Monday, December 1, 2008

Week 19


And bigger! This was post Thanksgiving, right before I went to go see 4 Christmases with my friend Stephanie (very funny movie by the way!).

Week 18


Getting Bigger....

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Dr. Peanut says "hello!"

So most of you have already heard that Dr. Peanut is a boy! We are really excited and are now starting to try to find a more suitable name for him. We have a roll of 10 or 12 ultrasound pictures, but the one that confirms the boy parts didn't scan in so well, and there are at least three profile shots that look identical. So here is a typical side-view ultrasound picture of him and a 3D composite picture of him, so you can see how pretty he is!


Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Dr. Peanut and pancakes


So we find out what kind of baby I'm making in just a couple of hours. SO Exciting. I was at work last night with the two remaining kids at preschool and I was talking to the oldest one, who is three and a half. She asked me where my baby was, and I told her it was still in my tummy. Then I said, "Do you think it is a boy baby or a girl baby?" "Ummm...Boy!" she replied back. So I asked her, "What do you think I should name him then?"

"Dr. Peanut!" So Dr. Peanut it is. For now anyway.

So this morning Dr. Peanut wakes me up to go to the bathroom, and I climbed back into bed afterward because I am a total lazy momma. I rolled over and told David I was craving pancakes and he told me to quit hitting snooze and get ready for work, which I did about 10 minutes later. Having totally forgotten the mention of breakfast, I went to go grab a bowl of cereal before work and saw David in front of the stove. He was already fully dressed since he took Jack out, and was flipping over the first batch of pancakes. All I had managed to do was brush my teeth and put on pants, but he made delicious pancakes after taking our dog out and looking cute all at the same time.

At this point I want to ask my mother-in-law for pointers on how she turned out such an awesome guy.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Week 17


Please excuse the grimace I am making in this photo. Self-portraits are hard.

These are my fancy new maternity jeans, but they are kindof hidden since I pulled the big blue belly panel down to show my buddha belly. I'm sure you'll see much more of them though, since they are one of the remaining three pants that fit me without a rubberband holding the fly together.

And the camera base whose disappearance I blamed on David was actually in plain view in our entryway. Whoops.

Week 16


David took this the night we got back from our wine tasting weekend.

I took this one later the next night, because I felt grubby in the first one. I blame the biscuits and gravy and chili that we had over the weekend for the dramatic growth.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Strange comments from random people

I was told yesterday that my nose is getting bigger by a girl at work. It is TOTALLY THE SAME AS IT WAS BEFORE, but even if it wasn't, why on earth would you say that to someone, much less someone pregnant who very well could start crying or throwing her stinky lunch (vegetable soup- really) at you?

Also, my boss told me I "really look pregnant...everywhere". When I asked her what she meant by that (I've actually lost weight in the back from all of that nausea!) she basically told me I had huge boobs. Lucky for her she is a 60 year old woman, or that would be totally inappropriate.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Missing Belly Pictures

I know a few of you check to see my ever expanding tummy regularly and my last two weeks pictures have been missing. I promise I will put them up as soon as I find the base to our camera (David, is this at your office?). David left on Sunday morning for a conference in Philadelphia, so my house is super quiet right now. I made Jack sleep in our room last night since I am a total scaredy cat and hate sleeping alone, but I don't think he minded too much since he tries to jump on the bed every night before we go to bed.

I had a great birthday on Saturday and got lots of calls, text messages, and wall messages on Facebook, so thanks for all of those! I slept in on Saturday and then David and I wandered around trying to find maternity pants that didn't look hideous and fit (which was surprisingly difficult). I finally found a pair of corduroys at a consignment shop and a pair of jeans at Mimi Maternity that look like something I would wear normally. Then we went to Red lobster and had Cheddar biscuits, salad, and an appetizer for dinner. We normally go somewhere really nice, but I only wanted cheddar biscuits and didn't want to spend a lot of money on a meal that the baby might reject, if you get my drift.

We find out the sex of the baby next week! I'm getting really excited and people at work are going to vote on what they guess that it is. If you want to, you can put your guess in the comments section and we can compare the consensus with the actual result we get.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Our weekend getaway

Last weekend David and I went even farther north to go wine tasting (and designated driver-ing) with some friends. We stayed in a cute little cottage and hung out with 10 of our friends, and it was a blast. I also introduced our british friends to homemade biscuits and gravy, and learned to play a few new card games.





