Back!

Okay, so clearly if you look below, I got picture happy tonight. :) I haven't posted in awhile, not sure why exactly. I've been pretty busy with work and trying to keep up with Kai. I'll try to update more often. Enjoy the cutie!!

Super Bowl Entertainment

After making the party rounds, Mommy and Kai opted for the quiet Super Bowl Party at home. We cleaned house, folded laundry, and played with toys. I sat down on the couch jsut in time for the half time show (nothing like Prince singing in the rain). ANYWAY, I could hear Kai behind me, but I couldn't see him. I figured he was just playing with a toy. Every now and then I'd hear a "wooosh" but didn't thik about it. The the "wooshs" got more frequent. I looked over the couch and low-and-behold....

.....Hahaha...these just make me laugh, how can you ever be mad?!?! He was so organized in his efforts. :)

I love to read!

The house got very quiet the other day, and any mom will tell you, that is when its time to go looking. I often go quietly at first to see if I can sneek up on kai doing something cute. On this day I found him in his play room sitting with his cup, a truck, and his big book about trucks (aka, best $5 bucks i've ever spent). He was reading and talking to himself. I tried to get out my awesome new video camera, but the darn thing had no cell.....grrr....anyway, so cute.

This picture should be dubbed "stupid-things-we-teach-our-children-and-then-repeatedly-make-them-do-it." We like to call this, "what's in your mouth."

BAD MOMMY!!

I've finally come to terms with this so I'll post it. Two weeks ago, Kai and I were playing around while I was making the bed. He'd crawl away and I'd flip him over and tickle him. My husband was sitting nearby and yelled, "he's gonna get hurt." I laughed. Well, until about two seconds later when my baby's face smaxhed into the bedside table....this was the result. He wasn't too upset about it, but I sure was. I didn't take him in public for days. He even got a black eye!!!

Determined

I did good last week. I ate well, I lifted, I ran....I did good. I'm proud. I feel a little determined. It wasn't all that bad. I went on my terms and on my time, and I don't feel I missed a lot of Kai time in order to do it (which has been my excuse).

I worked out during the day at lunch. I got in and out in thirty min with a hard lifting routine. On the off days, Chad picked up Kai which allowed me to go run for 30min after work. I even went on Saturday!

Diet went okay. Chad says I'm not eating enough, but I'm in that stage where it is difficult to convince myself to eat more in order to lose weight. Yesterday I stopped by my neighborhood health food store for some digestive enzymes and other healthy things to take when dieting.

I'm prepared for this week. I have a busy next weekend planned, so I know I really need to stay on course.

I'm three days behind in my Bible reading so I better get on it. Hope you all have a great week!!

Moooooooody!

Just call me moody. I'm not sure if its the weather, the job, the husband, or all of the above, but I am MOODY today.

I hate days like this. I know I'm in a funk. I know I have no real reason to be, but I am.

Well, maybe I do have reasons. Kai woke up at 530am, I let him fuss until about 615. I finally got up, got my coffee, his milk, and headed to get him...what that, no noise?!? Yup, he went back to bed...ugh. So now *I* am wide awake and he's sleeping. And I eventually had to WAKE him, I NEVER do that, but I had to feed him before I headed to work. At least he was in a great mood all morning, because when I picked him up....

I am a bit concerned because my sitter is trying to sell her house, so every time it shows they all have to leave and Kai's naps get interrupted. I'm not mad by any means, because I love her and totally want them to sell that house....I just wish it didn't interfere with Kai's napping. He only napped 30 min all day. UGH! What a grouch!!! Its just not even fun. When we are at home he sleeps 2.5 hours!! We got home and I tried to feed him. HA! When I was preparing my dinner, Kai threw ALL of his on the floor. Oh I was mad. I think it was the first time I really got on to him by saying, "mommy is mad that you did this. it makes mommy have to clean a lot more and play less." I believe he understood as he felt the need to squat down and pick up peas and carrots off the floor.

There is more to this funky day, but I'm too tired to post it. I'm ready to end this day and start the new one.

Oh, and the Office rocks!

F-A-T!

Roll your eyes all you want, but that is how I feel today. Ever have those days where your jeans are just slightly tighter than usual? Your shirt hugs a little more in the tummy area than it normally does? Ugh. And go figure that it is also the day that I go out for two meals. Rockfish for lunch and Carrabbas for dinner...yup, I'm not losing any weight!

I did, however, receive the jeans that Zafu recommended for my body type....PERFECT! I'm so happy. I went through the whole questionnaire, etc. They recommended the Victoria's Secret Boyfriend cut jeans in a size 8 or 10. I bought both sizes since I had to order online, figuring I'd send the pair that didn't fit back. Of course, I tried on the 10 first (duh, always go down!)....hum, decent fit, a little gaping in the back, but overall not to bad. The 8's fit my body like a glove. I'm thrilled.

I have a major problem b/c I have a large booty and a tiny waist (i know, poor me) BUT it sucks trying to find jeans. They either fit my butt or fit my waist, but never both. These were great!!

Oh, ps...are these not the most HORRID things you've ever seen.....seriously! $68?!?!

Do I have to title these??

So, mom left town for Hawaii today. I already totally miss her. I know, I'm 27, what's the big deal? Well, unlike most, I talk to my mom at least 5 times a day. Seriously. Once on the way to work, several times during the day (if not calling, then emailing), on the way home, and after my son is asleep. I know, its odd, but she's like my best friend. I tell her everything. She's the one who knocks sense into me when I'm being unreasonable and she the one in my corner when I feel hurt by others...she's my mom!

Anyway, they left around 11. We had already talked 3 times and one email before then. :) I'm assuming they are just arriving in Maui since its 8pm here. I had some interesting things happen today.

For starters, why don't men think things through?!? (CD-If you read this I really don't care, just wish Chad would have told me). Chad has known for several weeks that the producer for *hopefully* his next film project was coming into town today to meet with investors. I asked Chad a couple of days ago to let him know he was more than welcome to stay with us. I asked Chad a few days later if he'd be staying here, Chad replied that he didn't know. Well today I'm at work and Chad calls and says, "oh by the way KD is staying with us until Saturday." SAY WHAT!?!?

Thank goodness I cleaned out the guest bedroom (aka CVS Pharmacy) this weekend since we are having another guest stay with us Sunday night. But all I could think about was the food that Kai had flung on the floor during breakfast, the toys that were scattered about the house, and the I have no snack foods for guests. And the counters hadn't been wiped down and the floors needing vacuuming and are there toys in the tub that our guest will be bathing in??!?! So I tell Chad, PLEASE try to pick things up for me or I'm going to leave work to do it myself. He assures me it'll be fine, um , yeah...men. I got home and nothing had been touched except the kitchen sink had been cleaned out and there was a towel with a bar of soap laid out in the guest bathroom. MEN!

Not that I think a man really cares if my floors are clean or if toys are everywhere...but it bothers me. Before Kai, I was such a neat and orderly person. Where has that gone?!?! Today I was in the guestroom and saw two cans of tomatoes on the floor, odd. Then there was another can in the hallway, followed by one on the coffee table and one int the play room. Yeah, *someone* enjoys carrying the canned goods alllllllll over my house. And the food on the floor. It doesn't matter if I get under that highchair the moment he throws somethings, there will ALWAYS be something I miss that forever attaches itself to my beautiful hardwood!!!!

Its funny because every night before bed we spend time cleaning these same old messes, but before I leave for work in the morning you could never tell. I wish we had little cleaning fairies that could come while you are at work everyday and straighten things so that when you get home everything looks nice and orderly.

Moving on....my weekend will be so hectic. First off I have my house guest. Then Friday is the ladies meeting at church. Saturday is a friends babies first birthday. Sunday is Lyndee's (my sister in law) baby shower. Sunday night house guest #2 arrives.....oh, did I mention the potential for an ice storm during my SILs baby shower?!?!

My second house guest for the weekend is my cousin Trip. He's 7. His parents are going on a much needed cruise. The bad news is his mother's father (no relation to me) will most likely pass away when they are gone. (they will be here in time for the funeral and have already said their goodbyes). Its so sad he was diagnosed just before Christmas with pancreatic cancer and will most likely not survive the weekend. :( SO SAD! The cruise is business, not pleasure, so they feel they need to go, esp since he's already unconscious.

ANYWAY, what do you do with a 7 year old and a toddler?!? I was going to take them to the stock show on Monday, but given the current weather forecast, I'm not sure we'll want to be out. I'm thinking of building a huge fort in my game room using old sheets and ordering pizza and having a picnic. :) Would that be fun??

Wow, I need a shower before the guys get back. PRAISE THE LORD that I got another Chi iron for Christmas. Once again I don't *have* to dry my hair every time I wash it. I know, lazy bum!

