24 Weeks and Uninvited "Guests"

Well, I admit that I've fallen a little behind in my blogging...it's been a crazy few weeks around here in the Baugher house!  First things first, we'll back up to November 2nd; I was officially 24 weeks along and Chris and I were feeling refreshed after spending a night away the previous weekend at The Lost Pines resort in Bastrop.  It was a typical Wednesday morning at work when around 9:20 I got a call from an 800 number on my cell phone.  The call was from an ADT operator explaining that our alarm was going off at home and asking if everything was okay.  After I told her I was not home, she said she would alert the police and asked me to meet them at our house.  I immediately left the office and hurried home, all the while hoping (and partially believing) that it was a false alarm.  We had one once before during a storm when we were at home, so I kept telling myself not to worry.  When I pulled up in front of the house, the front door was hanging wide open but did not appear damaged.  "OK", I thought, officially freaked out but still naive enough to hope that maybe we'd left it unlocked and the wind had blown it open.  I circled my car around and parked across the street, staring at the house with uncertainty.  I knew I shouldn't go inside because someone could still be there, but I was worried about Camden.  In spite of myself, I started to cry and panic like a typical girl.  (Blame it on the pregnancy hormones!)  About that time, a neighbor came around the corner walking his two dogs, and I flagged him down.  He walked to the door with me while I went inside to survey the situation and get Camden out.  Luckily, Cammie was safe and sound in his crate, looking like he was just waiting for me to get home.  Unluckily, our back door was not safe and sound...

Neither were the televisions in our family room and master bedroom.  Well, I guess they were fine, but they were no longer in our house.  So, long story short, we got robbed.  I called Chris and blubbered the news to him through shocked tears.  I put Cam on his leash and got out of the house to wait for the police and for Chris.  The rest of the day was spent filing the police report, talking to concerned neighbors, and calling handyman after handyman until one finally agreed to fix our door the same day.  Needless to say, we've felt a little insecure in the house ever since.  Apparently 1out of 3 people will be a victim of home theft in their lifetime, but it feels absolutely terrible when it's you.  The fact that someone was in our house, in our BEDROOM, really made me feel violated.  And the fact that someone broke our door down to take things that do not belong to them, that they didn't work for, really made me feel angry. Anger paired with pregnant hormones makes for a crazy, crazy girl.  So, we now have taken extra precautions and are better prepared for this type of situation...I truly hope it never happens again, but if it does, we will be ready!  All in all, we were lucky.  The house was not wrecked and we really only lost two TVs and one door frame.  No one was hurt and that is by far the most important thing. 

On a much lighter note, my 24 week doctor's appointment went great.  I had my first tummy measurement and the doctor said I was exactly the right size for 24 weeks.  Other than that I just got to hear Brady's heartbeat again, which never, ever gets old.  That steady "whoosh whoosh whoosh" is the most beautiful sound in the whole world :0)  Picture and stats for Week 24:

Baby Bump at 24 Weeks...almost finished the 2nd Trimester!

How Far Along:  24 weeks
Size of Baby:  Approximately 12 inches & 1 1/4 pounds
Gender:  Still boy :0)
Maternity Clothes:  I had to make another run to the store to get some colder weather maternity clothes this week in preparation for a trip to Maryland and Pennsylvania.  I got two new pairs of jeans and a couple new tops, one of which is for my MD Baby Shower!!

Movement:  Lots of gentle kicks and punches now, mostly noticeable at night when we settle down to watch TV or head up to bed.  Chris can feel him about half the time now, which makes me smile.
Sleep:  I am still waking up pretty often to use the bathroom or to switch to a more comfy position, though I don't feel too tired most of the time.  We've been going to bed pretty early to make up for a lot of waking up throughout the night.
Symptoms:  More and more movement, a little swelling in my ankles after a long day at work, and of course an ever-expanding belly!  I'm also already feeling like I might be "nesting"...I feel the urge to tidy up every night before bed and I have been really anal about putting things away and getting going on the nursery, etc.
What I Miss:  Getting up from bed without needing momentum...hahaha!
Cravings:  Nothing really strange lately.  Still very into cheese of course, but no odd food cravings.
Best Moment This Week:  Sharing Brady's movements with Chris...our family of three feels so connected when he kicks and Chris and I can both feel it!

My next post will be of my MD Baby Shower and I hope to get it done this week.  I cannot wait to share all the pictures!