Happy Spring!!

Today, the crib bedding came! OH MY GOD - it really real now. We picked a classic Winnie the Pooh theme from Target and I fell in love with it. Its tough to pick something "nuetral" because most neutral stuff looks like boy....but this one didnt. Its just soft vanilla, light blue, light pink, light brown.....LOVE IT.
The nursery is getting painted next week. Keith has taken everything down from the "blue room" walls...so its ready to go.
I can't believe that is going to be a nursery in a few short days. I think I will hang out in that room MORE once its for the baby. We got so lucky....Kim and Dave (sis in law) is passing on the crib that our nieces were in, and a day bed, which will be PERFECT for the oversizes nursery. How blessed are we??? Now I get to find and refurbish/re-paint a dresser or a hutch and the room will be complete.
I think I felt some flutters this morning. We are pretty sure Herm was bouncing around in there....it was fluttery and bubbly feeling....NEAT. It bet it will be super weird (and awesome) when the kid really starts kicking around...I don't know which one of us is more excited at the thought.
I am going to get some side profile pictures up soon....as well as the before (and after) picutres of the nursery).
It's FINALLY spring...the weather here is beautiful and for the most part I'm feeling much better. My few items of maternity clothes are constantly in the wash and looking ratty, so this weekend is the outlet mall - Motherhood Maternity! Can't wait! I think Keith is even excited! Crazy right? He's cute like that. He loves the Herm bump-he truly lights up when he sees tummy. I think my stretch marks are actually invisible to him. I wonder if they will be once the pregnancy is all over! YIKES.
So next week the nursery is getting painted and we have our next Dr. Appt on Friday April 9th. We will be 18 weeks. CRAZY! We're practically half way there. Amazing.
Happy Spring!
Happy Easter!

Planning the nursery

I'm really excited. Today I begin the planning of the nursery-getting a quote for painting :) The blue room is not going to be "the blue room" for much longer!
We are so lucky, that room is PERFECT for a baby. I am going to go over to Home Depot today and pull the paint options for color. I didn't realize that Disney has Winnie the Pooh colors......and there are over 50. Ridiculous right? I have an idea of what I want. Since we are NOT going to find out boy/girl we are planning a classic Winnie the Pooh nursery. Too bad there are 30 "classic" paint colors! We did a good job with the paint colors in the rest of the house, so I'm hoping this goes as smooth.
On of my favorite ideas is adding a chair-rail. Can't wait to find out if that is do-able. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to describe that to Keith...I'm not doing a good job. I need to find a picture.

So now that I'm in the 4th month....14 weeks...its setting in that this is really real. I am hoping that my energy is on its way back. I feel motivated by the spring weather. Can't wait to be outside again, taking walks, relaxing on the deck, watching baseball-fabulous.
I need to take a few side-profile pictures (thanks Kelli). The baby is definitely a big bump. Keith loves it. I'm getting used to it. My work clothes don't fit. I really don't want to buy Chase maternity clothes...I'm going to try and stretch (literally) what I have using the bella band.
It is fun to actually "show" instead of being the sick, no energy girl that SAYS she's pregnant. That gets old. I remember Lisa A. saying that when she was pregnant with Teagan. She was excited to finally "show" and have the visual instead of explaining. Let's see...what else??? Ohhhh-stretch marks-these are fun and fabulous! Sometimes I count them - what the heck else can you do about them except stare at them? Such pretty things arent they.
So since this is the year of the pregnancy, I just want to say hi to all the other baby makers who read the blog. I know we're all within a couple of week or months of each other...so I hope things are going great for everyone and you're enjoying the spring weather and sunshine. I am going to plan a "mock tail" party as soon as the spring weather levels off....so maybe April. We can have fake cocktails and yell at the not-pregnant smokers to smoke far far away from us and eat yummy platefuls of stuff and not give a shit :)

