My Mom was right, and boy is she happy about it!

Hello Bleeps!  Wow...let me take a breath!  It has been quite a morning.  So let's start at the beginning....

We had our 20 week ultrasound today (even though I am only about 19 weeks along).  For those of you who have never been (like me - until today), this scan looks at a lot of the baby's body and looks for specific things (but we'll get to that).  I was excited but I did manage to sleep most of the night except for the normal trips to the bathroom.  Until about 5 am that is....I woke up and for the life of me, no matter how I turned, couldn't go back to sleep.  Finally about 6 am, knowing my alarm was set for 6:15 am, I got up, showered and got ready.  Woke J up about 6:30 am, so he could get ready.  Out of the house by 7:15 am and on our way (in separate cars so he could go straight to work afterwards) to the ultrasound place, which is not my doc's office.  Mom and Dad beat us there.  I got checked in, got my lovely little hospital bracelet, sat down and sure enough we got called in. 

Very nice technician who kind of walked us through what the procedure would detail (EVERYTHING!) and then we began.  Mom, Dad and J sat in chairs and I laid on the bench, with J's hand holding my hand on my shoulder while she spread the jelly goo on my belly.  Oh, and she asked if we wanted to know the sex - which of course got a resounding "Yes" from all parties.  So she began...looked at the baby's head, hands (made sure they both opened and closed like they should), feet, measured limbs, heart (saw all 4 chambers - amazing!), profile, kidneys, basically if the baby had it we saw it.  Finally little Monkey was positioned correctly and she said, "alrighty folks, looks like we have a GIRL!"  Mom asked how sure the tech was and she said "she doesn't say anything until she is 80% positive" then later she became 98% positive after showing us how she could tell it was a little girl.  J kept squeezing my hand ever so tightly and I think a couple little tears may have escaped my eyes.  Mom yelped I am pretty sure! (Mind you, it would have been the same for a boy, we just want a healthy baby!) 

The one thing the technician went back to was a little spot in baby girl's non-thinking part of the brain.  It's called a cyst and they are seeing more and more of them because technology is getting better and better.  The technician made sure we understood it was nothing to worry about because all of the other tests she did to ensure nothing was wrong (making sure baby girl's hands opened and closed for one - which they did) and comparing to my last ultrasound (with the crazy blood test) and said that was very normal, also looking at baby girl's length and weight (length is about the size of a watermelon slice, with overall weight about as heavy as a can of soda), and that was good too because she measures a bit larger and usually babies with problems measure smaller.  So all in all, something to be aware of but nothing to worry about.  Although we did need to come back to talk to the doc and essentially hear the same thing from her in a few hours. 

Clean me up and walk out with our crowd.  As soon as we were outside I think Mom did a little dance.  She's thrilled!  Dad said good-bye and went off to work, thrilled as well.  Mom stepped away so J and I could have a little moment.  And I looked at him and his eyes were glassy.  I kind of did a double take and asked him if he had cried (it had been dark in the room after all so I couldn't see if he had) and he just kind of gave me a funny look.  So I reached in to hug him and remembered us talking about how when Grandma Rowe (who died last November) got to heaven we would have an extra angel watching out for us and we'd probably get a girl if she had her say-so.  And that's what had brought him to tears.  It was so sweet to see him so excited about our little girl.  I think that is the first time I have seen him cry happy tears...so you know what is to come.  This little girl may just be spoiled rotten!  Oh well....if that's what happens, that's what happens.  After a good few minutes of hugging, we finally released, both with wet eyes, said our "I love you's" and went our separate ways...him to work and me with Mom to breakfast and to Target for finally some baby shopping!

So here's my plan for telling J's parents.  I bought a whole bunch of baby girl stuff at Target (socks, shoes, dresses, headbands, etc.) and I'm just going to leave it around the house when they come on Thanksgiving.  If they don't comment or miss all that stuff, then when we go around and say what we're thankful for, J or I will say, "I'm thankful for our little girl coming in April."  BTW - Grandma Rowe's birthday is April 2nd, so there's another link to her.  I think J's parents will pick up on the little hints before we get to dinner, but we'll have to wait until Thursday to find out.

