Growing Pains

Baby B has been on the move. At least I hope whats going on. That little bugger has been causing me some serious stomach pains since last night. Its kind of a hard to describe pain, but I'll try anyways. Kind of like cramps, kind of like what I imagine contractions to be, kind of like when you try to touch your toes and your muscles in the back of your legs burn- only in your abdomen. Maybe its what it feels like when you get cramps from running- but I wouldn't know such a thing. I don't participate in activities that require a lot of energy and/or sweat.

I imagine my stomach muscles pulling and ripping and stretching all at once. Baby B is making its way out of its comfy little home nestled in my uterus covered by stomach fat and out into the world for all to see. Coincidentally enough, my pregnancy app sent me a notification today that said this:

Thank you, Baby Center! Now I know why it feels like my insides are going to come flying out at any minute. My little babe is on its way to doubling in size. Now I know why I wanted to curl up in a ball and whine my day away. (Have we figured out I'm a total wimp yet??) Note to self: seven year olds don't have much sympathy when you tell them your tummy hurts. So selfish, they are! Anyways, I guess this is all good news as I am FINALLY starting to get the bump I've been wanting. The bump that I am positive, as soon as I have it fully, I will be annoyed with and want it gone. Immediately. The bump that I keep telling myself I've been lucky to make it this far without.

Here is my little avocado's bump at week 16:

K

Emotional Rollercoaster

Yesterday was a tough day during the day...rather unexpectedly. Its funny how something so little can send everything into a tailspin out of nowhere. I was on the phone with my dad when we got to talking about my delivery. In all honesty, its not something I've thoroughly thought about. Sure, we've decided on a hospital and we know its "supposed" to happen in the middle of July. But I hadn't yet thought of the aftermath. What happens when the baby is born and everyone leaves? I guess I kind of panicked because the tears started flowing and then they wouldn't or couldn't stop.

Of course my dad and then A did their best to talk me through it. But sometimes, I guess you just need to cry. And cry I did. You see, all of my family lives in Michigan, at least 5 hours away. Its something that I've been fine with since I moved here. Sure its a drive, but its just that: a drive. I don't have to fly home and I can be there relatively quickly when need be. Not to mention, I'm lucky to see my family quite often throughout the year.

But an event as significant as actually having a baby is something I hadn't yet considered when it comes to the distance. Will they make it here in time for the delivery? How long will they be able to be here to help me learn how to become a mom?! How will I handle it by myself when A goes back to work?? Not only does my family live far away, A's mom and family live an hour away. Plus, people have to work. And then it hit me: I'm going to be all alone.

I've always been very independent. The leader of my brother and sister and sometimes the family as a whole. It has a lot to do with my childhood and its a quality I take pride in. The problem with it is, I have a hard time letting people know or even realizing myself when I need help. So yesterday, on the phone, there I was sobbing to my dad like a 5 year old about not being sure how I'm going to get through it. Its the first time having family so far away made me feel completely alone and it terrified me.

Do not get me wrong: I married the most amazing man ever. I have no doubt in my mind he will be here to help me through every step of our new adventure that he can. The problem is, Baby B's arrival just so happens to fall smack in the middle of his busiest time at work. So the poor guy will be working his tail off for long hours at work only to come home and work his second job as a new father.

Of course, the rational me knows it will be OK. Of course it will, it always is. First time parents around the world enter into the unknown world every day and have no clue what they're doing or how they're going to get through it under all sorts of circumstances. Of course we will do the same and of course we will get through it just fine. Yesterday's breakdown reminded me just how big of a change we are going to go through and that this is only the beginning. But I was also reminded the best part of all, is that we'll get through it together.

After I pulled myself together, A's brother Mike and his girlfriend Jess headed over to our place for dinner. And they brought with them junk. Lots of junk food.

Oh my word it was the best cure for a rough day. Not only that, it was a reminder that we do have family close...right around the corner in fact. And thats on top of the countless amazing friends we have living nearby who will no doubt be here as often as needed.

Everything really will be a-ok. Especially now that I've gotten off of the emotional rollercoaster. For now. ;)

xo,
K

The Great Sex Debate

No, Dad, you don't have to stop reading. Get your minds out of the gutter. I'm here today to talk about the debate we've been having the last week or so. Maybe not so much a debate, but more of trying to talk through both sides and decide on what to do. Finally, we've come to a decision.

