26 weeks & I have a dinosaur egg in my belly!

Holy cow! My belly is one massive piece of art! It's shocking to see pictures of myself in the "condition" that I am in! However, it is also weird to see myself in old pictures when I am not pregnant. As you will notice, I have one heck of a protruding belly button! I tell people that if they push it, someone at Sonic just may in fact take your order. It's super weird!



This little boy is SUPER active! He flips and flops, punches and kicks, rolls and thumps all day long! Seems like a healthy little one baking in there! I know he loves my super spicy food that I still eat- he's going to come out wanting me to spike his bottles w/ Tabasco sauce! I have my next appointment on the 2nd of September, then I will start going every 2 weeks! THEN after October 14th (my last sonogram to measure how big he is), I will go every week! Wow, time flies when you're not barfing everyday. Speaking of... the barfing situation has definitely taken a turn for the better! I might only get sick maybe 1-2 times a week, yet still feel a little nauseated in the mornings. Overall, I feel pretty good. I should have no complaints.

I think I started a baby boom at work--- there are not 3 pregnant women at the bank! Fun times!

Gosh, we are super ready for this sweet baby to be here. We have the crib set up, but not yet the bedding... the armoire is ready to go... still need to get a chair/glider and a changing table/dresser. Still haven't decided on those last two items yet though. We've picked out and purchased the bedding. It is brown, green and blue. I HATE themes... mostly cheap looking themes like Dora the Explorer, Blues Clues, Buzz Lightyear, dorky sports or animal themes (yes, I know some of these last two can be tastefully done) etc... but we went with some bedding that has cute frogs on it.



Dad came in for a visit to Austin last weekend. We had a great time... we enjoyed the best BBQ in the world- SaltLick, went outlet shopping, watched movies, ate Italian food and had some good times. The Johnson's will be coming in tonight for the weekend. Again, we are going to go to SaltLick (yummm) and do some baby shopping. Fun times to be had!

I broke it to my brother that I need him to be there with me when I deliver if my dad can't make it on time. He was a little freaked out, but once I explained that I needed someone to represent the Mooney's, he understood. It means a lot to me that he is willing to stand beside Ryan & I (without looking down below!) as I deliver my first baby. It's a huge, tough pill to swallow to accept that my mom can't be there to support me like I so badly want/need... and the likelihood that my dad can get away on short notice probably isn't an option either. Sometimes I can't imagine doing this on "my own" without my parents, but I guess if that's the cards I am dealt, then that's the way it's going to be- after all, I have THE BEST husband in the world that will be there. I also have the best (and I'm not just saying that b/c I know they will read this blog) in-laws in the world (who only live 3 hours away) that will be here. Life is life... it is what it is... (sigh)



I know I am blessed. Extremely Blessed.

22-23 weeks

(picture from 8/1/09 at Mason & Beth's wedding)

So, it's really nice to be on the back end of this whole pregnancy thing. It's nice to have less weeks to go than I've already completed. Like I said last time, I feel like I am growing by the second. Oy! I'm thinking he's going to be a big baby- Lord help me! Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I am just feeling huge and growing a lot since I barfed for the first 5 months? Or maybe it's because I'm in the middle to end of my 2nd trimester? Well, my belly button officially is out and proud. It looks like it never belonged inside. I was told that I "look like a cabbage patch doll". Other than the fact that you get such a gift of a baby at the end of it all- I wish pregnancy itself on no one. Next time, maybe I'll hire a surrogate? Ha- just kidding. Well, I've been feeling the baby move since around 18 weeks. But, this past week Baby Boy Johnson kicked it up a notch... not only do I feel his little jabs/thuds, but I feel like he's flipping around in there or something! I feel a thump in the middle of my belly, then right after I feel a thump on the right right. Crazy. Amazing. Entertaining. A miracle. Just plain nuts. Ryan can really feel the little boy moving around. Sometimes the little one is so strong Ryan thinks it's me and not the baby. Boy beats me up all day.