#2

I will preface this post by saying - its not the most attractive topic. Consider yourself warned.
This is what is on my mind....actually this is one of the ONLY things on my mind, so that is what I am going to vent about.
I never thought I would miss going #2.
Yep, I said it.
I feel like a 90 year old woman. Prunes, prune juice, bran muffins, bran cereal, apples, pulpy orange juice, v8 fruit fusion, water, water, more water, gatorade, ss (code word for stool softener), metamucil......
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?
And guess what? I know its "normal". Thanks everyone for telling me :) Still doesnt solve the problem.
The hormones, the pressure of the baby, I get it. But this sucks. It more than sucks, its border line ridiculous.
I used to be OVERLY cautious about what I ate. I was the girl who had to know where the bathroom was before I walked in the door anywhere new. Gross, I know, but the truth.
Having people call to check on me throughout the day to ask me if I've pooped - its been a strange week, needless to say.
So now I'm focusing the majority of my day on when I took my last SS, what I ate, what I feel like eating (which at this point isn't much because I dont think it will find its way OUT). My tummy makes noises like an aircraft is taking off inside.
I think the baby (or the "herm" as Keith calls it - combo name for 'her' and 'him')
thinks this is hilarious. Now I'm leaning toward - this is a girl. I convinced that if its a girl, she is already testing me (and I'm not doing well).
So, this is not the cutest topic, and I'm sure I will regret posting about pooping - but seriously. This is stupid.
I just want to go #2.

11+ weeks

Almost through the week - thank GOD! Not a good week. The anti-barffing fairy must be on vacation. Monday was pretty icky. Tuesday I was off and did absolutely NOTHING. I laid on the couch all day. I drank about 8 bottles of water and ate some random sh*t. Right now, oranges taste like heavan. Something about the citrus flavors the last few weeks...YUM-MEE. And the mexican food craving has not subsided as of yet. We had tacos Tuesday night, and oh my god, that was fabulous. Who knew that Tastee-Bite would have authentic and awesome tacos? Mmmmmm tacos.
Keith is doing a WONDERFUL job taking care of me and my whims. I know he thinks I'm silly most of the time, but I can't help it. "The baby" wants what it wants. Most of the time it wants Daddy to stop at Kroger or Walmart on his way home from work :) and he is fabulous.....he stops, no complaints. Awwww.
Let's see, what else this week? Oh...I've decided that I will not struggle getting off the couch for much longer. The 'baby bump' is officially a bump now. No disguising it. And what are these stretch marks? DAMMIT.
Ok, so back to the couch issue. Apparently I struggle getting up and off our couch, and we are pretty sure it will only get worse. So the solution?? Buying the rocker/glider chair ASAP. I can't wait to sit in that thing and put my feet up and glide. I anticipate that I will not want to get out of that chair at all. So we're hunting for the perfect glider currently. I hope to report soon that it has been purchases and is on its way to my family room (where I will have to build it).
What else? Oh I want to have a "mock-tail" party once it gets a little warmer. Pregnancy is on the rise this year and if you aren't pregnant, you know 5 of us that are :) so why not have a party? Once the weather gets a little bit nicer, I want to be in the backyard on the deck with lots of friends. Countdown till spring.
I'm hungry, but I might throw up.
Strange combination that I'm getting used to.
Next Dr. appointment - Tuesday March 2nd -