A and I will be finding out the sex of Baby B on March 1!!

Its funny, we went into this saying absolutely no way we wanted to find out the sex. I'm not sure why, growing up I thought for sure I'd want to know once I got pregnant. It was just an idea that came to us easily and seemed to work for both of us. Then one day last week, A brought up the idea of maybe finding out.

I have to admit, until then, I hadn't even let myself begin to think about finding out. I knew if I allowed myself to think about it, the curiosity and desire for control would take over. So when A brought it up, I was kind of taken aback and a little nervous. I mean, did I want to let myself go there? To think maybe we would get a chance to know?!

After slowly talking about it more and more over the last week, we came to a mutual decision of agreeing to find out. Now I'm spilling over with anticipation and CAN. NOT. WAIT. I don't know how I wrapped my mind around not finding out for 10 months at one time.

Our reasons for deciding to find out were this:
-A will be in the height of his work season when Baby B comes into our lives and knowing ahead of time will give him time to let the idea of a girl or boy settle in and allow him to bond more.
-I agreed with the bonding part and am whole heartedly excited to start calling Baby B by its name we've decided on and not "it" anymore.
-I don't have to suffer through the last 5 months of pregnancy in wonder. And that my friends, was reason enough for me.

There are some people who feel strongly about not wanting to know Baby B's sex until its birthday, so I won't be discussing the sex on here...unless the cat really gets out of the bag. That way all 5 of my readers can continue to check in every once in a while.

For our big reveal, we're going to ask the doctor to write the sex in a card at the appointment. Then we're going to head downtown for the night and have a little "babymoon" of sorts enjoying the beautiful city we live in. We'll read the card together that night, have our own celebration and do everything in our power to not tell everyone that night what we found out. I'm excited to celebrate it together and have it be a moment for just A and I.

And lets be honest, I'm really excited to get the planning under way!

xo,

Baby B's First Swag

Today Baby B got his/her first winter hat and booties to keep its little feet warm next winter. Oh my gosh it took every ounce of me not to start bawling in front of all my students when I opened it. One of my sweet little ones picked it out and brought it in today as a gift. Its Baby B's first clothing present!

Look at these!! Made me tear up even laying it out to take a picture. I can just picture our little owl all bundled up in these.

So far, I've largely avoided shopping in infant sections of stores. I'm not sure if its because it hasn't hit me yet that I'm having a baby (most likely) or for fear of buying the entire store without blinking an eye. I've always loved shopping for other people's babies....but I've never imagined shopping for my very own. Needless to say, I'm very excited to hit the stores, especially after receiving this today. Its like it was some kind of validation for me to not feel crazy for shopping in baby stores for "my own".

Last night, A and I headed over to our friends Laura and Zach's for dinner. They too are expecting their first child and Laura is only 1 month ahead of me. She's been great to give me the lowdown on whats heading my way as she experiences everything. They so kindly cooked us dinner, although I'm not sure how much I even ate. I don't think Laura and I stopped talking once. It was so awesome to hang out with someone who's in the same boat as me. Don't get me wrong- I have ah-MAZING friends. But all those amazing friends can still drink. And most haven't had a baby. So it was nice to catch up with a friend who knows exactly what I'm going through-right in the moment of it all- even though she's definitely had a rougher go of it than I have ;).

Even better, Laura felt her first kicks last week and the baby's been boppin' away inside her since. I even got to feel it kick after dinner! Such an amazing thing it is, creating a baby. I certainly loved my glimpse into the next few weeks and am patiently (impatiently) waiting for my real bump to show and baby's first kicks.

Happy Wednesday!

xo
K

Groundhogs Day

No, today is not Groundhogs Day. It is, however MLK Day and our president's Inauguration Day. Both of which deserve a mention as they are major events in our nation. Whatever your political position, the fact of the matter is that we have a president being sworn in today. As we all hope, its someone that will continue to have our best interests in mind. MLK Day marks a day to remember the service Martin Luther King Jr. provided for our country pushing for equal rights. In a time where many still do not have equal rights, I do think its important to remember all the good he did for our country.

Now, back to us and our measly lives consisting of bringing a healthy baby into the world. Today we had a check-up with my regular OB-GYN. We love these visits. We also love our doctor, which is fun. Not only do A and I get to pepper her with incessant questions but I also get to be weighed and yet again, pee in a cup.