Great weekend.

Well, today was one of those days where I just DON'T want to go back to work. Not because of the work, but because I love my son so much!!!

Motherhood is like a rollercoaster. I honestly believe that God gives mom's weekends (or days) like this one b/c he knows we need them to survive. Just when you've been dealt a hard week or few days with a screaming constantly whining toddler, you get the angel baby. It's a lot like childbirth and infancy....you quickly forget the pains or sleepless nights when you look in that childs sweet face.

Anyway, we just had a great weekend. Kai was so good and played so well. We laughed a LOT, we cleaned together, we shopped together, we went to a special prayer service at church, we went to the park....it was fabulous. *I* felt like crying when dropping him off this morning. He clung to my leg...ugh....soon, soon.

I have another massive headache. I'm seriously thinking a dr visit is in order.

Jeans, Tummy Troubles, etc...

Hum, where to begin. After posting last night, I laid in bed trying to fall asleep with that massive headache. About an hour later I got up and threw up. YUCK! This is the 5th time in three months that eating after or during a headache has led to vomitting. One more time and I heading to the dr.

I was able to get up and out the door on time today, despite the puking from the night before. I ate really well all day, but for some reason it didn't make me feel any better (fuller) as it has in the past. Strange.

Funny story, I'll make this quick since I'm so sleepy. I made blackened chicken tonight in an effort to have good tasting diet food. As usual, i follow the directions on the packaging since this is my first time "blackening" anything. Well, I *almost* followed all of the directions. It said to prepare in a searing hot cast-iron skillet. Easy enough. The second line, "This form of cooking causes excessing smoke, do not prepare inside." Ha! FOOLS! Why would I prepare in my skillet using my grills side burner, that made zero sense...well, until the house filled with smoke. Like, I seriously opened every window and I still couldn't get it all out. UGH! Now its all I smell. I swear Kai and I arrived at church tonight smelling like chicken. YUCK!

Finally, I'm hoping that Zafu (thanks debbie for the refresher!) really knows what they are talking about. I just order my recommended jeans and they weren't cheap. But i'll do anything to find the perfect pair. And when I do find them, I will buy tons! I LOVE JEANS!!! (If only jeans would start to love my body type).

Okay, must sleep. Have a busy day tomorrow. Hair appointment, client appointment, and for the first time in a month, visit my boss.

OH! And...one of my clients has offered to hire me in the event that my job goes to crap. :) YAY!

resolutions...

i hate this time of year. i LOVE november thru december, but come january first....ugh. why? its because every year we are supposed to make resolutions. instead of making you feel better, they make you feel worse b/c you realize you never stuck to last years, and the year before that, so why bother?!? because THIS year you're going to stick to it.....RIIIGHT!!!pound.

so what are mine, you ask.... i'm still coming up with them. our church does a yearly fast and during that time you reflect on things you want to see come to pass. this will be friday thru sunday night, so no blogging during that time for me. anyway, i've already started the list...

1. duh, lose 15 pounds. i've been 140 for a year now..time to drop some weight. fifteen puts me at my wedding weight.

2. take better care of my skin. weird, right? well, i'm horrible about applying lotions, taking that chipping nail polish off, *ahem* shaving (yeah, after mommyhood left me rushing through shower, shaving became a luxury!), etc... this year i want to tap into my girly side and take better care of my skin.

...okay, my head is throbbing since i made it to the gym for the first time in a long time and i ate well....i thought these things were supposed to make you feel BETTER!?!?!

Sooooo tired.

So, apparently Kai missed the memo that yesterday was my birthday. I take that back, he remember and that is why he insisted on getting sick after midnight. Yup, last night was a long one.

Chad and I went to bed around 11pm. He's had a cold for over a week now, but this is the second time (the night before he was up 3-4) he's gotten up from it. After the night before I was hoping for a good nights sleep. At 12pm I started to hear Kai stirring. I got up to rock him at 1215ish. He was breathing so heavy through his mouth, so I knew he's nose was still bad. I gave him benadryl since the nose was so runny. Back in bed at 106. I told myself if he was back up before two, someone was making a trip to the store. You see, our vaporizer broke last year and I knew it might free up some pflem (sp?) if we had one. Sure enough Kai was back up at 145. Chad set off to WalMart and I to Kai's room. He was burning up (poor thing, first fever), gave him some motrin and hoped for the best. By 2 Chad was back with everything we needed and by 230 we all got to sleep. Kai was back up at 730. 5 hours is not enough for me!!!

Tried to go to church, but the temperature spiked again right as it was getting started. So, Kai is now napping and I'm about to head back as well....motherhood is certainly not for the weary!

Happy Birthday To Me!!

Well, it's my birthday. Yay! Another year close to 30. :) The big 2-7!

We had a very nice day. Chad let me sleep in, Kai took a four hour nap and tonight we had a fabulous dinner with both families!

But what stole the show for me....my gift from Chad. After not buying gifts for each other in two years, my sweetheart bought me this: *dang it, still can't figure out how to post pics, in brown* http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=7449&category_id=695

Yipppeeee.....I've never had such a nice purse. And this one can hold EVERYTHING!! And it's stain resistant.

Okay, we just turned on a movie, better pay attention.

Not much to report...

I don't have much to say today. I decided to help a friend with her company's books. She fired her CPA in July and pretty much nothing had been done since then. Luckily, I was able to knock it out in one day. And it felt good to be helping someone. Besides, my company could use the extra income right now.

There is about enough to pay me 6 more times. I'm not stressed or worried about it at all, yet. Which, for those of you who know me at all, that is VERY strange. I'm just believing the Lord to take care of me.

Since I don't have much to say, enjoy these precious pics of the best boy in the world!!! These were taken by my parents neighbor (who owns a studio) while I was in Chicago. The prints and proofs were one of my Christmas presents. Its amazing how the priorities have changed.

Snow day!!

 

Chicago Trip

Chad and I went to Chicago at the beginning of December. I don't have a single picture from the trip, but I have these great pics of Kai in his new track suit that Mommy and Daddy bought. How pimp, right??

You'll also notice that Kai is sporting his first "big boy" bruise. While staying at Mimi and Poppi's we had a bit of a tumble that resulted in a massive bruise. What's funny is we thought it was so cool. Our baby is becomming such a boy!


Hum, no money in here....she must have spent it all...

New beginnings...again.

Well, I'm going to try my hand at blogging again. I really enjoy looking back at my pregnancy blog and have often wondered why I didn't blog more about Kai and our wonderful life. Duh, who has had the time this year?

New years resolution....Blog.

Here is a pic to start us off. This was Kai's first Christmas parade. It was SO freaking cold that day. I seriously have on a long sleeved shirt, track suit jacket and a sweater i found on the floor board of my car. (Can you tell I'm trying to justify my size in this pic).

  

 

I'm testing picassa to see how it works. 

2 days to go!

This is my last official day of work. I practically sprang out of bed this morning to get ready and get it over with. I'm leaving in 45 minutes. The clock is hardly ticking fast enough for my liking.

My coworkers organized a snack day to send my off. So I've been eating junk food all day long. They said they know its the last time I'll be eating it for awhile. I guess they think I'm some extreme dieter or something.

So, at 230 I'm leaving here and heading off to get a pedicure and facial. NICE! I was supposed to have a doctor appointment, but he told me I didn't need to come in. Then I'm going to go home and cook two final meals.

I know, its wierd, but I cook in batches. I bought just enough food to get by this week. I'm making a cornbread skillet for tonight (and lunches tomorrow) and a chicken stuffing casserole for Chad to eat while I'm still in the hospital.

Tonight is a BIG TV night, so I have to make sure I get everything I want done by 7.

Tomorrow will be nice. I'm planning to sleep in as long as I can. Lord knows the next time I'll be able to do it. Then I'm going to get up and do a spray tan...gotta look good in all of those pics! I'll spend the rest of the day shopping and getting last minute stuff. I also still need to finish packing our bags. Luckily we have church tomorrow night, so hopefully that will keep me occupied until I tire out.

We have to be at the hospital by 530 Thursday morning.....WOW!!!

3 days to go!!!

I am beside myself with excitement!! I can't believe it is finally here. I've totally forgotten my misery because I'm SO excited! I've waited nine months to see him and now the time is here. WOW!!!

I had a very busy nesting weekend. I spent the majority of the time writing the Ten Commandments on the wall in the nursery. That was the only thing that Chad wanted in nursery and it was the only thing that hadn't been done. I knew it was a big project and just kept hoping it would go away...but it didn't. I had a mental breakdown before it was all said and done....but it looks great. I'll try to post pictures soon.

