I found my crib/dresser/changing table

I haven't ordered it yet but in my Baby Bargains book gave it a good rating. I found it at Wal-Mart and checked it out. I can order online, get my ebates.com rebate and free shipping to the store and it's white! It will go well with the new bedding I purchased last week.

YAY!

Thank GOD for bffs

I decided this morning to get my registry ready at Target. I have already registered at Babies r Us for half of what I need so I had my Target list in hand. I called my BFF Shawn and asked if she wanted to help me since I had no clue about brands and she's been testing some for months. So with guns in hand we hit the tiny baby aisle at Target to scan away baby stuff. After 90 mins, we were complete and without her advice, I'd be completely lost. Even a gal registering by herself was listening to her advice.

Somehow, I registered for a whooping 62 items at Target. Some will get deleted when I find out the sex but my Babies R Us registry is only 29 items. Our rule was "I'll register if I really need it" and I can't believe I actually need 100 items. I didn't register for diapers, cremes, lotions and stuff like that and Brian really wants a Baby Bjorn (he thought there was going to be one wrapped up under the tree).

So I was feeling bad about all the items but my friend said "you need all of these. Don't feel bad!" So I won't allow myself to be guilty!


Moms need gifts you know! With my birthday a little over a month away, I think I found what I want:

What is it? It's a Sharper Image Microderm kit

Since I've been pregnant, my skin has been breaking out like crazy. It's the first time in my life I've had to deal with acne.

And if you go through ebates.com, you get 5% back!

Attack of the pregnancy hormones

My husband had to work today so I decided to have a me day. I first went and saw Juno which is a really cute, funny movie. Then I went to Macy's for some make-up and a bday gift for a friend. Then it was off to Goodwill to donate some of the remains of Brian's office (which took an act of congress to get him to clean up, I might add). I decided I didn't want to be cold anymore so I drove across the street to the outlet mall to buy a new coat that fits for the winter. Ya see, none of my winter coats fit except for my pea coat and it's not very warm and I would like to go snowshoeing soon. As I parked my car and got out this 60 year old hick from the sticks with his Chevy truck with six tires and a border collie in the back says to me "You're pretty fucking rude." I had no idea I had done anything rude except for take his parking spot which his big Chevy wouldn't have fit in anyways. His wife in the passenger seat gasped as I held my stomach perplexed at the whole situation. As I walked into the store, some lady said to me "pretty rude of him to yell at a pregnant woman not wearing a coat!" and I nodded and then when I got inside, I got really angry. That woman was totally right!

So I made my purchase and headed out the door steaming mad and guess what -- he was parked on the other side of my Jeep.

Me: Hey asshole, nice of you to yell at a pregnant woman NOT wearing a coat.

He looked away and didn't respond. He just mostly looked embarrassed.

Normally, I would have ignored it but these hormones -- they make you do crazy things like completely destroy your husband's office because you can't find the wedding photo cd that you had stored in the desk draw in another room.

I have 5 more months of this to go. Wish me luck!

Crib bedding ordered - CHECK

My first real baby purchase ....


Now just have to find the white crib/dresser/changing table.

Butterflies in my stomach

Today marks week 16 and today I'm feeling more "butterflies in my stomach" aka the quickening moves of my unborn child. Let's just say Lil Berger likes small lattes (yes, leaded). It's the strangest feeling but it does really feel like butterflies.

Bendites, you were not kidding when you said our Target's baby selection totally sucks. It does. I guess it's Babies R Us for registering (along with Target).

Last night I dreamt that Brian and I had an ultrasound and it was a girl. The other weird thing about the dream was a bug showed up on the leg of my unborn Lil Berger. When I completely freaked out, the ultrasound tech said "that's completely normal."

We're going to start on "the list" of things to do before the baby is born this weekend. First task, clear the clutter of my husband's office (which he doesn't use, by the way). I wish we could get rid of the desk for a smaller one but he's not having it. Things on the list include painting rooms and better arranging our storage spaces (aka closets). Fun times. Woo flippin' hoo.