This is what brings me to feeling like I'm Bill Murray living in Groundhogs Day. I wake up and repeat the same damn things over and over again. Here it is, ladies, pregnancy in a nutshell: being stabbed for blood, peeing in a cup, repeat. Sure, theres other fun things like sickness, pain everywhere and getting huge, but those are the main two things pregnancy consists of. I kid you not.

I've had my blood taken more times than I can count in the last 2 months. Additionally, any time I set foot in a doctors office these days, I'm asked to pee in a cup. How fun it is, I might add, when your pee stream refuses to come out straight and only shoots everywhere. Disgusting, I know...but its the truth. Now when I go to the doctor, as I exit I'm handed a handful of forms guiding me to the dreadful blood bank office which will only draw more blood. FOR WHAT!?! What else can they possibly need to know? I'm pregnant, people. I'm healthy too. Leave my arms alone!!

Only I won't say that. I'll drag myself into the office yet again. Look away as they stab me. And nod when they ask if I'm doing OK, even though I feel as though I'm going to pass out.

On a good note, we got to hear Baby B's heartbeat today and that sucker was pounding away. It even moved as the doctor was prodding around my belly. I couldn't feel Baby B moving, but we could hear it. I couldn't help but giggle to myself and think its just annoyed that we're prodding around in its space. My friend Missy told me last night a co-worker's baby who is much farther along will kick out when someone touches the belly. I can't wait to mess with Baby B all the time poking and prodding to make it kick and punch out at us. Its just another way that its all becoming so real, this little baby of ours.

This is life as I know it...

This is what my long weekend has looked like so far. The orange folder holds 3 hours worth of grading that I completed today. The rest is for tomorrow and Monday. I'm actually embarrassed at how far behind I am. Although, this is not unusual. I am an unbelievable expert at procrastination. Especially when it comes to things I don't like doing. And one of those things is grading.

I. dread. it.

So what do I do? Quarter after quarter after quarter, I procrastinate until the very last minute and spend a hellish week doing nothing but grading and getting all grades in by the skin of my teeth. Then I swear up and down that I will never, EVER procrastinate on grading again. And then it happens the next quarter...like clockwork. I'm so damn predictable.

Unfortunately, right now I find myself fearing how this will effect me next year. Next year, I won't just have A distracting me...I'll have a sweet little one. One who I'd much rather snuggle with, cuddle with, play with and give kisses to than do grading. What am I going to do? I'm starting to find myself asking how on earth working moms do it more than ever before. I know they do it all and I know I will too. It just seems like an idea that is so abstract right now I cannot wrap my head around it.

So for now, I sit in my pile of papers cursing myself for my procrastinating ways and yet again promising myself I will never, EVER wait this long again. Until next quarter of course.

xo,

Where People Go to Die...

This Thursday, I took a "sick day". You see, I don't call in sick. I just can't. I'm far to anal. I dread the day I actually am on my death bed and I do have to call in. I fear a lot of things, but mainly not getting a good sub (or any sub for that matter) and not being able to create lesson plans. I have to plan to be sick. I know I'm crazy in the head and I'm sure all of that will change when there's a wee one dictating my every move.

So for this sick day, I actually was exhausted and just needed a break. Wednesday was an extremely long day and I knew I was going to be whipped. Then I got home and slept for 3 hours, so I decided to call in for the next day. When Thursday rolled around, I felt I had to do something productive since I wasn't actually "sick". That led me to attempting to head to the Social Security Administration offices. Why, you might ask? Well, I got married in October. Four months ago, actually. And I still hadn't changed my name. First it was because of the honeymoon. Well, we all know how that ended. Then it was because....well no excuse other than I'm lazy. But a little Baby Bway made its entrance into our lives. And since I know it just wouldn't fly to have Baby B with my maiden name, I decided it was time to make the switch...legally....forever. Lets be honest, had I not gotten knocked up so soon, it probably would've taken me another year, but thats besides the point.

Since A's part of the reason for the name change, I dragged him along with me. We headed over to the SSA in the city. Woah. Talk about knocking at deaths door. We walked in only to see a line to sign in before the line to wait. It was packed. Packed wall to wall with old and I'm sorry, very smelly people. We both looked at each other and decided to bolt.