Funny, yet scary story: Last Thursday I was on my way home from work around 5:20pm. I was talking to Ryan and he told me that our crib had been delivered by the UPS guy around 4 or so. I asked him if he'd run get me Subway for when I got home. So, around 6pm I pulled in the parking lot and saw that Ryan's car was gone. I assumed he was getting my dinner. I walked in the front door and Sydney (black pug) was there to greet me. Was Lola? Nope. I asked Sydney where her sister was, but of course she didn't seem to understand. I asked where her daddy was and still got no response. Several minutes later, the front office of our apartments called me to tell me that they had Lola there. I said, "what!? Why is she there?" Well, apparently about 1.5-2 hours before when the crib was being delivered, Lola snuck out the front door!! She didn't have a collar or anything on. Wow. Pug doesn't know how good she has it here. When Ryan walked in the door with her, she trotted in like nothing ever happened. Not a care in the world. I still don't get how Ryan didn't notice that she was missing- oh well, she's okay.

I am off to New Mexico this weekend to see my parents. It's probably going to be the second to last trip that I make since I'm getting close to the end and NM is so far away. This chick is going to shed some tears when she leaves- it happens every time. I have the best parents and family, what can I say? I miss them.

Went to the doctor today for my check up. ONE more appointment in 4 weeks- then I start going every 2 weeks! THEN every week. THEN we have a baby! Whoot whoot! All is perfect with our baby. Praise the Lord. All blood tests have come back normal. Being thankful is an understatement.



Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary. A lot has happened in 3 years: We started out in our first little apartment, I started my first real job, we bought our first home, Ryan graduated from TTU, we sold our first home, we moved to Austin, Ryan started grad school at UT, I transferred with PCB to Austin, we rented a home, we found out we were having a baby, we moved to a new apartment, we found out it's a BOY... It's been the busiest, best 3 years of our lives. When you marry your best friend, life just can't get any better. There's much, much more in store for us. We don't know where God has planned for us to go, but we're on this road together with our pugs and our soon to be baby boy. Lord knows moving to Austin never crossed my mind. But here we are. I love it here. I don't want to leave (unless it's to be closer to family). I don't want to start over again. But I'll go where we are supposed to be- I might be crying the whole way, but I'll go. I love my Ryan and I would go anywhere with him.

20.5 weeks & I'm sleeping with a bar of Soap!!?

So, as you can tell I am growing by the second... thankfully only in my tummy (and yay for now actually having boobs!). Don't focus on the nastiness of my face... I just walked in the door from a long day at work. Anyways, I thought it would be easy to make myself take weekly pictures, then that didn't work (plus I wasn't growing much at the time), then I thought every other week would work- well, I am barely keeping up with that! I will do my best from here on out.

Great news- other than the fact that we have a healthy little boy coming... my barfing is starting to slowly fade away (I think). However, when one problem ends, another begins. I started getting Charlie Horse cramps in my calves. OUCH! I had them three nights/early mornings in a row until... I talked to my all-knowing father aka The Lip aka the Best Dad in the World. He told me that this will make NO sense, it is NOT medically tested/proven, BUT if you put a new bar of soap (out of the wrapper) under the fitted sheet at the foot of the bed, on your side, that the cramps will get better or go away. So, the first night I slept with my bar or soap, POOF, cramps gone! Second night, POOF, cramps gone! What the heck!? It's the most bizarre thing I've ever heard! He said he's read many articles about it and heard from patients that it works- so I decided to give it a whirl. Thanks Dad! Other than the cramps and barfing that have gone bye- bye for now, I can't complain. All is great.

I finally drug myself to Motherhood- ya know, the place with "stretchy pants"!? (I was thinking of Nacho Libre saying how he liked wearing "stretchy pants"- hehe) Well, I still just feel weird going in a place like that. I still feel like I am the youngest girl in there by about 10 years. Maybe one day I won't care what people think about me- hopefully. Well, I found a couple things to wear to work- I will make them last as long as possible. I'd rather spend my money on a sweet boy, than those darn stretchy pants.

Ben came to Austin for the weekend. We had a great time! Boy, I miss him. He's so funny. One of the first things he said to me was, "you're fat sister!". Gee, thanks Ben. =) Only coming from him does that not hurt my feelings. Lola never let Ben out of her sight and if he closed the door behind him, she sat at the door waiting for him. We enjoyed laying around, going to the pool and getting snow cones! I made Ben go with me Saturday and Sunday to get snow cones. Too bad they don't have pickle... I settled for Tiger's Blood w/ cream. I think that's what my mom used to get. It's so yummy. It's my first pregnant addiction. Actually it started on Friday after work. So, yes, I went 3 days in a row. Too bad there's not more than one location so the worker's don't think I am nuts. I need a punch card where every 10th one is free!

