Ten Fingers and Ten Toes, Unless You're a Chicken

Last Tuesday, we got to see Norman Jr. on ultrasound! He/she has grown so much since our 8 week ultrasound!



The ultrasound technician verified what my midwife had guessed - I do have an anterior placenta, which is why I haven't felt Norman Jr. much. I have been feeling him/her more now, and Ray even felt him/her on Thursday night!

Babies seem to be the theme of the month of April. My dad has been wanting a new farm critter ever since Silky died this winter. He finally settled on twelve new farm critters:

They're cute now, but they'll be ugly chickens in just a few weeks! I think my dad called them "jumbo fryers", so that tells you a little about their fate :( My mom is pretty excited about having organic chicken this fall!

As if a dozen baby chicks weren't cute enough, Daisy out at my parent's place wasn't about to be left behind. Four more cute babies arrived this week!


Babies everywhere!

22-Week Bump and Cloth Diapers

I feel like my belly has gotten a lot bigger these past two weeks:


Ray thinks Charlie's belly has gotten bigger:


We also made the final decision to go with cloth diapering. I guess I'm really becoming a hippy: using a midwife instead of an OB, planning to give birth at home, drinking organic milk, and now cloth diapering!!! At least we're not planning on joining a commune (although....) ;)

Anyway, I have a Craigslist search saved for cloth diapers and was able to get a really good deal on these used ones:


I'm pretty excited because cloth diapers can get expensive! I know it will save us money in the long run no matter what, but I still like the idea of trying to minimize the upfront cost.

My plan is to get one or two of a bunch of different kind of diapers and see what works for us once Norman Jr. is born. Then, I can stock up on what I like and re-sell anything that doesn't work for us.

I've also started going to rummage sales. I haven't had great luck yet, but I'm excited that I have the whole summer ahead of me to search out those deals!

North Carolina Trip 2010

Ray and I went to visit Tom in Raleigh again this year. We had a great time, as always, though Ray started getting sick on Saturday. Then, after getting home this week, he lovingly passed his cold onto me!

Our Raleigh trip this year was a little more low-key than previous years, mostly due to Norman Jr. Still, Tom had plenty planned to fill our days!

On Friday, we went to Duke University. The guys loved seeing where all of the big-name NCAA ballers play, and I loved the gardens.

Ray and Tom at the Duke University basketball court.

I LOVE wisteria! I really want to plant some, I just need to get Ray to build me a pergola!

We then met up with Tom's sister, Mary, her husband Matt, and their daughter Kalina, at Tom's dad's house. The men talked men talk and watched Kalina while Mary gave me the 411 on cloth diapers. I had asked her ahead of time if we could do that on this trip, and I'm so grateful she was willing to take the time to share her wisdom with me.

Friday night we went to a real symphony! It was a first for Ray and I. They did a beautiful Beethoven piece.

Saturday morning we left for the ocean! We first went to tour the WWII ship, USS North Carolina. After that, we went to the beach. This is the point where Ray started feeling sick. Ray laid on the beach while Tom and I went for a walk. It was a bit chilly to go in the water, but it was gorgeous!

Tom, Me, and Ray at the front of the USS North Carolina

On Sunday, we went out to Bald Head Island by ferry (a short, non-choppy ferry ride, thank you!). We didn't have much time, but we took a walk up the lighthouse (which was not recommended for pregnant women, hah) and enjoyed a fantastic view!

Luckily, Ray was feeling better on Sunday, because Tom had talked up Ray's basketball skills to his Raleigh friends. They had a great time beating some college kids on the UNC basketball courts.

The victory walk after beating kids 10 years younger than them!!!

That night, Tom called up an acquaintance who showed us the view of downtown Raleigh from her high-class downtown apartment building. We met some people who probably have a lot more money than we will ever have! It was very interesting :)

View of the Capitol building

A great time was had by all, as always. I doubt we'll make it back to Raleigh again next year (maybe Ray will???), but we'll definitely have to get back there SOON. We always have such a wonderful time.

20 Weeks!

We're halfway there!


Can you tell I have a limited maternity wardrobe?!? :)