Saturday night Chad and I went on our last date night without someone waiting for us to come home. It really didn't turnout to be a special as I had thought because I chose hibachi and we sat across from the most annoying girl ever!! That and it's hard to hold conversations over the fire & entertainment. Oh well, it was great to just go out and be with my husband. Not like we aren't going to ever go out again,....but still!

I also went to a breastfeeding support center on Saturday. I left feeling so confident in my ability to nurse. I met the sweetest lactation consultant. If I have any problems I can go there and they will bill my insurance. NICE! To bad it's like 20 minutes away.

My belly is no longer round. I have all of these corners and edges. The head has pretty much been under my lung for the past three months, but yesterday I think it moved. Well....it moved or something else has moved. Frankly, I'm not sure what is where and just have all of these lumps. There is just no more room for him in there.

This is my last full day of work! I couldn't be any more excited. I'm so done. Mentally, I'm checked out and ready to go. I'll work tomorrow until 230. Then sometime in the next 3 days I'll get a pedicure, facial and spray tan. :) You know....gotta make myself look good for all of the pictures to come!

1 week, 2 days to go!

Pregnancy has taken a new turn. I'm miserable. I'm ready to get this baby out. I'm so tired of having to lug my fat arse around everyday. If I could have it my way, I'd spend the next week on my couch with my feet up. I'm just soooo tired.

Take last night for example....I got into bed around 830 to read, around 915 I turn off the light. Toss and turn a bit, acid reflux from dinner starts kicking in, I start sitting up intermittently to let the burps outs (what am I 2?). By 1045, I'm back up and out of bed. I go and sit with Chad in the living room. Sitting up and swayed back seems to feel the best. He urges me to try to go back to bed with him at 11. I reluctantly try. At 1245 I'm still looking at the clock. I've been up to pee a few times within the hour....I'm convinced I'm waking Chad and up so I feel bad. I'm thirsty but know better than to drink, that would send the acid reflux into overdrive. I must have fallen to sleep. Back up at 2 to pee....back up at 330 to pee and b/c I now seem to have a very sore throat. Spend sometime getting up & down adjusting my fan....just getting up is such a hassle. 445 the alarm starts to ring waking me from a horribly real dream about my doctor and losing my mucous plug. I lay there waiting to see if I can catch a little more sleep. I roll out of bed at 545. I have 15 min to get ready. :(

I read in a book once where in the last month women really "let themselves go" simply b/c they can't muster the energy to try to look good. I can relate. The book also talks about the only exception to this is the day the woman in scheduled to go see her doctor. On that day pregnant women try to look like "Mrs Maternity USA." I have to admit, this is true. I spend more time on myself the day I go see Dr Neal than any other day. I guess I feel I should impress my doctor since he probably sees many unkept pregnant women. Its sad really.

On a more positive note....I'm very excited about the arrival of my sweet Kai. I can't believe it's only a week until he will arrive. ONE WEEK!! I'm so nervous, but ready. I'm reading as much as I can and as fast as I can. I'm determined to be the worlds greatest soothing/breastfeeding mommy. I can't read enough. Sadly, I know none of this will **really** help.

Will someone please put me out of my misery!!!

2 weeks, 2 days left

I'm a freaking whale. If I could remember how to post my picture I would.....let me see...

Click here!

3 weeks, 6 days to go!

Went back to the doctor this week. Baby is still breech. He only measured three weeks bigger this time and I had actually lost 2 lbs...I'm not complaining. I'm getting Braxton Hicks contractions a lot more often these days, which is very annoying. Heartburn is still here. Since when does WATER make you have to burp? Ugh, the joys of pregnancy.

4 weeks, 6 days left!

I think I'm going to change all my titles to how long I have left. I just realized that all I have blogged about in the last few months is whatever happened at the doctors appointments. How boring!!

I wanted to share a little about baby movements. It's the wildest thing. I'm not really sure anyone can explain it, but I'll try. As I'm sitting here at my desk, I can feel two little feet fumbling around near the zipper of my pants. Yes, I know they are feet b/c of my last sonogram, but also because I've started to be more aware of the shapes in my belly. I think my pants must be too tight and he's trying to release the pressure. So then I unbutton and unzip my pants and sit here hiding under my desk, hoping that I remember what I've done before the next time I stand up.

I also have the joy of feeling a nice round head right under my lung. If I slouch, he'll try to push me back up. I can actually feel him flexing his back trying to get the head higher. Chad is happy about this because I keep better posture.

Not only can I feel the baby, which basically feels like pressure pushing against your insides, but I can see him. Okay, well not him, but my stomach. When he rolls his head, I can watch it roll from one side to the other on my tummy. I'm sure that if I could see where his feet are, the same would apply. Actually I know that to be true b/c Chad has seen it.

Which brings me to something else....I can't see down there. Anything below my bellybutton I can't see. I know, scary thought. I'm doing my best to keep maintained and not look like the amazon women from the videos you watch in childbirth classes, but maintaining is hard when you can't see. I've found myself in the most awkward positions trying to shave. What seems to work best is if I do it at the gym where I can lean against the back of the shower and hick my other leg up on the wall infront of me. A gross thought really, but I go to a clean gym. But still, I'm getting to big for that and my balance is so bad that I'm afraid that I'll fall. I still get out and everything is all uneven...it frustrating. The only other way I've found to work is shave a little, open the shower curtain, try to look across the room in the mirror and then adjust....but this is too hard and requires me to sit down and stand up to frequently (I almost lost it last time...it scared the tar outta me). I begged my husband to help me the other day, to which he just sat laughing. I don't understand why he wont help...it would benefit him, right??

33 weeks, 5 days

I keep forgetting to update my blog, oops!

Last week we had another appointment. Kai was still measuring four weeks bigger than he should be....great. During the sonogram we discovered that he is still breech. His head is under my right lung and his feet are tucked down at the bottom of my cervix.

After the sonogram the doctor sat down so we could "talk." He said there is only a 20% chance of the baby turning at this point. Because of his larger size and feet down position, he feels like there is even less of a chance of him turning so he asked us to go ahead a schedule a c-section. He told me to pick a date between the 15th and 22nd. He sat there waiting for me to make a decision...finally, he figured out that I had no idea he told me I could call later and decide. Through further discussion, he said he thinks that a c-section might be the best option for me, even if he flips, because of his size. Fighting through a twinge of disappointment, I felt relief that our doctors are given wisdom.

Then I started thinking of all of the advantages of having a c-section: picking the day, no vaginal stretching or possible incontinence, no labor pains... But then there is also that disappointment that I won't get to say "Honey, its time." I feel like I'm missing out on some right-of-passage that all woman should go through. Yeah, a lot of people get c-sections, but most at least start labor! I don't know...

I spent the rest of the day trying to decide on a date. Trying to determine that was the hardest thing. How do you decide. We've finally decided on the 15th of September.

So then comes everyone's advise to turn the baby. Lay tilted with ice on your belly, play music lower, etc... Is it bad that part of me is TOTALLY okay with the baby not turning and just having a c-section?? I kinda like the idea of being in control of the entire situation. Besides, if the dr thinks he's going to be to big to push out...why try?

After we settle the date and the surgery is scheduled, I start thinking about the day of delivery a lot. Since I'll be strapped down, I actually won't be able to hold the baby for a while. After the baby is born, they will show him to me and then start cleaning him up. After that, Chad will get to hold him before they are whisked away to the nursery and I'm taken to recovery. I became extremely upset that I wasn't going to be the one to introduce him to the family. I got even more upset at the idea of anyone else besides Chad holding him...or even seeing him without glass separating them. I figured if I carried him, I should get to hold him first and be able to introduce him to each person. So I called Chad and told him that no one is to lay hands on that baby until I do. (Well, of course the dr, nurse and himself.) I think he thought I was going a little nutty. I don't blame him, it was 6:30am.

I've since decided on the way I want the day to go. (Of course I don't know the times but this is a rough idea)

5:30 - Get to the hospital
7:00 - Surgery
Some time during 7am Kai is born
8ish - Chad gets the family and they gather outside the nursery to see Kai for the first time being all cleaned off (me in recovery)
Next - I get the baby and Chad in recovery and spend time with them alone until being moved to the Mommy/Baby Unit
10ish - Get settled into our room
1030 - Start inviting family back two at a time for 15 min each
1130/12 - Kick everyone out and rest
4/5 - Allow visitors to return

But who knows how the day will actually go. I just feel like I'm not going to want to be totally surrounded the entire day. Give me some time. I'll be there for three days, I'd rather people come see us the following days when I'm more rested and bored!

30 weeks, 3 days

I always seem to post on Wednesdays....wierd!

9 weeks and 4 days to go! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. A few funny things to report this week.

