31 Weeks

Baby Williams is 16 inches long and weighs about 3.3 pounds - the weight of 4 navel oranges. She's been in the fetal position with her legs tucked, for a few weeks now. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs and body are beginning to plump out. She won't get much taller, but she's headed into a major growth spurt. Ummm ... excuse me? Growth spurt?!? But there's no room for more growth!!

Aside from being busy growing, she's also busy moving ... and the little girl is getting strong! She likes to kick my ribs, stick her head up under my ribcage and stand on my bladder. I can't tell if she ever sleeps!

Pretty in Pink

I have to take a moment to brag on my husband. As you may have read from his previous post, he was a little shocked when we found out we were having a girl. But now that he's had some time to process, he has completely embraced being a dad to this little girl. He talks to my belly and sings to her (very loudly). He has even embraced PINK! He actually bought two pairs of shoes for our little girl and they are all pink! How cute is that?!? He even found an adorable pair of pink cowgirl boots that light up on the sides. She won't be able to wear them until she's probably 3, but we just couldn't resist.

So, major bonus points to my husband for loving our little girl enough to buy her pink things. But, much more important than that is the excitement and joy I have knowing that Travis is going to be an amazing dad to our daughter. Our little girl will be blessed beyond measure because God has chosen to give her such a loving, caring dad. And I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be his wife and the mother of his child.

Travis bought the pink Crocs and Nikes. Grandma Williams bought the other pair.

Yee Haw! Travis is a cowboy at heart, so I wouldn't expect anything less for his daughter.

Sweet Relief

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have had the WORST heartburn since the beginning of the second trimester. Some days, it literally feels like my throat will erupt in flames and lava will start pouring from my mouth. It doesn't matter when I eat or what I eat; even water gives me heartburn! I've tried everything to find relief - tums, papaya enzymes, zantac - but nothing has worked ... until I discovered baking soda. Beautiful, sweet, sweet baking soda. Someone in our birthing class recommended drinking a teaspoon of baking soda with water. It tastes disgusting, but ... oh, my word ... it works! It obviously doesn't cure heartburn, but it brings a little relief between my fire-breathing sessions.

I love you, baking soda!

30 Weeks ... 10 Weeks to Go!

Baby Williams weighs almost 3 pounds this week - like a head of cabbage - and she's 15.7 inches long. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in the womb.

The belly in all its hugeness! I'm so excited that we only have 10 weeks to go!

Because Two People Fell In Love

I made this video for my grandparents' 60th anniversary. Does this have anything to do with our little girl!? Well, in some ways it has everything to do with her. When two people make a commitment to love and honor one another and stick to that commitment a family has a great foundation. I'm a result of that foundation. Our little girl will benefit from that foundation and be brought into the world with love not only from Dev and I, but our parents, and grandparents. That's a historical line that tells a pretty cool story.

29 Weeks

Baby Williams now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds - like a butternut squash - and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain.

Baby gets hiccups all the time now - almost once day. Poor thing! I've been having lots of back pain lately and when I went to the physical therapist, she said the baby had kicked two ribs out of place. Ooooh - this baby girl is already in trouble!

28 Weeks and the Third Trimester - Woohoo!

We've made it to the third trimester - yippee!!!

Baby Williams weighs the same as a Chinese cabbage - about 2 1/4 lbs - and is 14.8 inches. She can blink her eyes, which now sport little lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through the womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. Awww, who doesn't love a fat baby?!?

Extreme Closeup!

Parting with the Piercing

Pregnancy Piercing

My girlfriend and I got our belly buttons pierced during spring break of my senior year of college, and I've been determined to hold on to this final piece of my youth as long as possible. I may be 30, drive a station wagon and go to bed at 10 p.m., but who says a mom-to-be can't still wear a little navel jewelry?!

But, despite my best attempts to save the ring -- and my youth -- my belly finally got too big. So, I drove my sore, red belly button to the mall and bought a maternity piercing at a kiosk from a pimply-faced teenager who I'm pretty sure was laughing at me as I walked away with my purchase. (Maternity piercings are extra long barbells that are flexible to allow for stretching.) I got home, popped in the ring and looked at myself in the mirror. It was 10 times the length of my belly button and looked like I had tried to glue a handle to my basketball belly. It also poked through all my shirts and looked ridiculous.

So, I've decided it's time to let it go ... at least for now.

Shocking New Video Footage Found!!!

Enjoy seeing what it was like the day we found out that we're going to have a little girl. We didn't have much footage, so it is what it is!

We've also made it easier for folks to leave comments on the blog. Now you don't have to have a gmail account to leave a comment. We'd enjoy hearing from you!



If you've read along, you'll know that having a girl has taken me some time to get used to, but I am totally psyched. I even bought her some pink cowboy boots. Unfortunately, she won't be able to wear them until she's 3! Little bitty will be daddy's little girl.

27 Weeks and Whoa, Baby!

Baby Williams weighs almost 2 lbs - the weight of a head of cauliflower - and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, her brain is very active now. She can't make out objects yet, but she sees light and shadows.

I can't believe how HUGE I feel this week!