The search for the list with simple things

I've made it my mission this week to make a list of what to register for at Target/Babies R Us. After searching and searching online, I found this list on Babyfit.com. My goal was to find a list that was simple and didn't have all the frivolous items that would be a waste of money because that's the last thing I need is for people to get me items that I don't need. I'm been searching craigslist like a mad women for dressers, changing tables, gliders too. I also have my IKEA list. I'm not going to buy an IKEA crib either probably just a few closet organizers. I'm a sucker for hand me downs too as friends keep saying "check out my spare bedroom -- I'll gladly hand over my breast pump, swing, etc. I'm a lucky girl. Having a baby doesn't have to break the bank.

My friend Heather is due a week before me and she found out she's having a boy. Though she lives in Nebraska, I'm happy we're pregnant together (though this is her 3rd child) and it's nice to check in and see how she is doing.

Tomorrow is 16 weeks. I can hardly believe it! I have to go in and get some blood drawn for some screening tests at my OB's office. Fun times! I hate getting blood drawn. Ick!

I'm noticing that around 5 p.m., I'm getting tired each night. I have to resist taking naps because if I do, I wake up 10 times (no joke) a night). Last night I only woke up once. To keep myself awake, I put Christmas stuff away. Maybe tonight I'll organize my husband's office (I destroyed it in a hormonal rampage in which I will discuss another time).

Been looking into digital scrapbooking sites too. I made a scrapbook of our wedding FINALLY using Shutterfly.com's online book making helper. I can't wait to see the finished product when it arrives next week. They have a variety of baby books. I just can't wait to get started on it!

Prepping for baby

I keep forgetting I'm pregnant. My friends tell me this is all normal and in fact, while one friend was pregnant last year she often said this and I thought she was completely nuts but now I understand the whole concept of forgetting. I usually remember right about when I'm getting dressed and nothing fits. My belly isn't as big as my co-workers who's belly is 5 days behind me (this is her 3rd child) and of all the books I read this is normal.

I've been feeling flutters. Sometimes it feels like bubbles in my belly or something swimming around. One day it felt like something ran it's finger against my insides. I just can't wait till the little sucker jabs be in the ribs! Bring it on!

This week I've started researching furniture and what we really need. So far the list includes: crib, glider, changing table/dresser and some sort of closet storage. We were planning a trip to IKEA in Portland but we may just get the closet storage as I've found Wal-Mart and Target are a goldmine for the other items. I've also set up an rss feed for "baby" on Bend's Craigslist. I don't mind hand me downs. I would like all white since the woodwork is white but we'll see.

I scored the Cadillac of breast pumps from my friend and I'm so excited!!!! That's $300 I won't have to spend. Lil Berger got his/her first gift -- a rattle from my friend Katie.

I still can't believe Friday will be 16 weeks.

First stab at digital scrapbooking

First stab at digital scrapbooking
Originally uploaded by Shanlee

Today I took my first step towards committing to digital scrapbooking. I have an unfair advantage because well, I know how to use Photoshop and InDesign pretty well (wish I could say the same for Illustrator). Most digital scrapbookers use Photoshop but since InDesign is way easier to manipulate, I created it there and imported the pdf to Photoshop to make a jpg. I'm pretty satisfied with my "tree hunt" page. I think my next step will be making a wedding album book using Shutterfly. I'm so adventurous. It only took me two years!

This is all in preparation to the arrival of Lil Berger, of course. Because who wants to look at pages with Charlie or our vacations!

In 28 days ...

... we may know the sex of the baby. The countdown to Jan 17 is on!

Gaining weight

I've been buried in my Baby Bargains book the past few nights. Last night was a chapter on baby clothes and suggests I tell people NOT to give my baby newborn clothes because they are a waste of money. OK, how does one ask their family and friends not to send clothes? Yea, I can't do that.