First off, I went to my last monthly doctor appointment. I'll now see him every two weeks until 36 weeks where we switch to weekly visits. I can't believe the time is drawing near. I must be the only one who likes going to the doctor. The girl next to me in our prepared-waste of money-childbirth class last night begged her doctor to do one more bi-weekly appointment. Maybe she doesn't like her doctor as much.

We started off the appointment by the doctor mispronouncing our name...Mrs. Goooondersen. I've corrected him before, but he doesn't remember. Whatever, he'll remember during labor because I'll probably yell at him. :P He went on saying that everything looked good, but my weight had "gone up slightly" again. I gave him my best, "Give me a freaking break" look and he continued that as long as I don't weigh more than Chad he's okay....whatever that means.

Then we get to the measuring part. My fundus (from pubic bone to top of the uterus) is measuring 34cm....four weeks bigger that it should be. Last time it was three weeks bigger. I said, "great, he's measuring 4 weeks earlier..." before I could finish the statement he butts in and says, "No, not earlier, bigger. This baby isn't coming earlier unless we induce." UGH!

So then I ask my questions, preferred pediatricians, who will deliver my baby if you aren't around, etc. He had some great recommendations. Also, I was happy to hear that he delivers 98% of all his babies...as do the rest of the people in his group. Especially if you are in labor on a weekday.

We also talked about induction. Since Chad and I know an anesthesiologist we would like to use, he mentioned an induction as a way to have the team I want to have there. Now, I've considered induction before, but I know Chad probably doesn't like the idea. He is all about natural birth and inducing isn't natural by far! I've decided to hold my tongue on the topic until later in the pregnancy.

In class we discussed pain management methods and c-section births. I didn't realize there were options outside of an epidural for pain management. They can give you Demerol to "take the edge off" at first, if you still want the epidural you can ask for it later when you are in more active labor. I already knew it wasn't best to epidural until later in labor and wondered how long I could make it. Then I started thinking maybe I could make it on Demerol alone. As we walked out, I told Chad that I thought I'd try going with the Demerol at first. His response, "How about try with nothing." At times like those I just want him to try to give birth. I'm SO over it. (Now I'm getting mad....I wasn't mad last night. I'm having a hormone rage!)

Also, I started leaking collostrum this weekend. YUCK! It wasn't much. I sat down at the computer and my shirt was a little wet. I thought I spilled something, but this is the second time in the last few months that I had noticed something. So, I look at my boob and low-and-behold there is something seeping out. It's so funny because you know that that is what they are there for, but its weird to see them come to life. It stopped pretty fast and I haven't seen anything since, but still it was a little weird.

29 weeks, 3 days

I had my first shower on Sunday!! It was so much fun! Lyndee (sister-in-law) and Tamara (best friend) did a wonderful job putting everything together. It was mainly our church friends, but a few old college friends and colleagues also attended. It's hard when you have several different groups at one party because you never know who to talk to. The party was mainly poolside, which was a little hot...but I survived!

We received a TON of clothes and blankets. We also received our travel system from Uncle Tory, a homemade coat rack decorated to match nursery interior from Nana, and a wonderful homemade blanket from Mrs. Shirley (aka MeMaw..our church grandma). We also got the CUTEST pair of mini-cowboy boots. SOOOO CUTE!! I have everything I'll need to clean 'em, dress 'em and wrap 'em up! I felt so rushed to get through all of the gifts since everyone was sweating. I just hope I was thankful enough!

I came home that night and Chad and I sat in the nursery and went through all of the gifts. It was the most excited I have seen Chad so far. He was pretend washing the baby in the tub, using the Boppy pillow to feed the fake baby, and ohhhing over the cute tiny clothing! I wish all of our guests could have seen his excitement...it was so special.

Everyone kept saying, "Now you get to go home and wash all of your baby clothes and put them away!" Is it wrong of me not to do so?? I'm much too practical for all of this, but how do you know what's going to fit your baby?? I'm planning on a bigger baby, so I really don't feel like I should wash and put away all of the 'newborn' sized stuff. Then, some of the clothing is very summery, but I think he'll be that size during the winter....how do you know?? If I washed it then its just wasted clothes that he never got to wear. But then again, not like I can return some of it, because I have NO idea where some of it came from.

I'm planning on taking a newborn sized outfit and a small (8-11lb) outfit to the hospital with me. Then based on what ever fits, I'll know what to wash. I think the smalls are safe b/c surely I won't have a baby too big for those. I don't know....how are you supposed to know what to do here!?!

Also, now that I have all this stuff I want to put it away, but how do I know where I'm going to want it once he's here?? I have no idea how to organize my changing area and you know how organized I am. Ugh....

It's funny to me, because I'm relatively unafraid of the actual labor process but I'm terrified of taking care of my baby. You know about labor, you seen it all and heard it all by now. No one is afraid to tell you how it hurts, how it's gross, how it's hard...I'm not expecting it to be easy or unpainful (even with my mighty epidural) yet I'm not "afraid" like the women in my class are. But talk to me about cord stumps, circumcision, breastfeeding, suctioning boogers, bathing or doing anything else to my baby and I feel terrified. I feel so unprepared for taking care of him.

Our labor classes are going well. I guess its good to know what I'm learning, but I really feel like its been a waste of money. Not worth $120...yet. I keep hoping it'll get better. Yesterday we took the hospital tour and talked to a pediatrician. Both were very informative but stuff I could have lived without. The hospital gives free tours and I could have called to talk to pediatricians....however, I did LOVE the one that came in, he was so my style...VERY straight to the point! Chad and I talked about how much we liked him after leaving.

The video was also very informative. You can watch a Baby Story on TLC a thousand times, but nothing prepares you to watch THE video. Show that to a high school teenager and I bet she'll think twice about sex. I absolutely cannot believe you vagina gets THAT large. How does one ever recover???

Chad has also been dubbed the most popular guy in the class. I'm such a lucky girl! I swear, every time we walk in that hospital he knows someone. Last week he knew a girl that came to class with a friend since her husband couldn't make it. Apparently they went to high school together and he was close to her mom. Then yesterday we are walking in the parking lot and this girl freaks out and jumps out of her car and runs over to Chad. Secretly I was thinking, "Man, my man is a stud!" But then he introduced her as another HS friend! Then during class he sees another gal walk by like four times that went to HS with him that he had been talking to the other girl about. Confused yet? It was crazy. Then in the hallway during our tour he runs into a guy he used to play against in HS...his wife had just had her baby.

To make our world even smaller, I found out that the husband sitting next to us was a pilot for Southwest. I asked him how long he had been flying for us and he said his start date was in January. Turns out I had presented at his New Hire class. And that wasn't any ordinary day, that was the day I found out I was pregnant. Crazy.

Okay...I better get back to work...I'm not going to proofread this right away, so sorry if its a little messy!

27 weeks, 3 days

Welcome to the THIRD trimester!

Last week we had our 26 week appointment. I was measuring about 29 weeks, I was only 26!! I asked the doctor if this means that Kai will come to us a little earlier and he said, "No, he's just going to be a big baby." GREAT! He felt like since Chad is a bigger guy, that its just in the cards. I even said that we were small babies, but he still thought Kai was going to be big. He said he predicts at LEAST 8.5 lbs. I'm okay with that...a little nervous about the idea, but generally okay

We also found out that he is breech. This isn't that big of a deal as he has plenty of time to turn, but it still has mommy a little nervous. We had to have the whole c-section talk. My mother-in-law gave birth to a breech baby and everything was fine, so Chad asked if I could still have him vaginally. Dr Neal explained, that while 9 out of 10 babies would be fine, that one really wasn't so they automatically do a c-section.

I also talked to him about if Kai gets so big what would they do. I had heard they will go ahead and induce you if they feel you are getting too big to deliver vaginally, but he said they wouldn't. Basically, they will let me try to push as long as I want and if he doesn't come down then they'll suggest they go in for him. While I don't like the idea, if it's safer then sign me up!

So, it kinda freaked me out to be talking about the whole labor thing with the doctor. I don't know, its like for the last six months its been all exciting and anticipation and now everything is drawing nearer. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Apparently I was wrong in my last post about growth slowing down. That couldn't be further from the truth.

I gained even more weight. I almost cried. I asked him, "What more can I be doing? I'm working out and I'm not eating 'bad'...what is going on?" He said, that I was probably gaining some muscle and the baby's size had a small amount to do with it. Then he says, "Some people's metabolism speeds up during pregnancy, others metabolism gets shot...yours is probably just shutting down." Ugh, not what I wanted to hear. Later we were talking more about it and he says, "Its frustrating isn't it?" He has no idea...no one has any idea.

