking in this roasty (very comfortable) oven. God is preparing me (and you) for my grand entrance into the world. Remember Mama, I am your grand prize for this leg of the race. Keep your eyes focused on that truth. Be patient Mama and wait for me b/c I am well worth the wait."

Isn't our child a genious already?? Peanut already is detecting his/her mother's faults and weakness'? Must be all the EPA/DHA that I am getting in my Omega 3 supplements!! :)

Well, those are the thoughts "running" through my head and heart...

Allyson and Peanut

TGIF

Thank heavens it is Friday and work is over!!! Time for a weekend to play!!! As a M-F worker, there is no greater feeling than the feeling on Friday afternoon when the whole week of work is behind you and you have 2 full days to do whatever your heart desires!! I love working M-F!!! Although, next Spring I will love working only 2 days/week and joining the ranks of a "mostly-stay-at home mom!" Oh, how I know the work will be more at home, but I am SO ready to stay home with our lil' one!! Being a mom is the biggest blessing in the world!!!

Speaking of our lil' Peanut, we hope to go by mid-Sept for another "peak" to see the goods on the south pole if you know what I mean!! :) This time I plan to drink at least 8-12 oz of Orange and maybe chase it with a little chocolate! Peanut has no prayer of sleeping during our next US!!! Our little fetus will be all hyped up on sugar!!! Stay tuned on the blog for updates and the revealing, whenever that may occur!!

Thanks to those of you that had comforting words regarding my last few posts! I really appreciate the support and the knowledge that not everyone loves being pregnant, but they LOVE the end result! It is so helpful for me to see the "real" side of people!! I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends that have awesome advice!!! Love you all!!!

Allyson and Peanut

Martoia Weekend of Fun

This past week our favorite Niece and Nephew came to stay with us Saturday night!! They love time with their crazy Aunt and Uncle!! Sunday after church, we planned to go swimming at the Danville Pool at Ellis Park. We pretty much planned our whole day around it... so at 12:30pm, we packed up our picnic lunch and headed out to Danville to find the pool CLOSED!!!! Are you kidding me???? I could just feel their heart's ache and break! I even check their internet site and it said they were open 12-7pm on Sunday's. Errrr.... Why have an internet site when you don't update it and you CLOSE THE POOL?

Nate and I tried to make the best of it... we went into the park and had a picnic lunch and then headed back to our place. Our wonderful neighbor Jim has a paddle boat on the lake/retention pond behind his house (across the street from our house). We asked him if we could take the kids for a spin around...

Needless to say, the kids had a burning desire to go swimming, so after "paddling" around for 10 minutes got boring, they both jumped in.... I couldn't believe it!! Not to mention there are 3-4 ft catfish in it (per neighbor Jim).

Below you will find some good pictures!! They sure had a good time swimming and Nate and I had a blast laughing!!


Lexi pre-swim



Tyler and Lexi "rockin" the boat


Tyler lookin' like a stud



Lexi getting attacked by the 3 ft catfish ... or maybe just Tyler



Yes, those are cattails back there... hum.. what a clean "pond"

My treat for you… STARBUCKS coffee (or beverage of your choice)

There are certain faithful blog readers out there asking me why I haven’t posted in a whole week? I am sorry to all of you faithful readers that have been checking daily for a post… here goes… hope it will satisfy!

I will begin this week with a hilarious comment from last week’s post... I think all of you mother’s out there will greatly appreciate it…

One faithful reader stated: “The meconium is the grossest thing ever. It is seriously like trying to wipe thick, black tar off the baby’s butt. It is sticky and gross and you’ll end up using about 15 wipes per diaper until it’s all gone.”

Does anyone second that statement? Ask me in December if I agree…

Week 21 – What are my thoughts? My fears? My joys? Be prepared for a completely honest post where I will bare my heart!!! I don’t like it when people are fake and say, “Oh, everything is just wonderful” and inside aren’t feeling that great! I want my readers to know the real Allyson, not a fake, ideal Allyson.

