Comparison Pics: 14 to 24 Weeks

Early in my pregnancy, I felt like I wasn't showing and didn't look pregnant.
I was quite frustrated about it. Those days are long GONE!!

Here's my belly at approximately 14 weeks:

Today at almost 25 weeks: (and with much less hair)

This "growth spurt" has been interesting and uncomfortable. But we've only got 3 months to go!!!

24 week Update - Baby Kendrick's Supplies

Stage 1, 2 & 3 Pampers

We've been making some efforts to get Baby Kendrick's supplies in order. I've bought three stages of pampers plus wipes. All of the pampers were on sale and bought with a coupon.

First outfit

Since we don't know if Baby Kendrick is a boy/girl, we're left with gender neutral clothing options so far. Thanks to Auntie Mignon in NY, Baby Kendrick has this 7 piece beige outfit to come home in. I'm glad it includes a hat!

We're hoping March won't be too chilly for when we bring the baby home.

Onesies

Daddy Kendrick took us shopping a few weeks ago. Grabbed some good deals at Burlington Coat Factory. Made sure to buy clothing in stages - from newborn to 9 months.

Mommy's christening blanket

While we were home in NY, Grandma Brewer gave me my crocheted christening blanket and pillow case. The first time she used these with me was back in September 1973!! Thank you Grandma for preserving these so we can use them 36 years later.

23 week Update

Baby Kendrick's feet at 20 weeks

Sorry for the lapse in posts and updates on Baby Kendrick.

I had to fly home to NY because my Mom broke her wrist and hurt her back during a bad fall. While I was there we got the sad news that my Aunt Shirley in Philadelphia passed away. On the flight home to Atlanta, I started feeling sick. That turned into a 10 day cold that I really couldn't "treat" with typical medicines because most are not safe for pregnant women. As soon as I got over my cold, my husband caught it. Oh well!!

On a happier note, we were able to shoot the 20 week ultrasound video you saw below. We also got a few pics of Baby Kendrick including my favorite: his/her feet above.

This has been an incredibly active week for Baby Kendrick in my belly. Maybe it's because he/she is getting larger and stronger, but I feel movement EVERYDAY! It's not the kind of movement that keeps me awake - thank goodness! It's just those reassuring kicks that the baby is saying "Hey, I'm in here!" If I lie very still in bed and lift my shirt, I can see my belly shake.

After a rough night of some hip joint pain, I even had a dream about Baby Kendrick's birth. Pregnant women have lots of very vivid dreams. Here's mine:

I was in a hospital bed with my husband asleep next to me. My Mom was sitting on the left side of the bed looking ecstatic about the birth of her "newest" grandchild.

She asked me, "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Sitting on the table in front of me was a burrito I had apparently just given birth to!

I had to unwrap the burrito to find out the baby's sex.

I dug through the beans, rice and cheese to find...........

a BABY GIRL!!!

She was incredibly cute and alert. Weighed 6 lbs 2 oz.

But I was questionning how could I give birth to a full term baby when I was only five months pregnant.

My attention turned to a lady sitting in the room who was giving me a "face" because she apparently thought I was further along in my pregnancy.

Then I kissed Baby Girl Kendrick's face and her head jerked back as if I alarmed or startled her.

I asked "Are you OK baby?"

The newborn nodded as if to say, "Yeah, I'm good."

(I should point out - my husband was asleep in the bed next to me throughout this entire dream!)

So I still don't know if Baby Kendrick is a boy/girl. Although my dreaming mind must think it's a girl. I had a dream earlier in my pregnancy that the baby was a boy, but that dream wasn't as detailed as this one. I believe that dream came from the perspective that my husband said if we have a boy, we can stop at one kid vs. continually trying for a boy.

I say - one and done!

20 Week Update: Baby Kendrick Ultrasound video

At today's 20 week ultrasound appointment, we brought along a Flipcam to record the video. The video lasts about 5 minutes. To catch the most movement:

1:50 Baby Kendrick touches his/her face

2:30 squirming

3:00 wiggles for almost 1 minute

4:01 Baby Kendrick is "climbing the walls" of my belly.

Amazingly, I'm not feeling much movement because of where the placenta is. The ultrasound tech said the baby is head down and the feet are kicking the placenta, not my uterus.

It was a fabulous experience. We saw the four chambers of Baby Kendrick's heart, the kidneys, the spine and everything looked good. There's nothing like the smile on my husband's face when he sees/feels the baby. He was glowing when we heard the heartbeat.

Daddy Kendrick wouldn't budge on his stance to NOT find out if Baby Kendrick is a boy/girl. The ultrasound tech was nice enough not to "zoom" into that area!

In case the above video doesn't show, you can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWCmO7Uhx1o

"Happy to be Nappy" Slideshow

Happy to be "Nappy"

Today I made a bold move. I cut off my relaxed and highlighted hair to reveal my natural texture. (Much love to Sharon of Salon Balisi!!!)
It's been something I've fantasized doing for years but never had the nerve to do. Mostly, because chemically relaxed hair is more "acceptable" for a black woman who appears on TV, like I did for over a decade. Now that I'm not appearing on-camera anymore I didn't have to worry about any work-related issues.
More importantly, now that Baby Kendrick is in my belly I really didn't want to subject him/her to the chemicals that would enter my body if I continued to straighten my hair.

This is the first time in at least 22 years I have not had my hair chemically straightened and the first time in about 13 years I haven't had my hair highlighted or lightened.

What clinched the deal for me was seeing Chris Rock's "documentary" film "Good Hair." My review wouldn't exactly be complimentary to his film, but I was concerned by many of the issues Rock highlighted. Watch the trailer HERE.

Here's a look at my adventure today: http://www.photoshow.com/watch/WU6wc3un

I have a "supportive circle" who agrees with and understands my decision. On the flip side, I've already gotten some negative comments from family and friends. Can't say it didn't hurt a little. I'm only human. But it's a personal decision and I made it FOR ME.

17 week update: Thank God for Bella Bands

Here's a look at my 17 week belly thanks to my "gift" of maternity clothes and a Bella band from Jeriah's mom, Renee.

I admit, I didn't know how to put on the Bella band at first. I had to google it and check out how other expectant mommies were wearing them.

The bands give you some flexibility in wearing your pre-maternity clothes. You can wear and old pair of jeans without struggling to zip or button them over your growing belly. The band covers the gap in your pants and offers an elastic covering for the rest of your belly.

I really didn't feel like I looked pregnant until the day I wore the Bella band. It helped give my tummy more of a round vs. flabby look.