When we (Mom and I) stopped somewhere to run an errand and she popped out of my car, I took a picture...

of one of the things I had bought at Target and texted it to maybe 30 people showing our news.  From then on my phone just went crazy.  Also sent the photo to J and he said he loved it!  (Months and months ago, J had a dream that he was following a little girl with pigtails and bows and he knew that it was his daughter...guess he was right!)  Also, at least a few years ago, I had Chinese food one night and the back of my fortune from my fortune cookie said, "daughter" and how to say it in Chinese.  Don't know if they were really indicators back then, but we're gonna say they are now!

Mom and I also called my Grandma Einck (Mom's Mom), because this is her first great-grand-baby and she was excited to hear that it was a baby girl.  There's a lot of girls on my side of the family (4 girls on Mom's side and 5 on Dad's - cousins I mean) so I thought it might be, but I also didn't want to get attached to a girl or a boy and be disappointed either way.

I guess that's about all our news today.  Oh, when I dropped Mom off at her house I finally got to take a picture of the fun thing BFF in Phoenix got her for her birthday announcing she would be a grandma.  So here's that...it really is quite perfect.

Pinch, pinch...okay, now stop!

Hello fair ones...how are you?  In AZ, the weather is perfect for me right now for the hours I am awake.  Anything before 6 am is just unbearable and after 9 pm too.  But in between is divine! 

We've passed the 18 week mark now and are lunging for the half-way mark.  Things are a bit busy at our house lately, and apparently in my belly.  For a few days now it has felt like someone is pinching me from the inside of my belly.  I finally opted to call Dr. OB yesterday because it was really hurting.  Nurse Shari assured me it was normal and was just ligaments stretching to account for el bambino needing more room.  But it has yet to stop and not that I'm complaining, but it hurts!  Guess it's the first of a lot right?!  Anyway, seem to be doing well.  Working out 3 times a week pretty regularly now and feeling good. 

We've got some work being done on our house this week.  J took off for Thursday and Friday to clean up the yard (not that I think it looks bad, but to him it is atrocious) so we rented a dumpster for that.  Also having ceiling fans put into our incredibly high ceilings, especially the baby's room to keep air moving about and some electrical issues fixed.  Then, when I was drying my hair this morning I noticed something above me so called the pest man to check it out Friday.  Looks like Thursday and Friday will bring lots of changes.  Not to mention the carpets were professionally cleaned last week.  Getting ready for Thanksgiving I guess?

That also means that we are getting ready to know the baby's sex...yup, next Tuesday!  Yikes, so excited.  I think the overall consensus from the masses is girl, but there's a few that think boy.  Guess we'll all find out next week.  J's parents will find out at Thanksgiving and I know how I am going to tell them, but you'll just have to wait until after the fact.

Now be thankful, here's a belly photo (Mama K came over on Saturday with the kiddos while J was camping and swiped my phone and forced me to take a photo...just kidding...kinda not...just kidding)....and a "chopped hair" photo...(I guess I got a bit of a wild hair on Saturday when I went to the hairdresser because I had her chop off about 6 inches, but so far so good.)...

And here's the 18 week update:
How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How your life's changing:
Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow. Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy. From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort. If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!

Now for my version:
I'm feeling pretty good.  J would say that I am phenomenal because I am once again cleaning, cooking and moving around at a pretty good clip.  I'm just happy I can stand up and not feel sick or have a headache every day.  I would definitely say I have a baby belly now...or a beer belly if you don't know me.  :)  But you can tell for yourself in the above photo. 

Oh, totally weird thing happened last week.  I was at work and I got a text from a phone number I didn't have in my phone kind of asking a personal question, then another saying the textor had" had a dream about me and that I was pregnant with a little girl."  I texted back asking "who it was" and it happened to be from one of the girls who worked for us last year who had moved about 5 hours away and changed her number.  Anyway, I responded that we would "find out the sex in a few weeks" (figuring she had heard about the pregnancy from a mutual friend) and she texted back saying she "had no clue I was actually expecting and she was so excited for us."  How random is that?  Since I'm not having any dreams about sex of the baby (besides the one), I'm thinking it's a girl based on her and everyone else's guesses. 

