She's A Rutabaga...Week 25!

Today I am 25 weeks and 6 days...our daughter is approximately the size of a rutabaga...

25 weeks, 6 days

25 weeks, 6 days

Fun Baby Facts:

Head to heels, baby girl now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. (www.babycenter.com)

How Am I Doing?

I haven't really felt much of a change this past week. I am still feeling really good. I've had a couple really good nights of sleep - that has made such a difference in my energy level. But then last night, I had a terrible night. I'm really grateful for the few good nights I had!

My cravings have been pretty mild (at least I think so...). I've been craving apple juice and still wanting cookies and creme milk shakes every night.

Friday night Ray and I made homemade pizza's. Ray really got into his - pretending that he worked in a pizza pie shop, throwing his dough in the air and twirling it about his head...it was quite funny to watch him...as flour flung everywhere! I think this might become a new Friday night tradition - pizza and a movie at home. It was a nice, relaxing evening! Here's a few pictures of Ray and our pizza making...



Our Big Blessing...

This week Ray and I received a huge blessing! When we found out that I was pregnant, we began checking into what medical benefits our insurance company and the company I work for offered for maternity leave. We soon found out that there wasn't much. I found out that I was only going to be allotted six weeks of maternity leave and all of those six weeks were to be UNPAID. We looked into whether I was eligible for short term disability and I wasn't. We looked into the Family Medical Leave Act, but my company is able to be exempt from it, as we have less than 50 employees who work within a 75 mile radius of our office.

So, all that to say, until this past week I was getting 6 weeks of unpaid maternity leave.

Our big blessing is that I was informed this week that my insurance company now offers short term disability leave and they consider giving birth a qualifying event. I will still only get 6 weeks, but I will be able to receive 60% of my wages during those 6 weeks! THIS IS A HUGE BLESSING and is another reminder that God is truly taking care of EVERYTHING!

Well, until next week...I pray that God is rocking your world and reminding you of how much He loves you EVERY DAY!

Blessings,
Summer, Ray & Baby Girl

What The...!?

Disclaimer #1: For all the dudes who may read this...I apologize!
Disclaimer #2: I don't normally do posts like this, but I just had to share...

So, I have a few blogs that I follow and read on a regular basis. Today, while reading one of them the author shared about a friend of hers who is pregnant and had asked for advice on what to register for...

Someone recommended that, if she was going to be breast feeding and was planning to pump, that she invest in... {drum roll please!}....

A HANDS-FREE PUMPING BRA!!!!!


Are we REALLY that ridiculously busy that we have to have a bra to hold the pumps because we have "better" or "other" things to do!?

Now don't get me wrong, I don't have a child yet and don't know how much time or effort goes into pumping daily. And while I will soon find out, I still don't think that I need to purchase a bra so I can pump while doing other things!

Disclaimer #3: If you are a mom and own one of these...sorry! If it works for you...great! I just don't think I could do this!

Alright, I am done with my rant...

Off to make a milkshake!

She's An Ear of Corn...Week 24

24 Weeks, 6 Days

Fun Baby Facts:

Baby girl is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (about the length of an ear of corn), she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon. Also this week, her inner ear has become fully formed and she's exploring more and more with her sense of touch. (Taken from www.babycenter.com).

How Am I Doing?

I am doing great. I am feeling really well. Still exhausted, but trying not to let it slow me down or hold me back from anything. Ray and I are continuing to prepare for our little girl to come. Each week this looks a little different. On Friday we went and registered for baby stuff. To be completely honest, it really wasn't that enjoyable. I think it was mainly because it was so overwhelming. Sure, they give you this nice checklist of things you should register for, but that was really not very helpful. I mean, come on...sure, I know I need bottles but you give me 20 different types to choose from! And strollers and car seats...THAT was a whole other mind boggling part of the evening. If you know me, I am a planner - I like to be prepared. I had done my research, I even consulted with some friends and a few moms and asked for their suggestions. I had MY list. I knew what we needed to register for and what we really didn't need to worry about. I WAS PREPARED. Or so I thought. Ray was a real trooper and was so supportive. And yet, I came home Friday night frustrated, overwhelmed, and everything in between. I know that these "things" are not what is important in the grand scheme of things, BUT still I found myself not knowing what to do...After a good nights rest and some chill time with Ray, I felt much better Saturday morning. I have to say, I am so glad that stores will allow you to add and change your registry online because that's what I did last night. It was a lot less stressful!

Above this post, there's two links for where we are registered. Both registries are under Summer & Ray Mobley, but I've also listed the registry number next to the link, in case that's an easier way to search for our goodies.

We've had some absolutely beautiful weather this week. So, we spent the majority of the day yesterday out and about. We started out the morning with a stop by Einstein Bagels for breakfast, while we were on our way to look at some houses with our Realtor. We found a great place yesterday, we're keeping our fingers crossed and trusting God to see if the seller accepts our offer. From there we set out to the park to take a walk...well, everyone else in the Northern VA area must have had the same idea...3 parks later we had no luck finding a parking spot. We ended up at the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Ray found a tree...


...and there we sat, enjoying the view (and the weather)....

as we people watched and soaked in the time we had together...

Our day ended with an amazing meal at Los Tios in Del Ray (the neighborhood we used to live in, in Alexandria). And then it was homeward bound for an evening of NCIS re-runs and homemade cookies 'n creme milkshakes.