Ryan and I laugh daily at my ever growing belly. He's been so sweet and is loving every minute of it. It's great to see him so excited. Makes ya fall in love with the boy all over again. I'm so lucky that I found my Ryan. He's the best. He's going to be the best dad. I can't wait...

18.5 weeks and it's a BOY!!!

Wow, what a week it has been. We moved to a new place, discovered that a belly button can pop out in one week and found out that our baby is a B-O-Y!!! He's already been playing tricks on me--- all this time, I swore that I was having a girl! Wow, we both were pretty shocked, thrilled & couldn't be happier, but shocked!

Today, at our sonogram our Baby BOY Johnson weighed 11 ounces! Everything looked "beautiful" as the technician said! We couldn't be more blessed and happy. So, I guess it's back to square one with the names... I/we (maybe more so I) was settled on a girl's name... now Baby J threw me a curve ball and I have to think a little harder to come up with his special name. Names are all fun and such to throw around, but once you actually have to name your child, it becomes a little harder. So much fun though!

Baby Boy J continues to think it's funny to make me yack every morning. Not cool. Still, I am feeling much better than I have been in months past.

So, pregnancy is weird. I can't say it enough. It's just plain weird. Things are expanding, enlarging and popping out all over the place. (Still haven't gained more than 5 pounds) Never would I have thought that my belly button would be popping out this early in the game, but holy cow. It is making an appearance and it's bizarre.

Maybe next time I blog I will get used to being pregnant... well, then again, maybe not. =)

mucus plug???!!!

Wow, I have a lot to learn. I am constantly being asked, "Sara, how do you not know this stuff when your dad is an OB/GYN!??"

So I was talking to a family member who is about to have a baby she she told me that she "lost her mucus plug"... I said, "what? A mucus plug?! Is that something that the doctor puts in? Or is that a body thing?"

If you don't know what it is, just Google it... but I'm sure you already know.

Wow. Yes, I know. I mean I've heard about people's water breaking and such, but I have NEVER heard of this mucus plug business.

Lordy, Lordy, it's going to be a long 4 more months!

16 weeks & I have a bump

So, literally we think that in the last week or two (or maybe even over night) all of a sudden I've developed a baby bump! Crazy. It's just nuts. I guess it's starting to feel real like I really am pregnant. Such a weird concept. I mean, I knew all I ever, EVER wanted was to be a mom. I wanted to be a mom and stay at home with my kids. Never did I dream of a "career". I know I'm pregnant, I know that there's a baby growing up a storm inside of me, but it's nuts thinking that all that is actually happening and NOW.

I don't know why, nor should I care (but for some reason I do), but I feel like people (that don't know me) are judging me, and thinking that I am some knocked up, single gal. I just want to say, NO people, I've been married for 3 years, notice the ring on my finger! None of them probably care either way.

I still haven't bought any maternity clothes... I have a stretchy band thing that I can wear over my pants so I can keep them unbuttoned. Since it's been the style for last couple years, I already have many of those flowy shirts... so that will work for me for a while. I HATE to think that I may have to buy some nasty elastic waisted, dorky pants that I will wear for only a couple months. This girl loves to shop, but not for maternity clothes. I will work with what I have for as long as I can- or just buy some more flowy shirts that I'd wear normally. People at work have started to notice and comment on my belly, which is odd. I always make sure to ask, "are you sure I don't just look fat"? If they think that, I still hope they'd tell me I just look pregnant. I am totally a tummy and side sleeper, but have noticed the last couple days that it's feeling weird or uncomfortable to be on my tummy. Welcome to pregnancy I guess. I always thought I'd love to be pregnant... truth is, humm, not to much. It's just so bizarre.

We were supposed to find out the sex of the baby on the 3rd of July, but that was pushed back to Monday, July 6th. Most importantly, they will check the organs and will take many measurements. We pray and trust that we have a healthy baby. Stay tuned.

Ryan is doing great, staying S-U-P-E-R busy with his internship. Boy puts in some hours. Way to go Rhino! I know that he's doing it for US, as a family, and I appreciate his hard work.