I even said something about the baby to J the other day and said "she" is doing something and he looked up and said, "she huh?"  I think he's rooting for a boy.  Will just have to wait and see.

But boy do we have a lot to be thankful for this year!

What a crazy week!

Hello folks!  I feel like I have been saying "I'm sorry for being MIA" a lot lately.  Just a lot happening and not enough time in the day.  Plus I will admit that I get tired easier these days than in my pre-pregnancy life.  So a quick update then the 17 week (!) update, and then I'm done.

We are almost half way through this pregnancy and only about a week an a half away from knowing the sex of little Monkey.  I woke up with a migraine on Sunday and Monday so no gym for me on Monday, but I did go Wednesday and plan to go tomorrow too.  Doing the new workout Trainer gave me and so far not so bad.  My upper body was a little sore yesterday, but today even less.  Tuesday was my monthly Dr. OB visit and according to her everything is great.  My blood pressure is always great they tell me, however I was up 6 lbs!  OMG!  In past times up 6 lbs was cause for vast diet shift and more workouts, but not these days!  Dr. OB reminded me that I am only supposed to gain about a pound a week, so this month was a bit high and that I need to monitor myself.  I kind of think it is due to the fact that my appetite has returned and I am eating real food again.  Workouts could have a little to do with it since they have been added back in, but mostly just because I'm actually eating again!  Other than that we are doing just fine.  I heard the heartbeat again (J couldn't go to the appointment because he was super busy at work) and I even recorded it on my phone so I can listen anytime I want to.  If I was a little more internet savvy I would figure out how to post it, but I'm not so sorry!  So we move forward to next month. 

Today one of our pups has been coughing.  It's the weirdest thing ever.  Kind of sounds like she has something caught in her throat, but then nothing ever comes up.  Sometimes its a whole bunch at once and sometimes not for hours on end.  Have called our vet (across town) and the receptionist said to wait it out for a few days.  Called the vet down the street and left a message asking the vet to call me back to determine if we need to bring her in.  J suggested giving her some warm chicken broth because her throat must be sore from all the coughing.  Don't really know if it is helping but she sure loves it!  I really hope it is nothing serious, just sounds so bad! 

Okay, 17 week update:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

How your life's changing:
Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

Now for my version:
I am getting closer and closer to feeling "like a million bucks" as Trainer's Wife told me I would in the 2nd trimester.  I'm still tired, with all that my body is doing, but at least I can wrangle myself out of bed in the morning.  I did attend 2 baby birthday parties on opposite sides of town on Saturday and that tired me out pretty good for Sunday.  But other than that I'd say I am prospering.  I definitely feel like I look pregnant now.  Have worn my "look at me, I'm pregnant" shirts a couple times and feel pretty good about it.  Although I have not mastered the art of self-portrait with camera phone and I keep forgetting to ask J to take a picture of me for y'all and FB.  I will, at some point friends.  I do have an appetite, as my 6 lbs can attest to, but I still don't feel like I am eating everything in sight.  I used to always be a member of the "clean plate club" at any meal and that just isn't the case these days.  I have noticed that my allergies are acting up with the drastic change in weather (we went from 80 degrees one day to 50 the next!), but that isn't Monkey's fault.  Although I will say that I am hesitant to take any meds, even those approved by the doc, to ease my pain.  Can't explain why specifically, just want to make sure nothing I do affects how Monkey is coming along. 

I guess that is it for now and I am due for a snack!  Have a great rest of your day folks and talk to you soon!

How do you say...?

Hello my Bleeps!  I've missed you since Sunday.  How has your week been?  Again, we've been a busy bunch but nothing super exciting.

I guess today might end up as kind of a rambling. I don't have anything specific in mind, but a few things floating.  So here goes...

