Baby bump - 21 weeks

Yikes, round ligament pain is no joke! I worked a health fair last Saturday and it was a long day on my feet: starting at 6 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m. Plus I tweaked my lower left back trying to pick up water bottles. So no more heavy lifting for me from now on. Didn't get to bed until 11:30 that night, and then when I woke on Sunday I felt a dull throbbing pain on my lower right abdomen. Google and my pregnancy books said it was round ligament pain brought on by too much activity. It's basically my belly stretching out. For 4 straight hours! Thankfully it has only struck a couple more times but with less intensity.

I finally ordered a few maternity items of clothing. Never thought I'd be so excited to get elastic-waist pants! Our little guy is starting to move a little more. Still feel the fluttering sensations but I'm pretty sure there has been some karate kicking and kickboxing too. My sleep patterns are so messed up - I wake multiple times during the night and have had the oddest dreams (which seems to be normal during pregnancy). Otherwise, things are good!

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Canoe outing

A couple weekends ago D and I drove north to take one last run at moose hunting and check out one of our favorite areas: Bonnie Lake. But first we stopped to look at the fall colors near Matanuska Glacier.

The glacier is massive!

Bonnie Lake is gorgeous - perfect for canoeing.

Standing at the west end of the lake, near the entrance to the feeder creek.

The feeder creek/swampy area.

One of two very old beaver dams on the creek - no longer inhabited.

Baby bump - 20 weeks

Woo hoo, we have made it to 20 weeks! I'm halfway through this pregnancy (perhaps more, if the baby is born earlier than 40 weeks).

My ultrasound appointment yesterday went well and of course the big news is Baby P's gender...

We're having a BOY!!! You can't tell from these 3-D alien baby photos, but the sonographer got a good look at his goods. Actually, I made her look twice so we're pretty sure. She went through a long list of items to check and our little guy is looking great. Heartbeat was 143 bpm and he weighs approximately 12 ounces, which is slightly bigger than average. I can't remember how long he is now but I'm sure that's bigger too. Seriously, I am hoping for a less-than 8 lb baby here!

Barely got any sleep on Thursday night - I look haggard in these photos.

My fundal (belly) measurement is 21 inches - normal range for 20 weeks is 18-22. I gained 13 pounds and the doctor is happy with my progress. The nurse took my blood pressure after the ultrasound but before my chat with the doctor and it was HIGH. I guess I was excited from the gender reveal - my second bp reading was back in the normal range.

There was a little shadow in one spot on the heart and we will watch for that at the next ultrasound (28 weeks). The doc says it's not present in both ventricles and that is a good sign. In most cases the problem goes away on its own. 

At my 24 week appointment I have to undergo a standard glucose screening. It tests for gestational diabetes and consists of drinking a special sugar-laden beverage and sitting for an hour before getting my blood taken. I hate blood work and have almost passed out twice so I always have to pump myself up beforehand!

Fall Moose Hunt 3

Final set of photos from the moose hunt 2 weeks ago...

Early September in the woods tends to be quite chilly, so we brought along the warmest gear.

Didn't get quite as cold as last year but there was still frost on everything outside of the tent and tarp.

Sunday was gorgeous - even more beautiful than the day before.

We stopped again at the blueberry beach to load up on fruit.

The dog had another nice long swim.

Coming up on the boat launch.

Float plane taking off from the lake.

Heading home!

No moose were shot but it was a wonderful weekend away from town.

Fall Moose Hunt 2

I'm getting behind on my trip recaps! These photos are still of day 1 from the moose hunt last weekend. We landed on a little beach with a perfect camping spot on the hill, only to find these tracks (black & grizzly) in the mud near the boat. Needless to say we did not camp here!

Moose tracks.

Pulling the canoe (filled with firewood).

Look at all of those pine cones! I would have loved finding this treasure trove when planning my wedding decor.

Someone was either bored or tired.

Nice beach fire - kept us warm while looking for moose on the opposing shoreline.Not being in the trees meant exposure to the wind, but it also meant less bugs.

Drift was exhausted! He slept for hours and grunted like an old man when changing positions.

Glassing for moose with the canoe ready.

No moose but we saw LOTS of caribou herds crossing the lake. They were no more than 40 yards away. They took no notice of us if we kept still and quiet.

Did you know that caribou are excellent swimmers?

Couldn't believe how close they were!