As I embark on week 21, I have many mixed emotions. Thankfully Peanut is a pretty active “little fetus,” so some of my worry has diminished. Notice, I did say “SOME,” not all. I love feeling Peanut kick and I have to say, I think that might be one of the few things I enjoy about being pregnant! I have talked to so many people that say, “Oh, I just absolutely LOVED being pregnant. It was the best thing in the whole world!” My first thought is, “Are you kidding me?” I just have a hard time understanding that statement.

Now, please don’t get me wrong – I am very thankful to be blessed with a child growing inside me and the end result is priceless and worth it 100+ fold…I am not complaining… just sharing some honest feelings that are going through my head right now. I am praying that God will change my heart towards these things. I have determined that the medical state of “pregnancy” just doesn’t agree with me! Here are a few reasons why:

- I don’t use pregnancy as a license to “sin” and eat whatever I want – b/c I know how hard I will have to work to get it off in January. Therefore I am not indulging in everything under the sun! I don't want to spend any more time at the gym than necessary!
- I am not a bucket full of energy as some have suggested for the second trimester! Can’t imagine what my energy level will be in the third trimester? Poor Nate, good thing he is always willing to help out around the house or do anything I ask of him!  (I have such a wonderful husband!)
- I am short of breath walking up stairs or hills which is new for me! Gotta love the doubled blood volume!
- I know weight gain is necessary, but it is honestly a struggle to get on the scales and watch the pounds just creep up each week! For those of you that know me well, you understand why I say this. (Maybe the solution is to stop getting on the scales???) Maybe some of my issues are hormonal too????

I am praying that God will be gracious and grant me peace in the midst of my own personal issues with being pregnant! I want to grow and mature in these areas and not have these thoughts or feelings!! I desire to "love being pregnant!"

Those of you that “love being pregnant” – feel free to comment and tell me what you love about pregnancy! I would love to hear them!!

Onward to the baby updates for WEEK 21….

Week 21's email started off like this: “Chances are good you're feeling someone performing a round-off back handspring in your uterus by now.”

I second that thought and say, “Go team USA Gymnastics – (PS) Give Nastia Liukin the GOLD medal b/c she deserves it too!!” Maybe our little peanut will be a gymnast if she is a girl!!! Hum… she will probably grow to be too tall to be a gymnast with mommy and daddy both taller than the avg bear!

- They tell me that Peanut looks like a mini-version of what he/she'll look like when he/she's born. Isn't that a crazy thought?
- All Peanut’s facial features are formed and hair is growing on Peanut's head.
-Peanut should even be acting like a baby and occasionally suck his/her thumb or yawn. Aww ...isn’t that sweet!
-Peanut’s heartbeat is getting stronger and should be able to be heard using a good old-fashioned stethoscope. I will have to try that tomorrow when I am at work with my own stethoscope.
-Peanut’s fetal bone marrow is starting to make its own blood cells (which was previously done by the liver and spleen).
-Peanut’s uses his/her amniotic fluid to "practice" chowing down. Kind of interesting/weird picture huh?
-The intestines are finally developed enough that he/she's absorbing small amounts of sugars from the fluid.
-Peanut weight continues to increase and he/she is approximately 7 inches long—the size of a delicious, cold, frothy bottle of root beer. (What?? They pick the weirdest things!)

Now, to tie in the title – another faithful blog reader (LM) suggested that since Nate and I first met at Starbucks, I need to incorporate Peanut’s size with Starbucks cup sizes. I am thinking that Peanut is about ready to grow out of the Starbuck Vente Cup – Peanut enjoys drinking Wild Sweet Orange Hot Tea from his/her Vente cup, but will soon (if he/she hasn’t already) pop out and move on to a ½ gallon jug of apple cider fresh from Beasley's Orchard!

Interesting side note (and final note) – my weekly email proposes this question… “Did you know that your growing belly is directionally proportional to your sex drive?”