The world just has all of these ideals when it come to pregnancy and weight gain. In the beginning he told me 25-35 lbs. I'm already a little under 30 and I'm heading into the biggest baby weight gain. I feel like a failure! Its incredibly difficult to be gaining weight when most of your life you've spent time keeping it off. And then to have people tell you that you're gaining so fast, blah blah blah....it just starts to get you down. You start fearing how its all going to come off in the end...will it come off, will I ever look the same again?? It's scary!

And then, to top off the weight gain thing you have to wear the worst clothes. Everything looks like a tent after awhile...or maybe its just because I have so few to chose from. You just feel fat and ugly. Yeah, I have a few things that make me feel cute, but it doesn't balance out the everyday BLAH!

Chad was wonderful the other day. I was upset b/c I've slowly been growing OUT of my early pregnancy maternity pants (mainly because I'm carrying low). I was walking around Target and Chad was on the phone and he start telling me that he was proud of me and as long as we have a healthy baby its all that matters and that not to worry because the weight CAN come off and how beautiful he thinks I still look ....etc. I hung up feeling much better and on top of the world. Then I get to the cash register and the lady checking me out says, "Well you're just going to pop any day now, aren't you?" UGH!

24 weeks, 5 days

I haven't blogged in awhile. Things are going smoothly, so I guess there isn't much to report.

I feel like my weight gain is starting to slow down. I got big so fast, now I feel it's really stabilizing...Thank goodness. I haven't stepped on the scale in awhile, but last time I checked I was up about 15-18 lbs. Yikes!

I did have an issue start with my back again. It wasn't the same pain as before, it was much much worse. It started last week, where I felt a nerve pain from mid-back to mid-hamstring. By the end of the weekend I was struggling and Monday I was having a hard time walking. My trainers husband is a chiropractor and agreed to see me at his house Monday night. Since getting adjusted I feel much better...still sore just not the annoying nerve pain.

I've decided to make adjustments a regular thing for the rest of the pregnancy. My trainer, who obviously was well adjusted, attributes her "easy" (never easy, just not a complicated labor) 4 hour home deliveries to adjustments and working out. Now, I don't know how true that is...I mean, she could just have fast labors, but I'm still willing to give it a shot. Not just for the sake of labor, but because its better for me.

I also plan to have Kai adjusted soon after he is delivered. Don't worry, its not adjusted like they do adults, its merely "nudging" things in line so that the muscle develop properly around the spine. I've heard from multiple parents how good it is for the baby. I mean, its no wonder, how would you feel after traveling down the birth canal!?!

I've never really "believed" in chiropractors. I've always felt like it was too much of a sales pitch to be medicine. And if its SO important, then why are insurance companies so hesitant to pay for it?? I dunno...just doesn't make much sense.

The next few weeks are very busy. We have several weddings and showers and other various parties to attend. I'm looking forward to having a lot to do...it really helps pass the time. I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. I mean, the first 20 weeks seemed so long....as time grows closer to the due date, I get more excited about "meeting" our baby and therefore time slows down. Ugh.

22 weeks, 3 days

Wow. We are really moving along these days.

The Level II ultrasound looked really good. Everything is developing just as it should be. We are positive that we will be having a little boy...the boy likes to show off. He was also measuring a week ahead of schedule...he's gonna be a big one!

The nursery is really coming together. We've put up all of the furniture to see how everything fits. It's going to be tight, but it works okay. The next step will be to paint. **UGH** I have all of these great ideas, but they are all so difficult. Am I ever easy??

I had an appointment yesterday. Doctor Neal said I'm having a "perfect pregnancy," which makes me very happy. I feel like I'm bigger than I should be, but he said I'm measuring just right. We used the doppler to hear his heartbeat and heard a few kicks as well.

I feel Kai move all of the time now. I get nudged, kicked, punched...whatever all throughout the day. I absolutely LOVE every movement. I feel like it connects me to him more and more. Chad still hasn't felt a kick, so I hope he does soon.

Overall, I'm really good.

Enjoy the following belly pictures....
4 weeks
8 weeks
18 weeks
22 weeks

20 weeks, 3 days -- Half way there!

Gosh, it's been three weeks since I last posted. Man, how time flies!!

I finally got both the crib and changing table. They originally didn't match so I had to take the crib back and exchange it. It's been a long process, but I finished it last night. Now all I need is the crib mattress.

When I got home this afternoon the bedding was on the front porch. I'm so excited. They had told me it wouldn't be here for a few more weeks, so I was very surprised. It looks so cute. Of course I had to put everything on the bed even though there is no mattress. :)

I've been feeling really good. I definitely have quite a tummy. I'm kinda mad that Chad and I totally bailed on the belly shots. I have a few from when I first found out I was pregnant and SWORE I was getting bigger....RIGHT, I was just very bloated. But now, wow. I'm not sure what to expect later down the road.

I'm craving Rocky Road ice cream thanks to a trip to Braum's last week. Now I dream about it...when I actually get sleep. I fall asleep faster and faster, but I wake up so often. I'm hoping this weekend we can get the other bed set up in the nursery because I need more room!!

I feel Kai move almost daily now. Not just the jabs, but the "quickenings" that everyone refers to. Before I fell asleep last night I felt like I could feel him moving all around (great another night owl).

Tomorrow we have our Level II ultrasound. This is the one where sex is usually determined. We are hoping for confirmation that Baby G is actually a boy. SHOW ME YOUR GOODS! It is also where they check the organs and such. Hoping for a great report.

Off to church...

17 weeks, 3 days

It's been awhile since I've posted. I guess that's mainly because I don't have much to report.

I've been feeling very well recently, except I've been plagued with a few back issues. I keep forgetting that my body is under different stresses. I got motivated last week to clean out the future nursery. It was stacked with boxes that we were too lazy to go through since moving. All I wanted to do was push a box from Point A to Point B...they weren't even that far apart, but as soon as I did it SHARP pains shot through my back. UGH! That really sucked. I had the worst time trying to sleep that night.

The next day I called my OB and he gave me Darvocet for the pain. I'm terrified to take it. How can that possibly be okay to take when pregnant? He assured me that we'd be fine, but I've only taken them when in MAJOR pain. I started feeling better over the weekend and then (without thinking) tried to move a box at work Monday and repeated the injury.

I keep feeling little thumps. It was hard at first because I didn't know if it was gas or movement. Everyone said movement felt like flutters...not to me. These are little jabs. I'm more confident that they are kicks now. I've actually felt one from the outside as well. They are very few and far between, but each one reminds me that I'm growing a baby!!

I'm looking so forward now to preparing for Kai's arrival.

I ordered my crib and changing table on Saturday. I get to pick it up on Friday. I'm very excited to see it in person. I have to wait and order the bedding until my next AMEX billing cycle since we bought a mower this month. As soon as I get the bedding in I can paint the room. And then I'll feel more like we are getting ready. I'm so excited!

I also have my first shower almost on the books. Tamara & Lyndee are throwing me a pool party shower in June. I'm happy we are doing it before it gets to hot and I get too big. I'm planning on most of the ladies in my church and friends being there. And then my Aunt Judy has offered to throw one as well...hers will be mainly family and moms friends. It'll also be closer to my due date, in August.

Oh, so I've gained about 8-10lbs. I don't think that's too bad. Some of it has to be muscle with all the weight training I've been doing. I'm starting to look more pregnant. Maternity pants are now a must. I'm still getting by with some of my normal, longer shirts. But, they are starting to look a little silly. I found a favorite store in Southlake Town Square, The Mother's Place. They sell all top brands. I love how wonderful expensive clothing feels. Chad said I could buy a few pieces for our NYC trip next weekend.

Finally, I feel sleep deprived. Mom says that I'll be sleep deprived for the next 18 years, so get used to it. But I just hate it!! I'm not peeing as much anymore, but I think its the body changes that are waking me up. I feel my tummy every time I move, so it's probably what's waking me up. Then I just sit there. And when I do sleep, I wake up not feeling very rested....it sucks!

15 weeks, 3 days

For the first time in months I feel extremely ill. I got to work and when I started to make my oatmeal I noticed that I was nauseous. I don't think I noticed on the drive in since its dark (I know that sounds weird, but its true).

I'm currently drinking some iced tea and trying to get the oatmeal down. I'm hoping that I'm just hungry. Otherwise, I might need to go lay down.

14 week, 4 days

We made it to the second trimester!! YEA!!

This week we had our 14 week appointment. When the nurse brought us in she informed us that we were having a sonogram today. After she left Chad and I looked at each other totally confused...I thought I only got two. Chad suggests that we ask the doctor NOT to do one this time, but to do it next time instead so we can find out the sex. I wanted to also.

