Michael Davis Duncan

Michael Davis Duncan
Born September 23, 2011
1 lb, 5 oz

Michael was born 16 weeks early.  He is doing very well, but has a very long road ahead of him.  He is a good size for his age, but still very teeny tiny.  Please pray for health and strength as he grows and develops, wisdom for his team of doctors and nurses at Riley and calm and strength for Scott and me.  We love this little guy so very much and are so happy that we have been chosen to be his parents.

One of these days, I will write out and post his birth story for all to hear.  For now, I am just enjoying being a mommy to this amazing little boy.

Reading List

Ever since my sister Melanie taught me to read, I have had an almost insatiable craving to read anything I can get my hands on.  For the past few years, I have been in a book club.  We meet once a month to discuss the books and just have some fun girl time.  I have been pretty good this year about reading our books, in addition to other ones.  In years past, I have tried keeping a list of everything I had read for the year- I usually average about 30 books a year.  I definitely feel I have been slacking a little this year.  I blame it partly on this pregnancy.  I used to love to get into bed early and read until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.  Now, I pretty much get in bed and pass out immediately.  We are planning to go on vacation in October, so hopefully I can get caught up :)  Here is what I have read so far:

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4 Blondes by Candace Bushnell
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
What to Expect when You're Expecting (working my way through it week-by-week) by Heidi Murkoff
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Dune Road by Jane Green
Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rawandan Holocaust by Imaculee Ilibagiza
Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (I have tried to read this multiple times. Still working on it)
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields

You may notice that there is a lot of teen fiction on my list.  I absolutely LOVED the Hunger Games trilogy and almost cried when I was finished reading it.  Now, I am hooked on Lauren Oliver books.  I have read her only two books and they were both fantastic.  I have a few other books by on request at the library by authors I have not yet read, so I should be able to add to the list pretty quickly.  Scott bought me a Kindle for my birthday this year and I learned recently that the library is in the process of making it possible to "check out" e-books!  This is HUGE!  I love my Kindle, but sometimes struggle with the fact of paying so much for a book that isn't a physical book.  And of course I love the library because it is free.

What are you reading right now?

Halfway!

I've seen this survey floating around online and I stole it from my book club friend Kristen.  I haven't really talked much about my pregnancy on the blog so far and since I'm now past the halfway mark, I thought you all should know what's going on with me, my bod and my baby.

How far along? 21 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? 8ish lbs.- which I think I am carrying all up top...if ya know what I mean.

Maternity clothes? Some, but not all.  I have this awesome pair of maternity khaki pants that roll up to be capris.  They are the best.  I could live in them!  I'm pretty much still wearing my jeans and regular shirts, though.  I actually WANT to wear maternity clothes.  I got a lot of really cute things from my friend Amanda and purchased a few things from Old Navy that I am eager to wear.

Stretch marks? Not yet...hopefully not ever!  My mom and sister did not get them, so I'm holding out hope that I will be the same.

Sleep? Hit or miss.  One night, I will sleep like a champ, only waking up once to pee, while other nights, I feel I spend more time in the bathroom than in bed.  I hate sleeping on my side, so I bought a body pillow to hug while I sleep and that has really helped.  

Best moment last week? Seeing our baby on the ultrasound screen.  I could have looked at that all day :)

Movement? Some, mostly at night.  He was all over the place during the ultrasound, so I must just not be feeling it yet.

Food cravings? Not many.  I was feeling pretty queasy my first trimester and all I wanted was mashed potatoes and gravy and really starchy foods.  Now, I'm pretty much eating normal again.  I have found that while I'm not craving a lot of things, I have definite aversions to certain foods.  I normally love chicken wings and the thought of eating meat off the bone right now makes me want to vomit :(   I also cannot stomach the thought of coffee right now, either.

Gender? BOY!!!  We just found out this past Thursday and couldn't be happier!

Labor signs? Nope...thank goodness!

Belly button in/out? In.  My tummy isn't very big yet, so we'll see!  I just took my bellybutton ring out the other day, just in case my belly does pop in the near future.

What I miss: Wanting to go to the gym after work, drinking coffee and beer

What I am looking forward to: Being able to feel movement from the outside!

Overall update: Overall, everything is looking great! My doctor is really laid back and happy with how my pregnancy is coming along.  I have been experiencing a lot of heart burn lately- apparently that means I am having a hairy baby!

Baby Names: We don't really have anything we are set on yet...but since everyone likes to know what we're thinking, here you go.
- Boy: We are leaning towards Michael, but nothing set in stone yet.

And now...what you've been waiting for...the picture!