The book is worrying me with making sure I have the firmest mattress on God's green earth so my baby doesn't suffocate. I would have never thought of that. Now I know why people say "DON'T READ THE BOOKS." I tossed and turned all night thinking about it. What if my baby is too hot because it will be summer (we don't have A/C)? OMG, We need a ceiling fan in the baby room! See what I mean?

Anyway, back to the subject at hand .. it's officially trimester two and today was my OB appointment where I learn that I'm not gaining enough weight. I haven't been hungry at all. I have no desire to eat food. I'm not craving anything. I try to eat my cereal and it tastes gross. I try to choke down green veggies -- yuck. Doc says to keep taking the vitamins because my diet is poor. On the plus side, I can start taking pre-natal exercise classes and I will start in January with water classes! Yay! And, I heard the heartbeat -- 155 beats per min. More proof there is a baby in my belly.

My husband didn't come to the appoint. Some were shocked by this. Does my husband need to go every time? He's pretty bored at them and he's a busy man. I figure he'll go to the appoints with pomp and circumstance -- like the ultrasound I'm scheduling for three weeks from tomorrow. WOO HOO. But really, does he need to go?

Off to the store to find things to eat to fatten me up. Wish me luck!

Thank god for friends

In the past year, I've had a lot of friends have babies that live in Bend. I've seen their many styles and have said on occasion, "I want to be like that mom" or "I don't want to be like that mom." I can say that all I want but I know I will be the mom I'm supposed to be.

My friend Alissa gave me some good advice today -- stop freaking out. She's right! I shouldn't be worried about baby gear right now! Although I got some fabulous advice about my registry, I don't like stuff and clutter so I'm going to keep it simple -- get what I need along the way and start checking out craigslist.

And if I want a $150 Jeep Stoller, damn it, I'm going to register for it. Because mark my worss, Charlie (my dog), the baby and I will be walking up Pilot Butte during maternity leave and we need that stroller.

Bring on the second trimester!

Registering part 2

I revised my Amazon.com registry and took some things off. I will look at Target for those items because I really don't want to register for a car seat without looking at it and such. I have a list started just for Target.

I was really worried about registering for big ticket items (to me that's items over $50) but a few of my friends said they are going in on the bigger items because they know their won't be much support from some family (long story, I won't get into on my blog) and not to worry about it. I also forgot that two friends have gear for me so I'm going to go check it out and cross those off my list. Anyone have a jogging stroller? That's one of the items I would LOVE to have.

I want to thank everyone for the advice on this list. At first it was overwhelming but after I made a few notes, I was grateful for the advice.

And now onto week 13 baby bump ...

I registered

Since the majority of people who will buy for me live out of town, I went with Amazon.com for my registry for a couple of reasons ... 1. you can buy online. The only person who will have a problem is my grandma and I have a feeling she's making a baby blanket. 2. They make a thank you gift list for you. 3. They had lists to help me with what I actually need.

You can check it out here online at Amazon.com.

I was worried I was registering for things that were too expensive (like that breast pump that everyone tells me I need to have which is $230) but this is my baby we're talking about. I didn't register for a crib or changing table/dresser. I think those are items we'll buy at IKEA.

If you have suggestions on items I should register for, pop me a comment. I need the help.

I'm freaking out

I am freaking out about a bunch of stuff lately. Here is the following list:

* money
* my house is too small
* there is some much to do how are we going to get it all done
* I'm not going to know what to do with a baby
* being a working mom
* getting skinny after having a baby
* I have no idea what to register for

That is just some of them. I have money in the bank. Some would say that with the amount I have, I shouldn't worry but then I start to think about paying quarterly taxes, property taxes and then being off for three months, I freak out. I need to start thinking positively about this but it's stressing me out. Things always work out. I have PTO, short term disability.

My house isn't too small. We just need to utilize space better. Like my husband really needs to organize his office. I think when he's gone to Eugene, I'm going to purge and organize it because I've nagged him for weeks about it.

