21 Weeks

Hey hey, hope everyone is doing well! We're in full throttle over here in the Ratliff household. Ben is beginning to think about preparing for his exams.... notice I said "beginning to THINK about". This is just the preliminary stage of stress for him. It gets worse as we near the holidays. So we've got that going for us. :) I'm sure he'll do SUPERIOR as he always does. I've been feeling very pregnant lately, especially after stepping on the scale at my monthly doc. appt. last week. I can honestly say that I've never gained 10 pounds in one month... until now. WOW. I just love stepping on those scales. Really though, it's a great feeling knowing that it's just a sign of a healthy baby boy growing rapidly inside me. By the way, he's now at least 8 inches long, and one of my books compared him to the length of a SQUIRREL! As Ben says, "babe, no wonder your belly is so big! It's like you've got an entire squirrel surrounded by a water balloon in there!" :) Nice point- that does explain so much. The biggest milestone I've noticed this week is the fact that my belly button is SO very close to popping out (to be an "outtie") it could happen any day now. I am curious as to after it "pops"... will it ever go back in?? Any mommies have an answer for that one? 

We're back...

Sorry once again for the delay... I wanted to start giving belly updates every other week for a while, but I just get so tickled when I get phone calls and emails "demanding" an update! So here you go... a big fat belly picture just to appease all you skinny minis out there. I bet you just like looking at them because it makes you feel better about your own belly! :)  Kidding. I am about 20 weeks now and feeling great. Whatever I said last week about not having a big appetite is absolutely NOT true anymore.... I am eating anything and everything this week! And I can tell the baby is going through a growth spirt because I am having "growing pains" more than ever in my abdomen. Baby boy is the length of a banana now, and throwing kicks and punches whenever he pleases. He's most active at night when I lay still and am trying to go to sleep... of course that's when he decides to come out and play. Speaking of sleep, I've had the hardest time adjusting to the new sleep positions I've had to take on. I've always slept on my tummy, but that is no long an option, as I feel like I am going to smoosh his face whenever I try! But laying on my back is no good either- apparently it causes pregnant women all kinds of back problems. That's been my challenge of the week- figuring out how to go to sleep on my side with a baby performing what feels like an acrobatic routine in my abdomen. Trust me- it's harder than it sounds! 

18.5 Weeks

Hello friends! First of all, I must say that it was quite funny receiving two phone calls from dear friends yesterday REQUESTING an update on the blog (you know who you are!) and reminding me that I was already a day late on the usual update routine. I loved it though, because it made all of my blog writing hours - okay minutes- well worth the effort, just knowing how "into it" some of you get! :) So yay- here's your weekly update, and MY APOLOGIES for the 24 hour delay. Never again. This week, baby Ratliff is the length of a mango, which I enjoy telling people much more than last week's comparison. His 5 senses are heightening at a great speed these days, which means he can finally hear his mama talk ALL DAY LONG to her students. I told Ben and he immediately lowered his head to my belly and began talking to him in a deep burly voice probably about something important like football or beef. My appetite has kind of slowed down lately, which seems strange since baby is growing so FAST. I'm sure it will all even out in the end. Here's a few pictures from the week. Ben's working hard to start the UT brainwashing early. I've GOT to find some TCU stuff for this baby to have a chance. Y'all have a great week and eat some pickles and ice cream for me.