Next we headed to the burbs to try out there. Certainly it HAD to be better. Out in the burbs it was a little better....a little. It was still packed. Honestly, what do these people do?!? I pulled a number and here it was:

We wearily looked up to see they were on E500. Not too bad, I guess...we were only 15 people away. Well, they don't just call the E group. They call about 5 other groups too....G, H, B, etc. This is what we got to stare at for an hour:

To make the wait real interesting and perfect for people watching. I even got to hear the manly security guard woman yell, "Put it down mother f**ker!!" in the bathroom. From what I could gather, someone next to her in the stall had touched something of hers. They came out laughing. Then there was the couple who couldn't have been any older than 18 who maybe just got married. The girl had to leave at one point to go shoot up in her car...must've been too long of a wait and the drugs wore off. She came back in high as a kite.
After waiting about 50 minutes, our number was finally called (one woman before us waited 2 hours, so I guess we were in luck). And within 10 minutes my name was officially changed. Just like that! We then bolted out to hurry to the closest lunch spot for macaroni and cheese which I was craving at the moment. Of course, when we got to the restaurant I didn't order mac and cheese. I'm allowed to change my mind, right? ;)

Phantom Pains

So, a coworker told me when I first got pregnant or forewarned me for that matter, that in pregnancy there's a thing called a Phantom Pain.

The Phantom Pain will appear in one spot one day and in another spot the next day. It never goes away. Well folks, the Phantom Pain has made its debut on this road I'm currently traveling. It started in the upper back...you all know about that one. It was AWFUL and it hung around for about a week. Then, earlier this week it just, disappeared! I was overjoyed. Today, my friends, the Phantom Pain has reappeared in my hip. Yes, my hip. I spent the entire second half of my day walking around with my hand on my back hip limping along. Ooooh it aches. I can't wait to be 85!

Now I sit wondering, whats next, huh Phantom Pain?!? Where you gonna show your face next!?! I'm on pins and needles with excitement. (That last sentence was meant to be dripping with sarcasm).

Also, earlier this week I had A's cousin Emily over for some Bachelor action. While she was here, I somehow managed to wrangle her into a DIY project I've had on my mind for a while. Its going to be so awesome in the end, but a real pain in the ass to make. I knew she was the perfect person to torture...and hey, who can say no to a pregnant lady? Below is a picture of what I'm envisioning for Baby B's nursery rug. We're going to take strips of cotton jersey and knot it through a latch and hook rug from the craft store. Fingers crossed we both make it through the project without killing each other and that it actually looks this good. Stay tuned!

In other news, guess what I saw when I came home the other day?

Looks like somebody wanted to "Snoogle". I don't know if you can tell but he decided to wrap himself in my beloved snoogle and take a little napper. Shhh....don't tell him I put this on here.

xo,

Its happening!

While I certainly haven't woken up with birds chirping (its too damn cold here) or sun shining on my head (again, its the dead of winter), I've most definitely woken up with a lot more pep in my step the last two days. I think the reason behind this is two-fold. One part my amazing new Snoogle (pregnant ladies...run out and buy one. NOW.) and the second part just might be I'm finally entering the glorious phase everyone talks about in the second trimester.

Of course, this is me we're talking about. And not a day can go by without some sort of uncertainty, wonder, or worry. Perhaps I'm normal, perhaps not. You see, now for the last two days I've felt generally pretty good. My back pain is still creeping in by the evening time, but at least I'm making it through the day now. But feeling good tends to bring worry to my mind. I caught myself again today thinking, "I don't feel pregnant today". 

And then I got home from the grocery store and realized I lost the keys to the storage unit I went in earlier today, much to my husbands dismay. He was hurrying out the door on his way to WI for the next few days and needed something from there. After searching everywhere, including my coat pockets where I could've sworn they were, he was not all that happy with me. Then I decided to check my coat pockets again....and they may or may not have been there the whole time. But the important lesson from this event is: everything's fine. And thats what matters...right?

Happy 14 weeks!!

xo

The one in which I do product placement for free.

Friday...its HERE!! Holy moly was this a long week. I wasn't sure I'd make it to this day. I spent a lot of my first trimester boo-hooing and worrying myself into a daily panic that something was wrong with Baby B for countless reasons, but the main one being: I just didn't feel pregnant. Deep down inside me I wanted to feel morning sickness so bad I threw up. I wanted to be so sick I had to stay home from school. I wanted to feel that maternal feeling of pregnancy. I guess to me, it was almost like the pregnancy initiation period. Don't get me wrong, I was sick a few times...just not nearly as bad as I swear every other pregnant woman has felt.