Anyway, I think the keep is to sit down and make a list of things we need to get done and just start tackling it now. Maybe I will do it and post for my motivation and for public flogging.

Week 13

I can't belive it but I'm at week 13. Week 14 marks the start of the 2nd trimester and I couldn't be more excited for next Friday. Overnight something happened -- my belly popped out. I'm still looking fat, not pregnant but you'll have to wait until Sunday to see it. Lil Berger is the size of a medium shrimp.

I'm still mostly tired and sometimes when I eat, I feel sick. I am having aversions to meat too. I'm always hungry. It's mostly annoying more than anything. My sleeping is great but sometimes interrupted by bathroom trips. I can't wait to sleep in tomorrow.

I've been seeking advice from new mothers on breastfeeding. I'm really leaning toward not breastfeeding since I'll be a working mom but I also want to bond with my baby as well as have Brian bond. Maybe I will and pump so he can be involved.

The best advice I've received this week is to stop reading baby books because they'll just scared you most people say. I have to agree with that theory.

You touchy, I bitey...

I was invited by a colleague to a focus group for pregnant women tonight. As tired as I was from working all day, I couldn't let my colleague down and attended. The focus was on funny t-shirts for expectant mothers and if you'd buy them and if you did, what style would you buy. The shirts are pretty freaking hilarious but if you know me, I've been trying to find some sassy knocked-up shirt for months and I think I found the perfect place for that snarkiness... jestations.

Jestations is owned by two Bend women -- Lisa and Kathy. Their bio on their website reads:

After trimesters of rude comments, unsolicited advice and belly-rubs that would annoy even Buddha, we had it up to here with hearing how we’re out to there. Fueled by a dangerous cocktail of hormones and prenatal vitamins, we embarked on a journey to fulfill every pregnant woman’s dream (outside of a nine-month epidural or an endless supply of ice cream, that is): T-shirts that pre-empt—or at least answer—irritating pregnancy comments and advances. We employed our expertise in graphic design and copywriting, natural propensity for snarkiness and affection for great quality clothing and, lo, a business was born. We’re pleased that our bouncing baby business is thriving. Almost as pleased as knowing we’ve helped fend off at least a few pregnancy annoyances.

this is my favorite shirt of all.


The cool thing about the focus group was that I got to hear advice from women about their other experiences and I made notes of biodegradable diapers, books about making baby food and got reassurance that it's ok to eat meat that's cooked medium (because you all know a former Nebraskan isn't going to eat a WELL DONE STEAK). We all bonded too. I can't wait for all the classes I have to take so I can talk to other women. Of course, I can bend the ear of my friends who are mothers but it's fun to talk to first time pregnant mothers as well.

But alas, I'm tired and it's 9:22 p.m. -- way past my bedtime. Time to hit the pillow for some much needed shut eye

Oh what a relief

Today I just couldn't take it anymore. I needed to do something about my bra which was digging into my skin so I had to go buy extenders. Oh, what a relief. No more digging into my skin. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. I feel so much better.

Taming the temper

The hormones are making me have a temper. Along with that, I'm a little more impatient than usual and the stupiest things set me off. And drama that doesn't even involve me, I worry about. Thanks a lot, hormones.

I'm constantly hungry too. This is getting really annoying because I bring food to work and it's not enough. Right now I'm craving fried chicken and jalapeño poppers. Neither of which are in my possession and would require me to get in the car and head to Fred Meyer. I'm in comfy clothes wearing my beaver fur slippers with the heat jacked up (until I get the $200 bill).

Don't get me started on the horrible gas. (yea, TMI) Good thing the doctor wrote a note saying that I'll be frequently visiting the bathroom.

I'm totally complaining, aren't I?

I'm so happy that I'm pregnant and seeing that little baby will make it all worth it. I just have to keep telling myself that when my bladder's about to explode from all the water I'm supposed to be drinking.

12 week belly shot

Well, with week 12 starts a new weekly tradition -- the belly shot. It's sticking out but mostly I look fat.