Lola and Sydney are doing good... they seem to enjoy their life of sleeping, snacks and our random trips. (They enjoyed last weekend at Lake Cisco... and yes, they must wear their life jackets!) We keep telling them they are going to be big sisters, but they just don't quite get it yet. =)

I plan to post my weekly belly pics from here on out, now that I actually have a belly. Really, it was almost non-existent up until the last week or two which is why this is my first pic! I still don't get that I've only gained ONE pound and I look like this!? Surely, there's pounding pouring on by now! Anyways... I'm out. I've got to go take off my jeans, I'm busting out of them!

Week 15

Went to the doctor last Thursday... everything looks good. Heart rate in the 150's. We find out on July 3rd if it's a HE or a SHE! Fun Stuff!

I got back yesterday from a girls weekend in San Antonio. I went with Mrs. Sheila, Aunt Sharon, Pattie and Beth. Beth and Mason are getting married August 1st in College Station... and this past weekend was her shower in San Antonio. We had SUCH a good time!

Ryan spent the weekend in at Lake Cisco with his dad and brother and had a good boys weekend.

After this upcoming lazy weekend we will be going and blowing for the rest of the summer! We will literally be out of town EVERY weekend... and somehow will be moving in between all that!

Knock on wood... but today I gagged once this morning, with VERY little to no barfing! WOO HOO! I sure made up for it in San Antonio though. I got sick Saturday night at the Italian restaurant and had to go back to the room... no fun. Much better now though! =)

Week 14

I figured I needed to blog even though not much is going on, plus I am coming up on week 15.
Nothing new to report. Still a little nauseated and getting sick in the morning at home. Usually I am feeling better at work once I start eating a little breakfast. Sydney, our little black Pug has been my barfing buddy through all of this. She usually comes and sits on the floor beside me as I have my face in the toilet. What a sweetie. Dogs are loyal creatures. My husband on the other hand stands at the door for about 5 seconds and asks if I need a hair tie. Ha ha. Thanks RJ. He has flushed the toilet for me a couple times while my face is in it- probably b/c it makes HIM sick looking at it.
Maybe one day you will look at my blog and I won't be talking about barf. I'm hoping so anyways...

Week 13

This is my last week of the first trimester. Still hoping that this barfing situation is almost done. This past week or so has gone well--- still have be getting sick every morning when I wake up, but I am feeling better when I get to work and the rest of the morning. Unfortunately, today was terrible. It's 9pm and I am just not starting to feel better. I have been napping and barfing all day. Nice. Maybe the barfing is wanting to go out with a bang? I hope so...

Holy Cannoli, there's a baby in there!

Maybe we have a thinker... looks like Baby Johnson is scratching his/her head.
Flexible just like his/her mom! Trying to put that foot behind its head! Way to go Baby!

It's hard to believe that the baby was only 12 weeks when this sonogram was done. You wouldn't believe how much he/she grew in only 3 weeks. My last sonogram in Austin was at 9 weeks and it was still basically a little bean. But WOW look at em' grow! At the 12 week sonogram we were able to see: the four chambers of the heart, the fingers and toes, spine, eye sockets, nasal cavity, jaw, brain hemispheres, etc. Amazing. The technician said according to the myth, since Baby Johnson has a high heart rate, then it probably is a girl! Dad thinks we will be just as accurate if we flip a coin 10 times. I prefer hearing the myth. I've said from day one that I think it's a girl. All I have looked at is girl stuff. I would probably be pretty shocked if it turns out to be a boy. Of course we will be thrilled with a boy or a girl. As long as the baby is healthy and happy, we have no preference. But heck, girl stuff is much cuter!
Our trip to NM was fast and furious. We pulled into Roswell at 2am on Friday. Slept for several hours, went and got the sonogram, ate at Cecilio's, drove to Ruidoso to our cabin, went to dinner at Casa Blanca, slept, got our picture taken, and drove back to Roswell Saturday morning. Saturday we went to dinner with Meg and Josh and hung out at their house with Hogan (the amazing labradoodle). Sunday we mainly hung out and then went back to Meg & Josh's for tacos! AND we got to see Aspen, Chad and Marci--- yay!!!
The weekend was wonderful, but went by WAY too fast as usual. I hate leaving and saying good-bye to my parents. Being so far away is really hard and I don't think it gets any easier. It's just not fun.
Good news, and I say it quietly so it doesn't decide to play a trick on me..... but I think the nausea is starting to make its way out the door! YAY! Still barfing every morning, but after that, I am feeling much better early/mid morning.
All looks well and healthy with the baby. Thank you for your prayers, keep em' coming.