Lets fast forward to the 2nd trimester. The time I've been reading about for weeks- where every woman begins to feel amazing again after an awful first trimester. I swear in my mind it was going to be like waking up one day, sunshine shining on my head, birds chirping and fluttering around me. I'd bounce out of bed, my face glowing and with my energy abound I'd say to myself, "This pregnancy thing is AWESOME. I want to be pregnant all the time! I'm feeling that good!" (Seriously, this is the warped world my mind lives in).

Unfortunately for me, the second trimester seems to be payback for having an easy first trimester. Karma....you evil B. I'm beyond exhausted. I just can't seem to catch a break when it comes to sleep. And then there's the back pain. That ever present strain on my upper back. Thankfully, I have a friend who recently became a mommy who's been a wealth of information. The other day, I texted her late at night (8pm for me) to find out if she had any suggestions for relief. She texted back to look up something called the Snoogle. So I did immediately, read some reviews, mentioned to A that it looked cool and then went promptly to bed.

Well, today, at work a big package arrived for me. I tore it open only to find the Snoogle I had been looking up. Inside was no card. My first thought was honestly: "Did I buy this and forget I did??" (Believe me, thats not that unrealistic these days). Then my thought went to A. Sure enough, after I went to bed that night, he picked up where I left off reading the reviews and ordered it. He's always been a thoughtful guy, its one of the best things about him. (I on the other hand, play the role of the man...forgetting most important things and having to try really hard to be thoughtful). But since getting knocked up, he's gone even more above and beyond with the thoughtfulness. Anyways, here's hoping for a restful nights sleep tonight with my new Snoogle thanks to my amazing husband!

Additionally, another item I've come to love so far has been this belly band contraption. Excuse the poor self portrait in the mirror. I've never understood how or why people take pics like that of themselves in the bathrooms when they're all done up. Anyways, this was my attempt at that to show you how it works. Its purpose is to help extend the life of your regular jeans. You see, my pants here are unbuttoned. This way I can sneakily continue parading around in my regular old pants like they still fit. Or, better yet, as though I just ate a whole pizza and unbuttoned my pants and no one is the wiser. (Which I may or may not have done at lunch today). 

Yay for maternity goodies! Have yourselves a wonderful and relaxing weekend!! I, myself, will be catching up on sleep with my Snoogle, cheering on the Packers and eating lots of food. 

xo,

Where am I? Who am I?

My upper back has been in pain since this weekend. A non-stop dull pain that seems to not want to go away. The longer it goes on, the more I'm thinking it has to do with the new boulders my shoulders are trying to get used to carrying.

Yesterday I bought a heating pad, which has brought some relief. I've also tried sleeping on a pillow to change the arch of my back at night. Problem is, I'm a back sleeper. As I get bigger, sleeping on my back becomes more of a no-no apparently due to pressure on a major blood vessel? I don't know. Either way, I'm trying to train myself to sleep on my side. So now, at night I have a new pillow shoved under me and a husband who bless his heart, magically wakes up every time I flip to my back to wake me up and tell me I can't sleep on my back.

So maybe it has to do with the lack of sleep or the back pain distracting me, but "Pregnancy Brain" also seems to have set in.

Those of you that know me well, probably know my forgetful tendencies. I'm very organized and detailed in most aspects of my life. But in others....lets just say sometimes I act as though I have advanced Alzheimer's or I've been smoking dope daily since I was 5. Keys: if they are not on the key rack they're lost. Hat: never know where it is. Phone: always leave it behind. Water bottle: leave it everywhere. Thankfully, I was led to a man who somehow has a knack for remembering where it is I lose my objects. He keeps me sane in so many ways. I can't tell you the number of times I've lost something....looked EVERYWHERE only to ask him where it is and he knows right away.

Monday, the story below really happened.

I spent literally the entire day reminding myself I needed to go to Target after school. I remembered from the night before thinking I should go to Target. I spent the WHOLE day thinking about going to Target so I wouldn't forget to go there. So when I got out of school, I did just that. I went to Target. I got into Target and started wandering. Up and down the aisles. Looking, touching, staring and I kid you not, trying desperately to remember WHY it was I went there.

