Pregnancy Journal

We had our latest doctor's appointment on November 20th and everything appeared to be healthy and normal. My measurements and BP were right on track. And Elliott's heartbeat was going strong at a normal, healthy rate as well. He is still kicking strong and the appetite is going great. I have noticed an increase in energy this week and have been "nesting" like crazy! The house has to be immaculate and that has been my focus this week.

Also, Elliott's hearing has become so much more developed according to BabyCenter.com. See below on the life of Baby Elliott this week!

Hello, Sonja!
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Not much new to update. Things are going well. I have started to have dizzy spells which are normal due to low blood pressure and I am still tired for much of the time. I am hoping to have that surge of energy that they say the 2nd trimester brings but no such luck as of yet. Still, not so bad compared to what others go through so no complaining. I am just making sure I get plenty of rest when I am not working which is helping.

Elliott is becoming more and more active as the days go by. Kel can feel him regularly now and Elliott has a schedule to his movement that is now very noticeable. It is really funny because he will become active when it is around mealtimes before I eat even before I physically become hungry. He is letting his momma know what's what already. He is so active! I just love it. I now know that if I get up in the middle of the night for anything and lay back down he will wake up and be all over the place. He also kicks really well when we're hungry and then does somersaults after I eat before settling down. He also likes to show his appreciation for chocolate by movement as well. So incredible and uplifting because it is such a miracle! It also reassures me in a soothing way because I feel that this is his way of letting me know that he is doing well.

So today we are at 22 weeks and below is a snapshot into the life of Baby Elliott...

Hello, Sonja!
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Well, cravings are still going strong. Let's see-green grapes, McD's biscuits with cheese, Yoplait yogurt, and ice cream have been the consistent "must haves" as of late.

But, although I love spicy and Mexican I never in a million years thought that I would crave the ONE thing I want more than anything else here lately-Pico De Gallo! Yep, that mexican dish with cilantro, tomatoes, halapenos, and ONIONS!!! My Mom makes this and whenever I would eat it I generally would pick out the onions b/c I have NEVER liked raw onions. When I say NEVER I mean NEVER! And neither has Kel. We both agree on one thing-Say NO to the Raw Onion!

However, I am craving Pico De Gallo ALL OF THE TIME!!! The more Raw Onion-the better! Even when I eat it I am consciously thinking why on earth are you eating this?!?! Well out of all of my cravings so far in my pregnancy this one has been the ABSOLUTE strongest! Is it sad that our local fav mexican restaurant, San Felipe in Leland knows this ALL too well? To the point that when I order it and it is not on the table immediately another waiter will walk by, stop and say, "Where is your Pico De Gallo?". Lol. I am dead serious folks! I cannot get enough of the stuff! We make a trip to San Felipe atleast once a week and they know 2 things-1. Bring me AN EXTRA LARGE bowl of Pico De Gallo and 2. Bring me extra Oaxaca Cheese with whatever dish that I am having. But PLEASE do NOT forget the Pico De Gallo! I just point to the belly and say, "The baby wants Pico De Gallo." and they literally bring me a soup size bowl full of the stuff.

So, Kel and I have joked when Elliott can start eating solid food that we should cut up a small amount of raw onion and see if he'll try it. Because this is all too strange that neither one of us like raw onion yet I cannot get enough of it right now. Elliott maybe showing his food preferences very early on.

Well, it happened! Someone was bound to guess Baby Boy Henry's name with a momma who has a poker face that only works while actually playing poker.

So Here's To No Slip Ups! Baby Boy Henry's name is out of the bag! Drum roll please....

Elliott Connor Henry is our Butter Bean's name!!!

A friend guessed Elliott and I couldn't hide my reaction so Kel created a word scrabble for the grandparents to guess. Then we passed it along to friends so it didn't take long for everyone to guess especially since everyone knew the first initials.

So, Elliott Connor Henry is the name! Elliott because Kel always loved that name and it would be the first name of a boy if and when we ever had a son. I still cannot believe that no one remembered us ever dropping that name! And Connor because it has Irish/Scottish/Gaelic descent. But most importantly because it is a strong name meaning "strong-willed" and "wise". So, there you have it!