So the doctor comes in laughing and joking with Chad, as usual. Tells me everything is looking good. He said my blood count and iron were a little low but nothing to be concerned about. He also said my weight was looking good...yea, time at the gym is paying off. Then he says, "let's take a look." As I'm laying back I look at Chad and go for it.

"So, in the packet it says that we only get two sonograms at the beginning of the pregnancy, I'm just wondering does is this one? I'm I really not going to learn the sex of the baby?"

He smiled. "Oh, honey. Of course if you want to find out you can. We have to put that in there for the mean people, obviously not you guys, who expect to see the baby on every trip. If you've been here a few times and haven't seen your baby in awhile, tell me and we'll look at it. I don't even charge you guys for these. You could end up like my nurse with 17 pictures of your baby!"

I was so happy, I knew I loved him! He starts looking around and the baby is in a funny position laying over the placenta. We saw the heartbeat and the spine. The Dr made a comment about the long legs and then he laughs, "Haha, you guys want to know the sex of this kid?" My heart skipped, he could tell?? I'm looking at the same picture but can't see a thing!

He continues, "In my twenty years of practice I've never been so sure about the sex of the baby so early. It looks as though you're having yourselves a boy...look at that!"

Chad immediately starts with the, "That's MY boy." He and the Dr are acting like typical men. Dr actually takes a picture of the lower half of the baby....PLAINLY showing his goods. And that is that. Now, we aren't going to go painting the room blue or anything, we will get further confirmation, but it's pretty obvious from the picture.

Picture here


So, we have a boy. Chad and I wanted a boy first, so we are really happy. We are 95% sure about the name as well...Kai Gale Gundersen. Gale is a family name that Chad has to pass on (his middle name, his dads middle name and grandfathers name). Kai (rhymes with "tie") is the only name we both really liked. Chad found it in the Danish section of a name book and he is Danish, so he really liked that. I used to babysit a Kai and always loved his name.

So Baby G is now Kai....for now...or maybe I should just keep calling him G until I am more sure.

12 weeks, 4 days

This is more a post about how excited I am about Meagan's wedding this weekend. Family is starting to arrive, dresses are being pressed, tuxes and being rented....it is here. We've waited over a year for this day and it is closer than ever. I felt I better write today, as I don't think I'll have much time the rest of the weekend.

My house is a disaster, therefore I feel like a disaster. I've just been sleeping there. And when I get home I put all the clothes that are clean on the bed with the best intentions of hanging them up, but they end up on the floor (thus probably making them dirty). I've been doing that for several days, so now I have a nice pile that I know won't be touched until Sunday...at least!

I did receive two HUGE boxes of clothes from Dana. I love love love her stuff. I'm so excited to grow so I can start to fit in them. :) I'm so lucky. I also got a box from Amy. So I have THREE boxes full of maternity clothes that I can't wear yet. I'm trying to decide what to do about hanging them. Do I put all of my old clothes in boxes or do I hang them in another closet? But we really don't have another closet except for in the office. And since I can't really fit in most of them yet, is the transition worth it?? I have enough maternity clothes to fill the entire closet!!! And we have a really big closet! I'm so thankful for sharing, its going to save me a fortune!

Okay, we are moving our office this week so I need to go pack....Yuck!

12 weeks, 1 day

WooHoo! 12 weeks. Most would say I am into the safe zone...yippee!!

Well, I was excited today because I though I could post that I had made it to the second trimester, but it turns out that doesn't start for a few more weeks. :( Oh well.

So, this weekend I bought my first maternity clothes. I bought a pair of capris, a dress, and several shirts (that are FAR too big for me). I'm very excited because Dana, my big sister, sent me two boxes full of her stuff. It should arrive tomorrow or Wednesday. I'm so happy because she wears the CUTEST stuff. Even though I can technically wear maternity clothing, I'm choosing not to for the most part. I realize that I'll be in them for the next 6 months...I'm not one to jump into anything. For now I'll be using the rubberband trick. (thanks Liz)

This weekend was also my little sister, Meagan's last weekend as a single woman!! We had so much fun hanging out all weekend while the boys played golf. My bridesmaid dress wasn't fitting right all of last week, I was so scared. But, when I took it in on Saturday morning for alterations, it fit just fine. I swear it's because I bloat up during the day. I'm having my second fitting in the afternoon Tuesday so we can make last minute adjustments if needed. I keep having nightmares that my dress will split when I help Meagan straighten her train. What's that about....I didn't even have wedding nightmares about my own day, but I'm having them about hers. I guess its worse to screw up someone elses wedding rather than your own!

11 weeks, 2 days

Just preregistered for the hospital, registered with Healthy Pregnancy Program from my insurance, and classes. All during lunch! Wow!

So, I'm trying to learn more about hospital stays and how long people stay. Chad said some people never stay the night. They just pop a baby out and go, but most people I know spend about two days in the hospital. I called the hospital today and the total cost, no extras to stay at the hospital is $4345 for day one...$5313 if you stay two days. That's a lot of cash. I can't imagine if I didn't have insurance! But still, that's $500 for me to pay. I forgot to ask about infant care, but I hear that is about $1500. I'm amazed! I've heard people say basic Tylenol runs about $200 for two pills....whatever, I'll be taking my own thank you very much!!

Then, the doctor charge for natural, uncomplicated delivery is $2442.00 (all OB appts and delivery, $190 for each sonogram additional). So an additional $300...but that has to be paid by us by our 7th month. An epidural, should I choose to have one, runs, from what I hear, about $600....so $60. And then I have to find infant care.

I'm sitting here amazed. I'm truly so blessed to have insurance. Especially the good insurance my company provides....however, I'm still pissed that it isn't the flat $250 that it was last year.

Classes. We signed up for Prepared Childbirth/Breastfeeding. It basically will run all summer. I asked if that was too early and they said no. I'm excited. I think it'll all start settling in when we start those. However, I hope it doesn't turn out like "Baby Story"...freaking me out.

Alright, lunch is over.

10 weeks, 3 days

Well, we had our 10 week appointment yesterday. We got all of the pregnancy goodies, hospital information, etc. I didn't realize how much I needed to do before I even get to the hospital, in terms of paperwork. ACK! It'll take 7 months just to get through that part alone!

Chad and I were in rare form yesterday at the Dr's office. First, the doctor was running late, someone was having complications in delivery. I'm fine when he's running behind for that reason, I'd want him up there if it was me. So the nurse takes Chad and I back and starts reading off all kinds of information, extra tests, what's covered, what isn't, check with your insurance about this or that. Then she hits me with the bad news.

My doctors office only requests that sonograms be done on your first two appointments to confirm growth and a heartbeat. Nothing else is covered. NOT EVEN THE ONE EVERYONE GETS TO LEARN THE SEX!! WHAT!?!? Are you kidding me? She kept going and I kept bringing her back. Unless they are specifically looking for something they will not order an additional sonogram. I was crushed, I've been banking on that thing for 8 weeks now. She did however say that typically if they really needed to check something they'd do it. She said this with almost a wink. I decided than and there that I'm going to get another cold between 18-20 weeks. Dang-it.

**sidenote** Chad's client is a doctor and has mentioned to him that she has a sonogram machine. He said she even has the 4D machine, so hopefully we can work something out with her. If not, Amy has a cousin who works in radiology in Palestine, and although its a pretty long haul out there, she said she's pretty sure they can sneak me in there to find out like they did for her. So I have two other sources, but if everything falls through I'm praying for a cold!

After reading of the rest of the you must fill out this information before heading to the hospital and please register for classes ASAP, she left the room to see if the Dr was around. She then moved me to the other room and told me to undress from the waist down and if the Dr couldn't come today then the Nurse Practitioner could take care of everything. Whatever, I didn't care I was still mad about the whole sex thing.

So we get to the other room and I start undressing. Let me tell you, going to the OB/GYN isn't fun or comfortable when you are alone....it's even worse with your husband staring at your half naked body jumping up on the table.

Anyway, as I have mentioned in the past I've been having this gas issue where it starts seeping out. Well, yesterday I got gassy the minute I walked in the office door. After being moved, I tell Chad as he's flipping through the packets and we start laughing about how embarrassing it would be. Then low and behold a small fart sets free in the room. As soon as Chad looked at me like, "How could you" Dr Neal walks in the room. I seriously thought I'd have more time than that. In my mind better now than when he does the pelvic exam (since I'm up for my pap, they went ahead and did it). We are both laughing hysterically and In my mind I'm praying he doesn't lift that sheet for awhile...we tell him we are laughing at the packet info. (I'm sure he was like, what's funny about that?)