Holiday traditions

Is it secure?
Originally uploaded by Shanlee

We spent a good part of the day hunting for the perfect Christmas tree west of Sunriver. We found an awesome spot a few years ago and just by luck, found it this year again. As fun as finding your own tree is, it can be a complete pain in the ass. It wasn't so much a pain because we had friends with us and then went and warmed up at the Owl's Nest at Sunriver Resort.

We came home and decorated our tree for the holiday. After hacking and trimming away at it, our tree was perfect. I also purged some of my holiday decor. I wish someone would have told me that spending all that money on Winne the Pooh ornaments would be a waste someday. I don't even want to hang them up. I'm so over Pooh.

Click here to see the rest of the photos from the day.

12 weeks

And here we are at 12 weeks. What a day. But what got me through the day was the fact I was going to hear Lil Berger's heartbeat. And we did hear it and it was amazing. All the emotions that I was holding in all day just flooded out. My doctor seemed used to the crying but the second we heard the whoosh, the tears came rushing. After that, it was back to work where I gushed to everyone.

The appointment went pretty fast. She just checked everything and boy does a pap smear hurt when you're pregnant. Yikes.

I'm too tired to write anyone. I think I need a day at the spa. Don't you?

You know you're expecting when ...

... you wake up at 2 a.m. with hunger in your belly. Grapes and toast work wonders.

Documenting your baby’s life

First off, let me just say, I don’t get the whole scrap booking phenomenon. I have friends and family that spend hours on end documenting their lives in little acid free photo books. I have barely had time to even put a wedding album together or something about our first house. With that being said I do want to document Lil Berger’s and our family’s life. So what’s my solution -- Digital scrapbooking.

Why digital scrapbooking? Because I’m a gal of the future, it’s cheap and what better way to keep my design skills going and improve my productivity at work (of course, I won’t be designing at work, this will be at home). I’m ½ of the way there with having photoshop and a digital camera now I just need to download InDesign and Acrobat (I think) for my computer at home and buy a new, nicer printer. My current computer won’t read my printer. Unless I figure out how to fix it, I might need a new one.

I guess I’ll add this to my list of things to do! Fun, huh?

But I don’t feel pregnant

I’m not sick to my stomach anymore but I’m mostly tired and hungry. I’m in that weird phase where I don’t have morning sickness but I’m not showing. I often forget I’m having a baby until I get up to go to the bathroom four times a night. Having morning sickness was reassurance that I was pregnant and a good reminder to take it easy but now that I’m just mostly hungry and tired it almost doesn’t seem real. I’ve been worried about my little fig. I don’t have any reason to be worried but I’m worrying. I hope my fig is OK. Some people say the worrying starts now until the child is 50! Ha!

I’ll get some reassurance this Thursday when we go to hear the heartbeat until then I will keep thinking positive thoughts that figgy is growing strong and healthy.

Connecting anyway we can

My 9 year old niece lives in the Midwest. I only get to see her once a year, maybe. She is at the point where she reads and writes and wants a myspace page. Good thing my brother and sister-in-law are smart enough to not let her get a myspace page. She does play on the computer though and when I was visiting, I showed her meez.com where you go and make little animated dolls that look like you or whatever you want it to look like. I gave her my account info so every couple of days I can go in and she can go in and update the little doll. We spent hours changing the little girl around while I was visiting. Every couple of days I get little surprises like this one:


That's the one she made me for Thanksgiving. It made me cry because I really miss my family around the holidays and esp since they aren't around to witness all the changes around me.

Then I started thinking ... maybe I should do some YouTube.com movies or start posting photos (as much as I hate the way I look in photos). That way my family could not only read but see what's going on.

Fun, huh?

Size of a fig! Yeah!

Today marks week 11 for Lil Berger. In 6 days, we have our first appointment with our OB where we will hear Lil Bergers heartbeat! The morning sickness has subsided. I just pee alot and am tired all the time.

