Food, food and more food!

Not that this is surprising, but I just can't get enough food! I've been craving garlic bread for the past two weeks, and have stopped suddenly at restaurants that I think will have good garlic bread (most of the time I've been disappointed!).

I have also had sudden cravings for foods that people randomly mention or pass by with, such as the yogurt with reese's pieces I saw a new undergrad student walking around campus with (and I can't even think of the last time I ate frozen yogurt).

The belly seems to be rounding out on the sides more (does that mean girl...?), but I'll have to post a picture soon - Corey isn't very cooperative in taking the photos. We're going to Savannah this weekend, so maybe we can take some there.

Corey was gone this past weekend for MAN-cation, and I think he was disappointed that the baby didn't give him a "wave" (kick) goodbye before he left Friday morning. He kept coming back and putting his hand on my belly expecting the baby to immediately acknowledge his presence with a kick.

The puppies seem to know that life if changing, but they're being surprisingly well behaved. If any of you know my dogs, that will come as a shock. While Corey was gone, I took Taffy and Jezzie to Macon for the weekend, and they were both really good. This had NEVER happened before, but I let both dogs get in the bed with me one night, and they were both such good sleepers (I hope the baby follows their example). Jezzie usually paces a lot because of the change in environment when we stay the night in Macon, but she was sound asleep with her head resting right by my belly all night. :)

Third trimester

As Sarah is at the hospital to have her baby today (!!!!!), I'm entering into my third trimester VERY hungry. So, I think all of those worries about me not gaining enough wait will be put to rest in the next 12 weeks!
I went to the chiropractor yesterday and realized that I only have about 12-13 more weeks to go. When I think about it that way - yikes! I have had a lot more energy recently and am finally making good progress on both my MPH thesis and my garden - both have been fairly neglected this summer as I obsessed over baby stuff and had so little energy. I just wish I had a few more weeks before classes started back to capitalize on the new-found energy!
When we first found out we were pregnant, I was adamant that I needed a pregnancy journal to write in. I've never been good at journaling, and this has been no exception. I wrote in it a few times toward the beginning, then I took three weeks off because I didn't want to lug it to Hawaii with us - now I've never gone back to it. However, many people keep telling me that I need to document some of the funny stories I like to tell about pregnancy, Corey, etc, so I think I'll just write them on here as I think of them. Be watching for these.
I also still need to post pictures and write about Hawaii, which was over 3 months ago!

The other day, I was slouching on the couch reading a book, with the book propped on my belly. The baby kicked so hard, the book bounced into the air! It was really funny, but unfortunately so one else was there to see it.

Making a subtle stand in China's Olympics

Hi everyone!

I loved this article (thanks JP) and wanted to share. It's interesting how much and how little attention the Olympics in China are getting over China's human rights record. Some people have given it a lot of attention, calling it the torture Olympics, yet it seems like many mainstream outlets have avoided the topic. Overall, I hope anyone's feelings about the country in which the Olympics area hosted doesn't negatively impact the athletes, yet allowing a country with a record like China's to sponsor the Olympics sends a weak message on human rights and basic freedoms.  This person and his message are very inspiring.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/08/AR2008080800009.html?hpid=topnews

After beginning this post, I checked CNN and saw that they had a major headline about the Olympics and China's record on human rights, press freedoms and environmental issues.  Unfortunately, so much happens that is difficult to find out about because the gov't is so good at covering up their problems.  They want the nation to grow and prosper, but they are neglecting the rights of many citizens.  

Many people today judge China on the items they export to the US (don't buy 'Made in China' because the workmanship is bad), but there are so many problems there with how workers are treated, population control policies, how dissenting views are handled, etc.  Hopefully the Olympic athletes can enjoy their moment without being overshadowed by the issues in China, yet I also hope the media attention the country receives during the Olympics will shed some light on some of the many issues the country's people face.  

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/12/china.promises/index.html

24 week update

Hi everyone,

Here's the most recent news:  we had our 24 week appointment yesterday, and made it without any MARTA bus mishaps or crying.  The visit included another ultrasound to make sure the baby is growing enough because we are measuring a little bit small for our due date.  We got some additional pictures, and the ones of the face are much less alien-like and starting to look like a baby.  We still don't know the sex.  

Corey feels really strongly about not finding out, and I don't care too much either way, except that it would be easier to plan.  I'm trying not to do anything in the baby's room yet because I don't want everything to be green and yellow, but I'm not sure I'll be able to wait until after the birth.

I'm curious to know what everyone thinks the sex will be, so please vote to the right.  I'm carrying kind of low, had moderate morning sickness, have lots of back aches.  I'm not sure what else would be relevant, but let me know if you have questions!  

Here's a quick belly picture.  We haven't scanned in the US pictures or video, but I'll try to post those this weekend.