10 weeks - and tired

At ten weeks I'm getting pretty anxious for trimester 2. Today was one of the days I debated (heavily) on if I could make it to work or not. The zofran helped....but I'm still not great and it's mid-afternoon. Work is busy today, which is helpful for the passing of the time.
I'm not sleeping real well. I toss and turn at night, plus I get up and go to the stupid bathroon every hour and a half. This is gonna get worse I hear....then what? The bathroom every half hour? It disrupts my sleep, so I'm working on getting used to that. We have this cute little rubber duck night light that I USED to think was just darling...now I want to smash it everytime I stumble in the bathroom in the middle of the night. Not so cute when I'm spending half the evening visiting the bathroom.
I hold true to the thinking that I will be a super fun, beyond fabulous and happy SECOND trimester pregnant girl. I'm already more comfortable in my maternity tops. The bella bands are holding up my pre-pregnant pants and making them oh-so-comfy these days. I long for the time of day when I get home and put on my shorts and slippers. 'Comfy clothes' has been totally redefined for me during pregnancy. LOVE IT.
Keith is going to Jamiaca...I'm pretty jealous. The preggo-wife isn't going. Too risky with food and barfing and the flight...relaxing at the pool would be fantastik, but GETTING THERE seems too much for me.  It's really neat that his boss pays for the trip for them once a year. It should be fun for him to get away, and relax a bit. I'm sure between work and home-life (a.k.a. ME) it hasn't been easy the last few months. So I'll be hanging with 'the Donna' and the doggies. Girl-week should be fun. I'm thinking American Idol and mexican food. YUM.
Hoping winter fades ASAP. This weather is depressing. I want spring at least. No coat...no more snow. For me, spring symbolizes all my hopes of feeling better, having more energy, getting outside and walking everyday. I love the morning smells in the spring and summer. I love that our street will come alive and the crazy kids will be playing in the middle of the road again. I want to sit on my deck and have my morning coffee (well, now my morning juice). I want to come home after work to fresh cut grass smell and eat dinner on the deck.
Here's hoping it gets here fast!

9 weeks - 1st Ultra Sound!

So we had our first Dr. appt on Tuesday February 2nd. We are all excited for you Q&A session with Dr. Cassidy and our ultra sound. Well....that didnt go according to plan. We did meet with the doctor, Keith finally met Dr. Cassidy and we got to ask ALL the questions we had written down. He answered each one like it was the first time he heard it, so that was much appreciated. Then he let us know that the ultra sound wouldn't be for another week, because it had to get submitted to insurance BEFORE hand. So of course, we were bummed. But we set the appt for Monday Feb. 8th.

The week went by relatively fast....I was left hoping that the terrible nausea I was feeling would fade. But no.  I have stuggled quite a bit with this ridiculous barf-feeling. I know I know...I'm pregnant, what else should I expect? I don't mean to complain.....it just sucks. Being at work and throwing up in front of a customer.....not appropriate. I'm trying to tough it out. I'll try ANYTHING once to see if it helps. Not a whole lot does. The Dr. gave me a perscription that is helping.....so far so good. Doesn't take the barf away completely, but it does help. I have to work, so I have to do something to be able to stick it out.

Still pretty tired, but I'm getting used to it. It doesn't hurt Keith's feelings anymore when its 9pm and I head to bed. He gets its. I think he secretly gets excited about extra "Keith" time with the big screen. The Dr. explained that my trimester one "issues" don't phase out (as I hoped), they more just END all of a sudden in week 12-14.....here's hoping.

So our appt on Monday was great. Seeing our gummy bear bean baby was as strange and wonderful as anticipated. It's amazing to actually get a glimpse of someONE in my tummy! Keith loved every second of it. I think he had lived his whole life to be a "daddy" and that moment solidified it for him (so far). The heart is just beating away in there.....neat to see the fluttering. 158 BPM (for anyone who follows old wives tales.....oh and when the ring is dangled over my belly, it spins in a circle).

I was NOT happy with the "type" of ultra sound I had to have, it would have been nice to be told ahead of time at least. That isn't something you get excited about when you walk into the ultra sound room.....it was a bit awkward for Keith I'm sure. But all in all........what an amazing 30 minutes. Dr. says all the pictures look great and the heart rate is normal and I'm on schedule with the initial due date (Sept 12th).

I did buy my first couple maternity shirts and one pair of stretch-waist jeans. FABULOUS. I  may wear those suckers long after our little one is here :) Old Navy had a great sale, so I got a few things.