Thanksgiving was well, weird. We had a wonderful celebration at our friend's house. It's what happened after that basically ruined our Thanksgiving. That's all I will say, I'm trying to keep this blog positive. I just wish we lived closer to my family and my husband's in Arizona. That's all I'm saying. Today I'm emotionally drained and depressed.

This week's activity is the reach out to other moms. "Women who've already made the transition to motherhood can offer good advice, a comforting shoulder, and the camaraderie of shared experiences.If you don't know where to start the conversation, ask your mom or a friend to tell you about her best and worst pregnancy memories."

So share your stories moms! I wanna hear them.

Week 10 Activity: undies & bra

This week's BabyCenter.com activity was to buy new maternity undies and bras. Motherhood had a sale on undies and honestly -- they look and feel just like regular undies. Strange, huh?

Dreams

We are back from our weekend away in the forest. It rained the whole weekend so it meant staying in and watching movies in the cabin with the fireplace blazing away. It was really nice. I just relaxed and finally read my pregnancy magazines, took naps, ate junk food -- it was nice. What would have been made it nicer was if the rain would have turned to snow. It was surprisingly 5 degrees too hot for that.

On Friday night, I had the strangest dream. In my dream, my mother was picking out furniture for her home. She basically had a furniture store in the basement and I went through and helped her. My mom was never good at interior decorating (same with me) so she thought two heads were better than one. As we walked through the items, she had several cribs and changing tables and said "pick one out for the baby -- it's on me." I woke up and told my husband at breakfast. He really didn't saw much. Maybe it's a message. Maybe it's nothing but it was freaky. I often have dreams like this and usually I say "Mom but you're dead" but I didn't this time.

I'm having anxiety about a bunch of things -- all money related. We have a large IRS payment to make in January and I'm worried about maternity leave and making ends meat. I think I need to re-read The Secret and just stop worrying. Everything will fall into place. It always does.

Morning sickness wasn't so bad this weekend. Maybe because of all the naps and junk food?

Looking forward to the 3 day work week. Woo hoo.

Happy Fetus Day

Today, Lil Berger has reached the fetal stage -- the 10 week mark!!! This morning, I even told the dog "Happy Fetus Day, Charlie." My husband just chuckled. Like the dog really cares.

I've been feeling sick off and on. I'm a late bloomer to morning sickness, apparently. Nothing sounds good to eat but I force myself. Bagels -- yum! Yogurt -- yum but gives me a metallic taste. For lunch I brought apples, banana and chocolate Zingers. Yesterday it was a salad, tamales and piece of key lime pie. Weird combos, I know.

Well, again -- Happy Fetus Day!

I didn't post this so you'd feel sorry for me

Today I ventured to the local shopping area to look at maternity tops. I don't intend to buy any tops for another two weeks but I just wanted to see what was out there. We don't have too many maternity options in Bend -- maybe three places. So while I looked, another girl was with her mom looking for a winter maternity coat. Her mother was really cute, giving her jacket after jacket. to try on I began reflecting on how my own mother would act. I even thought to myself "gee, if that was my mother, she'd buy the coat for me." She was just that kinda mother.

Usually, reflecting on my mom wouldn't upset me but being hormonal, it did. I came to turns with my mother's untimely death years ago. I don't cry over my mom's death. After 12 years, tears are just wasted because there is nothing I can change. I watched the mother and daughter and felt really jealous and then the mom bought the winter coat for the daughter. I had to get out of there.

Just to be blunt, it royally sucks that my mom isn't here to help or answer questions. I have aunts I can call or friends I could ask but nothing can compare to your mother. I know everything will be ok but it can't I just how bad it sucks.

I think I'm done with my rant.

ANYWAY, I did find two pairs of J. Jill Wearever pants on sale that will come in really handy over the next few months. My boss won't have to question my fashion sense.