I'll post a new belly picture whenever I can find the base to our camera. As for the little one, I think he or she sees me saying "I feel great...I haven't been sick in a few days" as either a personal challenge or a sign that I've forgotten that he or she is in there, so that phrase will no longer be in my vocabulary. If you ask me how I've been feeling, don't be shocked if I change the subject.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Week 15



I know I haven't updated in two weeks, but I was trying to get all the things I've neglected to do for the last two and a half months done until the puking starts up again. When I say that I think it's finally gone away, I get crazy sick the next day. Like the baby is saying, "hey lady, just because you can't feel me kicking you doesn't mean I'm not here. Remember? Now find some doritos because I am starving."

Week 14




Strangely, I think clothes make me look more pregnant.

Week 13

This looks sweet, but just know this is a maternity skirt I haven't fully grown into and he was totally trying to pants me.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Knocking on wood...

So I didn't want to shout it from the rooftops until I had at least 3 consecutive good days, but I, uh, (in a whisper) think my morning sickness is going away? Oh please don't let it come back because I said that. But today and this weekend was awesome because I had an appetite, some energy and motivation to do things other than sleep, and I didn't get sick or nauseated. I am waking up around three a.m. STARVING, like stomach-growling-might-go-out-and-get-a-dozen-of-donuts-and-eat-them-and-go-back-to-bed-so-I-can-finish-sleeping kind of starving. It's pretty unusual.

We found out today that my boss is cutting us an AWESOME deal on daycare tuition so David and I are really stoked about that too. So this was a particularly awesome Monday.

And since I know you read this now, Susan, you have to have to have to come over here for thanksgiving. I cook a mean turkey and stuffing, have a big red couch with your name on it, and will be finding out the sex of the baby the day before. If you don't come, I'm not telling you what we're having. How's that for leverage?

Thursday, October 16, 2008

2nd midwife appointment

We went back to see the midwife today, and everything still seems great. I was right about losing weight; I am 2 pounds lighter than I was four weeks ago! Today and yesterday I have felt better though and I'm trying to just keep going forward. I heard the baby's heartbeat again, and she didn't have to search for it very long this time. It was about 150 beats per minute (I've already gotten a speculation on the sex because of this!). I also went ahead and got a flu shot, which I never get, because I certainly don't want to feel any worse than I have to!

The only downside was that instead of having the first ultrasound the week of my birthday, like I was hoping, it has to be two weeks later. So we will know the sex the day before Thanksgiving unless the little one is uncooperative. I'm excited because the next month will be a little busier, since I am supposed to miraculously feel better soon, I may start feeling movements, and we'll get the first pictures. That's about it, but I wanted to keep you guys in the loop!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Week 12



I wore this outfit a month ago, and looked more pregnant then. I'm pretty sure I've lost weight these last couple of weeks due to the nausea and sickness, but we see the midwife again on Thursday.

Sickness remedies I've tried:
Acupressure sea sickness bands (don't help)
Preggie pops suckers (don't help)
Ginger (makes me gag)
Regular coke (seems to help a little)
Jolly Ranchers (don't help)
Ice cream and popsicles (help a little)

Hopefully it subsides soon!

Week 11



Also known as, "The week morning sickness decided to show me who was boss".

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Week 10



Week 10 just before breakfast. I've caved and bought a few maternity things since my jeans are always digging into my belly when I sit down. It seems like on the days that I feel pretty awake I am told I look really tired and on the days I feel like my clothes fit pretty well I am told "Aw, you're showing!" At work today one of the (18 year old) aides said, "Dang, Ms. Nicki. You look really, really pregnant today." I had to remind myself it would be terribly tacky to tell her she looked really pregnant all the time. Thank goodness my hormones have a little bit of a filter still.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Week 9


I got David to take this before we went to dinner on Friday. We had the only semi-decent Mexican food in town, and I wanted to order chicken strips. Afterwards we went home to watch a movie, and I fell asleep in a record 15 minutes.


To keep things consistent, I took this on Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be brave enough to put my bare stomach up.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Baby Goodies

I got the best care package on Saturday from David's mom! She sent some adorable gifts, including footie pajamas, a bunny, a memory book, a magazine subscription, and even some of David and his big sister's baby things!







As for me, I've still been pretty sick lately. Now I am having morning and night sickness (but luckily none at work yet) and my life-long friendship with food seems to be spoiled, since NOTHING except ice cream tastes like it used to. On the brighter side, I met with our midwife today, and I really liked her. She said everything looked good and normal. We even got to hear the heartbeat early, which was so cool, and I felt like a super dork because I started crying immediately. It sounded a lot like a washing machine, and sounded like my heartbeat did but twice as fast. I feel like the bump is getting bigger too, but the ladies at work keep laughing at me because they say that you can't really tell yet.

week 7

Week 8

Thursday, September 11, 2008

almost 8 weeks update

Nothing really exciting has happened since I last wrote, with the exception of me developing morning sickness and somehow being even more fatigued. I am consistently getting 8 or more hours of sleep and it is not even putting a dent in my energy level. I have told just about everyone that we are pregnant, although most of my news has traveled rapidly through the grapevine, but since I have started feeling so icky it is good to have sympathy instead of looks that say, "what is wrong with her?"