I haven't felt the baby move again.  I feel little cramps and the other day it felt like someone was pinching me from the inside, but it doesn't feel like the first two times the baby moved.  It has me a bit worried, but I also haven't been laying down doing nothing very much, and that has been when it has happened.  I have my monthly OB visit on Tuesday so I'll hear the heartbeat again.  J can't go because he is super busy at work and wants to save his November day off for Ultrasound day on the 22nd.  So just me, but I am hoping I remember to see if Dr. OB will let me record on my phone what the heartbeat sounds like so I can listen whenever I want to.  I was explaining to a friend at lunch today that besides feeling hefty these days (and not in a good way) I don't really feel pregnant anymore.  In the first trimester I was sick, headachy and tired, so I actually "felt" pregnant.  Now, I feel really good...still have the occasional sour stomach or headache, but mostly feel great.  So right around the time I am due to visit Dr. OB I don't feel pregnant and she'll be there to assure me that everything is fine.

I've been to the gym a few times this week, but I think 3 is my max per week.  I was really sore last week, but by the weekend I was much better.  I went this week and met with Trainer on Thursday.  He revamped my workout so that I had less stress on my back and abdomen, and more focus on upper body (thank goodness because it needs it!) and legs.  He also taught me some stretches to help ease the changes happening now.  I can't explain how much it helps that he just watched his wife go through this so he understands everything first hand.  It is truly awesome.  We also discussed boot camp.  I'm a bit leery about going back.  One because it is at 6 am and these days getting up before then is a true challenge to my inner core.  Two because it is downright cold now in the mornings.  And three because I don't know what the workout will be and while I know Meanie Christinie would make it so I could do it, I really don't want to overdo it.  I'm almost positive everything would be fine, but the "what if" is getting to me.  Especially after Angel Ash said last week not to "push it."  I know for a fact that if anything happens to this baby during the pregnancy (afterwards - not my fault, he he) I will blame myself.  And working out just isn't worth it that much to me.  Afterwards, I will work my butt off to get back in shape, I swear (although she is leaving in February...booo MC!).  But for now, 3 times a week at my pace is it.  I miss the interaction with MC, Lobster and Robot, but right now Monkey is my priority.   And I have a feeling it will remain that way for the next 18 years, if not for the rest of my life.  Trainer agreed with my thoughts as did J.  I'll still go to the gym and do my thing, but boot camp is out.  (sad face)  I hope my girls understand...

My belly.  I've finally gotten my pregnancy shirts in that are way cute that express I am truly pregnant.  However, when I put them on, they hide the belly.  And in that I just look fat.  I don't have the nice roundness that I see on everyone else.  I realize I am only 4 months pregnant (!), but I want the perfect round belly so everyone doesn't just guess (pregnant or fat) and hope they are right.  I haven't posted preggo pics because  every self photo I take looks awful.  Truly awful!  The belly isn't as present in the morning as it is in the afternoon.  And then I forget to have J take one when he gets home.  I always think about it at bedtime or when I haven't done my hair or make up because we are just cleaning.  I will try, I swear, but no promises.  How do you take a nice self-portrait in the mirror with a camera phone?  This is a talent I do not possess.

No, I do not "feel" the sex of the baby.  I've had many people ask me this question and the answer still remains no.  I didn't know I was pregnant.  I do not know what I am having.  And according to Angel Ash, the angels don't want me to know! I wish I knew.  We will be happy either way.  If we have a boy, J will be in heaven teaching him how to play football, baseball and to work on the car and Monkey will be my little man.  If we have a girl, I will be in heaven dressing her up and she will have J wrapped around her little finger.  My Mom is p-o-s-i-t-i-v-e that we are having a girl, as are a few other people.  Guess we will just have to wait and see.  And when we know, I will share the sex.  Any ideas of fun ways to surprise our house guests on Thanksgiving - mainly J's family - with the reveal?

Names.  J refuses, absolutely refuses, to discuss names until we know the sex of Monkey.  He won't even bat them around with me.  He doesn't want to fall in love with a name and then be disappointed because the baby is the other sex.  And no, we won't be telling people the name.  Maybe at the shower, but I kinda think not until the baby is born.  We'll see.  I have a list in my phone, but until it's in cement, that will be a secret.

I bought something for Monkey.  I couldn't resist last weekend!

I guess this is where my ramblings come to an end.  Have a wonderful weekends folks...here comes week #17!