It was a great day!

Until next week...Be Blessed!
Ray, Summer & Baby Girl

Prayer Points for Baby Girl Mobley

She's A Large Mango...Week 23!

Today I am 23 weeks, 6 days...This week our baby girl is the size of a large mango and she's been beating up my insides - kicking and moving all around...

23 weeks, 5 days

23 weeks, 5 days

Fun Baby Facts:

Baby girls sense of movement is well developed. Babycenter.com, which is where I get my fun baby facts from, says that baby girl can even feel me dance. She's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango). Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that her increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world.

How Am I Doing?

I am actually feeling pretty good. The weather is finally starting to warm up and the sun has been out. It's amazing what this has done for my mood AND my energy level! Ray and I have been walking almost every day - it's been so nice.

She has continued to become more and more active. The thing she has responded to the most is music and loud noises. Last night Ray and I went to a concert to benefit Restoration Ministries. Restoration Ministries is a Christ-Centered organization working with young girls who have been trapped by sex trafficking in the DC area. Long story short...the main event last night was our awesome friends, Finity Affliction. Finity Affliction is a rather loud band and Ray and I were sitting up towards the front, close to one of the amps. It seemed like every time baby girl heard or felt the amp, she felt the need to move around and beat up my insides. It is such a neat feeling, but after an hour of kicking and poking, it can sometimes become a little painful! Her daddy is VERY excited that she's reacting to music - she's a musician at heart!

This morning, lying in bed, I actually saw her move for the first time. A part of my stomach actually moved and could be seen! THAT was nuts! I can't wait for Ray to be able to put his hand on my stomach and feel her move!

Ray was on Spring Break this week and it really ended up being a busy week for us. We are still looking for a house, so we spent a view hours on Monday looking at some places. We also toured a daycare AND a pediatric office.

Well, that's about it for this week... Looking forward to next weeks update...

22 Weeks, 6 Days

Just a few belly pictures from today...

22 Weeks, 6 Days

Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday! Ray and I are getting ready to head out for a walk...we've had beautiful weather for two days now! Yesterday we walked about 3 miles, we'll see how far we make it today!

Blessings to All!
Summer, Ray & Baby Girl

She's A Spaghetti Squash...Week 22

I am doing my week 22 post a little earlier than normal, mainly because Ray was able to take belly pics tonight, as he was out of the country with the camera last week...

Today I am exactly 22 weeks and our baby girl is the size of a Spaghetti Squash...

22 Weeks

Fun Baby Facts:

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, baby girl is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.

What Else Is New?

I had my monthly doctor's visit this morning and was happy to hear that everything looks and sounds great. I gained 6 pounds in the last month. That's the first time I've had a positive weight gain in my pregnancy. My doctor was very happy with that. She also measured my uterus for the first time (this will be done at each of my appointments through the remainder of my pregnancy). I measured at 22cm, which is exactly where I am supposed to be at 22 weeks. I got to hear the baby's heartbeat again. She was moving a lot during my appointment, so every time my doctor found the heartbeat, we'd loose it again. It took a few minutes, with some prodding of my belly to get a good listen, but everything sounded great. Praise God!

She's A Carrot...Week 21

I am behind on last weeks update, but here it is...

And sorry, so belly pictures from last week as Ray was out of the country with our only camera...

Fun Baby Facts:

Baby girl now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. She's been practicing martial arts as she is fully kicking and nudging often throughout the day. Her eyebrows and lids are present now.

Week in Review:

Last week was a busy week. I am continuing to feel good and am eating more and more. Ray was on travel in Saudi Arabia for work last week and he was very missed! However, as always, I was able to stay quite busy as I visited with friends, toured the West Wing of The White House, attended a Women's Conference with some of the female leadership of our church and even got a promotion at work!

YES, you heard that right...I have a new job! I am still working for the same company, but I am now the Assistant Facility Security Officer (AFSO) for my company. Don't ask what all I do, because I still figuring it out. After many months waiting and praying to see if this job transition would happen, I finally started this past Thursday. My head is barely above the water as I am literaly figuring things out as I go, but I am excited and grateful for this new opportunity.

Let's see what else...in regards to the pregnancy, I am sleeping slightly better and am getting used to having to sleep on my side. I am a stomach and back sleeper and neither of those are options right now, so onto my side I go. I've woken up in the middle of the night a few times over the last week with super crazy and really painful leg cramps - similar to a charlie horse, but it takes over my whole leg from thigh to foot. IT HURTS!

I am also continuing to grow out of my clothes. I have yet to buy any maternity clothes and it looks like I am going to have to give in and get some this week, as I am not sure I'll be able to wear the pants I've been wearing or many of my work shirts.

My belly has also gotten more noticable to others. Last week I was in the grocery store and I encountered my first belly touching stranger. It was a scary experience for me as this women, who I DO NOT KNOW came up to me and reached out her hand to touch my belly. As she leaned in for the touch, she said "You have such a cute baby bump, how far along are you?" I seriously wanted to scream! Instead, I politely backed away from the stranger, saying "Thank you, I am 21 weeks and I'd appreciate if you would not touch me." My husband laughs because he says I've gotten a little bolder with this pregnancy. I don't know if it's boldness or the fact that I just don't want strangers to touch me!

Well, that's all for now...