Next week I meet with my midwife (unless I don't like her, and then I'll keep searching until I find one I do like). I'm excited and a little nervous because I am actually going against my mom's wishes on this one and trying it out the hippie way first--she was initially adamant that I go find an old, unattractive male OB/Gyn. I think it gave her images of me trying to give birth to my first baby in my living room floor or something, but once I explained that I was going to be in a really good hospital with options for all the medical interventions one could need she calmed down a little.

Anyway, David and some of our friends are all at Buffalo Wild Wings and are waiting on me to come, so I'll make an appearance before my 9:00 bedtime. 8 week picture to come soon- but it looks almost identical to the six week one.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

symptoms and advice from my mother

As compared with some of my girlfriends, I'd say my early pregnancy has gone pretty smoothly, and with minimal side effects. When I get hungry I get nauseous, but haven't thrown up yet, and I am SUPER TIRED ALL THE TIME. But nothing that has really brought my world to a grinding halt or anything. But this afternoon on the way home, I was SO hungry. Sure I had a granola bar and some fruit in my purse, but I thought a small cheeseburger from McDonald's sounded much better. They're only about 300 calories, so I figured I was doing as much damage as a bag of Doritos or something. While I was waiting in line my mom called. When I told her what I was doing, she yelled

"NOT MCDONALDS."

I tried to explain that I was only having one baby cheeseburger, and she answered,

"Have you seen 'supersize me'? This is my first, only, unborn grandchild. Go anywhere else but not McDonalds."

Of course I didn't want anything else, but I figure my mom has a little more experience than I do in the baby making category so I pulled out of the line and took myself home. But not before pouting and telling her how mean she was for depriving a pregnant woman her first craving.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Big News...



Well, I found out a couple of weeks ago that our little family of two (and Jack) will now be three (and Jack). We are very excited, and most people know, despite the warnings to not say anything until the end of my first trimester. As of Saturday I was 6 weeks along, so things are still very new and it is very early. I'm feeling pretty good (I only feel queasy if I don't eat for a while) and it's still to early to show, but I figured I'd like to try to log the pregnancy as best as I can to keep everyone up to date. So here are a couple of pictures of me so you can see "bump" progress. The belly you'll see in the pictures is NOT the baby, it is the tummy I have had my entire life, so go easy on me. We will find out the sex (but not for a long time yet) and will let you know when we find out later this fall. And I should be due right around early May. Here we go...


Week 5- please ignore the toothpaste. I was too excited to notice...



And week 6, or Saturday.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Hibernation

Well, I guess I forgot to blog for three months straight again. I blame it on the weather here, which is crazy and snowy and cold. We had the first day of Spring this week, and Michigan decided to promptly dump 5 or 6 inches of snow on us... I am trying to get in the spring mood by getting some seedlings started and letting my crafty side show. I haven't become super gardner (or anything remotely close to decent gardner) but I am still trying--I think that should count for something. I started seedlings for tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, cucumbers, spinach, mint, cilantro, parsley, and basil. I'll post pictures once I have some growth- right now it would just be pictures of dirt. We have three little window boxes on our balcony, so I think that would make a nice little spot for an herb garden.

I also tried making my own laundry detergent this week (I had strep throat and was out of work for three days). I'm currently doing a little experiment with the laundry in our basement to see which cleans and smells best. Not that any of our clothes get extremely dirty, but if the whites get dingy, it's back to the commercial stuff. I am also testing out some natural cleaning products. So far, I prefer the stuff I make and the eco-friendly alternatives more than the normal 409 and Mr. Clean stuff. It smells better, cleans just as well, and doesn't leave chemicals all over my bathroom and kitchen. And to be honest, it also gives me the hippy-crafty-smug thing that Hybrid cars give other people.

My last little experiment is to go TV free for a couple of weeks. This isn't original at all, I got the idea from AT LEAST 3 other websites. But it seems I could definitely find better things to do with my evenings and weekends than watch Oprah and Scrubs re-runs. We're in night two, and I can't say my house is spotless or anything, but I have managed to go to church, visit with friends, go to the grocery store, bake a cake, and get some laundry started before dinner time. That's pretty darn good for me. Normally Sunday is only good for a few loads of laundry, church (if I'm really good), and getting my recruiter report done. And yesterday I ran all kinds of errands and made two new dishes (ratatouille and risotto-both are much less complicated than they sound). So hopefully I won't go through major entertainment withdrawals or miss out on any major world events.

Who am I kidding? David has NPR on as I type this. I won't miss a thing.