Thankfully the good Dr had a lot he wanted to talk about before getting to business. I told him about the spotting and everything and he said I'd be fine. I cut off all activity since then and he looked at Chad with the face of sympathy and told us we needed to get busy tonight. I'm sorry, NOT what you should tell my already over eager husband...especially with how unsexy I feel. :) Hahaha. Other than that, he said I'm a very low risk pregnancy and blah blah and eat better, smaller meals and exercise, which of course Chad has to throw in his good sense. It was then I realized I wanted a woman doctor who could understand that morning sickness has made me feel gross about most protein, but too late.

Then we got to the good stuff. Baby G is looking very much like a baby! The Dr kept making me laugh and the baby would move. It was sooooo cool. At one time it looked like he was waving at us. Heart is beating just fine and everything looks great. :) YEA!! They didn't give me a size, but I read somewhere else an inch. The size of a walnut.

Then the dreaded pelvic exam. Must they do this with my husband basically seated at my feet. I'm sure he got a nice few. I'm so humbled. But, I guess he's about to see a whole lot more. At least I didn't have a gas issue.

Chad and I laughed and had so much fun the whole time we were there....even under the awkward circumstances and positions of my body. Dr. Neal was loving it. He said he's really looking forward to working with us because we are so fun. The feeling is mutual, even though he doesn't remember me from Jane Doe. He didn't even know he performed surgery on me earlier this year!

After leaving the eventful OB/GYN, I was off to my first personal training appointment. SO worth every dime we are paying for it. She worked me harder than I have ever been worked. But, being that she's a woman (who has had kids) she knew when to let me rest, where not to put pressure, etc. I'm really happy I'm working with a trainer.

Okay, back to work....

9 weeks, 3 days

This has been a really good week for me. I'm still very happy that morning sickness hasn't reared its ugly head again. Praise God that I only had one week of that nasty stuff!!

Work has been keping my extremely busy, which is good because then I spend less time thinking about food and how gross it is. It's about to get even busier for me with work as we are about to start planning one of my departments big events. One in April and the other in August. That August one sure will be fun! Great!

I did make it to the gym twice so far this week. Yea! Today I got a personal trainer. It's so out of our budget, but Chad really wants me to do it until I get in a groove. I've really been wanting to do it as well, I just didn't think we could afford it. I'm only going to go twice a week, so that isn't THAT bad. I know it will really help with delivery and recovery, so I guess it's worth the expense.

Well, I'm of to nap....Yes, it's 6 p.m. We are having a special evening sermon tonight at Church, and I'm so tired that I don't even want to go. I have about an hour to sleep and get up there....Nighty Night!!

9 weeks

Well, I haven't had too much to post recently. Everything ended up fine last week re:spotting, so that's good. I still haven't had any morning sickness...it has been almost two weeks. I mean, I have to occasional woozyness, but nothing unbearable like it was.

I've noticed the proestrogen bloat is decreasing, however the rest of the bloating is horrible. I told Chad on Friday that if he placed me in water, I would float!! I'm so full of air and gas, its awful! I feel like a walking farting/burping machine. I know, how unladylike of me, but I seem to have no control. I swear I'm so full of it that its now forcing its way out!! It's so humbling!

I seem to be really tired again. All I want to do is sleep. I slept all weekend. Well, we got a lot done, we just had to work around my naps!

My boobs have officially started to grow. I had to buy a bigger bra this weekend. I was pretty excited about that...I've never bought a C bra before. I'm excited to see just how big they'll get.

Food. My eating has gotten better...and worse. I'm eating more protein again (good). If I don't smell it, I can eat it. I'm happy with that. I still haven't cooked...I think its been something like a month since I have cooked. What's gotten worse then? What I'm eating. All pastas and crap. Nutrional foods just don't have the same appeal. Normally this wouldn't be such a bad thing, but with the moving and being sick and everything else, I've hardly seen the gym.

But all of that is changing! I'm purposing to make it to the gym 3 days (at least) this week. I'm also going to stop eating upstairs in the cafeteria (hello, grease). I'm going to start leaving for lunch and buying more salads with protein. I don't want to get fat! I will not let it happen. Even though I know weight gain is totally okay right now, I know eating McDonalds isn't the best for me. I will overcome temptation and aversions!

Next Tuesday is my next big Dr. appointment. I'm really looking forward to it.

8 weeks, 1 day

Well, I've had a interesting week. Last week I felt really good...except for the sinus infection. I was more alert than I have been in weeks, plus no morning sickness!! Yippe!!!

Monday I had a little surprise. Spotting. Now I promised to be very honest in my blog, so if you don't want to read the gory girl stuff, move on. I've read in plenty of books that some spotting in the first trimester is normal. I always thought that if it happened I would remain calm. Not so much the case.

When I went to the bathroom I noticed brown in my panties, okay, I can handle that. Then when I wiped (I told you this was going to be gory) it was more red. Now brown I could do, red...that's a little scary...but still very little was red. I ran straight to my cell phone and called the doctor. They asked me if I could come in that afternoon for a little check up, not a problem. After making the call I called Chad and made a few more trips to the ladies room to see if I was leaking. Nothing.

It was then I began to think I might have overreacted. I mean, I had read about this again and again. And then I started thinking how the doctor wasn't in any real rush to see me. Besides, no matter what, if I call with a problem, they are going to want to see me for liability reasons. I mean, if they didn't and something did go wrong, I guess I could go after them. Then I started praying, and felt this peace come over me that everything was fine. So, I cancelled the appointment.

I haven't had any other red, just a little brown, since yesterday. My next appointment is in two weeks. I've determined if I see red again, I'll go in, but for now I'm okay. I feel like I will know if something is wrong with my body. Most people say that if you have seen the heartbeat, that's a good indication that everything will be fine....and boy, have I seen a heartbeat. :)

Morning sickness returned this morning. I believe that last week went so well because I was so stopped up I couldn't smell anything. The moment I began to smell again, is the moment I remembered what m/s felt like. Hopefully it'll leave just as fast as it came back!

Prayers are appreciated!!

7 weeks, 3 days

Well, I can still report no morning sickness since Sunday. Yea! But, I did get hit with a nasty sinus infection. I woke up yesterday with an awful sore throat, coughing, sneezing, clogged ears, and sinus pressure. It was horrible. I knew I needed to take something, but being pregnant, I didn't know what I couldn't take. So, I called in sick to work and called the OB/GYN's office. When they called me back, they set up an appointment for me to come in, which I thought was odd, but whatever.



When I went to the doctor, they gave me an antibiotic and told me a few OTC things to purchase. Before letting me go, they did an ultrasound. Now, I thought this was even weirder than going to the OB for a cold, but I was up for it. She said that in the event that I went home and something happened they needed proof that the baby was fine at the time of visit. Makes sense, I guess.



I was pretty sad that I was going to have another look at the baby without Chad, but how was I to know? Thank goodness I'm skinny, because this time she was able to do it over my belly (as opposed to inside..ick). Oh my, the difference a week makes! Last week Baby G was 4mm long...this week he/she was 11mm!! We almost tripled in size! Also, last week, she asked if we could see the heartbeat, I couldn't...but yesterday that thing was beating away. It was so neat. I was amazed at how fast the little heart was beating. She said, on average, it's beating at twice the speed of mine. Wow! She let me watch it for a quite some time as she captured several pictures to track the growth. Last week we looked like a line, this week it was a little blob. :) But a cute blob. I was so sad that Chad wasn't there to see it.



I'm still reeling in how neat it was to see the heartbeat. To know that something really is growing in me. It's so fascinating.



I also asked her about the pudge that I'm getting. Its apparently proestrogen bloating (not gas bloating). She said it'll go away in the next few weeks, but then I'll be starting to form a belly. It was comforting to hear her say, "at least you are skinny enough..." because Lord knows I have not been feeling skinny at all!! It's going to be a real adjustment to gain weight like I'm about to.



After getting all of the drugs, I went home and camped out on the couch watching none other than A Baby Story. Stupid decision....I'm terrified. Labor does not look fun, exciting or easy. In fact at one point I cringed knowing that I have to go through that soon. *ugh* I mean, ugh... At least I have eight more months to prepare.

7 weeks, 1 day

Still going strong. This is the third full day that I have felt pretty good. Now, of course I'm still tired and a bit *blah* towards foods, but I haven't been sick. I've been eating very bland foods and it's working. Yippee!



Yesterday, I had cereal and chocolate milk for breakfast. Then for lunch I had half of a chicken salad sandwich with a pickle. I ate an apple as a snack on my way home from work. Dinner, was exceptionally bland, noodles with butter. I swear, I'm turning into one large carb! No heartburn or vomiting. :) YEAH!!!