I had absolutely NO idea. None whatsoever. After almost 20 minutes, I started to panic. So I texted A. "What are you doing? Hey, why did I come to Target?" No answer. One minute later, "So, can you remember what I needed?" No answer. Then I placed a frantically embarrassed call to him and he finally answered. After getting a good laugh, he said simply, "a heating pad".

(Head slap on the forehead). I KNEW IT! There was a reason! Thats right! Help for my damn back pain.

How am I going to survive the next 7 months? And yes, its 7 more months. For all you suckers who believe the hype of 9 months....ha. ha. ha. Its actually 10 months. Don't believe what they tell you!

Road Trip & Thrifting

This weekend, A and I went up to Milwaukee to visit our friends, Katie and Josh. On Friday night we had a fun night of Catch Phrase and catching up. Catch Phrase used to be a game that we all four couldn't play together. This was because A & I's competitive nature tends to get the best of us....and in games like Catch Phrase, its very easy to end up in World War III arguments. This time was different however, in that I was sober. Therefore it took no time for Katie and I to dominate the boys thanks to good communication and a clear head.

On Saturday, Josh & A went to work for a boys day of indoor golf. Katie and I set off to do some major "thrifting" to launch my first project for Baby B's nursery- the changing table. The first place we went had a dresser for $100. It was beautiful wood, but huge and more than I wanted to spend. As I was getting ready to head out I spotted a smaller 3-drawer dresser that looked good. I called Katie over to help me inspect the piece and we discovered that even better, it was made in the U.S. of A. This is something I've learned in my research is a good thing to find for baby furniture, however its often more expensive. Well this beauty only ran us $30. 

My plan is to put A and Uncle Mike to work when it gets warmer. I want to sand it down and then either stain or paint it a dark brown to match the rest of the room. I'll then add drawer pulls and a changing table topper I also plan to DIY. 

After a few more stops, Katie and I headed into good ole TJ Maxx. Of course here I wasn't looking for myself anymore. I had found my awesome find of the day. And of course, I found yet another one. I spotted this gem in the clearance section for $10. It's so exciting starting to see a theme come together in my head/in person. According to the scheme in my head, the main color will be green. Not only is it my favorite color, can work for a boy or girl being that we're not going to find out the sex of our little peach (Baby B's current size in my belly).

After all our shopping, I made Katie go back home so I could get in my afternoon catnap. She gratefully obliged. I'm learning people don't often argue with a woman who's packing a baby. That night we got all geared up for the big Packers game. We chose a place that suited the suburbia we were in- Buffalo Wild Wings. Thankfully, the Pack pulled through quickly so we headed home just after half time via Kelly's Preggo Express. (ie; sober taxi driver). I think I'm actually getting a hang of being in bars not drinking. If only I could stop peeing every 15 minutes and being exhausted by 10pm....

Wait, that can happen that fast!?

Today was our first day back to school after break. News of Baby B broke to the Facebook and Twitter world over break and I had a feeling it would get to the students sooner than later. So, I decided to tell them today.

With my 1st grade students, I started out by asking if they knew where they came from. I don't know why I asked that. In hindsight, I could have opened up a whole can of worms with a statement like that. Anyways, the first student I called on broke the ice with, "I came from California." Not exactly what I was expecting- but hey, I have nothing against Cali. The 2nd graders acted much more like old, wise souls. They were so excited but had more advice to give than anything else. They are also much more concerned with the baby being born in the summertime when they won't be around.

For some reason I wasn't sure they'd even know what it meant. But I forget so many of them have had new siblings recently so they're all quite familiar with "being pregnant". The reason I wanted to write this post was so I could remember these quotes. Because they are priceless. Here are a list of the spattering of questions and comments I got in a matter of 5 minutes:

-Wait, a baby can happen that fast after you get married!?!? (my personal favorite)
-How did the baby happen?
-I always know when people are pregnant. I knew you were pregnant! I knew it!
-I've predicted (the sex) of five babies and they've all been right. They were all girls. Yours is a girl.
-Can we watch the baby be born?
-Can we name your baby?
-When my mom was pregnant....wait. I don't think thats ok to share at school....
-(after looking at ultrasound pic) THAT is in you right now?!!?
-My mom is a lactation consultant. You HAVE to talk to her...like today. She'll give you her card.
-Yeah, your belly does look like you just ate a lot of food. I noticed it.