I have gain a protruding tummy/bump already. My bella bands are helping keep most of my pants on...but I amdit, a few are too snug. I'm kinda excited to see my bump...no shame here. At least its some proof that I'm pregnant.....not just the sick girl who is tired and hungry all the time. Speaking of that.............DAMN am I hungry. If I am not feeling shitty...I'm starving. Starving like I haven't eaten in days. Let's see....cravings so far. #1 craving - Mexican food. (my first actual craving was KFC coleslaw...that was hilarious to see Keith's face. I'm pretty sure he thought I was kidding, until I ate the family size all by myself in 15 minutes).
I'm thirsty all the time so I stick to water and fruit punch gatorade (which I loved before pregnancy...but now I drink it like it has the cure in it). I stash granola bars everywhere and do my best to not embarrass myself wolfing down food.  Hmmm. What food makes me yack???  Deli meat, cheese, chicken/fish (so far)
My super-hero smell is still going strong. I can smell anything and everything. Very strange! I'm trying not to push it...but Keith's deoderant is gagging :) I'm sure it would be worse if he didn't wear any at all....but I'm dropping hints to see if he will switch to unscented :)
So.....9 weeks now. Getting anxious for the 2nd trimester. I am excited for the days I wake up and I'm not tired and not feeling shitty. I think I will be a FABULOUS 2nd trimester-mom to be.


Next appt - Tuesday March 2nd.

6 weeks

Well, I'm at 6 weeks and so far, so good. TIRED is the worst of it. I never thought I could be this tired, for no other reason than pregnant. I go to bed at 9pm, I get up at 7 or 8am, and I feel like I haven't slept at all. On my off days, I lay around like I have the flu. Ridiculous. But it's not everyday, and it's not all day...so I'm doing just fine.
The nausea is sparatic. I don't feel icky every morning and every night. Sometimes it's one or the other. Sometimes it lasts for a half hour, sometimes its 2 or 3 hours. Slatines and Ritz are fabulous, they get me though it. I've even been leaving some in the nightstand by the bed. "The Book" says to munch in the middle of the night when I get up to pee...and that is suppose to avoid the icky, empty stomach feeling that brings on the barfy feeling. So that's what I'm doing.
When I refer to "The Book" it's, of course, "What to Expect When Expecting". The book everyone reads. And yes, its a bible to me. I check it for everything. The weekly play-by-play. Keith is reading it with me. He seems confused at some parts, but he's interested and excited by what it has to say.

The best was on night one of reading, we were on the chapter talking about 'birth plans'. It was talking about choosing doctors or midwifes, hospitals or home-birth. He was following  just fine, until I started reading about the 'birthing rooms' at hospitals. I finished about 4 paragraphs worth of info when he came out of the bathroom, toothbrush in mouth, and managed to mumble, "....I don't get it".
Turns out he was most confused why the book spent 2 pages descirbing a room at hospital where we will deliever a baby. Valid point...I couldn't answer that question. It did seem basic enough to just state...and move on. But the look on his face was just classic. I told him that if he was confused about the 'birthing room' then we might have some future issues :)

But really, Keith is doing great so far. He talks to my tummy as much as he talks to me. Of course he is excited, he was born to be a daddy. So no it's no surprisethat he is contantly whipering to my belly button.
He's adjusting to me pretty well. He is finally accepting the the 'tired' thing is no joke. Lucky for us, one of the attorney's he works with just had a baby at the end of Decemeber, so he has someone to bounce all this off of on a daily basis (if needed). I think once our first appt happens, it will officially be REAL for him, and probably me too. I admit, it's strange to be 6 weeks pregnant, you know you ARE pregnant, you are excited and anxious and full of questions....but you don't feel different other than being tired feeling bloated in your clothes.  Appointment number one is on February 2nd. We will be about 10 weeks by then, so an ultrasound and the babies heartbeat will probably throw us BOTH into crazy-emotion town.
So that's blog #1 - I will continue to update as exciting, and unexciting things happen along the way.
Oh, and I almost forgot - we are NOT finding out the sex of the baby -