I love the prenatal's that I'm taking. DuetDHA by StuartNatal. Others make people very sick and constipated (not to gross anyone out), but this pill helps ease things. The problem is NONE are covered by my insurance, so I'm on my own. I called the pharmacy to see how much the one I'm on costs...$35. The rest of the samples I have run around $25. So, I ask, is ten dollars worth it?? I'm thinking it is, but I haven't given the others a fair shot yet. I'll have to see how the next week goes.



Speaking of insurance...a little rant. When I started working here I signed up for the HMO (EPO) program. Since we are such a large company, we are on this executive program that allows us to visit a specialist without a referral. Nice. Well, I also signed up to avoid deductibles. Then I noticed that to have a baby it would only cost $250!!! WooHoo!! Well, not so woohoo anymore, as of January 1st our policy changed, I'll now owe 10% of the cost. That stinks!! Stupid insurance companies!



Clothing. I know it's just the bloat and not the baby, but OMG I feel huge. My once flat and sexy tummy is looking a little pudgier (sp). My jeans are starting to cut me off when sitting at my desk. I'm starting to notice pant imprints on my skin when I go to the restroom. I hate this. I'm not looking forward to going through that in-between fat and pregnant stage. The really bad thing is these are the jeans that I just bought on my birthday (December) that were a little too big at the time. Size 8! I'm terrified I will never have my figure again. I feel so vain saying that, but it is so true!



Yipee, mom just called and they have an extra ticket to Tony'n'Tina's wedding tonight at Bass Hall. I'm so excited. I haven't gone "out" like that since Cirque in December with the hubby. I'm so excited. I wonder what I'll wear....

7 weeks

Wow, what a weekend.



I'm feeling so much better today than I have been. I got up this morning and actually made my lunch! :) I never thought that would be such an accomplishment. And to top it all off, I got a great nights sleep! It was the first night in about four nights that I didn't have to sleep sitting up. YEA!!!



As for this weekend. Well, Friday I got pretty sick after eating chicken fried steak. I don't even know why I ate chicken fried steak. I haven't had it in years, but it was the only thing that looked good on the menu. Not even my fail-safe salad looked good. Needless to say, the grease in my tummy was not a good thing and I ended up vomiting before bed. :(



Saturday, I got up pretty early (around 8) and watched Pretty Woman (that movie never gets old). Then, I went and hung out with mom and ran errands, all the while pretty sick. Nothing sounded good, yet I felt like I was hungry. It was miserable. Finally we went to Jason's Deli. Mom was kind enough to let me order two dishes and decide which one I wanted once they came. If only every meal would be so easy. I ate the broccoli cheese soup. Again, got sick.



Saturday night, mom made Chad prime rib for his birthday. I brought my own dinner, chicken salad sandwich, mac'n'cheese, and a baked potato. How sad. I felt like I was five! I was stupid and put some bacon bits on the potato...and that made me sick. Will I ever get a clue?



So by Sunday, I learned my lesson....No grease, no soda or carbonated beverages, no spicy foods, and only eat half your portion (especially when out). We had a birthday lunch after church with Chad's family at a freaking mexican food restaurant. I was so upset. I ordered a quesadilla and ate only two little sections of it. I'm telling you, I have a serious fear of food these days.



Then later we had a Superbowl party at our house...with tons of salsa, queso, hot wings, and other spicy foods. I nibbled on crackers. The party went really well. I was a bit nervous about having enough seating and food, but it all worked out in the end. The only bad thing was the guest bathroom toilet didn't get fixed in time, so everyone had to use mine. *ack* And now ours is leaking too! Ugh, days like that make me wish we bought a newer home (eventhough I love ours).



The good news about Sunday was that I never got sick! :) I managed to go to bed without having a Mylanta cocktail all day! YEA!!

6 weeks, 4 days

I'm tired of food.



Yes, you heard me. If you know me very well at all you know this is TOTALLY out of character for me. I normally love food. No longer, I tell you, no longer.



Lets take today for example. I'm driving to work today and hear the McMuffin commercial. I almost had to pull over to gag. It was the most disgusting thing I had heard of....still is, thinking about it makes me want to gag. The McGriddle, my onetime love, nasty. Magazine ads, TV ads, radio ads, and the like send me in to gag-land...the bad thing is, they are everywhere!!



Then, lunch time. I dread lunch. It seems to be my worst meal of the day. Everyday its something different. Whatever did it for me the day before, sends me running to the bathroom the next. Yesterday I had the best baked potato for lunch. I swore that today the same thing would be good since its relatively a bland food (to read why I'm against spicy foods read yesterday). Not true. I went up there got my potato, sat down at my desk and had to force myself to eat it. I need nutrition, I need to eat...this has become the most complicated thing in life!



Smells. Uck. Whoever told me that I would become sensitive to smells completely understated the situation. I don't even think I can go into it because thinking about smelling will make me sick.



I'm beginning to think I'm part crazy. I keep thinking this is all a mental thing. Partly because I remember back when dieting I would tell Chad, "I can't eat it, I just can't." And he would say, "That's all mental." I see now, that in truth, I could have probably ate the stinking chicken. So, I wonder, could I still eat these foods?



It's actually getting to be a pretty expensive habit. I never know what I'll want therefore I have to eat out (if I'm out). I go to the store everyday to buy whatever it is that I think will settle the beast inside me for the day.



Which brings me to my next topic (or should I soapbox) today...I need to start eating earlier. Since my new bedtime is 8pm, I really shouldn't be having dinner at 7. My food just ends up keeping me up all night long. And that is just plain miserable!



I don't want this whole blog to be so negative. I mean yesterday was the best day I can remember that I've had since being pregnant. (Probably because I got 13 hours of sleep) I just want to keep record of what I'm really going through each day. Everyday I'm learning something new that helps the next day. I mean, who would have thought eating crackers in bed would help?!? So, please don't take all of this as complaining. I think of it as learning and expressing. :) I couldn't be happier to be having a baby.

6 weeks, 3 days

Ugh, what a horrible day yesterday. We had 5 people out of office, making work a bit more stressful than usual. To make matters worse, my heartburn never went away! It was awful. By 3 pm I was throwing up. Nothing worse to me than puking at work.



I got home and went straight to bed...at about 5pm. Chad woke me up when he got home from church with a cute card, some Mylanta, coffee ice cream, and regular saltines. I love him so much. He's amazing! I guess I remember getting up and eating ice cream, but not that well. I was soon tucked back in bed and sleeping soundly, with no heartburn.



I've been noticing that I wake up a lot during the night. Sometimes its to pee, others its because Chad seems to suddenly want it 80 degrees in the house, and sometimes I just wake up and sit. It's very weird. Dana says its preparing me for having the baby.



I was late to work today. I guess I really needed 13 hours of sleep, because I couldn't get out of bed until six. I believe my alarm started going off at 5am. I'm still in a daze. The good news is I was only 30min late to work. I was promptly reminded that I need to make up for it ASAP, as if I wasn't already. I guess I'll only have a 30min lunch today.



Today is Chad's birthday. I think I'll by him a card from the baby....or is that cheesy to do already?!?!

6 weeks, 2 days

Big day yesterday, my first doctor appointment. **grin** They had told me that this appointment was just the "do's and don't" appointment, but it was so much more. Chad was originally not going to come with me, but at last minute decided to come along....good thing because I had my first sonogram!!!



Yup, that's right, we saw Baby G. Not much to look at really. It was 4mm long, about the size of a lentil bean. She said she could see a flutter, which would mean the heart is beating. It was all so cool. I now feel pregnant because I've seen it. Well, I guess I've been "feeling" very pregnant, but you know what I mean. They gave us the picture and I couldn't stop staring at it. It's amazing that that's how we all start out.



I actually felt better Tuesday than I have felt in a long time. I wasn't even needing a nap during lunch... although I still took one. I ate pretty bad too, grilled cheese and ham with fries for lunch. It was the only thing that sounded good. After my appointment I made up for my greasy lunch by going to the gym. It felt really good to be active, however I did notice I'm getting tired a lot faster.



I was in the mood for tacos last night, and why pay for them if I can make them? The bad thing was we hadn't moved my pots, pans, and cooking utensils yet, so I had to make a trip to the apartment before heading home. Blah, I can't wait until everything is moved.



I've also determined that I'm not allowed to go to the store anymore because of my cravings. I bought the most random stuff, and most of it had ZERO nutritional value. Oh well, guess Chad will have to get to know our store better.



Last night was kinda rough because I was stricken with heartburn....I still have it. I got up around 2 am in so much pain. I walked around the house a few times before getting back into bed. I had to sleep sitting up. I still feel like my insides are on fire. I'm not sure what I'll do for lunch...I'm terrified to eat anything. I didn't go to bed on a full stomach or anything, and I heard that is normally why people get HB at night. I dunno, but I want it gone!!



The official due date is September 25th!!