Hummmmm….. my question is (A) Who says this? (B)Do they have evidence of this fact or did they make it up? (C) Why would they leave me with this random and strange fact? (D) Who compares sex drive and a growing belly?? Are you kidding me????????

Well, all for now... more later...

Allyson and Peanut

Halfway to the checkered flag!!!

Strap on those helmets and fire-proof vests, we are halfway to the checkered flag! Thankfully, we are going downhill from here…the first 20 weeks uphill were rough, but well worth it!!

Peanut and I had our 20 week check-up today. Everything is moving along quite nicely. Peanut is growing stronger each week. We also received the official US results (from our 19 week US)…so for those of you out there that are medical professionals, you might enjoy this next section…sorry if it is boring to others! I find it all quite intriguing.

First things first, with all Peanut’s measurements, we are actually measuring almost 1 week earlier than expected, which moves our due date up to Christmas! The further we are away from 2009, THE BETTER!!!

The fetal weight estimate = 1lb 11oz….which is a lot bigger than expected! Maybe those omega 3's are making the baby grow faster and the brain MUCH bigger and smarter!!! (Right Naomi?)
Peanut had normal cardiac activity, with an excellent 4 chamber view. My placenta was fundal and posterior which means “no previa!” Always a plus! There were 3 cord vessels and all extremities were WNL. The spine, cerebral ventricles, choroid plexus, cerebellum, posterior fossa, face, diaphragm, stomach, kidney’s and bladder were all WNL.

So, that is the full US report minus all the other “measurements.” Won’t bore you with those!!

According to our weekly emails, they also say ---

-Peanut is about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. Isn’t that a perfect analogy since my husband is a banana LOVER and eats 3-4/day!! I have now two monkey’s in the house with me!!!
-Peanut’s swallowing more these days which is good practice for the digestive system
-Peanut’s also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. (Yum Yum, isn’t that a fun fact??) But do read on….. “This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper." Now, well isn’t that something to look forward to!!!
-They say Peanut has established sleep patterns by now….that is for sure. Peanut usually wakes up about 7:30-8:30am and is very active, then he/she takes a long nap and wakes up when it is time for mommy to eat lunch, then Peanut is active in the early afternoon (1-2), goes back to sleep, and then is always active on mommy’s drive home from work (3:30-4:30pm), tries to go back to sleep, but mommy likes to make Peanut workout with her on the elliptical machine for 35 minutes – so I doubt the sleep is that great!! Peanut then usually is active again from about 7-9 and then hits the sack for the night!! Man, wouldn’t that be great to keep this routine after he/she leaves the tummy?? Mommy thinks so!

In terms of changes in “Mommy” they tell me that I SHOULD have gained about 10 lbs thus far and I can expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on! For those of you that are close to me, you know this is the HARDEST part of being pregnant for me… so far this sistah has only gained 7 lbs and she sure hopes she doesn’t gain 1 lb/week!!! YIKES is all I can say!!! The crazy thing is I am not really eating more than I was before I was pregnant – guess it is all in Peanut weight and fluids!! Or the fact I can’t totally rock out at the gym these days!!

Well, I think that was a long enough post… thanks for hangin’ in there and reading all of my babbling!! Until the next post….

Love,
Allyson and Peanut

Kickin' daddy...

Exciting update from the Longs.... Peanut has been really working out and building up those quads and hamstrings. He/She has enough force and strength to kick so that daddy can feel it on the outside. Yesterday was a landmark moment -- Peanut kicked daddy's hand about 4-5 times. I think it kind of freaked daddy out!! I think this has been a big week for Nate -- seeing Peanut "real" on the ultrasound and then feeling Peanut last night. This pregnancy has been "real" to me every since my flat stomach turned into a BUMP!!!

Stay turned for more baby Peanut updates....

PS> We are still finalizing a plan for an additional US!

A missing post...

I just realized that the 19 week post is "sandwiched" in between the US pictures and the weekend posts!! Scroll down under the US pictures to find a new post!!!!

Allyson and Peanut