Just some of the million reasons why I love my job.

Waiting, Waiting

Wowie Maui. If today was anything like what the rest of our Dr's visits are going to be like, I'm not excited. In one word I can describe it as: WAITING.

A and I went in at 7:30am to "pre-register". Then went to another office to have my blood drawn. More like, drained. Six vials later the lady was done. Then we went to another office. Signed in and waited. Then did paperwork. Then waited. Then went in to see a doctor. Then waited. Then waited. Then waited. One hour and twenty minutes later, they FINALLY called my name. It took all my might not to do the happy dance and shout, "Its meeee! Its meee! Its really, finally ME!!"

A and I went back into the ultrasound room and finally got to get another peek at our little one. The main purpose of this visit was to get actual dating on our babe and a due date. By now we all know I've been highly undereducated on the process of conception so Baby B's actual age has been somewhat of a mystery to us this whole time. (Side note: ladies, you will HAVE to know your first date of your last period over and over and over again throughout this process. If you do not mark it now and have any chance of getting knocked up, START NOW. It will save you so much trouble in the end!)

Anyways, back to our precious nugget. Oh, how its grown in two weeks!! It is just so mind numbing to think about the changes babies go through while in the womb. It truly is such a miracle. We got to watch it on screen for a while, and it even woke up to move around! We determined that Baby B is as of today 12 weeks and 3 days. Because of my not knowing the actual first day of my last period, our due date is somewhat conflicting. It appears we'll be due sometime between July 10-14th.

Anyways, Baby B was so excited to be woken up, it even put on a show for us. Fists up!! You can take this one of two ways: its putting on a show- fist pump style or our little feisty one was putting up its fists out of frustration from being woken up. Either way, I think its the cutest damn picture I've ever seen! What can I say, I'm biased.

In other news, on New Years Day my belly popped!! A claims it actually popped NYE...when I tried my damndest to squeeeeze into a gold skirt for our friends NYE party. (Mind you, this skirt didn't fit at 9 weeks). But hell hath no fury like a pregnant woman who is not ready to admit some clothes just don't fit anymore. So, A grinned and beared it as he put all his might into zipping the skirt 1/4 of the way up. I then took my nylons (which were beyond suffocating) and rolled them over the skirt to cover up the enormous gap the unzipped zipper was now causing. It was incredibly uncomfortable and I instantly regretted wearing it as soon as we arrived at the party. But of course, by then it was just too late. 

Anyways, NYD morning, I was still wincing from the pain of stuffing myself like sausage into my skirt so I decided to pull out my new maternity leggings. I pulled up the top stretchy part mostly doing it just to "see" what it would look like. Thats when lo and behold- I finally noticed my bump! It really doesn't look like much more than if I were just bloated or had eaten like crap for a week straight (which I have, therefore the reason I probably didn't notice it before). But to me, its something. In combination of seeing our little one on the screen- its all just so crazy to think how much and how fast its growing. 

Week 12:

Gummies Galore

Cravings. They're finally starting....A is SO excited!! The day has come!! Time for him to swoop into action catering to my every craving need.

To start, its only been gummies. For a while, I didn't classify them as a "craving" necessarily...more like they just kept sounding good. That was, until, I went to Trader Joe's over xmas with my mother in law to pick up a few last minute items for a Christmas party. I got my items, checked out, paid and then we walked over to wait for A to drive around with the car.

That was when it hit me. "NOOOO!! I forgot the Gummy Tummies!!" I dropped my bags and ran like a mad woman through TJ's having no qualms about asking a grown man TJ worker where the Gummy Tummies were. He calmly led me to them (not fast enough for my liking). I grabbed a bag paid for them and ripped into them before I was out the door. Now THAT is unlike me. I don't like sweets. I'm much more of a salt fiend. If I had done that with a bag of Doritos, I would have thought nothing of it.

Then, I get home to Saginaw only to receive a box of Sour Patch Kids from my dad as kind of an afterthought, stocking stuffer gift. The whole box was gone in a matter of minutes. That is when I had the craving epiphany. IT'S GUMMIES!!

Anyways, guess what has happened to show up three times on our kitchen counter in the last 3 days? You guessed it.

I love my husband!