Forget decorating the house, there's a baby on the way

Today I’m feeling surprisingly good. No upset tummy. No near vomiting episodes. Just tired with a sore chest (probably TMI but who cares, this is my blog). Of course, the worries all start because some women believe that no more morning sickness is a sign of that dreaded m word I won’t type.

ANYWAY … I love my husband. He’s creative and funny. I’m creative but more reasonable one of the bunch. When he found out we were having a baby he exclaimed that he was going to paint the room for the baby. I was hoping he would want to wait but when I went to Omaha to visit family, he practically dropped me off and the airport and headed to Lowes to pick out a color. When I got home, first thing I did was run into the room to see the color he wanted to surprise me with. It’s yellow or cocoa butter to him. He had this grand idea to paint a mural which I quickly squashed. My reason was more because I don’t want to have to paint the room before we sell our. We settled on white chair rail and either a lavender or blue for the lower half. Instead of painting a mural, I’m going to buy him some canvas and paints and he can paint his heart out for the baby.

I want the general theme to be sun, moon and stars. I already have wall art from my Nebraska home (it was the theme in my old bedroom). I like this crib set but it won’t work for a boy. It looks girly. My husband isn’t too keen on the sun, moon, stars theme but I think he’ll warm up to it.

I did find a crib and changing table on IKEA. I told myself no ordering until after Jan. 1. Spending money for me is like pulling teeth since I like to save but I don’t think I’ll mind getting the baby some things.

I need to find more ways of including my husband. Anyone have other ideas?

Just what my baby needs

shes having a baby posted about this so I thought I would share something my baby really needs ....

WILCO ONESIE or a BIB. You can order them here.








You know you want to buy my baby one.

Website to put in your RSS feed

... or bookmark.

Sugar Publishing has added a new addition to their family ... Lil Sugar ... just in time for my baby. The Sugar sites are some of my favorites to visit in blogland. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Kudos to me

Yay! I went to the gym and I feel great! I worked out on the elliptical for 30 mins. It was tough but I got through it!

So while working out I thought about the hopes and dreams I have for Lil Berger. I hope Lil Berger isn't a fussy baby that sleeps through the night and that she/he is a happy baby.

Off to relax after my workout.

No whitty title. I might just throw up my lunch

Most women experience morning sickness at weeks 6-7. I thought I was getting off the hook until this morning at work. I felt like I was going to lose my morning bagel. Since I worked part of the weekend, I headed home at noon to take a nap. I really needed to eat something. Normally, I watch what I eat -- veggies, fruit, protein and whole wheat. You know what I had for lunch -- a KFC Popcorn Chicken Bowl and a KFC biscuit. This would be something I would never put in my mouth. Guess what -- it made me feel better until now. I feel the same way. Let's see if ginger ale calms the stomach.

Not feeling too attractive, either. My clothes, esp my pants aren't fitting. Mostly because of bloating. My eye brows are out of control and my contacts are bugging me so I'm wearing glasses. I think that on my day off after Thanksgiving, I'm going to clean out my closet and put away the maternity clothes my friend gave me. I have about 20 pairs of pants but only a handful of tops.

It's a gloomy day in Bend. The gloomy weather forced me to turn up the heat and take a nap with the dog on the couch. I think it's about time to take another. I'm falling asleep. Ain't pregnancy grand?

I'll have a virgin margarita please

I'm into ordering virgin drinks. Since I am not drinking my usual wine because of the pregnancy, when my husband and I go out to eat, I'm ordering drinks that contain no alcohol but look like adult beverages. I was craving a Red Cactus Margarita last week and settled for sweet and sour mix on the rocks sans the tequila. It was tooooo sweet. Yes, Miss Sweet Tooth says it's too sweet. There was no such thing in my vocabulary before this pregnancy.

