Right now Jonah weighs about a pound and a half, and is around 13" long from head to heel. He moves like crazy and and I am loving it! We've reached a milestone in that he is now considered viable if I were to go into preterm labor now, meaning he has more than an 80% chance at survival. Here's to hoping that doesn't happen though.
Here's some FAQ about my pregnancy...
Fact: I thought for the longest time (until probably halfway through college) that FAQ meant Facts And Questions! Ha.
What's your son's full name?
- I guess I never made a complete announcement but his name will be Jonah Drew Mercer. Jon, his dad and late cousin all have the initials JD, and since we like names with meaning (we gave Avery my maiden name as her middle), we wanted to keep that tradition with our boy. Choosing a J name was hard, because we have so many in both of our families, but we both loved Jonah because it also has "Jon" in it and it isn't too common.
Jonah Drew at 19 weeks
Proud big sis!
Since we will have one of each [sex of children] will this be our last one?
-I don't think we will truly know our family is complete until we meet Jonah and find our balance of having 2 children. I'm not getting my tubes tied if that's what your asking-- we are open to letting love grow where it wants to grow. However, it will probably be a few years before we make that decision. It's very likely that this is my last time to be pregnant, but we do seem to have really awesome genes and the world may need another Mercer a few years down the road. Never say never, but I will say not as long as we live in the small house we are in now. We are quickly finding out we are going to be a bit cramped..er... cozy up in here, as a family of four.
How am I feeling?
- I think this is just a standard question everyone asks pregnant women, I'm not convinced anyone really cares to know, but overall I am feeling good! I have bouts of sciatic nerve pain and heartburn but it's still not too bothersome yet. I'm sleeping great, although never getting to bed nor waking up early enough. My patience is a bit shorter than normal and I do some weird absentminded stuff sometimes, but no crazy emotional outbursts or breakdowns...yet.
Do you think you are bigger this time around?
-Initially, yes. I was bloated like the GoodYear blimp from the day I got my positive test. I was wearing maternity work pants by week 6, and with Avery I didn't need them until the very end (but I also didn't realize the comfort I was missing out on!) But at 6 months pregnant, I'm honestly about the same as I was with Avery. I've gained about 8 lbs so far but am carrying him so low which gives my belly a different shape than it was with her.
Are you nesting yet?
- Until this beautiful 3 day weekend, I've been doing the opposite of nesting. Some might call it being a total lazyass, but I'd like to think of it was enjoying using pregnancy exhaustion as a reason to get the most out of life. Kidding--kind of. Exhaustion kicked my booty for the first 5 months, then it was the holiday hustle and bustle and now, just now, have I been motivated to work on his room. Over the weekend I have reorganized closets and started shopping and planning how to make my nursery pin board come to life! It's all I can think about!
What is our nursery theme?
-We are doing navy, grey and white (because, how bout them Cowboys?) (kidding again) with a couple of other accent colors. Maybe some gold or lime thrown in. I don't want a theme necessarily, like sports or nautical or woodlands or anything too babyish. I'm just going to incorporate inter-thematic stuff we like..maybe a whale, or a deer head, vintage garage type stuff, trucks or instruments.. Whatever looks cool and can grow with him.
Any crazy cravings?
-Nothing too weird but I am loving pickles right now, and can't get enough chocolate (which is weird for me). Popcorn is also awesome and I've been drinking way too many cokes. Besides that, I've been eating like normal...for me. Lots of fruit, carbs, cheese, and water! I'm always thirsty.
I'm finding that I forget to take weekly pictures usually until the week is over, but I am going to try to at least take a belly pic each month, which is basically what I've got so far anyway. I just booked my maternity portraits for the end of next month and am so excited to get some great photos to document this very special time.
Funny Avery stuff-
-Everything lately is either "tiny" or "big ol'" there is nothing in between.
-She ratted on my sister, saying "Momma, in the car you say 'c'mon dude' but Jojo's Mama says 'move, Dummy!' That's not nice." Luckily neither of us have been too uncensored around her!
-I dyed my hair back to my natural dark after having blonde ombré for months and when I got home she said "Mommy! You blowdrivered your hair! Just like me, so pretty."
-She started dance class last weekend which is completely heart melting to watch but she also goes around randomly saying "This weekend my dance class! Yay!!"
- She makes up songs all the time now, my favorite being Chocolate Jingle Bells "chocolate all the way, hey!"
-she's obsessed with black bears and tries to trick me that she's seen one "over dere, hind you!" All the time.
-she totally plays Jon like a piano to get what she wants.. She plays hard to get with the love and affection until she wants something then it's all about "I hold you Daddy!" Then two seconds later it's "I sip that coke?" Or "I have a bite?"
In 2 weeks I have my glucose test and will be officially in the 3rd trimester, then start having appointments every 2 weeks. 7 weeks until spring break, then 6 weeks (or less if he comes early) after that I'm going on maternity leave!! Sooooo exciting!!
More updates soon!