This is week 9 (well, 9 weeks, 2 days. I've heard my embryo size is over an inch or the size of a grape. On Friday, my Lil Berger will be a fetus, reaching the 10 week mark! YAY! My husband and I will be celebrating by taking a quick trip to one of our favorite spots -- Camp Sherman, OR. We always rent a cabin in the middle of Ponderosa Pines along the Metolius River in the fall. What do we do for fun? Play cards, watch movies by the fire, take a hike -- plan and simple -- we relax. No phone coverage, no computers -- just the husband, dog and I. Since this is an annual tradition, next year we'll be bringing baby with us.

Baby Center's activity for week 9 is start a daily ritual to connect with your baby. According to their website:

Diane Sanford, a clinical psychologist who focuses on pregnancy and postpartum adjustment, encourages women to set aside two five- to ten-minute periods a day to think about their baby. Just after waking up and before going to sleep works well for many expectant moms. During these times, sit quietly and gently rest your hands on your belly. Focus on your breathing and then start thinking about your baby (your hopes and dreams, your intentions as a parent, etc.). It's a great way to initiate the bonding process and to help you plan for the kind of parent you want to be.

So what are my dreams for my little "grape?" Since I've seen this activity, I've found myself daydreaming about Lil Bergers life (mainly because I fall asleep on the couch and then sleep walk to the bed). I dream about how strong and healthy my baby is growing inside me. I dream that my baby will be smart and beautiful. I dream that my baby will grow up to be a successful doctor, attorney or engineer. I dream that we're a close knit family. I think about family vacations and my Lil Berger playing with cousins. I could go on and on and on about this but I will keep some things to myself.

Morning sickness is starting to subside. For the first time in over a month, I walked to dog. We were both pooped after our 3 mile walk. I plan on going to the gym tomorrow and looking into swimming classes at our local pool. I want to be healthy during this pregnancy. I guess I'll start with exercising and then maybe the eating healthy thing will fall into place (after morning sickness subsides).

Now, off to watch the Simpsons and drink my Peligrino over ice instead of a glass of wine.

We have a heartbeat

I had an ultrasound to determine the due date and we were spot on though I really was beginning to think we conceived in August but no, it was September. My husband met me at work (I work in a medical center) for the ultrasound and it was the most amazing 20 mins of this year (that is compared to finding out I was pregnant and the Wilco concert in August). I had a regular ultrasound and a vaginal one and got to see the little heart fluttering around at 170 bpm.
I will say that it has calmed my worries a bit but I still worry. I've been feeling sick off and on. One day I'm great, the next I can't tolerate food. I am noticing my taste is changing because I love sweets and now they taste too sweet. Today I started wearing a bella band. My jeans are really tight! I'm running out of pants to wear to work. Yikes! Hope the boss doesn't mind?

My husband was really sweet during the ultrasound. You could tell he was really proud of his little bean floating around.

Off to take a nap! I'm tired.

Being knocked up is tough

My desire to hang out with people is pretty much gone too. My poor friends. Parties are a chore. Going out to dinner is a chore. Talking on the phone is a chore. If you don't have email or IM, good luck chatting with me. My desire for sex is gone too. My husband is a little freaked about it anyways though he knows it won't hurt anything he's pretty much ok with my dissipated desire. No desire to exercise. I think I'm more afraid of exercising than the lack of desire. Lack of creativity which my job sometimes depends on.

Being knocked up is tough!

It's Official

It's been no secret that I have the baby blues big time. After some preliminary testing, I found out that my ovaries were full of eggs and all systems were go for baby making. About one week ago, I started feeling like I have the flu. It didn't cross my mind until Monday that I might not be sick after all but actually pregnant. One day I was fine, the next I felt like it was the flu. The other thing was that I was really hungry but when I ate something, I ended up taking two bites and being done. People that know me know I love to eat. Even Joey noticed it at lunch the other day and when Brian made pizza, I had to force it down.

This morning, I got up early and urinated on a ept test. The first min showed negative and then at the end of two mins it showed a faint plus sign so I woke Brian up and had him look at it. After that, I couldn't sleep.

Since I work at a medical center, I went to one of the PAs and had her order a blood test. After getting the blood drawn and waiting, I found out it’s positive! Yeah!